The Firearm Blog

CowTown Cop’s has posted a range report on his recent “Patrol Carbine” training. Well worth a read.

Our range was never intended to be used as a rifle range. It is 50 yards deep and the backstop is rated for pistol rounds. So we have to use this funny little blue bullet ammo that I despise. Its called SRTA which stands for short range training ammunition. Its a 3.6 grain plastic projectile that is traveling at 4350 fps at the muzzle. It requires you to use a straight blow back M2 training bolt in your AR. I

More here.

The “Neon”?

It looks like Poland is developing their own version of the XM29 OICW concept, according to the MSPO 2008 website. It may or may not be called the “Neon”, Google translate is not great at best of times.

What makes the Polish concept unique is that the grenade launcher part of the weapon will, at this stage in the design, be able to be removed and swapped for a different caliber, either 40mm or 25mm.

I am going to predict that they will end up with one caliber and not bother with the complexity and cost of multiple calibers.

It has the usual fire control system to program air burst grenades to detonate at a certain distance.

I will be watching with interest to see what happens with this program. Sweden and Singapore are also developing similar weapons and South Korea will be fielding the XK11 Korean New Rifle in 2010.

XK11 Korean New Rifle

More information here (translated with google)

I have done my best to find accurate information about this firearm on the Polish MSPO 2008 website. I do not speak or read Polish so I had to rely on Google Translate. If I got something wrong, please correct me in the comments.

Also on display at MSPO 2008 were the Alex bullpup bolt action rifles. They look awesome. As far as I know they come in three models. The Alex762 (7.62×51mm), Alex -338 (8.6×70mm / .338 Magnum Lapua) and the Alex Sports Tactical (7.62×51mm).

Alex-762

Alex Sports Tactical


Alex-338

Very compact

It is so pretty I could not help posting another photo

The Alex-338 weights 6.5 kg without scope and 7.3 kg with the scope, 0.4 kg more than the Alex-762. It has a 5 round magazine. I can’t read Polish and I am unable to find more useful information on the rifles.

Earlier this year US firm Desert Tactical Arms launched a bolt action bullpup rifle at SHOT.

More information here, here and here.

I have done my best to find accurate information about this firearm on the Polish MSPO 2008 website. I do not speak or read Polish so I had to rely on Google Translate. If I got something wrong, please correct me in the comments.

SayUncle blogged a video of this ulta-high capacity 150 round AR-15 compatible (STANAG) magazine: the Armatac Industries CL-MAG.

The CL-MAG™ offers for the first time a reliable and efficient 150 rd magazine for the .223/5.56mm rifle. Designed to fit NATO standard (STANAG-4179) rifles, the CL-MAG™ quickly converts a rifleman with a standard M4 into automatic support personnel. The 150 rd magazines have been routinely emptied through the standard AR-15 setup without weapon failure. (Ambient temperature starts). The flexibility of such force multiplication makes the CL-MAG™ the most dominant accessory for the AR/M4/M16 family of weapons.

I must say I don’t get it. If the magazine breaks you are stuffed unless you are carrying other magazines. For example you may have to carry a 150 round CL-MAG, as well as 3×30 round magazines. If the CL mag jams after 50 rounds you are now carrying 100 rounds less than you were a minute ago.
On the other hand the Singaporean 5.56 LMG, the STK Ultimax 100, the same people who make the CPW, takes STANAG magazines and currently uses a modified 100 round C-Mag. This would give it 50% more capacity and increase rate of fire. The added weight may even be beneficial (when being fired, not carried).

Photo from Wikipedia.

The Ultimax 100 is being marketed to the Marines. It is has very low recoil, takes standard M16 magazines and can be operated by one person.

The weapon in action:

Jay has written a post with very useful tips for cleaning you firearms. It is well worth a read.

Weatherby are now selling Vanguard rifles for $399. They have a guaranteed accuracy of 1.5 MOA.

Weatherby is now offering its Vanguard rifles starting at $399, which is the lowest price the rifles have been offered at in years.

While the price has been lowered, Weatherby says the features of the Vanguard remain the same. A newly accurized trigger is adjustable and calibrated to break crisply without any play. The Vanguard action features a one-piece forged and machined receiver, and the bolt has three ports to allow high-pressure gases to escape in the event of an accidental case rupture. The rifle is available in 16 calibers, including .257 and .300 Weatherby Magnums.

Now if only ammunition prices would also decrease!

More info at 399weatherby.com

Hat Tip: Shooting Industry

I saw this video on Gizmodo. It is so slow you can see the dirt inside the action being thrown about as the empty case is ejected.

Paraguay has apparently bought the relatively new Norinco CQ 5.56, M4A1 clones.

The caption of the above photo, translated from Spanish:

Soldiers of the Joint Detachment of Empleo Inmediato (DECEI) marching past with carbines Norinco CQ-M4 of 5.56 mm Are copies of Colt M-4A1 made in China and equipped with viewfinders of not known model. The DECEI depends on the Commando of Special Troops of the Army.

According to Wikipedia:

This variant introduced in the year 2006 in several Defense expos worldwide, including the MILIPOL, is a copy of the American M4A1 assault carbine. It features a telescoping stock, a removable carrying handle mounted on a Picatinny rail, and a 368,3 millimetres (14,5 inches) barrel. The CQ Type A carbine variant is claimed to be able to stabilize both M193 “Ball” and SS-109/M-885 variants of the 5.56 mm cartridge, as would be expected from a rifle with a 1:9 barrel rifling twist. It will quickly accept the installation of grenade launchers due to the quick attachment/detachment handguard design and to the step-cut barrel.

H/T: china police @ MP.net

Matt recently comment on this post about the Australian AUG A4 (ADI Austeyr F88 A4):

To clear up “125″ issues and confusion the A3 varient is to be upgraded to allow the firing of GLA and underslung shot gun attachment with the trigger finger. There is much speculation on INF 2012 weapon systems and the steyr will look marketly different. What is concrete is that what changes happen to the weapons system the it must have the same range or better and must not be any heavier than current weight with modifications. There is a photo around of an ugly australian modified A3, this is not the new rifle and was a test bed system and was a demo only. The ADF rumour mill is leaning more to the AUG A4 design as now Australia owns the rights of all world wide styer production and also pattened designs from Austria.

I had not idea that the A4 existed. I did some Googling and found some photos in a brochure from ADI, the Australian arms and ammunition manufacturer. They may be the “test” A4 that Matt mentioned in Matt’s comment.

I think it’s a pretty ugly design. It looks like someone attacked an AUG with a hacksaw, screwdriver and a few picatinny rails. Especially in contrast to the AUG A3 (from steyr-arms.at):

Where is the grenade launcher trigger?

I would be surprised if the Australians upgrade their A1/A2 AUGs to use the M203 when the M320 will go into production later this year (according to Wikipedia).

M4 with M320

Snowflakes in Hell (who, long overdue, is now on my blogroll) has photos of the Para Ordnance TTR AR-15. The Tactical Target Rifle features a unique recoil system above the barrel, which significantly reduces recoil and allows for a folding stock.

The new Para Tactical Target Rifle with its Direct Impinged Gas System™ (DIGS™) gets you back on target faster than any other rifle of its kind. The recoil spring is over the op-rod so there is no “twang” in your ear as your head rests on the rifle’s stock while the bolt cycles between shots.

Having the recoil system up front over the barrel puts it where it naturally pushes the rifle back down on target instead of up and into your shoulder.

The specs:

Caliber: 5.56 Nato
Barrel: 16.5 inches Chrome Lined
Twist: 1 in 9 inches
Sights: Flip up front sight and fully adjustable flip-up rear sight
Overall Length: Stock Open and Fully Extended – 36 inches
Stock Open and telescoped in – 33 inches
Stock Folded – 26.25 inches
Weight: 7.6 pounds
Additional Features: Field strips with no tools
Multiple sling mount points
MSRP: $2,297

The rifle will go on sale in 2008. Next year conversion kits will be offered to install a TTR recoil system on a standard AR.

Sebastian’s photos are here. More info @ Para.

UPDATE:

Roughedge pointed out in the comments that this rifle is a Yankee Hill / ZW Weapons LR300 AXL rifle. It looks like it is either a clone or, more likely, Para has licensed it. YH/ZM are not selling them now. When they were sold they cost $2139.

Here are some photos from ZM and GunBroker (NXL model). Click to expand.

NXL

Bill Ruger is spinning in his grave. Ruger has a promotion where you can get a free 20 round magazine when you purchase

a Mini-14.
More info here.

Hat Tip: Guns Holsters and Gear

Those lucky Canadians will be able to purchase the Norinco Type 97 later this year.

Type 97A. Click to expand.

The Type 97 is the civilian export version of the QBZ-97 rifle, which in turn is the export version of the 5.8×42mm QBZ-95. It is chambered in 5.56×45mm and takes STANAG magazines. Looking at the photo I think it has a 20″ barrel.

According to CanadaAmmo it will be available in December 2008 and will sell for $849.00.

This is very interesting. A one piece 5.7×28mm modular upper that attaches to a AR-15 lower receiver and uses 50 round FN P90 magazines.

TrueWPN at AR-15.com took these photos. Click to expand.

Well this thing is interesting. Its a AR-15- PS90 cross bread. The one piece modular upper snaps onto any AR-15 lower. Allowing you to fire 5.7×28mm with the PS90 50 round mags. I added HK 416 rifle sights. I wanted to use the LaRue Tactical Aimpoint mount in the picture but I think the sight may stick out to far to mag change:( we will see. I just used a DPMS complete lower with a Magpul grip and stock. It has a right side charging handle. The upper and lower color match perfect. I am really impressed with the quality.

It still has the bolt open feature like the AR-15. It does utilize the buffer tube with the stock AR spring and a Heavy buffer that came with it. It ejects the spent cases through the mag well. I had a cheap 30 mag that was no good so I gutted it and cut the top off so it will work as a funnel for the spent cases. I purchased the Upper from www.HKSpecialist.net who shipped and I received it over night. Great guy to deal with. Unfortunately I can’t find them for sale anywhere else and I got the only one Gordon had left. The Manufacturer’s web sight is www.57center.com . I put 150 rounds down the pipe today after work with out a hitch. Really sweet accuracy at 50 yards open sights. And it was easy to engage multiple targets with no recoil throwing me off. I cant wait to put a optic on it. I am leaning towards a Aimpoint Micro T-1. Enjoy the pics…………………

The 5.56mm AR magazine is not used.

These photos are from the 57 Center’s website.

Hat Tip: Defense Tech

Lee, a Blackwater armorer, emailed me some info on the BW15:

1.Yes we do offer the BW15 in more than just 5.56mm. As of now we are making them in 6.8mm and 7.62×39mm as well. The BW15 lower receivers are stamped Multi-cal.

2.We are using out own receivers and each weapon is a matched upper and Lower receiver. All of the serial numbers begin BW.

3. As far the weapons shooting MOA, we use only the best barrels and the Armorer that builds the weapons also test fires it. I do believe that if we say that it will shoot MOA it will. But on the other hand what if the customer can’t shoot that well. Are we to take the weapon back? In case you did not know, everyone is an expert when to shooting.

4. Barrel lengths start at 16″. You can request a 14.5 with a pinned and permanently affixed flash hider to make total length overall 16″. We can have a custom barrel made to your specs (will take extra time POR). However if a customer wants a 18″- 26″ barrel we can accommodate.

5. All weapons have standard anodized finish. We are not doing any coatings at this time.

6. All weapons are shipped with 2 Magpul 30 round magazines and a lock.