by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefenseReview has been interested in the Nikonov AN-94 "Abakan" assault rifle for a pretty long time, now. I believe I first read about it in 1994 or 1995. Designed by Russian small arms designer Gennadiy Nikonov, the AN-94 is an interesting rifle, as it enjoys one of the same (major) advantages as the Ultimax 100 Mk3 …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com In the near future, DefenseReview will be publishing articles on security and Special Operations (SPECOPS) training currently being conducted for military, intelligence, and private military company (PMC) operators. This type of training will become increasingly important in the 21st Century, as the demand for, and reliance upon, private military company (PMC) operators by Western governments will …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com U.S. military and law enforcement personnel may soon have a new high-tech, albeit small, weapon at their disposal in the "War on Terror". Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has teamed up with some graduate students at the University of Florida in Gainseville to create a small, ballistic "sticky" round/projectile, originally conceived to aid U.S. Armed …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com New DefRev articles are on the way. In the meantime, Military.com has some very interesting video footage that, according to one of their sources, is footage of an ambush in Baghdad, Iraq that was perpetrated against a USAF OSI protective detail team on July 13th, 2004. The video footage takes you inside one of the vehicles, …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com If you’ve already read my recent article, "AFJ Shoot-Out at Blackwater, the Milkor MGL Mk-1S, and the HK XM8 Rifle/Carbine", be sure to also check out the AFJ Shoot-Out at Blackwater 2004 videos page. There’s some really great stuff on there. DefenseReview has, in the past (over time), already written articles on most of the weapons …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Diamondback Tactical is marketing the Rugged Terrain Vehicle (RTV) as "the premier light tactical vehicle to meet today’s and tomorrows threat." The Rugged Terrain Vehicle (RTV) appears to be a modified "Prowler". More accurately, it appears to be a modified/upgraded Prowler Weapons/Reconaissance Platform that’s now been private-labeled by Diamondback Tactical. The Diamondback Tactical Rugged Terrain Vehicle …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Safety Harbor Firearms is currently manufacturing and marketing a side-mounted magazine-fed bolt-action .50 BMG rifle, called the Ultra Mag 50, that DefenseReview would like to learn more about. Developed by Dennis Cheney and Dave Finnie, the Ultra Mag 50 .50 Cal. rifle utilizes an AR-15-based lower receiver and lightweight upper. The Ultra Mag 50 .50BMG rifle …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Not content to just sit around on their laurels, the folks at Springfield Armory have been busy little bees, churning out some new 1911 pistols (single stack). The first new pistols we’ll mention are the new TGO 1 Service Model 5" Bi-tone and TGO II Service Model 5" Bi-tone 1911 pistols. Both pistols have been designed …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com If you like the idea of a .45ACP caliber carry gun, but prefer revolvers over 1911 semi-auto pistols, Smith & Wesson has THE carry gun for you. It’s a member of S&W’s AirLite series, and it’s called the Model 325PD. I’m actually a big fan of Smith & Wesson’s AirLite Scandium alloy carry revolvers. They’re the …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Armed Forces Journal (AFJ) recently held their annual Shoot-Out at Blackwater USA. The AFJ Shoot-Out at Blackwater has become a real big deal annual event among small arms experts and military defense/tactical industry people. At this year’s Shoot-Out (2004), Armed Forces Journal editor John Roos and his merry band of shooters/evaluators put a plethora of tactical …