ACR Update

Thought some of you fellows might be interested in this.  In a recent e-mail, Bushmaster announced:

"The ACR testing and analysis programs are running right on schedule. We are running it through every imaginable scenario to ensure that it’s absolutely ready to be released. Each day brings us closer and closer to the official launch, which is tentatively in the first half of 2010."

Note that the e-mail comes from Bushmaster, but Remington is the company with the pictures and gun specs online.  I don't know what to call this thing anymore . . . Magpul/Bushmaster/Remington Masada/ACR.  Some guys online are saying that Remington will handle the military contracts, Bushmaster will take care of the civilians.    

By the by, I just checked Bushmaster’s webpage, and they have updated the “ACR Product Update” tab to include the above statement with a new picture of the ACR that looks like it’s straight from Remington’s Military site.  So far as I know, this has been done fairly recently - within the last week or so, maybe two.    

Anyhow, it's an interesting rifle, a bit less novel now than when Magpul first announced its development at SHOT way back in 2007.  One of the main distinguishing characteristics of Magpul's original design was the capability to fire either 5.56x45 NATO or 7.62x39 "Commie" ammo with just a few parts swaps, and the very neat ability (as I understand it) to utilize standard Kalashnikov magazines, rather than the NATO modified type of the sort used in most 7.62x39 AR-15 style rifles.  

I don't know that Remington/Bushmaster will retain this intriguing function, but I will definitely be looking forward to the ACR release nonetheless.    

A brief history in pics:

"Bagman" promo from SHOT 2007.  This was based on the 5.56/7.62 concept originally developed by Magpul.  According to a Discovery Channel "FutureWeapons" episode featuring the (then) Masada, the idea was that US operators or their allies could leave a very "light footprint" in hostile territory by using the enemy's ammunition.  No 5.56 NATO brass laying around means it is much easier to "blend in" to your surroundings and remain anonymous - thus becoming a sort of "bagman."  For some reason, Picasa inverts the colors - weird, but I think you can get the general idea.

Poster by Magpul comparing the Masada to the other primary competitors of yesteryear - the M4, the SCAR, and the XM8.  The HKXM8 is no more; but the M4 and the SCAR are definitely out there.  PDF files won't upload to blogger, but go here and you can see it.

A pic of the Masada.

Very neat folding stock.  

Note the rail system.  The Magpul Masada originally had a forward handgrip that reminds me of the MOE - doesn't come with rails, but you can attach them yourself.

The Bushmaster flyer for what had become the "Bushmaster ACR"

The current flyer for the "Remington ACR."  Whereas the Masada had different forward grips for different configurations, the ACR apparently has a one-size-fits all grip.  Integral rails come standard.

Some action shots

Here's hoping the ACR will finally come to fruition.  

1 man + 1 woman = 1,4000 babies

How many people take "Be fruitful and multiply" seriously these days?  Not many.  Several European countries are literally dying off, as is China; and as I recall, the Japanese government is paying families to have children.

On the other hand, you have the Krishevsky family.  Mrs. Krishevsky passed away recently at the age of 99, leaving approximately 1,400 descendants to continue an amazing legacy.  Y'all can read the complete article here, on Ynetnews.com, but this is the synopsis: Mr. Krishevsky and Mrs. Krishevsky had eleven children.  Those original eleven children produced 150 of their own . . . and those 150 had no less than 1,000.  Thus far, there have also been a few hundred great-great-grandchildren.

And Mrs. Krishevksy knew all of them.  Wow.  How refreshing!

"The Chart"

I found this about a week ago while searching 'tier 1' AR-15s on Google.  Basically, it is a chart that compares M4 type rifles from a number of manufacturers, including BCM, Noveske, Colt, Armalite, Bushmaster, S&W, Daniel Defense, and several others.  A lot of the information is not readily discernible from a catalog ad or "I have a buddy" stories.

Perhaps more importantly, there is a list of desirable features to look for in an M4/M16 type rifle, with excellent descriptions and links to some very good pictures and explanations on M4carbine.net forums.  Very enlightening!

I highly recommend all of you interested fellows to take a look.  I can't get blogger "insert link" to work at the moment, but if you'll scroll down to my "Sheepdog Resources" links, you'll find it listed as "The M4 Chart"

The Mysterious Islands: Evolution's Birthplace

The Mysterious Islands Trailer 2: Evolution's Birthplace from Vision Forum on Vimeo.

Check out the website, TheMysteriousIslands.com.

No, I'm not dead . . .

. . . just super busy. School started back several weeks ago, and coursework is eating my time. I have a number of future posts percolating in my brain, but I don't have the time right now to sit down and put all of that on paper. This is just to let y'all know I haven't dropped off the face of the earth or forgotten I have a blog.

Forensics and Shot Placement

There's an FBI slideshow floating around the internet right now that I think is very interesting. I would encourage you sheepdogs to check it out.

WARNING: graphic forensic photographs. Slideshow Link

I suppose this is why former operator Larry Vickers says "Speed is fine . . . accuracy is final." Feel to free to comment - I'd love to hear what you fellows think.

Time Sensitive: HR 2749

From the Weston A. Price Foundation:

The House of Representatives is scheduled for a vote on HR 2749 (The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009) on Tuesday, July 28 (tomorrow). HR 2749 will be voted "on suspension", meaning that debate will be limited to 40 minutes and no amendments will be considered. A two-thirds vote will be required for HR 2749 to pass. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is asking everyone to contact their U.S. Representatives requesting that they vote against HR 2749.

Industrial food processors and food imports need effective regulation, but this should not be done at the expense of the 'local food system.' HR2749 will impose burdensome regulations on small farmers and local food producers including registration fees and extensive paperwork requirements for which many small food businesses will not have the resources to comply. The 'local food system' is not the source of the food safety problems in this country, small farmers and local artisanal producers are part of the solution.

HR 2749 would reduce FDA's accountability while significantly increasing its power. The bill would empower FDA to conduct warrantless searches of business records without any evidence whatsoever that a violation has occurred, to order a quarantine prohibiting or restricting the movement of food in a geographic area. HR 2749 also creates severe criminal and civil penalties with the potential for substantial fines for even minor violations of the law.

Urge your Representative to vote against HR 2749 and support a food safety bill that will target imports and industrial foods while leaving small farmers and local food producers alone.

Three Ways to Contact your Representative:

1. Send an email through the "Oppose HR 2749" petition at http://bit.ly/Oppose_HR2749
2. Go to "My Elected Officials" at www.congress.org and enter your zip code to find your legislators. Call and/or send a fax.
3. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to contact your Representative's office.

Whoo-hoo! Remington ACR

I've been watching for this for some time now. Finally, Remington has released something definite regarding the Magpul/Bushmaster Masada/ACR.

Check this out: Remington's ACR Page

Apparently, it is to be released in 5.56, 6.8 SPC, and, glory be: 6.5x39, popularly known as the "Grendel."

There is a rumor on the internet that when released for public sales, the price will be somewhere $1,500. Time will tell if the ACR is indeed released to the general public, and if it will released - as Magpul originally planned - in 7.62x39.

At the risk of sounding very stage-drama-melodramatic, I quote the Remington website: "This changes everything . . ."

Newsflash: Gun Owners of America E-mail

Friday, July 17, 2009

A vote to protect your right to travel out-of-state with
a firearm could come to a vote next week -- even as
early as Monday!

Senators John Thune and David Vitter are the sponsors of
S. 845 -- a bill that will establish concealed carry
reciprocity amongst the several states.

Senators Thune and Vitter offered the bill as an
amendment (#1618) to the Department of Defense
authorization bill (H.R. 2647).

This provision will use the constitutional authority
allowing Congress to enforce "full faith and credit"
across the country, so that each state respects the
"public acts, records, and judicial proceedings" of
every other state (Article IV).

The benefit of the Thune/Vitter legislation is that --
unlike other, competing measures -- it would protect the
right of any U.S. citizen to carry out of state
(regardless of whether he possesses a permit), as
long as he is authorized to carry in his home state.
This is important because of states like Vermont and
Alaska, where residents can carry concealed without
prior approval or permission from the state... in
other words, without a permit!

ACTION: Please urge your Senators to vote YES on the
Thune/Vitter concealed carry reciprocity amendment that
will be offered to the Department of Defense
authorization bill and NO on any modifying amendments.
This vote could come as early as Monday, so please act
on this right away!

You can use the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at
http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send your
Senators the pre-written e-mail message below.

----- Pre-written letter -----

Dear Senator:

Please support the Thune/Vitter amendment to the
Department of Defense authorization bill. This amendment
will protect the right of citizens to carry firearms
outside of their home state without violating the rights
of the other states. Thus, the reciprocity language
masterfully protects the principle of federalism while
also promoting Second Amendment rights.

A person's right to defend himself and his family should
not end at the border of his state.

I urge you to vote for the Thune/Vitter concealed carry
amendment and to oppose any modifying actions that seek
to weaken their amendment.

Sincerely,

(Place your Name, City, and State here)

New Links: Sheepdog Stuff

I've been doing some poking around, and have discovered a number of websites with pertinent information for sheepdog applications. Y'all know all those sites that sell US Army manuals on CDs? Well, it appears as though all of those same manuals are available for free from the Army itself. Several of you, I know, are aware of Global Security's fine collection; unlike that site, however, the places to which I have linked provide predominately downloadable PDF files (much easier to deal with). Check them out and poke around; lots of great resources. The new links are down this page a-ways on the left; right under "Resources" and right above "Followers." Keep an eye out for possible future updates.