The Firearm Blog

EmptorMaven has reviewed the NATO conversion kit for the Steyr AUG SA. The kit allows the use of STANAG (AR-15) magazines.

Steyr has always offered the NATO version as an option to military customers, but no country, as far as I know, has chosen to adopt it over the standard AUG.

The Army Times reports that Army weapons officials have presented to Congress six proposed upgrades to the M4. They are ...

• Heavy barrel. This will increase the rate of fire and decrease heat problems but at the expense of weight.
• Add gas-piston system so that the carbine will run cleaner.
• Improve trigger pull.
• Adding monolithic full length rail system for added strength. Makes sense, but is expensive.
• Add electronic round counter to pistol grip to track rounds fired. Is this really needed?
• Ambidextrous controls.

A special “integrated product team” will evaluate the pros and cons of each of the proposed improvements and decide which options, if any, will give the service the “biggest bang for the buck,” Tamilio said.

The team will be made up of multiple agencies such as the Infantry Center, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center and Program Executive Office Soldier. It will also include soldiers with combat experience and members of the small-arms community.

Representatives from the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force will also get a chance to weigh in on the decision for future improvements to the M4.

What do you think of the proposed changes? Sound off in the comments.

Many thanks to Morten for emailing me the link.

Parallel got the fright of his life when participating in a Magpul Dynamics "Dynamic Carbine" course.

Side of upper receiver blown open.

Bolt carrier split.

Bolt face split.

The drill was firing from the urban prone, weapon side position. We loaded and made ready and I waited for the threat command. When the threat command came I went into the urban prone position and fired. On the second round the upper receiver blew apart. It took a few seconds for me to get oriented and realize what had just happened. I checked to see that there wasn’t another round in the chamber and raised my hand to let Travis know there was a problem. Travis was already on the way as he said that he thought that I was on fire from all of the smoke that was rising from me. There was a medic who checked me out real good to ensure that some shrapnel hadn’t penetrated my skin anywhere without my being aware of it. I sustained only minor injuries (a bruise on the left forearm and some flash burn to the face).

...

The 6920 is on its way to Colt Manufacturing for analysis as of this posting. I will certainly post the results of the analysis as well as the resolution when that information is available. I would appreciate it if the wild guesses as to the cause of this failure were withheld until Colt Manufacturing has had a chance to check it out. I will give a few facts that will help to keep the conjecture to a minimum. The barrel was clear before and after the event and the ammo used was factory XM193. I don't know if the brass was ejected, it appeared to be, however, there could have been part of the brass case left in the chamber, I was too busy trying to get back to training to check, then the gun went via FEDEX to Colt before I had the chance to check because I was trying to catch up on all of the work I had neglected while out running and gunning.

Many thanks to jdun1911 for emailing me the info.

The AR-7 was designed by Eugene Stoner for the US Airforce in 1958, a couple of years after he designed the AR-10 (which went on to evolve into the AR-15). This Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle, I am sure, would have put a smile on Stoner's face.

"bronco" developed a conversion kit which allows a standard AR-15 pistol grip and stock to be attached to the AR-7 receiver. A forum posting over at the Predator Wild forum seems to suggest he may be willing to sell these kits.

The stock / pistol grip kit.

Next Chapter has written a review of the Henry AR-7.

Many thanks to Heath for sending me the link.

A Glock 23 with 6 Magazines: $650
A Custom 7.5" barreled AR-15 with 8 Magazines : $3000
AFT Tax: $200
That nobody knows you are carrying them: Priceless

Read about _ak's guitar gun case.

Many thanks to jdun1911 for the link.

[ I am pleased to present this guest post was written by Isaac. ]

Knights Armament as a company has had a notable hand in the evolution of Eugene Stoner’s classic AR-15 design. One of the most obvious results of that heritage is visible in the SR-15 E3 IWS (Integral Weapons System).

The biggest question when people see the SR-15 is “what’s different about this gun to make it special?” And to answer that is to look under the hood and understand that the SR-15 doesn’t seek to be the most accurate, or the most durable gun (the SR-15 E3 IWS actually groups 1.25moa or better, so it’s no slouch). What it does is be one of the most complete package rifles that require almost no user modification or tweaking. And by doing so is an incredibly reliable and lightweight rifle with a plethora of features.

From the inside out Knights has given the SR-15 a longer than mid- length gas system, which provides for an extremely smooth and reliable operation. The rifle also features a larger bolt cross section, which serves to improve overall durability. The hammer forged barrel groups very well, and in combination with the very lightweight URXII rail (including integrated front sight, and included match grade rear sight), gives the gun an extremely svelte appearance and light overall weight. All combined with their match grade trigger assembly and offering completely ambidextrous controls to those who are southpaws (or shooters working off their reaction sides).

So, SR-15 feature primer aside, how well does it actually shoot? Amazingly well. Having run the gun in a few carbine courses and competitions, and run it hard, the gun has easily become the rifle I count on as my ‘go to’ gun. What it offers me is an extremely lightweight rifle (even running lights and lasers) that gives me an above average level of accuracy from a fighting carbine. Short of changing out some furniture to fit my personal needs, the gun has not required any tuning or fixes. An extremely smooth gas system in combination with the Knights Armament triple tap brake (not included) creates a rifle with almost zero muzzle flip. In the end what the rifle brings to me is a gun that far exceeds my own capabilities as a shooter.

The value of the SR-15 E3 IWS is obviously relative to the needs of the shooter. Some may never need the features of the SR-15, and that’s a valid point. However considering what you get as a package (LMT SOPMOD stock, 16” hammer forged barrel, ambidextrous lower, lightweight continuous railed forearm, etc) you’re getting a great value. For those who want or need a gun that requires practically no modifications to achieve maximum durability and performance, this is obviously an excellent choice that far exceeds the levels of what make up a top tier AR-15 rifle.

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 ]

Since SHOT Show the KAC SR-15 E3 Carbine/IWS rifles have been slowly trickling out of the factory. I believe that they are now in full production.

The Stoner Rifle 15 series are semi-automatic rifles featuring a 16" chrome chamber barrel, a URX free floating barrel system, an ambidextrous control system, a two-stage trigger, an improved multi-lug E3 bolt and integral front sight and sling mounts. This is already a comprehensive package on its own and does not require excessive modular accessories for performance enhancement. The KAC SR-15 is the first rifle model with an Integral Weapons System (IWS) that combines both built-in and modular features.

One of the upcoming guest blog posts is a review of the SR-15 so watch out for it.

The Cav Arms guys did an extreme dust test on an AR-15. Turns out AR-15 cannot handle being buried in sand and then run over by a Jeep ... who knew? Apart from the "Jeep test", it did really well.

They also tested an AK derivative, a 5.56mm SAR-3, which did not do as well. It seems odd that the trigger group would fail to function. I have posted videos on the blog showing AKs working under worse conditions.

AR-15 owners will soon have another "point five-oh" option for their rifles: the .50 GI. Before now only 1911 and Glock conversion kits were available for the cartridge.

The .50 GI was born out of the idea that if .40 was better than 9mm, and .45 was better than .40, then .50 must be better then .45. It should not be compared to the .500 S&W, .50 Beowulf or the .50 Action Express as it has much less power. The cartridge is comparable to the .45 ACP +P cartridge, but with a larger diameter bullet.

8" SBR with .50 GI magazine.

Carbine with AR-15 magazines converted to take .50 GI

The .50 GI magazine holds 14 rounds and the AR-15 magazine holds 9 rounds.

The 16" upper will sell for $750 and with one magazine. You can see the contact details of the manufacturer, RMW Xtreme Inc., at the beginning of the below video.

Thanks to Giesler for the link.

Hat Tip: Photos from 475AR @ .50 GI Forum

Minute Man Armor make armor that mounts into picatinny rails. Weird.

Jovian Thunder Bolt has more info.

Back in July, when the specification for the original Remington ACR specifications where announced, I said one of the cartridges it would chamber was the 6.5mm Grendel. Remington said "6.5mm", and in the context I assumed it was the Grendel.

Not long after posting it, I was emailed by a well placed industry insider who told me that he very much doubted Remington would ever produce a gun chambering the Grendel. His reason? The management behind the development of the cartridge left a lot of bad blood in their wake. He suspected that the listing of "6.5mm" was a marketing ploy.

His prediction that Remington would not offer it has come to fruition. Adam Heggenstaller reported (emphasis mine) ...

Ongoing development will focus on the 6.8 mm Rem. SPC, 7.62x39 mm, a yet-to-be-disclosed 6.5 mm round and, get this, the .30 Rem. AR.

Will we ever see this cartridge? I don't know. At least we know why Remington are not just saying "Grendel".

UPDATE: My original source just emailed me to suggest that the .30 Remington AR necked down would make a lot of sense! He has a good point. (This is just speculation - not inside knowledge).

7.62x51mm NATO, 6.5mm Grendel and 5.56x45mm NATO

Wilson has just announced quite an extensive line of 6.8 SPC AR-15 rifles. Three base models are available and each is customizable.

Wilson Combat Recon 6.8SPC

Tactical Hunter Lightweight 6.8 SPC

M-4T 6.8 SPC

The prices start of $2300 for a complete rifle, or $1025 for just an upper.

More info here.

Guns Holsters and Gear reports:

The first product in the lower receivers line is the LR100 DTI Stripped Lower Receiver, made of hard coat anodized forged 7075 T6 Aluminum. Product includes the stripped lower only, does not include any internal parts. Del-Ton price is $120.00.

Next is the LR101 DTI Complete Lower Receiver. Buyer can choose his own grip and lower parts options. Complete lower receiver includes all internal parts and is completely assembled. Standard price is $180.00.

Finally, the LR102 DTI Complete Lower Receiver with Buttstock. Buyer chooses the buttstock, grip and lower parts options. Complete lower receiver includes all internal parts & buttstock and is completely assembled. Standard price is $240.00.