I am excited to report that Izhmash Arms, the official manufacturer of the AK and Saiga rifles, has launched a new series of .22 Long Rifle chambered AK-styled rifles.
The new Saiga 22 comes in two flavors. The standard model is patterned after the AK-105. It features an AK-105 style side folding stock and polymer furniture. The "Version 4" model is patterned after the AKM and features a fixed stock and wooden furniture.
The guns are fed from a 10 round magazine that is the size of a AK-sized 30 round magazine. They come with standard AK-style iron sights and can be fitted with a AK side mounted optics rail.
These guns look like a lot of fun! I think AK fans are going to be ecstatic about the chance to own a real Izhmash .22 LR AK. Hopefully these will find their way stateside.
The muzzle brake is apparently a dummy
| Specifications |
|
| Caliber |
.22 LR |
| Capacity |
10 rounds |
| Barrel |
16.3" |
| Stock |
AK-105 style folding stock |
| Overall Length |
38" (stock extended), 28.5" (folded) |
| Weight |
7.27 lbs |
| Specifications |
|
| Caliber |
.22 LR |
| Capacity |
10 rounds |
| Barrel |
16.3" |
| Stock |
Fixed wood stock |
| Overall Length |
35.6" |
| Weight |
7.27 lbs |
More info about the guns here.
[ Many thanks to Leanfox for emailing me the link. ]
The firearm industry consolidation continues. ATK, a major player in the defense industry, has purchased Blackhawk Industries.
MINNEAPOLIS, April 12 Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK - News) has acquired Blackhawk Industries Products Group Unlimited, LLC, one of the most recognizable brands in the rapidly expanding security market. The acquisition of Blackhawk, combined with the recent acquisition of Eagle Industries, strengthens ATK's position in tactical accessories and equipment for domestic and international military, law enforcement, security, and sport enthusiast markets. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"The acquisition of Blackhawk supports our strategy of expanding into adjacent lanes while leveraging ATK's existing core competencies to deliver efficient growth and EPS," said Mark DeYoung, President and CEO. "Blackhawk provides ATK with a leading tactical systems brand, an expanded portfolio of quality products, and additional design and development expertise for innovative tactical accessories. This acquisition significantly increases our presence and our potential in the growing domestic and international security markets."
ATK produces ammunition under a variety of brands including Federal and CCI. A while ago Blackhawk purchased Knoxx (a recoil reduction stock manufacturer).
Please accept my condolences. The crash is a terrible tragedy for your nation.
Jeff Quinn has written a review of the new Savage Edge rifle. He gets greats accuracy out of it using factory ammunition ...
No groups measured in excess of the magical one-inch mark. I remember years ago when a typical hunting rifle took a lot of tuning and load development to shoot consistently under an inch at one hundred yards. Now, many rifles will do that well or better, if you are willing to spend the money for a quality rifle.
With a sample size of just one rifle, Jeff's results do not mean that the Savage Edge is a sub-MOA rifle. I look forward to reading more reviews and seeing what accuracy others achieve with this very compelling rifle.
This weeks movie gun is the Colt Police Positive which was used in the 1934 detective film The Thin Man. The small frame double-action revolver was introduced by Colt in 1907. This beautiful specimen was engraved and presented to William Powell.
You can learn more about this gun at the NRABlog and by watching the latest installment of the Curators Corner (Click on "program Archive" button, then click the Apr 08 tab, then scroll down to "Curator's Corner". As of now the program is not yet online.).
Sadly this is the last gun in the movie gun series. This series was made possible by the NRA's Senior Media Specialist Lars Dalseide. Thanks Lars! Next week we will have something different.
Marathon Robotics has developed a robotic training system for the Australian special forces. Targets are mounted on Segway Robotic Mobility Platform (RMP) vehicles which are controlled by a central computer system. They can, for example, be programmed to scatter when a shot is fired, just like you would expect from human, making it much harder for the sniper to take out the next "terrorist".
A Segway running away for his/her life
Personally I think this is the best possible use of these damned devices. Nothing would give me more pleasure that shooting a Segway in the ass!
[ Hat Tip: Engadget. Many thanks to Paul and Rob for emailing me the links. ]
SIG will be selling 25th Anniversary edition of the SIG P226. Just 226 pieces will be made. This beautiful gun features a black high polish, gold scrollwork, gold plating and walnut grips. The price is $1999. With such a limited run I think they will sell out quickly.
| Specifications |
|
| Caliber |
9mm |
| Action Type |
DA/SA |
| Overall Length |
7.70 in |
| Barrel Length |
4.4 in |
| Sight Radius |
6.3 in |
| Weight w/Mag |
34.0 oz |
| Capacity |
15 Rounds |
| Sights |
SIGLITE® Night Sights |
| Grips |
Walnut grips |
| Frame Finish |
Black Hard Coat Anodize |
| Slide Finish |
Black high polish slide finish. Scroll engraving and gold inlays |
| Accessory Rail |
No |
| Features |
Special "25th Anniversary" engraving, Gold plated accents, Lockable Walnut display case |
| CA Compliant |
No |
| MA Compliant |
No |
| MSRP |
$1999 |
Lead, Copper and Zinc, all of which are used in the manufacture of modern ammunition, continue to rise in price and may continue to rise in 2011 says The Economist.
From the press release ...
Steyr Arms has drastically reduced the price of its big-bore ultra-long-range HS .50 and HS .460 rifles to $3,995 for the entire month of April-or while supplies last. This special promotional sale represents a savings of nearly 25 percent off the suggested retail of $5,299 for HS .50 and HS .460 rifles.
Available in either .50 BMG or .460 Steyr chamberings, the smooth-cycling, single-shot, bolt-action HS platform features a 33-inch cold-hammer-forged and fluted barrel that provides unparalleled accuracy and ensures supersonic velocity at distances beyond 1,500 meters with most match ammunition. A highly efficient, three-chamber muzzle brake tames felt recoil. The barrel is fully free-floated above the rigid aluminum stock. A beefy two-lug bolt locks into the barrel block, which mates the barrel to the stock via two action screws. This configuration provides for quick and easy disassembly for cleaning and transportation. A 20-MOA declination Picatinny rail is attached to the barrel block, so the scope remains attached to the rifle when disassembled to prevent loss of zero. Maintenance is easy due to a low parts count.
To take advantage of this incredible offer, visit your Steyr Authorized Dealer, or call Steyr Arms at (205) 655-8299.
| Specifications |
|
| Caliber |
.460 Steyr |
| Capacity |
Single Shot |
| Trigger |
2 stage |
| Barrel |
33" (with muzzle brake) |
| Overall Length |
54" |
| Weight |
28.5 lbs. |
The DestinLog reports that a fisherman in the Gulf of Mexico recovered an Air Force BQM-167A airel target drone. The Airforce claim that the drone was lost because its engines cut out ... I wonder if the hot shot pilots missed their target 
The drone had been lost March 10 due to an engine flame-out during a routine training exercise.
It was found in the Tampa area and turned over to MacDill Air Force Base. The drone belongs to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, a tenant unit at Tyndall. That squadron falls under the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base.
Glenn E. Davis was fishing about 60 miles off shore when he spotted the drone Sunday afternoon. He towed it into Madeira Beach the next day.
Photo from Penellas County Sheriff's Office
If I caught a drone my first call would be to my lawyer, not the local sheriff, to check if it was legal salvage. I am sure he would have netted a few grand on eBay.
[Hat Tip: Outdoor Pressroom via. SaysUncle ]
