The Firearm Blog

SHOT Show '11, which kicks off next week, is going to be smaller (in terms of exhibitor space) than last year because SHOT-goers complained about the lack of space. It was very crowded last year. Next year it is set to be even smaller. A draw for floor space will no longer be used, instead booth space will be assigned on a points system. This letter was sent out to SHOT Show exhibitors last month ...

Dear Exhibitor:

The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), owners and sponsors of the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, is announcing several significant changes that will impact the 2012 SHOT Show and subsequent shows. These changes are based on attendee and exhibitor feedback, venue limitations and taking the appropriate measures to ensure the future prosperity of the SHOT Show, NSSF and the industry. Our goals are:

• To improve overall attendee experience we will be reducing exhibit space to provide more common space, widen aisles and reset the SHOT Show floor.

• Since the SHOT Show exhibit space will be reduced in size and the net effect will result in no significant movement of exhibit locations, the traditional SHOT Show space draw for the 2012 SHOT Show will be suspended.

• Booth space for the 2012 SHOT Show will be assigned by Reed Exhibitions according to priority points in the months following the 2011 show.

We realize this announcement represents a change in how you are accustomed to selecting your SHOT Show booth space and ask for your patience and cooperation. We will be holding a live on-line chat later this month to help answer your questions. In the meantime, we are working to make the 2011 SHOT Show a much-improved experience for exhibitors and attendees alike, and we remain committed to ensuring that the SHOT Show remains our industry’s premier marketing event.

Best regards,

Chris Dolnack Senior Vice President & CMO

"Troubleshooter" is a gun designing genius who hails from Germany. His latest creation is a prototype lower receiver for the FN SCAR rifle.

STANAG 5.56mm magazine.

7.62mm NATO M14 magazine

Troubleshooter has to work within Germany's firearm laws. He used an AGM airsoft SCAR replica for the upper reliever and built his own replica bolts and barrels.

7.62x39mm magazine

Magpul PMAG

5.45x39mm magazine

AXTS's A-DAC is a nifty lower receiver for the AR-15. What differentiates it from standard mil-spec lower receivers is that the magazine release button, along with releasing the magazine, manipulates the bolt catch. Why would you want this feature? It makes clearing malfunctions much faster. This video demonstrates the advantages of the system...

Only one extra part, a small internal pin, is added to the receiver. This allows full compatibility with AR-15 upper receivers.

AXTS Weapon Systems have not yet posted pricing on their website.

In November last year I reported on a tip I received that the French Army was about to purchase over 10,000 FN Mag machine guns. This deal has now been made public. The French are purchasing 10,881 machine guns from FN for 100 million Euros! The contract most likely also includes spare parts and training. These will replace the aging AANF1 machine guns.

FN MAG mounted on PANHARD WASP

They are also purchasing one hundred PANHARD WASP turrets for mounting the FN MAG on their light armored vehicles. The French-made PANHARD uses the same optic system that is used by the Felin (the French future solider equivalent) program. The below video shows off the FN MAG / PANHARD combo (includes some nice slow-motion footage).

[ Many thanks to Famas for emailing me the info. ]

Tobias, of Kel-Tec, emailed me this photo of the Kel-Tec KSG Shotgun stripped down. I can't wait to get my hands on this gun!

Click to expand the image.

[ Many thanks to Tobias for emailing me the photo. ]

One man has died in an explosion at the Kinematics Research Ammunition plant in Memphis, TN. Very sad indeed.

The last ammunition factory explosion in the United States was just 7 months ago and two weeks before that there was another.

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

The latest video by TFB reader Aegeanhawk shows Hellenic Army National Guardsmen firing a pretty cool H&K G3A4 packed with a EOTech sight, forend rails (Brügger & Thomet rails?), bipod and foregrip. The setup looks really good.

How awesome was that shot

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

New for DPMS for 2011 is the Panther REPR¹ (or Rapid Engagement Precision Rifle) chambered in .308 Win. 7.62mm NATO.

This AR-10 style carbine is capable of sub-MOA accuracy from its 18" barrel. The quad-rail handguard has had all excess metal cut away, almost skeletonized, to decrease weight. The rifle weighs a full two pounds less than the DPMS SASS.

Like all rifles in the AR-10 / SR-25 class, it does not come cheap.

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

Caleb, of Gun Nuts Media, has just landed his dream job. Congrats Caleb!