DoubleStar Introduces New “Oval” AR Handguards

With its trademark oval shape, this two-piece four-rail handguard system should prove to be a favorite among smaller-handed shooters. However, those with large hands will also find the handguard easy to grip and maneuver. People with smaller hands feel like the round handguard systems on the market today don’t fit their hands very well. The new AR oval handguard just fits and feels better in your hand. The oval handguard is made of aircraft-grade 6061 T6 aluminum extruded to provide a lightweight advantage that still offers extreme strength. The mil-spec 1913 Picatinny rails will accept attachments from nearly every manufacturer, so pack on your sites, grips, scopes, lasers – whatever you need. The handguards’ snap-on installation has a spring pressure that forces it against the front handguard cap. The tight fit allows no side-to-side movement. DoubleStar started working on the oval AR handguard back in November after a group of law enforcement officers complained about the current market offerings. The handguard currently is available only in a carbine AR version, but a rifle model should be available soon. A free-float version is expected to be available later this year. For more information please contact DoubleStar, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 130, Winchester, KY 40391. Phone: (859) 745-1757. Fax: (859) 745-4638. They can be found on the web at www.star15.com.

ATI now has the GSG-5PK Variation of the GSG-5 Rifle

American Tactical Imports, Inc., the world wide importer and exclusive overseas representative for several manufacturers of high quality shooting sports and law enforcement products, introduces the new GSG-5PK pistol model. The new GSG-5PK pistol is a .22 Long Rifle HV caliber with a barrel length of 4.52 inches with a total length of 15.275 inches and a total height of 10 inches. It weighs in at a dainty 5.2 pounds. It has an alloy frame construction and features a magazine safety and click-adjustable target sight. At a MSRP of $549.95, the GSG-5PK pistol is the perfect partner to the original GSG-5 rifle model. The GSG-5PK is a remake of the H&K MP5K-PDW (Personal Defense Weapon). The MP5K-PDW is a compact submachine gun designed for vehicle operators, air crew members, security details, and others who require a small but powerful weapon. While comparable in performance to the full size GSG-5, the size and weight of the GSG-5PK make this weapon the ideal choice when a rifle or full-sized submachine gun is unmanageable and a handgun is a poor compromise. Because the GSG-5PK is chambered in .22 cal., it is the ideal choice for plinking or training without the high cost of ammunition. American Tactical is the exclusive U.S. importer of the GSG – German Sports Guns. The GSG-5 is a world innovation, the first semiautomatic rifle in the legendary design of the MP5. There has not been a more sought after product to hit the market in the firearms industry than the GSG-5, and now with the introduction of the GSG-5PK, things just keep getting better and better. For more information contact American Tactical Imports, Dept. SAR, 100 Airpark Drive, Rochester, NY 14626. Phone: (800) 290-0065. Fax: (585) 328-4168. Website: www.americantactical.us.

New “Universal” Bullet Puller from Forster

Every reloader is eventually confronted with the problem of having to pull bullets from loaded cases either to correct an error or to modify a load using a different bullet or powder. Pulling bullets isn’t always as easy as it sounds, particularly when the only available bullet puller won’t fit the press or when the diameter of the loaded bullet won’t fit the puller. Forster Products now comes to the rescue. Their new Universal Bullet Puller fits not only Forster’s patented Co-Ax Press for which it was originally designed, but it will fit virtually any standard reloading press with a 7/8 x 14 inch thread. It makes pulling bullets much easier, quicker and safer than using a hammer style puller. To ensure true universal function, the Universal Bullet Puller uses diameter-specific Bullet Puller Collets to hold the bullet, which are available in twenty-one different sizes from .17 to .458. So, almost any caliber of bullet can be held securely by simply tightening the collet screw with a 9/16 inch wrench. Changing calibers is as simple as changing collets. Each Universal Bullet Puller is supplied with a modified version of Forster Products’ exclusive Cross Bolt Locking Ring which locks the puller securely into the Co-Ax press. Caliber-specific Bullet Puller Collets can be ordered separately. For more information or to place an order please contact them at Forster Products Inc., Dept. SAR, 310 East Lanark Avenue, Lanark, IL 61046. Phone: (815) 493-6360. Fax: (815) 493-2371. Website: www.forsterproducts.com.

Mesa Tactical Announces New Shotshell Carrier for Mossberg 930

Mesa Tactical, a Costa Mesa, CA manufacturer of professional grade tactical shotgun accessories, and recognized originator of the industry acclaimed SureShell shell carriers, which are available for most popular tactical shotguns, announces the completion and availability of its four, six, and eight-shot receiver-mounted SureShell shotshell carriers for Mossberg’s recently released Model 930 tactical shotgun. Mesa Tactical’s four, six, and eight-shot SureShell shell carriers are an industry standard and the preferred choice of most federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies due to their hard anodized aircraft aluminum construction, fail-safe shell retention system, serial number access window, and ease of installation. Mesa Tactical also manufactures other SureShell shell carriers in a variety of styles and mounting methods for Remington, Mossberg, and Benelli tactical shotguns, including Benelli’s SuperNova. Mesa Tactical also manufactures a wide variety of other accessories for tactical shotguns, including: various stock adapters, AR-15 style telescoping stock kits with, or without, hydraulic recoil buffers, Picatinny optical sight rails, barrel and magazine clamps for mounting flashlights, rails, slings, and additional hook and loop sling mounting hardware. For more information contact Mesa Tactical, Dept. SAR, 1760 Montrovia Avenue, Suite A14, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. Phone: (949) 642-3337. Fax: (949) 642-3339. Their website is www.mesatactical.com.

Portable Tool Kit from SOG Knives

SOG Knives, maker of civilian, military, law enforcement and utility knives, debuts its latest high speed extreme power multi-tool. Thanks to SOG’s S.A.T. (SOG Assisted Technology) this is the only multi-tool in the world that features a one-hand power assisted opening system configured for two blades. Many times users in a working environment have only one hand available to operate a multi-tool. SOG has the solution. Once the blade is moved about 10-15 degrees by the user’s thumb the S.A.T. takes over and completes the opening. Now the user has two blades (one fully serrated for cutting cord and other slick surfaces and one with a conventional edge) to pick from (especially handy if the worker is wearing gloves). SOG’s PowerAssist features a unique robust internal gear drive system that multiplies the closing force of the pliers, cutter, and crimpers. Simply stated, it doubles the operator’s grip power. Finally, a handy sized robust utility tool that actually can do some serious work. Comfort plus robust construction: SOG’s PowerAssist multi-tool features a wide grip for comfort and incredibly tough industrial grade construction. The other tools and accessory blades lock safely and securely once opened. No more accidental closing yet one finger can easily release and close these accessory locks with light pressure thanks to SOG’s ingenious easy to use Piano-Lock blade locking system. The multi-tool market is extremely popular with consumers and professionals alike for their utility tool usefulness. This new SOG PowerAssist multi-tool comes armed with: combo pliers/wire cutter, utility blade, serrated utility blade, metal saw, can opener, flat and Phillips screw drivers, crimper tool, ruler, and handy V-cutter for line and industrial packing straps. The new tool weighs just 9.3 ounces and is only 4.6 inches long in the closed position. It comes in either stainless or black oxide over stainless finish. Retail prices of this new tool are $115 for stainless and $122 for the black oxide. You can contact them at SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Inc., Dept. SAR, 6525 212th Street Southwest, Lynnwood, WA 98036. Phone: (425) 771-6230. Fax: (425) 771-7689. They can be found on the web at www.sogknives.com.

New Night Vision Monocular from NIVISYS Industries

NIVISYS Industries announces their military grade night-vision system is now available for public purchase. NIVISYS is a name new to many but they have been around for some time. NIVISYS makes an extensive line of ultra-quality military specification infrared, laser, and night vision systems for military and law enforcement. Due to NIVISYS’ advanced technology, these systems have been restricted to government use, require proof of U.S. citizenship, and restricted outside the U.S. unless State Department approved. Finally, NIVISYS has a system they can sell to civilians. It’s a Generation III unit designated MUM-14 (Multi-Use Monocular) that also meets all U.S. military specifications for combat use. The MUM-14 is a top level high-resolution piece of gear. The MUM-14 is ideal for security and covert work and is fun for any night recreational use or any situation where seeing what can’t be seen is desired. The MUM-14 is the smallest and toughest system available anywhere. It is designed for hand-held operation, helmet mount, head-mount, and firearm. As a head-mount unit, it affords users night vision while keeping their naked eye available for observation and/or gun-sight acquisition. For use even in total darkness it features a built-in infrared flashlight emitting light only visible through the MUM-14. The MUM-14 uses a single AA battery for 20-plus hours of use or a single CR-123 three-volt battery for 40-plus hours of operation. NIVISYS products are ruthlessly tested in altitude, heat, cold, water, and humidity chambers. NIVISYS is making the MUM-14 available in a special package containing the MUM-14, quick detachable Picatinny weapon mount and complete night-vision head-mount system with a retail of $3200. For more information they can be contacted at Nivisys Industries LLC, Dept. SAR, 400 South Clark Drive, Suite 105, Tempe, AZ 85281. Phone: (480) 970-3222. Fax: (480) 970-3555. Their website is www.nivisys.com.

A new modified Vickers lock is now available that addresses the two weakest breakage-prone lock parts and ensures reliable operation regardless of ammunition used.

Four friends and avid full-auto devotees from Nevada got together and created a company called SOG-LLC, Inc. Billy Conn, Bill Stojack, Robert Smith and Jon Word wanted to create a company that was not profit driven. They wanted to cater to the Class 3 community from an enthusiast’s point of view in terms of service and need while striving to keep the traditions of the original designs using modern materials and manufacturing techniques when possible. The four men combined their particular skills to form SOG-LLC. Billy Conn and Robert Smith act as business managers, Bill Stojack is the armorer and machinist, and Jon Word is a highly skilled mold maker.

Initially, they assembled four semiautomatic Vickers and had trouble with the ammunition, primarily due to light strikes on the primer – a condition common with Vickers. Surplus .303 ammunition, from many different manufacturers, is exasperatingly inconsistent with hard primers resulting in unpredictable reliability and consistently broken firing pins and leaf springs (firing pin springs). These two problem areas are the reason that so many extra leaf springs and firing pins were included in spare parts kits. Metallurgy of the time caused wide variations in performance of the lock spring and they are prone to weakness and breakage as confirmed in ensuing lock spring compression tests. The firing pin also did not have adequate mass to overcome hard primers resulting in breakage. Thus, a weak lock spring and an inherently light firing pin weight, combined with old ammunition with hard primers, equal an unacceptable reliability of function.

Frustrated by this quandary, Jon and Bill analyzed the problems and their causes and embarked upon a plan to research and diagnose the difficulty. They identified what the problems were but were not clear upon the solution. Their inspiration to solve the problem came from the Czech 30 (t) Vickers aircraft lock that used a coiled, rather than leaf, spring and had a reputation of being extremely reliable under many adverse conditions. They did not want to manufacture a completely new lock body. By studying Czech 30 (t) lock drawings, they devised a method whereby they took the mechanics of a Czech 30 (t) lock and applied it to the standard Vickers lock body.

They designed and manufactured a set of new parts to replace the original leaf spring, firing pin and safety sear. These new parts were the firing pin, firing pin coil spring, safety sear, safety sear axis pin, plunger, plunger coil spring, plunger plug, split keeper pin and two blocks to hold the firing pin coil spring and the lock trigger coil spring assemblies.

In trying to keep with the traditions of 19th century technology and manufacturing processes, in the first prototypes, both spring blocks were silver soldered and riveted into place on the modified original lock body. But it was felt that this caused too much heat to the lock body. The two spring blocks are now TIG welded and riveted to the lock body.

The steels selected were chosen for their ability to perform in the given applications. The trigger reset block is manufactured from O-1 steel as is the safety sear. The safety sear is heat treated and double drawn (tempered twice) to relieve stress and ensure long life.

The firing pin is manufactured from S-7 steel, heat treated and tempered. This steel is used because prior to heat treatment, it machines easily, and after heat treatment, it can still be machined with carbide tooling. S-7 steel takes impacts well and will give the firing pin a long service life. Each firing pin is made by hand and several steps have to be done with a file to achieve the proper contours and transitions. Approximately four hours is spent on each firing pin alone. Eventually, some of the process will be done on a CNC machine, but they will never get away from the “file to fit” work.

The firing pin spring is a silicone alloy die spring designed to give a 100,000 cycle service life. The trigger reset spring is a standard M16 spring, making it easy to find spares if that should become necessary.

Small Arms Review was given the opportunity to test the new lock using three different Vickers gun in two different calibers. This test was conducted in two phases with one of them using the new lock on the firing line at the April Knob Creek shoot using two different Vickers guns. In this first test at Knob Creek, using a variety of British, Greek and Indian .303, the new lock was simply dropped into two different Vickers and ran without a single problem digesting everything put through it. In total, 3,000 rounds of .303 were used.

In the second test at a different time and at a different location, the new lock was assessed using a different caliber; in this case, Yugoslav 7.62x54R ammunition was used. A 7.62x54R barrel and a modified feedblock were put in a standard British Vickers Mk I water-cooled machine gun and a modified 7.62x54R lifter was placed on the new lock. 1,500 rounds were consumed without a single malfunction. In all, using three different Vickers in two different calibers, the new coil spring Vickers lock fired 4,500 rounds without a single failure due to the lock and proved not to be caliber sensitive. A very admirable performance.

SOG-LLC also makes a stainless steel Lewis gun gas piston to replace the corroded gas pistons inherently found in Lewis guns. They also restore and re-wat full autos. For more information, they may be contacted at: SOG-LLC@earthlink.net.