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SHOT Show 2009

Written by Jason M. Wong Sunday, 10 May 2009 00:00

The show, held Jan. 15-18 at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center, comprised 715,000 square feet of exhibit space, with 1,800 exhibiting companies. According to preliminary figures, this year's show attracted 25,384 attendees, 22,098 exhibiting personnel and a record 1,425 members of the media for a total attendance of 48,907.

"This has been a tremendously successful show from a number of standpoints," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "Exhibitors and buyers were very upbeat, the products sold well, and I'd say the industry begins 2009 with a sense of cautious optimism in this challenging economy."
Small Arms Review exhibited at the SHOT Show, and presents this overview to new products of potential interest to the NFA community.

Timney Triggers
The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most popular American made firearms in recent history. The ability to easily change the barrel and internal components make the rifle easily adaptable. As many SAR readers are aware, the rifle is also easy to suppress, or make into a short barreled rifle. In 2006, Timney triggers took the shooting world by storm with the release of their AR-15 trigger system. Timney has done it again with the release of a new trigger system designed for the Ruger 10/22 rifle.

IWA 2009

Written by Jason M. Wong Sunday, 22 March 2009 00:00

2009 might as well be listed as the year of the 22lr rifle.

Kestrel
German Sport Guns announced the release of two new 22lr firearms. As reported in Small Arms Review issue Month, Year (issue Volume XX, Number XX) German Sport Guns has licensed the Kalishnikov name to manufacture a 22lr version of the venerable AK47 battle rifle.
According to Aric Burton of American Tactical Imports, the 22lr AK-47 looks, feels and weighs the same as the main sized battle rifle. Equipped with either a 24-round or 10-round magazine, the rifle is available with either a wood stock, or polymer stock. Aric also notes that the wood used for the stock is sourced from an Italian tree farm, and is ecologically friendly.

The polymer version of the rifle is available with tactical accessories, including Picatinny rail systems, a folding stock, and front foregrip. Both versions have an available scope mount for fun and accurate plinking. Retail price on the wood stock version is $599, while the polymer rifle is available for $549. Both versions should be available on the market now.

Colt Innovations

Written by Jason M. Wong Monday, 10 November 2008 00:00

It’s said that Abraham Lincoln may have freed all men, but Sam Colt made them equal. Founded in 1836, the Colt name has long been associated with innovative and advance firearm designs. Colt Manufacturing (and later Colt Defense) first started producing the Stoner and Sullivan designed AR-15 in 1960. The basic foundation continues today as the M-4 Carbine. Recently, individuals within the industry and in the press have been critical of the M-4 Carbine as a legacy weapon, in need of modernization and improvement. Several representatives of Small Arms Review recently had an opportunity to discuss innovations and improvements to the AR-15 and M-4 design with MG Jim Battaglini, (USMC, Retired), Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Jeff MacLeod, General Manager, and Mr. Kevin Brown, Vice President of Military Programs.

At the outset, MG Battaglini explained that despite recent tests conduced at the request of Congress, the U.S. military remains satisfied with the M-4 carbine, and has not requested any major changes to the basic design. The M-4 carbine performs as requested and meets current military needs. Nevertheless, Colt decided to take a proactive position and recently displayed nine new variants of the M-4 carbine, demonstrating a mix of new designs and prior technology. Not all variants that were displayed will be produced. Rather, the variants are intended to demonstrate what features are available, should the U.S. military seek to upgrade the M4 carbine at a future date. Although the following upgrades have been built into specific models, MG Battaglini pointed out that all of the developments can be built into a complete system in response to the needs of the military.

SHOT Show 2009 Preview

Written by Jason M. Wong Thursday, 06 November 2008 00:00

Small Arms Review is proud to announce several new product releases planned for the 2009 SHOT show, scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida from January 15 – 18, 2009. As the largest domestic firearm industry trade show, admission to the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade show is limited to those that work within the firearms industry.

Interordnance
Interordnance announced several new rifles for the U.S. civilian market. The STG-22 is a full sized 22lr caliber AK-style rifle. Manufactured entirely in the U.S., (including the receiver and barrel) the fire control parts are identical to full sized AK rifles. With the increasing cost of 7.62x39 ammunition, the ability to fire cheap and available 22lr from an AK platform should be welcome to many hard core shooters. The STG-22 uses a proprietary magazine that appears to be related to the East German 22 caliber magazines that are commonly available within the U.S. civilian market. A retail price has not been announced as of press time.

Knob Creek 2008

Written by Jason M. Wong Tuesday, 21 October 2008 00:00

After the cancellation of the spring 2008 shoot due to flooding, the Fall 2008 Knob Creek machine gun shoot was graced with beautiful weather, rare machine guns, hard to find parts kits, and innovations in the small arms industry. Innovations in the small arms industry has typically been developed by individuals tinkering within their shop. Evidence of innovation by firearm enthusiasts were in full display at the show.

Fusil USA
Fusil USA of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, displayed newly manufactured magazines for the AR-15, M-16, and M4 weapon systems. The magazine bodies are produced from a single piece of 1050 steel on an 18 stage progressive die and assembled using robotic MIG welders. In addition, the floor plate, retainer and follower are also manufactured from 1050 steel. During the construction process, the steel parts are surface hardened via a nitride process, providing increased durability to the magazine.