The Firearm Blog

I finally got hold of a photo of the tacti-awesome version of the KBP's revolver shotgun. The gun was on display at the recent Interpolitex security expo in Moscow.

© Vitaly Kuzmin. Click to expand photo.

More info about this gun can be found here.

Many thanks to Vitaly Kuzmin for his help and the use of his photo.

Knoxx (now part of Blackhawk) have launched a thumbhole variant of their recoil dampening Talon (shotgun) and Axiom (rifle) stocks.

The recoil system resembles the rear shock absorbing system on mountain bikes

The Talon is available for the Remington 870, Mossberg 500 and Winchester 1300. The Axiom is available for the Remington 700, Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard.

Murdoc has more info about the Talon and Axiom over at GunPundit.

[ I am pleased to present this guest post was written by Bill Rushmore. Bill blogs over at The Quarterdeck Log. Bill also wrote the guest blog post The Beretta Folding Shotgun]

Earlier this year I decided I wanted get involved with shooting the shotgun sports. My sportsman's club had a monthly informal trap shoot which got me hooked. On my last guest post I blogged about the only shotgun I owned at the time. My sportsman's club shot doubles so a single shot was going to cut it. I really needed something that could at least fire two shots. The problem was I didn't have the money to spend on a sporting shotgun or really know what kind of shotgun I wanted anyway. As a stop gap I dug out from my Dad's basement my late grandfather's double barrel.

That shotgun of my grandfather's was a Stevens 311A in 16 gauge built in 1951. A true classic American side by side and quite popular, since back then a side by side was the shotgun for the common man. The 311A was just one example of a family of double barrels that Stevens made from 1877 to 1988. It's what is consider a “utility grade” shotgun. So it is very simple with no checker or engraving and a trigger for each barrel.

This particular shotgun sat for decades right next to my grandparents back door to protect the garden, the chicken coop, or the home from two or four legged thieves. It saw little (if any to be honest) maintenance. So when I rescued it from my dad's basement I was a little concerned if it would actually work. The finish on the stock was completely shot but the there was only some minor rust on the barrels with only some very minor pitting in one small spot. Some Hoppe's No. 9 and it was back in business and in good working order. It was quite a surprise really, a testament to Stevens quality from the 1950's.

To be honest I wasn't really all that excited about the double barrel at first. It wasn't because it wasn't a true trap gun. The trap shots at my sportsman's club are pretty informal and about 90% of the participants use Remington 11-87's. But come on, a double is Elmer Fudd's gun or what farmers shot rock salt at trespassers with right? Plus I was concerned about fumbling with two triggers or dealing with lopsided recoil. But my fears were unfounded. That old shotgun shots real nice. Although selective triggers would be better the double triggers are quite natural when it comes to follow up shots. I am still just a beginner so I doubt it matters if would use a dedicated sporting shotgun or this until I get the hang of shooting clays. I am also now a fan of the 16 gauge. At one point it looked like this guage was on the endanger species list but I think it is here to stay for the time being. I found the recoil not bad yet it still gives a decent punch in a light weight gun.

After a few trap secessions I grew attached to my grandfather's old double so I figured I would try to bring it back to life. I am certainly no expert gunsmith but I figured it would be hard to make it worse that it was so. So I picked up a blueing and stock finishing from Birchwood Casey at the local sporting good store. The kits come with detailed instructions. Anyone who passed wood and metal shop in school has the prerequisite skills (i.e. its pretty easy.) Since this the first time I did anything like this there are a few details that aren't perfect but at arms length it looks like a new shotgun. My intent wasn't to restore it back to its original condition so it could be hung up on the wall as a decoration but it bring it back to life for use in the field. What better way to honor my grandfather's memory than to enjoy his old shotgun hunting with my dad and my sons like generations have been before us.

Beretta have been very tight lipped about the new Beretta Xplor shotgun. A well placed source provided me with some new information on the shotgun:

• The receiver is green in color. The photo I posted previously is the real deal.

• Despite being chambered for 3.5" shells, the receiver is small and light - comparable to a shotgun designed for 3" shells. As far as I know it is the lightest shotgun of its class.

• The smaller action, combined with the new gas system, helps with the fast cycling of the action. Firing four rounds before the first ejected shell hits the ground can easily be done.

• The gas system works well in keeping the action clean.

This photo is legit although bolt will be black in color (and, of course, will have a charging handle attached)

Also coming from Weatherby in 2010 is the new PA-459 pump-action shotgun.

The first thing that struck me when I saw the above photo was how "Benelli" it looked. It looks like a Benelli Nova with a Benelli M4 style fixed stock. I really like the Benelli-style and hope we will not be seeing another lawsuit in the near future.

Style aside, functionally it is much the same as the Mossburg 500 SPX that was launched at the beginning of the year at a similar price-point. Weatherby will be marketing it as a self-defense shotgun, although it would make a decent slug hunting gun with the ghost sight removed and a red-dot or low-powered scope added.

I think this is a very nice looking gun that I am willing to bet will be a very good seller.

[ I am pleased to present this guest post written by Bill Rushmore. Bill blogs over at The Quarterdeck Log]

When you think of a single shot inexpensive shotgun geared towards the beginner chances are that Beretta is not a manufacture that comes to mind. But at one time that was indeed the case when Beretta made such a gun. I like to brag that when I was a teenager in the late 80's I bought a Beretta Shotgun with money I made during a summer job. But the truth is that my Dad sold me his first shotgun he bought as a teenager during the early 60's. My Dad sold it to me for the token price of $35 US which is the price he paid for it.

This nifty little single shot from Beretta has been called the Model FS-1, Model 412, Companion, and in Italian it is known as “Monocanna Ripieghevole” or “single barrel folding shotgun.” The unique part of these single shots is that they break up to the point where it folds in half. In finding parts for this gun I had trouble because is not appear to be all that common, at least in the US, even though Beretta manufactured these single shots from the 1920's until 1992. They made it in 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and .410. Even though it was marketed towards the beginner hunter it was manufactured in plain basic models up to fancier ones with hand engraving, walnut stocks, and even gold plating.

The model I own is a nice little 12 gauge. It is a fixed full choke that gives very tight patterns. It is the base model yet still has checkering on the stock and fore grip and some fancy engraving of the Roman goddess of victory. How many many beginner single shots have anything like this?

The shotgun is very light and according to specs it weighs 5 ½ pounds. That's very light for a 12 gauge. That is great for a hunting gun when you have to carry the thing around all day but not so good for reducing recoil. The prime factor in how much recoil you feel is weight. The lighter the gun the more recoil you get. That's the one big draw back of this otherwise fine gun, especially if you consider beginners. To give you some perspective this gun feels lighter than my New England Arms Pardner 410!

I must admit I have a fondness to the break single shot shot guns (and rifles for that matter). Too often they are seen as just a beginners gun but I really appreciate the simpleness and the sporting nature of making your one shot count on the hunt. I think Leonardo da Vinci said, it best “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

Janes reports that Russian firm KBP are now producing a tactical version of their MTs 225 revolver shotgun:

The MTs-255 tactical shotgun is a 5-shot weapon and is designed around the revolver principle. The cartridge cylinder swings out to the left for loading/unloading. It can be fired either double-action (a long pull of the trigger both cocks and fires the weapon) or the hammer can be manually cocked for single-action firing. A heavy duty, single-strut metal side-folding stock is fitted, which pivots around a conventional style revolver pistol-grip and lies alongside the right side of the gun when in the folded position. Sights are described as 'open', but a length of Picatinny-type sight rail is fitted to the top of the receiver for the mounting of other sighting devices. The butt-plate, pistol-grip and fore-end are all constructed of high-impact polymer for durability and corrosion resistance.

The original MTs 225 was introduced as a hunting gun back in 2000. It has an interesting design. The benefit over semi-autos would be its double action revolver reliability.

12 guage

.410

Photos from Tozman @ Shotgun World Forum.

Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co. have designed a new high end sidelock over and under shotgun.

The A-10 American is a very low profile, shallow frame full sidelock over and under (not a box lock gun with side plates) for those who demand the very best. This is the highest form of the gunmaker’s art. Some benefits of a hand detatchable sidelock gun are perfect trigger pulls, intercepting safety sears, an easily removable action for cleaning and service, and a large surface area for the outstanding engraving.

The detachable sideplate.

Pricing for the Deluxe model starts at $9000, although there currently are discounts available.

Hat Tip: Mikes Blog (Zel Custom)

Disappointingly the dinosaur gun we were all hoping for is not a dinosaur gun after all. Beretta have not yet published anything yet, but from what I have read, their new autoloader shotgun, Xplor UNICO A400, it is a refinement of the Beretta Xtrema 2 and 391.

Beretta Xplor - It is Green!

Over the weekend I was searching for photos of the new shotgun, and even emailed my contact at Beretta USA, but all I could find was some pretty boring images taken by Beretta showing it being shot from a distance. For some reason Beretta made all the journalists who attended the launch to agree not to publish any photos before November. I believe the photo above is legit. An Italian online store published it, only to take it down soon after (presumably after realizing they were not allowed to publish it). I have blurred out their name so that they do not get into any trouble.

Onto the shotgun itself ...

The shotgun will come chambered in a 3" version and 3.5" super-magnum version. It optionally features the new kick-off^3 (that is kick-off-cubed, for those of you who do not use spreadsheets) recoil reduction system stock. Two hydraulic dampers in the stock (the return spring is forward of the receiver, not in the stock) and another damper, maybe mercury or a spring mechanism, in the forend.

Jim Shepherd reports:

With our barrels plugged for only three shots, I didn't get to try the four-shot speed, but I did empty my three shots at a rate I didn't think possible-and aimed, not simply fired. That's apparently due the test gun's using Beretta's new "Kick-Off" recoil reduction system. Along with a new Micro Core recoil pad, dual hydraulic dampers in the butt and a third to reduce recoil peak from the bit of the bolt against the receiver, it absolutely reduced the impact of a long day's shooting.

Maybe the first recoil damper is inserted into the magazine, which would explain why they were not allowed more than three rounds loaded into the magazine? I don't really know, I am guessing.

It uses a new gas system called the Beretta BLink. The name is a reference to its speed. Weighing in at 6.6 lbs, it is very light and slightly lighter than the Benelli Vinic.

James Marchington, of Sporting Shooter magazine (UK), published a scan of the specifications ...

I will update the blog when more information becomes available.

The PR image I mentioned before.

UPDATE: The actual retail price appears to be $1500 without kick-off and $1600 with.

Some time ago I posted a video of Michael shooting one of his Saiga-12 shotguns. He got in touch with me and explained that since then he has become a passionate Saiga-12 nut and now sells custom Saiga-12's.

Michael, who work as a designer / jeweler / metal smith, bought his first Saiga-12 when ammunition was becoming scare and he wanted a shotgun so that he could use the relatively cheap and available 12 gauge ammunition. One thing led to another and customizing these guns became a passion of his.

Modifications include ...

• Enhanced action with honed, mirror finished bolt, bolt carrier, carrier rails, and feed ramp.

• Four or five vent, polished and ported enhanced gas system with mirror finished, builder modified gas plug.

Those Jeweling skills come in handy. Beautiful!

• Custom modified, sculpted and vented fore end with integrated Command Arms 2" picatinny rail.

• Modified Tapco G2 trigger control group with honed and sculpted mirror finished contact surfaces on hammer.

• Tapco Galil style folding stock tapped and mounted with extra heavy duty torque bolts.

• Tapco M249 style Saw grip with builder designed custom heavy duty receiver mount.

• Flawless cycling with all types of 2 3/4" and 3" 12 gauge ammo.

• Durable, high heat ceramic enamel finish.

Concept for a SBS (Short Barreled Shotgun)

He does not have a website but he can be emailed at mm_rogers [] yahoo [] com (replace [] with correct character) or contacted on the phone (505-263-8822).

Inspired by the Double Barrel Pump Action we saw on Les Jones's blog, HerrKenny decided to make his own, more professional looking, "Moe Szyslak Special".

The odd shape makes the photo look screwed. It is not.

Centered Bead. "Persuasion" chokes (sharp edged).

Duel Extended Magazines - 16 shot capacity.

The underside.

I am very impressed by the workmenship that went into this gun and I am sure there would be many out there who would pay good money for it.

Moe Szyslak sporting his iconic double barreled pump gun

Thanks to Jake for helping me find out about this gun.

SayUncle found a British company that makes suppressors for shotguns, including double barrel guns!

I once saw a suppressed semi-auto 12 gauge shotgun on display at a gun store. I remember being very impressed by the size of the can.

In my opinion this new stock and forend from ATI (Advanced Technology International) is a stroke of genius! There is a lot to be said for having a collapsable stock as it makes transport easier and allows younger member of the family to comfortably shoot a gun that otherwise would have too long a length of pull.

Fully extended (top). Collapsed (Bottom)

The market has been saturated with M4 style adjustable stocks, which is fine if you want a tactical looks, but a pistol grip is not as ergonomic for shotgun shooting as a traditional stock. Even for tactical / self defense use I have heard many experts argue against putting a pistol grip on a shotgun.

The stock is made from DuPont Reinforced Polymer. It is 4-position and extends from 12-3/8" to 14-3/8". It fits 12 and 20 gauge Remington 870, Maverick 88, Winchester 1200/1300 and Mossberg 500/590 shotguns.

I was offered one of these stocks for review, but I am not able to review products at present, although I think I will be buying one of these stocks in the future.

Jennifer's father is an avid rifle, shotgun and bow hunter so she made this appropriately themed cake for his 60th birthday.

The brown blobs : deer droppings Tasty.

Num num.

Happy Birthday Jen's dad!

Many thanks to Rolf for sending me the photo.