by Shawn Skipper - Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Mossberg announced its "Big 5" for 2015 on the eve of SHOT Show 2015—including the new Patriot, reviewed by Richard Mann here—and among the new releases was an expansion to its rimfire family: the Blaze.
The American-made Blaze 22LR is a lightweight, easy-handling rimfire that's going to be available in four finishes. Its design incorporates a polymer receiver and action, house in a synthetic stock. Consumers will have a choice of adjustable rifle sights, barrel-mounted rail or in Scoped Combo packages featuring Dead Ringer Monteria Green Dot sights. Mossberg is pitching it as an ideal .22-caliber rifle for a beginning hunter or plinker. The package weighs in at 3 2/3 pounds, and is available with 10- or 25-round magazines.
Not content with rolling out just one new .22, though, the company revealed a variant to the line, called the Blaze 47. As its name suggests, the Blaze 47 is designed to replicate the look and feel of the AK-47. Available with fixed-length wood stocks or adjustable black synthetic stocks, the rifles do an exceptional job at capturing the look and feel of the legendary military-style platform.
Like the standard Blaze, the 47 will be available with 10- or 25-round magazines. It also incorporates Mossberg's FLEX TLS (Tool-less Locking System) interchangeable recoil pad system.
Get a closer look at both of versions of Mossberg's new rimfire rifle in the video embedded below, and stay tuned to The Gun Club for more coverage from SHOT Show.
