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Designed in the 1920s, the Japanese Type 11 LMG was based on a modification of the French Hotchkiss machine gun. What made this machine gun unique was its detachable hopper which allowed the gun to be refilled while attached and did not require removal during operation. However, one disadvantage of the hopper was that the open feeder box allowed dirt to enter the gun causing it to jam. Another issue was that the weight of the rifle cartridges in the side-mounted hopper unbalanced the gun when fully loaded. To compensate, the buttstock was designed in a way that it bent to the right, leading to the Chinese nickname for the gun "bent buttstock." Used throughout the 1930s and into the early 40s, the Japanese Type 11 saw action at the Invasion of Manchuria and during World War II. For more on the Japanese Type 11 LMG, watch this "I Have This Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.
Gun control activists have become increasingly emboldened. The shift from targeting the margins to challenging the mainstream signals nothing is off-limits. Gun bans are being aimed at the most popular firearms in America. Now, even hunting—which survives in countries that ban defensive gun use—is being targeted.
The American Custom Gunmakers Guild Foundation announced the introduction of its new "Doug Turnbull Firearms Restoration Arts Grant," which is an expansion on the foundation's mission to support gunsmithing education in the United States.
Lipsey’s has teamed up with Smith & Wesson to revive a pair of short-lived, but highly sought after, Night Guard revolvers. The K-frame options include the Model 386, a seven-shot design chambered in .357 Mag.
In the short time I have been in this position—humbled and honored to be serving you and our cause—I have focused on streamlining our programs and services, refocusing our efforts on our competitions and other events, and committing resources to the many legal and legislative fights we are in to defend and, where necessary, to win back our Second Amendment-protected freedom.