NEW REVIEW: FEBRUARY 2003

By Chris A. Choat

DPMS PANTHER .22 LR DEDICATED RIFLE

Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services, Inc., is now offering a dedicated .22 LR rimfire rifle. The new rifle is being made to look like and have the features of their very successful Panther rifle. Features of the new .22 LR rimfire rifle include a 16-inch Chrome-moly steel bull barrel with a two-piece aluminum free-float handguard tube. The upper receiver is their flat top Lo-Pro design. The lower receiver is a 4140 investment casting. The Panther .22 LR also features an A-2 buttstock and a steel bolt carrier that is machined from bar stock. It comes with one 10-round magazine, sling and cleaning kit. DPMS if also offering a complete upper barrel assembly for shooters that want to use their own lower. Retail price of this new rifle is just $649.00. For more information contact DPMS, Inc., Dept. SAR, 13983 Industry Ave., Becker, MN 55308. Phone: 1-763-261-5600. Fax: 1-763-261-5599. Their website is www.dpmsinc.com.

SHRIKE 5.56 BELT-FED

Ares Defense System has now released their new Shrike 5.56 Advanced Weapons System™. This new weapons system consists of a belt-fed upper receiver assembly for the AR-15/M-16/M4 family of weapons. This new system requires no modification to the host lower. It maintains the ergonomics and primary magazine-feed of the M-16, while delivering belt-fed capability. The Shrike 5.56™ was invented and designed by Geoffrey A. Herring of Ares Defense Systems in Blacksburg, Virginia. It was originally conceived as a method of adding a compact and ultra-lightweight 5.56mm belt-fed Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) to the rifle squad without subtracting a rifleman. The Shrike has several impressive specifications. It requires no modification to the host lower as long as the lower is Mil-Spec. It is a field installable upgrade that takes only 5 minutes to install. Once installed, it is capable of instant selection between either magazine- or belt-feed without any reconfiguration of weapon components. It uses standard M16 magazines and M249 (SAW) ammunition in M27 disintegrating belts. It features a top-cover design for easy and intuitive loading and modular sub-assemblies that are simple to maintain in the field. No special tools are required for disassembly or maintenance and it also has a quick-change barrel. It is offered in either semi or full-auto versions with either “pre-ban” or “post-ban” barrels. With a weight of just 8 pounds it is the lightest, most compact belt-fed in the world. For more information contact Ares Defense Systems, LLC. Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 10667, Blacksburg, Virginia 24062. Phone: 1-540-639-8633. Fax: 1-540-639-8634. Their website is www.aresdefense.com. Watch for a major piece on the Shrike next month in Small Arms Review.

DETECTEAR SURVEILLANCE TOOL

The new DetectEar™ from Silver Creek Industries is a powerful surveillance and investigative tool that incorporates a 20-inch diameter snap-together parabolic dish combined with the most advanced audio circuitry available. This device allows you to hear conversations with pinpoint accuracy at distances up to 300 yards. The DetectEar™ is also equipped with a three-band equalizer to adjust for specific sound frequencies, recording jack and a communications input jack for outstanding surveillance capabilities. The DetectEar™ can be mounted to a tripod for extended use and also comes with a hard carrying case for discreet and easy transportation. The unit is powered by two AAA batteries that provide 100 hours of use. Other features include adjustable volume control for each ear and an automatic safety shutdown at 95 decibels. Total weight of the DetechEar™ is only 24 ounces. For more information contact Silver Creek Industries, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 1988, 1909 Silver Creek Road, Manitowoc, WI 54221. Phone: 1-920-684-9628. Fax: 1-920-684-6267. Their website is www.silvercreekindustries.com.

NEW BATTLEGRIP™ FROM TANGODOWN

TangoDown LLC has just introduced their new BATTLEGRIP™, a pistol grip designed for M4/M16/AR-15 series rifles with features previously unavailable in a combat-quality grip. Its features start with a superior ergonomic form reminiscent of the Stoner 63 LMG that provides substantial shooter comfort over previous M16 combat grips. Next, BATTLEGRIP™ has the ability to internally store two Aimpoint-type batteries IN ADDITION to two AA or 123 series Lithium batteries all in a water-, dust- and rattle-proof cavity, sealed by an easy-access cover. The batteries contained inside of the indestructible Nylon/glass-filled housing are ready for immediate use and can be removed in a second for installation in night vision, IR and visible laser aimers, Sure Fire-style white light and Aimpoint/Eotech type electronic sights. BATTLEGRIP™ can also provide crucial back up power no matter what the tactical situation due to its Patent Pending cover design. Water and dirt cannot penetrate its multiple seals, yet it can be easily operated by wet gloved hands even in the dark. The cover is permanently attached to the grip to prevent loss. No more fumbling through rucks or BDU pockets for easily lost batteries. For more information contact TangoDown LLC, Dept. SAR, 884 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103. Phone: 1-626-396-9847. Fax: 1-626-396-9848. Their website is www.tangodownllc.com.

BREAKTHROUGH WCP’S (WEAPONS CLEANING PATCHES)

Inland Technology Incorporated has just introduced a very simple yet remarkably good product. Their Breakthrough WCP’s (Weapons Cleaning Patches) are cleaning patches that come in a sealed foil container that looks much like a small MRE package. But the neat thing about these patches is that they are pre-moistened with DoD approved Breakthrough® cleaning solvent. The Breakthrough WCP’s are designed to provide a convenient, more effective way to clean weapons while on the range, during field training exercises or while deployed. They can be carried in rucksacks, pockets and even in weapons cleaning kits. They even come in a re-sealable package. Breakthrough® is a state of the art solvent designed to help users break out of the tangle of regulations regarding emissions, disposal and industrial health hazards. Breakthrough® is a virtually odorless, low toxicity, high purity hydrocarbon solvent. It is also non-carcinogenic. Breakthrough® is used by virtually all branches of our Armed Forces and is also widely used in the aircraft industry. For more on this very handy product contact Inland Technology Incorporated, Dept. SAR, 401 East 27th Street, Tacoma, WA 98421. Phone: 1-800-552-3100. Website: www.inlandtech.com.

EXTREME PERFORMANCE LUBRICANTS

Mil-Comm Products Company, Inc., has a new line of extreme performance lubricants. Their TW25B is an extreme performance grease and their MC2500 is an extreme performance oil. The TW25B is a non-toxic, non-flammable grease that is easy to apply and provides maximum performance lubrication under extreme conditions. Originally developed and now widely specified for military use, TW25B has been shown to significantly improve the performance of all types of firearms while extending the time between maintenance intervals. TW25B is a highly effective corrosion inhibitor that will not wash off, burn off or evaporate reducing wear and thus extending part life. MC2500 oil is engineered with the same technology that gives TW25B its superior performance. Unlike other oils, MC2500 will not separate, settle or evaporate. It will also not burn off or freeze in extreme low temperatures. In fact, both products have been tested from -90NF to +450NF. The products are non-toxic, non-ozone depleting, non-flammable and harmless to wood, plastic and rubber. Several Mil-Comm lubrication products are specified by the U.S. military for use on certain weapon systems. For more information contact Mil-Comm Products Company, Inc., Dept. SAR, 2 Carlton Avenue, East Rutherford, NJ 07043. Phone: 1-201-935-8561. Fax: 1-201-935-6059. Their website is www.mil-comm.com.