NEW REVIEW

By Chris A. Choat

Smith & Wesson Offers M&P15R Chambered in 5.45x39mm

Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 156-year old firearms maker, announced that it has introduced the M&P15R, a new addition to the company’s M&P tactical rifle series. The new AR-15 style rifle is capable of firing the economical 5.45x39mm ammunition and is available as a high quality semiautomatic rifle or as a complete upper receiver assembly kit. Based on a combat-proven design, the M&P15R incorporates the standard features found in all Smith & Wesson M&P rifles. Engineered to meet the needs of recreational shooters and AR-15 enthusiasts, the M&P15R features a flat-top receiver and an M4 style post front sight. The rifle is standard with a 16-inch barrel with a twist rate of 1 in 8 inches. Reliability features of the gas-operated rifles include a chrome-lined gas key, bolt carrier and barrel. A six position collapsible stock allows the M&P15R to accommodate a variety of shooting positions. The rifle measures 35 inches in length when fully extended and measures a compact 32 inches with the stock collapsed. The new rifle, which is chambered in the less expensive 5.45x39mm, will allow consumers to spend more time on the range for less cost. The M&P15R will also be available as a complete upper receiver assembly, allowing those who already own an M&P Series rifle, or one of the many other variants, the opportunity to change calibers with ease. The black anodized rifle is manufactured with a durable upper and lower receiver made from 7075 T6 Aluminum. A single stage trigger with a 7 lb. trigger pull is standard, as is the A2 Birdcage compensator. The M&P15R is designed to accommodate a variety of optics or a traditional back-up iron sight. The rifle is shipped with a 30-round magazine and has an unloaded weight of 6.5 pounds. The M&P15R joins a comprehensive family of Smith & Wesson products designed and manufactured to meet the needs of firearms sports enthusiasts worldwide. Other models include the M&P15, M&P15A, M&P15T, M&P15X, M&P15OR, M&P15ORC and the M&P15FT rifle. In addition, the Smith & Wesson Performance Center is also manufacturing a high-end extension to the M&P Rifle Series, the M&P15PC. For more information contact Smith & Wesson, Dept. SAR, 2100 Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield, MA 01101. Phone: (413) 781-8300. Fax: (413) 731-3317. They can be found on the web at www.smith-wesson.com.

CJ Weapons Introduces Cleaning Kits for 37/40mm Launchers

CJ Weapons has introduced two new cleaning kits for 37/40mm weapons systems. The Alpha Kit, made for lethal use of the 37/40mm, includes five round cotton felt cleaning disks with a bore swab, a 14 inch ChamberMaid flex rod, a T-handle and a 37/40mm bore brush. The kit retails for $34.95. The Bravo kit is made for non-lethal use like bean bags or pepper spray used for crowd control and includes the same components as the Alpha Kit except for the bore brush; as there is no need since you don’t have the carbon buildup that you can get with high explosive rounds for lethal 40mm use. The Bravo kit retails for $29.95. The kits feature cotton felt disks that are the unique component of this cleaning kit. They’re sturdy and absorbent, so they’ll take just about any type of solvent. The included disks are of two sizes, so that the larger disks are put on the outer ends and in the middle of the bore swab with smaller disks in between them. This allows the carbon to be trapped around the smaller disks and pulled out of the bore. For more information please contact CJ Weapons Accessories, Dept. SAR, 317 Danielle Court, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Phone: (573) 634-7292. Fax: (573) 634-2355. Website is www.cjweapons.com.

Shooters Ridge Offers New Deluxe Bi-Pod

Shooters Ridge, a leader in shooting accessories, introduces a new bi-pod certain to get shooters on target faster and steadier than ever before. Introducing the new Shooters Ridge Deluxe Bi-pod (MSRP: $145.49). In the quest to provide shooters with stronger, lighter, quieter bi-pods, the Deluxe Bi-pod features extremely durable aluminum legs that reduce weight by 30% (over conventional bi-pods), twist lock legs for rapid/stealthy deployment and dual thrust bearings that allow shooters to swivel and cant their gun to stay on moving targets. The Deluxe Bi-pod also contains an innovative mounting system that makes attaching and detaching the bi-pod fast and easy. Simply affix the mounting block assembly on the forward swivel and the Deluxe Bi-pod slips on and off in seconds. Internal click-locks keep the bi-pod snugly on the firearm while the push button release enables shooters to remove the bi-pod quickly and quietly. This new bi-pod can be used with or without a sling and is available in both 9 to 13 inch and 13 to 21 inch models. For more information you can contact them at http://www.shootersridge.com. ATK Commercial Products/Shooters Ridge – Onalaska Operations, Dept. SAR, N5549 County Trunk Z, Onalaska, WI 54650. Phone: (800) 635-7656. They can be found on the web at www.atk.com.

1919A4 Dual Feed Guns Now Available

The Browning 1919A4 carries with it a legend that began in World War I. Based on the 1917 water cooled gun, the A4 was the standard machine gun of our armed forces through WWII and Korea. The last and most versatile incarnation of the Browning air cooled guns was the M37 tank gun of the mid fifties, with its reversible feed capability. While this is a rare and valued gun today, it also is visibly different from the popular 1919A4 in its external appearance. This might add to the appeal for the tank gun owner but many individuals love the simple lines of the A4, and yet wish for the ability to feed one from the right side, for dual mount applications. Introducing the 1919A4 Dual Feed. In limited production, there is now an offering to answer the challenge faced by many belt fed shooters who have made or purchased a dual gun mount for the Browning. Before now, it was necessary to space the guns far apart in order to allow room for feeding the right hand gun in between, still from the left side. The 1919A4 Dual Feed utilizes the M37’s famous capability inside, while retaining the normal A4 exterior lines. In outward appearance, the subtle differences from a standard 1919 are hardly noticeable. For the discriminating shooter who takes pride in having the uncommon firearm among his or her collection, the Dual Feed guns will be made with a number of available options to suit the owner’s taste. Jacket style and barrel length are among the choices. Each gun is built carefully by hand at Halo Manufacturing’s facility in Eugene, OR. The development of 1919A4 Dual Feed is the work of Browning enthusiast Rollin Lofdahl of California. Having set an industry standard with their fine line of Browning side plates, the established reputation of Halo quality is combined with Rollin Lofdahl’s innovative hybrid concept and experience. The result is a unique product offering for the Browning belt fed enthusiast. And for water cooled fans, the 1917A1 Dual Feed is also available. For more information please contact Rollin Lofdahl, Dept. SAR, P.O. 8563, Calabasas, CA 91372. Phone: (818) 767-1300. E-mail to rollin@1917A1.com.