The Firearm Blog

Crimson Trace has developed a laser aiming attachment for the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW). Because the LAW launcher tube is disposable the laser module uses quick detach mount so that the operator can easily attach is before firing and remove it before disposing of the tube.

Ian Harrison mentioned that the laser module was in service, somewhere, but would not say which country or service has adopted it.

Sandia National Laboratories have invented a small caliber self guided bullet. The bullet contains an optical sensor, CPU, battery and electromagnetic actuated fins. It is able to track laser designated targets out to 2,000 meters.

The CPU tracks laser designed targets using the optical sensor in the nose and can make changes to its flight as often as 30 times per second. The below photo shows a nightime field test in which they attached a LED to the base of the bullet.

A LED attached the the base of the bullet shows its path.

Reading in between the lines of the Sandia press release this invention is a long way from actually being able to hit targets at long distances. Computer simulations indicate that the bullet could theoretically get within 8" of a target at 2,000 meters. Sandia is looking to license the technology to a commercial partner to develop the technology.

[ Many thanks to Dudley & Jake for emailing us the link. ]

The Freedom Group has just announced that they have purchased 1911 manufacturer Para USA, the company formally known as Para Ordnance. During SHOT Show, Gear Scout reported that they heard rumors about this acquisition. The announcement was supposed to have happened during SHOT but was delayed for unknown reasons.

Para USA Warthog

The press release ...

Madison, NC – Freedom Group, Inc., (FGI) through a wholly owned subsidiary has announced today that it has finalized an asset purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of Para USA, INC., (Para).

Founded in 1985, Para has built a solid and enviable reputation for innovation, performance and reliability. Firearms enthusiasts, serious shooting competitors and law enforcement agencies choose with confidence from a wide and growing variety of Para pistols. Para’s revolutionary high capacity frame and light double action ( LDA ™) trigger systems, are part of the innovation that Para has brought to the world famous 1911 design.

"We welcome Para into the Freedom Group Family of Companies,” stated. E. Scott Blackwell, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Freedom Group Inc. “Para USA is a leader in handgun technology and their fine products exemplify quality, innovation and performance. Para is a perfect complement to our industry-leading family of brands, and our success in 2011 with the Remington R1 - 1911. We look forward to deploying both human and financial resources to continue to develop and supply current and future handguns for consumers and our channel partners. We also wish to thank all its employees for their continued dedication that has made Para a success.”

Para will continue day-to-day operations at their Pineville, NC based facility.

In 2009 the Canadian firm Para Ordnance moved their manufacturing facility to Pineville, NC and rebranded themselves as Para USA.

As Remington consolidates its manufacturing in Ilion, NY and Mayfield, KY, I expect to see Para manufacturing moved to the new facility in the near future.

Ten-X Tactical has developed a lightweight underbarrel shotgun for M4/AR-15 firearms. It can either attached to a underbarrel picatinny rail, or it can replace the bottom half of an M4 handguard.

7.5" barrel model

TX-12 with 10.5" barrel

A Ruger patent for a "Firearm Barrel Retaining System", filed in 2009, was published by the USTPO yesterday. The patent application (#20120017483) describes a quick change barrel system that includes an old school machine gun carry handle that help facilitate hot barrel changes.

I wonder if Ruger had planned to enter a quick barrel change variant of their SR-556 into the Marines IAR competition that was won by H&K.

Less Lethal Africa, a South African company, had their less lethal .50 BMG rounds on display at SHOT.

While these rubber bullet loaded cartridges are not powerful enough cycle a rifle or machine gun action, I do wonder what the effect of a large pointed piece of polymer hitting a protester in the stomach. I suspect it is less "less" and more lethal.

UPDATE: Apparently this ammunition is designed for anti-piracy use at long ranges.

Caltek International will be selling a 1/6 scale action figure of Chris Costa. A range of accessories will also be available.

Youtube will soon be flooded with stop-motion movies featuring Chris Costa taking on 1/6 scale battalions of SS shock troops.

More about the action figure at Gear Scout.

[ Many thanks to Manu for emailing us the photo. ]

NRA Blog has plenty over photos from SHOT Show here, here & here.

Also, a lot of videos at NRA News (You just have to deal with the flash animation interface ... urghh)

Crimson Trace's new LTG-701 was on display at SHOT Show. It can attach to the triggerguard of most 1911 pistols, no rail required. The MSRP is $199.

SIG has scaled up their .380 ACP P238 platform to create the 9mm P938. The P938 is all metal, single action and has a 6+1 capacity. I did not have the opportunity to fire the gun but what I saw I liked.