Bob’s Gun Counter recently ran an article on the Broadsword (Templar Custom Multi-Caliber System) from Bob Reynolds of Templar Custom. The idea is that the shooter can reconfigure his Stoner-style rifle from 5.56 NATO to 6.5 Grendel to .50 Beouwulf in under 60 seconds using a spanner and Allen wrench. Go check out the entire article.
Centurion Arms LLC recently introduced their new C4 Free-floating Railed Hand Guard System. Available in 7, 9, 10, and 12-inch lengths, each C4 System provides an uninterrupted 12 o’clock mounting rail, featuring limited-rotation quick-detach sling swivel mounting cups on both sides, full Mil-Std-1913 compliance, and is compatible with many brands and types of protective covers. The C4 can be installed onto a standard AR-15/M4 barrel nut without modification, and for added rigidity an optional extended barrel nut is provided with 10 and 12-inch versions. Built-in tabs aid in assembly and prevent twisting of the hand guard under rough handling. The C4 System can be ordered directly from www.centurionarms.com.
If you own a Bushmaster ACR you may have a full auto weapon and not even have realized it. Unfortunately, some of the rifles have developed this “defect” so they would like to have all owners contact them for a no cost recall. We know the cool guy factor here is pretty high and your first impulse is to keep it, but please remember that if you own an ACR and it does go full auto on you, you are in violation of federal law. It would be in your best interest to go ahead and contact them.
Please review the official recall notice here.
PEO-Soldier posted an excellent article detailing the the Dual Path Strategy for the Next Generation of Army Service Rifles. The graphic below from PEO-Soldier gives you the main points, but make sure you take the time to go read the actual article.
There are however, a few things that the article doesn’t tell you. For example, while the Army is currently purchasing 25,000 M4A1 carbines from Colt Defense, the weapons needed to fulfill the remainder of the Army’s requirement as well as Sister Service buys and Foreign Military Sales will be offered as a free and open solicitation. That’s right, the Army requirement alone is 14,000 carbines, and someone will be building those weapons, as well as the others we mentioned. Look for the solicitation as early as next quarter. Additionally, the Army currently about 65,000 M4s and they need to be upgraded to the M4A1 standard which includes barrels, trigger control unit, and ambidextrous controls. That too will be an open solicitation. Lots of business out there, without even mentioning the Carbine Competition. Exciting stuff.
According to COL Tamilio, Program Manager for Soldier Weapons, last Friday the Army received an Operational Need Statement from the 101st Airborne Division currently serving in Afghanistan for a Battalion’s worth of XM25s (36). In November, the Army will initially field five developmental versions of the XM25 to be accompanied by a New Equipment Training Team as well as ample ammunition. The Army is ordering an additional 36 weapons from the manufacturer. When they are delivered they will replace the initial 5 systems with the 36 new XM25s at a date to be determined.
Updated: This limited fielding is not intended to replace the M4 or any other organic Infantry weapons for that matter, used in Afghanistan. In fact, so long as the technology works as advertised, this is a great opportunity for the Army to consider how to best integrate this revolutionary weapon into the force.
The XM25 is an airburst grenade launcher that fires 25mm grenades that are set to explode in the air or near the target. The grenadier can manually adjust the detonation of the grenade by up to 3 meters shorter or longer, which is automatically transmitted to the grenade in the firing chamber. The systems is under development by Heckler & Koch and Alliant Techsystems, and the target acquisition/fire control is developed by L-3 IOS Brashier.
One of the major shortcomings of the M9 Beretta is that design is old enough that it lacks a Picatinny rail for accessories. Survival Consultants International (SCI) manufactures two models of their Wor4 Tacrail for the Beretta 92 series of pistols. The single rail is for mounting devices beneath the barrel and the double railing system features both a lower rail as well as a rail super structure that sits over the top of the slide. It has seen use in low power IPSC as well as by shooters utilizing optics and lasers in conjunction with NVGs. Additionally, the manufacturer claims that the Tacrail has been used by American as well as Allied Special Operations Units. Even Beretta USA has ordered these rails.
The matte black, mil-spec finish and the tactical rails are made from extruded aluminum (6061 and 7075) in Black or Silver. The beauty of the rail is that it can be adapted to issue pistols without permanent alteration. Additionally, iron sights can still be used withe upper rail installed and the weapon can still be field stripped without removal of the rail. The rail is simple to install and includes a hex wrench that is held in place by magnets so it’s always available for removing or mounting the rail. To mount the rail you loosen the hex screw that holds the trigger key locking piece in place, mount it to the rail and screw the trigger guard piece down. The single rail will fit any major holster that is built for lower attachments and use a competition skeleton holster for the double rail.
If you interested in purchasing the Tacrail single or double rail you can purchase them at www.gear4ops.com or contact Survival Consultants at www.survivalconsultants.com.
TYR Tactical (pronounced tear) released the MICO ‘Quiver of Death’ Machine Gunner Assault Pack. When we initially wrote about it, we told you it was a very specialized piece of kit. Now that it is actually available the price tag reflects that. Don’t get me wrong, it is very well built and uses the best components.
This isn’t something that you are going to see out on the MilSim skirmish field, but rather it is designed for a narrow task set. That doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t be surprised to see knockoffs of the MICO before Christmas. However, if you are in the business of using an M240 or M249 in the Direct Action role, then you should take a look at the MICO.
The Full Action, Sealed (FAS) line of waterproof weapons bags from NEMO Equipment is now available for sale from Tactical Distributors. Released to select government clients a year ago, these specialized bags have gained in popularity. Available for both the MP-7 and M4, they allow the use of laser systems as well as suppressors.
For more information, visit www.tacticaldistributors.com.
