The Firearm Blog

Surely this must be a joke!

UPDATE: Readers have pointed out that the gun is John Moses Browning's M1895 Colt-Browning machine gun aka. Potato Digger.

[Hat Tip: Max Popenker]

The Sig Sauer 1911 TACPAC includes a Sig Sauer 1911 TACOPS (Tactical Operations) a 1911 Nitron (but with thud addition of the Ergo XT grips, like the TaCOPS). , roto-paddle holster with integrated magazine pouch, Allen wrench, speed loader, and hard carry case. The MSRP is $998.

1911 TACPAC Kit

Also new from Sig are Sig 1911-22 pistols in OD Green or Flat Dark Earth finish with U.S." engraved walnut grips. The MSRP for these is $420.

UPDATE: The TACPAC includes a 1911 Nitron, not a 1911 TACOPS. Non the less, Jeff's review of the TACOPS is still worth reading.

Keng's Firearms Specialty, makers of the Versa-Pod line of bipods, have been awarded a patent (#7,937,873) for a AR-15 stock that has a compartment to store a 20 round AR-15 magazine ...

A clever idea.

Taurus has introduced two new revolvers.

The first, the Taurus 405, is the first Taurus revolver to be chambered in .40 S&W. Its chamber holds 5 rounds and uses Taurus Stellar moon clips. The gun has a 2" barrel, is available in blue or stainless finish and weighs 29 ounces. The MSRP is

Thier second new revolver is the Taurus 445. This .44 Special chambered revolver features an Ultra-Lite frame that weighs 22 ounces. It also has a 2" barrel and is available in blue or stainless finish.

The MSRP for both guns is $452 - $514.

[ This guest post was written by Chuckyzord ]

Down here in the Philippines, the flavor in which firearms come in aren't very varied unless your pockets run deep. What some folks overseas might take for granted as being commonplace are a downright rarity here. For example, the SKS, or more specifically the Chinese clone Type 56 carbine. While Norinco does sell many of their guns here including AKs, they refuse to import the Type 56 probably for some oddball marketing reason and that leaves me in a tight spot because I absolutely LOVE the SKS. So I decided that if I can't have one, I'll try my best in making one or, at the very least, an airsoft replica which I'd be able to use and appreciate just the same.

The obvious problem I ran through first is the fact that no decent replica of the SKS exists commercially and I can't borrow parts from available guns that might seem close enough a fit. Not having an actual SKS to measure was also a big problem as all measurements had to be scaled from different photographs, with some dimensions tweaked a little (mostly width) to fit the needed internal components. To make matters worse, I was going for a specific build of SKS, one that is period correct and could have been used at the time of the Vietnam war in the 60s. The only airsoft parts I was able to use are the major internal components needed to make it go “bang” which is the electric gearbox, barrel, and feeding mechanism all from an airsoft M14. The externals had to be made almost completely out of scratch save for the couple of real SKS parts, the rear sight and butt plate, which I threw in out of vanity. With limited access to power tools, I had little choice of materials. Most of the components, including the receiver, bolt, sight block and trigger guard, were sculpted out of PVC plastic. Parts that would require more durability, like the magazine cover, top cover, and various pins and latches, were made out of sheet metal or steel pipe. Using a lot of plastic also helped in keeping the weight down to 2.5kg (unloaded), which is good because I intend to run with it in my arms, not have it end up hanging on a wall.

It took longer than I had originally anticipated with on-and-off work taking six months and clocking roughly over a hundred work hours. I think that the end result was well worth the effort and if I had no choice but to go through all of that again just to get my SKS, I'd jump on my workbench and get right at it in a heartbeat.

Kel-Tec is having production problems with the PMR-30. Gun Nuts reports ...

Speaking of Kel-Tec, they have currently suspended production of the Kel-Tec PMR-30 (of which they weren’t really producing a lot of guns anyway) due to keyholing issues with the gun. For those not familiar with the term, keyholing is what happens with the rate of twist in the barrel doesn’t stabilize the bullet in flight.

Kotaku has leaked details and images of the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 video. This year a few guns that have not yet available to the public are featured in the game.

Kel-Tec KSG in game.

The Kel-Tec KSG shotgun, which was only revealed to the public in January, is featured in the game. This 12 gauge shotgun has two magazines, which should make it interesting to use in game. Once one magazine has been emptied, the operator needs to switch a lever to use the other magazine.

Kel-Tec KSG in real life. (C) Oleg Volk

In Modern Warfare 2, the Bushmaster ACR was featured, this year the military version, the Remington ACR gets it video game debut. In real life, there are no significant differences between the Bushmaster and Remington versions, other than the Remington ACR is capable of full-auto fire.

Remington ACR in game.

Remington ACR in real life.

The other not-yet-for-sale Remington to make it into CD:MW3 is the Remington Semi-Auto Sniper System (Remington RSASS).

Remington RSASS

This is a .308 Win / 7.62x51mm NATO chambered semi-automatic rifle based on the AR-10 design. Note the Butler Creek scope caps

Remington RSASS in real life.

The Walther P99 is featured in the game ...

The H&K M320, the US Army's new single shot grenade launcher, is featured ...

Unlike the older M203, which slides opens, the M320 swings open to the side allowing the operator to use a wider variety of ammunition. Sadly, the Call of Duty designers did not include the fancy laser range finding grenade sight adopted by the Army.

The M320 in real life (in a holster!)

The vaporware Magpul FMG (Magpul Folding Machine Gun) is also featured ...

Magpul FMG in game.

The Magpul FMG is a hybrid Glock, using many Glock parts internally and Glock magazines. Sadly, Magpul has never gotten round to launching this gun. It is likely to remain vaporware forever. The design was based on the Ares FMG.

This year Modern Warfare is going fully tacticool. The AK-47 has been pimped out with M4 / AR-15 accessories ...

Laughably, the Winchester Model 1887 shotgun (in pistol configuration) has been given sling attachments, synthetic furniture and fiber optic ghost sights ...

Anyone who has ever used a Model 1887 would not be advocating this big and heavy gun for tactical use, let alone as a pistol! Model 1887 copies continue to be manufactured by Italian firm Chiappa Firearms and China's Norinco and are popular with some Cowboy Action shooters.

The Striker revolver shotgun and AA12 automatic shotgun, no strangers to computer games, are also in MW3 ...

The striker gets a nifty picatinny rail.

AA12

A new game mechanic is dual scopes. The M4 IW5 (Not sure what IW5 means IW5 refers to the game engine: Infinity Ward engine 5, thanks LondoTheLost for the tip) can use a EOTech holographic scope in conjunction with a EOTech magnifier. Presumably you can flip the magnifier to the side to just use the red dot in close combat ...

M4 IW5

M4 IW5

What do you think of this years Modern Warfare gun lineup? Sound off in the comments below.

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

Rumors have been flying around the interwebs about what gun was used to kill Osama bin Laden.

Bin Ladens compound

The first gun to have been reported as the weapon used to take down Bin Laden was the Sig Sauer P226 pistol. The mainstream media and Hollywood love the image of a Jack Bauer type super-commando using a pistol to take down a roomful of terrorists.

Jack Bauer

This infatuation with pistols has led many of the general public to believe pistols are far more deadly than rifles. So it was no surprise that the media began to report that Sig P226 was the gun used to takedown Bin Laden. Apparently sales of the Sig P226 have spiked ...

There is nothing wrong with the Sig P226. It is a very fine pistol, but it is hard to believe that the elite of the elite would assault a highly fortified compound armed with a pistol in a relatively weak cartridge (9mm or .40 S&W) that is unable to penetrate even Type II body armor. The SEAL team members were probably carrying SIG pistols, but I doubt any where used.

Solider Systems later reported that a Colt CM901 chambered in 7.62x51mm was used to gun down world's most notorious terrorist.

Colt CM901

Soldier System retreated their report soon after. The Colt CM901 was a romantic choice. We all like to think of black operation teams using highly sophisticated weapons, like the Colt CM901, that are not available to the general public. In truth, there is no incentive for even the most well funded commandoes to use small arms that have not been thoroughly tested and proven in battle by conventional forces.

Kit Up blog then reported that SEAL Team 6 probably carried the H&K MP7 submachine gun. This sub-caliber machine gun is said to be popular with special forces types. It fires the 4.6x30mm cartridge, capable of cutting through body armor, and has a high rate of fire.

Soldier System updated their original report, saying instead that the H&K HK416 rifle was used by SEAL Team 6 to kill Osama. Kit Up and other milbloggers agreed that this was likely the gun used.

H&K HK416 (in Norwegian Army configuration)

While not the most exotic gun, it is a highly regarded piston-operated version of the AR-15. It makes a lot more sense that the SEALs were using short-barreled carbines rather than a submachine guns or pistols. The HK416 is also notably used by the USMC as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle.

Unlike the Colt CM901 or MP7, civilians can purchase the HK416 as the civilian legal H&K MR556A1.

We will probably never know exactly what the SEALs used, but the HK416 is more feasible than most.

[Hat Tip: Sean, Ace of Spades, Lance, Traction Control, Boing Boing ]

TFB has been nominated for a gunnies award. The prize is the supercool engraved 30mm shell replica you see below, and 100 rounds of ammo. PLEASE vote for The Firearm Blog in the 2011 Best Gun Blog - News Category.

The Gunnies are being run by LuckyGunner.com. From their website ...

The 2011 Gunnie Awards (aka "The Gunnies") recognize the best gun bloggers & websites for their contribution to firearm news, politics, and law over the past year. Each award is based on your votes, so vote below and help decide who deserves to win!

Again, The Firearm Blog has only been nominated for one category, 2011 Best Gun Blog - News Category, and is unfortunately listed right at the bottom of the list of nominees (damned alphabetical ordering). Don't forget to vote!

Contrary to the rumors being spread by my friend Andrew, I did not consider a sex change to get a second chance to win! Nor am I changing my name to Stephanie It was the bra holster that had be thinking about going under the knife (Joking!).

Click here to vote.

Engraved firearms are incredibly popular outside the United States, and many manufacturers of high-end rifles are more than happy to grab a share of this market. Several engravers were actually working while at the show, but none looked quite like Verena of Steyr, who is featured in the “Gun Girls of IWA” post.

By the way, she wore that dress on her own accord; it is, as I understand it, fairly traditional Austrian attire. Indeed, our Steyr guide, Martin, wore a traditional Austrian hunting jacket while at work.

I was very impressed with the quality of her work. I was often distracted while filming videos at IWA, so I can’t even imagine the level of concentration it took for her to engrave something and not make a single mistake while at the show.

We caught up with her at the Steyr factory (located, naturally, in Steyr, Austria), where she has a commanding view of the assembly floor, and a large number of repeat customers demanding more work from her. She took a few minutes away from her work to answer some of my questions about engraving.