The Firearm Blog

In a matter of months Kel-Tec has unveiled the PMR-30 pistol, the RMR-30 carbine and now the exciting KSG Shotgun. This bullpup pump-action shotgun has dual tube magazines that can hold a total of 14+1 rounds of ammunition.

The shotgun has a total length of 26" and a barrel length of 18.5", thus ensuring it does not run afowl of any NFA regulations and is civilian legal.

Photo (C) Oleg Volk

This shotgun has been compared to the South African NEOSTEAD 2000 Bullpup Shotgun. A big difference is that the NEOSTEAD could be set to feed alternating between both the magazines. The KSG can only set to feed from the right or the left. Once the magazine is empty, the operator must use a manual switch to select the other magazine. This may appear at first glance to be disadvantage but for many people who live in areas where shotgun magazine capacity is limited by law, this feature, or lack of feature as the case may be, could allow them to legally possess the KSG.

Photo (C) Oleg Volk

As you can see in the photos, the shotgun features a forward picatinny rail as well as a rail under the pump handle. In all the photos published so far the KSG is shown with flip up back up iron sights.

I think Kel-Tec have another winner on their hands.

[ Many thanks to all the readers who emailed me about this shotgun when I was on holiday. ]

I don't think any of the TFB readers were surprised when Ruger unveiled the Ruger LC9. After the success of the Ruger LCP .380 lightweight compact pistol, a slightly larger 9mm Luger/Parabellum model made perfect sense.

Once nice feature of this gun is that a finger grip extension can be added to the standard seven round magazine. One "mis-feature" is that it includes the dreaded magazine safety hated by so many shooters.

I was saddened in July 2009 when Ruger announced that they had discontinued the Ruger Frontier rifle, a rifle that was close in concept to Col. Coopers scout rifle. It 'warmed the cockles of my heart' to read that Ruger is now offering a true scount rifle in collaboration with the Gunsite Academy (the school founded by Col. Cooper).

The .308 Win. chambered Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle features Mini-14-style ghost sights, forward scope rail (for a scope-style scope), 10 round box magazine and a 16.5" long threaded barrel with a Mini-14 flash hider. In short: almost everything you want from a scout rifle.

Without a scope it weighs 7 lbs. If you add a Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm IER Scout scope and rings, the total weight would be just over 7.5 lbs. Not bad at all.

I think Ruger and Gunsite have done a great job. I am really looking forward to shooting one of these Scounts at the range.

I should have blogged about this last year to ensure the Californian readers are aware of it, but I completely forgot about it in the holiday season madness. I was reminded about the California AB962 "ammo ban" when reading the latest newsletter from online ammo retailer LuckGunner.com (The Firearm Blog's sponsor).

Note: The below text is copy & pasted from the newsletter which is a few days old (so you have less than 27 days) ...

As everyone probably knows by now, the legislature of the People's Republic of California passed a restrictive bill in October of 2009 called AB 962. AB 962 attacks the heart of 2nd Amendment rights by cutting off or severely restricting the circulation of ammunition to the freedom loving people of California. Unfortunately, the Governator signed it into law!

What does this mean to you? If you live in California, it means that in 27 days:

You will not be permitted to directly receive shipments of certain ammunition by common carrier (UPS/FedEx). This means no more internet orders!

If you want to purchase certain ammunition, you will have to provide a thumbprint and description of the ammunition purchased as well as present a photo ID.

The restricted ammunition (including popular calibers like 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W, 380 Auto, 38 Special, 357 Mag, etc) will most likely be very hard to find or more expensive.

If you don't live in California, be thankful..... for now. But forward this email to everyone you know in California.

Summary: Stock up while you can find it and afford it and store as much as you can in ammo cans.

The owners of LuckyGunner have been good to me and to the blog, so if you are in California and need to stock up ammunition, please check out their prices. It will be the last time you will be able to buy from them, or at least until AB 962 is overturned.

While tactical guns, and guns that look like tactical guns, are the sexist segment of the firearm market right now, the 10s of 1000s of new shooters each year don't start out with a top-self, pimped-out and very expensive AR-15 rifles. They start out with the humble .22. I am pleased to see that Marlin, with their new XT-22 and XT-17 line of rimfire rifles, have not lost sight of this.

The XT-22 is chambered in .22 LR and .22 Magnum (WMR) and the XT-17 is chambered in, you guessed it, 17 HMR. They feature a newly designed stock, new Savage-style adjustable trigger and improved bolt. For younger shooters, the XT-Youth models have been modified to suit them.

Just about every color and stock finish is available. Far to many to list.

From the press release ...

The new XT Pro-Fire® trigger system is user adjustable from 3 pounds to 6 pounds providing the shooter a clean, crisp trigger pull with virtually zero creep. Matched with Marlin’s patented Micro-Groove® rifling, the XT rifle offers the shooter the ultimate in tack-driving accuracy. In addition, the XT Series rifles offer the newly designed trigger safety, preventing the trigger from being pulled until the trigger safety is fully depressed for an added level of safety and confidence. Our new XT trigger system was developed to provide the ultimate in adjustability, crispness, accuracy and safety.

The newly designed XT synthetic stock is based on years of consumer research and features a newly designed ergonomic stock and fore-end. The XT pistol grip has slight palm swell for a rich feel and solid grip. The improved butt stock shoulders quickly and comfortably helping to create textbook shooting form. The wood stocked versions include Monte Carlo walnut-finished hardwood, hardwood laminates, and American Black Walnut, Marlin’s Mar-Shield® clear-coat is added for that extra level of durability.

Marlin is also excited to announce two new XT-Youth models - the first Marlin rifles designed specifically for younger shooters. Marlin spent extensive time researching young shooters form and how compact stocks impacted their sight picture and overall shooting from. Marlin knows that consistant shooting accuracy comes from proper shooting form. The XT Youth rifles are designed with that in mind, featuring a shorter length of pull, shorter trigger reach, smaller pistol grip and a raised comb, making it easier for young shooters to acquire and hold the proper sight picture – ensuring that proper shooting form that will last a lifetime. In addition, the XT Youth has reduced bolt force making for easier ejection and faster chambering.

Pricing has not been announced.

I don't normally post about industry job vacancies, but readers frequently email me asking how to become a gun designer. This job as a design engineer at Beretta would be a very good start ...

Beretta, a world-renowned firearms manufacturer, is seeking qualified candidates for a Design Engineer.

Responsible for all matters related to the product (firearm) design to include: research and development, design, improvement, problem solving, testing, procedures, internal correspondence and documentation.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of four years experience required. CAD experience in two-dimensional drafting and three-dimensional solid design. Conventional drafting experience helpful (ink on mylar film). Experience with automatic pistol and small arms design and function. Knowledge of small arms manufacturing methods. Dimensional and tolerance relationship, tolerance studies (metric), familiar with 3 Sigma design and manufacturing concept. Geometric tolerancing (ANSI Y14.5). Knowledge of manufacturing, machining, finishing and assembly methods/processes. Knowledge of material science. Familiar with the most commonly used materials and related heat treatments in the field. Mathematical skills, background in FEM analysis a plus. Computer proficiency, including CAD. EDS Unigraphics preferred.

To view a complete job description and to apply, go to www.berettausa.com and click on Careers at Beretta.

Beretta is an EOE.

I am back! My break was moderately relaxing. After destroying my car on a mountain pass last year, I decided to book a plane ticket and fly instead. It would just be my luck that on Christmas Eve a courier driver speeding round a corner rear-ended me Sigh, on the bright side, the fault was clearly his and insurance will take care of the damage.

There has been a lot of gun announcements during the past week and I will endeavor to cover them as soon as possible. I am excited - this year looks like it will be another very interesting year in the world of firearms. Stay tuned.