The Firearm Blog

Ruger will be supplying 1750 9mm Ruger KP95 pistols to the Federal Bureau Of Prisons.

Ruger P95

The press release is here.

Guncrafter Industries are selling a .50 GI conversion kit for the the Glock 20/21.

Click to expand the image

The .50 GI round should not be compared to the Desert Eagle’s .50 Action Express or the .500 S&W. It is slightly more powerful than the .45 ACP.

Wikipedia information on the .50 GI:

.50 GI
Type	Handgun
Place of origin	 United States
Production history
Designer	Vic Tibbets / Alex Zimmermann
Designed	2004
Manufacturer	Guncrafter Industries
Specifications
Case type	Rebated, straight
Bullet diameter	.515 in (13.1 mm)
Neck diameter	.526 in (13.4 mm)
Base diameter	.526 in (13.4 mm)
Rim diameter	.480 in (12.2 mm)
Case length	.899 in (22.8 mm)
Overall length	1.221 in (31.0 mm)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
275 gr (17.8 g) JHP	900 ft/s (270 m/s)	492 ft·lbf (667 J)
300 gr (19 g) JHP	860 ft/s (260 m/s)	493 ft·lbf (668 J)

The kit will retail for $595.

Hat Tip: Foodpounds

This year Auto Ordnance started selling a Thompson 1927A-1 “Lightweight Deluxe Pistol”, complete with 50 round drum magazine!

It has a 10.5″ barrel and aluminum receiver. A total length of 23.3″ and weight 5 lbs. 14.5 oz. Not exactly light weight, and that is before you load up 50 rounds of .45 ACP!

Model TA5

MSRP is $1,117.00.

More here.

Hat Tip: A Keyboard and a .45

This amazing 3D animation shows a 1911 being assembled. Made with the free open source Blender software, it is the best video I have seen on the internet in a long time.

The description:

This is an animation i made in blender of a colt 1911. all of the parts are modeled to blueprint specifications

it took me about 100 … all hours to model all of the pieces and about 10 to get the animation done. rendering was a multipass process, using yafray for a high quality GI render, then using blender for a post process DOF blur total rendering time was around 500 hours on a core 2 quad

I have a friend who can make some amazing models using blender. I have tried but I am not very skilled. I have always wanted to model one of those cut away animations of a rifle or pistol.

Hat Tip: Freedom Sight

Th Box O’ Truth have published a two part article on the building and shooting of a 1970’s blackpowder .45 cal Philadelphia Derringer kit.

“Here’s the deal. I have a new in the box, 30 year old (warranty card dated 1978), .45 cal, Philadelphia Derringer kit. This is one of those CVA build it yourself jobs. It even comes with 100 .45 cal lead balls.

I will send this to you absolutely free, but, here is the catch, (you knew there was a catch) you must build it and after it is complete you have to take it out and touch this bad boy off! Fire for effect…

The Building

The Shooting

According to gunsholstersandgear.com:

The .22LR Rimfire Conversion Kit is available for the SIG SAUER P220, P226, and P229 models and feature a black hard coat anodized slide, machined from solid aluminum billet. Offered as a complete replacement assembly, the Rimfire Conversion Kit installs as easily as field stripping the pistol. Simply remove the standard slide assembly, install the “new” .22 slide and barrel assembly, and add the included .22LR magazine and you’re ready for the range.

I thought the pistol was out in January, but they issued this press release yesterday. Either way, it is now available.

UPDATE: Tim, in the comments below, let us know that the pistol is due to be released in may-june 08.

From the press release:

Beretta USA is pleased to announce the introduction of the most advanced Sub-Compact sidearm of its kind – the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact pistol. Built around Beretta’s latest Px4 Storm modular technology, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact delivers concealed carry handling with large frame firepower.

Available in two calibers, 9mm with 13 round magazine capacity and .40 S&W with 10 round magazine capacity, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact will be available in all the traditional configurations (F, G, C, D actions) that have made its Px4 Storm full size counterpart a preferred choice of Law Enforcement agencies and civilians across the United States. This new pistol uses a very reliable locked breech, providing a more compact and lighter weight system. Additionally, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact utilizes a stainless steel barrel which requires less maintenance and is corrosion resistant, making it perfectly suited for concealment close to active perspiring bodies.

“With the launch of our new Sub-Compact model, the Storm family of polymer pistols and carbines is now the ideal suite of firearm platforms available on the market” said Gabriele DePlano, Vice President of Product Development at Beretta USA. “Whether it is used for concealed or open carry, on or off duty, as a patrol rifle or for home protection, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact family is poised to offer our operators the ultimate in Beretta’s reliability, durability and accuracy in its smallest package yet.”

Hailed by some as the most accurate Sub-Compact pistol on the market, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact offers absolute reliability and consistent accuracy in a small package. Featuring a Picatinny rail to fit light and laser accessories, the Px4 Storm Sub-Compact also adapts to different hand sizes easily with interchangeable backstraps that are included with each firearm. The magazineÂ’s patented “Snap-Grip” allows for maximum concealability when the firearm is holstered, while providing a comfortable and secure grip when the pistol is being fired. An ambidextrous manual safety, ideally positioned on both sides of the slide for easy access by all shooters, and a low-profile slide catch complete this small yet powerful package. Additionally, a reversible magazine release button, in small or large size, can be mounted on either side for the convenience of the operator. The Px4 Storm Sub-Compact was designed by Beretta USA and will be manufactured in the United States at Beretta USAÂ’s Accokeek, MD facility.

PX4 Storm Sub-Compact

More info here.

I recently wrote about the new Boberg XR9 pistol which features the magazine beneath the chamber. Dr. StrangeGun discovered that the Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistol was the first pistol to feature this configuration.

High tech and ugly (Photo from Horst Held)

From wikipedia:

The Mars Automatic Pistol was a semi-automatic pistol developed in 1900 by the Englishman Hugh Gabbet-Fairfax. It was manufactured by Webley & Scott and distributed by the Mars Automatic Pistol Syndicate. The Mars Automatic Pistol is famous for being available in a variety of 8.5 mm, 9 mm and .45 calibres. These were all bottle shaped cartridges with a heavy powder loading, making the .45 version the most powerful handgun in the world for a time. It used a unique long recoil rotating bolt action which ejected spent cartridges straight to the rear.

The Mars Automatic Pistol was rejected by the British War Office as a possible replacement for the Webley & Scott Revolver, then in service with the British Army, because of the unacceptable large recoil, muzzle-flash, and mechanical complexity. It has since become a collectors item because of its rarity and as an example of the earliest developments in semi-automatic pistols.

I dug up the pistols’ patent. The patent drawings show how the rear ward feeding works.

Although the pistol was not practical back in 1900 it was an ingenious design.

According to Marshal Halloway Ruger have had orders for 87,000 Ruger LCPs. Thats within 5 days of the launch.

Very impressive!

An observant forum poster, warhawke, noticed that “new” STI GP6 pistol bore a striking resemblance to the Slovakian K-100 Grand Power pistol. They are in fact one of the same, although there is no mention of the pistols’ heritage on the STI website (here or here).

The STI GP6

The K-100 Grand Power pistol

I assumed it was a clone by Wikipedia shed some light:

The K100 was designed by Jaroslav Kuracina, a former weapons officer in the Slovak Army. Kuracina sketched drawings of the K100 as early as 1992, but manufacturing activities were highly restricted during the Communist era. Kuracina would be forced to wait until 1996 to continue development of his design. Grand Power has recently announced a deal to produce 100,000 units for the US market.

Now we know where they are sending those pistols! This was further confirmed as I dug around the Grand Power website and found STI listed as the North American dealer.

I certainly do not have a problem with STI rebranding the pistol, but inferring it is a new design and not mentioning its heritage is wrong, in my humble opinion.

UPDATE:

It appears that they did disclose this on a “Skinnergrams” (STI newsletter). Read the comments by S Carruth below.

The XR9 is a prototype 9mm pocket pistol by Boberg Engineering. What makes it special is that the magazine located directly under the chamber. This allows it to have a full size barrel (4.2”). Think of it as a bullpup equivalent in a pistol (not the best analogy but you get the idea)!

What a beautiful looking pistol

Standard black frame, Gen II prototype

The Boberg feed mechanism differs from traditional feed mechanisms in that it draws the cartridge backward from the magazine (see video).

What is not obvious from this view or the video is the rendundancy of the mechanism. The lifting device, consisting of the lifting linkage and the ramp, imparts a kinematically balanced motion to the cartridge as it is lifted. This is important because the cartridge is accelerated rearward an upwards of 2000 g’s. Any impact on the cartridge by the ramp is absorbed by the resiliency of the ramp. This combination, along with containment of the case flange, is sufficient to feed cartridges; however, a top stop is added to prevent any further upward motion of the cartridge.

Even a poorly designed lift mechanism would feed cartridges somewhat reliably when using the top stop alone; however, the Boberg XR9 uses both kinematic balance and the top stop to provide complete and redundant control over the cartridge as it is picked from the magazine, lifted to be in-line with the barrel, and placed into the chamber.

The video:

Specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Length: 5.8”
Height: 4.2”
Width: 0.95”
Weight: 19.5 oz with magazine
Barrel Length: 4.2”
Capacity: 7+1
Action: Rotating-Barrel Locked-Breech
Sights: Dovetail windage, 5.1” radius
Trigger Pull: 6.5 lb DAO
Safeties: 3

It will be very interesting to see what becomes of this pistol.

More info here.

Hat Tip: Ahab

Bul handguns will be distributed in the US by Charles Daly. They are made in Israel. DoubleTapper has more information on their use with the Fobus stock in Israel (which is not likely to be offered to civilians in the US)

These photo were taken by TalonArms.com at SHOT Show 2008.

With Fobus stock.

Bul Cherokee

Custom, nice!

Check out the latest Magpul creation. It is a folding carbine. Similar to the Ares FMG and PP-90. It appears to use some glock parts uses the Glock action, magazines and laser systems.

A couple of video demostrations:

Some photos from GlockTalk.com:

It looks very cool!

Compare with other FMG type firearms

The original Ares FMG which was designed by Eugene Stoner:

the PP-90, designed by the KBP design bureau in Tula:

the Ukrainian Goblin

And although very different the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 (this folds for storage, not rapid deployment).

I will update this page as more information becomes available.

UDPATE:

According to this thread, it is called the FMG9 and Magpul do not have plans to put it into production, at this point it is just a prototype… although I am sure James Bond will get his hands on one for his next movie!

UPDATE

Another video demo

UPDATE: From ar15.com:

The advantage to the FMG9 over previous versions are…

1. One button, spring loaded action.
2. Light weight, color coded plastic (can be molded as a non gun color)
3. Closed bolt, safe action (others were open bolt SMGs, ours can be carried with a round in the chamber).
4. Proven Glock action with stock Glock factory magazines and laser systems.

Hat Tip for the update: Cryptic

Hot on the heels of the new SR9 Ruger has released the LCP .380 Auto Lightweight Compact Auto. It is good to see Ruger waking up and addressing customer demand. It will sell for $330.

The 9.4 ounce LCP pistol has a capacity of 6 + 1 rounds of .380 Auto. With a height of only 3.6 inches and a width of .82 inches, the small, lightweight LCP pistol is a reliable back-up or carry pistol. The high-performance, glass-filled nylon frame is topped by a through hardened blued slide. The Ruger LCP features a 2.75 inch barrel and an overall length of 5.16 inches. When size and weight savings count, the Ruger LCP pistol is a natural for personal defense carry, in a purse, briefcase, or inside hiking gear.

Specs:

Caliber: .380 Auto
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
Finish: Blued
Grip: Glass-Filled Nylon
Barrel Length: 2.75″
Groove: 6
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Overall Length: 5.16″
Weight: 9.4 oz
California Approved: No
Massachusetts Approved: No
Front Sight(s): Fixed
Rear Sight(s): Fixed
Suggested Retail Price: $ 330.00
Miscellaneous: One 6-Round Magazine Included.
The Press release:

Ruger enters a major new market with the introduction of the Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol), a .380 autoloader that offers legendary Ruger reliability and quality in an ultra-light, compact carry pistol. Following quickly on the heels of the successful introduction of the Ruger SR9â„¢ 9mm pistol, the LCP is the latest addition to the Ruger Hard-Râ„¢ line of products, and it demonstrates a firm commitment by the Company to respond to customers.

In fact, “The development and introduction of the Ruger LCP is in direct response to customer demand,” said Ruger President, Stephen L. Sanetti. “We have not been part of this market, but the growing number of states authorizing the licensed carry of pistols for personal protection by law-abiding citizens, and continued demand by law enforcement for quality back-up guns, cannot be ignored. The Ruger LCP is a .380 Auto pistol with superior ergonomic design and handsome styling. It incorporates state-of-the-art polymers, aircraft quality aluminum alloys and high-grade precision steel components engineered for strength and maximum weight savings.”

The LCP is compatible with the following holsters:

Don Hume:
• J966630R - Black Leather J.I.T. Slide

Fobus:
• KT2GA - Tactical Elite Ankle
• KT2G - Tactical Elite Paddle

Uncle Mike’s:
•Any Size 10 Holster

Some more photos:

More info here.

UPDATE

The video