by David Crane david@defensereview.com FERFRANS Specialties is currently producing and marketing a proprietary cyclic rate reducer for AR1-15/M16-based select-fire rifles, carbines, and subcarbines (including the M4/M4A1 Carbine). It’s called the FERFRANS "Rate Reduction System", or "RRS". According to MilitaryMorons.com (MM), the FERFRANS Rate Reduction System (RRS) reduces the full-auto (FA) cyclic rate, or rate of fire (ROF) on any AR-15/M16 …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The 6.8x43mm SPC, according to DefenseReview sources, has been performing extremely well in the field against enemy combatants. Special Operations end users are thus, reportedly, very pleased with it. Unfortunately, it’s also been reported to us that the 6.8x43mm SPC has been running into a considerable amount of resistance from some U.S. Army brass, who are …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The following information on the Overwatch Rifle (OW-A4) is from the Arms Tech LTD (AT LTD) Overwatch rifle (OW-A4) spec sheet brochure. To our knowledge, this is the first information to be released on this new rifle: "RATIONALE. Following the earlier success of the lead Arms Tech LTD TTR-700 program in 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester), it …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com You may remember our previous story on the Robinson Armament RAV02 MC assault carbine/subcarbine (the "RAV" acronym is pronounced "Rave") that we published awhile back. Well, now you can download and view MPEG and AVI format video of the RAV02 MC assault carbine/subcarbine being fired/demonstrated (You can do this by clicking on "Read More" hypertext below …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com I’ll just come right out and say it: if the the NewMatics PM16 Government Model PCP (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) Rifle/Carbine performs as advertised–and based on DefRev’s conversations so far with its designer/developer, Mark Schavone, we have every reason to believe that it does–it is a major advance in combat simulation tools, and can drastically improve the marksmanship …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Anybody who’s been keeping abreast of small arms and ammo develpments in the USSOCOM arena should already be aware fo the 6.8x43mm SPC a.k.a. "6.8mm Remington SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge)" cartridge concept. The 6.8x43mm Special Purpose Cartridge (SPC) was conceived and designed with the help of members of the U.S. Army 5th Special Forces Group as …

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 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 …

U.S. Ordnance, out of Reno Nevada, is now manufacturing and distributing(under license from Saco Defense) an updated compact version of the now classic M60 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun). Called the M60E4/M43 Mod. 0, the new compact 7.62x51mm machine gun, according to the company, "represents… significant reliability and user-friendly improvements over the M60, M60D, M60E3 machine guns." Combat training and …

Several months ago, in a phone conversation, Alex Robinson, owner of Robinson Armament, told me he was working on a new rifle project for the military. He couldn’t disclose very much at the time, but it certainly sounded very interesting. Well, it now appears that he was talking about the brand new Robinson Armament RAV02 MC (pronounced "RAVE") select-fire rifle/carbine. …