Even though last month was down 1.3% from February 2009, this February saw 21.7% more background checks for gun purchases than February 2008 and is the eighth-highest month on record. Murdoc’s suspicion, given the current state of employment and the economy in general, is that private sales are also strong.

So while the Great Obama Gun Rush has run its course, gun buying is still a very strong market.

THE BARRETT MODEL 98B® HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE 2010 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN® RIFLE OF THE YEAR

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

In today’s Shooting Wire:

K.B.I, Inc. President Michael Kassnar:

“To all our friends, fans, supporters and consumers of Charles Daly and by extension, KBI products, I regret to inform you that the rumors of our demise are true.

KBI is going out of business and closing its doors, effective today, January 29, 2010.”

I guess I hadn’t heard a lot about the situation, so I was surprised to see this. Too bad.

See The Shooting Wire for more info.

Go check out the story on some high-tech guns at Wired’s Danger Room by Aaron Rowe: Digital Revolvers, Koosh Bullets and Triple-Tasers. Photos by Bryan William Jones.

The lead product in the story is the Amratix Smart System .22 pistol which won’t fire unless it’s within a few inches of a special wristwatch. The idea is that you have to wear the watch on your shooting hand, and anyone not wearing it cannot fire the gun.

The cost: €7000, which converts to over $9700.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

(Sorry.)

At one-tenth that price, the gun would be the biggest rip-off I’ve ever heard of.

This site starts off

This seems like a really good idea.

and ends with

…definitely a niche item at first but perhaps the technology will become more widespread in the future, causing prices to decrease.

They decrease to one-thirty-fifth or one-fortieth, and you’d have a cool conversation piece.

Personally, if I was the cops in Germany, I’d be working on a jammer to use on people with these guns. And if I was a citizen of Germany and owned one, I’d just strap the watch to the grip.

I’m still on the road and posting will continue to be light for another couple of days, but in the meantime here’s one of the cool things I checked out at SHOT last week:

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

Charter Arms Rimless Revolver

I recently reported that writers were invited to ask about the Charter Arms Rimless Revolver at this year’s SHOT Show, so, well, I asked.

The answer: “It’s back on the front burner.”

The gun itself is completely finished. There are a few legal details to be ironed out, but production is expected to begin in June and they could be available by July.

I got a chance to look at a prototype model of the .40 S&W version, and it was pretty slick.

I am really looking forward to this, and I know a lot of others are also. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it comes to be.

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.”

This may interest some people.

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

That’s some stimulus we can get behind.

Several technical issues have pretty much derailed my plan to post 1.3 bazillion photos from SHOT. Looks like I’ll be lucky to get 13.

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.