I just got in a couple of cases (10 boxes x 20 rds each) of Hornady 5.56 TAP with the 75gr T2 bullet. Yep, its 5.56 TAP and not the 223 version.

The 5.56 is a little hotter and uses the T2 bullet with cannelure.  It also comes in normal brass (not black). Traditionally, the 5.56 variation has been very hard to get. Additionally, it is designed to work in 1:9 and 1:7 twists.

Browsing some internet forums reveals that the law enforcement that use it, like it. Ballistics-wise it gets very good results and reviews. Here is Hornady's writeup from their law enforcement page: http://hornadyle.com/_img/hornady_tap_report.pdf

I was a little surprised to see that it is loaded with LC (Lake City) brass but Hornady has said that it uses other people's components in addition to their own (specifically TAP).  There must have been (or is) a huge demand for them to not use (or have) their own brass. Mine is head-stamped LC08 and LC09.

Anyway, there is a lot of material written on this round including comparisons of the 223 and 5.56 variant. I am happy that it is available, at least for the time being. I like the concept of their SuperPerformance 5.56, but this can be found for significantly less and has been known to down fairly large game.

Anyway, some pics (click pic for closeup):

I recently got my FN HiPower in 40S&W back from my local gunsmith. I had swapped my (Robar) NP3'd spur hammer and matched sear for a new C&S chrome ring hammer and sear. For those wondering neither sear is plated, just the hammer.

I don't know if it was because my pistol is entirely NP3'd but the hammer needed to be seriously fit. I put the C&S hammer and sear in, which by the way is a PITA, and the hammer just sat in the cocked position. You had to force it physically to the down position. A little fitting allowed the hammer to fall if nudged forward. Well, that was more than I wanted to mess with and I brought it to my local smith. Same gunsmith that did my front strap and back strap stippling.

He said that it was oversized and required a significant amount of fitting. He also said that the pairing made the trigger terrible. In fact, he went ahead and did a trigger job knowing that I would not be happy with it otherwise. It is really nice now!

The only problem is that the hammer's chrome finish doesn't match the NP3 nickel color. Duh. This is purely cosmetic, but I am going to order a C&S chrome wide trigger. This will do a number of things:

1. match the color to the hammer and make it look like I did it on purpose
2. give me a wide trigger
3. eliminate the mag safety disconnect hole

You may have read that I had a problem with VZ Grips fitting on my pistol. I finally ended getting a set of the thin Navidrex. These fit almost perfectly on the pistol. And they are THIN! I really like the grip texture - it almost perfectly compliments my pistols stippling. It feels great.

For those that don't like the feel of the newer cast frames because they aren't as narrow or rounded the Navidrex makes the differences in comparison to a classic forged frame negligible.

Anyway, I am very pleased. Here are some pics (click on the pic for the full size version):

Reuters: French gunman's arsenal spotlights illegal arms trade

Europe is often cited as a model for the way things should be and the United States is painted a maverick. Incidents like the France shooter are rare, but one thing is universal - criminals don't follow the law. That is why they are criminals. Placing additional restrictions on the law abiding doesn't curb crime.

From the article cited above:

Already tough French gun laws were tightened further earlier this month with the approval of longer jail terms and larger fines for anyone caught with an illegal firearm.

Amateur marksmen and game hunters must meet stringent criteria to obtain a gun licence including registering themselves with the authorities, proving they have no criminal record, and passing a psychological evaluation. There is also a blacklist of some 18,000 people banned from owning a gun.

The government says there are at least 7.5 million guns in legal circulation in the ownership of the state, amateur gun enthusiasts and hunters. Nobody knows how many illegal guns are in circulation, though experts put the total number of both legal and illegal guns at between 10 and 20 million in a nation of 65 million people.

Merah's frequent brushes with the law would have made it impossible for him to have legally acquired any of his weapons, gun experts say.

"There is no way he could have got these guns legally with his record," Jean-Jacques Buigne, president of the French union of amateur gun owners told Reuters. "It is out of the question."

Most of the guns he got hold of, such as the Uzi machine pistol, are in any case banned in France. The guns he used would have traced their origin back to World War Two, Eastern Europe or a more recent conflict in the Middle East, experts say.

 

The article finishes with:

"If you don't have a 'Kalash' you're a bit of a loser."

 

He is not talking about Americans or the United States. He is talking about Marseille.

Someone asked about Trijicon and I thought I would ping them. I really like that new Trijicon Accupoint 1-4 :)

Here is what I got back:

Thank you for your interest in Trijicon products. The Instructors program: You will receive (1) Optic and (1) set of Trijicon Night Sights once per calendar year. Please provide us with your credentials as well as your optic of interest then we can quote you a price.

 

(This was just today, so I haven't gotten a price back yet)

The Browning Tax Back Promo is back!

Purchase a new Browning firearm at retail from April 1, 2012 thru April 30, 2012 and Browning will reimburse you up to 8% in U.S.. funds for the $ales tax. See your dealer before this offer, like your tax refund, is history. (offer excludes Buck Mark and 1911-22 pistols. Offer only available in the U.S.)

For example, if you spend $1,000 and pay 8% sales tax, you can get $80 back from Browning – that's like getting an 8% discount.

It's easy -- here's how it works for you:

• For convenience, download and print a copy of the "Browning Tax Relief" program flyer found below.
• Purchase any new Browning firearm from a Preferred Browning dealer (Offer excludes Buck Mark Pistol and 1911-22 pistols).
• Make your purchase starting April 1, 2010 through April 18, 2030 at your Browning dealer.
• Make or get a copy of your receipt.
• When you get home, fill out the Tax Relief program coupon and send it in to Browning.

It's that easy!

If you purchase your new Browning in a "no sales tax" state, send in your coupon for special consideration.

Unfortunately, that doesn't cover the sales tax in my state and BuckMarks have been excluded :( I still regret selling my BuckMark Varmint.

Source: http://www.icontact-archive.com/PX0U1-9kSYPE0VolDkdw_v0wtwPqabr0?w=4#

Galco offers 30% off of their retail price list.
Additional, proceeds also benefit the NRA.

The confirmation form (needed for Galco to apply discount to order) is in DOWNLOADS.

PSS offers a 10% discount to NRA Instructors:

Law Enforcement / Military / Instructor Discount

Active duty LEO / Mil are entitled to a 10 percent discount off the entire order (less shipping). It's our way of saying "Thanks!". NRA Certified Instructors are also eligable for this discount. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for verification before or after ordering to receive a discount / refund. All provided information is considered classified. No mention of a particular unit / operator using our gear will ever be made without expressed, written permission from the individual.

Not an instructor discount but a 10% discount to all NRA members.

http://www.x-concealment.com/NRA%20Discount.htm

The 2012 Ruger NRA Instructors Price List had apparently become corrupted and has been replaced with a functional PDF.

Additionally, I recently confirmed that you can request pricing on items not on the list. There are 2 empty spaces on the form that you can use to add items!

Pricing request form is now available in downloads. Please note that it is for LONG GUNS only.

This is by the request of someone on CarolinaShootersForum which for some reason I can't seem to join.

I had previously linked directly to IHEA but it no longer works. So, I requested the form.

Fax form to: 301-283-2191 EXT 1369. Include email or phone # so that you can get pricing.