Mossberg Breaks into AR15 Scene with 11 New Rifles
O.F. Mossberg & Sons slipped into the AR-15 platform market largely under the radar last summer when they unveiled their Mossberg Modern Rifle (MMR) line of rifles alongside their line of MVP bolt-action varmint rifles which accept AR-15 magazines. It is clear that Mossberg sees the obvious and growing interest in this platform, but with the current near-saturation of the AR market, both for complete rifles as well as aftermarket accessories, it may be a tough market for a new player to break in to. The veteran hunting rifle and shotgun manufacturer needs to bring a lot to the table.
Mossberg’s play may be all in the marketing, though. Along with the relative newcomer R15 from Remington, these camo-ed up AR-15s may be just what the doctor ordered to bring together two of the supposedly divided factions of gun owners: the hunting and sporting purpose crowd and the devout pro-Second Amendment crowd. Examples of such divisions can be seen in Continue reading
Heizer’s DoubleTap Pint Sized Pistol Packs a Punch
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.
With 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.
The 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.
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
If 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
SHOT Show Media Day
There was a lot going on at 2012 SHOT Show’s Media Day at the Range. 1200 media personnel were expected to show up and, based on the crowd, I’d say that expectation was met. There were a variety of new products on display, both in the shooting areas as well as the non-shooting areas, including newly debuted firearms, gear, off-road vehicles, mobile apps and more. GunLink spoke with numerous exhibitors, shot some guns, tried out some gear and generally had a great time. A big thanks goes out to all of the exhibitors and sponsors who made it all possible, including the range transportation, lunch and everything else.
Some of the new firearms products that we were most impressed with included Springfield Armory’s brand new XDs pistol, some of the new offerings from Slidefire Solutions and Parabellum Armament. We look forward to sharing information about these new products (and many more) over the coming days. Keep an eye right here for updates.
