Shootrite Katana Update: new specs, new manufacturer

Tiger McKee just released new info regarding his lightweight fighting rifle, the Shootrite Katana:

 I’ve been playing with the new Katana, and it is great.  We’re still fine tuning a couple of things but it should be ready for shipping soon.  We’re still offering the original version of the carbine, and the new version retains all the original concepts except with a couple of different options.  MHT has done a great job with this build.  And, there won’t be any of the problems – such as no customer service – as there were previously.  It will be available in black or the FDE.

MHT will now handle the production of the Shootrite Katana

Here are the specs:

UPPER RECEIVER GROUP

• Forged 7075 AL , flat top upper receiver with 1913 rail and no forward assist
• Soon to be made in-house with M4 feed ramps, mil-spec hardcoat anodizing
• BCM Medium or Small Gunfighter charging handle
• Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sight
• PRI Gen 3 Delta Mid-length handguard or Hiperform round handguard

BOLT CARRIER GROUP

• Bolt carrier material is 8620 steel, M16 spec, gas key properly staked
• Bolt material is Carpenter 158 steel, shot peened, and HP and MP tested
• Extractor material is tool steel
• Extractor spring is Colt “gold” type

BARREL ASSEMBLY

• 16″ lightweight profile with .625″ diameter forged front sight base
• Barrel material is 4150 CMV, Cold Hammer Forged, 1:7 twist, Chrome Lined, HP and MP tested, and Mil-Spec heavy phosphate coated
• Mid-length or carbine gas system
• A2 Flash Hider with crush washer

LOWER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY

• Forged 7075 AL lower receiver, machined in-house and mil-spec hardcoat anodized
• ALG Defense ACT Nickel Boron coated fire control group and pins
• Aluminum winter trigger guard
• Duckbill pistol grip
• Magpul MOE Rifle stock or optional CTR carbine stock with H buffer or original style A1 stock

CUSTOM WORK

• Remove forge flashing, bayonet lug, sling swivel mount, and smooth front sight base
• Grey phosphate coat all steel parts on rifle
• Fabricated custom sling mounts
• Tune action for smoothness
• Match serial numbered upper and lower assemblies
• All parts on rifle hand assembled, matched and fitted with function checks and test fire

The MHT Defense website is currently under construction, but does list a contact email.  [MHT will also be offering a Shootrite AR-15 lower receiver].

The Katana to date has had a few ‘hiccups’ with regard to it reaching the marketplace (apparently due to the first shop contracted to build it being more concerned with their TV show than actually serving customers).  This doesn’t diminish the rifle’s concept in the slightest.  All small businesses have obstacles to overcome in order to serve their customers.  I applaud Tiger’s effort to see that the Katana is made to spec by people who respect and communicate with those customers.

Apex Polymer Trigger Kit Available Now

I just bought one from Randy Lee at his booth at the NRA convention.

Forward Set Sear kit with Polymer Trigger from Apex Tactical

Update: with much better picture.

NRA Annual Meeting 2013: Friday (updated w/ pics)

Watch this space for updates. (all images are clickable to embiggen)
Additionally, check out my (relatively new) Twitter feed @1WithABullet

I tend to like gadgets and such so expect to see a few curiosities in here.  In fact, to start off here’s a picture of Mossberg 500 converted to accept Saiga 12 magazines by Black Aces Tactical.

Black Aces Tactical ‘Pro Series Receiver’ kit converts a Mossberg 500/590 to accept Saiga 12 magazines

It is currently sold as a kit, primarily consisting of a new receiver and bolt.  The fitting and action are well done and it has Type 3 hard anodizing on the receiver for a durable finish.

Next up is from Black Rain.  It’s an AK platform prototype currently called the ‘Freedom Fighter’.  Features include an easily manipulated thumb safety and also a right-sided mag guide that works much like a magazine funnel but still lets the shooter see the contact points necessary for rocking in a mag.  Mounted to the shoulder the stock placement is perfect the attached rail system.  Currently the arm is rather heavy but that is something that will be addressed as the design progresses.  Note also the AR-15 contained trigger unit (blue) that will be available soon.  It’s a single stage 3lb design that has a very nice clean break.

Looking much like the M41A Pulse Rifle from Aliens is an AK pattern rifle prototype from Black Rain.

AP Industries, makers of excellent superlight carbon fiber handguards and shotgun speedloaders

AP Industries is one of the companies that I specifically wanted to visit this weekend.  They make a fantastically lightweight AR-15 handguard that cleverly utilizes a standard barrel nut to attach the forend.  Additionally the handguards can be easily customized with rails, QD sockets and such that mount to the vent slots.  Their shotshell carriers and speedloaders are impressive too, with obvious care in design and machining.

Despite the ‘period of transition’ that Magpul is undergoing they still had quite a few new products to show.

Magpul’s new AK magazine and pistol grip (with handstop)

Magpul AK mag – closeup of non-tilt follower

Not new but still good to see was the Stealth Gray furniture.  It’s darker that I thought it would be but looks good.  Notice that the forend is a midlength.  The new color is still in the pipeline but has been pushed back until the market is a bit less… frantic.

Magpul Stealth Gray – STR stock, MOE grip and Midlength Forend

Magpul also has new steel back up iron sights (BUIS) called MBUS Pro’s and 1911 grips but my photos of those were not suitably in focus to post here.  I will try for better pics again tomorrow.

Another one of the ‘must see, must hold, “take my money now!”‘ items: the IWI Tavor.

IWI Tavor FDE

Ergonomic and user friendly, I particularly like the way the bolt can be easily released by the hand inserting the magazine.  It appears that the only way to lock the bolt back is on an empty magazine though.  Trigger wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either (service grade), but then again it is a bullpup.

MKA 1919 tricked out for competition with side-charging handle on the forend and collapsible stock with 10 round magazine in place.

Some of you might have read my posts about converting my Saiga 12 and also using it in competition.  I still enjoy shooting it way more than I should however, I have been watching the development of the MKA 1919 as a competitive shotgun.  Partly because I am wary of low serial numbers, but also because magazines of greater than 5 round capacity were not readily available for the MKA 1919.  It offers several advantages over the Saiga platform, namely: straight-insertion magazines, ability to seat a magazine on a closed bolt, the magazine release button, bolt release and safety lever are in the same place as the M16/AR15 family, internally threaded choke tubes using the common WinChoke thread and it has a last round bolt hold-open.  The guys at imgww have railed hand guards with side-charging handles and collapsible stock modifications too.  Supposedly a replacement lower (not the serialized part) specifically designed to mount AR-type stocks is in the works also. Now that factory 10 rounders are available, even at $80 per mag, [down from $129 although rumor is ProMag *cough* will be offering one for $33], I might have to consider getting one just for the cool factor.  I do love a ridiculously overdone [This is my] Boomstick.

Which leads me to my last pic of the day: EMF’s Baker Shotgun.  It’s esssentially Pedersoli’s Howdah pistol with a stock but it does have its own charm.  Charming in that you can blast your target and set it on fire at the same time.  (apologies for the lack of focus)

EMF Baker Cavalry Shotgun – Brutal Charm

That’s it for today.  Check back for more tomorrow.

NRA Annual Meetings 2013: Send Me Your LiveBlog Requests

I will be attending multiple days of the NRA Annual Meetings in Houston, Texas (May 3-5th, 2013) and am offering to post pictures, Q&A answers, mini-reviews, etc. for my readers.  The Annual Meetings convention is like an ‘Everyman’s S.H.O.T. Show’ with hundreds of manufacturers displaying their products.  If you want a particular product picture, want a nebulous description of what it feels like in the hand or just want to know what Roy Jinks favorite ice cream flavor is let me know.  Just leave your request in the comments to this post and I will try my best to respond to as many as I can each day.

Marines Order $22.5M in Archaic Sidearms

via Fox

The Marines have placed a $22.5 million dollar order with Colt for 12,000 flintlock M1911 .45 caliber pistols

The Marines New-Old Sidearm: The M1911

Hmm, I thought that the M1911 was currently believed to be a fragile, unreliable, high maintenance relic of a bygone era.  What could they be thinking?

Maybe a properly built 1911 pattern pistol is more reliable than some might think.  Perhaps even more so than a Glock or H&K.

Texas College Campus Concealed Carry Update

Via David Codrea at The War on Guns:

SB354 Texas Campus carry is scheduled for a vote in the Criminal Justice committee tomorrow [3/31/11]. No question that it will pass and be heard on the Senate floor. Rumor control has it that one senator will offer a floor amendment to change the bill to require private institutions to allow CHL carry. This senator is against the bill and is trying to bring problems to it on the floor. In any event carry in college buildings looks like a good bet.

Click here to read it all

This is good news!  Having state-certified Good Guys on campus is an effective deterrent against criminal assaults.  The ‘invisible line at the curb’ strategy hasn’t really worked so far.

Gun Free Zone = Defenseless Victim Zone

Until unrestricted Constitutional Carry is implemented (someday), this is a step forward. If you haven’t already contacted your state reps  to voice your support of concealed carry on college campus, please do so.

For more info on the issue, visit ConcealedCampus.org

And join the Texas State Rifle Association while you’re at it too.

Happy Centennial Birthday of the Model 1911

John Moses Browning’s .45 caliber self-loading pistol, the M1911, turns 100 today.

from Wiki

Following its success in trials, the Colt pistol was formally adopted by the Army on March 29, 1911, thus gaining its designation, M1911 (Model 1911).

Better than a “Shoot Me First” Vest: NRA’s Tactical Vest T-Shirt

I found this at the NRA Store today:

NRA Tactical Vest T-shirt

Can be purchased here

What I really find enlightening is the product description (my emphasis added):

Inspired by the popular MOLLE (MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) vests employed by military and law enforcement today, the NRA Tactical Vest T-Shirt’s authentic look features much of the same tactical gear as special operators. Such tools-of-the-trade displayed on the design include a semi-auto pistol, magazines, flashlights and carabiners. It looks so real it’s sure the catch the eye of military and law enforcement enthusiasts, as well as 2nd Amendment activists. The black, 6.1 oz. 100% cotton fabric will look and feel great for years to come. The NRA Tactical logo is displayed on the left chest and rear neck.

Yep.  It, might garner some attention alright.  Not exactly the thing to wear if going for the whole ‘gray man’ thing.

Additional thought: How long before some kid gets kicked out of school for wearing this one?

Pro-Gun Texas Police Dept Teaches Concealed Carry for $10

How’s this for a slice of AWESOME?

Due to a backlog of applicants waiting to take the Texas state required Concealed Handgun License (CHL) course, the Oak Ridge North Police Department (just North of Houston) was given permission by the City Council to teach the class.   God Bless Texas!

From The Courier of Montgomery County:

The demand for concealed handgun licenses is on the upswing, and a local police department is meeting the need to teach people how to exercise their right responsibly.

The trend is widespread across Texas, and most people are attributing the increase to the presidential election of Barack Obama because people started fearing their right to bear arms may be limited under the new administration.

…

Montgomery County is no different than the rest of the state. The state granted 1,892 CHLs to county residents between Sept. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2008. For the same period from 2008 to 2009, with two months to go, 2,464 have been granted to residents, which is a 30 percent increase.

The Oak Ridge North Police Department started receiving questions from residents earlier this year about where they could receive CHL classes. In an effort to help them exercise their right, the ORN City Council gave the Police Department permission to begin classes.Four residents attended the September class, and 10 completed the October class. The next class runs Nov. 12-14 and costs $10. Students are required to provide their own handgun and be familiar with gun safety, maintenance and operation.

Oak Ridge North Police Chief Andy Walters recognizes that offering the course is not common practice among police departments, but to him, it makes perfect sense.

“I have a deep-seated belief that people should exercise their right responsibly, and who better to help them do it than the police department?” Walters said.

A city council gives their pro-gun police chief and his department the go ahead to teach concealed carry to the public for $10?  Where else in the world will you hear that?!

Anyone supporting this just might want to send a ‘Thank You’ note to the Oak Ridge North City Council and Police Department (click the links for contact info).

Win a Ruger LCP – Today (10/10/09) Only

Downrange Television has partnered with the Outdoor Channel to give away daily prizes in the ‘Gear Up and Go’ sweepstakes.

Today’s prize is a Ruger LCP .380 with Crimson Trace Laser.

Go here to enter