The Firearm Blog

The TAS Pistol is an interesting new pistol fiber optic sight system. For night shooting a tritium lamp lights up the fiber.

It looks quite impressive in the video ...

They hope to be selling the product in the United States this year.

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

A new company called Holland Automatic Rifles (HAR) are developing a new AR-15-style upper receiver and piston system.

John from HAR explained how their system works ...

It works on a new principal, of venting most of the unused gasses before they enter the piston. Then actuates the piston, before venting at the mid cycle, then vents a third time as it returns to rest. All of the exhaust gasses are vectored, so as to reduce muzzle climb, and torque twist. This principal has proven to need little or no lubrication, and acts as a cooling aid as well.

I am sure John will answer any questions you may have.

This video shows the relatively new Croatian VHS assault rifle being tested. It does not show anything extraordinary, but I had not before seen close-up video of it being fired so I thought it was worth blogging.

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

Please do not turn the comments into a pointless bullpup vs. conventional argument.

I am literally drooling all over my keyboard ...

Note the conical flash hider

Each mag holds 30 rounds of .22 Magnum

Now they need to make a version with 16" barrel and start selling it!

More photos at SNAFU! blog.

UPDATE: Robert says ...

The PMR-30 SMG is a full-auto only developmental prototype. It is not available for purchase, and was specifically created to prove that 30 rounds of rimmed 22 WMR can feed 100% reliably.

Remington has revealed how their new Xelerator Wad technology, which is used in the HyperSteel ammunition, works. An extra powerful primer ignites a column of power contained inside the wad. For very brief period of time wad rockets forward, much like a simple firecracker rocket, before the shells main powder charge takes over.

I suspect that the powder enclosed by the wad would be a different blend to the main charge.

[ Many thanks to Matt for sending me the info. ]

This photo is of a Model 1874 Gatling Gun. Beautiful piece of work but at $45,000 it is out of my price range.

Full resolution photo at Personal Armament Podcast.

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

New in the US from Fausti ...

Sleek and fast pointing, the Caledon is offered in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore. All receivers are scaled to the gauge except the .410 bore, which is on a scaled 28 gauge receiver. All guns feature a 14-1/2” length of pull, automatic ejectors, metallic bead and a single selectable trigger. The highest quality Turkish walnut is meticulously shaped, oiled and hand polished to perfection. All models are offered in a 30”, 28” or 26” barrel. The 12 gauge model weighs 7.25 pounds, the 16 gauge model weighs 6.4 pounds, the 20 gauge weighs a modest 6.3 pounds, the 28 gauge weighs 5.8 pounds and the .410 bore weighs 5.9 pounds

Retail price is $2000.

Ruger have finally deliver the revolver that fans have been clamoring for since the original Ruger LCR was launched last year. The new LCR-357 is chambered in .357 Magnum, giving it a lot more punch (no doubt both to the target and the shooter) than the previous .38 Special LCR.

1911-patterened pistols chambered in .22 LR are all the rage right now in the industry. Umarex USA, who manufacture the .22 Colt M4 Carbine, will be selling a Colt branded 1911-style .22 pistol later this year. The pistol will come in three models. The Government-style model is the base model. The Rail model features improved sights, a picatinny rail and skeletonized trigger and hammer. A Gold Cup has been mentioned but I do not know what its features are.

Colt / Umarex .22 1911 Goverment

Colt / Umarex .22 1911 Rail

The Ruger SR-556 has been updated. The new SR-556C model is 1.75" shorter thanks to an integrally machined flash suppressor (ATF counts integrally machined flash suppressor as part of the barrel. The barrel is technically only about 14.5" long). The heavy barrel is now fluted. Ruger say these two changes drop 1/2 pound off front of the rifle.

"Many of our customers appreciate the limited muzzle rise when shooting the original SR-556, which allows them to re-acquire their sight picture more quickly between shots," said Todd Wilkinson, Ruger's Chief Engineer for Rifles. "However, some customers requested a shorter, lighter, faster handling gun that can more quickly acquire separate targets. This new SR-556C drops a full half pound off the front end of the gun, which changes its handling dynamics considerably, something our customers are really going to appreciate."

The SR-556C offers the same great features that made the original SR-556 such a success: it includes the two-stage piston driven operating system with a four position adjustable gas regulator; chrome plated, cold hammer forged barrel; Troy Industries Folding Battlesights, Quad Rail, and rail covers; chrome plated bolt carrier group and operating system, six-position stock, Hogue® Monogrip® and three 30-round MAGPUL PMAG™ magazines.

I shot the Ruger SR-556 at SHOT Show Media Day and really liked it.

UPDATE: Corrected the specs.