The Firearm Blog

In order to find out which method of rifle barrel manufacturing was best, I interviewed Jochen Anschutz (president of Anschutz) and Woody Woodall (president of Lothar-Walther). I found it interesting that although Mr. Woodall stated that all three of the major methods – cut rifling, button rifling, and hammer forging – can produce equally accurate barrels, and although Mr. Anschutz is surrounded (in Europe) by manufacturers that produce hammer forged barrels, both companies choose button rifling for their precision rifle barrels.

I intended to interview (on video) at least one senior member of a company that uses hammer forged barrels for precision weapons, but was unable to squeeze such an interview in during IWA. It is possible that another such interview might take place in the future. I should note that in conversations with a senior Beretta engineer which took place off camera during the Beretta factory tour, the primary reason for the switch to hammer forging was the precise alignment of the chamber to the rifling. He also stated that overall cost was a factor.

Keep an eye out for future posts discussing how companies like Steyr and Sig hammer forge their barrels.

The Indian state run Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and state owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) have developed a new carbine for the Army which The Times of India reports will soon be adopted by the India Army. The Milap carbine, as it currently called, is expected to cost Rs 50,000 ($1,110).

The weapon was supposed to be developed in association with Singapore Technologies Kinetics, makers of the SAR-21 assault rifle, but STK was blacklisted by the Indian government after a corruption scandal.

Singapore Technologies Kinetics SAR-21 Assault Rifle

The Milap will be part of the Army's Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS) upgrade. According to Soldier Systems, the weapon willk be modular and be able to use 5.56mm, 7.62mm and purportedly 6.8mm ammunition.

A Civil War replica cannon, manned by the 19th Ohio Light Artillery reenactment group, replaced the starter pistol at the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic during the weekend. The Intelligencer reports ...

"What I wanted to do was create a direct, personal reaction with the military veterans," said Scatterday, "and attempt to make the public experience what we military had lived with."

Although the cannon was moved to the roof of the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Center to avoid deafening race participants and spectators, Fonner - clad in full Civil War regalia - attracted a small crowd of passers-by at Heritage Port while firing a few test shots Friday afternoon prior to the event.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

I spoke with the president of Steyr Mannlicher at IWA and he informed me that they will import the AUG to the United States through their Trussville, Alabama facility. This is good news for AUG fans, especially since the quality control will be under Steyr’s watchful eye, and not a corporate partner. However, I do not have specific dates or prices to report.

European-market Steyr AUG on display at IWA

The Austrian-made AUG has been produced, with several mid-life upgrades, since 1977, and is in use by various militaries around the globe. Demand for the AUG in the US in recent years reached a point that two American companies started to produce domestic AUG clones (with some changes) and Steyr partnered with Sabre Defence in the US to import genuine AUGs. However, the latter venture hit a major speedbump when Sabre’s executive team was arrested and charged with major felonies regarding weapons trafficking.

While at IWA, I had a chance to interview world champion pistol shooter Rob Leatham. Mr. Leatham has won the IPSC World Championship 5 times and the USPSA National Championship an incredible 24 times, among many other prestigious victories. He’s been described by Brian Enos as “the finest and most accomplished shot on the planet.”

Despite his busy schedule, he had no problem stopping to talk to me on several occasions, and posed for photographs with fans whenever asked. He’s a great example of someone who has accomplished very much in his life, yet is still down-to-earth.

I asked him about some of the basic components of pistol shooting, and his insights were extremely valuable. We discussed what he thought was most important, as well as a few things that he believes people focus too much on.

Although I have not been officially notified yet, I saw on the website that The Firearm Blog won the "Best Gun Blog - News" category of the Gunnies. Thanks much to everyone who voted. I will be sure to post a photo of the replica 30mm shell trophy.

Also congrats to the runner up in our category, Ammoland, and to the other winners.

NOTE: To get up-to-date pricing & to purchase this pistol & ammunition, please visit Guns For Sale: 9MM

It seems there’s always room to modify the 1911 to suit the needs of a wider number of users. The idea behind the Aegis II addresses the needs of those with smaller hands or generally smaller in stature. The pistol comes in three sizes. The Ultra Aegis II has a three inch barrel and weighs in at 25 ounces. The next size up is the Pro Aegis II with a four inch barrel weighing 28 ounces. Other than size the pistols are identical. All three are chambered in 9MM.

Just because a 1911 is compact doesn’t mean it helps someone with small hands. Kimber obviously spent some time changing the exterior design to help shooters who have never before gotten along very well with a standard 1911.

Aesthetically Kimber makes a fine looking 1911 and the Aegis II series is no exception. I know when I received this test pistol my first impression was “this is one gorgeous 1911!”

Kimber’s modifications to this particular pistol are numerous. As far as the basics go, the weight is only 31 ounces rather than the usual 38 ounces. The weight reduction on this full size 1911 comes from manufacturing the frame from aluminum (the slide is still steel). Flattening the top of the slide further reduces the weight further, dropping an additional 2 ounces from a normal slide. The frame is fitted with slim fluted Rosewood grips making the grip much smaller. The grip panels are very well done and are darn good looking. The front strap is cut 30 lines per inch providing the user with an excellent grip. The rear of the trigger guard is also undercut providing a higher more secure grip.

The trigger is aluminum and a bit smaller than a medium length which is the one feature that really helps those with smaller hands reach the trigger.

Another interesting change is the magazine release. If you notice in the picture above the release is smooth with beveled edges and an angled cut toward the front. After shooting this full size sample Kimber sent I can’t really see how this change really helps but I suppose their testing showed otherwise. It’s as easy to manipulate as a standard release so no harm no foul.

Next up is the thumb safety. The safety is very similar to the original GI thumb safety. I checked this thumb safety against an old GI one I have and the difference is the Kimber protrudes to the side a bit further giving the shooters thumb a better purchase. If you have small hands you don’t need the longer version so often used these days. Even with my fairly large hands I had no trouble manipulating it even resting my thumb on top of it as I usually do when shooting.

The sights are Meprolight Tritium which are standard on most Kimber models. Meprolight makes an excellent set of sights that are much brighter than any other brand.

Since this pistol comes from the custom shop the trigger is match grade, as is the barrel and bushing. The slide to frame fit is done by hand. Internal parts are also hand fitted in the custom shop. I used my trigger pull gauge on this sample and it broke crisply and cleanly at 4.2 pounds.

Range ready with my Rafter L #1 holster and double mag pouch

Range Time

After a thorough cleaning I took this beauty to the range along with a couple of hundred rounds of Remington and Blazer ball ammo.

Kimber supplied this test pistol with three magazines, which was much appreciated. Its a real pain shooting a lot of rounds with only one magazine ☺ Each magazine holds nine rounds (plus one in the chamber).

I was somewhat surprised while shooting the first 50 rounds. I had difficulty with function when loading all nine rounds in the magazine. When I racked the slide the top round nose dived locking everything up. Tight springs do that sometimes. I went back and loaded the mags with eight rounds and this took care of that problem. To sum this part of the testing up I had eight malfunctions in the first 100 rounds. Most were stovepipes with two being double feeds which is very unusual.

Now I know some 1911’s that have custom fitted parts require a break-in time. I have to admit I was a bit frustrated. I kept on going though determined to break it in or fix it. I suspected the mainspring might be a bit much for the 9MM. In other words slowing the slide down to the point it wasn’t cycling all the way to the rear. My other consideration was the fully ramped barrel.

Funny, but at about round number 165 the malfunctions stopped. Now whether this was the magazines loosening up or just the pistol itself starting to break-in who knows. It stopped and that’s all that mattered at this point.

I continued with the session firing another 200 rounds with no malfunctions. I decided go for the acid test and mix the mags with various brands of hollowpoints. After firing 75 rounds of hollowpoints with no malfunctions I figured the problems were over and indeed they were.

The picture above shows an average group measuring just over one inch not counting my called flyer just to the bottom right. Darned if I didn’t push that one. It happens to us all☺ Accuracy was very good as you can tell from this target which was fired from the 10 yard line. Even moving back to 25 yards kneeling the groups averaged 2 ¼ inch.

Since I received the Aegis II I’ve fired 500 rounds. After getting past the initial problems there have been no malfunctions of any kind. I suppose this was just one of those times when the pistol indeed needed to be broken in.

Conclusions

If there is one thing you can’t fault Kimber on it’s the beauty of their 1911s. The Aegis series is a very desirable pistol especially for those with small hands. The thought that went into this design is obvious. It fits the intended shooter perfectly.

Considering the light weight, design features even the full size Aegis would be no problem in concealing. When wearing it for a several days in an IWB holster I found it to be very comfortable and the weight barely noticeable.

I have no reservations recommending the Aegis since it has proved itself reliable after the break-in period. Any of the three models should serve you well whether you have small hands or just like a thin 1911 that carries easily. As with any new gun always test it out at the range before carrying it or relying on it to protect your home and family.

Mossberg put together a one-off special edition of the Mossberg 500 SPX engraved with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) logo. The gun is being donated to a fundraiser to support their fallen agents

Troy's new AR-15 polymer magazine, the CBIR BattleMag is now shipping. From the press release ...

The CBIR™ Battlemag™ is currently offered in a 30 round 5.56mm/.223 version. They are available in black, flat dark earth, OD green, and coyote tan. Every magazine includes a flush and shock absorbing bottom floor plate. Battlemags™ work flawlessly with all M4, M16, AR15, HK416®, and FN SCAR® rifles and carbines. With patent pending features such as proprietary engineered resin, reinforced feed lips, anti-tilt follower, and an aggressive fish scale gripping pattern, these magazines will undoubtedly become the choice of the most discriminating shooters.

The MSRP is $15 for a single magazine or $42 for a pack of three.