Just about every military small arms enthusiast is familiar with the U.S. M3 and M3A1 submachine guns, better known by the nickname bestowed upon them by GIs during World War II, the “grease gun.”

The .45 caliber M3 was conceived as a less expensive alternative to the Thompson submachine gun, which at the time the U.S. entered World War II in 1941, the Thompson design was 20 years old. The M3 was patterned after the British Sten and German MP40 sub-machine guns, both constructed from sheet metal stampings—a far cry from the Thompson forged and machined receiver and parts. In addition to being less expensive, weapons stamped from sheet metal can be produced faster, an essential advantage in wartime.

Mk II

The Mk II was the most prolific model of the British Sten. The receiver was fabricated from pre-formed metal tubing. The German MP40 receiver was made from a flat piece of sheet metal that was rolled into a tube. The receiver of the U.S. M3 submachine gun was far more complicated to produce. The M3 receiver and most of its other parts were stamped from cold rolled sheet metal, requiring a factory equipped with a battery of large hydraulic stamping presses. The receiver was made of two separate stamped pieces that were then welded together. When production began, it was discovered that it was difficult to accurately weld the two receiver halves together. In addition, the heat from the gas welding process was warping the thin metal, and it took some time to perfect the process. During production, the time allotted for welding the two receiver halves together was 12.11 minutes. The M3 design had an advantage over other submachine guns of the day, with its ingenious guide rod-bolt system. The bolt of the M3 rode on two guide rods, never touching the inside of the receiver. The unique system made the M3 impervious from malfunctions caused by mud, sand or other debris, making it one of the few weapons to successfully pass all the Ordnance Department’s requirements.

The Guide Lamp Division of General Motors Corporation

The Guide Lamp production plant was located in Anderson, Indiana, and in 1943 it had over half a million square feet of production floor space in 18 separate buildings. The Guide Lamp Division of the General Motors Corporation was a peacetime manufacturer of automobile lamps, headlight buckets, hub-caps and bumper guards. Guide Lamp had a lot of expertise and experience in sheet metal stampings and was an excellent choice for the manufacturing of the M3. By May 1943, the first M3 submachine guns were finally rolling off the assembly lines at Guide. Production had fallen far behind projected figures by the unforeseen welding problems encountered with the receiver. However, by June 1944, 1,000 M3s were being manufactured every 24 hours.

The Guide Lamp contract price for the M3 was $17.92 per unit less the bolt assembly. The initial price was later amended to $18.36 per unit to cover the cost of minor production changes and the packing and shipping of the completed units. The M3 bolt assembly manufacture was subcontracted to the Buffalo Arms Company at a cost of $2.58 per piece.

The following quote is from the second summary of the tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground upon adoption of the M3 Submachine Gun. “Although it would be dangerous to state that further improvements and developments are unlikely, the ultimate has been reached in this type of weapon for the time being and production may begin without fear of immediate change.”

The above statement was premature, because as the M3 was pressed into service, problems began to arise. The M3 was not yet “GI Proof.”
One of the primary problems was with the cocking handle and its internal parts. A second problem was magazines were dropping out of the weapon, by the accidental pressing of the exposed magazine catch. Deterioration of the bolt face and barrel chamber was found to be caused by soldiers using the overly long wire butt stock as a cleaning rod. These problems and a few others would be addressed in an upgrade of the weapon.

M3E1 Submachine Guns

The M3 was thought to be as simple and reliable as possible; however; the Ordnance Department felt that the weapon could be simplified even further. Six pilot models were built, incorporating several recommended changes that were designated as the M3E1 submachine gun. Two of the completed weapons were sent to the Infantry Board at Fort Benning, Georgia, for informal testing, and two were demonstrated at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Since none of the changes incorporated in the M3E1 design had any adverse effect upon the reliability of the weapons’ functioning, no formal testing was undertaken by the Ordnance Department. Sufficient firing of the new weapons was conducted to satisfy concerned personnel as to the desirability of the changes incorporated. Some of the firing demonstrations were witnessed by representatives of the Army Ground Forces and by the director of the Infantry Board who expressed his approval of the M3E1.

The U.S. M3A1 Submachine Gun

The experimental M3E1 was recommended for adoption on November 2, 1944, by OCM 25593. On December 21, 1944, the M3E1 Sub-machine Gun was approved and officially adopted as: Submachine Gun, Caliber .45 M3A1, thus reclassifying the M3 as Limited Standard.

M3A1 Changes

• Ejection port increased in size
• Cocking handle assembly eliminated, fin-ger hole added to bolt for cocking
• Disassembly groove the length of the bolt
• Stronger cover spring
• Larger oil can located inside the grip
• Stop plate and magazine loader added to the stock
• Guard for the magazine catch

9mm M3 and M3A1 Submachine Guns

Among the original specifications desired in the T-20 (M3) submachine gun was a kit to change the caliber to 9mm. The conversion kits were originally planned for allied use in the European Theater; none were ever issued to U.S. troops. The 9mm cartridge was common in Europe during World War II. It was the standard pistol and submachine gun cartridge of both the British and the Germans. Ammunition would be easier to obtain by resistance groups that the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was planning to supply with the M3. The conversion kits could also make the M3 readily adaptable for use by the British especially when using a Sten magazine. The conversion kits consisted of a Bolt assembly C153425, Barrel Assembly C153435 and magazine Adapter C153430. In December 1943, the Ordnance Committee recommended that 500 of the 9mm conversion kits for the M3 be obtained as a limited procurement item. In February 1944, procurement was authorized. The parts were manufactured by the Rock Island Arsenal and Saginaw Steering Gear. The 32-round Sten magazines would be obtained from the British government.

In addition to M3 and M3A1 conversion kits, there were a small number of grease guns produced that were marked 9mm, in place of .45 caliber, on their magazine housings. Those observed were the same configuration as the .45 caliber model but fitted with Sten magazine adapters, 9mm bolts and barrels.

Curved Barrels

Due to its compact size, the M3 submachine gun was ideal for issue as a defensive weapon for armored vehicle crews. The weapons could be easily stored in the cramped space inside a tank. Tanks in the field were usually accompanied by infantry troops for protection from the enemy. Without infantry protection, the enemy could climb onto the tanks and drop grenades or spray machine gun fire into the inside of the hull, killing the trapped crews. To avert such situations, the Ordnance Department engineers came up with several curved barrel designs for the M3. The idea was the crew could extend the curved barrel out of the tank and spray enemy soldiers on their vehicle with fire, without exposing themselves. The issue of the curved barrels was limited. The Germans had also experimented with curved barrels for a number of their small arms.

The .30 Caliber T29 Submachine Gun

The German Sturmgewehr mid-range assault rifle was an entirely new concept in World War II. The weapon had the full-au-tomatic capability of the submachine gun but fired a more potent cartridge, giving the enemy far more range. After U.S. troops began to encounter the Sturmgewehr in the field, requests were made for a similar weapon. The most expedient method to get such a weapon to the troops was to modify an existing model. The M3A1 was chosen as the best candidate. The concept was given considerable study by the design section of the Guide Lamp Division of the General Motors Corporation, which was manufacturing the M3A1 submachine gun. There were three M3A1 submachine guns made, designated as the T29, chambered for the .30 caliber carbine round. The weapon was basically an M3A1 with a larger magazine well to accept carbine magazines, a modified bolt, a spring-loaded case ejector and a 14-inch long barrel. Initial testing revealed more development would be required. Development efforts of the T29 ceased with the adoption of the select-fire caliber .30 M2 carbine.

The Suppressed M3

The U.S. Ordnance department developed a special interest in suppressed or silenced weapons after learning of the British Special Operations Executive (also known as the SOE) commandos’ successful use of their silenced Sten Mark II S model. The weapon proved to be an invaluable asset for special operations where surprise and concealment were paramount to a successful mission. The SOE was the British counterpart of the United States’ OSS organization.

It was held that the U.S. M3 submachine gun would be ideally suited for adaptation of a suppressor because of its inherently subsonic .45 ACP cartridge.

The M3 suppressor research was conducted at the Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Georgia. There was an interest in supplying Army Rang-ers and other troops with a silenced weapon for special assignments. The earliest silencers were based on the Hiram Maxim baffle system. These proved to be heavy and cumbersome. None of the Fort Benning designs went past the prototype stage, and the project was canceled.

The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was established in June 1942. The OSS organization was engaged in various types of covert and unconventional activities during World War II. The OSS had requested from the Army Ord-nance Department suppressed submachine guns for their special mission and operational needs. By late 1943, the OSS was directly supporting resistance groups in Europe and the South Pacific. The U.S. Ordnance Department contracted Bell Laboratories to develop a new suppressor for the M3 submachine gun. Guide Lamp was subcontracted to manufacture drilled barrels and special barrel nuts for the project. The High Standard Company was engaged to produce the components and assemble the unit. The contract called for 1,000 suppressor units to be built. The barrels made by Guide were identical to the standard production barrels except the face of the barrel nut was machined to form a seat for the expansion chamber. The barrel was also a standard item modified by drilling 48 one-quarter-inch diameter holes, arranged in a straight-line pattern of 12 on each quarter section of the length of the barrel. The muzzle end of the barrel was threaded for a length of one-half of an inch to enable the front end of the suppressor can to screw onto it.

The suppressor itself consisted of two sleeves. The rear sleeve is the expansion chamber. It is 7.5 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter. The front sleeve is the silencer housing and is 7 inches long and 1.125 inches in diameter. The expansion chamber is connected to the silencer housing by a metal connector. External threads on the front portion of the unit were screwed into the connector. The connector was screwed on the muzzle of the barrel and holds the rear part of the suppressor in place by seating on the modified barrel nut. The rear expansion chamber contained a coil of stainless steel mesh. The front section of the suppressor housings contained approximately 230 steel mesh discs. An end cap secured the discs in place. As the bullet travels down the barrel some of the propellant gases escape through the 48 holes drilled into the sides of the barrel.

The total of submachine guns manufactured from 1943 to 1945 by Guide Lamp was 606,694 M3 models and 82,281 M3A1 models, for a combined total of 688,975 weapons. The entire World War II production of the M3 and the M3A1 would total only a little more than one-third of the Thompsons produced during the war.

During the Korean War, the Ithaca Gun Company was contracted through the Roch-ester, New York Ordnance District to fabricate 70,000 new M3A1 submachine guns. The manufacturing was authorized under contract number DA 19-058-ORD-7894. Preparation for the manufacturing would be assisted by the data package documented by Guide Lamp during its manufacture of the weapon.
Delays in getting production started resulted in the Ithaca M3A1s being manufactured in 1955–1956 after the war in Korea had ended. The contract was canceled after 33,227 guns were manufactured; primarily due to the Korean conflict ending and the anticipated adoption of the M14 rifle.

The Colonel Hamilton M3 Submachine Gun

Sometime in the post-World War II era, an experimental weapon was constructed by a Lt Colonel Hamilton while he was stationed in Panama. An obvious attempt was to modernize a M3 submachine gun. The front part of an M3 was welded to a steel frame with a removable side plate, secured with machine screws to remove the bolt assembly. Other upgrades include: a wooden buttstock, fore-grip and pistol grip, side cocking handle, adjustable flip-up rear sight and a perforated barrel jacket. The overall length is 30 inches, barrel length is 8-inches, and the weight is 11 pounds. The weapon was procured by the Rock Island Arsenal Museum in 1948 and is currently on display there.

Rare M3A1 Magazines

During World War II, M3 magazines were made by Sparks-Withington (SPW) and Kesler Brass (KL). The magazines made by those companies are still common even today. During subsequent conflicts, in Korea and Vietnam, there were small production runs of magazines for the M3 and M3A1 submachine guns.

In addition to M3A1 submachine guns, Ithaca also made a small number of magazines for the M3A1, marked with a new drawing number C565427 and “ITG.”

Magazines were also produced during the Vietnam conflict by Jahn Manufacturing. These were marked with a letter “J” and drawing number C-565427. OKAY Industries purchased Jahn Manufacturing around 1970.

The Adoption of the U.S. M14 Rifle

Substitute Standard after the adoption of the M14 rifle, which (in theory) was replacing the M1 rifle, the carbine and the submachine gun. M3A1 submachine guns continued to be issued to Army Reserve armored units as late as 1999. Modern mid-range assault rifles like the M16 and M4 have rendered the military use of the submachine gun obsolete.

The passionate collector interest in the Colt-manufactured Thompsons and the prices they bring would simply astound the Thompson creators John T. Thompson, Theodore Eickhoff and Oscar Payne if they were alive today. There has been more research done by more people on the subject since the last Thompson came off of Colt’s assembly line nearly 100 years ago. Still, even today new discoveries are being made. Some items of interest are the 15,000 serial numbers, whom the guns were originally sold to and their provenance these many years later. Many of the old Thompsons remain lost to time, and their location is unknown.

The Thompson submachine gun was first produced in 1921. The Auto-Ordnance Corporation had no large manufacturing facilities, so a contract was awarded to the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company to make 15,000 Model 1921 Thompson submachine guns. All of the Thompson submachine guns originally made by Colt were produced as the Model 1921. The first production Colt Thompson, serial number 41, came off the assembly line in March 1921. By this time, World War I had ended, and the world was awash in surplus weapons. Sales of the Thompson were extremely slow. It would take almost 20 years to sell off all the initial production of guns. The $200.00 list price of a 1921AC Thompson was quite a sum of money in the 1920s. To generate interest in the weapon “new” models were created from the stock of unsold Model 1921 guns.

E.E. Richardson

One of the most successful salesmen of the Thompson submachine gun was Edward E. “Cap” Richardson. Mr. Richardson was serving as a Deputy Marshal in Maumee, Ohio; while attending a City Council meeting, an Auto-Ordnance salesman was attempting to sell the city a Thompson submachine gun. Apparently, the salesman’s tactics left an unfavorable impression on the members of the City Council. The city did eventually buy a Thompson from a local hardware store, which made a substantial profit on the sale. Thinking the Thompson would be a valuable tool for law enforcement, as well as a possible career opportunity, prompted Mr. Rich-ardson to contact the Auto-Ordnance Corporation in the fall of 1928 and offer his services as a sales representative.

chine guns, replied to Mr. Richardson offering him a commission of 15 percent on each Thompson and accessory sold and 20 percent on ammunition. Richardson had concerns on protecting his sales territory, given the salesman’s earlier attempt at selling the City of Maumee a Thompson, only to have them order one from a local hardware store. Richardson was worried that he might expend his best efforts on selling a Thompson, only to have the potential customer get a better offer from another area salesman.

Edward Richardson believed that live demonstrations of the Thompson’s effectiveness would go farther in selling the weapon than correspondence and sales literature. He would eventually receive two Model 1921ACs, Thompson serial numbers 9962 and 9964, a 50-round drum, two 20-round box magazines and one shot-shell magazine for demonstration purposes. Ammunition expended during law enforcement demonstrations would be provided by Auto-Ordnance.

Sales Approach

Using demonstrations and sales pitches developed by Mr. Richardson, as well as his confidence in the weapon, soon made him the top-selling Thompson salesman for Auto-Ordnance. Because of his success, he soon established his own dealer network employing several salesmen. Richardson developed a “recommended” package for law enforcement agencies consisting of a Colt Thompson, three 20-round magazines, a shot magazine, a 50-round drum, a carrying case and a supply of .45 caliber ammunition. In addition to his law enforcement customers, Mr. Richardson sold Thompson submachine guns to several country clubs and a yacht club. Perhaps the wealthy wanted to “experience” the notorious weapon that was making headlines in the hands of outlaws.

The Submachine Gun School at Camp Perry

In addition to his job as an Auto-Ordnance salesman, Edward Richardson also accepted the position of instructor at a submachine gun school held at Camp Perry, Ohio, as part of the annual service rifle shooting matches held there. The classes held for police and military personnel consisted of familiarization with the Thompson submachine gun, its assembly and disassembly and semiautomatic and full-auto-matic fire at different ranges. At the end of the class, a competition was held for the attendees, with the first prize being a Thompson submachine gun. Richardson organized and ran the school from 1929 to 1933.

Civilian Sales Suspended

Due to the negative press the Thompson gun was receiving from its use by gangsters, Auto-Ordnance decided to suspend all but military sales in 1930; however, commercial sales resumed in 1932. During this period, Federal Laboratories of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a police equipment supply company, assumed all sales of the Thompson submachine gun leaving Mr. Richardson without a job. Federal Laboratories also sold Reising submachine guns (Later), tear gas guns and Smith & Wesson revolvers.

Upon leaving Auto-Ordnance, Mr. Richard-son wrote a letter to the company president Walter B. Ryan, Jr., asking if he could keep, or purchase, the Thompson he used for his sales demonstrations, because “I have become so attached to the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, that I feel almost as if it was a part of me.” In a letter from the Auto-Ordnance president dated October 30, 1930, Mr. Richardson was told that he could keep Thompson serial number 9962 and the hard case and magazines free of charge if he would provide a letter stating that he would not sell or dispose of the Thompson without the written approval of Auto-Ord-nance. The other demonstration Thompson, serial number 9964, and associated equipment in Richardson’s possession was returned to Auto-Ordnance.

The Fate of Richardson’s Thompson

Edward Richardson passed away in 1946 at the age of 73. The fate of his demo Thompson, serial number 9962, was a mystery until recently when the gun resurfaced. Unfortunately, Mr. Richardson’s Thompson was never registered, and, therefore, it could not be transferred to an individual or a dealer. Thompson SN 9962 could only be transferred to a government agency, a qualified museum on an ATF form 10 or turned in and destroyed. Fortunately, the Thompson was donated to the Virginia War Memorial, in Richmond, Virginia, a division of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The provenance of the submachine gun since leaving Mr. Richardson’s possession remains unknown. The Thompson was presented to the museum with the accessories Mr. Richardson used in his demonstrations; the hardcase, two 20-round magazines, an 18-round shot magazine and a 50-round drum.

As expected Richardson’s Thompson, being fired in an untold number of demonstrations, appears well-used. One unique feature on Thompson SN 9962 is a modified front sight mount that is dovetailed for removable inserts. Since the compensator pin must be removed to change out a standard, compensator-mounted front sight, this modification made the change of front sights much easier and quicker. Most likely Richardson had several front sight inserts calibrated for longer and shorter ranges used in his sales demonstrations.

The Model 1921

The original run of Thompson guns were manufactured to very high-quality standards, common of the era. The 1921 model had a fine Colt blue finish and walnut furniture. Originally, the 1921 models were equipped with a vertical foregrip. There were no Cutts compensators fitted. All Colt-made Thompsons were manufactured in this configuration. The Colt Thompson without a compensator became known as the 1921A Model in Auto-Ordnance sales literature.

The Model 1921AC

Introduced in 1926, the 1921AC model was simply a standard Model 1921 with the optional Cutts compensator fitted to the muzzle. A factory-installed compensator was a $25.00 option. The receiver markings were not changed.

The Military Models 1922-1923

During 1922, a “new” military model was introduced as the Model 1922. The 1922 military model was a 1921 model refitted with a longer 14.5-inch barrel, a bipod and a horizontal foregrip. The 1923 Model featured a heavier barrel, and to increase the effective range, a new special cartridge was offered. The new .45 caliber cartridge was called the Remington–Thompson. It featured a 250-grain projectile in a longer .998-inch case. Muzzle velocity was 1,450 feet per second. The concept of the Thompson military models proved unsuccessful, and few of the 1922-1923 Models were built. The idea was abandoned shortly after it was conceived.

The Model 1927

The Model 1927 was a semiautomatic-only carbine and is one of the rarest variations of the early Colt Thompson Guns. The Model 1927 was, again, created from existing 1921 models. The unique feature about the 1927 model was that it was made into a semiautomatic-only weapon. The conversion was accomplished by redesigning a few internal parts. The full-auto markings were neatly milled out of the receiver and remarked. The Model 1927 was available with or without a Cutts compensator.

The 1928 Navy Model

The most prolific Colt-manufactured Thompson model was the 1928 Navy Model. Like the others, the Navy Mod-els were made from existing 1921 model Thompsons. It was conceived as a result of the Navy Department’s request to have the rate of automatic fire reduced from 800 rounds per minute to approximately 600 rounds per minute. This was accomplished by redesigning the actuator by adding a steel block. This made the assembly 4 ounces heavier and, along with a redesigned recoil spring and buffer pilot, slowed the rate of fire to an acceptable level. All 1928 Navy Models had the numeral 1 (in the 1921 designation) over-stamped with the numeral 8 to alter it to read 1928. Vertical or horizontal fore-grips were fitted. The words U.S. Navy were also stamped into the receiver on many of the converted guns. The U.S. Navy endorsement proved to be a very good marketing tool as the “1928 Navy” was the best-selling model.
•••
Special thanks to Jesse Smith, Curator of the Virginia War Memorial’s Historic Col-lection, and Dr. Lawrence Heiskell.
References
The Ultimate Thompson Book, Tracie
L. Hill, Collector Grade Publications, 2009.
American Thunder III, Frank Iannam-ico, Chipotle Publishing, LLC, 2005.

Soviet sound suppressor development began during World War II, after it was discovered that “silencers” were being fielded by German snipers. Seeing the great psychological and tactical value, the Soviets soon began to field their own suppressors. They basically copied their design from captured German weapons for use on their bolt-action 1891/30 Mosin–Nagant sniper rifles. After World War II ended, there was little interest in the further development of suppressors. As the world entered the Cold War era, the Soviets once again became interested in silent weapons. During 1955, work began to develop an efficient suppressor for 7.62x39mm weapons at the Scientific Research Institute 61, located in the city of Klimovsk. 

The PBS 

Sound suppressors, also known as “silencers,” were developed for various models of the AK rifle. The PBS (Pribor Besshumnoy Stryelbiy) or “Device for Noiseless Shooting” was designed for use on 7.62x39mm SKS, AK and RPD weapons. 

Lieutenant Colonel Makarenko, an engineer at the Scientific Research Institute 61, was one of the individuals involved in the silencer development project. The Soviet sound suppressor was quite simple and primarily designed to cool and slow down the gases expelled by a fired cartridge. One of the early PBS suppressors was a steel “clam shell” design with a hinge at the front of the unit, allowing it to be opened for easy cleaning and maintenance; inside was an expansion chamber, a rubber plug and 10 baffles. A locking mechanism was used to keep the suppressor from loosening during firing. Approximately 100 units were manufactured before production was transferred over to the Izhevsk Machine Building Plant in 1962. 

The PBS-1 

During 1962, the engineers at the Izhevsk plant changed the original PBS design to a more conventional tube-style, which proved to be far more durable. A new soft rubber “wipe” was used, which was designed for better durability in cold temperatures. The new suppressor was designated as the PBS-1. 

The PBS-1 sound suppressor, like the earlier PBS, was a rather simple design. The internal components were encased inside of a steel tube. At the muzzle end of the tube was a threaded expansion chamber, followed by a cone-shaped chamber, with four 2.2mm radial bleed holes and a 20mm thick self-sealing rubber plug. The rubber plug, or “wipe,” was designed to create back-pressure to operate the weapon’s action with special down loaded ammunition and to keep hot, high-pressure gas from rapidly escaping from the suppressor. Located forward of the expansion chamber section were 10 baffles aligned on three rods, with a central hole for the bullet to pass. After firing each round, the hole in the rubber “wipe” would gradually enlarge, each time degrading the effectiveness of the device and eventually requiring replacement after approximately 200 rounds. 

The PBS-1 has an overall length of 8.15-inches (207mm); the main tube has an outside diameter of 1.57 inches (40mm). The device weighs 1.6 pounds (.73kg). 

Sound suppressors are not especially effective on rifles that fire supersonic cartridges, as a rather loud noise is produced when the bullet exceeds the speed of sound after leaving the suppressor. The speed of sound is approximately 1,116 feet per second (340.29m/s) at sea level, with low humidity and an ambient temperature of 68 degs Fahrenheit. The problem is usually addressed by reducing the bullet’s velocity by using a heavier bullet and a downloaded powder charge, but this greatly reduces the range and effectiveness of the weapon. 

Subsonic 7.62x39mm Ammunition 

Russian subsonic 57-N-231U 7.62x39mm ammunition uses a long, heavy bullet with a slightly larger diameter, which results in an altered trajectory with the bullet dropping 200mm (7.87 inches) every 100m (109 yards). To be effective, specially calibrated sights were fitted to weapons with sound suppressors; the maximum range was 400m. The subsonic ammunition was developed at Scientific Research Institute 61, by M.A. Kuzminov and L.I. Golubevu, under the supervision of the original designers of the M43 cartridge. The final design of the new cartridge was successfully tested from January through March 1955. Manufacture of the subsonic cartridges was initially undertaken by the Scientific Research Institute 61 but was later transferred to the Novopodolsky Punching Plant (renamed the Klimovsk Stamping Plant Number 711 in 1960). The subsonic ammunition was packed in two tins, 1,200 rounds to a case, with six spare rubber suppressor “wipes.” After production began at the Klimovsk Plant, the cartridges were packed 1,360 per case with six replacement rubber “wipes” for the PBS-1. The rounds were sealed in two tins and packed inside of a wooden crate. 

The PBS-2 

During the 1970s, the PBS-2 sound suppressor was designed for the 5.45x39mm AK-74 and AKS-74 rifles. Again, special subsonic ammunition was required to keep the bullet from exceeding the speed of sound. The PBS-2 uses a baffle/wipe system that is similar to that used in the PBS-1. The 

PBS-2 was deemed unsuccessful due to the length of the AK-74’s barrel. The long barrel caused the subsonic bullets to exceed supersonic speeds, which causes unacceptable noise. Downloading the powder charge to reduce the velocity often resulted in the bullets getting lodged in the barrel. 

The PBS-3 

The PBS-3 sound suppressor is similar in design to the PBS-1 and PBS-2, except that the PBS-3 was designed for the 5.45x39mm AKS-74U. The AKS- 74U was more successful than the standard AK-74 when fitted with a sound suppressor, due to its short barrel and reduced muzzle velocity. When fired from the AKS-74U, the heavy bullet from the downloaded 5.45 cartridge would exit the muzzle before reaching the speed of sound. The PBS-3 weighs 2 pounds (.91kg) with an overall length of 8.86 inches (225mm). 

The PBS-4 

The PBS-4 was also designed for the short-barrel AKS-74U and is basically the same as the PBS-3, but the PBS-4 has a slightly different internal design that does not use a rubber wipe. This allows full-auto fire and the use of standard velocity ammunition to be fired through it without seriously affecting its performance. Although the use of supersonic ammunition makes considerable noise when fired through a sound suppressor, it does make it difficult for an enemy to pinpoint the location of the shooter. The PBS-4 had better flash suppression than the PBS-3 and is lighter at 1.34 pounds (.61kg). The overall length is also slightly shorter at 8.66 inches (220mm). The PBS- 4 was often used with the BS-1 silent grenade launcher. 

A Modern Solution 

Sound suppressors have become quite mainstream in the last few years. Many firearms manufacturers now offer factory-threaded barrels on their products, solely for the mounting of a suppressor. 

There are many reasons for wanting a suppressor: it allows the discharging of a firearm in an area where the noise could disturb neighbors or animals; it protects the shooter from hearing damage; and last of all suppressors are just cool. Many states now permit suppressors for hunting. The military is issuing an increasing number of suppressors to protect their troops’ hearing and avoid service-related claims of hearing loss. 

Today, there are a substantial number of suppressor manufacturers, and their numbers are growing. There are suppressors available for just about any budget and application from .22 rimfire to .50 caliber BMG. However, suppressors for one group of an extremely popular weapon are conspicuously absent. The options of suppressing an AK-pattern rifle are quite limited; however, the suppressing options for the AK’s nemesis, the AR-15/M16 rifles, seem limitless. So why has the AK been ignored? 

The concept of a suppressed AK has always been appealing to enthusiasts. However, though most AK-pattern rifles have a factory-threaded barrel, bore to muzzle thread concentricity is a major concern with most AK rifles. While less of a concern when a short, thread protector or a slant brake is attached, adding several inches of sound suppressor to the muzzle, concentricity becomes a problem and will result in baffle strikes or worse. There are several additional issues with the weapon’s design to consider. Much of the legendary reliability of the Kalashnikov rifle is due to the sheer volume of gas the system puts out. Restricting this substantial gas flow with a suppressor causes several issues. Felt recoil is increased, and gas and noise are emitted from the ejection port in close proximity to the shooter’s ear. 

Dead Air Armament Wolverine PBS-1 

The Dead Air Armament of Georgia is well-known in the NFA community for manufacturing high-quality suppressors from the best materials available. They currently offer a long line of suppressors for rifle, centerfire and rimfire pistol applications. 

One product that the company wanted to offer was a suppressor for the Kalashnikov rifle. After much trial and error research and development, the company introduced the Wolverine PBS-1 AK suppressor. The Wolverine was specifically engineered to address all of the issues involved with suppressing an AK rifle. Instead of trying to tailor the AK to the silencer, they decided to tailor the silencer to the AK. In other words, there is no modifying the rifle or rethreading of the muzzle threads necessary. 

The adaptation of a suppressor to the idiosyncrasies of the AK design, due in part to the tolerances of foreign thread patterns, was made possible by a specifically engineered bore taper that allows the Wolverine to be used on all but the poorest examples of non-concentric threads. Dead Air Armament considers it to be the optimal bore diameter and taper to prevent baffle strikes on the majority of rifles without major sacrifices in sound reduction performance. 

The Wolverine was designed to look like an original Soviet 7.62mm PBS-1 AK suppressor. However, that is where the similarities end. The Wolverine PBS-1 features modern, state-of-the-art baffle designs and materials, while the Soviet PBS-1 was a rudimentary design based on 1950s technology, resulting in minimum sound reduction. 

The Wolverine PBS-1 is a direct-thread silencer. The mounting system consists of a thread adapter and a locking collar. The adapter and locking collar are counter-threaded to each other to prevent unintentional removal. To mount the Wolverine, it is simply threaded onto the barrel, and the locking collar is tightened down. There are relief cuts in the locking collar to engage the spring-loaded pins on AK front sight bases to keep the suppressor from loosening during firing. The Wolverine comes with the standard 7.62mm 14L AK thread adapter. Adapters are available for other common AK-pattern threads, including 24mm RH for the 5.45mm caliber AK-74, and a 26mm LH for the Yugo M92. Adapters for popular American thread patterns include 1/2×28 and 5/8×24. 

Built Like an AK 

The Dead Air Wolverine features a stainless-steel exterior with a Cerakote® high-temperature finish. The interior baffles are made of Stellite®, which is exceptionally resistant to heat erosion, making it ideal for rifle baffles. The Wolverine is full-auto and multicaliber-rated up to the Russian 7.62x54R. There are no minimum barrel length restrictions. The Dead Air Wolverine’s overall length is 7.2 inches, with an outside body diameter of 1.5 inches and base diameter of 1.9 inches. Its weight is 20.8 ounces. It comes with a lifetime factory warranty. Manufacturer’s published decibel readings from a 7.62×39 AKM, with a 16-inch barrel are 137dB at the muzzle; 142dB at the shooter’s ear. 

• • • 

Portions of this article were excerpted from the book AK-47: The Grim Reaper II. 

On October 19, 1960, the U.S. Army announced the testing and evaluation of a new 40mm grenade launcher designated as the “XM79.” The weapon was designed to fire a high explosive (HE) shell at a muzzle velocity of 250 feet per second, at a range out to 400m (410 yards), when launched with a barrel elevation of approximately 35 degrees. Confirmatory testing of the XM79 started at Fort Benning on June 27, 1960. As a result, there were several changes made to the original design. 

Specifications 

The Infantry Board declared the original “ladder”-type rear sight unacceptable. A new rear sight for the M79 launcher had to be designed and fabricated. 

The Research and Development Department at the Springfield Armory initiated the design and fabrication of a new rear sight. The (somewhat intricate) new rear sight, part number 7791038, is made up of 22 separate parts. Since high elevations were required, it was graduated to 375m and adjustable both for elevation and windage. The sight design was completed, and production commenced in October 1960. All launchers produced up to June 1960 had to be retrofitted. This new requirement, occurring late in the program, involved additional procurement, rescheduling and overtime in order to meet the Ordnance Readiness Date of March 31, 1961, and the delivery requirement of 2,056 launchers by July 1961. Other recommended changes were made to the barrel locking lug, trigger spring and front sight. 

Early proposed designs for the grenade launcher were identified by a letter “S” representing the Springfield Armory. The Infantry Board at Fort Benning stated a preference for a semiautomatic, multiple-shot grenade launcher. The Springfield Armory designed a three-shot launcher, designated as the “S-6 T148E1” (not to be confused with the XM148 underbarrel launcher), that achieved semiautomatic operation through the use of a magazine made up of three chambers, each long enough for a cartridge 4.5 inches in length. The magazine would move to the left after firing by a constant force of a negator spring. As each round was fired, a latch detected the launching of the projectile and allowed the clip to move over until stopped by the next projectile, lining 

up that cartridge with the barrel. Although the basic concept was simple, the mechanism proved to be too complex and was unreliable. Repeated misalignment between the projectile and the bore created gas leakage and a loss of accuracy. Special purpose rounds, such as CS gas or signal flares with a longer overall length, could not be used. A much simpler design, designated as the “S-5,” was a single-shot, break-open type weapon. The S-5 evolved into the XM79 in 1959 after the three-shot S-6 T148E1 project was canceled. 

The XM79-M79 action is automatically cocked and safety engaged on opening of the breech by a lever under the barrel. Trigger pull is single-stage; the trigger guard can be configured for winter conditions by depressing the front detent plug and pivoting the trigger guard to either side; thus, allowing the launcher to be fired with heavy gloves or mittens. The buttstock and forend are black walnut. A synthetic stock was developed for use in humid tropical climates. A synthetic foregrip was developed but not adopted. The stock is very straight and slightly concave on top, designed to get the recoil in line with the buttplate and to make it easier to fire with high sight elevation settings. To reduce the recoil to the operator, a rubber pad was fitted to the buttstock. 

Official Classification and Development 

On December 15, 1960, the XM79 became type-classified as: Launcher, Grenade, M79. It was adopted to give the individual soldier a mortar-like capability between the distance the hand grenade can be thrown and the shortest range of the mortar. The XM79 was the successful one of several competitive weapons developed for this requirement. At the time of adoption, it supplemented the M14 rifle and M60 machine gun. A pilot production program was started at the Springfield Armory to develop manufacturing methods, tooling and solve any production problems that may be encountered. 

The M79 was developed at the U.S. Government’s Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. Armory engineer Dave Katz, under the direction of Cy Moore, was involved in the development program. Implementing a low-velocity round called for an unusual propellant system called the high–low type. Once ignited by the primer, the propellant’s expanding gases flow into a small high-pressure chamber. The pressure then bleeds through small holes into a larger low-pressure chamber immediately behind the projectile. The pressure in the low-pressure chamber is approximately 3,000 psi compared to 30,000 psi in the high-pressure chamber. 

The M79 grenade launcher has 90 parts and is 28.6 inches in length; barrel length is 14 inches. Loaded weight is 6 pounds, 11 ounces; unloaded weight is 6 pounds, 2 ounces, making it light, short and handy. The receiver is made of steel. The barrel is an aluminum alloy finished by hard coat anodizing. Rifling is 6 lands .01-inches high, one turn in 48 inches. Use of an aluminum barrel is possible because of the low velocity and low pressure at which the projectile is fired and keeps the weight of the weapon down. The cost to the government was $318.00 per launcher. 

M79 Sights 

The front sight is of conventional military pattern with side guards like those on the M14 rifle. The rear sight is a large, folding leaf, mounted on the barrel and is graduated to ranges from 75m to 375m in 25m increments and numbered at 100m, 200m, 300m and 375m. To move the sight carrier, push in the locking knob and slide the sight to the desired position. As the sight carrier is moved up the elevation scale, the rear sight is cammed to the left to compensate for the right-hand drift of the projectile. To lock the sight carrier in position, release pressure on the knob and turn it clockwise. An elevating wheel at the top of the sight frame is used to make fine adjustments. One click will move the impact of the projectile 2.5m at a range of 200m. When the sight is in a downward position, the fixed sight can be used to engage targets out to 100m. A knob on the right side of the sight is used to adjust windage; one click will move the impact of the projectile left or right 28cm (11 inches) at 200m. When raised the sight can be easily damaged. Despite all the features of the somewhat complex rear sight, it was seldom used in combat. Experienced grenadiers could instinctively place the rounds where needed. 

Accessories 

The M79 was issued with a small arms accessory case, which included a plastic lube container, combination tool and a pull-through cleaning brush with thong. Early carrying cases for the kit were made of a cotton-duck, which was later changed to mildew-proof vinyl. A sling that was issued for the relatively short M79 was the same one used for the M20 Bazooka (1055-00-714-5320); although an article in PS Magazine specified the small arms sling (1005-654-4508). Bandoleers were designed to carry six-rounds each; each pocket contained a plastic support, often referred to as “egg crates.” 

Like the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopter, the M79 became an icon of the Vietnam War; nicknames like the “blooper” and “thumper” were bestowed on the weapon because of the sound it made upon launching its payload. Another nickname was the “elephant gun,” due to its large 40mm (1.575- inch) bore. 

Contract Issues 

As was done with the M14 rifle, the M79 was to be designed and placed in limited production at the Springfield Armory, but most of the production was to be awarded to civilian contractors. This caused a lot of animosity between the employees of the Springfield Armory and the government. During 1961, contracts were awarded to private industry for the manufacture of the M79 grenade launcher: Contract DA-11-1199-ORD-736 went to the Action Manufacturing Company, Bristol, PA; DA-l l-199-AMC-715 went to Kannar Corp., Kingston, PA. The Action Manufacturing Company contract was reportedly terminated in December 1965. Another contract DA-11-199-ORD-730 was awarded to the Exotic Metal Products, Pasadena, CA. Although Exotic Metal Products is listed in government records as a manufacturer, it is unknown if any M79s were produced by that company. During 1966, a new contract for M79 production was awarded to Thompson Ramo Woolridge (TRW). 

Other subcontractors involved in the M79 project: 

• Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant for 40mm grenade fuzes. 
• The AMRON Corporation for cartridge case metal parts for the M118, M406 and M384 40mm grenades. 
• Crosley Avco and the U.S. Picatinny Arsenal for 40mm cartridges. 
• General Tire and Rubber Company (GenCorp) for plastic M79 buttstocks. 

40mm Ammunition 

There were numerous rounds developed for the M79, which included: training and practice rounds, high explosive (HE), high explosive dual-purpose, CS gas, pyrotechnical signal, smoke, buckshot and spotting rounds. The HE 40x46mm rounds used in the M79 are quite complex. The actual grenade, slightly smaller in diameter than a golf ball, inside the 40mm case is smaller than its hand-thrown counterpart, the M26 / M61 grenades. Fragmentation for the M79 HE round is accomplished by internally segmenting the grenade body so that it fragments according to established lines. When detonated, the engraved lines on the steel body create hundreds of small, 2-grain fragments. The fragments travel at an initial velocity of up to 5,000 feet per second from the point of detonation. But the light weight of the fragments causes them to lose velocity quickly. This gives the grenade a limited casualty radius of only 5m (16.4 feet). 

There are only 5.6 grains of M9 propellant used as a lift charge. The propelling charge is held in a cavity in the case head which has several small holes through its walls. It confines the powder gases and forces them to pass through the holes, controlling the burning. The design is bore-safe against premature detonation in the launcher. The fuze is armed after the projectile has traveled 14m to 28m. The shell fuze is a percussion type which initiates the burst on impact. 

Disadvantages 

The soldier or Marine armed with an M79 was at a disadvantage in enemy contact of less than 15m. The minimum arming range of some of the HE grenades, which, combined with its bursting radius, made the round ineffective and dangerous to friendly forces when used close-in during a sudden encounter with the enemy. To solve the problem, an anti-personnel round for the M79 was needed. The first of the close-combat rounds developed for the M79 was a “Beehive” cartridge loaded with 45 finned steel flechettes contained in a plastic sabot. The 10-grain flechettes resembled small nails with stabilizing fins. When fired, the plastic sabot holding the bundle of flechettes would break away soon after the projectile left the muzzle of the weapon, and 

the flechettes themselves would spread into a widening pattern. But, as with most of the small arms flechette loads used in Vietnam, the flechettes were not stable at the muzzle of the weapon and usually weren’t flying straight and on point first until they had traveled about 15m to 30m. In close encounters, half the flechettes would hit a target sideways or backward limiting the effectiveness of the round. To make the M79 deadly in close contact with the enemy, a shotgun-type buckshot round was developed for the weapon in the 1965–1966 time period to replace the flechette load. The resulting M576 round was loaded with 20 #4 (0.24-inch) hardened buckshots contained in a small cup designed to keep the shot pattern reasonably close at 20 to 30 yards. 

The M79 Grenade Launcher was in U.S. production from 1961 until 1971. Approximately 350,000 were manufactured before being replaced by the M203 launcher that attached under the barrel of the M16 rifle. Licensed production of the M79 by South Korea continued through the 1980s by Daewoo Precision Industries. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam reverse-engineered the M79, designated as the “M79-VN.” Unique features of that weapon include an optical sight and a maroon-color, fiberglass-reinforced plastic buttstock. Vietnam also refurbished and fielded the estimated 10,000 U.S.-made M79 launchers (and 175,000 40mm grenades) abandoned by the U.S. and South Vietnamese Armies. The Milkor M79 is a South African modernization of the M79 by the fitting of the stock, pistol grip and foregrip of the Vektor R4 assault rifle and a telescopic sight. 

Although the M79 has been largely replaced by the M203 40mm underbarrel-mounted grenade launcher, U.S. forces recently have used the M79 grenade launcher in Iraq as an answer to neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Most IED countermeasures have been high-technology electronic jamming devices sending out radio waves to either detonate or block IED electronic signals. However, not all IEDs are detonated with wireless radio-wave devices. Some are hard-wired to defeat attempts at electronic jamming. The M79 allows the stand-off distance needed to eliminate the threat and keep roads open for convoys. 

M79 and M203 40mm grenade launchers are considered “destructive devices” by the ATF. Occasionally, original GI M79s can be found offered for sale, but they can be quite expensive. An unknown number of M203 and M79 MIL-SPEC grenade launcher receivers were made by Randy Shivak. 

• • • 

Special thanks to Curator Alex MacKenzie Springfield Armory National Historic Site. 

Due in part to the growing cost and dwindling availability of Class III machine guns and suppressors, considerable interest has shifted to 37mm and 40mm launchers; now there are several options. One of the most popular is the underbarrel M203- type for mounting on a rail under a M16/AR-15 rifle. The underbarrel launchers are available in both 37mm and 40mm. There are also stand-alone models, as well as the old 38mm Federal Laboratories launchers used by police. Original GI and aftermarket 40mm M79 grenade launchers occasionally are offered for sale, and Spike’s Tactical now offers an accurate replica of the U.S. M79 launcher in unrestricted 37mm. 

For those considering the purchase of a launcher, the number one question that arises is, “What can I legally fire from the devices?” Well, much depends on the status of the launcher. 

Most 37mm launchers are primarily designed to launch flares, signal, smoke and other non-lethal rounds. 

Launcher Rounds 

Like the 37mm, 40mm launchers can fire flares and smoke, but 37mm and 40mm launchers registered with ATF as “destructive devices” can also shoot buckshot, flechettes, batons, rubber pellets, bean bags and other anti-personnel rounds. HE (high explosive) rounds are unavailable to the general public; if available, each round is considered a destructive device itself and would require a $200.00 tax per round; they also require a Federal Explosive permit and fall under strict shipping and storage guidelines. 

The definition of a “destructive device” is found in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(f). The definition reads as follows: 

(1) any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, (A) bomb, (B) grenade, (C) rocket having a propellant charge of more than 4 ounces, (D) missile having an explosive charge of more than 1/4 ounce, (E) mine or (F) similar device; 

(2) any weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes; and 

(3) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device as defined in subparagraphs (1) and (2) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. The term “destructive device” shall not include any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety or similar device; surplus ordnance sold, loaned or given by the Secretary of the Army, pursuant to the provisions of section 4684(2), 4685 or 4686 of Title 10 of the United States Code; or any other device the Secretary finds is not likely to be used as a weapon, or is an antique or is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely for sporting purposes. 

The 40mm launchers can fire the M781, GI chalk practice rounds when they can be found for sale. There are a number of different 40mm practice rounds, but the M781 round with the white nylon M212 case with a blue plastic nose cone is the most commonly available. The lift charge in the M781 cartridge is a .38 S&W BLP blank; the nose cone is filled with a bright orange powder, which is attached on a zinc pusher. Upon impact with a target, the nose cone shatters, and the powder dissipates in an orange cloud to mark where it hit. The practice rounds are designed to simulate the same ballistics as an HE round. 

Another interesting round that can be fired from registered 40mm launchers is known as the “Beehive” or “Hornet’s Nest.” The case is usually made of aluminum and holds 10 to 18 .22 rimfire cartridges, depending on the model. The .22 shells are all fired at the same time. This is accomplished by a steel disc with multiple fixed “firing pins.” The disc is actuated by a rifle primer, which thrusts the disc forward and fires the rounds. There are also 40mm shells available for simultaneously firing four .410 gauge shotgun shells. 

In addition to all the aforementioned calibers, adapters are available for both 37mm and 40mm devices to launch the surplus Czech 26.5mm or 12-gauge flares and smoke projectiles. Corrosive black powder is used as the lift charge in many 26.5mm projectiles; be sure to thoroughly clean your launcher after firing it. There are adapters available for registered launchers to fire 2 3 / 4-inch and 3-inch, 12-gauge shotgun shells. 

Loading Your Own 

There are a number of vendors that sell both loaded ammunition and kits for loading your own ammo for 37mm and 40mm launchers. The loading kits include reloadable plastic or aluminum shells, fuses and plastic or heavy rolled paper payload tubes. Rubber bands are used to assure the tubes are a tight fit inside the shell casing. The less expensive shell design uses a synthetic black powder lift charge ignited by a shotgun shell primer. The disadvantage of the black powder type is the large amount of smoke that is emitted from the muzzle, and black powder is corrosive. 

Smokeless Rounds 

The other type of shell generally uses the same plastic or paper/cardboard payload tubes, but in place of a somewhat large amount of synthetic black powder, the shell uses a small 5 to 6 grains charge of smokeless pistol powder for the lift charge and a small or large pistol primer for ignition. These shells use a similar high–low pressure system that is used in GI 40mm rounds. A copper burst disc is used to allow the pressure to build up in the high-pressure chamber until it bursts, and the pressure dissipates into the low-pressure chamber; the decreased pressure is used for launching a projectile. This type of shell produces far less smoke upon launch and has a far greater range than the black powder shells. The shells are reloadable; the downside is they are more expensive than the black powder shells, but they are built to last a lifetime. The smokeless shells are available in 37mm and 40mm. The smokeless 40mm M212-type shells can be loaded with the M79-M203 zinc pushers with a rotating band and the blue nose cones. The cones can be filled with powdered chalk normally used for chalk lines for construction projects. The chalk is available in a wide variety of colors. 

The purchasing of ready-made ammo for a 37mm or 40mm launcher can get expensive. Substantial savings can be realized by loading your own fodder. Assembling the rounds requires a few tools and supplies: a hot glue gun, rubber bands and payload tubes. Smokeless cases require: primers, a primer punch, copper sheets and a disc cutter (for making burst discs). Loading is not difficult and almost enjoyable. Most reloading kits include instructions, and a number of instructional videos can be found on YouTube. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Pace Launcher Casings, LLC Reloadable 37mm and 40mm smokeless shells 

reloadableshells.com 

American Specialty Ammo Black powder shells, launchers, fuse, payload tubes 

americanspecialtyammo.com 

MLR Distributing, LLC Launchers, reloading supplies 

mlrdistributing.com 

Exotic Ammo.com (Ordnance Group LLC) Launchers, 37mm ammo, reloading supplies 

exoticammo.com 

DeGroat Tactical Armaments, LLC 40mm .22 caliber Beehive rounds 

armamentsales.com 

Spike’s Tactical Launchers 37mm and 40mm 

spikestactical.com 

Lewis Machine & Tool Co. (LMT) 40mm Launchers 

lmtdefense.com 

Grog’s 37mm and 40mm discussion forum 

37and40mikemike.com/test/index.php

The title of this article is probably confusing to many readers, who may wonder what’s a Model HR4332 submachine gun? Well, it’s better known as an UZI, not made in Israel, but made in the USA.

For any original foreign-made machine gun to be transferable to civilians, they had to be imported before 1968. Very few original Israeli Military Industry factory-made UZI submachine guns were imported before that time, making transferable examples quite rare.

The UZI submachine gun has, arguably, replaced the Thompson as the most recognizable submachine gun on the planet. The UZI was conceived by Israeli military officer Uziel Gal, with a suitable design emerging in 1951. After competing in a rigorous competition against other weapons, the UZI was declared the winner and adopted during 1954, with some recommended changes, by the Israeli Defense Force. The UZI was manufactured in Israel, and under license by FN of Belgium. The 9mm weapon was adopted by over 90 countries. The UZI was even selected by the United States Secret Service to protect the president. 

UZI Semi-Automatic Carbines

During 1980, Action Arms of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania began importing semi-automatic only, closed bolt, IMI 9mm UZI carbines. According to the available figures, approximately 72,000 were imported. From 1980 to 1983, the UZI carbines were the Model A version, which had sights that were the same as those on submachine guns. The front sight was used to adjust windage and elevation, the rear sight was a flip L-type with two positions for 100- and 200-meter ranges. During 1983, IMI introduced an updated UZI carbine called the Model B, the primary difference was the sights. The front sight was only adjustable for elevation, the rear sight was also a two-position flip L-type with 100- and 200-meter ranges and adjustable for windage. The Model B also had an improved firing pin safety feature. Approximately 36,000 Model B UZIs were imported. In addition to the 9mm models, there were .45 ACP and .41 AE calibers available. The serial numbers all had an SA (semi-automatic) prefix. Besides being semi-automatic, the UZI carbines had a rather hideous looking 16.1-inch long barrel to comply with U.S. federal laws. While the UZI submachine guns came with a 10.2-inch-long barrel. Action Arms also imported Mini and Micro variations of the UZI. During July of 1989, the UZI carbine was one of forty-three semi-automatic firearms named to be banned from importation to the U.S.  

UZI Carbine Conversions

Since the semi-automatic UZI carbines were imported prior to the May 1986 cutoff date to register transferable machine guns, it didn’t take long for many Class II manufacturers and individuals to register and convert many of the semi-autos into machine guns. One question that comes up fairly often on the Class III discussion boards is, “who did factory-correct UZI conversions?” The short answer is no one, because there were few original Israeli UZI parts available when legal conversions were performed, and those parts that were available were very expensive. During the 1980s, UZI parts kits, common today, were not available back then. The UZI was in service with the Israeli military until a phase-out of the weapon began in 2003.  Consequently, many semi-auto parts, like the barrels, grip assemblies, and top covers had to be altered and used. The average retail cost of a converted UZI with a registered receiver prior to 1986 was $700 to $750. When you figure in the dealer cost of $479 for the host semi-automatic carbine, there wasn’t a whole lot of profit to be made for the work involved. Several different methods were used for conversions, as well. There were those that modified and registered the receiver, while others registered the bolts, or in a few cases, the sears.

Before the semi-automatic UZI carbines could be imported, there were several design modifications required by ATF so they could not be “readily converted” into machine guns. There were provisions made so that submachine gun parts could not be installed into the receivers. One was a blocking bar that was welded on the inside wall of the receiver, which prevented the installation of a submachine gun bolt assembly, the semi-auto bolt was slotted to clear it.

Another was the trunnion and ring around the feed ramp that prevented the installation of a submachine gun barrel and bolt. To prevent installing a submachine gun grip assembly on a semi-automatic carbine, the submachine gun take-down pins were 8mm in diameter, the semi-automatic carbines used a larger 9mm pin. To prevent the installation of a submachine gun sear, the holes in the floor of the receiver were made smaller.

Group Industries

Group Industries of Louisville, Kentucky was founded by Michael Brown during the early 1980s. In the beginning, Brown was basically doing gunsmithing work, concentrating on, then legal, conversions of semi-automatic firearms to select-fire. One of his specialties was converting the UZI carbines into submachine guns. As mentioned earlier, during this period there were very few surplus UZI parts kits available. To support the large number of Action Arms / IMI semi-automatic UZI carbines being converted by himself and a host of other Class II manufacturers and individuals, Group Industries manufactured conversion parts, to include subgun bolts, barrels, top covers, sears, spring kits and more. If you have a converted IMI semi-automatic carbine there is a good chance it was upgraded to a submachine gun with parts from Group Industries.

Group Industries Model HR4332

Since Group Industries already had many UZI parts available, it was only natural that they should make their own receivers. To help fund the ambitious project, Brown partnered with Roger Small, president of the Automatic Weaponry Company, located in Brentwood, Tennessee. Part of the deal was that Automatic Weaponry would get exclusive marketing rights to the U.S.-made UZI.  

Group receivers, unlike the semi-autos from IMI, were made to submachine gun specs permitting the use and interchangeability of parts with their Israeli made UZI subgun counterparts. By January of 1986, Group Industries had all the tooling and stamping dies needed and was set up to manufacture their UZI receivers, their timing couldn’t have been worse. By the time they got under way everyone became aware of the pending laws that would end the manufacturing and converting of transferable machine guns. Group Industries, like all other Class II manufacturers around the country, worked day and night to get as many receivers registered as possible. No one at the time knew what ATF would be considering complete enough to be accepted and registered. In the end, Group was able to register 4,079 UZI transferable receivers, 109 additional receivers were not accepted and became post-’86 dealer samples. The receivers were stamped from commercial-grade, cold-rolled steel, while the bolt, disconnector, sear and pins were made from 4140 steel. Many parts, including the receivers, were heat-treated. The UZIs were finished in a gray Parkerizing, the plastic furniture was available in standard green or optional black colors. Receivers were marked with three calibers: 9mm/45 ACP and 22. However, ATF is currently rejecting any transfer forms stating multiple calibers. So, if you are transferring an UZI, putting one caliber in the appropriate block will save you some aggravation.     

Group Industries manufactured other NFA firearms, but in much smaller lots than the UZIs. Group is known for their BAR receivers, their stainless-steel M16 receivers, M2 Browning and M37 machinegun sideplates. Group also manufactured and registered UZI bolts.

HR 4332 The McClure-Volkmer Firearm Owners Protection Act

On April 10, 1986, U.S. Representative William Hughes, a Democrat from New Jersey, attached his House amendment 777 to H.R. 4332 “The Firearm Owners’ Protection Act”.  The amendment made it “unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun except in the case of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date of enactment.” The added amendment was passed by a voice vote. On 19 May 1986, then President Ronald Regan signed the bill to become Public Law 99-308.  As a bit of sarcasm Group Industries named their new UZI submachine gun the Model HR4332 after the House of Representatives Bill.

Soon Group Industries would experience more problems, jeopardizing the future of their UZI submachine gun production. Group’s partners, Brown and Small, got into a legal dispute. By this point only 761 HR4332 submachine guns had been completed by Group.  During 1993, Group Industries filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy for protection from creditors. But by 1995 the court ordered the assets of Group Industries to be liquidated under Chapter 7. An auction was held on 24 August 1995. A successful bidder was Marcos Garcia who bid $265,000 for 3318 transferable UZI and 109 post-May dealer sample UZI receivers. With the buyer’s premium the total bill was $291,500, resulting in each receiver costing $85.06. The winning bidder was the representative of Ralph Merrill, president of Vector Arms,  they did not bid on any of the parts or fixtures to complete the guns.  

There were many other firearms, parts and vehicles sold at the auction. One related lot of 15,505 Group Industries’ semi-auto UZI receivers sold for $550 or about four cents each. The reason for the low bid was the receivers were deemed post-1994 manufacture by ATF and at that time could not legally be made into UZI carbines. However, after the assault weapon ban expired in 2004, many of the receivers were assembled into semi-automatic carbines by a number of companies. 

Vector Arms

It seemed as though Vector would pick up where Group Industries left off and resume the manufacture of a U.S. made UZI, but it would take years and a lot of effort to finally get the guns built and marketed.  

After Vector Arms won the transferable UZI receivers at the Group Industries auction, the company began to look for a source for the parts needed to complete the guns. Logically, the first places to look for parts was from the companies that made them, but the UZI was long out of production by IMI and FN, and neither company was interested in a parts run. There were a few other countries that manufactured copies of the UZI, Croatia and South Africa. A deal with Croatia fell through, but South Africa had brand new UZI submachine guns stored in a warehouse they wanted to sell. However, getting the guns disassembled and the needed parts shipped to the U.S. proved to be a logistical nightmare. Due diligence paid off and the needed parts made it to Vector’s facility in North Salt Lake, Utah and production began in 1998. Finally, in May of 1999 nearly four years after procuring the receivers from the auction, the first Vector UZI submachine gun was shipped. The retail price was $2995 and the gun came with a one-year factory warranty. Today, a transferable UZI costs up to six times that amount. The new UZI was an immediate success. Thirteen years after the 1986 ban on machine gun production, brand-new submachine guns were again available. The number of submachine guns Vector had to sell was very limited and were soon sold out. To remain in business, Vector obtained a number of the Group Industries semi-automatic receivers and began to build UZI carbines, which at this point in time, 2004, were again legal to manufacture.

Although Vector UZIs will have Group Industries name and logo on them, Vector assembled guns were marked on the left side of the receiver “Vector Arms NSL UT”.

A personal defense weapon could be pepper spray, a knife, baseball bat, or any object used to protect oneself from physical harm. The term is also used to describe a specific category of firearms, the focus of this issue of the magazine.

Military and law enforcement weapons continually evolve to meet new threats and situations. During World War II, the U.S. military adopted the lightweight .30 caliber (7.62x33mm) M1 carbine as a personal weapon to replace revolvers and pistols of troops whose primary duties did not require a full-power infantry weapon like the 30-06 caliber M1 Garand. The M1 carbine was more accurate and had a longer range than a handgun. The carbine was also much easier, and took less time, to teach recruits to shoot accurately. The carbine’s original role was that of a defensive weapon. Prior to the adoption of the M1 carbine, there were basically two cartridges in the U.S. and most foreign armies, the short-range pistol and submachine gun cartridge and the full-power battle rifle round. Although the U.S. M1 carbine could (arguably) be considered the first mid-range military weapon, that distinction is usually bestowed upon the German Sturmgewehr and its 7.92x33mm round.  

After World War II ended, the Soviets followed the German’s lead and introduced their select-fire AK-47 and its intermediate 7.62x39mm round. The United States Army resisted the mid-range concept and adopted the 7.62x51mm caliber M14 full power battle rifle, which was very close to the same length and weight as the World War II M1 Garand it replaced. Although the M14 was a select-fire weapon, most were issued with selector locks limiting its operation to semi-automatic only. During the Vietnam War the Army discovered a GI carrying a semi-auto M14 rifle with a 20-round magazine was being outgunned by the enemy when he was carrying a lightweight, select-fire AK with a 30-round magazine and a larger ammunition load.

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military began phasing out the M14 rifle in favor of the new M16 rifle and its 5.56x45mm small caliber, high velocity cartridge. The M16 was a revolutionary design made primarily of aluminum and plastic, making it very light in weight. Its small caliber ammunition made it easy to control in full-automatic fire and allowed the infantryman to carry a larger ammunition load. However, the M16 was not fully developed when it was adopted, and it experienced a number of problems in the field. After the initial problems were solved, the M16 became a capable infantry weapon.

The XM177 Carbine

The Colt 5.56mm XM177 was an early personal weapon, developed during the war in Vietnam, it was basically an M16 rifle with a 10-inch, and later a 11.5-inch barrel, a two-position telescoping buttstock, and a muzzle moderator, which was designed to reduce muzzle flash, and it reduced (only slightly) the weapon’s audible report. The XM177 evolved into the XM177E1, and eventually into the XM177E2. The short weapon was also known as the CAR-15, the Colt Commando and others including the U.S. Airforce’s GAU-5/A which has been issued as a defensive weapon for aircrews. Specs (XM177E2 model) length 32.5 inches with stock extended, 29.8 inches with stock retracted, barrel length 11.5-inches, approximate weight 5.35 pounds. During Vietnam, the weapon was primarily issued to U.S. Army Special Forces, recon, and other similar units, who wanted a handier, more compact weapon than the M16.

The AKS-74U

The Soviets followed the U.S. military’s lead, and during the mid-1970s adopted a small caliber, high velocity cartridge of their own, the 5.45x39mm, and the AK-74 rifle. Another early weapon, based on the AK-74 infantry rifle, that could be considered a PDW was the 5.45x39mm Soviet AKS-74U. The compact AK has an 8.1-inch barrel and an overall length of 28.7-inches with its side-folding stock extended and 19.3-inches folded. A booster is fitted to the barrel to ensure reliable cycling of the action. The weapon was primarily issued to Soviet special forces, paratroopers, and tank crewmen. In the U.S. the AKS-74U is often referred to as the “Krinkov.”   

The short versions of infantry rifles were not as accurate, had reduced muzzle velocity, excessive muzzle flash, and noise, compared to their full-size counterparts. Their advantage was compact size and less weight.

Submachine Guns

During the years following World War II, the military pistol-cartridge submachine gun and the full-power battle rifle were both rendered obsolete by the widespread adoption of the midrange assault rifle, which offered both a reasonable effective range and the controllable automatic fire of the submachine gun. One big advantage over a pistol caliber submachine gun was a more powerful cartridge. But the compact submachine gun still had a place in a law enforcement and security service role. However, as criminals and terrorists became better armed, and the proliferation of cheap, yet effective soft body armor had begun to make weapons firing pistol ammunition ineffective. A weapon the size of a submachine gun, but with a more effective cartridge was needed.

Modern PDWs

The Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) concept was created during the 1980s in response to a NATO request as a replacement for current issue 9×19mm Parabellum submachine guns, like the UZI, MP5 and the Colt 9mm M16, popular with agencies like the U.S. Secret Service and others in similar roles. A more powerful weapon was needed because of an increased activity by well-armed terrorist organizations wearing bullet resistant vests. By definition, the PDW is a compact automatic weapon that can defeat enemy body armor, can be used conveniently by non-combatant and support troops and as a close quarters battle weapon for special operations and counter-terrorist organizations.

Personal defense weapon, or PDW is a term used to cover a broad category of weapons. The PDW covers a spectrum of specialized roles where there is a clear priority in addition to effectiveness in a fight, usually concealability, portability, or both. These weapons are also specifically designed to be used in a defensive role. Responding to an attack against troops behind enemy lines, an assault against a small, low-profile security element, an attack against undercover officers, and use by officers or troops in a limited space environment.

Today, the personal defense weapon, is desirable mainly because of its small size and its improved accuracy when fighting at traditional pistol engagement distances. Their small caliber, high velocity cartridges offer manageable recoil.

Some modern production and prototype PDWs use a proprietary high-velocity centerfire bottleneck cartridge which is often a scaled-down intermediate rifle cartridge. Examples include the 5.7×28mm cartridge for the FN P90 and the 4.6×30mm round for the Heckler and Koch MP7. Other, more conventional cartridges are also used in production and prototype PDWs, including the 5.56mm NATO, .300 AAC  Blackout, the 6.8mm Remington SPC, Colt’s prototype 5.56×30mm MARS, and the Swedish 6.5×25mm CBJ. Large scale procurement of PDWs by the military and law enforcement has been limited. However, personal defense weapons have become very popular with civilian enthusiasts, many of the firearms look like their military and police counterparts, although most are semiautomatic-only; most are available with short barrels in a pistol configuration. Manufacturers are continually introducing new and revolutionary PDW-type firearms for civilian and law enforcement use. Some of these newer weapons include the Maxim Defense PDX, Barrett Firearms REC7 DI, Beretta USA’s PMX and CMMG’s Banshee 300 to name just a few. Civilian models are primarily used for recreational shooting but can also serve as a home defense weapon, if needed.

Eventually, no matter how much you enjoy shooting and collecting firearms, there comes a day when it’s time to pass your coveted collection onto new stewards. Many collections take a lifetime to build. Finding the appropriate venue to market your collection can be a daunting and emotional process.

Selling

What is the best way to legally dispose of your guns? Today, there are several options available; many that did not exist in the past. If you have had your collection for a number of years, you probably bought most of your guns through the advertisements in one of the monthly periodicals of the day, back when your word was your bond. Unfortunately, things have changed. A few potential buyers and sellers are simply scammers out to swindle unsuspecting individuals. And then there are those that get what is referred to as “cold feet.” These are individuals who want details, photographs and your time, only to back out of the deal using a plethora of excuses, too numerous to list here.

Disposing of your cherished collection through your heirs, who may not know the value, legal or other protocols of selling Class III goods, can be confusing for them. And they could open themselves up to being duped by a “friend” of the late owner; someone offering one low-ball price for everything, including all associated accessories that usually have substantial value themselves. If you haven’t made a list of your collection, accessories and their current values, it is prudent that you do so. Tagging each firearm, or making an inventory list, with a value and status: transferable, pre-May or post-May dealer sample. The Class III market is continuously changing; be sure to update the value of your inventory periodically.

Today, there are many more options available for disposing of machine guns and related goods.

One popular venue for buying and selling that has become very popular is the internet. This option allows for inexpensive advertising and instant posting of an ad. The disadvantage to this method is that many potential buyers and sellers are not comfortable with the internet; making a deal and sending a substantial amount of funds, without ever speaking or meeting the seller. Another option is to request an offer from one of the reputable dealers, many who will purchase entire collections.

Buying—Where Have All the Machine Guns Gone?

During the “good old days” just a few years ago it was relatively easy to find whatever machine gun or accessory you wanted. More recently, the availability of “the good stuff” has diminished, which often raises the question of “Where have they all gone?” The answer is into personal collections, and usually, the collections are not liquidated until the owner retires or passes away.

Whether you’re an advanced Class III enthusiast or ready to make your very first purchase, the procedures of buying a machine gun have changed a lot in the last few years. One of the major influences has been the widespread use of the internet. While the internet allows you to shop at home, there are risks involved. One disadvantage to internet shopping is the often vague descriptions in the text of the ads, which leave out many key details. On what ATF form will it be transferring from the current owner- is there a double tax involved? Any pitting or corrosion present? Can you rely on the (often) poor photographs of the gun taken with a cell phone?

Another increasingly popular option is a firearms auction. Auction houses that specialize in firearms are growing. Machine guns are expensive—if you are planning on spending a substantial sum of money it may be wise to attend the auction and view the guns firsthand. Attending an auction is very much like attending a gun show. All the firearms are available for examination by attendees, and (most) everything will be sold to the highest bidder. If you’re going to bid by phone or online, the auction houses offer professional photographs and accurate, detailed descriptions.

Morphy Auctions

Since its founding in 1997 by Dan Morphy, Morphy Auctions has provided buyers and sellers with a venue for selling antiques and collectibles. Morphy Auctions is headquartered in Denver, Pennsylvania, along with an office in Las Vegas, Nevada, for west coast customers. Morphy’s is a full-service auction house, with over 35 premiere auctions annually. The company’s mission includes ensuring consignor satisfaction with every auction, offering world-class customer service and providing buyer support to create confidence for all clients seeking a pleasant selling or purchasing experience.

Morphy Auctions is one of the largest under-roof auction houses in the country, spanning over 45,000 square feet. The building is designed to meet the growing and changing needs of the industry. The well-lit, fully carpeted and climate-controlled gallery is customized to ensure the ideal atmosphere for the items housed within the facility. The items are secured properly and are professionally displayed to maximize their eye appeal. The auction room’s design features the latest telecommunications, wireless technology and custom acoustics for the best auction experience possible. Adjacent to the auction room is a comfortable dining area equipped with an audio-feed function and windows to enable bidders to monitor the auction activity while taking a break to enjoy lunch or dinner.

Firearms Auctions

Morphy’s has an in-house staff dedicated to assist and advise both buyers and sellers with evaluating firearms, which includes an NFA weapons specialist. If you are new to the Class III world, the terminology and categories of guns can be confusing. The firearms staff at Morphy’s can guide you on the many types of NFA firearms: transferable, dealer samples, original receiver guns, C&R, tube guns, Rewats, Dewats and guns with welded receivers. All Class III items consigned for auction are transferred to the auction house. When the item is sold, Morphy’s submits the ATF paperwork to transfer the item to the successful bidder. The consignor receives payment after 45 days. Upon ATF approval, the shipping department packs the item and ships it to the new owner. There are buyers’ and sellers’ premiums. The seller’s commission fee is negotiable, depending on the size and value of the piece or collection.

Morphy Auctions has experienced tremendous growth over the years. During December 2017, Dan Morphy of Morphy Auctions announced that he had successfully merged with the renowned international auction company of James D. Julia, Inc., which then became a division of Morphy Auctions. Many firearms enthusiasts are familiar with the Julia Auction House for their many successful firearms auctions that offered some very unique and rare firearms. Morphy Auctions realized annual sales of $35 million dollars within the last year. Within this same period, Julia’s generated $43 million dollars in annual sales for a combined gross of $78 million dollars. With this total of potential annual sales, Morphy Auctions is poised to become one of the largest auction houses in the country. No collection is too large or too small for Morphy Auctions to consider.

The combination of the highly experienced and much acclaimed Julia team together with the outstanding auction team that Morphy has already formed will make Morphy Auctions the ultimate place to go for rare firearms and rare collectibles.

Whether you are interested in selling or buying guns, coins, dolls, toys, fine and decorative arts, automobiles, advertising, coin-op, jewelry, cast iron or general antiques, Morphy’s can provide the specialist and departments to accommodate you. By having category-specific sales, they can target the top collectors through their marketing and advertising efforts. Visit their website for the dates and times of upcoming auctions.

For More Information

Morphy Auctions is located at 2000 North Reading Road, Denver, PA, 17517 and can be reached by telephone at 877-986-8880, Facsimile 717-336-7115. Email: info@morphyauctions.com. 

The Denver, PA, Auction Gallery is open 7 days a week, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9.00am-1.00pm. The Las Vegas facility is located at 4520 Arville Street, Las Vegas, NV, 89103 and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm. For more information regarding Morphy Auctions, visit morphyauctions.com.

The term “AK-47” has become a generic identifier for a popular military rifle. The term is generally used to describe a particular Soviet-designed firearm, of which there are many variations. In most cases, using the designation “AK-47” is not technically correct, yet it has been widely accepted, particularly in the world media, and by most firearm enthusiasts. The original AK-(47) is a Russian-made rifle with a machined-forged steel receiver (except for rare early models) that was designed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov. Like most other Russian military weapons, the designer’s name is used in the nomenclature. It was accepted for Russian service in 1947, with mass production starting in 1949. However, the Soviets never used the designation “AK-47” in their manuals or literature, only the letters “AK” that represent “Avtomat Kalashnikova.” The original milled-receiver AK began to be replaced in Russian service by the stamped sheet metal receiver AKM model in 1959 and the smaller caliber AK-74 in 1976. Copies of all the aforementioned weapons have been produced in at least 20 different countries, none of which have used the name “AK-47” as an official designation.

The favorable characteristics of the AK as a military weapon are its simplicity and legendary reliability. Accuracy was acceptable by Soviet, not Western, standards. The U.S. Ordnance Department’s initial dismissal of the AK rifle, citing its lack of attributes, was due in part to different military doctrines used by the Soviet and U.S. forces. The United States Army viewed itself as a well-trained professional force that used marksmanship, well-trained motivated officers and well-practiced tactics to win battles. The Soviet Army used massed formation tactics that had little regard for the personal safety of its troops. Their small arms requirements placed firepower, simplicity, reliability and minimum maintenance above accuracy, as many members of their diverse conscript army were peasants. Those requirements would also make the AK rifle ideal for its eventual proliferation in many third-world countries.

Ever since the first Egyptian and Chinese semiautomatic-only AK variants were imported to the U.S. in the mid-1980s for the civilian market, the AK rifle has become a favorite of collectors and target shooters alike. Together with both rifles and spare parts sets being imported from former Combloc countries and a wide variety of U.S.-made stamped and milled receivers, an accurate representation semiautomatic AK clone from just about any nation can be purchased or assembled. However, this wasn’t always the case. For many years importation of such goods from communist nations was strictly prohibited, and AK rifles were rare in the U.S.—prior to the early 1980s, there were no semiautomatic AK rifles available in the U.S. The 7.62x39mm ammunition was equally scarce. During that time, AK-74 rifles, 5.45x39mm ammunition and magazines were largely unknown and simply non-existent in the U.S.

In the decades since the first AK rifles were imported into the U.S., many talented gunsmiths have continually strived to improve and upgrade Mr. Kalashnikov’s original design. Improvements and innovations have included making the AK more ergonomic and improving the weapon’s accuracy.

The FCGM SK-17 Rifle

The SK-17, the nomenclature representing “Semiautomatic Kalashnikov 2017,” is a stamped receiver AK variant primarily designed for one purpose, enhanced accuracy using standard 7.62x39mm ammunition. The enhancements implemented into the SK-17 rifle are the result of years of study, observations and range testing. The manufacturer FCGM is an acronym for Fire Control Group Manufacturing LLC, based in Port Charlotte, Florida.

The SK-17 was not intended to be a precision or Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) for long-range engagements, but simply an AK rifle capable of a higher accuracy level than that encountered with standard issue AK weapons. There were a number of changes implemented into the basic AK design by FCGM to enhance the accuracy of the rifle. Starting with the gas system, which was modified by drilling the gas port closer to the breech, the gas port is sized appropriately for its proximity to the chamber. According to the manufacturer, this does three things for the system: it reduces barrel flex during cycling, increases barrel rigidity and reduces the amount of gas required for reliable cycling of the action, requiring a smaller gas port allowing more gas to provide greater energy behind the bullet. Accordingly, the overall length of the gas piston assembly has been reduced to fit the shorter system.

The 7.62x39mm military issue cartridges generally have bullets that weigh 122 to 124 grains and are .92-1.02-inches in length. The short, flat-base 7.62mm bullets offer little bearing surface; not an ideal design for accuracy. The Soviet/Russian 7.62 caliber firearms have a standard bore diameter of .300-inch (land to land), but traditionally have deeper grooves than most U.S. designs. The original Soviet AK barrels are 4-groove with a 1:9.45-inch RH twist.

The heart of any accurate rifle is the barrel. The barrel of the SK-17 rifle is 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel, chromium-lined with 5R rifling to reduce projectile deformation and uses a 1:16 twist rate, which according to the manufacturer, improves gyroscopic stability of the round in flight. The slower twist rate combined with the 5R rifling also leads to an increase in muzzle velocity. The heavy Faxon barrel is precision-machined no more than +/- .001-inch tolerance. These changes increase muzzle velocity, improve accuracy potential, increase effective range and terminal performance. FCGM LLC’s proprietary design is a major step forward in improving the accuracy of the 7.62x39mm cartridge. The SK-17 barrels have a correct groove diameter of .311-inches for the 7.62 Soviet cartridge. The barrel’s muzzle is threaded with the standard 7.62 AK 14x1L left-hand metric thread.

Another key component contributing to accuracy is the trigger assembly. The triggers fitted to the SK-17 are ALG Defense’s AKT single-stage triggers, which are modified in FCGM’s shop for enhanced performance. ALG Defense is a division of Geissele Automatics, a company well-known for its match grade, competition trigger groups.

Like any accurized rifle, the SK-17 is assembled using hand-fitted parts resulting in a very smooth action. The finish on the rifle is Cerakote over manganese phosphate. Standard features of the SK-17 rifle include: a Magpul MOE pistol grip, Magpul ACS stock (other stocks are available), a Midwest Industries Gen2 M-LOK handguard, an ALG Defense AKT trigger, a Sabrewerks 13 Kalashnikov Optics Platform (KOP) scope mount, a JMac Customs GBC-13 front sight/gas block combo, JMac Customs RRD-4C Slim muzzle brake and FCGM muzzle device detent block so that the end user has the ability to use any standard AK muzzle device and to stow a cleaning rod.

The goal of FCGM was to build a system using high-quality parts from the top innovators in the U.S. AK industry combined with FCGM’s barrel specifications and unmatched barrel quality that did not sacrifice any of the reliability the Kalashnikov is famous for.

Other Fire Control Group Manufacturing LLC Services

FCGM builds and services both foreign and domestic weapon systems. The company specializes in Kalashnikov-pattern rifles and its many variants. They offer build services for those customers who would like a rifle built and may already have an AK parts kit, or those who wish to have a ground-up custom AK-47 or AK-74 built by experienced, knowledgeable and skilled craftsmen. Every rifle that is built at FCGM’s Custom Shop is constructed to proper specifications and hand-fitted for smooth and reliable operation for the lifetime of the system. Every rifle is built and assembled with great attention to detail and is test fired and zeroed to ensure the customer does not encounter any issues after delivery.

Firearm Refinishing

FCGM offers a variety of refinishing services—everything from classic restoration to some of the most durable and corrosion-resistant products for the most austere environments. Finishes available include: Manganese phosphate and Zinc Phosphate (parkerizing), Cerakoting, PVD, KG Gunkote, Moly Resin, Bluing and Nitriding Services.

By 1920, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation, who under the leadership of John Thompson, had finalized the development of the Thompson submachine gun. However, Auto-Ordnance did not have the manufacturing capability for series production of the weapon. An agreement was made with Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Company to manufacture 15,000 of the weapons. Twenty years after the 1921 initial run of 15,000 Thompson Submachine Guns by Colt’s there were still several thousand unsold Thompsons remaining in Auto-Ordnance’s inventory. For all intents and purposes the weapon was a commercial and financial failure; it seemed the Thompson submachine gun was destined to become a mere footnote in history. However, as history would show, the Thompson wasn’t dead yet, it was all in the timing.

For Sale: The Auto-Ordnance Corporation

In the years following the manufacture of the Colt Thompsons, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation, had very few sales and was deep in debt. After Auto-Ordnance’s primary financial backer Thomas Ryan died in 1928, his heirs were anxious to sell off Auto-Ordnance. The Corporation had shown little potential for making a profit, and a great propensity for undesirable publicity from the Thompson gun’s illicit use by the underworld. John Thompson retired and left it up to his son Marcellus Thompson to find another source of funds to purchase the corporation from the Ryan estate.

J. Russell Maguire

J. Russell Maguire was a shrewd businessman who along with Marcellus Thompson believed that with the 1937 Japanese invasion of China and events unfolding in Germany, there soon would be a great worldwide demand for the Thompson submachine gun. Maguire decided to purchase the failing Auto-Ordnance Corporation from Fortune Ryan’s heirs. Through some financial dealings and last-minute ultimatums, Maguire was able to obtain controlling interest in the Auto-Ordnance Corporation, much to the dismay of Marcellus Thompson. When Maguire obtained the assets of Auto-Ordnance, there wasn’t much remaining except for some drawings, prints and a few thousand Thompsons.

Russell Maguire would eventually make millions of dollars off of the military contracts for the Thompson submachine gun during World War II. Both John Thompson and his son Marcellus, who had believed so strongly in the Thompson gun, would never live long enough to witness its eventual large-scale adoption by the U.S. and the Allies.

When Hitler’s Wehrmacht invaded Poland on the morning of September 1, 1939, it marked the beginning of World War II. Just two days later on September 3, 1939 France and Great Britain, who had previously agreed to come to Poland’s aid in the event of a German invasion, both declared war on Germany; however, neither country was prepared for a major conflict. Shortly thereafter there was a rush by those countries to purchase all the weapons they could. In 1939, France and Great Britain approached the Auto-Ordnance Corporation wanting to purchase Thompson submachine guns. In November of 1939, the French committed to purchase 3,000 weapons, followed by another order in March 1940 for an additional 3,000 guns. The French capitulated before the second order could be shipped. While the British order became mired in bureaucratic procedures, the Swedish government acted, purchasing 500 Thompsons on 26 January 1940. The guns shipped to Sweden were believed to be some of the last Colt-made Thompsons still in Auto-Ordnance’s inventory.

After the German invasion of Poland, a world-wide demand increased for weapons, and by 1940 the remaining stock of Colt manufactured Thompson guns had been sold. Both France and Great Britain were eager to buy whatever weapons were available without regard to price. Maguire tried to interest Colt’s in another production run of the Thompson, but they were already committed to manufacturing Browning machine guns and were not interested. Maguire eventually was able to negotiate a deal with the Savage Arms Corporation, to manufacture the Thompson for Auto-Ordnance. On December 15, 1939 Savage signed the first contract to manufacture 10,000 1928 model Thompsons, the guns would be made at Savage’s Utica, New York plant.

 After a brief engineering study, Savage began acquiring most of Auto-Ordnance’s tooling and gages from Colt and Remington. The National Equipment Company of Springfield, Massachusetts made additional tooling, which was unavailable. In 1940, after a 19-year hiatus, the first Model of 1928 Thompsons were rolling off the assembly line. Savage delivered the first completed guns to Auto-Ordnance in April of 1940. Although Savage manufactured many of their own parts, a number of them were sub-contracted to their J. Stevens Arms sister plant located in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. A letter “S” was stamped into all parts made by Savage. Parts manufactured by the J. Stevens’ company were marked with a block letter S that often looks a lot like a number “5.” All Stevens’ manufactured Thompson parts were inspected by Savage personnel when they arrived at the Utica, New York factory.

Savage would eventually complete a total of fourteen contracts for the 1928 model. Savage and Stevens also manufactured a large number of parts to supply Auto-Ordnance’s own factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut that began manufacturing the U.S. 1928 A1 model in August of 1941.

During the 1921 Thompson production, the Colt’s name and address was prominently roll marked on the left side of the receiver.  However, in accordance with their contracts with the Auto-Ordnance Corporation, Savage was not to put their name on the Thompson, but Savage manufactured 1928 and 1928A1 Thompsons are easily identified by a capital letter S prefix in the serial number on their receivers. The receiver serial number of every 1928 and U.S. 1928 A1 Thompson was also roll marked into the underside of the trigger frame. Some early production 1928 Thompsons were well-made, earning them the moniker “Savage Commercials.” However, fine aesthetics, are not needed or desired on military weapons. As production increased, embellishments like the adjustable Lyman rear sight and the radial-finned barrel were replaced by a simple L sight, a smooth barrel and eliminating the checkering on the actuator handle and control levers.    

The British ordered their first 450 Thompson guns from Auto-Ordnance on February 15, 1940. By the time the Lend-Lease Act was enacted in March of 1941, the British had initiated eleven contracts in which they purchased 108,000 Thompsons directly from the Auto-Ordnance Corporation. By the end of 1944, the British had also received approximately 406,000 additional U.S. 1928 A1 and M1-M1A1 Thompson submachine guns through the United States’ Lend-Lease Act. The Thompsons were issued to the British Home Guard, the Army, the RAF and the S.O.E (Special Operation Executive). An estimated 5,000 of the British Thompsons were sent to India.

Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport

On August 22, 1940 Auto-Ordnance acquired a facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to supplement Savage’s Thompson production. Auto-Ordnance was one of the first manufacturers to establish the widespread use of Ordnance subcontracting, using nearly 75 subcontractors to produce parts during peak production. In many cases the subcontractors had no previous experience in ordnance work.

The company procured a large number of old and well-used machine tools, and made all its tooling and fixtures, jigs, cutters and gages in-house. Auto-Ordnance also supplied many of its subcontractors with tooling they manufactured. The Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport facility prepared itself to go into mass production of the Thompson submachine gun without the use of government loans or factory construction costs. At first, Auto-Ordnance leased the buildings in Bridgeport. In April of 1941, the corporation bought the factory buildings. The following year adjacent property was purchased for further expansion of the facilities. The Bridgeport Thompson plant ran 22 hours a day in 11-hour shifts; the downtime was used for machine maintenance and repairs. By 1943, Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport had increased its workforce to approximately 3,000 employees, mostly women.    

Late in 1941, the U.S. Ordnance Department had several meetings with Auto-Ordnance officials and engineers to discuss the immediate need to increase production of submachine guns by nearly one-hundred percent. In January of 1942, production of the Thompson U.S. 1928 A1 model had reached over 40,000 per month. Two authorizations were given by the Ordnance Department to increase capacity. The first called for a planned rate of 60,000 per month and the second for a rate of 90,000 per month. The expansion plan called for the procurement of additional equipment and machine tools on the government’s account. Some $665,000.00 worth of machinery, mostly used, was purchased by Auto-Ordnance on government contract W-478-ORD-1456.

In November 1941, the engineering staff at Savage began conducting a study of how the U.S. 1928 A1 model Thompson could be simplified. The engineers were looking for ways to decrease the time it took to manufacture the gun, in order to increase production. Consuming much of the manufacturing effort was the receiver, more specifically, the rails inside of the receiver that the bronze lock traveled on. The three-piece bolt/lock/actuator of the 1928 model was also labor intensive to manufacture. The engineers at Savage doubted that the locking device was necessary for the relatively low power of the .45 Caliber cartridge.

In late February of 1942, a prototype of the Savage “simplified” Thompson submachine gun was ready to be submitted to the Ordnance Department for testing and approval. The Savage Company had just completed a 10,000 round endurance test, which the new weapon successfully passed. Savage shipped the new weapon to Russell Maguire at the Auto-Ordnance Corporation headquarters. The Savage Corporation told Auto-Ordnance that they were submitting the redesigned Thompson, “Without any claims for compensation, reimbursement, royalty or patent interest.” The Auto-Ordnance engineering staff examined the new design, and then submitted it to the Ordnance Department in March of 1942. The new Thompson was sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground for testing and evaluation. The Aberdeen trials of the new Thompson were rather brief and concluded on 21 March 1942. The Aberdeen report stated that, “The overall consideration of the mechanical functioning leads to the judgment that the gun as a mechanism is equivalent or superior to the U.S. 1928 A1.” After a few government recommended alterations to the prototype were made, the new Thompson was recommended for adoption as Submachine Gun, Caliber .45 M1, at an Ordnance Committee meeting held on 24 March 1942. At the same meeting it was recommended that the U.S. 1928 A1 be reclassified as Limited Standard. On 25 April 1942, the Ordnance Committee approved the recommendation for adoption of the new Thompson as the Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M1.

Savage engineer John Pearce and the Stevens Company’s designer Nicholas Brewer were credited with designing the new Thompson. While some parts of the original weapon remained unchanged, the primary modifications involved the receiver and bolt. The trigger frame was also redesigned, but most of the internal parts were identical. The M1 used the same box type magazine as the U.S. 1928 A1 model. On 24 February 1942, Savage agreed to a contract to manufacture the M1 model for Auto-Ordnance at a cost of $36.37 per unit, providing Savage with a profit of $12.93 per gun. Auto-Ordnance then charged the U.S. Government $43.00 for an M1 model and $42.94 for the M1A1 version, although the prices and profits varied slightly from contract to contract.

One of the major design differences between the M1 Thompson and the earlier U.S. 1928 A1 model was the M1 used a straight blowback design and did not use the actuator or controversial bronze “Blish” lock system. The M1 bolt assembly was a very simple rectangular block of steel. This allowed the receiver to be redesigned for easier manufacturer and its width reduced. The inside of the M1 receiver simply had a rectangular channel milled into it to accommodate the bolt. The cocking handle and slot were moved from the top of the receiver to the right side. Since drum type magazines had proven unsuitable for military use, the M1 series receivers eliminated the lateral slots on the sides of the magazine well for accommodating them. The length and width of the magazine well was reduced in size, and the receiver tapered at the top.

The simplified M1 Thompson was conceived to increase production and reduce cost. Savage and Auto-Ordnance were both aware that the Ordnance Department was seeking a less expensive submachine gun to replace the Thompson. The U.S. Government had on several occasions voiced concern over the Thompson’s high price. Additionally, newly developed foreign and domestic submachine guns, many made from simple sheet metal stampings, were becoming available, all at a fraction of the cost of the U.S. 1928 A1 Thompson.

The M1A1 Model

The Savage Arms Company, who originally developed the M1 version of the Thompson, continued attempts to further simplify the design by experimenting with a fixed firing pin model they designated as the M42. The prototype M42 was originally fitted with an M1 type bolt with a separate firing pin, but the firing pin was secured in the bolt in a manner that made it a non-movable part. The firing pin was fixed in an extended or “in battery” position. The firing pin, spring, hammer, and hammer pin were omitted. Less than 100 M42 Models were produced before the “fixed” separate firing pin was eliminated and replaced by a protrusion machined directly on the bolt face.

In January of 1943, the Ordnance Department announced to the Auto-Ordnance Corporation that the Thompson was going to be replaced by the newly developed U.S. M3 submachine gun. After the Ordnance Department’s official adoption of the U.S. M3, Thompson production was scheduled to be concluded in July of 1943. Plans were made to begin tapering off production of the weapon. In April 1943, 62,948 M1A1 guns were manufactured, this was reduced to 55,000 in May and 51,667 in June. This left only 5,000 guns remaining to be manufactured in July 1943 from existing contracts. Authority was then received from the Ordnance Department in June to procure an additional 60,000 weapons by the end of August. Before the end of August, more orders for the Thompson gun were received from Washington. A total of approximately 119,091 additional Thompson M1A1 models were to be manufactured, providing continuance of production through December of 1943. At the end of December there were enough parts remaining to assemble approximately 4,500 additional guns. In January of 1944 authorization was granted to complete the remaining guns by 15 February 1944. Production briefly resumed in February, completing a total of 4,092 additional guns. On February 15, 1944, the very last M1A1 Thompson submachine gun was accepted by the government via contract W-478-ORD-1949. After the Thompson production was terminated, Auto-Ordnance was awarded a contract to manufacture spare Thompson parts for Field service requirements. The parts would be used to maintain and repair weapons already in service. By the time of the last procurement of the M1A1 Thompson, the price charged to the United States government had been reduced to $42.94 per weapon. M1A1 Thompsons were manufactured by Savage in Utica, New York and at Auto-Ordnance’s Bridgeport, Connecticut plant.  

After the production of the World War II Thompson was terminated in February of 1944, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation was subcontracted to manufacture other material for the war effort. The company manufactured a variety of parts for the M1 carbine program, including receivers, bolts and slides. In October of 1944, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation became a division of Maguire Industries. Maguire Industries (Auto-Ordnance) manufactured 40,270 barrels for the M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle under contract W-19-059-ORD-316 in May and June of 1944. Maguire Industries also made a number of other miscellaneous small parts for the BAR and the 1919A4 Browning machine gun.

Although John T. Thompson’s vision of his submachine gun was originally a failure, the twenty-year old design was resurrected to serve the U.S. and her Allies during World War II. The original run of 15,000 Colt Thompsons in 1921, paled in comparison to World War II production, which exceeded 1.5 million Thompsons.

Ecerpted from American Thunder III, the Military Thompson Submachine Gun