My previous ( http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/11/06/imbels-ia2-based-subgun-carbine-prototypes/) mention of some submachine guns and pistol-caliber carbines that have emerged from Forjas Taurus in recent years generated a number of requests to elaborate more on the subject. Here it goes:

According to Paul G, this grip sleeve was developed by a recently retired HRT officer. Paul also claims that HRT officers are rocking these on their duty Glocks.

Mike over at Mike’s Custom Weaponry has sent in photos of his latest project in the final stages of completion which happens to be a semi-auto version of the Machine Pistol from P.A Luty’s book Expedient Homemade Firearms Vol 2. The original design is of course fully automatic but with a few changes, namely an AR trigger group and a floating firing pin, a legal semi-automatic version can be made.

When the subject is the future of infantry, the conversation inevitably turns to one thing: Powered, armored exoskeletons. Since the publication of Heinlein’s Starship Troopers in 1959, the concept of an armored suit with enhanced mobility from an internal power source has fascinated military futurists, quickly solidifying as a military fiction staple, and even appearing repeatedly in official “future soldier” concepts from armies and companies around the world.

In this episode of TFBTV, James gets to tackle one of his favorite subjects – the pistol caliber carbine. James is hands-on with the Brügger & Thomet GHM9 (possibly, this acronym stands for Grasshopper Mouse/Grashüpfermäuse, a scorpion-eating rodent).  The GHM-9 is a submachinegun/personal defense weapon (SMG/PDW) designed and manufactured by Brügger & Thomet of Switzerland. The GHM-9 is a 9×19mm Parabellum caliber carbine. It uses 15, 20, 25, and 30 round transparent polymer detachable box magazines. The GHM-9 is a development of the AP9, using the same lower and a very simplified upper. The GHM-9 includes a stock that folds to the right side of the weapon, an integrated Picatinny rail (part of the monolithic receiver at 12 and 6 o’clock, and via screw-on rail at 3 and 9 o’clock).

Found this photo with zero context. I am curious what the user was thinking when they holstered the grip rather than the gun? The gun looks odd and I think it is a CO2 bb gun. Matthew says it is a Crossman 1088.

Looking for a new car? Want something… Different? How about, say, an armored car? Well among their catalog of AK clones, AR-15s, pistols and other assorted firearms, Atlantic has recently listed for sale a Fox armored reconnaissance vehicle. Of course, nothing good in life is free, and if you want this Fox to be yours it’ll be nearly $50,000 – which, by armored vehicle standards, is not that bad. Still, try telling the wife that you’re not getting that BMW 4 Series after all, because wouldn’t an armored car be so much cooler? Well, if you still want to try to convince the missus, maybe Atlantic’s video, embedded below, will help:

With Level IV armor rising in availability, calls for “overmatch”, and the increased presence of urban warfare, will designers be able to meet the requirements for future small arms? Forumgoer Poliorcetes raised this question in a discussion at the Military Guns & Ammunition forum:

I’m a girly-girl. I’m also a business owner. I prefer wearing a full dress and heels to jeans and a t-shirt. Now I’m hearing that I’ll be forced to choose between either personal protection or expressing my femininity!

The United States Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) is looking for a new variable-power rifle optic to allow users to engage targets out to 600 meters, while still preserving close-in capability. The solicitation, released last week on Fed Biz Opps, announces a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) supply contract for up to $33.2 million dollars worth of the new optics. The draft requires offerors to provide 12 sample optics before December 8th of this year. The solicitation follows a pre-solicitation notice issued in July.