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Archive for the ‘weapons’ Category

The Return of Archon Firearms

Friday, January 13th, 2023

Dear friends and fans of ARCHON FIREARMS,

The return of Archon Firearms in 2023 marks three years of quiet development, extraordinary effort, and precise vision in bringing the exciting next generation of Type B and new Type D pistols into reality. Archon Firearms has assembled a strong team of professionals while standing up its own manufacturing facility in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Complimenting the upcoming regular supply, new US distribution has also joined the Archon Firearms team. The new distribution team, Archon Firearms USA, is tasked in providing customers and dealers industry-first service, and support on all Generation I Type B pistols and Salient Tier One Strike One pistols.

2023 will be a landmark year for Archon Firearms and all its friends and fans, we encourage all of you to join us in all efforts in the Return of Archon Firearms. We sincerely thank you for your passion and interest in our products, and support over the years.

Sincerely,
Archon Firearms TEAM

archonfirearms.us

An Alien Invasion Is Spreading Across The USA

Friday, January 13th, 2023

January 11, 2023

Laugo Arms Czechoslovakia, manufacturer of the innovative Alien pistol and its accessories, is proud to announce the launch of its new dedicated U.S. business operation, Laugo Arms USA, which will start customer support, sales of the complete product line of Laugo Arms Czechoslovakia with sufficient stock, and finally, marketing support of the brand associated with the sport we all love (USPSA, IDPA, IPSC, 3-Gun, etc.) within the United States.

“We are excited and eager to begin building on the solid foundation established by Lancer Systems as the initial importation partner for the Laugo Arms Alien. We look forward to increasing awareness and accessibility of the Laugo Arms brand here in the U.S. and to becoming more actively engaged with the competitive shooting sports community and the firearms industry at large,” said David Wollman, president of Laugo Arms USA. “Our team is committed to providing a world-class purchasing and ownership experience reflective of the incredible technology and quality that Laugo Arms’ Alien pistols are known for.”

Over the next few months, Laugo Arms USA will begin building out a nationwide network of authorized dealers and distributors. At Caesars Forum Booth 70143 at the upcoming Shot Show 2023 – taking place January 16-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada – visitors will have the opportunity to experience the world premiere of another innovative weapon manufacturing solution from Laugo Arms Czechoslovakia.

“The American shooting community and our new joint venture, Laugo Arms USA, are so important to us that we decided to introduce our new Alien Creator model in the USA,” said Daniel Selichar, founder and CEO of Laugo Arms Czechoslovakia.

Existing Alien pistol owners can expect the customer service and technical support division of Laugo Arms USA to be fully operational by the end of Q1 2023 and stocked with replacement parts, optional upgrades, and more. A custom accessories line is also in development and is expected to be launched within the year.

The operational transition from Lancer Systems to Laugo Arms USA will take place immediately following SHOT Show. We encourage all parties interested in the purchase of an Alien pistol prior to January 15th to reach out to Lancer Systems (www.lancer-systems.com) while inventory remains available.

For more information, please visit www.laugoarms.com or contact Laugo Arms USA directly by emailing usa@laugoarms.com.

Matador Arms Introduces MAT-9 Upper Receiver

Tuesday, January 10th, 2023

Matador Arms would like to proudly introduce the MAT-9™ blowback bufferless and monolithic (self-contained) upper receiver for lower receivers and almost all 9mm magazines.

This upper receiver is side-folding compatible and features Matador Arms® patent-pending EZTS™ “Easy Take-down System” with no tools required to break down the upper for maintenance and cleaning.  The MAT-9™ is machined for maximum weight reduction, slim profile, and compatibility with bolt catches and lower receivers. The upper is also built with a tapered multi-material 4-piece trunnion system to maintain mechanical accuracy and durability.

The MAT-9™ can be configured in two distinct ways:

Native Mode:  Adaptable to the AR-9 Lower Receivers that are compatible with the following double-stack 9mm magazines:

-Glock ®

-Sig Sauer ®

-Colt® Stick Magazines

-HK® MP5™

-CZ ® Evo Scorpion™

Conversion Mode: AR-15 Lower Receiver: Requires the Matador Arms® Mag-X™ magazine conversion kit that is compatible with the following double-stack 9mm magazines:

-Glock ®

-Sig Sauer ®

Some Additional Key Features:

• Non-reciprocating steel charging handle (ambidexterous)

• 4140 Nitrided steel bolt and action parts

• 6061-T6 anodized upper receiver

• 4150 Lightweight Nitrided Barrel, 7.825” long, 1:10 twist, 1/2×28 threads

• NATO 1913 Spec top rail

• 3 Mlok slots (both sides, bottom)

• Compatible with LRBHO (Last Round Bolt Hold Open) lower receiver

• Ready to run with a Suppressor right out of the box!

The MAT-9™ is lighter in weight than most bolt-action upper receivers you’ll see on the market today, and is ideal for those looking for durability and versality in their AR-9 configuration.

Matador Arms® will be featuring this upper receiver at Shot Show 2023 (Booth 70748 in Caesars Forum).  For inquiries, please email Matador Arms at info@matadorarms.com

FN Unveils the FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical

Tuesday, January 10th, 2023

Two, New Big Bore Pistols in the FN Striker-Fired Line-Up with Industry-Leading Capacity, Control and Accuracy
(McLean, VA – January 10, 2023) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce the release of two new striker-fired pistols – the FN 510™ Tactical, chambered in 10mm Auto, and the FN 545™ Tactical, chambered in .45 ACP. These two big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. Styled after the FN 509® Tactical, the two pistols also feature a threaded barrel for muzzle devices, optics cut for red dot optics and suppressor-height night sights. Whether hiking in the backcountry or defending the home front, the FN 510 Tactical and 545 Tactical handily deliver the capacity to confront any possible situation with accuracy and precision, in a highly controllable package.   

“There has been significant interest from FN owners in pistols chambered in big bore calibers over the last several years,” said Chris Cole, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC. “We are excited to announce the release of the FN 510 Tactical and 545 Tactical pistols, chambered in 10mm and.45 ACP, that advance our flagship striker-fired line of pistols and complement our FNX-45 Tactical and FN 509 Tactical.”

Chambered in two of the most popular personal defense calibers, 10mm and .45 ACP, the FN 510 Tactical and 545 Tactical pistols offer industry-first capacities in an overall package not much bigger than the FN 509. At just 1.45 inches wide and just 6 inches tall with the standard magazine, these powerful defensive pistols pack serious performance into a full-sized package that can still be concealed and comfortable to shoot.

“We pioneered the Tactical feature set in the FNX-45 and FN 509 Tactical pistols, introducing the industry’s first pistol that shipped from the factory with a threaded barrel, optics mount and extended capacity, and until now, the FNX-45 Tactical had the highest capacity of any .45 ACP pistol available from the factory,” said Chris Johnson, Senior Product Manager, Pistols, for FN America, LLC. “This expansion into new, big bore calibers has been a longtime in the making and we are excited to offer these pistols with this unprecedented capacity – 18+1 in the FN 545 Tactical and 22+1 in the FN 510 Tactical – along with the features our customers seek in an FN Tactical pistol.”

The signature styling and ergonomics of the FN 509 family of pistols like the enhanced grip texturing, interchangeable backstraps and slide serrations enable superior control to manage the recoil of these powerful cartridges. Weighing in at just over 30 ounces, these heavy-duty defensive pistols efficiently tame the recoil of both 10mm Auto and .45 ACP. The double-action only pistols produce a crisp pull weighing in at approximately 6 pounds. Effective recoil management and crisp, repeatable trigger allow users to stack rounds on target.

Equipped with FN’s patented Low-Profile Optics Mounting System™ that is compatible with every major optics footprint, consumers have the ability to direct-mount nearly any optic in minutes with the included hardware. The tritium inserts of the suppressor-height night sights co-witness with mounted optics, offering a viable back-up sighting option in the event of optic failure.

The 4.7-inch barrels are cold hammer-forged and threaded with 0.578″x28 thread pitch, making them compatible with a vast majority of available muzzle devices. The barrel also features a recessed target crown to protect the rifling and maintain accuracy. The serrated sight wings that sit atop the slide protect the rear iron sights from shifting should the pistol be dropped or jarred, and act as a slide racking surface.

These powerhouse pistols are available in both black and flat dark earth (FDE) and ship with one 15-round magazine and one extended magazine – 22+1 for the FN 510 Tactical and 18+1 for the FN 545 Tactical. They ship with a premium soft-sided ballistic case that provides ample storage space for the pistol, spare magazines and other accessories.

Specifications:

FN 510 Tactical

FN 545 Tactical

Caliber

10mm Auto

.45 ACP

Operation

DAO, Striker-Fired

DAO, Striker-Fired

Weight

32 oz.

31 oz.

Barrel Length

4.71 in.

4.71 in.

Overall Length

8.3 in.

8.3 in

Twist Rate

1:16 in. RH

1:16 in. RH

Height

6 in.

6 in.

Width

1.45 in.

1.45 in.

Trigger Pull

4.5 – 6.7 lbs.

4.5 – 6.7 lbs.

Sights

Suppressor-height Trijicon 3-Dot Night Sights

Suppressor-height Trijicon 3-Dot Night Sights

Learn more about the FN 510 Tactical, 545 Tactical and other FN products at fnamerica.com or see them in person at the FN Booth (11860) during the 2023 NSSF SHOT Show, held January 17-20, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Recon Marines Train With New Pistol

Sunday, January 8th, 2023

U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct an M18 pistol live-fire range at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. This routine training enables Marines to maintain proficiency in marksmanship and close combat. The M18 Modular Handgun System is a striker-fired, semi-automatic, 9-mm pistol. Fielded in 2020, the M18 will replace all other pistols in the Marine Corps inventory, including the M9, M9A1, M45A1 and M007.

The M18 falls under our Portfolio Manager Ground Combat Element Systems. PfM GCES provides and sustains fully integrated kinetic weapon systems and equipment to increase the lethality of our Marines.

By Sgt Jennifer Andrade

The Beast | TAC 501 Dillon Rifle Company

Friday, January 6th, 2023

The BEAST TAC 501 is a purpose built long range weapon system. The TAC 501 is chambered in 50 BMG the largest round a civilian can own without a permit (in most states). It is built on the legendary McMillan TAC 50 legacy which has the record for the longest engagement by a Canadian special operations team.

The TAC 501 rifle system is a heavy 416 SS barrel with cut rifling, manually operated, detachable box magazine with five +1 shot capacity. The 27.5” barrel is a match grade stainless steel barrel with a 1 in 15 twist. The barreled action comes with a black Cerakote® finish or natural stainless finish using a clear coat and nickel finish. The rifle utilizes a Remington 700 style trigger set to 4.5 lbs. with a bottom safety.

It is fitted with a custom built Grayboe carbon fiber stock providing strength, and durability. It is equipped with a spacer system, Limbsaver recoil pad, adjustable cheek rest, and rear rake side baffle muzzle brake to help manage recoil and provide shooter comfort. The rifle rests on a B&T heavy duty Atlas bipod.

The TAC 501 rifle is capable of shooting sub-MOA accuracy with a trained marksman and match grade ammunition.

Specs:

Weight 28 lbs. (without scope*)

Overall length: 55 inches

27.5 inch 416 SS barrel in 1:15 cut rifling twist

Natural Stainless or Black Cerakote® finish barreled action (right hand only)

30 MOA rail

Proprietary nickel plated bolt with large

Teardrop bolt knob

Remington 700 style 4.5 lbs trigger

1.0 inch adjustable cheek rest

Length of pull 13.5 – 14.25 inch using .25 inch spacers

3, 6, & 9 position MLok rails

Atlas Bipod has tilt and pan

Integrated thumb hook & thumb shelf

Sling studs on rear stock

ffdrc.com

Jim Schatz – A Path To Overmatch – Next Generation Individual Weapon System Redux

Thursday, January 5th, 2023

Recently, I’ve started resharing some briefings by the late, great Jim Schatz. I originally shared this one in April 2017, right as the Army was taking its first steps toward what is now Next Generation Squad Weapons. As we head into SHOT Show, now is a great time to take a look at what both the Army and SOCOM have accomplished and consider the path that Jim proposed.

One thing he mentioned was the concept of “Frontliners” which has been institutionalized as the Close Combat Force. Other ideas have seen varying degrees of interest.

He was always on top of past missteps in the opportunities we’ve had to modernize our small arms. His last briefing to NDIA’s Armament Systems Forum, on 27 April, 2016 was entitled, “A Path To Overmatch” and made the case for an immediate transition to an intermediate caliber, preferably with a telescoping cased cartridge, along with a new weapon individual weapon. His reasoning was simple; overmatch. Our troops remain outranged by threat weapons firing the 7.62x54R cartridge. While not every enemy is equipped with a weapon in this caliber, they’ve learned to use their PKM MMGs and SVD Sniper Rifles to keep our troops at arm’s length. In the briefing, Jim does a great job of laying out Russian and ISIS capabilities vis-a-vis our US M4A1 and M249.

Jim named five things that could immediately be leveraged to provide overmatch: Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge (LICC) Ammo, Disturbed Reticle Carbine Sight, Blind-to-Barrier Bullets, Lightweight Modular Weapons and Advanced Training.

He also wanted the most bang for the buck and identified 140,000 “Frontliners” in the US military, aka trigger pullers, who would be the immediate focus of small arms modernization efforts.

Jim urged a transition to two calibers, a 6.5-family intermediate cartridge for the individual weapon and a .338 cartridge for crew served weapons. I have discussed the General Dynamics Lightweight Medium Machine Gun in .338 Norma Magnum. Jim used this example to make the initial case for the transition to LICC ammo for the individual weapon.

In 2017, all of the cartridges being seriously looked at were in the 6.5mm family; .260, .264 USA, and .277 USA. While .260 is currently commercially available, .264 USA and .277 USA were developed by the US Army Marskmanship Unit, which has been conducting in-house evaluations.

Ultimately, the US Army conducted a formal caliber study called the Small Arms Ammunition Configuration study which resulted in a new common caliber for Squad weapons, 6.8mm. After a competitive process, the Army selected the SIG SAUER 6.8 x 51mm common case architecture cartridge for fielding as part of NGSW.

USSOCOM looked at .260 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor and chose 6.5 CM. It’s all a bit of back to the future. Use of a 6.5mm cartridge isn’t new. 6.5×55 Swedish saw service in Europe for a very long time. Initially developed in the 1890s, it was still in service up to a century later.


This image came from The Firearm Blog’s article on the .264 USA cartridge by Nathaniel F. It depicts (L-R) 7.62 NATO, .264 USA, 5.56 NATO.

Jim was very passionate about this concept and did the homework. For example, he knew the costs to not only pay for the transition to a new caliber, but new weapons as well. The figures are there, for you to see.

Jim’s attention to detail was always keen. He even considered spare parts, manuals, training and ranges in his calculations.

Naturally, transition to a larger caliber, means heavier ammo and a smaller basic load. Here, Jim shows the tradeoffs for the amount of amm a rifleman would carry in his basic load, based in different calibers.

There is a difference, and this is why the transition to Polymer cased/telescoping ammo is so important.

To summarize, these are the takeaways. All of this, is available from industry, right now.

While I cherry picked several slides from this briefing to make certain points, you really need to read the whole thing. I’ve only scratched the surface here. It’s filled with gems like the examples I’ve given.

Jim’s confidence in polymer cased ammo nor his interest in case telescoped cartridges have borne fruit so far, but there’s plenty to see.

You can download it here www.dtic.mil/ndia/2016/armament/18260_Schatz.

Sneak Peek – Dillon Aero 503D | .50 Caliber Gatling Gun

Wednesday, January 4th, 2023

According to Dillon Aero, they are in the final stages of developing a new .50 caliber Gatling gun, known as the 503D. This gun system

will be lighter, faster, and smarter than existing .50 caliber machine guns. The 503D will be capable of firing up to 1,500 rounds per minute, with the ability to adjust firing rate based on platform integration to optimize mission performance. The 503D’s design includes integrated immunity to internal component damage from ammunition feed jams.

The technology used within the gun system provides operators detailed information on weapon operations, maintenance data for possible failure prevention, and increased safety.