by David Crane DefRev has received some sneak peak pics of prototypes for the new vented Dark Parts rail covers with M203-style vent holes in them(You can view the links to them by clicking on "Read More" below). These new rail covers have the same advanced polymer gripping surface as Dark Parts’ standard non-vented "super-grip" rail covers. All Dark Parts …

by David Crane There’s a new sheriff in town, and it’s called LOSAT. Brought to you by the good and enterprising people at Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, LOSAT is one of a new group of anti-tank weapon systems that is quickly changing the face of the modern battlefield, specifically in the area of ground-to-ground combat. Here’s my prediction …

by David Crane There is growing interest by the military in the 20mm cannon round for anti-material use, since it’s capability in this area significantly exceeds that of the .50 BMG. Special Operations units are particularly interested in the development of sniper/anti-material rifles chambered for a cannon round, since they offer significantly increased performance to even the Nammo/Raufoss Mk211 Multipurpose …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The U.S. Army is developing new thermobaric munitions for their BDM(Bunker Defeat Munition) and M203 grenade launchers, and ultimately for the XM29/OICW(Objective Individual Combat Weapon) as well. This is a long time coming. The Russian army has been using thermobaric light support weapons since its Soviet/Iron Curtain days. The Russian RPO-A Shmel is a perfect example. …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev recently published a story on the Arms Tech Compak-16 subcarbine, which contained a video clip of DefRev editor-in-chief David Crane firing the weapon. The story was titled "Arms Tech Compak-16 Subcarbine at SWAT Round-Up 2002. First Time Video!". DefRev now has pics of the Compak-16 sales brochure. Click here to view the front page of …

by David Crane Dark Parts has just released their first product–a set of "rubberized" non-slip rail covers/panels that will fit on any mil-spec 1913 picatinny rail system designed for the M4/M4A1 Carbine, including the KAC(Knight’s Armament) RAS, FF RAS, and RAS II, and A.R.M.S. S.I.R. systems. Even better, unlike KAC(Knight’s Armament) rail covers, Dark Parts is in the process of …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com This company has just come across DefRev’s radar. Troy Industries, Inc. appears to be a specialized small arms manufacturer with a specific focus on Special Operations applications and the CQB (Close Quarters Battle) role. According to the company, the Rock SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) M14 Commando Carbine has been designed under contract for the Naval …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com A little over a year ago, I wrote a story on the Arms Tech Recon Rifle. Well, in early November 2002, I got to shoot Arm’s Tech’s Compak-16 select-fire subcarbine/SBR (Short-Barreled Rifle), which is basically a shortened version of the Recon Rifle. I actually had a lot of fun shooting ths gun. Ideally, I would have …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. has just come out with their 25mm "Payload Rifle". The new Payload Rifle is basically a modified Barrett M82A1 Light .50 antimateriel rifle. The new offering utilizes a replacement upper receiver with a shorter barrel (17.5 inches) mounted on a slightly modified M82A1 lower receiver. The 25x59Bmm round the Payload Rifle fires …

by David Crane DefRev is proud to bring it’s readers the first video ever made public of the SIG 552 Commando subcarbine being fired with Gemtech’s brand new suppressor attached. I must say, right off the bat, that I really enjoyed running the SIG 552 Commando with the new can. With the Gemtech attached, it doesn’t seem like you really …