Gun Club

Photo from MP.net

To all my readers: Have a very Merry Christmas.

I am taking a short holiday and blogging will resume on the 5 January.

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The Contemporary Classic Centennial, 100th Anniversary Edition, is Wilson Combat’s answer to the question “What would John Moses Browning have done with the 1911 if he had modern CNC machines available?”. Just 100 are being made.

From the press release …

Using the same materials Browning would have used in his era like forged and billet machined carbon steels, select walnut for grips and painstakingly hand-finished bone charcoal blue from Doug Turnbull, Wilson Combat has built a modern version of what Browning might have originally envisioned with his 1911-The New Wilson Combat Contemporary Classic.

…

Limited to 100 serial numbered pieces in 2011, the Contemporary Classic is hand crafted with turn-of-the-century materials and finish-with many Wilson enhanced performance options to suit the modern shooter. Custom features abound-and they all have a practical purpose-fine checkering fore and aft for enhanced grip, better sights with a gold bead insert front blade, and better ergonomic controls like a beavertail grip safety that will make this an easier pistol to shoot well than an original-especially for more than a handful of rounds. A fine presentation case is included to protect and display your investment.

Browning’s original features still remain like an integral lanyard loop attachment for field use and flat mainspring housing and long, steel trigger that will still fit most hands perfectly a century later. We added our carry cuts to the front of the slide in deference to Browning’s second greatest handgun design, the GP-35 or “Hi-Power”, a feature that gives a the slide distinctive silhouette and enables easy holstering. You will also note the “JMB” initials and unique serial number, our lasting tribute to the “Maestro” on every gun.

This looks like a gun that would make JMB proud. It will sell for $3995.

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The French Defense Ministry has posted an interesting article on their website about new products at the US Army’s AUSA ’10 expo. Notably, they mention a new PDW version for the SCAR. It has a very short barrel (10″?) and an H&K-style retractable stock. I like it!

FN SCAR PDW

Even if you don’t understand the French, I recommend taking a look at the article. It has lots of great photos.

[ Many thanks to Clairon for emailing me the link. ]

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The Peruvian Army has signed a “Technology Cooperation Agreement” with IWI that gives them a license to develop, produce and market the new Galil ACE rifle.

Galil Ace 31

Presumably the Peru Army plans on adopting the Galil ACE. Currently they use a mix of small arms which include IWI’s Galil and Uzi.

The Galil ACE is the latest direct descendant of the AK-47. It features modern ergonomics, plenty of picatinny rails and is available in a range of calibers.

[ Many thanks to Danny for emailing me the link. ]

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The USMC like their M27 IAR so much that they are considering dumping the SAW in favor of it. Military.com reports …

Lt. Gen. George Flynn, who heads the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, told reporters at a Washington, D.C. breakfast that the service plans to finish outfitting five battalions with the new M-27 Infantry Automatic Rifle next month and then will observe how those Marines use it on deployment before changing the organization, training, and tactics of infantry units around the new weapon.

But Flynn pushed back at critics of the M-27, saying the improved accuracy of the Heckler and Koch-made automatic rifle makes up for a lower rate of fire compared to the M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon it’s being fielded to replace.

[ Many thanks to Lance for emailing me the link. ]

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Valkyrie Armament has developed a belt-fed system for AR-15 rifles. Any mil-spec AR-15 can be converted to make use of the system. The company sells AR-15 rifles already converted, although most customers prefer to supply a rifle for conversion.

The design is an improved version of the Stoner 63 belt system. A M249 SAW ammunition box is held in place by an adapter that fits into the AR-15 magazine well. To switch feeding from a belt to a standard AR magazine, all that needs to be done is to open the rifle by the rear take down pin, push the mag release, pull the belt feed tray out of the top and close the rifle.

A similar concept to the Valkyrie is the Ares Shrike system. It is a belt-fed upper receiver for the AR-15 that, unlike the Valkyrie, uses its own proprietary gas piston and barrel attachment system.

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LuckyGunner has posted a very interesting interview with Carlo Fiocchi …

Through gatherings like the annual family Christmas dinner, which they still observe to this day, Carlo Fiocchi was steeped in family legend and reared in the vocabulary of small arms ammunition from a very young age. “My first memories of life are in the ammunition business, from as early as 3-4 years old,” Mr. Fiocchi, now 54, warmly recalls through a thick Italian accent. Fiocchi Munizioni, the 100% privately held Italian parent company, has had its share of setbacks since it was founded in 1876 by Giulio Fiocchi.

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Emiliano Zapata is a Mexican national hero. He was a general in the Mexican revolution until being ambushed and killed by an opposing general who had claimed that he wished to surrender.

Paul, a reader of the blog, emailed me photos of a revolver in his collection that was once owned by Zapata.

Many more photos after the jump.

[ Many thanks to Paul for emailing me the photos. ]

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Solider Systems noticed that the new M24E1 sniper rifle is now being referred to as the XM2010. PEO Solider says …

The XM2010 is distinguished by its advanced design and represents a quantum upgrade over the M24. The shooter interface can be tailored to accommodate a wide range of shooter preferences and its folding stock provides Soldier flexibility in transporting the weapon during operations. The weapon also incorporates advanced corrosion resistant coatings to ensure longevity. The aluminum, steel, and high impact polymers used in the weapon’s construction are lightweight and rugged.

The ESR is equipped with a Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm scope. The variable power scope includes a first focal plane reticle so when the user dials in, the reticle pattern scales with the zoom enabling the sniper to estimate range at any power setting. The scope also employs a reticle pattern that facilitates faster and more accurate range estimation and utilizes mil turret adjustments to eliminate MOA to mil conversion. The targeting stadia reticle allows for simultaneous elevation and windage holds that eliminate the need to dial in adjustments.

Photos of the XM2010 …

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I just got word that 25 employees were laid off from The Freedom Group on Friday. I hope they all land on their feet.

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