The Firearm Blog

A new .308 / .223 tactical rifle from Remington. I am looking forward to reading reviews about it.

When it comes to tactical firearms, there’s no more trusted name in the game than Remington. In rugged endurance, our Model 700 XCR Compact Tactical Rifle truly stretches the limits.

Our Model 700 XCR Compact Tactical Rifle, features a 416 stainless steel barreled action with Black TriNyte® PVD coating, providing a diamond-hard layer of defense against the elements. It features a OD Green stock with black webbing, wide tactical-style barrel fluting for rapid cooling, hinged floorplate magazine, and dual front swivel studs and rear stud.

Black TriNyte® PVD coating

OD Green stock

Hinged floorplate magazine, Dual front swivel studs and rear stud

Barrel is free-floating with LTR-style fluting

Tactical-style 1 in 9″ twist (223 caliber)

Tactical-style 1 in 12″ twist (308 caliber)

20″ barrel

Chambered in .223 and .308

I came across this very cool cutaway diagram of the Magpul Masada.

Click to expand the image

It shows pictures of all 5 configurations:

• 18 inch SPR
• 14.5 inch Carbine
• 14.5 inch Multi caliber
• 11.5 inch extended
• 11.4 inch folded

The back of the poster (click to expand)

The full size poster can be downloaded here: front, back

As I briefly mentioned before I did an interview with Drake Clark, who works at Magpul, about the Masada. I will be posting it shortly.

I came across this thread @ ArmyRanger.com. These images show the not yet released Magpul Masada rifle being stripped down.

(Click to enlarge the photos)

More photos here.

Yes, I know, I am the last gun blogger to blog about this!

From HKPRO.com

While sources in the U.S. report that the civilian 416/417 will not be ready for SHOT Show 2008, it might possibly be by NRA show, with an estimated preparedness for production in Q3, 2008. One can easily understand why with a projected deadline and unforeseen delays and missed deadlines creates hostility in the gun buying public, that they are now hesitant to be held to that. I can only commend them for that. Progressive companies like MAGPUL have ceased giving estimated delivery dates for their new products completely. So, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to stroll into your authorized HK dealer for a new 416 or 417 until 2009 at the earliest. But still, how much better than not at all?

Photos from the BKA document approving the MR223 and MR308 rifles (416 and 417) for German civilian sales.

The impact on those selling existing upper receivers from lawfully imported select fire 416s will be immediately obvious. Many gunowners will jump at the chance to own an HK manufactured piston driven AR variant or upper receiver kit. Some will not, forever having forsworn any allegiance to HK after the initial “thumbing of the nose” at the civilian HK customer. While HK is primarily a gun manufacturer specializing in police and military firearms, one only need to look in the gun safe for an HK91, 93 or 94 to remember the different perspective that HK had at one time. However, 2007 is not 1983, neither in managerial philosophy nor statutorily. And one must remain mindful of that.

It will be interesting to see what the eventual price will be.

More here.

I came across an M4 comparison chart. Its compares the Colt 6920, LMT, Noveske M4 Light Carbine, Sabre Defense XR15-A3 M4, S&W M&P15 CMMG 16″ M4 Carbine, Stag Model 1, Bushmaster BCWA3F 16M, Rock Rivers Arms AR1251X, Armalite M-15A4C, Olympic K3B-M4-A3 and DPMS AP4-C.

Click to enlarge.

The latest version of this chart can be found here on m4carbine.net

Some great photos of 32 Magnum @ PAFOA ’s Mini-14

(I removed the serial numbers from the photos)

The first one is a Ruger Mini-14 Stainless model in .223. This one has been “modified” with a Choate stock, muzzle break/flash disperser, an inexpensive Eurolux 4x bullet drop compensating, side mount scope and an Eagle Ent. 36 round polymer, see through, constant tension spring magazine. With all the extras, 2″ groups are the norm for this piece. Not a tack driver, but certainly “good enough” for plinking, fun shooting and serious close in (less than 150 yard) tactical purposes. This piece is utterly reliable (only problems have been with Wolf polymer coated rounds) and everyone that has shot it has enjoyed the experience. Total cost of gun and accessories is around $525. I bought the basic gun, new, about 8 years ago for just under $400.

I think the Choate stock had a lot to do with the improvement in accuracy which I experienced. Yes, it is a tight fit, which is good - less wiggle room for the receiver to move around from shot to shot. The stock is lighter than the factory wood and very durable. The hand grip is probably one of the best features as it provides a more steady grip, at least for me. The hand grip and the fore stock have very aggresive checkering molded in and provide a non-slip grip. The rubber recoil pad on the butt adds just a little bit of extra reach and helps lock the stock into the shoulder. It is well worth the money if you want to improve the performance of your Mini-14. The muzzle break was probably the biggest contributor to accuracy - from what I’ve read recently, one of the factors affecting Mini accuracy is barrel harmonics because of the thin taper barrel. The new Target Mini has a barrel harmonic dampener - I think the muzzle break has a similar affect. It is not there just “for nice” it does work.

The full thread is here.

Remington have just announced their new AR-15 rifle, the R-15

The basic idea of the R-15 VTR is to bring a sporting focus to the black gun market. As such, the new rifle will be offered in three configurations–the Predator, Predator Carbine and Predator Carbine CS (collapsible stock) in two calibers—the .223 and Ruger .204—and will retail for $1,145. The three platforms (all in Advantage Max-1 HD camo) will feature button-rifled, fluted barrels with recessed hunting crowns. The uppers and lowers are machined from aluminum forgings and all will carry the Remington name. The free-floating fore-end tube is drilled and tapped for accessory rails and all rifles come with a five-round magazine box and a lockable hard case.

More info about the new AR here @ The Gun Shots

Everyone knew Remington was going to produce an AR-15 after they were purchased by the parent company of Bushmaster. It makes sense. There is a lot of money in black rifles.

UPDATE: Here are some photos (from The Gun Nut):

Dave had this to say

The trigger, which is Remington’s own design, is quite good, and only the very fussy will want to opt for an optional two-stage trigger.

UPDATE:

From Remington

Model R-15 VTRâ„¢ Features:

New semi-automatic AR-15-style rifle developed in conjunction with industry leader in AR platform

Free-floating button-rifled 0.680″ Muzzle OD ChroMoly barrels with recessed hunting crown for superior accuracy

Fluted barrel design reduces weight

Clean-breaking single-stage trigger

Receiver-length picatinny rail for adding optics

Ergonomic pistol grip

Fore-end tube drilled and tapped for accessory rails

Full Advantage Max-1 HD coverage

Includes 5-round magazine

Legal for hunting in most states

Compatible with aftermarket AR-15/M-16 magazines

The industry leader in AR-platform rifles met the world leader in hunting firearms, and Remington Country will never be the same. Working in close conjunction, we created an unrivaled combination of precision accuracy, blazing-fast follow-ups and hunt-specific features. The new R-15 VTR modular repeating rifle was born of the most advanced design aspects of AR-15-style rifles available today with a strong emphasis on optimizing form and functionality for the modern predator aficionado. The results are astounding - with very, very fatal implications for every coyote, fox or bobcat that crosses your path.

For peak accuracy, the R-15’s 0.680″ OD barrel sis precision-crafted from ChroMoly steel. It’s free-floated within the machined-aluminum fore-end tube and given a recessed hunting crown to ensure gasses escape evenly around the bullet for the ultimate in shot-to-shot consistency. Six longitudinal flutes forward of the gas block promote rapid barrel cooling and increase rigidity while reducing weight, further contributing to this rifle’s ability to print tiny clusters at an incredible pace.

And our exclusive single-stage trigger design is as clean-breaking as they come. The semi-automatic gas action all but eliminates muzzle jump and recoil so your target remains in the crosshairs. And when it’s time to add optics, the receiver-length picatinny rail makes it a rock-solid cinch.

Control comes natural with the ergonomic pistol grip and lightweight overall design of the R-15. Its uppers and lowers are machined from aluminum forgings for featherweight durability, and the fore-end tube is drilled and tapped for accessory rails.

This new family of firearms consists of three models. Each designed with input from leading predator authorities and decked in the ultra-effective Advantage MAX-1 HD camouflage to blend with sage, open country and a multitude of hunting terrains. All come with five-round magazines and are compatible with all aftermarket AR-15/M-16 style magazines and other accessories.

(click to enlarge)