News from DSA and Krebs

24 Mar 08

News from DSA and Krebs:

I'm in the Chicago area, and I visited my friend at DSA and Krebs this morning.

DSA's pistol-cartridge-firing, compact SMG/rifle, the TP9, is now available in 45ACP! I shot both the 9mm and the 45ACP versions today at DSA's factory range. Both fire from a closed bolt, and both are reminiscent of the H&K/MP5. These weapons are designed mostly for bodyguards, but, with the current high cost of 223 and 308 ammunition, they may become popular simply as a means of doing relatively inexpensive shooting with a longarm!

Robbie Barrkman's NP3 coating on working parts of DSA's "Spartan" series of AR-15s and FALs makes for smooth operation and simplified maintenance, since soot and crud will not stick to it! When you buy a rifle from DSA, my recommendation is that you get the Spartan upgrade. DSA makes a better FAL than FN ever did!

DAS's "mid-length" AR-15 is the same size as an M4,and DSA is still the only AR-15 manufacturer whose rifles come with a D-Ring, already installed.

Krebs is marketing the Saiga/Kalashnikov in 308 with FRMG plastic magazines. However, with 308 ammunition so expensive right now, demand for the rifle is down.

What is hot right now is the Krebs/Kalashnikov in 5.45X39, simply because there are still cheap sources of ammunition in this Russian caliber. Conversely, 223, 7.62X39, and 308 are much more expensive, with no end of price increases in sight. In addition, the 5.45X39 cartridge was designed, from the beginning, for military purposes. Like the 7.62X39, its case is tapered and is designed to make feeding and extraction to and from hot chambers reliable. On the other hand, the American 223 started as a sporting cartridge, and its straight-wall case feeds and extracts much less dependably.

Another popular item is the Saiga/Kalashnikov 12ga autoloading shotgun, which uses a ten-round, box magazine. I've had these in courses, and they've all run fine!

These two heroic American manufacturers continue to produce quality guns, despite the rabid, anti-gun attitude of many of Illinois' politicians. It is indeed ironic that so many American gunmakers are located is anti-gun states, like IL, CT, and MA.

We may get relief in June!

/John