SAR New Products: July 2017

By The Small Arms Review Editorial Staff

CORE RIFLE SYSTEMS NEW FOR 2017 CORE 6.5 GRENDEL RIFLE PLATFORM

The 6.5 Grendel rifle is now available in two CORE platforms, the new TAC 6.5, and all the HARDCORE models. As part of this the 6.5 Grendel is also offered in both 18” and 20” CORE Rifle System barrel lengths.

The 6.5mm Grendel design goal was to create an effective 200-800 yard AR-15 magazine length loaded cartridge for the AR-15 platform that surpassed the performance of the native 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington cartridge. Constrained by the length of the 5.56mm NATO round, the Grendel designers decided to use a shorter, larger diameter case for higher powder volume while allowing space for long, streamlined, high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullets. Firing factory-loaded ammunition loaded with bullets ranging from 90 to 129 grains (5.8-8.4 g), its muzzle velocity ranges from 2,500 ft/s (760 m/s) with 129- and 130-grain (8.4 g) bullets to 2,900 ft/s (880 m/s) with 90 gr (5.8 g) bullets (similar in velocity to a 5.56mm 77-grain (5.0 g) round).

The case head diameter of the Grendel is the same as that of the parent case, the .220 Russian, the 7.62×39mm and PPC cases. This is larger than the 5.56×45mm NATO, thereby necessitating the use of a non-standard AR-15 bolt. The 6.5 Grendel has proven to be highly effective as both a competition shooting round and a hunting round. Because of its flat trajectory the round has been successful in hunting small to large game including Bear and Elk. For more information about Core Rifle Systems, visit www.coreriflesystems.com.

ELITE SURVIVAL SYSTEMS SHIFT 2-TO-1 POINT TACTICAL BUNGEE SLING

Single-point slings have increased in popularity over recent years due to ease of use and the fact that they often contain an internal bungee layer. Bungee provides a measure of neck relief as well as stretch and resistance when in a shouldered position to help you remain stable. The new SHIFT 2-to-1 Point Tactical Bungee Sling from Elite Survival Systems not only contains an internal bungee layer, but allows you to instantly convert from the more stable two points of attachment to a versatile single point attachment sling with the snap of a hook. This versatility not only allows you to choose your style of attachment on any particular weapon, but allows you to use the sling on a greater variety of weapons and helps reduce the number of slings you may need in your kit. The SHIFT sling comes standard with both HK-style snap-hooks and MASH attachment hooks for even greater versatility. It offers a quick-ditch option via the side-release buckle and has a large degree of adjustment to fit comfortably over armor and gear. The sling is made in the USA and carries the Elite Survival Systems lifetime guarantee.

ELITE SURVIVAL SYSTEMS VERSATILE SIDEWINDER BATTLE BELT

The new Sidewinder™ Battle Belt from Elite Survival Systems provides a comfortable and stable platform for attaching more combinations of equipment to your favorite belt. The battle belt increases your carrying capability with MOLLE attachment points, allowing you to haul a significant amount of various gear comfortably on the waist. The Sidewinder’s segmented PALS panels allow the user to wind a belt through the panel segments and select between MOLLE attachment points for modular pouches and gear or belt mount attachment for standard holsters and pouches. The belt is fully padded with a nylon mesh lining for increased ventilation, and a non-slip panel on the inside of the battle belt helps keep the system stable and secure during activity. Elite Survival Systems makes the Sidewinder™ in the USA and offers a lifetime guarantee. To see complete product lines, visit online at www.elitesurvival.com or request a catalog toll-free at 866-340-2778.

HOGUE INC. ANNOUNCES LASER-ENHANCED GRIPS FOR SMITH & WESSON K/L AND J FRAME REVOLVERS

(Editorial correction from SAR V21N5) Hogue, Inc. is proud to announce the newest additions to their growing line of Laser Enhanced (LE) Grips. Revolver grips for Smith & Wesson’s round butt K/L and J Frames are now in stock. “For years our customers have been asking for Hogue Grips with lasers,” said LE Grip designer and managing partner Jim Bruhns. “We have expanded our line of Hogue LE Grips to include models for Smith & Wesson K, L and J Frame owners in direct response to customer demand.”

Hogue’s LE Grips are the first handgun laser sighting system on the market based on a fully programmable, digitally controlled microprocessor circuit. Hogue’s designers capitalized on the advantage by programming three operating modes (steady, flashing or stealth target) and four laser brightness levels into the LE Grip’s circuit. They also tapped into sophisticated power management routines to ensure long life from two common CR-2032 batteries hidden under the grip on the non-laser side–an important design feature enabling battery changes that won’t take the laser out of zero. Each LE Grip is bore-sighted at the factory while fine windage and elevation adjustments are accessible via small set screws. All of the Hogue LE Grip’s programming features are accessible via pressure-sensitive programming buttons.

The Hogue LE Grips for S&W revolvers are truly unique; the company’s engineers embedded the system’s 630-670nm

Hogue LE Grips are manufactured in their family-owned and operated USA facilities under the direct supervision of the Hogue family.

HOGUE HANDALL BEAVERTAIL GRIP SLEEVES

The new grip sleeves are designed to fit specific polymer pistols now on the market. “Polymer pistols do not have removable grips that you can simply replace,” said grip designer Matt Hogue. “The solution for many of these pistols is our new HandALL Beavertail Grip Sleeves.”

The Beavertail Grip Sleeve line has been engineered with models for precision fits on specific firearms. The initial offerings in this series have sleeves designed for perfect fits on three sizes of polymer firearms. The first offering precisely fits Smith & Wesson’s M&P 9mm and 40 Shield and Ruger’s LC9. The second sleeve fits Glock’s 42 and 43. The final sleeve is designed for Smith & Wesson’s M&P 45 Shield and Kahr Arms’ P9, P40, CW9 and CW40.

While each sleeve has been created for a precise fit on specific polymer framed firearms, they also alternatively fit many other similarly sized firearms with a fully functional and aesthetic fit. “These sleeves also provide a very nice fit for many pistols that may not have any other alternative available on the market,” said Hogue.

The Beavertail Grip Sleeves are installed by slipping them over the frame of the firearm until seated into perfect position. Once installed, the HandALL sleeve provides a single finger groove for instinctive handling of the firearm. The finger groove leads into a gentle palm swell that has been carefully designed to fit naturally in the hand. The beavertail built into the grip sleeve rises high along the back strap of the frame giving full rubber contact with the hand allowing a higher hand-placement on the grip without the fear of the slide biting the skin between the thumb and the trigger finger. In addition to protection and comfort, the beavertail also cushions the hand during recoil.

The HandALL is built from a long-lasting durable thermoplastic elastomer compound. This rubber ages very gracefully and keeps a firm, tacky feel throughout the life of the grip. It will not harden, split or crack with age or usage. The grip sleeve is textured with Hogue’s familiar Cobblestone texture, a series of small circular bumps that provide an efficient non-slip, non-irritating grip on the rubber. Hogue’s HandALL Beavertail Grips Sleeves have an MSRP of $9.95 for black and $10.95 for OD green, flat dark Earth, pink and purple.

Hogue grip sleeves are manufactured in their family-owned and operated facilities under the direct supervision of the Hogue family.

Hogue, Inc. supports local dealers and encourages customers to purchase Hogue products locally. For more information on these products, please call Hogue directly at 1-800-438-4747 or visit www.hogueinc.com to find a Hogue dealer near you.

KESTREL CONNECTED ECOSYSTEM LiNK COMMUNICATIONS WIRELESS PROTOCOL

Getting an accurate firing solution requires detailed information about the bullet and gun, the target and the environment. For a shooter to gather all that data, compute a solution and then dial their hold to take a shot is time-consuming and introduces opportunities for mistakes. Kestrel’s engineering team has created the LiNK communications protocol for connecting the components of a ballistics system. With LiNK, laser range finders, scopes and smart devices can all be connected to the Kestrel, replacing button presses on multiple devices for seamless, accurate shooting solutions when and where you want them.

SPYDERCO MANIX 2 BACK LOCK

The all-new Manix 2 Back Lock combines the proven design and ergonomics of the best-selling Manix 2 with an ultra-smooth, high-strength back lock mechanism. Its other unique features include lightweight linerless handle construction, fine-textured G-10 scales, a stainless steel back spacer and a four-position pocket clip. Four sets of threaded stainless steel inserts in the thick, hand-filling handle provide solid anchors for the clip and allow it to support left- or right-side tip-up or tip-down carry.

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS BROWNING 1919A4 MACHINEGUN

Original Browning 1919A4 Machinegun rebuilt to semi-automatic configuration. Built on original US GI parts that were modified by Israeli Military industries to operate in .308 caliber. All guns are hand disassembled, inspected, reworked and refinished. All have been test fired and proven reliable. Built by John McGuire master gunsmith for Lone Wolf R&D LLC. John is the best in the 1919 business and his reputation speaks for itself.

• Marked to resemble original US GI engraving.
• Assembled using KMP side plate, trigger & sear.
• Meets military specifications.
• Includes 100 ammo links.
• Average shipping is ~$100.00, UPS surcharges may apply.
• All 1919A4’s are 50-state legal.
• Must ship to FFL.