Saturday, June 13, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Senate Bill: ‘Must Retrofit’ Handgun with Smart Gun Tech Before Sale
Armatix Smart Gun (AP photo)
Last week Markey and Warren introduced The “Handgun Trigger Safety Act”. It would mandate that in 10 years “anyone selling a handgun must retrofit it with personalization technology before that sale can be completed.”
It would also ban the “manufacture in the United States a handgun that is not a personalized handgun” within 5 years of the measure being enacted.
Smart gun technology allows a handgun to only be operated by an authorized user. It generally works through finger or palm print recognition, electronic password or coded lock, or a gun that needs to be in proximity to a specific watch or bracelet in order to operate.
Currently smart gun technology is pricey. The Armatix iP1 is the first smart handgun to be sold in the U.S. with a reported price of $1,800.
In a press release Markey says, the measure would also “authorize grants to develop and improve ‘personalized’ handgun technology to increase efficacy and decrease costs.”
It would also “provide reimbursement to manufacturers for the costs of retrofitting handguns through the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund.”
Thursday, June 11, 2015
CZ82 and CZ83 Pistols Military surplus suitable for defense
CZ82 and CZ83 Pistols
Military surplus suitable for defense?
CZ83 (380ACP, left) and CZ82 (9x18Mak, right) with their full combat loads of 12+1.
CZ83 (380ACP, left) and CZ82 (9x18Mak, right) with their full combat loads of 12+1.
My familiarity with 9×18 began with a Makarov pistol in the late 1990s. Cheap surplus ammunition and low cost pistol combination were irresistible to me, and I ended up with a gun that was stone-cold reliable, shot what seemed like a decent defensive round accurately, and was smaller than my other centerfire pistol, Glock 17. The pistol eventually got sold when the novelty and the price wore off. The recoil of the blowback design, heel magazine release, looooong and heavy double action trigger, and the stiff safety all made it less than ideal for my use, and the Makarov was happily replaced by more expensive but far more useful Kahr P9. The only other relatively common 9×18 pistol was the Polish P64, a truly wretched lump of bad trigger and sharp edges that amplified felt recoil.
While I’ve seen photos of CZ82 in CZ-USA catalog of 2000, the pistol wasn’t readily available to buy or even to try out at the range. On paper, it looked pretty good: 12+1 capacity, cocked and locked capability along with double action, button magazine release, and decent sights. A similar CZ83 model was available in 380ACP (12+1) and 32ACP (15+1), the latter catching my interest as a possible pistol for the recoil-sensitive. While all of these guns are blowback designs, their thick grips should have helped to absorb the recoil. Although they look heavier, CZ83 weighs the same and CZ82 is only a couple of ounces more than the single-stack Makarov. Recently, I had a chance to take the 380 and the 9×18 models to the range to try them side-by-side.
The ergonomics are pretty decent, but the imperfect fit of the grip panels and the resulting seams on the back were felt on recoil. The kick was less than with Makarov but not by enough to make it comfortable. Sights are clear in good light, all-black on the 9×18 and black with three white dots on the 380. The pistols are easy to hold steady until the trigger pull begins. Instead of the expected single action mode, the gun has what appears to be a lighter double action mode: the excessively heavy trigger moves the already cocked hammer even further back, from where it releases to fire. While this almost guarantees no light primer strikes, this isn’t conducive to accurate fire. At best, I could get two inch groups at 7 yards with either gun, while firing the same 380 ammunition through Browning 1911-380 produced 1/2 inch group with overlapping holes. The same 9×18 ammunition fired through Bulgarian Makarov also produced 1/2 inch groups, so the culprits were the pair of CZs.
OATH Tango (380, 75gr), HPR hollow point (380, 95gr) and Silver Bear hollow point (9x18, 94gr).
Recovered bullets: OATH Tango (380, 75gr, expanded to 0.96″), HPR hollow point (380, 90gr, expanded to 0.44″) and Silver Bear hollow point (9×18, 94gr, no expansion).
Velocity measurements, 380ACP:
PPU FMJ 95gr 959fps
OATH Tango 75gr 1072fps
OATH Halo 90gr 1003fps
HPR JHP 90gr 900fps
Velocity measurements, 9x18Mak:
PPU 95gr JHP 954fps
PPU FMJ 95gr 946fps
Silver Bear JHP 94gr 962fps
Although 9×18 in its canonical milsurp form is supposed to be hotter than 380ACP, the numbers show the two to be roughly even in power. The initial bullet diameters are quite similar, .355″ (380) to .365″ (9×18). Expanded diameters favor 380, as neither Silver Bear nor PPU opened up. Hornady makes two expanding 9×18 loads, which are reputed to work better. Since the energy levels involved are limited, the nearly inch-wide Tango penetrated only 4 inches, with the BB-sized nose cap reaching 6.25″. HPR hollow point, while expanding far less dramatically, reached 10.75″ mark before bouncing back, with the bullet resting at the 9″ mark. To me, that seems like the best compromise of expansion and penetration. Strangely, another test of this ammunition done with a shorter barrel gave lower muzzle velocity, same expansion, and penetration exceeding 12″. I am not sure how that worked out, unless my re-melted gel was denser and out of calibration. Given that OATH Tango produced 7″ of penetration when tested in fresh gel, I suspect that my numbers would have to be scaled up proportionally.
Neither of the 9×18 “expanding” bullets actually opened up, with penetration around 12″. All 380 and 9×18 ball rounds penetrated more than 16″ and were not recovered.
Although felt recoil was about the same with all 95 grain bullets, 90gr HPR load and both of the OATH loads, the 90gr non-expanding Halo and the 75gr expanding Tango) were easier to shoot. One possible reason why Silver Bear gave more of a jolt may have been the hardness of its bi-metal jacket, requiring higher pressure at the same velocity to engrave on the rifling.
Overall, I would favor the 380ACP variant due to better availability of quality ammunition. In picking between CZ82/83 and more modern locked breech guns, I would choose either a smaller 380 (such as Browning 1911-380 or G42 or Sig P238) or similarly sized 9×19 (such as CZ Rami), which hold similar amount of more powerful ammunition and show better accuracy with less kick. While I wouldn’t feel poorly armed with either 82 or 83, full-size blowback service pistols are best reserved for range use when better options are available for carry.
Girls With Guns
Girls With Guns: 5 Pieces of Tactical Gear That Fit Form and Function
The popularity of sports shooting is on the rise, and the
fastest growing group of new shooters is women. Once they’ve moved past
simple, unstructured plinking at the gun range, girls with guns are
finding that they want more of a challenge, and many are choosing to
shoot competitively, attend regular disaster preparedness classes, or
even teach. For this, they will need to invest in some basic tactical
gear.
Here are five pieces of tactical gear that fit form and function:
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
1. Tactical pants are a must because they have multiple pockets. If girls with guns are shooting competitively, or taking competitive shooting classes, they will need tactical pants for extra magazines and other accessories. The knees of tactical pants are usually reinforced for shooting in kneeling positions or lying prone.
2. A tactical vest usually has molle webbing, or special loops to facilitate the addition of magazine pouches and other tactical gear and supplies.
3. A high quality folding knife or multi-purpose tool is a versatile addition. In emergency situations, this could prove invaluable and may even save your life or someone else's. It could be used for simple repairs, opening things, or even to cut a seat belt after an accident to extricate the victim or yourself.
URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now
4. A tactical flashlight is an essential. Many of these come in multi-mode, such as high, medium, and low intensity, as well a strobe function. These each have specific uses, from locating a lost person or object to disorienting an assailant. Some tactical lights come with interchangeable bezels. The crown or pointed bezel can be used as a defensive weapon.
5. A "get home bag" holds only what you need to sustain yourself for 72 hours. This can include some food, water, clothing, and perhaps a simple shelter, as well as extra ammunition and any other personal items you may need.
Here are five pieces of tactical gear that fit form and function:
ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now
1. Tactical pants are a must because they have multiple pockets. If girls with guns are shooting competitively, or taking competitive shooting classes, they will need tactical pants for extra magazines and other accessories. The knees of tactical pants are usually reinforced for shooting in kneeling positions or lying prone.
2. A tactical vest usually has molle webbing, or special loops to facilitate the addition of magazine pouches and other tactical gear and supplies.
3. A high quality folding knife or multi-purpose tool is a versatile addition. In emergency situations, this could prove invaluable and may even save your life or someone else's. It could be used for simple repairs, opening things, or even to cut a seat belt after an accident to extricate the victim or yourself.
URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now
4. A tactical flashlight is an essential. Many of these come in multi-mode, such as high, medium, and low intensity, as well a strobe function. These each have specific uses, from locating a lost person or object to disorienting an assailant. Some tactical lights come with interchangeable bezels. The crown or pointed bezel can be used as a defensive weapon.
5. A "get home bag" holds only what you need to sustain yourself for 72 hours. This can include some food, water, clothing, and perhaps a simple shelter, as well as extra ammunition and any other personal items you may need.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
CMR-30
CMR-30
Technical specs
| Caliber | .22wmr |
| Barrel length | 16.1" |
| Barrel threads | 1/2"-28 TPI |
| Barrel twist rate | 1:16" |
| Total capacity | 30+1 |
| Weight empty | 3.8lbs |
|
Length (Stock collapsed) |
22.7" |
|
Length (Stock fully extended) |
30.6" |
|
Length of pull (Stock to trigger) |
10.3"-14.2" |
| Height |
6.6" |
|
Max width (Across operating handles) |
2.9" |
|
Width across majority |
1.2" |
| MSRP | $630.00 | |
Description
The Kel-Tec CMR-30 Rifle is chambered for the .22WMR cartridge (22 Magnum). The design is a rifle version of the popular Kel-Tec PMR-30 pistol. The same 30 round magazines are used. The single action trigger mechanism, bolt stop, ambidextrous safety levers, and mag catch are also identical. The CMR-30 rifle includes a collapsible stock and the 16” barrel is threaded 1/2”-28 to accept many different muzzle attachments. The multi-position collapsible stock allows for a short overall length of 22.7” with the stock collapsed, and 30.6” when extended. The long top picatinny rail will accept a multitude of different optics, and the removable under picatinny rail is included. The ambidextrous operating handles are non-reciprocating and latch in the forward position. The stock latch lever is also ambidextrous and located just in front of the trigger guard. An integral sling loop is included near the rear of the grip, on both sides.The CMR-30 is constructed of hard-coat anodized aluminum for the upper assembly and rails and houses the steel barrel. The collapsible stock is made with aluminum stock rods, and a nylon butt plate. The stock was designed to have a natural cheek weld when extended. The grip, mag catch, safety levers, stock latch, and operating handles are made of glass reinforced nylon (Zytel). The grip houses the frame which is made of aluminum. The bolt assembly houses a captive recoil spring assembly. Magpul® flip-up sights included.
The extensive use of aluminum, and a lock time lower than most bolt action rifles makes the CMR-30 a very accurate rifle.
10 Affordable AK-47 Accessories
10 Affordable AK-47 Accessories
As more and more people get into modern sporting weapons, manufacturers of firearms and accessories are answering the call from those who want to deck out their AK-47 with stocks, grips, handguards and rail systems that just about rival the availability of accessories for the AR-15. In fact, I have seen so many modifications that if not for the telltale receiver, I would barely recognize the prolific rifle.
Though not as modular or adaptable as the AR-15, there are still plenty of upgrade options for the AK owner that make it more accurate and fun to shoot. Here are our suggestions—products that work for us—for the top ten most affordable AK-47 upgrades and accessories available at Cheaper Than Dirt!
TAPCO INTRAFUSE AK/SKS Front Sight Combo, $6.99
Increase the visibility of your front sight with TAPCO’s colored front sight set.
TAPCO INTRAFUSE AK-47 Magazine, $7.27
TAPCO makes a good cheap mag for your AK-47.
Magpul AK-47 MOE PMAG, $13.25
The PMAG for AK also counts as three U.S. 922r compliant parts and it is made in the U.S.A.
TAPCO M16 Style AK-47 Muzzle Brake, $11.37
This traditional M16-style birdcage muzzle brake noticeably cuts down felt recoil and muzzle rise.
TAPCO INTRAFUSE AK-47 SAW Pistol Grip, $13.78
The best cheap AK grip we got!
TAPCO INTRAFUSE AK-47 G2 Double Hook Trigger Group, $24.93
The industry standard in AK upgrades is the TAPCO INTRAFUSE AK-47 G2 double-hook trigger group.
For installation details, read, “Installing the TAPCO G2 Double Hook AK-47 Trigger.”
Leapers UTG AK-47 3rd Gen Side Scope Mount, $21.97
The side scope mount fits most AKs.
Uncle Mike’s Tactical Rifle Case 43″, $33.06
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality tactical rifle case.
TAPCO AK T6 6-Position Collapsible Stock, $35.12
Make your AK look like an M4 with TAPCO’s INTRAFUSE AK T6 collapsible stock.
Click here to purchase the stock for milled receivers.
For more stock options, read “10 Stock, Grip and Handguard Upgrades for Your AK.”
UTG PRO AMD-65 AK Quad Rail Handguard, $59.74
Our product tech supervisor calls this handguard the “best rail yet.”
For the same handguard that fits Romanian SAR, WASR, Norinco and US Arsenal AKs, click here.
What is your favorite AK-47 accessory? Share it with others and us in the comment section.
If you are new to the AK-47, read in an introduction to the rifle in the “Buyer’s Guide to the AK Family of Rifles.”
Texas: Major Victories for Gun Owners in the Lone Star State as Legislature Adjourns
Texas: Major Victories for Gun Owners in the Lone Star State as Legislature Adjourns
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
As the Texas Legislature adjourns for 2015, the
National Rifle Association is proud to have supported numerous
successful bills on behalf of its more than 500,000 members throughout
the state.
“Despite the best efforts of gun control groups funded by New York City billionaire Michael Bloomberg, Texas gun owners enjoyed several important victories this year,” said Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “We’ll continue to defend the Second Amendment and fight for the ability of law abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.”
The NRA’s accomplishments this session include;
“We appreciate the hard work of our sponsors, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, House leadership, and our legislative supporters for helping achieve these important accomplishments for gun owners in the 2015 session,” Cox concluded.
House Bill 910, Senate Bill 11 and Senate Bill 273 now head to Governor Greg Abbott for his expected signature.
“Despite the best efforts of gun control groups funded by New York City billionaire Michael Bloomberg, Texas gun owners enjoyed several important victories this year,” said Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “We’ll continue to defend the Second Amendment and fight for the ability of law abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.”
The NRA’s accomplishments this session include;
- Passage of House Bill 910, open carry legislation, sponsored by state Representative Larry Phillips and state Senator Craig Estes, which removes the requirement that Concealed Handgun Licensees keep their firearms concealed and allows them to carry in a belt or shoulder holster. This brings the total number of states recognizing this right to 44.
- A significant step forward was taken for Concealed Handgun Licensees who wish to protect themselves on the campuses of public colleges and universities with the approval of Senate Bill 11, sponsored by state Senator Brian Birdwell and state Representative Allen Fletcher. Schools will no longer be able to enforce a blanket prohibition against that right on their campuses.
- Senate Joint Resolution 22, sponsored by state Senator Brandon Creighton and state Representative Trent Ashby, will place a constitutional amendment on the November 2015 ballot asking voters to affirm the individual right to hunt and fish in the Lone Star State.
- Senate Bill 273, sponsored by state Senator Donna Campbell and state Representative Ryan Guillen, imposes civil fines on state agencies, cities or counties which improperly post 30.06 signs prohibiting CHLs from public property that is not otherwise off-limits to them in the Penal Code.
“We appreciate the hard work of our sponsors, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, House leadership, and our legislative supporters for helping achieve these important accomplishments for gun owners in the 2015 session,” Cox concluded.
House Bill 910, Senate Bill 11 and Senate Bill 273 now head to Governor Greg Abbott for his expected signature.
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