The Firearm Blog

Once again my email backlog is slowly killing me slowly. I am about one month behind, so do not be offended if I take a while to reply to your emails.

For a company that supplies bayonets with some of their pistols, I am surprised it has taken CZ-USA this long to offer a breech choke.

I presume that it will fit in all their 12 gauge semi-automatic shotguns. I don’t know how useful this would be in a home defense situation, but it sure looks cool and at $39.99, is not all that expensive.

S&W have made a special run of S&W 642 and 442 revolvers with ported barrels. These must make one heck of a bang when the trigger is pulled! Both are chambered in .38 Special.

Model 642


Model 442

Brownells are now selling their own branded M4 style barrel.

The AR-15/M16/M4 Carbine Barrel (#080-000-681) is made of 4140 chrome moly steel, hardened to Rc 26-33 and stress relieved. It’s 16″ long with a 1 in 7 twist and ½”-28 threads for a flash hider. M4 feed ramps provide reliable feeding into the 5.56 NATO chamber. A dark gray, Parkerized finish helps prevent rust.

They are selling it for $219.99. I wonder how long before they start selling a Brownells branded upper receiver.

Some Sig P238 sub compact pistols have a defective safety that will, if the trigger was pulled when engaged, fire a round when the safety is then disengaged. Now that would scare the crap out of me!

SIG SAUER, Inc. has initiated a Mandatory Safety Upgrade pertaining to our new Model P238™ pistols. We have determined that a small number of P238 pistols may have safety levers that are not manufactured to factory specifications. Under certain conditions, it may be possible for the lever not to be completely engaged in the safe position. In this condition, the gun will not fire when the trigger is pulled. However, when the safety lever is moved to the off position, the hammer may fall, with the remote possibility that the gun could fire unintentionally, thus creating a risk of injury or death.

…

If you have a SIG SAUER P238 with a serial number between DA000501 and DA003216, please cease use of the firearm immediately. Not all P238s within the identified serial number range are affected; therefore, it is imperative that you contact us via the UPGRADE HOT LINE at 1 (866) 446-1914. An operator will take your information and confirm if your firearm is required to be returned for Upgrading. If necessary, you will receive a certified package from SIG SAUER that will contain a UPS shipping return label, a Return Merchandise Authorization Number, and a box to return the firearm

More information at Sig Sauer.

Thanks to Tony for letting me know about the safety upgrade.

Beretta and Ruger have both announced a huge increase over last years’ sales.

Beretta says:

Beretta U.S.A. Corp. announces outstanding June results. “We are extremely pleased by our commercial pistol market sales”, said Gary Ramey, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, “June sales are up 219% compared to last year. All of our pistol families are performing very well, with the Px4 Storm family up an amazing 451%. Our Cx4 Storm Carbine is also doing extremely well, up 1249% compared to last year”.

Ruger says:

* Our firearms sales grew 94% from the second quarter of 2008 and 14% from the first quarter of 2009.

* The Company estimates that its year-to-date sales growth of $54.7 million can be attributed to the following:

* Approximately 50% New products (LCP, LCR, SR-9, and SR-556),

* Approximately 25% Industry-wide surge in demand that began in the fourth quarter of 2008, and

* Approximately 25% Increased marketshare.

* Our firearms unit production grew 63% from the second quarter of 2008 and 18% from the first quarter of 2009.

Wilson Combat have added a complete .22 Long Rifle AR-15 upper receiver to their AR-15 product line. It is in the M4 style with a quad rail, 16″ barrel, front flip up sight and a A2-style flash hider. The price will be $995.

When they release more information I will be sure to publish it on the blog.

Smith & Wesson have developed a Banger’s exclusive Model 627 chambered in .38 Super. I really love the stainless glass bead finish along with the short black cylinder.

The reason for the big gap between the cylinder and the frame is because the original Model 27 was designed to chamber the .357 Magnum cartridge. A .38 Super case is about 30% shorter than a .357 Magnum case, hence the gap.

Specs:

Capacity: 8 Rounds (Same as the .357 Magnum models)
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 5 1/2″ Angled
Front Sight: Patridge
Rear Sight: Adjustable
Weight: 45.5 oz.
Material: Stainless Steel Frame and Cylinder
MSRP: I am not sure. Ask you local gun dealer to call Bangers about pricing.

.38 Super is a slightly weaker round than the .357 Magnum. Its advantage lies in the fact that it has just enough power to be classified as a Major cartridge in IPSC competitions. I know it is very popular among semi-auto IPSC competitors but I am not sure how popular it is with the revolver crowd. Caleb and Tam, do you know how?

Hat Tip: Gun Holsters and Gear

It is no secret than Vltor Weapon Systems have been working on the Fortis Pistol, a clone of the infamous Bren Ten. They have just announced that they have acquired the right to use the Bren Ten name and the Fortis Pistol will be released as the Bren Ten.

We have to apologize for the last several weeks; we have been in sort of a self-imposed blackout while we have been negotiating the agreement to use the Bren Ten name. This is something that we really wanted, in order to make the release of our pistol truly the continuation of the legacy – and something that we have been working hard to make happen.

A Bren Ten that is being auctioned at Gun Broker

The Bren Ten, most famously used on Miami Vice (the TV show, not the movie), is chambered in 10mm Auto.

Taser have just launched their new much-hyped X3 model. The X3 corrects a major flaw in the Taser system, something gun slingers realized at least 250 years ago, to wit, when dealing with people at close range a single shot is never enough. The X3 addresses this problem but giving the operator three shots.

Taser X3

This gives the X3 fifty percent greater ammunition capacity than a Derringer pistol, and just 82% less capacity than your plastic fantastic! Joking aside, the new multi shot capability is a technological breakthrough that significantly increases the utility of the device. It allow law enforcement officers to quickly follow up a missed shot or engage up to three targets simultaneously. This video demonstrates the multi target functionality:

Not only can it load three “Smart Cartridges”, but long range and short range cartridges can be mixed. The duel laser sight will automatically adjust the point of impact for the currently “chambered” cartridge, which I think is pretty nifty.

“Scary Arc Mode”

Another new feature is what I call the “Scary Arc Mode”. A button can be pushed which will cycle electrical arcs across the front of the device. While a superficial feature, it may persuade many a drunk to cooperate.

Other new features include safety, reliability and user interface improvements.

X3 Holstered

I think the X3 is one of those devices, like the iPhone, which can justify money being spent on an upgrade.

Last month in the Russian town of Tarusa, IDPA shooters held a public demonstration of their sport and allowed the local to give it a go. I must admit I was shocked to see that the demonstration was done out in the open, from an elevated position, with people, vehicles and boats behind the targets!

If you look closely, there appear to be people on the other side of the river.

The guns appear to be real, not airsoft or air guns.

Google Translate is a crude tool at the best of times, but I think they are saying that it was safe because the boat pictured above was 200-400 meters away from the firing line! I looked up the probable location on Google Earth / Maps and I think at best the boat was 200 meters, probably less.

According to Hatchers Notebook, the classic text on ballistics, a .45 ACP and .38 Special round can reach as far as 1200 yards ( 1097 meters ) if fired at the right elevation!

Am I missing anything that would make this safe? Can any Russian speakers please read the forum thread and let us know in the comments if they were doing anything that made it safe.

UPDATE: trigger288 says in the comments that the pistols are loaded with low powered rubber bullets, which are only dangerous up to 50m.

Hat Tip: Дмитрий Кочетков

Browning BAR ShortTrac is now available chambered in the very popular 7mm-08 and the .325 Winchester Short Magnum.

BAR ShortTrac Stalker

The .325 WSM is an 8mm round that was introduced about four years ago.

David E. Petzal has tested and written a brief review about the new TC Venture. The new sub-$500 budget bolt-action rifle not only meets but exceeds its 1 MOA guarantee. Just look at these groups David was getting with a variety of loads:

Federal 168-grain Match–.789”

Federal 165-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip—1.195”

HSM 165-grain soft-point–.855”*

Nosler 180-grain E-Tip handload–.919”

Winchester 180-grain Power Point—1.163”

Berger 155-grain VLD handload–.667”**

I cannot wait for it to come out in a short action. A .308, 7mm-08 and .243 would be awesome.

Read the review at The Gun Nut

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Taurus USA is looking relocate the company in order to expand their domestic production. Currently most of their guns are imported from their Brazilian parent company Forjas Taurus.

The reason: Police departments and other government agencies increasingly want their guns made in the United States, Taurus CEO Bob Morrison said.

While no decision has been made, Morrison praised Georgia’s efforts to lure the company.

“Gov. [Sonny] Perdue has been particularly anxious to extend the warm hand of Georgia,” Morrison said. “It’s a very attractive offer that he’s made. He’s gone way, way out of his way to try to get us to understand that Georgia is more than willing to have a firearms company move there.”