Barrett, a company world known for providing high-end firearms, optics, ammunition and training is awarded with the NRA Publications 2010 Golden Bullseye® Award as the American Rifleman Rifle of the Year for their Model 98B bolt action .338 Lapua Magnum Rifle.

Now in their eighth year, the NRA Publications’ Golden Bullseye Awards acknowledge the finest products available in the shooting sports.

Barrett 98B

Umarex HK MP5 A5 in 22LR

From Umarex Arms.

Umarex HK MP5 A5

Caliber: .22LR
Weight: 5.9 pounds (without mag)
Overall Length: 26.8-33.8 inches
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
Barrel Twist: 1 in 13.75 inches
Grooves: 6
Operation: Blowback
Front Sight: Interchangeable Posts
Rear Sight: Adjustable Wind & Elevation

Comes with a 25-round or a 10-round magazine. Should be available in June. An SD model will also be available. I’ll get pics up of that one soon.

Another shot of the A5 below:

Umarex HK MP5 A5 in 22LR Right

Integrated Grip Rail System (IGRS) by Grauer Systems

It is made up of a unit covering the magazine well and a forearm rail system. It not only provides a better surface for those who use the “magazine hold,” it keeps them from putting pressure on the magazine itself. With so many AR malfunctions related to the magazine, this can only be a good thing.

Also, the unit features a “funnel” to make magazine changes quicker and more reliable, allowing the shooter to keep eyes on target.

The rail system incorporates a wire management system for rail attachments such as lights and lasers.

For more see the Grauer Systems website.

Another photo below:

IGRS by Grauer Systems

Someone was talking about manufacturing clones of these. Does anyone know who it was and if it ever moved ahead?

Marlin 1895 GBL (center) at 2010 SHOT Show

Though the natural wood looks great on this .45-70 lever action, I still prefer the rail-top 1895 SBL with the Ghost Ring. This new model certainly looks more “authentic.”

Buy a SIG556 by March 8th and get a $300 rebate.

That’s some stimulus we can get behind.

Anyway, here are a couple of AUGs from Monday’s media day shoot.

Steyr AUG/A3 SA at 2010 SHOT Show

Murdoc was pinging targets left and right with one of these. Almost looked like he could shoot.

Beretta CX4 Storm and TX4 Storm

The new TX4 Storm tactical 12ga shotgun with the CX4 carbine at Monday’s Media Day.

I will be posting a lot more SHOT photos over the next few days.

New Flat-top Steyr AUG/A3 SA USA

Now built in the USA by Sabre Defense. Check out the AUG/3A microsite at Steyr Arms.

Steyer AUG/A3 SA USA
Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223 Rem.)
Action: Gas-operated, Gas regulator with two action settings for firing.
Trigger: Synthetic (except for springs, steel bearing pins and catch holding open). Fires semi-automatic.
Magazine: Detachable, synthetic (transparent) staggered box type
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (42 rounds optional)
Safety: Lateral push-through type, locks trigger
Stock: Synthetic black
Weight of empty magazine (30 round): 4.27 oz. / 0.12 kgs
Barrel Length: 16″ (18.375″ with flash hider), Chrome-lined bore including chamber
Overall Length: 28.15” / 715 mm
Weight: 8.15 lbs. with one empty magazine

One of these with an EOTech or an AimPoint would be a lot of fun.

Steyr press release and another photo below:

New Steyr AUG/A3 SA USA

Two decades after it was banned from importation, the venerated and much-sought-after Steyr AUG has made its triumphant return to firearm stores across America. Now built stateside by Steyr subcontractor Sabre Defense—legendary for its tactical rifles and its unrivaled M2HB and Minigun barrels currently in use by the U.S. military—under the watchful eyes and to the exacting tolerances of Austrian engineers, the new Steyr AUG/A3 SA USA made its debut at the 2009 SHOT Show and is now available in 5.56×45mm (.223 Rem.).

After the importation ban in 1989, the legendary AUG/A1 frequently commanded in excess of $5,000, but the svelte, utilitarian Austrian bullpup in its upgraded, modern A3 configuration is now available at a fraction of that. With an overall length of 28.15 inches including its 16-inch heavy barrel, the uncompromising, clean-running AUG/A3 SA USA measures 8 inches shorter than an AR-15 carbine with a comparable barrel length and an extended stock, making the AUG the ultimate home-defense or ranch rifle. And while the AR-15’s often maligned gas-impingement system expels a large quantity of operational gas—and all the accompanying carbon and unburned powder—directly into the bolt carrier within the receiver, all gas used to cycle the utterly reliable short-stroke gas-piston AUG design exits the system within an inch of the barrel’s gas port. The new AUG/A3 SA USA also has two gas adjustment settings.

The AUG/A3 SA USA was engineered specifically with the American marksman in mind, and it incorporates all the features that AUG aficionados have always desired in the platform. An innovative muzzle brake design tames recoil exceptionally effectively, providing for accurate second shots on target. The new last-round bolt-hold-open feature provides a subtle “feel” indication that the magazine is empty, and after a magazine change, the low-profile bolt release is conveniently located on the left side of the stock. The redesigned charging handle, forward on the left side of the receiver, also serves as a forward assist.

The most obvious departure from the AUG of two decades ago is the lack of an integral optical sight. In keeping with its A3 designation, the new AUG is of a flat-top design with a marked, 25-position Picatinny rail. This makes sighting options almost limitless—from low-powered, long-eye relief optics to high-powered scopes to iron sights or even a combination of both. AUG purists need not fret; a Picatinny version of the original integrated Austrian “donut reticle” 1.5X optical sight is also available from Steyr Arms. A smaller side rail also has been added for the integration of one of the many illumination or laser devices on the market.

Of course, the AUG/A3 SA USA has all the classic features and benefits that established it as the pinnacle of modern rifle design, including expedited disassembly as well as simple conversion to left-hand operation, which requires replacement of the standard bolt with the optional left-eject bolt. It also features a quick-change barrel with a collapsible forward grip. The AUG/A3 SA USA includes two transparent polymer 30-round magazines, a cleaning kit that stores in the rifle’s buttstock, a factory sling, a soft carry case and an owner’s manual. Suggested retail is $2,295.

Gen-3 Tactlite for .338 Lapua

Zel Custom Mfg. release:

Zel Custom Manufacturing announced, today, the release of its third-generation of Tactilite big-bore, bolt-action uppers for AR-style rifles. The Tactilite “Gen-3” achieves a significant upgrade in accuracy and durability through engineering and manufacturing improvements, notably machining the upper receiver from a single piece of steel. Zel Custom Manufacturing also announced that the Tactilite is now available for the popular .338 Lapua cartridge, in addition its the existing lines of .50 BMG and .416 Barrett conversion kits.

“Machining the upper receiver from a solid piece of steel offers several important advantages,” said Michael Brendzel, president of Zel Custom Manufacturing. “First, it allows us to create an integrated scope rail that will not lose zero. Second, we are able to precisely align the integrated scope rail with an integrated barrel extension to assure the greatest accuracy. Third, the solid receiver is stronger and more durable than the cast and/or welded uppers offered by competitors. While our approach is more costly in time and materials, we have taken the opportunity to reengineer our processes and have been able to maintain our well-known value pricing.”

Based on the success of the Tactilite chambered in .50 BMG and .416 Barrett, Zel Custom Manufacturing also announced the introduction of a Tactilite chambered in .338 Lapua. “The .338 Lapua fills a critical void and we believe that Zel Custom provides an excellent value option in this space,” Brendzel stated.

They began shipping last week. For more info, see tactilite.com.