I just got a look at the Armed Forces Journal coverage of Blackwater Shoot-Out 2005.

I was interested to see that the ABS(Advanced Barrel Systems) carbon fiber barrel was there, as well as their new carbon fiber suppressor. They were shown and tested on the latest 15 pound version of the .408 CheyTac long range interdiction rifle.

Here is the relevant section of the Blackwater Report regarding the ABS/CheyTac system.
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"This year’s lineup included both the 200 and 310 models but, in contrast to the steel-barrel-outfitted 310 evaluated last year, the Model 310 at this year’s Shoot-out was designed to show just how light a .408 can be. Sporting a carbon barrel, carbon stock, carbon/titanium suppressor (from Advanced Barrel Systems, a CheyTac subsidiary) and a Nightforce scope, the complete rig weighed in at about 15 pounds. The Shoot-out marked the first time the carbon/titanium suppressor was demonstrated publicly. Once again, our evaluators gave high grades to a CheyTac product. Typical comments:

“An excellent match of ammo and gun,” one said. “Great technology.”

“A very reliable and accurate sniper system,” said another. “Has definite applications in the field. The weight was very manageable.”

“A very good weapon,” another noted. “The carbon fiber barrel and suppressor make for a very lightweight, highly accurate weapon. The only thing I didn’t like was the stock design. The stock needs to be adjustable to fit shooters of various sizes. It was slightly large for me.”

One other evaluator made a similar comment about the stock design: “The molded stock requires you to fit the gun, not have the gun fit you.”

Others noted: “A phenomenal sniper round and system. This is another weapon that needs to be available to the troops.” And, “The best sniper rifle on the line; a great weapon system.”

None of the evaluators mentioned the price that the preponderantly carbon Model 310 would carry, but it likely would weigh on some sales prospects. In contrast to a 310 with a steel barrel, which sells for about $4,400, the carbon version’s price tag is estimated at $5,800, without the suppressor.

Armed Forces Journal, Blackwater Shoot-Out 2005.
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The entire article was informative, and well worth reading, for those wanting to see the latest guns and gear in action.

Link
AFJ Blackwater Shoot-Out 2005

Yes, the part about the Lemas ammo does throw a little damper on things.

But, actually the comments which were quoted about the ABS barrels were quotes from observers and shooters at the Blackwater Shoot-Out, so they are not comments from the author.


However, I do find it interesting, regarding the Lemas ammo, that it consistently gets reported to be highly effective at all the Blackwater events every year, in actual demonstrations in front of people, many of which are firearms experts and weapons manufacturers. This of course, is at direct odds against what many of the gelatin people have to say about this ammo.


In any case, I was happy to see good remarks about the ABS barrels, and suppressor, on the CheyTac ultralight .408 interdiction rifle, and it is remarkable to have a gun that powerful in such a lightweight and carryable  15 pound package(including the NightForce optid), which is still accurate and shootable.

I also thought that the new fully automatic drum-fed 12ga shotgun was pretty cool.

Justin,

Yes, we can use Pac-Nor polygonal rifled blanks in our ABS carbon-fiber barrels, and we have made some in the past, and are currently making two right now for customers. Not a problem.

The torture test was postponed again, due to the guy in Connecticut not getting everything together to be there at the time, so it is going to be as soon as he can do it. I sent an MGI RRB and D-Fender over there on Monday, and should be there by Friday, and I'm hoping that there will be no more delays. Mike sent a carbon-fiber wrapped gas tube to help ensure that we don't get a gas tube failure. It will still be the NYC SWAT team doing the shooting. Believe me, when I get the information about this, I will post it.