KRG’s Bravo chassis page is live and loaded with details.
They are planning to open up ordering/shipping by 24 November 2017. Although they don’t have a final price for the long action Rem700 version yet, it will be released shortly after the R700 (SA) and T3.
kineticresearchgroup.com/product/bravo-chassis
Despite adoption of polymer magazines by USSOCOM, the Marine Corps, and even the Air Force, the US Army has yet to join them. To make matters worse, the Army has evaluated polymer rifle magazines several times, and seems to have ignored their own results. In fact, the Air Force is said to have based their decision on the last Army test report. Granted, the Army has authorized use of the Magpul GEN M3 PMAG, but unlike the others, they haven’t made it their primary magazine.
While there’s been lots of online conjecture as to why the Army hasn’t adopted a polymer magazine, the true answer may well lie in this slide from a briefing presented by LTC Steve Power, PM Individal Weapons at PEO Soldier’s PM Small Arms, during NDIA’s 2017 Armament Systems Forum, this past May.
The Army is going to conduct yet another polymer magazine evaluation under the Soldier Enhancement Program. Direct your attention to the sub bullet on the slide below, which states, “Assess legal and contractual issues that could arise of pursued.” Most fail to understand the significance of that statement. Turns out, what’s holding the Army back is something bigger than any of us; procurement set asides.
To begin to understand why it’s so important, you need to know that AbilityOne has a government-only sales website sponsored by three organizations, National Industries for the Blind, SourceAmerica (formerly NISH), and the US AbilityOne Commission, the operating name for The Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled. They are all involved in providing goods to the US Government, based on the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act or “JWOD Act” authorized under 41 U.S.C. 8501-8506c. These nonprofit agencies manufacture a variety of commodities throughout the United States, and employ people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. It’s a public/private success story.
Not only is the program Congressionally mandated, the AbilityOne Program employs more than 47,000 Americans. As you can imagine, this gives it a lot of clout. Essentially, once a commodity is provided via a directed source, it always will be. That’s why the legal review was mentioned as a factor, perhaps as important as, if not more than, how well the magazines work.
By now, you’ve said to yourself, “Well the other services have transitioned to the PMAG, why can’t the Army?” The answer lies in the numbers. The Army’s buying power is massive when it comes to small arms amd accessories. It buys more than the other three services combined, and that’s even if you add SOCOM into the equation. For the Army to drop a directed source is a very big deal and they will assuredly face Congressional pressure over such a move.
While it’s certainly frustrating to see the Army move so slowly toward the the wholesale adoption of a polymer magazine, we understand that there’s a bit more to it. That’s why we are publishing this information. You need to understand it as well. The Army needs to get its ducks in a row in order to make the business case for transition. But now that all of the cards are on the table regarding what’s at stake, there’s no excuse to keep kicking the can down the road. While performance must trump set asides, the question is, how much does performance need to improve for the Army to upset the rice bowl?
SSD Reader Luke sent us this message:
Hi SSD,
Need help identifying this rifle attachment. Have a 10k run and gun coming up and I’m looking for one of these for myself and my wife.
Here’s your chance to help put a follow SSD reader. What do you think it is?
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (September 15, 2017) – Colt, original manufacturer of the worlds most prolific pistol platform – the 1911, is excited to announce it’s partnership with VZ Grips Custom Gun Grips to create the Colt Signature Series line of genuine OEM G10 grips for Colt’s legendary 1911 platform pistols.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our association with VZ Grips,” said Justin Baldini, Product Director for Colt. “VZ Grips has established themselves and one of the premier G10 grips manufacturers in the industry, and their quality and toughness is a perfect fit for Colt. Some folks may have noticed that nearly all of our new-model pistols have come with Colt-branded G10 grips, including our Colt Competition Pistol™ and Colt Combat Unit™ Rail Gun®, and many have asked for them on the aftermarket. We listened, and now we can anyone who’s looking for an excellent, duty-grade option for their Colt 1911 platform pistol, need look no further than VZ Grips’ Colt Signiture Series.”
“When Colt approached us to develop the next chapter in Colt pistol grips, I was excited,” said John VanZyck, President of VZ Grips Custom Gun Grips. “All of our products are made right here in the USA, so working with Colt is a great fit for us. We share Colt’s commitment to quality and performance in the harshest environments, so to be able to incorporate our passion for making the best pistol grips into Colt’s legendary history is a great opportunity for us.”
Colt Signature Series G10 grips are available in the Double Diamond pattern for Colt Government Model® size 1911 platform pistols in the following colors: Black, Black & Blue, Black & Cherry, or Black & Gray, and have an MSRP of $69. Please visit www.vzgrips.com for more information.
Fort Worth, TX (September 6, 2017) – XS Sights is pleased to introduce the F8 Night Sights – its newest high-visibility personal defense sights for fast target acquisition in all light conditions. Featuring a figure-eight, inline sight picture for an easy two-point alignment, the F8 sights are designed to instantly increase front sight focus thanks to the large (0.160” wide) high-contrast front sight with a photoluminescent orange colored ring surrounding the tritium. This proprietary, durable XS Orange paint is formulated with a focus on yellow, one of the most visible colors in low light, making it easier to see in rapidly changing light conditions.
Another significant advantage of the F8 Night Sights is the ability of the XS Orange ring to absorb ambient light. This allows it to glow in low light levels, aiding shooters in finding the front sight before the tritium becomes visible. The F8 sight is also easily visible in daylight.
The wide notch rear sight is designed to increase the visibility of the front sight by allowing more light around the sides of the front sight. This expanded sight gap helps shooters find the front sight faster when drawing from a holster and shooting on the move. The tritium vial on the rear sight enables quick and easy alignment with the front sight in various light conditions while the chamfered notch eliminates the bottom edges of the sight, drawing focus to the top edges of the sight for proper alignment. The overhung rear sight reduces glare in bright daylight for greater sight definition, and its angled ledge aids in one-handed slide manipulations in emergency situations.
“Night sights don’t just need to glow in the dark, they need to be visible at all times,” said Zack Kinsley, marketing manager for XS Sights. “Gun fights don’t happen in perfect light or complete darkness. They happen in-between these two broad spectrums, and our F8 Night Sights are optimized for fast and accurate target acquisition in varying light conditions. In a defensive shooting situation, this can make all the difference for law enforcement and civilians alike.”
The F8 Night Sights are backed by a 10-year, ‘no questions asked’ warranty. After 10 years, XS will replace the sight at a discounted price.
XS F8 Night Sights will be available for order for the following pistol models at NASGW in October. More pistol models will come in the months ahead.
Glock 17, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 30, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43
Sig Sauer – 9mm and .40 S&W in P226, P229, P320 and other original P series pistols
S&W M&P Full Size, Compact and S&W M&P Shield
Springfield XD, XDS, XDM, and XDE
FNH FN509
MSRP: $184.99
For more information, visit www.xssights.com.
Midwest Industries built a QD sling adapter for the SBT series of side-folding braces. It is made from 6061 Aluminum and user installed.
www.sb-tactical.com/product/sbt-series-midwest-industries-qd-sling-adapter
The Radian Weapons’ Raptor changing handle has become the gold standard for AR pattern rifles. Renowned for its ergonomics, Raptor models are now acailable for use with SIG’s MPX and MCX.
The included Support Arm, which replaces the factory spring plate/housing, biases the Raptor upward to minimize scratching or damage to the receiver often caused by the factory charging handle. These variants are compatible with all generations of semi-auto and full-auto SIG MPX/MCX firearms. The Support Arm is recommended but not required for Raptor installation, and is not compatible with factory SIG MPX/MCX charging handles.
Raptor for Sig MPX shipping now. Raptor for Sig MCX shipping late September.
The EXO ONE (X01) is pretty slick. It takes advantage of the SIG P320 Fire Control Unit (FCU) as a plug-and-play component. This multi-caliber exoskeleton accepts the FCU, barrel, slide assembly, and magazine release and can be configured in 9x19mm Parabellum, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W by transplanting the corresponding P320 components (.45 ACP is in development, as the changes in magazine well dimensions require a specialized lower receiver).
It features a non-reciprocating charging handle locks the action open (the slide to the rear) with an upward motion when fully retracted. The action can then be released with a downward motion (akin to HK-style weapon systems). In addition, if the charging handle is in the forward position, the slide can be released via the FCU slide release during reload procedures. The X01 features three M-Lok slots near the muzzle for accessory and grip attachments. The upper receiver features a 19-slot milspec M1913 picatinny rail.
Like the SIG MCX and MPX, the rear of the lower receiver features a vertical M1913 Picatinny rail to accept SIG MPX/MCX buttstocks and arm braces.
