Taurus USA import many of thier guns from their Brazilian parent company. Because the BATFE has rules regarding size of imported guns, the company imports the Mod 94 .22 LR revolver with 3" barrels and cuts them down to 2". This funky revolver is a fully functional factory error.
It is being sold by Ocala Armory for $500.
Hat Tip: Pistol Training via. SayUncle
Most of you, I think, know what is meant by a term "STANAG magazine". For those of you who do not, it refers to a specification prepared by NATO which describes the dimensions of an AR-15 / M16 compatible magazine. An example of the usage of the term is in the Magpul's Masada spec document (emphasis added) ...
Multiple ammunition magazine capability is accomplished with unique lower receivers to accept either the NATO STANAG (USGI M-16) or the Automatic Kalashnikov (AK) magazine. Additional lowers receivers that accept other maga- zine types are also possible.
I received an interesting email from Roberto, a NATO employee, who explained that despite the term being commonly used, the specification does not exist. Apparently the draft STANAG 4179 was never ratified by member states and therefor it was discarded by default. If you call up the NATO Standardisation Agency (Bruxelles) and ask them for the STANAG 4179 document they will tell you that it does not exist.
This slide comes from a NATO presentation ...
So there you have it - STANAG 4179 does not exist! "USGI compatible" is a more correct term than "STANAG compatible" when referring to AR-15 magazines.
Many thanks to Roberto for this information.
There has been much controversy over the Model 597 (.17 HMR) buyback.
For those of you not familiar with the buy back, I will summarize. Back in August Remington finally acknowledged that their .17 HMR semi-automatics had serious issues. They offered a $250 coupon, which could be used towards the purchase of another Remington firearm, for each 597 that was returned to them. A $10 coupon was also offered for each box of ammunition returned. Since then there has been a lot of anger and confusion.
The confusion regarding the .17 HMR cartridge.
This buy back does not mean that the .17 HMR is unsafe in your bolt action, single shot or lever action rifles. The problems occur in semi-automatic rifles. Matt Groom explained in the comments ...
With any bottle necked round, the pressure generated in the body of the case has to be compressed slightly to flow through the smaller diameter of the case neck. This is why the shoulder usually moves forward a tiny bit on rifle cartridges. The gases also accellerate as they travel through the neck area, which can cause the neck to soften and split. This all happens very fast, and is one reason why nearly everything with a bottle neck is fired from a locked breech. The PPSh and other Soviet SMGs are the only things I can think of that use a bottle neck in a blowback action before the modern .17 caliber rimfires came out, and I think those used steel cases.
This was likely the reason that Ruger never launched their once advertised, but never seen, 10/17 rifles.
In September Hornady, who originally developed the cartridge, posted this noticed on their website ...
Recently there have been notices placed on several web sites warning about the use of 17HMR ammunition in semi-automatic firearms. Statements are to the effect of do not use 17HMR ammunition in semi-auto firearms or serious injury may result and do not use unless or until you have contacted the manufacturer of your firearm. Every ammunition manufacturer determines the warning it believes is appropriate for its product.
First and foremost, the safety of our customers is our primary concern, and the same is true for all other SAAMI member companies. We are making this statement to hopefully reduce confusion, answer questions and clarify issues.
We believe 17HMR ammunition is manufactured to the highest standard of care and quality and performs within the specifications established for 17HMR ammunition and is consistent with SAAMI standards for ALL ammunition.
We are not firearms manufacturers and we believe the firearms manufacturers are solely the ones responsible for determining if and how they should market and sell a model or type of firearm. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER OF YOUR FIREARM TO DETERMINE IF IT IS SAFE TO USE 17HMR AMMUNITION IN YOUR SPECIFIC TYPE AND MODEL OF FIREARM.
So there you have it. It is safe, but be wary of using the round in a semi-automatic.
The controversy regarding the buy back.
Many owners of recently purchased .17 597 rifles are understandably unhappy about the buy back. Some have paid hundreds of dollars more for the rifle than what Remington is offering in the buy back scheme.
In the comments Rand said ...
A few points, then: 1) Remington’s buy-back offer represents $10 less than what a gun dealer who is unaware that the thing has been recalled will offer for a gun that has blown out its magazine. So you could say it’s a pretty lousy buy-back offer, but you could also say that it’s about right, since you wouldn’t be able to get much more for the gun by selling to someone else. Either way, Remington is not doing anybody any favors.
2) If you read Remington’s recall notice (which I also found when I Googled the thing), you’ll see that it does not admit that there is anything inherently wrong with the round OR the rifle. It says Remington has been “notified” by its “supplier” of 17 HMR ammo that the ammo is unsafe for use in semi-automatic rifles. So Remington offers to buy back its ammo. Then it says, essentially, that because it’s recalling its .17 HMR ammo, it’s also recalling its Model 597 rifles in .17 HMR. But why recall the rifles when the problem is the ammo? This is classic CYA legal language, pure and simple. I was in fact shooting Hornady ammo in my son’s rifle when it blew out the magazine.
Overseas customers are worse off as they have to pay much higher prices for their rifles, but are being offered the same buy back. Pat Gallagher said ...
I live in Ireland were we are screwed cost wise for just about everything, I bought a Remy 597 in .17hmr about 12 months ago.I paid 700.00 euro for it, approx 1040.00us dollars and am being offered the same deal as you guys recall value, and you guys are pissed!.
Shooters affected by the buy back have been emailing and snail-mailing Remington, complaining to the BBB, organizing an online petition and threatening legal action.
In the comments Joe argued that, on the whole, Remington are being fair ...
Having worked at Remington for over 40 years and retired I know that the company does everything possible to produce a quality product. As with any other industry sometimes new products don’t live up to expectations for one reason or another,the 597 .17 being a good example.I am also aware that no matter what reconciliation is offered it won’t satisfy everybody. many of the issues raised in the forum are justified and I think the company will be fair in their response.The thing that bothers me is the talk of lawyers and lawsuits. With Washington filled with antigun politicians we as gun owners should not be so quick to hobble a company that is in the forefront of protecting the 2nd Ammendment. You may say that I am biased but I would feel the same if it was Winchester,Mossberg or any other American gun maker.
What can Remington do to make this right?
I am going to write an email to my contact at the Freedom Group's Public Relations department and propose that Remington offer to replace any 597 purchased in the past X years with the closest equivalent .22 LR model. Customers could choose to have their 597 replaced or to take the $250 coupon. Sure this is not a perfect solution but I think it is more fair than the current situation.
Do you think Remington is being fair or not?
In September I wrote that the Marine MEU(SOC) M1911 pistol appeared to have finally been given an official DoD designation. A solicitation request, number M6785410R1030, was issued last week for M45 parts ...
The intent of this sources sought request is to identify potential qualified 8(a) small businesses that can provide the attached weapons parts list for the M-45, MEUSOC Pistol.
This confirms earlier evidence that the pistol will henceforth be known as the M45.
Thanks to Mark for spotting the solicitation request.
Sig Sauer has made two changes to the design of the SIG P250 Compact, 9mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG models, which affect magazine and holster compatibility.
They have changed the grip so that it is the same as the rest of the P250 product line. The original magazines are not compatible with the new grip, and vice versa.
Original magazines will continue to be manufactured and will be sold for the same price as the new design magazines.
Also changed is the accessory rail which is now a standard picatinny rail. This is a good move by Sig, although owners of existing P250 compacts may not be very happy about the change. The new design may not be compatible with holders that were made with the original design in mind. If you purchase a holster for a P250 Compact in the future, make sure it is compaible with your version of the gun.
More info about these changes here.
[ Please tell me you liked the pun in the title 
]
Tsar Cannon, who are the exclusive provider of sniper rifles to the Russian equivalent of the Secret Service, claim that they produce the most accurate sniper and competition rifles in Europe.
The company hopes to export into the United States. RT.com reports (emphasis mine) ...
The shots are remarkable accurate, so it is easy to understand why this kind of weapon is the first choice for professional snipers and for those protecting Russia’s top leaders. If one wanted to shoot out the eye of a rabbit at a distance of one mile, this is the gun for it.
Tsar Cannon plans to enter the US market in the near future where, even though the market is dense with similar companies, the number of shooting ranches is many times bigger than in Russia. Therefore there is a demand for the best, hi-tech rifles.
I do not see how they are going to be able to export. Since 1997 the ATF has barred Russian imports other than gun explicitly approved in Federal Regulation T.D. ATF-393. I do not belive the approved list has been updated in over a decade ...
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the Director shall deny applications to import into the United States the following firearms and ammunition:
(1) Any firearm located or manufactured in Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan, and any firearm previously manufactured in the Soviet Union, that is not one of the models listed below:
(i) Pistols/Revolvers:
(A) German Model P08 Pistol.
(B) IZH 34M, .22 caliber Target Pistol.
...
The only way they could get around this ban is to name their guns after a rifle listed as being allowed for import. For example, they could name their rifle "Saiga Super-Sniper" (Saiga is listed as being legal to import). Although, I doubt the BATFE would allow this when they figured it out.
Many thanks to Michael for sending me the link.
This is a very nifty invention.
The inventor seems to have used a magazine and bolt design similar to the ancient Chinese repeating crossbows.
From the inventors website ...
The specification I devised called for a full auto-firing rate of 1 bolt per second; with 6" of draw length and a minimum of 30lbs draw weight. The magazine was to house 10 bolts 9" long. The bow was to be capable of discharging the full magazine with imperceptible slowing down and have an effective range of 25 yards.
The draw length is limited by the throw of the crank that pulls the bow carriage plus the relationship this has with the near stall torque that can be pulled out of the motor / gearbox assy. The need to maximise these relationships must be balanced against the voltage / number of batteries / weight.
The above was achieved using 8 AA rechargeable NiCd batteries giving 9v.
Hat Tip: SaysUncle and egosumquisum
I have to admit that I have long fantasied about going hunting with high vision goggles and scopes. The idea probably fills most hunters with disgust, and rightly so. There cannot be even be a pretense of fair chase. AR Guns & Hunting has published a brief article about their nigh-time hunting experience with a crew called Tactical Hog Control. The feral pig population is out of control and they do much damage to landowners properties and the use of nigh-vision gear allows quicker culling.
From THC's website ...
Since we began hunting together in April 2008, our talley on hogs is just over 260 as of December 1, 2009. Of these hogs, only 3 were not processed and made use of by ourselves, our guests, or someone in need. Well over 90% are neck/head shots so loss of use due to less than perfect bullet placement is minimal. We work to maintain this record by getting in close for the kill and by being patient while waiting for the right shot presentation. The typical shot is at 3o to 40 yards standing off of shooting sticks. We are a one shot-one kill style of hunting.
...
Hunts can be booked by calling Randy at 210-884-7311 or Gerald at 210-884-7462 or by email at nighthogs@gmail.com. We are located in Seguin, Texas which is 35 miles east of San Antonio on IH10 and 160 miles west of Houston. Hunting locations are within a 30 minute drive of Seguin. We have reduced our price for 2009 to $300 per person for up to 4 people. There is no trophy fee and no cleaning fee. If you book for two consecutive nights it is $550 per person. We are so confident in getting you a shot at a hog, we will offer this guarantee. If we can’t put you within 75 yards of a hog with a shot opportunity, we will invite you back for a free hunt.
Click on calendar under “links” for available hunting dates.
I wonder if cavemen spent nights around the camp fire discussing whether or not the newly invented spear was fair on the wooly mammoths and saber toothed tigers that they hunted In all seriousness, when it comes to culling animals, anything humane goes. Night vision probably gives less of advantage than the helicopters do in the parts of the world where they are used for hunting.
[ Just a warning: any anti-hunting comments, "these guys are idiots" comments and other unhelpful comments will be deleted ]
While I do not normally post advertisements, I thought this beneficial enough for you, my loyal readers, to warrant me posting it ...
Are you an amazing marksman? You could win $100,000 in prizes on the History Channel
If you are skilled with a pistol, rifle or any other firearm, you could win $100,000 in prizes on TV’s first marksmanship competition show. The History Channel and the producers of The Ultimate Fighter are looking for anyone with mind-blowing shooting skills and a big personality to take on exciting physical challenges with multiple guns and mystery projectile weapons.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a professionally trained shooter or a self-taught, average Joe (or Jane!). As long as you’re in good physical shape, have mastered a firearm and can adapt to new weapons and demanding physical situations, you could be America’s first “Top Shot.”
APPLY TODAY!
To apply, email TopShotCasting@gmail.com with your name, city/state, phone number, a recent photo of yourself and a brief explanation of why you should be on the show. Deadline to apply is January 18, 2010. For more information, visit www.pilgrimfilms.tv and click on “CASTING” or call 818-728-3729 TODAY!
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident or citizen of the United States and reasonably proficient with shooting and marksmanship
Also blogged by SaysUncle, Gun Nuts Media, Michael Bane and SigBoy.
Wilsons Gunshop (aka. Wilson Combat) has just had two patent applications approved. Both attribute Douglas D. Olson as the inventor.
The first, entitled "Bridged extractor spring for firearms" describes a a duel spring designed to prevent extraction problems in short barreled AR-15s.
Jay (jdun1911) pointed out that a $5 spring and o-ring will achieve the same result and does not require a modified bolt.
Does anyone know if Wilson has ever made use of this invention? The patent application dates back to 2007.
The other patent awarded to Wilson is for a new night time pistol sight. I only skim-read the patent, but form what I made out it uses a combination of an angled mirror, tritium insert and fiber optics to provide a supposedly superior night time sight picture.
New and unique improvements of prior known fiber optic sights for firearms with day and night time capabilities are disclosed that comprise (A) a sight base, (B) a fiber optic rod mounted in said base having an angle cut at the distal end which is positioned on the underside of the rod, and (C) an artificial light insert that is positioned in a cavity in the fiber optic rod. The cavity is sealed with a fiber optic rod plug and epoxied using an optically clear epoxy. The sight provides increased light output, co-located day and night sight views with increased illumination during the day, and uses a low power tritium insert for night time use. At night the sight achieves a transition from a bright ring during the day to a small central dot at night while maintaining the same color light for both.
Many thanks to Jay for his help.
