2013 International Firearms Trace Data Released by BATFE
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) released last week several international firearms trace data reports for the 2013 year. The reports include data for five Caribbean nations, Canada, Mexico and several Central American countries. Trace data in the reports is gathered from ATF’s National Tracing Center (NTC) and relates only to ATF-traced firearms recovered in these countries.
According to the release, firearms trace data provides information on the movement of a firearm from its first sale by a manufacturer or importer through the distribution chain in an attempt to identify the first retail purchaser. This information can tie a firearm in a criminal investigation to a suspect and identify potential traffickers (ironic, no?).
In 2013, ATF’s NTC traced over 4,500 firearms recovered in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Belize and Costa Rica – the majority of which were handguns. Also in 2013, the NTC traced over 15,000 firearms recovered in Mexico, over 1,400 firearms recovered in Canada and over 1,000 in the Caribbean.
To view the 2013 international firearms trace data, as well as US trace statistics from 2006-2012, visit the ATF statistics page.
Kel-Tec Adds New Bullpups to Kennel with RDB and M43
SHOT Show 2014 saw Kel-Tec add two new bullpups to their lineup that already includes the KSG shotgun and RFB in 7.62 NATO. Their latest offerings, the RDB and M43, bring the 5.56 caliber into the mix with standard AR-15 magazine compatibility. Built around the same steel frame and downward-ejecting, rotating bolt, piston operated bullpup action, the two are essentially the same firearm – albeit dressed in radically different furniture.
The RDB (for Rifle, Downward-ejecting, Bullpup) looks like something you would expect to come out of the Kel-Tec labs, wit its polymer furniture and familiar styling. This is the tactical model, featuring a picatinny rail for mounting your favorite optics and/or irons. The lightweight tactical RDB, with its aluminum and polymer parts, tips the scales at just 7 pounds.
The sheet metal and wood of the M43 adds a Continue reading
Trigger Time Behind Long Range Smart Optics
One of the most exciting things we got to see at range day was a pair of siblings from the smart optics family: the Tracking Point Xact system and its little brother, the new Remington 2020 system. Despite getting behind the Tracking Point for some simulation last year, this was my first time sending live rounds downrange with it. Way downrange. We punished the nearly 1000 yard target with the .300 Win Mag version and, since misery loves company, we put a hurting on the 350+ yard target with the .30-06 Remington 700 with the 2020 on top.
The new Remington system uses the same optic/ballistics calculator/range finder/wi-fi server/magic box as the Tracking Point, although not so tightly integrated with the firearm. Despite the device handling the measurements and ballistic computations for the user, it doesn’t have any mechanism for Continue reading
Remington’s New R51 and John Pedersen’s Legacy
It would be tough to find someone who doesn’t know, if not own, John Moses Browning’s seminal pistol, the M1911. Not surprising, given that nearly 3 million have been procured for military service in the US alone, dozens of other countries use them for military service and untold numbers of the prolific pistols and its derivatives are in the civilian market. Less well known is the Remington Model 51 designed by his contemporary, John Pedersen, who Browning described to US Chief of Ordnance Field Service Julian Hatcher as “the greatest gun designer in the world.” Also not surprising, since only 65,000 were produced and only through the late 1920s.
The original Model 51, marketed as a pocket pistol and available in .380 and .32 ACP, never enjoyed widespread commercial success despite many considering the locking mechanism to be superior to Browning’s design and describing it as ahead of its time. Pedersen’s legacy, and that of the Model 51, lives on with Remington’s introduction of the R51 pistol at SHOT Show 2014. Continue reading
Welcome to Fabulous SHOT Show – Las Vegas, NV
This week marks the 36th annual SHOT Show. With attendees numbering over 60,000 in recent years and nearly 2,000 exhibitors, the industry trade show has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1979 St. Louis.
The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades – SHOT – Show exhibits the latest and greatest products and information for a wide variety attendees. From the latest hunting and camping gear to law enforcement equipment and techniques to the most up-to-date marketing and compliance information for firearms dealers. And, of course, guns. Lots and lots of wonderful new firearms of interest to the general shooting public.
As we have for the last several years, GunLink will have staff at the show to compile all of the photos, videos and articles you need to plan out how you’re going to blow all your money this year. New GLOCK and Remington pistols? The latest in long range shooting? AR parts and accessories? Night vision? You got it. Keep your eyes right here on the GunLink blog and on the SHOT Show discussion board on the GunLink forums to keep up with SHOT Show coverage from GunLink as well as our friends and partners.
Are “Smart Optics” Catching On?
During last year’s SHOT Show, we covered the Tracking Point Xact system, a closed-loop weapon system with “smart optics” that compute ballistic data and make long range shooting so easy a caveman can do it. Although there were skeptics in the GunLink crew at first, they were won over. So, it seems, were others…
Remington recently announced their 2020 smart optic, powered by Tracking Point technology. In addition to a line with more caliber options – .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and .223 Remington versus Tracking Point’s .338 Lapua and .300 WSM – the price is significantly lower. Where the Tracking Point offerings tip the scales in the $18,00-23,000 range, the Remington packages have a more palatable MSRP well under $6,000. Where the factory rifle offerings from Tracking Point were totally custom numbers, Remington 2020 packages come with familiar Model 700 and Bushmaster rifles underneath their smart optics. Continue reading
