#223

Heckler & Koch Is (finally) offering a “clone” of the United States Marine Corps M27 IAR. The new MR27 is based on the familiar MR556 but with added features from the USMC version. Let’s take a look.

Springfield Armory has a new (and yet old?) rifle, the SA16-A2. As you can probably tell, it is a clone of the venerable M16A2 rifle. It even includes the proper integral carry handle.

There is finally a good way to freshen up a tired Galil magazine. Wolff Gunsprings is now selling replacement Galil magazine springs for both the standard 35-round and extended 50-round models. These new springs also add 5% more power than standard springs for reliable feeding.

Anderson Manufacturing has been upping its game lately. Once known as one of, if not the cheapest AR maker on the scene, they have branched out to new product lines and noticeably improved their quality control. I recently reviewed their A4 Short Rifle, essentially an M-16A4 clone but with an 18” barrel. Well, that kind of design aesthetic has continued and they now make a “true” Dissipator. Is there such a thing as a “true” dissipator, and why would you want one? Let’s find out.

Welcome back to Part 2 of my Springfield Armory Hellion 20-inch review. Part 1 was more of a first look at this gun than a full review. It was a quick-turn piece timed for the announcement date of the new Hellion rather than an in-depth piece. Now that I have spent more time with the Hellion, it is time to share my thoughts with the benefit of some recollection and range time.

Brownells continues to expand its BRN-180 offerings with the addition of new barrel lengths. Those new models have either a 14.5 or 13.9-inch barrel. This is excellent news for people who like pinned and welded muzzle devices.

Springfield Armory’s Hellion made a big splash when it launched last year. This import-friendly HS Produkt VHS-2 is an excellent addition to the world of bullpup military rifles. In addition to the standard 16-inch guns, Springfield now offers 18- and 20-inch models. They kindly sent me a pre-release Hellion 20-inch model for review.

The Foxtrot Mike Products Mike-102 is a very unique gun. It uses 5.56 AK mags but has internals similar to an AR. Why does this gun exist, and how does it perform? Let’s find out.

Imagine an M-16A4-style rifle but with an 18-inch barrel. The Anderson Manufacturing A4 Short Rifle is just that. This unique setup is a blend of old and new. Let’s see how it performs.

I recently reviewed my American Tactical Imports “Galeo” which is a clone of the original Galil, built from an imported parts kit. That gun has been so much fun that I bought the pistol version to go along with it. Does Galeo pistol keep up with its bigger brother? Let’s find out!

Accurate 2520 is a smokeless powder with a long history in competition shooting. It has been used in competition rifle loads dating back to the days when .308 Winchester was still in common use. With the recent shortage of Varget, is Accurate 2520 worth a new look?

AAC is a brand known for its suppressors, but they recently started producing ammunition as well. Their lineup currently includes options in 9mm, 5.56, and 300 Blackout. Recently, they announced a 77-grain 5.56 load featuring the famous Sierra MatchKing bullet.

Frontier Armory, an importer of African and European gun parts, has announced two new modernization packages for the original Galil, the Kudu and the Oryx. These kits add additional rail space and other improvements to facilitate use with optics and accessories. Both kits will be available for the longer gas system of the standard (or R4) rifle, or the shorter SAR (R5) carbine.

Finding gunpowder has been extremely difficult over the last several years. Many popular options have disappeared entirely. Perennial favorites like Varget have dried up and left many shooters trying to find substitutes. One such option is Shooter’s World Precision, which looks very similar to Varget on paper. So how do these two powders compare?

Since colonial times, Americans have held shooting competitions with rifles used for militia service. These “service rifle competitions” have grown and become formalized into their own sport. Thousands of shooters participate across the country each year, with the national matches held at Camp Perry each summer. Though they are not the most high-speed or tactical event, they are an accessible sport and an excellent test of marksmanship.