The Firearm Blog

The 30,000th comment was posted today by a reader named Thomas! This works out to an average rate of 12.8 comments per blog post.

Magpul has just filed a patent application (#20100126053) for a quad stack AR-15 compatible magazine.

The design is quite straight forward. A central partition separates two dual staggered round stacks. Two springs are used, a lower stronger spring and a weaker top spring, which are joined by spring slicer.

The magazine has a constant curve geometry. Interestingly, the transition area (16) is asymmetric in order to stagger rounds correctly.

The follower

The follower is very interesting. Two bails (58a and 58b) are spring loaded. When the follower is pushed against the central partition they part and reveal a hole which allows the follower to descend below the partition.

The patent does not reveal what the capacity of the magazine would be. I would expect it would be around 50 rounds.

The patent application comes on the heel of the announcement from Izmash that one of the major features of the AK-200 will be a 60 round quad stack magazine. It seems 2010 or 2011 may be the Year of the Quad Stack Mag!

A quad stack magazine would be ideal for the M27 IAR. I have no doubt that Magpul will eyeing a lucrative contract with the USMC.

You can read the full patent after the jump.

UPDATE: Drake at Magpul said to me "Unfortunately I am unable to disclose any other info at this time on the product in question." Continue Reading »

The Army has been testing 9mm and 20mm sub caliber training rounds for the AT-4 rocket launcher. At about a hundredth of the cost, the 20mm round provides similar recoil and blast.

Army.mil reports ...

Staff Sgt. Aleksandr Kulik said the 20mm round could be highly beneficial if used in basic training, where only a few Soldiers get picked to fire an 84 mm projectile from the AT4.

"After shooting a 20mm, I expected a bigger kick from the live one, but it was pretty accurate," he said. "If privates get to shoot this, it will give them an idea of what it's like to shoot a real 84 ... The practice 20mm has the reality of the kick and back blast, and it's just as loud as the live one."

Project managers and training developers will use the experiment's results to help decide which sub-caliber training round gets selected, but they said it would be at least two years before either is fielded.

Using rifle ammunition for training rocket launcher and even artillery operators is quite common overseas.

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

A Canadian solider carved this replica of the Colt C7 rifle out of oak.

Even the sling is made from wood!

More photos here.

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

Remember that rusted old revolver that was found buried next to the Colorado River? The guy who found it took it to the range (skip to 3:46 to see it being fired)...

Photos here.

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

The first episode of History's Top Show is on Hulu. It can also be watched below.

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

The MUT is the first shooter orientated tool from leatherman. Nifty.

The Leatherman MUT is the first multi-tool that functions as both a tactical and practical tool for military, LE, or civilian shooters. The MUT features multiple areas on the tool threaded for cleaning rods and brushes and all the screwdriver bits are sized for standard military and civilian sighting adjustment work. Also built into the design of the tool is the flexibility to replace the most commonly used parts on the spot, using a simple Torx #8, keeping down-time to a minimum. With all this, a MOLLE sheath and scope adjustment wrench included, the Leatherman MUT may very well be the most efficient and useful piece in your kit.

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

A couple of weeks ago at the NDIA Joint Armaments Conference Brigadier General Michael M. Brogan revealed that Marine Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) had been given the designation "M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle".

At the end of last year it was announced that Heckler & Koch had won the IAR competition with their entry of a slightly modified H&K 416.

I visually inspected the H&K IAR which was on display at SHOT Show and the only difference I noticed between it and the standard H&K 416 was a slightly heavier barrel profile compared to the standard M4-style barrel with its grenade launcher cutouts. It has a bayonet lug attached to the barrel which is something I have not seen before in H&K 416 marketing material.

The H&K IAR on display at SHOT Show

The Marine command touted this project as the development of a new class of weapon. I have gotten the impression that in reality they wanted a new carbine but did not want to deal with DoD and Congress politics to get it. The Army is already looking into developing a new carbine and the USMC would have been hard pressed to persuade the powers-that-be to give them funding for their own independent carbine project.

[ Many thanks to Nathaniel for sending me info on the M27. ]

I am still having to work late. Hopefully I will be able to resume regular posting tomorrow or Monday week.

This new AR-15 lower receiver from Lancer Systems has interchangeable magazine wells. The operator can switch between standard, competition and tactical mag wells.

It is nifty, but I can't see many hardcore competition shooters not having another AR-15 specifically for home defense or tactical purposes.