“We are moving proactively and quickly to standardize this part of the pistol.  This is a voluntary exchange specifically for the new Gen4 models,” said Gary Fletcher, Vice President of Glock, Inc.  “We have developed a program for consumers to send in their existing recoil spring assemblies and receive new ones at no cost.”

The replacement of the Gen4 pistol RSA can be performed as part of the regular field-strip process; consumers do not need to take the Gen4 pistol to an armorer.  Consumers wishing to participate in the exchange program are urged to call (877) 745-8523 to order their new recoil spring.  For more information on the details and shipping requirements on the replacement program, visit www.teamglock.com.

Glock, Inc. Donates $75,000 at 2011 Modern Day Marine
Glock, Inc. donated a total of $75,000 to two separate organizations during the 2011 Modern Day Marine held in MCB, Quantico, VA September 27 – 29.  Glock Vice President Josh Dorsey presented $50,000 to the Young Marines and $25,000 to the Marine Corps League during a presentation held at the Iwo Jima Memorial, Quantico on Wednesday, September 28th.

“Glock is proud to contribute to organizations such as the Young Marines and the Marine Corps League, which play such a vital role in providing aid to the families of America’s fallen heroes as well as develop the characteristics of our nation’s future leaders,” said Glock Vice President, and former Marine, Josh Dorsey.  “Glock has a long-standing tradition of supporting those that put themselves in harm’s way to protect the freedoms we currently enjoy.”

U.S. Special operations command Contract Awarded to SureFire
SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of high-end illumination tools and tactical products, has been awarded its largest suppressor contract to date.  The $23.3 million contract, for an indefinite quantity of sound suppressors, suppressor adapters, blank firing adapters and training adapters, was awarded by officials of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division – the primary solicitation center for U.S. Special Operations Command as part of the Family of Muzzle Brake Suppressors (FMBS) contract.

The FMBS solicitation was the most comprehensive modern suppressor evaluation conducted by the U.S. military to date.  It focused on criteria that subjected suppressor systems to prolonged testing on a variety of firearms platforms.  SureFire suppressors were chosen based on test criteria such as: Reliability, Sound Reduction, Accuracy, Point of Impact Shift, Endurance/Durability, and Operational Suitability.  While these requirements reflect the suppression needs for firearms including the MK13 sniper rifle, the United States Marine Corps is already employing SureFire’s FA762SS suppressor system on every M40A5 sniper rifle.

“From day one, SureFire’s commitment has been to increase the safety and success of the war fighter and peacekeeper by developing products that exceed the standards for performance and quality,” said Barry Dueck, Director of SureFire’s Suppressor Division.  “Our suppressors are no exception.  We build these to enhance the operational capabilities of our customers, knowing that their lives often depend on their equipment, and we’re very pleased that USSOCOM will now have multiple models available to improve their operational effectiveness.”

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Roth Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court opened its Fall 2011 term by denying the certiorari petition of Professor J. Reece Roth, a professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee who had been convicted of violating the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).  The conviction was based in part upon Professor Roth permitting a foreign graduate student access to technical data relating to an Air Force military drone project.  In January of this year, the Sixth Circuit dismissed Professor Roth’s appeal.  The denial of certiorari ends the legal appeals process for Professor Roth.

Los Angeles Police Department Chooses to Continue Using Remington Shotguns
Remington Arms Company, LLC is proud to announce that the Los Angeles Police Department again chose the Remington Model 870 Police Magnum and Model 870 Police Marine Magnums as their department issued shotguns.  “We are excited and proud to supply LAPD its shotguns as we have continued to produce our police weapons to the highest standards in our custom police build area to insure the quality of our weapons going out to police departments across this great nation.” said Rick Johnson, Director of Law enforcement sales.

ATK Awarded $37 Million Contract to Provide Lightweight 30mm Ammunition to the UK MOD
ATK has been awarded a $37 million contract to provide lightweight (LW) 30mm ammunition – including the M788 TP (target practice) training round and the M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) tactical round – to the United Kingdom’s (UK) Ministry of Defence (MoD).  The contract reinforces ATK’s position as a preferred provider of medium-caliber ammunition to allied forces worldwide.  Both rounds will support the United Kingdom’s fleet of AH-64 Apache Helicopters.

These two rounds make up ATK’s family of LW30mm ammunition and were originally developed and fielded for the M230 automatic cannon and the AH-64 Attack helicopter.  The M789 HEDP round provides the accuracy and armor penetration capabilities necessary to effectively defeat today’s threats, and the cost-effective, ballistically-matched M788 training rounds enable improved warfighter performance in active theaters around the globe.  ATK has produced more than 14 million LW30mm cartridges rounds since 1977.

“Lightweight 30mm ammunition provides superior multi-role, multi-target defeat capabilities,” said Dan Olson, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Integrated Weapons Systems.  “Our M789 rounds are currently in use supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we are proud to provide U.S. and allied forces worldwide with the medium-caliber munitions necessary to prevail in mission-critical scenarios.”

LaserMax Resolves Patent Infringement Lawsuit with NcStar
LaserMax announced a favorable conclusion of the patent infringement litigation which it initiated in December of 2008 against New Century NcStar, Inc. (NcStar).  LaserMax and NcStar settled the lawsuit concerning NcStar’s alleged infringement of LaserMax’s U.S. Patent No. 7,421,818, through NcStar’s manufacture or sale of products including, but not limited to, its products identified in its literature as ATPRLS, ATPRLS-G, APUSP, APCUSP, and ATPFLS, which include accessory mounts with embedded laser sights.

In the parties’ settlement of this case, NcStar has expressly and irrevocably acknowledged the validity of the ‘818 patent and has agreed to cease manufacture and sale of the products listed above.  NcStar has also agreed to recall any remaining inventory of those products from resellers, including brick-and-mortar dealers, catalogs and websites, and wholesale distributors.  Finally, NcStar has agreed to pay LaserMax an undisclosed sum.  The remaining terms of the settlement are confidential.

LaserMax’s CEO Susan Houde-Walter commented, “Once again, this is good news for LaserMax and the firearms industry.  LaserMax makes quality lasers which should never be confused with imitation products.”

Smith and Wesson Reports Strong First Fiscal Quarter Results
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012.  Total company net revenue for the first quarter was $99.2 million, up 4.5% from the year ago quarter.  Firearm division revenue was $91.7 million, an 18.0% increase over the first quarter last year, and was strong across nearly all product lines, particularly in Smith & Wesson brand handguns, which recorded a 26.6% year-over-year revenue increase for the quarter.  Security solutions division revenue was $7.5 million for the first quarter, down 56.4% from the year-ago quarter.

At the end of the quarter, firearm backlog was $148.8 million and security solutions backlog was $19.9 million.  Backlog is cancellable until shipped or work has been performed.

Michael F. Golden, Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Orders for our firearms remained strong in the quarter, evidenced by increased sales of our Smith & Wesson brand pistols and modern sporting rifles.  In fact, firearm unit sales in our consumer channel were up 44.4% compared with the adjusted NICS* increase of 10.8% for the same three-month period ending July 31.  Professional orders for our M&P pistols increased, and handgun growth in general was supported by the continuing consumer trend toward smaller firearms designed for concealed carry and for personal protection. While the environment for our security solutions business remained challenging primarily related to constraints in government spending, we continued to focus on reshaping the business and expanding our portfolio with new products to better address the current market environment.”

ATK to Relocate Corporate Headquarters to Northern Virginia
ATK announced today that it will relocate its corporate headquarters as of October 1, 2011 to Arlington, Virginia, where the company will expand its existing office space.  The company will continue to maintain a strong presence in Minnesota, including approximately 210 Minnesota-based corporate employees.  In total, ATK employs approximately 2,700 people in Minnesota.  ATK currently employs approximately 3,500 people in the Mid-Atlantic region, where it operates facilities in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell welcomed ATK to northern Virginia, and said, “We are pleased that ATK is joining the vibrant aerospace and defense community that contributes so much to the commercial base of our state, and look forward to the company’s continued growth and progress here.”

“The relocation of ATK’s headquarters to the Washington D.C. area will provide our company with opportunities for increased engagement with our customers and Congress, as well as with our aerospace and defense industry peers that already are located in the region.  Expanding our presence and visibility in the Washington area will support our strategy of creating a more global, diversified company,” said Mark W. DeYoung, President and CEO.

Insight Technology HX Tactical Flashlight Rebate
Insight Technology recently announced that it is offering a fall rebate on the complete line of HX Tactical Hand-Held Flashlights.  The mail-in rebate is available to any consumer who purchases HX lights from now through December 31, 2011.  Rebates include $40 back on both the HX120 & HX150 and $50 back on the HX200.

Each light can be customized to start on any brightness level or function and offers programmable settings that include: auto off, constant on, momentary on, dimming, a blinding strobe and SOS beacon, making this series an incredibly versatile and possibly life saving tool.

Rebate coupons have been distributed to authorized dealers and distributors and can also be downloaded at www.insighttechgear.com and www.eotech-inc.com.  Customers will receive rebate checks within 8 weeks of receipt.

Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice Selects SIG Sauer Pistols
SIG Sauer GmbH., the leading manufacturer of commercial, law enforcement and military firearms, has been selected as the official duty pistol provider of the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice.

The SIG Sauer Model P250 will replace the stock of Walther P5s and Glock 17s currently in use by the Netherland police.  Approximately 42,000 PPNL variants will be delivered between 2011 and 2013.

This contract marks the first time in 25 years that the Netherland police service has chosen a new sidearm.  The P250 was selected over offerings from Walther, Heckler & Koch, and Beretta.

“After two years of exhaustive testing, we are gratified to see the P250 selected as the weapon of choice,” said Managing Director, Dr. Andreas Wende, SIG Sauer GmbH.  “We appreciate the Ministry taking the time for a complete and intensive testing process in making this decision.  SIG Sauer is grateful to have been selected, and we look forward to proudly serving with the Netherland National Police.”

Silencerco Acquires SWR (Southeastern Weaponry Research) Manufacturing
Silencerco has acquired SWR manufacturing.  The acquisition, which was agreed to on August 9, 2011 will serve the industry and consumers by combining the forces of two companies that have a common history of innovative products and superb customer service.  This merger will result in streamlined manufacturing resulting in decreased delivery times and most importantly, more innovative product design and increased brand awareness.  This merger creates a new benchmark for customer service and product innovation.

The merger of Silencerco and SWR positions the new entity to be one of the top innovative manufacturers of sound suppression technology in the country.  Manufacturing of both company product lines will be performed in Utah at the Silencerco facility.  The addition of new equipment and resources will allow Silencerco and SWR to service the law enforcement, military and consumer industries with increased productivity, shorter wait times for delivery and will add to the unique and innovative product design that will further revolutionize the firearm suppression industry.

Henry Graham, the current President of SWR, will continue to be available to his existing networks as Director of SWR at Silencerco.  SWR products will continue to be manufactured and supported, and technical support for legacy SWR products will remain unchanged.  “I am excited about this acquisition, it provides SWR with the resources it needs to elevate production, innovation, and service to a level that was otherwise out of reach,” said Henry Graham, President of SWR.  The new relationship between Silencerco and SWR will enhance manufacturing, reposition branding and marketing efforts into a larger, more effective social network, and continue in offering preeminent individualized customer support.

The SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) show was once again held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.  It is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports and hunting industries.  It is the world’s premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, archery, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, camping and related products and services.  The SHOT Show attracts buyers from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.  The show grows every year and this year was no exception with record setting numbers of exhibitors as well as media professionals and attendees.  The show was held January 19-22.

The SHOT Show is the premier venue where manufacturers roll out their exciting new products for the upcoming year.  As well as new products, industry professionals are offered informative seminars on topics of interest on everything from the latest retailer trends and issues to law enforcement topics and training and even seminars put on by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms that covers rules and regulations pertaining to firearms.  SHOT Show is the place to be to keep up with everything new in firearms, outdoor items and accessories.  This year once again produced some exciting new products for the coming months.  Although space restrictions don’t allow us to cover everything at the show, SADJ was there to provide you, our readers, a first look at just some of what’s new.

One of the most talked about firearms this year had to be a new shotgun from Kel-Tec CNC Industries (www.keltecweapons.com).  The shotgun, designated the KSG, is a bull-pup design and is their first entry into the shotgun market.  The size, shape and design are similar to the currently available Kel-Tec RFB rifle, but the KSG ejects downward, instead of forward.  The KSG weighs 6.9 pounds and is as compact as legally possible with a 26.1 inch overall length and an 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel.  Even with this compact size, the internal dual tube magazines hold an impressive 14 rounds of 12 gauge 2-3/4 inch rounds (7 per tube).  The simple and reliable pump action feeds from either the left or right tube.  The feed side is manually selected by a lever located behind the trigger guard.  The lever can be positioned in the center detent in order to easily clear the chamber without feeding another round from either magazine.  A cross bolt style safety blocks the sear, and the pump release lever is located in front of the trigger guard.  The pump has an under Picatinny rail for the mounting of a forward grip, or a light or laser.  The included top Picatinny sight rail will accept many types of optics or iron sights.  Forward and rear sling loops are built in, and a basic sling is included.  The soft rubber butt pad helps to tame recoil.   Watch for a full test and evaluation in an upcoming issue of SADJ.

The TNVC booth drew quite a crowd with their new WASP night vision scope. This 8 power monster is said to allow users to see the veins in leaves at 50 yards.

Another interesting shotgun was debuted at SHOT Show.  One can hardly think of shotguns without thinking of Mossberg (www.mossberg.com).  This company has been building shotguns since the early 1960s.  This year they introduced a new shotgun called the “Chainsaw.”  This gun is a variation of their time proven Model 500.  It is designed as a breeching shotgun and features a pistol grip, 18.5 inch barrel and a white dot front sight.  The Chainsaw also features a stand-off compensator on the barrel and a tri-rail forearm with an integral full-length bottom rail and two removable side rails for maximum flexibility when mounting tactical lights, lasers and accessories.  It also has a unique ‘chainsaw’ forend grip that provides the shooter with added muzzle control.  It is easily removable for rapid conversion to a standard forend.  This year Mossberg also has a line of “Blackwater” branded shotguns.  These guns are based on their Models 590A1, 500 Cruiser and their model 930 SPX.

Heckler & Koch (www.hk-usa.com) has this year brought to market a semiautomatic version of their select-fire Model 416.  This piston-driven AR-style 5.56mm rifle is called the model MR556A1.  The piston-driven method of operation eliminates malfunctions that are common to direct impingement gas systems since hot carbon fouling and waste gases do not enter the receiver area.  The rifle features a quad rail free-floating handguard that has four Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny rails that allow the user to fit optics, lights and lasers.  The gun uses a German made barrel that is cold hammer forged producing a barrel that provides superior accuracy as well as a long service life.  The MR556A1 will accept all AR-15 style magazines.  Said to be released later this year will be HK’s MR762A1.  This hard hitting rifle is chambered in caliber 7.62x51mm and has many of the same features as the 5.56 mm rifle.  Like its 5.56mm counterpart, the MR762A1 is a direct descendent of the HK416/417 series, only in a semiautomatic rifle configuration developed for civilian users.  The MR762A1 uses many of the assemblies and accessories originally developed for the HK416/417 series including adjustable buttstocks, ergonomic pistol grips, mechanical sights, and the HK free-floating four-quadrant rail system/handguard.  The HK rail system can be removed without special tools by the user and ensures 100% return to zero when reinstalled.  Ambidextrous operating controls are standard on the MR762A1, including the charging handle and an ambidextrous selector lever.  The MR762A1 also uses the same 10- and 20-round translucent polymer box magazines made for the HK417.  Both the MR556A1 and the MR762A1 will be produced at Heckler & Koch’s American manufacturing facilities from both American and German-made components.

MG Industries will be marketing the new belt-fed conversion for the AR-15/M16 series of rifles that is being manufactured by Valkyrie Armament LLC.

Colt (www.coltdefense.com) has finally confirmed the existence of their civilian modular carbine, the new rifle called the SP901.  The SP901 has a patent-pending AR-10/AR-15 format universal multi-caliber lower receiver.  This receiver will accept both their 5.56 (.223) as well as their 7.62 (.308) caliber upper receivers making this a truly a multi-caliber battle rifle.  Because the lower is multi-caliber it will actually accept any caliber upper between 7.62 and 5.56 including 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel.  The rifle also features a monolithic upper/rail system and is completely ambidextrous with all fire controls mirrored on both sides of the gun.  The basic rifle is piston driven and sports a 16 inch barrel although 13, 18 and 20 inch barrels will be available.  In 7.62 caliber it will be offered with the excellent MagPul 20LR magazine and in caliber 5.56 will accept any magazine that will fit the AR-15/M16 rifles.  With the rifle accepting any Mil-Spec upper, different uppers can be equipped with sights or optics and remain zeroed when changed.

Extreme caliber rifles still account for a large percentage of rifles that are sold every year (and also displayed at the SHOT Show).  One of the most, if not “the” most, extreme rifle is the Barrett .50 caliber rifle (www.barrett.net).  Available in several models and styles, this behemoth is the rifle brought to bear when the need to reach out and touch someone or something arises.  This year Barrett introduced a new model of their battle proven semi-auto gun called the M107A1.  Designed to be used with a suppressor, this one-of-a-kind rifle allows the user to combine signature reduction capabilities with the reliability of the original Barrett M107.  An all-new bolt carrier group has been designed to make the rifle suppressor ready.  Its titanium four-port muzzle brake is engineered to work seamlessly with the supplied quick-attach Barrett .50 BMG suppressor.  The rifle’s lower receiver includes a new recoil buffer system that is optimized to also work with a suppressor.  Other features include a thermal cheek guard, back-up iron sights, a lightweight quick-detach bipod, monopod and a flat dark earth finish.

Sig Arms now has a version of their Sig556 in 7.62x39. They also now have a version of this rifle in 7.62x51 (.308).

There are always hordes of new handguns introduced at SHOT and this year was no exception.  With centerfire ammunition prices reaching an all time high there seemed to be an emphasis on new .22 Long Rifle handguns.  Of special interest to readers, there were several “tactical” type guns introduced this year.  Suppressed or “silenced” guns are now more accepted than ever before.  They are leaving behind their reputations as “assassination devices” as more shooters see them for what they really are; another way to save the users hearing.  There were new guns available from both new as well as established companies.  American Tactical Imports (www.americantactical.us) was at the show introducing their new line of .22 caliber pistols called the GSG 1911.  Made by German Sports Guns there are three models.  The standard GSG 1911 with walnut grips, the GSG 1911 with black plastic grips and the GSG 1911 AD-OPS which has black grips, a dust cover rail and comes with a fake suppressor.  All of the guns are copies of the Colt 1911 .45 that is known throughout the world but these guns are designed strictly for .22 Long Rifle ammunition.  All, fortunately, have barrels that are threaded but unfortunately it is a metric M9x.75 thread.  Most .22 caliber suppressors are threaded 1/2×28.  Now several U.S. companies are making adapter bushings that allow the guns to be fitted with a U.S. suppressor.  The guns have a 10-round magazine and have the same weight and specifications as a .45 1911.  They are even compatible with some 1911 parts which allows them to be further customized to the shooters specifications.  Other features include beaver-tail grip safety and skeletonized trigger and hammer.

Another interesting handgun made its debut at the show.  Taurus (www.taurususa.com) was showing their new 28 gauge revolver called the Raging Bull XXVIII.  This single action/double action five-shot revolver is advertised as the ultimate handgun for personal protection and home defense as it fires the powerful 28 gauge shotshell.  It features high visibility fiber optic sights and recoil absorbing grips.  It was scheduled to be released right after SHOT Show but word has it that The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said that the gun could not be marketed as is because it was basically a short barreled shotgun.  The reason seems to be that there is not a compatible centerfire caliber that the gun can fire as is the case with the Taurus Judge.  More on this issue later.

Please don’t call SureFire’s latest “muzzle devices” a sound suppressor.  Cans they are not, even though they do reduce the decibels of a gunshot.  Elementary suppressor science— that pertaining to a cartridge’s gas volume and a suppressor’s internal volume— is violated by the California-based manufacturer of high-performance tactical illumination tools with their new Mini and Micro models, but the designs are an intentional compromise of sound reduction in exchange for size and weight.

SureFire has always manufactured products based on operator input, and the Mini and Micro models are classic examples of this philosophy.  An elite unit within the Special Operations community approached SureFire’s Barry Dueck, director of the Suppressor Division, and requested a muzzle device that would cut muzzle flash on a 10.5-inch Mk 18 while maintaining about the same noise reduction of SureFire’s trademark K-can (part number FA556-212).

Of course these operators aren’t running 14.5-inch M4s.  They employ either 10.5 inch Mk 18 SBRs or something even shorter.  Black ops being what they are, you never know for sure what the intended application of a short-length suppressor might be— but the Micro would definitely not ride on an M4.

What we do know is that the weapon’s overall length was the main driver in the development of the Mini and Micro models, coupled with flash elimination for night operations.  Reduced weight would be a very much foreseen consequence, resulting in faster target-to-target tracking and improved handling in an MRAP.

SureFire’s latest Mini and Micro models join the company’s previous lightweight champ, the model FA556SA, cutting substantial weight and overall length: (L to R) FA556SA tips the scales at 10 ozs. while the Mini comes in at 14 ozs. made of Inconel and 8.0 ozs. in titanium, lighter than even the Micro model, 12 ozs. and made of Inconel.

But at what price?  The OSHA “safe” level for short-duration noise is 140 dB.  It turns out that the Micro at barely over 4-inches overall nips the sound wave of M855 ammunition from a 10.5-inch barrel to 148 dB while the Mini gets it down to 141 dB, just a hair over the 140 dB “safety ceiling.”

Does it matter?  Not really.  At least not to the guys who specified they want to barter noise for size.  An unsuppressed round of M855 measures about 170 of Mr. Bell’s eponymous units.  If a fully suppressed M4 clips the sound down to the low 130s, a gunshot from an SBR with a Mini or a Micro in the low to high 140s is not much worse than the cymbal clap at the end of the Star Spangled Banner.

The Mini comes in two materials, Inconel alloy or titanium alloy.  Inconel is a highly durable steel that’s popular with many suppressor manufacturers.  Inconel is a brand name of Special Metals Corp. and comes in a variety of formulations, all of which are oxidation and corrosion resistant in extreme environments.  The best attribute of Inconel is that when it’s heated, it forms a thick, stable, passivating oxide layer that protects the material.  Inconel maintains its integrity at extremely high temperatures – and suppressors get sizzling hot in a hurry.

Titanium is an element (atomic number 22) that is known for its strength-to-weight ratio.  It comes in more than two dozen commercial alloys and is a prime component in the aerospace industry.  The best thing is that it’s light as a feather yet strong as an anvil, so the SureFire Mini made of Inconel weighs 14 ounces while the same exact model made of titanium barely tips the scales at 8 ounces.

The tradeoff?  Titanium is expensive, it’s hard to machine and it’s not as long-lasting as Inconel.  The payoff?  A muzzle-heavy rifle is hard to swing dynamically from target to target but a Mini or Micro equipped AR swings like a dream.

The Mini and Micro feature the latest SureFire improvement to its lock-ring system of attachment to a mated muzzle brake adapter.  One could call this the Gen 3 lock ring as it’s the third distinctive method used since SureFire first manufactured a suppressor in 2002.

The first lock ring utilized a system similar to a Walker liner lock on a folding knife.  A metal tab “snapped” into place to prevent the locking ring from unloosening from the threads on the rear of the suppressor.  Gen 2 eliminated the spring tab and replaced it with a press-to-unlock tab.  The latest version that I call Gen 3 features an improved release latch with a lower profile.  This lower profile also decreases the chances of the latch accidentally releasing, should it be bumped hard, dropped or knocked around.  The new lock rings also feature user-replaceable parts so, should a repair ever be necessary, it can be made directly by the operator or armorer rather than requiring the entire unit to be sent back to SureFire.

“These (lock rings) are also all backwards-compatible,” says Dueck.  “So you can have an old adapter and a new suppressor, same model, and it still fits.”

This is particularly good news for armorers in military and law enforcement where SureFire suppressors have been making impressive inroads.  One example: every Marine Corps M40A5 sniper rifle now comes standard with a SureFire MB762SF adapter and a SureFire FA762SF suppressor.  Not that SureFire makes a .308 caliber Mini or Micro, but the point is that their cans are gaining kudos wide and far in the U.S. military.

In fact, sources within the industry tell this author that SureFire product will soon be replacing AAC product as the issue-suppressor for FN’s SCAR system.  The competition has led to some contentions that will be played out in the end-user community and final contracts.  When the smoke clears, SADJ will bring you the report.

SureFire has been issued patents for its repeatable barrel attachment method of a muzzle brake/adapter interfacing with the suppressor via an eccentric locking ring that sucks the two together with in-line tension.  Threaded-on attachment methods are useless for securing two parts; threads serve only to align, not fasten.

The primary benefit of the SureFire attachment method is that a repeatable point-of-aim/point-of-impact is achieved.  Most suppressor brands cannot hold a repeatable zero from suppressed to unsuppressed, or even from attachment to removal to attachment again.  Not SureFire.  The engineers that developed high-intensity WeaponLights have also worked out how to make a rifle hold its zero – with or without a can.

SureFire suppressors are not inexpensive;  a SureFire can’s street price is around $1,300, not including a muzzle brake/adapter.

Surefire Blank Safety Device
How many times have tragedies occurred that seemingly “can’t” happen? The U.S. military adheres to strict safety protocols when training with real weapons and blank ammunition, yet someone is killed when a live round sneaks into a blue-on-red training exercise.

SureFire has addressed the problem of live ammunition in a blank-firing environment with a “safety suppressor” that looks just like the company’s real sound suppressors, but comes with a special “bullet capture” chamber to prevent a live round from launching a bullet in training environments.

Dubbed the BSD or Blank Safety Device, the bright yellow tube is made of solid aluminum with a steel “blow-out valve” to vent high pressure gases as the unit captures up to three projectiles. If you fire three live rounds into the BSD and still haven’t figured out that something is very wrong, the next one will damage your rifle and render it inoperable.

It works like this: the bottom of the BSD features an exhaust port sealed with a membrane. Should a live round enter the BSD, the gas pressure blows out the membrane and the shot is substantially louder than a normal blank. This provides an audio clue to the shooter that something is very wrong, coupled with a jet of flame from the bottom of the BSD to alert others that a live round has been triggered.

The BSD fits on any SureFire muzzle brake/adapter and can be fitted with a replaceable orifice to fit a standard GI birdcage.