Small Arms Review’s Guide to Gun Shops, Gun Ranges, and Restaurants Near and Around the Shot Show Site

SHOP

2nd Amendment Gun Shop
4570 N Rancho Dr, #4, Las Vegas
9AM–6PM
(702) 272-2510
2ndamendmentguns.com

Accuracy Gun Shop
5903 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas
9AM–6PM
(702) 458-3330
accuracygunshop.com

American Shooters
3440 Arville St, Las Vegas
10AM–6PM
(702) 719-5000
americanshooters.com

Bargain Pawn, Inc.
1901 Las Vegas Blvd N, North Las Vegas
9AM–6PM
(702) 399-9950
bargainpawn.com

Big Gun Enterprises, LLC
6250 Mountain Vista St, Henderson
10AM–6PM
(702) 944-4222
biggunenterprisesllc.com

Discount Gun Source (DGS)
4555 S Fort Apache Rd, #104, Las Vegas
10AM–5:30PM
(702) 947-0925
discountgunsource.com

New Frontier Armory
150 E Centennial Pkwy, # 10, North Las Vegas
10AM–6PM
(702) 479-1470
newfrontierarmory.com

On Target Guns
560 N Nellis Blvd Suite 7, Las Vegas
10AM–6PM
(702) 463-0350
ontargetgunsandaccessories.com

Urban Civil Defense
175 Cassia Way, Henderson
11AM–5:30PM
(702) 566-3188
urbancivildefense.com

Westside Armory
7345 S Durango Dr, #106, Las Vegas
10AM–6PM
(702) 476-1083

Discount Firearms & Ammo
3084 S Highland Dr, Las Vegas
9AM–7PM
(702) 567-1158
discountfirearmsusa.com

SHOOT

The Range 702
5999 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas
10:30AM–7PM
(702) 485-3232
therange702.com

Machine Guns Vegas
3501 Aldebaran Ave, Las Vegas
9AM–6PM
(800) 757-4668
machinegunsvegas.com

Strip Gun Club
2235 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas
10AM–8PM
(702) 777-4867
stripgunclub.com

Battlefield Vegas
2771 Sammy Davis Jr Dr, Las Vegas
8:30AM–7:30PM
(702) 566-1000
battlefieldvegas.com

Discount Firearms & Ammo
3084 S Highland Dr, B, Las Vegas
9AM–7PM
(702) 567-1158
discountfirearmsusa.com

American Shooters
3440 Arville St, Las Vegas
10AM–6PM
(702) 719-5000
americanshooters.com

Machine Gun Experience
3084 S Highland Dr, Las Vegas
9AM–7PM
(702) 567-1159
machinegunexperience.com

Las Vegas Gun Range
4610 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas
9AM–7PM
(702) 386-4867
lasvegasgunrange.net

Clark County Shooting Complex
11357 N Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas
8AM–5PM
(702) 455-2000
clarkcountynv.gov

Desert Sportsmans Rifle Club
12201 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas
7AM–6PM
(702) 376-8145
dsrpc.org

Las Vegas Gunfights
3068 S Highland Dr, Las Vegas
10AM–2AM
(702) 486-7338
lvgunfights.com

Green Valley Range
175 Cassia Way, A-1110, Henderson
11AM–7PM
(702) 979-9494
greenvalleyrange.com

SWAT Concepts Extreme Sniper Adventure
9850 South Maryland Pkwy, #A5449,
Las Vegas, NV
9AM–5PM
(702) 472-7727
swatconceptslv.com

The Gun Store
2900 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas
9AM–6:30PM
(702) 213-9297
thegunstorelasvegas.com

Shoot Las Vegas
15357 Kingston Rd, Goodsprings
10AM–5PM
(702) 634-4867
shootlasvegas.com

DINING

Las Vegas is home to many fine restaurants and bars. The dining experiences in Vegas range from award winning buffets to high-end burger joints to exotic menus from around the world. Here is a selection of fine eateries on or near The Strip, some chosen by the Small Arms Review staff.

AMERICAN

Gilley’s
Treasure Island
(800) 944-7444
treasureisland.com

Spago
Bellagio
(702) 693-8181
wolfgangpuck.com

The Peppermill
2985 Las Vegas Blvd S
(702) 735-7635
peppermilllasvegas.com

Yardbird
The Venetian
(702) 297-6541
runchickenrun.com

BARS – UNIQUE

Millennium Fandom
900 Las Vegas Blvd S, #140
(702) 405-0816
millenniumfandombar.com

The Golden Tiki
3939 Spring Mountain Rd (702) 222-3196
thegoldentiki.com

BBQ

Pot Liquor CAS
6587 Las Vegas Blvd S
(702) 816-4600
potliquorcas.com

Rollin Smoke BBQ
3185 Highland Dr
(702) 836-3621
rollinsmokebarbeque.com

BRITISH

Crown & Anchor British Pub
1350 E Tropicana Ave
(702) 739-8676
crownandanchorlv.com

Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill
Caesars Palace
(702) 731-7410
caesars.com

Todd English P.U.B.
Shops at Crystals
(702) 590-2337
toddenglishpub.com

Cornish Pasty Company
10 E Charleston Blvd
(702) 862-4538
cornishpastyco.com

BUFFETS

Bacchanal Buffet
Caesars Palace
(702) 731-7928
caesars.com

Cravings Buffet
The Mirage
(702) 791-7111
mirage.com

Wicked Spoon
The Cosmopolitan
(702) 893-2001
cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

BURGERS

Gordon Ramsay BurGR
Planet Hollywood
(702) 785-5462
caesars.com

LVB Burger
The Mirage
(702) 792-7888
mirage.com

Stripburger
Fashion Show Mall
(702) 737-8747
stripburger.com

CHINESE

Flock & Fowl
150 N Las Vegas Blvd #100
(702) 272-2222
flockandfowl.com

Hakkasan Restaurant
MGM Grand
(702) 891-7888
hakkasan.com

CRAFT BEER

Gordon Biersch
3987 Paradise Rd
(702) 312-5247
gordonbiersch.com

Beerhaus
3784 Las Vegas Blvd S
(702) 692-2337
theparkvegas.com

Yard House
6593 Las Vegas Blvd S
(702) 734-9273
yardhouse.com

FUSION

SUSHISAMBA
The Grand Canal Shoppes
(702) 607-0700
sushisamba.com

GERMAN

Hofbrauhaus
4510 Paradise Rd
(702) 853-2337
hofbrauhauslasvegas.com

INDIAN

Mint Indian Bistro
730 E Flamingo Rd, Ste 10
(702) 894-9334
mintbistro.com

Turmeric Flavors of India
700 E Fremont St.
(702) 906-2700
turmericflavorsofindia.com

Urban Turban
3900 Paradise Rd
(702) 826-3216
urbanturbanusa.com

IRISH

Nine Fine Irishmen
New York-New York
(702) 740-6463
newyorknewyork.com

O’Sheas Irish Pub
The Linq
(702) 835-5723
caesars.com

Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery
The Linq
(702) 826-2100
tiltedkilt.com

ITALIAN

Battista’s Hole In the Wall
4041 Linq Ln
(702) 732-1424
battistaslasvegas.com

Buca di Beppo
The Excalibur
(702) 795-1010
bucadibeppo.com

Maggiano’s Little Italy
Fashion Show Mall
(702) 732-2550
maggianos.com

JAPANESE

Nobu
Hard Rock Hotel
(702) 693-5090
noburestaurants.com

Sushi Roku
The Forum Shops
(702) 733-7373
innovativedining.com

MEDITERRANEAN

Parsley Modern Mediterranean
4985 W Tropicana Ave
(702) 871-1818
parsleymediterranean.com

Stephano’s Greek & Mediterranean Grill
4632 S Maryland Pkwy, #14
(702) 795-8444
stephanoslv.com

MEXICAN

Casa Don Juan
1204 S Main St
(702) 384-8070
casadonjuanlv.com

El Dorado Cantina
3025 Sammy Davis Jr Dr
(702) 722-2289
eldoradovegas.com

PIZZA

800 Degrees
SLS
(702) 761-7616
slslasvegas.com

Flour & Barley
The Linq
(702) 430-4430
flourandbarley.com

Giordano’s
Grand Bazaar Shops
(702) 850-2420

Secret Pizza
The Cosmopolitan
(702) 698-7860
cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

SEAFOOD

Hot N Juicy Crawfish
Miracle Mile Shops
(702) 489-3220
hotnjuicycrawfish.com

Lakeside
Wynn Las Vegas
(702) 770-3310
wynnlasvegas.com

SOUTH AMERICAN

Rincon De Buenos Aires
5300 Spring Mountain Rd
(702) 257-3331
rincondebuenosaires.com

STEAKHOUSE

Anthony’s at the M
12300 Las Vegas Blvd S
(702) 797-1000
themresort.com

Bazaar Meat by José Andrés
SLS Las Vegas
(855) 761-7757
slslasvegas.com

Delmonico Steakhouse
The Grand Canal Shoppes
(702) 414-3737
emerilsrestaurants.com

Old Homestead Steakhouse
Caesars Palace
(702) 731-7560
caesars.com

Miracle Mile Shops
(702) 866-0777
miraclemileshopslv.com

THAI

Le Thai
525 Fremont St
(702) 778-0888
lethaivegas.com

SATAY
3900 Paradise Rd
(702) 369-8788
sataylasvegas.com

Show Changes and the Challenge of Form Processing

I’ve returned from Kentucky after representing the NFATCA at the bi-annual Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot. Also representing the NFATCA were board members Curt Wolf, Bob Landies and Robert Segel. There have been significant changes for the event that have been evolving for quite some time now. I’d like to brief you on those changes and also what was discussed at our regular Thursday afternoon meeting at “The Creek.”

Knob Creek Format Change

First up is the really big news: Beginning with the spring event, Knob Creek will be morphing into a two-day show. Set-up for vendors will still happen on Thursday. It’s the rest of the show that changes! The show will be open from 9:00am until 9:00pm on Friday and Saturday. There will be a night shoot on both days to help entertain the crowds. Vendors may begin tearing down after 9:00pm on Saturday, or, vendors may choose to come back Sunday morning for tear down. Knob Creek will provide security overnight and through 11:00am on Sunday. Most are viewing this change as being responsive to the changing atmosphere of the event and are eager to see the change be well-received.

Attendance was fairly strong during this fall production. Savvy buyers were snapping up deals on parts kits and accessories. Some machine guns did change hands, as well. There was a gentleman who had a table full of rotary 26.5mm flare launchers that looked like something from a science fiction movie. Those seemed to draw a lot of attention, and I believe he sold all but one or two (he had dozens). The weather was damp and cold. This was actually a good thing! There were no pesky fires started on the mountainsides by tracer fire and no stoppages as a result. The line was hot and rolling, and the crowds seemed to be very much into all the lead going down range. The dust was held down, mostly as a result of the very much appreciated concrete floor installed under the pole barn. The morning invocations went as expected. And the always tongue-in-cheek bake sale to raise funds for the Kentucky Diabetes Network was a success.

NFATCA Current Events

The Thursday meeting held by the NFATCA in the range house reviewed current events on the minds of everyone. Curt Wolf reviewed the proposed changes in administration of ITAR from State Department to Commerce Department. Although not complete, these changes are welcome and needed. However, Curt rightly pointed out that manufacturers of NFA items such as suppressors and machine guns will still be regulated by State, along with the continued need for complicated registration and payment of onerous fees. We will continue to advocate via various avenues for the reduction or elimination of this burdensome regime, especially for those who do not export. I also detailed the challenges currently being experienced by many with forms processing. It is true that Form 1 is back online with the eForms system. It is also true that the NFA Division is still not capable of receiving electronic fingerprints. As a result, using eForms for a Form 1 will require a somewhat complicated “dance” that entails a portion of the process online, a receipt of a cover letter for use with hard copy fingerprints and then mailing in of the fingerprint cards with the cover letter. It is hoped that the NFA Division will be able to fine tune this process and then return Form 4s to the eForms roster in short order. The NFA Examiners appear to have broken the backlog of most of the transfer and making applications. Dealers are reporting Form 3 approvals in terms of days or hours. End user processing is still problematic, though. Some forms have been languishing for a year or more. And some current submissions are dealing with a reported bottleneck at FBI for background check processing. NFATCA has a scheduled meeting with ATF senior management and will obtain more detail on the FBI logjam. The capacity crowd at the meeting in the range house/snack bar was strongly encouraged to make sure to get out and “vote red” in the upcoming election. The reminder should not be necessary, though. As NFA enthusiasts, we should always vote in every election, and we should always make sure that we are voting for candidates that support the Second Amendment. The meeting wrapped up with a complimentary BBQ dinner, provided by Knob Creek proprietors, Kenny & Tracy.

The NFATCA attends many events each year to ensure effective membership outreach. Fall and Spring Knob Creek, SAR West, SHOT Show and the NRA Annual Meeting are always on our roster. If you are attending any of these events, make sure to stop by and say “hi.” We’d love to hear from you. As we pass 15 years of service to the NFA community, we want to thank you for your continued support. If you already are a member, thanks! If you are interested in becoming one, you can sign up at nfatca.org today.

This issue of SAR is being handed out at one of our favorite shows of the year, IWA in Nurnberg, Germany. Every March since the beginning of this magazine (we’d been attending IWA for years before 1997 as well), we go to Nurnberg and enjoy meeting with the European small arms community. While IWA is the “IWA and Outdoor Classics” show with a large hunting and sport shooting theme, the Law Enforcement presence has grown dramatically just as it has at the SHOT Show. In many ways, IWA is considered the “SHOT Show for the rest of the world.” This characterization is a bit unfair, as SHOT is very inclusive of international exhibitors and attendees, but has a reputation as being for the US market only. I can attest to that not being the case due to the massive number of international visitors we get at the shop during SHOT (we’re based in Las Vegas area), as well as the clear effect on the international market that comes from the show.

IWA has a very profound effect on the small arms community around the world. Exhibitors from all over the world are present, and like SHOT, the networking opportunities are excellent. The USA Pavilion has also continued to grow as traditionally US-centric companies open their eyes and look out around the world and see the common interests for their products, as well as the possibilities for international cooperation at home. Many times new products that are showcased at IWA in March, start showing up on the US market by Fall of the year.

Many times it is hard for European companies to break into presenting their products into the US because of our onerous and confusing importation regulations regarding firearms and related products. One more side effect of exhibiting at IWA is not only does the displaying company reach European buyers, but the contact over the Atlantic opens many doors as well. While the European market is certainly enough for many European companies who want to stay within their traditional marketplace, those with an eye for adventure and growth will frequently find that IWA is a launching point for future ventures. The IWA show has many attendees from Asia, the Mideast, South America, and parts of Africa. This constant flow of new people presents opportunities to meet and make friends, and to form business partnerships that can continue to grow and hopefully prosper for years to come.

Our readers who have never been to the IWA show should consider it for 2012. SAR has a large international readership but is still US based, and we need to address an issue that is very American. Up until 2001, only about 10% of Americans had a passport, and the statistics constantly quoted were that only about 20% had ever used their passport on real, cross-the-big-puddle international travel. With a population of 300 million, that was 30 million with passports and only about 6 million Americans doing international travel (outside of military service). I can’t verify that 20% number but it seems reasonable from my experience, and the 10% number was correct in the 1980s. Since Americans now need a passport to go to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, US passport ownership has almost tripled to about 27%. It’s not that hard to do today. Flights to Germany in March are “off-season” and prices are good. Make your hotel reservations in advance to get the best prices. Nurnberg is a wonderful city to visit as well as trying to see some other areas while you’re there.

Yes, I’m suggesting that you, reading this in the US, consider having “An Adventure” next year. IWA will certainly introduce you to the rest of the world’s shooting community better than any other method I can think of. Hope to see you there: SAR is set up in the USA Pavilion.

– Dan

The SHOT Show is the world’s largest gathering of shooting, hunting and outdoor gear manufacturers. In fact the acronym SHOT stands for Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade. Manufacturers display their wares for thousands of retailers, law enforcement, military and media types from all over the world. They also pick the SHOT Show to introduce their new products for the coming year. This year the show was located at the Sands Expo and Convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada. As the Venetian Hotel connects to the Sands Expo center there were booths in that hotel’s meeting rooms as well. The Sands/Venetian is probably not the best place for the show as this year it took two maps to try and find your way around. Even with the maps in hand, navigating the show was problematic at best. The show runs four days and even with that much time it is almost impossible to see everything. In covering this years show this author tried to uncover as many new products as possible, especially products that the readers of Small Arms Review would be interested in.

The Law Enforcement section of the show seems to grow tremendously every year. New products in the tactical and military field are driven by the need for them in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and mean streets the world over. Manufacturers of military and law enforcement firearms have been producing civilianized versions of the same firearms because of public demand either for self defense, sporting competition or simply collecting. If you don’t think that these guns are popular just take a look at the cover of any firearm related magazine. Small Arms Review has been known for covering these types of firearms since day one.

New firearms exhibited at the show always seen to create the biggest buzz. This year Bushmasters new rifle was probably talked about the most. The ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle), which is a joint product of MagPul, Bushmaster and Remington Defense, has been in the works for several years. It is now finally scheduled for production, starting with the first Basic models in March and followed by the Enhanced version in May of this year. This rifle has several noted features that include a totally modular design with major components being able to be swapped out in seconds to include barrels of different lengths, stocks, forearms and even the trigger group. This piston drive rifle is adaptive for any situation with four different barrel lengths, two stock options and even different calibers. With the ability of changeable barrels and a bolt that is multi-caliber, the rifle can be switched from one caliber to another in minutes. The rifle will initially be available in 5.56 and 6.8 SPC. Other calibers will follow at a later date. The ACR is fully ambidextrous and accepts standard AR-15 magazines. (www.bushmaster.com)

LWRC International was on hand with their full line of fine rifles. New this year is the R.E.P.R. (Rapid Engagement Precision Rifle), a short stroke piston driven 7.62mm that can be configured for a variety of roles. It can be used with a 12 inch barreled upper in an assaulter role or by switching to a 20 inch barreled upper it can be used as a sniper rifle. The theory here is that carrying another upper in a backpack is more convenient that carrying two rifles. The rifle has a side-mounted charging handle that enables the operator to reload without removing his eyes from the target. Also, with a side-mounted charging handle the rear of the upper receiver has no opening that might allow gas to be blown into the shooters face when the rifle is equipped with a sound suppressor. The R.E.P.R. will be available in four models: the standard with either a 12 or 16.1 inch barrel, the Designated Marksman with an 18 inch barrel or the Sniper with a 20 inch barrel. (www.lwrci.com)

POF (Patriot Ordnance Factory) USA was on hand to introduce their new P-416 PDW. This gun is a 7 1/4 inch barreled piston driven .223 rifle that weighs right at 6 lbs. This tiny gun is just over 20 inches long with the stock collapsed. The gun features the MMR (Modular Railed Receiver), a free float barrel and a 3/4 inch shorter buffer system. Also new for POF this year is their new 25-round .308 magazines that will fit not only their P-417 series guns but also the Remington, DPMS, LWRC and the SR-25 rifles. Another new product from them this year is their Roller Cam Pin kit. This kit contains a new cam pin with a rolling head, a modified bolt carrier key which allows the new cam pin to be removed without removing the carrier key and new screws as well. The complete kit will retail for just $45. (www.pof-usa.com)

FNH USA chose the SHOT Show to introduce several new firearms as well as a couple of new less than lethal guns. The gun that drew the most attention was their new semi-auto version of the SCAR Heavy designated the SCAR 17S. Following last years introduction of the SCAR 16S that is the civilian version of the .223 Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle, the SCAR 17S is the .308 version. This piston driven rifle is totally ambidextrous with a magazine release and fire controls on both sides as well as a reversible charging handle. The SCAR 17S also has a folding, collapsible stock with a 2-position cheekpiece that allows the shooter’s eye to be aligned higher for optics or lower for iron sights. The gun can also be fired with the stock folded. Also new this year was FNH’s series of handguns called the FNX. The FNX is available in either 9mm or .40 S&W. The pistols feature either double or single action and have a decocking lever that allows the pistol to be carried either cocked and locked or hammer down in the decocked mode. A modular grip is another feature of the FNX and comes with several backstraps with different checkering and different profiles to fit just about any size hand. These new pistols were designed with a different grip angle and position so that the bore sits lower in the hand thus producing less recoil and reduced muzzle flip. (www.fnhusa.com)

Smith and Wesson has supplied duty weapons in the form of handguns for just about as long as anybody can remember. In recent years they have enhanced their line of law enforcement firearms with the M&P 15 series of rifles. The M&P logo designates Military and Police. This year they expanded the M&P 15 line with several new versions of this rifle. The first will be equipped with the MagPul MOE stock, MOE grip, MagPul P-Mag, MagPul folding sights and the Troy Industries TRX Extreme rail forearm. The new rail is very thin and light and only comes with a top Picatinny rail. There are mounting points located in various positions along the forearm to add rails. This allows the shooter to place rails just where they are needed and still have a smooth forearm gripping surface without the need for rail covers. This gun is equipped with a 14.5 inch barrel with a permanently attached muzzle brake to bring it to legal length. Another new model of the M&P 15 is their new piston driven rifle which will be available with either a standard M4 forearm or a railed forearm. The new rifle uses the excellent Adams Arms piston conversion that has a railed gas block. Adams Arms has a proven design that is well made and works every time. Smith & Wesson has also updated the M&P 15-22 that was introduced last year and is their entry into the .22 LR black rifle market. It features polymer upper and lower receivers and a full sized .22 LR magazine that makes the gun look just like its full-sized counterpart. The new model of the M&P 15-22 now has a railed forearm, MagPul stock and pistol grip and now also a threaded muzzle that will accept different muzzle devices as well as a suppressor. The M&P 15-22 has had rave reviews and now this upgraded model is bound to be a winner as well. (www.smith-wesson.com)

Several companies picked the show to break the news of their new .22 rimfire guns. Among them, Umarex USA will be bringing to market a new line of Heckler & Koch licensed .22’s. These will include semi-auto rimfire copies of the H&K 416 battle rifle and the H&K MP-5 submachine gun. Two versions of both will be available. There will be a standard MP-5 with a dummy suppressor shroud that will cover its 16 inch barrel and also a model with what appears to be an MP-5 SD with an integral dummy suppressor covering its long barrel. As far as the 416 goes, it will be produced in a standard rifle configuration as well as a pistol version with a dummy suppressor. Both models are sure to be hot sellers. (www.umarexusa.com)

Barrett Firearms announced their newest heavy hitter. They are now producing their Model 82 A1 in .416 Barrett caliber. Their original Model 82 A1, in .50 BMG, has become feared the world over as the shoulder fired cannon that can reach out and touch someone or something at extraordinary ranges. Now this same platform will be produced in their latest caliber. This .416 caliber alternative further adds to the mystic of the Model 82 A1. With enhanced accuracy and stability, not to mention a significantly higher muzzle velocity, the .416 offers extreme long range accuracy. Like the original M82 A1 this rifle comes with a 29-inch chrome-lined barrel, carry handle, optics rail, flip-up iron sights, detachable bipod and cleaning kit all in a fitted Pelican case. If you want a heavy caliber rifle but live in a state that doesn’t allow it, this is your rifle. (www.barrettrifles.com)

New accessories abound at the SHOT Show and many retailers visit the show for just that purpose to have the newest and neatest accessories that the industry has to offer. With over 1,800 exhibitors plying for the business, most dealers will run out of money before they run out of things to stock up on.

Suppressors have become big business with the tactical market expanding the way that it has. A relatively new suppressor company called Silencerco was there explaining the merits of their new suppressors. Classified as their Osprey line, the new handgun suppressors utilize a revolutionary eccentric design which means that the internal bore of the suppressor does not run exactly through the center of the outer tube but instead runs through the top of the tube. This allows for a slimmer, flat sided suppressor tube that still has the internal volume of a round tube. Because of its slimmer form it can be holstered while still attached to the host firearm. Another feature of these suppressors is a Nielsen device that is integrated with a cam-lock mounting system. Interchangeable pistons in the locking system allow one suppressor to be used with multiple host weapons. With an eccentric design these new suppressors allow an unobstructed sight picture without having to use extremely tall sights. They also offer safe hearing protection without the use of water or grease. The Osprey suppressors are available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. (www.silencerco.com)

Gemtech has long been known for their line of fine suppressors and this year they have added some new 100% titanium suppressors. These new suppressors still provide the optimum sound suppression but with the substantial weight reduction and strength of titanium. These include the PSR (Precision Sniper Rifle) in .338 Lapua, the QUICKSAND in 7.62 NATO, the G5-Ti in caliber 5.56mm and the TREK in 5.56mm. Also new for 2010 is their G5-22, a .22 LR suppressor that has been designed to be correctly proportioned for the .22 caliber full-sized copies of famous assault rifles. It looks just like their 5.56mm G5 but made for .22 rimfire. It can be 100% user disassembled and has zero first round pop. They also have now introduced their new ALPINE .22 LR suppressor. This suppressor was designed for shooters who wanted a suppressor for their .22 rifles and pistols that could be taken apart. The only tool needed for disassembly is a U.S. coin. Gemtech is also now providing suppressors in Realtree and Desert Digital camouflage. (www.gem-tech.com)

Leatherman introduced one of the neatest accessories for all of the AR shooters out there. It is a new multi-tool called the MUT that functions as both a tactical as well as a practical tool for military, law enforcement and civilian shooters. It comes in either a utility model or the EOD model. The utility model has 18 tools plus a 3 piece bit kit and the EDO model is equipped with 17 tools as well as the 3 piece bit kit. The MUT has several tools specially designed for servicing the AR-15/M16 rifle. There is a bolt override tool, a firing pin removal tool, a takedown and retaining pin removal tool, a bronze bolt carrier carbon removing tool, cleaning rod brush attachments and optic mounting and adjustment tools. Both tools feature a removable pocket clip and a MOLLE Sheath. Everyone that owns an AR-15 or M16 needs to have one of these. (www.leatherman.com)

Optics have not been left behind when it comes to the tactical arena and several of the major players have introduced “Tactical” lines of their scopes. This year Leopold brought out their new Tactical Optics line. This new line features the newest Mark 4 ER/T riflescopes. Leupold’s Mark 4 Extended Range/Tactical M1 Front Focal riflescopes are designed to let you take advantage of the reach and power of today’s long-range hunting, target and tactical rifles. At 20x or even 25x, you’ll have the superior clarity needed to positively ID targets, and the generous range of windage and elevation adjustment that gives you the accuracy and precision that you need at the most extreme distances. They also now have a full line of tactical mounts and bases so that mounting these new optics to any rifle is not a problem. (www.leupold.com)

All in all, this years SHOT Show proved to have just about anything that anyone in the industry would have an interest in. This article in no way covers every new item that was represented there. It would take hundreds of pages to cover them all. Just be sure to watch future issues of Small Arms Review as we cover a host of new and interesting products from the shooting industry.

The show, held January 15-18 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, comprised 715,000 square feet of exhibit space, with 1,800 exhibiting companies. According to preliminary figures, this year’s show attracted 25,384 attendees, 22,098 exhibiting personnel and a record 1,425 members of the media for a total attendance of 48,907.

“This has been a tremendously successful show from a number of standpoints,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. “Exhibitors and buyers were very upbeat, the products sold well, and I’d say the industry begins 2009 with a sense of cautious optimism in this challenging economy.”

Small Arms Review exhibited at the SHOT Show, and presents this overview to new products of potential interest to the NFA community.

Constitution Arms Palm Pistol

The Palm Pistol made a splash in the national news media outlets when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it was revoking a prior determination that the pistol was a “medical device.” Whether accurate or not, a solid model of the pistol was available for examination. The model proved to be very ergonomic and easy to grasp. The design incorporates two independently operable grip safeties that are deactivated by firmly gripping the pistol. A loaded chamber indicator allows the user to quickly determine if the firearm is loaded while a Picatinny rail allows the attachment of a small flashlight or laser aiming device.

Similar to a rifle where the recoil force is directed rearward to the shoulder, the palm pistol directs recoil into the palm and through the forearm of the shooter. While a firing model was not available for examination, the solid model was a very effective demonstration tool to show that the firearm is a viable design, is comfortable to handle, and capable of wide market appeal.

Elite Iron Suppressors

Elite Iron Suppressors of Bonner, Montana showcased several new suppressors within their line up. The Tango Down pistol suppressor is offered in three calibers: 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Utilizing a 7075-T6 aluminum tube, the .45 caliber suppressor is capable of 19-22 dB reduction when fired dry or 33-35 dB reduction when fired wet. The suppressors also feature a removable recoil booster for Browning-type pistols, as well as a super tough Ceracote surface treatment. Owner Dale Poling explained that the Ceracote is more durable than anodizing and provides a superior surface treatment. With a limited lifetime warranty, the Tango Down suppressors weigh 11 ounces (without the recoil booster) and retail for $750.

Elite Iron also has two new rifle suppressors intended for .223, .308, .338 Lapua, .416 Barrett, or .50 BMG. The SERE features an oversleeve design and is intended for a 20-inch barreled AR-15 type weapon. Due to the oversleeve design, the suppressor is better able to capture residual high pressure gas during the firing sequence, is lighter in weight, and operates as a highly efficient flash suppressor. SERE suppressors are built to order and retail at $825 for a .223 suppressor, or $925 for a .308 suppressor. Brian boasted that he currently has over 70,000 rounds through the .223 suppressor design with minimal wear to the suppressor.

The Alpha suppressor is intended for .416 Barrett or .50 BMG rifles. Weighing just under four pounds, the Alpha provides hearing safe suppression on the .416 Barrett platform when shooting 438-grain projectiles at 3,200 feet per second. Field testing of the suppressor provided a 24-inch group at 3,000 meters. The Alpha suppressor retails for $1,395. All suppressors made by Elite Iron are 100% TIG Welded. Additional information on Elite Iron Suppressors may be found on the web at www.eliteiron.net.

Airtronic USA, Inc.

During a brief interview, Airtronic revealed that they are currently manufacturing all M203 grenade launchers for the U.S. Government, with over 22,000 M203s manufactured during 2008. Airtronic also currently manufactures 65% of all spare parts for the M2HB machine gun.

Airtronic displayed a 40mm stand-alone grenade launcher system. Intended to allow the use of an M203 without a host rifle, projected retail for the stand alone system without sights is $250. Future developments include a version without a buttstock for use as a breaching tool. Mr. Dockery reports that the recoil from a breaching round when fired without a stock is manageable. More information may be found online at www.airtronic.net.

SWR Manufacturing

SWR Manufacturing displayed their new A2RA suppressor. Rated for full automatic fire, the suppressor is intended for the M4 rifle system but may be utilized with any 5.56mm rifle that uses a standard A2-type flash hider.

The suppressor uses a proprietary mounting system licensed from SAI in Denmark. The design uses two locking rings – the first ring acts as a gas check while the second ring secures the suppressor to the weapon. With this design, the suppressor locks tightly to the host weapon but will not interfere with existing sling mounts or bayonet lugs. While conducting research into the design, it was noticed that some suppressors could not be securely mounted to the HK416 rifle due to dimensional differences between rifle manufacturers. The A2R2 suppressor eliminates this concern, and will operate effectively on either gas or piston operating systems.

The A2R2 features an inconel blast baffle, measures 1.5 inches in diameter, is 7.5 inches in length, and weighs 21 ounces. The suppressor is fully TIG welded, and cannot be disassembled. Projected retail price is $795, with full production available in Summer 2009.

Smith and Wesson

Whether due to commodity prices on the world market or a shortage of ammunition due to uncertain political conditions, the cost of shooting has increased. Enter the Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22. A dedicated full sized AR-15 type rifle, the M&P 15-22 is a dedicated .22 caliber rifle.

Both the upper and lower receiver is engineered from high strength polymer. The rifle’s operating features, functionality and durability are true to the standard AR-15 design, offering all of the features found on an AR-15 or M16 rifle. The M&P 15-22 features a 16-inch barrel with a 1:15 twist. The M&P 15-22 comes standard with a six-position collapsible stock and an A3 style flat top upper receiver with a quad-rail hand guard.

Similar to a full sized AR-15, the bolt and charging handle are fully functional. The fire control parts feature standard AR-15 parts in the expected locations on the rifle. Reportedly, the internal fire control parts (with the exception of the springs) are standard AR-15 parts and after firing the last round the bolt locks to the rear allowing the user to easily load a new 25-round magazine.

The unloaded weight of the rifle is approximately 5 pounds; measures 31 inches with the stock collapsed and 34 inches with the stock fully extended. The M&P 15-22 is designed to accept all 1913 Mil-Std rail adaptable accessories, Mil-Spec carbine stocks and most standard after-market AR-15 pistol grips.

When asked, Smith and Wesson representatives indicated that the entire system was designed from the ground up and that the upper receiver will not function on a standard AR-15 lower receiver. S&W representatives were also unable to comment on whether the system could be converted to a post-86 restricted machine gun.

The M&P 15-22 is well suited to recreational shooting while also being an extremely viable training firearm for law enforcement and military personnel and has a retail price of $449. 25-round magazines will retail for $29.95.

Wylie X

Whether a recreational shooter, active military, or a member of law enforcement, gloves should be considered as important as eye protection. Accidents happen – barrels get hot, out of battery detonations occur, and targets may have sharp edges. Wearing gloves while shooting protects the shooters hands and may reduce the possibility of injury. Wylie X is well known to U.S. military personnel for their line of eye protection and now Wylie X has released four new flame resistant combat gloves.

Currently listed on the Government approved product list as non-flammable, the Wiley X CAG-1 glove is sold in either short or gauntlet length. When compared to the standard aviator’s Nomex glove, the CAG-1 gloves were hands down more comfortable. Unlike the standard issue Nomex gloves, the CAG-1 allows the wearer to easily pick up small objects with no loss of manual dexterity. Current feedback from deployed troops indicates that the CAG-1 gloves are lasting twice as long as current issue gloves.

The CAG-1 gloves are available at Military Clothing Sales Stores, AAFES, civilian clothing outlets, and on the web at www.wileyx.com. Suggested retail ranges from $88-$150, depending on model and style.

Heckler and Koch

As reported last year in Small Arms Review, Heckler and Koch has released the MR223 rifle for US sales. While similar in exterior appearances to the HK416 rifle, subtle engineering differences were observed. The changes were explained as necessary in order to comply with German firearm regulations.

Three significant differences between the MR223 and HK416 were observed. The rear take down pin on the MR223 lower receiver was relocated 6mm to the rear, preventing the installation of a 416 upper receiver on an MR223 lower receiver. In addition, the MR223 chamber has a protrusion preventing the installation of a standard AR-15/M16 bolt carrier into the MR223 receiver. In the event that an AR-15/M16 bolt carrier was installed in an MR223, the bolt would not fully seat within the chamber and the rifle would not function. The MR223 bolt carrier has a corresponding notch to match the chamber protrusion allowing the rifle to function properly with use of an MR223 bolt carrier. Unlike the European version, the firearm was equipped with a flash suppressor.

The need for the design change is based upon German and U.S. law. As a German company, Heckler and Koch must comply with German law while complying with U.S. law when importing or manufacturing domestically. German law prohibits the sale of the HK416 to civilians, regardless of where the rifle is manufactured. As a result of the 1989 import restriction, the HK416 cannot be imported into the U.S. without substantial modifications to the external design. As a result, the MR223 is being made within the U.S. Prior efforts to import rifles from Germany resulted in the HK SL8 rifle, which was internally similar to the HK G36 battle rifle yet featured a highly modified stock. Domestic production of the MR223 should avoid import and design issues encountered with the HK SL8 rifle.

FNH-USA

As reported in the February 2009 issue of Small Arms Review, FNH-USA announced the release of a civilian legal SCAR rifle chambered in .223. According to FNH-USA representatives, the civilian version of the SCAR rifle will be virtually identical to the military version. Two obvious changes to the civilian SCAR rifle include semi-automatic only function and an 18-inch barrel with standard A2-type birdcage flash hider. The rifle is expected to retail for $2,499.

Timney Triggers

The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most popular American made firearms in recent history. The ability to easily change the barrel and internal components makes the rifle easily adaptable. As many SAR readers are aware, the rifle is also easy to suppress, or make into a short barreled rifle. In 2006, Timney triggers took the shooting world by storm with the release of their AR-15 trigger system. Timney has done it again with the release of a new trigger system designed for the Ruger 10/22 rifle.

As a true drop in and self-contained modification, the Timney unit replaces the 10/22 trigger mechanism by providing crisp trigger response and allowing increased accuracy. The factory 10/22 features a 6-8 pound trigger pull. The new Timney trigger system eliminates trigger creep and reduces the trigger pull to a highly accurate 2-3 pounds. Easy to install, the unit utilizes the factory pins with the addition of two set screws to secure the unit within the receiver. Total installation time was about 15 minutes, with the majority of that time spent assembling and disassembling the rifle. Suggested retail is $149.95.

Tango Down

Tango Down presented two new products for commercial and military customers. The new Tango Down AR-15/M16 magazine presents a new take on an old design. The Tango Down magazine is a sealed two piece design that is not intended for disassembly. Traditional AR-15/M16 magazines are molded in a constant radius throughout the body of the magazine. With the multitude of manufacturers producing AR-15 and M16 lower receivers, there is no control over the specifications or design features within the lower receiver. As a result, Tango Down discovered that traditional AR-15/M16 magazines do not always fit within certain lower receivers, specifically, the Heckler and Koch 416. The newly designed magazine features a straight section that is inserted within the weapon, while utilizing the traditional curved section for the exposed section of magazine.

The magazine spring has also been redesigned with tests replicating the loading and unloading of the magazine through 10,000 cycles. Ten thousand cycles translates to 300,000 rounds of ammunition through a single magazine. The life of the magazine spring should far exceed the life of the magazine body.

Two types of magazines are offered. The first is intended for the military market and incorporates a seal between the magazine and the magazine well. The sand seal is intended to eliminate and prevent sand and other debris from entering the weapon, while providing a high quality product. The commercial version will not feature the sand seal, as the seal increases the magazine width. Suggested retail for the Tango Down magazine is $24.95.

Tango Down also featured a newly designed vertical grip. The new grip eliminates the dual locking bars currently found on existing Tango Down and Knight’s Armament forward grips. Jeff Cahill of Tango Down explained that dimensional tolerances in Picatinny rails can result in a bad fit when locking bars are utilized. If the rail is undersized, the grip will be loose and may wobble. If the rail is oversized, the grip may not fit, or may break once installed. In addition, it can be difficult for users to install, remove, and adjust grips utilizing dual locking bars.

The new grip utilizes a throw lever, which allows for adjustment in size. If the rail is oversized, the throw lever can be adjusted to accommodate the rail. If the rail is undersized, the throw lever system can be adjusted to fit snugly, unlike the current locking bar type grip. Additional information on Tango Down products may be found online at www.tangodown.com.

Badger Defense

A combined display by Badger Defense and Airtronic caught the eye of many at SHOT 2009 with a display of RPG-type rocket launchers. Formerly Badger Barrels, the company has been acquired by Airtronic USA, Inc., of Elk Grove Village, Illinois and renamed Badger Defense.

The latest offering from Badger Defense includes an American manufactured RPG rocket launcher. Representatives for the company indicated that the entire design had been improved with 3130 barrel steel being used in place of original cast barrels, an upgrade to the double action trigger group, the addition of an electronic sight, (with a built in internal ballistic and range finder) the addition of Picatinny rails to allow the addition of a bipod and other accessories, and an improved AT-4 type stock. The improvements will reportedly allow the system to hit a point target at a range of 500 meters.

Badger Defense will be manufacturing a full line of energetic and Less-Lethal ammunition for the system. Kevin Dockery has been hired as the production manager and will be in charge of day-to-day operations. Mr. Dockery explained that during the redesign process, “We were finding dimensional differences of 2mm in Russian, Chinese, and other rounds. The newly made American rounds will be superior to any round manufactured in a Warsaw Pact country.” The Badger Defense version of the OG7 fragmentation round will boast a better fuze system and provide controlled fragmentation compared to the original Russian offering. The redesign includes an improved rocket and propellant system to include the elimination of black powder as a propellant and the elimination of the original piezoelectric fuze system. Instead, a triple redundant electronic fuze will be employed to comply with current U.S. Military requirements.

Sub-caliber devices chambered in .308 Winchester are in the planning stage. The entire system will be available for sale on the commercial market, with the option of purchasing a live destructive device, or an ATF-approved deactivated system. Reportedly, the deactivated system will be classified as a Title 1 (Non-NFA) firearm and will allow the user to fire the sub-caliber conversion. According to Mr. Dockery, the sub-caliber conversion has been classified as a “pistol,” due to the short barrel length, and will also be sold as a Title 1 firearm.

The 2010 SHOT Show is scheduled for January 19-22, 2010 and is returning to Las Vegas, Nevada. Reportedly, the SHOT show will remain in Las Vegas through 2021. Additional information may be found online at www.shotshow.org.

The 137th National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits were held in Louisville, Kentucky on May 16-18, 2008. Louisville provided a wonderful venue for the largest convention ever hosted by the city. Firearm and accessory vendors assembled for the weekend exhibits at the Louisville Expo Center to display their wares in a setting similar to the S.H.O.T. Show. Since 1960, the NRA has provided space at the exhibits for collector displays, where affiliated clubs may apply to feature their firearms and related material for public viewing.

Members of The American Thompson Association (TATA) participated in the event, and assembled a historic display that will surely be remembered for many years to come. With the support of the Berrien County, Michigan Sheriff’s Department, TATA displayed the two notorious Colt Thompsons used in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre on February 14, 1929.

The effort focused upon Dr. Calvin Goddard’s crime scene investigative techniques, and respectfully presented the two Thompsons. Dr. Goddard had previously worked on the Sacco & Vanzetti case of the late 1920s, where he established some of his forensic principles. Immediately following the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Dr. Goddard’s expertise was sought to assemble a crime lab at Northwestern University in Chicago to enable investigation of the case. It was the massacre of the century, purported to have been initiated by gangster heavyweight Al Capone, and law enforcement wanted to solve it quickly. As a result of the murders, and the subsequent investigation, Dr. Goddard pioneered many standard forensic methods used by law enforcement, including acid etching to reveal a ground off serial number on Thompson #7580, as well as rifling, cartridge case, and primer marking forensics.

Colt Thompsons serial number 2347 (Model of 1921A), and serial number 7580 (Model of 1921AC), which were recovered from a Berrien County hideout of “Killer” Fred Burke in December 1929 were featured on display. Also included on display were many artifacts, including one of three bullet proof vests recovered from Burke’s weapons cache, two bricks from the wall of the building where the murders occurred, an original full box of ammo from the same lot as used in the killings, various drums and magazines from the hideout, as well as several Goddard ballistic test artifacts.

The American Thompson Association was also fortunate to obtain the support of the Newark, Ohio Police Department, who lent their ballistic comparison microscope, which appeared on interactive display to the public. The microscope demonstrated some freshly spent cartridge casings from Colt Thompson #7580, and attendees could examine the markings left by the weapon on the casings as its own, distinctive fingerprint. The casings could also be compared to sample photos from the report produced by Goddard, showing the same markings.

The two Thompsons on display were undoubtedly the best documented firearms in the entire exhibit hall. Their provenance was apparent, as they could be spotted in several period photographs on display, and their descriptions and involvement in the murders were forensically proven in Goddard’s investigative report. It should also be noted that the deeds performed by gangsters with the two Thompsons drove much of the anti-machine gun sentiment of the time, and more than likely inspired passing of the National Firearms Act of 1934, therefore affecting many of our actions today. The Thompsons are truly historic artifacts for many reasons, and this was the first time they appeared to such a large audience, with over 71,000 attendees. Some fortunate audience members received unique souvenirs from the display; actual bullets and shell casings with documentation indicating they were fired through one of the SVDM Thompsons. These were highly sought mementos, and did not last long.

Goddard’s work was presented to a Coroner’s Jury to account for the seventy .45 ACP shell casings, and two “Climax” Brand 12-gauge shotgun shells found at the scene. All ammunition used was manufactured by the U.S. Cartridge Company. At the time he presented the evidence, the weapons had not been recovered. Goddard was able to determine the killings were performed by two different Thompson Model of 1921 submachine guns; one emptying an “L” drum of 50 rounds (later determined to be #2347), and one presumably emptying 20 rounds out of an “XX” magazine (later determined to be #7580). There were also two shotgun rounds fired from the same pump or automatic shotgun, probably as a “coup de grace” to Reinhardt Schwimmer, an optician by profession, and a gangster “groupie” who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time on that fateful day.

It is important to note that no one was ever prosecuted for involvement in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Captured in 1931, Fred Burke was jailed for life for the murder of police officer Charles Skelly of the St. Joseph, Michigan Police Department. Burke died in prison of a heart attack in 1940.

As a result of the amazing display, and the provenance of the Colt Thompsons, each Thompson was awarded a silver “Best Arms” medal by the NRA. To top it off, the overall effort won the 2008 “Best Display” award, which is a perpetual silver cup that is engraved with the winner each year. Very significantly, this was the first time that all 11 NRA judges unanimously chose one display to receive the top honor. Also awarded was a certificate of recognition for the accoutrements on display from Dr. Goddard, including pictures from his report, and boxes of labeled test bullets from his laboratory.

The display was produced through the efforts of several individuals. First of all, Lt. Mike Kline, who is the caretaker of the SVDM Thompsons in Berrien County, Michigan, and also Sheriff L. Paul Bailey supported the project. Tracie Hill, President of TATA, put together the incredible display, and coordinated the club’s involvement. Many tireless hours were spent by Tracie to make it possible, and his experience with previously designed firearms displays proved invaluable. Also critical was Chuck Schauer, whose display at the 2006 TATA Show & Shoot inspired this one. Mr. Schauer initiated the involvement of Berrien County, without whom the SVDM Thompsons would never have been possible to display. Also, Bill Helmer, author of the 1969 classic Thompson narrative, The Gun That Made The Twenties Roar, contributed artifacts and much of the historical account that was featured in the program handout that accompanied the display. Many other TATA members helped with construction, and staffed the display while providing historical tutelage to those who viewed it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Much fun was had by all who participated from the club, and countless people were amazed and grateful for the opportunity to view such historic firearms presented in an interactive manner. The NRA provides an unbeatable collector display forum, and attending their annual events held in cities around the country is highly recommended. Nowhere else can one see so many firearm displays, vendor exhibits, along with Ted Nugent’s enthusiastic support of the second amendment, followed by his amazing guitar rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” all in the same day. The next NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be held in Phoenix, AZ, May 15-19, 2009.

Small Arms Review is proud to announce several new product releases planned for the 2009 SHOT show, scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida from January 15-18, 2009. As the largest domestic firearm industry trade show, admission to the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade show is limited to those that work within the firearms industry.

Interordnance

Interordnance announced several new rifles for the U.S. civilian market. The STG-22 is a full sized .22 LR caliber AK-style rifle. Manufactured entirely in the U.S., (including the receiver and barrel) the fire control parts are identical to full sized AK rifles. With the increasing cost of 7.62×39 ammunition, the ability to fire cheap and available .22 LR from an AK platform should be welcome to many hard core shooters. The STG-22 uses a proprietary magazine that appears to be related to the East German .22 caliber magazines that are commonly available within the U.S. civilian market. A retail price has not been announced as of press time.

Small Arms Review previously reported the manufacture of semiautomatic MP40 carbines by Sport System Dittrich of Germany. Manufactured to the same original manufacturing dimensions and specifications as the originals, parts and magazines reportedly fit the Sport System Dittrich replicas. Interordnance announced that they have agreed to act as the exclusive U.S. importer for the semiautomatic MP40 carbine. Retail price is expected to be about $6,000.

Century Arms

Century Arms has several newly modified firearms available for the civilian market. The Goryunov SGM (SG43) belt-fed machine gun has been converted to semiautomatic function only using newly manufactured U.S. made receivers, barrels and Polish parts. A Russian designed machine gun chambered in 7.62x54R, the firearm is sold complete with caisson mount, and unique non-disintegrating belt. Century also has three semiautomatic light machine guns – the DP28, DPM, and DTM. Fed from a pan magazine similar to a Lewis gun, these three firearms are also manufactured with new U.S. made receivers, barrels and Polish parts and are chambered in 7.62×39.

The Sterling submachine gun was used with great success by the British Army. Until recently, there were no semiautomatic versions available for sale in the U.S. Century Arms designed and produced a semiautomatic Sterling that qualifies as a non-NFA firearm. Complete with a U.S. made 16-inch barrel and folding stock, the firearm is not an exact replica, but is very close in appearance. The Century Arms Sterling is compatible with existing Sterling magazines, and other accessories.

Adams Arms

Adams Arms revealed an AR-15/M16 piston system at the 2008 SHOT show. For 2009, Adams Arms has a new 7.5-inch AR-15/M16 upper receiver utilizing the gas piston system. Fans of short barreled M16 rifles know that 7.5-inch upper receivers are finicky, and difficult to make run properly. The Adams Arms team reports that their 7.5-inch upper receiver works flawlessly. Retail price for the complete upper was not available as of press time.

Fabrique Nationale

FN has two new rifles that will excite SAR readers. The first new rifle is the FN-AR. Based upon the Browning BAR system, the FN-AR is a .308 caliber, semiautomatic rifle available in a light or heavy barreled configuration. Representatives from FN indicate that law enforcement officers requested a semiautomatic .308 rifle that would fit within a patrol vehicle. With a 20-inch barrel, the FN-AR delivers as requested. FN makes two guarantees of the FN-AR: a 10,000 round barrel life (compared to the 3,500 round barrel life of the Browning BAR) and guaranteed MOA accuracy. The FN-AR utilizes a proprietary 20-round magazine. According to FN representatives, original BAR magazines will not function with the new FN-AR rifle. The FN-AR rifle also uses the ambidextrous magazine release designed for the SCAR rifle system. Retail price for the FN-AR rifle is expected to be $1,399.

Scheduled for public release in mid-December 2008, look for the civilian legal SCAR light rifles from FN. Frequent readers of SAR know that the SCAR rifle system has been under development by FN for several years for the U.S. military. According to FN representatives, the civilian version of the SCAR rifle will be virtually identical to the military version. Two obvious changes to the civilian SCAR rifle include semiautomatic only function and an 18-inch barrel with standard A2-type birdcage flash hider. Suggested retail price as of press time is $2,499.

Serbu Firearms Semiautomatic .50 BMG Rifle

The long anticipated Serbu semiautomatic rifle is reportedly in production. Featuring steel and aluminum construction, the rifle reportedly weighs 25 pounds making the Serbu rifle considerably lighter than many competing semiautomatic .50 caliber rifles. Overall length is reportedly 52.5 inches, with a 26-inch barrel. Utilizing a gas operated, three lug bolt with dual ejectors, the rifle uses standard M82 10-round magazines. Suggested retail is currently $6,700.

American Tactical Imports

Known for importing the GSG-5 carbine, look for the GSG-5 pistol to be on display at SHOT. Manufactured by German Sport Guns of Germany, the GSG-5 variants are near perfect replicas of the full scale 9mm Heckler and Koch versions. Look for a full review of the GSG-5 pistol in a future issue of Small Arms Review.

ATI is offering a dedicated .22 caliber M4 type AR-15/M16 upper receiver with a 16-inch barrel that utilizes Mad Dog .22 caliber magazines. Utilizing a modified bolt and recoil system based upon the Atchisson .22 LR system, the ATI upper receiver will reportedly retail for $300. Unlike other .22 caliber conversions, the ATI conversion utilizes a .22 caliber barrel and eliminates the .223 chamber spacer employed by caliber conversion kits. The kit is reportedly made and manufactured in Italy, and imported exclusively by ATI.

The firearms industry has recently seen many new modifications and caliber offerings in the AR-15 system. ATI has a new .410 caliber shotgun based upon the AR-15 design. Unlike the USAS-12 12-gauge shotgun, the T-14 shotgun is the same size as an AR-15, and makes use of the same fire control parts found on the AR-15. Equipped with a 10-round magazine, the T-14 has an MSRP of $799.

For Glock owners, ATI has secured newly manufactured after-market 15-round and 17-round 9mm Glock magazines. Identical in fit and finish to the original Glock 9mm magazines, a pair of magazines is sold with a magazine pouch for $39.99.

PTR-91, Inc.

PTR, long known for its Heckler and Koch type .308 rifles, has a new rifle available for the U.S. civilian market. The new G3 based rifle is chambered in 7.62×39. Designated the PTR-32, the rifle is available with a 16-inch barrel, Navy-type polymer trigger group, HK-type birdcage flash suppressor, and either a standard or collapsible stock. Most importantly, the rifle reportedly accepts AK-type 7.62mm magazines which are easy and inexpensive to obtain. Suggested retail is $1,240 for the standard stock model, and $1,355 for the collapsible stock model.

The SHOT show is the largest domestic firearm trade show of the year, and visitors can expect to find many new product releases during the show. Please bear in mind that while the information within this article was accurate as of press time, changes within the industry and political climate may result in changes to the final retail price, product offerings, and configurations.

If you come from the school of “Bigger is Better” the Grizzly Big Boar is the first step towards earning your Masters Degree.

The first time I saw the Big Boar first hand was at the LAR Manufacturing display at S.H.O.T. Show ’97 in Las Vegas. I was walking around with a camera on my neck in absolute awe of the enormity of the show, and basking in the glow of the fact that I was actually in T-shirt weather in January. Being from the snowy State of Maine, it was a coin toss as to which was more impressive. I rounded the corner of an aisle and the LAR booth stood out among all others. It was a huge display decorated with mounts of many different species, and a few huge rifles on tall tripods in the center.

The rifles were in fact the Big Boar models, and the mounts were trophies taken with these rifles. Under the mounts were tags with the distances they were taken at. The ranges of the shots were incredible. A sampling of the tags was 418 yards, 425 yards, 660 yards, 753 yards, 880 yards and even an impressive 1100 yards! Upon closer inspection of the booth, there was even a hunting video playing, showing many of these shots as they happened. I think this was the first time I heard the word “hunting” and .50BMG in the same sentence. I left the display, and the S.H.O.T. Show that year with a new perspective on an old caliber.

Through the past few years more and more attention is being focused on the .50 BMG cartridge. Once a round originally designed for military application (see related story on the .50 BMG M2HB on page 31 in this issue), many sporting, hunting and target rifles are now being built around it. It’s popularity among the civilian shooting population is growing all the time, and with this increased interest come many new designs and ideas.

One organization dedicated to promoting the sporting uses of the .50 BMG cartridge is the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association. Based in Riverside California, they are a non-profit organization, and publish for their members the quarterly magazine Very High Power. They sanction shooting matches open to members, answer general questions from members over the internet related to fifty caliber problems, and have even compiled a supplier’s list providing detailed information on more than 135 manufacturers of fifty caliber related equipment. Their annual membership is only $25.00 per year. Their contact information will follow this article.

One of the downfalls of the rifles designed to fire the .50 BMG cartridge is that they have typically been viewed as long, heavy and cumbersome. While the weight is a downfall while transporting the firearms, many will argue in it’s defense for the purpose dampening the recoil, especially in the manually loaded models. LAR has addressed these factors very well. The Fifty Big Boar is a bullpup design, single shot bolt action. The overall length is 45.5” with an overall weight of 30.4 pounds. While the weight is on the low side for a rifle of this caliber, their new muzzle brake design dampens the recoil to a tolerable level.

The rifle is shipped with a modified Harris Bipod. Their modification allows the bipod to be locked in place by inserting a pin in each leg stopping the bipod from folding under the weight and recoil of the Big Boar. LAR also offers a custom lightweight tripod and pintel mount for the same rifle. The tripod is adjustable in height from approximately 21” to a whopping 48”. This will allow you to fire it from a bench or table, or stand up behind it when it is directly on the ground. Each leg is independently adjustable allowing you to level it on uneven ground. Once the legs have been positioned and locked, the mount is still fully adjustable for windage and elevation with a positive lock system. You can actually lock the rifle on a target with this mechanism. While the tripod is an excellent accessory, it is not designed to dampen the recoil or hold the rifle still under fire, but to simply support the weight of the rifle and steady it for you.

When the test gun came in I called a few friends and we headed right out to the range. After careful inspection of the firearm, and the owners manual that came with it, we set it up on one of their custom tripod mounts and put a few rounds downrange. The objective that day was to get the feel of the rifle and snap a few photos at the same time. My concern was primarily comfort and recoil on this trip and we got right to it. While I loaded the round into the shell holder of the bolt and inserted it into the rifle, you could have cut the air with a knife. I have been behind a few .50 caliber rifles that hurt to shoot and other than the shock factor from curious onlookers I have gotten little pleasure from them. I rested on a short stool behind the tripod mounted Grizzly and looked through the scope. I sighted in the Leupold Mark 4 on a paper target placed well below a berm at 200 yards out. I took a deep breath and snapped the safety lever to “Fire”. I brought the crosshairs back to center, gently squeezed the trigger, and launched my first 750 grain Hornady A-Max in to the target.

While the report was tremendous, as expected, there was something missing. It was the pain. There was no pain. The muzzle brake had done its job of redirecting the gasses tremendously. I was pleasantly surprised. “Well?”, asked everyone present “How was it?” My answer was smile and a big thumbs up. I took my hearing protection off, put in a set of plugs, put the other ones back on over them and loaded another round. Another deep breath, and “Boom” another round in the target. By this time, everyone at the range (there just so happened to be a pile of Maine State Troopers there qualifying that day), had eyes as big as saucers and all attention seemed to be focused on the source of it. I asked if there were any takers as I gestured toward the rifle, and my friends Barry and John were both eager to get behind it. They each took a few shots and basically came to the same conclusion as I, that the bark of the Grizzly was much louder than the bite. (At least on the giving end).

The second trip to the range I was a little more interested in accuracy. The gun is manufactured with a match grade chamber, and the ammunition we were using was the LAR reccomended ammo by Arizona Ammunition, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ. They offer 3 different loads in .50BMG. 1.) A Practice load: 650 grain ball, moly coated, in mixed cases at $2.50 per round. 2.) A Hunting Load: 570 grain soft nose, moly coated, in PMC Benchrest Prepared Cases at $4.75 per round. And 3.) A Match Load: 750 grain Ultralubed Hornady A-Max in PMC Benchrest prepared cases at $4.75 per round. (Arizona Ammunition offers a $.25 per round discount to owners of the Grizzly Big Boar rifle.) The one we were using was their Match Grade Load. Muzzle Velocity is @2800 fps. We set up at 220 yards and dialed in the scope. After a short period of time the groups were so small that the holes were touching downrange. It was painfully obvious that the gun/scope/ammo combination could outshoot me hands down. What we really needed was another range with a little more distance to unleash this beast, but due to ammo constraints and deadlines on press time we had too settle for what we had.

While at the range this 2nd time I met a Trooper from the Maine State Police Tactical Team sighting in his duty rifle. He was immediately interested in what I was doing after seeing the rifle, and VERY interested after hearing it. When I asked if he wanted to give it a try, I hadn’t gotten the last word out of my mouth and he was nodding his head “yes.” I gave him a quick “once over” on the rifle and he was ready to go. He sighted in on an extra target at the 200 yard bank and got ready to fire. Just as I was anticipating the muzzle blast he put it back on safe, looked at me and asked “Now if this thing were going to set my eyeball back into my head, you would tell me, right?” I assured him that it really was a kitten to shoot compared to the amount of noise it makes and he went foreword with that first round. After he fired it, he kept looking through the scope but said nothing. He was looking for the hole in the target he was shooting at. Another big advantage with that large of a caliber is you really don’t need a high powered spotter scope to see your holes within 200 yards or so. When he put it down, I asked him what he thought. His reply was that I was right about the light recoil, and the anticipation of it was far worse than the recoil itself. I handed him another round and he gladly accepted. When he left the range, we were trying to figure out how he could convince his wife that he really NEEDED one of these and that it wasn’t a toy, but a tool. (Yeah, like we haven’t all used that one.)

Summary

I have fired many .50 caliber rifles over the past years, and the Grizzly Big Boar seems to be the lightest recoiling of any of the manually loaded guns. The recoil is similar to that of a shotgun as it is more of a push than a quick snap. LAR gets an A+ in my book for the muzzle brake for both effectiveness and asthetics. There are a lot of ugly muzzle brakes out there and this is not one of them.

The bullpup design drops the overall length to a reasonable 45.5”. This makes transportation easy in a standard 48” case and the gun even comes from LAR in a lockable Doskocil Gun Guard hard case. Rifle, with scope, bipod and tripod can be transported in this case with a little careful arranging. Ease of transporting gets a high mark as well.

The rifle has a leather cheek pad that comes with it, and in my opinion it is necessary equipment. The scope mount is integral and a little high to be real comfortable, and the cheek pad helps to overcome this a little. I think a little thicker pad or a little lower mount would it more comfortable to shoot. Even though a little awkward at first you overcome it pretty quick.

For accessories, I am impressed with their tripod, and pintel mount. At $329.00 I believe it is also a necessary feature. If you don’t want to spend that much more when you buy the rifle you can always purchase this later. LAR makes all their Grizzly Big Boar rifles compatible with this and the pintel adapter is added to the standard rifle with only 2 bolts. As mentioned earlier in the article it is very light weight and is not intended for holding it rock steady under fire, but it would otherwise be almost impossible to fire in the field where grass or terrain does not allow the use of the bipod. No one smaller than Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to fire this unit off-hand. As for the bipod, their solution for adding a locking mechanism to the Harris Bipod is very quick and effective also. The modified bipod is included with every gun.

Everyone I have dealt with at LAR has been courteous and informative. This goes way back to that first meeting at S.H.O.T. Show ’97, so they are not just turning on the charm because I am reviewing one of their products. They have answered my questions for other publications and to satisfy my own curiosity for a few years now so this is nothing new. At a retail price of $2,570.00 I personally think the Grizzly .50 Big Boar is money well spent as an introduction into the world of .50 BMG shooting.

Sources:

L.A.R. Manufacturing, Inc.
4133 W. Farm Road, Dept. SAR
West Jordan, Utah 84088
(801)280-3505
e-mail: guns@largrizzly.com
http://www.largrizzly.com

Arizona Ammunition, Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
(623)516-9004

The Fifty Caliber Shooters Association
Dept, SAR
P.O. Box 5109
Riverside, CA 92517
(909)653-5447
http://www.fcsa.org