#5.56

Introducing the Deals of the Week, a weekly round-up of some of the best deals on firearms and accessories that can be found on the internet.

I attended Practical Urban Carbine (PUC) with Sentinel Concepts in Alliance, Ohio. Steve Fisher, the owner of Sentinel Concepts, brought an incredible depth of knowledge to the course. After realizing many in his carbine courses had minimal understanding of their carbines past 50-100 yards, Steve developed PUC. The US Census Bureau showed 80% of the US population lived in Urban Areas. An urban area was defined as a densely populated environment within an area encompassing 200-300 yards. As carbines are commonly used as a defensive tool, focusing on 50 yards and in makes little sense when the weapon is far more capable and urban areas expand past those distances. Local buildings were discussed that provided shots up to 300 yards, along with parking lots and outside venues we frequent on a regular basis.

We abuse this 2.9lb Shot Stop Duritium PA Level III+ Body Armor (Model Number D1652SSB) with multiple rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO, .223, and 5.56mm, including M855A1 to assess its ability to protect beyond its rating.

This year at SHOT 2018 Lancer has produced a new AR magazine well extension and a designated .300 AAC BLK Advanced Warfighter Magazine (AWM). After hearing of a designated .300 AAC BLK magazine I was somewhat confused as I had always assumed magazines would function the same whether running .223, 5.56, or .300 Blackout. When I asked more about the magazine I found the .300 Blackout magazine had a different internal geometry with increased rib clearance for better feeding and to prevent binding with 200-grain bullets or heavier, significantly increasing reliability.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 at the PWS booth.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 and visit the Knight’s Armament booth.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 and visit the FN Herstal booth.

Aero Precision had some interesting products for 2018. The company is working on a new line of compensators for 9mm, 5.56, and 7.62 rifles. These have a number of unique features such as the ability to slide a gas block over them while installed. They also have a titanium suppressor which wil MSRP for under $1000.
A very special thanks to BROWNELL’S – check out their new Retro line here:

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 Media Day at the Range and visit the Unique AR booth.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 Media Day at the Range and visit Ben with Ellison Dynamic Concepts.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 Media Day at the Range and visit Caracal USA.

Thunder Beast Arms Corporation (TBAC) had two new products to introduce us to while visiting them at SHOT Show 2018. One of those was a new silencer called the 5.56mm Takedown. The other was aptly named the Dedicated Suppressed Upper (DSU). Both of which actually utilize their new 5.56mm Takedown silencer.

Next up for  the Big Freakin’ Cartridge Test is RUAG Ammotec’s version of the NATO-standard SS109 round (equivalent to US M855). I believe the ammunition I tested may have been made in RUAG’s facility in Thun, Switzerland, although I have not confirmed that.

Next up for  the Big Freakin’ Cartridge Test is RUAG Ammotec’s version of the NATO-standard SS109 round (equivalent to US M855). I believe the ammunition I tested may have been made in RUAG’s facility in Thun, Switzerland, although I have not confirmed that. The test procedure was as follows:

Next up for  the Big Freakin’ Cartridge Test is Federal’s T556TNB1 load, which is the civilian market name for the Mk.318 SOST projectile developed by US SOCOM as a “barrier blind” round for the M4 Carbine and Mk. 18 CQB upper receiver. This ammunition uses a reverse drawn jacket to improve accuracy, and couples a fragmenting front end with a solid gilding metal base that improves penetration through tough barriers. I love this ammunition and use it religiously for home defense.  Continuing on from the last installment, we are now looking at the velocity test results for the 20″ barrel (more on the 16″ later).