Masterpiece Arms has long been known as the “company that fixed the Mac-10”. The Mac-10, as it started life when made by Gordon Ingram in the 1960’s, was a very reliable and robust submachine gun. It later lost its well deserved reputation for being one of the most trouble free subguns when “other” companies started to produce this compact piece of firepower. Masterpiece Arms has changed all of this and has brought the Mac-10 firearm back with a vengeance. They call their guns the Defender series and they are the most reliable and well made Mac’s ever produced.

The guns are all CNC machined and all parts fit and function perfectly. When Ingram introduced the first Mac-10’s he offered it in two calibers, 9mm and .45acp. These first guns were select fire and had collapsible shoulder stocks. The guns boasted a lot of firepower in a very small package. Later another Mac was introduced, the Mac-11. This gun was chambered in .380 acp and was even smaller that the Mac-10. It was so small in fact, this author remembers the advertising campaigns showing the little gun compared side by side with a Colt 1911 pistol and they were both about the same size. This tiny buzzgun has a cyclic rate of around 1300 rounds per minute depending on the ammo used. Because all of the MAC series of guns fired so fast they were very expensive to feed even at yesterdays ammunition prices. In the late 1970’s and through the 1980’s there were several attempts to manufacture .22 LR conversion kits for both the Mac-10 and Mac-11 guns. These attempts had varying degrees of success. Some worked well and some didn’t work, no matter what ammunition you used in them. My friend Bill Fleming of Fleming Firearms built one of the best. His conversion used Ruger 10/22 magazines that stuck out the side of the upper receiver much like a sten gun. This unit consisted of an entire barreled upper receiver that you just swapped with the existing upper receiver. Talk about a fast firing gun, these conversions literally poured brass from the ejection port.

Masterpiece Arms makes the Defender series of handguns and rifles in both 9mm and .45acp. They are made in both pistol and carbine versions. Now they have introduced a new pistol in their Defender series of firearms. Designated the MPA22, the gun is chambered in .22 long rifle. It is not a conversion. It was designed internally from the ground up as a .22 firearm. It is very small. In fact it is the same size as the Mac-11 in .380. The gun is semi-auto with no provision for a shoulder stock and has a 5 inch barrel which is threaded 1/2 X 28. It is fed by 25-round magazines that are designed and built by Black Dog Machine LLC. The magazines are transparent smoke colored so you can see the rounds remaining. The magazines are very easy to disassemble for cleaning which is nice as .22 LR ammunition is inherently dirty when fired. The operators manual lists the magazines as 25 rounds but the authors mags would hold and function the 30 rounds in them. It’s a nice touch that Masterpiece Arms decided to thread the barrel and offer it as standard equipment. It helps the MPA22 look like its big brothers and makes adding a barrel extension or suppressor very easy.

The MPA22 comes in two different models. The first is the MPA22T that looks like the traditional series of Mac pistols and subguns. It has a cocking knob located on the top of the upper receiver which rides in a corresponding cocking slot. The other model is the MPA22SST and has a side mounted cocking handle. The side mounted handle leaves the top of the upper receiver open to accept a 4.5 inch optic rail. This model is the subject of our test.

The MPA22 comes from the factory in a nice plastic case that is big enough to hold the pistol, magazines and some accessories. It is lined with egg crate foam, is lockable and features secure latches. The guns comes standard with one 25-round magazine, a solid aluminum barrel extension (which looks like a suppressor), and a magazine loading tool. The author found that it was easier to skip using the loading tool and just load the mags by hand. They load very easy and 25 rounds can be loaded in record time. A ventilated barrel shroud is available as on option.

When the gun was sent for testing I had a conversation with Jimmy Payne, co-owner of Masterpiece Arms, discussing different attributes of the gun. He told me to try using Federal Value Pack ammo that was available most anywhere. I told him that I always used CCI Mini-Mags when I tested a gun chambered in .22LR. He recommended trying several different kinds to see what the gun liked best. So I tried about 10 different brands and styles of .22 shells. I used hyper-velocity ammo like CCI Stinger as well as Remington Subsonic. Like Jimmy said the gun runs the best using Federal Value Pack. This is great as it’s usually the cheapest anyway. As for the other brands that I tried, let’s just say if I had read the manual I would have known what Masterpiece Arms recommended.

I chose to test the MPA22SST model as I wanted to try using the gun with an optic attached. The gun comes with the same pressed metal type sights that the first MAC’s had. They are adequate for a fast firing submachine gun at close range but not for a serious plinker handgun. For a small gun like this I chose the Aimpoint Micro T-1. For those who haven’t tried one of these diminutive red dot sights they are of the highest quality, feature long battery life and are nearly indestructible. They also weigh next to nothing. The Micro comes in three models, the H-1, the R-1 and the T-1. All feature different finishes and all have features that allow the user to tailor the scope to his or her needs. The T-1 features 12 brightness settings, 4 for night vision and 8 daylight settings, one of which is extra bright. It is a 1X non-magnifying scope that is parallax free. The Micro can be used as a primary sight or it can be piggybacked with larger magnifying scopes. It has a 4 MOA dot and battery life is advertised at 50,000 hours. If that’s not enough it is even submersible to 80 feet.

Loaded with Federal .22 ammo the gun is a plinkers dream. It spits out 25 rounds as fast as you can pull the trigger. It doesn’t just spray bullets everywhere, like it’s submachine gun cousin, it is actually a very accurate little gun. Five shots groups fired from a rest, using the Aimpoint, measured around 1 inch at 25 yards. As for reliability, as I said before, it’s fine as long as you use Federal Value Pack. Everything else I tried caused as least one or two malfunctions per 25 round magazine. As long as I stayed with the Federal it ran like a sewing machine. As the gun has a threaded barrel I just had to attach a suppressor to the gun. I switched to Remington Subsonic and still had a few malfunctions (the owners manual recommends not using subsonic ammo). Mostly it seemed to be failures to fully eject. It seemed like the Remington just didn’t have enough “oomph” to always cycle the gun. Maybe a subsonic round with a heavier bullet would cure the problem. It would be a shame to have such a “cool” little gun with a threaded barrel and not be able to quiet it down. A word of warning is in order here. There is a full 1 5/8 inch of barrel extending past the threaded part of the barrel. This presents a problem as it makes the barrel extend into the suppressor. With that length of barrel extending inside the suppressor the barrel will come in contact with the rear “blast” baffle on most suppressors and not allow the suppressor to screw all the way on. Masterpiece Arms is in the process of making their own suppressor to alleviate this problem.

My conclusion on the Masterpiece Arms MPA22 is that it is a very well built plinkers delight. With the right ammunition it will go bang every time you pull the trigger and equipped with an optic sight it is capable of outstanding accuracy. It also has a “cool factor” that is way above any other .22 long rifle handgun out there. If shooting one of these doesn’t put a smile on your face there’s something wrong.

Masterpiece Arms, Inc.
105-A Kingsbridge Drive
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: 1-770-832-9430
Fax: 1-770-832-3495
Website: www.masterpiecearms.com

Aimpoint, Inc.
14103 Mariah Court
Chantilly, VA 20151
Phone: 1-703-263-9795
Fax: 1-703-263-9463
Website: www.aimpoint.com

Many consider Glock the standard by which fighting pistols are held based on capacity, weight/firepower ratio, ruggedness, and reliability. A new product from FAB Defense in Israel and currently distributed in the U.S. by the Mako Group seeks to capitalize on these positive traits with the KPOS Glock-to-rifle conversion stock. The KPOS aluminum stock chassis transforms a Glock handgun into a viable personal defense weapon (PDW) category.

The KPOS was designed with personal security details and covert operations in mind, especially if the Glock 18 machine pistol is utilized. The KPOS arrives with Picatinny style rails along the top, sides, and bottom allowing for performance enhancing accessories such as vertical forward grip, optic/red dot sight, flashlight, or laser aiming device to be mounted. The aluminum framed KPOS stock features a side folding stock that further reduces the weapon’s footprint when folded. The KPOS measures 13.5 inches with stock folded and 21.5 inches with stock deployed and weighs less than 4 pounds with a Glock 17 mounted. For comparison, a Glock 17 installed in the KPOS is smaller and lighter than a mini-Uzi. The KPOS unit tested works with Glock 17 and Glock 19 compatibles (G17, G18, G34, G22, G35, G19, and G23). Other KPOS models for SIG Sauer and Springfield handguns are expected.

In the U.S., the KPOS converts your Glock pistol into a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) classification and must be treated as such with an approved Form 1 from the BATFE before you possess this stock and install a weapon in the KPOS. Failing to do so is a violation of Federal law with extremely serious consequences that may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

The KPOS stock arrives in a hard case that includes folding forward vertical grip, modified Glock slide back plate for charging handle adaptation, and detachable single point sling. The patented KPOS design locks both the front and back of the Glock into the KPOS frame without requiring any tools. The Glock’s railed dust cover is used as an attachment point in the front and a simple wedge block in the rear secures the frame. This prevents the pistol from moving ensuring reliability and stable point of aim. The Glock’s back plate located at the slide’s rear is switched out with a modified version enabling a charging handle to project out the KPOS’s left side for slide manipulation when installed in the KPOS. The Glock’s open sights are still accessible, though mounting a red dot or other type of optic is best for extending effective range.

Many will question the utility of employing a pistol cartridge in a shoulder fired weapon. Most engagements happen within a 100 yard range, especially in a civilian setting, with handling and reliability playing more of a factor in quick, reactive engagements than specific caliber used. Less experienced shooters will find the lower recoil pulse and muzzle blast of a pistol caliber fired from the shoulder easier to manage, which often times will translate into better accuracy.

A Glock handgun is transformed into a much more potent package when mated to the KPOS stock. A Glock17 using a Lone Wolf Distributors stainless barrel with threaded muzzle was mounted in the KPOS for this review. One note of importance here that once registered as an SBR, a weapon used with the KPOS is required to stay in this configuration and should not be used in other applications. The KPOS allows the mounting of a suppressor if a user desires. The barrel shroud is easily removed allowing for a suppressor’s diameter. The advantage derived from the Glock KPOS SBR is that effective range and shootability is increased compared to a handgun; thus the PDW reference at the beginning of the article. This is based on the KPOS’s multiple points of contact when interfaced with the shooter. This consists of shoulder, cheek, and hands spread further apart for more stability compared to when handling a handgun.

The KPOS’s rail system maximizes potential with accessories such as an optics, lights, lasers and vertical forward grip. The vertical foregrip has fast become a standard accessory on any rifle or carbine equipped with a forward accessory rail. The increased leverage and control offered by the vertical foregrip aids in weapon manipulation and stability when firing. An Aimpoint H1 and Insight Technology M6x Tactical Laser Illuminator were added to the KPOS’s rails.

The Glock 17 used in conjunction with the KPOS conversion was a proven performer with upwards of 4,000+ rounds fired without issue. Importantly, the Glock maintained its reliability once installed in the KPOS. Installation is accomplished by first turning the KPOS upside down. Towards the back of the stock located near the folding stock hinge point is a pin. Remove this. This allows you to next slide the metal retaining plate out the back. After this, insert the Glock all the way towards the front where there is an interface between the Glock’s dust cover and the KPOS that locks the front of the Glock down. Make sure the Glock’s front dust cover side rails slide into the KPOS unit before turning the locking mechanism located on the side towards the fully engaging the dust cover’s cross slot. If done correctly, the GLOCK should not be able to move at this point. Slide the metal wedge plate up against the Glock’s rear frame and reinsert the pin.

A wide range of 9mm loads were tested including 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr JHP and FMJ loads from Black Hills, CCI, Federal, Hornady, Remington, Winchester, and Wolf. The Glock KPOS SBR was sighted in 1 inch high at 25 yards, which gives an approximate 50 yard zero and 7 inches low at 100 yards trajectory depending on exact ammunition used. This is a flatter trajectory than most would expect. The decision to utilize the threaded Lone Wolf barrel is a nod to future plans to incorporate a suppressor with the Glock KPOS SBR as 147gr 9mm is an obvious choice for use with a suppressor. Range evaluation consisted of a mixture of drills establishing durability, reliability and handling. Firing behind cover, engaging multiple targets, magazine changes, targets at CQB distances to 100 yards, and off-shoulder shooting made up the bulk of these drills. Rounds fired during T&E quickly rose to over 800 with only a few range visits as it was too tempting to keep feeding in the Glock magazines. No failures were experienced no matter how quickly or how many 33-round Glock magazines were fired. This is a credit to both Glock and the KPOS chassis being well designed as to not interfere with the mounted weapon’s functioning. Purposely induced malfunctions were cleared in the same manner as one is accustomed to with a Glock thanks to the side charging handle and operating controls not being compromised with the KPOS stock chassis. A large portion of the Glock slide and ejection portion is not obscured, which further assists in no reliability issues.

The compact size of the Glock KPOS SBR cannot be overstated. A DeSantis DSD shoulder holster rig was tested as one carry method. It is not being represented that the KPOS SBR is a substitute concealed carry weapon in lieu of inside the waistband carry. However, the DSD rig proved a viable carry method under certain conditions. The KPOS chassis with stock folded is smaller than a mini-Uzi and rides under the user’s right arm with multiple 33-round magazines carried under the left arm. Many would favor discrete off body carry of the KPOS SBR in a back pack or attaché/briefcase with another 9mm Glock handgun carried concealed thus offering advantage of same caliber/magazine interchangeability. The availability of proven Glock factory 33-round 9mm magazines is huge advantage for the Glock KPOS platform. The increased capacity represented by the 33-round magazines should not be underestimated compared to other non-9mm calibers within Glock family, not to mention other manufactures as a whole. The KPOS’s folding stock is quick to deploy and sturdy once unfolded in the shooting position. The two-handed grip afforded by the KPOS’s vertical forward grip combined with Aimpoint H1 red dot sight picture is more than adequate reacting to a situation until the stock can be deployed.

In an effort to determine the advantage of mounting a Glock in the KPOS, the Glock that was installed in the KPOS was fired in its pistol configuration at 15, 25 and 50 yards at a plate rack featuring multiple 6-inch round targets. This was an effort to establish a baseline of field accuracy with shooting done standing unsupported. The Glock was then installed in the KPOS and fired in the same format. The accuracy and increased time differential in falling the plates definitely supports the advantages offered with the incorporation of the Aimpoint H1 red dot sight and ability to shoulder the weapon. While plates were successfully engaged at 15 and 25 yards with relatively few misses with the Glock in its original form, 50 yards was challenging with results less than satisfying. The KPOS Glock SBR proved much faster at 15 and 25 yards with 50 yards hits routine thanks to the shoulder stock and red dot sight. The Aimpoint H1 red dot sight assisted in engaging targets at close distances with the red dot easy to pick up rapidly, while at the same time increasing accuracy out to a hundred yards far beyond normal open sight capabilities. Handguns can engage targets at ranges much further than most realize, but this is not the norm and often under pristine conditions with plenty of time to set up. The Glock’s consistent trigger pull, controllable light recoil, firing from a closed bolt, and minimal muzzle blast, further accentuates this accuracy advantage. The muzzle blast differential between a 9mm carbine versus obnoxious rifle muzzle signature is further accentuated in confined spaces such as inside a home if serving in a personal defense role. The old standard touting the advantage of having both a carbine and handgun chambered in the same caliber should not be casually dismissed, especially if an organized logistics chain cannot be counted on. The Glock 19 handgun resting in the holster on your hip can also utilize the 17 or 33-round magazines used with the Glock 17 in the KPOS slung around your neck or resting under your arm in the DeSantis DSD shoulder rig.

Of late, it seems more Glock carbine options are appearing in the market. Few offer the total package of the Mako KPOS in terms of metal manufacturing, folding stock, ease of install/conversion, and Picatinny style rails allowing for easy adaptation of accessories. A pistol caliber carbine can never be compared across the board to a weapon firing a rifle round due to effective range and lethality of the pistol round versus a rifle cartridge. However, a 9mm carbine typified by a KPOS Glock SBR is not a weapon to be ignored. Beyond a doubt the KPOS Glock is much more potent than any handgun due to its increased effective range and shootability thanks to the ability to be fired from the shoulder. The ability to keep a PDW configured like the Glock KPOS will outweigh its limitations in many people’s minds. The KPOS converted Glock is substantially smaller than several other SBR rifles it was compared to consisting of AKSU-74 Krinkov/Suchka, 9mm AR, and SIG556. The KPOS Glock conversion’s portability to effective firepower ratio will trump a rifle’s power for many. The KPOS enhances the Glock handgun into a PDW with effective range over 100 yards via shoulder stability and sight enhancement options with the Picatinny style rails. The KPOS chassis seamlessly integrates the Glock. There is no compromise in handling or reliability with mating the Glock to the KPOS. A user has a just as positive feel with the KPOS conversion as one would with a dedicated PDW or SMG. A survey of the existing market will demonstrate few other matching weapon system options in terms of size, reliability, and capability as the Glock KPOS SBR, especially for the civilian consumer.

Sites of Interest

Mako Group
1 Lenox Ave
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(866) 753-9444
www.makosecurity.com

Aimpoint, Inc
14103 Mariah Court
Chantilly, VA 20151
www.aimpoint.com

DeSantis Holster and Leather Goods
431 Bayview Ave.
Amityville, NY 11701
(800) 424-1236
www.desantisholster.com

Glock
6000 Highlands Pkwy
Smyrna, GA 30082
(770) 432-1202
www.glock.com

Insight Technology
9 Akira Way
Londonderry, NH 03053
(866) 509-2040
www.InsightTechnology.com

Lone Wolf Distributing
57 Shepard Rd.
PO Box 3549
Oldtown, ID 83822
(208) 437-0612
www.lonewolfdist.com

For many years blank cartridges have been used by military organizations around the world to add a touch of realism to military training exercises. A blank cartridge is designed to simulate the report of a firearm, but usually does not expel a projectile. When firing blanks in a semiautomatic or automatic firearm, a device is needed to delay the propellant gas from escaping from the barrel long enough to cycle the action. Such devices are commonly known as blank firing adapters or simply a BFA. Blank adapters are attached to the muzzle of a firearm. Most U.S. military blank adapters are bright orange or red in color as a reminder that the device is on the weapon. Blank adapters used in the movie industry are designed to be less conspicuous to the viewer.

Outside of the military, the movie and TV industry are probably the largest consumers of blank cartridges. Prior to the availability of blanks, live rounds were often used in film making, creating a dangerous situation for both cast and crew. In the 1930s, actors James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson were nearly shot several times while portraying gangsters during filming. After a having few close calls both men refused to allow themselves to be fired at with live ammunition. Today, the use of live ammunition in films is unimaginable. However, despite enhanced safety measures and exclusive use of blanks, several actors have been killed with them. An incident occurred in 1984 when TV actor Jon-Erik Hexum, who was relaxing between takes, as a joke placed a .44 Magnum revolver loaded with blanks to his head and pulled the trigger. At point blank range, the paper wadding in the blank cartridge had enough energy to inflict a fatal injury. Another Hollywood actor, Brandon Lee, son of the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, was accidently killed in March, 1993 during filming. In both cases it was a lack of awareness of the inherent danger and improper handling of firearms. Firing blanks can be dangerous! One caution that should be observed is that blank cartridges should never be fired at any persons or animals. Serious injury and even death can occur. A weapon firing blanks is not a toy: thus it is imperative that one be responsible.

Types of Blank Cartridges

Blank cartridges use a small charge of gun powder as a propellant with a primer to ignite the powder. To contain the propellant, the opening where a bullet would normally be located is crimped shut or sealed with some material that disperses rapidly upon leaving the barrel. This sealing material and hot gas can cause serious injuries at close range.

Some foreign made blank cartridges have a bullet made of wood or plastic in place of a crimp or sealing material. This type of blank uses a muzzle device that is designed to shred the “bullet” as it is expelled from the muzzle. This type of blank cartridge is very dangerous at close range. Most modern blanks usually do not fire any type of projectile.

Firing blanks with a blank adapter restricting the gas flow from the barrel is similar to using a sound suppressor: the firearm is going to get hot fast and dirtier than it normally would.

Grenade Launching Cartridges

Grenade launching cartridges are used to launch specially designed grenades from the barrel of a rifle. Although they may look like blank cartridges, they are loaded with approximately the same powder charge as live ammunition. Therefore, grenade launching cartridges would be VERY dangerous if fired from a weapon fitted with a blank firing device. When in doubt, never fire any unidentified “blanks” with a blank adapter attached. Listed below are typical loads used in blank and grenade launching cartridges to exemplify the significant differences.

* U.S. Cartridge, Blank, M1909 is loaded with 12 grains of SR4990 powder.
* U.S. Cartridge, Grenade, M3 is loaded with 45 grains of IMR4895 powder.

Flash and Bang

There are probably a large number of machine guns chambered for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, (.308 caliber Winchester) sitting idle because of the current price of ammunition required to feed them. The number of Miniguns, M14s, FN FALs and the 1919A4 Brownings chambered in 7.62, normally present at machine gun shoots, have been conspicuously less in recent times.

A few years ago surplus 7.62mm NATO ammunition from South Africa, Australia and Great Britain was available in seemingly inexhaustible quantities; at Knob Creek nearly every vendor was selling crates of the ammo for 12 to 13 cents per round. Suddenly, it jumped to over 40 cents a round almost overnight. Oddly, many of those who wisely stockpiled the ammo when it was cheap are reluctant to shoot it despite having many thousands of rounds. This phenomenon of human nature has occurred before. In 1994, when steel-core 7.62×39 was banned and the ammo became scarce; those who had acquired huge lots of it at bargain prices, wouldn’t shoot it because it had become “too valuable.” The price of 7.62x51mm cartridges has continued to increase and for a time was impossible to find in any appreciable quantity. Likewise, reloading components, bullets, powder and primers for hand loading the rounds have become high-demand items, just recently becoming available.

Now there is a solution to the ammo shortage; 7.62mm NATO cartridges that can now be purchased for pennies a round, well sort of. The cartridges are blanks. The blank cartridges have been imported from Germany in fairly large numbers. They are non-corrosive, quite loud and can usually be made to function in virtually any firearm chambered for the 7.62 NATO round with the appropriate blank adapter. The blanks are made of OD colored plastic except for the rims and primers, which are made of cadmium plated steel, and can be policed up with a magnet after being fired.

Outside of Miniguns, one of the main consumers of 7.62x51mm ammunition have been the Browning 1919A4 machine guns, using the Israeli 7.62 NATO caliber conversion. The Brownings will run on the plastic blanks with a few minor alterations. One of the primary items needed of course is a blank adapter.

The 1919A4 Blank Adapter

Blank adapters are now being manufactured for the 1919A4 Browning machine gun, or semiautomatic clones, that will screw directly onto the (early style) two-piece bearing/booster of the 1919. The early booster is the one with the removable end cap. The blank adapter addressed here, looks exactly like an original cap except it has a very small hole in the end and is marked “BLANKS ONLY.”

The standard adapter comes with a .170-inch diameter orifice, which is normally sufficient to run most Brownings on the German blanks. However, the test gun used to evaluate the adapter for this article would not run without an unacceptable amount of stoppages. The solution was quite simple, the original hole was welded up, from the inside surface and drilled to a smaller diameter of .125 inches, this did the trick giving the old Browning enough backpressure to function reliably with the blanks.

In addition to the fixed-orifice blank adapter, the manufacturer offers a similar product that allows the size of the orifice to be manually adjusted. The adapter uses the same Browning two-piece booster cap, but in place of a fixed orifice, has a threaded hole and uses a set screw that is held in place by a jam nut. The replaceable set screw is available drilled in several sizes. This allows the shooter the option of adjusting the size of the orifice to a size that permits function in their particular gun without going through the welding and drilling process.

While the Parkerized blank adapter is aesthetically pleasing, mistakenly leaving in place while attempting to fire live ammunition will have catastrophic results. For this reason, SAR highly recommends painting the adapter red or orange so that is can be readily identified. High temperature paint will be needed as the adapter will get quite hot during firing.

The Front Cartridge Guide

Since the blanks are slightly shorter than live 7.62 NATO rounds, the Israeli front cartridge guide may need to be shimmed up a few thousands. This can be easily done by fabricating a shim from a small strip of steel and attaching it the front 7.62 guide with epoxy. Reportedly, some Brownings will run as is without the shim, but even so the use of the shim will decrease any chance of a failure to feed condition. For use in the Browning, the plastic blanks can be easily loaded in fabric belts or the Israeli steel links using the appropriate loading device.

The thrill of firing blanks in a machine gun is similar to firing live ammunition, and is useful for familiarizing new shooters to machine guns, or for having fun in an area where it may be unsafe to fire live rounds. Blanks can also useful for celebrating events like the 4th of July. However, be forewarned that most areas of the country have published ordinances that prohibit the discharging of a firearm, for example within city limits, or within a certain distance from occupied buildings. The authorities will sometimes regard firing blanks the same as discharging live ammunition. The key phrase that may be applied from the local ordinances is “discharging a firearm.”

Blank adapters for the 1919A4 Browning
Contact Jon at
Mr.Gadget Gunworks
MrGadget@earthlink.net

7.62x51mm Blank cartridges
Long Mountain Outfitters
(702) 564-0948
http://longmountain.com/store/

Veronesi Gunsmithing
(814) 275-4382

Two-piece 1919A4 Boosters
Ohio Ordnance Works Inc.
(440) 285-3481
www.ohioordnanceworks.com

The combat shotgun has been around for centuries dating well back to muzzle loading era. Early shotguns pressed into a martial role probably served dual roles as a close range weapon and sporting piece for fowl and other fleeting game. This was later specialized with the Dutch blunderbuss with short 14 inch or so barrel with signature flared muzzle to ease in loading of powder and shot; not to increase shot spread as commonly associated with the flared bulbous muzzle design. The shotgun’s association with guerrilla warfare, or as more recently referred to asymmetrical warfare, is long standing. The shotgun’s popularity is derived from the ability to hit targets at moderate ranges better than any other weapon with its cone of firepower. The multiple projectiles it can send downrange with a single trigger pull translates into popularity with any population who may rely on it for bagging game to supplement the family diet or contest a better armed opponent. It is only natural that a shotgun be resorted to during man made times of strife, especially since it may be the only weapon possessed/allowed with the more expensive rifles and handguns a luxury not afforded. Our own military history shows the proclivity of mounted forces dating back to the American Revolution and stretching through the Civil War to rely on the devastating close range effectiveness of the shotgun. The advent of hulled ammunition made out of paper, brass, or plastic contributed to the rise of the repeating shotgun for law enforcement and military use with the advent of the Winchester 1897 replacing the double barreled variety.

The shotgun is a victim of its own reputation at times. Proponents speaking from what can be only labeled as ignorance would have you believe the shotgun is automatic death no matter the range with the weapon only needing pointing in the general direction of its intended target. Along these same lines the mere sound of a pump action’s slide being worked will send adversaries scurrying away. On the other side, detractors will label the shotgun as an outdated weapon that does nothing well easily supplanted by handguns, rifles, or SMG; the shotgun is only viable within 25 yards and has no ability to influence tactical situation beyond. The truth is somewhere in between as evident by the staying power of the shotgun on the battlefield, law enforcement patrol cruiser, and civilian go-to-weapon. Its relevance has not waned for centuries.

The Mossberg 930 SPX is all business with its matte black finish aluminum receiver, steel barrel/chamber and dull black synthetic stock. The 930 SPX is a gas operated semiautomatic shotgun with a barrel length of 18.5 inches with cylinder bore choke utilized with no provisions to alter via screw in choke systems. The 18.5 inch barrel allows for the tube magazine running under its length to hold 7 rounds of 2 3/4 inch shells plus one in the chamber for a total capacity of eight. It can fire either 2 3/4 or 3-inch 12 gauge loads. The 930 SPX’s capacity is reduced by one if loaded with 3-inch shells. The Mossberg 930 SPX weighs 7.5 pounds and has length of pull of 14 inches including a thick recoil pad to assist in taming recoil, which the gas-operated action aids in as well. The 930 SPX’s overall length is 39 inches. The 930 SPX has a tang mounted safety that is ambidextrous thanks to its central location. The only critique leveled against the 930 SPX is the lack of forward sling mount necessitating the use of an aftermarket design that fits between the magazine tube and barrel. A sling is a must for tactical shotgun use in case one has to transition to handgun or need to use both hands while still securing the shotgun on one’s person.

The operating standard for the tactical shotgun has been pump-action fed by a magazine tube located under the barrel since John Browning showed the way with the Model 1897. There have been lever and bolt actions as well, but these did not impinge on the pump action’s popularity based on reliability, ruggedness, able to handle multitude of ammunition types, and ergonomics. While the semiautomatic has showed its capability afield for hunting, few have shown the “hell and back” reliability necessary to gain the confidence of users in a life/death situation. This has slowly been changing as evident by the Benelli M1014 adoption by the U.S. Marines. The recent introduction of the Mossberg 930 SPX is a nod in the direction of greater acceptance of semiautomatic shotguns in a tactical role.

One of the Mossberg 930 SPX’s greatest assets is the LPA “ghost ring” sights. The front sight features an M16 style post with red fiber optic insert well protected by steel wings. The rear sight is a ghost ring type and fully adjustable in terms of windage and elevation. It too is well protected from abuse with protective wings on either side. The rear sight is mounted to a Picatinny rail running the length of the receiver. The rear sight is capable of moving along the rail per individual preference, used in conjunction with a red dot of some type, or removed entirely in lieu of a red dot. The front sight is welded onto the barrel and sits about 1 inch above the barrel to mate with the rear ghost ring mounted on the Picatinny rail. The LPA sights allow a user to take full advantage of the wide range of 12 gauge ammunition available. Slugs can be placed on target out to 100 yards and buckshot or other shot sizes are well accommodated for accurate quick placement at close range with the ghost ring style sights.

In terms of combat or personal defense, shotguns fire two primary types of shells: slugs or buckshot. There are various types of each, but we will confine our discussion of use with the Mossberg 930 SPX to 1 ounce (437gr) “Foster” type slugs and #00 buckshot generally loaded with 8-9 .33caliber pellets weighing 54gr. each. (As a side note, many advocate the use of #7.5 or #8 birdshot in a shotgun for use in a home to limit any chance of over penetration. A column of birdshot at close range such as across a room is lethal due to not having time to disperse.) Due to this ability to handle different styles of projectiles, shotgun effectiveness is broken down into zones. Zone A is from the muzzle to 7 yards, Zone B from 7 yards to 20 yards, and Zone C is 20 yards and beyond. This method of analysis is used to detail the pattern spread and thus effectiveness of buckshot and various ranges before considering switching to slugs. This is where the pros and cons of shotgun use become apparent.

The 930 SPX was tested with Hornady TAP and Sellier & Bellot #00 buckshot along with Federal and Winchester 1-ounce slugs. Both slug loads were designed for hunting, but work fine in any role including defense. Generally, buckshot loads have a velocity between 1,400-1,600 fps giving a muzzle energy over 2,000 ft/lbs to its multiple projectiles. The 930 SPX’s cylinder bore barrel generated a spread of 6-10 inches at 10 yards with the two buckshot loads. This indicates that a shotgun must be aimed to ensure accurate shot placement in Zone A. The buckshot spread increases to 12-16inches out to Zone B’s outer limit of 20 yards with the Hornady TAP loading being on the tighter side of the average. Freshly painted steel man targets were arranged at 10 yards with paper “no shoot” targets placed on either side during range time at Echo Valley Training Center located just out of Winchester, VA. The Hornady TAP loads repeatedly kept all pellets on the steel not impacting the paper targets. In no way is this advocating this as a valid practice in the real world; just a way to measure effectiveness of the 12 gauge in the form of the Mossberg 930 SPX. The Hornady TAP FPD #00 buckshot load is the epitome of the new age tactical buckshot taking advantage of advances in wad technology to keep patterns tighter and thus extend effective range of #00 buckshot. The use of eight #00 buck pellets in lieu of the normal nine #00 pellets is a reflection of Hornady’s endeavor to keep buckshot from spreading widely apart as is buckshot norm.

Many would comment that past Zone B’s 20 yards one should resort to slugs. Testing with the Mossberg 930 SPX indicated otherwise. Each shotgun, even from same manufacturer, should be individually patterned to determine specific characteristics. The Mossberg 930 SPX with the Hornady TAP 12 gauge #00 was able to place four of its eight pellets on IPSC style silhouette targets out to 45yards. Yes, half of the 8 .33 caliber pellets missed, but each one that struck had the force equivalent to .32 ACP or .380 ACP striking. Slugs performed in the 3 inch range at 50 yards in the Mossberg 930 SPX with the LPA sights proving their worth. Steel man sized targets were hit regularly at 100 yards with a certain amount of satisfaction derived witnessing the 1 ounce Federal and Winchester slugs rocking the target back on its base. Slugs leave the muzzle between 1,300-1,600 fps depending on particular manufacturer producing over 2,500 ft/lbs of energy and offer a ballistic track of +3 inches at 50 yards to give a 100 yard zero.

The 930 SPX gas operated action is simple, effective, and reliable. Near 400 rounds of various loads were fired in this T&E, including light birdshot, without issue. In layman terms, the bolt group rides on a “sled” that is acted upon by the gas tapped from firing from two ports and transferred back via an operating piston under the barrel. The two pistons push the bolt carrier or “sled” operating the action. Mossberg uses a self regulating system with no gas seal ring as found on other manufacturer gas operated actions. This system allows for use of most any ammunition type including low brass shells. Though simple, pay attention to disassembly details and directions as there are crucial items in terms of linkage and springs in the bolt group that once asunder may lead to having to get a professional to assist with putting back together.

Range time consisted of the patterning described above along with other exercises trying to get a better appreciation of how the 930 SPX tactical shotgun handles and performs. The relatively limited capacity of shotguns, 7+1 with the 930 SPX, compared to high capacity magazine fed rifles is often listed as major detriment of choosing a shotgun over another weapon type. One of the most crucial things to learn when choosing a shotgun for defense is how to keep it from running empty of ammunition. BlackHawk bandoleer and forearm shell holder are two of the more successful ways found. There are other items such as slings and side saddle mounts that keep extra ammunition on the shotgun; these affect the handling of the shotgun by weighing it down. Drills involving moving between barricades engaging shoot and no-shoot targets were handled without issue. The key is to keep up a pace of reloading based on number of shots fired. In other words, shoot two reload two before moving from cover. Another drill used was based on engaging several shorter range targets out to 30 yards before having to engage a designated target placed 90 yards away. This necessitated a switch from buckshot to slug before engaging.

The 930 SPX’s ghost ring sights come into their own during this type of work and enhance the capabilities of the 930 SPX compared to a shotgun equipped only with a gold bead on the barrel. The LPA ghost ring gives nothing up in terms of CQB ranges with the front sight as easy to place on target as a bead and ultimately proved better at accurate placement of fire. A great test for any shotgun, especially one to be used in a quick reacting CQB setting, is shooting clay targets. This also verifies reliability with ammunition with less recoil impulse than slugs or buckshot and helps get more rounds fired to verify operating soundness. Low brass #8 shot was used with no issue. The ghost ring sight proved to be no problem at all with the rear sight disappearing naturally as eye focused on the flying clay target and front sight leading it. The brass shells were a welcome relief in terms of recoil. Yes, the 930 SPX is semiautomatic and has a generous recoil pad, but it still is a 12 gauge and anyone telling you any different should be scrutinized. Recoil was not prohibitive and one gets used to it, but do not start using a shotgun after a day of firing an AR or AK as it is significantly more.

There is something re-assuring about the power of a shotgun for any close range engagement, which is what most civilians and LE face. It is not hard to imagine why the 12 gauge is found and remains in favor for close range engagements, which is typical for civilians, law enforcement or military in urban or other close range environments. Yes, a shotgun can be viewed as limited in terms of range, but this is not necessarily a liability for civilians, LE and certain missions in the military where range is not an issue with a premium put on CQB stopping power. British studies of the 1960 Borneo conflict and recent Joint Service Combat Shotgun Program associated with the decision making process to adopt the Benelli M1014 show that, “the probability of hitting a man-sized target with a shotgun was superior to that of all other weapons.” This is referring to buckshot loads with its large number of projectiles sent downrange possible of inflicting damage as far away as 75 yards. The British study compiled after battle statistics proving the shotgun the most effective short range weapon with a hit probability 45% greater than a SMG and 100% compared to an assault rifle. Yes, the smaller buckshot pellets are comparable to a small caliber handgun in wounding potential, but multiple projectiles increase the likelihood of more hits.

Conversations with Suarez International instructor Jack Rumbaugh proved insightful as what qualities are most sought after with a shotgun. Jack trains hundreds of students a year in all manners of personal defense, including a Fighting Shotgun course. Suarez’s founder and CEO Gabe Suarez has authored one of the best books covering the effective use of a shotgun as a fighting weapon. When queried on the subject of tactical shotguns, Jack stated the most important quality is reliability and simple manual of arms for anyone to master quickly. The pump shotgun is the established shotgun action, but shotguns like the Mossberg 930 SPX has proven it has what it takes to rival this. Jack states that recent classes are running a 60%-to40% ratio of pump actions to semis. This is a significant increase from just a few years back when it was 90% pump. This reflects growing confidence in the semi-auto shotgun typified by the Mossberg 930 SPX and an appreciation of its reliability and slightly faster firing rate and reduction in felt recoil. Jack further elaborated that the shotgun is a devastating simple weapon to wield against an adversary from civilian perspective. Most if not all students are capable of getting solid hits at distances out to 30 yards with buckshot and hit man size targets at 100 yards with slugs. This is the prototypical range for most hostile engagements. He feels the multitude of choices in weapons at reasonable prices compared to other weapon platforms and variety of ammunition, including low recoil buckshot and slugs, further draw people to it for use. The Mossberg 930 SPX is a great example of this utility with a MSRP around $600 with the added benefit of upgraded sights and proven operating action afield and more recently in the tactical arena.

SITES OF INTEREST

O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
7 Grasso Ave
North Haven, CT 06473
(203) 230-5300
www.mossberg.com

BlackHawk! Products Group
6160 Commander Pkwy
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 436-3101
www.blackhawk.com

Echo Valley Training Center
www.echovalleytrainingcenter.com

The origins of the original Military Armament Corporation date back to 1966, when Mitchell WerBell III, a former World War II OSS officer, decided to go into the suppressor business. WerBell called his company Sionics; an organization that specialized in counterinsurgency equipment. The name Sionics was an acronym and stood for Studies in Operational Negation of Insurgency and Counter Subversion. Sionics was located on WerBell’s estate (aka The Farm) near Powder Springs, Georgia. According to Sionics, Inc. company literature, the organization was, “Established as a research and development corporation, and sales coordinator for all branches of the U.S. Military.”

Sionics Sound Suppressors

The principal product of Sionics was their sound suppressors (silencers), produced exclusively for covert operations by military and CIA type organizations. The suppressors that Sionics designed and sold used a combination of baffles, spirals and wipes to suppress muzzle blast. Mitchell WerBell’s achievements in suppressor design were once regarded as the most significant advancements since Hiram Maxim’s silencers were introduced at the turn of the century. WerBell was granted two patents covering his designs. Initially, the Sionics’ line consisted of suppressors for U.S. rifles, primarily the M14 and M16, as well as suppressors for pistols and submachine guns. At approximately the same time WerBell was establishing Sionics in Georgia, Gordon Ingram, living out in southern California, was attempting to interest a foreign or domestic firearms company in manufacturing his latest submachine gun design the Model 10. Despite Ingram’s best efforts, no offers were forthcoming.

During 1969, Mitch WerBell was planning a business trip to South Vietnam in order to demonstrate his company’s suppressors. Prior to this trip, WerBell and Ingram were unknown to each other; however, mutual friend Thomas B. Nelson knew both men and their respective talents. Upon learning of WerBell’s proposed trip, Mr. Nelson suggested that he make a stop over in Los Angeles and meet with Ingram. WerBell contacted Ingram and arranged to meet him at the VIP lounge in the Los Angeles Airport. After preliminary introductions, Ingram got down to the business at hand, explaining to WerBell his simple, easy to manufacture submachine gun design. Ingram opened up a small case that he had brought with him and showed WerBell one of his prototype .45 caliber Model 10s with suppressor. Duly impressed with Ingram’s submachine gun, WerBell struck a tentative deal with Ingram whereby he would assume possession of Ingram’s submachine guns; and take them to Vietnam for demonstration along with his Sionics suppressors.

Despite all of the previous rejections of his submachine gun by the firearm’s industry, Ingram’s weapon, with its compact size and high cyclic rate, was a big hit in Vietnam. Everyone who attended the demonstrations wanted a Model 10. WerBell immediately contacted the Sionics Company officials back in Georgia instructing them to contact Gordon Ingram to begin negotiations for the rights to manufacture his submachine gun.

At the start of the negotiations with Sionics, Ingram was living in southern California with his wife Fernande, daughter Michelle and son Richard. WerBell wanted to hire Ingram as his Chief Engineer to oversee production of the M10 submachine gun. However, Ingram, who was employed as an engineer at Fairchild Hiller Aircraft, was reluctant to quit his job and move to Georgia; but under increasing pressure from WerBell, he eventually gave in and agreed to move. Leaving his family back in California, Ingram went to Georgia and for his first few months there lived in a small apartment on the WerBell property. Ingram’s small living quarters were adjacent to the machine shop then located in the basement of Mitch WerBell’s home. When his family moved to Georgia to join him, Ingram rented an apartment on Franklin Road in Marietta. Ingram signed a contractual agreement to have his Model 10 submachine gun manufactured exclusively by Sionics, Inc. As part of the agreement, all of the prototype Ingram guns were turned over to Mitch WerBell’s Sionics company.

Mitchell L. WerBell III decided that the company’s current name of Sionics was not the best possible name for an organization that would be manufacturing the new Ingram weapon. The company name was then changed from Sionics to Environmental Industries. After a very brief period, WerBell III decided that the new name was inappropriate. He then began to cast about for a suitable name for his organization. A close friend and company employee by the name of Donald (Don) G. Thomas ran his own small Class Three business he called Military Armament. After much coercing, Don agreed to relinquish his trade name to WerBell.

The Quantum Corporation

In 1969, a group of investors from New York know as the Quantum Ordnance Bankers began investing in the Military Armament Corporation. On 11 June 1969, the Military Armament Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Quantum Ordnance Bankers, Inc. (who later changed their name to the less conspicuous Quantum Corporation) of New York. Quantum, headed by Rosser Scott Reeves III, was a holding company that was formed by a group of wealthy Wall Street financiers, to pump millions of dollars into the fledgling Military Armament Corporation. The deal would eventually prove to be an unfortunate decision for both Mitch WerBell and Gordon Ingram.

Cromwell

Cromwell was formed to be the sales and marketing contract organization for the Military Armament Corporation; the company president was Jon Crawford. The company was established at about the same time that Quantum became involved with MAC. Quantum management believed that highly successful New York businessmen could sell more guns than the knowledgeable gun salesmen in the field. This did not prove to be the case in the weapon’s business.

MAC Relocates

As production of the Ingram submachine guns increased, the company was rapidly outgrowing the Powder Springs production facility that was located in a small-refurbished boathouse on the WerBell estate. During February of 1970, the company relocated into a much larger production facility at 440 Glover Street in Marietta, Georgia. The old facility on the WerBell Farm in Powder Springs was retained to conduct police sales. A firing range on the WerBell property continued to be used for testing weapons.

A Brief History of 440 Glover Street

Glover Street in Marietta, Georgia was originally named for the Glover Machine Works (GMW) established in 1895. One of the products the company manufactured was steam-powered locomotives and related railroad equipment. GMW had several large buildings and a rail system located directly behind their 440 Glover Street facility. Situated on the property was a foundry, machine shop and pattern room. During the late 1920s, the demand for steam-powered locomotives began to dramatically decline and GMW stopped manufacturing locomotives. However, the company continued to manufacture parts and repair locomotives for many years. The company eventually relocated and transitioned over to the manufacture of other industrial machinery. In 1995, the railroad tracks were removed, and most of the buildings razed.

MAC’s Glover Street Facility

MAC’s new Glover Street facility had a large main floor that contained the corporate offices and the production area and an upper level over the corporate offices housed the engineering department and a prototype shop. The center of the production area was bisected by an old GMW railroad track. When parts arrived from vendors they were placed in a storage area along with the parts that were made at the factory. Along side the railroad tracks were long tables, which served as an assembly line and parts were placed in bins on the tables for workers to access while assembling the submachine guns. A phosphate shop was situated adjacent to the production area for applying finish to components. Once completed, the weapons were sent to the test range for function firing. Under the factory floor was a vault area where completed weapons were stored awaiting shipment. Each weekly “lot” of weapons consisted of anywhere from thirty-five to sixty submachine guns.

As the company was relocating from Powder Springs to Marietta, Georgia, The company address stamped on the Ingram submachine guns made at the new facility was changed from Powder Springs, GA to Marietta, GA. The sales offices that were located in Atlanta and Washington, DC were eventually closed, with all subsequent sales being handled from the Marietta facility. During this period, both Ingram and WerBell were forced from the company by Quantum management. Ingram’s name that appeared on the Model 10 and Model 11 was replaced by the acronym MAC on subsequent production. During 1975, due to a lack of sales, numerous lawsuits and mismanagement, the original Military Armament Corporation filed for bankruptcy. MAC went out of business in 1976.

After the demise of the Military Armament Corporation, three former employees; Ray R. Roby, Charles T. Pitts and Richard W. Brueggeman decided to form their own company to manufacture and continue selling Ingram/MAC submachine guns. Mr. Roby had been a front office man at MAC dealing with finance and accounting and later became Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Pitts held several mid level management positions; Mr. Brueggeman was Vice President of manufacturing. With their collective knowledge of the business, the three men obtained the exclusive rights to manufacture the Ingram M10 and M11 submachine guns under a new company they named RPB Industries, Inc. The company was officially incorporated on 9 August 1976. The letters “RPB” represented the initials of the new owners’ last names. RPB Industries briefly occupied the building at 440 Glover Street in Marietta, Georgia until a new facility could be found. Eventually the company moved to 1088 Huff Road N.W. in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2010, while doing research for a new Ingram book project tentatively entitled The MAC Man, former MAC employee Donald G. Thomas and the author visited 440 Glover Street in Marietta. The building is now occupied by the Cobb County Board of Education and utilized as an annex for business and financial services. The front of the building was immediately recognizable from old photos from the 1970 MAC era. We approached the front desk and explained to the young secretary our book project, and asked if we could tour the facility. She said it wouldn’t be a problem and summoned a supervisor who offered to show us around. The gentleman told us that he didn’t know much of the building’s past, but he was aware that machine guns were once manufactured there. In a few rooms, the old 1970s paneling was still in place, but most of the offices had been updated since MAC’s departure in 1976. After seeing the office area on the main floor, we proceeded to the basement, where the manufacture and assembly of the MAC weapons was performed. The railroad tracks that once bisected the building were gone, but that part of the building was also recognizable from old photographs. While touring the basement, we encountered a fellow who told us that he remembered a little about the old “machine gun plant.” He offered to show us the area where the weapons were test-fired. The foam used for insulating the room was still present as were the holes used for the ventilation fans. The man said that he recalled finding numerous spent shell casings in the area when the building was being refurbished.

The original Military Armament Corporation’s occupancy of the 440 Glover Street was quite brief, lasting little more than six years. The final activity there was the famous MAC auction in June, 1976.

As black rifles become more mainstream within the domestic shooting community, the numbers of accessories and attachments have become greater and more varied in design. Butt stocks, fore ends, pistol grips, flash hiders, and other accessories are available from any number of sources to dress up and change the features and appearance of a black rifle. In addition, uncertainty within the political and economic future has resulted in a large number of .22 caliber black rifles that are inexpensive, easy to maintain, and cheap to shoot. Enter the Gemtech G5-22, a multifunctional .22 caliber suppressor built specifically for the black rifle market.

Long known within the NFA community, Gemtech is known for making high quality products. The G5-22 is no exception. Not to be confused by its big brother, the .223 caliber G5 suppressor, the G5-22 is a miniature version of the G5 in outward appearances. Measuring 6.6 inches in length, 1.37 inches in diameter, and weighing in at a svelte seven ounces, the G5-22 produced a sound signature measuring 117 decibels when measured from a .22 caliber Thompson Center single shot rifle. First round pop was not noticeable to the ear, and was statistically insignificant when measured via sound meter. When one considers that the actions of many semiautomatic .22 caliber rifles produce 125 – 130 decibels when the bolt slams into battery, the true benefit of the G5-22 becomes apparent – the sound signature will be that of the action, and not the muzzle blast. When trying to compare what a suppressor may sound like without actually being able to fire it, this proves to be an invaluable insight into the level of sound reduction capable from this efficient little unit.

Like the G5, the G5-22 was designed with black rifles in mind. Outfitted with a miniature Gemtech bi-lock flash hider, the G5-22 mimics the feel and performance characteristics of the larger G5 without the weight or cost of the larger .223 suppressor. For those readers unfamiliar with the Gemtech bi-lock system, the system allows the suppressor to be mounted to the rifle in the same repeatable manner, each and every time the suppressor is fitted to the rifle. This is an important feature, as thread-based designs common to many suppressor designs may not provide consistent and repeatable mounting between the suppressor and the host weapon. Accuracy (or lack thereof) and inconsistency between aimed suppressed and non-suppressed fire can sometimes be traced to variables in the suppressor mounting system. The Gemtech bi-lock system removes many of the inconsistencies through the use of two offset mounting tabs that force the suppressor to be mounted to the rifle in the exact same position every time it is used. More importantly, a suppressor using the Bi-lock system may be attached or removed from the rifle in a matter of seconds. The .22 caliber bi-lock, while smaller in size than the full sized bi-lock, provides the identical features as its larger full sized .223 caliber brethren, while preserving the tactical (yet diminutive) feel and appearance of a .22 caliber black rifle. For the G5-22 to follow in the footsteps of the larger G5 suppressor, the Bi-lock mounting system was a required feature.

For safety reasons, the G5-22 will not mount to a rifle using a traditional G5 bi-lock. Designed for use with the .22 LR cartridge, the G5-22 is not capable of withstanding the forces generated by the larger and more powerful .223 cartridge. As a result, the G5-22 Bi-lock is smaller in size, thereby preventing the use of the G5-22 on a full sized .223 Bi-lock mount (preventing a potentially catastrophic end result) while also excluding the G5 from being used on the G5-22 mount thus preventing the user from adverse lead build up within the sealed and non-serviceable G5 suppressor. For users with multiple .22 LR firearms, additional bi-lock mounts may be purchased.

For those with limited knowledge of how a suppressor works and functions, questions may arise why a new suppressor is needed when the Gemtech G5 suppressor (capable of firing the more powerful .223 cartridge) is fully capable of suppressing the lowly .22 LR cartridge. In simple terms, the answer is lead vapor. Most .223 projectiles have a full metal jacket, with only the lead base of the projectile exposed. In some cases, even the base may be enclosed, limiting the amount of exposed lead to the gases generated during the firing sequence. Less lead is exposed during the firing sequence of a .223 cartridge, resulting in less lead buildup within a dedicated .223 suppressor. The same is not true of .22 LR cartridges. Typical .22 LR cartridges are composed of lead with a waxy finish. During the firing sequence, the hot gases created from the burning propellant, combined with high temperatures generated via friction between the projectile and the barrel allows a small portion of the lead projectile to vaporize. Firing quick volleys of .22 LR (whether in semiautomatic or fully automatic manner) only exacerbates the problem, as the internal temperatures increase and the lead is more easily vaporized.

While generally safe to the shooter, the lead vapor will exit the muzzle and is directed away from the shooter. From a safety standpoint, this is ideal. Nevertheless, the lead vapor will quickly condense on any cool surface encountered, including the internals of a sound suppressor. While there are .22 LR cartridges that are “jacketed,” these rounds typically feature a copper wash over the lead projectile that measures only several thousandths of an inch in thickness. While the copper wash may lessen the amount of lead vapor generated, the issue of lead vapor and leading remains.

Why is the issue of lead vapor important? Typically, large caliber suppressors are sealed and are not user-serviceable. There is no need to service a typical centerfire suppressor. Remember – lead vapor is typically not an issue for centerfire caliber cartridges. The caveat of course comes when a centerfire suppressor is used to fire .22 LR cartridges. Build up of lead vapor within the centerfire suppressor will increase weight and degrade performance over time, without the ability to clean or remove the internal lead build up. While a G5 (or any large caliber centerfire suppressor) may be used to suppress the report of a .22 caliber cartridge, the centerfire suppressor is not intended, nor recommended for long term use with .22 caliber cartridges.

Designed for the .22 LR cartridge, the G5-22 may be disassembled and is fully user serviceable for internal cleaning. In practice, the G5-22 was easily disassembled without tools. The end caps were easily unscrewed by hand and without tools to expose an inner tube used to align the internal baffles. Removing the baffles from the inner tube was easily accomplished by unscrewing the outermost baffle with a coin. Once removed, the remaining eight baffles slide out of place for cleaning and maintenance. Reassembly of the G5-22 was easy by simply reversing the steps used in disassembly. With the exception of placing the blast baffle in the proper internal position, there were no baffle alignment or sequential internal assembly steps required.

Virtually identical in use and installation to the larger G5 suppressor, the G5-22 has the added benefit of allowing law enforcement SWAT teams to train at lower cost. When installed on a .22 caliber AR-15, M16, or M4 platform, the G5-22 allows the use of inexpensive .22 caliber cartridges, while maintaining the same muscle memory required for use of the larger .223 caliber G5. In stressful situations, one must train in the same manner as the fight; the G5-22 allows the user to train at a lower cost without trying to remember how different systems are used in varying situations.

Accuracy testing showed that the suppressor did not adversely affect accuracy of the host weapon. Partly due to the consistency in mounting, and partly due to physics, users will typically find that use of a suppressor will tighten a shot group. The effect is best described by the imagining the inner workings of the suppressor. Rather than allowing gases to escape from the barrel unimpeded, suppressors typically contain and direct the gases formed during the firing sequence, allowing the bullet to exit the bore with minimal disruption. The bullet exits a suppressed bore with less external influence from the muzzle blast, resulting in greater accuracy and tighter shot groups.

The G5-22 suppressor proved to be a quality product, in line with what one might expect from Gemtech. As the first Gemtech suppressor capable of full disassembly, the design is well thought out and designed for heavy use by serious shooters. Suggested retail price is $495. The $200 NFA transfer tax will apply for the transfer of the suppressor to non-licensed individuals or entities, making the suppressor as expensive (or potentially more expensive) than the host .22 caliber firearm. Nevertheless, the ability to train on the AR-15/M16 platform using inexpensive .22 caliber ammunition will easily provide an afternoon of shooting without breaking the bank, irritating the neighbors, or worrying about an errant centerfire .223 round leaving the firing range.

Umarex USA began with the acquisition of Ruag Ammotec USA (Dynamit Nobel), North American marketers of the famous RWS brand of premium adult airguns. Combined with the world class products from German based Umarex, the parent company of Walther Firearms, Umarex USA has quickly become one of the premier providers of airguns and airgun accessories to North America. Along with being a premier airgun company they now have branched out into the rimfire firearms market with the addition of two high visibility, company licensed .22 long rifle lines. Last year Umarex introduced a Colt licensed .22 rimfire replica of the M16/M4 rifle called the Colt Tactical Rimfire. This year they have announced a series of Heckler & Koch licensed .22 long rifle replicas beginning with a .22 copy of the highly sought after HK 416D rifle. Three other guns will eventually be available and will also carry the H&K stamp of approval. These include two models of the HK MP-5 (an A-5 version as well as an SD model) and also an HK 416 SD pistol. As the HK416D rifle replica was the first model available it is the subject of our test and evaluation.

All of the Umarex .22’s are engineered and manufactured in Germany by Carl Walther. Like the Colt Tactical Rimfires, the new HK replicas are a dedicated .22 long rifle platform, are blowback operated and feature match grade precision barrels. This author has owned one of Umarex’s M4 .22 carbines for about a year now and it has had several thousand rounds put through it. The only time that is has quit working is when it gets so dirty that it just can’t go anymore. It is the first .22 that I grab when I get the urge to go rimfire plinking. That said, I was expecting high marks from the Umarex HK 416D rifle. As it turns out I wasn’t disappointed.

Upon first examination of the new rifle a couple of things are immediately noticeable. The first is the overall look of the gun. It is really a good looking firearm. The fit and finish is great. The upper and lower receivers mate up with no wiggle whatsoever. It is finished in a very nice matte black color and all parts match. There are not several different blacks and definitely no “purple” color anywhere on the gun. Next is the attention to detail. The left side of the lower carries the HK logo, model designation, caliber and serial number. The engraving is white color filled and is very sharp and clear. The right side of the lower has the trademark, manufacturer and importer information. This engraving is also color filled and is the only disappointment on the whole gun. With that much information in white letters the lower looks cluttered. Selector markings are in pictogram form and have safe and fire spelled out below each. The gun’s upper and lower receivers are held together with HK style push pins.

Like the original H&K rifle, the Umarex 416 has a free floating barrel housed inside a Rail Interface System (RIS) forearm. This RIS features rails at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions. The top rail aligns perfectly with the railed flat top upper receiver. This top rail also has a set of adjustable iron sights that look and work just like the H&K sights that they were copied from. The pistol grip is the same hand filling design that is used on the centerfire HK and a removable plate on the bottom of the grip covers a storage area. The 6-position telescoping stock mimics the stock on the original gun and even carries the “HK” logo. The buttstock has a removable soft rubber butt pad which exposes more storage compartments.

The barrel of the Umarex HK 416 looks like it has an M4 configuration but in reality is a .22 caliber barrel liner covered by shroud that makes it look like an M4 barrel. The barrel is threaded but Walther chose to use the same thread that they used on their P-22 pistol and their Colt rimfire rifles which is metric 8x.75. This is unfortunate as most US manufactured .22 suppressors are threaded 1/2×28. Not to fear, Gemtech has come to the rescue with their Umarex Barrel Thread Adapter. To install the adapter you simply remove the original Walther A-2 style flash hider which exposed the barrel threads. Screw on the Gemtech adapter and then screw on an original 1/2×28 flash hider or suppressor. This adapter is the finest quality, the finish matches perfectly and when installed is not even noticeable.

The magazine that came with the test rifle is a proprietary design and holds 20 rounds. The magazine’s follower has thumb pads on either side that enables sliding the follower down to make loading a breeze. These pads travel in slots on either side of the magazine that give a visual indication of the number of rounds left. Magazines of 10 and 30 rounds will also be available. Hopefully, Black Dog Machine will come out with a tower for their 50-round drums to fit this gun.

Testing of the Umarex HK 416D rifle was done using several types of high velocity .22 long rifle as well as some subsonic ammunition. These included Remington High Velocity Hollow Points, CCI Mini-Mag in both hollow point and round nose styles, CCI Stingers and Remington Subsonic lead hollow points. As Umarex USA is the U.S. distributor for RWS rimfire ammunition, the test also included RWS High Velocity HP ammo. All testing was done from a rest at 50 yards.

To get the best accuracy from the gun a Leupold Tactical Prismatic Riflescope was mounted on the receiver’s flat top rail. This compact scope is a true 1X optic that comes with a removable illumination module that lights the reticle up in red. The reticle is called a Circle Plex and consists of a crosshair with a 2 MOA center dot surrounded by a ranging outer circle. The reticle is etched glass making it visible, at all times, even without batteries. It features 1/2- MOA click windage and elevation adjustments and comes with a quick detach base that includes different height mounting spacers to work with any type of firearm platform. This scope is also compatible with the A.R.M.S. #22 throw lever base. This compact scope is not cheap but it is one of the best compacts that this author has used.

As long as the shooter does his part this .22 rifle performs very well. Groups with the CCI Mini-Mags were right around 1.5 inches as were groups from the other high velocity ammunition. The exception here was the RWS High Velocity Hollow Points. This ammo consistently grouped at 1 inch or slightly better. This is some very consistent ammunition. Accuracy was then checked with the Remington Subsonic hollow point ammunition. The author installed his Gemtech Outback suppressor coupled with their Umarex Barrel Thread Adapter. Though not unusual, the rifle produced its best groups with this combination. At 50 yards 10-shot groups were less than 1 inch.

The manual for the Umarex .22 guns recommends using only high velocity ammunition but the test rifle ran with any kind of quality .22 shells that were stuffed into it. The rifle utilizes a user adjustable bolt recoil spring tension that can be adjusted for most ammo but no adjustment was needed in our tests. Overall, the Umarex HK 416D rifle leaves very little to be desired in this type gun, as it has it all. It offers good looks, very reliable functioning, outstanding accuracy and, with the forearm rail system, can be equipped with all the bells and whistles that you would ever want to hang on a rifle.

Fall in Central Kentucky; mild weather, the leaves are beginning to turn their autumn colors: just beautiful. Approximately thirty miles south of Louisville at the Knob Creek Range in West Point, the smell of campfires, burning gun powder, accompanied by the sounds of machine gun fire and a Huey helicopter flying over: simply outstanding! The weather was very pleasant for the 2010 fall shoot; temperatures in the mid to high 70s, clear blue skies, lots of sunshine and accompanying dust that comes with dry weather. The dust can be annoying, but it’s still better than mud, which at the Creek is usually one or the other.

The Show

One of the big attractions at Knob Creek is the huge gun show, located inside the pole barn and the surrounding out buildings. All the major dealers in the country set up at the show, and whatever NFA or military related item you are looking for can probably be found there. Ammunition was plentiful this year and in most cases reasonably priced. By Sunday, many of the vendors were sold out of the more popular calibers. Also reappearing after a prolonged shortage, were reloading components to include reasonably priced primers and powder.

Some unique items were being offered in the show, including Dan Richardson’s M1903 Springfield rifle fitted with a very rare Pederson Device. The Pederson Device was a top secret “wonder weapon” developed during World War I to convert the bolt-action ’03 rifle into a semiautomatic weapon firing a short .30 caliber pistol cartridge. The device fed from a vertical 40-round magazine that extended upward from the receiver. The war ended before the Pederson devices were fielded and all were ordered to be destroyed shortly after the war ended. The Pederson Device and rifle are for sale and if interested call Dan at (423) 596-4180. Mark Mann who does business as “The Rifleman” had a pair of rare Broomhandle pistols on his table, an original Chinese made .45 caliber model and a German-made slabside – a large ring hammer C96 produced for the 1899 Italian Navy contract. For more information contact Mark at (478) 784-2767. For MAC fans John Thedford of NFA Firearms, had an original Powder Springs .380 caliber, Ingram Model 11 submachine gun, serial number 60, and an RPB operational hardcase on his table. NFA Firearms (239)-200-5600.

Part of the draw to the “Crick” for many is to become reacquainted with old friends and make new ones. Many new and familiar faces were present including Knob Creek regular, renowned author Dolf Goldsmith. In addition, Linda Farmer and her son Jeremiah were there. Many “old timers” will remember Linda from the days when she and her late husband J.D. Farmer, founded and ran Hard Times Armory. Linda was also a part of the National Firearms Association that was started in 1987, to represent the NFA community after the 1986 machine gun manufacturing ban.

Many new, innovative firearms products were seen at the show that included the Tactical Brass Bag by TacticalBrassRecovery.com. The high capacity, collapsible brass catcher bag (holds up to 240 5.56 cases) is designed to be used with an AR-15 style weapon fitted with a Picatinny rail system. The brass catcher does not harm the weapon’s finish or interfere with any optics or mounts. The folks at MGI were present with their innovative modular upper and lower receivers for the AR-15/M16 family of small arms. The MGI modular system makes the popular rifles easily adaptable to numerous calibers and magazines in minutes by changing out the magazine well and barrel. The company also offers a number of related upgrade products for the rifles including a quick-change barrel system. MGI can be reached at (207) 945-5441 or visit their website at www.MGImilitary.com. Troy Edmund of the BarrelXChange was offering his latest innovation, a 76-round drum magazine for the 5.45 AK-74 rifle based on the easy to load “Chinese” pattern drums. For more information on the AK-74 drum and other products visit their website at www.barrelxchange.com. The folks from the Shotgun News and Small Arms Review magazine were both at the show handing out complimentary issues of their respective publications.

Sub Gun Matches

One the other side of the Knob Creek facility, the subgun matches were held with a course designed to delight and challenge the shooters. Over the years the skill level of the shooters has increased dramatically. Just observing the finesse and accuracy of many of the competitors is enjoyable, their skills honed by many hours of practice preparing for the semiannual event. Top shooter/fastest time was Andy Blaschik using a Beretta PM12, competing in the open bolt/optic sights category. Andy’s time was a blazing 45.78 seconds. The second best time of the day was 61.56 seconds recorded by Todd Louis with an UZI, competing in the open bolt/iron sights group. Jeremy Parker took top honors in both the closed bolt/iron sights and closed bolt/optic sight classes using a 9mm M16 with times of 73.71 and 69.29 respectively. Top female shooter was Joyce Carrere with a Port Said (Swedish-K) in the open bolt/iron sights class with a time of 131.92 seconds.

Machine Gun Rentals

Following the trail to the opposite side of the subgun match range, is the machine gun rental range, where spectators, for a modest fee, are afforded the chance to fire their choice of weapons from a wide variety of popular machine guns.

The Huey Helicopter

Up near the KCR campground area, the folks from the American Huey 369th Organization flew in from Peru, Indiana to offer Creek attendees rides in their Vietnam era Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter number 70-16369. The official name of the Bell helicopter is the Iroquois, but it became better known by its nickname “Huey” derived from its model designation UH-1 (Utility Helicopter). The sight and unique sound of the Huey made it an indelible icon of the Vietnam War. Huey 369 was originally assigned to the 498th Medical Company where it was first utilized as a Medevac Air Ambulance or “Dustoff” aircraft during the Vietnam War. The Huey helicopter has been credited with saving the lives of many battlefield casualties by quickly evacuating wounded troops out of harm’s way to rear area medical facilities for treatment.

The Firing Line

The firing line was bristling with machine guns and small-arms of every description, including several of the crowd-pleasing miniguns and cannons. Despite the increase in price and decrease in availability of ammunition experienced in recent times, it was certainly not evident by the amount fire being put on the targets downrange. Knob Creek range personal kept the shooters supplied with numerous targets to include vehicles, appliances and boats… rigged with explosives. Diligent KCR range officers were present to keep everyone safe. The night shoot, which is like a fireworks display on steroids, was awesome as usual with the sight and sound of thousands of tracers, incendiary rounds and huge explosions lighting up the Kentucky sky. The Saturday night shoot can only be described as exhilarating, and something that one just doesn’t grow tired of seeing.

Other Area Attractions

While visiting the Knob Creek Range there are other interesting things to see in the surrounding area. The Fort Knox Army base “Home of Armor” is just southwest of Knob Creek on the Dixie Highway (route 31W) near the city of Radcliff. For visitors, the facility features the General George S. Patton Museum and the United States Gold Bullion Depository. Unfortunately, the Patton museum is currently being down-sized and many of the exhibits are being transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia. Despite the change, there are still a number of interesting displays. On the way to Fort Knox there are numerous surplus stores scattered along the Dixie Highway. Traveling north back from Fort Knox on the Dixie Highway, just a few miles past Route 44 that leads to the Knob Creek range, is Mark’s Feed Store located in Valley Station. Mark’s is famous for their outstanding barbecue rib dinners and southern hospitality and is a favorite eatery of many Knob Creek shooters and vendors.

The Knob Creek shoot and show is a semiannual event held in April and October. If you are interested in attending there are more details on their website at http://www.knobcreekrange.com/ as well as a list of area motels. Be advised that motel reservations need to be made well in advance of the event. The Knob Creek spring shoot is scheduled for April 8, 9 and 10, 2011. Eye and ear protection is highly recommended.

After exploding on the scene in the early 1980s with the Glock 17, Glock pistols quickly evolved into the benchmark for personal defense handguns. Many detractors would have you believe that Glock has grown complacent by not introducing any new designs after the G17’s arrival. Yes, there has been four generations of Glocks, but each is reflective of design tweaks to the original conception. Glock handguns are ultra reliable, accurate, tough, and simple to operate; All at a competitive market price.

It is best to think of the Glock line-up of handguns as a “system” stretching from the mini Glock 26 through the Glock 21SF, with the Glock 18 and Glock 36 thrown in for good measure. Every Glock shares a lineage back to the first Glock – the G17. The Glock “secret” to success is minimal operating controls, high cartridge capacity to size ratio and relentless reliability. While the grip size may change between the Glock 26 and Glock 21, the position of the slide and magazine releases will instantly be familiar. A better illustration of the Glock system would be the similar same trigger pull and weight found on both the G26 and G21. Simplicity should not be confused as lack of refinement. As experience and knowledge expands, Glock reliability and solid performance has become more entrenched as the standard.

What if a de facto “custom” Glock available directly from the Glock factory was introduced? The reader was probably not aware of this, but one already is: the 17L. Let’s define custom. For our purposes here, custom means unique features not ordinarily found on Glock production firearms. Limited availability is another needed condition for the custom designation. This is caused by the increased time and resources needed to assemble these unique custom features on the firearm. Higher cost is also associated with any custom firearm. As it relates to Glock, the Glock 17L chambered in 9×19 is the custom firearm. Now, before you start calling Smyrna, Georgia, please read further.

The “custom” status bestowed on the Glock 17L evolved out of the introduction of the Glock 34. The Glock 34 was born from the need to shorten the slide of the Glock 17L. The slide was shortened to fit size constraint rules imposed by certain competitive shooting sanctioning bodies. The dimensions used mysteriously follow the classic 1911 pistol. Glock’s reasoning, as efficient as their handguns, was that there was no need to continue importing the Glock 17Ls in the same quantity, with the Glock 34’s introduction. Concisely stated, market conditions in the U.S. turned the Glock 17L into a “custom” Glock for U.S. shooters. The Glock 17L is a favorite handgun of anyone who find themselves lucky enough to run across one. Inevitably, users of the 17L re-evaluate the 9×19 cartridge.

Let’s review what sets the Glock 17L apart dimensionally and internally from other Glock handguns. The G17L’s 6.02 inch barrel is the most obvious departure from other Glocks giving the G17L an overall slide length of 8.85 inches. This is an instance where size does matter. The longer barrel generates more velocity for the 9×19, especially with +P or +P+ loads. Glock’s legendary ruggedness enables the use of the higher pressured 9×19 rounds without causing pause for the durability of the weapon. Glock’s hexagonal rifling provides a better seal when the bullet obdurates when fired, further boosting velocity figures over land and groove rifling methods.

The +P+ 9×19 cartridge when fired from the G17L’s 6-inch barrel begins to rival the .40 in terms of velocity and ft./lbs of energy generated. Most factory listed velocities are derived from 4 inch barrels. Black Hills Ammunition 124gr JHP +P and Hornady 124gr TAP +P 9×19 ammunition were chronographed from another manufacturer’s handgun with a 4 inch barrel and then the Glock 17L’s 6 inch barrel. Black Hills Ammunition and Hornady are renowned for consistent velocity, reliability, and terminal performance. The 4 inch barrel generated average velocity figures of 1,255 fps and 1,137 fps, respectively, for the Black Hills and Hornady loads. These figures are quite close to factory listed values. The Glock 17L produced average velocities of 1,301 fps and 1,196 fps respectively. Without going into minutia, remember the muzzle energy ft/lbs calculation emphasizes velocity – fps is squared multiplied by bullet weight divided by 450,400. Muzzle energy figures are increased nearly 5% with the Glock 17L. Let’s be clear, this is an attempt to quantify the Glock 17L’s advantages, not validate the use of ft/lbs as the ultimate calculator of cartridge effectiveness. The 9×19 +P loads from the Glock 17L equal the muzzle energy of .40 155gr loads fired from 4 inch handguns.

The longer barrel/slide of the G17L provides a sight radius of 8.07 inches. (For comparison, a full size 1911 has a sight radius of 6.8 inches.) This enables more precise aiming. It is possible to accurately engage targets at 50 yards, and cover had better be sought by any intended targets out to 100 yards. The longer slide/barrel combination contributes more mass, aiding in increased muzzle control for double taps or longer strings of fire. Glock ergonomics combined with the slide’s long track during recoil, mass, and manageable 9×19 muzzle signature allows for a very stable sight picture no matter how many or how rapid rounds are fired. It is not hard to fathom why select elite special operation units choose the Glock 17L. The G17L equipped with a Glock GTL 21 Tactical Laser/Light on its forward rail is a lethal CQB weapon in trained hands.

It is impossible to convey how many shooters at the range covet a Glock 17L after using it, especially if multiple targets are engaged. Test and evaluation of the G17L was conducted at a private range where many of the local law enforcement tactical team members train. Every time one of them gets to handle and shoot a Glock 17L, a convert is created. Their duty weapons span the gamut, but all appreciate what the Glock 17L offers in terms of accuracy, reliability, handling, and lethality. Each is wished luck finding a 17L, with a nod given to the Glock 34’s similarities. After all, the G34 is nearly the same except for a .7 inch shorter barrel/slide.

There are other features offered on the G17L that make it a top tier handgun. Glock equips it with a 4.5 lb. trigger connector giving the G17L a 4.5 pound trigger pull with only .5 inch travel. Other Glocks come with a 5.5 pound trigger pull. The lighter trigger aids in rapid target engagement. The logic being the Glock 17L is more often found in the hands of better trained personnel. The G17L is also equipped with an extended slide release and raised magazine release button. These are all features that aid in increasing manipulation speeds during reloads.

The Glock 17L comes standard with 17-round magazines. However, one feature or benefit of choosing a Glock chambered in 9×19 is the availability of 33-round magazines. Glock magazines are an often overlooked key component of Glock’s legendary reputation for functioning in any imaginable environment. A Glock 17L is not a concealable weapon and finds itself more at home carried in a hip holster, tac-vest, or tactical thigh holster with 33-round magazine handy for a reload. The G17L takes on a much more serious demeanor when a 33-round magazine is seated. The firepower rivals a submachine gun in an even more compact platform.

A day at the range with a Glock 17L easily translates into more proficiency with any other Glock. Whether it is a Glock 26 tucked inside a belt or a Glock 21 in a tactical thigh rig, it does not require a new manual of arms, only different magazines. The advantage of this is really appreciated when training spans several years and thousands of rounds fired. Intimate familiarization achieved by numerous draw strokes and pressing out to engage the target can not be over emphasized. The staging and prepping of the Glock Safe Action trigger with its short reset can be honed to maximum effectiveness across the many different Glock models. When under stress this is a valued trait. It is difficult to come up with any similar handgun models on the market offering the same advantage across a similar range of dimensions and calibers.

The G17L is natural to shoot accurately with double taps or longer strings of fire easy to keep on target. There is no doubt 17L shooters have called Glock urging a Glock .45 Auto “long slide” along the same lines as the Glock17L. All are treated with a courteous, “We will take it under consideration.” A person can still run across a random Glock 17L for sale and it you do, purchase it immediately. The Glock 17L is not even shown of the Glock website. Take note, a used G17L is rarely encountered. A testament both to the loyalty and satisfaction of its owners and the awareness of what special, rare, custom handgun a Glock 17L is. A Glock 34 offers many of the same features, but that unique 6 inch barreled G17L leaves many still desiring the original long barreled long slide Glock: the Glock 17L.

Captain Herbert W. McBride of the 21st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, wrote in his excellent book A Rifleman Went to War the following concerning the use of the Colt Automatic Gun Model 1895. “We Canadians of the Second Division were originally equipped with Colt guns… I imagine I can hear some sniffles and horse-laughs. You think that the Colt is a poor weapon, eh? Well, just let me tell you something for your information and instruction… Never have I seen any machine gun that is as safe for shooting over the heads of advancing infantry as the Colt. In other words, it has less dispersion, vertically, than any gun I have seen… That old Colt sure would hold elevations. I have often shot and see fired by other bursts of as many as ten shots at the thousand-yard target, where not a single bullet struck outside the limits of the bull’s eye… Often we used our Colts for firing single shots – sniping – and that is practically impossible with any of the other and faster kinds.”

“And, by the way,” continues McBride, “lest we forget, there is another good argument for the Colt gun, and that is that it is air cooled. Say what you want to, the business of getting water where there ain’t any and keeping that old condenser and its holes and everything right with you and ready to hook up, when you are crawling through all the litter of a battlefield, is not so easy. And how that water does boil away! In spite of the most careful use of the condenser, it evaporates at a rapid rate and then the problem is how to replenish it. Even though the action may be literally on the bank of a river it may be an impossible task to go the few feet and back; and, often, on the soggy, rain-drenched fields of Flanders, where everything was simply soaked, not enough real water could be procured to fill the jacket. More than a few times, the members of the gun crew have been called upon to ‘make water,’ and there is a sort of grim humor in the fact that on such occasions few, if any, could produce the goods: no, not a drop.”

Such was the praise for the Colt Automatic Gun Model 1895 as written by Captain McBride. Truly, he was an original “Emma Gee” as they called all machine gunners in the British service during World War I.

History

The Colt Automatic Gun Model 1895 was the world’s first practical gas-actuated machine gun invented and designed by the firearms genius John Moses Browning. Being an avid shooter and hunter as well as a great inventor, Browning, in the fall of 1889, went on a hunt in the marshes near Great Salt Lake. Lore has it that while shooting in the bulrushes he was intrigued by the reaction of the marsh grass to the muzzle blast of his gun. Recognizing this blast as a viable energy source, he set about to harness this energy as an alternate yet efficient means of operating a firearm. (Hiram Maxim had invented the short-recoil system four years earlier.)

Initially testing his concept on a rifle and then moving forward to a fully automatic gun, by March, 1890, Browning had improved his concept gun to the point where he offered a prototype to the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Company. The gas-impingement system that he invented was created by drilling a small gas port on the underside of the barrel about seven inches from the muzzle. As the bullet travels down the barrel past the gas port, but before exiting the muzzle, a small portion of the expanding powder gas is bled through the gas port and impinges against the head of the gas lever located under the barrel and held against the gas port. This causes the gas lever, hinged at the rear, to rotate downward and backward in a 170 degree arc underneath the gun. This lever actuates the working parts of the gun by unlocking and pushing back the bolt, withdrawing and ejecting the spent cartridge case and cocking the hammer while simultaneously the shell extractor draws a new round out of the belt and places it on the carrier. As the gas propelled lever expends its rearward energy, retracting springs return the gas lever forward and upward through its return arc to its original position.

As the gas lever returns to its forward position, it causes the front end of the carrier to rise and place a new cartridge on the carrier in front of the bolt. The bolt then travels forward, places a new round in the chamber and locks in place. At the same time the feed wheel rotates and advances the belt with a fresh cartridge to be engaged by the extractor, which is also traveling forward.

This cycle of extraction, ejection, loading, locking, cocking and firing will continue as long as the trigger remains pressed. It was this gas lever, which traveled fore and aft in an arc under the gun, that gave this weapon the nickname of “Potato Digger” because if the weapon was mounted too close to the ground, a small pit had to be dug to accommodate the swinging gas lever or else the lever would strike the ground and cause a stoppage. As “inconvenient” as this may be (tactical machine gun battlefield use had not been conceived of at this time), when mounted on its tripod, the mechanical operation of the movements resulted in a very smooth, precise and dependable operation.

The United States Navy tested the gun as early as 1893. By 1895 it had been refined to where it would handle the 6mm Lee (Navy) and the caliber .30-40 Krag (Army) cartridges and was officially named by Colt as the Colt Automatic Gun Model 1895. The nomenclature of “Model of” was normally reserved for use by the military upon official acceptance of the type by the Army. However, Colt was confident that the gun would be ultimately accepted by the Army and named it Model 1895 (without the “of”) in anticipation of that approval. Ironically, though the gun was used in due course by the Navy and the Army, it was never officially adopted by the Army.

The Navy ordered 50 of the Colt guns, which were delivered in 1897. This was the first time the United States Government purchased an automatic machine gun. In 1898, the Navy purchased another 150 of the Colts. These guns were used as secondary armament on ships and, with wheeled Light Landing Carriages and tripod mounts, by Naval landing parties and the U.S. Marines.

The U.S. Navy used the Colt with some degree of success during the Spanish-American War in 1898 when the Colt first saw combat. In the battle of Santiago de Cuba, Navy landing parties went into action alongside Lt. John H. “Gatling Gun” Parker and his Army Gatling gun under the command of Colonel Teddy Roosevelt. Two privately purchased 1895s chambered in 7.57mm Mauser (the same cartridge used by the Spanish in their Modelo 1893 Mauser rifles) were used by the 1st Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders) at Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill. However, due to the great success of the Gatling guns at the battle of San Juan Hill, the Army delayed for another decade its decision to replace the older manually operated Gatling guns with the newer automatic guns.

The U.S. Army did become interested in the Colt Model 1895 because of the Navy’s successful use in the Spanish-American War and purchased about 100 guns for testing and training purposes. The Army could not use the Navy’s guns because the Navy used the 6mm Lee while the Army used the .30-40 Krag. A joint Army-Navy board met in 1898 and recommended standardizing arms and ammunition for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. As a result of this recommendation, the Navy rechambered their 6mm Lee’s to the .30-40 Krag, then to the .30-30 and finally to the Springfield .30-06. However, it is important to note that though the Army, Navy and Marine Corps used the Colt Model 1895, only the Navy officially adopted the weapon, designating them Mark I (6mm Lee), Mark I-Modification I (.30-40 Krag, .30-30 and Springfield .30-06) and Mark III (for the Model 1914 with the interchangeable barrel in .30-06). The Army just purchased them “off the shelf.” The first automatic weapons officially adopted by the U.S. Army were the Colt Maxim Model of 1904 and the Automatic Machine Rifle Model of 1909 (commonly called the Benét-Mercié).

The Colt Sees Plenty of Action

The Colt company sold the Model 1895 for commercial sales as a military weapon and ultimately sold approximately 25,000 guns world wide. Besides the United States; Russia, Belgium, Canada, Britain, Central and South American countries as well as most of the European countries purchased the Colt 1895. Attesting to the versatility of the gun, it was chambered in such diverse rounds as the 6mm Lee, .30-40 Krag, 7.65mm Mauser, 6.5mm Greek, 7mm Mexican, 7.62mm Russian, .30-06 Springfield and the .303 British, among others.

During the Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902), Canadians in service with the British Army used several Colt Model 1895s against the Boers. In 1900, in mainland China during the so-called Boxer Rebellion, the Boxer insurgents laid siege to the Foreign Legations for 55 days in Peking. Their defense was left in the hands of the small numbers of Maine Guards of the various nations. The United States Marines were equipped with two Colt 1895s and used them so effectively that they were credited with saving the Foreign Legation from annihilation. During the Mexican Revolution (1911-1916) all sides used the Colt 1895: the Mexican Federales, the Mexican Revolutionaries and U.S. troops under General “Blackjack” Pershing in skirmishes across the border with the Mexican Army. Prior to World War I, the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps were able to put the Colt 1895 to a lot of use because of their involvement in the Philippine Pacification campaign and peace keeping efforts in Central America and the Caribbean.

In 1914, Colt modified the Model 1895 by replacing the heavy, thick permanent barrel, which had a tendency to overheat and cause “cook-offs,” with a finned barrel that is easily changeable. The Colt Model 1895 with this modification is called the Colt Automatic Gun Model 1914.

By the time of World War I (1914-1918), the old Colt was pretty much obsolete, but the Models of 1895 and 1914 were still used by Britain, Canada, Belgium and Russia through the end of 1915 until ultimately replaced by the likes of the water-cooled Vickers and Maxim and the Lewis guns. The United States continued to use the Colt for training purposes.

The Colt Model 1895 weighs 35 pounds and its tripod, with saddle and yoke, weighs about 60 pounds depending on which tripod is used. The gun’s overall length is 41 inches with a barrel length of 28 inches. It is air cooled and fed by a 250 round cloth belt from the left side from a wood ammunition box that attaches directly to a mounting bracket on the saddle mount. The rate of fire is a very comfortable 400-450 rounds per minute and while fully automatic only in operation, with its moderate rate of fire, single shots were more than capable in the hands of an experienced gunner.

Operation

Operating the Colt Model 1895/1914 is simple and straight forward. Attach the wood ammunition box in the firing position on the left side of the saddle mount. Push the brass-tipped cloth belt from the left through the opening above the box and draw it through as far as it will go. Let go of the belt. Manually swing the gas lever downward and back to the rear until it strikes the bottom plate of the gun and release the gas lever. It will now return forward to its normal forward position. The gun is now ready to fire. Pull back on the trigger and the gun will fire until the trigger is released or until all the cartridges in the belt are expended. To hold the gun ready for firing, push the safety latch on the right side of the gun below the rear sight from “fire” to “safe.”

Field Stripping

To field strip the weapon, remove the belt from the gun and throw the gas lever to the rear checking the chamber to be sure it is clear and release it to return to its normal forward position. This action cocks the hammer. On the right hand side of the gun, in front of the trigger, is the handle lock, which is a pin with a small projecting lever resting in a horizontal position. Turn the lever upward and backward as far as possible. Withdraw the handle lock. This releases the handle, which can then be removed rearward. The handle contains the mainspring, hammer, sear, sear spring, trigger and trigger spring. To remove the hammer and mainspring from the handle, pull back the trigger and pull the nose of the sear down. USE EXTREME CAUTION as the compressed mainspring and hammer will literally fly out the handle unless it is controlled by your hand.

To remove the bolt, throw the gas lever rearward as far as possible, and while holding it in that position, insert the small end of the handle lock in the hole on the right hand side of the gun, pushing the handle lock in as far as it will go. This removes the bolt pin from the bolt. Withdraw the handle lock pin, but leave the bolt pin in the position in which it now is – i.e. projecting from the left side. The bolt is now free to be removed from the rear of the gun. The extractor and firing pin can be removed from the bolt by pushing out the small pins that hold them in place.

To reassemble, insert the bolt and push forward as far as it will go. Retract the gas lever to the rear and hold in place. Push in the bolt pin from the left hand side as far as it will go. Then release the gas lever to return to its forward position. Finally, replace the hand grip, locking it in position with the hand lock.

To remove the barrel on the Model 1914, retract the gas lever to the rear and hold it in place. Using the handle lock, push the bolt pin from right to left. This causes the bolt pin to lock the slide to the receiver and holds the gas lever back. Attached to the gas cylinder will be the barrel lock. Place the small end of the combination wrench under the point of the barrel lock and press down and out until it clears the barrel. Engage the combination wrench in the slot in the underside of the barrel just forward of the gas cylinder and unscrew the barrel. Pull the barrel forward and out.

Sights

The front sight on the Model 1895 is a plain leaf. The sides are grooved near the top so that the appearance of the upper part from the rear is that of a bead, which facilitates aiming. The leaf is mounted on a base which is fitted snugly into a transverse groove in the barrel, being held in position by friction only. The rear sight is a folding leaf with slide having a wind-gauge screw for traversing it laterally for windage. In its lowest position the aim is taken through the notch in the forward (upper) end of the bar; this position corresponds to a range of 300 yards. For ranges of 400 yards and upward the leaf is raised and the slide is set at the desired graduation up to 2,000 yards.

The front sight of the Model 1914 is a hooded sight and is a wedge-shaped piece of steel which is dovetailed on its bottom surface and fits into the front sight base that is also dovetailed. The front sight and front sight cover are rigidly fastened to the base by means of a clamp screw and cover screw, respectively. The carrier is a band which is pinned to the barrel and has a dovetailed slot to receive the dovetail on the bottom surface of the base and a set screw which holds it in position. The rear sight is a folding leaf type and the leaf is graduated from 100 to 2,100 yards. It sits on a base that is affixed to the receiver and is capable by means of a windage knob on the right front side of the base to traverse for windage correction. There is an aperture disk at the bottom of the slide that is circular in shape containing five sight openings – four peepholes, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 inch in diameter, and one large aperture which contains an open sight.

Cartridge Belt

Each gun was provided with 23 cartridge belts made of canvas by means of which the cartridges are fed into the gun. Each belt is designed to hold 250 cartridges and one is placed in each ammunition box so as to feed freely into the gun, with the end of the belt having a brass tip, which is to be inserted into the gun first. While very similar to the later Browning Model of 1917 belts, the Colt Automatic Gun belts have a slightly different pitch to the pockets. Thus Browning belts, while they can be used in the Colt Automatic Gun, will not feed reliably.

Ammunition Box

The ammunition box is designed to hold one loaded cartridge belt (250 cartridges) and is made of ash or other suitable material. It is 13 inches long, 8 inches deep and 4 1/8 inches wide in its exterior dimensions. The ends, sides and bottom are nailed together. The top is attached to the sides by means of a tongue and groove slide. Later boxes were provided with a cotton web handle attached to the end of the box. One end of the box is sloped to facilitate the egress of the ammunition belt. About one-half inch back from the vertical edge of the sloping end are cut two narrow grooves which fit over correspondingly spaced flanged ribs on the saddle mount, supporting the box and belt in position for firing on the left side of the mount. The interior of the box is given a coat of linseed oil and its exterior is painted.

The Mount

The mount consists of two principle parts: the saddle with toothed arc and the yoke. The saddle, in which the gun rests, pivots on the yoke by the axis bolt, in order to move in a vertical plane. The gun is held in place on the saddle by the gun pin, which is inserted with its handle vertical. In any other position of the handle, the gun pin is held secure by the gun-pin locking screw. Changes in elevation are made by means of a worm gear, which engages the teeth of the arc, and is operated by the hand wheel. A clamp on the right side of the saddle ensures locking at the desired elevation. The lower part of the yoke is in the form a spindle and fits in the socket of the tripod. The gun will traverse through a compete 360 degrees. A clamp on the right side of the tripod head locks the traversing motion. The muzzle may be depressed 39 degrees and elevated 31 degrees, giving a total vertical range of 70 degrees.

Tripods

There are four types of tripods, all similar except for height. The first type has very short legs and sits close to the ground with the gun’s barrel about 18 inches above the ground. This type also has a wood board attached to the rear leg that swings perpendicular to that leg. The board acts as an elbow and arm rest as the gunner lies and fires in the prone position. The second type of tripod is similar to the first except that the legs are a bit longer, it doesn’t have the elbow rest board and the gun barrel is approximately 22 inches above the ground. The third type of tripod has even longer legs and has a seat attached to the rear leg for the gunner to sit on. The barrel is approximately 28 inches above the ground. The fourth and last type of tripod has the longest legs, again with a seat for the gunner, and the gun barrel is approximately 36 inches above the ground.

Unlike later Browning tripods, there is no leather strap that affixes to the rear leg to band the three legs together during transport nor are there any clamping mechanisms to secure the legs when deployed. The legs freely swing into set up or transportation position.

Conclusion

All in all, the Colt Automatic Gun Models 1895 and 1914 are important in respect to the early development and use of machine guns. As the first practical gas-operated machine gun as invented by John Browning, they proved themselves in the combat arena and are today desirable collector items and enhance any classic machine gun collection.

The Colt Automatic Gun Makes its Firing Debut in the Movie Rough Riders

The Colt Automatic Gun is rarely seen in the movies. It did appear briefly in The Wind and the Lion (1975) starring Sean Connery and directed by John Milius. In that movie, U.S. Navy sailors are shown in the landing party in Tangiers bringing a Colt 1895 with them but never fire it. According to director Milius, it was a non-firing mock-up as the production company was unable to find a firing one. However, in the 2006 Turner Network Television made for TV mini-series movie Rough Riders starring Tom Berenger as Teddy Roosevelt, the old Colt was shown a number of times throughout the film in good operational use – though there is a bit of an anachronism in that Model 1914s were used instead of Model 1895s because the production company couldn’t locate operational 1895s for use. This movie, also directed by John Milius, one of Hollywood’s true but rare firearms aficionados, gave the old Colts (two of them) some good firing air time and also featured a brass Maxim in operation as used by the Spanish. An excellent movie, it is available on DVD. Light Landing Carriage

The Light Landing Carriage was used by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines as a means of transporting the gun and eight boxes of ammunition, all in a ready state, as they came ashore and provided excellent mobility primarily by man but also by mule or machine. The two wheels are of wood and are held on the axel by the axel washers and the axel linchpins. The axel washers each have eyes into which dragropes may be fastened if desired. The tow axel arms are connected together by the axle body to the middle of which is secured the socket. The trail, which is made of steel tubing, is secured to the socket by the trail pin. The rear end of the trail is provided with a wooden crossbar or handle for use in moving the carriage about, and also a ring or lunette for the attachment of a dragrope in case of necessity. The carriage has accommodation for two ammunition chests, which are removable and are held in place by lock pins for a capacity of 8 ammunition boxes. The front ammunition chest holds two ammunition boxes horizontally. The rear ammunition chest holds six ammunition boxes upright as well as a space for a spare parts wallet and a cleaning rod handle. Affixed to the drop down lid are two sections of the cleaning rod. The ammunition boxes are of the slightly smaller type than are typically encountered. Depending on the caliber of the gun, the landing carriage ammunition boxes were to hold two belts each of 120 rounds, or 240 rounds per box. With different ammunition, the ammunition box was to contain one 250-round belt. Thus, depending on the cartridge, the carriage capacity was 8 ammunition boxes with either 1,920 rounds or 2,000 rounds. The carriage had a net weight of 146 pounds and a gross weight of 290 pounds. The dimensions of the carriage are 54.25 x 47.75 x 19.5 inches.

Spare parts and accessories regularly supplied with each gun included: 1 main spring, 1 hammer, 1 cartridge extractor and spring, 2 firing pins, 2 firing pin springs, 2 firing pin lock pins, 2 shell extractors, 2 shell extractor springs, 2 shell extractor pins, 2 handle locks, 2 bolt pins, 2 trigger springs, 4 cotter pins for piston pin, 1 piston pin, 1 oil can, 1 combination spanner and screw driver, 1 jointed cleaning rod, 1 combination operating handle and screw driver and 3 drifts.

Operation: Full automatic, gas impingement system
Cooled: Air
Weight: Gun: 35 lbs. Tripod: 56 lbs.
Overall length: 41 inches
Barrel length: 28 inches
Rifling: 4 grooves
Twist: One turn in ten inches
Cyclic rate: 400-450 rounds per minute
Feed: 250-round cloth belt
Sights- Front: Protected blade
Sights- Rear: Ladder type graduated to 2,600 yards
Feed box, empty: 2.50 pounds
Loaded belt, 250 rds 15.82 pounds
Feed box, full: 18.32 pounds
Belt loading machine: 13.8 pounds
Production: Approximately 100,000 of all models.
Calibers: 6mm Lee, 6mm Remington, 6.5mm Mondragon, 6.5mm Italy, 6.5mm Romania, 6.5mm Holland, 7mm Mauser, 7.5mm Swiss, 7.65mm Belgian Mauser, 8mm German, 8mm Mannlicher, 8mm, Austrian, 7.9mm China, .303 English, .30-40 Krag U.S., .30-03 U.S., .30-06 U.S.
Manufacturer: Colt, Marlin-Rockwell