Another one of the cool things I checked out at the SHOT Show was the new full-length version of Mesa Tactical’s Saddle Rail with SureShell carrier:

Mesa Tactical Full Length Saddle Rail for Remington 870

Available with or without 4, 6, or 8-shell carrier. It can clamp on either the barrel or onto a standard factory magazine extension.

Even with the 6 shell carrier, it was surprisingly light.

More info here.

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.

Richard Mann writes:

With all the 870s out there which are used for everything from competition to hunting and even tactical applications, I knew the demand for a drop-in, creep-free, adjustable 870 trigger would be well received.

Go read the whole thing.

New HEVI-SHOT Turkey Choke Tube

Release:

ENVIRON-Metal, makers of World Record Performance HEVI-13® turkey loads and waterfowl ammunition, announces the introduction of a performance line of HEVI-SHOT Choke Tubes. Constructed to ENVIRON-Metal’s exacting specifications, the tubes are made from premium 17-4 stainless steel and are built to handle all lead, high density and steel pellets.

Release:

The BLACKHAWK! KNOXX Talon Thumbhole Stock is the engineered fusion of the patented KNOXX recoil technology, the ergonomic control of a pistol grip stock and the time tested features of a traditional stock.

BLACKHAWK! KNOXX Talon Thumbhole Stock (Cutaway)

Featuring KNOXX’s dual recoil compensation system it eliminates harsh recoil with all loads and eliminates shoulder fatigue and related recoil injuries. The Talon Thumbhole Stock is made from durable polymer and alloy construction that features a unique design that cuts muzzle rise, getting the gun back on target faster. The thumbhole design allows sport shooters and hunters greater comfort, increased accuracy and steady firearm control in many shooting positions from the range to the field. Interchangeable rubber grip inserts allow the individual shooter to adjust the overall size of the grip for a custom fit. A convenient rear storage compartment of 14-cubic inches allows small items to be kept safely and securely.

I had an opportunity to shoot some of the Blackhawk Knoxx stocks this summer, and if you’ve never tried them out you really should at least give them a try. We demoed a 12-gauge (00 buckshot) with a full stock and another with a pistol grip only, each with the recoil-reducing systems. It was amazing; I’ll have to look and see if I have any pics of anyone taking a shot with the pistol-grip shotgun held out straightarm one-handed.

This Talon Thumbhole model appears to be perfect for sport shooters and home defense guns. Murdoc may have to check one out.

They’re available in black and camo for

• Remington 870 12 and 20 gauge
• Mossberg 12 gauge pump
• Winchester 1300 12 and 20 gauge

MSRP is $144.99 for the black polymer and $169.99 for the universal camo.

Murdoc actually thinks this is pretty cool:

Stoeger Double Defense 12-gauge Shotgun

Stoeger’s new Double Defense side-by-side shotgun is a straightforward, rugged and reliable home defense shotgun. Ideal for use in tight quarters and tense situations, the Stoeger Double Defense with its traditional break-action and short, efficient design is easy to load and quick to deploy in an emergency.

A double-barrel shotgun has been the defensive firearm of choice for generations, but Stoeger has added practical, up-to-date features to the “tried-and-true” double gun. The Double Defense is chambered for 2-3/4- and 3-inch shells, in either 12- or 20-gauge. The tactical-length 20-inch ported barrels feature fixed, improved cylinder chokes. The fast, single-trigger design and convenient, tang-mounted automatic safety makes the Stoeger Double Defense ideal for home security use.

The Double Defense gun is outfitted with a green, fiber-optic front sight and comes standard with two Picatinny Rail accessory mounts: one on the receiver for red-dot sights and a second factory-installed rail under the barrels for attaching targeting lasers or tactical lights. All metal surfaces are finished in matte blue and come complete with non-reflective matte black hardwood stock and forearm.

Yes, the argument will be made that not much is going to beat a standard pump shotgun for simple home defense, and Murdoc won’t disagree. But I gotta say that I don’t think this is a bad idea and that there’s nothing wrong with a side-by-side. I’m sure some will wonder about the need for a scope on such a gun, but if this is intended for defense a light could be handy and I can see putting a red dot on there.

The Double Defense comes standard with two Picatinny Rails for accessory mounts: the front Picatinny Rail is factory-installed on the underside of the barrels and will accommodate targeting lasers or tactical lights.

Scopes and lights not included. The 12-gauge and 20-gauge models are available with 20″ ported barrel (overall length 36.5″) and both have an MSRP of $469. More info here.

The Firearm Blog has pictures and info.

Via a reader, the pistol system for the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS):

M26 MASS Shotgun Pistol

Is that a 12-gauge in your pocket?

M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS) mounted on an M4 carbine (US Army photo)

Strategy Page:

After over a year of additional testing and tweaking, the U.S. Army is buying large quantities (over 10,000) of the M26 12 Gauge Modular Accessory Shotgun Systems (MASS). The M26 weighs less than three pounds (2 pounds, 11 ounces) and has a five round magazine. The M26 is a 16.5 inch long, 12 gauge shotgun and can be operated right or left handed. It fires solid shot for blasting open closed doors, or lower velocity, non-lethal (most of the time) rubber slugs for dealing with hostile crowds. A stand-alone version weighs 4 pounds, 3 ounces, and is 24 inches long (with the attached stock collapsed).

I’ve kind of been wondering where this thing was. I knew some went to the combat zones and never heard another word.

I’m not sure what the advantage of using this as a stand-alone is over just using a standard shotgun. The M26 uses a bolt cocking system rather than a pump (or semi-auto) so if a soldier is going to be issued a shotgun, why not give him a real one?

As far as mounting on a rifle, I think it makes a lot of sense to have this available.

Double barrel WTF comin’ at ya!

With video.