The Firearm Blog

Sabre published this press release in response to the BATFE raid ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 17, 2010 – Sabre Defence Industries LLC, an established manufacturer of firearms and weapon systems to the United States military, state and local law enforcement, and worldwide commercial markets, is fully cooperating with federal agents in an ongoing investigation into potential criminal misuse of certain non-saleable firearms produced by Sabre and purchased by some its employees. Sabre has received information that employee(s) involved in inventory control may have obtained and re-sold some items without appropriate licenses. Sabre is and has been cooperating with federal agents in this investigation.

[ Thanks to Ray for the link ].

A US judge doubts there was a single conspiracy in arms dealing bribery case where 22 people, include a S&W executive, were arrested. Reuters reports ...

"I read all 16 indictments and I didn't see it," U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said during a hearing on Wednesday. "I have zero sense that there was an omnibus grand conspiracy."

While many of those charged worked for different companies, the common theme running through the indictments is that they all believed they were bribing an African defense minister as part of a $15 million business deal.

...

The sting operation produced voluminous evidence, including some 5,287 taped phone calls, more than 800 hours of video and audio recordings and 231 recordings of meetings between undercover agents and the defendants, according to prosecutors.

Defense Review has just published an article about the above two news items.

The DOJ has unsealed the indictment against Viktor Bout aka. The Merchant of Death. From the Department of Justice press release ...

The indictment unsealed today charges Bout and Chichakli with nine individual offenses:

Count one: Conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act;

Count two: Money laundering conspiracy;

Count three: Wire fraud conspiracy; and

Counts four through nine: Wire fraud.

If convicted, Bout and Chichakli face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of counts one through nine. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III.

The charges unsealed today were the result of the close cooperative efforts of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the DEA, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, and the U.S. Department of State.

These charges are all very fine but he is currently out of reach in a Thai maximum security prison. Both Russia and the United states are trying to get their hands on him. Personally, I think Russia is going to get him. I reckon they want him to shut up more than the DOJ want him to talk.

[ Many thanks to Ray, Defense Review for emailing me the link. ]

A few months ago I blogged about the Zimmerman Arms new rifles. I said that they looked like "the best tactical Ruger 10/22-style rifle available".

Checkout their new pretty damn awesome tactical pistol

The Carbine length model.

The Mini length model.

They have not yet announced pricing.

[ Many thanks to Mason for emailing me the pic. ]

Magnum Research has updated the infamous Desert Eagle pistol. The new version features ...

• Long picatinny rail
• Slimmer profile slide
• Improved gas system
• More ergonomic safety levers.

The new version will be sold alongside the current model. Magnum has not yet published pricing infomation.

All the photos I took of the new 'Eagles were awful!

Its appears that Anvil Arms went out of business in November last year.

Anvil Arms AR-15 lower receivers.

Their website is still online but no products are listed.

From Weapons Cache Forum ...

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Fl St. s. 679.610 et seq., MILTON DISSER, LLC, as secured creditor, intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property. The secured creditor will sell at public sale on the 24th day of November, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Kass, Shuler, Solomon, Spector, Foyle & Singer, P.A., 1505 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33601, the following:

Debtor’s Name: JONATHAN A. KRUEGER

Description of Collateral:

One Hundred Percent (100%) of the outstanding membership interests in Anvil Arms, LLC, a Florida limited liability company with a place of business in Lakeland, FL. Terms of the sale are cash, or certified check. Property will be sold to the highest bidder “AS IS” without warranty relating to title, possession, quiet enjoyment or the like. Additional terms of sale to be announced on date of auction.

PHILIP K. CLARKE, Esq.
KASS, SHULER, SOLOMON,
SPECTOR, FOYLE & SINGER, P.A.
1505 N. Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33601
November 6, 13, 2009 09-5058H http://www.review.net/legal-notice-u...1-06-Hills.pdf (page 4, middle of 4th column in this pdf)

[ Many thanks to Matt for emailing me the link. ]

Remington's hunting AR-15, the R-15, is now available chambered in .450 Bushmaster. The gun features an 18" free-floading and fluted barrel and Mossy Oak Break-Up camo finish. The magazine can hold four rounds of the large .450 Bushmaster.

The rifle is pretty much the modern version of the classic .45-70 lever action carbine. A .450 Bushy packs about as much punch as a standard pressure (smokeless) .45-70 round. More than enough power for any North American game.

[ Many thanks to Heath for the info. ]

A hunter shoots a charging boar with a pistol ... pretty crazy.

[ Many thanks to Paulo for emailing me the video. ]

The Sun Sentinal reports ...

Kelly Jr., 49, of Navarre, admitted shooting his daughter's boyfriend in the groin with "The Judge," his silver Taurus .45-caliber revolver.

"The Judge" was loaded -- three chambers were filled with bird-shot and the fourth with lead. But only one chamber had been fired.

“I shot him in the nuts with bird-shot because he was beating my daughter,” Kelly said.

[ Many thanks to Abraham for emailing me the link. ]

AR-15 manufacturer Sabre Defence Industries has been raided by the BATFE. The Nashville Post reports ...

Federal law enforcement agents, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, descended on Nashville's Sabre Defence Industries this morning and closed down the facility for at least the day.

...

Law enforcement officials were seen escorting employees one by one of the company out of their 35,000-square-foot facility on Allied Drive. Each employee was searched next to their personal vehicle, had their vehicle searched and, when cleared, were allowed to leave the premises. No individuals were witnessed being arrested.

I wonder what is going on.

Sabre's M4 Tactical Piston Carbine

[ Many thanks to jdun1911 for emailing me the link. ]

UPDATE: There is more to this story than meet the eye.

There have been a lot of recently publicized KBs. I was emailed these photos of a Savage Model 10ML II "Smokeless" Muzzleloader. The accident happened last October.

The Model 10ML II is designed so that it can be used with smokeless powder, which generates much higher pressure than blackpowder.

The shooters hand, which was holding the fore end of the stock, suffered a lot of damage. I decided not to publish photos of his hand because they are far too graphic, but can be seen here (YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!).

The North American Muzzleloader Hunting Association published the shooters account of the incident ..

"On October 24th, 2009, I went to Broad Valley, Manitoba where I had purchased a hunting cabin with a couple of friends, to do some work on the cabin. And we thought we would get in a hunt that afternoon and the next morning. I had not sighted my muzzleloader this year, so went to a pit south of town to do so. I loaded the gun with 42.5 grains of IMR 4759 powder, using a 250 grain Barnes bullet. One of my buddies suggested I shoot over the hood of his truck, but I did not have ear protection, so decided to shoot off of a canvas duffle bag full of clothes. First shot was my last shot - as there was a large explosion...with my hand under the barrel on the forestock. The barrel and forestock blew apart (per pictures), and some part of the gun blew off and dented the door of the truck. My buddies took me to Hodgson General Hospital 20 minutes away. From there, I was transported by ambulance to Winnipeg Health Science Center 2 hours away, where I underwent 6 hours of surgery. Doctors expect 2-3 more surgeries, and I will be off work for 6 months to a year.

[ Many thanks to Frank for emailing me the photo. ]