With all the controversy surrounding the MHS program, few people have heard about what Beretta put together to provide the Army with a excellent improved M9 pistol which had 80% of the specifications of the MHS program. Also they offered a retrofit program to convert current M9 pistols to the new M9A3 configuration. In my opinion, with all of the disgraceful MHS selection process, this would have been a much more viable option than where those chips fell.
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The Global War on Terrorism has shown gaps in the armament of many nations defense forces. The environments of Afghanistan and Iraq are quite different. Iraq is mostly urban warfare where Afghanistan is more mountainous and affords much longer shots. The U.K. Army found they needed a rifle with longer range capabilities than their 5.56mm SA80 rifles. They decided on a semi-auto 7.62x51mm Sharpshooter Rifle. Entries were submitted by Knights Armament, Saber Defense, FN, H&K and LMT. The selected rifle was the LMT LM7 better known as the LM308MWS. This rifle featured LMT's monolithic upper receiver with their removable barrel assembly. The rifle is fitted with a 6x Trijicon ACOG with a RMO on top. SUREFIRE flash suppressor on a 16 inch stainless steel 1 turn 8.25 inch twist optimists from 147 to 168gr projectiles. This rifle has distinguished itself on the battlefield of Afghanistan.
The AK is legendary. And, nearly all Warsaw Pact countries carried it, except for one and that was Czechoslovakia. They decided they wanted to build their own rifle. By outward appearance, the VZ58 looks like an AK, but it has nothing in common.
The Czech rifle uses a short stroke piston and a locking block locking system compared to the long stroke and rotating bolt of the AK family of rifles. The propriety VZ58 magazine has a provision to permit the bolt to lock open on the VZ58. The VZ58 has found its way into conflicts throughout the world such as the Vietnam War. The Czech Point VZ58 here is a commercial rifle manufactured in the Czech Republic. It is extremely well made and completely reliable. The only issues I had were due to my large frame, big hands and long arms. For me, the stock was way too short and pistol grip too small. For a normal sized person, this more than likely would not be a problem. This is a great rifle to have in a collection. Still in use by the Slovakian Army, once they completely replace the VZ58, there is a better than average chance production will cease for good. Glock has continued to diversify their product line, and the Glock 41 is a perfect example of that. Longer slide (longer sight radius) and longer barrel (more complete powder burn and higher velocity). But the biggest plus is the narrower slide compared to the Glock 21. This makes a difference in the weight. The frame still accepts the G21 magazine. This pistol also permits the installation of a reflex sight. I took advantage of that and installed one on my Glock 41. It is amazing what this does for the accuracy!
Glock has a very diversified .45 Auto caliber line up - the duty size 21 with the compact 10 shot model 30. For someone with smaller hands they have the single column magazine G36. The G41, although perfectly suited as a duty pistol, truly shines in the tactical match role. This Glock 41 is definitely an excellent addition to my collection. Few firearms have had the popularity born right off the silver screen such as Dirty Harry's S&W model 29, 44 Magnum "most powerful handgun in the world". America fell in love not just with this powerful revolver but the Justice handed down without the legal technicalities that got criminals off. Smith & Wesson discontinued the model 29 for awhile. But the Dirty Harry series is timeless. Every time the movies air, interest is sparked and more guns sell. The newest Classic in production is the same 6 inch blue model Harry Callahan carried with the addition of a lock out safety and internal firing pin instead of the firing pin being on the hammer. This video clearly demonstrates the differences in recoil between the 44 Magnum and 44 Special ammunition. The model 29 is a true American classic.
Not being a hunter, I never really looked too much into these big bore AR's. However, now living in Southeast Texas, as opposed to the People's Republic of New York and having a severe feral hog issue, it seemed time to take a look. The Anvil appeared to be ideal to host this hard hitting caliber. The larger receivers and bolt made the Anvil better equipped to handle the abuse of the .458 SOCOM round.
Of all of the big bore rounds out there, the 458 SOCOM has the most options; far more options for projectiles. Due to it being rather obscure, the big name companies don't make it ( Federal, Winchester and Remington), but several other well known boutique manufacturers do. This is a heavy caliber. You will not be firing a couple hundred a day; your shoulder will not like it. But when you send one down range at that hog, you won't feel a thing! The 10mm cartridge is an excellent hunting cartridge, on par with a 44 Magnum. Quite stout recoil in a semi-auto pistol. For most, a bit too much for a defense pistol but perfectly acceptable for medium size game. Perhaps the most serious issue has nothing to do with the cartridge but the pistols that fire them. From the beginning the Bren Ten, SW 1000-series and Colt Delta Elite had durability issues. The first proper pistol to handle this punishing cartridge was the Glock 20.
Sig released the newest 10mm on the market, perhaps one of the strongest 10mm pistols available. The P220 was designed with the 10mm in mind. Not only is the slide stainless steel but also the frame. The strengthening of the frame, along with a heavy recoil spring, make this pistol more tame than even the Glock 20. The pistol is available in both double/single action, as well as single action only. The Galil Ace first entered the United States chambered in 7.62x39mm. It accepted AK-type magazines and was offered in both Carbine and pistol model. This is my favorite variation! Next to appear is the 7.62x51mm (.308 Win). Earle designs used the original 7.62x51mm proprietary Galil magazines. The ones imported took the SR25/AR10 magazines. But the one truly anticipated was the 5.56x45mm (.223 R.E.M.) version. This has been the most successful version of the ACE series recently adopted by the Chilean Army as well as Colombian Army. Also worth adding is that the 7.62x39mm version was adopted by the Vietnamese Army.
The 5.56mm version uses the standard STANAG (M16/M4) magazine. Earlier versions used the original Galil magazine. Another new feature is the bolt catch and release. This feature will eventually move over to the 7.62x51mm rifles/pistols. The 5.56mm is offered in a pistol as well. For as highly modular and versatile that the XCR is, I am shocked it has been given so little media attention. Designed for the SCAR program around the 2006 time period, the XCR has gone through many incremental changes to keep evolving and improving the system. Looking at the XCR, the first thing to understand is that it is NOT an AR15!
In fact, if I recall, the only compatible part is the pistol grip. It is a long stroke piston and uses a removable barrel. By rotating a screw, you can remove the barrel and swap with various calibers and various barrel lengths. This one was shot in 5.56mm, 300 Blackout and 7.62x39mm. Changing out barrels and bolts is easy, the tricky part is the adjustable gas system. You balance for one round and change, you may have too little or too much gas causing failures to feed. You have to understand ammunition creates different chamber and port pressures. I have to say I enjoyed firing the 7.62x39mm round the most. The C Product Defense fed flawlessly. This is an excellent and viable weapon system. |
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