CMMG – SHOT SHOW 2011
CMMG appears to have some very innovative AR-15 and .22lr products about to launch. They have taken a modular approach with new upper and lower ambidextrous receiver designs. Im very anxious to see the quad rail they developed.
ARMY Announces Carbine Competition Details
ARMY Announces Carbine Competition Details
By Lance M. Bacon – Staff writer Army Times
The Army has outlined the competition that will select the best new carbine — and one that ultimately will face off against the improved M4A1 in a battle to become your next weapon.
The overall schedule of competition, testing, production and fielding is approximately three years to first unit equipped.
A draft solicitation to industry released Monday morning said the down-select will occur in three phases covering two years. The Army will host an industry day in March or April to solicit feedback and answer specific industry questions. The final solicitation will go out in May, and competitors typically have a couple of months to present their submissions.
The weapons will then square off in what officials have described as “extreme and extensive” tests expected to last 12 to 18 months. The Army will fire more than 2 million rounds to produce piles of data. Weapons will be tested to their destruction point and to determine whether they maintain accuracy throughout their life cycle — something the military has not tested before. A weapon typically loses accuracy as it ages.
No caliber restriction has been placed on a new design. It will be at least a 500-meter weapon and have a higher incapacitation percentage. It can have a gas or piston system. Interchangeable barrel sizes and calibers are not required, but many early contenders such as the FNH SCAR and Colt CM901 already incorporate this capability.
As the $30 million carbine competition is conducted, the Army also will move forward with the second half of its “dual path” strategy — an overhaul of the M4. The first phase essentially distributes an improved M4A1, which is notable for its heavier barrel and automatic fire. The heavier barrel reduces warping and erosion, resulting in better performance and longer life. It also allows for a higher sustained rate of fire. The Army also is adding ambidextrous controls.
The second phase will focus on increasing the M4’s effectiveness and accuracy, with emphasis on the bolt, bolt carrier assembly and the forward rail assembly.
The third phase, focusing on the operating system, will begin in about 18 months. The goal is to improve the gas system by allowing less gas and dirt in, or replacing it with a conversion kit.
Once the carbine competition’s winner is determined, the Army chief of staff will determine whether the service should go with the top carbine or the improved M4 as it recapitalizes the force. In an era of diminishing budgets, the winning carbine must hit financial goals as well as it hits targets.
This reality is not lost on the manufacturers. Remington, for example, had four carbines on display at the 2011 SHOT Show in Las Vegas last month. On one side there was an M4A1 and another M4A1 with a few more improvements. On the other side was the Adaptive Combat Rifle and the Modular Gas Piston.
While the ACR is Remington’s prized carbine, the MGP presents an improvement over the M4A1 at a lower cost than the ACR and its fellow competitors, said Jason Schauble, vice president of Remington’s Defense Division. The ACR will cost less than the M4, and the MGP will coss “far less,” he said.
An M4 runs about $1,300 per copy.
Schauble said he feels the carbine competition will be “a fair and honest” endeavor, but he is not convinced the winner will become the Army’s weapon of choice. With an eye on diminishing defense dollars, he has shown Remington’s ability to produce the M4A1.
Mega Machine MA-TEN (.308 AR) Group Buy
Mega Machine MA-TEN (.308 AR) Group Buy
Forum member branson1369 is about to place an order of some Mega MA-TEN 308 receiver sets for his business and was kind enough to open it up to a group buy to increase his buying power and give forum members a good deal at the same time. He is not allowed to advertise the price so you will need to join the forum and contact him directly for details.
Mega Machine MA-TEN (.308 AR) Group Buy
The MA-TEN will be sold only in sets (upper and lower) including a charging handle, threaded bolt catch pin, take down pins, tensioning screw, and door. This was done to guarantee the best possible upper to lower fit and finish. Using the MA-TEN platform also allows you the most options on your next build. Designed to accept any AR style .308 barrels and bolts*. This means you can use your AR10/Noveske or SR25/DPMS components. Any handguard with a barrel nut designed to fit the Knight SR25 or DPMS will fit the MA-TEN upper. The MA-TEN shares a common rail height with the SR25 and the Armalite AR10. The necessary cuts have also been included on the upper to use a Samson handguard. Magazines… take your pick. Any SR25/DPMS compatible magazine such as Magpul, Knight, DPMS, CMMG, and C products. Do you like to bench shoot? Or maybe your next build is going to be for hunting, or just target shooting. Well you can choose to use whatever trigger best suites your shooting needs. The MA-TEN lower will accept any AR compatible trigger. By incorporating the Mil-Spec buffer thread on the MA-TEN lower you have the ability to choose any stock you want. Adjustable Magpul, Mil-Spec A2 and everything in between.
Ruger Piston Driven Uppers for SR-556 AR Platform
Ruger Piston Driven Uppers for SR-556 AR Platform
Ruger Piston Driven Uppers for SR-556 AR Platform
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announces the availability of three, AR-style upper receiver assemblies featuring the innovative two-stage, piston driven performance of the SR-556® family. These rugged and reliable SR-556 piston driven uppers run cleaner, cooler, and are easier to maintain than traditional gas driven systems, offering significantly improved reliability. SR-556 upper assemblies will be available through firearms retailers and ShopRuger.com.
Now all AR owners can enjoy the features of the SR-556 platform, including the patent pending two-stage piston driven operating system that provides a smooth power delivery stroke to the action and vents combustion residue out of the bottom of the gas block. The four-position adjustable gas regulator allows the operator to tune the rifle to specific ammunition and rifle conditions, minimizing recoil and maximizing reliability and long-term endurance. Reliability is further enhanced by a one-piece bolt carrier with an integral transfer key. Designed for long-lasting accuracy, the chrome lined barrels are cold hammer-forged from Mil-Spec 41V45 Chrome-Moly-Vanadium steel.
The standard SR-556 upper chambered in 5.56 mm NATO/.223 features a heavy contour, 16.1″ barrel with a 1:9 twist rate, and is capped with a Mini-14/SR-556 flash suppressor mounted on 1/2-28 threads. A one-piece, ten-inch quad rail handguard provides ample room for mounting sights, optics and accessories. Made exclusively for Ruger, this SR-556-specific handguard is pinned to the upper receiver, creating a near-monolithic upper receiver assembly and providing a rugged mounting system for the piston driven transfer rod.
A carbine-length version of the popular SR-556 two-stage, piston driven AR-style upper is also available. The carbine upper features a heavy contour, fluted barrel that is 1-3/4″ shorter and a half-pound lighter than the barrel on the standard SR-556. The 1:9 twist rate, 16.1″ barrel on the carbine features an integrally machined flash suppressor, which minimizes the overall length of the barrel while complying with ATF regulations for civilian and commercial sales. This carbine version maintains the mid-length gas system and heavy (.850″) barrel contour under the handguard, but the barrel is fluted for weight reduction and to promote barrel cooling.
Those seeking to equip their modern rifle with ample power for hunting medium-sized game or greater muzzle and downrange energy capability for defensive or tactical roles can select an upper chambered in the capable 6.8 SPC caliber. The SR-556/6.8 features upper features a heavy contour, 1:10 twist barrel with a standard SAAMI 6.8 SPC chambering. The chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrel is 16.12″ long, is threaded 5/8-24, and is capped with the effective and distinctive Mini-14/SR-556 flash suppressor.
All three uppers are equipped with folding, back-up iron sights. These rugged, high-quality sights co-witness with Mil-Spec optics, and are easily removed or replaced. The sights can be folded down with the push of a button, or quickly flipped up with your thumbs. The windage adjustable rear sight includes an instantly converted short and long-range aperture, and the protected front sight is elevation adjustable.
Durability and performance of the SR-556 is enhanced with the use of high-performance finishes: The barrel and gas block are chrome lined, while the piston, bolt, bolt carrier, and extractor are chrome plated. The piston driven transfer rod is electroless nickel/Teflon coated. The flash hider and the exterior of the barrel, gas block, and regulator are manganese phosphate coated. All aluminum parts are Mil-Spec hard coat anodized.
The SR-556 rifle and carbine uppers chambered in 5.56mm NATO are shipped with three, thirty-round Magpul PMAG™ magazines. These lightweight magazines feature a storage/dust cover, a stainless steel spring, and a self-lubricating, anti-tilt follower. The 6.8 SPC chambered upper is shipped with one five-round magazine and two twenty-five round magazines. Three rail covers, provided with each upper, provide a comfortable ergonomic hold when carrying or shooting. All Uppers are shipped in a padded carry case that features the Ruger logo, hook-and-loop fasteners to stabilize the rifle within the case, and internal magazine pockets.
For more information on the cooler cleaner performing AR uppers from Ruger, or to learn more about the extensive line of Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com. To find accessories for the SR-556 Uppers or other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com.
ArmaLite Announces Its New Custom Gunsmithing Shop
ArmaLite Announces Its New Custom Gunsmithing Shop
(Geneseo, IL) ArmaLite is pleased to announce it has a new custom gunsmithing shop. It’s called ArmaLite’s Premier Services Division. As an introductory offer, Premier Services Division is offering a special deal to ArmaLite customers. Click here for more information.
About: ArmaLite has one of the broadest product lines in the firearms industry. We manufacture and sell semiautomatic rifles in a variety of calibers including 5.56mm and 7.62mm, long range super-accurate bolt action rifles in calibers including .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua, and 50 BMG, and classic 9mm pistols. Visit us at www.armalite.com.
2011 ARMALITE CATALOG NOW AVAILABLE
2011 ARMALITE® CATALOG NOW AVAILABLE
The newest edition of ArmaLite’s popular catalog is available on-line and in hard copy.
(Geneseo, IL) ArmaLite, Inc.® is pleased to announce that its new 2011 catalog is now available on line here. The new catalog features the latest in ArmaLite’s fine quality firearms and accessories including many new third party items from top level manufacturers like MAGPUL and TRIJICON. You may also order a hard copy of the ArmaLite catalog by calling 800-336-0184 or by visiting Armalite and following the instructions.
About Armalite:
ArmaLite has one of the broadest product lines in the firearms industry. We manufacture and sell semiautomatic rifles in a variety of calibers including 5.56mm and 7.62mm, long range super-accurate bolt action rifles in calibers including .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua, and 50 BMG, and classic 9mm pistols. Visit us at www.armalite.com.