The Firearm Blog

Remington has introduced three new Model 597 VTR rifles.

The Quad rail makes it look much more AR like.

Model 597 VTR Quad Rail

The Model 597 VTR Quad Rail features a free floating quad rail. MSRP is $590.

597 VTR A-TACS

The Model 597 VTR A-TACS is a standard VTR but with a A-TACS camo finish. MSRP is also $590.

Not pictured is the Model 597 VTR A2 model which, as the name suggests, features a standard AR-15 A2-style fixed stock. This has an MSRP os $445.

Manford Trens has published photos of the process he went through to turn his factory Ruger 10/22 stock into a beautiful lightweight and ergonomic and stock.

I am inspired!

[ Many thanks to Cameron for emailing me the link. ]

This cartoon encourages soldier to upgrade to the Army's new "tan" M16/M4 magazine.

The "New, Improved Magazine" (left), "Old Timer" (Middle, Right)

[ Many thanks to Concerned_Soldier for emailing me the cartoon. ]

A lot of people have been drooling over the new .338 Lapua Savage rifle because it packs a lot of features into a rifle with an MSRP of just $2,267.

American Rifleman has published a review of the 110 BA which can be read on their website ...

Although the Model 110 BA is found in the Savage Arms law enforcement lineup, and was designed with military requirements in mind, not to mention it has the ability to withstand operational use by military and law enforcement communities, long-range shooting enthusiasts will surely find this rifle appealing. What’s more, the 110 BA’s $2,267 price puts it within the reach of many shooters. All this, along with Savage’s renowned accuracy and commitment to quality, gives you a remarkable rifle at an equally impressive price.

Savage Model 110 BA (Excuse my poor photography)

The American Rifleman review is very comprehensive so I will not bother covering the same ground, but I will make a few comments about the rifle which I have had the pleasure of shooting on two separate occasions.

Recoil is not too bad. The muzzle brake is efficient. The blast, on the other hand, is significant. Firing it at the enclosed private single lane at the NRA HQ Range was quite an experience ! Again, thanks to Ed Friedman, Tyler Kreis and Daniel McCullough for taking me shooting at NRA HQ.

The rifle is more accurate than I am at half a mile. To be quite honest, being more accurate than me is not hard!

When I blogged about the original Savage Model 10 BAS, which this rifle is based on, many people criticized Savage's decision to use an AR-15 stock and pistol grip. Personally I found the ergonomics of a free standing pistol grip to work just as well on a bolt action as it does on a tactical style automatic rifle.

I have only two criticism. Firstly, to be frank, it is ugly. Savage have gone with function over form. Secondly, few, if any, civilians are going to get any use from the side rails. They just add to the weight and cost of the rifle.

The Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter is now available in the Max 1 Camo finish. It is also the first Predator Hunter to be fitted with the AccuStock.

It is available in .22-250 Rem, 204 Ruger, .223 Rem, .243 Win. MSRP is $864.

The Model 12FCV is the latest edition to the Savage Varmit line. It features the AccuStock with beavertail foreend, AccuTrigger, detachable box magazine and a heavy fluted barrel.

Savage 12FCV (Bottom)

The short action rifle is available chambered in .223 Rem, .204 Ruger. and .22-250 Rem. The MSRP is $794.

HAHHAHAHA ... this video is very funny.

[ Many thanks to Paulo for emailing me the link. ]

These photos of Marine snipers were taken earlier this month during Operation Moshtarak (Helmand province, Afghanistan).

(Currently my desktop wallpaper. High-Res download)

Kit Up has published a post discussing the photos.

Steve Doran demonstrates ...

Read more about the trick here.

VaderSpade posted a very nifty tutorial on how to machine a AR-15 lower receiver.

You won't save money making your own. You need a mill machine, which second hand will cost about $900, and Tactical Machining's 80% Master Kit jig which sells for $410.

[ Many thanks to jdun1911 for emailing me the link. ]

I just discovered Guy Sagi's Flickr account. He has a lot of beautiful gun photos.

Guy is the Editor in Chief of the NRA's Shooting Illustrated and blogs at Fear And Loading.

Just admit it, I am not the only one here who fantasies about carrying an AR-15 around in my briefcase The good news is that the TAC2 AR15 Discreet Carry Kit allows just that.

Pelican Briefcase

Black Leather Attache Case

The kit contains ...

• QC (Quick Change) Barrel nut and lock plate
• 7-inch or 12-inch free float fore-end
• Fore-end lock ring
• A briefcase with fitted foam insert.

The TAC2 system is available as a kit starting at $225 (without briefcase, as a complete upper starting at $750 (with leather briefcase) or as a complete rifle for $1175 (with leather briefcase).

[ Many thanks to jdun1911 for emailing me the link. ]

Remington's hunting AR-15, the R-15, is now available chambered in .450 Bushmaster. The gun features an 18" free-floading and fluted barrel and Mossy Oak Break-Up camo finish. The magazine can hold four rounds of the large .450 Bushmaster.

The rifle is pretty much the modern version of the classic .45-70 lever action carbine. A .450 Bushy packs about as much punch as a standard pressure (smokeless) .45-70 round. More than enough power for any North American game.

[ Many thanks to Heath for the info. ]

UPDATE: There is more to this story than meet the eye.

There have been a lot of recently publicized KBs. I was emailed these photos of a Savage Model 10ML II "Smokeless" Muzzleloader. The accident happened last October.

The Model 10ML II is designed so that it can be used with smokeless powder, which generates much higher pressure than blackpowder.

The shooters hand, which was holding the fore end of the stock, suffered a lot of damage. I decided not to publish photos of his hand because they are far too graphic, but can be seen here (YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!).

The North American Muzzleloader Hunting Association published the shooters account of the incident ..

"On October 24th, 2009, I went to Broad Valley, Manitoba where I had purchased a hunting cabin with a couple of friends, to do some work on the cabin. And we thought we would get in a hunt that afternoon and the next morning. I had not sighted my muzzleloader this year, so went to a pit south of town to do so. I loaded the gun with 42.5 grains of IMR 4759 powder, using a 250 grain Barnes bullet. One of my buddies suggested I shoot over the hood of his truck, but I did not have ear protection, so decided to shoot off of a canvas duffle bag full of clothes. First shot was my last shot - as there was a large explosion...with my hand under the barrel on the forestock. The barrel and forestock blew apart (per pictures), and some part of the gun blew off and dented the door of the truck. My buddies took me to Hodgson General Hospital 20 minutes away. From there, I was transported by ambulance to Winnipeg Health Science Center 2 hours away, where I underwent 6 hours of surgery. Doctors expect 2-3 more surgeries, and I will be off work for 6 months to a year.

[ Many thanks to Frank for emailing me the photo. ]