Sturm, Ruger & Company’s latest modern sporting rifle is the Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, or SFAR. Chambered in 7.62 NATO/308 Win., the SFAR combines the ballistic advantages of 308 Winchester with the size of a traditional MSR chambered in 5.56 NATO. MSRP is $1229.
The smaller of the two initial configurations of this rifle features a 16-inch barrel model and weighs in at just 6.8 pounds unloaded. Utilizing many mil-spec-compatible components and fitted with the Ruger Elite 452 trigger, the construction and operation of the Ruger SFAR will be familiar to the millions of Americans who have already adopted traditional modern sporting rifles.
The upper and lower receivers are both CNC-machined from 7075-T6 forgings and feature an oversized magazine well, forward assist, dust cover and brass deflector. Barrels are cold hammer-forged with 5R rifling, a 5⁄8-24 muzzle thread, and finished with black nitride. CNC-machined from high-strength alloy steel, the bolt and barrel extension feature tapered lugs that strengthen the breech by adding material in key areas of the gun.
Ben Parker, Lead Design Engineer for the SFAR said, “The proprietary design and material selection of the bolt and barrel extension help deliver a rugged, reliable, and safe rifle that we are proud to call a Ruger.”
SFAR rifles are fitted with a four-position regulated gas block to achieve ideal function across the range of ammunition loadings available today, whether running the rifle dirty or clean, suppressed or unsuppressed. The included on-board 3⁄16-inch ball-end wrench makes for easy regulator adjustment. The two-port Boomer muzzle brake makes the lightweight SFAR shoot softer. The handguard features Magpul M-LOK accessory attachment slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions and sockets for QD sling swivels on both sides.
Model 5610 (top image above) features a 16-inch barrel, a mid-length gas system and a 15-inch Lite free-float handguard whose top rail has been docked in the middle for improved grip access and lighter weight.
Model 5611 (bottom image above) has a 20-inch barrel, a rifle-length gas system, and a 15-inch handguard with a full Picatinny top rail. Both models feature Magpul MOE SL stocks, MOE grips, and ship with one 20-round Magpul PMAG magazine.
Ruger Reintroduces Marlin Model 1895 Guide Gun
Sturm, Ruger has announced its first reintroduction in the Guide Gun family of rifles and Ruger’s first introduction of an alloy steel Marlin rifle with a blued finish. The Marlin Model 1895 Guide Gun was formerly known as an “1895 GBL” (Guide Big Loop) model.
“The Guide Gun is our next step in the expansion of the Marlin line,” said Ruger’s CEO and President Chris Killoy. “Marlin fans should be encouraged by the growth in product offerings and know that we are going to continuously expand into other models.”
Chambered in 45-70 Govt., this rifle features a 19-inch cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:20-inch twist. The threaded barrel (11⁄16-24) comes with a match-polished thread protector and will accommodate common muzzle devices, such as brakes.
This Marlin Guide Gun sports a brown laminate stock with crisp checkering to help maintain a good grip. This rifle also utilizes a traditional, fully adjustable semi-buckhorn sight system. The alloy steel receiver, big loop lever, and trigger guard plate feature a non-glare, blued, satin finish. The bolt is nickel-plated for smooth cycling and durability.
SIG Rolls Out New MCX Spear LT Models
SIG Sauer has announced the third generation of the MCX platform with the advent of several new MCX-SPEAR-LT models.
Built off the foundation of the MCX Virtus, the first generation of the MCX platform was designed to be an AR-15 style platform with added modularity. The second generation of the MCX, the MCX Virtus, was purpose-built for durability and modularity. The new MCX-SPEAR-LT models incorporate the best of both generations and are chambered in 300 Blackout, 5.56 NATO, and 7.62×39 rounds and three barrel lengths, 9, 11.5, and 16 inches.
The MCX-SPEAR-LT models are aluminum-frame rifle with a gas-piston operating system under a lightweight ergonomic handguard. Other features include a push-button folding stock with cheek-rest and a cold-hammer-forged carbon-steel barrel available in 9-inch (300 Blackout), 11.5-inch (7.62×39 & 5.56), and 16-inch (7.62×39 & 5.56) lengths.
Tom Taylor, SIG Sauer’s Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, said, “The lightened handguard has the expected rigidity and durability of the MCX, the lower is a familiar SDI, M400-style lower and ambi-bolt catch and release that is designed to fit the legacy Virtus uppers for more versatility.”
MCX-SPEAR-LT Specs
- RMCX-300B-9B-LT-SBR: 300 Blackout, 9-inch barrel
- RMCX-556N-11B-LT-SBR, 5.56 NATO, 11.5-inch barrel
- RMCX-762R-11B-LT-SBR, 7.62×39, 11.5-inch barrel
- RMCX-556N-16B-LT, 5.56 NATO, 16-inch barrel
- RMCX-762R-16B-LT, 7.62×39, 16-inch barrel
The MCX-SPEAR-LT will accept AR-15 style triggers, in addition to the legacy triggers. The rifle offers fully ambidextrous controls including bolt catch and release, a SIG QD suppressor-ready flash hider optimized for SIG QD suppressors, a SIG flatblade match trigger, comes optics ready and can be easily paired with a SIG Electro-Optics ROMEO8 or TANGO6T. The rifle comes with a coyote brown anodized finish.
Smith & Wesson Introduces New Limited-Edition Spec Series Pistol Kit
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. has introduced the new M&P M2.0 Compact Optics-Ready Spec Series Pistol Kit. The MSRP on this limited-edition Spec Series Pistol Kit 13625 is $799.
The 3rd iteration of the M&P Spec Series pistol comes with co-witness sights and a 4.6-inch threaded barrel for suppressed shooting. Also included is the C.O.R.E. system, which allows the shooter to mount his preferred handgun optic. The kit comes with two 23-round 9mm magazines and an additional 15-round for a more concealable package. The M&P Spec Series kit includes an M&P knife that features a 4-inch blade with an overall length of 9 inches and a collectible M&P Spec Series Challenge Coin and custom-fit plastic case.
The M&P9 M2.0 4.6-inch Bull Shark Gray Cerakote Pistol has three-dot tall sights, an M2.0 flat-face trigger, laser-engraved “M&P Spec Series” logo on barrel, a Picatinny-style rail for accessories, forward slide serrations, and optics mounting plates.
Davidson’s Expands Girsan MC1911 XLV Family
Davidson’s Girsan MC1911 “XLV” pistol has grown into a family of exclusive 45 ACP models. The XLV Exclusive from Davidson’s, produced in conjunction with Girsan and imported by European American Armory, was intended to bring higher-end 1911 features to market at an affordable price. Now, the family has been completed with a set of four models all in stock and available for immediate shipment.
MC911C XLV Specs
- 393074, 4.25-inch barrel, Dark Earth Cerakote, $630
- 393070, 4.25-inch barrel, Black Cerakote, $580
- 393064, 5-inch barrel, Dark Earth Cerakote, $630
- 393060, 5-inch barrel, Black Cerakote, $580
The XLV is loaded with features normally found on much higher-priced 1911 pistols. It has an enlarged, extended slide release, ambidextrous extended thumb-safety, extended beavertail, memory bump grip safety, serrated combat-style skeletonized hammer and includes checkering on both the mainspring housing as well as the front strap of the grip.
The trigger guard is flared on both sides for ease of trigger reach for both left- and right-handed shooters, while allowing for a high grip on the gun.
Grip panels are diamond-checkered black plastic with the Girsan logo, and the front sight is a dovetail cut white dot with a Novak-style rear sight. The trigger is a medium-sized non-skeletonized unit with vertical serrations on the face. The ejection port is extended and flared, and the entire slide and steel frame is dressed with either a durable Davidson’s Dark Earth Cerakote finish or black Cerakote. Included is one eight-round magazine. Rear vertical angled serrations on the slide complete the package.
The complete family includes a Commander-style pistol with 4.25-inch barrel and a full-size 1911 with 5-inch barrel. Both configurations are available in either Davidson’s Dark Earth cerakote or black cerakote finish.
Taurus Introduces New GX4XL 9mm EDC Pistol
Taurus has released the second model iteration in the company’s popular GX4 series 9mm pistols. The new striker-fired single-action-only GX4XL combines all the performance features of the original GX4 micro-compact 9mm with a new slide and barrel configuration for enhanced accuracy and terminal performance.
What separates the GX4XL from the GX4 is its extended barrel and slide assembly. The GX4XL barrel is 0.64 inch longer than that of the GX4. This extended length translates to an increase in muzzle velocity. With this increased barrel length comes a longer slide profile and subsequent extended and more precise sight radius.
The carbon steel slide found on the GX4XL is treated with a gas nitride finish to enhance surface hardness and reduce wear. The stainless-steel barrel’s Diamond-Like Coating (DLC) boosts surface durability, and the coating’s lubricity also reduces friction for smooth operation.
As with the GX4, the GX4XL comes with a serrated blackout steel drift-adjustable rear sight and a fixed white dot front sight. The rear sight dovetail cut and front sight mounting hole are compatible with that of common aftermarket sight systems, making tritium night sights an upgrade option.
For those who favor a micro red dot for their EDC handgun, the GX4XL is also available with the T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optic Ready Option) slide. This optional slide features a direct-thread (no plate) mounting system that accommodates the most common micro red dots on the market today, such as the Shield RMSc, Holosun HS507K X2, Sightmark Mini Shot A-Spec M3, and Trijicon RMR cc Red Dot (with adapter plate 10028170).
The GX4XL comes with one 11-round and one extended 13-round magazine in both standard and T.O.R.O. slide configurations, and two 10-round magazines in standard and T.O.R.O. configurations for capacity-restricted states. All feature magazine and grip cuts to aid in magazine stripping. Major dimensions include a barrel length of 3.7 inches and an overall length of 6.43 inches. Overall width: is 1.08 inches and overall height of 4.40 inches. Weight is 20 ounces.
Prices are $429 MSRP for standard slide models and $459 for the T.O.R.O. slide option.
Mandatory Safety Recall of Apex Trigger Kits
Apex Tactical Specialties has announced a mandatory recall of a limited number of Apex Action Enhancement Kits for the Slim Frame Glock pistols sold between between October 2021 through March 2022. These specific kits are assembled with an Apex in-house manufactured trigger bar — not a Glock factory trigger bar. The issue with the Apex trigger bar is that under certain circumstances, the dimensions of the trigger bar are out of spec, resulting in a failure to reset the trigger. Apex is instructing customers to discontinue the use of these trigger kits, part numbers 102-117 (Black) and 102-157 (Red), and contact Apex Tactical Specialties to return the affected kits for replacement. Apex kits assembled with a Glock-made factory trigger bar and sold prior the identified time frame are not at issue and are not subject to the recall. Apex’s No Bar kits, part numbers 102-114 and 102-154, are also not at issue.
Navy Arms Offering FRF2 Collectible Sniper Rifles
Navy Arms, a historical firearms importer and replica manufacturer, has secured FRF2 Sniper Rifles and has them available for sale while supplies last. Since it was founded in the 1950s, Navy Arms has imported millions of surplus firearms from around the world, including highly collectable military sniper rifles of the 20th Century, including Belgian FN49 snipers, Russian PU Mosin and Dragunov snipers, as well as the rare British L42 Enfield sniper rifle.
“Once again, Navy Arms has succeeded in bringing military collectors a heretofore unseen model — the French FRF2 sniper rifle,” says Val Forgett, President of Navy Arms. “We are proud to offer these unique pieces of firearms history to military collectors and target shooters.”
Used in dozens of countries by the French military and police, the FRF2 was a redesigned, upgraded version of the French MAS 36 rifle, chambered in 7.62×51 (308 Winchester). Each FRF2 rifle that Navy Arms has for sale has been hand-inspected to ensure there are no defects and that each gun is complete and operational.
The FRF2 Sniper Rifles are considered to be in Very Good condition. They have a 24-inch barrel and a magazine capacity of 10 rounds. The oil-finish wood stock length of pull is 13.5 inches, and overall length is 44.5 inches. The accompanying accessory pack includes a bi-pod, scope mount with pic rail, sling, two magazines, a two-pocket mag pouch, two stock spacers, two cheekpiece risers, a take-down tool, a barrel pull-thru with brass lead, a take-down tool/pull-thru carry pouch, oil bottle, field bag and field manual. MSRP for the rifle: $8995.
For more information on the FRF2, please go to NavyArms.com and the company’s YouTube location, The Navy Arms Channel.
Do Not Use SIG 9mm Ammo Lot Number JDAR0815
SIG Sauer has determined that portions of Lot No. JDAR0815 of the company’s 9mm 115-grain Elite Ball FMJ E9MMB1-50 may have powder charge variations that could result in a bullet remaining in the barrel (i.e., a bullet-in-bore obstruction). Firing a subsequent bullet into a bore obstruction could cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable and subjecting the shooter and bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury. Ammunition from this lot should be removed from use immediately and segregated from other ammunition until it can be returned to SIG Sauer. The lot number can be found on the inside flap of the individual boxes of ammunition.
Mesa Tactical SureShell Carrier with RMR Mount
Mesa Tactical, designer and manufacturer of high-quality tactical accessories and equipment for law enforcement, military, and civilian shooters, has announced the availability of the new line of SureShell shotshell carriers with integrated Trijicon RMR reflex sight mounts for the Benelli M2 and M4 shotguns. The RMR sight can co-witness with the shotgun factory ghost ring sights.
The SureShell carriers with RMR mount are similar to Mesa Tactical’s SureShell carriers with integrated optics rail, but instead of a Picatinny rail, these carriers feature a precision-machined mount for an RMR reflex sight. The SureShell aluminum carriers are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum with a Type 3 hard coat anodized for flat black durable finish. These shotshell carriers mount via drilled and tapped receiver holes and include a rubber friction retention system that solidly holds shotshells in place. The carrier comes in four- and six-shell configurations.
The optional SureShell polymer carriers employ injection molded-glass filled nylon yokes, which are secured to lightweight aluminum backplates by brass threaded inserts. The SureShell polymer carriers are lighter in weight than aluminum.
SureShell Aluminum Carrier with RMR Mount for Benelli M2
- 95190 (4-Shell, 12 gauge, 4.5 inch), $110
- 95240 (6-Shell, 12 gauge, 4.5 inch), $93
- 95200 (6-Shell, 12 gauge, 4.5 inch), $115
SureShell Aluminum Carrier with RMR Mount for Benelli M4
- 95210 (4-Shell, 12 gauge, 5.5 inch), $110
- 95260 (6-Shell, 12 gauge, 5.5 inch), $93
- 95220 (6-Shell, 12 gauge, 5.5 inch) $115
RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme Boosts Accurate Reloading
The RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme powder dispenser combines RCBS precision with automatic adjustments and Bluetooth compatibility. The RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme features a Proprietary Learning Mode, which uses a unique feedback loop and algorithms to automatically adjust dispensing speeds and stop points. This two-minute process allows the Supreme to learn the unique characteristics of the powder being dispensed. Once it has been initialized, normal-sized charges will typically dispense in less than 15 seconds. Measuring accuracy is 0.1-grain. MSRP: $500.
