Tag: 2009 SHOT Show

Categories
Rifles

KAC Chainsaw Machine Gun

Mossberg Chainsaw

Somehow I missed this gem at the 2009 SHOT Show. Knight’s Armament showed a new chainsaw-styled machine gun, which is based on the Stoner LMG (light machine gun). This functioning chainsaw machine gun is belt-fed, chambered in 5.56, and has an integral suppressor and 37mm flare launcher. Oh, and the appearance kicks ass.

Knight’s said that this machine gun was more of a fun expriment than a serious exercise in a new platform development. However, they make an excellent point, which was with new sighting systems, bringing a rifle to your shoulder to align the sights may be obsolete in the near future. If so, something like the chainsaw machine gun may be a better alternative as a shooting platform. The concept is certainly worth exploring.

The non-machinegun chainsaw is a fairly ergonomic tool that many people use regularly. I’ve always found chainsaws to be a natural extension of my arm and easy to wield without any real training or optics. Granted, shooting a machinegun-like device from the hip is different, but I think the ergonomics can make sense.

Imagine having an optic on the gun that relays a signal via wire or Bluetooth to a heads up display integrated into the helmet. It may sound like an Aliens rip-off, but I think the system could work.

My question is: Can you shoot this gun without yelling “get some!”? I’m not sure. Knight’s Armament has a real flair for developing the fun guns, and this one is right at the top of the fun chart. Mossberg went on to develop a shotgun that uses a chainsaw-like appearance:

Mossberg Chainsaw

The Mossberg Chainsaw shotgun is a curious design, but not nearly as fun or practical as the KAC Chainsaw machinegun. Mossberg makes a few good use-cases for their shotgun, such as breeching duties, but I think the hip-fired machine gun is a more useful tool.

Categories
Handguns

SIG SAUER P232 Pistols: Updated for 2009

The SIG SAUER P232 pistol was updated for 2009. The new P232 features a newly designed slide that reduces “slide bite” on larger hands and removable sights.

For those not familiar with the SIG SAUER P232, the gun is a .380 ACP pistol that is more substantial in size and weight than the recent crop of .380 pocket guns. The P232 runs between 18.5 – 23.6 ounces, has a 3.6″ barrel, and an overall length of 6.6″. The action is a DA/SA design and has a capacity of seven plus one.

SIG P232

The SIG P232 is available in three finishes: black Nitron, stainless, and a two-tone stainless slide with a black frame. All models of P232 are available with standard or SIGLITE Night Sights.

SIG P232 Specifications

  • caliber: .380 ACP
  • standard magazine capacity: seven rounds
  • barrel length: 3.6″
  • overall length: 6.6″
  • action: double-action/single-action (DA/SA)
  • trigger pull weight: DA: 10 pounds, SA: 4.5 pounds
  • sight radius: 4.7″
  • MSRP: $649 ($720 with factory night sights) for the Nitron version

While sleek and attractive, some people do not like the P232 pistols due to the lack of slide catch. This means the shooter will not be able to lock the slide to the rear of the pistol for any reason. While this does not negatively impact the reliability of the handgun, it does alter how some things are done. For example, you can’t lock the slide back when handing another person the P232. If this is important to you, this SIG pistol may not be your best choice.

The P232 is easy to shoot, light recoiling pistol due to the size of it. Keep in mind that the trigger is a double-action/single-action design. These tend to be less accurate due to the lack of training most people will invest in learning the system. For the vast majority of people, having a double-action only pistol – like a Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P – is a superior choice.

Categories
news

Charter Arms Rimless Revolver

The Charter Arms Rimless Revolver (CARR) took a long time to get to market. There were a number of false starts and premature press releases. However, the revolver that takes rimless cartridges without the need for moon clips finally did make the market in 2012 – almost four years after the first announcement.

The final product was the Charter Arms Pitbull. Although we were promised a .45 ACP version also, the gun is only available in 9mm and .40 S&W. Read more about the new guns here.

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Categories
news

Taurus Judge Public Defender

Taurus Public Defender

Taurus introduced the “Public Defender” revolver, another in the line of the Judge revolvers, at the 2009 SHOT Show.

Chambering the same .45 Colt and .410 shotshells as the other handguns in the Judge line, the Public Defender is built on a smaller frame (the 85 series frame), and is clearly designed for concealed carry. The Public Defender still chambers five rounds, yet is smaller and lighter, weighing only 28.2 ounces for the stainless or blued versions, and 26 ounces for the blued steel/titanium cylinder model.

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Categories
Handguns

Glock RTF2 Finish on the Glock 22: Thousands of Polymer Spikes

At the 2009 SHOT Show, Glock introduced a new texture called “RTF2.” Claiming to be the “the new standard for operators working in the harshest conditions imaginable,” the RTF2 features a new style of texturing on the grip frame, and a new serration pattern on the rear of the slide.

Glock RTF2

The new RTF2 texturing on the Glock 22 is described in the Glock literature as “thousands of polymer spikes.” I couldn’t agree more. The RTF2 texture was not comfortable to hold. In fact, it was downright unpleasant. Yes, the RTF2 texture does seem to increase the bond between hand and gun, but at what cost to the hand? I would not want to shoot one of these, but I suspect I will have to in the near future.

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