The Firearm Blog

Winchester Super X3 Shotgun will now be available in 20 gauge. It will be available in the 26" and 28" Walnut Field SX3 model. The MSRP is $1199.

Pictured with optional $25 foregrip

Hi-Point has finally produced a carbine chambered in .45 ACP. From the press release ...

As with the 9mm and .40 Caliber Hi-Point carbines the longer barrel will increase velocity figures between 80-200 FPS over a like chambered handgun, especially with +P loads. These velocity increases coupled with the fat formidable .45 round, improved carbine handling and a longer sighting radius over a handgun make this an excellent gun for small game (Hi-Point Carbines are legal for deer in some states), plinking, home defense and law enforcement.

The robust all weather black molded polymer skeletonized stock is both tough and light in weight. Additionally the forearm offers an excellent grabby surface regardless of conditions or whether the user is wearing gloves, mitts or is bare handed. The carbine has three top-side and forearm bottom Picatinny rails for optional vertical grips, lasers, optics and lights.

I don't understand why Hi-Point does not produce a standard capacity magazines. Nine rounds for .45 and ten round for 9mm can no longer be considered standard capacity.

Over the next couple of weeks I am not going to be able to blog on Tuesday or Wednesday, so check back on Thurs. Sigh ... work sucks.

UPDATE: This week friday (tomorrow) I won't be able to blog either. Sorry y'all - its been a crazy week for me.

An Indian reader emailed me an article he wrote about India's service weapon, the INSAS 5.56mm Rifle. The article is facinating and I highly recommend you take the time to read it.

INSAS receiver. Note the lettering: its been scratched in my hand.

I think it is safe to say the gun was designed by a committee. It has a FNC-styled fore-end, a AK-styled receiver, a FNC-styled trigger group, an AK-style bolt/gas system and Steyr AUG inspired magazines (which are manufactured by an Indian plastic furniture maker!)!

I found quite saddening was the obvious lack of pride by the workers at the Ishapore factory. One of the rifles which the author inspected did not even bother wiping off the white enamel paint which is used to color the lettering. I have not met any workers from Colt Defense's M4 factory, but I would imagine they take great pride in knowing that their work is used to defend the nation. The author wrote ...

I found out that they wanted to have white paint filled lettering, but the crude scratching that passed off as lettering was too shallow and the lazy buggers at the factory simply squished some white enamel over the general areas and didn't even bother to wipe off the excess!!

Read the article here.

After delivering U.S. Soldiers and Iraq dignitaries to their final destinations, Crew Chief Sgt. Fred Oser, A. Company 2-25, Combat Aviation Brigade, attached to 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, dismounts the 240 Bravo Machine Guns from the UH-60 Black Hawk used during the morning’s mission to several Combined Security Checkpoints in the Ninewa province, Iraq, July 2. 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Photo by Spc. Gregory Gieske Date: 07.02.2010 Location: MOSUL, IQ

Old Painless, who runs the famous Box O' Truth website, has written a lengthly post on AR-15.com about the process he went through restoring an old shotgun. His post includes lots of photos.

Old Painless uses fine steel wool and WD-40 to remove rust. I personally use #0000 steel wool, which is very fine, and gun oil. This combination does not remove gun bluing if you are gentle. #00000 steel wool can be bought but I think it would be too fine.

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

Yahoo News reports ...

When Alvarez turned his weapon on the officers, a fierce firefight broke out. More than 50 bullets were fired, almost all of them by the police. At least 21 of those bullets pierced Alvarez's body.

Luckily for Alvarez — whose criminal record includes at least eight prior arrests — none of the bullets hit his brain, heart or major arteries. His family members say that even though his arms, legs and torso were riddled with ammunition, Alvarez is "doing all right" and talking. It's believed he'll survive.

The time last I checked the NYPD used 9mm Luger/Parabellum pistols.

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

Earlier this year I blogged about the interesting Israeli made TAS glock sights. A reader just let me know that Lone Wolf now importing them. They are selling for $90.

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

Brian used to own a Glock 29 (10mm Auto subcompact) and liked that he could conceal it easily but did not like the lower velocity, shorter sight radius or snappy recoil.

To fix the 29's deficiencies he took a Glock 20 (full frame 10mm model) and use his stock reduction tool (hacksaw) to reduce the grip to the size of the 29's grip. This allows it to use the 29's 10 round magazine. In order to make it easier to hold, Brian ground up sandpaper and expoxyed it to the backstrap.

I think it is a very nifty DIY solution.

[ Many thanks to Brian for emailing me the photos. ]

From the press release ...

In response to consumer requests, Hoppe’s now has an air freshener with the unique No. 9 smell. The freshener has a string for hanging it in your gun room, car, garage, or anywhere you want the nostalgic smell of Hoppe’s No. 9.

Brett and Kate McKay, authors of the book “The Art of Manliness” list Hoppe’s No. 9 as one of the top 15 manly smells.

The Hoppe’s No. 9 Air Freshener will be available at your favorite sporting goods and/or hunting store and will sell for a suggested retail price of $3.99.

[Hat Tip: Hat Tip: SaysUncle]