Over at Murdoc Online, I’ve started a new weekly feature called Civil War Saturday. It generally features a period photograph and an essay by AW1 Tim, a longtime reader and commenter at MO.

This week’s entry, the third, is about Bayonets. Go check it out and add to the discussion in the comments section if interested.

I’ve been trying to find a bit more info on this, but The Firearm Blog has about as much as I know on this development.

The ACR is currently trying to catch the eye of the US Army.

A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Reigment, 2nd Marine Division, takes aim behind some cover during a platoon assault course here, Oct. 23. The battalion spent a month doing different live fire ranges in preparation for their upcoming deployment. Among the ranges the Marines participated in were a vehicle mounted heavy machine gun assault course and 81 mm and 61 mm mortar range. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas Hermesman)

I lightened up the original image a bit and gave it 2000 pixels of width (I usually post a max of 1500px wide) because this one screams DESKTOP.

M9 9mm Pistol

Strategy Page:

U.S. Army TACOM (Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command) has ordered another 20,000 Beretta 92FS 9mm pistols. These will cost $410 each. The M9 is a 34 ounce, 8.5 inch (217mm) long weapon that has a 4.9 inch (125mm) barrel and a magazine that holds 15 rounds. It replaced the M1911 .45 (11.4mm) caliber ACP. This was a 39 ounce, 8.25 inch (210mm) long weapon with a 5 inch (127mm) barrel and a 7 round magazine. Both pistols were only accurate at up to about 50 meters. The M1911 had more hitting power, while the M9 was a bit more accurate.

The post points out that many military personnel who carry a pistol for combat use, rather than as an emergency survival tool, elect to carry a .45 instead of a 9mm. I will add that often this is done by using personal funds to buy the weapon rather than carrying an issued sidearm, and that it is frequently against unit regulations. Holsters with flaps that conceal the identity of the weapon are popular for this very reason.

Soldiers and Marines don’t do that unless they’re pretty sure it’s the right thing.

New Lease on Life for the Beloved M-14

The “sniper lites” often (though not always) use M-14s.

I hadn’t heard about this beast:

Im chung-bin the the chief of staff of ROKA examines new South korean double barreled rifle K-11 in ground weapon conference.2008.11.11 Daejeun South korea This rifle uses 20mm airburst ammunition and 5.56mm NATO. 20mm launcher operates as bolt action and use 5 round mag. This weapon will be fielded in next year.

The K11 has more than a passing resemblance to the shelved XM-29 OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon). And the general’s right hand is on what appears to be the grenade magazine, not the pistol grip.

Who’s taking bets about whether it’s “fielded in the next year”?

Second Annual Pistol Challenge for Charity

SIG P6 from The Archangel if yo win.

See At least 19 taking on the M4 at Murdoc Online.

Thank-you, veterans.

A couple days ago I mentioned that the Turkish army has decided to go with a standard rifle based on the HK 416. Steve Johnson has more info and some pictures, plus the goods on a new sniper weapon. Go look.