The President's Dispatch
                                                            December-January

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           Welcome Members,
                                        I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. I would encourage everyone to spare a moment of thought for all who have been affected by the fires burning across the state, including the many fire crews working tirelessly to contain them.
 
With 2019 underway, keep in mind the first gun show for the year is Shepparton on the 2nd and 3rd of March.
             
Once again the NSSF Shot Show was held in Las Vegas Nevada in late January. With displays from many retailers showcasing their wares over 3 levels, this is big business.

One exhibitor of note was Jim Downing. Jim is an engraver who has been working in the industry for 40 years. In a world where we can laser engrave with a push of a button its reassuring to see real artistry still being practiced. Check out Jim’s work at www.thegunengraver.com .
 
A unique “non-semiautomatic” firearm was debuted by Franklin Armoury at Shot Show 2019 named the Provenance. What makes it unique is the action. The firearm is said to utilize a digital action, and to fire one round with each pull of the trigger. The bolt head of the Providence system is similar to the AR-15 multi-lug system. It locks with a rotating bolt. The bolt rotates about 23 degrees. The firing sequence is as follows:
1. The firearm starts with an empty chamber or a fired case in the chamber.
2. Pulling the trigger unlocks the bolt, retracts the bolt and bolt carrier, and ejects the fired case if there is one.
3. The trigger continues to retract the bolt carrier and the bolt, until the trigger releases both.
4. Then the bolt and bolt carrier move forward, stripping a round from the magazine and chambering it.
5. The bolt carrier continues forward, rotating and locking the bolt.
6. There is a fixed firing pin on the bolt carrier. The bolt carrier continues forward. The firing pin on the bolt carrier impacts the primer, firing the chambered round. The fired case stays in the chamber, locked in by the bolt.
7. The sequence begins again with another pull of the trigger.
 
This process could be likened to a double action revolver whereby pulling the trigger rotates the chamber lining up the round with the hammer and the barrel before the hammer drops firing the round. Theoretically as no inertia, gas system or blowback is used to cycle the mechanism this does not meet the definition of a semi-automatic. This presumably will allow the Provenance to be sold in locations where a semi-automatic ban has been introduced.

Our first meeting for the year will once again be at the Ballarat Pistol Club in Mt Rowan where we will have a BBQ as well as an enjoyable shoot. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Yours in collecting,
 

Yours in Collecting,
                                Andrew Day.