LASERMAX: Spartan Light & Laser Combo

Capitalizing on the most visible wavelength in the color spectrum, Spartan Light & Laser delivers 120 Lumens of groundbreaking Mint Green LED light and quickly adapts to a multitude of rail platforms with exclusive Rail Vise Technology. Lasers come in vivid red or daytime green. This is LaserMax’s first offering that uses a readily available AAA battery. Spartan Light & Laser packs vital target identification and illumination capabilities into the smallest housing available today. Protected by a 5-year warranty, Spartan Light & Laser are priced for every shooter’s budget at just $175 for red (SPS-C-R) and $215 for green (SPS-C-G). www.lasermax.com

AMERICAN BUILT ARMS COMPANY: MOD*X Rifle

Built completely in the U.S., the MOD*X Rifle is a lightweight, affordable bolt-action rifle featuring the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD barreled action housed in the A*B Arms MOD*X GEN III Modular Rifle System.

The MOD*X Rifle offers advances in rifle chassis design that have already paved the way for future chassis designs as they relate to increased modularity, decreased weight, as well as improved affordability; all important benefits and features to the firearms enthusiast.

“The MOD*X Rifle was designed around the extremely popular MOD*X GEN III Modular Rifle System,” says Jason Combs, President and Founder of American Built Arms Company. “Along with our recent relationship with Remington Outdoor Company, we were able to merge the Model 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD in both .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor to create one outstanding, bolt action rifle.”

Due to the modularity of the MOD*X GEN III chassis, the MOD*X Rifle will be able to accept a variety of after-market products such as the A*B Arms MOD*X GEN III Side Folder Mechanism, KeyMod accessories, etc. The MOD*X Rifle comes standard with extras like the A*B Arms Urban Recoil Pad, the Ergo 4009-BK pistol grip, the A*B Arms Xtreme 13.5-inch aluminum hand guard and a heavy, threaded barrel. The MOD*X Rifle will be sold through A*B Arms Distributors and Dealers across the U.S. www.abarms.com

RUGER:AR-Lower Elite

Ruger announces the release of the AR-Lower Elite, a fully assembled, full-featured modern sporting rifle lower receiver. Featuring the Ruger Elite 452 AR-Trigger, Magpul MOE SL stock and Magpul MOE grip, the AR-Lower Elite is a premium platform for those wishing to assemble their own modern sporting rifle. The AR-Lower Elite is built from the same hard-coat anodized, CNC-machined, 7075-T6 forged lower receiver as the Ruger AR-556. This lower receiver ships with an upgraded trigger and furniture and is fully assembled to include the pivot and takedown pins, bolt catch, magazine release, trigger guard, mil-spec buffer tube, buffer and spring. The addition of a complete, mil-spec upper receiver assembly of the consumer’s choice will complete this custom modern sporting rifle. www.Ruger.com

TIER 5 SOLUTIONS: Modified Bolt Catch (MBC) (Patent Pending)

Firearms training in general is challenging in of itself, and training new students who are not familiar with the AR rifle proves even tougher. After 24 years as a firearms instructor for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Edgardo Tolentino knew there had to be a way to train with and handle the AR more safely. That’s why he developed the Modified Bolt Catch (MBC).

The MBC is a Drop-In Modification that will fit all Mil-Spec AR firearms. It converts the mechanical operation of an AR firearm from semi-automatic/auto-loading/self-loading to single-shot/manual loading. An AR firearm fitted with an MBC makes an excellent training platform.

Try out the MBC so you can see for yourself the wide range of benefits it provides. Whether you install it in your personal AR rifles or in a law enforcement agency’s AR rifles, it makes an excellent training platform. Since the MBC is made to Mil-Spec standard measurements, aftermarket accessories sold for use on standard bolt catches to allow ambidextrous operation can be utilized. At a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price of less than $40.00, it is a very affordable option even if you have multiple AR firearms. www.tier5solutions.com

AIMPOINT INC., USA: Aimpoint CompM5

The Aimpoint CompM5 is a high performance red dot sight developed for professional end-users. The CompM5 allows for unlimited eye relief and is compatible with Aimpoint 3XMag-1 and 6XMag-1 magnifiers and all generations of Night Vision Devices. Powered by an AAA battery, the CompM5 can remain constantly on for over 5 years depending on the intensity setting. Aimpoint sights are designed for the “both eyes open” method which greatly enhances situational awareness and target acquisition. Thanks to the optical design, the red dot follows the movement of the user’s eye while remaining fixed on target, eliminating any need for centering. www.aimpoint.com

DuraBlue Spray-On Bluing

This revolutionary new coating is indistinguishable from traditional bluing but wears like DuraCoat! Simple spray application eliminates the need for dangerous and expensive chemicals. No maintenance, no oil, yet never worry about rust. Apply with an airbrush or spray gun or use the convenient aerosol can. Available in blue, blue/black and black, polished or matte. www.duracoat-firearm-finishes.com

KAHR FIREARMS GROUP: 9mm Models from “S” Series

The S9093 features a 3.6-inch barrel with conventional rifling, an overall length of 5.9 inches, and a height of 4.5 inches. The “S” Series model has the added features of white 3-dot sights, front serrations on the slide, an accessory rail and an ID tag on the grip. Capacity is 7+1, and the pistol is shipped with two 7-round magazines.

Also new in the “S” Series is the ST9093. It features a 4-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.5 inches and a height of 5.08 inches. It has white 3-dot sights, front serrations on the slide, an accessory rail and an ID tag on the grip. Capacity is 8+1 and ships with two 8-round magazines. www.kahr.com

QIOPTIC: KITE In-Line Image Intensifier

The KITE In-Line Image Intensifier is an In-Line Weapon Mounted Night Sight that excels in the Night Vision Clip on Market due to its unrivalled high optical performance and lightweight compact size. It is the latest fully qualified military standard Night Vision Sight designed specifically for short and medium range surveillance and target engagement. Providing dependable performance, Kite In-line is aligned at the factory to provide guaranteed lifetime repeatability accuracy of 0.5mrad or better. www.qioptiq.com

Smith & Wesson: M&P15 Sport II and M&P15 Sport II OR Rifles

Smith & Wesson has begun shipping its industry-leading M&P15 Sport II and M&P15 Sport II Optics Ready (OR) rifles in California-Compliant versions. The popular M&P15 Sport II rifles have been designed to comply with current California standards for semi-automatic centerfire rifles.

Chambered in 5.56mm NATO, the California Compliant M&P15 Sport II and M&P15 Sport II-OR rifles have a 10-round magazine, fixed stock and ambidextrous safety selector. Both rifles feature the durable Armornite finish on the interior and exterior of the barrel for enhanced corrosion resistance.

The M&P15 Sport II–CA Compliant rifle comes standard with a Magpul MBUS rear sight and A2 front post. The M&P15 Sport II OR-CA Compliant rifle is designed to be optics-ready and features a Picatinny-rail gas block and top rail system for easy mounting of optics. www.smith-wesson.com

EAGLE IMPORTS: MICROMAX

Llama took the classic 1911 and shrunk it down to make it easier to conceal. The Micromax features a precision made steel frame, weighing only 23 ounces. But despite its size, this .380 still functions and performs like a full size with a dovetail front sight and Novak-type rear sight. Features include:

• Contoured grips for comfort
• Flared and lowered ejection port to eliminate hangups
• Skeletal combat trigger for sleek aesthetics
• Front and rear slide serrations for better grip
• Skeletal combat hammer for sleek aesthetics
• Standard slide stop for added safety
• Throated forged steel barrel for added durability
• Lifetime service contract for original owner

www.eagleimportsinc.com

19-21 August, 2008, Shrivenham, UK

There are two small arms conferences in the West that this author considers to be the most important in the world for the serious small arms community to attend: the NDIA Small Arms Symposium held every May in the United States, and the Small Arms and Cannon Symposium at Shrivenham held every August in the UK. While there are many excellent, larger trade shows that have some educational aspects to them, these two conferences stand out as events that encourage the dialogue between the shakers and movers in small arms design and end use.

There are differences between the two events, and how they are focused. NDIA is the larger of the two, but the sister event at Shrivenham has a very personal quality to it that keeps it popular with attendees, and important to the community.

The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom sponsors many defence related scholarly events every year. The Symposia at Shrivenham had its 22nd annual Small Arms event in August of 2008. The normal schedule was followed: three days of short lectures on various subjects, interspersed with breaks in the trade show exhibit area to share coffee, snacks, luncheon and tea with the exhibitors. This format has worked quite well in the past, allowing breaks from the lectures, and close interaction with the exhibitors.

There were approximately 15 seminars in the lecture program; here are some examples of the seminars attended by the participants:

• Less-Lethal Ammunition presented by Anthony Williams
• Nammo’s 50 Caliber Ammunition Family by Jorn Amundsen
• New Extended Range Shoulder Fired 40mm Grenade Systems by Danie Els
• Aimpoint BR8 by Lennart Ljungfelt
• Incremental Excellence; Tomorrow’s State-of-the-Art Assault Rifle Today by Jim Schatz
• NATO Infantry Weapons Standardization by Per Arvidsson
• Current and Future UK Small Arms Capability by Lieutenant Colonel James Daniel, MBE
• UK Soldier Modernization Update by Colonel Peter Rafferty, MBE

The “Shrivenham” Small Arms & Cannon Symposium is located at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Cranfield University, Shrivenham, UK. This is to the west of London off the M4 motorway. Contact

Mrs. Lynn Anderson,
Symposia Organiser
Symposia at Shrivenham,
MH23, DA-CMT
Cranfield University,
Defence Academy of the
United Kingdom, Shrivenham,
Swindon, SN6 8LA.
Tel: +44 1793 785648
E-mail: Lynn@symposiaatshrivenham.com
Website: www.symposiaatshrivenham.com
SAR would like to encourage the small arms community to lend their support to the 23rd Small Arms & Cannon Symposium on August 25-27 of 2009. Hope to see you there.