Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Reports On The Death of Mr. Mikhail Kalashnikov The Designer of The World Famous AK-47 Kalashnikov Rifle

Mikhail Kalashnikov in his mid 20 year of age during the years of the Second World War. Mikhal served in a Russian T-34 tank unit and while recouping in hospital from his wounds received as a result of the great tank battle, the battle of Krusk, Mikhail designed the basic idea for the assault rifle

Kalashnikov first prototype of his idea for an "assault" rifle chambered in caliber (7.62 x 39) smaller than the common infantry rifle for the Russian army of the time, the famed Mosin Nagant in 7.62 x 54R

Mikhail holding his perfected idea of an assault rifle, his world famous AK-47

Comrade Mikhail Kalashnikov in his later years raising a toast with a certain brand of Russian Vodka bottled in a glass rendering in his famous AK-47 design

Miami, Florida 23rd December 2013: Acclaimed a hero of the Soviet Union for creating the most popular assault rifle in history, Mikhail Kalashnikov was the namesake of the AK-47.

Mr. Kalashnikov died in Izhevsk, Russia on Monday at age 94, after a long illness. Mr. Kalashnikov said the automatic rifle was designed "to protect the motherland' after World War II. But the AK-47 and its descendants and knockoffs became mainstays for armies and guerrilla soldiers around the globe. Light, durable, cheap to manufacture and simple to maintain, the rifle creates a deadly spray of bullets chambered in the 7.62 x 39 caliber without much kick.

The design of the Avtomat Kalashnikova-or Kalashnikov's automatic spread widely after its roll out in 1949. It is estimated that 100 million have been produced.
Mr. Kalashnikov said he regretted that is became the weapon of choice for guerrilla armies. "it was like a genie out of the bottle, and it began to walk all on its own and in directions I did not want".
We at Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) have various example of Mr. Kalashnikov design within our operational-training arsenal consisting of the AK-47, AK-74, the AKU-74 and the Sagia .410 shotgun in an AK-47 design and yes! we do find the AK models a prefer platform to introduce the assault rifle to the new shooter as well as the ease to both operate and maintain it. Well done Mr. Kalashnikov may you rest in peace.

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Reports On The City of Miami Garden Police Department Mine Resistant Ambush Protective (MRAP) Vehicle

The Mine Resistant Ambush Protect (MRAP) Vehicle as it arrived at the George T. Baker Aviation School in its original desert paint scheme to be re-painted in an overall flat, tactical black paint scheme 

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Founder Benny Benitez sits inside the Miami Gardens Police (MRAP) vehicle. The Miami Gardens Police Department acquired their (MRAP) via the U.S. Government 1033 Program. The  1033 Program allows the U.S. Government to sells their surplus military equipment to american, civilian law enforcement agencies and police departments

The (MRAP) will undergo a entire exterior paint scheme as well as an interior modification to the crew seating station. The Students at the George T. Baker School shall removed the individual, rear crew seats and fabricate a bench style length seating on either side of the crew interior compartment

In our research and effort to report on this issue and in speaking to various individuals, we understand that under the U.S. Government 1033 program, the Miami Gardens Police Department acquired their (MRAP) for a fee of about US$2,000.00. Clearly, you could see the actual unit price of US$658,000.00 that the American tax payer paid for the unit when initially purchased for the benefit of the Department of Defense (DoD)

A front view of the (MRAP) with its new coat of tactical black color scheme as ordered by the Miami Gardens Police Department. The new black color scheme give it a psychological intimidating look when operating within the streets of Miami Gardens

Aside of the psychological intimidating look that the new paint scheme give the (MRAP) the practicality of  selecting the choice of color of flat black has to be questioned when operating in a hot and sunny environment such as in South Florida. A more practical operating color for the benefit of (MRAP) not heating up in the sunny South Florida environment would have been and overall white paint scheme

The finished product as testament to the workmanship of the students at the George T. Baker Aviation School and the leadership and experience of their instructor in guiding and teaching the students the fundamentals of  industrial painting

Miami, Florida 2nd October to 7th November 2013: With about 11,000 (MRAP's) in Afghanistan, it is far too expensive for the U.S. Government to bring them all back to the States. But about 8,000 are or so (MRAP's) have found their way back home. Under the the U.S. Government 1033 program, Uncle Sam is making them available to U.S. civilian law enforcement agencies (i.e. Police Departments).

Under this program, the Miami-Garden Police Department has acquired their first Mine Resistant Ambush (MRAP) vehicle to support their policing operation within their jurisdiction of Miami Gardens. The (MRAP) appears to be the first of such type tactical, amour vehicle to operate within South Florida.

Produced by Oshkosh Defense, the vehicle offers a superior level of protection to its crew from the various level of amour which surrounds its frame. The (MRAP) has a rear ramp entry door for troop deployment as well as a top gun turret position. The vehicle is powered by a Cumming diesel, two battery powered engine, designed with an independent suspension for operating in tough and grueling terrain, which shall not be an operational problem while operating on the paved streets of Miami Gardens. 

But we here at ES2 ponder the question as why police department, such as Miami Gardens need such an overpowering military grade vehicle to patrol the civilian street of our U.S. cities?  

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Visits New York City Oldest Gun Shop Since 1911 As Well as The Former Manufacturing Site Of Henry Repeating Rifles In Brooklyn, New York

ES2 Founder in front of John Jovino Gun Shop at 183 Grand Street Lower Manhattan

Despite New York City and Mayor Bloomberg Anti-Gun / Anti 2nd Amendment position the promotion of gun related films is prevalent throughout the City and within the City subway system with such advertisements  

The former Brooklyn, manufacturing building of  the Henry repeating rifles Company a mere mile and half from the site of the U.S. Army first battle with the British Army which too place back on 27th August 1776, The Battle of Brooklyn / Battle of Long Island

Another view of Henry repeating rifles former, Brooklyn manufacturing site. Henry Rifles was New York City last gun manufacture. In 2012 the Company relocated to Bayonne, New Jersey only to have its operation effected by the Hurricane Sandy due to their proximity to the waters of New York Harbor

New York, New York & Brooklyn, New York 3rd August 2013: During our visit to New York City and after locating and visiting the area once known as New York City Gun District, we jumped the F-Train from Manhattan West 4th Street station and headed toward Brooklyn, 4th Ave / 9th Street station to locate the once manufacturing site of New York City last gun manufacture. Henry Repeating Rifles manufacturer held the title of New York City last gun manufacture.
Sometime in 2012, the company moved from its original site in Brooklyn, New York to Bayonne, New Jersey and with it ending New York City rich gun history as the last city gun manufacture. It should be noted that the former factory site shown above is located about 2.0 miles from the site that was the U.S. Army first official battle against the British on  August  27th 1776 known as the "Battle of Brooklyn / Battle of Long Island".

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Explores New York City Historical Connection To Firearms And New York City Once Popular "Gun District" Sorry Mayor Bloomberg You Can't Change History

Show at his store within the "New York City Gun District" is merchant Mr. Geo F. Herold selling his hardware to local New York City Police Officers, most likely from the Police Headquarters across the street

Due to the 1800's regulation known as the "Sullivan Law" which is still in effect in New York City prevents the average law abiding citizen to have and own a legal firearms. Then as now, only active and retired Law Enforcement personnel and certain people of certain social status are allow to legally conceal carry and own a firearm within the five boroughs of New York City. Shown is Geo F. Herold Co. of No.7 Center Market Place

Then the most famous Gun Shop in the New York City Gun District known as Frank Lava Gun Shop which stood in the shadow and across the street from the New York City Police Department Headquarters

The former New York City Police Headquarters which served the Force since the late 1800's sits in what was then know as the City "Gun District" which is now long gone and only the Jon Jovino shop exist today

A 1937 photograph showing New York City famous criminal newspaper photographer known as 'Weegee" sitting on the fire escape over the Frank Lava Gun Shop located 6 Center Market Place. Weegee born Ascher Felling 1899-1968, was NYC most famous newspaper photographer covering NYC crime

Today's, current store front at No. 6 Center Market Place flying the black No.6 banner is now home to a clothing boutique shop. Long gone is the hanging revolver that graced the entrance to Frank Lava Gun Shop

The famous hanging revolver in front of No.6 Center Market Place as photographed in 1937 by Berenice Abbott. The many gun shops that were once located within the New York City gun district adorned their store with such visual advertisements 

The only "Hanging Revolver" that one could still be found today within the area that was once New York City gun district is located in the Little Italy section on 183 Grand Street is in front of Jon Jovino Gun Shop

The brick and mortar frames and structures of the various buildings that one housed the many gun shops of New York City gun district still stand just the gun shop themselves are long gone. An deniable link to the past history of New York City commercial firearm business and culture

New York, New York 30th July, 2013: Its hard to believe that once, many years ago, New York City which is known for its tough anti-gun laws and the still standing "Sullivan Act" of the late 1800's once had a viable and thriving gun district. Situated within a small one block area of lower Manhattan on Market and Center street right across the street from the original New York City Police Headquarters many shops which specialized in the sale and service of hand guns once called the area home.

Up until the late 1960's one could walk down Market, Center and even Grand street and one would have been able to have seen a few of shops that were still open for business. Year later, fast forward to the present time, the only such shop that still stands and still display their hanging gun advertisement is Jon Jovino Gun Shop located at 183 Grand Street.

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) explored and toured the area that was once was New York City gun district. A walk along Market street, the former site of Frank Lava gun shop where it was located at No. 6 Center street is now a clothing boutique. Upon entering the boutique and speaking to the owner, we asked if they knew that their establishment is situated on the site of former gun shop. They were surprised to have learned that their general business area was known as New York City gun district.

Despite the City current administration anti-gun and anti 2nd Amendment, they can not change the history of New York City which once had a rich and established gun history leading all the way back to the Revolutionary War. New York City has such moniker as the world famous Big Apple, the City that does not sleep, may be there should be one that reads "The City Once Pro Guns".

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Presents Two World Famous 1911 Designs, As One Is Regulated to Museum Collections While The Other Is Still Going Over 100 Years Later

The 1911 Bleriot XI aircraft. This replica of the Bleriot XI aircraft is found and currently on display at New York Islip / MacArthur Airport main passenger terminal 

The aircraft much like John Browning, Colt, automatic, self loading pistol design named after the year it was accepted by the U.S. Government were both introduced in 1911

Despite the one hundred years that has past since these two designs were introduced to the world, the Bleriot XI is regulated to the chapters of aviation history, while John Browning 1911, Colt, automatic, self loading / automatic pistol is still a viable and functional pistol design which is stilled copied by many of the world wide gun manufactures and its features are found within many of todays modern and popular handgun models.

Much like the Bleriot XI aircraft design from 1911, the John Browning Colt 1911 design is still with us and still a functional and operational pistol design. The 1911 design has been copied and continues to be copied through out the years by many gun manufactures worldwide.

Shown above (top) is the world famous .45acp, 1911 design of the Colt 1911 made by Rock Island Arms of the Philippines. Shown with the .45acp is the Hungarian manufactured FEG  9mm pistol which also incorporates many of the 1911 designs from over 100 years ago. Truly a testament to the genius that was John Browning 1911 design.

Even China's Northern Industrial Corporation "NORINCO" one of China's top weapons manufacture of military arms employs many design traits from John Browning 1911 original design that still lives on 100 plus years. How many Bleriot design within their original forms are found within today's modern planes?

Farmingdale Long Island, New York 26th July 2013: In today's high tech and automated production, manufacturing world market, it is easy to forget as to many mechanical designs have come and gone into our society. But despite being over 100 years old, the John Browning 1911 pistol design is one of the few it not one of the only items that was invented back then and it is still with us and functioning in the same intended mechanical manner as Mr. Browning had designed it back in 1911.

The world famous 1911 design is now 102 years old. Since then many of the world gun manufactures have copied this amazing and functional pistol design either by licensing agreement as with the Hungarian design FEG pistol (shown above) as carried with the Browning High-Power design or pirated / copied as with the Russian Tokarev World War Two pistol.  It is ironic that the Bleriot XI was designed and manufactured in 1911 and yet the aircraft is a historical piece within the chapters of aviation history and yet John Browning pistol design is still being used by law abiding, American gun owners in protecting lives and property as well by many of the worlds law enforcement and military armed forces. This includes the United States Marine Corp. who is once again returning the world famous 1911 .45acp as the Corp. official sidearm in lieu of the Beretta 9mm.
We ponder the question as to what, if any mechanisms from the original Bleriot XI design within its original manufactured material is found within today's modern world fleet of corporate, commercial or military aircraft's? The 1911 and its design will be with us for many. many more years to come. Nice work Mr Browning!

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Visits The Old Brooklyn Stone House Site of the Battle of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, N.Y. 27th August 1776

The 1935 re-constructed Old Stone House located at 336 3rd Street Brooklyn, New York 11215. The Old House of today was re-constructed using material from the original house that stood in 1776. The location of the 1935, re-constructed Old Stone House is but a few yards from the house original foundation site.

An oil painting displayed within the Old Stone House internal exhibit area, depicting the site and the Battle of 27th August 1776. The Battle Of Brooklyn was the United States Army first battle as a standing and organized Army under the command of General George Washington.

A diorama depicting the epic battle between the freshly minted U.S. Army troops and the battle harden British and Hessian troops that landed on the shores of Brooklyn, New York under the command of British General  Charles Cornwallis.

A typical U.S. Army uniform of the era of 1776. One would note that either the U.S. Army era uniform or the British bright "Red Coats" gave any consideration toward the tactical advantage of concealment and / or camouflage of their troops. This was due to the battle field command and control by visual sight of the commanding officers in effectively controlling and commanding the directions of their troops.

A map showing the geographically area of Brooklyn in 1776 and the demarcation of troops location during the battle, which lasted six (6) hours and resulted in Washington troops being out flanked and requiring a retreat to the island of Manhattan by the cover of night. The red lines indicate British and Hessian troops, while the smaller, blue lines indicate U.S. Army lines at the time of the battle. The U.S Army lost their first Battle but won the War and formed a Nation and it all started in Brooklyn, New York.

Brooklyn, New York 31st July 2013: The date was 27th August, 1776, the location was Brooklyn, New York the very western end of Long Island and what occurred their over 237 years ago has effected all of us who have been born, have come to live and who have created a life in these United States of America. As the areas of modern day Brooklyn, Sunset Park area, Bay Ridge and the Narrows play a role in the creation of this Nation. As these areas echo with the memories of the America soldiers who fought the United States Army first official battle as a standing Army and the largest battle of the revolutionary war. Not know to many, the Old Brooklyn Stone House and its surrounding area is in all particle purpose a battlefield sight. 

The modern Old Stone House is a 1935 re-construction depicting the house and utilizing original, surviving materials from the original Dutch farm house. For detail information, please review the Old Stone House website at www.oldstonehouse.org

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Founder, Benny Benitez paid a visitation to the Old Stone House while in New York City on business and met with the Old Stone House, Executive Director, Mrs. Kimberly Maier who provide a most informative historical briefing. ES2 was amazed to learned about the sight, the battle and the entire history of this landmark site. Its ironic that New York City Mayor Bloomberg is such a staunch, anti-gun advocate and yet the undeniable and recorded history of the City shows as to how free, law abiding people with an urge of independence and ability to bear arms shook off the yokes of British rule and created these magnificent United States. Just imagine our history if people back then did not take up arms how different would our world our homeland would be today and each of our lives.

The Old Stone House a site that every free-loving American who believe in our Constitutional right to bear arms in accordance with our 2nd Amendment should visit and one that every American gun manufacture should support through charitable contributions.

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Collection of 6.35 Browning / .25acp Auto Pistols

Shown from left to right is the F.I.E Titan, the Armi Tanfoglio Giuseppe GT-26, the Armi Galesi Brescia Brevetto, the Raven MP-25 (Blued) and the Raven MP-25 (Nickel Plated)

Despite the variety in manufacturing companies these .25acp pistol share many common features and operational traits

These small inexpensive pistols were the target of the 1968 Gun Control Act which banned weapons such as the Armi Tanfoglio and Galesi Brecia Brevetto from being imported into the United States and gave birth to companies like F.I.E of Miami, Florida and the Raven Company of California to produce these pistols here within the United States. Often by importing the parts and adding them to U.S. made frames

The 6.35 Browning / .25 Automatic round

Miami, Florida 8th July 2013: The collection of .25acp pistols within Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) operational arsenal is ever expanding to meet the needs and preference requirements of their clients. ES2 collection of .25acp represents what occurred as a result of the 1968 Gun Control Act which banned the importation of small, inexpensive pocket pistols. The 1968 Gun Control Act did establish the ban of such weapons, but what the elected officials did expect was the never ending determination of the American gun owner. The 1968 ban gave way to the creation of such companies as Raven Firearms of Southern California which was established by George Jennings in the late 1960's.

In the early 1970's Jennings produced the Raven MP-25 which was dubbed the original "Saturday Night Special". Soon after companies like F.I.E of Miami, Florida and Excam of Hialeah, Florida were importing the "parts" of the Tanfoglio and Galesi Brescia Brevetto which was legal as it was NOT the actual gun as banned per the 1968 act and applying them to U.S. made frames and effectively side stepped the 1968 act.

In their effort to curb the right for law respecting American to own the firearm of their choice the system created a market for small companies like F.I.E and Raven to flourish and produce what the gun admiring American public wanted. Therefore ES2 collection of these .25acp represent but a very small part of American gun history and the struggle to keep our 2nd Amendment alive for generation to come. Thanks George Jennings. 

Experience Shooting Solution (ES2) Shows Off Three Models from the Spanish Fireaarm Manufacture Known as STAR

Shown above is the Star "Fire-Star" 45acp Pistol. They were produced in Spain in the 90's with an all steel frame. This is a single action firearm modeled after the world famous 1911. One odd thing about this firearms is that it as "reversed" grooves on the slide frame as normal you would have your male side of groove on the frame on the Fire-Star the male side of the groove is on the slide.

The Star Model 30M 9mm pistol is an all steel made 15 round / double stack magazine fed weapon. The Model 30M is both single and double action. Production commence in the 1980's and ended in the early 1990's when Star Firearms went out of business

The Star GM 9mm is an all steel made weapon. This pistol has a half cocked position so as to be carried as ready to go. The weapon is still used by the Spanish Police and Military units. The weapon has a magazine safety meaning it can not be shot with the magazine removed

Miami, Florida 8th June 2013: Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. was a manufacturer of small arms (principally handguns and sub-machineguns) in the Basque region of Spain from about 1905 until 1997. The Eibar region has been a center of weapons development and manufacture for centuries, with "Spanish Steel" historically being a selling point with its reputation for quality and durability. When firearms came into being, Eibar retained its edge as a weapons manufacturing center. The oldest known ancestor of the Star lineage is José Cruz Echeverria, who made muzzle-loading firearms in the 18th century.

In 1919, Bonifacio formally registered the Star trade name, and all subsequent weapons were marked as such. Note that although some references say that the Basque and Spanish equivalents of Star are also registered (Izarra and Estrella), they seem to have never been marketed as such.

The 1990s were bad for defense companies all over the world. For the most part, companies in smaller markets either found their niche and flourished, or slowly perished. In Spain alone Star, Astra and CETME met their end. The final years at Star saw a relative flurry of new models, and court challenges over restructuring plans and massive layoffs. Star filed for bankruptcy protection in late 1993 after taking out loans to invest in new CNC machinery. They were indirectly affected by the Asian economic crisis; Spanish banks tried to cover Asian investment losses by more aggressively collecting outstanding debt and renewing loans with less favorable terms for domestic companies. Star and Astra began cooperative investment and discussions of mergers in the mid 90s, but Astra was not in much better shape, so this eventually dragged both companies down.

Not shown in the photos above Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) collection of Star Firearms also included a Star 9mm Largo 9 x 23 and the Star 9mm "Super B" 9 x 19 both modeled after the world famous Browning 1911 pistol. During the time in which (ES2) has owned and fired the collection of Star Firearms, they have proven to be very reliable, well made weapons.

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Shows Off The Original Saturday Night Special, The Raven MP-25 .25acp Self Feeding Pocket Pistol

The MP-25 is a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol developed by
 George Jennings in the late 1960s. 

In 1970, Jennings designed the inexpensive MP-25 pistol and founded Raven Arms, 

which was also known as the original Ring of Fire company

A 1968 federal gun-control law prohibiting the importation of inexpensive handguns prompted Jennings to enter the firearms business.

In this photograph you could see the relative size of the Raven MP-25 when compare to small 'Candy Bar" type cell phone. Its ideal for deep concealment

Miami, Florida 31st May 2013: Before Jennings developed the MP-25, a friend who owned a small gun and pawn shop complained to Jennings, "I can't buy these guns any more, and I used to sell 500 of them a month." At the time, Jennings was running a machine shop that made parts for Southern California aerospace companies. Together, they cornered the market on small, inexpensive handguns, often called "junk guns" or "Saturday night specials." Raven Arms was born. Over the next 20 years, the company sold approximately 2 million pistols. In parallel with this growth, gun-control advocates started pushing legislation in Washington, in state capitals, and in city councils to ban inexpensive weapons.
In November 1991, a fire destroyed the Raven Arms factory. Jennings retired and sold Raven Arms designs to Phoenix Arms. Phoenix was owned in equal shares by his son Bruce Jennings, George Jennings' ex-wife, and George Jennings' children; four of his daughter's children; and by Raven's former general manager. 
People have conflicting views on the City of Industry-made MP-25; some tout it as one of the best compact and inexpensive handguns ever produced, while others regard it as one of the worst handguns ever made — as it exemplifies the guns collectively known as a Saturday night specials, being both easily concealed and very affordable . Some advocates of the gun claim that it is less prone to malfunction, despite its low cost.
As detailed in a 1992 article by Wall Street Journal reporter Alix Freedman, from an interview with Bruce Jennings, Jennings calls himself "the leading expert in the world on Saturday Night Specials." Jennings rejects charges that his family's inexpensive guns play a greater role in crime than more expensive guns made by up-scale manufacturers. 
In shooting our newly acquired addition to the ES2 collection, we found that the MP-25, despite all its stories and labels as a "junk gun" shot well and when expending six magazines worth of .25acp ammunition (36 rounds), we experienced  no jams or failure to feed. It should be noted that the MP-25 is a fixed barrel firearm and its size and weight makes one forgets that you have it on your person.

Experience Shooting Solutions (ES2) Show Off The Whitney Wolverine Semi-Automatic .22LR Pistol And Compares Its Design To The Beretta U22 Neos "Who Copied Who"

The Whitney Wolverine was an advanced, "space -aged", light-weight aluminum, self feeding, .22LR caliber pistol created in 1956. It had a 10 round magazine, 
and weighed only 1.3 lbs.

The Wolverine was engineered by Mr. Robert Hillbery, who learned about aluminum casting during World War Two while working with aircraft guns and later became a research engineer for High Standard Manufacturing Company

Only 13,371 of these .22LR self feeding pistols were manufactured in its short period of production between 1956 and 1958

Show above is the modern day Beretta U22 Neos that show a strong resemblance to the Whitney Wolverine of  55 years ago. Makes one wonder was Beretta influenced by the Wolverine design

Miami, Florida 30th April 2013: The Wolverine was engineered by Robert Hillberg, who learned about aluminum casting during WWII while working with aircraft guns and later became research engineer for High Standard Manufacturing Company. Only 13,371 of these .22 self feeding pistols were made in its short period of production between 1956 and 1958. There were approximately 500 nickel plated according to company records, the rest finished in varying shades of anodized blue, The plastic grips came in either a black,dark brown or white, the white grips are found mostly on the nickel plated models. The frame being investment cast by Alcoa was a new idea for the gun industry at the time, now it is widely used by almost every major gun manufacturer today.

ts name "Wolverine" was named after Mr. Hillberg's favorite football team, the University of Michigan Wolverines. A victim of extremely poor marketing in the beginning, financial problems and then being under priced by $2.00 by both Ruger and Colt with their new semi-automatics .22, the company was doomed.

The original retail price was $39.95 blue and $44.95 nickel plated.