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.

Pocket Knife Ban Stopped! (latest news 10/20/09)

Just received this from Doug Ritter:

WE STOPPED CUSTOMS Pocket Knife Grab! The Senate has passed the conference report for the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill with our amendment to the Federal Switchblade Act intact. The bill will now be sent to the President for signature. There is no indication that he would veto the bill.

This is the culmination of an incredible effort on the part of Knife Rights, American Knife and Tool Institute, NRA, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and many other organizations who contributed.  Each organization made key contributions to the effort, without which the end result might not have turned out so well. Not many folks gave us much hope of succeeding when Customs first proposed revoking their rulings and redefining what is a switchblade back in May.  At a time when bipartisanship is rare as hen’s teeth in Washington, we garnered support from both sides of the aisle.

We succeeded because the coalition of groups that came together to fight Customs represented a broad swath of American industry and grassroots.  We succeeded in large part because of YOUR contributions, letters and calls in support of our efforts. You can give yourself a pat on the back for your effort and a job well done against all odds.  It is time to pop the cork on that bottle of champagne and celebrate a victory for your knife rights and for all America.

To help you celebrate and commemorate this incredible victory, please purchase one of our collectable “WE STOPPED Customs Pocket Knife Grab” coffee mugs, t-shirts or sweatshirts, available for a limited time only: www.cafepress.com/KnifeRights

Proceeds will help pay off the incredibly high cost of accomplishing this victory.

Knife Rights has quickly grown to become America’s largest grassroots knife owners organization. This latest fight against Customs Pocket Knife Grab has validated the power and importance of a dedicated grass roots organization in defending your knife rights. Now we have to finish paying pay for this effort. It took a great deal of money to accomplish all this.  Carrying a fight like this to Washington cannot be done without lots of cash. The victory isn’t complete until we pay the bills. PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT THIS FIGHT FOR YOUR KNIFE RIGHTS!  http://bit.ly/Scvp9

In addition to all those who wrote and called their reps to get to this point, we owe http://www.KnifeRights.org a huge ‘Thank You’ for having the foresight to organize beforehand and therefore be in place in order to beat back the attempted restrictions of liberty our own government would seek to impose on us.

Call to Action: Knife Rights /Pocket Knife Ban (update 10/01/09)

News from Doug Ritter at KnifeRights.org:

URGENT ACTION ALERT

On September 16th Knife Rights participated in a lobby day on Capitol Hill, along with representatives of the American Knife and Tool Institute, the NRA and the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation.  Representing Knife Rights were Doug Ritter, Pete Brownell and Jason Kunkler (from www.knifecenter.com). While it was an exhausting, and at times frustrating, experience, it was clearly beneficial that House Committee and Member staff heard from us why it was so important to retain the Senate Amendment 1447 in the final Homeland Security Appropriations bill. I am confident that had we not made this effort, we might not succeed in the end.

As for that, we are all still waiting.  We remain cautiously optimistic, but it isn’t a done deal by any means.

Today, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) indicated on the floor that he hoped to have the DHS Appropriations Conference Committee report on the House floor next Thursday. That is no guarantee, but at least gives notice of what they are aiming for.

Also today, the Speaker of the House appointed House Conferees for the DHS Appropriations bill.

If any of the Representatives below represent your district or you are from their state, please contact them immediately and ask them for their support to keep Senate Amendment 1447 in the final bill.  If you operate a business that is involved in the knife industry or if knives are an integral part of your business’ or employee’s operations or activities, tell them that this amendment protecting assisted opening knives is critical to your business.  Keep your call POLITE, SHORT and TO THE POINT!  Do NOT ramble, do NOT discuss any other issues. This call should take no more than a minute or two, total, except for any time on hold.  If you cannot follow these simple rules, please don’t call. Again, keep your call POLITE, SHORT and TO THE POINT!

At this point, PHONE Calls are BEST, FAX next, emails last.  You can call their local district office; you don’t necessarily have to contact the D.C. office.

You can find your Representative’s web site with office phone numbers at:  http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

DHS Appropriations Committee Conferees:

David R. Obey (D-WI)
David E. Price (D-NC)
Jose E. Serrano (D-NY)
Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX)
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD)
Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV)
Nita M. Lowey (D-NY)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Sam Farr (D-CA)
Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ)
Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
Harold Rogers (R-KY)
John R. Carter (R-TX)
John Abney Culberson (R-TX)
Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL)
Ken Calvert (R-CA)

CALL TODAY!

You heard the man; get to calling!