Category: Firearms

Unfortunately, the topic of "unwanted firearm discharges" comes up quite often online, either when a news story about such an incident is being discussed, or when a member of a firearm-related forum has an "insert word here" discharge. The topic can be contentious and is riddled with half truths and misunderstandings. I'm not claiming to be the final source of information on the topic, but I do believe that I have a well-grounded opinion. Now, some people say that there's no such thing as an accidental discharge, and others say… Read More

A Definition Accuracy can be subjective. For example, if I said that I had a pretty accurate rifle, but did not clarify that statement, one listener might think that I had a rifle that could shoot .5 MOA (1 MOA = 1.047" at 100 yards), while another might think that I had a rifle that could shoot 2 MOA. The first guy might think that I based my statement on a single three shot group. The second might think that I fired ten shots. Which person would be right? Well,… Read More

Most AR-15 enthusiasts, especially those who spend time online, are familiar with "the chart" - a document comparing M4 type carbines from various manufacturers via a number of features. These features are generally checked or unchecked, and weapons that check more boxes on "the chart" enjoy a higher reputation than those that do not. For the most part, I agree with that assessment. I would certainly rather have a "chart checker" than a weapon related to an M4 carbine in appearance only, especially considering the rapidly closing price gap between… Read More

I feel that a comparison such as this has been due for quite some time. Both companies have provided me with T&E rifles, and it is only fair to my readers that I give my honest impressions of each product as they relate to one another. If you don't have a whole lot of time, there is a summary at the bottom. The Market There are, of course, dozens of AR-15 manufacturers, and for the most part, the majority of them turn out decent, functional rifles. By "functional" I mean… Read More

Recently, I've been hearing a lot of people say "You know what the AR-15 market needs right now? More M4 profile barrels." Actually, no, I haven't heard people say that. And yet, it seems that every new carbine length upper or rifle in the last year or so has the M203 cutout in the barrel. Even the Bushmaster ACR, which cannot possibly mount an M203, sports the cutout for said purpose. So why are companies offering products that no one is really asking for? I do see many people clamoring… Read More

1% of the cost of a rifle or upper receiver assembly. Maybe that's too much to ask. I do know that margins are pretty low in this business. What am I talking about? I'm asking manufacturers to spend 1% of the money they make from the sale of a rifle or upper receiver assembly on ammunition with which to test fire the weapon in question. Maybe spend .5% on ammunition and .5% on an extra employee to just look at stuff before it goes out the door. Poke it. Prod… Read More

It seems that Vltor thought up the alternate adjustment lever well before I did. However, they have no plans to produce it or a stock in this configuration...just imagine being a dealer and having to order an "EMod, Foliage, Mil-Spec, Lever 1" as well as an "EMod, Black, Commercial Spec, Lever 2" and everything in between, for a total of a dozen configurations! Note that their design offers more leverage in the available space. It's also at a shallower angle, meaning a reduced chance of having the lever snag on… Read More

I love the price of 5.45x39mm ammunition. I love my S&W 5.45x39mm upper because it lets me shoot cheap ammunition that has recoil and blast characteristics similar to that of 5.56x45mm ammunition. I'm glad to see that many people have caught on to this same idea. However, I'm a little puzzled by the folks who are put off by the fact that surplus 5.45 is mildly corrosive. Hey, these aren't match uppers. They're meant for plinking and training. S&W was smart and made theirs with chrome lined barrels, which helps… Read More

The Vltor EMod is my favorite stock. It doesn't add much weight to the weapon, overall, but the weight is concentrated at the rear of the stock, which helps balance out a muzzle heavy rifle. However, due to the presence of a battery compartment in the body of the stock, the adjustment lever is of a slightly different design, and isn't as easy to adjust on the fly. It does have its own advantages, but I prefer the "traditional" adjustment lever, as seen on CAR and M4 stocks, as well… Read More

The Diamondback DB380 is a new firearm manufactured in Cocoa, Florida. Some of you may know that Kel-Tec is located in Cocoa, Florida. I've heard several stories about Diamondback, all of them essentially saying that Diamondback was started by former Kel-Tec employees. Whatever the background, the result is head and shoulders above anything produced by Kel-Tec. I am actually a fan of the Kel-Tec P3AT, having purchased 4 and given 3 to friends and relatives as carry handguns. Of those four, with about 800 rounds downrange between them, I observed… Read More