This comes straight from the I-never-thought-I-would-ever-blog-this department. Press TV reports:
> Saudis will be able to buy handguns and other personal firearms openly for the first time, the country's interior ministry has anounced.
> ...
> The move is aimed at reining in the widespread illegal ownership of handguns and assault weapons, a Saudi official said.
Hat Tip damien @ The High Road.us
Suburban has put together a list of links to popular DIY Ruger 10/22 mods.
AR-15 owners will soon have another "point five-oh" option for their rifles: the .50 GI. Before now only 1911 and Glock conversion kits were available for the cartridge.
The .50 GI was born out of the idea that if .40 was better than 9mm, and .45 was better than .40, then .50 must be better then .45. It should not be compared to the .500 S&W, .50 Beowulf or the .50 Action Express as it has much less power. The cartridge is comparable to the .45 ACP +P cartridge, but with a larger diameter bullet.
The .50 GI magazine holds 14 rounds and the AR-15 magazine holds 9 rounds.
The 16" upper will sell for $750 and with one magazine. You can see the contact details of the manufacturer, RMW Xtreme Inc., at the beginning of the below video.
Thanks to Giesler for the link.
Hat Tip: Photos from 475AR @ .50 GI Forum
Janes reports that Russian firm KBP are now producing a tactical version of their MTs 225 revolver shotgun:
The MTs-255 tactical shotgun is a 5-shot weapon and is designed around the revolver principle. The cartridge cylinder swings out to the left for loading/unloading. It can be fired either double-action (a long pull of the trigger both cocks and fires the weapon) or the hammer can be manually cocked for single-action firing. A heavy duty, single-strut metal side-folding stock is fitted, which pivots around a conventional style revolver pistol-grip and lies alongside the right side of the gun when in the folded position. Sights are described as 'open', but a length of Picatinny-type sight rail is fitted to the top of the receiver for the mounting of other sighting devices. The butt-plate, pistol-grip and fore-end are all constructed of high-impact polymer for durability and corrosion resistance.
The original MTs 225 was introduced as a hunting gun back in 2000. It has an interesting design. The benefit over semi-autos would be its double action revolver reliability.
Photos from Tozman @ Shotgun World Forum.
Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co. have designed a new high end sidelock over and under shotgun.
The A-10 American is a very low profile, shallow frame full sidelock over and under (not a box lock gun with side plates) for those who demand the very best. This is the highest form of the gunmaker’s art. Some benefits of a hand detatchable sidelock gun are perfect trigger pulls, intercepting safety sears, an easily removable action for cleaning and service, and a large surface area for the outstanding engraving.
Pricing for the Deluxe model starts at $9000, although there currently are discounts available.
Hat Tip: Mikes Blog (Zel Custom)
Minute Man Armor make armor that mounts into picatinny rails. Weird.
Jovian Thunder Bolt has more info.
Disappointingly the dinosaur gun we were all hoping for is not a dinosaur gun after all. Beretta have not yet published anything yet, but from what I have read, their new autoloader shotgun, Xplor UNICO A400, it is a refinement of the Beretta Xtrema 2 and 391.
Over the weekend I was searching for photos of the new shotgun, and even emailed my contact at Beretta USA, but all I could find was some pretty boring images taken by Beretta showing it being shot from a distance. For some reason Beretta made all the journalists who attended the launch to agree not to publish any photos before November. I believe the photo above is legit. An Italian online store published it, only to take it down soon after (presumably after realizing they were not allowed to publish it). I have blurred out their name so that they do not get into any trouble.
Onto the shotgun itself ...
The shotgun will come chambered in a 3" version and 3.5" super-magnum version. It optionally features the new kick-off^3 (that is kick-off-cubed, for those of you who do not use spreadsheets) recoil reduction system stock. Two hydraulic dampers in the stock (the return spring is forward of the receiver, not in the stock) and another damper, maybe mercury or a spring mechanism, in the forend.
Jim Shepherd reports:
With our barrels plugged for only three shots, I didn't get to try the four-shot speed, but I did empty my three shots at a rate I didn't think possible-and aimed, not simply fired. That's apparently due the test gun's using Beretta's new "Kick-Off" recoil reduction system. Along with a new Micro Core recoil pad, dual hydraulic dampers in the butt and a third to reduce recoil peak from the bit of the bolt against the receiver, it absolutely reduced the impact of a long day's shooting.
Maybe the first recoil damper is inserted into the magazine, which would explain why they were not allowed more than three rounds loaded into the magazine? I don't really know, I am guessing.
It uses a new gas system called the Beretta BLink. The name is a reference to its speed. Weighing in at 6.6 lbs, it is very light and slightly lighter than the Benelli Vinic.
James Marchington, of Sporting Shooter magazine (UK), published a scan of the specifications ...
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 12 gauge |
| Chamber | 3" or 3.5" (both will chamber shorter cartridges) |
| Capacity | Unknows |
| Receiver | Aluminum |
| Finish | Adonized color. Engraved with logo and "scrathes" |
| Barrel Lenghts | 26", 28", 30" |
| Safety | Reversible safety button |
| Wood | X-Tra Grain (???) |
| Recoil Pad | Micro-Core pad |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs |
| Price | $1600 - $1700 |
I will update the blog when more information becomes available.
UPDATE: The actual retail price appears to be $1500 without kick-off and $1600 with.
The lawsuit between ATI and H&K has been settled. Ed reports ...
Production and importation of the original design GSG-5 ceased as of Oct, 8, 2009 with the signing of the agreement. The remaining inventory now in the USA can be sold by ATI, all distributors and dealers. ATI currently has GSG-5's in stock.
Read the full press release over at at Ed's blog.
Are any of my Russian and European readers attending the Arms & Hunting expo at the Gostinji Dvor in Moscow (15-18 October)?
If you are, I would very much appreciate information and photos of any new and interesting firearms and ammunition on display. My email address is on the contact webpage.
Thanks!
