The Gen5 Glock included in the kit comes with a factory threaded-barrel and a couple of custom features from B&T. The first is a switch that immobilizes the slide, eliminating the sound of the semi-automatic pistol’s slide reciprocating for the quietest operation possible. The second feature is the custom milling for Aimpoint’s enclosed emitter ACRO mini red-dot optic. The beauty of B&T’s work is how deeply the ACRO is embedded into the slide. The bottom of the optic’s window is just about level with the top of the slide, offering co-witnessing with standard-height irons.

The B&T Hush Puppy silencer uses polymer wipes instead of conical metal baffles for the ultimate performance in noise reduction. The wipes will last a dozen rounds, or so, before they’re no longer able to trap gasses and suppress the noise of the host pistol. Replacing the wipes with a new set takes a minute and restores the can’s performance. B&T says the Hush Puppy is as quiet as it’s VP9 silenced, bolt-action pistol, which is pretty damned quiet.

The Hush Puppy includes a custom laser cut case, two boxes of 158-grain subsonic ammo, and tools to work on the pistol and suppressor.

B&T hasn’t released an official price, but a representative expects the kit to retail for between $2200 and $2500.

It’s no secret that everything we buy on the mass market is designed to function in a window of operation envisioned by the engineers tasked with bringing an idea to life. Further, those engineers are often limited by the budgetary constraint known as return on investment. No matter how great a product idea is, there’s always some tradeoff made at the drafting table to cut design or manufacturing costs.

While most people might buy and use a widget just as the manufacturer intended, there are plenty of us that color outside the lines. And it’s for us that firms such as KNS Precision exist to serve.

The company’s first product was made 24 years ago to serve shooters that wanted to get more precision out of their rifles than the original manufacturer ever anticipated. The KNS Crosshair Front Sight, which is still available today, provided iron sight AR shooters with a fine aiming point that isn’t obstructed by a traditional, thick front sight post that obscures what you’re aiming at. As AR’s shed the minute-of-man accuracy they were once known for, KNS was ready to pick up where the limited expectation of the factory designers left off.

Over the years, KNS continued to come up with different products that elevated firearms to the level of performance that the market expected. That brings us to the latest crop of products KNS is debuting in 2024, beginning at SHOT Show.

BND-90 FOLDING CHARGING HANDLE

Brownells hit it out of the park with its BRN-180 line of short-stroke gas piston uppers for the AR platform when they were released a few years ago. They brought Eugene Stoner’s lauded AR-18 design from the 1960s into the new millennium and made it drop-in compatible with the beloved AR-15 platform, giving AR shooters a nearly painless path to pistons. Nearly painless, that is, because of the BRN-180’s highly functional, but terribly tall side-mounted, reciprocating charging handle. Anyone that’s recently run one with an optic mounted on their rifle will present the evidence of their BRN-180 dedication; the knuckle scabs (or scars) awarded by the scope mount bolts for running the charging handle to the rear.

Far from oblivious to the fangs they created, Brownells was happy to work with KNS, says KNS co-owner Gordon Gipson. Gipson says the two companies have a great history of working together that dates back to 1999 when Brownells was the first distributor to pick up KNS’s products. Brownells brought to them their desire to see the BRN-180 fitted with a friendlier charging handle and KNS was happy to oblige.

The resulting product will appeal to anyone with knuckles and a BRN-180. The new BND-90 is a drop-in replacement that adds both comfort and safety to the BRN-180 upper. First off, instead of an upturned lever, the new charging handle sticks straight out and provides plenty of clearance between the upper’s top rail and the hand running it. While that might be enough to entice the bloody-knuckled to pick one up, the BND-180 also automatically folds forward when the gun is fired, thus reducing the chance of the reciprocating lever bashing something it shouldn’t when the gun is running.

It’s made of stress-proof steel, finished with black nitride for corrosion resistance and features a comfortable nylon handle. The BND-90 Folding Charging Handle for the Brownells BRN-180 will be available by the time you’re reading this for $60.

KNS CZ P-07/09 ENHANCED SAFETY

In this next installment of “what were they thinking” KNS takes aim at CZ’s highly regarded, but ergonomically imperfect P-07/09 series of pistols. Launched in 2013, the successor to CZ’s 75 P-07 Duty, the CZ P-07/09 series featured a bevy of major changes that included reshaping and dehorning the slide and frame, adding a modular backstrap, upgrading to metal sights, and even changing the formulation of the polymer used in the frame. All of these changes were appreciated by the market and CZ sold and continues to sell plenty of its polymer pistols.

But you knew it was coming. All of those changes and CZ barely touched the anemic safety levers when it redesigned the Seventy Five. The P-07/09 series brought forward the legacy, nearly flat-faced safety paddles that work pretty well but are a little slick when working with grimy or gloved hands.

Again, KNS’s Gipson points back to a conversation he had with CZ execs at SHOT Show a couple of years ago when they told him some shooters, mostly competitive shooters, were looking for a more substantial interface between thumb and safety than the factory P-09 could supply.

It took longer than expected, Gipson told me, but KNS came up with a set of drop-in safety levers for the P-07/09 series that answers the mail. The new KNS CZ P-07/09 Enhanced Safety levers provide a solid thumb shelf on both sides of the gun. What’s more, KNS made their Enhanced Safety compatible with the OEM parts. So, those that want to can run a KNS lever on one side and the slicker, factory lever on the other, say, for better concealability. Or, one lever can be run alone, deleting the safety lever from the other side completely.

The parts are built to compliment the durability of the P-07/09 line. The axle is made of structural 4130 chromoly steel with a nitride coating, while the paddle is made from Type-III hardcoat anodized 6061 aluminum. The KNS CZ P-07/09 Enhanced Safety comes with right and left paddles and is available now for $68.

THE CZECH VALVE

The last of the upcoming KNS products we’ll cover is at the heart of what KNS is about; looking at a gun’s baked-in limitation and refusing to accept it. The CZ BREN 2 line of carbines has a solid following, and it operates reliably with typical ammunition loads and in typical configurations. But some shooters run loads CZ’s engineers didn’t anticipate, others run suppressors, and some run both. In testing, KNS found the BREN 2 7.62×39 models were ammunition sensitive, while the 5.56mm guns were less temperamental… until you put a suppressor on them. For these folks, the BREN 2’s gas system causes reliability issues that can’t be tuned out with the stock parts.

The Czech Valve is a drop-in kit that replaces the gas valve and piston on the BREN 2. It has a 2-stage adjustment range and a gas flow path that provides finer control and a wider range of adjustment of the rifle’s gas regulation than the stock valve. It’s very similar to KNS’s DiSCARder gas valve for the FN SCAR, for those that are familiar with that product.

Installation is straightforward. Field strip the gun, replace the stock gas piston with the KNS version and swap the stock gas plug with the Czech Valve. Then head to the range with the rifle in the configuration you’ll most use, and with the lightest load you anticipate shooting. Starting with one of the Czech Valve’s three coarse settings and the fine control knob at its lowest setting, fire rounds while turning the large, fine control knob up one click at a time until you get reliable operation. Take note of the setting on the valve for later reference. There are 14 settings from 0-13, each laser-engraved and featuring tactile and audible clicks. Once set, the knobs stay put thanks to hearty detents. Should your configuration or load change down the road, the system can be adjusted on the fly with a turn of the knob.

Like the KNS DiSCARder, the Czech Valve does two things differently than its competitors. First, it vents gas into the atmosphere instead of simply restricting gas that’s then forced back into the barrel. Second, the gas path in the Czech Valve (and the DiSCARder) takes a couple of turns and goes through a perforated diffusor. These steps help further regulate timing and flash suppression.

The body of the Czech Valve is made of stress proof steel and the adjustment collar is 416 steel with a nickel boron finish to keep carbon from sticking to it. And, as a nice touch, the detent spring is Inconel to enhance durability (full-auto guns could cook that spring).

Expect the KNS Czech Valve to ship before the summer in two configurations, 5.56mm and 7.62mm, and with a price that’s within $20-$40 of the DiSCARder.

More info is available at knsprecisioninc.com

Accuracy International, Ltd is widely regarded as the creator of the world’s finest sniper rifles being Accurate, Rugged and Reliable.

The AT-X platform, with a new generation short action and enhanced features, after continued research and development and exhaustive testing, will now be offered in Sporting and Professional configurations. The AT-XC answers the call for a modern action with durability, safety, ease of use and an increased feature set for the competitive shooter. The AT-XMIL/LE replaces the AT and AX308 models.

The AT-X builds on AI’s legacy of engineering and innovation that has made it a world leader in bolt action rifle technology. “The development of the AT-X sets new standards of performance for a bolt- action platform and delivers on AI’s reputation for accuracy, durability, and safety,” said Tom Irwin, Director. The heart of the AT-X is a new action design sharing major features with the AXSR and AX ELR rifles. The new action provides greater breech strength, improved gas handling, bedding stability, durability, reduced operating effort, and lower weight. Rigorous testing was central to the development of the new action to ensure performance and reliability in the most demanding environments. The new action will be the foundation for a family of AT-X rifles.

Testing to relevant NATO D/14 Standards:

• Obstructed barrel test
• Safety Drop Test
• Endurance Test
• Hot and Cold Test
• Static and Dynamic Sand and Dust Test
• Mud Test

The AT-X is a multi-calibre bolt action rifle with quick change barrel capability, two stage trigger with adjustable shoe. A cut rifled, high precision, barrel is available in .308Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. The 7075 t6 alloy chassis treatment is Mil Std Hardcoat Anodize with a Cerakote finish.

Standard Features Include:

• Folding stock with rear grip
• Detachable 10-round magazine
• Target adjustable butt pad
• 20 MOA action rail
• Toolless adjustable length of pull
• Toolless adjustable cheek rest
• Full length forend bridge
• Three position safety
• AI’s KeySlot interface
• Interchangeable AR style grip
• Integral RRS dovetail interface

The AXSR long action multicalibre rifle has been in production for the USA market for a few years and will now be offered to the UK and Rest of the World markets as a user configurable, mission adaptable, all weather, day/night capable rifle system.

Along with the AX ELR .50BMG, all models have successfully and independently completed all relevant NATO / Military Weapon testing standards worldwide, for continued assurance of performance in professional markets.

The U.S. market will have the same family of products in different configurations.

Headquartered in Portsmouth UK for over 40 years, Accuracy International has designed, tested, manufactured, and supported precision rifles and accessories for the most demanding military organizations, police forces and competitive shooters in the world utilizing proven world class manufacturing principals. Accuracy International rifle systems are in use in the UK, US and over 70 countries worldwide.

For Further information contact:

Accuracy International Ltd ai@accuracyinternational.org

Accuracy International of North America, Inc. aina@accuracyinternational.us

Visit us on our updated new website at – www.accuracyinternational.com

“But hang on a sec’,” some of you might be thinking, “this pistol looks familiar.” Well, yes, it does because this pistol is, essentially, the resurrection of the Hudson H9A design. This second coming of the H9 is manufactured in-house by Daniel Defense, leaving behind all the baggage of the pistol’s originator, Cy Hudson, and his company, Hudson Manufacturing.

You may recall the debacle that was Hudson Manufacturing when it went belly up while holding on to dozens of customer’s H9 pistols that were in for warranty work and skipping out on hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt owed to vendors and creditors. It turns out, during the fire sale of Hudson’s assets, Hudson’s sister company “Skunk Labs, LLC” held the rights to the H9’s technical data package and appears it was able to sell it to Daniel Defense.

But, that’s a story for another day. We’re here to celebrate the launch of what may be the pistol garnering the most buzz at SHOT Show 2024.

After years of research, detailed design work, and testing, we couldn’t be more excited to launch the Daniel H9,” says Marty Daniel, Founder of Daniel Defense.

Daniel Defense says the Daniel H9 shares the ergonomics, pointability, and straight-pull trigger with the classic 1911, but has everything you’d expect in a modern, striker-fired handgun, like ambidextrous controls, an accessory rail, optics compatibility, and more. The aluminum grip module keeps the pistol’s weight down while providing notable durability. And, like all of its rifle brethren, the Daniel H9 features a cold hammer forged barrel for “unparalleled precision.”

As with any freshly developed firearm action, its operation must be vetted with a ton of testing, and Daniel Defense seems to have put in the necessary work, telling us that it put over a million rounds through the platform during testing.

“It wasn’t enough to just be another handgun in an already crowded market. It had to be better than anything out there. It had to redefine how people thought about handgun,” says Rod Reasen, the CEO of Daniel Defense.

The DANIEL H9 is available for purchase today at select dealers. Visit DanielDefense.com/H9 for more details.

FEATURES:

• Low bore axis for less muzzle rise and faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
• Straight-pull trigger and trigger safety blade for precise control and improved safety.
• One-piece-machined ambidextrous slide stop and reversible mag-release button for superior ergonomics.
• Cold hammer-forged barrel, 1:10 twist, 6-groove, with polygonal rifling.
• Type 7075 aluminum grip module for less weight and more strength.
• Balanced-texture grip panels for comfort and secure purchase.
• Compatible with most popular red dot optics.
• Slim profile for optimal concealability.
• Steel factory sights with dovetail cut.
• Low friction magazine finish for smooth insertion and removal.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Uppercut’s 22 LR, 32-grain, jacketed hollow point bullet features nose skiving that initiates full and reliable expansion through 2.5- to 4-inch semi-auto pistols, while retaining the weight needed to hit critical penetration depths needed for self-defense. Plus, CCI ’s legendary priming ensures it will always be ready if ever required.

The new Hevi-Bismuth pest control centerfire handgun shotshells are loaded with the Catalyst lead-free primer and HEVI-Bismuth pellets. At 9.6 g/cc, the shot carries nearly the same density and downrange energy of lead but adheres to all non-toxic ammunition requirements. Available in 9mm Luger, 38/357 Mag., 40 S&W, 44 Spl/Rem Mag., 45 Auto, and 45 Colt.

The new 10mm Auto 105-grain No. 9 pest control centerfire handgun shotshells produce consistent patterns that make it easier to knock down nasty critters such as snakes and other pests in tight quarters. Packed in reusable boxes of 10 shotshells.

New 9mm Luger Blazer Brass handgun ammunition features reloadable brass cases, quality primers, and clean-burning propellants. The new lower-recoil, 100-grain load offers consistent, reliable, accurate performance for target shooting.

Attendees of the 2024 SHOT Show are encouraged to stop by Booth No. 11838 for a first-hand look at these new products and more. For more information on all products from CCI Ammunition, go to www.cci-ammunition.com.

NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, revealed that the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) completed 680,671 background checks related to firearms for the week leading up to, and including, “Black Friday,” one of the busiest shopping days of the year. That figure is down slightly from 2022’s total of 711,372 for the same time period. The 2023 total is a 4.3 percent decrease from the 2022 figure.

FBI NICS completed 214,913 background checks on Black Friday alone. That is the highest figure recorded for a Black Friday. The figure approximates firearm sales at retail on that day, although it also includes background checks for other purposes related to firearms such as approvals for concealed carry permits. NSSF will later this week release its Adjusted NICS figures for November reflecting only those background checks related to the sale of a firearm at retail.

NSSF has worked with firearm retailers to spread out special sales offers to customers throughout the week leading up to Black Friday so as not to overwhelm FBI NICS on a single day, which can result in longer than normal wait times.

“The background checks reported by the FBI are in keeping with the trends NSSF has seen throughout the year. Firearm sales remain consistently strong, with over a million per month for more than four years running,” explained Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “These figures tell us that there is a continued strong appetite for lawful firearm ownership by law-abiding Americans and that firearm manufacturers across the country continue to deliver the quality firearms our customers have come to expect.”

Annual background check data shows that firearm sales will typically rise during the final months of the year coinciding with hunting seasons and holiday sales.

Below are the breakout tables for each day of unadjusted FBI NICS background checks.

• Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023: 95,354
• Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023: 52,521
• Monday, Nov. 20, 2023: 79,970
• Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023: 101,199
• Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023: 110,703
• Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023: 26,011
• Friday, Nov. 24, 2023: 214,913

Enter Frontier Resolve and its new Fortitude Pack Frame. The company is veteran run and owned and brings a noteworthy perspective to the field of load carriage and pack design. Its new offering relies on decades of real-world use and comprehensive study of military and recreational backpack frames and accessories in its approach. The result is a lightweight, aluminum pack frame that prioritizes comfort and versatility without compromising dependability or strength.

The Fortitude Pack Frame is designed to work with all versions of the U.S. military’s legacy ALICE pack – including ALICE belts and shoulder straps – and is a fully cross-compatible with the current USMC-issue FILBE pack and components. Further, the Fortitude’s design offers compatibility with a wide array of packs on the market, including standard issue military packs as well as many commercial packs. Any pack that accepts a legacy style ALICE frame will accept the Fortitude Pack Frame, says Frontier Resolve.

Another great feature of the Fortitude is its ability to be used as a stand-alone packboard by adding a set of shoulder and waist straps to the bare frame. In this configuration, the setup is capable of carrying anything that can be strapped to it using the versatile matrix of slots throughout the frame. The company suggests using the packboard configuration to haul odd-sized duffle bags, water containers, fuel cans, buckets, chainsaws, tools, big-game quarters, or pretty much anything you can think of.

The Fortitude frame is curved to match the profile of the human back. Frontier Resolve says it’s thin enough to flex with natural body movement, but rigid enough vertically to support more than 150 pounds of weight and its monolithic design with no moving parts eliminates common break or wear and failure points.

The Fortitude Pack Frame Specs

• 2.1-pound monolithic design – no welds, no rivets, non-mechanical
• Made with custom, specialty aluminum alloy – aircraft-grade aluminum that will not fatigue
• Finished with Type III Mil-Spec hard coat anodization, polished and deburred by divertory tumbling
• Modular design fits any pack that accepts a traditional ALICE-size frame
• Cross-compatible with the current issue USMC FILBE pack
• Can be used independently as a packboard
• Dozens of webbing cutouts for customization and accessory additions
• Individually contoured and pre-curved
• Available in Coyote Brown and Olive Drab Green

The Strike Mini HandStop with Cable Management System (M-LOK) is a compact accessory that offers enhanced firearm control and wire organization. This lightweight, high-strength impact resistant handstop features the patent-pending S.I. Cable Management System (CMS), offering versatile cable routing options, such as alongside, across, 90-degrees, U-shape or Z-shape, and excess wire storage for a clutter-free shooting experience.

Designed for single M-LOK slot attachment with a compact 1.70-inch overall length, the Strike Mini HandStop provides a rearward angled, pull style grip option for superior weapon control. The textured front and rear finger areas ensure a secure grasp, while the built-in front and rear barricade stops provide additional stability. The handstop is made from the custom blended SI Polymer Extreme material and is offered in black and coyote tan.

Features:

• Built-in SI Cable Management System (CMS) w/ excess wire storage (patent pending)
• Single M-LOK slot attachment with 1.70″ (43.18mm) overall length
• Cables can be routed: alongside, across, 90-degrees, U-shape or Z-shape
• Rearward angle for pull style grip options for better weapon manipulation control
• Textured front and rear finger areas for better grasp
• Built-in front and rear barricade stop
• Lightweight
• High-strength impact resistant custom blended SI Polymer Extreme material

An AR-style rifle must really stand out to get some attention these days. Aside from good looks, it’s got to have hot licks, toboot. And Black Rain Ordnance’s We the People custom model has both, in spades. The statement piece from one of America’s premier builders of ARs brings its patriotic motif to the range with performance the Founding Fathers would applaud.

The deep laser engraving and Cerakoting really demonstrates what state-of-the-art customization means. From a distance, the artwork turns heads; but, up close, there are so many visual treats.

The Black Rain Ordnance Story

Justin Harvel, BRO’s president and cofounder, started the company in 2009, growing the company from a modest beginning to an industry behemoth in the intervening 13 years. The company sold just 17 rifles in its first year; it sold more than 80,000 last year. The Missouri-based company now employs 107 people in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and sells guns throughout the country, and in three other countries.

Harvel chalks up the company’s success to his love of guns and his ability to listen to his customers.

“I’ve been around guns since I could crawl,” says Harvel. “I have hundreds and when I go to gun shows, I don’t just look at AR-15s, I check out 30-30s and bolt actions and pistols and whatever … I just love guns.”

Harvel has guns, and gun shops, in his blood. The 46-year-old says the history of his family is four gun shop owners, with three of those shops still in business. He had his own gun shop when he started BRO and his experience at the counter led him to recognize an unfilled need in the market and fill it with his own vision for what an AR could be.

“When I was standing at my gunshop counter, I knew what I wasn’t getting as a dealer and I knew what my customers weren’t getting, so I recognized that niche in the market and went after it. Back then, billet aluminum receivers were rare in general, and rarer on factory rifles.” This was the impetus for Harvel. Since then, his company has become the number one vendor of AR-style rifles for America’s biggest firearm retailer, Bass Pro Shops.

We the People

Along the way, as the brand grew, BRO made the decision to control as much of their product as they could, gradually building the capacity to make just about their entire rifle in-house. Black Rain branded parts found on these rifles aren’t just a way to save money, presenting the best value to their customers, but a statement that BRO stands behind each and every part on the gun.

BRO kept sight of what drove the company’s success and tapped into the market’s lust for custom and semi-custom builds. Offering some of the industry’s most compelling aesthetics that feature deep engraving and multi-coated Cerakote finishes, it’s no secret why BRO’s rifles stand out on the shelves.

Every once in a while, BRO puts out a limited run of custom rifles. The “We the People” offering seen in this review is one of a couple hundred produced. The rifle features every high-performance bell and whistle BRO could put on it.

The top-shelf component list includes a matched billet receiver set that incorporates a flared magwell and winter trigger guard, a nickel boron bolt and bolt carrier, a 416R stainless-steel barrel, a two-chamber, port-biased compensator, a house-made 3.5-pound drop-in trigger with KNS trigger pins, a low-profile gas block, a Tac-Latch charging handle, a slimline, extended handguard, and premium Magpul furniture.

And that’s not to mention the incredible “We the People” treatment that adorns the rifle’s exterior. The deep laser engraving and Cerakoting really demonstrates what state-of-the-art customization means. From a distance, the artwork turns heads; but up close, there are so many visual treats. Each of the handguard and upper receiver’s Pic rail surfaces are adorned with all 56 signatures found on the Declaration of Independence. The Pledge of Allegiance is engraved on the top of the handguard, and the words “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” adorn the base of the handguard. The receivers feature deep engravings of “We the People,” “One Nation Under God,” with “Est. 1776” carved into the trigger guard. We’ve not seen a rifle that better enshrines the minuteman spirit than this red, white, and blue beauty.

And that’s just what’s visible. There are other homages to America’s roots if you know where to look. BRO says the 18-inch handguard on the We the People actually measures out to 17.76 inches. We’ll save the rest of the Easter egg spoilers for the lucky few that get to own one of these rifles.

Digging In

Taking a closer look at some of the rifle’s componentry reveals BRO’s ability to home in on what’s important to shooters. For instance, the handguard’s top is scalloped with Pic rail on the fore and aft sections. The middle dives a bit, not only allowing space for the Pledge of Allegiance, but the relief cut provides a little depth to accommodate larger scope bells that would otherwise come in contact with the handguard. It’s also a slim handguard that’s easy to beer-can grip for guys with normal-sized paws. M-Lok slots adorn the sides and bottom, providing ample space to mount accessories up front. We mounted a Knight’s Armament bipod up front with an M-Lok to Pic rail adapter plate for our accuracy testing. We chose to leave the topside of the handguard bare, forgoing backup irons to leave the signatures of John and Samuel Adams visible on the rail.

Under the hood, guys might appreciate the barrel nut interface. BRO makes barrel changes easy enough by placing standard wrench flats on the barrel nut and using a set-screw mounted gas block.

Another huge upgrade is the rifle’s nickel-boron coated bolt carrier group. After several hundred rounds of our shake-out process, we took the rifle down to parts for its photo shoot. With nothing but a microfiber cloth, the carrier wiped down to shiny metal with a couple swipes. The bolt cleaned up nicely, too, but the tail could use a little more attention with a carbon scraper to get it back to its factory shine.

The trigger is another area where this BRO build stands apart. BRO makes its own drop-in trigger. We ran it through our Dvorak TriggerScan and found it compares favorably to any number of popular aftermarket drop-in triggers. BRO claims a 3.5-pound break, but our scan shows a smooth ramp to a crisp 3.1-pound break. Looking at the scan chart, you can see it’s a smooth trigger with a slight bump at about 0.48 inches, just before the break. This means the break feels less like breaking a glass rod … more like snapping a matchstick. Reset is short and tactile. We also like that BRO went the extra mile adding KNS anti-rotation trigger pins, as well.

There are only two areas where the rifle needs attention. We’re fans of ambidextrous safeties. We assume a lot of other folks are, as well. So, we’re not sure why BRO didn’t just throw an ambi safety on the gun. Other than that, we needed some sights.

Leupold Patrol 6HD

On an 18-inch AR, we figured we’d get the most capability from a low-power, variable optic. It also only felt right to top this rifle with an American-made optic, so we chose Leupold’s new Patrol 6HD. It’s a second focal plane, 1-6 magnification power scope featuring Leupold’s CM-R2 reticle that is marked for holds from 300 to 900 meters based on M855 62-grain, 5.56 NATO ammo when used at max magnification. At the close-end of things, the CM-R2 reticle features an illuminated horseshoe reticle with 0.5 MOA center dot that stays the same size throughout the optic’s magnification range, making fast shots on anything inside of a couple hundred meters easy money. The optic is also quite lightweight, and short enough that it doesn’t impede the host rifle’s handling at all.

On the Range

Judging from the buildsheet, we expected a lot from this rifle on the range. Getting out on a cold winter day, we gave the We the People build a good dose of Slip 2000 and crossed our gloved fingers. Range drills were typical fare consisting of Mozambiques, box drills, some VTAC barrier work, and others. This gave us a good feel for how the rifle handled, ergonomically, as well as how the various bits and pieces fared when interacting with barricades. The rifle swings well and the flat-sided and flat-bottomed handguard played well with the barricade.

We encountered no malfunctions in 400 rounds of drills and benchwork for accuracy testing.

On Paper

We put four types of ammo through the rifle and found the 1:8 twist barrel liked heavier ammo the best. In our five of 5-shot groups, we found the rifle grouped the best with Hornady’s 73-grain ELD Match ammo, posting a tear-inducing 0.43 MOA group at its best, and averaging just over an inch. Other ammo produced groups that would lead us to believe it’s a 1 MOA gun with the right ammo.

Parting Shot

There are plenty of companies that just buy gun parts and assemble them into guns. Black Rain Ordnance isn’t one of them. They clearly take pride in their work and want to share their passion for guns and America with everyone. We realize that a $3200 AR isn’t for everyone but building a rifle like this from parts will have you wondering if you should have just gone and bought something like this that comes with a warranty and a cool-as-hell American motif that, frankly, you probably can’t get anywhere else. Hell, if the rifle didn’t group as well and run as flawlessly as it does, we’d be the first to tell you this thing isn’t worth it. But those that made this rifle bore the weight of all those important words our Founding Fathers used to enshrine our freedoms. And by so inscribing those names and words on their work, they knew they had to make a rifle that could stand on its own as a vehicle of liberty. And they did.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Black Rain Ordnance Model: We The People Custom Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Barrel Length: 18in
Overall Length: 34.7in
Magazine Capacity: 30rds
Weight Unloaded: 6.9lbs
MSRP: $3200
URL: blackrainordnance.com Featured Accessories: Leupold Patrol 6HD CMR2: $1,500
Price as Featured: $4,700

Aimpoint will supply both the FCS13-RE Fire Control System with the TH-60 thermal clip-on for SWESS- Heavy Mature Project and the CompM4 sight combined with ballistic adjustable mounts and 3X Magnifiers for SWESS-Light Battlesight Project.

The FCS13-RE is a direct view, Dynamic Universal Reflex Sight, which utilises an integrated laser range finder and ballistic computer to give the Operator an aiming point corrected for range, type of munition, terrain angle, and environmental conditions. In addition to the 84mm Carl Gustaf, the system can be utilised on other crew-served weapons including 40mm high velocity grenade launchers, and 12.7mm (.50 caliber) heavy machine guns. The FCS13-RE provides a very high probability of first-shot hit on both stationary and moving targets at extended ranges and utilises a very intuitive User control interface. The system can be enhanced with modular magnification and thermal imaging components and is compatible with all generations of military night vision equipment.

The CompM4, in combination with SPUHR Ballistic Adjustable Mount (BAM) and 3X Mag-1, is a combat proven sighting solution for 5.56mm and 7.62mm lightweight and medium machine guns. The configuration allows for mechanical bullet drop compensation at various distances and combines the benefits of a rugged red dot sight with magnification for engagements at longer distances.

The selection of the Aimpoint sighting solutions followed extensive tests and evaluations conducted by the UK MOD. All optics will be supplied through Aimpoints exclusive UK distributor, Edgar Brothers, to the British Armed Forces.

“We at Aimpoint are extremely proud to be awarded these contracts by the UK MOD”. -Erik Jeppsson, Marketing Director Aimpoint

“The addition of these systems to the British troops will greatly increase their lethality on the battlefield and the ability to place first round hits with any heavy support weapon will be a game changer”. -Magnus Andersson, Director FCS Aimpoint

For more information, visit the company’s webpage: www.aimpoint.com