The contract is on behalf of the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) and Product Manager Crew Served Weapons as well as several other undisclosed program offices.

The contract includes a number of different weapons with various flexible quantities. These include an order for up to 500 7.62x51mm SIG 716G2 rifles, supplied with one 20-round PMAG each, MCXs carbines in two barrel lengths, 9 and 11.5 inch barrels – 100 of both, there are also orders for MPX submachine guns with 4.5 and 8 inch barrels – 1000 of each. Sources confirm this is unrelated to the Army’s ongoing Sub Compact Weapon programme. There are also orders for as many as 5,000 SIG Sauer SP2022s each with three 15-round magazines and an order for up to 100 SRD9 pistol silencers.

MCX Carbine with a 9 inch barrel (SIG)

Here are some of the more important sections from the sole source solicitation notice:

The U.S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey, on behalf of PM Soldier Weapons, intends to solicit, negotiate, and award a sole source contract to Sig Sauer pursuant to the authority of title 10 United States Code (U.S.C) Section 2304 ( c ) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1- only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This contemplated sole source contract is for is for the purchase and delivery of the commercially available various Sig Sauer Systems (firearms), namely the SP2022, MPX, and the MCX along with silencers and associated accessories to include magazines and spare parts.

The contemplated effort will be a Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) Purchase Order to be completed once the kits are delivered 14 days after award. Sig Sauer was the only company identified through market research that could provide the necessary various Sig Sauer Systems (firearms), namely the SP2022, MPX, and the MCX along with silencers and associated accessories to include magazines and spare parts which met the Government’s requirements for a Commercial off the Shelf (COTS). The acquisition of production items from sources other than Sig Sauer will not meet schedule requirements.

Sig Sauer was the only company identified through market research that could provide the necessary various Sig Sauer Systems (firearms), namely the SP2022, MPX, and the MCX along with silencers and associated accessories to include magazines and spare parts which met the Government’s requirements for a Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) and meets the specifications identified in the sources sought notice posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO). The U.S. Government anticipates award of one single purchase order as a result of this solicitation.

TFB have approached PEO Soldier, PM Soldier Weapons, for comment on where these substantial orders for non-standard weapons are destined for, but at time of publishing they have not yet responded. The contract is potentially meeting a number of Army resquests including Foreign Military Sales and weapons for experimentation via ARDEC. The anticipated award date for the contract is planned for the fourth quarter of financial year 2018.

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There’s a lot on the internet about speedloaders, but most of it is coming from fairly narrow perspectives — people who have only used one brand in one gun, or who only use them for duty or concealed carry vs competition shooting, and so on. I’ve been fortunate enough to use lots of speedloaders over the years and here I’ll be writing up a summary and comparison of the major brands and types available with strengths, weaknesses, and ideal userbases.

I’ll be comparing three similar speedloaders for all-around usage; HKS, Five Star, and Safariland Comp II. I’ve chosen these three because they’re functionally and dimensionally similar, and can be used for just about anything. For competitive uses, the Safariland Comp III or Jet Loaders are the best speedloaders for any gun that can use them. But they’re also large and can’t be easily concealed, so for those who like to shoot what they carry or who don’t want to invest in multiple speedloader sets, here’s a comparison of three quality choices.

HKS

The HKS is the quintessential speedloader. When somebody says “speedloader”, the image of the little black cylinder and silver knob manifests in most people’s mind. HKS speedloaders are prolific for a lot of reasons — they’re inexpensive, robust, available for a diverse range of revolvers, and have been in production for a long time.

HKS speedloader.

The HKS is a black plastic cylinder with holes cut into it to hold your revolver’s cartridges. At the back end a small silver knob protrudes. This is the only “control” on the device. Turn it counter-clockwise and small prongs lock the rounds in place at the rims; turn it clockwise to release them. It’s a simple mechanism that relies on technique and gravity to use well.

So, having set the standard some time ago, how does the HKS stack up against the more modern designs? Surprisingly well, as fans of 70s cop television will be pleased to hear.

I will say I consider the HKS the lowest-quality of the speedloader options here, but this is hardly a condemnation of the product. It just means the competition is even better. The method of operation is slower. It needs more fine manual dexterity, a concern if you need to use it in a stressful situation. And the HKS permits the most play of cartridges in the loader when they’re locked in place. None of these are overwhelming issues, especially for the price (less than $10 for many models).

So what are the HKS loaders good for? Well… this is where they fumble a bit. If only HKS makes a loader for your wheelgun, then there’s that. If you concealed carry, I think competitors offer better choices and for competition these are the very worst loaders available, though passable. If you’re going to shoot competitively, in the ICORE and IDPA world these are sometimes called “slowloaders” for a reason. Aside from having them issued as duty gear or being the only option, I really don’t see much reason to go with an HKS speedloader anymore.

Five Star Speedloaders

I recently reviewed Five Star Speedloaders’ ammunition carriers and loading blocks, and was very enthusiastic about the product. While they certainly deserve the reputation, they’re more than just a pretty ammunition carrier.

Five Star Speedloader, black matte.

Five Star Speedloaders are a bit of a middle ground between the Safariland and the HKS. Made from CNC machined aluminum, they use a mechanical release similar to the HKS, requiring a knob to be twisted. They’re also available for a pretty broad range of firearms. In terms of profile and weight, they line up quite well with the HKS for similar firearms.

All considered, if the Five Star Speedloader is available for your firearm, I consider them a direct upgrade from the HKS models. It’s very similar in mechanism and size, but quite a bit more durable by virtue of its materials. The catch is they’re expensive by comparison, but well worth the money as they can be carried pretty much forever without issue. This is a one-time investment in quality.

Safariland Comp II

Safariland makes excellent speedloaders. You may be wondering why I jumped past the Comp I model, which is Safariland’s smallest offering. That’s because they only advantage they offer over the Comp II is price and size, and the size difference is so marginal that I can’t see much reason to opt for one unless it’s the only type Safariland produces for your firearm.

The Comp II is a basically a small black plastic tub that ammunition sits in, held by pivoting spokes of plastic. They’re extremely lightweight and handy, with a tiny knob on the back for charging them. Comp IIs are charged by pressing rounds into it and twisting the knob, which is a little small but doesn’t hinder operation much; once charged, it’s no longer used. Instead of relying on your dexterity to find and twist a knob like the HKS or Five Star Speedloaders, the Comp II is spring-loaded to release your rounds when it’s cental spoke makes contact with the ejector star of your revolver.

Safariland Comp II speedloader.

The result is a loader that is easier to use than either of its similarly-sized competitors. It’s wonderful feeling to just push the body of the loader into your cylinder and hear a “pop”, then having your ammunition slide into the chambers of the wheelgun. It’s not just faster — it’s also substantially easier to use in a high-pressure situation. The only real requirement is you keep the gun pointed in a direction that gravity pulls the cartridges into the cylinders.

The Comp II is undeniably well-made and sturdy. It holds the cartridges securely in it’s charging holes. Loading it is easy and it helps speed up reloading. The only real issue is has is that it’s small size makes it somewhat difficult to grasp and draw from a pouch or pocket with the same speed as the Comp III or Jetloader, but that’s an expected part of the compromise. This is foremost for duty or concealed carry, not lightning-fast reloads on the clock.

Of the three duty-sized speedloaders, I think the Safariland Comp II is the overall best choice. Unfortunately, it’s also available for the narrowest range of firearms. Their slight increase in user-friendliness is a very substantial change when you’re actually making the reloads — so much so that you might actually want to consider whether they’re available for a gun you’re going to buy before you buy it. They’re that good.

Head-to-head comparison

I used these three Speedloaders in my Chiappa Rhino to test them out. While neither the HKS or Comp IIs are designed for this gun, they work in it perfectly fine (for reference, the HKS loaders are model MK3-A and the Comp IIs are J-GL8C). I also tried loading them each in their respectively designed firearms, and the differences are pretty minimal, so using the same gun allowed for maximum consistency.

Loading the Five Star speedloader saw the most user induced error. (Photo: Andy C)

All loaders were used from a waist-high bench close to the body, as I wasn’t testing their holders, either. Guns were fired to empty cylinder, then reloaded. Times represent the period from when the gun was last fired to being reloaded and firing again. I tested each speedloader in this manner primarily from the bench, but also used them in several IDPA practice matches each. I’ll save you the boring spreadsheet and provide the general gist.

All three speedloaders performed very similarly in terms of raw speed in time from shot to shot with a reload. The Comp II averages 5.2 seconds, the HKS 5.46, and the Five Star 5.51. You can make your own choice on how substantial that difference is. The Five Star had user-induced errors the most, typically one of the cartridges not entering the chamber completely; while this is avoidable with proper technique and adequate practice, it was the only loaded where I had this issue when loading under simulated stress, so I’m not sure how important that really is. All considered, you’re looking at a difference by the margins here in raw performance.

Bottom line

Left to right: HKS, around $10, Safariland Comp II, around $13 and Five Star, around $20.(Photo: Andy C)

Ultimately, all three of these speed loaders are good products, each with their strengths and weaknesses. I would argue that because of it’s spring-assisted mechanism, the Comp II is the best of them, but it’s only available for a smallish set of firearms. The Five Star loader is great all-around, and I would argue that it’s superior to the HKS; the HKS is inexpensive but not cheap, and widely available.

Practice is the real key with all three, but if you can, use the Comp IIs to make practice a little easier.

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The Inland 1911A1 Government Models maintain historic accurate original military appearance. Inland’s original “G.I.” configuration includes vertical slide serrations, fixed combat sights, GI style grip panels and lanyard loop.

The three current models are:

FIRST: The 1st Infantry Division (Big Red 1) 100 year Anniversary model (1917-2017). Engraving on the slide is the 1st Infantry Division’s shoulder patch, accomplishments, and recognition of the 1917-2017 100th year anniversary.

SECOND: The 29th Infantry Division 100 year anniversary model (1917-2017). The unique yin-yang design insignia and motto (Twenty-nine, let’s go) is on the slide of the pistol with above date period.

THIRD: 75th anniversary model of the 187th Infantry Regiment “Rakkasans” (1942-2017) with unit insignia, wars from WWII to Afghanistan listed, and motto “Let Valor Not Fail” on the slide.

Specifications: What can we say-it’s a G.I. configured 1911A1.

MSRP: $829
MKS Supply www.mkssupply.com is the exclusive distributor of Inland Products in the United States, with the exception of these commemorative firearms. To purchase these commemorative pistols please contact Inland Manufacturing, LLC

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Wilson Combat has redefined the defensive handgun with the EDC X9, a modern hybrid of our EDC 9 1911 slide assembly mated with the all new high-capacity X-frame.

This groundbreaking design combines the accuracy, ergonomics and trigger pull of the classic 1911 design with enhanced reliability, and concealable, high capacity performance.

The EDC X9 1911 pistol has been in the works since 2015. Two years later Wilson Combat formally annoucned the pistol’s release after three prototypes sent thousands of rounds downrange.

Wilson Combat EDC X9

Designed by Bill Wilson and Wilson Combat engineers, the X-frame is a 15-round, high capacity 9mm 1911 frame that is similar in size to a traditional compact, single stack 1911.

The X-frame is machined at Wilson Combat from T6-7075 aluminum and accepts a high capacity magazine with a grip that is smaller in circumference than a standard 1911 while retaining traditional 1911 controls.

The EDC X9 15-round, double column magazine was developed jointly with Mec-Gar, industry leaders in double column magazine design.

Wilson Combat left this description on their website, “Designed by Bill Wilson and Wilson Combat engineers, and thoroughly tested by our team of designers, champion shooters and external industry experts, the EDC X9 offers discriminating shooters 1911 match-grade accuracy, superior ergonomics, and concealability with modern service pistol capacity and reliability. Making it the superior choice for everyday carry.”

The EDC X9 features a 4″ barrel and an interchangeable backstraps and trigger pads.

The nearly $2,900 price tag reminds us that quality doesn’t come cheap from Wilson Combat. The pistol is currently available for pre-order and should be on the shelves later this year.

Hickok45 takes a look at Smith & Wesson’s “high capacity” revolver, the model 617.

This .22 lr revolver is the stainless steel version of the Model 17, but unlike some of its blue brothers each 617 has a full Under Lug barrel. The 617 model comes in the same barrel lengths as the Model 17 and can be found with either six or ten shot cylinders.

Built on Smith & Wesson’s medium-sized K-frame, the 617 is a great pistol for target shooting. The model 17 has been around since 1947, but the blued versions were discontinued in 1998. The 6 in 617 designates a stainless finish, which is still in production to this day.

In 1996, this revolver was manufactured with an aluminum cylinder but it didn’t sell well. Just a year later, Smith & Wesson was forced to go back to the classic steel. Probably, in these years, but presumably even today, shooters were suspicious about any material used for gun production other than proven and reliable steel and even the micro-fusions (MIM acronym of Metal Injection Molded) that were introduced a few years later, were not well accepted.

The most prominent feature of the Smith & Wesson 617 is the capacity of the cylinder. Thanks to a cylinder that can take up to 10 .22 LR rounds, this revolver exceeds the firepower of some semi-automatic handguns.

The little .22 Long Rifle cartridge, used in the 617 Smith&Wesson revolver, is the most popular rim fire cartridge used today.

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A shotgun’s superiority has little to do with its deadly pellet spread or the menacing sound it makes when its action is racked (more on that later). Rather, it’s about accuracy and control. If you’ve ever shot a handgun, you know how easy it is to miss your target. Combine a short sight radius with a single grip and the pressure of a life-or-death situation, and it becomes easier to understand that about 75 percent of all bullets fired by trained police miss their mark.

Conversely, a shotgun offers four points of contact to steady and guide an easier-to-aim barrel. And then there’s its terminal energy. In each typical shotshell of 00 Buck, there are nine pellets that combine to deliver roughly 1500 ft.-lbs. of energy to the target—or four times the energy of a .45 ACP bullet fired from a Model 1911 pistol. Factor in five to nine shells capable of being fired in rapid succession, and what you have is one of the most formidable arms for home defense ever conceived.

Here are six serious home defense shotguns of various price ranges to choose from, three each in two categories. Specs and prices follow.

Pump-Action Shotguns

If you have experience with a pump-action shotgun, you’re in luck because a pump (also called slide action) is one of the most reliable firearms available. That’s because the human strength used to manually cycle the shotgun’s action can overcome many hang-ups induced by a dirty action or weak loads. It’s also the most economical.

Tip: Whatever pump you choose, note that it’s often said that an attacker will stop whatever nefarious deed he’s doing and flee at the sound of a shotgun merely being pumped. Trouble is, this tip was gleaned from bad Sylvester Stallone movies, not the real world. The reality is that you never know what a criminal will do, so the last thing you should do is go into a confrontation with an unloaded gun. The better bet is to pump it smoothly after your first shot.

**Mossberg Model 500 Tactical Tri-Rail Forend**

If you’ve shot a Mossberg 500 for sport or recreation, as millions have, you’re in luck. Because you’re already used to its tang-mounted safety, you can shoot it as fast as any semiautomatic, and you won’t find a more reliable firearm. Mossberg currently has 45 versions of its Model 500, and the Tactical Tri-Rail Forend model is the one you want. It has a 20-inch barrel, bead sight, and full-size stock. It holds eight 2¾-inch shells. The only things I believe a home-defense shotgun needs added to it are a rail for a flashlight and an extended magazine, and this model has both.

Remington 870 Express Synthetic 7-Round

The 870 is one of the world’s most popular shotguns among sportsmen, military, and police because it works every time. This model, with an 18½-inch barrel and full-contour stock, is maneuverable yet controllable in tight confines. Fifty years ago and today, you simply can’t go wrong with an 870.

Winchester SXP Defender

This is a six-round slide-action with an 18-inch barrel that costs only $349. It features a rotating bolt head that unlocks and begins to open while the gun is in recoil, so it nearly ejects a shell on its own. You’re responsible for slamming another shell home. Its safety is located on its trigger guard like the Model 870. I like its ribbed fore-end that assures a good grip even when your hand gets clammy.
Semi-Automatic Shotguns

If you weren’t born with a pump shotgun in your mitts and don’t intend to practice with one, modern semi-automatics, when kept clean, are arguably more reliable than pumps. Why? Inexperienced shooters who are under duress have a tendency to “short shuck” pump-action guns–meaning they don’t work the slide fully the first shot, which means the next round won’t load in the chamber. Though semi-autos cost more, there’s no action to work when you’re under attack, reducing the chance of a misfire.

Tip: Whatever semi-auto you pick, realize that most defensive semi-autos are set up to handle heavy magnum slug and buckshot loads. So before using target loads or birdshot in your new semi-auto for home defense, thoroughly test them to make sure they function those light loads with 100-percent reliability. If they don’t, stick to the heavy stuff.

Benelli M2 Tactical

The M2 is supremely reliable with heavy loads because the Italian firm’s “inertia-driven” action blows most of the jam-causing grime out of the 18 ½-inch barrel and not back into the action, as do gas-operated guns. Its full-length stock is available with or without a pistol grip. While I prefer a traditional stock on a gun because it’s more intuitive to point, a pistol grip lends more one-handed control. It comes with ghost-ring sights, and though I like a simple bead better, many tactical gurus prefer ghost-ring sights for accuracy when shooting slugs.

Mossberg 930 Watchdog

This is the bargain of the group, and it has by far the scariest paint job. What matters, however, is that the 930 is a serious home-defense shotgun with its eight-round capacity (this is notable considering its short 18-inch barrel), oversized controls (including the Mossberg-standard tang safety), no-nonsense stock, and unfailing single bead sight. It is short at 39 inches and light for a 12-gauge auto at under 7 pounds. This makes it easy to wield. I suspect that if Mossberg wasn’t so famous for its pumps, it’d sell more semis, because the more fire I bark from the Watchdog, the more I howl its praises.

Remington Versa Max Tactical

This is my favorite home-defense gun is because it feels exactly like my old Model 1100—I can point it and work its action with my eyes closed. It’s a gas-action gun that’s been simplified and therefore made more reliable via Remington’s VersaPort system that self-regulates depending on shell length. With its eight-pound heft, gas-action, cushy buttpad, and gel comb insert, it’s likely the lightest recoiling 12-gauge on the market, and that’s important for fast, controlled follow-up shots. This eight-round shotgun has oversized controls for sure-handed operation and a flashlight rail bolted to the 22-inch barrel. All told, it’s one mean shotgun.

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After four years of behind the scenes work, Luxury Firearms finally brings the FK Brno 7.5 Field Pistol to the States, marking the pistol’s first entry into the American gun market.

Created by Czech Republic based FK and designed exclusively around the 7.5 FK cartridge, the FK Brno is a sporting pistol created for long range competitions, silhouette shooting and hunting. Available in two models, the Standard Field Pistol and the Combat Sport, the single action handgun boasts a tilting barrel type mechanism paired with a proprietary recoil attenuating system.

The FK Brno Field Pistol measures 10-inches in length with a height of 5.63-inches with butterfly sights installed. Touting a capacity of 16+1, the handgun rips scales at 2.8-pounds.

Luxury Firearms has been working diligently to bring the FK Brno pistol to the U.S., serving as a distributor of the 7.5 Field Pistol as well as serving as manufacturer for the weapon’s proprietary ammunition.

“One must experience and allow this gun to perform as intended to fully understand how unique of a firearms this is. So I knew immediately this was something I wanted to help other American shooters experience,” Luxury Firearms founder Tony Mussatto said in a press release. “This pistol is not for everyone and I understand that, but for the people who do purchase this pistol, they are in for an incredible experience.”

The Field Pistol ships with two magazines, two aluminum grips, two sets of iron sights, proprietary butterfly sight, traditional 3-dot sight and lockable case. Luxury Firearms says only 1,001 FK Brno 7.5 Field Pistols will be made for the U.S. with the first run consisting of 100 pistols.

The FK Brno 7.5 Field Pistol retails for $7,500 while 50 count box of 95 grain hollow point 7.5 ammo runs $82.99.

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The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act approved by Congress last week consists of hundreds of sections ranging from reports on the U.S. strategy in Syria to programs authorizing new icebreakers.

One of these sections outlines a two-year pilot program for moving the Army’s surplus .45ACP GI longslides to the federally chartered non-profit corporation tasked with promoting firearms safety training and rifle practice. Here’s what to expect.

What’s up for grabs?

In 2015, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, disclosed that the military currently spends about $2 per year to store 100,000 Model 1911s that are surplus to the Army’s needs.

While 8,300 have been sold or loaned in recent years – largely through the Department of Defense’s 1033 Program, which offers eligible law enforcement agencies up to one pistol per…

…full-time officer – the guns still on hand have in many cases been stored since the 1980s when they were withdrawn from service in favor of the then-new Beretta 92F (M9).

Production of 1911’s for military contracts largely ended by 1945, meaning the guns on hand date to the World War II-era or before.

On a visit to the “Army’s attic” the Army Museum Support Center at Anniston Army Depot earlier this year, Guns.com was shown crates packed and …

…filled with M1911s pulled from the military’s museum stocks that were in excess of the service’s needs, pending shipment to the CMP once the handgun program got underway.

This means there are literally everything from museum pieces on the high-end of the spectrum to stripped receivers on the low end and everything in between.

How do you get them?

By law, the CMP can only sell surplus military firearms given to the organization by the Army to adult members of affiliated clubs who meet certain guidelines. These include being a U.S. citizen who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm as well as proving membership in a CMP-affiliated organization and, for those under 60, proof of marksmanship-related activity.

On the bright side, there are literally thousands of shooting and collecting clubs as well as Veterans organizations such as the VFW that are affiliated with the …

…CMP and showing marksmanship or firearms knowledge is as easy as sending in a copy of a concealed carry permit, military service records or proof of participation in a shooting competition.

When will they be available?

First off, the NDAA still must be approved by the White House and signed into law. Under its guidelines, no less than 8,000 M1911s — and no more than 10,000 — are to be…

…sent by the military to the CMP each year for the next two years, which will require the Secretary of the Army to implement. Transporting the guns from the Anniston Army Depot across town to the CMP’s warehouses is the easy part.

The lengthy process will start when CMP starts going through the mystery crates and inspecting, grading, test-firing and cataloging what is inside, which could take months.

Some guns could be incomplete. Others could need significant repairs.

The odds of finding a mint-in-the-box specimen that has escaped 70-years of Army life without being issued will be slim, but even those guns will have to be checked and certified.

What will they cost?

Military contract 1911s were made by several commercial vendors to include Colt, Ithaca, North American, Remington Rand, Singer, UMC and Union Switch & Signal as well as in government …

…arsenals at Springfield Armory and were often reworked by unit armorers in the field and at depots during their lifespan.

Some extremely rare variants such as 1916-marked examples, “big stamp” guns with oversized property marks, and those with limited runs, as in the case with Singers and US&S, currently garner soaring prices with collectors.

Such rare birds, if found in good condition from the Army, will likely be culled from the herd and sold on individual auctions through the CMP’s site, which is customary for sought-after models.

The more rank and file examples would likely be sold graded in varying degrees such as the group does with their M1 rifles (e.g. rack-field-service-…

…special-correct-collector) at sliding prices close to market scale, sorted by receiver manufacturer.

Still, no matter what, the gun will be an actual real-deal “Government Issue 1911” which is a timeless aesthetic that has proved to be popular with a host of gun makers over the past century and never goes out of style.

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Wednesday’s horrific shooting in Florida has reignited the gun rights debate in the United States over the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, adopted in 1791, which states:: “… the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

In the past, proponents of limiting civilian access to firearms have extolled Israel as having the proper approach to limiting mass shootings, pointing to the numerous legal hoops Israelis must jump through in order to be granted a gun license.

“In Israel, gun ownership is a privilege rather than a right,” wrote Public Radio International in November. “There is no such thing as a right to bear arms in Israel,” the Huffington Post preached after the 2016 shooting in an Orlando nightclub that left 50 dead.

Newsweek praised Israel for obligating its citizens to “show genuine cause to carry a firearm, such as self-defense or hunting”. The message is clear: Israel has the right approach in curtailing access to firearms, and the United States would be well advised to tread the same path.

In reality, Israel’s gun policy is living proof of the arguments the American gun lobby has been making for years.

Gun rights advocates contend that the way to stop mass shootings is by ensuring that there are always well-armed citizens present who can neutralize the shooter. As NRA chairman Wayne Lapierre always says, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun”. A bedrock of the NRA’s philosophy is that criminals will always acquire guns illegally, and draconian gun laws only render law-abiding citizens defenseless.

Enter Israel: When the knife intifada erupted in September 2015, the Israeli government’s response was to ease the process for the civilian populace to obtain weapons. After a particularly bloody Jerusalem shooting attack that killed four, then-Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan drastically changed the gun laws in order to significantly raise the number of armed civilians on the streets. Instantly, graduates of Special Forces units and IDF officers with the rank of Lieutenant and above were permitted to purchase guns at their will, security guards were allowed to bring their guns home after work, and the minimum age for a license was reduced from 21 to 18.

Erdan explained that “civilians well trained in the use of weapons provide reinforcement in the struggle against terrorism”, while Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat called for every resident to carry a gun, and was even photographed traveling the city carrying a Glock 23.

In addition, the overwhelming majority of terror attacks in Israel are stopped by armed civilians, not law enforcement. For example, the terrorists in the 2016 Sarona market attack were stopped by armed passersby. A pistol-carrying tour guide put an end to the 2017 ramming attack in Arnona that left four soldiers dead.

In Israeli eyes, guns are a valuable deterrent against terrorism. In fact, terrorists have told the Shin Bet internal security service that they often target haredi Jews due to the high likelihood that they are unarmed.

Gun control supporters would answer that the mandatory military service that every Israeli undergoes justifies the trust Israel has of its citizens. However, this argument doesn’t hold water. The vast majority of IDF soldiers aren’t combat soldiers and are certified as 02 riflemen. To be 02 requires one to shoot between 40 and 70 bullets. The pistol course needed to obtain a license takes less than four hours. It is a far cry from the highly trained population that the Left imagines.

Gun control has been proven to be a dismal failure in Israel. The Israeli Arab communities are rife with illegal weapons, with some police estimates putting the number of unlicensed weapons in the Arab sector as high as 500,000. Think about that for a second: The most heavily guarded borders in the world and a highly professional Shin Bet are still not enough to prevent criminals from obtaining illegal firearms.

When terrorists attacked a school in Maalot in 1974, Israel did not declare every school a gun-free zone. It passed a law mandating armed security in schools, provided weapons training to teachers and today runs frequent active shooter drills. There have been only two school shootings since then, and both have ended with teachers killing the terrorists.

It is an approach that the Americans should take to end the constant slaughter of innocents.

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The Mossberg 590M shotgun features a double-stack magazine ranging in capacity from 5 to 20 rounds.

Double-stack shotgun magazines were first reported as “in development” back in 2012 when MD Arms’ Michael Davidson filed a patent for the innovative shotgun accessory.

Built on a classic scattergun, the new 590M is perfect for home defense, tactical training, and competition purposes. The pump-action shotgun is available in 12 gauge 2 3/4″ and comes standard with a pair of 10-round double-stack magazines.

The 5, 15, and 20 round magazines can be purchased seperately. For reference, the 5-round magazine is just 5.375″ tall while the 20-round mags are 12.65″ tall. Each mag is designed for 2 3/4″ shells only and feature a self-lubricating plastic body with steel feed lips and stabilizing ribs. The 5-round magazine weighs just under 1 lb.

Mossberg described their new weapon in their company blog,

Innovation is at the core of the 590M with the detachable magazine’s uniquely-designed, integral stabilizing ribs which engage the magazine directly to notches engineered into the receiver, ensuring a positive lock-up. The all-steel, heated-treated magazine release button and housing are optimally-positioned in front of the trigger guard for quick, ambidextrous access for unloading and reloading the 590M. The location of the mag release does not interfere with cycling of the action. The well-executed design allows for proper balance, better swing and controlled-manipulation with a full-magazine located at the center of gravity point.

Take a closer look at the new Mossberg 590M on the range in the video below.

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