GunLinkSHOT

GunLink Online Firearms Portal coverage of the NSSF Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show, from Las Vegas Nevada. Keep an eye out for coverage of the latest in firearms related products and technology from GunLink.info before, during and after the show. Be sure to let us know which exhibitors you would like for us to cover so that we can tailor our coverage just for you!

Heizer’s DoubleTap Pint Sized Pistol Packs a Punch

 

Heizer Defense

I first became intrigued with the Heizer Defense Double Tap when I saw an ad for it in the NRA’s American Rifleman magazine.  For some reason, there is something I just can’t resist about this type of pint sized pistol.

The DoubleTap, available in both 9mm and .45ACP versions, comes in a package significantly smaller than other firearms in the same class.  In fact, Heizer bills the DoubleTap as “the world’s smallest and lightest .45 ACP concealed carry pistol on the market today.”  At just 5.5 inches long, 3.9 inches tall and less than 0.7 inches wide, the DoubleTap can easily disappear into a pocket or purse and be at the ready should you need it.  With both aluminum and titanium models available (weighing in at 12 and 14 ounces, respectively), the pistol won’t weigh you down either.

Heizer DoubleTap TitaniumWith only two rounds chambered and another two stowed on a speed strip inside the grip, some people might feel a little under-gunned with that low of a round count.  The DoubleTap might not be the right choice for someone who wants to be ready to take on a small army but it definitely looks like it would serve its intended purpose of offering .45ACP stopping power in an ultra-concealable package.  This makes the DoubleTap perfect for a last-ditch backup gun or an EDC concealed carry piece for someone who wants to keep size and weight at a minimum.

Operating the DoubleTap is a breeze.  The ten pound double action trigger pull is butter-smooth thanks to precision ball bearings and then breaks crisply.  Each successive pull of the trigger drops the snag-free internal hammer on each Continue reading

Springfield Armory Introduces New Compact XD-S .45ACP Pistol

GunLink had a chance to stop by the Springfield Armory spot on the shooting line at the 2012 NSSF SHOT show Media Day at the Range and shoot their latest offering.  The XD-s is so new, in fact, that this range time is the first time it’s been in the hands of people who didn’t make it.

Springfield Armory XD-SThe XD-s, the newest addition to Springfield Armory’s line of XD pistols, is a slimmer, lighter pistol that still packs the punch of a .45 ACP round.  With an overall length of just over six inches and a height of four inches, the XD-s weighs in at only 29 ounces.  The single stack 5+1 magazine capacity also allows it to be easily concealable with its width of just one inch (0.9” along the slide).

With a weight of just 29 ounces and a 3.3 inch barrel, one might think that recoil would be an issue with a .45 ACP caliber weapon, but that’s not the case.  During our test fire, the recoil didn’t seem to be much, if any, worse than other polymer framed pistols of the same caliber, even full sized models.  The manageable recoil, along with the low profile snag-free fiber optic front and steel dovetail rear sights came together to ensure that each shot fired was put on target with a satisfying “ding” following each smooth pull of the trigger.

The XD-s, which disassembles the same way as other XD models (with very minor differences regarding magazine insertion/removal when the disassembly lever is being manipulated), also shares other features with its XD brethren.  The XD-s also has the Ultra Safety Assurance trigger system, grip safety, loaded chamber indicator, textured grip, Melonite finish and under-barrel, single-position Picatinny rail.  Given the small stature of the XD-s, it felt a little small in my relatively large hands although, thankfully, the interchangeable backstraps and well positioned magazine release from the XD-M made it into the design along with its short trigger reset.

If you want to add an XD-s to your collection, however, you will have to wait.  This slim striker-fired pistol won’t be hitting shelves until at least March of 2012 and Springfield Armory has not yet announced the price.

Designers of New Police Gear for Women at SHOT Show

Her Blue WearAs anyone who has had to wear one probably already knows, uniforms aren’t always, well…uniform.  Actually, a better way to put that would be to say that uniforms are too uniform for the diversity of bodies that need to be put inside them.  “One size fits all” doesn’t always hold true and “unisex” gear often makes too many compromises on both sides to serve either one very well.

These issues can result in the wearer being uncomfortable, which can often be quite a nuisance.   In the case of people who may be wearing their uniforms in life-or-death situations, having to deal with gear fit issues can be much worse than just a nuisance.

Cleveland Ohio business partners Denise Czack and Tanya Sirl recognized this issue with uniforms for female police officers and decided to so something about it by creating the Her BlueWear Uniforms company.  Her BlueWear Uniforms takes a big step in helping to provide the right gear for the right job to female officers.   Continue reading

Parabellum Armament Shows Off AK Add-ons at SHOT

Parabellum Armament demonstrated several innovative products for the AK-47 platform at the Boulder City Pistol & Rifle Range the day before the 2012 NSSF SHOT Show officially opened and GunLink had an opportunity to try them out.

Both of the AK add-ons were on the same rifle, also equipped with an under-folder stock.  The first aftermarket gadget was Parabellum’s AK rail system.  We’ve seen rail systems for the AK platform in the fast and they often fall short of the needs of the serious shooter for various reasons.  Some rail systems attach via pricey and awkward mounts on the side of the receiver and might even require permanent modification of the firearm.  Other rail systems are often either attached by the rear leaf sight mount or the top dust cover, neither of which necessarily results in a rail that stays put.  That might be acceptable for mounting flashlights or if you aren’t interested in your optics staying zeroed.

The rail system from Parabellum Armament mounts to Continue reading

Slide Fire Solutions Kicks Bump Firing Up A Notch

GunLink had a chance to stop by the Slide Fire Solutions demonstration booth and check out some of their offerings during the SHOT Show Media Day at the Range, including the original OGR and the updated models of stocks for AR-15 rifles as well as the new SSAK-47 XRS stocks for AK-47 rifles.  Slide Fire Solutions declares that they are not the first company to engineer bump fire technology, but they found a way to take it to the next level.

If you have never heard of the technique of “bump firing” a rifle, the basic idea is to allow a semi-automatic firearm to fire multiple shots in rapid succession, often with rates of fire approaching those of automatic rifles.  This is achieved when the shooter holds their trigger finger in a stationary position (often by hooking it into their belt loop) and uses their support hand to apply constant forward pressure by pulling the rifle forend away from them.  This motion causes the trigger to press forward into the shooter’s stationary trigger finger, thus firing the rifle.  After firing, recoil causes the rifle to move rearward before the constant forward pressure brings the trigger back into contact with the trigger finger and starts the process over.  Although this procedure allows for fast rates of fire, it does not convert the firearm to automatic operation because each shot is caused by a single trigger pull.  Each Slide Fire accessory kit even includes a copy of the BATFE letter certifying that it is not a machine gun.

As they say, Slide Fire Solutions takes this concept to the next level by making the bump firing process much safer and easier and with increased controllability.  They achieve this with their Continue reading

MyGunDB Developer To Attend SHOT Show

MyGunDBIf you’re reading this blog, chances are that you’re probably at least somewhat interested in firearms.  Maybe you’re  a gun enthusiast, collector, dealer or otherwise involved with firearms.  Either way, you can probably appreciate the situation that many gun owners face in keeping track of their firearms.  Many owners and collectors wish to keep track of their collection of firearms and accessories for insurance purposes, to stay current on periodic maintenance and a variety of other reason.  Licensed dealers are required by the ATF to keep records detailing all of their firearms acquisitions and dispositions and, if they’ve got any sense, they want to keep a close eye on their inventory.

Enter MyGunDB, a cross-platform software application from Intelligent Firearms Solutions that meets all of the above needs and more.  MyGunDB allows users to keep a secure, detailed database of their firearms and accessories that includes prices, actual values, maintenance schedules, rounds fired, purchase and sale details and much more.  MyGunDB is such a valuable tool that various entities, including the CMP, have chosen to pair up with the developer to release their own licensed version of MyGunDB.  In fact, there is even a MyGunDB GunLink Edition!

We got a chance to catch up with Alan Ellis, developer of the IFS MyGunDB software, and ask him a few questions.   If you’d like to learn more, you can find Alan on Twitter and facebook.

GunLink:  Hi, Alan.  How are you doing today?
Alan Ellis:  Excellent! Getting ready for a new release so coding, coding, coding!

GL:  So, you’re the man behind the MyGunDB software?  Tell us a little about the software.
AE:  Yep, MyGunDB is my baby! A user once described MyGunDB as Quickbooks for your firearms. It’ll help you track your firearm stats, accessories, pictures, factory and reloaded ammo, maintenance schedule — pretty much everything a collector needs! It’s the best way to keep your collection organized Continue reading

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