Saturday, December 29, 2012

Is this what's in store for us in a looming post-AWB apocalypse?

In 1996, after a man with a life-long history of violent and erratic behavior killed 35, the Commonwealth of Australia forced a ban on semi-automatic rifles on the states. In this post-semi-auto ban era, the tacticool warriors down under were at a loss for a firearm that could be accessorized and personalized to demonstrate to the world their tier 1 status. Until this. The Remington 7615P. If you are not familiar, the 7615P is a pump-action carbine based on the 7600 series rifles, which in turn are somewhat based on the 870 pump shotguns. The 7615P is a Remington "Law Enforcement" product but is typically sold to non-LE consumers. It has a 16.5 in barrel and a magazine well/mag release that look like it came off an AR lower. It accepts AR15/M16 magazines. It's a nice handy rifle, I've got one (at one time I lived behind enemy lines in Cook County, IL). And the AR15/M16 mags make it especially useful. But it ain't an AR15. As far as I know these are still available, but having just looked at Remington's web site I could not find them....



Having been deprived of their mil-style semi-autos, the Aussies have adopted the 7615P as their go-to rifle for accessorizing and dress-up. Below are a few pics from an Australian gun forum. Click the link, but beware, it's 26 pages of nastiness. Here are just a few examples:



Just an FYI, I installed one of those full-length rails on a shotgun one time. They DO NOT hold zero. Being supported at the front and rear only, the front barrel clamp mount is EASILY twisted. But it's kinda like those cute MasterCard commercials. Hitting what your are aiming at: OVERRATED. Having a platform to mount your scope/flashlight/bipod/forward grip/infrared illuminator/visible laser/reflex sight/magnifier/night vision/QD mounts and back-up irons: PRICELESS.



As I said above, I've got a 7615P myself. Looking at this pic below I'm pretty sure that foregrip/bipod/flashlight mount thingy is gonna make contact with that 30 rounder protruding from the magwell on the backstroke. "Shortstroke" this rifle during a FTF encounter and the T1 operator is gonna find himself dead.  


And this guy.... Tier 1 all the way bro. yeah!



EDIT: Is seems the 7615P carbine is not listed on the Remington web site, and I've encountered a number of internet references to production having been discontinued. Although I could find no official information from Remington, it would appear to be the case.