The Firearm Blog

This is awesome:

Derek writes:

I have designed and patents pending on this.. Its a beltfed 12 gauge upper receiver for a ar-15 or m16 lower receiver. It uses your lower receiver, so if you have a ar15 its a semi auto shotgun, however if you have a registered m16 lower or a drop in auto sear it becomes a full auto 12 gauge machine gun. This is a prototype model and all the bugs arent worked out quite yet. Most of the problems that I have encountered revolve around the shotgun sheels not being consistent enough to eject sometimes.

I will be doing a brief interview with the Derek soon.

Hat Tip: Say Uncle

Last month I received an email from Nigeria. I know what you are thinking … not one of those emails Emmanuel was having some problems with his new shotgun and asked if I could help. I don’t know much about shotguns in general so I was not able to give him much advice. I ended up trading quite a few emails discussing the shotgun and gun laws in Nigeria.

Turns out that the only guns you can own in his country are shotguns, and only if you have the money:

I am a firearms enthusiast in Nigeria which has a very strict Gun control law, but which licenses shotguns (Single, double-barrel, pump action and recently: semi-automatics) to responsible, respectable people (actually: who am I fooling: anyone with the money!)

Even paintball, airsoft and air guns are banned! This ban of course does not stop certain criminal organizations in the country stocking up on hardware.

The brand name his shotgun is “Magnum EFE”. I did some googling and could find nothing on the internet. Is is most likely a clone from Russia or Eastern Europe but even then google usually spits out something! UPDATE: Commenter Jarkko says it is from Turkey.

Emmanuel’s Magnum EFE 12 gauge semi-automatic

What I find fascinating is that the shotgun appears to come from the factory with a pistol grip and no stock, yet, has an etching of birds on the side. Is is tactical or hunting? Who knows.

Regardless, even for self-defense, a stock is preferable. Unforuntly unlike in the west Emmanuel cannot just wander into the nearest gun shop to buy an accessory.

Remember I told you I was looking for a stock to add to it? Well, in Nigeria, there are practically NO shops to buy anything related to firearms or the accessories. There’s NO where here I can buy a stock for my firearm. It’s that bad here…Obviously: this would also mean I can’t buy one abroad and bring back.

I think we sometimes forget how lucky we are!

Being a DIY nut he decided to fabricate a stock using a steel walking stick. These walking sticks are apparently all the rage with African chiefs (and wannabe chiefs). The result is a very cool looking wire-style stock.

Click to expand.

Emmanuel’s holding the shotgun. Click to expand

A very ingenious idea. He modeled the angle of the stock after the Benelli M1.

Click to expand.

Used a hot (Red hot!) piece of metal to melt a nice neat hole into the firearm’s pistol grip: positioning hole so the bracket welded on the rod would fit right against the hole through which one bolts the grip to the receiver.

The stock has been tested and work fine.

We read about African gunsmithing but this is the real deal. It just shows what a good job you can do at home if you don’t have a gunsmith on speed-dial Great job Emmanuel and thanks for the photos and information.

I previously reported that on the new Mossberg 590 SPX. It appears Mossberg also have a “regular” 500 SPX.

The SPX features:

* 18.5″ ported barrel (the holes are in just behind the front sight)
* Picatinny rail
* LPA Ghost sight
* “M16 style” front sight
* Adjustable stock.
* 6 round magazine

This shotgun really seems to be crying out for an 8 round magazine upgrade.

The more expensive 590 SPX has a nine round magazine, bayonet lug and Ontario M9 Bayonet.

R&R Arms has it listed for $494.44 but have none in stock, I am not sure if Mossberg has yet shipped any.

UPDATE: There is also a 930 semi-automatic version of the SPX.

The Mossberg 903 SPX autoloader has the same features as 500 and 590 SPX except it has a 8 round magazine.

Jay emailed me a link to The Brass Fetcher Online. It looks like it has been around for years but I never came across it. It is amazing. They have gel test results, including photos, for a while range of cartridges, often more than one brand. Everything from .17 HMR to 5.7×25mm to 12 gauge.

Federal Tactical rifled slug

Observation from testing the above Federal slug:

The 16×6x6 inch block, upon being struck with the projectile, flipped 1.5 feet into the air and off of the test stand. Permanent cavity was 6” in diameter, until 10.5” depth.

That is why shotguns scare the crap out of me. When I am in a gun shop and hear the clack-clack of a 12 gauge pump, without noticing a customer handling one, I almost always get a fright!

They also offer a ammunition testing service. For a price they can test your favorite brand of defensive or hunting ammunition to ensure it performs as expected.

The site is AMAZING. You must check it out.

Thanks to Jay for the link.

If this does not keep hippies awake at night and zombies at bay I do not know what will. The Mossberg 500 Road Blocker a real badass. Pistol grip, heat shield and BFMB (Big “Fraking” Muzzle Brake”).

Mossberg 500 Road Blocker. Click to expand.

The two baffle muzzle brake looks like it was ripped off a .50 BMG anti-material rifle.

The Roadblocker muzzle brake in action. Note the bead sight.

For comparison: M107 / Barrett M82 .50 BMG anti-material rifle

The Road Blocker is chambered in 12 gauge, has a 18.5″ barrel and a 6 round magazine.

It was previously sold as a TALO exclusive but this year it is now a standard production shotgun. I am not sure what the MSRP will be but if I had to guess I would say $400.

There should be some good reverse thrust from the muzzle brake. If used correctly you should be able to follow up the blast of buckshot with shotgun-in-the-guts. Follow the instructions in my handy guide:

Just joking. Don’t get to excited!

This year Mossberg is will be selling the autoloader 3 1/2″ magnum 935 Magnum and the 2 3/4″ 930 Turkey models with tactical style pistol grips and fixed stocks. Click to expand the images.

Mossberg 935 Magnum Turkey – Pistol Grip Model

Mossberg 930 Turkey camo and black synthetic.

“Tactical” truly is going mainstream.

I did not expect this. Remington will be selling a new pump-action shotgun next year (2009) called the Model 887 NitroMag. The design is not based on the popular 870 and will not replace it.

I am guessing by the name “Nitro Mag” that it will chamber 3 1/2″ 12 gauge shells. According to Adam the barrel and other parts are coated in a polymer to prevent rust. Air guns barrels are often coated with plastic, although I think this is also done to add strength to the thin air gun barrels..

It looks like it will compete head-to-head with the Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag which was designed specifically for firing 3 1/2″ magnum shells.

Adam Heggenstaller has more info and photos on his new blog.

UPDATE:

Two models will be available. The 887 Nitro Mag Synthetic and the 887 Nitro Mag Waterfowl

Remington redefines pump shotgun technology with the 12 gauge Model 887 Nitro Mag. The most durable and reliable shotgun ever built; it has minimal external surfaces to rust. Our exclusive ArmorLokt™ construction process seals the receiver and barrel in a vault of weather-impervious polymer material. Its overmolded surface is built to withstand abrasion and hard-core hunting abuse whether that’s barbed wire, gnarly thorns or the bottom of a Jon boat. And when it’s time for action, our revolutionary new SuperCell™ Recoil Pad so effectively reduces rearward force that it makes a magnum 12 gauge feel like a light field load. The Model 887 Nitro Mag is our softest-shooting pump gun ever. That means enhanced confidence on the first shot and smoother, faster follow-ups.

Because the Model 887 Nitro Mag’s design is inspired by the strength and dependability of our Model 870, you can count on it to cycle flawlessly and stand up to abuse like no other. Similar to the Model 870, its receiver is manufactured from solid steel and the barrel is hammer-forged. Our ArmorLokt process packages it all under a weather-impermeable outer shell. Twin steel action bars ensure smooth, positive chambering and ejection for the long haul. And the sleek receiver design, awesome balance and natural pointing characteristics spell trouble for any bird within reach of its 12-gauge 3 ½-inch Super Magnum capability. The extremely rugged synthetic stock and fore-end are ergonomically contoured to offer a positive grip and comfortable handling while the built-in swivel studs insure a solid attachment for adding slings.

Hat Tip: Ed @ Tell me Why?

Atlantic Firearms just sold a Tromix converted Saiga 12 Shotgun for $3075. Atlantic normally sells them for about $1500!

Tromix has had such high demand they are not longer adding people to the waiting list. I think I read somewhere that those on the end of the waiting list will have to wait about 18 months.

#S06-Tromix Saiga 12ga. Price: $1,420

I wonder how much these evil black shotugns will sell for post-AWB 2.0.

Hat Tip: Saiga-12.com

Earlier this month Browning announced, to much fanfare, a new 12 gauge autoloader shotgun called the “Browning Maxus” at the annual sales meeting. Browning have really hyped this shotgun and have called it “The Most Reliable Autoloading Shotgun the World Has Ever Known.”.

The Browning Maxus Stalker model

The Browning Maxus Mossy Oak Duck Blind model

Browning claim the shotgun generates 18% less felt recoil, 44% less muzzle jump, 19% faster bolt speed and 24% faster locktime. The shotgun has a variety of improvements that make this performance increase possible:

* A new gas system called the “Power Drive Gas System” which is cleaner and more reliable with light loads.

* A new trigger called the “Lightning Trigger System” which has an average lock time of .0052 seconds.

* A new recoil pad called the “Inflex Technology Recoil Pad” which claims to decrease muzzle rise (I recently bought a grind-to-fit Limbsaver recoil pad recently that claimed the same thing).

It also has some nice magazine improvements. A feed system called “Speed Load Plus” allows the first shell inserted into the magazine to go directly into the chamber without cycling the action! Don’t ask me how this works but I look forward to examining the magazine system when it makes its way into the gun shops.

Browning have also introduced an improved magazine plug that can be inserted and removed in seconds using a car key.

The shotgun will be offered in two models (see above photos) and each model will be available in either a 3″ chamber or 3 1/2″ chamber and a 26″ barrel or 28″ barrel. Depending on the configuration the price will range from $1,199 – $1,499. It will be available sometime next year (2009).

Photo from Browning.com. An apparent reference
to the fictional Gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius

As part of the launch Browning released a video on youtube. It has some very impressive videography. If you are not interested in the shotgun itself skip to the middle to watch the shooting.

In 2009 Remington will launch the new 12 gauge Model 870 Express Tactical pump action shotgun.

The shotgun will be available in two models. The ghost ring model will include a weaver rail mounted rear XS Ghost Sight and XS Blade foresight. The standard model has a front bead sight and no rail.

Both models have a 2 round magazine extension (7+1 magazine capacity), black synthetic stocks, 18.5″ barrel, forward sling swivel and Tactical Extended Remington Choke.

Tactical Extended Rem Choke

As you can see above the tactical choke includes a muzzle break, which should decrease recoil, and breach teeth.

The shotgun will be marketed to both law enforcement and to civilians as a home defense shotgun.

These photos are of a new Saiga 12 build. They were too pretty not to post.

Click to expand.

I really have got to get myself a Saiga 12.

More here.

Sean @ Everything Hunting has reviewed the Benelli Nova 12 Gauge Shotgun

The Benelli Nova 12 gauge shoots up to 3 1/2″ shells and cycles smoothly and with little effort. The pump handle is not loud and sloppy like most other shotguns priced just below this one.

The gun is very comfortable to handle and priced in a range that even poor folk like me can afford it with a little saving. Academy Sports has the black matte 20 gauge for $329.99… I believe that I paid about $350 for my 12 gauge, in Realtree APG, at Bass Pro Shop last year.

Read the review here.

This is a very cool looking shotgun

I love the red receiver

Pictured here is a duplicate of the Super X3 shotgun that Patrick Flanigan shoots. Only his magazine tube has been modified to hold more shells. In timing Patrick’s ability to fire 12 shots, he was clocked at cycling all dozen shells in 1.442 seconds – the fastest ever recorded. Everything about the Super X3 is designed for speed and performance. Faster follow-up shots can be made because of the reduced felt recoil. The Active Valve system allocates gases in a clean, precise manner. The gun is light and responsive.

The barrel’s .742″ Back-Bored Technology works with the Invector-Plusâ„¢ choke tube system to provide consistent, dense patterns. The Dura-Touch® Armor Coating keeps the stock from slipping in your hands. The stock is adjustable for a custom fit to your shooting style and body type, thus maximizing overall efficiency of fit, balance and swing.

Now, Patrick’s incredible Super X3 autoloader can be yours, just like the one he uses to break world records (with a standard magazine tube). It is fully configured for exhibition or sporting use, including an additional gas piston to allow the use of a full range of factory loads from the lightest 1 oz. target loads to heavy 3″ magnums if desired, all with clockwork reliability.

Specs:

Gauge: 12
Barrel Length: 28″
Weight: 7 lbs. 4 oz.
Retail: $1,349

More here.