They may be familiar to some, but not every gunsmith knows the ins and outs of drill bits. Here are the basics.

The graceful, light, and distinctive L.C. Smith Hammerless Double sidelock is a favorite of American shotgunners. Here’s how to fix its most common problems. If you own a Smith and want to make it suitable to shoot again, or if you are presented a Smith to repair, here’s what you need to know about the shotgun.

In June 2010, Kahr Arms purchased Minnesota-based firearms manufacturer, Magnum Research, Inc., maker of the Desert Eagle Pistol and BFR Revolvers in .44 Magnum, .45 LC/.410 or .45/70. Kahr Arms offers a selection of other niche-type firearms, such as the “Tommy Gun” and Auto-Ordnance line of M1 .30 caliber carbines. In this video, Gun Tests Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine shows off two of the company’s big-hole BFR wheelguns.

Beretta USA introduced the BU-9 Nano as its entry into the pocket 9mm pistol category last September. Initial shipments of the American-made pistol left the Accokeek, Maryland factory beginning in November 2011, with a suggested retail price of $475. In this video, Gun Tests’ Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine gets a detailed explanation of how easy the Nano is to break down for maintenance. The Nano's modularity provides for simple disassembly and easy cleaning. Safely disassemble the pistol by first engaging the striker deactivator, a patent pending safety mechanism that eliminates the need to pull the trigger prior to disassembly.

Gun Reports - News

ATK Delivers Non-Standard Ammunition to Afghan Security Forces

MINNEAPOLIS (GunReports.com) -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has completed its first contract to supply non-standard (non-NATO) ammunition to the Afghan Security Forces (ASF), ahead of the original schedule.

The U.S. Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Ill., awarded the $87 million contract to ATK in December 2008. The contract required ATK to lead a global supply chain effort to procure and deliver various small, medium, and large caliber ammunition, grenades, and aviation rockets, including mission-critical 57 mm rockets and 12.7 x 108 mm ammunition.

The supply of high-quality, non-standard ammunition directly supports the efforts of the ASF to secure Afghanistan's borders and protect its citizens in the ongoing fight against insurgent forces.

ATK recently secured two additional NSA contracts: a three-year contract with the U.S. Army to supply non-standard ammunition to the ASF, and a separate U.S. Army contract to provide non-standard weapons to the ASF.

Reader Comments

I would like to know which exact non standard weapons are being constracted for to be delivered to the ASF. So far I assume most of the non NATO ammo would be for the AK-47. But I would be really amazed if they were actually building AK-47's for them. Less amazed if they were simply acting as middle man for the supply of foreign made AK-47's to be paid for by the US Govt/Taxpayers.

Comment by: preventec47 | February 11, 2010

They aren't supply the actual weapons, just the ammunition.

Comment by: GLENN A | February 12, 2010

They aren't supplying the actual weapons, just the ammunition. The contract was for the 7.62x39 and 7.62x54, along with other calibers.

Comment by: GLENN A | February 12, 2010

You did not read the very last line about Army contract for "WEAPONS".

Comment by: preventec47 | February 12, 2010

You're right, I did miss that. That's odd, I don't remember them ever producing any weaponry that wasn't crew-served or vehicle-mounted.

Comment by: GLENN A | February 12, 2010