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 DefenseReview should also mention that the $16 million M2HB 12.7mm/.50 BMG machine gun contract follows a previously-awarded $16 million for the GDATP MK47 MOD 0 ‘Striker40’ Weapon System/Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher (ALGL), a.k.a. MK47 MOD 0 Striker 40mm Grenade Machine Gun (GMG). You may, or may not, remember DefRev’s short piece on the MK47 Striker 40mm …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com This article’s content and links have been updated as of 7/31/06. The HG85 fragmentation grenade, a.k.a. HG85 hand grenade, made by RUAG Ammotec (formerly RUAG Munition), is currently regarded by many experts to be the best hand grenade currently in service, in the world. The British Army apparently agrees, since they’ve acquired the RUAG HG-85 fragmentation/hand …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com If you’re currently looking to acquire a top notch custom tactical 1911 pistol for concealed carry or home defense, DefRev urges you to take a serious look at the pistols coming out of Pistol Dynamics. Pistol Dynamics is run by Paul Liebenberg. Liebenberg’s guns are special. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also unique …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com June 10, 2004 The following article contains a link to the DREAD Weapon System Video. This is the first time this video has ever been shown to the public. The DREAD depicted in the video is a functional prototype that operates on a less-than-lethal mode. This prototype was dismantled for security purposes to protect the technology, …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com One of DefRev’s close contacts in the Mil/LE tactical training community just called our attention to this document. It’s an after-action report on/assessment of U.S. infantry small arms performance during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Soldier Weapons Assessment Team’s report focused on "current state of weapons, ammunition and accessories directly managed by PMSW: M9 Pistol to …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com May 27, 2004 This article was modified/updated on 12/16/04. Pinnacle Armor Inc., out of Fresno, California, is currently producing some of the most advanced hard and soft ballistic armor solutions in the world. This includes Pinnacle’s flexible hard armor systems, which employ a combination of highly advanced ballistic ceramic composite and titanium composite technology and ballistic …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com There’s a new sniper/long-range-interdiction rifle builder in town, and his name is Jered Joplin. Jered took over Patriot Arms Inc. in 2000, and is, according to gunwriter Al Paulson, currently one of the youngest builders of high-end custom sniper rifles in the United States. He’s particularly unique in that he guarantee’s, in writing, 1/2 MOA five-shot …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Finally, it looks like there may just be an American-made alternative to Simunition for force-on-force training with semi-auto pistols, revolvers, and submachine guns. DefRev can’t wait to test this stuff out. This is what PDT Tech’s company literature has to say about their HydraMarker P.RO. Cartridges: "Our line of (HydraMarker) P.R.O. Cartridges (patent pending) are a …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com March 16, 2004 The SAR-21, manufactured by ST Kinetics Land Systems (out of Singapore) and marketed by VT Kinetics in the U.S., is a roughly 2 1/2 year old, "state-of-the-art" bullpup 5.56mm assault rifle that is currently going head to head with the Israeli TAR-21(Tavor) bullpup rifle, and all other modern 5.56 assault rifles on the …