Chuck G. pointed out this article: USAGOLD’s Top 25 Quotes on the Credit Crisis of ‘O7
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Our friend Peter in Switzerland sent us the link to some field trials of the Beta CMAG (100 round double snail drum for M16, M4, and M249 SAW) in Iraq. This confirms my earlier observations when testing Betas here at the Rawles Ranch. My biggest complaint about the Beta mag is not jamming problems (which typically are minimal if it is kept clean and properly lubricated.) The biggest drawbacks are its weight and noise. When loaded, the drums have an annoying rattle (as the cartridges shift forward and backward), when walking. And when moving at a jog or a run, they sound like maracas in a Mexican band. Rattling noises like this are a tactical no-no verging on suicidal. Another drawback is price. For $240 (the cost of one Beta with pouch, loader, and dry lubricant), you could buy 24 of the standard 30 round M16 magazines. That would be enough to hold 720 rounds! And when you take into account eventual breakage (which seems inevitable, given the plastic “tower” portion of the Beta magazine), I’d rather have 24 sequential chances to ruin a magazine than a single point of failure. In the final analysis, I can only recommend the Beta magazine for folks a.) with lots of money, and b.) who plan to use one as a “bonus” magazine in a fixed site perimeter security role. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Do not confuse gear or gadgets with a high quotient for drama with real tactical practicality.
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I spotted this over at The Drudge Report: U.S. most armed country with 90 guns per 100 people. The article mentioned that about 4.5 million new guns get purchased each year (and presumably about a million per year get worn out to the point that they are scrapped or discarded. Perhaps a few hundred thousand guns get turned in for destruction by do-gooders, senile widows, and idiots. But there is definitely an increase, year on year. I won’t be at my “comfort level” until I know that there is a gun for every man, woman and child in the US.