MB MIA

You get it...am traveling pretty heavily headed into the holidays, getting up very early and collapsing into the hotel bed too tired to post.

Couple of quickies...I finally got a chance to handle the DoubleStar C3, the Constant Carry Carbine. It is all that and more...5 1/2 pounds without optic but with steel BUIS! As you guys know I've been fretting over a breakdown AR as light as you can get it; my result isn't even close to this. The "pencil" barrel, 9-inch Samson Evolution forend and the great ACE AR-UL-E 7-inch stock keep the weight not the featherlight category.

Add an Aimpoint Micro or a Trijicon RMR, a small light and you've got what is now the ultimate package carbine to long driving trips or to carry as luggage on the plane. I think I'm going to put one of these guys on order as soon as I get home.

In fact, the themes for SHOT 2013 Modern Sporting Rifles is "light" and "SBR."

Expect to see a massive number of SBRs at SHOT...everybody is offering SBRs, and apparently the civilian demand is there. Probably a good thing that the NFA Branch is adding 10 new examiners to deal with the flood of Class 3 requests. I'm putting in paper before the end of the year on a 10-inch .300 Blackout project myself.

Rail systems have gotten skinnier, lighters and in many cases optional. Stag, for instance, lopped pounds off their piston gun with a really cool retro triangular forend. Lighter is a good thing.

BTW, congrats to Rapid Fire co-host Iain Harrison, who's taking the helm of the hapless RECOIL magazine, where the previous editor shot himself in the winkie with ill-advised antigun word bullets. If anyone can turn it around, it's Iain. BTW BTW, RF will be back for a second season!

Man, my left ear never cleared from my last flight, because I have a Terminal Ebola Head Cold! Driving me plum crazy, I'll tell you! Another use for Dremels...LOL!