Pretty much all the forged lowers are more or less the same. In fact there’s only a few different forges that make the lowers; mostly the AR makers just buy a machined lower forging and stamp their name and serial number on it, and maybe apply a finish. One of the new trends is machined lowers. There is some argument over whether forged or machined lowers are stronger, but it probably makes very little difference, and it really comes down to aesthetics.
Who Makes My AR15 Lower Receiver? - AR15 Armory.com
List of some of the AR lower forges, and who they make lowers for.
Mega lowers are textured at the front of the magwell, to use as a grip. Spike’s and POF, to name two, make lowers that have HK-type pictograph selector markings. JP Rifles lowers have racy-looking machining. Most all other lowers are pretty much the same in terms of appearance, features, and compatibility. Almost all forged lowers will be virtually identical to an M16A2 lower, except for the maker's mark, and the lack of an auto sear pin hole and the word "Auto" or "Burst" behind the hole for the selector [although there are a few semi-auto lowers that appear to have an "auto" setting].
FWIW, Spike’s Tactical lowers look pretty cool with the spider logo and the HK selector markings. The writing, including the serial number, is deep and very clean looking. If I were going to buy another lower, a Spike’s lower would be at the top of my list. Some of the Olympic Arms lowers have nice, clean, markings in the military fashion, but the serial number seems to be stamped on later, and Olympic has been making lowers for a long long time, and I’m sure they are not all the same.
Colt lowers vary pretty widely. Old ones are slab-sided with no fence around the magazine button, like pre-A1 M-16s. Many have sear-blocks that can interfere with some aftermarket triggers. Most of the newer civilian rifle lowers require larger diameter trigger and hammer pins, and require special trigger components. The “large-pin” lowers probably have a screw-in pivot pin which will require a special conversion pivot pin to use with any non-Colt upper.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
K-Var 9-9-09 Sale
To celebrate 9-9-09, K-Var has lowered prices on a whole bunch of stuff. They're not just modest discounts either, some of the prices have been dropped up to 50%. The premise of the sale seems pretty dumb to me, but hey, I do love a sale.
Sale ends Monday, September 14th.
Sale ends Monday, September 14th.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Make Your Own Tactical Sling for $10 (Or Less)
AR-15.com Forums: Make Your Own Tac Sling For 10 Bucks
The host for the PDF file seems to either be down, or has pulled the file. I'll try to remember to get it hosted somewhere, and post a link.
The Gun Blogs: DIY 1 point sling
Places to Get Supplies
ITW NEXUS - Order free buckle samples
Strapworks.com - Don't forget to use AR15 discount code for 10% discount - thanks to strapman on ar15.com.
DIY Tactical Store - Same type store as Strapworks, but with some different stuff, like the Cobra buckles.
REI.com - Check for local stores, all I see on the website is some 1" tubular webbing under climbing gear, and it's in bright blue or red.
MFI - HK sling clips
The host for the PDF file seems to either be down, or has pulled the file. I'll try to remember to get it hosted somewhere, and post a link.
The Gun Blogs: DIY 1 point sling
Places to Get Supplies
ITW NEXUS - Order free buckle samples
Strapworks.com - Don't forget to use AR15 discount code for 10% discount - thanks to strapman on ar15.com.
DIY Tactical Store - Same type store as Strapworks, but with some different stuff, like the Cobra buckles.
REI.com - Check for local stores, all I see on the website is some 1" tubular webbing under climbing gear, and it's in bright blue or red.
MFI - HK sling clips
Sunday, August 30, 2009
AR-15 Magazines
Troy's AR Mag FAQ
No relation to Troy Industries. It hasn’t been updated in many years, but there’s still some useful information
Anarchangel’s Blog – How To Feed Your Poodle Shooter
Lots of good information on magazines, like what company is currently using the tooling once used by Okay Industries, and how to spot fake G.I. magazines.
Generally, you can’t go too wrong with a USGI or Colt magazine, though there is an occasional lemon, and Colt-branded mags are often greatly overpriced. Oh, wait a minute, an important note - it’s possible that you may find junk magazines with USGI floor plates slipped on, or, possibly, magazines that failed quality inspection. If you are buying USGI mags, be sure that the guy/shop you are buying from is reputable. If you have the chance to handle them before you buy, [carefully] run your finger along the feedlips to check for burrs. UPDATE 11/20/11: Except for a singular feed jam with one of my grey mags, my D&H teflon-coated aluminum magazines have all run well in several rifles, including the ACR. That one jam may have been either a fluke, or due to insufficient lubrication. I haven't gotten back around to retest this magazine yet. The D&H 20-round curved magazines work well too. UPDATE, 2/19/12: Yup, definitely a problem with that mag. Problem was similar to the problems that I had with the 5.45mm AR-15 magazines, but the problem was the left-side feed lip. I bent the lip, and it seems to be good now. UPDATE, 10/21/12: I've run 4 full loads through the grey mag that was giving me problems, and it now seems to be running fine.
Brownells magazines are similar to USGI magazines, and are growing in popularity. Actually, Brownells recently got a gubmint contract to sell their mags to the military.
For what it's worth, my M4gery won't always strip the first round or two from fresh, fully-loaded, G.I.-type magazines. If I load the 30 rounders to 28, and the 20 round mags to 18, they feed fine. Doesn't matter what follower is in the magazine. UPDATE 11/20/11: They seem to be fine after they break-in after a few uses.
For magazine followers, I really don’t know what to tell you. Magpul anti-tilt followers seem to be a good idea, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone complain about them. They are certainly easier to remove from the magazine tubes than G.I. followers. Some places are selling USGI mags with Magpul followers already installed for just a tiny amount more than mags with GI followers.
The C-Products anti-tilt follower is really very similar to the Magpul Gen. II follower. I seem to remember reading that Magpul sued C-Products over the follower, but lost. I guess I would have sued too, in this particular case.
The USGI black and green followers often work fine for many rifles and magazines, and you may never really have a problem with one. It bothers me how easy it is to tilt and jam the G.I. followers though. I have no experience with the new anti-tilt tan G.I. magazine followers.
m4carbine.net forum thread on tan-follower G.I. mags: How are the Enhanced Tan Follower USGI 30rd magazines working in the field? Sort of a mixed bag of reports, but "a waste of range time and ammo ameliorated only by Going (sic) to the other mags, that we don't have enough of any more and can't get," does not sound very good. I'm not exactly eager to buy some to try these out myself.
C-Products magazines are USGI-type magazines in either stainless steel or aluminum, and have Magpul or Magpul-type C-Products produced anti-tilt followers. I haven’t used any of these (yet), but reviews are generally good, and they do allegedly stand behind their product. There are some reports of really bad mags made during the mad rush after the ’08 elections. Check their website, linked at the beginning of this paragraph, before you buy their mags from someone else, the prices aren't bad. UPDATE 11/20/11: I have tested one stainless steel C-Products magazine. Although they actually feel a little bit more flimsy than an aluminum G.I. magazine, the one that I've tested works fine. C-Products is no more, if you get a bad one you may be able to return it to where you bought it, but there is no C-Products company to return them to. ASC magazines are essentially the same as C-Products magazines, and MidwayUSA sells the same mags calling them AR-Stoner magazines.
Magpul PMag, an M-Rev model to be specific
Magpul polymer magazines, of the PMag and Maglevel varieties, are very popular right now. They are a lot easier to take apart for cleaning than most metal magazines, with no prying the baseplate off or having to work the spring out one coil at a time. They come with anti-tilt followers. A ridge inside, along the front of the magazine, keeps the ammunition in two separate columns. It seems to me that the polymer feedlips make these mags significantly easier to load and unload, and you won’t scratch up the brass. The baseplate is flat, without any sharp edges, which is nice to have when slapping a loaded magazine into a rifle with the bolt closed. One of the downsides of the Magpul mags is that they are thicker, with wider baseplates, and there are magazine pouch fitment issues sometimes. The PMags fit fine into the 3-mag G.I. pouches with the two grenade pouches on the sides.
The 20-round PMags work well too. Basically the same thing, but smaller. I used one a lot while shooting off a bench working up loads. I think it's good to at least have a few good 20-round mags handy, and I like these.
The M4gery that won't always feed from fully-loaded G.I. mags runs fine with fully-loaded PMags.
At least one carbine class instructor reports that Magpul PMags ran much better in a high round count class where students (and instructors) spent much of the time in mud.
Survival Podcast Forum: 224,000 Rounds in 12 Days
It may be important to note that my AR-15s don't always lock back after the last round with the new Maglevels with the round-count numbers next to the windows. They run fine in my ACR though. UPDATE, 2/19/12: Bad news, they no longer lock back the bolt of my ACR. Good news, I bought some new ones, and the follower comes up higher, and locks the bolt back in both my AR-15s and ACR. The problem seems to be just with the early 2nd Generation M-Rev Maglevel magazines. I'm going to try e-mailing the tech at Magpul and see if I can exchange the older ones.
My go-to mags are the older generation Maglevel magazines. I also have a 20-round PMag ready to go, if there's a need.
Magpul also makes baseplates for USGI type magazines. The L-Plate had a rubber pad, and a lock-plate. The Ranger plate is similar, but has a rubber loop to help you pull it out mag pouches. Both of these base plates are much easier to remove for cleaning. Push the locking plate in a little bit, and the L-Plate or Ranger plate slide right off, without any prying or bending, as you’d do to get the aluminum floorplate off.
I bought a pack of Ranger plates for PMags, though I’m not sure why, other than to look cool. The PMags don’t hardly benefit from them like the USGI mags do. I should have just bought the slip-on Magpul loops for the PMags.
Lancer is making polymer mags that allow to you tell how many rounds are left in the magazine also. The Lancer mag is made of transparent polymer, with steel feedlip inserts, and a rubber-padded baseplate, like an L-Plate. I’m hearing good reports about the Lancer magazines working well, although I’m not so impressed. UPDATE 11/20/11: Lancer has modified the design of their magazines, and the new ones are called Advanced Warfighter Magazines. The feedlip inserts are larger, the magazine body is textured, and I believe they went to tool-less disassembly.
The CAA mags are polymer, and the Countdown mags actually have a round counter on the bottom rear of the magazine that displays the number of rounds remaining. The CAA mags are very new, and I don’t know much about them yet. The CAA mags are made in Israel. The Israeli IDF is replacing their aluminum mags with the CAA Tactical MAG 17. UPDATE, 11/20/11: I have one of the CAA countdown mags. The countdown widget is a pretty cheesy measuring tape type gizmo that runs from the baseplate to the follower. Has worked fine so far, but I don't trust the spring in the tape measure widget. It would be bad if the countdown mechanism jammed up, and wouldn't let the follower advance. If I could get them as cheap as the Tapco mags without the countdown thingy, I'd probably buy a few more.
I bought 5 British SA80 steel magazines during the years of the 1994 “Assault Weapons Ban.” Three of them seem to work really well, and they feel really solid. Two of them would drag on the bottom of the bolt carrier, and would cause failure to feed problems. I filed the mag catch notch to try to fix this, but now they will still jam the rifle if I put a little upward pressure on the mag. They come with black followers, which are very similar to USGI green followers. They do feel noticeably heavier than aluminum magazines, and they will rust if you don't oil them. UPDATE, 11/20/11: I'm down to two of five that really work all the time, and magazine catches sometimes stick in the notch. It would not suggest buying any, unless you really want a super-strong magazine, and/or you can pick them up really cheap. I "benched" the one more, because rounds loaded near the SAAMI max length pretty much jammed the magazine solid. The same ammo ran fine through various other magazines. I even ran some ammo over the maximum length in Magpul PMags. It's worth noting that you need to be careful when using magazine loaders that you're sure that the ammo and magazine will work together.
Fusil USA makes steel magazines with steel anti-tilt followers, witness holes along the spine, and floor plates that are easy to remove. The floor plates work in a similar fashion to the Magpul baseplates, and the baseplates of most pistol magazines. Although I haven't tried to fit aftermarket floorplates, I believe that they will fit. The Fusil baseplate also has a loop for tying on a loop of parachute cord. The two I've been using work fine in my ARs, but one of them falls out the ACR, no matter how hard that I slap it. I believe that these magazines are now, officially, G.I. magazines. My 50% failure rate in the ACR concerns me, but I like the witness holes and the floorplates. I've also read some reports of cracking at the top rear of the magazines where the magazine is notched for the bolt to strip and feed rounds.
Troy Battlemag
Review: Troy Battlemag AR-15 Magazine
9mm AR Mags
As far at 9mm mags go, the Metalform Colt magazines are regarded by many as being the Holy Grail. Metalform mags with Colt baseplates sell for $60+, but you can still buy them from Metalform for a little over $40. UPDATE, 11/20/11: The Metalform mags with metal UZI-type followers seem to be 100%. The ones with polymer followers feed fine, but may not lock the bolt open all the time, without fail.
C-Products makes the current-production Colt 9mm magazines. I believe that they are all marked "SS" somewhere, to indicate that they are made of stainless steel. I believe that the Metalform mags are made of carbon steel.
Many report having problems with them sitting too high when used with Rock River Arms mag blocks. Although they feed fine in my lower with Hahn bottom-loading magazine block, I did have to file down the feed lips and the welded seam on the back on a couple of the magazines, and they don't lock the bolt open all the time. They are a lot cheaper than Metalform magazines, at less than $20 each through their website. Some of the C-Products magazines that I bought factory direct have Colt baseplates, and some don't. UPDATE, 11/20/11: Sometimes the C-Products followers come up high enough to lock the bolt open after the last round, and sometimes they don't. C-Products and the new ASC brand magazines are the same. C-Products reorganized, and changed their name, but the magazines are essentially the same. Perhaps also of note is that the finish on all the C-Products/ASC magazines will be scratched off down to bare metal after the first use.
Magazine Loaders
The LULA loaders kick ass. The 5.56mm AR magazines aren't that difficult to load, but the LULA loader is still really nice to have. I misplaced the first one that I bought (only to find it after my next range trip), and ended up buying a second one. Although they are expensive, for just two pieces of plastic and a wire ring, they are really nice to have when loading or unloading several magazines at a time.
The LULA for 9mm AR mags is almost essential, as those suckers are a real bitch to load.
If you are in the military and/or you get your ammo loaded into 10-round stripper clips, you'll want the StripLULA. Works similar to the stripper clip guides that come with G.I. bandoliers, but is easier to use.
I have a Cammenga loader that I picked up at a gun show. That thing's a piece of crap. I tried it with several different types of magazines, and the most I ever got loaded was one or two rounds into the magazine before the loader jammed up completely. Twenty-something dollars I wish I could get back.
The Pro-Mag AR-15 magazine loader is one of few things they got right. Pro-Mag magazines are generally awful, but the Pro-Mag loader will load 5 rounds into a magazine in one movement. It even works with 5.45x39mm ammo, which the LULA will not work with.
No relation to Troy Industries. It hasn’t been updated in many years, but there’s still some useful information
Anarchangel’s Blog – How To Feed Your Poodle Shooter
Lots of good information on magazines, like what company is currently using the tooling once used by Okay Industries, and how to spot fake G.I. magazines.
Generally, you can’t go too wrong with a USGI or Colt magazine, though there is an occasional lemon, and Colt-branded mags are often greatly overpriced. Oh, wait a minute, an important note - it’s possible that you may find junk magazines with USGI floor plates slipped on, or, possibly, magazines that failed quality inspection. If you are buying USGI mags, be sure that the guy/shop you are buying from is reputable. If you have the chance to handle them before you buy, [carefully] run your finger along the feedlips to check for burrs. UPDATE 11/20/11: Except for a singular feed jam with one of my grey mags, my D&H teflon-coated aluminum magazines have all run well in several rifles, including the ACR. That one jam may have been either a fluke, or due to insufficient lubrication. I haven't gotten back around to retest this magazine yet. The D&H 20-round curved magazines work well too. UPDATE, 2/19/12: Yup, definitely a problem with that mag. Problem was similar to the problems that I had with the 5.45mm AR-15 magazines, but the problem was the left-side feed lip. I bent the lip, and it seems to be good now. UPDATE, 10/21/12: I've run 4 full loads through the grey mag that was giving me problems, and it now seems to be running fine.
Brownells magazines are similar to USGI magazines, and are growing in popularity. Actually, Brownells recently got a gubmint contract to sell their mags to the military.
For what it's worth, my M4gery won't always strip the first round or two from fresh, fully-loaded, G.I.-type magazines. If I load the 30 rounders to 28, and the 20 round mags to 18, they feed fine. Doesn't matter what follower is in the magazine. UPDATE 11/20/11: They seem to be fine after they break-in after a few uses.
For magazine followers, I really don’t know what to tell you. Magpul anti-tilt followers seem to be a good idea, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone complain about them. They are certainly easier to remove from the magazine tubes than G.I. followers. Some places are selling USGI mags with Magpul followers already installed for just a tiny amount more than mags with GI followers.
AR-15 No-Tilt magazine followers
The USGI black and green followers often work fine for many rifles and magazines, and you may never really have a problem with one. It bothers me how easy it is to tilt and jam the G.I. followers though. I have no experience with the new anti-tilt tan G.I. magazine followers.
m4carbine.net forum thread on tan-follower G.I. mags: How are the Enhanced Tan Follower USGI 30rd magazines working in the field? Sort of a mixed bag of reports, but "a waste of range time and ammo ameliorated only by Going (sic) to the other mags, that we don't have enough of any more and can't get," does not sound very good. I'm not exactly eager to buy some to try these out myself.
C-Products magazines are USGI-type magazines in either stainless steel or aluminum, and have Magpul or Magpul-type C-Products produced anti-tilt followers. I haven’t used any of these (yet), but reviews are generally good, and they do allegedly stand behind their product. There are some reports of really bad mags made during the mad rush after the ’08 elections. Check their website, linked at the beginning of this paragraph, before you buy their mags from someone else, the prices aren't bad. UPDATE 11/20/11: I have tested one stainless steel C-Products magazine. Although they actually feel a little bit more flimsy than an aluminum G.I. magazine, the one that I've tested works fine. C-Products is no more, if you get a bad one you may be able to return it to where you bought it, but there is no C-Products company to return them to. ASC magazines are essentially the same as C-Products magazines, and MidwayUSA sells the same mags calling them AR-Stoner magazines.
Magpul PMag, an M-Rev model to be specificThe 20-round PMags work well too. Basically the same thing, but smaller. I used one a lot while shooting off a bench working up loads. I think it's good to at least have a few good 20-round mags handy, and I like these.
The M4gery that won't always feed from fully-loaded G.I. mags runs fine with fully-loaded PMags.
At least one carbine class instructor reports that Magpul PMags ran much better in a high round count class where students (and instructors) spent much of the time in mud.
Survival Podcast Forum: 224,000 Rounds in 12 Days
All of the AR-15 magazines had issues with mud but the MagPul “P-Mags” did the best job overall, by a wide margin, during the 12 days.The PMag Maglevel magazines have small windows in each side. The Magpul EMag is similar, but has only one window, and no reinforcing ribs. Coupled with a spring that has some orange paint on it, the windows allow you to estimate how many rounds are left in the magazine. With all the Revision I Maglevels that I have, the orange paint is very faint and difficult to see. The newest version of the Maglevel has round count markings, a bright orange coil on the spring, and is a little slimmer than the older version.
It may be important to note that my AR-15s don't always lock back after the last round with the new Maglevels with the round-count numbers next to the windows. They run fine in my ACR though. UPDATE, 2/19/12: Bad news, they no longer lock back the bolt of my ACR. Good news, I bought some new ones, and the follower comes up higher, and locks the bolt back in both my AR-15s and ACR. The problem seems to be just with the early 2nd Generation M-Rev Maglevel magazines. I'm going to try e-mailing the tech at Magpul and see if I can exchange the older ones.
My go-to mags are the older generation Maglevel magazines. I also have a 20-round PMag ready to go, if there's a need.
Magpul also makes baseplates for USGI type magazines. The L-Plate had a rubber pad, and a lock-plate. The Ranger plate is similar, but has a rubber loop to help you pull it out mag pouches. Both of these base plates are much easier to remove for cleaning. Push the locking plate in a little bit, and the L-Plate or Ranger plate slide right off, without any prying or bending, as you’d do to get the aluminum floorplate off.
I bought a pack of Ranger plates for PMags, though I’m not sure why, other than to look cool. The PMags don’t hardly benefit from them like the USGI mags do. I should have just bought the slip-on Magpul loops for the PMags.
The original Magpul magazine extraction device.
Lancer is making polymer mags that allow to you tell how many rounds are left in the magazine also. The Lancer mag is made of transparent polymer, with steel feedlip inserts, and a rubber-padded baseplate, like an L-Plate. I’m hearing good reports about the Lancer magazines working well, although I’m not so impressed. UPDATE 11/20/11: Lancer has modified the design of their magazines, and the new ones are called Advanced Warfighter Magazines. The feedlip inserts are larger, the magazine body is textured, and I believe they went to tool-less disassembly.
The CAA mags are polymer, and the Countdown mags actually have a round counter on the bottom rear of the magazine that displays the number of rounds remaining. The CAA mags are very new, and I don’t know much about them yet. The CAA mags are made in Israel. The Israeli IDF is replacing their aluminum mags with the CAA Tactical MAG 17. UPDATE, 11/20/11: I have one of the CAA countdown mags. The countdown widget is a pretty cheesy measuring tape type gizmo that runs from the baseplate to the follower. Has worked fine so far, but I don't trust the spring in the tape measure widget. It would be bad if the countdown mechanism jammed up, and wouldn't let the follower advance. If I could get them as cheap as the Tapco mags without the countdown thingy, I'd probably buy a few more.
I bought 5 British SA80 steel magazines during the years of the 1994 “Assault Weapons Ban.” Three of them seem to work really well, and they feel really solid. Two of them would drag on the bottom of the bolt carrier, and would cause failure to feed problems. I filed the mag catch notch to try to fix this, but now they will still jam the rifle if I put a little upward pressure on the mag. They come with black followers, which are very similar to USGI green followers. They do feel noticeably heavier than aluminum magazines, and they will rust if you don't oil them. UPDATE, 11/20/11: I'm down to two of five that really work all the time, and magazine catches sometimes stick in the notch. It would not suggest buying any, unless you really want a super-strong magazine, and/or you can pick them up really cheap. I "benched" the one more, because rounds loaded near the SAAMI max length pretty much jammed the magazine solid. The same ammo ran fine through various other magazines. I even ran some ammo over the maximum length in Magpul PMags. It's worth noting that you need to be careful when using magazine loaders that you're sure that the ammo and magazine will work together.
Fusil USA makes steel magazines with steel anti-tilt followers, witness holes along the spine, and floor plates that are easy to remove. The floor plates work in a similar fashion to the Magpul baseplates, and the baseplates of most pistol magazines. Although I haven't tried to fit aftermarket floorplates, I believe that they will fit. The Fusil baseplate also has a loop for tying on a loop of parachute cord. The two I've been using work fine in my ARs, but one of them falls out the ACR, no matter how hard that I slap it. I believe that these magazines are now, officially, G.I. magazines. My 50% failure rate in the ACR concerns me, but I like the witness holes and the floorplates. I've also read some reports of cracking at the top rear of the magazines where the magazine is notched for the bolt to strip and feed rounds.
Troy Battlemag
Review: Troy Battlemag AR-15 Magazine
9mm AR Mags
As far at 9mm mags go, the Metalform Colt magazines are regarded by many as being the Holy Grail. Metalform mags with Colt baseplates sell for $60+, but you can still buy them from Metalform for a little over $40. UPDATE, 11/20/11: The Metalform mags with metal UZI-type followers seem to be 100%. The ones with polymer followers feed fine, but may not lock the bolt open all the time, without fail.
C-Products makes the current-production Colt 9mm magazines. I believe that they are all marked "SS" somewhere, to indicate that they are made of stainless steel. I believe that the Metalform mags are made of carbon steel.
Many report having problems with them sitting too high when used with Rock River Arms mag blocks. Although they feed fine in my lower with Hahn bottom-loading magazine block, I did have to file down the feed lips and the welded seam on the back on a couple of the magazines, and they don't lock the bolt open all the time. They are a lot cheaper than Metalform magazines, at less than $20 each through their website. Some of the C-Products magazines that I bought factory direct have Colt baseplates, and some don't. UPDATE, 11/20/11: Sometimes the C-Products followers come up high enough to lock the bolt open after the last round, and sometimes they don't. C-Products and the new ASC brand magazines are the same. C-Products reorganized, and changed their name, but the magazines are essentially the same. Perhaps also of note is that the finish on all the C-Products/ASC magazines will be scratched off down to bare metal after the first use.
Magazine Loaders
The LULA loaders kick ass. The 5.56mm AR magazines aren't that difficult to load, but the LULA loader is still really nice to have. I misplaced the first one that I bought (only to find it after my next range trip), and ended up buying a second one. Although they are expensive, for just two pieces of plastic and a wire ring, they are really nice to have when loading or unloading several magazines at a time.
The LULA for 9mm AR mags is almost essential, as those suckers are a real bitch to load.
If you are in the military and/or you get your ammo loaded into 10-round stripper clips, you'll want the StripLULA. Works similar to the stripper clip guides that come with G.I. bandoliers, but is easier to use.
I have a Cammenga loader that I picked up at a gun show. That thing's a piece of crap. I tried it with several different types of magazines, and the most I ever got loaded was one or two rounds into the magazine before the loader jammed up completely. Twenty-something dollars I wish I could get back.
The Pro-Mag AR-15 magazine loader is one of few things they got right. Pro-Mag magazines are generally awful, but the Pro-Mag loader will load 5 rounds into a magazine in one movement. It even works with 5.45x39mm ammo, which the LULA will not work with.
Lack of Posts Recently
Sorry, haven't had a whole lot to post recently.
After having been kept from working overtime for months, and being cut back to 32 hour weeks now and then, we're being offered all the overtime we want to take. So I've been hitting it HARD, working late, and on weekends.
The upside is that I'll be spending some of that overtime money on stuff that I'll review for the site at a later date. I'm trying to complete one of my AR-15s. When I'm done with that, I'll get into reloading for it. The little bit of free time I have, apart from eating and sleeping, has been spent doing research and shopping around for stuff that I didn't think I'd be able to afford for a couple years. Don't worry though, I'm saving the lion's share of the OT money, and I haven't been shooting the pistols all that much, because it's still hard to get primers.
I've been working on some longer articles that I will start posting shortly.
I've added a short update to the Burris FastFire review.
After having been kept from working overtime for months, and being cut back to 32 hour weeks now and then, we're being offered all the overtime we want to take. So I've been hitting it HARD, working late, and on weekends.
The upside is that I'll be spending some of that overtime money on stuff that I'll review for the site at a later date. I'm trying to complete one of my AR-15s. When I'm done with that, I'll get into reloading for it. The little bit of free time I have, apart from eating and sleeping, has been spent doing research and shopping around for stuff that I didn't think I'd be able to afford for a couple years. Don't worry though, I'm saving the lion's share of the OT money, and I haven't been shooting the pistols all that much, because it's still hard to get primers.
I've been working on some longer articles that I will start posting shortly.
I've added a short update to the Burris FastFire review.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Knight Revolution and Revolution II Rifle Recalls
Knight Rifles is recalling some Revolution rifle trigger assemblies. There is a concern that the rifles may fire when the action is closed.
More information on the recall at the Knight Rifles website.
More information on the recall at the Knight Rifles website.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Remington .17HMR Ammo and 597 HMR Rifle Recall
Remington's supplier is saying that their .17HMR ammo should not be used in semi-automatic firearms. Full boxes of this ammo can be returned to Remington for coupons that can be used to purchase other Remington ammo.
Remington's 597 HMR semi-automatic rifles should not be used. Rifles are to be returned to Remington for a coupon which can be used to buy another Remington firearm.
Visit Remington's Website for more details on the recall.
EDIT: The Firearms Blog has some more information on the recall.
Remington's 597 HMR semi-automatic rifles should not be used. Rifles are to be returned to Remington for a coupon which can be used to buy another Remington firearm.
Visit Remington's Website for more details on the recall.
EDIT: The Firearms Blog has some more information on the recall.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Streicher's Sale
Streicher's Website
Sale Details
20% off all Magpul products
10% off Lasermax
20% off Otis Deluxe LE Cleaning Kit
Sale prices on Streamlight flashlights
Plus more
Sale ends (ended) August 16, 2009
Sale Details
20% off all Magpul products
10% off Lasermax
20% off Otis Deluxe LE Cleaning Kit
Sale prices on Streamlight flashlights
Plus more
Sale ends (ended) August 16, 2009
H.E.R.A. Arms Glock Stock/Carbine Conversion
H.E.R.A. Arms Website
A company in Germany has made a Glock carbine conversion, that encases the pistol's slide, so that you don't get smashed in the face. It attaches via the light rail on newer production Glock frames.
It looks like the carbine conversion kit works with G17, G19, G22, G23, G31, or G32. Doesn't say anything about the longer slide models though.
They are working on 16" barrels, so that you don't have to register your pistol as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) with the ATF. The registration isn't so bad, but getting the approval may take longer than 6 months right now if you are having it registered to you as an individual rather than registered to your trust/corporation/LLC.
H.E.R.A. is also making magazine clamps, HK USC to UMP conversion kits, and AR-15 stock and pistol-grip adapters for HK SL8 rifles.
It seems that Spike's Tactical will either be importing or selling the H.E.R.A. carbine conversion kits.
A company in Germany has made a Glock carbine conversion, that encases the pistol's slide, so that you don't get smashed in the face. It attaches via the light rail on newer production Glock frames.
It looks like the carbine conversion kit works with G17, G19, G22, G23, G31, or G32. Doesn't say anything about the longer slide models though.
They are working on 16" barrels, so that you don't have to register your pistol as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) with the ATF. The registration isn't so bad, but getting the approval may take longer than 6 months right now if you are having it registered to you as an individual rather than registered to your trust/corporation/LLC.
H.E.R.A. is also making magazine clamps, HK USC to UMP conversion kits, and AR-15 stock and pistol-grip adapters for HK SL8 rifles.
It seems that Spike's Tactical will either be importing or selling the H.E.R.A. carbine conversion kits.
SIG P238 Recall
SIG Sauer has issued a "Mandatory Safety Upgrade" for it's P238 subcompact .380ACP pistols.
". . . a small number of P238 pistols may have safety levers that are not manufactured to factory specifications."
If the trigger is pulled with the safety on, the pistol may fire when the safety is switched to the off/fire position without pulling the trigger again.
You can read more about the recall at the SIG Sauer website.
". . . a small number of P238 pistols may have safety levers that are not manufactured to factory specifications."
If the trigger is pulled with the safety on, the pistol may fire when the safety is switched to the off/fire position without pulling the trigger again.
You can read more about the recall at the SIG Sauer website.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
U.S. Cavalry Sale Coupon Codes
U.S. Cavalry, which sells "tactical"/military clothing and gear, is running a sale.
Save 10% when you spend $49
Use coupon code: MKCSAVE10
Save 15% when you spend $49
Use coupon code: MKCSWEET15
Save 20% when you spend $149
Use coupon code: MKCSUPER20
I'm sure there is an expiration date for the coupon codes, but I don't see one listed.
Save 10% when you spend $49
Use coupon code: MKCSAVE10
Save 15% when you spend $49
Use coupon code: MKCSWEET15
Save 20% when you spend $149
Use coupon code: MKCSUPER20
I'm sure there is an expiration date for the coupon codes, but I don't see one listed.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Anvil Arms AR-15 Lower Sale
Rather than try to reword it, I'm just going to quote the website.
"AA15 Lower Receiver (Stripped) $100.00. Buy 5 or more for $85 each!*
AA15 Lower receiver with standard LPK installed $175.00. Buy 5 or mroe[sic] for $160 each!*
*Orders of 5 or more must be all from the same person shipping to the same FFL.
Anvil Arms LPK $65.00"
"AA15 Lower Receiver (Stripped) $100.00. Buy 5 or more for $85 each!*
AA15 Lower receiver with standard LPK installed $175.00. Buy 5 or mroe[sic] for $160 each!*
*Orders of 5 or more must be all from the same person shipping to the same FFL.
Anvil Arms LPK $65.00"
Saturday, July 18, 2009
ALS 50BMG Upper Safety Notice and Recall
Advanced Long Range Systems, LLC, has issued a Safety Notice and Recall on their 50BMG conversions. The conversion may fire with the bolt out of battery.
Owners of ALS conversions should not use the units until further notice from the company. The safety notice was prompted by an accident that put one shooter in the hospital. A .50BMG round firing out of battery is definitely not a Good Thing.
Safety Notice on ALS website.
Owners of ALS conversions should not use the units until further notice from the company. The safety notice was prompted by an accident that put one shooter in the hospital. A .50BMG round firing out of battery is definitely not a Good Thing.
Safety Notice on ALS website.
EGW Free Shipping Offer
EGW is offering free shipping on all orders over $100. Offer expires 8/18/2009.
Promotion Code: EGWFREE100
Enter promotion code in notes section at checkout.
EGW is a machine shop/gunsmithing operation in Pennsylvania.
They are known to pistol competition reloaders for their "U-Die," an undersized Lee sizing die which will probably iron out more bulge from unsupported chambers than any other sizing die. They make ammo gages for 9mm/38Super/40S&W/45ACP, all in one, with real chamber reamers, which I love. Most other ammo gages you have to buy separately, and they are cut tighter than any barrel you will ever find.
They have race gun parts - compensators, mag wells, SVI/STI parts, slide rackers, mag release buttons. They have AR-15 parts - float tubes, benchrest bag rider adapters, an extended upper receiver. They make a whole line of 1911 parts; machined steel parts, not that cast and MIM junk. They make cutting tools for gunsmiths. They make a line of scope mounts for a variety of firearms, and scope rings.
Promotion Code: EGWFREE100
Enter promotion code in notes section at checkout.
EGW is a machine shop/gunsmithing operation in Pennsylvania.
They are known to pistol competition reloaders for their "U-Die," an undersized Lee sizing die which will probably iron out more bulge from unsupported chambers than any other sizing die. They make ammo gages for 9mm/38Super/40S&W/45ACP, all in one, with real chamber reamers, which I love. Most other ammo gages you have to buy separately, and they are cut tighter than any barrel you will ever find.
They have race gun parts - compensators, mag wells, SVI/STI parts, slide rackers, mag release buttons. They have AR-15 parts - float tubes, benchrest bag rider adapters, an extended upper receiver. They make a whole line of 1911 parts; machined steel parts, not that cast and MIM junk. They make cutting tools for gunsmiths. They make a line of scope mounts for a variety of firearms, and scope rings.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Taurus TCP - Another Micro .380ACP
I think I sorta remember reading about a Tarus pocket gun in magazine a few months ago. I don't think there were any specifications or pictures of it though.
It is a polymer framed pistol, with the weight listed as 10.2 ounces.
Prices listed on the Tarus TCP Website are $247.21 for blued steel, $277.99 for Stainless Steel, and $366.99 for one with a Titanium slide. It looks like they are available through the web site, but I haven't seen one in any shop yet.
EDIT, 12/11/09: GunBlast has a review of the Taurus TCP .380 pocket pistol. I kind of forgot about that pistol. I still don't think I've ever seen one in person. Unlike some other similar pistols, the Taurus locks open after the last round, and the pistol reviewed had a trigger pull that measured around 4 pounds (compared to the usual trigger pull of around 8 pounds). This one might be interesting.
It is a polymer framed pistol, with the weight listed as 10.2 ounces.
Prices listed on the Tarus TCP Website are $247.21 for blued steel, $277.99 for Stainless Steel, and $366.99 for one with a Titanium slide. It looks like they are available through the web site, but I haven't seen one in any shop yet.
EDIT, 12/11/09: GunBlast has a review of the Taurus TCP .380 pocket pistol. I kind of forgot about that pistol. I still don't think I've ever seen one in person. Unlike some other similar pistols, the Taurus locks open after the last round, and the pistol reviewed had a trigger pull that measured around 4 pounds (compared to the usual trigger pull of around 8 pounds). This one might be interesting.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Remington Rimfire Black Rifle: 597 VTR
I'm not sure if they are available yet. I haven't seen one yet personally, but it's on the official Remington website.
Remington 597 VTR product page.
Similar to the Excel Arms X-22R, and some other Ruger 10/22 conversions, Remington took one of their .22LR rifle actions, and put it in a chassis that accepts AR-15 stocks, pistol grips, and free float tubes. Remington only lists 10-round magazines, but I believe there are after market mags that hold 25+ rounds. EDIT: There's Remington Factory 30-round magazines listed in the Cabela's catalog.
Remington 597 VTR product page.
Similar to the Excel Arms X-22R, and some other Ruger 10/22 conversions, Remington took one of their .22LR rifle actions, and put it in a chassis that accepts AR-15 stocks, pistol grips, and free float tubes. Remington only lists 10-round magazines, but I believe there are after market mags that hold 25+ rounds. EDIT: There's Remington Factory 30-round magazines listed in the Cabela's catalog.
Report On Military SCAR Rifles
There's a pretty decent report on the SCAR rifles from someone in the ARMY, whose unit was testing them.
AR15.com Forum: I am being issued a SCAR. . . Review posted
It's a pretty decent read. Confirms some of the things that I noticed during a brief look at the SCAR-L. I'm trying to withhold judgement. After all, many said about the M-16 decades ago, what I am thinking about the SCAR.
AR15.com Forum: I am being issued a SCAR. . . Review posted
It's a pretty decent read. Confirms some of the things that I noticed during a brief look at the SCAR-L. I'm trying to withhold judgement. After all, many said about the M-16 decades ago, what I am thinking about the SCAR.
Smith & Wesson 22A Pistol Recall
A defect in the slides of some 22A pistols, manufactured between August 1, 2008 and February 19, 2009 may have a problem with improper headspacing, which can cause an unintentional discharge.
Click Here to get more information on the recall from the official Smith & Wesson website.
Click Here to get more information on the recall from the official Smith & Wesson website.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Colt 1911 Recall
The "slide lock safety" (don't ask me what that is) and "recoil spring guide pad" in some Colt 1911 type pistols have been determined to not be made to Colt specifications. Colt is recalling pistols with these non-spec parts. The recall effects certain ranges of 1911 WWII Replica, 1918 WWII Replica, New Agent, Combat Elite, Defender, and Talo Night Defender pistols, sold after March 2007.
Click here to visit the official Colt's Manufacturing website for more details.
Click here to visit the official Colt's Manufacturing website for more details.
Safir Arms .410 Bore AR-15 Uppers
Just discovered these on the Aim Surplus website. They are .410 bore shotgun uppers that fit AR-15 lowers. They're made in Turkey.
Aim is selling them with 5-round magazines, but Modern firearms lists capacity as 9, 10, or 15 rounds, so there must be some higher capacity magazines out there. Price from AIM is just under $500, they have a limited stock of the Compact uppers.
Safir Arms Website - English
Saiga 12 Forum: T-14 Thread
Aim Surplus: T-14 Compact (16" barrel) Upper
Aim Surplus: T-14 Classic (20" barrel) Upper
Modern Firearms: T-14 Shotgun
EDIT, 12/11/09: GunBlast has a review of American Tactical Imports (ATI) T-14 .410 AR-15 Shotgun Upper. It looks like Mr. Quinn was using the 13-round magazine, so they must be available somewhere in the U.S.
Aim is selling them with 5-round magazines, but Modern firearms lists capacity as 9, 10, or 15 rounds, so there must be some higher capacity magazines out there. Price from AIM is just under $500, they have a limited stock of the Compact uppers.
Safir Arms Website - English
Saiga 12 Forum: T-14 Thread
Aim Surplus: T-14 Compact (16" barrel) Upper
Aim Surplus: T-14 Classic (20" barrel) Upper
Modern Firearms: T-14 Shotgun
EDIT, 12/11/09: GunBlast has a review of American Tactical Imports (ATI) T-14 .410 AR-15 Shotgun Upper. It looks like Mr. Quinn was using the 13-round magazine, so they must be available somewhere in the U.S.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
FAL Last-Round-Bolt-Hold-Open Mod
FAL Last-Round-Bolt-Hold-Open Mod - How-to article with pictures from Alan Eldridge's site.
I discovered this accidentally while searching for a good WECSOG link for the Saiga 12 Pistol-Grip Conversion article. Kinda neat.
I discovered this accidentally while searching for a good WECSOG link for the Saiga 12 Pistol-Grip Conversion article. Kinda neat.
Saiga Pistol-Grip Conversion - S-12 Shotgun
I actually finished the conversion more than a month ago, but I didn’t get around to taking pictures until last weekend. The write-up is not 100% finished yet, but it’s been a week since I’ve had anything to post here, so. . .
Parts:
This is the only gun that I've ever named. I call it Sid, becuase I think it's probably the most Visious thing I own. Nothing, short of a belt-fed machinegun, can remove or destroy flesh and bone quite like a load of buckshot, and this sucker can load up to 13 rounds of buck, and fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. If you've got the cash, you can pick up a 20 round drum magazine for these Saiga shotguns. When the magazine runs empty, rock-and-lock another one in and cycle the bolt and you're ready to go again.
922r Compliance
The Saiga rifles and shotguns come with funky hollow plastic sporting stocks. For these stocks to work at all, the trigger is moved back from the position it would normally be with a pistol-gripped AK-47. The square hole and slot for a normal AK-type trigger is still there, but it's covered by a piece of sheet metal riveted into place on the bottom of the receiver. This sporting conversion is done to comply with an import ban. Although the company in Russia makes Saiga rifles and shotguns in the normal AK pistol-grip style, they are non-sporting under the language of the U.S. import ban.
But wait! There's a catch! The ATF allows for conversion from sporting configuration, to the pistol grip configuration, as long as 10 or less of the parts they've listed are imported. When you add these domestically-made parts, the firearm changes from an imported gun, to a U.S.-made gun. Yes, it sounds kinda dumb, but don’t knock it! It’s kind of a nice loophole to have in a ban.
In my case, changing out the hammer, disconnector, and hammer make the shotgun a legal domestic firearm if I use American-made magazines. Add a U.S.-made pistol grip and stock, and I can use any magazine.
I had originally planned to buy one of the stock adapters with the mount for a pistol grip, so I wouldn't have to do the full-bore pistol grip conversion. That would have required more expensive U.S.-made conversion parts. Handguards run about $60, and the gas pucks are around $40. It's actually cheaper to do a proper conversion, if you can drill out the 3 rivets that hold the cover on the bottom of the receiver. You end up with a shorter shotgun and a better trigger in the end anyway. The stock Saiga trigger pull is really heavy. The Tapco G2 trigger is much better, better than many AR triggers even. I would have ended up doing the conversion properly eventually, and would have been stuck with used parts that no one really wants.
I think I managed to do the conversion without buying any tools. I used a Black & Decker hand drill that I bought from Wal-Mart a few years ago for something like $25. I did chew into the receiver some, drilling out the rivets, but the trigger guard and button-head screws covered up those little sins. The rivets didn't give me too much trouble. Cheap DrillMaster bits seem to have worked fine.
Tricky Bits
The first issue was drilling out the trigger pin rivets. Damn things will spin on you, and the drill bit doesn't do it's job. This is where the needle-nose vise grips come in. You need something to hold the pin/rivet in place as you drill.
The stock adapter required a lot of modification, even though it's made for the Saigas. The first issue I noticed was the lack of a slot for the key of the AR-15 stock adapter to seat in. I put the adapter under the drill press, and cut some holes, and then used the trusty Dremel to make the holes into a slot. I also had to notch the internal stock adapter to clear the FCG pin retaining wire. When all that was done, it got lightly sanded, and given a coat of Krylon Black BBQ paint. I’m actually not quite done with that; the receiver cover scrapes away a little more paint off the top-rear block every time I put it back together. I’ll have to cut down that ridge when I get the Ace folder mechanism and repaint.
The hardest part of the conversion was getting the lower put back together with the bolt hold open (BHO) lever. I wrestled with the springs to get the trigger and hammer pins in, then I installed the stock, putting threadlocker on the screws. THEN, I pushed on the hammer pin, discovering that the pin retaining wire wasn't working properly. With the stock adapter holding the retaining wire in place, I had to take it all apart, and start all over.
I don’t know how the Russians get damn things together. Getting the parts in under spring pressure without the safety in place is frustrating. They must have assembled it with the safety, because the BHO lever blocks off the slot in the side of the receiver otherwise, and then you can’t get the safety in. Notching the BHO lever to allow inserting the safety doesn’t seem to hurt, so that’s what I did. This is where the Dremel Carbide Cutter bit comes in. But don’t put away the Dremel and bit yet, with the pistol grip conversion, you’ll find that your trigger finger (or maybe thumb for lefties) is making contact with the protruding button end of the BHO lever. You may want to trim that BHO button down about a quarter inch.
Time?
I got the conversion done over the course of one weekend while catching up on TV. I would probably have gotten it done in a matter of hours if I hadn't been running up and down the stairs, going from the basement to the couch and back again and again. I didn’t have a spare AK grip at the time, so I modified an old FAL grip to work (in true WECSOG fashion), which added about a half hour to the conversion process. Then I got a Romanian AK-47 parts kit (for another build), which freed up a proper AK-47 pistol grip, but I had to cut the grip screw down to work with the Tromix Trigger Guard.
Saiga 12 Magazines
The Russian American Armory 5-round magazine that came with the shotgun is similar in size to a 30-round AR-15 magazine. So far, this seems to be the most reliable magazine that I've used in this shotgun so far. This is what I keep loaded with Federal LE 2 3/4" 00-Buck shells, until I can get some 3" buckshot shells.
The 8-round Surefire magazine is similar in size to a 30-round AK-47 magazine. The Surefire 8-round is what is shown in the pictures of my shotgun at the start of this article. Surefire mags are American-made and count as 3 compliance parts - magazine tube, follower, and base plate. I have had a few 2 3/4" shells hang up on the top of the barrel extension. No problem with 3" rounds yet, because the front end of the shell sits forward of the rear end of the barrel extension, and there's no way for the longer rounds to get caught there. I guess I should take a picture, so that you can understand what I'm talking about.
Size Comparo Shot. From left to right:
Saiga .223 Conversion – Not quite the same, but gives a good pictorial step-by-step walk through.
Parts:
- Russian American Armory Saiga-12 12-Gauge Shotgun with 19” Barrel
- Saiga Internal Stock Adapter (I think it was Al’s Custom that made it, but it doesn’t say on my receipt, or the bag it came in, and the part is no longer on the Mississippi Auto Arms site)
- ACE Pig-Nose AR-15 Stock Adapter
- Tromix DIY Trigger Guard (With Built-In Pistol Grip Mount)
- Tapco M4 Carbine-Type 6-Position Stock
- ProMag M4 Stock Recoil Pad
- Interarms AK-47 Pistol Grip (Borrowed from another rifle that didn’t need it as a U.S. made part)
- Interarms Grip Screw
- Tapco G2 Single-Hook Trigger Kit (Trigger, Hammer, Disconnector)
- Tapco Trigger and Hammer Pin Retainer
- 10 Pound 1911 Recoil Spring (For Light Birdshot Loads - Replaces Front Recoil Spring)
- Drill
- Assorted Drill Bits
- Center Punch
- Hammer
- Dremel Rotary Tool
- Dremel Carbide Cutting Bit (Part Number 9901)
- Dremel Router Bit
- Dremel Reinforced Cut-Off Wheel
- Grandfather’s Vise
- SAE Allen Key Set
- Phillips and Flat-head Screwdriver
- Temporary (blue) thread locker
- Needle-Nose Pliers
- Needle-Nose Vise Grips
- Tweezers
- Pin Punch Set
- Coarse File
- Kart Recoil Lug File (Any Square Needle File W/Safe Edge Will Do)
This is the only gun that I've ever named. I call it Sid, becuase I think it's probably the most Visious thing I own. Nothing, short of a belt-fed machinegun, can remove or destroy flesh and bone quite like a load of buckshot, and this sucker can load up to 13 rounds of buck, and fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. If you've got the cash, you can pick up a 20 round drum magazine for these Saiga shotguns. When the magazine runs empty, rock-and-lock another one in and cycle the bolt and you're ready to go again.
922r Compliance
The Saiga rifles and shotguns come with funky hollow plastic sporting stocks. For these stocks to work at all, the trigger is moved back from the position it would normally be with a pistol-gripped AK-47. The square hole and slot for a normal AK-type trigger is still there, but it's covered by a piece of sheet metal riveted into place on the bottom of the receiver. This sporting conversion is done to comply with an import ban. Although the company in Russia makes Saiga rifles and shotguns in the normal AK pistol-grip style, they are non-sporting under the language of the U.S. import ban.
But wait! There's a catch! The ATF allows for conversion from sporting configuration, to the pistol grip configuration, as long as 10 or less of the parts they've listed are imported. When you add these domestically-made parts, the firearm changes from an imported gun, to a U.S.-made gun. Yes, it sounds kinda dumb, but don’t knock it! It’s kind of a nice loophole to have in a ban.
In my case, changing out the hammer, disconnector, and hammer make the shotgun a legal domestic firearm if I use American-made magazines. Add a U.S.-made pistol grip and stock, and I can use any magazine.
I had originally planned to buy one of the stock adapters with the mount for a pistol grip, so I wouldn't have to do the full-bore pistol grip conversion. That would have required more expensive U.S.-made conversion parts. Handguards run about $60, and the gas pucks are around $40. It's actually cheaper to do a proper conversion, if you can drill out the 3 rivets that hold the cover on the bottom of the receiver. You end up with a shorter shotgun and a better trigger in the end anyway. The stock Saiga trigger pull is really heavy. The Tapco G2 trigger is much better, better than many AR triggers even. I would have ended up doing the conversion properly eventually, and would have been stuck with used parts that no one really wants.
I think I managed to do the conversion without buying any tools. I used a Black & Decker hand drill that I bought from Wal-Mart a few years ago for something like $25. I did chew into the receiver some, drilling out the rivets, but the trigger guard and button-head screws covered up those little sins. The rivets didn't give me too much trouble. Cheap DrillMaster bits seem to have worked fine.
Tricky Bits
The first issue was drilling out the trigger pin rivets. Damn things will spin on you, and the drill bit doesn't do it's job. This is where the needle-nose vise grips come in. You need something to hold the pin/rivet in place as you drill.
The stock adapter required a lot of modification, even though it's made for the Saigas. The first issue I noticed was the lack of a slot for the key of the AR-15 stock adapter to seat in. I put the adapter under the drill press, and cut some holes, and then used the trusty Dremel to make the holes into a slot. I also had to notch the internal stock adapter to clear the FCG pin retaining wire. When all that was done, it got lightly sanded, and given a coat of Krylon Black BBQ paint. I’m actually not quite done with that; the receiver cover scrapes away a little more paint off the top-rear block every time I put it back together. I’ll have to cut down that ridge when I get the Ace folder mechanism and repaint.
The hardest part of the conversion was getting the lower put back together with the bolt hold open (BHO) lever. I wrestled with the springs to get the trigger and hammer pins in, then I installed the stock, putting threadlocker on the screws. THEN, I pushed on the hammer pin, discovering that the pin retaining wire wasn't working properly. With the stock adapter holding the retaining wire in place, I had to take it all apart, and start all over.
I don’t know how the Russians get damn things together. Getting the parts in under spring pressure without the safety in place is frustrating. They must have assembled it with the safety, because the BHO lever blocks off the slot in the side of the receiver otherwise, and then you can’t get the safety in. Notching the BHO lever to allow inserting the safety doesn’t seem to hurt, so that’s what I did. This is where the Dremel Carbide Cutter bit comes in. But don’t put away the Dremel and bit yet, with the pistol grip conversion, you’ll find that your trigger finger (or maybe thumb for lefties) is making contact with the protruding button end of the BHO lever. You may want to trim that BHO button down about a quarter inch.
Time?
I got the conversion done over the course of one weekend while catching up on TV. I would probably have gotten it done in a matter of hours if I hadn't been running up and down the stairs, going from the basement to the couch and back again and again. I didn’t have a spare AK grip at the time, so I modified an old FAL grip to work (in true WECSOG fashion), which added about a half hour to the conversion process. Then I got a Romanian AK-47 parts kit (for another build), which freed up a proper AK-47 pistol grip, but I had to cut the grip screw down to work with the Tromix Trigger Guard.
Saiga 12 Magazines
The Russian American Armory 5-round magazine that came with the shotgun is similar in size to a 30-round AR-15 magazine. So far, this seems to be the most reliable magazine that I've used in this shotgun so far. This is what I keep loaded with Federal LE 2 3/4" 00-Buck shells, until I can get some 3" buckshot shells.
The 8-round Surefire magazine is similar in size to a 30-round AK-47 magazine. The Surefire 8-round is what is shown in the pictures of my shotgun at the start of this article. Surefire mags are American-made and count as 3 compliance parts - magazine tube, follower, and base plate. I have had a few 2 3/4" shells hang up on the top of the barrel extension. No problem with 3" rounds yet, because the front end of the shell sits forward of the rear end of the barrel extension, and there's no way for the longer rounds to get caught there. I guess I should take a picture, so that you can understand what I'm talking about.
Size Comparo Shot. From left to right:- 12-round Surefire Saiga 12 magazine in bag
- 10-round Promag Saiga 12 magazine
- 8-round Surefire Saiga 12 magazine
- 5-round RAA Saiga 12 5-round magazine
- 30-round AK-47 magazine
- 30-round AK-74 magazine, 5.45x39mm
- 30-round MagPul PMag AR-15 magazine
Saiga .223 Conversion – Not quite the same, but gives a good pictorial step-by-step walk through.
BHO mod so you can get the safety back in
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sigh. Pocket Knife Ban In the Works?
U.S. Customs and Boarder Patrol (CBP) wants to change the rules so that assisted-opening pocket knives are lumped into the same group with "switchblades." Kniferights.org says that the rule would also cover most one-hand-opening knives, and may even be interpreted to cover just about any pocket knife.
Click here for more details and sample letters to send to CBP and congress.
EDIT; 11/14/09: The bill was defeated.
EDIT; 11/22/09: There was an article on it in either Guns Magazine or American Handgunner. It seems to still be possible.
Click here for more details and sample letters to send to CBP and congress.
EDIT; 11/14/09: The bill was defeated.
EDIT; 11/22/09: There was an article on it in either Guns Magazine or American Handgunner. It seems to still be possible.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Rumor - Glocks With Adustable Grips
There seems to be a rumor floating around that there will be Glock pistols coming out within the next 12 months with interchangable backstraps. Allegedly, it has been confirmed by Glock, Inc. I've seen no official documentation, or photos of the pistols, so until then I can only report it as rumor. This would not be the first rumor to come out about a new Glock that never existed, or was never slated for production.
I was under the impression that Glock was selling so many pistols that they didn't need to really do anything to keep up with the competition. Even before the election Glock pistols were in short supply.
I was under the impression that Glock was selling so many pistols that they didn't need to really do anything to keep up with the competition. Even before the election Glock pistols were in short supply.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Lancer L5 AR-15 Mags. Thumbs Down.
I found some for about $16 each at the Valley Forge Gun Show, and bought three. When I got them home and took them apart for inspection, I realized that was a mistake.
The plastic body of the mag is rather thin, and can be bent inward in the middle noticeably.
The follower is a variation on the green G.I. follower, and it will tilt if you push on either the front or the back.
Green G.I. follower on left, Lancer follower on right.
Green G.I. follower on top, Lancer follower bottom
The plastic body of the mag is rather thin, and can be bent inward in the middle noticeably.The follower is a variation on the green G.I. follower, and it will tilt if you push on either the front or the back.
Green G.I. follower on left, Lancer follower on right.
Green G.I. follower on top, Lancer follower bottom
Getting them apart for cleaning is not particularly easy. The floor-plate (which has a rubber bumper) locks onto the mag body with three tabs. To remove it, you need to push in on one of the side tabs with a cartridge or a pen or a similar pointy tool, and pull the floor-plate, and hold it so that it doesn't reengage. Then you need to press in the tab on the other side. At this point the mag spring will probably push the floor-plate out, and you can disengage the rear tab. There is a tool, sold separately, that pushes in both side tabs at once.
For comparison, I'll explain how to disassemble a PMag. Press in the center of the lockplate with the locking tab of the magazine cover (or the tip of a bullet or a pen), and slide off the floor-plate. With the floor-plate off, you can easily pull the guts out of the mag body. It takes longer to explain it than it does to do it.
I'm going to get rid of these mags one way or another. I don't think they're as good as PMags or plain old metal mags. One will probably go with the OA-96 pistol when I get another pistol upper. Hopefully, I'll sell one or two more along with the Colt M-16 BCG that I need to sell.
A Lancer representative on the AR15.com forums has said that Magpul anti-tilt followers won't work well with the magazine body. They aren't compatible with any aftermarket floor plates with pull tabs either.
UPDATE, 1/16/11: I've run one of my Lancer magazines through a couple of rifles, with no issues. I haven't really heard anything bad about them from anyone else either. Some of the guys that run carbine courses are recommending these. I'm afraid I've got my foot in my mouth on this one.
I'm going to get rid of these mags one way or another. I don't think they're as good as PMags or plain old metal mags. One will probably go with the OA-96 pistol when I get another pistol upper. Hopefully, I'll sell one or two more along with the Colt M-16 BCG that I need to sell.
A Lancer representative on the AR15.com forums has said that Magpul anti-tilt followers won't work well with the magazine body. They aren't compatible with any aftermarket floor plates with pull tabs either.
UPDATE, 1/16/11: I've run one of my Lancer magazines through a couple of rifles, with no issues. I haven't really heard anything bad about them from anyone else either. Some of the guys that run carbine courses are recommending these. I'm afraid I've got my foot in my mouth on this one.
Brownells Father's Day Special
Free shipping on orders over $150. Expires 6/30/09. Use code "MAN" at checkout.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Israeli Pistol Named After Obama. . . !?
No. . . not really!!
While looking for more information on the Magal, I stumbled upon the Barak pistol. It's a high capacity double action auto, but I really only bring it up as a joke because the name is so close to the first name of Obama, who really isn't that friendly with Israel.
While looking for more information on the Magal, I stumbled upon the Barak pistol. It's a high capacity double action auto, but I really only bring it up as a joke because the name is so close to the first name of Obama, who really isn't that friendly with Israel.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
IMI Magal Carbine
I'm still alive, I just haven't found anything particularly interesting to post in a while.
I was looking for a little information on the new HK submachine guns, which brought me to the Remtek Arms website. It was there that I found a picture (just a picture) of the IMI Magal.
Info From Kalishnikov.guns.ru:
The Magal carbine is based on the Micro Galil, and is chambered for .30 Carbine, fed by 30 round magazines (don't appear to be M1/M2 Carbine mags). The rear of the receiver is definitely AK-based, but the handguard is a modern polymer design, and there's a Steyr AUG type shield over the front of the pistol grip. The stock is a side-folding Galil-type skeleton unit. Weight is 3.5kg (7 pounds, 11 ounces). Retail price is $1000, which seems like a lot of money for an AK-based weapon.
Although the Magal has proven to be unreliable due to the short barrel, which doesn't provide enough gas pressure to work the action, and the handguard overheats quickly, it is an interesting weapon.
I was looking for a little information on the new HK submachine guns, which brought me to the Remtek Arms website. It was there that I found a picture (just a picture) of the IMI Magal.
Info From Kalishnikov.guns.ru:
The Magal carbine is based on the Micro Galil, and is chambered for .30 Carbine, fed by 30 round magazines (don't appear to be M1/M2 Carbine mags). The rear of the receiver is definitely AK-based, but the handguard is a modern polymer design, and there's a Steyr AUG type shield over the front of the pistol grip. The stock is a side-folding Galil-type skeleton unit. Weight is 3.5kg (7 pounds, 11 ounces). Retail price is $1000, which seems like a lot of money for an AK-based weapon.
Although the Magal has proven to be unreliable due to the short barrel, which doesn't provide enough gas pressure to work the action, and the handguard overheats quickly, it is an interesting weapon.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
New Steyr AUGs Available
The new AUGs must have hit the streets. Military Gun Supply has ONE black A3 model for $2495.
Short article on the new Steyr AUG from the American Rifleman website.
Short article on the new Steyr AUG from the American Rifleman website.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Free One-Year NRA Memberships
Okay, here we go. Finally, something interesting to report.
Link To Offer On NRA Web Site
They've been giving out $10-off coupons here and there for a while, but are now offering free one-year trial memberships to get new people into the organization. The American Rifleman (general gun magazine) and America's First Freedom (90+% 2nd Amendment related articles) magazines are pretty decent and almost worth the membership fees on their own.
If you go to this page, you can sign up as a life member for $500, there's also some really good deals on multi-year memberships, and you get a "free" lockback pocket knife. I think I paid $650 for a life membership about two and half years ago. Click the second option, and it will take you to a second page, where you can select your membership.
Link To Offer On NRA Web Site
They've been giving out $10-off coupons here and there for a while, but are now offering free one-year trial memberships to get new people into the organization. The American Rifleman (general gun magazine) and America's First Freedom (90+% 2nd Amendment related articles) magazines are pretty decent and almost worth the membership fees on their own.
If you go to this page, you can sign up as a life member for $500, there's also some really good deals on multi-year memberships, and you get a "free" lockback pocket knife. I think I paid $650 for a life membership about two and half years ago. Click the second option, and it will take you to a second page, where you can select your membership.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Smith & Wesson PPK Recall
Link To PPK Recall At Official Smith & Wesson Web Site
"Smith & Wesson has identified a condition that may exist in certain PPK and PPK/S pistols which may permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled. When the manual safety is disengaged, Smith & Wesson’s Product Engineering Group has determined that the possibility exists in certain firearms that lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire."
Check the link for serial number affected, and more details.
"Smith & Wesson has identified a condition that may exist in certain PPK and PPK/S pistols which may permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled. When the manual safety is disengaged, Smith & Wesson’s Product Engineering Group has determined that the possibility exists in certain firearms that lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire."
Check the link for serial number affected, and more details.
MSNBC "Assault Weapons" Poll
Link To Poll
"Should President Obama push to permanently reinstate a ban on assault weapons?
Congress imposed a ban on what it called assault weapons in 1994, outlawing the sale and importation of 19 military-style weapons, copycat models with similar features, and high-capacity ammunition magazines. In a compromise with Republicans, the Democrats who controlled Congress agreed to let it expire in ten years unless it was renewed. By 2004, with Republicans in charge, support had evaporated.
"Should President Obama push to permanently reinstate a ban on assault weapons?
Congress imposed a ban on what it called assault weapons in 1994, outlawing the sale and importation of 19 military-style weapons, copycat models with similar features, and high-capacity ammunition magazines. In a compromise with Republicans, the Democrats who controlled Congress agreed to let it expire in ten years unless it was renewed. By 2004, with Republicans in charge, support had evaporated.
- Yes. We had the ban for 10 years. He should use up whatever political capital is necessary to reinstate the ban.
- No. It was a mistake the first time around and it would be a mistake again. Existing gun laws are enough.
- Maybe. Owning a gun is a right, but I'm conflicted as to whether or not average Americans should be able to own assault weapon"
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Magpul Maglevel PMags In Stock At Brownells
Looks like Brownells has some Magpul PMag Maglevel 30-round magazines in black and "flat dark earth." Be sure to note that I posted a shipping coupon code for Brownells recently.
If anyone knows where I can order some black 20-Round PMags for reasonable prices, please drop me a line.
If anyone knows where I can order some black 20-Round PMags for reasonable prices, please drop me a line.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Some New Firearms
Vltor Fortis
Vltor is working on new versions of the Bren Ten (10mm CZ-75 type pistol from Miami Vice), which they're calling the Fortis.
Link to the Fortis pistol on the Vltor website.
Vltor blog with more information
Defense Review article on the Fortis
The new design uses EAA Witness or the Vltor magazines, holding 15 rounds of 10mm or 10 rounds of .45ACP for a standard length magazine. I believe there are extended Witness mags that hold more. Vltor offers floorpates that replicate the look of the origional Bren Ten magazines.
Vltor is shooting for a retail price of less than a thousand dollars. That sounds like a lot, but based on Vltor's reputation for quality, engineering, and durability (not many pistols will hold up to a steady diet of full-power 10mm), I don't consider it to be totally unreasonable.
Drum-Fed Semi-Auto Shotgun
Link to Defense Review snippet on the new drum fed semi-auto shotgun.
The shotgun feeds from tube magazines in a cylinder formation. Sounds kind of confunsing, doesn't it? Okay, so like a normal tube-fed shotgun, shells are pushed into the action from the tube magazine holding 2-4 rounds, depending on the overall length of the shotgun. When the tube currently in use is empty, you rotate the cylinder, allowing shells from the next tube to feed into the action. Perhaps not the ideal solution, but it is an interesting one.
AR-15 Shotgun from CMMG
Defense Review snippet on the CMMG gas piston AR-15 Shotgun
MGI was showing some new pistol-caliber magwells for their modular lower at SHOT show '09, and having recently purchased a Saiga-12, a shotgun variant of the AK-47 platform, I was wondering how long it would take for someone to come up with an AR-15-type shotgun. Well, it looks like CMMG did it, although with a proprietary lower. Not much information is available on the AR shotgun yet.
LMT Piston Upper vs. HK416
Defense Review comparo of HK416 and the newish LMT piston uppers.
U.S. Legal Steyr AUG
I don't have any links, but Steyr in reintroducing the AUG to the American market.
Vltor is working on new versions of the Bren Ten (10mm CZ-75 type pistol from Miami Vice), which they're calling the Fortis.
Link to the Fortis pistol on the Vltor website.
Vltor blog with more information
Defense Review article on the Fortis
The new design uses EAA Witness or the Vltor magazines, holding 15 rounds of 10mm or 10 rounds of .45ACP for a standard length magazine. I believe there are extended Witness mags that hold more. Vltor offers floorpates that replicate the look of the origional Bren Ten magazines.
Vltor is shooting for a retail price of less than a thousand dollars. That sounds like a lot, but based on Vltor's reputation for quality, engineering, and durability (not many pistols will hold up to a steady diet of full-power 10mm), I don't consider it to be totally unreasonable.
Drum-Fed Semi-Auto Shotgun
Link to Defense Review snippet on the new drum fed semi-auto shotgun.
The shotgun feeds from tube magazines in a cylinder formation. Sounds kind of confunsing, doesn't it? Okay, so like a normal tube-fed shotgun, shells are pushed into the action from the tube magazine holding 2-4 rounds, depending on the overall length of the shotgun. When the tube currently in use is empty, you rotate the cylinder, allowing shells from the next tube to feed into the action. Perhaps not the ideal solution, but it is an interesting one.
AR-15 Shotgun from CMMG
Defense Review snippet on the CMMG gas piston AR-15 Shotgun
MGI was showing some new pistol-caliber magwells for their modular lower at SHOT show '09, and having recently purchased a Saiga-12, a shotgun variant of the AK-47 platform, I was wondering how long it would take for someone to come up with an AR-15-type shotgun. Well, it looks like CMMG did it, although with a proprietary lower. Not much information is available on the AR shotgun yet.
LMT Piston Upper vs. HK416
Defense Review comparo of HK416 and the newish LMT piston uppers.
U.S. Legal Steyr AUG
I don't have any links, but Steyr in reintroducing the AUG to the American market.
Jack Weaver Passed Away
I don't have much information on when or how, but I hear that Jack Weaver recently passed. Jack being the "Weaver stance" guy.
Brownells Shipping Coupon Code
"$5 Shipping at Brownells.com on orders over $99! Valid on standard shipping now through 4/30/09. Enter the promotion code CEF to receive this discount."
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Poll, RE: Stanton Heights Shooting, Pittsburg Post Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/polls/?pollID=3019
In the wake of the deadly police shootings in Stanton Heights, do you feel current gun control laws are too weak, are well-balanced, are too restrictive or make little difference one way or the other?
A. Too weak
B. Well-balanced
C. Too restrictive
D. Make little difference one way or other
In the wake of the deadly police shootings in Stanton Heights, do you feel current gun control laws are too weak, are well-balanced, are too restrictive or make little difference one way or the other?
A. Too weak
B. Well-balanced
C. Too restrictive
D. Make little difference one way or other
Friday, April 10, 2009
Associated Press M4 Carbine Replacements Videos
Link to AP video articles on the carbines that are, or were, in the running to replace the M4 Carbine in U.S. military service. There's info on the M4, the FN SCAR rifles, the HK416, and the HK XM8.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Charter Arms Rimless Revolvers (CARR)
Coming soon from Charter Arms are some new revolvers in pistol calibers; 9mm/.380ACP, .40S&W, and .45ACP. A spring catches the cartridge's extrator groove, so the revolver will extract empty cases without a moon clip. The spring will also allow the 9mm revolver to fire .380ACP ammunition.
The .40S&W revolvers will be out first, followed by 9mm and .45ACP. Snub-nosed models will be available first, 2" barrels for 9mm/.380 models, 2.2" barrels for .40S&W and .45ACP. The 9mm/.380 snubbie will be based on their compact and lightweight undercover revolvers with an aluminum frame. The .40S&W and .45ACP revolvers will use the Bulldog frame.
Retail price for the 9mm/.380 snub model is said to be $399, with the .40S&W and .45ACP snubbie prices are said to be $449.
I'm not sure what to think of these. One of the benefits of using semi-auto cartridges in revolvers is the speed of the reloads with moon clips. I've also heard some bad things about the quality of Charter Arms revolvers.
The .40S&W revolvers will be out first, followed by 9mm and .45ACP. Snub-nosed models will be available first, 2" barrels for 9mm/.380 models, 2.2" barrels for .40S&W and .45ACP. The 9mm/.380 snubbie will be based on their compact and lightweight undercover revolvers with an aluminum frame. The .40S&W and .45ACP revolvers will use the Bulldog frame.
Retail price for the 9mm/.380 snub model is said to be $399, with the .40S&W and .45ACP snubbie prices are said to be $449.
I'm not sure what to think of these. One of the benefits of using semi-auto cartridges in revolvers is the speed of the reloads with moon clips. I've also heard some bad things about the quality of Charter Arms revolvers.
DSG Has PMags In Stock Again
Link to Magazines at DSG
Item # MAG211BLK
About every week I see posts that they got another shipment in. I don't know how they do it.
Item # MAG211BLK
About every week I see posts that they got another shipment in. I don't know how they do it.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Some Magpul PMags In Stock
I don't know how long they'll last, but. . .
Brownells
Direct Link to Mags
Black PMag Maglevel, the ones with the window, just under $20. Product #100-003-144.
Use promotion code EAD to get $5.50 off UPS Ground shipping
Matt's Shooting Supplies
Direct Link to Mags
Standard PMags - $15.95
MagLevel - $18.95
Brownells
Direct Link to Mags
Black PMag Maglevel, the ones with the window, just under $20. Product #100-003-144.
Use promotion code EAD to get $5.50 off UPS Ground shipping
Matt's Shooting Supplies
Direct Link to Mags
Standard PMags - $15.95
MagLevel - $18.95
Saturday, March 21, 2009
"Guns In America" TV Editorial
The National Geographic Channel (I get it with digital cable) is rebroadcasting the "Guns In America" episode of their Explorer show on Tuesday at 10p.m. (EST), and probably again at 1a.m. At best, it is balanced. There's some of the usual stuff you get from the major TV networks, but there is coverage of a "gun nut type" that isn't as horrible as it could have been on other networks. There is video footage of the police interviewing Joe Horn, the Texas man who shot and killed the men who were robbing his neighbor's house, and cleared of all charges.
It's an hour long show, check it out if you get the chance.
It's an hour long show, check it out if you get the chance.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Black AR-15 Magpul PMags In Stock At DSG Arms
Link to PMags at DSG Arms
Product #: MAG211BLK (in case the link doesn't work)
$14.95
They are the new ones with the cap that snaps onto the bottom of the mag.
I ordered some PMags from them a week or two ago, and they came in pretty quick. I've got 20 total now (in addition to more than a dozen or so other AR mags), so I'm good for a while.
Product #: MAG211BLK (in case the link doesn't work)
$14.95
They are the new ones with the cap that snaps onto the bottom of the mag.
I ordered some PMags from them a week or two ago, and they came in pretty quick. I've got 20 total now (in addition to more than a dozen or so other AR mags), so I'm good for a while.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
St. Louis Alderman Advocated Armed Self-Defense
On a more positive note. . .
Frustrated by rising crime, St. Louis Alderman Charles Troupe called on the citizens of his ward to arm themselves.
“The community has to be ready to defend itself, because it’s clear the economy is going to get worse, and criminals are getting more bold,” said Troupe to Fox News.
Troupe recalls that when he went to a district police commander with some residents, they were told, “there was nothing he could do to protect us and the community . . . that he didn’t have the manpower.”
Frustrated by rising crime, St. Louis Alderman Charles Troupe called on the citizens of his ward to arm themselves.
“The community has to be ready to defend itself, because it’s clear the economy is going to get worse, and criminals are getting more bold,” said Troupe to Fox News.
Troupe recalls that when he went to a district police commander with some residents, they were told, “there was nothing he could do to protect us and the community . . . that he didn’t have the manpower.”
Remember The L.A. Riots? Many Seem To Have Forgotten.
“For years, California has been a laboratory for gun control. Now that laboratory has come crashing down in flames. . . It’s a shame that it took a riot to wake people up about what the anti-gun lobby has done with their fundamental rights,” said James Jay Baker, the Executive Director of NRA-ILA in 1992 after the rioting that came after the verdict was announced at the end of the Rodney King beating trial. Mr. Baker overestimated the logical capacity of the left-wing liberals.
I’ve been going through boxes of old gun magazines, and tossing the ones without anything really of interest to me. The article, “The L.A. Riots. . . From A Distance” by Neal Knox in the August 1992 issue of Guns & Ammo magazine struck me as interesting to say the least.
Clearly, California learned nothing from the riots. They still have some of the most oppressive gun laws in the country, and are pretty high up there worldwide. They still have a waiting period, which likely cost a number of Californians their lives during the riots. “Assault weapon” and “high-capacity magazine” bans limit the resources that California residents can use to defend themselves. Normal law-abiding citizens are denied the right to carry firearms in just about every case.
The police admitted that they couldn’t help everyone. LAPD chief Daryl Gates shrugged and said, “There are going to be situations where people are going to go without assistance. That’s just the facts of life.” The police were telling people they were stretched thin, and that they were “on their own” to protect their homes and businesses.
Shop owners with guns, defending their businesses were branded “Vigilantes: Lacking Confidence in Police,” by The Los Angeles Times. One of the defenders interviewed by the author of the article recalled, “You better know I lacked confidence in police. . . They fled, tires screeching at the first sign of trouble.” The manager of Western Gun Shop said, “Four police cars were there when shooting started. I was very disappointed when they left very quickly.”
In at least one other case, a gun shop (Bowers Wholesale) was promised by police that they would protect the store. Looters took more than 300 handguns.
Still, state law imposes strict limits on how, and what with, its residents can defend themselves, suggesting that residents should rely on police assistance when they are in trouble, and that firearms are too dangerous to have around.
As rioters and gangs drove trucks into gun shop storefronts, taking what they wanted, California residents who wanted to buy guns for defense were saddled with 15-day waiting periods.
The police couldn’t arrest all of the rioters and looters, but they could arrest a few store owners defending their shops.
A National Guardsman shot and killed the driver of a Nissan on his second attempt to run him down. This prompted the Guard to order their people to carry their M16s unloaded. A short time later, two Guardsmen were robbed of their guns and uniforms. Nobody learned anything from that either. The troops posted in airports after 9-11 didn’t have loaded weapons (at least in some places), and the guards at some military bases are still forbidden from keeping their firearms loaded.
Also, there is the issue of the mainstream media essentially sparking the riots by not showing all of the video of the beating. In the first few seconds of the video, King, having already been hit twice by a stun gun, jumped up and charged one of the police officers. You don’t remember that part of the video because it was probably never aired on the major networks. This strikes me as a good example of the media using events to present a sensational story without much regard for the resulting events, something they have continually done to promote gun control in the way they report on murders and in rare cases when they actually report on civilian self-defense.
Those of you who don’t have the tools you may need to defend yourselves, friends, and families, should keep in mind that you may not be able to go out to get what you need when you need it. If you call for help, the sad fact is that help may not come until it’s too late. Get the tools you need before the new congress and White House, with the assistance of propaganda from the mainstream media, ban everything remotely useful for defense.
I’ve been going through boxes of old gun magazines, and tossing the ones without anything really of interest to me. The article, “The L.A. Riots. . . From A Distance” by Neal Knox in the August 1992 issue of Guns & Ammo magazine struck me as interesting to say the least.
Clearly, California learned nothing from the riots. They still have some of the most oppressive gun laws in the country, and are pretty high up there worldwide. They still have a waiting period, which likely cost a number of Californians their lives during the riots. “Assault weapon” and “high-capacity magazine” bans limit the resources that California residents can use to defend themselves. Normal law-abiding citizens are denied the right to carry firearms in just about every case.
The police admitted that they couldn’t help everyone. LAPD chief Daryl Gates shrugged and said, “There are going to be situations where people are going to go without assistance. That’s just the facts of life.” The police were telling people they were stretched thin, and that they were “on their own” to protect their homes and businesses.
Shop owners with guns, defending their businesses were branded “Vigilantes: Lacking Confidence in Police,” by The Los Angeles Times. One of the defenders interviewed by the author of the article recalled, “You better know I lacked confidence in police. . . They fled, tires screeching at the first sign of trouble.” The manager of Western Gun Shop said, “Four police cars were there when shooting started. I was very disappointed when they left very quickly.”
In at least one other case, a gun shop (Bowers Wholesale) was promised by police that they would protect the store. Looters took more than 300 handguns.
Still, state law imposes strict limits on how, and what with, its residents can defend themselves, suggesting that residents should rely on police assistance when they are in trouble, and that firearms are too dangerous to have around.
As rioters and gangs drove trucks into gun shop storefronts, taking what they wanted, California residents who wanted to buy guns for defense were saddled with 15-day waiting periods.
The police couldn’t arrest all of the rioters and looters, but they could arrest a few store owners defending their shops.
A National Guardsman shot and killed the driver of a Nissan on his second attempt to run him down. This prompted the Guard to order their people to carry their M16s unloaded. A short time later, two Guardsmen were robbed of their guns and uniforms. Nobody learned anything from that either. The troops posted in airports after 9-11 didn’t have loaded weapons (at least in some places), and the guards at some military bases are still forbidden from keeping their firearms loaded.
Also, there is the issue of the mainstream media essentially sparking the riots by not showing all of the video of the beating. In the first few seconds of the video, King, having already been hit twice by a stun gun, jumped up and charged one of the police officers. You don’t remember that part of the video because it was probably never aired on the major networks. This strikes me as a good example of the media using events to present a sensational story without much regard for the resulting events, something they have continually done to promote gun control in the way they report on murders and in rare cases when they actually report on civilian self-defense.
Those of you who don’t have the tools you may need to defend yourselves, friends, and families, should keep in mind that you may not be able to go out to get what you need when you need it. If you call for help, the sad fact is that help may not come until it’s too late. Get the tools you need before the new congress and White House, with the assistance of propaganda from the mainstream media, ban everything remotely useful for defense.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
New Kel-Tec .308Win RFB Bullpup Rifle
Link to RFB rifle product page on Kel-Tec web site.
Rifle Forward-ejection Bullpup
It's sort of like the FN F2000 rifle, but in .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO. The RFB's action is in the buttstock, near where the shooter's cheek would be (BOOM!). The rifle accepts FN FAL magazines. Barrel lengths will be available from 18" to 32". KT has built 5 adjustments into the trigger, although the trigger pulls on most bullpup rifles are pretty bad due to the linkages required to transmit the force of your finger back to the action.
The scope rail is attached to the barrel, so that barrel to action fit doesn't alter the point of impact. No iron sights will be provided, even if there were, there wouldn't be much room to put them on the 18" carbine.
It looks like the pistol grip is integral with the rifle body, which would make this a one-size-fits-some deal. It might be possible to add spacers to the recoil pad to increase length of pull though.
The rifles are quite ambidextrous. The brass dribbles out over the barrel at the front of the stock. Except for the reciprocating charging handle, which can be switched to either side, the controls are available on either side.
Weight for the 18" carbine is listed as 8.1 pounds, compared to an AR-10A4 16" carbine at 9 pounds, a basic DSA FAL 18" carbine at 8.35 pounds, or a M1A 18" Squad Scout carbine at 9 pounds.
Kel-Tec says the RFB rifles and Carbines should be available for sale in a month or two, but they've been teasing about them for a couple years, apparently.
They say, "The delay is due to a re-tooling effort aimed at adjusting production in order to precede any future negative legislative actions that are likely imminent due to the incoming administration." I take this to mean that they are not going to put barrels with threads at the muzzles on the RFB, and are otherwise trying to neuter the design before a new "assault weapon" ban is passed.
Rifle Forward-ejection Bullpup
It's sort of like the FN F2000 rifle, but in .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO. The RFB's action is in the buttstock, near where the shooter's cheek would be (BOOM!). The rifle accepts FN FAL magazines. Barrel lengths will be available from 18" to 32". KT has built 5 adjustments into the trigger, although the trigger pulls on most bullpup rifles are pretty bad due to the linkages required to transmit the force of your finger back to the action.
The scope rail is attached to the barrel, so that barrel to action fit doesn't alter the point of impact. No iron sights will be provided, even if there were, there wouldn't be much room to put them on the 18" carbine.
It looks like the pistol grip is integral with the rifle body, which would make this a one-size-fits-some deal. It might be possible to add spacers to the recoil pad to increase length of pull though.
The rifles are quite ambidextrous. The brass dribbles out over the barrel at the front of the stock. Except for the reciprocating charging handle, which can be switched to either side, the controls are available on either side.
Weight for the 18" carbine is listed as 8.1 pounds, compared to an AR-10A4 16" carbine at 9 pounds, a basic DSA FAL 18" carbine at 8.35 pounds, or a M1A 18" Squad Scout carbine at 9 pounds.
Kel-Tec says the RFB rifles and Carbines should be available for sale in a month or two, but they've been teasing about them for a couple years, apparently.
They say, "The delay is due to a re-tooling effort aimed at adjusting production in order to precede any future negative legislative actions that are likely imminent due to the incoming administration." I take this to mean that they are not going to put barrels with threads at the muzzles on the RFB, and are otherwise trying to neuter the design before a new "assault weapon" ban is passed.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Smith & Wesson I-Bolt Rifle Recall
Recall Notice at Smith & Wesson Web Site
There may be a sear engagement pin defect in a certain run of I-Bolt rifles made in 2007 that could possibly cause unintentional discharge. Check your rifle's serial number against the list in the recall notice to see if you rifle needs to be returned to S&W.
There may be a sear engagement pin defect in a certain run of I-Bolt rifles made in 2007 that could possibly cause unintentional discharge. Check your rifle's serial number against the list in the recall notice to see if you rifle needs to be returned to S&W.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Smith & Wesson M&P Rebate Coming
Details at the official Smith & Wesson Web Site
2 free magazines with the purchase of a M&P pistol (in addition to what you get with the pistol). Offer valid from February 27 to April 30, 2009.
2 free magazines with the purchase of a M&P pistol (in addition to what you get with the pistol). Offer valid from February 27 to April 30, 2009.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Converting SKS To Take AK-47 Magazines
I heard about this, and it took me a while to find the information.
Link to Zip File With Conversion Instructions. The file is hosted by Simonov.net, but it took me a while to find a link.
I think Dad's Chinese SKS is a collector's item now. Once I found out that it required cutting and welding on the receiver, I gave up on the idea.
Link to Zip File With Conversion Instructions. The file is hosted by Simonov.net, but it took me a while to find a link.
I think Dad's Chinese SKS is a collector's item now. Once I found out that it required cutting and welding on the receiver, I gave up on the idea.
Friday, February 13, 2009
2009 Glock Annual Magazine/Catalog Is Out
The Annual magazine is more of an advertisement gimmick than anything else, but it's free. I expect there to be some information and pictures of the 4th Generation Glocks, but I haven't gotten my copy yet, so I don't know exactly what's in it this year.
Click here to go to the Annual catalog request page at the Team Glock website.
EDIT: No 4th Gen Glocks until the 2010 catalog. The featured pistols in the 2009 catalog are the pistols with revised checkering and fishgill-type slide serrations, which are not Gen4 pistols.
Click here to go to the Annual catalog request page at the Team Glock website.
EDIT: No 4th Gen Glocks until the 2010 catalog. The featured pistols in the 2009 catalog are the pistols with revised checkering and fishgill-type slide serrations, which are not Gen4 pistols.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hubert H. Humphrey On The 2nd Amendment
“Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. This is not to say that firearms should not be very carefully used, and that definite safety rules of precaution should not be taught and enforced. But the right of citizens to bear arms is just one more guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible.,” said Humphrey to Guns Magazine (“Know Your Lawmakers,” Guns Magazine, Feb. 1960).
I think perhaps that I should mention that Humphrey was a pretty liberal Democrat.
Contrast this with the current situation, where the president, vice president, and leaders in both houses of congress have consistently voted to ban just about every type of firearm, to impose large “sin taxes” on guns and ammunition, voted against laws that protect arms makers from frivolous lawsuits, voted against laws that protect homeowners who defend themselves from criminals who break in. . .
I think perhaps that I should mention that Humphrey was a pretty liberal Democrat.
Contrast this with the current situation, where the president, vice president, and leaders in both houses of congress have consistently voted to ban just about every type of firearm, to impose large “sin taxes” on guns and ammunition, voted against laws that protect arms makers from frivolous lawsuits, voted against laws that protect homeowners who defend themselves from criminals who break in. . .
On Diarming Citizens, Back In 1764
"The laws of this nature are those which forbid to wear arms, disarming those only who are not disposed to commit the crime which the laws mean to prevent. Can it be supposed, that those who have the courage to violate the most sacred laws of humanity, and the most important of the code, will respect the less considerable and arbitrary injunctions, the violation of which is so easy, and of so little comparative importance? Does not the execution of this law deprive the subject of that personal liberty, so dear to mankind and to the wise legislator? and does it not subject the innocent to all the disagreeable circumstances that should only fall on the guilty? It certainly makes the situation of the assaulted worse, and of the assailants better, and rather encourages than prevents murder, as it requires less courage to attack unarmed than armed persons."
Cesare Beccaria
Of Crimes and Punishments
Edward D. Ingraham translator, 1819; first published 1764
Chapter 40
http://www.constitution.org/cb/crim_pun.htm
Makes perfect sense to me. More sense than the more modern left-wing suggestion that you just let the criminals do what they’ll do, and hope that they don’t hurt/maim/rape/kill you in the process.
Cesare Beccaria
Of Crimes and Punishments
Edward D. Ingraham translator, 1819; first published 1764
Chapter 40
http://www.constitution.org/cb/crim_pun.htm
Makes perfect sense to me. More sense than the more modern left-wing suggestion that you just let the criminals do what they’ll do, and hope that they don’t hurt/maim/rape/kill you in the process.
Gun “Buybacks” Don’t Work?
Chris Goodson, president of the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners, was asked why he didn’t vote to fund another “buyback” event. He replied, “I’m trying to understand what the benefit [of a gun “buyback”] is. If it’s to reduce crime, it doesn’t seem to have an effect.”
Friday, February 6, 2009
New Winchester AutoComp Smokless Powder
Winchester has designed a ball powder specifically for race guns. Winchester claims an optimal burning rate, with a higher volume of gas, for more effective compensator function. They say it allows smaller charge weights for cheaper reloading, but usually that runs counter to gas volume and compensator function.
The factory load data doesn't have any 9mm Major loads, although the minimum OALs are shorter than is usually used for 9mm Major.
Did some poking around. It seems that AutoComp burns too fast to work for 9mm Major. Also, it won't be available until after the SHOT show, at least.
The factory load data doesn't have any 9mm Major loads, although the minimum OALs are shorter than is usually used for 9mm Major.
Did some poking around. It seems that AutoComp burns too fast to work for 9mm Major. Also, it won't be available until after the SHOT show, at least.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Excel Arms X-22R Rifle and X-22P Pistol
Excel Arms has a couple interesting new firearms.
The X-22R takes Ruger 10/22 magazines and has AR-15 furniture (stock, pistol grip, forend).
The X-22P looks a bit like a rimfire Tec-9. It also accepts 10/22 magazines.
The X-22R takes Ruger 10/22 magazines and has AR-15 furniture (stock, pistol grip, forend).
The X-22P looks a bit like a rimfire Tec-9. It also accepts 10/22 magazines.
Martha Stewart’s Daughter Granted Handgun Permit in NYC
Handguns are not banned outright in New York City, but they are heavily regulated, and applicants are required to prove a “special need.” I'm not talking about carry permits; this is just what it takes to buy a pistol.
Self-defense alone is not enough justification for an ordinary citizen to get a handgun permit in New York. You wanna know what Alexis Setwart’s special need is? She keeps a gun so she can shoot her aged English Bulldogs if there’s another terrorist attack, and she needs to leave town fast.
Source: John Connor, “Odd Angry Shot: The Glue Ain't All That's Crazy.” Guns Magazine, March 2009.
Information likely taken from The New York Post - "The Mets Are Loaded" article.
I don’t have the imagination to make up this kinda stuff folks.
Self-defense alone is not enough justification for an ordinary citizen to get a handgun permit in New York. You wanna know what Alexis Setwart’s special need is? She keeps a gun so she can shoot her aged English Bulldogs if there’s another terrorist attack, and she needs to leave town fast.
Source: John Connor, “Odd Angry Shot: The Glue Ain't All That's Crazy.” Guns Magazine, March 2009.
Information likely taken from The New York Post - "The Mets Are Loaded" article.
I don’t have the imagination to make up this kinda stuff folks.
Murder Free Month in Miami, FL
Remember how the media cried that the streets would run red with blood when Florida passed the nation’s first “Castle Doctrine” law? Maybe you’ve been around long enough to remember when they said the same when Florida started to allow concealed carry.
In October, 2008, there was a period of 35 days in Miami with zero murders. Something that hasn’t happened in 40 years.
To contrast that, in the messiah obama’s old stomping grounds, the city of Chicago, there were 134 murders during the period of January through April 2008. The number of American troops killed during the same period, in the whole country of Iraq, numbered 160. On one Chicago Friday night in 2008 there were 19 separate shootings. July 2008, there were 62 murders in Chi-town.
John Connor writes, "Hey, maybe an enlightened new administration can make Miami -- and perhaps the entire United States? -- as "safe" as Chicago."
Source: John Connor, “Odd Angry Shot: The Glue Ain't All That's Crazy.” Guns Magazine, March 2009.
In October, 2008, there was a period of 35 days in Miami with zero murders. Something that hasn’t happened in 40 years.
To contrast that, in the messiah obama’s old stomping grounds, the city of Chicago, there were 134 murders during the period of January through April 2008. The number of American troops killed during the same period, in the whole country of Iraq, numbered 160. On one Chicago Friday night in 2008 there were 19 separate shootings. July 2008, there were 62 murders in Chi-town.
John Connor writes, "Hey, maybe an enlightened new administration can make Miami -- and perhaps the entire United States? -- as "safe" as Chicago."
Source: John Connor, “Odd Angry Shot: The Glue Ain't All That's Crazy.” Guns Magazine, March 2009.
John Connor on the Heller Decision
“Five to four ain’t grounds for high-fivin’ and back-slapping, folks. And already, nut-clusters like the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are interpreting the majority’s blessing of “reasonable restrictions” to mean virtually anything which denies you the right to keep and bear arms. Hey, to them it’s “reasonable”! That crowd has leaned so far to the left for so long the can touch their heads to the deck on their port sides without lifting either foot!"
That's too funny. I'm going to use that.
That's too funny. I'm going to use that.
Another Child Expelled For Toy Gun In School
This is sort of a "Part 2" of a previous post about a boy who brought a toy gun to school. You can find that post here. This story is even more ridiculous.
An Andersonville Elementary School kindergarten student in was expelled for the rest of year for bringing a toy gun to school.
"There's no tolerance for kids with weapons of any kind," said Anderson County School System spokeswoman, Karen Bridgeman.
Um, a toy gun is not a weapon. If you don’t believe me, check Dictionary.com.
“A loaded 9-millimeter gun clip (sic) brought to Anderson County High Thursday and given by one student to another.” – I guess they expelled both students. That’s the way zero tolerance works. Well, zero tolerance doesn’t work, that’s the point of these posts, but you know what I mean. A magazine is not a weapon either.
Anderson Expels 8 Students - knoxnews.com article
Outraged blogger writes about the incident.
An Andersonville Elementary School kindergarten student in was expelled for the rest of year for bringing a toy gun to school.
"There's no tolerance for kids with weapons of any kind," said Anderson County School System spokeswoman, Karen Bridgeman.
Um, a toy gun is not a weapon. If you don’t believe me, check Dictionary.com.
“A loaded 9-millimeter gun clip (sic) brought to Anderson County High Thursday and given by one student to another.” – I guess they expelled both students. That’s the way zero tolerance works. Well, zero tolerance doesn’t work, that’s the point of these posts, but you know what I mean. A magazine is not a weapon either.
Anderson Expels 8 Students - knoxnews.com article
Outraged blogger writes about the incident.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
1911 Build: Adjustable Sight Installed
I drilled and tapped the STI slide today, per BlindHogg's advice, and installed the Wilson BoMar-type adjustable sight. I've posted pictures of the assembled pistol before with the sight, but it was only slotted into place without the elevation adjustment screw.
It went much smoother than I had thought it would. The divot from the larger drill bit helped guide the one that actually drilled the hole. The bit went through the steel with very little effort. The tap cut the threads without breaking off in the hole (ugh, that really sucks). The edges of the leaf of the sight match up perfectly with the edges of the flat on the top of the slide. It was a high pucker factor job because I was working on the most expensive part of the pistol, but I couldn't be much happier with how it turned out.
The front sight is too tall, so it's shooting about 6" low. I ordered a tall front sight blank, so that I wouldn't end up with one that's too short. It's easier to file a tall front sight than it is to add height to one that's too short.
I was only shooting at about 25 feet, but I was able to get a group without much effort. The hardball rounds and the new lead semi-wadcutter ammo that I've been putting together both hit the same spot on the target. I haven't had any functional problems with either the CheckMate/Colt magazine or the CMC ProMag since the first outing.
I've been filing on the ejector of the M&P, and that hasn't been going so well. No matter what I've done, it's still throwing the brass at me. I seem to be shooting it a lot better than I was though.
I tried 15 and 13 pound recoil springs. I had thought that the 13 pound spring moved ejection more to the left, but I shot with the 15 pound spring again today, and I'm not really sure that there's any difference at all, besides maybe the speed of the ejecting brass.
Monday, January 12, 2009
1911 Build Index
1911 Build Has Started, I Guess - First parts ordered. 1911 build intro.
Snag - Midway wanted $60 for shipping a frame.
Frame Ordered, Really This Time - Ordered Basic frame straight from Caspian
Picked Up The Caspian Frame - . . . after waiting two months. First set of pictures.
1911 Build Progress - Barrel lower lugs not hitting impact surface.
1911 Build Weekend Update - Cutting 1/4" radius on frame tangs, fitting the grip safety, slide is fitted.
1911 Build Weekend Update II - EGW parts order lost, barrel timing.
1911 Build This Week - Changed grips. Basic progress update.
1911 Build: Getting Close To Test Fire - Picture of semi-finished pistol, more barrel fitting.
1911 Build: EGW Order Came In - Last few parts arrive.
1911 Build: It Works!! - First outing with the assembled pistol.
1911 Build: Parts List
1911 Build: Adjustable Sight Installed
Snag - Midway wanted $60 for shipping a frame.
Frame Ordered, Really This Time - Ordered Basic frame straight from Caspian
Picked Up The Caspian Frame - . . . after waiting two months. First set of pictures.
1911 Build Progress - Barrel lower lugs not hitting impact surface.
1911 Build Weekend Update - Cutting 1/4" radius on frame tangs, fitting the grip safety, slide is fitted.
1911 Build Weekend Update II - EGW parts order lost, barrel timing.
1911 Build This Week - Changed grips. Basic progress update.
1911 Build: Getting Close To Test Fire - Picture of semi-finished pistol, more barrel fitting.
1911 Build: EGW Order Came In - Last few parts arrive.
1911 Build: It Works!! - First outing with the assembled pistol.
1911 Build: Parts List
1911 Build: Adjustable Sight Installed
Saturday, January 3, 2009
1911 Build: Parts List
The frame is a Caspian Basic in carbon steel. I've reported that.
The slide is an STI 5" "Unique" cut. The slide is milled for a Bo-Mar type adjustable rear sight, and a dovetail front sight. It has a flat top and front cocking serrations. It was made to order, and took a few weeks.
The rest of the parts are as follows.
PART
BRAND/MODEL
SOURCE
Barrel
Kart Easy-Fit, 5" non-ramped
Brownell's
Barrel Bushing
Kart Easy-Fit
Brownell's
Barrel Link
Kart Easy-Fit
Brownell's
Barrel Link Pin
Kart Easy-Fit
Brownell's
Disconnector
Extreme Engineering Ultralight
Shooter's Connection
Ejector
EGW Extended
Midway
Ejector Pin
EGW
Shooter's Connection
Extractor
Aftec
Shooter's Connection
Firing Pin
STI Titanium - .38Super/9mm*
Brownell's
Firing Pin Spring
Wolff Extra Power
Brownell's
Firing Pin Stop
EGW Oversize, Series 70
EGW
Front Sight
Yost Bonitz blank
Midway
Grip Bushings
Cylinder & Slide
Midway
Grip Safety
Chip McCormick Extreme
Midway
Grip Screws
Kimber
(temporary)
Grips
Pachmayr Signature GM-45
Midway
Guide Rod
Wilson 1-Piece, G.I. style
Midway
Guide Rod Plug
"O.E." (Actual Source Unknown), checkered, appears to be dark Parkerized
CDNN Investments
Hammer
Extreme Engineering Ultralight
Shooter's Connection
Hammer Link Pin
EGW
Shooter's Connection
Hammer Pin
Kimber (with groove for "pinned" ambi safety)
Midway
Hammer Strut
Ed Brown
Midway
Magazine Catch Lock
Kimber
(temporary)
Magazine Catch Spring
Kimber
(temporary)
Magazine Catch/Release
Kimber
(temporary)
Mainspring
Wolff 18lb.
Brownell's
Mainspring Cap
EGW
Shooter's Connection
Mainspring Cap Pin
EGW
Shooter's Connection
Mainspring Housing
Ed Brown Maxi-Well, 25lpi Checkering
Midway
Mainspring Housing Pin
EGW
Shooter's Connection
Mainspring Plunger Detent
EGW
Shooter's Connection
Plunger Spring
Kimber
(temporary)
Plunger Tube
EGW bolt-on
EGW
Rear Sight
Wilson Bo-Mar type
Shooter's Connection
Recoil Spring
Wolff (16lb., for now)
Midway
Sear
Extreme Engineering Ultralight
Shooter's Connection
Sear Pin
EGW
Shooter's Connection
Sear Spring
Clark 4-leaf
Brownell's
Slide Stop
Wilson extended
Midway
Thumb Safety
Kimber "Pinned" ambi
Midway
Trigger and long curved shoe insert
SVI
Brownell's
Except for the hammer pin which came with the thumb safety, and the barrel link pin which came with the barrel, the pins and plungers all came in a set.
Some parts were borrowed from a Kimber 1911, until I get around to buying the rest of the parts.
Barrel, bushing, link, and link pin all came as a set.
Hammer, sear, and disconnector came as a set.
* - all STI Slides are set-up for .38Super/9mm firing pins
Friday, January 2, 2009
Lee Carbide Pistol Die Set Review
I've loaded something like 10000 rounds of 9mm with these dies, and about 500 rounds of .45ACP.
The decapping pin has never broken on me, knock on wood. The sizing die does a really good job of ironing out bulges, going almost down to the rim.
The flaring die holds onto cases, which shakes the press and causes erratic charges when using a powder measure. The amount of shake varies depending on the brand of brass, and whether the brass is plated, but it shakes the press a lot when used with Remington 9mm brass, which I get a lot of. I've started using a little bit of Hornady One Shot case lube, the aerosol, which makes sizing and flaring a lot smoother.
The seating/crimp die works well, and doesn't seem to mark up any bullet that I've loaded. I stopped using the Factory Crimp Dies after hearing that they resize the bullet. The seating die does a good job of crimping.
The lock rings don't work all that well with Hornady Lock-N-Load bushings. I imagine the same goes with the new Lee quick-change die bushings. When turning the bushings to remove the die, sometimes the die unscrews a bit, and then you have to reset the die because there's nothing to hold the lock ring in place on the die. I've replaced a couple of the lock rings with Hornady rings, and drilled and tapped all the Lee rings for set-screws.
The decapping pin has never broken on me, knock on wood. The sizing die does a really good job of ironing out bulges, going almost down to the rim.
The flaring die holds onto cases, which shakes the press and causes erratic charges when using a powder measure. The amount of shake varies depending on the brand of brass, and whether the brass is plated, but it shakes the press a lot when used with Remington 9mm brass, which I get a lot of. I've started using a little bit of Hornady One Shot case lube, the aerosol, which makes sizing and flaring a lot smoother.
The seating/crimp die works well, and doesn't seem to mark up any bullet that I've loaded. I stopped using the Factory Crimp Dies after hearing that they resize the bullet. The seating die does a good job of crimping.
The lock rings don't work all that well with Hornady Lock-N-Load bushings. I imagine the same goes with the new Lee quick-change die bushings. When turning the bushings to remove the die, sometimes the die unscrews a bit, and then you have to reset the die because there's nothing to hold the lock ring in place on the die. I've replaced a couple of the lock rings with Hornady rings, and drilled and tapped all the Lee rings for set-screws.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Bought a M&P 9 Pro
My original M&P review
Okay, I did get to try an M&P with a trigger job, a S&W Performance Center pistol. It was a lot better.
I liked it enough that I decided to get my own M&P 9 Pro. The trigger pull is lighter, and the reset is shorter, and distinct enough to be noticeable. There is still a lot of mushy take-up, and the reset is a little weak, but it's still a big improvement, and better than a lot of similar striker-fired pistols, although perhaps not at this price level.
I’ve also noticed that the handle of the tool housed in the grip of the M&P kinda guides the magazine into the pistol, about the same way the plugs that I use for Glocks do.
Also took a good look at a new M&P 9 Pro. The contact areas of the trigger bar and sear are nice and smooth. Glock trigger bars, all of them, come as-stamped with rough edges. The feel of the M&P Pro trigger is very Glock-like, with a short and distinct reset, two stages, and a crisp break. Much better than the first M&P that I test fired months ago, although the reset is softer than a Glock. My M&P Pro trigger breaks at 4 pounds, 14 ounces, which is almost exactly what my Glock does with a polished trigger bar and stock 5 pound connector.
The only thing that kind of bugs me is the slide to frame fit, which is pretty sloppy. Not a big deal with iron sights, as the barrel is locked up pretty solid in the slide, but I wouldn’t go making an Open-class race gun out of it.
Although it shoots pretty good, I went from the M&P back to my G17, and immediately noticed that I was shooting noticeably better, even though I was shooting full-power Gold Dot loads rather than the softer practice loads that I was shooting through the M&P.
The M&P was chucking the brass back at me most of the time, which is distracting at best. Not a big deal for me because I've got lots of Glock recoil springs that will probably fix this, but it might be an issue to someone who's not used to tinkering. The guide rod is captured steel unit, by the way, and can be disassembled (although the screw was really tight).
I'm wondering if I shouldn't have bought this one. I'll give it some more time, but it may get traded for something else.
EDIT, 11/22/09: Still have it. It's still hitting me with about 80% of the brass, despite everything I've tried to do with it. I've tried filing the ejector at an angle. I've tried several different recoil springs. I've tried stretching and shortening the ejector. I inspected the extractor, but haven't removed it yet, because it's pinned in place. I'm about ready to give up and send it back to S&W.
UPDATE, 12/11/09: I gave up trying to fix the M&P, and had the shop send it back to S&W for warranty work. It seems to be an extractor problem, and the extractor isn't meant to be worked on (or cleaned for that matter, apparently) by the end user.
UPDATE, 1/10/10: The 9 Pro is back from S&W, and ejection is much better. Details can be found here. I'm looking forward to doing some serious testing with this thing.
UPDATE, 2/10/10: I've put enough rounds through it now, that I'm confident that the ejection problem has been fixed. It shoots a little bit low, but has been 100% reliable, and is now running like it should.
Okay, I did get to try an M&P with a trigger job, a S&W Performance Center pistol. It was a lot better.
I liked it enough that I decided to get my own M&P 9 Pro. The trigger pull is lighter, and the reset is shorter, and distinct enough to be noticeable. There is still a lot of mushy take-up, and the reset is a little weak, but it's still a big improvement, and better than a lot of similar striker-fired pistols, although perhaps not at this price level.
I’ve also noticed that the handle of the tool housed in the grip of the M&P kinda guides the magazine into the pistol, about the same way the plugs that I use for Glocks do.
Also took a good look at a new M&P 9 Pro. The contact areas of the trigger bar and sear are nice and smooth. Glock trigger bars, all of them, come as-stamped with rough edges. The feel of the M&P Pro trigger is very Glock-like, with a short and distinct reset, two stages, and a crisp break. Much better than the first M&P that I test fired months ago, although the reset is softer than a Glock. My M&P Pro trigger breaks at 4 pounds, 14 ounces, which is almost exactly what my Glock does with a polished trigger bar and stock 5 pound connector.
The only thing that kind of bugs me is the slide to frame fit, which is pretty sloppy. Not a big deal with iron sights, as the barrel is locked up pretty solid in the slide, but I wouldn’t go making an Open-class race gun out of it.
Although it shoots pretty good, I went from the M&P back to my G17, and immediately noticed that I was shooting noticeably better, even though I was shooting full-power Gold Dot loads rather than the softer practice loads that I was shooting through the M&P.
The M&P was chucking the brass back at me most of the time, which is distracting at best. Not a big deal for me because I've got lots of Glock recoil springs that will probably fix this, but it might be an issue to someone who's not used to tinkering. The guide rod is captured steel unit, by the way, and can be disassembled (although the screw was really tight).
I'm wondering if I shouldn't have bought this one. I'll give it some more time, but it may get traded for something else.
EDIT, 11/22/09: Still have it. It's still hitting me with about 80% of the brass, despite everything I've tried to do with it. I've tried filing the ejector at an angle. I've tried several different recoil springs. I've tried stretching and shortening the ejector. I inspected the extractor, but haven't removed it yet, because it's pinned in place. I'm about ready to give up and send it back to S&W.
UPDATE, 12/11/09: I gave up trying to fix the M&P, and had the shop send it back to S&W for warranty work. It seems to be an extractor problem, and the extractor isn't meant to be worked on (or cleaned for that matter, apparently) by the end user.
UPDATE, 1/10/10: The 9 Pro is back from S&W, and ejection is much better. Details can be found here. I'm looking forward to doing some serious testing with this thing.
UPDATE, 2/10/10: I've put enough rounds through it now, that I'm confident that the ejection problem has been fixed. It shoots a little bit low, but has been 100% reliable, and is now running like it should.
Mossberg’s Lightning Bolt Action Trigger System
I knew that it wouldn’t be long before another company started to offer a trigger similar to Savage’s AccuTrigger. The Mossberg LBA trigger can be adjusted with a screwdriver to give a pull in the range of two to seven pounds. It has a Glock-type trigger safety, just like the AccuTrigger.
Link To RifleShooter Magazine Article (I can't find anything on the Mossberg website)
Link To RifleShooter Magazine Article (I can't find anything on the Mossberg website)
Jim and Sarah Brady Living in Delaware
It has recently come to my attention that the Brady’s are living in nearby Delaware. A state where I go, legally carrying a concealed pistol, pretty regularly.
Given that Sarah Brady was on a mission to keep firearms out of the hands of all American citizens, you’d think they’d be living in a state with more restrictions on guns, and a virtual ban on carry. New Germany can’t be more than a half hour from where they’re living, Delaware isn’t very big. Maryland isn’t too far either, and it’s really difficult to get a carry permit there too.
. . . just a bit of information that I found odd and interesting.
Given that Sarah Brady was on a mission to keep firearms out of the hands of all American citizens, you’d think they’d be living in a state with more restrictions on guns, and a virtual ban on carry. New Germany can’t be more than a half hour from where they’re living, Delaware isn’t very big. Maryland isn’t too far either, and it’s really difficult to get a carry permit there too.
. . . just a bit of information that I found odd and interesting.
2007 FBI Crime Report
This may be old news to some of you; the report came out in September.
The report shows:
The report shows:
- The national violent crime rate was very close to hitting a 30-year low.
- The national murder rate was very near a 40-year low.
- The number of privately owned firearms is higher than it has ever been, and the number increases by about 4.5 million a year.
- The three major U.S. Cities with the highest murder rates were Detroit, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.. Handgun purchasers in Michigan must first obtain a permit, and all handguns are registered. Maryland’s guns laws are plentiful, including bans on person-to-person handgun sales, an "Assault Weapon" and "high-capacity" magazine ban, a seven day waiting period on handgun sales, and a virtual ban on concealed carry. In 2007, D.C. was still denying all requests for private handgun purchases, and required that all firearms be stored disassembled and locked up.
- Right-to-carry states had lower crime rates than the rest of the country.
- For 2007, 32 percent of murders didn’t involve firearms. Rifles and shotguns (all included) were used in six percent of murders, with a pretty even split. Firearms reported as “assault weapons” were reported in one percent of murders.
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