One of the big advantages of the upcoming Galil ACE line from IWI is the ability to take standard magazines. While I have no particular problem with Galil mags, they’re pretty much proprietary to the Galil (well, and the SiGalil). Being able to use AK, AR-15, and SR-25 (“DPMS-style”) magazines is a big step forward for the Galil platform.
One lesser-known feature of the Galil, though, is that with some work and an adapter, you can get it running AR-15 magazines.
I was alerted to a very nice write-up on Rugertalk about the suppressed IDF 10/22 variant. No pictures of any with the new FAB Defense stock, but I’m sure they’re coming as the situation in Israel heats up.
Several of the comments I’ve seen on the IDF 10/22 gripe about the “Maglite suppressor”. My theory is that the rifle used an integral suppression system like the Great Lakes Tactical system (but cruder), and that the knurled part of the suppressor/barrel is actually to give the soldier some grip to unscrew the suppressor covering for cleaning the rifle. The similarity to a Maglite is unfortunate, but makes sense.
I am finally getting to the end of Jewish holidays, but real life continues to be “exciting” (but not bad!). I recently won a rare BUL Storm Compact off Gunbroker for a very reasonable price, so I am eager to see how that turns out.
Sorry that content has been a bit sparse lately – a combination of high holidays and IRL zaniness has been conspiring against me. I have a few posts in the hopper that just need photographs to finish.
Still, I wanted to point out a new preview of the IWI X95 that was posted up by The Firearm Blog. Miles apparently got to use it at the recent bullpup shoot, and had some thoughts.
On the whole, I liked the article, but had some real quibbles with some of his criticism:
The stamp finally came back for my NiteScout A3 SBR. Here’s a picture of it with a Magpul ACS stock (necessary to get it to MD-compliant 29″ OAL):
Suffice it to say, it’s infinitely more usable with that stock attached. Still on the heavy side for a pistol-caliber carbine, but it balances well. With an optic, I think it’d be a pretty rocking PCC SBR.
The Firearm Blog has put up a review of the Uzi Pro Pistol, and, spoiler alert, it doesn’t go well for the UPP.
They are slightly unkind in the sense that this gun was clearly meant as an SBR starter, not a real pistol, but it’s hard to argue with their critique otherwise.
Historically, BUL Transmark’s third pistol line was the BUL Storm. Arguably, it’s the least known line of their pistols in the US, excepting perhaps the new SAS line (which hasn’t gotten very much play in the US yet). The Storm is a straight-out Tanfoglio TZ-75 clone, which is a slightly modified clone of the CZ-75.
Clever readers will note that this is pretty much the same situation as the Jericho, which is a clone of the Tanfoglio as well. What do I think of the Storm versus the Jericho? Read on.
One of the key deficiencies of the Galil series of rifles is optics mounting capability (or lack thereof). In all fairness, the Galil’s service rifle competitors at the time of its design weren’t barn-burners in this area, either. You could make a reasonable argument that the M14 wasn’t a bad platform for optics, but pretty much everything else under the sun (FAL, AK, G3, M16A1, etc.) had serious issues. It wasn’t until the mid-90’s and the introduction of the flat-top M4 carbine that shooters got more comfortable options on black rifles.
However, due to the Galil’s popularity as a sexy retro rifle, modern shooters often want a way to get some optics on it. What are the options? Read on.
A recurrent “theme” (read: whine) I’ve had about BUL handguns is that the magazine and parts situation is somewhat dire, especially on the 9mm side. On a tip, I did find someone who stocks BUL M-5 magazines and parts. Ask for Lou at All America Sales (870-544-2809). He was able to source some stuff for me that I had a lot of difficulty finding otherwise, and his prices were quite reasonable (to the point where I was wondering if he wasn’t getting out of sourcing these parts to begin with).
I am in the process of upgrading my M-5 using those parts, and should have an article on that process soon.
I bought a copy of the Guns Handgun Annual 1985 article on the Sirkis SQP in the hopes of learning more about it. I was not disappointed!
The article confirms that it was indeed a squeeze-cock gun (versus just a front grip safety). OAL was to be seven inches, with a barrel just a tad under four inches (so, more like the Walther PP than the PPK). The action was direct blowback, much like the SD9, but this version had a bolt hold open. Caliber was 9mm with a 9 round capacity. The grips were supposedly rubber instead of plastic.
Perhaps more intriguingly, there were plans for tritium night sights and a 22lr kit. The article also claims that the SQP and SD9 were in production simultaneously. I find this hard to believe, since I think Interarms would have imported some back when they got in the SD9.
One of the guns I’ve always had my eye on, but only recently had the chance to acquire is the BUL M5. They’ve had a very diverse import history, having been imported by Springfield, Century, Kimber, Charles Daly, Battle Ready International, and others. It’s a double-stack, polymer-frame 1911, and it’s the first gun that BUL Transmark introduced.
How does it measure up? Read on.
The Hebrew Hammer 