The Firearm Blog

Prof. Osvaldo Gatto is a Argentinian gun maker who has quite a following around the world. He makes reproductions of a variety of weapons ranging from swords to blackpowder cannons and everything in between.

I love the clean lines on the reproduction of a German wheel lock pistol from the 1630s. It sells for $1700 (USD)

His Enfield Pistol reproduction sells for $600.

Lots more photos of the guns he makes over at his website.

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

Can't think what to get the wife, girlfriend or sweetheart for Valentine's Day? The Firearm Blog has you covered Pink is the new black and SHOT was awash in it ...

Tapco pink Ruger 10/22 and AR-15 stocks.

Pink camo clothing.

CamoDiv clothing (not pink, but close enought)

Taurus Judge now in pink.

Pink Camo Tasers

Pink compound bow

Forbes reports ...

Ambassador Vladmir Zaemskiy told a news conference that Russian engineers and Venezuelan construction firms were building the rifle and cartridge plants which, when operational, would employ more than 1,500 workers.

He gave no completion date for the plants under construction in the central state of Aragua.

Details about Moscow's military shipments and projects have been scarce since socialist President Hugo Chavez's government began signing military agreements with Russia back in 2001.

I do wonder why the construction of a massive industrial complex, employing 1,500 people, can be justified to supply a country with a population just 25% greater than that of the NYC metro area. So the question on my mind is who do they plan on exporting to? ... and how long before these rifles turn up on the Mexican/US border?

Many thanks to Todd for sending me the link.

If you were wondering why Remington would recall their entire line of .17 HMR Model 597 rifles just take a look at these photos which show a magazine and cases fired from a .17 HMR Model 597. This type of damage was not uncommon!

Cracked Remington 597 magazine


Blown out case head.


Split Case

Thanks to Joe for the photos.

The Norwegians finally seem happy with their new H&K 416 rifles. They have solved the problem of soldiers getting sick from inhaling the fumes of their “green” 5.56mm ammunition by simply not shooing at their indoor ranges.

Of course it is summer in Norway right now and I wonder how much fun the HK 416 troops will be having when thier fellow H&K G3 equipped buddies are using the indoor range!

From the Norwegian Military website (translated by google)

Gisle Mjaatvedt is in the HV-16’s Battle Claymore and has shot up to 5000 shots with the new rifle to the military. He has never felt that he himself or any of his colleagues in the Home Guard have been sick as a result of that they have shot with the lead-free ammunition that has been as much about skriverier. – No, the health problems that have arisen because of the gunpowder gas has we have been free of, “says Mjaatvedt.

The report that has analyzed the issues around health as a result of firing states in part: “Based on the reported symptoms and the composition of the gunpowder gases from HK416 is likely that the cause of health problems are high concentrations of copper and zinc in the exhaust fumes.” Summary is that as long as it is shot outdoors with the HK 416 and its ammunition will exhaust concentration is so low that it does not give health problems. To Mjaatvedt and colleagues have done all the time.

Thanks to Daniel Watters for the link.

New Jovian Thunderbolt has written a post discussing magazine spring failure

I think the “spring tension is shot” excuse is a catch-all reason that is over used when us amateur gunsmiths run out of ideas. Like the way they blame ball bearings for everything wrong in turbofan aviation maintenance.

[ ... ]

Here is an example of a spring ‘problem’ that wasn’t from the Cooper Commentaries:

“Our distinguished family member J.P. Denis of Belgium reports that he discovered an abandoned MP40, together with several magazines, in a building that was being torn down. This piece had been left unattended for 50 years with all magazines in full compression, and they all worked perfectly. I think this is marvelous. When you think of the degree to which our culture depends upon springs, it is good to know that spring construction is so well understood.”

An interesting post. We really do rely on our magazine springs. Read it here.

SayUncle and Oleg Volk report that the Calvary Arms CAV-15 MKII polymer AR-15 lower receivers are back in production after getting approved from the BATF.

Last year in February the BATF confiscated their inventory. Apparently the feds were not happy about how the serial numbers were attached/moulded to the plastic.

Click to expand the images:

Very pretty! (The “increased profits” refers to manufactures of AR-15 rifles)

From the press release:

The CAV-15 MKII receivers are back in production, after receiving approval from BATF Technology Branch for the method of affixing the serial number plate to the lower. We are currently filling back orders for our dealers and OEM clients. We will begin taking retail orders when all dealer back orders are filled. Please check with our dealers to see if they have in stock what you need.

We are currently not selling complete lowers, or complete rifles. Our vendors for these parts have substantial back orders. We currently have no ETA for these parts. If you are concerned about impending legislation, buy a lower receiver now and assemble it into a complete rifle when the supply chain stabilizes.

Brownells have developed an online AR-15 builder flash application. It is not the first but the ability to add the items to your Brownells shopping cart and order everything in one go is a killer feature.

It says it is in beta and it really is. The trash can does not work and so it appears removing items is impossible, you can only replace them. Some items can be moved around, while others cannot. Adding an item from one category can delete an item from another category. I have emailed Brownells. Hopefully they will fixed them.

Overall it is a great start and I think Brownells will easily recoup their investment.

Use the application here.

UPDATE: Mike @ Gun Noob has created a set of virtual ARs.

About time! Remington have launched a new trigger called the “Adjustable X-Mark Pro Trigger”. A great feature is that it is externally adjustable. No more taking the rifle out of the stock, putting it back, testing how it feels and repeating the procedure.

From the press release:

Since its introduction in 2007, the Remington X-Mark Pro trigger, utilizing advanced technological manufacturing processes and extremely tight production tolerances, may be considered the finest production trigger in the marketplace. With virtually no creep and its clean, crisp “breaks-like-glass” feel, the X-Mark Pro delivers enhanced accuracy and unmatched shot control. Now, our best production trigger just got better – for 2009, Remington is proud to introduce the Adjustable X-Mark Pro Trigger with external adjustment for trigger pull weight. This user-friendly, externally-accessible adjustable trigger is set at the factory to a pull weight of 3 ½ pounds with a 2 pound range of adjustment (3 to 5 pounds).

The key components of the X-Mark Pro trigger feature mirror-like surface finishes for crisper trigger pull. Electroless nickel plating enhances corrosion resistance and further improves surface finish. The result is an ultra-crisp feel with no creep. The X-Mark Pro Adjustable trigger operates like the current Remington fire control and features a safety that blocks the sear and trigger. The advanced design allows for consistent 3 ½ pound trigger pulls set directly from the factory. Should you feel the need; the trigger can be externally adjusted within a range of 2 pounds (3 to 5 pounds) with the included tool.

The X-Mark Pro Adjustable Trigger now comes standard on all new 2009 Model 700™ and Model Seven™ bolt-action rifles. For true custom performance in a production-grade rifle, look for Remington centerfire rifles with the new X-Mark Pro Adjustable Trigger.

This makes the seconds “premium” factory bolt action trigger to be released this year (the other being the Mossberg LBA)

X-Mark Pro Adjustable

Tam at The Arms Room has written a very interesting post about the 40+ years evolution of the Schmidt-Rubin rifle that was adopted in 1889 by the Swiss and evolved into the K31 Carbine.

When the time came for the Swiss army to replace their black-powder Vetterli rifles, they cast about for only a few years before settling on a design by Col. Rudolph Schmidt, working out of Bern.

Well word reading.

K31 Rifle

I try not to use words like “awesome” in the title for blog posts, so I substituted it with “game changing”. But don’t let that word change deceive you. I am *really* excited by this new stock coming out of Savage.

The Savage Accutrigger raised the bar on what consumers could realistically expect from a mass-produced factory trigger.Savage have brought custom-performance to factory-mass-produced stocks. They call it the AccuStock.

Savage explains the technology in their press release:

The AccuStock uses an aluminum spine and 3D Bedding Cradle molded into the stock in such a manner that it becomes an integral part of the composite stock.

The result is a polymer composite stock that possesses many of the same properties of high-end aftermarket stocks, bringing this high level of performance to the production rifle.

…

Rigidity – With its integral aluminum spine that runs from the action down the length of the forearm, the AccuStock is the most rigid factory polymer stock in the marketplace. No matter how hot the weather or the barrel, the forend stays rock-solid and the barrel remains free-floating.

Three-Dimensional Bedding Pressure – Pillar-bedded and v-block stocks, as good as they are, only apply bedding pressure on one axis, up and down. The AccuStock uses a wedge bolt to push the recoil lug back into the aluminum spine to prevent any movement forward and aft, while the bedding cradle literally squeezes the action from the sides when the action screws are tightened.

Initially two rifles will be available with the AccuStock:

Model 10 FCP

* AccuTrigger
* Proprietary Muzzle Brake (new from Savage)
* Detachable Box Magazine
* Oversized Bolt handle
* 24-inch heavy, fluted barrel
* Matte Finish
* Available in 308 Win. And 223 Rem.
* Left-hand models available

Model 10 FCP

Model 10 Precision Carbine

* Camo: Digital Green Camo
* 20-in medium-contour barrel
* AccuTrigger
* Detachable Box Magazine
* Oversized Bolt Handle
* Matte Black Metal Finish
* Available in 308 Win. and 223 Rem.

Model 10 Precision Carbine

No word on pricing. Unfortunately it is not yet offering rimfire models.

Robinson Armament are warning customers that there is a rogue seller on gunbroker that is taking pre-orders when Robinson know they will not be receiving stock for some time.

WARNING!!! We have received a report that Second Amendment Firearms in Miami, FL is taking pre-payments on the XCR Rifle thru www.gunbroker.com. The problem is that Second Amendment in Miami, FL does not have any XCRs on order with us at this time and we cannot reach them by phone.

Be careful not to get burnt with pre-orders. I am sure there are many companies trying to get your dollar with the current climate of high-demand, high-prices and low-supply in the US

7.62×39mm XCR

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Over the past four years TangoDown have been working with the Navy Special Warfare Command and the United States Special Operations Command on a new polymer M16/SCAR/AR-15 magazine called the ARC. Although the magazine prototypes have been around for a few years, the ARC is finally entering production and should be on sale in January 2009.

Click to expand.

As the photos suggest, the magazine is manufactured in two parts. These parts are then “glued” together (I am sure they use a fancier word). The join is supposed to be very strong.

An o-ring type silicone seal prevents dirt getting into the action through the magazine well.

The design has no floorplate which adds to its strength. Cleaning is done by holding the magazine upside down and spraying water or compressed air through holes in the follower. If the spring needs replacing you throw out the magazine and buy a new one.

I dug up this forum post from earlier this year:

The two-piece housing assembly allows us to use optimum ammunition ’stack’ in the design. We can tightly control the molding process at the same time, as we are making 2 small shots instead of one long one. Material freeze off is no longer an issue. The industrial adhesive we use to join the 2 halves exceeds the strength of the base material. Additional benefit is that we can mold the entire lower half of the magazine in a transparent/translucent material for ammunition viewing, keeping the superior strength reinforced material up top for the feedlips, etc.

The ‘gasket’ between magwell and magazine is actually a soft durometer silicone seal that is bonded to the magazine. It can’t shift or migrate on the magazine body. We used a foam seal at the Show for demonstration purposes. A specific type of magazine carrier design is underway, to answer that question. It will be trick.

In all the studies we researched, the primary mechanical cause of magazine failure to feed was due to feedlip issues. Springs and followers were down the list. By using a high quality coated spring, our sealed design would need to be replaced only when the lips were worn out and/ or damaged.

The follower is pretty novel, and is driven differently than existing baseline G.I.-type followers

This photo by SMGLee of a rapid prototype model shows the follower design and the o-ring/gasket seal clearly:

The retail price is $24.95. The magazine is currently available for preorder at BravoCompanyUSA.com. At that price I can’t imagine it going up in price or going out of stock due to excessive demand.

A video of SMGLee testing the magazine:

More photos and the full press release after the jump …
Continue Reading »

Good news, the civilian semi-automatic SCAR will be launched next year (2009).

Both versions will be available: the .223/5.56mm SCAR 16S (civilian equivalent of the SCAR-Light) and the .308/7.62×51mm (civilian equivalent of the SCAR-Heavy).

SCAR-Light carbine (14″ barrel). The civilian model will have a longer barrel.

I have emailed FNH USA for pricing details but they have not yet got back to me.

From the press release:

Experience the civilian-legal semi-auto only version of the rifle chosen by U.S. Special Operations Command as its first new rifle since the early 1960’s. The SCAR 16S is chambered in 5.56X45mm NATO (223 Rem.) while the SCAR 17S fires the 7.62X51mm NATO (308 Win.) cartridge. The innovative gas-operated, short stroke piston system reduces fouling for greater reliability. The side folding polymer stock is fully adjustable for comb height and length of pull and is colored authentic USSOCOM Flat Dark Earth. Both 10 and 30-round detachable box magazines(DBM) are available, and the ambidextrous operating controls instantly adapt the SCAR S-Series to any user.

Unfortunately they will not come with this …

UPDATE:

Photo of SCAR 16S: