The Firearm Blog

Earlier this year Marlin introduced the value-for-money XL7 rifle cambered in 25-06, 270 and 30-06. I thought it was odd that they did not offer a short action version. John Snow reports that a short action version will be available shortly in .248, .308 and 7mm-08.

Marlin XL7 (the long action version)

John has the specs and a brief range report.

The new ARX-160 Carbine is Beretta’s entry into the M4 replacement competition. Photos by SMG-Lee

M16 magazine, folding iron sights

Folding stock

UPDATE:

Originally I called this rifle the NRX after misreading the logo. It is in the ARX-160. Below is a photo (from MP.net) of the ARX-160 carbine (left) and the rifle version (right). Both have the new Beretta grenade launcher attached.

A big thanks to Ed who was kind enough to let me know about my mistake after he spoke to Beretta. He and has more info on the rifle/carbine.

Apparently the Italian Special Forces will be adopting it in 2009.

About 6 months ago Metal Storm was awarded AU$1.4 million in development contracts from the US Navy to develop a 12 guage (.729″ caliber, not the 12 gauge shotgun cartridge) multishot weapon that mounts under an M16 and M4.

The MAUL has no moving parts and weights just 2.75 pounds.

All four rounds can be loaded into the chamber at once and are electronically ignited. It can fire lethal rounds, such as grenades, and non lethal rounds.

The weapon system was exhibited at AUSA Expo this year and should be in production next year.

Wilco exhibited their embedded circuit rail system for the HK45 and HK 416 at ASAS. The fore grip can then be used to control all the accessories without wires. Very clever. SMGLee took some photos:

Hold on the heels of the Remington .30 RAR announcement, sister company Marlin have announced the .338 Marlin Express. John Snow has the scoop:

These bullets will use the same soft-tip technology that the other LeverEvolution cartridges employ and the result will be a round that is the rough equivalent of a .30-06.

…

According to the spec sheet, the initial offering will be a 200-grain bullet, which will exit a 24-inch barrel at 2,565 fps. Sighted in 3 inches high at 100 yards, the bullet drops only 7.8 inches at 300. At the 300-yard mark, the bullet is carrying 1,760 ft-lb of energy–plenty for even elk-sized game.

More info @ Gun Shots

ATI have announced the GSG5-PK pistol.

The new GSG-5PK pistol is a .22 Long Rifle HV Caliber with a barrel length of 4.52″, total length of 15.275″ and a total height of 10″. It weighs in at a dainty 5.2 lbs. It has an alloy frame construction and features a magazine safety and click-adjustable target sight. At a MSRP of $549.95, the GSG-5PK pistol is the perfect partner to the original GSG-5 rifle model.

It is basically a GSG5-P (pistol) with a shortened barrel and MP5K style handguard. Some photos (click to expand):

Hat Tip: SayUncle

I missed a press release that Kel-Tec issued last month. The 18″ barreled version of the bullpup RFB Carbine will be shipping next month.

In order to keep the costs down the rifle will not include sights, although it will include a Picatinny rail, and “will ship in an in-expensive box”.

RFB Carbine Features:

- 18” Chrome lined 7.62 NATO chambered barrel
- Birdcage flash hider included
- Front ejection of cases
- Top Picatinny rail for mounting sights (no sights included)
- Gunsmith replaceable barrel with adjustable headspace
- Click adjustable gas system for various power ammo, or suppressor use
- Accepts FAL metric magazines with straight-in/drop-free magazine well (one magazine included)
- Nylon sling and hardware included
- In-grip storage capability

More info on the rifle here.

The legendary Mr. SMGLee has the scoop:

EOLAD2 on SCAR

EOTech with Laser Device laser build into one unit. IR and visible laser share the same battery as the EOTech 552 in order to minimize the package and also to cut down on weight.

The visible Laser is a 5mW unit with range for visible in low out to 450m in low light and about 30m in day light

The IR laser is a -25mW to -100mW unit with reach out to 2000m in high out put and 600m in low setting.

Added a recoil lug to the cross bar screw for better security on the rail.

Control are in the rear with individual windage and elev adjustments. power source are contolled via the remote switch leading from the bottom of the unit ot the side button build into the unit. a double click on either the remote switch or the side button will set the beam on continous mode.

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The integrated unit was designed at the request of SOCOM, thus one of the EOLAD has the SOCOM designation. EOLAD-2 SOCOM, this is the highest priced unit within the line up.

The integrated unit has some good features, it takes only one battery source, it feeds off the two lithium AA in the 552. it is also more compact than say mounting a PEQ15 or the even bigger PEQ2. especially on a gun like the MK18 or the MP5s an d any gun with short rail real estate. it might be more effective by demo the sight on top of a gun like the HK MP7…

the control knobs are prety difficult to adjust, you would need a coin and the turns has very positive click, it would not be too easy bump out of adjustment.

The high-res photos are currently offline.

David via. SayUncle reported on a company called Constitution Arms who plan on producing palm pistols.

The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. It is also ideal for seniors, disabled or others who may have limited strength or manual dexterity. Using the thumb instead of the index finger for firing, it significantly reduces muzzle drift, one of the principle causes of inaccurate targeting. Point and shoot couldn’t be easier.

I do wonder how useful a single shot 9mm is but they are pretty up front about the disadvantages of their product in the product specification PDF. It will be interesting to see if this goes into production.

This type of palm held squeeze to fire pistols have been around for quite some time. James has a write up about them here.

The “Protector”.

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).

Photos by Remigiusz Wilk (REMOV):

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.

The other new Polish pistol at MSPO 2008 is the 9mm MAG 08. It is a redesign of the MAG 98 which itself was a redesign of the MAG 95. It looks nice, but I do remember reading complaints about the previous generation MAG pistols somewhere.

The original (from the manufacturers website)

MAG 98C

The new pistol

From what I can make out the frame is made from aluminum and it takes 15 round and 18 round magazines.

More here (google translation)

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.

The P99 RAD was unveiled at MSPO 2008. As far as I can tell it is a standard P99 with a Picatinny rails and a different, but still interchangeable, grip.

The “RAD” part of the name refers to the hometown of the Lucznik Arms Factory, Radom. Interestingly enough “Rad” was the the unofficial nickname of the Polish Vis semi-automatic pistol used in WWII.

The pistol was designed by the Polish military and I do not know if Walther will sell this design to the public.

Photos taken by Remigiusz Wilk (REMOV).

More here (this page is English, most of site is not)

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.

MSPO 2008 International Defence Industry Exhibition was held in Kielce, Poland and ended about an hour ago. I will shortly be posting some of the cool firearms that were displayed, or at least the cool firearms I could find. Not being able to read polish makes it hard to find information.