Heckler & Koch’s MP7 PDW is a somewhat controversial weapon. Its 4.6x30mm projectile is very small, and the ballistics on the round appear to be somewhat sketchy. The new weapon looks like it would be a lot of fun to shoot, but going up against enemy forces on an overseas mission is probably not the best place to discover its …

Ya’ just gotta’ give it up to someone that can invent a better mousetrap. Rich Fitzpatrick of Magpul Industries Corp. appears to have done just that. Fitzpatrick is an ex-Marine who’s never much liked the M4′ carbine’s collapsible buttstock. He’s always felt it’s a bit too flimsy, doesn’t offer quite enough adjustment, and generally sucks ergonomically, thus providing a less-than-ideal …

Ramo Defense Systems is the current importer and marketer of the USAS-12 shotgun. The USAS-12, looking like an M16 that’s pumped a lot of iron while on a steady diet of anabolic steroids, can fire a variety of 12 gauge, 2 3/4 high velocity shells reliably, including slugs and fleshettes. The weapon is a gas-operated, magazine-fed weapon that utilizes a …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The highlight for me at FN’s booth was getting to handle the P90 PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) and FiveseveN Pistol. Please notice that I did not say “submachinegun”, when speaking of the P90. That’s because the FN P90 PDW fires a proprietary 5.7x28mm projectile that is really closer to a small rifle round, than a pistol …

Heckler & Koch has just introduced their new G36C mini-assault rifle, which incorporates an 8 ½ inch barrel and is even more compact than their G36K model. Mini-assault rifles are currently the biggest trend in tactical and special operations weaponry, as they provide much better performance(i.e. penetration) against both hard targets and body armor than submachine guns. The new gun …

Professional Ordnance has just come out with an L.E. only version of their Carbon-15 rifle called the C15M L.E. Rifle. The gun is available in a select- fire version, can be had with either a 16 inch barrel or 9 1/2 inch barrel for CQB applications, and weighs under 4 pounds. The gun is constructed of carbon fiber, and utilizes …

The answer to the special operations community’s prayers may exist in the .300 Whisper cartridge by SSK Industries. Invented by J.D. Jones, the .300 Whisper utilizes a very heavy .30 caliber rifle round combined with a shortened case. According to Mr. Jones, "the 300 WHISPER was designed for the purpose of firing extremely heavy, accurate, ballistically efficient bullets at sub-sonic …

Electro-Optics Technologies(EOTech), has come out with the first true holographic site for small arm weaponry. Eotech calls it their HOLOgraphic Diffraction Sight, or HDS. The company claims their technology offers a significant increase in both speed and peripheral vision capability for the operator in close quarters battle(CQB) environments.

by David Crane defrev at gmail dot com June 11, 2001 The AMP Technical Services DSR-1 rifle is currently being billed by its manufacturer as "the most sophisticated and technologically advanced tactical precision rifle in the world." One of its key designers is a Mr. K. G. Kirnstaetter, who was also responsible for the design of Erma’s SR-100 rifle.

By David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com November 17th, 2002 Every once in awhile, as the editor of Defense Review, I have the rare and somewhat distinct pleasure of handling and firing a firearm that is not only brand spanking new, but actually manages to knock my socks off. Please keep in mind that I did not expect Heckler …