It was two years ago that the United States Army selected the Virginia-based Sig Sauer design for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), which will replace the legacy M4 Carbine and M249 light machine gun. The announcement came after a rigorous 27-month prototyping and evaluation period. The NGSW program was initiated to find a replacement for the legacy small arms with a new weapon that could serve as both the main battle rifle and squad automatic weapon – both chambered for the 6.8x51mm common cartridge (also known as .277 Fury). The new round was developed to find a middle ground over the legacy 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm cartridges.

The U.S. military developed a 6.8mm round for testing and initially stated that companies would have to deliver that projectile at a set velocity and range. However, Sig Sauer found it necessary to re-engineer the cartridge to take 25% higher barrel pressure. This was achieved by adding a new steel base cap, which increased the strength of the weakest part of the round.

The new round could eventually become another NATO standard, alongside the 5.56 and 7.62 cartridges.

Sig Sauer will handle the round’s initial production, with the U.S. Army taking over production at its Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Missouri. Sig Sauer will remain a second-source provider of the new ammunition and announced plans last October for a $150 million expansion at its Elite Performance Ammunition manufacturing in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

The gun maker opened the plant in 2016 with just 50 jobs but expanded to 350. With the expansion, it will bring more than 600 new jobs to the region.

New UK Facility

In addition to the new cartridge announcement, Cohen also said that the company will expand its footprint in the UK. That will include a new ammunition plant, which could produce the aforementioned 6.8mm round for NATO members.

In addition, Sig Sauer is expected to be among the firearm firms that will compete for the British military’s Project Grayburn, the program to find a replacement for the SA80 assault rifle – designated the L84A3. The bullpup firearm was the last in a long line of British weapons, including the Lee–Enfield family, to be developed by the Royal Small Arms Factory, the national arms development and production facility at Enfield Lock. The factory was closed down in 1988, and upgrades to the SA80 have been outside firms, including German-based Heckler & Koch.

Though it took 12 years to develop the SA80, Project Grayburn calls for its replacement to begin to enter service as early as 2027.

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Trijicon is the manufacturer of the renowned ACOG, which has been used by the US Military for years. It’s arguably the most durable optic ever made for the M16. Another popular optic from Trijicon is the RMR (ruggedized miniature reflex) sight. This reflex sight is the official SOCOM handgun optic and is possibly just as durable as the ACOG. I work in law enforcement and have used the RMR for years. It needs a batter change about once every two or three years, and that’s it.

FN Herstal is one of the largest small arms suppliers to the US military, making many of our machine guns, grenade launchers, and M4 rifles. They also make some great handguns that have undergone extreme testing, totaling more than one million rounds. The LAPD, the second largest law enforcement agency in the country, has started carrying the FN 509 MRD-LE. It’s just hard to beat a FN weapon, and the rebate is active right now. This means until the end of December, you can buy an FN handgun, equip it with a Trijicon optic, and receive a rebate on each one. Here’s a quick reference for each product and the rebate offered.

FN 502 Tactical Pistol: $50 Rebate

If you like .22 semi-auto pistols, this one is a winner. One of the first slide-mounted optics-ready rem-fire handguns, the 502 is a suppressor-ready hammer-fired handgun. Available in black or FDE, the 502 Tactical comes with a 10- and 15-round magazine. Plus, this gun uses FN’s low-profile mounting system, which works with multiple optics, including the Trijicon RMR. Having a good .22 semi-auto isn’t just fun; it’s also great for training. This would make a perfect gift or companion to your FN combat gun. The rebate is $50 until the end of December.

FN 509 Standard and MRD Pistols: $100 Rebate

Used as their flagship handgun for the 509 series, this gun was modeled after the FNS Compact. The company made some changes to the internal and external parts to meet the requirements of the US Military’s testing program, and the 509 was born. As mentioned above, a version of the 509 was adopted by the LAPD after rigorous testing. This gun has a non-manual safety, fixed 3-dot luminescent sights, and a polished chamber and feed ramp. The MRD version provides a removable optics plate and raised sights. They are offering a rebate of $100.

FN 509 Tactical and Edge Series Pistols: $125 Rebate

The FN 509 Tactical is a beefed-up version of the standard 509 handgun. It comes with a low-profile optics mounting system, threaded barrel, and suppressor height Trijicon 3-dot green Tritium night sights. Chambered in 9mm, the 509 Tactical will accommodate 10-, 17-, and 24-round magazines. This weapon was tested by the US Army during its Modular Handgun Trials. It has some added features made popular from the standard 509 series including a cold hammer forged barrel. Until December 31, 2023, you can receive a $125 rebate from FN after buying this pistol.

FN Five Seven MRD Pistols: $150 Rebate

This one is cool to own, and it shoots a fast little bullet. As the name implies, the “Five-Seven” is chambered for the 5.7x28mm cartridge. I have always thought of this gun as the equivalent of an AR-15 for handguns. It’s been used by some specialized law enforcement agencies because it can penetrate ballistic armor when the right ammo is used. While armor-piercing rounds are only available to the military and law enforcement, self-defense rounds are available for the Five-Seven handgun.

FN SCAR 15P (pistol): $200 Rebate

Last on the list for FN guns with a rebate is the FN SCAR 15P. The SCAR is one of FN’s most famous rifles and has been proven in battle many times over. This pistol version comes with a Picatinny rail on the back of the gun, so you can attach an arm brace. Note: check state and federal laws first before attaching an arm brace. It can also be used with a sling or a stock if you want to register it as a short-barrel rifle.

Trijicon Select MRO Optics: $50 Rebate

A company that needs no introduction, making battle-ready optics is what Trijicon does. This rebate will get you $50 back after purchasing a new MRO. The brightness control is on top, making it ambidextrous and easy to cycle through the eight brightness settings. It also has two night vision settings for those that need or want it. Crafted of 7075 aluminum, the MRO offers a staggering 5-year run time on one battery (standard red dot version).

Trijicon RMR Optic: $100 Rebate

The Trijicon RMR is a must-have for anyone who does some serious shooting. As mentioned above, Trijicon is the official US SOCOM handgun reflex sight. It’s been tested and used more than any other handgun optic, and it holds up to about any abuse. A $100 rebate is being offered on the RMR until the end. That makes this one of the best deals for an optic you can find. If you want the best of the best, try out the RMR and get a $100 check in the mail afterward.

Ready for a rebate?

Once you decide what handgun you want, don’t forget to pick up some extra mags. GunMag Warehouse has a lot of great deals going on until the end of the year. You may also want a good combat holster to go finish the set. I recommend Safariland holsters because they have been tested and used by the military and law enforcement for years. Safariland makes holsters like the 7360 series that fit an optic and light in the holster.

These rebates provide lots of options for an FN pistol and the best optic to go with it. Just make sure your purchase is before the end of the day on December 31, 2023. Instructions will come with them on how to redeem the rebate. You can also go to their website and find the rebate link. Fill out the information from your ticket and the serial number on the optic or firearm. After that, just sit back and wait for your check to come in the mail.

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Smith said the company started a review of the best path forward because of the potential for other such laws. After the company spent considerable time evaluating their options, they decided a move to another state was beneficial. Because of the move, the company closed facilities in Connecticut and Missouri. But this does not mean the company is closing its Massachusetts factory down completely. The headquarters and most of its assembly lines are moving, but nearly 1,000 employees will remain at the old factory.

According to the company, revolvers will continue being made in the Massachusetts facility. Plastic injection molding, pistol, and long gun assembly and distribution, however, have moved to the new facility. The most symbolic move is the headquarters, which S&W has relocated to the new facility. They celebrated their grand opening on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Massachusetts has been the company’s home since the company was incorporated in 1852.

Who is Smith & Wesson?

Even if you have little knowledge of firearms, there’s a good chance you have heard of Smith & Wesson before. One of the oldest gun manufacturers in the world, the company has a long history. Founded by Horace Smith and D.B Wesson, the company first made a revolver that could fire a fully self-contained cartridge. Just a couple of years later, they made the first repeating firearm with a self-contained cartridge called the Vulcanic.

After the war, the company focused on larger caliber weapons for the American frontier. This included the .44 S&W and the famous Model 10, also known as the .38 Military and Police Revolver. This revolver would be used for decades by police around the country. The US Military also purchased the Model 10 for its use. Several other companies purchased Smith & Wesson over the years before it was acquired by its current owner, Saf-T-Hammer Corporation. They are traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker SWBI.

What will become of Smith & Wesson now?

As the company moves into its new 650,000-square-foot building, the CEO said he looks forward to another 170 successful years. The company has plans to build a museum and retail store at its new location sometime in the future. I love gun museums and a Smith & Wesson Museum in Tennessee would be an awesome place to visit. I’m not sure what type of retail store the company plans to build, but that could also be interesting.

For quite some time, Smith & Wesson stuck with what I would call the traditional guns. Their most popular guns were revolvers and the M&P line. But other gun companies have been pushing the limits with their imagination, leaving S&W to play catch up. After Kel-Tec released the KSG, S&W released the M&P 12. Kel-Tec again led the way with the Sub 2000 and S&W released the FPC. I don’t really care who makes what gun first, if they make a good gun that sells at a competitive price. I hope this move encourages S&W to keep making new models.

Will this become a trend among gun companies?

Smith & Wesson’s move is not the first and it may not be the last. Several other gun companies have also made the move for greener grass, and this isn’t a bad thing. Beretta USA moved its facilities to Tennessee, Mossberg left Connecticut for Texas, and Kimber moved from New York to Alabama. It’s sad that states have attacked the Second Amendment to the point that companies are forced to relocate. This hurts people’s jobs and hurts local economies.

Jerry Miculek set a world record at the new S&W facility.

Smith & Wesson’s move has been in the works since 2021, and there was a lot of buzz created on Saturday with their grand opening. Si Robertson from Duck Dynasty and US Representative Tim Burchett attended the event, but the most exciting person who showed up was Jerry Miculek. If you haven’t followed him before, Miculek is one of the best shots in the world with a wheel gun. On Saturday, he set an NRA world record at the new S&W facility. It was for hitting six steel plates at seven yards with a 9mm revolver. Sound easy? It is, unless you do it in 1.88 seconds which Miculek did.

You may not be a revolver guy and maybe you don’t care for any Smith & Wesson guns. Either way, it’s hard to ignore the fact that S&W is an iconic American gun company. I was glad to see the state of Tennessee open its arms for the company to move. There are some who wish to see all gun manufacturers go out of business and the move to Tennessee adds some protection to another company making American firearms for hunting, sporting, and self-defense.

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