I recently attended a new product seminar at the Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona, for Remington and all of its related companies, including DPMS, Bushmaster and Para USA. In addition to discussing several new firearms that will soon be introduced, the seminar covered some exciting new ammunition offerings from Remington.
Remington Ammo
Remington’s Golden Saber Black Belt ammo promises to deliver outstanding bonded bullet performance through barriers without the bonded bullet price. The secret, and the source of the name, is a black nickel-plated brass band that circles the bullet, locking the copper jacket to the lead core. This mechanical bonding is more cost effective than traditional chemical bonding. Although originally designed and marketed for law enforcement use, this ammunition will be commercially available. It exhibited outstanding performance, weight retention and expansion through heavy clothing, angled tempered glass and sheet steel during a Remington demonstration. The bullet showed virtually zero deflection going through angled glass, which is a testament to its efficacy and high-quality construction. In fact, the Black Belt bullet outscored the Remington chemically bonded Golden Saber round on the FBI’s barrier test. It will be available in 124-grain 9mm and +P, 165- and 180-grain .40 caliber, and 230-grain .45 ACP.
Remington is also addressing the needs of concealed carry by splitting its Ultimate Defense line of ammunition into “Full Size” and “Compact” handgun-specific ammunition. The full-size ammunition is the same as that which is already available, just rebranded, but what is really notable is the Ultimate Defense Compact handgun ammunition. This ammunition has the same flash-suppressant powder and primer as the rest of the Ultimate Defense line, but the bullets have been redesigned with a softer lead core and hexagon-shaped hollow point to provide maximum expansion and penetration with the lower velocities encountered in compact and subcompact handguns. For more information, visit remington.com or call 800-243-9700.
Barnes Bullets
Barnes is expanding its line of loaded ammunition with a 125-grain .357 Magnum TAC-XP. Barnes’ TAC-XP ammunition features all-copper bullets, virtually zero muzzle flash and less recoil as well as a high level of consistency for superior accuracy. Other new offerings from Barnes for 2014 include the 300 AAC Blackout 120-grain TAC-TX, .338 Lapua 280-grain LRX and a 10mm 155-grain XPB. See more at barnesbullets.com.
Bushmaster Firearms
Bushmaster is introducing a new 3-Gun Enhanced Carbine AR, which features a very distinct crimson red anodized aluminum receiver, a 16-inch heavy stainless steel barrel with a mid-length gas system and a Rolling Thunder compensator. The package is topped off with a carbon-fiber handguard, a Timney trigger, Magpul furniture and a PVD-coated bolt carrier group. The company is also expanding its line of AR pistols, offering both standard and enhanced pistols with 7.5- and 10-inch barrels. The enhanced models feature a quad-rail, free-float handguard, an AAC Blackout flash suppressor and a Magpul pistol grip. For more information, visit bushmaster.com or call 800-883-6229.
Remington Arms
Remington Defense is producing a line of AR carbines, called the R4 series, with fully ambidextrous controls including the bolt and magazine release. This select-fire rifle in 5.56mm NATO is available with barrel lengths from 10.5 to 16 inches with a 1-in-7-inch-twist-rate barrel. The exterior has a black Cerakote finish, and the bolt and bolt carrier group have been improved with smoothed bolt lug geometry for longer life and a redesigned cam pin path for faster lock-up. The bolt carrier group also features several coatings for different parts, including PVD, nickel boron and nickel Teflon.
When it comes to handguns, Remington has released a new version of the R1 Enhanced 1911 pistol, this time chambered in 9mm with two 9-round magazines. Like the standard .45 ACP R1 Enhanced, the new model includes a fiber-optic front sight, a 5-inch match-grade barrel, grey laminate grip panels, an extended beavertail safety and front and rear slide serrations. For more information, visit remington.com or call 800-243-9700.
Para USA
For fans of 1911-type pistols in 9mm, there may be nothing better than the resurgence of Para USA and its new Black Ops Recon 9 pistol. This compact, double-stack 9mm pistol features a 4.25-inch match barrel, an oversized and flared ejection port, a stainless steel slide and frame with a black IonBond finish, Trijicon night sights, a dust cover accessory rail, front and rear slide serrations, a beavertail grip safety, an ambidextrous thumb safety and G10 grips. Most notable, however, is the 18+1 capacity this pistol offers. On the range, it performed flawlessly all day. For more information, visit para-usa.com or call 888-999-9386.
Remington Accessories
Remington also introduced several new cleaning kits to its accessory line featuring the company’s patented Squeeg-E technology. The Squeeg-E is a rubber cleaning jag that completely seals the barrel and removes all fouling and chemicals as well as carbon after the barrel has been cleaned by a bore brush. This eliminates the need for patches, saving time, energy and resources. The new cleaning kits are available in universal models with pull-through cables or push-through rods as well as smaller, caliber-specific and tactical kits marketed by brand name. For more information, visit remington.com or call 800-243-9700.
