Getcher Special Edition Blackwater Shotguns!

[n2doc]

By Spencer Ackerman January 27, 2011 | 11:37 am | Categories: Mercs

Maybe Blackwater isn’t so into rebranding after all.

Earlier this month, venerable gun manufacturer Mossberg debuted its latest edition shotguns at the SHOT Show firearm extravaganza in Las Vegas: the Blackwater Series, stamped with the notorious merc company’s old “bear paw in the sights” logo. Jeff Compoc of Gunblog.com got these snaps of the new line. For a security firm that’s put a lot of emphasis into changing its image — it’s now called Xe Services and is under brand-new ownership — that’s an unlikely branding decision.

But it’s one that’s been in the works for a few months, says Kim Cahalan, a spokeswoman for Mossberg. “Blackwater is seen as a high-end training facility,” Cahalan says, “and they like Mossberg because of its accuracy and quality.”

So meet the Blackwater Series 590 A1 — shown above — and the 500 Cruiser, both pump-action shotguns, and the Blackwater Series 930 SPX, an auto-loader. The changes to the guns are minimal: there are some added picatinny rails and new sights, but these are mostly the familiar Mossberg shotguns “with the classic Blackwater paw-print logo,” Cahalan says.


more
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/01/getcher-special-edition-blackwater-shotguns/

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Oh wow, and for many reasons this should be in GD

this is about how the country actually LIKES mercs.

[rrneck]

2. anything for a buck nt

[DonP]

3. "Badge Engineering" on an otherwise good shotgun

Paint a logo on your T-shirt, car stereo, shotgun or golf clubs and pay an extra 20% for it.

The Mossberg, ghost ring sight, rails and all, is a good enough typically medium priced shotgun for HD. I don't know that a stupid logo will make it point better or cycle faster.

Is having a Blackwater logo supposed to make the shotgun "more evil" for some folks here?

All it does for me is make it easy to see the stupid people willing to part with more money for perceived status.

I'm happy enough with my old Browning BPS and my SxS Stoeger coach gun.

I have no doubt they will sell a few, there's always somebody willing to pay for an "autographed something or other".

Now ... if you offered an autographed Valery Zeitsev Mosin-Nagant 91-30, scope and all, or an Alvin York 1911 or '03 signed commemorative, I might get in line.

[Remmah2]

4. IBTL

Crazy blackwater.

[Glassunion]

5. CRAP!

I like my Mossberg a little bit less today...

I'm going to put a Hello Kitty sticker on it.