The Firearm Blog

Grant Imahara posted this photo on twitter of Mythbusters co-host Kari Byron.

Looking hot (in both meanings of the word)

I really hope this means the mythbusters are going to prove that .50 BMG rifles cannot shoot down a Boeing 747 cruising at 35,000 feet at a speed of 555 mph

Can anyone identify the bullpup, possibly single action and probably .50 BMG rifle? The first thing that popped into my mind was "Steyr" but the only similar looking gun that Steyr ever made was the Steyr AMR / IWS 2000 prototype. Maybe it is a custom stock?

UPDATE: Daniel points out that Kari's rifle seems to be a Maadi-Griffin single shot - I agree.

Hat Tip: Crunchgear

Thanks to mrsatyre for the link.

UPDATE: More pics from the show. Thanks to James for the links.

From Left: Sako TRG-48 in .338 Laupa Magnum, Maadi-Griffin .50 BMG, Barrett 99

Myth: Are phone books good for vehicle armor??!?! Seriously?

UPDATE: As HeartlessLibertarian pointed out that the rifle in the second picture is a Barrett 99, chambered in .416 Barrett.

How frick'n awesome is this ...

Reminds me of the FG-42 ... only more awesome!

I have never seen a side magazine mounted .50 BMG upper for the AR-15 platform. Tactlite have outdone themselves!

The T-2 will also be available chamabered in .338 Laupa and .416 Barrett.

The price starts at $2,198 and preorders require a $500 deposit (refundable at anytime before shipping). It is expected to ship by Christmas.

[ Blogging is addictive ... I really need to take a break ]

Zel Custom are just about to put their 3rd generation Tactilite .50 BMG / .416 Barret AR-15 Upper into full production.

Gen-3 Upper

The new Gen-3 receiver is CNC-machined from a single piece of steel. It includes an integrated picatinny which is machined into the receiver.

Zel are also working on a quad rail system for the Gen-3 upper (see photo below).

Shown without coating on the rails

The 5.7mm Xpress (left)

Yes, it is a joke If it were fired the force would likely rip the copper jacket from the lead, disintegrating the bullet.

Hat Tip: Say Uncle

Zel Custom Manufacturing recently purchased the Ultralite50 line of .50 BMG AR-15 Uppers. They have just released an improved version of the Ultralite50 called the Tactilite.

As you can see above the Taclite is a single shot bolt action that sits atop an AR-15 lower. Because the lower is considered a firearm by the BATFE, the Tactilite is legally an accessory not a firearm, a fact that I am sure would freak out certain elements of society if they ever found out!

It features a free-floating barrel and is available in barrel lengths 18.5″, 22″, 29″ or custom lengths up to 30″. There are three main models. The Ultralite is the budget model that has a Mossberg barrel. The Duty is next step up and is the basic law enforcement / military model. It features a Lothar-Walther barrel. The Super Match is the competition-grade model featuring a Lothar-Walther Super Match barrel.

TactLite UltraLite Defender with custom finish.

They also sell a variety of packages. One of the packages they sell is the ultra-short 18.5″ barrel UltraLite Defender. It is designed to be fired from the shoulder (as opposed to a bi-pod) and is packaged with a set of back-up iron sights (BUIS) and sling. I don’t think a single-shot .50 BMG is ever a good choice for self defense, as the name suggests, but it could be popular with hunters wanting to carry something exotic during their next hunt. While it would have the power for African dangerous game, civilian ownership of military cartridges are banned in many African countries where hunting is popular.

Pricing starts at $1550 for the most basic model.

This interesting .50 BMG rifle was discovered on a raid by Mexican police and army:

Click to expand.

My take on the rifle is that it is a McMillian TAC-50 action with an AR-50 barrel and muzzlebreak and a homemade unfinished (no recoil pad) stock.

McMillian TAC-50

Armalite AR-50

More photo of the captured weapons at MP.net.

JARD Inc have released a new semi automatic .50 BMG rifle, the JARD J50.

It uses a direct gas impingement system, free floating barrel and handguard, fixed barrel and adjustable trigger to improve accuracy.

The J50 allows quick takedown in the field.

Specs:

* Caliber 50 BMG (12.7 X 99mm)
* Semi Automatic
*Fixed barrel
*30” stainless steel cut rifled barrel
*Length assembled 58”
*Disassembled length 48 ¾”
*Weight with 30” barrel empty 26 lbs
*Gas operated direct impingement
*Rotating bolt locking mechanism (9 lugs)
*Free float barrel and forearm
*Detachable 5 round magazine
*Weaver style scope rail 30 min. elevation (others optional)
*Adjustable trigger

MSRP: $8450.00

Hat Tip: Defense Review

If you live in a state or country that does not allow civilian ownership of .50 BMG rifles there are alternative cartridges with similar ballistics to the .50 BMG.

Ammoguide.com compares the .50 BMG, .510 DTC, .416 Barrett and .50 Fat Mac.

More here.

More from the guys @ Anzio Ironworks. Anzio produce a lightweight .50 BMG hunting rifle.

Click to increase the image size:

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