Category: Rifles

Rifles

Caracal CAR 816

Post author By Richard Johnson
Post date June 14, 2013

The Caracal Assault Rifle 816, or CAR 816, is a piston-operated M-4 type carbine that was introduced earlier this year. The gun uses a two-position gas port for normal operation and suppressed shooting. Rate of fire is listed as 850 rpm. (Ed. note: See the September 2013 update at the bottom of the article regarding the gas port and rate of fire.)

The CAR 816 is chambered in 5.56 NATO and comes in three barrel lengths: 10″, 14.5″ and 16″. The barrels are chrome lined and cold hammer forged from chromolybdenum steel. The barrel uses a 1:7″ twist.

The barrels are threaded, and come with a “standard muzzle break [sic].” From the photos, it appears the muzzle device is a standard A2 type birdcage flash hider. Of course, with so many different muzzle devices on the market today, it is hard to say for certain from the photos alone.

According to Caracal, the rifle comes with a magazine release on the right side of the receiver, but an ambidextrous option is available. The gun uses STANAG-compliant magazines, and ships with a 30 round mag. The rifle is shown with a PMAG, but it is not known if Magpul magazines ship with the gun, or more pedestrian USGI mags.

Tags AR-15, CAR 816, Caracal, carbine, M-4, rifle

Rifles

Paul Howe Tactical Carbine

Paul Howe worked with Wilson Combat to build a new rifle that bears his name. The Paul Howe Tactical Carbine is an AR-platform gun chambered in 5.56 NATO. It has a very distinctive look and some very nice features and add-on options.

The carbine has a 14.7″, match grade barrel with a 1:8″ twist. The barrel has deep fluting. Permanently attached to the barrel is a three-prong Accu-Tac flash hider, which makes the gun legal without the need for a NFA stamp.

On this gun, Howe selected a two-stage Wilson Combat TTU trigger that uses heavier springs. The trigger release is set at 4.5 pounds, which Howe preferred for golved shooting. The weight of this gun is 7.5 pounds.

The finish is called Camouflage Armor-Tuff and it is a hand-applied pattern. According to the Wilson Combat press release, the finish also reduces the gun’s IR signature and can help to keep the rifle cool in hot weather.

Tags carbine, Paul Howe, rifle, Wilson Combat

Rifles

SVD Dragunov: 50th Anniversary

Post author By Richard Johnson
Post date June 12, 2013
3 Comments on SVD Dragunov: 50th Anniversary

This year represents the 50th anniversary of the SVD Dragunov rifle. Introduced into the service of the Soviet Union army in 1963, this semi-automatic sniper rifle has proved itself a capable performer in the field.

Since 1964, the Dragunov has been made by Izhmash, a Russian arms and vehicle manufacturer. To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Izhmash announced the modernized SVD will be completed later this year. The modernized Dragunov will feature:

new barrel
Picatinny rail for optics
folding bi-pod
adjustable buttstock
improved accuracy

The Dragunov has been used by at least 30 different countries around the world. While the United States has never officially used the SVD Dragunov, it has helped equip and train friendly countries with the rifle. It was just one of these weapons that Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha used on October 3, 2009 to help repel some 400 enemy fighters in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.

Tags 7.62x54R, Dragunov, rifle, sniper, SVD Dragunov

Rifles

Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine

Post author By Richard Johnson
Post date April 22, 2013
8 Comments on Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine

The Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine is a new rifle that appears to mate a 1911 pistol to a AR-style rifle. It is chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge and looks like it retains all of the normal 1911 controls, grip safety and more.

The gun has a M4-style stock. Additionally, it looks to have a removable carry handle, removable front sight and a single Picatinny rail on the top of the rifle upper. From the photo, you can see there is a charging handle on the left side of the weapon. The barrel appears to be about 16″ in length. Pricing is already listed as $623.95 on some websites.

The same general thing has been tried before with kits that convert various pistols to carbines. Those kits include the Hera-Arms CPE, SIG Sauer ACP, and the CAA Tactical RONI. The Iver Johnson 1911A1 Carbine looks like it goes a step farther and makes the unit appear more permanently attached. Of course, that may not be accurate.

Tags .45 ACP, 1911, 1911A1 Carbine, Iver Johnson, rifle

Rifles Silencers/Suppressors

Daniel Defense ISR: Integrally Suppressed Rifle

Post author By Aaron
Post date February 6, 2013
1 Comment on Daniel Defense ISR: Integrally Suppressed Rifle

Daniel Defense has already established themselves as a first rate rifle and component manufacturer, so it was no surprise to visit their booth at SHOT Show this year and find another great design: the Daniel Defense ISR. The ISR, or Integrally Suppressed Rifle, was designed from the ground up to be one complete package, which I explain below. The official model number is DDM4ISR 300.

The Integrated Suppressor (IS)

Matt Mozak of Daniel Defense walked me through the latest, greatest DD rifle. The rifle is designed to be a weapon system, and not just a rifle with accessories added. To accomplish this, Daniel Defense developed and added their all new Integrated Suppressor (IS). The integrated suppressor is threaded, pinned and welded to the rifle’s proprietary lSR gas block, in what Mozak called a monolithic baffel. So the IS becomes a permanent part of the rifle, and not simply an interchangeable accessory. The length of the barrel and Integrated Suppressor together is 16.145″.

Tags 2013 SHOT Show, 300 BLK, Daniel Defense, rifle, SHOT Show, suppressor