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Disruptive Tech – 3D Printed AR-15 Lower

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Tactical Fanboy picked this up the other day. Despite assertions elsewhere, by no means is this the first 3D printed firearm. It’s starting to make its way into the Main Stream Media and of course timing couldn’t be better so the ‘plastic’ gun and ‘anyone can print a gun’ talk has already started. To be sure, 3D printing is the next big thing. Industry is way out on front of Government on this issue as they are more concerned with patent and copyright infringement than anything else. Expect to see industry propose legislation to attempt to throttle printers in order to suppress certain types of items being produced.

The big issue in this instance is that a lower was produced. As far as ATF is concerned, that is the firearm. It is legal to build your own gun. However, as this technology proliferates, what would stop someone who cannot legally possess a firearm from printing critical parts and assembling a gun from the parts he couldn’t produce in house? A heavy question that balances liberty and social responsibility.

Will LE one day be on the lookout for unlicensed printers connecting to the network? Will everything we print have to be approved by a central server? Will printing certain items become illegal? These are all issues we will face in the not-too-distant-future. The capability presented by the 3D printer makes it an absolute Disruptive Technology.

HaveBlue of AR15.com has managed to create a working polymer AR-15 lower made from a 3D printer, specifically a mid 90’s Stratasys 3D printer. So far, the lower has been combined with a .22 LR upper, with over 200 rounds fired and no issues. A 5.56 upper was also used, with some feeding and extraction issues, however according to the creator this upper has also had problems with a standard aluminum lower.

A few other articles I’ve seen on this project have instantly jumped at the chance to (incorrectly) claim people now have the ability to create fully-functional firearms using just a 3D printer, so in the name of truth and fairness, I feel it’s important to mention that only the lower was created with the printer, not the trigger assembly and other required components.

AR-15.com thread detailing the project

haveblue.org

Posted in Black Rifle, Disruptive Tech, Gadgets, Industry, TFB, weapons | 11 Comments »

Proposed High Capacity Magazine Bans and the Military

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

From 1994 until 2004 the American firearms industry suffered under a form of prohibition. The “Assault Weapons Ban” not only covered weapon features but also magazines over 10 rounds. This legislation did nothing to alter crime and, once lifted did not result in any increased gun violence. Overall, it was useless legislation.

These very magazines and weapon features that were banned under the “Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994” have been crucial to the US Department of Defense’s and our Allies small modernization as part of operations in Iraq as well as globally against piracy, terror and general mayhem. During the 10-year period of the AWB, US businesses curtailed small arms innovation. The point of a business is to make money. When there is little market for a product (as was the case during the AWB), the business case is not there to service it. This was most definitely the situation with magazines for the M9 Beretta Handgun. Many who served early in the war will remember poorly produced high capacity magazines for that weapon. This is because there was no competition in the marketplace due to a lack of market. Rather, government contractors for that magazine were able to produce products that performed poorly on the battlefield. There was no competition. There was no innovation.

Since the ban was lifted, an entire industry has grown and flourished, producing innovative solutions for both law abiding citizens and our military alike. American troops are the best equipped in the world and other countries look to us for technical innovation in small arms.

On the heels of the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, opportunistic members of Congress have attached an amendment to (S.A. 2575) to the “Cybersecurity Act” (S. 3414) that would once again restrict these magazines that are critical to our military.

Contact your Congressional representation (switchboard 202-225-3121) and let them know how you feel about this proposed legislation and the hijacking of the Cybersecurity Act by opportunists. A strong American firearms industry contributes directly to our National Defense.

Posted in Congress, Industry, weapons | 19 Comments »

Blue Force Gear Introuduces R.E.D. Sling Swivel

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Blue Force Gear, widely known for their VCAS sling and Helium Whisper load carriage technology, has just released the R.E.D. (Rapid Emergency Detach) sling swivel. The patent-pending R.E.D. swivel takes the industry standard QD sling attachment concept a step further, allowing the user to attach and detach the sling with much greater ease.

Unlike the traditional QD sling swivel which requires a push on a very small recessed button, the R.E.D is activated by a pull on an injection molded nylon toggle on a stainless steel cable, which provides great purchase even with gloves or sweaty hands. In the event that the user is snagged by their sling, or in an emergency egress situation, one pull on the toggle will release the sling from the QD cup and allow the user to free themselves or the weapon. The push-button QD was a great leap forward for sling mounting technology, and has been overwhelmingly popular as an aftermarket attachment as well as being integrated into the design of various weapons and accessories. As many users can attest, sometimes activating the button on the swivels can be frustrating due to it’s size and location inside of the sling loop, which prompted BFG to develop the R.E.D. swivel.

In addition to the obvious benefits of being able to rapidly detach your sling with ease in any situation or emergency, the R.E.D. swivel is a breeze to attach as well. BFG has a number of products that will allow to the user to rapidly reconfigure their sling as the situation dictates, and the R.E.D. swivel enhances a number of these . BFG was a pioneer of the rapid configuration weapons sling with the SOC-C package. The SOC-C is adaptable to almost any platform and could be used as a 1, 2, or 3 point sling. With the development of the R.E.D. swivel the wildly popular VCAS sling joins it’s sibling and can go from an adjustable 2-point sling to a single point in a matter of seconds. By attaching the R.E.D. swivel to a forearm mounted QD cup and using a BFG UWL with push-button socket, the user is able to pick between 1 and 2 point configuration instantly and securely.

The R.E.D. is constructed of zinc phosphate coated heat-treated steel, and accepts any sling up to 1.25 inches in width. BFG will have a 1” version available as well. As with all BFG products, the R.E.D. swivel is made in the USA and is backed by BFG’s Lifetime Warranty.

Reference part number P-PBER-125 for the RED swivel from your BFG dealer or directly from Blue Force Gear at www.blueforcegear.com.

Tags: Blue Force Gear
Posted in weapons | 6 Comments »

Ares Armor Huskey Mark II EWS Sling

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

The Huskey MK II EWS (Expeditionary Warfare Sling) is a joint venture between Ares Armor and Impact Weapons Components. This 1.25″ wide sling uses a new slider to bridge the gap between cam-style and slide-style quick adjust two-point slings.

For 20% off the sling use code soldiersystemssling for the next week.

Available in Black and Coyote. www.aresarmor.com

Tags: Ares Armor, Impact Weapons Components
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Daniel Defense Introduces EZ CAR Rail 9.0

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Daniel Defense has announced the latest addition to their EZ CAR family of accessories; the EZ CAR Rail™ 9.0, a handguard replacement option for AR’s with mid-length gas systems.

The two-piece EZ CAR Rail installs easily with no special tools or modifications to the rifle. It is a non-free float design that mounts to a standard delta ring and handguard cap (round or triangular) of a mid-length gas system with no modifications to the host weapon.

The EZ CAR 9.0 is precision machined from Aerospace Grade 6061-T6 Aluminum, and finished with Military Specification Type III Hardcoat Anodizing. It is 9.0 is 9.2” in length, 2.4” wide, has an inner diameter of 1.38”, and weighs in at just 12.4 ounces.

Daniel Defense believes this move will create yet more opportunity for enhancement to AR15s with factory installed plastic handguards. “In this case, it’s not about developing a brand new design. Expanding on an existing product to complement a mid-length gas system just made sense,” says Jordan Hunter, Director of Marketing for Daniel Defense. Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, the EZ CAR™ 9.0 is a great alternative.

www.DanielDefense.com

Tags: Daniel Defense
Posted in Black Rifle, weapons | Comments Off on Daniel Defense Introduces EZ CAR Rail 9.0

Austere Provisions Company Adds Sentinel Design GLOCK Magazine Well to Site

Saturday, July 28th, 2012

Austere Provisions Company has just added the Sentinel Design GLOCK Magazine Well to their site. They aren’t in stock yet, but they’re on the site. Unveiled just last week here on SSD, the new mag well is a low-profile after market add-on that allows the shooter to use GLOCK factory base plates.

Machined from solid aluminum and type III hard anodized, it is designed for full size frame GLOCK generation 3 guns in 9mm/.40 S&W/.357 Sig including the G17, G22, G31, G34, G35, G24, and the G17L. Confirmed compatibility with GLOCK factory baseplates as well as factory GLOCK +2 baseplates and copies, Arredondo +2 and +5 extensions, Magpul Speedplates, as well as Dawson Precision’s Tool-Less extended baseplates.

www.austereprovisions.com

Tags: Austere Provisions Company, Glock, Sentinel Design
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Gear Scout Offers 21 Grips Compared

Saturday, July 28th, 2012

For some reason the title “21 Grips Compared” reminds of “88 Lines about 44 Women”, but I digress. Gear Scout has gone to great lengths to photograph 21 different AR grips from side and rear views. He changed everyone of those pistol grips out as well, so by now he can do it with his eyes closed. Or, he’s got a wrist like a teenage boy, or maybe both.

At any rate, the result of his hard work is cool and the article should give you a good idea of how any one of these will fit and look on your AR-style gun.

Check it out at militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2012/07/27/21-ar-grips-compared

Tags: Gear Scout
Posted in Black Rifle, Media, weapons | 2 Comments »

Elite Defense Quick Release Vertical Grip featuring the Battlegrip by TangoDown

Friday, July 27th, 2012

We first encountered these Quick Release versions of the TangoDown Battlegrip foregrip at SHOT Show. It retains all of the TangoDown goodness with the addition of the Elite Defense QR mechanism making them easy to mount and dismount. This is a lot easier to prepare your weapon for storage in weapon racks. Additionally, it’s a great accessory for use with machine guns.

www.elitedefense.com/products/elite-defense-tangodown-quick-release-for-battlegrip

Tags: Elite Defense, TangoDown LLC
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