 So, it's impossible to proceed in reviewing anything pistol related without discussing the RIA 5.0ST. That's because it's the first "big-manufacturer" departure from the Browning/Petter/SIG short recoil systems utilized since...well...circa 1910. In my opinion Sam Colt's Peacemaker and J.M.Browning's "old slabsides" are the greatest American sidearms of all time, but the pistol pictured above might just cause revisionist thinking. Made 100% in Utah, the RIA 5.0ST features a patented Ram Valve System (RVS) designed by gunsmith extraordinaire Fred Craig (the brain behind the Atomitronx Merc and the Armscor .22TCM). Craig's RVS is engineered to maximize barrel mass and linear momentum for precision accuracy, increased reliability and a super-soft felt recoil.
With it's internal rails and monolithic profile the pistol is superficially reminiscent of CZ TS but don't judge it by it's cover. Ergonomically it utilizes a more vertical than average grip angle, opts for an aluminum frame in a blessed departure from the typical polymers, sticks with a carbon steel slide and adds a unique squared barrel which acts as a recoil dampening shunt against an internal piston rather than utilizing the typical recoil spring, link and tilting barrel. It's an ingenious design that should, once the patent expires or RIA sells the rights, be the new standard for all pistols across all manufacturers. Just saying. This may actually be an improvement on the 1911, a design I always thought couldn't be topped! The 5.0ST promises a silky smooth trigger for accuracy in rapid-fire situations, and wears a two-piece modular grip for swap-out flexibility and improved purchase. Clearly, the level of R&D that went into this pistol was painstaking and I predict Rock Island Armory have a winner on their hands that'll be quickly adopted by competitive shooters worldwide. The 5.0 ST is available in two configurations: the standard model comes with an LPA adjustable rear sight and the SP model comes with a smooth slide (no dovetails cut for traditional sights) which is factory mated with a C-MORE RTS2 red dot optic. View it here on the RIA WEBSITE.  Haven't seen this in the flesh, and no word on price yet, but it promises to possess the full package of desirable levergun attributes in a fast reviving genre. This description below from the Pedersoli WEBSITE:
Introducing the PEDERSOLI 86/71 LEVER ACTION DROPTINE MODEL, a harmonious blend of nostalgia, aesthetics, and modern functionality. The elusive and rare drop tine deer is the result of abnormal antler growth, characterized by the downward development of one or more tines on either or both left and right racks of antlers. Typical of extremely long-lived animals, drop tines are attributed with shrewdness and cunning and the ability to escape the aim of predators and hunters alike. The new 86/71 Droptine Lever Action Rifle with tubular magazine, is smooth and fast, thanks to the solid steel CNC machined lever and receiver. Available in the long-lived 30-30 Winchester caliber, coming down to us from a glorious past, it continues to be relevant today. It has been revised in this modern version, thanks to the excellent restyling by the main commercial ammunition manufacturers and consumer demand. This model is characterized using innovative components and materials, as well as an affordable price. We are proud to include this famous caliber in the Boarbuster line, having developed a specific version featuring the elegant stock/forend tobacco color and matte black metal parts. The PMG barrel, threaded 5/8”x24UNF at the muzzle is equipped with fiber optic front sight and the Picatinny base with integrated rear sight. After much research and development, we have engineered a special loading lever that is both ergonomic and large enough, to enable ease of loading while wearing protective gloves or comfortable enough with bare hands. Equipped with a Microcell butt pad for higher absorption recoil than typical rubber pad, the innovative techno-polymer stock has both vertical and horizontal adjustments. We have developed a particular Picatinny base, to be mounted to the left side of the receiver. This accommodation helps overcome the limitations on the use of normal scopes, due to the mechanical characteristics of the 1886 model. The offset, compared to the central axis of the barrel, is 4 cm, enough to equip the gun with most of the optics on the market, while still guaranteeing effective extraction of the cartridge case from the upper part of the action frame.  Oscar Wilde said "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" and never was this more appropro than when it comes to the new FPC from Smith & Wesson. George Kellgren's designs have been emulated by the likes of Ruger, Taurus, Standard Mfg etc beforehand but it amazes me it took so long for someone to bring out their iteration of the now legendary Kel-Tec Sub2000 - as a backpack rifle there's no rival. Until now that is. Though I can tell you right off I prefer the Sub2k for it's slenderness and Glock-mag compatibility, the FPC is ideal for those seeking to install optics, simply because the carbine folds sideways (via a massive hinge) instead of arse over tit like the Kel-Tec. I also believe George Kellgren is among the world's top five firearm designers (a short list that includes Sam Colt and JMB) of all time, and I've owned his pistols since he headed up Intratec back in the 90's. Anyway, this isn't about Kel-Tec, it's about S&W. I think this is a great Gen1 of their folding PCC and I predict over the next 5 years they'll drop a load more R&D dollars into it, plus listen to online reviewers, as they smooth out the rough edges and hone a truly useful, user-friendly wee rifle that gives Kellgren a run for his money! This from the S&W WEBSITE.
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the afd blog
Previews and reviews on newly available items are written-up by our team as quickly as we can find them. Please let us know if we've missed something debuting on the market. As a firearm enthusiast or an AFD listed company you are welcome to submit a blog entry about a new product. You may also submit a firearm related commentary, idea or nostalgic musing: we like things celebratory of American ingenuity and manufacturing. All entries are subject to editing and/or fact-checking. Archives
April 2023
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