$16,000,000 of M4s Coming Soon

The Army has ordered 24,000 M4 carbines from Remington. Yes, Remington, and not Colt. The Army Times reports...

It was bound to happen. The Army has been buying M4 carbines exclusively from Colt since 2002 (though the first Colt M4 contract was awarded in 1996). But, as of Friday, Remington Arms has been added to that dance card. The question is whether Colt retained a portion of the contract. It appears they haven’t, but it’s hard to tell from the published documents.

According to the Department of the Army’s Chief of Legislative Liaison, the Army on Friday executed a delivery order on an existing contract to buy 24,000 M4/M4A1s worth $16,163,252.07. The order comes as line 001 on an IDIQ contract for up to 120,000 carbines worth $83,924,089, though U.S. Army Contracting Command lists the “Max Potential Contract Value $180,000,000.00.” The rifles will be made at Remington’s factory in Ilion, N.Y., from the Colt technical data package and should cost about $673 a copy.

This news is just hours old so Remington, and likely Colt, are still spinning up the PR machines. I spoke with two Remington Arms employees who confirmed the contract award but hadn’t been cleared to make a statement on behalf of the company.

By: Brant

GameTalk - First-Person Shooters

Not one, but TWO questions guaranteed to draw a 7-paragraph response from Guardian!

1) Iron sights or floating cross-hair? Which one do you like, and why?

2) Floating and breathing - should your sights float while and after you move? Should a game allow to "hold breathe" for better accuracy?

By: Jack Nastyface

Jamaica is Melting Down Seized Weapons

In an effort to reduce gun violence, the Jamaican government is melting down the seized weapons.

Jamaica has melted down about 2,000 illegal firearms as part of a programme to reduce gun trafficking and violent crime on the island.

The pistols and revolvers were thrown into a furnace in the capital Kingston, watched by police and officials from the government and the UN.

Jamaica has one of the highest rates of gun crime in the world.

Correspondents say criminal gangs are often as well armed as the security forces.

Officials said about half a ton of ammunition would also be destroyed in the operation.

Many of the guns had been seized in police operations. However, old firearms from police, military and prison personnel were also destroyed to ensure they did not end up in the hands of criminals.

I can't help but wonder if all this is doing is increasing the cost of an illegal .45 in Kingston.

By: Brant

Dear Santa

"Dear Santa, I've been a mostly good boy this year. For Christmas, I'd like some toys for Vera. I want her to be well lubed and ready to go at a moment's notice. I want her to look sexy, to feel good in my hands, and do all the things that I need her to do. I want to take her out more and develop a more intimate knowledge of her....I mean really USE her like God intended her to be used. Go out in the middle of nowhere on an afternoon off and just bang away. Sure, I mostly keep her in the trunk, but when I need to use her, I want her to perform like no other. So please Santa, bring her some toys...some fun toys."

You sickos...Vera is my patrol rifle. ;-)

By: Steve

Guns 'n Gear: 21st Century Sniper Rifle

Check out the Lockheed-Martin One Shot prototype sniper rifle on Military Time's Gear Scout. This puts a high-tech aiming system on a .308 sniper rifle. The aiming system combines a traditional rifle scope with a laser range-finder and a LIDAR-based sensor to measure down-range wind conditions. The wind sensor technology is important for long-range shots at 600 yards and beyond where reading and compensating for the wind becomes critical. You can read more about MS2, similar products, and the underlying technology on the Accurate Shooter site.

And, if you just have to have something like this to put on your own personal precision rifle, check out the Burris Eliminator or one of its competitors. They don't have the wind sensor and aren't quite up to tactical standards of durability and reliability (as a prototype, One Shot might not be either), but they seem well-suited to waging the annual war on Bambi or her bigger, Western cousins.

By: Guardian

Russian Army Ending Kalashnikov Era

The Russians are ending a 70-year history of purchasing Kalashnikov rifles.

The Russian army says it is halting orders of the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle until a newer model is developed by its manufacturer.

Chief of the General Staff Nikolai Makarov told Russian media that the army already had too many of the weapons in its stores.

A new model is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

News of the army's decision is reportedly being kept from the rifle's designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, now 91.

"We do not want to take it upon ourselves to tell him," an unnamed member of his family told Russia's Izvestia newspaper.

"It might kill him."

h/t Mike M

By: Brant

Sound Off! Full-auto, or One-Shot One-Kill?

Are you someone who would rather...

... cut loose a full magazine and send lead flying everywhere?

... pick your targets and put every bullet in a bulls-eye?

Fire your shots below in the comments!

By: Brant

UK In Action: Royal Marines Small Arms

A Royal Marine from 40 Commando is pictured using an L129A1 rifle on operations in Afghanistan.

img from UK MoD

By: Widow 6-7

Lobbyists Working for Small Arms Companies

The basis of the article is Colt hiring a lobbyist after 50-some-odd years. However, much of the article talks about lobbyists that are working for small arms companies, especially in advance of the competition for the next Army rifle.

Remington Arms and other gun makers already had lobbyists in place long before the Army announced it wanted a better combat rifle. Remington has spent nearly $500,000 on lobbyists over the last two years alone in a push to get more of its weapons into the hands of U.S. troops, according to lobbying records filed with Congress.

Remington, with its headquarters in Madison, N.C., and a manufacturing plant in upstate New York, is represented by the firms Winborn Solutions and Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough. Remington will offer its multicaliber Adaptive Combat Rifle.

"The biggest thing that Remington wants is the ability to compete for contracts," said Jason Schauble, vice president of Remington's military products division.

[--snip--]

Smith, who runs RMax Technologies, a Washington consulting firm, registered as Colt's representative in April 2010, according to disclosure records. He knows how the process works. Before his six years as a senior Navy official, Smith was a staffer on the House Armed Services Committee and responsible for oversight of Army weapons programs.

"There's nothing nefarious about it," said James Battaglini, Colt's executive vice president. "We believe it is important to have a person in the Washington area that is available to speak on our behalf because we are in Connecticut."

[--snip--]

FNMI sells a combat rifle called the SCAR to the U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Fla. The command has its own acquisition budget and the latitude to buy gear the conventional military branches can't. FNMI also sells machine guns to the Army.

Fighting FNMI's battles inside Washington's Beltway is the American Business Development Group, a firm that boasts a roster of retired military officers who "provide strategic guidance and access" to the leadership at the Defense Department and other federal agencies. FN Herstal pays the firm $120,000 a year, according to disclosure records.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Republican congressman Joe Wilson sits on the House Armed Services Committee. FMNI, based in Columbia, S.C., is in Wilson's district.

Smith & Wesson, known more for handguns than military rifles, will also bid for the carbine work. The company, based in Springfield, Mass., pays the firm Greenberg Traurig $360,000 a year to be its Washington representative, disclosure records show.

Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts is the top Republican on the Armed Services subcommittee that oversees Army programs.

But not all prospective competitors think a lobbying firm is necessary — at least, not any longer. Heckler & Koch, a German firearms maker with affiliates in the U.S., parted ways with Greenberg Traurig in 2009 and another Washington firm, Mark Barnes and Associates, in early 2010.

By: Brant

85-year-old Sniper's Still Got It

A US Army WWII veteran was given a chance to check out the new US Army sniper rifle, and plinked a target at 1000m. Oof.

More photos/videos at the link.

He may be 85 years old, but when Army sniper veteran Ted Gundy was given the chance to show off the skills he used in World War Two, he proved he could still keep up with the very best.
That’s because he was invited to try out the Army’s latest technology in a challenge to hit a target a whopping 1,000 yards away.
But the former member of the Missouri honour guard, stepped up to the challenge with an extremely level head.

It was then that the officers taught him how the Army’s custom made Remington 700 works and explained how a 1,000 yard shot can be achieved.
It involves a second sniper, called a spotter, judging the wind direction and any other conditions that could affect the bullet’s trajectory.
Mr Gundy, who lives in Memphis, Missouri, said before the shot: ‘I couldn’t even dream in a thousand years how you would even see the target, yet alone hit it.

By: Brant

Open Carry - the Conundrum

[Ed note: let's all welcome a longtime friend and new contributor to the gang...]

Washingtonian article on women who openly carry their firearms

So here is the conundrum - Do Open Carry regulations irresponsibly open the door in current gun laws to allow the general public to carry a personal weapon?  In this article by the Washingtonian, they discuss a handful of women who go to the mall "strapped" - in a bad way.

The reality is that the Open Carry laws enable lawful gun owners to walk the streets with a personal weapon, so long as that weapon is in full view - not hidden by a coat, or in a purse.  This means that in many states, you can walk into certain establishments with your personal weapon.  Naturally, some places prohibit this either by law or expressly by the owner of the establishment - banks, schools, some retail establishments etc.

However, this raises two core issues for this experienced shooter -
1.  Because Open Carry circumvents Concealed Carry requirements, many Open Carry participants may have little or no training in the firearm.  This exposes the general public to risks.  Naturally anti-concealed carry advocates (and this author) would argue that CC training is also too limited and does not balance the gun owners right to own and carry a gun with a private, law abiding citizen's right not to get shot in the "Spray-and-Pray" mindset of the untrained shooter.

2.  Open Carry also applies to larger weapons as well.  For instance, during a recent political rally, a member of one side arrived at the protest with a loaded assault rifle.  There is no practical reason for an assault rifle to fall into the personal protection domain - especially not for a trained shooter.  In fact, this weapon, in this environment is simply intimidation, and its mere presence in this domain borders on an assault.

I won't even address the risks of irresponsible gun ownership around children, which some of these mothers clearly seem to have a passion for. . . .

We have to remember that common sense is anything but - and that lawful gun ownership is responsible gun ownership.  While I am not anti-2nd Amendment, the current laws on the books, enable us to own responsibly.  Abusing these rules, and antagonizing the public is simply a way for us to all lose these rights to a crazed minority.

By: JDPort

UPDATED - US Army's New Carbine Competition Outlined

The Army Times has a detailed analysis of the new competition coming up for an M4A1 replacement (and/or modification).

The Army has outlined the competition that will select the best new carbine — and one that ultimately will face off against the improved M4A1 in a battle to become your next weapon.

The overall schedule of competition, testing, production and fielding is approximately three years to first unit equipped.

A draft solicitation to industry released Monday morning said the down-select will occur in three phases covering two years. The Army will host an industry day in March or April to solicit feedback and answer specific industry questions. The final solicitation will go out in May, and competitors typically have a couple of months to present their submissions.

The weapons will then square off in what officials have described as “extreme and extensive” tests expected to last 12 to 18 months. The Army will fire more than 2 million rounds to produce piles of data. Weapons will be tested to their destruction point and to determine whether they maintain accuracy throughout their life cycle — something the military has not tested before. A weapon typically loses accuracy as it ages.

No caliber restriction has been placed on a new design. It will be at least a 500-meter weapon and have a higher incapacitation percentage. It can have a gas or piston system. Interchangeable barrel sizes and calibers are not required, but many early contenders such as the FNH SCAR and Colt CM901 already incorporate this capability.

As the $30 million carbine competition is conducted, the Army also will move forward with the second half of its “dual path” strategy — an overhaul of the M4. The first phase essentially distributes an improved M4A1, which is notable for its heavier barrel and automatic fire. The heavier barrel reduces warping and erosion, resulting in better performance and longer life. It also allows for a higher sustained rate of fire. The Army also is adding ambidextrous controls.

The full test of the pre-solicitation and the industry day announcement is here.

By: Brant

++++++UPDATE++++++

The USMC is paying very close attention to what the Army is doing.

As the Army prepares for a two-year, $30 million competition to identify a possible new carbine, the Marine Corps is watching closely and evaluating what its own future weapons should look like.

Marine officials still plan the service’s infantry weapons around the 5.56mm M16A4 service rifle, but “that doesn’t mean we can’t be getting smart” about other options, said Lt. Col. Mark Brinkman, head of the infantry weapons program at Quantico, Va.-based Marine Corps Systems Command.

“The thought process for us is very similar to what’s going on in the Army,” he said Feb. 1 at the Soldier Technology U.S. conference in Arlington, Va.

The Army released a draft request for proposals for its carbine competition Jan. 31. The desired weapon must “support future system enhancements for accuracy, lethality, reliability, signature suppression, ammunition improvements, maintenance and other weapon/accessory technologies,” the RFP said. No caliber restrictions were set in the document.

The Army intends to issue up to three indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts in a three-phase competition, said Army Col. Douglas Tamilio, project manager for soldier weapons. The Army will assess whether submissions can be mass-produced in the U.S. in the first phase. The second phase calls for the firing of at least 700,000 rounds, with the Army whittling competitors down to three rifles or fewer for a final third phase.

Soldiers will fire 850,000 rounds in phase three, compiling reams of data for the Army. The weapons will be tested to their destruction point to determine whether they maintain accuracy through their entire life cycle — something the military has not tested before.

To win a mass-production contract, the winning company also must exceed the ability of the M4A1 currently fielded in Afghanistan. Army officials have launched an aggressive campaign to enhance the M4A1, with a heavier, more durable barrel; strengthened sight rails; a piston-charged operating system and the ability to fire in full-automatic mode.

“We’re going to say, ‘Here’s weapon X that won the competition,’” Tamilio said, speaking at the same conference. “Is it worth buying it instead of using the M4A1?”

The competition leaves Marine officials playing the waiting game. With its massive size and budget, the Army can afford to test options the Corps cannot. If they like what they see, Marine officials could adopt the solution the Army identifies, at least to replace the Corps’ existing arsenal of M4s.

Nearly all infantry soldiers use M4s, but in the Corps, they are fielded primarily to vehicle operators and other Marines whose jobs render the M16A4 too cumbersome. The trade-off is accuracy and stopping power, of which the M16A4’s longer 20-inch barrel offers more. The M4 has a 14.5-inch barrel, making it difficult for service members to take down targets beyond 200 yards.

By: Brant

UK In Action: Irish Machinegunners

A Ranger from 1 Royal Irish Regiment returns fire with his GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) after a Taliban ambush on patrol. B Company of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment are forward mounted into Patrol Bases and Check Points within the Nad-e-Ali area of Helmand. They recently deployed as part of the 16 Air Assault Brigade operational tour of Afghanistan. The B Company multiple (15 troops) based at Check Point KAMYAB supports an Afghan National Army Tolay (100 Afghan soldiers). This is a partnership; however the ANA take the main lead in all aspects, providing security to the population of Char-e-Mirza.

Image: UK MoD

By: Widow 6-7

GrogNews Daily Headlines

So South Korea's intel chief is saying that it's likely the Norks are going to attack again. Isn't that a lot like predicting rain? I mean, it's going to happen sooner or later, you just don't know exactly when or how hard, right? In a totally-staged PR move, the media were given access to a Nork soldier at the border who just wants peace. Yippee!

Ah WikiLeaks, how much do we hate thee? You jeopardize lives with your anti-US crusading, then tie up our time with our desire to read what you divulge. Ugh. The US is now set to pass a new whistle-blower bill as the rest of the country wonders the same thing we asked a few days ago: How could a PFC intel weenie in an infantry division get access to everything that WikiLeaks has dropped? If you're in China, you're not reading WikiLeaks. Today's great revelations? The Paks blew off US concerns about their nuclear arms; Israel is worried about the US arming Arab nations as a deterrent against Iran.

In the wake of yesterday's DADT report from the Pentagon it looks like there aren't too many objections left to repealing DADT, even though there are still some holdouts in uniform.

The DoD has certified another WMD-CST team, for New York.

That secret military mini-shuttle is coming in for landing.

The new programmable grenade launcher headed to Afghanistan is being called a "game-changer".

Putin is still whining about missile defense.


By: Brant

Tools of War: L85A2 (aka SA-80) rifle

In the beginning, the British issued the L85A1, and it was shite.

In the time-honored tradition of new cars, you generally don't want to trust the new model. Wait a couple years, let all the bugs get sorted out, and THEN go buy it. While this is a generally accepted truism with autos, which are a mere annoyance if they break down, military procurement tends to forget the principle when they are out shopping for a new combat rifle. It's not like the BEAN COUNTER is going to be stuck in some third-world shithole, in brutal conditions, relying on said rifle for his life....

Similar to the M16 in the US, a war in an unpleasant environment highlighted the problems with the L85A1...all 50+ of them. FIFTY-PLUS! I can't think of 50 things that a rifle DOES, much less find fifty things that it DOES WRONG! That said, after serious reliability and operability issues came to light during the first Gulf war in 1990, the Brits did a little homework and then went a-fixin'. It took them two go-arounds to make it happen, but fix it they did, with a little help from their friends at Heckler and Koch.

What resulted was the L85A2, and it is much improved. It still has a couple design issues, but we'll get to those in a minute.

First, let's talk about the things that I like:
- It's a bullpup - Bullpups, for those of you who don't know, are rifles designed with the action located behind the pistol grip/trigger assembly. What this does for you is reduce the overall length of the weapon, while maintaining a nice long barrel. Compact AND accurate.
- It's fairly controllable at full auto - A nice bonus of the bullpup design, especially when combined with the low recoil of the 5.56x45 NATO round and a relatively low rate of fire (650rpm).
- It's pretty darn accurate - Again, the bullpup design allows for a nice, long 20.4" barrel.
- It's compact - Bullpup, again, for the win. You want to try to clear a house with a full-length rifle? Me neither.
- Telescopic sight - Removable, and issued stock. Smart.
- Mountable 40mm grenade launcher - Actually improves the balance of the weapon. That's a check in the win column.

Things I don't like:
- You can't be a lefty - Unless you like expended brass flying into your face.
- No collapsible stock - Well, no surprise there...the receiver is in the stock.
- It's a bit heavy - Tips the scales at 11lbs loaded, compared to 8.8lbs loaded for the M16A4
- Selector switch location - It's way to the rear, only about 4" forward of the butt of the weapon.

The L85A2 is currently in use by the UK and Jamaica.

Here's a nice overview of the weapon.


And here's a few words from Andy McNab:




By: Steve

British Kit Turned on NATO Troops?

The British Army are missing a load of guns in Afghanistan, and didn't notice until the Americans recovered the weapons.

Serious questions are being asked about a cover-up by commanders in Helmand after the 59 Minimi machine guns were not reported missing for almost a year. The theft was revealed only when American forces recovered two of the guns following a battle with the Taliban.
Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, who was told about the incident this week, is said to be furious that the weapons were allowed to be taken by the insurgents and, potentially, could have been used against British troops.
He has ordered an inquiry into why enough weapons to equip an infantry battalion could go missing without anyone noticing or being informed.
The light machine guns, which can fire 1,000 rounds a minute, were flown from Britain to Camp Bastion in Helmand last October. They were then transported overland to British forces operating at Kandahar airfield but it is believed the convoy was either ambushed or the weapons were illegally sold. No one realised or reported that they had gone missing until last month, when American forces operating in southern Afghanistan discovered two of the guns, whose serial numbers matched those stolen. Defence sources have described the incident as a “terrible embarrassment for British forces”.
“We have no evidence that they have been used against British forces but clearly it’s an alarming situation,” said one defence source.
A Royal Military Police investigation has been under way since the end of last month. Dr Fox was said to be “livid” and “hit the roof” when told about the incident.

By: Widow 6-7

Poll: Sub-Machine Guns A-Go-Go!

Pick one!

poll by twiigs.com

Links... Links... Links... (courtesy of Wikipedia)

Heckler & Koch MP5
Israeli Uzi
Beretta M12

By: Brant

Tools of War: Sig Sauer P220, Glock 36, and CZ-75

Okay, so this is not my normal ToW article. I'll be covering three distinct pistol models, and they aren't very similar at all. Really, I'm just combining three separate pistol reviews into one article. However, they DO have two things n common. First, I own all three and have put thousands of rounds through each of them, and second, I shot all three today.


First up:
The SIG Sauer P220

This is my duty pistol, and it is chambered in .45ACP (when you care enough to send the very best). It is a single-stack, so capacity is only 8+1, but that allows for a small-hands-friendly grip (not an issue for me, but then I'm 6'1" and 195lbs). The trigger action is DA/SA, and it has a thumb-operated decocker.

I love my P220....now. When I first picked it up, I was less than enthusiastic, and after my first box of 50 through it, I remained rather disconcerted. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something just didn't feel "right" about the thing. Turns out, several folks that I have talked to had the same initial impression that I did. Nobody else seemed to be able to pin down what the issue was either, but something felt a little off.

That said, as more and more rounds went through it, the more it grew on me. Whatever the "wrongness" was, it gradually went away and was replaced by "rightness". A couple thousand rounds later, and I am now just waiting for the day when I can buy it from the department and make it actually "mine-mine". I feel very comfortable with this pistol, not just ergonomically, but in terms of accuracy and reliability as well. It has a solid out-of-the-box trigger (though the new Short-Reset-Trigger that a fellow officer has in his weapon makes me want to weep with its goodness) and somehow manages to feel "hefty" without feeling "heavy". This is accomplished through the use of a lightweight alloy frame, so most of its 28oz are carried in the slide, where it should be.

The P220 has a relatively high bore axis, which is the height of the barrel above the grip. Now, in general, the lower the bore axis, the better, as the recoil and muzzle flip are minimized due to less mechanical advantage (leverage) against the shooter's grip. In theory, the higher bore axis should translate into longer target-reacquisition times, but that hasn't really been an issue for me in practice.

So yeah, I like it. And considering that the P220 has been continually refined over 35 years, it definitely earns its reputation as a "Cadillac" weapon. The only modification that I have made is to add some skateboard grip tape to the front strap, reducing slippage from sweaty hands during a hot day or an Oh-Shit call.

Now, I'm about to discuss two other weapons that have little similarity to this one, so let me comment on the contrasting feel of the P220. It's a full-size .45. A hand cannon, if you will. It feels, and is, big. And that is a good thing. Easily concealable? No, but that isn't what this thing is made for. It's made to easily, accurately, and reliably put big rounds on target, and it does that very, very well. And, though it took a few hundred rounds to get me there, it feels that way too.


Next Up:
The Glock Model 36

I might as well name this pistol "Gilligan". It's my "little buddy" and goes everywhere with me. On duty, it's my back-up weapon. Off duty, it goes with me everywhere except the gym and the pool/beach. It's a Glock, so it is utterly reliable, extremely tough, fantastically simple in design, and very lightweight.

This one is small too. It's very narrow for a .45, accomplished by making it a single-stack (the only Glock to date that isn't a double-stack). Capacity suffers a bit as a result (6+1, with +1 magazine extensions available...see the pic), but these are big-boy rounds, .45ACP, and each one packs a heavy punch. I own several standard magazines and several with +1 extensions. The extended mags LOOK like they should feel more comfortable, but I'm happier with the standard mag feel. And since the standard mag package is more concealable, that's what I carry.

This is a lot of firepower in a very compact package. It only weighs around 20oz, and the magazine needs to be in the weapon if you want to get your pinky involved in gripping the pistol. Of course, 99.8% of the time, that's a given, but it does illustrate that space is at a premium here, and controlability suffers a bit as a result.

Aside from it being a single-stack, the Glock 36 is the same as most any other Glock. Same reasonable-but-not-great striker-fired trigger. Same uber-lightweight polymer frame. Same indestructible Tennifer coating. It's the Tupperware of the firearms world...not sexy, but damn does it work. And that pretty much is exactly my criteria for a carry-pistola.

I've become accustomed to shooting it, and can qualify without issue. But all things considered, it isn't the first thing that I want to pull out at the range. While the Glock 36, like all other Glocks, has a very low bore axis, that only goes so far in attenuating .45cal recoil. Effective? Hell yes. Sweet-shooting? Eh....not so much. But I can fall asleep on the couch with it in an inside-the-waistband holster, and I hardly notice that it is there....and did I mention that the damn thing just works?


Finally:
The CZ-75B

For those of you going "Huh? What the hell is a CZ?", let me introduce you. CZ (or Ceska Zbrojovka) is a Czech manufacturer that just happens to produce some EXCELLENT weapons. Not well known in the US until relatively recently (that whole Iron Curtain thing got in the way for a while), CZ is rapidly gaining in popularity. What that means is that pricing, which is ever driven by demand, is creeping up as well. I just happened to get very lucky back in '99 when I was looking for a "good, cheap 9mm", and I walked away with this baby for $400. In hindsight, a steal.

The CZ-75 is fairly similar to a Browning Hi-Power, and that is a good thing. It is a full-size, all-steel 9mm, which translates to a lot of weight (40oz) absorbing a low recoil, with a low bore axis to boot. That translates to follow-up goodness. This is a very easy pistol to put multiple rounds on target quickly.

It's a double-stack 9mm, so capacity is 16+1. It is DA/SA, and has a manual safety (which I don't like on a pistol) and no decocker (so you lower the hammer like a revolver...which can be a little disconcerting). In hindsight, if I had bought the CZ-75BD, both of these issues would be solved.

How does it shoot? Like butta, baby.... Everyone loves this gun. Nice smooth trigger (though long travel and long reset). Comfortable grip, with a grip angle that is virtually identical to the much-loved 1911 grip angle. It all just combines to make for a very enjoyable shooting experience. And it's fun to have something a little different from the everyday as well. This is the one that I reach for first at the range. This is the one that really makes me smile.

By: Steve

Historical Badasses

Over at Power Point Ranger (a very cool site), we found this comparison of badasses.



By: Brant

UK In Action: Sharpshooter

A soldier demonstrates the new L129A1 rifle nicknamed Sharpshooter. The rifle will improve the long-range firepower available on the front line. It fires a 7.62mm round and will enhance accuracy of engagement during longer-range firefights. This weapon will be used by some of the best shots in the Infantry. More than 400 of the semi-automatic Sharpshooter rifles have been bought as a £1.5M Urgent Operational Requirement. It is the first new Infantry combat rifle to be issued to troops for more than 20 years. The Sharpshooter complements the already potent range of weapons used by our forces in Afghanistan. Training on the rifles began in January 2010 and the first batch will be sent to Afghanistan later in the year.

Image: UK MoD

By: Widow 6-7