Show Show and the AR Platform Rifle 2013

Are AR-15 Rifles soon to be a thing of the past?

Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, Colt was planning to introduce 7 new AR variants at the SHOT Show in January of 2013.  High Standard was prepared to bring several models of AR rifles to the market as well.  Nosler was scheduled to introduce the  Varmageddon Rifle, an AR variant for varmint hunting.  Remington had a new R-15 rifle with several variations planned for release. Sig Sauer has the 516 PRM and Sig 400 Predator rifle with new options.

Undoubtedly there are many more such rifles and carbines that were planned for release to the market for 2013.  I suspect that some of these makers will have already pulled these new offerings from the show.  Why, because they have already used up all the parts they have on hand to make and sell current models.  The handwriting is on the wall, there will be some heavy new restrictions on semi-autos soon… barring a miracle.

The AR market has been hot for years now.  Part of the reason for this is because veterans come home and want to own the rifle that they trained on in the military.  Since Vets cannot get an M16 or M4 in civilian life, they opt for the AR-15 because is looks similar and has similar handling characteristics.  This habit of wanting the gun you trained with has been common since time in memorial.  Then Hollywood helps build interest in certain guns as well.

It will be interesting to see what new laws are around the corner and how it will effect the manufacturing business.  In my local area there are several manufacturers who build either AR parts or complete guns.  So they will be forced, in all likelihood, to move on to other guns, or perhaps out of the gun business altogether.  A bigger concern is that these new laws will be job killers, and it is almost certain that they will cause lay-offs as companies scramble to revamp their offerings.

Oh well, if common sense were common, more people would have it.

Update, for those of you who do not know it, NO AR-15 was used at Sandy Hook.

8×57 (8mm Mauser) Headspace Gage

Here is one of those little things that can make life as a gunsmith tough.  A SAAMI drawing from 11/12/1938 shows a shoulder angle of 20 degrees and 48 minutes.  There is a later revision in 1947 that retains that 20 degree angle. Jump forward in time to4/21/1980 and SAAMI issued a drawing with a 19 degree shoulder.  Its less than two degrees so what is the big deal?  Well the problem is the differnce in angle will cause confusion if not understood.  The 19 degree gage, if used in an old style chamber will contact at the junction of the neck and shoulder, thus causing the headpace to appear tight, or tighter than it really is. You can chamber cast to see which chamber you have if need be.   Is this a big deal?  Not really, just one of those things that forces the gunsmith to check more details.  You might have to check your gages because most are not marked as to shoulder angle.

Update to “Stop the Stupidity”

It pays for grassroots to make noise.  That combined with the efforts of the NRA-ILA have reversed the DoD decision to suspend the sale of once fired brass.

On March 17th, 2009,  DoD  confirmed the lifting of the suspension to pro-Second Amendment United States Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who sent the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) a joint letter vigorously opposing the suspension, on the grounds that it had “an impact on small businesses who sell reloaded ammunition utilizing these fired casings, and upon individual gun owners who purchase spent military brass at considerable cost savings for their personal use.”

In short, good news, problem solved.  Never hesitate to speak, it made a difference here.

For more details see this story:  http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/NewsReleases.aspx?ID=12244

 

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/NewsReleases.aspx?ID=12244

Stop the Stupidity!

You can kiss cheap brass “Good-Bye” or this is one time that we as gun owners can raise our voices and make a difference.  Call your Senator, your Congressman, and I would hit the economic development folks in your state.  Point out the impending loss of jobs at a time when all jobs are highly important.  Don’t be afraid to tell your Governor that you are worried about the loss of this source of brass because Law Enforcement agencies rely upon it indirectly through their ammo suppliers, for practice ammunition.

The military can sell reloadable brass for $2.00 per pound. Brass that has been destroyed for reloading purposes and value sells for about 35 cents per pound. So the DLA is expecting taxpayers to pay DoD extra to make reloadable brass unavailable to civilian gun owners and Law Enforcement.

Someone in the Obama Admin.  has decided that it makes more sense to waste $1.65 per pound than to continue having well trained police officers nationwide.   By the way, has anyone considered the cost of demilling this brass so that it can be sold at a loss.   Of course the real objective is to make it that much harder for the law abiding gun owner to afford to continue his/her sport, and long term to disarm the American Public.

Senator Max Baucus is Chairman of the  Senate Finance Committee. He could apply appropriate pressure upon the Pentagon to force a quick reversal of this wasteful policy.  Baucus’s former Chief of Staff, Jim Messina, now Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, dude… Make a Call!

I recommend you communicate with the Baucus, Tester and Rehberg staffers who are tasked to firearms issues. They are:

Baucus – “Heather O’Loughlin” heather_o’loughlin@baucus.senate.gov

Tester – “Lillstrom, Alpha” <Alpha_Lillstrom@tester.senate.gov>

Rehberg – “Abra Belke” <abra.belke@mail.house.gov>

Tell them we simply don’t accept the military destroying perfectly good brass that could be sold into the civilian market for private and commercial reloading, which also affect Law Enforcement agencies.

You can find the addresses and e-mails of your own senators and congressmen by going to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.   Both pages have locator aids at the top of the page.

Below are some related stories.  As usual there is no reporting of this in the mainstream media.

http://jpfo.org/alerts03/alert20090313.htm

http://mainehuntingtoday.com/bbb/2009/03/13/government-ordered-destruction-of-all-military-spent-brass/

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2207438/posts

DOD Surplus is wasting Money!

Do not write to the liquidator, write to your local editors about the waste of valuable resouces that can help reduce the negative cash flow that is government.  Tell them how this hurts secondary industries like companies the load commercial ammo for law enforcement agencies, and the public.  There is currently a serious shortage of brass and ammo, making this resource more valuable.   Speak out about this wasteful and obviously politically driven decision.

There is an easy way for you to contact local Editors, Click here to learn more.

From:  SurplusNews@govliquidation.com

SurplusNews@govliquidation.com
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 5:34 PM
To: rlepage@usa.net
Subject: Important Notice to Scrap Metal Buyers!

http://www.govliquidation.com

Dear Valued Customer:

Please take a moment to note important changes set forth by the Defense Logistics Agency:

Recently it has been determined that fired munitions of all calibers, shapes and sizes have been designated to be Demil code B. As a result and in conjunction with DLA’s current Demil code B policy, this notice will serve as official notification which requires Scrap Venture (SV) to implement mutilation as a condition of sale for all sales of fired munitions effective immediately. This notice also requires SV to immediately cease delivery of any fired munitions that have been recently sold or on active term contracts, unless the material has been mutilated prior to sale or SV personnel can attest to the mutilation after delivery. A certificate of destruction is required in either case.

Thank you,

DOD Surplus
15051 N Kierland Blvd # 300
Scottsdale, AZ 85254

New Match Ammo for M1 Garand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have only shot a couple of matches with Garands over the years but it was a ton of fun.  Now Hornady is offering match grade ammo designed for use with the M1 Garand.  They chose powders that should provide long life for the barrel and gas system on these work horse rifles.  After years of either reloading or relying on military surplus ammo, competitors now have another option for good quality ammunition.

Loaded with 168 grain A-Max bullets with a muzzle velocity near 2700 feet per second, this might be pretty good ammo for new match shooters to learn on.  For more information on the M1 Garand and matches check out the Civiliam Marksmanship Program.

Get the Ball Rolling!

Before somone feels the need to write and ask I thoght I should simply tell the story.  The picture at the top of the Blog is a before and after for some of my work.  This rifle is based on a model 71/84 Mauser action, it has a tubular magazine under the barrel.  Original caliber was 11mm Mauser, it is now a 45-70.  Minamal feeding work was required to make it work.

The stock pattern is my own design, the dimensions were modernized so that the irons sights are easy to use and it points very naturally.  Styling was based on original sporters made with this action by Mauser.  The Manlicher pattern however is my own design, the magazine is hidden inside the stock and retained by the front sling swivel.  A pistol grip was added as the classic designs were all straight grip.

If your interested in more information on the 71/84, Ludwig Olson wrote a book “Mauser Bolt Rifles” that has some pictures, specifications and best of all the various sporters are shown along with the military version of the rifle.  This book is available from www.brownells.com.