The below photo is of a double barrel pistol that was loaded with matchstick heads behind a steel bullet. I guess it would be fired using a lighter.
On a related note: how to reload primers using matchstick heads.
[ Many thanks to James, of Hell in a Handbasket, for emailing me the link. ]
Tech-SIGHTS have developed a new adjustable aperture sight for the CZ 452 rifle. The CZ200 sight costs $69.
I am a big fan of their sights and use them on a couple of rifles. The company is also very accommodating and they answer their emails quickly. On one occasion they machined a custom aperture to my specifications for free (they do not know that I am a blogger).
The E. Arthur Brown Company are selling a kit to that makes a Ruger 10/22 feel like a M1 Carbine.
The total cost of the kit is about $190 (Stock + Sights + Sling).
[Hat Tip: Xavier Thoughts]
Merkel's answer to the new Blaser R8 is the Merkel RX.Helix. This takedown rifle makes use of a straight pull bolt action.
Its name is derived from the bolt's rotation system. The bolt is rotated in a helical motion at a 2:1 ratio (of forward motion to rotational motion). Apparently this allows for a smooth and fast bolt operation. This video shows the rifle being shot at 1 round per second. Pretty impressive!
The gun will be available chambered in 222 Rem., .223 Rem., .243 Win., 6.5x55mm SE, .270 Win., 7x64mm, .308 Win., .30-06, .308 Win., .30-06, 8x57 IS and 9.3x62. The magazine capacity is 3+1 rounds. The rifle weighs 6.4 lbs.
I have not heard anything regarding pricing or availability.
I have read through solicitation request for the Army's M24 Sniper Weapon System upgrade. I am struggling to see how it can be considered an upgrade. The original M24 is going to have little in common with an upgraded version. As I read the solicitation request only the original receiver must remain after the upgrade. Maybe some of the bolt's internal components will be used, but that is about it. Barrel, bolt face, stock, optics, sights, suppressor, flash hider, iron sights, rail system, magazine, bipod and trigger group are all likely to be replaced.
It looks like the Army is trying to get a new rifle in a roundabout way, much like how the USMC is procuring a new rifle under the guise of a machine gun. What do you think?
Here are a few interesting specifications for the new M24 ...
Trigger pull must be between 3 - 5 lbs. Operators must not be able to adjust the trigger.
Magazine must have a minimum capacity of 5 rounds. It must not touch the ground when the bipod legs are at their shortest setting.
The rifle, with minimum length of pull set and with suppressor attached, cannot be longer than 48".
It cannot weigh more than 17 lbs with magazine full and with day optic and suppressor attached.
MRBS (Mean rounds between stoppage) must be at least 1200. The MRBEFF (The mean round between essential function failure) must be at least 2300.
The minimum accuracy must be 1 MOA (at 100m), although they are hoping for at least 0.8 MOA. These days 0.8 should be easily achieved.
The rifle and optics must survive a 5 foot drop test.
Iron sights that mound on the rail system must be included.
The day scope must have variable magnification. The minimum magnification must be from 3.5-6.5x. The maximum magnification must be from 14-25x.
WCNC reports ...
North Carolina investigators with the Department of Labor visited the plant last week and have been talking to current and former employees.
Before the guns are shipped out, they must be test fired. Sources say employees have complained about injuries. Also, there are complaints that the range is poorly ventilated.
A lot of gun companies seem to have had visits from Feds in recent months ...
UPDATE: It is the NC Dept. of Labour, not the US Dept of Labor.
[ Many thanks to John for emailing me the link. ]
Our European friends never seem to stop trying to find new approaches to classic weapon systems that the rest of the world has given up experimenting with and I love them for it! Case in point is the Innogun which merges a single shot rifle and a pump action rifle with a double rifle.
The Innogun Hybrid lower receiver is a magazine fed pump action. The lower can be chambered in 7×64mm, .308 Win, .30-06, 8x57mm IS or 9.3×62mm. Magazines will have the capacity of 1,3 or 5 rounds1. Its barrel is 23.6" in length.
The single shot upper receiver can be chambered in .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, .243 Win, .30-06, 8x57mm IS, 9.3×62mm or 12 Gauge. To load the upper the action opens just like a under/over shotgun or rifle. The barrel is 19.6" in length.
It weights in at between 7.7 lbs and 8.3 lbs, depending on the upper/lower combination.
By now you are asking yourself "Why?". I don't have a good answer for that question! I suppose it is useful when you want a combination gun but also want a repeater. Still, I love it.
The company is also making a lightweight version of the Hybrid called the Pulse. It is pump action only and weights in at 6 lbs.
[ Many thanks to the anonymous reader who emailed me the link. ]
1 round magazine for presumably be for hunting in locations that only allow single shot or double rifles. ↩
SIG has done what Glock should have done many years ago: partner with a firm like CAA and produce official branded carbine versions of their pistol line. The SIG P226 Carbine and SP 2022 Carbine as simply their respective pistol converted to a carbine with a CAA Pistol Carbine Kit.
Each carbine feature a side folding stock and plenty of picatinny rails.
These are almost certainly going to be limited to the European market.
On a side note, I have used a Glock in a CAA Carbine Kit and it was a joy to shoot. I will blog about it soon.
[ Many thanks to Gregor for emailing me the photos and info. ]
Semi-auto civilian SIG550s at IWA ...
I love the look of white colored rifles. It is a pity they are not practical all year round 
[ Many thanks to Gregor for emailing me the photos and info. ]
I was interview by The Escapist, a major gaming website, about guns and video games. The article quotes me many times.
Steve says the best way to gauge the realism of shooting guns in games is to compare it to the realism of anything else you can do in a game, like driving: "The best analogy that I can think of would be motorbikes. How realistic is riding a motorbike in GTA compared to riding a motorbike in real life? Not very. Same with guns."
The article is well written, although I don't think the majority of gun websites are "wonky" and I would have presented the gun crime stats a bit differently. Hopefully the article will encourage video gamers to give real guns a try.
"The Call of Duty effect" is the first phrase I have coined
