Few months prior to the 2013 SHOT Show, Hi-Lux Leatherwood launched the new CMR-AK762 model in their popular Close Medium Range (CMR) 1-4x24mm series of tactical scope with a ballistic reticle made for the 7.62x39mm and 300 Blackout calibers. I had the opportunity to used the CMR-AK762 for my 16-inch barrel 300 Blackout AR-15 uppers from Noveske Rifleworks and Faxon Firearms. Since I don’t own an AK rifle in 7.62x39mm, this review will be focus on using the CMR-AK762 as a 300 Blackout/300 Whisper optic for the AR-15 platform. (Click here for my review of the standard Hi-Lux Leatherwood CMR model for the .223 and .308 calibers).

The CMR-AK762 has the 2^nd generation of Hi-Lux’s fast aiming double-horseshoe reticle with a number of caliber specific changes. The most obvious of those is replacing the BDC (bullet drop compensation) to ones that are calibrated for the 124gr 7.62×39 projectile. According to the company, the CMR-AK’s BDC is good to 550 meters for my favorite 300 Blackout/Whisper supersonic loads: the 110 gr Hornady V-Max, Barnes VOR-TX black-tip 110 gr and the Black Hills 125 gr w/ Sierra Match King OTM projectile. I actually have shot those supersonic 300 Blackout loads way passed 550 meters.

The reticle’s interior horseshoe has a small inverted chevron or small “V” at the 12 O’clock position for use in 100 meters or closer distance. The strata lines extended to the edges on three sides with small 1 MIL hash marks. The right side of the reticle included a cleverly designed stadiametric range-finder that’s calibrated for use with multiple measuring methods: the height (5’10” height), shoulder-width (19-inch width), torso height and head size.

The CMR-AK762’s zeroing procedure is a bit different than the standard CMR’s because of the ballistic difference. The center 1 MOA dot inside of the double-horseshoes needs to be zero at 200 meters or yards for the rest of the BDCs to work. If a 200m range is not available, use the small “V” on top the smaller horseshoe for a 100m zero. For subsonic 300 Blackout ammo, I used the MIL hash marks in the CMR-AK762’s reticle. In general, the subsonic 300 Blackout rounds drop 3-5 MILs (10.8 in to 18 in) at 100 meters range depended on the velocity, ballistic co-efficiency and the bullet weight. I found the vertical strata line has enough holdovers to use out to 500 meters with good subsonic loads like the Hornady 208 gr A-Max, American Eagle 220 gr and the PNW Arms subsonic with the excellent Sierra 220 gr Match King OTM projectile.

The reticle illumination covers the double-horseshoes, the center dot, a small section of the vertical strata line and the stadiametric range-finder on the right. A common CR2032 lithium battery powers the illumination system for estimated over 100 hours. The reticle illumination is not daylight visible, but it offers night-vision compatibility and the battery life is great. There are specific red or green illumination models of the CMR-AK-762. Most buyers of the Hi-Lux Leatherwood CMR series seem to prefer the green color illumination models.

The CMR-AK762 uses the same ½ MOA adjustment turrets as the standard CMR models. Each turret included the easy to use patented Zero-Lok return to zero feature. Also available is a higher-end CMR4-AK762 model that offers capped turrets with 1/10 MILs adjustment, superior grade of lens and scratch resistant hard-coat on the tube body. The CMR-AK762 retails for $450 and the CMR4-AK762’s MSRP is $550.

Specifications:
Model: Hi-Lux Leatherwood CMR-AK762 1-4x24mm
Magnification: 1x to 4x variable
Objective Lens Size: 24mm
Ocular Lens Size: 33mm
Lens Coating: Diamond Tuff14 multi-coat
Field of View at 100 yards: 1x: 94.8 ft. and 4x: 26.6 ft.
Eye Relief: constant 3 inches
Exit Pupil size: 11.1mm at 1x and 6mm at 4x
Tube Size: 30mm
Adjustment: 0.5 MOA per click
Length: 10.2 inches
Weight: 16.5 ounces
Reticle: Double-horseshoes with 1 MOA center dot, stadia lines with BDC and MIL hashmarks.
Reticle Illumination: Green or Red color, 11 levels with Night Vision setting.
Power Source: 3-volt Lithium CR2032
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
MSRP: $450

A new company called Zero-G is crowdfunding the development and manufacturing of a Carbon Fiber scope mount. Normally we don’t blog about crowdfunding projects, but this caught my attention.

The basic Advanced Carbon Fiber Scope Mount, which will cost $399, does not include a base. It is compatible with any ACOG-compatible bases. The Advanced Carbon Fiber Scope Mount with an American Defense Quick Release Base costs $449. The first 45 backers of the project who buy the mount with base, get $400 off the retail price of a range of high-end scopes if they choose to buy one at a later date.

Do you think Carbon Fiber mounts are a good idea?

Bushnell introduced a new spotting scope in the company’s tactical line up.  The new LMSS (lightweight, modular spotting scope) is an 8-40x 60 that is less than 13″ long and weights 37 ounces.

The aluminum body is rubber coated to help protect it in the field.  The scope is waterproof to IPX7 standards.

The scope comes with a detachable Picatinny rail and a choice of a standard reticle or the Horus Vision H32 reticle.  MSRP is $1699.99 or $2199.99 for the Horus Vision reticle version.

[ This review was written by Dr. Jim and Mary Clary ]

For years we pretty much mounted our scopes the old fashioned way, setting our rifle between two sandbags to level it out, placing the scope in the rings and using our eye to “level” the horizontal bar of the reticle and then adjusting the vertical component until it was perpendicular to the axis of the rifle.  While it worked, it was time consuming and not always perfect.  Since that time, several inexpensive reticle leveling systems have come on the market that work well for the average shooter who mounts only one or two scopes a year.

However, for professionals who set up scopes for paying customers, a faster and more accurate system is required. Wheeler Engineering designed their Professional Reticle Leveling System with dealers and gunsmiths in mind (and folks like us who like neat time-saving tools).   What is very nice about this system is that it can be used on any type of firearm:  bolt action, falling block, pump action or semi-automatics, including AR platforms.

We set a new test rifle (CVA Optima V2) into our Tipton Gun Vise.  The Tipton vise is one of the handiest tools you can have on your reloading bench.    It will securely handle any rifle or shotgun made.  OK, you might have trouble with a Barrett M82A1 50 BMG, but for conventional sporting firearms, the Tipton Vise works perfectly.  Mounting a scope, making repairs or cleaning your gun is easy if you have this device.  It is well worth the MSRP of $129.99 USD.  But, we digress, this article is about the Wheeler Engineering Professional Reticle Leveling System.

The instructions for the Professional Reticle Leveling System (PRLS) are so simple that rather than paraphrase them, we decided to simply quote them as follows:  “The system is comprised of two machined aluminum level housings calibrated to their integrated levels. The Barrel Clamp Level is attached to the gun’s barrel while the smaller Reference Level is placed on scope base, bottom half of a ring or other flat surface perpendicular to the vertical axis of the gun. The gun is then rotated until the Reference Level is aligned. The tuning adjustment knob on the Barrel Clamp Level is then turned until its level is centered to match the Reference Level. At this point the Barrel Clamp Level is calibrated to the guns axis. The Scope can be installed loosely and the Reference Level placed on top of the scopes turret cap. The scope is rotated until the Reference Level is aligned with the Barrel Clamp Level and then simply secured in place.”

It took more time to torque the rings down with my F.A.T. wrench than it did to level out the reticle on the new scope.  Given the fact that we change our scopes around a lot during the course of a year, I believe that we will keep the PRLS.  With an MSRP of $64.99, it is not cheap.  However, given its precision, quality and the ease of operation, it is a fair price for the guaranteed accuracy of the results.  After all, what good is a three or four hundred dollar scope if it is not properly mounted?

TrackingPoint have published this video showing what their rifle/scope system can do at Rifles Only Inc. range in South Texas. They demonstrate using the system to track moving targets and using the rifle to shoot around corners from a concealed position using an external display, much like the Israeli Corner Shot pistol system. Very nifty!

Weaver announced a complete revamp of the company’s Grand Slam line of rifle scopes.  The new scopes have “undergone a complete transformation inside and out,” according to a press release from Weaver.

The scopes use a new Weaver Micro-Trac Adjustment System that is supposed to be very rugged and able to withstand very heavy recoil.

The new scopes released are:

• 800610 Grand Slam 2-8x36mm Dual-X
• 800612 Grand Slam 2-8x36mm Shotgun/Muzzleloader EB-X
• 800614 Grand Slam 2-8x36mm Ballistic-X
• 800620 Grand Slam 3-12x42mm Dual-X
• 800624 Grand Slam 3-12x42mm Enhanced Ballistic-X
• 800640 Grand Slam 3-12x50mm Dual-X
• 800644 Grand Slam 3-12x50mm Enhanced Ballistic-X
• 800650 Grand Slam 4-16x44mm Dual-X
• 800654 Grand Slam 4-16x44mm Enhanced Ballistic-X
• 800656 Grand Slam 4-16x44mm Varmint EB-X

The British Army’s future solider program, FIST (Future Integrated Soldier Technology), has fitted every day and night scope in the program with the Shield CQB red dot sight to use as a close quarters or backup sight. So far the UK Ministry of Defense has purchased 35,000 sights from Shield. The Shield CQS is lightweight, weighing in at just 2.3 oz / 66 grams including battery. It can run for one to three years depending on usage off a single CR 2032 cell.

British SA80 with Elcan DR scope and Shield CQS mounted on top.

It is also available in pink …

… and works equally well on AKs …

Thanks to Lionel and our other contributors for the photos and information.

If you are teaching a youngster how to hunt, take a look at the IC2 Co-Witness.  The IC2 is an optics mounting rail designed to let a second person see what is being targeted by the shooter.

The base of the mount attaches to an existing optic with a scope ring.  A second optic can then be mounted on Picatinny rail that is at the opposite end of the mount.

Right out of left field, with no fanfare, no press releases, nothing, Remington has launched a website dedicated to their as yet unannounced Remington 2020 scope that has been developed in collaboration with Tracking Point.

The Remington 2020 is similar, both in software and hardware, to the Tracking Point system, but one major different is that the Remington 2020 is not connected to the trigger. Instead of releasing/unlocking the trigger at the exact moment the shot should be taken, the Remington 2020 simply gives the shooter a visual alert to pull the trigger. While the Tracking Point system has a range of 1,200 yards, the Remington 2020 can only provide targeting assistance out to 500 yards (although it should be noted that the laser range finding functionality will work out to 750 yards). The scope has a 3-21x magnification.

Along with environmental factors (Temperature, Barometric Pressure, Incline/Decline, Cant, Air Density, Magnus Effect Drift, Target Movement, Coriolis Effect Drift), the Remington 2020 factors in the specific rifle characteristics (Barrel Twist and Direction, Lock Time, Ignition Time and Barrel Time) and ammunition characteristics (Drop, Wind Drift, Spin Drift., Muzzle Velocity). While this should give accurate results, it does means that the scope is coupled to the specific rifle and ammunition combinations that Remington has developed 3D flight models for. At launch there will be three scope/rifle combinations available for purchase. There is one Bushmaster AR-15 chambered in .223, a short action Model 700 chambered in .308 Win. and a long action Model 700 chambered in .30-06. Each of these rifles is matched to two Remington loads and one Barnes load.

Bushmaster Varminter .223 Remington

Model 700™ SPS™ Tactical Short Action 308 Win.

Model 700™ Long Range (LR) Long Action 30-06 Sprg

The Remington 2020 app has been in the Apple App store since 20 September. It connects to the sope over wifi and allows an iPad or iPhone to modify the scope settings, such the size of an acceptable kill zone, and to allow other people to see what the shooter is seeing.

Remington 2020 App

The scope also features video recording (including sound), so hunters can record and share their kill shots. Expect animal rights activists to go ballistic when these videos start hitting YouTube.

Remington has always been willing to try something a cutting edge. Hunters laughed at Remington when they introduced the Remington Model 700 Etronx. Who, they asked, would want a rifle that required batteries to operated? If Remington had not abandoned the concept I believe every large hunting rifle manufacturer would be making at least one electronic firing rifle. I know Tracking Point is in the digital scope game for the long term, I just wonder if Remington is as well.

Bushnell has a new rimfire scope in the company’s AR Optics line.  The scope is a 2-7x 32 variable that retails for $149.99.

The scope has a Drop Zone 22LR RimFire BDC reticle that Bushnell says is designed to be sighted at 50 yards and has aiming points to 200 yards.

According to Bushnell:

The AR Optics 2-7x 32mm rimfire riflescope features fully multi-coated optics for optimal light transmission and a fast focus eyepiece for a clear sight picture…Built with a durable, one-inch tube, the overall length of the riflescope is just over 11 inches. Target turrets make windage and elevation adjustments quick and easy, while side parallax focus allows the shooter to retain a crisp, clear sight picture at any range.

EOTech released their new drop-in Laser Battery Cap for their 512 and 552 optics. It’s operated via a on/off toggle switch and also includes an accessory port for use with a remote pressure switch (which is sold separatly). Their Laser Battery Cap (LBC) simply replaces the cap on the 512/552 and is rated at between 36 and 60 hours of continuous use. It will have a starting MSRP of $285 and will be available in four different configurations.

From the press release

EOTech’s Holographic Weapon Sight technology will now be available commercially with lasers.

EOTech has designed a new drop-in replacement Laser Battery Cap (LBC) that can be used on all 512/552 Holographic Weapon Sights.

The EOTech LBC combines the lightning fast target acquisition of the Holographic Weapon Sight with the versatility of integrated aiming lasers to create an optic capable of excelling in any environment. These battery caps offer a low power red visible and IR laser making them ideal for home defense, CQB and force-on-force training.

The LBC’s operate through the use of an easy on/off toggle switch and come with an accessory port for a remote pressure switch (sold separately). They run on easy to find Lithium AA batteries for between 36 and 60 hours depending on laser type and usage. They are also waterproof to 10ft for up to one hour.
John Bailey Director of Product Development stated, “The 512 and 552 Holographic Weapon Sights have been some of our most successful products. This new Laser Battery Cap (LBC) doubles the aiming capability of the HWS without incurring the added cost of an entirely new sight.”

The new EOTech LBC’s are available in 4 configurations:
LBC: laser battery cap accessory, Visible Red Laser, compatible with all 512/552 models. MSRP: $285.00
LBC2: laser battery cap accessory, Visible & IR Laser, compatible with all 512/552 models. MSRP: $429.00
512.LBC: 512 Holographic Sight with the LBC. MSRP: $729.00
552.LBC: 552 NV compatible Holographic Sight with the LBC2. MSRP: $979.00

LBC -Laser Battery Cap Specifications
Visible Aiming Laser:Output Power: 5mW
Wavelength: 635nm (Nominal)
Class IIIR
IR Aiming Laser:Output Power: 0.7mW
Wavelength: 900nm (Nominal)
Class I
Operating Temperature:-40 to +140 F

The Colt SWORD (Sniper Weapon & Observer Reconnaissance Devices) Technology Demonstrator connects a variety of COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) and MOTS (Military Off-The-Shelf) components together into a deployable package. The system is hard to describe in a single sentence. Colt describe it as “a Small Arms Fire Control System based upon Colt Canada’s Patented Small Arms Network Power Data System”. It is probably best described as a local area wireless network of sensors, communications, power systems and video feeds that can receive and transmit data to/from a wider area military or government networks if required. The heart of the system is a 3G wireless base station. The base station is a fully integrated battery powered system that can be connected to external systems via. satellite modems if required. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the base station, just imagine a green rectangular box about 12″x12″x4″ with two antennas on the top.

Photo © Bryan Jones

Each solider using SWORD  has an Android mobile phone attached to their rifle, currently they are using the rugged CAT B15 Android smartphone that can be purchased for $350 off-the-shelf. The phone acts as a communications device as well as the solider’s SWORD graphical user interface. The phone communicates with the rest of the rifle, and is powered, through its USB port.

Each weapon (rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers) contain a GPS sensor, IMU (inertial measurement unit containing a compass and accelerometers) and range finder. The data from all these sensors can be viewed by any other user on the network. All the sensors communicate through a powered picatinny rail communications bus. The communications protocol is ethernet.

A camera is integrated into off-the-shelf scopes by using a prism that attached to the end of the scope. Not unlike the prism found inside Digital SLR camera, used for their phase detection autofocus, it siphons off protons and directs them to a highly sensitive camera sensor. This sensor then transmits a video feed so any user on the network can see feeds from any other users. The prism only reduces the light through the scope by 5%. This scope sensor can also be integrated into spotting scopes.

A central tablet, which currently runs the ancient Windows CE still popular in military devices,  allows a commander to see the position of all the network users, can designate targets and even see what targets each solider is aiming at (based on the direction and angle of their weapons). Fire solutions can be calculated and displayed based on the type of weapon and ammunition being used. It can even alert soldiers automatically if they are aiming in the direction of a friendly.

The final component of the system is a quad-copter  (four propellor) done that can be controlled by the commander through the tablet, or any other user through the phone or the sensor unit mounted on their weapons. The drone has a video camera providing a video feed to everyone on the ground. The drone flies itself, all that is required is to tell it where to go.

Colt plans on integrating all sorts of fancy software functionality into this system, such as target recognition, passive tracking / ranging and facial recognition of targets.

The system is definitely a technology demonstrator, Colt don’t make a secret of this, many of the parts of 3D printed, but it is functional. It will be interesting to see how SWORD develops in the future.

FLIR, a world leader in infrared technology, has announced the addition of the Thermosight R-Series.  The R-Series is priced just under $3500, which is about half the cost of most other high quality thermal sights.  The R-Series is designed for hunting, as well as for military or law enforcement applications.  The R-Series thermal sight comes in a more compact housing than previous FLIR models, increasing its portability.

The FLIR R-Series thermal sight.

Some of the features of the FLIR Thermosight R-series:

• Multiple resolution and lens options
• 3-inch eye relief
• Up to 16x magnification
• Advanced image correction
• Shock reduction system
• Simple, 4-button operation
• Three reticle settings with a repeatable and dependable zero
• Integrated, rubberized lens covers
• LaRue Tactical RCO QD Picatinny rail mount.

The objective lens of the R-Series thermal sight.

The ocular lens of the R-Series thermal sight.

The FLIR R-series is designed for day and night use, though the night vision application will likely provide the best differentiation of heated objects or animals.  Thermal sights have the advantage over conventional night vision optics because they do not require ambient lighting sources.  In addition, thermal scopes can identify heated objects that are in darkened areas, or behind foliage.

The FLIR R-series sight will offer up to (6) different detection palettes, including FLIR’s exclusive InstAlert.  The InstAlert displays the hottest temperatures in red so the shooter can more readily assess and engage targets.  A light shield for the optic lens provides additional protection from dust, rain, or excessive light.

The internal shock reduction system (SRS-M) is capable of withstanding repeated shots from an AR-platform rifle up to .30 caliber.  The R-Series has a water resistant casing that can be submerged up to 3-feet of water without damaging the sight.  FLIR offers a 2-year warranty (3-year with registration) on the scope, and a 10-year warranty on the internal sensor.

The R-Series 4-button controls are enlarged for easier menu scrolling even with gloved shooters.

The 4-button controls are large to ensure gloved shooters can still easily manipulate them.  Every key setting is designed to scroll through the menu in three clicks or less.  The four controls are for:

• Dual power/calibration
• Zoom in/menu navigation
• Main menu
• Zoom out/menu navigation.

The FLIR R-Series comes with a LaRue Tactical RCO quick detach Picatinny rail mount that uses a locking lever for ease of mounting and dismounting.

The LaRue Tactical RCO quick detach mount.

A closer look at the LaRue mount.

The LaRue RCO QD release lever.

Imaging in the R-series depends on the lens selection – 13mm, 19mm, 35mm, and 60mm, with the field of view narrowing as the magnification increases.  The resolution ranges from 240×180 to 640×480, but the majority of options are set at 320×240.

Optic mounting on an AK is problematic for two reasons: one, the platform is not ideally designed for optics mounting.  Second, when an AK operator does decide to shoehorn glass onto this six-decade-old design, there are actually many good options for solid mounting available, and the decision can be just as tough.

Fortunately, (or perhaps unfortunately for those of us who are already suffering from choice paralysis) Arsenal’s SM-13 mount is another a good option to add to the pool of effective optic mounting choices.  Not only is it a solid and easy-to-install mount, but the Arsenal SM-13 has some other features that set it apart from other models.

The SM-13 is a one-piece CNC machined mount made of “aircraft grade aluminum alloy”, according to Arsenal.  The mount only weighs 5.76 ounces, but offers over 7.5 inches of top rail real estate.  It is made in the USA.

As a first impression, the lightweight SM-13 comes in an airtight plastic bag with straightforward directions on the front.  Minimal packaging and simple directions are always a plus.  The SM-13 installs on your AK’s “universal” side optics mount quite easily (see this article from RussianOptics.net for an exhaustive explanation and history of the AK side rail), however, anyone who has owned more than one AK or who may have bought “one-size-fits-all” AK accessories knows that there sometimes needs to be room for spec variations in an AK.  That is to say that, most likely, the same particular part on a Russian and a Bulgarian may not be the same part at all, mags that are tight in your Yugo might flop around in your Norinco, and for that matter, the same part on two WASRs may not even interchange between them.  Arsenal has solved this potential issue, however, with the SM-13.  On the inside of the SM-13, there are two pieces of rail that slide onto your side mount.  After you slide the mount on, a half-turn of the QD lever slightly compresses the rails, ensuring a tight fit.  However, what if, after locking the QD lever you have a little play? Or worse still, what if the SM-13 won’t fit your side rail at all?

Arsenal has already considered this, and allows the user to simply, securely, and very precisely adjust the SM-13’s mounting rail width.  The width is determined by a threaded stop castlenut that will only allow the rails to expand to a certain width. Once the screw is set, the rails will stay that width apart until the stop nut is adjusted.  To adjust it, simply press the rail jawpieces together to remove pressure from the stop nut.  While keeping pressure off the nut, screw it or unscrew it to tighten or widen (respectively) the gap between the SM-13’s mounting rails.  This takes maybe sixty to ninety seconds of trial and error, and once you have the mount just loose enough that it slides onto the side rail with only minor friction, then you slip it on and give the QD lever a twist.  Your mount is now lock tight.

The tensioning hardware is visible at the lower portion of the mount from this angle.

There are many mounting solutions that offer a solid mounting surface, and many of those also offer a smooth quick disconnect function as well.  However, the real test is which of those mounts will hold zero when installed, shot, removed, re-installed, shot again, removed again, once more remounted, etc.  The Arsenal is no cause for concern here.  The sample we received held zero all day at 50 meters after being installed, banged around with regular use, shot, removed, re-installed, shot again, so on.  And with an EOTech at 25m, the SGL-21 used in conjunction with this optic produced one hole in paper over a series of multiple groups after the optic mount had been removed and re-installed several times.  It appears, then, that if you install this mount properly (which, as mentioned, is not difficult), you will be rewarded with repeatable zero after multiple dismounts and remounts.

Further, there are smaller details that make the SM-13 a front-runner in this category.  First, the mount is very, very low-profile and sits only millimeters above the receiver.  This allows a tighter, shorter sightline to bore-axis, which allows the shooter to minimize the compensation required by trajectory arcing.  In other words, your AK can shoot a little flatter if you so elect, and this is valuable to many shooters.

However, this can lead to an issue – a low mount will occlude the shooter’s view of the front sight.  Indeed, many of these mounts are high mounts to allow for “peep-through”, where a mount is elevated to the point where the operator can see his sights beneath the mount, and alternate between the optic and the irons as he pleases.  The drawback, of course, is that your bullet’s trajectory is going to have a more exaggerated arc to compensate for the higher mounting.  Also, mounts like this can tend to get in the way of charging the gun, but the SM-13 is unobtrusive in this regard.

Again, Arsenal has addressed this issue in advance.  While the top of the mount is front-to-back 1913 Picattiny Rail, ready to accommodate your standard RDS, reflex, or rings, there is a semicircle groove that bisects the rail segments, forming enough of a trough to allow the user to use iron sights, even with the mount installed.  While I note that a low-slung optic like an EOTech or optics using solid bases like LaRue QD mounts may still block the front sight, at least the option to leave the mount in place and use the irons while still offering a low mounting solution may be preferable to the peep-through compromise.

As seen here, the sights are visible through this mount when installed.

However, as seen here, the sights are not visible with a low-pro optic in place.

As stated, the SM-13 is lightweight at 5.76 ounces, but robust nonetheless.  As seen, it has three cross members that connect the side mount point with the top mount it provides, which gives it an appearance like it could take some real abuse. The fit and finish are excellent, and the flat black anodizing will go well with about any AK.  The only negative I perceive is that the QD lever itself is a very thin steel that feels like it could be bent if the wrong sort of pressure is applied, but given how neatly the lever tucks into the mount when in use, this is unlikely.

Close-up of the QD lever.

In summary, the SM-13 offers a solid, versatile, and easy to install mount that holds zero when in use, and even when removed and reinstalled.  Additionally, Arsenal’s SM-13 is well thought out, offering a lot of rail (7.5 inches) while maintaining light weight, and providing a low mounting axis, while still permitting the use of the AK’s iron sights.  Finally, the fact that it is tension-adjustable all but guarantees fit on your AK.  As said, there are a lot of options when it comes to AK mounting solutions, but Arsenal’s SM-13 gives the shooter everything he needs and at a fair price on par with other top of the line mounts, and is deserving of serious consideration when shopping for an AK mount.

BLK Technologies has introduced a new range of rimfire and airgun mounts and bases. Each of the SOLO series rings are being sold individually rather than in pairs so you can mix and match them for your gun/optic combination. The SOLO ring range includes offset rings, single strap, double strap and even triple strap rings. You could, for example, have a triple strap forward of your scope turrets and a offset to the rear of them.

BKL-274 0.6″ Offset Dovetail Ring

BKL-264H 1.53″ Long Triple Strap Dovetail Ring

The SOLO rings range in price from $12 – $27.

TRUGLO is now offering several products for turkey hunters: the Strut Stopper Extreme choke tube and the Gobble Stopper Triton Series of 1x optics.

The Strut Stopper Extreme choke tube is designed to be used without the need of a choke tube wrench and is made in both 12- and 20-gauge versions.  The tube is not for use with steel shot.

• construction for tight, dense patterns
• 12 gauge and 20 gauge
• precision CNC-machined
• internal grooves for improving patterning
• accepts all turkey loads including Hevi·Shot

Gobble Stopper Triton optics are 1x red dot-style sights with variable brightness controls and numerous options.  Shooters can get the Gobble Stopper in plain black or in RealTree APG camo finishes.  The dot can be had as 3 MOA or 5 MOA and in dual or tri colors.  The units come with a removable sunshade to reduce glare off of the front lens.

Its not every day that we see a new concept for weapon sights. The See All Open Sight from See All Open Sights (original company name, eh?) is a new concept and product that combines elements of fiber-optic, iron, and dot sighting systems.

The SAOS is 100% American-made and mounts to all standard 1913-style rails. It weights less than 2 ozs. (1.8 to be exact) and requires not batteries. SAOS claims that the SAOS will survive and thrive even mounted to pistol slides or on any weapon with demanding recoil.

I got a chance to go hands-on at SHOT. First thing I noticed was the SAOS is tiny and has negligible weight. The company had pistols and shotguns with the system mounted for people to try. Personally, I found it hard to pick on a pistol, and believe the sight is at home on a shotgun or short-range rifle.

TFB will request one for review and run it through our wringer. Until then, MrGunsNGear’s review will bring you up to speed:

The SAOS from SAOS retails for $98.95. You can buy it direct or through local dealers. 

What are your thoughts? A solid improvement over basic or fiber-optic iron-sights or an over-priced gimmick?

When hordes of undead are swarming your position, you need rapid, accurate fire to put them down.  For close in work, a quality optic can be a real life saver.  Fortunately, Bushnell is stepping up to the plate with the new 1X MP Zombie Assault sight.

The illuminated reticle is a “T-Dot” style preferred by elite undead eradication operators, and it can be displayed in green or red.  The optic is waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.  So, feel free to use it as an improvised impact weapon on squishy zombie heads when ammo is running low.

MSRP is $199.99.  Sure, you can wait until the apocalypse and just grab an inferior anti-zombie optic off the rifle of some poor, gnawed to the bone traveler you find in a ditch.  But clearly that optic wasn’t ready for combat with hell spawn.  It might be better to grab one of these sights before the sickness hits.

Gemini Defense makes a handgun sighting system that is supposed to allow the shooter to focus on the threat, not the sights, in a high-stress self-defense situation.  The sights are called Zone Reflex, or Z-Flex, combat sights.

The rear sights offer either a large, oblong, enclosed circle or a very wide, tall notch depending on the model purchased.  All of the sights use parenthesis-like outlines to bracket the target.  The purpose is for the shooter to concentrate on the threat while obtaining a non-precise, but fast visual reference that the gun is on target.

The two enclosed rear sights also have a standard notch at the base to allow for more precise shooting at targets farther away.

The sights use a photo-luminescent paint that glows after being exposed to light.  Roughly one minute of “charging” from a high intensity flashlight should provide up to six hours of useful glowing.

Pricing runs from $89.95 to $119.95.

The Trijicon RMR is being found on more and more handguns due to the optic’s small size and rugged durability.  However, those going on safari might just see more of them as well.

Trijicon is now offering adaptors to mount the RMR sights on double rifles.  The rifles for which the mounts are available include models from Sako and Blaser.  Additionally, Trijicon is offering generic mounts for custom rifles with various sized ribs, plus a steel block mount for custom shaping by a gunsmith.