Airborne Combat Engineer

More M4s and M4A1s ordered from Colt

Small business qualifier Colt Defense LLC in Hartford, CT received the full delivery order amount of $50.8 million as part of a firm-fixed-price contract for M4 and M4A1 carbines.

Work will be performed in Hartford, CT and is expected to be complete by July 30, 2008. This was a sole source contract...

[DID]

No improvement in sight for standard units.

Ronnie Barrett's letter to Illinois Senators

We have much in common. You have sworn an oath to uphold the United States Constitution, in its entirety, and I have spent over 25 years working to preserve the 2nd Amendment of that same Constitution. If we examine the “fifty-caliber” issue in this context, I am convinced that you and I will come to the same conclusion, and that you will act on principle and truth.

The truth is that if fifty-caliber rifles are banned, firearms businesses and their manufacturing jobs will leave your state, the rights of law-abiding citizens will be infringed, infrastructure will not be protected and court action is certain. Since passage would be contrary to the Bill of Rights, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing would be forced to cease servicing and selling to any government agency in the state. I am mindful of the consequences of creating an overpowering government force by limiting its citizens' access to powerful arms."

[Barrett]

Read it all. Wish other manufacturers would say the same.

image of his daughter Angela in the continuation

Magpul Masada technotes and photos

Magpul has issued technotes for the Masada (tm) Adaptive Combat Weapon System (introduced at this year's SHOT Show) in pdf format.

A chart (from that document) comparing its features to those of the FN SCAR, the HK M8, and the Colt M4 is reproduced in the continuation.

Zak Smith has published a gallery of 72 photos.

The goal date for availability to Mil/LE organizations is 1Q 2008. A semi-auto civilian version will be considered after those markets are established.

See also earlier A-C-E posts on 14JAN07,  21JAN07, and 30JAN07.

Tavor modified

IWI is modifying the Tavor assault rifle to address reliability issues encountered during the initial operations with the Givati brigade. Some of the rifles failed when exposed to the fine dust of the Israeli Negev. These issues were immediately addressed by the manufacturer, which has introduced some 20 changes to the fielded weapons. The first batch of modified rifles is being returned to service, offering improved reliability under tough field conditions.

The evolution  of the new Israeli assault rifle was paved with hurdles, facing opposition from within the ministry of Defense and Army, which favored the US M-4, which could be imported from the USA using    more available Foreign Military Sales funding. Despite this  opposition, Tavor was highly praised by combat troops participating in a competitive evaluation against the M-4, paving the way for its induction into IDF service.                   

[Defense Update]

They must REALLY want this thing, considering the very favorable M-4 pricing the US offers.

Oh yeah, there's also the need to promote it for export sales.

Service rifle, ammo stuck in the 60s

"Think of how many new generations of fighters, naval combatants, and fighting vehicles have been deployed since the 1960s.

Contrast that record to the individual firearm -- the rifle, carbine or handgun carried and used by almost any one wearing a uniform. The same basic M16 rifle and M4 carbine first used in Vietnam -- with the same basic flaws still uncorrected -- remain the primary infantry weapons for the US military today."

[Steve Trimble, Defense Tech]

Preach it, brother!

How an AR receiver is made from a solid billet

The January issue of Small Arms Review tours Sun Devil Manufacturing in Mesa, AR. Photos in a pdf copy of the article illustrate the process of producing an AR receiver from a solid raw billet.

[Small Arms Review]

What's the firearm, 09MAR08

Name that firearm, 07MAR07

What is it?

NJ may become 2nd state to outlaw .50 BMG

New Jersey is looking to become the second state to outlaw a powerful gun that critics say can be used by terrorists to shoot down an airliner.    

Democratic lawmakers and Ceasefire NJ, an antigun group, unveiled a plan Monday to make it illegal to sell .50-caliber weapons in New Jersey.

[Time]

In regards to shooting down a plane, see the graph in the continuation (from an earlier A-C-E post).

M107

Photos of ladies in skimpy outfits holding guns look silly. This is more realistic: