#Iwa

Sig had many weapons on display at IWA, including several 516s. One was actually Made in Germany and featured a number of differences from the US-market 516s, which I go over in the video. I’m not sure exactly where in Germany it was made, because I saw no signs of AR production at Eckernförde, where Sig pistols are produced. I’m thinking that it was produced and assembled along with the Blaser rifles at that factory, which is in a different part of the country.

Benelli’s MR1 is a development of their ARGO rifle (sold in the United States as the R1), which is itself related to the excellent Benelli M4 shotgun, in use by the US Marine Corps as the M1014.

I learned a lot about Europe’s firearms market while at IWA and touring various factories. One of the most important things I learned was that quality sells in Europe – and a lack of quality doesn’t. When I asked, for example, why a certain US-market rifle was not on display at IWA, I was bluntly told that it was “too low quality to sell in Europe.”

The German product Ballistol is popular with shooters the world over as an effective cleaning, lubricating, and protecting agent. Now, its aerosol cans are available in many different languages. I saw the display at IWA and had to take a few photos.

Česká Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod (CZUB) is one of my favorite firearms manufacturers. Iconic weapons such as the Vz.58 and the CZ-75 came from behind the Iron Curtain and are still relevant today. The company itself has a rich and interesting history, as our guide – who had worked at CZUB for almost 40 years, and whose grandfather worked at the factory during World War II – explains.

We are still waiting for the H&K MR308 (and the MR556) but the civilian version of the H&K 417 has been available for some time. Andrew took a look at it at IWA …

Rock Island Armory will be importing the Armscor’s new semi-automatic .22 LR chambered MIG 22 rifle. Our team saw the rifle on display at IWA ’11 last month.

When Winchester/USRAC disappeared several years ago, so too did several iconic firearms such as the Model 70 and the Model 94. Consumer demand for renewed production has led Browning/FN to produce the Model 70 at FN’s manufacturing plant in South Carolina, and now the Model 94 at Miroku in Japan. In addition, the same plant is now producing a takedown 1892 Winchester.

I am a tactical gun guy. I am not interested in spending a cold, wet morning in a duck blind, and I have little interest in competition shotgun shooting, although I like shooting clays and I respect the skills of those who are very good at it.

I am excited to announce that for the first time The Firearm Blog will be attending IWA, Europe’s biggest gun expo, in Germany this weekend.