The Firearm Blog

UPI reports that after a German news report H&K have cut ties with Blackwater. The report said Blackwater and H&K have a “strategic partnership” and that Blackwater employees have used H&K firearms. Blackwater offered some H&K training courses, still seen on their website, and it is hardly surprising that some blackwater employees were using H&K firearms.

Deutsche Welle said Tuesday that the revelations stirred criticism among some German politicians who said they were aghast at Blackwater’s controversial role in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It is scandalous and unacceptable that a German arms company cooperates with such a lawless mercenary troop,” declared Green Party lawmaker Hans Christian Strobele.

Hat Tip: Danger Zone.

Ninjamaster at HKPRO forum posted before and after pictures of his USP Tactical pistol which be gave the photoshop camo treatment.

I think it looks great.

More here.

Murdoc found this photo from 2001

1st Infantry Division (ID) Soldiers, part of the USA Task Force (TF) Sabre force, fire a Heckler-Koch 5.56 mm G36 assault rifle on the live-fire range at Orahovac, Kosovo, Serbia

More here.

The Army dust test results are out. As you can see above the M4 has fared very badly.

Weapons officials at the Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., exposed Colt Defense LLC’s M4, along with the Heckler & Koch XM8, FNH USA’s Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle and the H&K 416 to sandstorm conditions from late September to late November, firing 6,000 rounds through each test weapon.

When the test was completed, ATEC officials found that the M4 performed “significantly worse” than the other three weapons, sources told Army Times.

Officials tested 10 each of the four carbine models, firing a total of 60,000 rounds per model. Here’s how they ranked, according to the total number of times each model stopped firing:

* XM8: 127 stoppages.
* MK16 SCAR Light: 226 stoppages.
* 416: 233 stoppages.
* M4: 882 stoppages.

The results of the test were “a wake-up call,” but Army officials continue to stand by the current carbine, said Brig. Gen. Mark Brown, commander of Program Executive Office Soldier, the command that is responsible for equipping soldiers.

You can bet H&K, FN and Magpul are happy about these results!

Hat Tip: Murdoc Online

Defense Review have tried out the soon to be released TDI KRISS Super V XSMG .45 ACP Submachine gun.

The gun has a very interesting design which makes it more controllable in full auto. They say it is a modern Thompson submachine gun and will compete with the H&K UMP 45.

Some facts about the KRISS

- Available in the first quarter 2008.

- 800 RPM cyclic rate

- Magazine initially 13 round. A 30 and 45/50 round magazine are in development.

- Weighs a little over five pounds

- A semi version will be offered to the public.

More 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.

Federal agents said Monday that these guns were found in T.I.’s home. The rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr.. was arrested over the weekend on federal weapons charges. He was ordered to remain in custody at least until Friday.

The machine guns: two mac-10’s and one MP5K, with suppressors:

High cap magazines seem to be in fashion

The firearm in the middle of the above photo appears to be a Calico 9mm LIBERTY III pistol with the distinctive 50 (or 100) round magazine that sits on top.

More here.

Bryant @ Defense Tech writes about his experience testing the H&K USC .45 carbine

During demonstration firings of the weapon here at Blackwater USA’s training grounds, Military.com was invited to shoot up some targets using the Kriss and, for comparison, H&K’s USC .45 carbine.

Though another submachine gun might have made for a better assessment, TDI obviously was comfortable with the H&K choice for the purpose of evaluating recoil. The Kriss certainly won out, though the H&K did not give a severe kick either, and TDI chief operating officer Chuck Kushell acknowledged his competitor made a fine weapon.

More here.