Category: Rifles

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Rifles

Kel Tec RFB Rifle: Carbine Model Shipping in December

An exciting new rifle, the Kel Tec RFB, is expected to ship the carbine model in December 2008.  This rifle has been one of the more eagerly anticipated firearms in 2008.

A video of the carbine in action is embedded below.

The RFB is a 7.62×51 NATO (.308 Winchester) semi-automatic rifle that will be offered in two models: carbine with a 18″ barrel and target rifle with a 32″ barrel.  The “bullpup” design rifle accepts FAL magazines.  All controls are ambidextrous and the rifle ejects fired brass forward making this firearm equally shootable for left and right handed shooters.

MSRP on the carbine is set at $1880.

RFB Carbine Features

  • 18″ Chrome lined 7.62 NATO chambered barrel
  • Birdcage flash hider included
  • Front ejection of cases
  • Top Picatinny rail for mounting sights (no sights included)
  • Gunsmith replaceable barrel with adjustable headspace
  • Click adjustable gas system for various power ammo, or suppressor use
  • Accepts FAL metric magazines with straight-in/drop-free magazine well (one magazine included)
  • Nylon sling and hardware included
  • In-grip storage capability

KelTec RFB Video

January 2009 Update

The Kel Tec RFB rifle will be shipping early next month (Feb 09) according to a Kel Tec representative at the 2009 SHOT Show.  The rep was very upbeat about the rifle, stating they are in production now and will be shipping very soon.

Kel Tec’s sales of the RFB rifles to distributers have been very brisk, selling 1,000 to one distributer on the first day of the SHOT Show alone.

I had a chance to handle the RFB, and I have to admit I was impressed.  The rifle, chambered in .308/7.62 NATO, is hefty, but very well-balanced.  Kel Tec had several different configurations of the RFB on display, and everyone stopping to check them out seemed to like them.

The RFB looks like it will be a very good seller for Kel Tec.

September 2009 Update

keltec_rfb_rifle_03The Kel Tec RFB (Rifle, Forward-ejecting Bullpup) is shipping, though slower than had been expected.  It seems there are some issues with the heat treating process, which have prevented manufacturing the RFB in large quantities.  Specifically, Kel Tec states:

Heat treatment issues with the ejector chute are slowing down RFB production. Batches are still coming out, but not in full production quantities as of yet. We are working closely with our heat treaters to resolve the issue.

Hopefully, the RFB will be in full-production soon.

Kel Tec also stated they were showing a suppressed RFB at the Advanced Armament Corp. (AAC) Silencer Shoot.  A suppressed RFB would be a fun rifle to own.

January 2012 Update

Kel-Tec RFB Sporter
The carbine version of the Kel-Tec RFB rifle.

The Kel-Tec RFB Sporter will be introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show if the rumors I am hearing are correct.  From what I hear, the mid-sized RFB will feature the 24″ barrel, putting it between the carbine and target models.

Kel-Tec indicated they would eventually produce a Sporter model when the RFB was introduced, but with all of the projects they have been working on during the past several years, I imagine the R&D on the 24″ model took a back seat to them.

The Kel-Tec RFB Sporter will be chambered in 7.62×51 (not in .223 as some of the rumors have suggested), and the longer barrel will offer increased long-range accuracy as compared to the carbine version.

I don’t have exact specs, but the new rifle should weigh about 9.5-10.0 pounds and have an OAL of about 32″.  It should otherwise look and work just like any other RFB (forward ejecting, etc.)

While it did not appear that Kel-Tec spent much time on the rifle in 2011, they did introduce a variety of RFB accessories such as a short quad rail, muzzle brake and a “tactical” operating handle.

This video shows the Kel-Tec RFB carbine in action:

January 2012 – Second Update

Even though the “Hunter” version of the RFB  got more attention, the Kel-Tec RFB 24 was introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show.  The RFB 24, also known as the Sporter model, is a forward ejecting, 7.62×51 chambered rifle in a bullpup configuration with a 24″ barrel.

Kel-Tec RFB 24

The RFB 24 is a mid-sized version of the rifle, falling between the carbine (18″ barrel) and target (32″ barrel) models.

I would be interested in seeing a side-by-side range test of all three versions to see what kind of accuracy, velocity and recoil differences there are between them.

January Update 3 – Tan Kel-Tec RFB

Kel-Tec is now showing the RFB rifle in tan.  Previously, I have only seen the RFB in black, but at the 2012 SHOT Show, the company had a tan model on display.

Kel-Tec RFB tan

Unfortunately, the woman representing Kel-Tec at the booth did not have any information on the gun.  So, for now, we will have to wait and see if/when they ship.

Kel-Tec RFB tan

Kel-Tec RFB tan

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Rifles

TAPCO Introduces New AK Magazine: This 30 Round Magazine Looks Indestructible

TAPCO has announced  a new, 30 round AK magazine that looks darn near indestructible. The polymer magazine, designed for all of the AK-47 variant rifles (7.62×39 cartridge), has a rugged exterior, a heavy-duty mag spring, and an anti-tilt follower. The magazine is available in black, dark earth, and olive green. And, they also count as three Section 922 compliance parts.

Like all of TAPCO products, the magazines are covered by a full, lifetime warranty. Plus, the magazines will come with a 90-day inspection period. They don’t meet your expectations, send them back for a full refund.

TAPCO has filmed some of the torture testings they have done on these new mags. I’ve attached one here, but if you are at all interested in these mags, go over to their site and watch them all. They bang these mags off the ground, run over them with trucks, and while inserted in an AK-47, just plain beat the snot out of these things. And they still feed reliably.

I’ve bought a variety of TAPCO products in the past and can recommend them without reservation. At only $17.99 each, they are a real value buy!

Update:  TAPCO updated the AK-47 magazines to address some perceived weakness problems around the lips.  The original magazines were supposed to be good, while the updated mags are supposed to be great.

The MSRP may be $17.99, but I have seen the street prices on these to be closer to $10 each.  I’ve actually seen some sell in bulk for less than that.  With surplus steel mags going for more than $20 in some places, having a few of these TAPCO AK mags on hand seems to be a good idea.  You can have a few of the steel ones for serious business, and then use the plastic for training and recreational shooting.  At $10 (or less) each, it looks like a no-brainer.

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Rifles

Rock River Arms LAR-15 Elite Comp: A Top Notch AR-15 Variant With Some Great Features Out Of The Box

Rock River Arms has introduced a new AR-15 variant: the LAR-15 Elite Comp. Guaranteed to shoot 1.5″ MOA, the Elite Comp features a number of very nice features, typically seen only on nicely upgraded AR rifles.

Chambered in 5.56 NATO (.223 Remington), the LAR-15 Elite Comp has a forged A4 upper with a 16″ chrome-lined barrel with a 1:9″ twist. The threaded barrel features an RRA Tactical Muzzle Brake standard.

Sighting is handled by the combination of a flip front sight gas block assembly and a PADS flip rear sight.

The trigger is a two-stage match trigger in a winter trigger guard. The front end features an RRA half-quad, free-float mid-length rail system. The pistol grip is an Ergo SureGrip.

The buttstock is my favorite: the Magpul CTR stock. The Magpul is fully adjustable, feels very good when the rifle is mounted and is designed in such a way as to prevent any inadvertent adjustment of the length.

I currently have a LAR-15 from Rock River Arms that I bought before they announced the Elite Comp. On my LAR-15, I installed the Magpul buttstock, the front flip-up sight/gas block, rear flip-up sight, and the SureGrip. All totaled, I paid more than what Rock River is asking for the Elite Comp.  So, I think the rifle package is a very good deal.  Also, my Rock River has run pretty well.  I don’t know who makes the “best” AR-15, but these Rock River rifles seem to be well built.

The LAR-15 Elite Comp ships with only one magazine. I would expect at least two magazines at this price point, but fortunately, new magazines are relatively inexpensive.  You can pick up Magpul PMAGs for less than $15 for example.

MSRP is listed at $1470, and advertised prices start very close to this number. Dealers are accepting orders now, and the Elite Comp is due to ship in the third quarter of 2008.

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Rifles

DeWalt AR-15 Nail Gun: Great Gag!

Dewalt AR15 nail gun

(Looking for information on new guns the 2020 SHOT Show? Click here for our coverage.)

For those of you that have not yet seen it, meet the DeWalt AR-15 nail gun.

Someone released a photo of their AR-15 rifle made up as a DeWalt nail gun. Personally, I love the originality behind it. As one forum poster observed, maybe it should be called a DeWalt ‘Tack Driver’.

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When I originally posted this DeWalt AR-15 nail gun several years ago, I had no idea it would become such a popular post. It has actually become one of the most read pages on the GunsHolstersAndGear.com website. I still chuckle about how viral this photo has gone.

Dewalt AR15

Also, if you have not already done so, please read through the comments on this thread and join in on the discussion about this rifle. There is quite a bit of lively chatter regarding its status as an M16, M4 or AR15. Also, which version of which gun… for example: if it is an M4, is it an M4A2 or M4A3. I find it all humorous, and I hope you do as well.

I’m curious: have you ever done anything like this to dress up your gun? Would you consider a Black & Decker paint scheme? How about a Chevy or Ford styling? The truth is a lot of people like to customize their firearms to give them a unique feel and flair.

Gun companies have cashed in on this in the past, creating limited or special edition runs of some firearms. You may have seen some manufacturers rolling out everything from Texas commemoratives to zombie guns. Sometimes these guns carry some collector value, but mostly they are simply an option for someone that wants to stand out from the crowd. Since many gun owners are independent-minded, adding a little flair to their rifles makes sense.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to dress up one of your guns? Would you be willing to buy a limited run rifle with an unusual paint scheme?

Update

Thanks to one of our readers for sharing this video of the gun in action:

If you watch the video, you can see the gun is capable of full-auto fire. Hopefully, that will help settle some of the arguments in the comments section.

Special note for all of those who have been e-mailing me – I’ve got the Glock 19 holster page up now.

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Rifles

Smith and Wesson M&P15R: 5.45×39 Rifle and Upper

The new Smith and Wesson M&P15R is a rifle chambered in 5.45×39.  S&W developed this new AR variant due to the rising costs of .223/5.56 NATO ammunition.  The 5.45×39 cartridge was developed for the AK-74 rifle in the early 1970s.  Few guns in made the United States are chambered for it, and consequently, surplus ammo is comparatively cheap.  The 5.45×39 is not interchangeable with the 5.56×45 NATO (or .223 Remington) cartridge which is the standard cartridge AR-15 platform rifles.

Smith and Wesson M&P15R

The M&P15R features a chrome-lined 16″ barrel with a 1:8″ twist, M4 style post front sight, and a six-position collapsible stock. The rifle comes with one 30-round magazine.

A “mil-spec” upper is also available for people who already own an AR, but would like to shoot 5.45×39. The upper comes with a 30-round magazine and a bolt carrier assembly and should drop right onto any mil-spec AR lower.

The M&P15R has a suggested retail price of $1146.00 and the upper alone has an MSRP of $751.00.  Street prices should be significantly less.

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