Windham Weaponry: The "New" Old Kid On The Block

If someone asked you if you had seen a Windham Weaponry AR-15, up until recently you would have probably said no. I myself was a bit puzzled the first time I saw a Windham Weaponry AR on the gun shop rack. In the last few years it seems everyone and their brother has jumped onto the AR-15 bandwagon, some with more success than others. So when I saw yet another AR, I thought to myself "more rookies." I, obviously, did not know what the Hell I was talking about. After doing some research I discovered that Windham Weaponry is not just some fly-by-night, shadetree machine shop that thinks they can crank out an AR like a cookie cutter. They have a bloodline that goes back to the once top name in the AR-15 industry. Bushmaster Firearms, under the leadership of company founder Dick Dyke, was once the top bar that every other AR manufacturer aspired to. As a kid growing up around firearms, I can remember a time when Bushmaster was synonymous with "AR". As far as my stepdad was concerned, there was no other game in town. These outstanding weapons being crafted in the shop in Windham, Maine were the biggest kids on the block. Even through the infamous Clinton Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, Bushmaster still managed to crank out quality AR-15s that were highly sought after, albeit with the required "Neutered" features. After the sunset of the Ban, more traditional designs returned to the market, and business boomed for Mr. Dyke's company and in 2005, Cerberus Capitol (under the moniker The Freedom Group) bought the company from him, and rolled it into a large stable of firearm manufacturing and firearm related companies. Last year, Freedom Group closed the doors on the Windham, Maine factory, and moved operations under the roof of the Ilion, NY plant where they also crank out the Remington series of rifles. The loyal team of employees that had been dedicated to Bushmaster for over a quarter of a century were in essence told to piss off, they weren't needed anymore. Such is the case these days in American Manufacturing. To be an EMPLOYED manufacturing worker puts you in a unique category, the likes of the unicorn, the Sasquatch, etc. But that is where the Bushmaster story ends, and a new story begins. When dear old Mr. Dyke heard about the screw job that had been set upon his former employees, even at almost 80 years old, he decided to do something about it. Mr. Dyke bought his old factory back, bought his old machines from the auction, tooled back up, and hired his crew back. And so Windham Weaponry was born. Windham Weaponry isn't just a company that supplies rifles to the American public, they are a example of what is right in American industry. Mr. Dyke is the kind of boss I would want to work for, a man who apparently thinks more of his employees and the moral legacy he leaves behind, than about making a buck. I believe in the Free Market system, but with Capitalism comes the need for a moral compass. And I'd say Windham Weaponry is pointed in the right direction.

The Windham factory crew. Good Americans working for a good company.

A good friend of mine purchased a Windham R16M4A4T (basically a standard model M4- style carbine) and brought it over for some testing. First impressions of the rifle were that Windham isn't trying to be a redo of Bushmaster, they are working hard to be superior in every way. The finish of both the upper and lower were excellent, fit and form were fantastic,weighed in at around 7lbs approximately, and while this is important, the main thing is: HOW DOES IT SHOOT? Well, after the first range session with it I would say. very well. We began sending Winchester .223 55grain FMJ downrange through the R16's 1:9" twist Chrome Moly barrel, and at 100 yards without adjusting the iron sights at all, we got 1 inch to 1 1/4 inch groups. Remember, this was done without adjusting the sights at all. This was right from the box. 4 sets of 5 shot groups, all in the 1 inch to 1.25 inch area. We had some Wolf steel cased ammo, (I know, don't even start with me, I know. Steel=bad. It was there, so why not try it) and with the 2 groups of 5 shots of the Wolf, we got 1 3/4 inch to 2 1/4 inch groups. After the brief testing, we decided to break out into some good old fashioned blasting and after about 6 magazine dumps of PMC 55gr. FMJ, no failures, no malfunctions. I told my buddy I think she's a keeper. Windham Weaponry is producing a quality rifle for the civilian market, and not only that, they are doing something most companies could care less about these days: putting Americans back to work. That's reason enough to give them your business. Bravo to you, Mr. Dyke. You sir, are a rare breed indeed. A businessman who still has a passion for not only his business, but for his people. And that's worth more than all the money in the world. For more info, check out Windham's homepage: http://www.windhamweaponry.com/default.asp

Ruger Announces 10/22 Take Down Rifle

Oh my, I am officially excited about this.
It comes as no surprise to anyone that I am a huge .22LR fan...Especially when it comes to the Ruger 10/22. I have been a true believer in the Ruger 10/22 for years,due to it's functionality, it's durability, it's reliability, and the endless number of options, variations, and accessories that are available for them. As a survival/ outdoorsman's rifle, the 10/22 has always been a viable choice. One thing I have always thought would be a great idea was for a mass produced conversion kit to change the mounting blocks on the barrel as so to make the rifle into a take down pack gun.
Ruger Co. has done one better. They have now officially announced the new 10/22 TakeDown Rifle. I see endless possibilities for this gun. I can't wait to get my grubby little paws on one for a few hours on target as well as taking it out camping.

If Ruger has order filling issues now, wait until this little baby catches on.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktn4gDpwkU4&feature=colike


http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-ruger-10-22-take-down-rifle/

Ruger Stops Accepting Firearms Orders?

Hello everyone,
I know. It's been well over a month since my last blog post. But I simply have not had the time or the inclination to post anything new. Very soon I hope to review the new 20 inch AR-15 that I built from Del-Ton components, as well as a couple of other little projects.
With access to a new range coming soon, I will be doing some serious shooting, which I hope will supply me with plenty of writing material.
I was browsing my regular firearms related websites this evening when I ran across this little news story.
"Ruger Stops Accepting Firearms Orders"

http://offgridsurvival.com/rugerstopsacceptinggunorders/

Apparently, the run on firearms and ammunition has already begun, even though the election is still months away. I remember the run back in 2008, and it was not pretty.
This time, we may actually have something to really worry about.
We are in the middle of one of the most Anti-Gun, anti-self defense, anti-freedom administrations in the history of the US. If Obama does manage to get re-elected ( which I believe is a very real possiblity) he WILL make a move on firearms. He has been quoted multiple times as saying that he WILL work towards gun control, even if it is under the radar.
Now whether or not this order freeze by Ruger Corp. is legit or simply a ploy to drive up demand, I do not know. But I can tell you now, that months after the 2008 election, ammo and tactical rifles of all makes and model were not to be had in shape or form.
I would suggest to anyone considering a gun purchase to do it now.

The Gun Control Freaks Are Beating The War Drums Again...

As I am sure many of you have already seen, gun sales over the holidays skyrocketed all over the US. More people than ever before are exercising their 2nd Amendment rights, and I for one am positively gleeful that such is the case.
But as you can imagine, there are plenty of narrow minded folks who would love nothing more than to slap more restrictions or outright bans on firearms ownership within our Republic.
Tonight during the Super Bowl, New York's anti gun mayor Michael " I'm a Doushebag" Bloomberg and Boston mayor Thomas Menino will take to the airwaves touting more gun control in a public service announcement.
Both of these guys are members of MAIG or "Mayors Against Illegal Guns", a gun control advocacy group that they co-founded in 2006. The MAIG has a roster of mayors and town leaders all over the US, and many people have no idea that their elected officials may be a member of this gun-grabbing group. And it's not just Democrat or liberal mayors, the MAIG boasts several so-called "conservative" and Republican members as well.
Members of the MAIG say they are not trying to take guns away from their legal owners, just to close loopholes that allow criminals to get guns and move them around undetected.
But the problem with this is, that it's not the criminals that they are turning the screws on, it's gun shop dealers, private owners, and people who abide by the law anyway.
A criminal will break the law regardless of what you say or do. No matter how many restrictions or red tape you throw at a problem.
Bloomberg has always had a serious hate-on for gun owners and firearms in general, but as of late he's been rather quiet on the subject, as have many politicians. I guess many of them are starting to realize that there is a real and potent backlash from voters when you try to take away a fundamental right, such as self protection.
But the thing this time is, Bloomberg is in his 3rd and final term. If he pushes for something unpopular among the populace, it won't matter. The man has nothing to lose.
And that is something all gun owners in America need to take into consideration this fall when the Presidental election takes place. Obama has said openly, that gun control was an issue he believes in and is working behind the scenes to accomplish. One of the only things holding him back is fear of not being re-elected. If he manages to pull it out of the fire in November,....well Katie Bar the Door, as my grandfather used to say.
On a side note, both front runners in the Republican nominee race, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich both support certain measures of gun control as well,so don't think you're safe with one of them in the White House either.
Gun control is coming, and it's just a matter of time before they start shoving it down your throat. And to be honest with you, I don't know there's much that voting against one guy or the other )in the Presidency, or Congress or Governor..whatever election it may be) will change it.
All I will say when they try to push it on me is this:

Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR Scope Review: A Military Arms Channel Video

I've been hearing some really good things about the Hi-Lux CMR.
As I get older, I can certainly tell that my eyesight is not what it used to be, and while I am a firm believer in iron sights, sometimes optics cannot be beat.
MAC (Military Arms Channel) delivers another excellent review in the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l27uTiDjre0

The Saiga Rifle: Quality Kalashnikov Project Gun

Most people who know AKs, know the Saiga. The Saiga ( named for a breed of antelope from the steppes of Eurasia) is a sporting version of the venerable Kalashnikov (AK) rifle which is produced by the Izhmash arms division in Russia. It offers the same piston driven reliability as the military version of the AK in a sporting package. When they first arrive in the US they look like this:

In a Monte Carlo style stock, no pistol grip, no flash hider, and with only a 10 round proprietary magazine. Many people who desire to own a true Russian made AK, will use these sporting rifles as a base model to build upon and have a full fledged Russian AK. Please keep in mind that when you modify a Saiga or any other imported rifle such as this, you must abide by 922r Compliance. I have never heard of anyone ever actually getting charged with non compliance to the 922r stipulation, but it's better to air on the side of caution. Without wasting a bunch of space explaining the ins and outs of 922r, I'll just say look it up for the details.Basically you have to use a number of all US made parts to make the gun "compliant".
A few years ago, I began a project of converting a 7.62x39mm Saiga into a more tactical form.
I had gotten it in a trade and decided that I could always use another Kalashnikov.
This weapon made the perfect project gun for me, and I set about adjusting her to fit my needs.
I added a Dinzag Arms bullet guide to the front trunnion so it will accept and feed from a standard AK magazine, as well as moving US-made Tapco trigger group forward into the correct spot and adding a Tapco SAW style pistol grip for the sake of 922r and a NATO length US made Polymer stock from K-VAR Corp. At the time, I found no replacement handguard that I particularly liked, and since there is no AK style handguard retainer on the barrel I couldn't use a standard wood set, so I kept the Saiga polymer front guard.
Additionally the standard leaf sights have been replaced with a Krebs Customs rear aperture sight.



The bullet guide installation is not something I would suggest to a novice machinist. I enlisted some help on this little task. I'm glad I did as it turned out quite nicely.

The Krebs Custom aperture sight is a great mod for this rifle. I love the sight picture it gives.


My result was this:

I was never happy with it, and wished I had done more modifications, so I decided that it was time to take the project forward after a multi- year hiatus.
After reading an article in the Complete Book of the AK47, I decided that a folding stock on this rifle would add to the versatility of this rifle.
I decided to go with  skeletonized machined stock as well as an ACE side folding mechanism ( which by the way is compatible with all manner of stock designs).

One thing to consider when doing this mod, is that the trunnion block that you add will require that you cut of the rear tang of the rifle, which means you will be stuck with at least an ACE type stock of some sort. You won't being going back to a traditional stock again. So think long and hard before you do this mod.
I sliced off the rear tang very carefully with my cutting disc, minding not to get into the area where the recoil spring stops.

After you make sure you have it flush, time to add the trunnion block.
The block slides into the back of the receiver and the four lock screws go through the sides of the receiver by way of the holes in the Saiga receiver. (the holes are a result of the trigger group being moved forward, back to the traditional position of the trigger in a standard AK)

The top screw goes through the trunnion block and it's then locked in place. I mounted the folder adapter in the right side folding position and then mounted the stock to that.
I decided that the Tapco SAW style grip had to go, so I went back with a Hogue rubberized grip instead.

stock unfolded and locked in the shooting position

 

with stock set up to fold to the right, allowing the use of the optic mounting rail on the left side of the receiver.

 

The project Saiga as she stands now. Another mod to the front may be coming soon.

The stock locks up nicely, with no slop. Recoil is not overly noticeable, and it helps give the rifle a more modular ability. I can store it in a relatively small area, making it a great truck gun, a camp rifle, a SHTF gun, etc.
A quad rail handguard was added along with the Magpul AFG, (which I don't care for on most guns, but it seems to work well on the Saiga). As of writing this, I am considering changing the front rail system to something lighter, possibly the Midwest Industries rail handguard, or modding it to accept standard wood, and utilizing the very nice Timbersmith US made wood handguards.
I am pleased with the work, and I haven't second guessed the permanent modification to the rear trunnion.
I will be looking into having someone thread the barrel and adding the Venom Antidote muzzle brake which is available from the great guys over at Rifle Dynamics.
After all that is finished, time for the CeraKote.
Time and Money, the two things that stand in the way of perfection.

The LUCID HD7 Red Dot Optic

I am always looking for good quality optics that won't necessarily drain the wallet dry. And while I do agree that when it comes to optics, generally you get what you pay for, there are some lower cost optics that will provide the average shooter with a good quality scope or red dot, and will last them a lifetime of shooting, and will not cost them as much as many of more well known brands.
Military Arms Channel takes a look at the LUCID HD7 red dot:

http://youtu.be/NTqJnIGQ7h4?hd=1



And now, an update: