He is holding a Mossberg Rolling Thunder and a Mossberg Roadblocker.

I was able to handle, and photograph, a deactivated Taser XREP round. I have never before seen any photos published, other than the official Taser marketing photos, so this is a first.

The cartridge on the right is the unfired round. It can only be fired in a Mossberg X12 shotgun (and regular 12 gauge rounds can't be fired in the X12) It can be fired from any 12 gauge shotgun although Taser recommend the Mossberg X12 which cannot fire regular legal rounds (preventing tragic accidents). The X12 is a modified version of the pump action Mossberg 500.

The bullet as it looks when it leaves the muzzle is second from the right in the above photo. At the base you can see the fins which help stabilize the bullet. The spikes in front are electrodes.

Once the spikes make contact with the target, the body breaks away and very (very!) sharp needles are deployed. The Taser system requires two points of contact to adequacy shock a human being. The frontal spikes provide one point of contact and the needles provide another.

Taser XREP training round (right)

The XREP is a very complex device and expected it would be expensive, although I had not idea how expensive it would be!

The training round, a plastic projectile weighted the same as the live XREP costs $100 per five rounds! The live version of the XREP costs $800 per 5 rounds! That is $160 per round! I would hate to miss the target at a price that that!

Mossberg / Taser X12 shotgun.

If you have been reading the blog over the past year you will have seen the incredible ingenuity he has demonstrated in Nigeria, where there exist severe restrictions on guns and ammunition. His previous exploits include Turning Birdshot into Slugs for Self-Defense and Fabricating a Shotgun Stock. ]

I ended up just going back to the basics: and worked on the Pistol-grip. I did not know it was made of a thick plastic that could be drilled, sawed, filed and even melted in some parts to fit.

1. I simplified everything: I just drilled a through hole in the pistol-grip, and filed the edges.

1. Through-hole was about 5mm in diameter.

2. I then got a strong “Y” Bracket made: out of strong but springy steel. I had nuts welded to hold the stock.

1. See the fitting of the bracket to the pistol grip: aligned with the through hole.

1. I put a bolt through to hold bracket, and used spring- washers to hold it. Then fastened grip to Shotgun.

1. Screw Stock to nut onto Y bracket. Note the lower bolt is on nut welded to the regular bolt that comes with the shotgun: the one that fixes the pistol grip (Or stock) to the receiver. I put a bolt there so that the Y-Bracket rests on top, and using a Zip tie: stops the Y-bracket (And Stock) from swinging or flexing upwards.

2. “Perfect” fit. Stock fits. Will later need a reduction in LOP: it’s about 15” right now.

1. Y-man’s “Top folder” below (Just kidding: I definitely would NEVER fire it like this: I would get a mouthful of felt!)

Thanks, ALL of you who guided me there: I will update you when I do some firing this weekend.

Remember I did some modifications to my shotgun, and later to the ammunition I could get? Well, I have gone a few more steps further. I have made three more major (In some ways: crude but safe) modifications to my shotgun: based on what is available here in my country and what I can get.

Firstly, I was in an accident in the 1990s, and lost some muscle tissue from my right arm. This has healed over the years, but my arm is not as strong as it should be. This affects my charging of the semi-auto shotgun: so much so sometimes I am forced to charge with both hands awkwardly. I then thought of getting and fixing a charging handle extension: obviously not easily available in my country, and not easy/ sensible to take the shotgun out to a welder to fabricate something (You most likely would get the welder and his apprentices run shrieking out of the workshop when you pull out the shotgun from the carry-bag...!)

So, I got a grip from an adjustment tab of an office chair, made out of plastic, and "JB-Welded" it to the charging handle. See pictures after the jump. I got some concerns from a few friends: wondering if the plastic adjustment tab would stand much firing/ shooting.

Well, I did me some shooting: a total of 25 rounds of my slugs, and tab is FIRM and helping me so well. I can charge my shotgun much more easily now. Very ugly, but functional!

Secondly, I have been shooting my own "brand of slugs" for some time now, and recently got quite uncomfortable with the lack of good sights on my shotgun. I had been using the bead sight, and on a good day, could get 3" groups at 35yards using the open bead sight. On some bad days, I can barely hit a barrel at 25 yards! I KNOW it doesn’t have to do with the consistency or otherwise of the slugs themselves: they are regular, Foster-type slugs that I cast myself, but the problem is my own aim. I am just not getting it right. The alignment of the bead is just too much for me sometimes. Sometimes, my shots go over, and sometimes into the ground in front of target.

So, I decided to make (Fabricate) or get some proper "rifle-like" sights. A "firearm-enthusiast" friend traveled home to Louisiana on vacation last month, and I asked him to get me some sights. After checking and researching online, I settled for the Truglo Xtreme Turkey Combo from Pro Bass, which is right around the corner from my friend's place in Baton Rouge. I asked him to get 2 sets, which he did.

I then asked him, when he was on his way back, to make sure he removed the parts from their packaging, so that some beady-eyed Customs Officer would not start asking questions. Well, luckily, no one even looked twice at the packages at the airports.

I excitedly worked on fitting them to my shotgun, and discovered that while the rear sight fit perfectly, the front sight had some seatings; none of which actually fit my shotgun accurately. I still persevered, and fit them: rear-sight was okay, and finally front-sight seemed to seat well, bolted to the bead hole, and with a little glue and pliers-manipulation. It seemed firm and I had HIGH hopes.

I went out shooting at the range the other day, and while I was hitting my 12" x 12" target (Half-inch thick steel plates.) quite well (Most shots out of twenty went into a 10" x 10" circle at 38 yards.), the front sight began to jiggle loose. At the end of the day: it was sliding from side to side, while the rear ghost ring remained strong and firm. I got home, and in my usual way, started thinking of ways to get this thing sorted...

Finally: I took a look at the unused second set of sights, which I had initially kept as a spare... Then a brainwave hit me: why don't I fit the SECOND Ghost Ring Sight on the FRONT of the barrel: where the bead used to be?! Then that way you have two rings. Align the two circles (Rear and front) against your target when aiming and you have a good aiming picture! Look through the two rings to your target, and you are ON TARGET!

See pictures...

Finally, I got tired of looking for a place to store my shotgun safely: it came originally as a PGO (Pistol Grip Only.) then I initially did some modification by creating a "wire-type" stock. See link...

This increased the length of the shotgun to about 42": quite unwieldy and difficult to conceal sometimes. (Like when driving to the range: even though I have all my legal permits, it is better to avoid too many questions at the Police checkpoints.) I have long thought about getting or fabricating a collapsible stock, or a folding one. Well, like you know: it is completely impossible to get such a thing in Nigeria, so my "creative-mind" went to work.

I ended up with a stock that can be tightened onto the shotgun for shoulder-firing usage, or off for storage: leaving a much shorter shotgun in Pistol Grip only configuration. I know it takes "forever" to screw on the stock to use it or to screw off the stock to store it: crude and ugly but it works!

UPDATE:

Actually NOT on target! I went to the range to do a test with my “double Ghost-ring sights” and did absolutely the WORST shooting of my LIFE! The two ghost rings aligned okay, but obviously not correctly. At one point: I fired TWICE at a crow, using one of my “slugs” at less than 10 yards, and MISSED both times! ALL shots at my steel 12” x 12” target at 30 yards, and 50 yards MISSED EVERY TIME.

Then to close the day with the WORST news: the firing pin on my shotgun broke! Now my nice Turkish EFE shotgun was wrecked! I don’t think it has to do with my modifications: either to the gun or to the ammo: I really believe it has more to do with the quality of the parts of the gun. Would you believe that the firing pin assembly was of a brittle cast-iron metal and NOT steel!? The Plastic bits for the trigger assembly are weak, brittle PLASTIC!

Well, my EFE Magnum shotgun is useless now: it is not possible to repair it: by myself or a gunsmith (Archeologists discovered the fossils of the extinct Nigerian Gunsmith a few months back! ) The Shotgun makes a good club though: and when used right: a great hammer! (No ammo loaded, of course…) Just kidding!

At least: I have a “happy” ending to my story: I met the supplier of my Turkish Shotgun (A licensed firearms dealer…) and complained to him about how strange it was that my shotgun would spoil in less than one year, not with any really heavy shooting… He was more worried that I could tell the large number of clients I already have showing interest in buying from him: so we came up with a deal:

• I returned the EFE Magnum Shotgun to the dealer (He says he can get it repaired ... Good luck to him!)

• He brought me (At my choosing) a Mossberg 500A PGO 18.5” 7+1 Pump-action Shotgun. I like VERY MUCH! As soon as I travel/ have someone travelling: I will get me some tactical sights (Mossy’s already drilled and tapped!), a sling and a stock. I hope to try some shooting this weekend...

• I paid him a little something extra to cover his costs: About $200. (Y’all would be SHOCKED to know I paid about $1,000 for the Turkish Shotgun originally! You don’t know what you guys are enjoying in the US: buying firearms legitimately for as low as $100!

Phew! All’s well that ends well, I guess… I’m now the proud owner of a more reliable Mossberg 500A pump-action shotgun! I fabricated a “Y-Man” Steel target too! This is just perfect for plinking: you hear the slug ring loud and clear! Half-inch thick steel, a steel rod, a discarded car spring, and voila! It is fixed on a spring to reduce the impact of slugs hitting it, and to reduce/ eliminate the risk of ricochets. The steel plate is painted white: so the impact of slug-hits can be seen using Binoculars.

See below:

I need your advice; and maybe you could ask a few friends. Remember that Mossberg 500A 12-gauge I got? Well, it came PGO (Again! Do they have something against regular stocks in Nigeria?!) Well, you know me: I have a restless mind, and restless hands (And some money to burn occasionally!) so I did some fabrication/ modification.

I kept it simple this time: I welded an “L-shaped” wire-type stock (Made out of a strong, springy steel rod derived from a screwdriver.) to the steel bolt that fastens the grip to the receiver. Once I tightened the bolt as normal to the shotgun grip: it was good to go. (See picture attached.)

My worry is this: I’m no engineer, but wouldn’t this put some stress on the bolt-hole of the receiver? Might repeated firing cause the Shotgun receiver to possibly fracture and even crack? Normally: the stress of recoil/ impact of firing taken by the stock (Or PG) is spread on the flat end of the receiver (Where the stock or PG contacts the receiver.) but my modification puts all the impact at the point where the bolt screws in.

• I haven’t tested my modification yet, but am I setting myself up for a cracked receiver? (Or worse?)

• Is my angle of the stock okay? It is straight along the “line of recoil”, it should be okay... What do you think?

• LOP is about 11 inches: and this is comfortable. But is it okay?

• No cheek-weld at all. I guess I’ll have to live with that.

Anyone know if the stress on the receiver during recoil could cause problems?

I am sure the length of pull will be fine as long as it is comfortable.

The stock features a collapsible M4-style stock, pistol grip, aluminum buffer tube and picatinny rails for optics. There also appears to be a rail on the side of the stock, although I am not sure what could be attached there.

On a Mossberg 500

The new forend features a lower rail, which could be used to mount a forward handgrip, and side rails for lights or lasers. I like the grip design.

CAA are selling the stock for $199.99 and the forend for $59.99. Mossberg kit here, Remington kit here.

Hat Tip: Tactical Life

The ATS on a glock and the sight picture.

The Universal Shotgun sight fits any non-ribbed 12 gauge barrel that is 14″ – 20″ long and of .840” to .890” in diameter, which includes most non-ribbed Mossberg and Remington barrels.

Mossberg 500 Shotgun

The Ruger 10/22 variant is only compatible with the aftermarket Tactical Solutions fluted .22 LR barrel. It is designed specifically for .22 steel matches.

Ruger 10/22

Both sights can be purchased online and cost $129.95. You can read more about the pistol sight system in an article [PDF Link] from this months GUNS Magazine.

Click to expand the photos.

Model 817 with scope, thumbhole stock and tip down stock (used as forward hand grip)

Model 702 autoloader

Model 802

Model 817 with scope and bipod.

From the press release:

Muzzle brakes are now available on the following models: the standard 702 Plinkster® (.22 LR autoloading), the scoped 802 Plinkster™ (.22 LR bolt-action with 4x scope) and the scoped model 817 (.17 HMR with 3-9×40 scope). In addition, muzzle brakes will be fit onto a scoped model 817 with a thumbhole stock and Tipdown forend (.17HMR with 3-9×40 scope), and lastly, an 817 (.17HMR) will offer a complete package of a muzzle brake plus an upgraded 4-16×50 scope featuring sun shade, flip open lens protectors and a bi-pod.

I have questioned the effectiveness of muzzle brakes on a low powered cartridge, such as the .22 LR, many times on the blog but this sure looks cool. Do I want one? Hell yes I do

Thanks to Kim for the photos.

The difference is subtle.

The rifle is a significant upgrade over the original Night Train. It features everything you can see in the above photo: a harris bipod, Barska 6-24 x 60mm variable scope, muzzle brake, neoprene comb raising kit with foam cheek pad inserts. It is a complete system.

It also features a free floating button rifled barrel and the new Mossberg LBA trigger to achieve good accuracy.

Specs:

Caliber: .308 Win.
Stock: Synthetic black or camo
Magazine capacity: 4+1
Barrel: 22″
Weight: 9.6 lbs

UPDATE: Kim @ Mossberg PR told me that the MSRP is $949 for the camo and $913 for the black. No bad at all considering that you get for that.

Hat Tip: Outdoor Wire

The SPX features:

* 18.5″ ported barrel (the holes are in just behind the front sight)
* Picatinny rail
* LPA Ghost sight
* “M16 style” front sight
* Adjustable stock.
* 6 round magazine

This shotgun really seems to be crying out for an 8 round magazine upgrade.

The more expensive 590 SPX has a nine round magazine, bayonet lug and Ontario M9 Bayonet.

R&R Arms has it listed for $494.44 but have none in stock, I am not sure if Mossberg has yet shipped any.

UPDATE: There is also a 930 semi-automatic version of the SPX.

The Mossberg 903 SPX autoloader has the same features as 500 and 590 SPX except it has a 8 round magazine.

Mossberg 500 Road Blocker. Click to expand.

The two baffle muzzle brake looks like it was ripped off a .50 BMG anti-material rifle.

The Roadblocker muzzle brake in action. Note the bead sight.

For comparison: M107 / Barrett M82 .50 BMG anti-material rifle

The Road Blocker is chambered in 12 gauge, has a 18.5″ barrel and a 6 round magazine.

It was previously sold as a TALO exclusive but this year it is now a standard production shotgun. I am not sure what the MSRP will be but if I had to guess I would say $400.

There should be some good reverse thrust from the muzzle brake. If used correctly you should be able to follow up the blast of buckshot with shotgun-in-the-guts. Follow the instructions in my handy guide:

Just joking. Don’t get to excited!

Mossberg 935 Magnum Turkey – Pistol Grip Model

Mossberg 930 Turkey camo and black synthetic.

“Tactical” truly is going mainstream.

The LBA’s trigger blade is not nearly as deep as that of the AccuTrigger. In fact, without using a measuring device, I’d say it’s about two-thirds to half as deep. Considering one of the primary purposes of this type of trigger system is to eliminate trigger creep, I think it makes sense that there isn’t a lot of anticipation as you bring the blade flush with the trigger itself. Bottom line: When I wanted the 4×4 to fire, it broke crisply at that moment, and not a millisecond later.

LBA Trigger

While I love the Savage AccuTrigger I hate the little tool it uses for adjustment. I just know if I ever need to adjust it the thing will have gone missing. The LBA uses a screwdriver which is a much better idea.

The LBA will be available next year on Mossberg 100 ATR and 4×4 bolt action rifles. I previously wrote about the LBA here.
More at The Gun Shots

Mossberg 590A, 6 round magazine, adjustable stock

A range of models will be available:

590A1 Adjustable – 6 Shot – 12 Gauge
• Barrel Length: 18.5”
• Sights: 3-Dot
• Choke: Cylinder Bore
• Overall Length: 36 1/8”
• LOP: 10 ½”- 14 ¼”
• Finish: Parkerized
• Stock: Black Syn, with 6-position, aluminum tube stock
• Weight: 7-½ lbs

590A1 – 6 Shot – 12 Gauge
• Barrel Length: 18.5”
• Sights: 3-Dot/Bead/Ghost Ring – depending upon model
• Choke: Cylinder Bore
• Overall Length: 39.5”
• LOP: 13-7/8”
• Finish: Parkerized
• Stock: Synthetic/Synth. Speedfeed – depending upon model
• Weight: 7-1/4 lbs.

590A1 COMPACT – 6 Shot – 12 Gauge
• Barrel Length: 18.5”
• Sights: Ghost Ring
• Choke: Cylinder Bore
• Overall Length: 38-5/8””
• LOP: 13”
• Finish: Parkerized
• Stock: Black (wood stock/synthetic forend)
• Weight: 7-1/4lbs

590A1 MARINER® – 6 Shot – 12 Gauge
• Barrel Length: 18.5”
• Sights: Bead
• Choke: Cylinder Bore
• Overall Length: 39.5”
• LOP: 13-7/8”
• Finish: Marinecote
• Stock: Black Synthetic
• Weight: 6-3/4 lbs

590A1 SPX – 9 Shot – 12 Gauge
• Barrel Length: 20”
• Sights: Ghost Ring
• Choke: Cylinder Bore
• Overall Length: 41”
• LOP: 13-7/8”
• Finish: Parkerized
• Stock: Black Synthetic

Mossberg SPX

590A1 – 9 Shot – 12 Gauge
• Barrel Length: 20”
• Sights: Ghost Ring
• Choke: Cylinder Bore
• Overall Length: 41”
• LOP: 13-7/8”
• Finish: Parkerized
• Stock: Synthetic/Synth. Speedfeed/Aluminum tube Adj. – depending upon model
• Weight: 7-1/4 lbs

The full press release is at AmmoLand.

From the press release:

With its distinctive skeletonized lightning bolt trigger blade, the Lightning Bolt Action Trigger System offers the best in form and functionality, giving the shooter the flexibility of adjusting the trigger pull without the need of taking their rifle to a gunsmith. A simple twist of a standard screwdriver enables the LBA trigger to adjust from 2 to 7lbs. The design of the LBA trigger’s sear engagement offers a truly crisp, creep-free trigger, optimizing accuracy. The LBA trigger blade blocks the sear from releasing the striker unless the blade is fully depressed, even at the lightest adjustment setting. The trigger assembly is machined from aircraft-grade aluminum then hard-coat anodized to military specifications, preventing corrosion and minimizing wear over time.

The 100 ATR is a cheap bolt action rifle often recommended to new, young and/or shooters on a budget. Now they will be able to get an adjustable trigger out of the box.

Savage started the trend of rifle manufactures offering decent triggers when they introduced the adjustable AccuTrigger. My only gripe with the AccuTrigger is the special tool needed to adjust it. A screwdriver, which the LBA is adjusted with, would be much more convenient.

Mossberg 100 ATR

LBA Trigger System

More info on the LBA here.

Is it lawful to carry firearms?

This depends of several factors.

· Flag State your yacht is registered with.
· Area you are likely to operate in.
· Type of firearm.

If I were sailing around the world I would probably want to carry a pump action shotgun in 12 gauge and a bolt action rifle in a non military caliber such as 7mm-08 Rem., .260 Rem. or .270 Win.

Why?

Semi automatics are illegal or have various arbitrary restrictions in most of the world for civilians. At best it could be confiscated, at worst you could be fined or arrested.

Bolt actions are used all over the world and most countries will allow hunters or competition shooters to bring them into the country for sporting purposes. Military calibers are banned in some countries. Better to stick with something nobody is going to object to.

A removable magazine would be a plus and so would a stainless steel action and barrel. The Savage Weather Warrior Series Model 16FCSS in 7mm-08 would be my choice. It has a four round detachable magazine. I would be surprised if any countries has a problem with a four round magazine in a bolt action.

Some type of illuminated scope with quick detachable mounts and open sights would be a must.

Savage Model 16FCSS

Next up, a shotgun. A semi-automatic would be out for the same reason as the rifle. I am pretty sure pump actions are illegal in the UK, so if I were stopping by there then that would not be an option. The alternatives such as a double barrel, bolt action or lever action shotgun do not seem to me to be a credible threat to a ship full of pirates.

I would go with the Mossberg Mariner. At most I would install a magazine extension. Pimping it out withe pistol grips, fore grip and detachable magazines would not be a good idea.

Mossberg Mariner: A good idea.

Mossberg Mariner: A bad idea.

Lastly a replica RPG might not be a bad idea! Many years ago I was watching something on TV about super yachts and there was a brief clip of police somewhere in world showing off a cache of weapons they confiscated from super yachts including what looked like an M72 LAW. I am sure the LAW was not real.

Orange tipped replica.

My experience at sea is limited. I think the above would be good enough on small yacht. The aim really is to make it hard for pirates to come close while out maneuvering them.

I have traveled on very large cargo ships and defending them from pirates would be no different from defending a building.

What do you think about my ideas? Realistically what would you carry on the high seas?

The advantage of having the sight raised is that when shooting from a offhand/verticle position you can keep you head as close to upright as possible to achieve better balance.

Hat Tip: RFC

* Quality queues – Features a button-rifled barrel, recessed muzzle crown, top-tang safety, recoil softening rubber buttpad and a smooth, robust lever-action.
* Special Features – Precision machined receiver provides the 464 Lever-Action with positive lockup for consistent accuracy and long-lived reliability; ejection port developed and positioned specially to ensure proper scope clearance of spent cartridges.
* Drilled & Tapped – Centefire model includes factory drilled and tapped receiver for quick, easy optics installation.
* Capacity – Tubular magazine offers 6+1 capacity (centerfire) and 13+1 capacity (rimfire).
* Every 464 rifle includes a free gun lock and 2- year limited warranty.

The price for the centerfire will be around $473, no price available for the rimfire model.

I think a regular shotgun loaded with a couple of XREP projectiles followed by shot makes more sense for cops. That way if the fancy electronic projectiles fail they have a backup.

The video:

Introducing the TASER XREP – the eXtended Range Electronic Projectile. XREP is a self-contained, wireless projectile that fires from a standard 12-gauge shotgun. It delivers the same Neuro-Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) bio-effect as our handheld TASER X26, but can be delivered to a distance of up to 100 feet, combining blunt impact with field proven TASER NMI.

The press release:

TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, today announced it will debut the new TASER X12 LLS Mossberg(r) shotgun during the 2008 SHOT Show in Las Vegas to be held February 2-5, 2008. The TASER X12 Less Lethal Shotgun (LLS) is a fully integrated less-lethal platform manufactured by Mossberg that has been optimized for the TASER eXtended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP), while providing for integration of the TASER(r) X26 electronic control device (ECD) for close-in engagements. The TASER X12 LLS includes TASER Radial Ammunition Key technology (patent pending) to prevent the system from accepting lethal 12-gauge rounds in order to remove the possibility of end users loading a lethal round in a less-lethal system during high stress situations.

TASER International will be in booth number 22117 in the Gold Hall outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center this weekend. Mossberg will be in booth number 4751 in the central exhibit halls (C1-C5.1).

“In speaking with our customers and law enforcement experts, we found that many law enforcement agencies would prefer dedicated 12-gauge systems for less-lethal use only,” commented Rick Smith, Chief Executive Officer of TASER International, Inc. “However, none of the systems on the market today actually prevent the operator from inadvertently loading a deadly round of buckshot or slugs. The TASER X12 LLS is designed with the important safeguard of precluding the possibility of lethal accidents through round mis-identification.”

The TASER X12 LLS provides a dedicated less-lethal platform based on the proven Mossberg 500 shotgun which is the only 12-gauge system to attain Mil-Spec certification.

In addition to the TASER Radial Ammunition Key system, the TASER X12 LLS also provides the following features:

* A high twist, rifled barrel system that is optimized for the lower velocities of less-lethal projectiles. Whereas standard Mossberg rifled barrels have a twist of 1 in 36 inches, the twist ratio for the TASER X12 LLS is 1 in 18 inches This higher twist rate provides enhanced projectile stability at the lower velocities used for less-lethal projectiles such as the TASER XREP projectile.

* A Picatinny Rail system with the X-Rail mount pre-installed. The X-Rail mount allows the user to mount a standard TASER X26 ECD to the system. Together, the TASER X12 LLS with TASER X26 ECD integration gives the operator the ability to engage subjects across the full range of engagement distances, with the TASER X26 ECD optimized for engagements within 20 feet, and the TASER XREP projectile for subjects beyond 20 feet.

* TASER-Yellow coloration of the stock and fore-end of the shotgun for immediate identification as a less-lethal system

* A ghost ring sighting system

* Collapsible tactical stock

“We are very excited to be partnering with TASER International on the manufacturing and development for the TASER X12 LLS system,” said A. Iver Mossberg, Jr., CEO for Mossberg. “Teaming Mossberg’s vast array of product knowledge and experience with TASER International’s pioneering less-lethal technology will only enhance our continuation as the market leaders in firearms innovation.”

TASER International will begin training the agencies involved in the pilot programs in February and will release the TASER XREP into pilot programs by the end of the first quarter. The TASER XREP is a wireless Neuro Muscular Incapacitation projectile designed for a 12-gauge platform. The XREP which contains miniaturized TASER technology as well as groundbreaking flight stabilization and microprocessor-controlled intelligent electrode selection technologies, weighs only 14 grams, or half an ounce, and has a maximum range of 65 feet or 20 meters.

TASER expects to complete pilot programs and release the TASER XREP product and the TASER X12 by the end of 2008, pending results of the pilot programs.

Photos and video of the TASER XREP and TASER X12 are posted at www.TASER.com/XREP.

The Mossberg 100 ATR is one of the least expensive guns on the market. Coming with a price tag of about $298. What can you expect from the gun? I found the gun pretty accurate and light to carry at only 7 lbs. I bought the Realtree camo pattern with matte black barrel. I used the gun exclusively during the 2006 hunting season.

I have shot 3 deer (all head shots) with instant results at ranges of 15-85 yards. At the firing range I maintained accuracy consistent with a 3 1/2 inch bullseye at 100 yards. These results were sandbag gun rest only without a vise. I find the results to be consistent with my abilities. I feel that I may be able to bring the group closer with a better scope.

More here.

The sidewinder is an interesting thing. It’s a magazine feed conversion kit available for the Mossberg 500 and 590; along with a system of six round box, or 10 round drum magazines. This allows for rapid reload, and rapid changes of ammunition type, which I appreciate; as well as greater magazine capacity in the shortest possible barrel length (no long mag tube extensions).

I should say it WAS available; last month Knoxx took it off the market, because they couldnt manufacture it economically for the quality they wanted; and belive me that quality is very high. Although the finish on the kit leaves much to be desired, it is INCREDIBLY tough. There are videos on the Knoxx site of the sidewinder mags being run over by pickup trucks, and thrown 30 feet onto the ground with no more damage than scratches.

More here and here

Hat Tip: GunPorn

It encourages people to take up target shooting.