The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute, Inc., also known as SAAMI, has announced two new rifle cartridges have been accepted into its list of standardization. SAAMI has long been the official voice for uniform firearm standards for safety and reliability across firearm platforms, components, and ammunition. The two newly accepted cartridges, both originally introduced by Hornaday Manufacturing Co, are the 22 Advanced Rifle cartridge and the 22 Creedmoor cartridge.
The first cartridge to be accepted was the 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge. Originally introduced by Hornady, the 22 ARC is ideal for the AR-15 platform. Hornady states the cartridge was developed with a 1:7 twist rate and works great with the heavier .22-caliber bullets for excellent functioning and optimal performance in that weapon system. The company also states the 22 ARC has tighter groups with increased accuracy for a better overall shooting experience.
SAAMI has announced the acceptance of two new cartridges, both originally from Hornady. The 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge and the 22 Creedmoor join a large list of SAAMI standards, furthering the industry standards across platforms, components, and ammunition. The two new cartridges are coming to the consumer market soon from Hornady. [Photo credit: Hornady]
The cartridge has been accepted by SAAMI, meaning the 75-grain projectile in the casings will have a set standard for all future rounds claiming the 22 ARC designation. The projectile for the cartridge has a travel velocity of 3,075 fps with a Maximum Average Pressure of 52,000 psi. Also included in the SAAMI acceptance are standards for all the components of the full cartridge, including the brass thickness and length, in addition to the projectile information.
The other cartridge accepted into SAAMI from Hornady is the 22 Creedmoor. Hornady hasn’t begun delivering the round to the consumer market just yet, but the company has stated the round will be an 80-grain projectile in the ELD-Match and ELD-X product lines. The 22 CM has been proven through testing to have better production when the projectile is limited in weight to achieve the right pressure maximum of 62,000 psi. According to the SAAMI acceptance, the round standard is 3,250 fps for the velocity of the 80-grain bullet.
Have you been waiting with bated breath to get your hands on one of the Sig Sauer M17 or M18 pistols? You are in luck then because Sig is offering a pair of M17 and M18 pistols with matching serial numbers as a part of an online auction benefitting the Sterling Promise Foundation.
The Sterling Foundation was founded in memory of Scott Sterling, who was a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment and 1st SFOD-D. In his retirement, he, unfortunately, was diagnosed and ultimately passed from cancer that was caused by exposure during his military career. The Foundation helps provide financial support for early cancer detection and fills financial gaps between treatment and benefits incurred by affected special operations veterans. All proceeds from the online auction for the Sig M17 and M18 pistols will go directly to the Foundation. The auction is especially well timed with Special Operations Foundation Week (SOF Week) happening soon.
Sig Sauer has released a set of matching M17 & M18 pistols to benefit the Sterling Promise Foundation. This set is only one of nine in existence and the only one that will be released to the public. All proceeds from the auction will go to the charity that helps fill the financial gap in cancer treatments for affected Special Operations personnel. (Photo credit:: SIG/GunsAmerica)
The Sig Modular Handgun System (MHS) pistols with matching serial numbers, are one of nine sets of surplus pistols, but the only set to be released to the public. The M17 and M18 pistols were originally manufactured under the contract with the US Army to the original specifications. Both were originally issued by the US Army and fielded during the initial deployment of the MHS.
“It is an honor for SIG SAUER to join forces with Sterling’s Promise to celebrate the life and service of Staff Sergeant Scott Sterling, who passed away early into his civilian career after a heroic battle with cancer, through this rare opportunity to own a piece of U.S. military history,” said Jason St. John, Sr. Director, Government Products. “We are hopeful that the rarity of these pistols will entice collectors to bid for a worthy cause. Not only are these pistols a rare set, but I would also note that this M18 surplus is the first-ever to be released. With only 75 of the M18 surplus pistols in existence SIG SAUER has no plans to offer them commercially, only through charitable auctions such as this or for historical display.”
The M17 and M18 MHS pistols are unique and have coyote controls. Both pistols also sport the original government-issued markings and serial numbers. They also feature an orange rear with a green front SIGLITE Night Sights set.
The auction is being hosted by Guns America on their site and runs between now and Thursday, May 11, with the winner announced the next day on May 12th. So, if this strikes your fancy, the time to act is now, especially with funds going to such a great cause.
Since its founding in 1973, Streamlight has been a leading provider of high-performance lights, whether handheld or weapon mounted. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the company’s manufacturing of sought-after lighting systems. Over the past 50 years, Streamlight has grown from a small company with a small product offering to a well-known and highly regarded brand that supplies law enforcement, military, firefighters, and commercial markets.
According to some sources, Streamlight is a pioneer in the development of rechargeable flashlights, lanterns, and LED lighting. The company is renowned for its engineering approach to creating lighting products that have extraordinary brightness along with high value and durability.
Streamlight is celebrating 50 years of business this year. The company has been creating lights for almost every sector and has been built up from a small company to one that now employs over 350 people. Streamlight credits many innovations over the years, such as the USB rechargeable Microstream flashlight, to its continued success. (Photo credit: Streamlight)
“At Streamlight, we have always taken pride in designing and manufacturing lighting products that make our customers’ jobs easier, improve their productivity, and keep them safe in trying conditions,” said Streamlight President and CEO Ray Sharrah. “As we celebrate 50 years of operation, we pledge to continue to leverage the latest advances in LED and battery technologies to produce ever brighter, more useful lighting tools, while still maintaining our same high-quality standards.”
Sharrah noted some of the company’s recent innovations:
USB rechargeable flashlights and headlamps that offer the convenience of on-the-go USB charging.
Flashlight systems that run on multiple fuel sources (rechargeable and disposable batteries).
Waterproof scene lights that offer brightness in smoke or water-filled scenarios.
Hands-free or hanging compact work lights for tight spaces that rotate to direct the light where it’s needed.
A myriad of weapon-mounted lights for long guns, shotguns, and handguns.
With a broad range of lights to choose from, Streamlight offers solutions for law enforcement, military, firefighting, industrial, automotive, outdoor, and DIY users across the globe. The once small Pennsylvania-based company now employs over 350 people and holds over 500 US and foreign patents. The company has made tracks for the last 50 years and will no doubt continue to do so.
Henry Repeating Arms Company, a name synonymous with Western culture, has recently discovered a safety issue that will affect certain models of the lever action .45-70 Government rifles. As such, they have initiated a voluntary recall of those models.
In an abundance of caution and with the safety of customers in mind, Henry Repeating Arms is recalling specific Gov’t model rifles manufactured between December 14, 2022, and January 11, 2023. According to the company, the issue was discovered during test firing of those certain models and is related to firing pins not meeting specifications.
Henry Repeating Arms has found a potential safety issue with certain models of the .45-70 Lever Action Government model rifles. In an effort to protect its customers, the company is doing a voluntary recall to fix the issue—an out-of-spec firing pin. (Photo credit: Henry Repeating Arms)
In line with the voluntary recall, the company recommends owners of any lever action .45-70 rifles discontinue use and not load or fire them until it can be determined if their rifle is a part of the affected batch. Henry Repeating Arms states that under certain conditions, it was possible for some of the rifles to unintentionally discharge without the trigger being pulled if the hammer is released or dropped from the cocked position. The company states that possible death or serious personal injury could occur if the use of those rifles is not discontinued.
To fix the issue, Henry Repeating Arms will replace the firing pin free of charge to the customer in order they receive them. The list of models affected are H010G, H010GAW, H010GAWP, H010GCC, H010X, and H024-4570. Henry has a website where the customer can type in their rifle’s serial number to see if it is a part of the recall.
If the rifle is a part of the recall, the consumer will fill out a form for request of recall service. Once approved, the consumer will receive a prepaid shipping label and additional instructions. As an extra show of appreciation to the customers, Henry Repeating Arms will send any customer a $50 gift card for their site after the rifle is serviced.
The safety recall isn’t the first for Henry Repeating Arms. The company had another voluntary safety recall in 2020 for its H-15 Single Shot Rifle and Single Shot Shotguns. More details about the recall or other safety information can be found on Henry Repeating Arms’ company website.
Mobile ballistics software brings fantastic capabilities to our smartphones. Whether you’re creating a D.O.P.E. card or taking notes on handload variations, the possibilities are endless. One popular program is GeoBallistics, a company that’s become known for a number of tools and features that make shooter’s lives easier. Now, the company has been acquired by none other than Vortex Optics. What do you get when you combine a popular ballistics app with a trusted optics manufacturer? The potential for fantastic advances in scope technology.
GeoBallistics has been acquired by Vortex Optics. (Photo credit: Geoballistics)
According to the manufacturers, the philosophy behind GeoBallistics is similar to that of Vortex. Both brands are focused on creating a superior customer experience through the design and production of quality products. According to Vortex, GeoBallistics products will be added to their existing line for the purpose of enhancing the shooting experiences of everyone from hunters to precision shooters. The program makes it possible for shooters to obtain critical information quickly for accuracy and reliable performance in the field.
A weather meter is one of the products that work with the app. (Photo credit: GeoBallistics)
Regarding the acquisition, Joe Hamilton, Vortex CEO, said:
We’re always looking for new ways to help Vortex Nation enjoy unforgettable experiences in the field. Acquiring GeoBallistics means we can offer both consistency in our product line and make long-range ballistics simpler and more accessible for everyone.
The apps works with a number of different visual tools to give shooters the best results possible. (Photo credit: GeoBallistics)
Vortex Optics states that shooters already using the GeoBallistics app shouldn’t be seeing any changes to the existing system. They say the most significant change will be Vortex taking over the customer service aspect of the business.
Does this mean we’re looking at a future that involves improved ballistics-equipped scopes from Vortex? It’s certainly possible, and that would be a welcome addition to the optics maker’s existing line of products. What would you like to see as a result of this acquisition? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
We recently got the opportunity to tour the SilencerCo research and production facility in West Valley City, Utah. Never one to miss something like that, we enthusiastically agreed. It helped that range time with SilencerCo’s new Velos Low Back Pressure suppressor was included. We were ably hosted by Public Relations Specialist Shauna Young, Marketing guys Caleb Gosnell and Cody Wootton, and, somewhat surprisingly, Founder and CEO Jonathan Shults. It was a good time.
(SilencerCo Photo)
The New Velos Low Back Pressure Suppressor
Since many readers will mainly want to hear about the new suppressor, we’ll start there. But hang around for the rest because it’s exciting stuff for the future of suppressor manufacturing. SilencerCo introduced the Velos LBP in January. Designed specifically for the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington cartridges, Shults told us it’s the most durable suppressor his company has ever made.
That durability comes from the new patented Hoplon Blast Baffle, which deflects debris, extending the suppressor’s life span, even on fully automatic and short-barreled rifles. Speaking of SBRs, the Velos LBP has no barrel length restrictions, so you do you.
SilencerCo’s new Velos LBP might be the AR-15 suppressor you’ve been looking for. (SilencerCo Photos)
The unique 3D printed Inconel 625 core is fully welded to the 17-4 stainless steel front and rear modules. As the name states, it significantly reduces gas in the shooter’s face. And when coupled with SilencerCo’s Gas Defeating Charging Handle, there seems to be no gas at all. Ask us how we know.
We fired the Velos LBP on several platforms, with and without the Gas Defeating Charging Handle. As you might imagine, we had some serious fun. SilencerCo has a nice indoor test range and we spent about an hour blasting away. Being indoors, we used ear protection, but we could tell that the Velos LBP is a high performer with 137.1 decibels at the muzzle. In case you aren’t aware, 140 decibels is considered hearing safe. The way decibels work (look it up), 137 is quite pleasant.
Even with the fully automatic FightLite belt fed upper, the Velos was a pleasure to shoot. Not that the FightLite wouldn’t be awesome anyway. But the Velos made it that much better. Bet you can’t guess which gun we liked best. But we have to say that the 12-Gauge shotgun wearing the SilencerCo Shockwave was a close second. Anyway, let’s take a look at the Velos LBP’s specs:
SilencerCo Velos Low Back Pressure Specifications
Length: 5.98 inches
Weight: 15.2 ounces
Decibels at the Muzzle: 137.1 dB
Caliber: 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington
Full Auto Rated
No Barrel Length Restrictions
17-4 Stainless Steel with a 3D Printed Inconel Core
Finish: V-Series Cerakote (Black)
Compatible with SilencerCo Charlie accessories
The V-Series Cerakote contributes to the Velos LBP’s durability by ensuring the finish will last a long a time. The suppressor ships with the brand-new Charlie Flash Hider Front Cap, Charlie ASR Mount, ASR Flash Hider in ½ x 28, spanner wrench, and Charlie Multitool. If you’re looking for a dedicated AR-15 suppressor, the Velos LBP might just be the one.
The Velos LBP on the FightLite fully automatic belt-fed upper was the highlight of range time. But the 12-Gauge shotgun wearing the SilencerCo Shockwave was a close second. (Author’s Photos)
The New and Improved SilencerCo
Now that you’ve got the deets on the new suppressor, let’s talk about how SilencerCo is upping their game production-wise. Shults conducted the tour himself and let us look at whatever we wanted. He told us what everything did and answered all our questions, even if we didn’t always understand exactly what he was talking about. Engineering is mostly above our heads.
But we did understand and appreciate SilencerCo’s new approach to building their products. The company has invested heavily in automation and robots to improve quality and consistency. But that doesn’t mean they laid off their human workers. Nope, not even one. And Shults says that no one will ever lose their job to a machine.
Instead, those folks are being trained to operate and supervise the robots to ensure the best quality possible. Shults explained that automation creates “greater efficiency for our company and more enjoyable jobs for our employees. We are automating the parts of manufacturing that are mundane and tedious. Employees will work in conjunction with these new automations in a way that allows them to spend more time on creative and high-level tasks.”
The new robots allow SilencerCo’s employees time to be creative. (Author’s photo)
That high-level creativity is also spilling over to the machine tools themselves. Shults told us that SilencerCo only buys the best machine tools, but they also study those machines to understand how they work and how they might be made better by tailoring them to SilencerCo’s specific needs. The company is now building its own machines based on that analysis and at least one of those is already operating on the production floor. The effort to understand the machines on that level is yielding new insights into how future products might be made even better.
A Unique Commitment
Shults proudly told us that SilencerCo sources almost all its materials in the United States and that he is moving toward 100 percent American sourcing. “We want our business to support Americans on all levels: through the products that we sell and through the methods [by which] these products are made,” he said. The giant American flag hanging over the production floor reflects that attitude. The company holds its monthly “All Hands” meetings under the flag. Each meeting begins with the Pledge of Allegiance. We like that kind of stuff.
SilencerCo is also the only suppressor company that does all its manufacturing in the same facility. When asked why that kind of vertical integration was important, Shults replied that “By manufacturing our products in-house, we are actively bringing more jobs to the people of Utah. It also gives us the ability to control our products and thereby ensures that customers are receiving the very best that we can produce.”
SilencerCo Founder and CEO Jonathan Shults gives us the lowdown on his company’s new production advances. (Author’s Photo)
Like all good companies, SilencerCo backs up its products. Their warranty is among the best, if not the best, in the business. When we asked about it, Shults stressed its importance. All warranty work is done on-site, and the average turnaround is 48 hours. He chuckled and told us that they would even “fix stupid once.” That’s good stuff.
A Unique Morale Booster
SilencerCo does indeed look like a great place to work. Everyone was friendly and answered our questions. We also noticed that Shults seemed to be on a first-name basis with everyone, including the production guys. We appreciate that too.
But one thing that sets SilencerCo apart is the dogs. Yep, there were dogs there. SilencerCo not only allows their folks to bring their dogs to work, but they also actively encourage it. There’s even a dog station with supplies the employees might need for their pups. Now, we get that not everyone is a dog person. But if you are, how cool would it be to bring your good boy or girl to work every day? That has to help employee morale.
This is Blue. We met him in the SilencerCo hallway. (Author’s Photo)
We asked Shults why he implemented that policy. “It lowers stress levels and creates a fun space where people want to come to work,” he replied. “Our dogs are really part of our team!” Hard to disagree with that. We saw dogs in the offices, the hallways, and the production floor. The only canine-free space we saw was the range, which is totally understandable.
Moving Forward
It’s difficult to not be impressed by Shults and SilencerCo. The production facility is clean and seemingly well-run, even though the new machines have necessitated some rearranging. Shults doesn’t mind. He knows where he wants to go and has a vision of how he’s going to get there. The technological investments are already paying off and the workforce is motivated. High employee morale means pride in one’s work which means top quality products.
SilencerCo has come a long way since Shults and his business partner Josh Waldron started it in a garage. Fifteen short years later, their project is an industry leader. From what we’ve seen, Shults means to stay there for the long haul.
DuraMag, a well-known Florida-based manufacturer of magazines, has expanded its company to include a suppressor division. Yup, that’s right. DuraMag is getting into the suppressor game.
Since the division is relatively young, think of it starting LATE last year, there isn’t a whole lot of concrete info available for the division or its products. However, the company did show off one of its prototypes at SHOT Show 2023.
DuraMag Suppressor
DuraMag surprised SHOT visitors with a lightweight 3D-printed rifle suppressor prototype. More information should come by Spring 2023. (Photo credit: TFB)
Like many of the suppressors from SHOT, this one relies on additive manufacturing, which is a fancy phrase for 3D printing. The key to using this kind of manufacturing is that designers can get shapes that traditional manufacturing cannot.
Initial reporting on the suppressor line-up shows a monocore design made of very lightweight materials, like a titanium or combination with steel for some durability for the rifle suppressor. An interesting feature of the DuraMag suppressor is the user-operated venting on the front endcap. It is a two-piece design that can be opened or closed by removing the inner piece from the cap.
The suppressor is supposed to be launched in the Spring of 2023 and is expected to be around 6.5 inches in length. As stated before, there is no name yet, let alone pricing, so that info will be coming in the next few months as well.
20-Round Mag
Also from DuraMag at SHOT is a 20-round aluminum magazine in OD Green. Normally, a new magazine from a magazine manufacturer isn’t unheard of, but this is something that the military was asking for. DuraMag delivered on that request.
The US Government asked and DuraMag responded. The company now has a 20-rd aluminum OD Green AR magazine. According to the company, the high-strength magazine won’t flex like polymer and is durable no matter how long it sits in storage. (Photo credit: DuraMag)
The 20-round magazine is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum for a lightweight but durable magazine. It’s a special edition run with an orange follower. According to the company, the color becomes part of the metal and with its Progressive die tooling, Post Hole design, and fully robotic welding, the magazine will be consistent and reliable regardless of how long it’s been in storage. The magazine has an MSRP of $16.99.
Daniel Defense, no stranger to unveiling cool products, has officially launched its Soundguard suppressor family along with a folding stock adapter for the Pro series rifle chassis.
Soundguard Suppressor Line
The Soundguard suppressor line has a 5.56, 30 caliber, and a titanium 30 caliber suppressor. The new suppressor line is said to be a cutting-edge gas-flow dynamic system that eliminates over-gassing and directs the gas forward and away from the shooter’s face.
Daniel Defense launched its Soundguard suppressor line at SHOT Show 2023, including a stainless steel SG-556 and SG-30, and a titanium SG-30Ti suppressor. (Photo credit: Daniel Defense)
The Soundguard powered by KGM lowers impulse noise levels, helping protect against hearing loss. The suppressors have a patent-pending baffle stack and a proprietary coating on the internal components to reduce the firearm’s flash to almost zero.
The Soundguard suppressors will ship with a removable direct thread mount, meaning the suppressor can be used with other direct thread mounts or QD mounts on the market thanks to the HUB standard 1.375-24 UNS thread pitch of the mount. The steel Soundguard suppressors, the SG-556 and the SG-30, are full-auto rated and feature a stainless steel baffle stack and outer tube. The SG-30Ti is constructed from a titanium baffle stack and tube for a lighter package weighing just 15 ounces with the mount.
All of the Soundguard suppressors feature a patent-pending gas-flow pathing that stabilizes the rounds to ensure high accuracy with little POI shifts. The SG-556 and the SG-30 have a price tag of $750 while the SG-30Ti has a price tag of $1,000.
Folding Stock Adapter for Pro Chassis
Daniel Defense also expanded its Pro Chassis family of products and accessories to include an option for a Folding Stock Adapter. It was developed exclusively for the Delta 5 Pro and R700 PRO chassis systems. The adapter installs within minutes and allows the buttstock to fold in, making the rifle smaller for easier transport or storage.
Daniel Defense expanded its Pro Chassis accessories to include a folding stock adapter. This adapter makes it easier to store the rifle and installs on the rifle within minutes. (Photo credit: Daniel Defense)
The folding stock adapter was constructed with extremely tight tolerances from stainless steel to give the strongest possible lockup and eliminate any play that is usually present with folding stocks. The adapter has a no-button design to help minimize any impact from dirt or debris. Additionally, it allows for easy and direct access to the barrel without having to redo any adjustments.
The Daniel Defense Folding Stock Adapter for the Pro Chassis has a price tag of $199 and is available soon.
In addition to the Dragunov import, B&T has a whole host of suppressors, firearms, and SVD rifles the company will be importing to the US in 2023. Here are a few highlights from B&T’s SHOT Show booth.
SVD Imports
As previously covered, B&T is working with FEG, a Hungarian firearms manufacturer, to import the HD-18 Dragunov-style sporting rifle. B&T has stated that the original import of close to 80 rifles are already stateside at B&T dealers with more of the rifles expected later this year. B&T has also stated that the HD-18 is the first for the Imports line of weapons.
B&T has started importing the Hungarian Dragunov 7.62×54 sniper rifle. The first batch of 80 rifles has made it stateside with many more coming over the next six to eight months. The rifle is similar to the one shown above, and will come in a package with a scope and mount, two magazines, and a muzzle device. (Photo credit: Shooting Illustrated)
APC9 Limited
B&T also showed the APC9 Limited rifle with two versions coming to market soon. The APC9 Limited has a metal lower, MBT stock, and a non-reciprocating charging handle. It will also have a flat-face trigger and will be available with the choice of two different barrel lengths: 6.7 inches or 8.9 inches. The APC9 Limited is reported to have an MSRP of $2,900.
BWC
The BWC, originally seen in Switzerland, has received some upgrades for import. It has a grip safety and other refinements to the design, like cuts in the carry handle for an optic adjustment. According to reports, the BWC will be shipping in a package with the ACRO P2. There is no definitive word on pricing, but the package is expected to start shipping around summer 2023.
B&T had a whole host of items for display at SHOT Show. One was the BWC9 rifle with a few upgraded features since it was first announced. (Photo credit: TFB)
SPC10
The SPC10 has been updated as well since it was first introduced. It will now have an upgraded Glock magazine that brings the SPC10 capacity up to 30 rounds instead of the original 10 rounds. The MSRP for the SPC10 is said to be $2,695 and is set to come out in late summer 2023.
B&T also has 30-round upgraded Glock APC45 magazines. They come as complete magazine from B&T and have a price tag of $80.
Suppressors
B&T, no stranger to the suppressor world, has upgraded its offerings to include the lightweight M.A.R.S. QD suppressor weighing only 15 ounces. This model, along with all other M.A.R.S. QD suppressors, are compatible with B&T Rotex style mount in addition to SureFire pattern mounts. The M.A.R.S. QD suppressor has an MSRP of $675.
Other stuff
B&T has a few other items in its booth of note. The first is silencers made under license by B&T from the Laugo Alien brand. The suppressor features a small recessed mounting collar to accommodate the Alien’s design.
B&T Is also producing suppressors under license from the Laugo Alien brand. (Photo credit: TFB)
In addition to the suppressors, the company is also offering suppressor covers for its suppressor lines. Also, B&T will be bringing in SchleTek cleaning products from Germany. The products are reported to include cleaning chemicals for firearms, optics, and a special suppressor cleaning solution.
Real Avid has been taking over the market with well-thought-out Armorer tools but without the large price tag. This year at SHOT Show was no different. Dustin, a Precision Shooter and an employee with Real Avid took us through some of their new products such as an all-in-one Master Gun workstation and some updates to their current products. This includes a larger caliber sleeve for their mag block and different-sized locking keys for their bore guide.
All products below are on the shelves to be purchased but may show out of stock on the Real Avid Website.
Master Gun Workstation
The Master Gun Workstation solves the problems of how to work on your firearm while still being able to easily turn and flip it in one step. Instead of mounting your firearm to a vise, this workstation allows you to set your firearm into the two jaws without locking it in, with confidence that it won’t fall. This enables you to easily do things that don’t involve heavy torque such as changing out fire control group parts or mounting a scope.
The workstation has leveling feet in case your workbench is unlevel, adjustable jaws for different-sized firearms, and holes for holding oil bottles or small parts with an included magnet in the bottom of the workstation to ensure no loss of those small parts.
Price: $199.99
The Master Gun Workstation has adjustable jaws to enable users to use this with any firearm, short or long. On the bottom of the workstation, you will see holes for parts and oil bottles.
Smart Assist Accessory System
Another addition to the Master Gun Workstation is the Smart Assist. Often when working on a firearm we will have a YouTube video up on our phone to ensure that we are doing everything right. The phone is usually awkwardly placed on the bench and hard to see and hear while working on the gun. The Smart Assist will hold your phone up high for you with an added light and magnifying glass.
Price: $99.99
Gun Gripper
The patented gun gripper material on the Master Gun station grips the gun without marring it up. It is often hard to find good soft jaws on the market that hold the gun without ruining it. The gun gripper that comes on the workstation will hold your firearm in place without scratching or damaging it.
The patented gun gripper technology from Real Avid gives a soft place to seat your firearm but still gives enough grip to ensure that it doesn’t move. It can be easily wiped down and will not damage your firearm.
Smart Fit AR-15 Vise Block
The Real Avid Smart Fit AR-15 Vise Block works by expanding into the magazine well for a tight fit on the gun. No more sloppy fitting vise blocks. Simply insert the block into the magwell, turn the knob until a tight fit is made (don’t over-expand), and seat the block into the vise.
Price: $39.99
So what about using it for the AR-10?
This year Real Avid released a larger sleeve that fits over the AR-15 Vise Block. This means that you can use the same tool and only need to purchase the sleeve to work on larger pattern guns.
The Mag Block from Real Avid allows users to mount their AR-15 into a vise with ease, no matter the different specs on various lowers. Now real avid has released an AR-10 sleeve enabling you to use the same tool but with a larger sleeve, saving you money.
Pricing and shipping information on the sleeve is to be put out in the future.
Bore Rod and Guide
Also on the lineup for Real Avid is their long gun bore rod and bore guide.
Bore-Max Smart-Rod
An ergonomic handle with a spinning nickle plated bore rod ensures that no damage will be done to your precision barrel when pulling the rod through. Also included in the Smart Rod package is a wall hanger bracket that allows you to properly store your rod on your bench or wall instead of leaning against the wall in the corner of the room.
This rod comes in .22cal-.270cal 36″, .270cal-.45cal 36″, and .270cal-.45cal 44″.
Price: $39.99-$44.99
Smart Fit Bore-Guide
The Smart Fit Bore-Guide allows extra protection when cleaning your long gun with a bore rod.
“The spring-loaded slider locks, providing a secure fitment and ensures a consistent chamber sealing with zero movement when running brushes and patches through your bore. An anodized aluminum tube is designed for lasting durability and the contoured, non-marring, bore-specific tips ensure damage-free, precise fitment on centerfire rifles from .223 – .375 caliber.” -Real Avid
New for shot show this year is the update to their bore guide. Being designed by an employee that is also a precision rifle shooter, this bore guide now has a set of two different-sized locking keys for different-sized ejection ports.
Price: $24.99
The bore guide from real avid protects your chamber from expended oil or damage from the rod. The spring tension in the guide ensures that nothing leaves the bore.