by David Crane david@defensereview.com 1) Trijicon, Inc. is currently making a combo optic comprised of a TA31 ACOG with a DOCTERsight monted on the top/rear, called the Trijicon TA31DOC. The TA31DOC ACOG is a BAC (Bindon Aiming Concept) 4×32 dual-illumination (fiber optic/tritium) optical gunsight calibrated for 5.56mm (5.56x45mm) flat-top rifles out to 600 meters (600m). This new combo sight was …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DPMS Panther Arms is currently making a civilian-legal replica of the semi-auto-only 5.56mm (5.56x45mm) U.S. Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDM-R), which is designed to allow squads to engage enemy targets at ranges of 600 meters (600m). According to the 2005 U.S. Army Field Manual, "The primary mission of the SDM [Squad Designated Marksman] is to …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefenseReview is going to be publishing articles (with photos and possibly even audio interviews) on a good number of technologies that interested us at SHOT Show 2006. But, just to get the ball rolling, the following are some "quick hits" on these items, just to get the ball rolling: — Vltor Weapon Systems blew a lot …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com It’s no secret that we really like our Aimpoint CompM2 Red Dot sights/optical gunsights here at DefenseReview. The Aimpoint CompM2 Red Dot optic is currently the best red dot tube sight in the world for CQB (Close Quarters Battle) applications. It’s fast on target, and makes rapid multiple target engagement a snap at CQB ranges. However, …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com December 17, 2004 This article contains digital pics of M16 Clinic’s M16 Viper and M16 Viper-XRP 5.56mm subcarbines/SBRs (Short-Barreled Rifles), as well as a link to exclusive video footage of the M16 Viper 5.56mm subcarbine/SBR being test-fired/demo’d in "the Sandbox".  It has also been updated with new M16 Clinic phone contact information as of 6/15/06. I …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The Wilderness Tactical Products currently carries MagPul XT Rail Panels (rail covers) for the (MilSpec) M1913 Picatinny rail system. According to The Wilderness Tactical Products, MagPul rail panels/rail covers "feature a segmented full-length design that can be more easily cut into modules by the user". DefenseReview thinks these panels look pretty sweet. MagPul XT Rail Panels …

by David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com July 22, 2004 Yesterday, I hand a very informative phone conversation with Mark Larue of Larue Tactical. Larue Tactical, long famous for their industry standard Larue Sniper Targets, is now manufacturing tactical mounts and their own FF Rail System (Larue Tactical Handguards) for the AR-15/M16 and M4/M4A1 Carbine. The Larue Tactical Mounting …

by Charles Gaines This is the first time I’ve written anything here. The following is just a collection of my observations on the effectiveness of the M-4 with it’s current standard-issue systems based on my experiences here in Khandahar province. For starters, I’d like to take on the myth of how the M-4 doesn’t have enough range for this country …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Included in Gary Paul Johnston’s October 2003 "Soldier of Fortune" article is some great info on both the Armalite Mid-Length Carbine and A.R.M.S. Mid-Length S.I.R. System. The Armalite Mid-Length Carbine was designed specifically to overcome the long-known gas system-related problems associated with the standard M4/M4A1, problems that have been plaguing end-users for years. These include greatly …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Just about everyone and their mother is making AR-15’s/M16’s these days, at least it seems like it, anyway. After all, it is one of the two most popular infantry rifle platforms on the planet, and no other rifle in the world can compete with the AR-15’s/M16’s upgradable nature, in terms of accessories and add-ons. One company …