The Rationale for a Strong, Permanent Ordnance Museum

A 92-page document titled Historical Monograph Aberdeen Proving Ground Museum 1919 – 1960 was prepared by Col. Jarrett’s faithful assistant and later successor, Karl F. Kempf, and published by the Ordnance Corps in January, 1961. As well as outlining the history of the Museum over those eventful decades, this interesting and well-written overview contains the following thought-provoking arguments for the retention of the Museum in the face of strong and continuous opposition from some quarters in the military:

It is often felt by some individuals that a museum is only a repository for material which no longer can have any value except perhaps to delight and amuse the casual visitor. Nothing could be further from the truth. A museum is, in reality, physical evidence of something that man has done and if its collection is reasonably complete and properly arranged it represents the background of his efforts to accomplish something. It will reveal his progress step by step and show how he arrived at his solutions.

In order to understand present thinking it is necessary to retrace the road that led to current development, and learn the basis on which this present thinking rests. Knowing this we can then take the correct path for our future work, and avoid the mistakes we would make if we had no knowledge of the past.

The Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground is a highly specialized institution which contains the concrete examples of past thinking in the field of ordnance materiel. It is a veritable treasury of ideas of ordnance design. If properly understood and thoroughly exploited it can have inestimable value for the ordnance engineer, the career soldier and the historian.

While of great historical value the collection in the APG Museum is of even greater value for research and development and technical intelligence purposes. Each museum specimen, obsolete or current, foreign or American, represents an attempt to solve some problem of ordnance design. By carefully studying these design features the ordnance engineer may make use of good features and reject bad features, to his over-all advantage. The technical intelligence value of the Museum lies in the fact that it allows us to keep abreast of foreign design.

It is interesting to note that a design which has become obsolete may be revived at a later date, albeit in much improved form. An example of this is the Gatling gun, the last model of which appeared in 1903. Forty-three years later it was again being considered and by 1956 a power-operated aircraft gun based on the Gatling principle was adopted. The hand-firing Gatling gun had been supplanted by the lighter, faster-firing guns operated by the forces of the powder gases. Then, after World War II, came the requirement for rates of fire beyond the capability of existing guns. A study of past and present machine guns revealed the fact that the Gatling gun design, if motor driven, could meet the requirement for an extremely high rate of fire. Thus out of the past came an idea for the future, and since it is true that ordnance concepts continually change, it is inevitable that they will run the full circle and return to previous ideas. For this reason, if ordnance materiel is not preserved in a museum, many valuable ideas can be lost.

The collection at the APG Museum is as complete as possible. Every effort has been made to acquire all the links in the ordnance chain and to prevent the breaking of this chain. Many items are irreplaceable, and no photograph or description can ever equal the value of the physical specimen.

The mortal enemy of the Museum is the “scrap drive,” which has periodically threatened its very existence. Two such drives in the past have seriously damaged its collection. For this reason Colonel G. B. Jarrett has fought ceaselessly for a directive which would protect the Museum from arbitrary destruction, but so far [he] has not been completely successful in achieving this end. It is to be hoped that sometime in the future the APG Museum will acquire a status that will place its collection out of reach of “scrap drives” so that its wealth of background material will always be able to enhance the over-all knowledge of the Ordnance officer and Ordnance engineer, and be of maximum value to the Ordnance Corps.

Museum Closure and Break-Up of the Collection

Unfortunately, the well-reasoned arguments put forth in Mr. Kempf’s Historical Monograph were not enough to ensure that the APG Ordnance Museum would survive intact. As the Monograph itself continued,

The World War II experience had demonstrated the value of an ordnance museum. It served as the basis for Ordnance Technical Intelligence, was a valuable asset for research and development, and became a storehouse of ordnance information. It was the only place where the entire field of ordnance development, U.S. and foreign, could be studied. Although its historical value was not stressed, and although its display did not come within the meaning of the Special Regulations (SR 870-10-1) defining historical property, it nevertheless possessed historical value as a physical illustration of ordnance development over a period of years [However,] no regulations existed which could have prevented [the loss of much of the original collection in the 1942 salvage campaign], and the museum collection was therefore vulnerable to destruction.

Elliot Deutsch, the Chairman of the newly reformed Aberdeen Military Museum Foundation, Inc. (AMMF), recalls that after it opened in May, 1973, the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum was a very popular tourist “must-see” destination, with attendance of up to 250,000 visitors annually up to 9/11. Attendance bounced back after the 9/11 attacks, climbing from 0 to 65,000 in 2007, and to 70+ thousand in 2009.

However, in conformance with the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC), the Museum was closed to the public in June, 2010, and over the last year most of the collection has been moved to the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School, located some 200 miles away at Fort Lee, Virginia.


The Renaissance of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Museum

A new museum, to be known as the Aberdeen Proving Ground Museum (APG Museum) will open in 2012 in the existing museum building. The new APG Museum Director, S. Gail Fuller, is working diligently to get this new museum into operation. Its collection will include the following:

• the Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) Museum, which is moving to APG from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey;
• vehicles, weapons and artifacts from some of the 70 tenant research and development organizations operating on APG;
• about 140 of the existing large artifacts (tanks, artillery, etc.) not moved to Fort Lee;
• the history of APG, Edgewood (formerly Edgewood Arsenal) and Fort Hoyle (a former pre-WWII Field Artillery post adjacent to Edgewood Arsenal);
• native American artifacts from the region;
• relics from the Old Baltimore archaeological site, a town on the Aberdeen Proving Ground peninsula on the shore of Bush River, established in the mid-17th century by early settlers from England.

As can be seen, the new APG Museum promises to house a new, exciting and diverse collection that will replace the Ordnance Museum as one of Maryland’s and Harford County’s great tourist and educational attractions.

The mission of the newly reformed Aberdeen Military Museum Foundation, Inc. (AMMF) will be to support the mission of the APG Museum, which is to collect, preserve, and exhibit historically significant property that relates to the history of the Army at APG and associated installations. The focus of the new APG Museum is on Army research, development, testing, evaluation and training in basic scientific research, serving as a valuable educational resource for the military and civilian populations alike, in fields such as physics, biology, electronics, communications, and computer development.

Moving Aberdeen’s 16-inch Coast-Defense Gun to the Museum Grounds

It transpired that the U.S. Army’s last intact 16-inc coast-defense gun was located at the Plate Range, a site in a restricted-access area on Aberdeen Proving Ground. The gun, a Navy-built Mk III, serial No. 138, is mounted on the original Barbette Carriage, serial number 1, which underwent various changes in the course of becoming the present “Proof Mount” version. This assembly was used to proof-fire new barrels and perform a wide variety of related ballistic tests between 1919 and about 1948. Having last been fired over 60 years ago, there was of course no one left at Aberdeen with any experience with the gun.

Dr. Raymond Lewis, the Librarian of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. and a long time student of coast artillery, had been researching Aberdeen’s 16-inch gun since 1962, in an attempt to save it from the scrap mill. At least ten years ago Dr. Lewis proposed that the gun be moved to the public-accessible tank park at the APG Museum, and preserved there as an historic exhibit for all to see.

Dr. Lewis’ excellent book Seacoast Fortifications of the United States was the catalyst for the formation of a group of “fort fanciers,” which was originally set up as the Coast Defense Study Group (CDSG) in the 1970s. The CDSG became a functioning organization in 1985, with Elliot Deutsch becoming a member soon afterward.

Dr. Lewis had lobbied military authorities and friends in Congress for years about saving and not scrapping the 16-inch gun, until finally one influential person “got on board.”

When someone at APG finally sought some information about what would be involved, Dr. Lewis and others in the CDSG recommended Elliot Deutsch, later a faithful member of the Aberdeen Military Museum Foundation, who has long had a deep personal interest in coastal defense. Over time Mr. Deutsch has visited and studied many sites, forts, castles and battlefields in the U.S. and almost 30 foreign countries.

Mr. Deutsch seemed a natural person to go to, as he was mechanically inclined, already a lover of heavy artillery, and, as a resident of nearby Bel Air, Maryland, the closest CDSG member to Aberdeen.

Mr. Deutsch was first contacted in the spring of 1988, and eventually he was asked to serve as technical consultant for the move – a job which also involved considerable heavy hands-on work and the donation of lots of the “smaller equipment” required. Fortunately, Mr. Deutsch’s family business is in the rental of just the sort of tools and light construction equipment that were to prove so useful in helping to accomplish the move. Looking back, Mr. Deutsch recalls fondly that while this job was one of the most significant challenges of his life, both technical and diplomatic, it was also one of the most-fun projects he has ever undertaken.

With the permission of the then Chief of Ordnance, BG Leon Solomon, a young Artillery officer named Captain (later Major) Lawrence (Larry) Lentz, who was also personally very keen to restore the gun and display it in a more accessible site on the Museum grounds, was appointed Project Officer. Dr. Lewis, Captain Lentz and Mr. Deutsch were joined by a large group of helpers – welders, fitters, and in the end, the men and heavy equipment of the U.S. Army’s 7th Transportation Group.

Although both serving Chiefs of Ordnance during the period of the move, BG Solomon and BG Ball, were very supportive, “diplomatic challenges” (poor or negative attitudes on the part of many in the mid- and upper-level areas of the military) were a constant obstacle. These ranged from an initial tendency to ignore the project entirely, followed by a period of mockery at the efforts being expended, and, finally, positive steps to impede or stop the project.

In all, a total of 14 months, replete with tragicomic events which both plagued and delighted the volunteer crew, was required to engineer and accomplish the move. By judicious scheduling, the necessary equipment was made available, and the job was finally completed in 1989. As Mr. Deutsch recalls it,

…to separate stubborn metal parts, the choice was among “threaded”, “bolted,” “rusted, or “too heavy for the crane,” while in order to combat personal obstruction, we had to overcome a much wider variety of human emotions.

The heaviest single part is the barrel, which is 68 feet long, and with recoil band still attached (we did not remove it) weighs 155 tons. It was lifted several times with two or three 75-ton cranes and the final few times with a single 250-ton crane to install it. The cradle is the next heaviest part, at 55 tons.

New Addition Planned – Members and Donations Sought

In the future the Aberdeen Military Museum Foundation, Inc. (AMMF) will also raise funds to construct a museum addition large enough to house and protect all the externally-stored artifacts from the elements.

The AMMF is actively campaigning for new members who can and will serve and donate to help realize the stated mission of the Foundation. For those who may be interested, the AMMF mailing address is as follows:

AMMF
PO Box 688
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005

(Look for the final instalment about Col. Jarrett in an upcoming issue of SAR detailing the legacy left by Col. Jarrett and the many people who benefitted from his vision and dedication.)

Over the last 15 or so years, the sniper rifle in both concept and rifle has changed.It was not until the Vietnam War where a semiautomatic sniper rifle based on the M14 rifle was introduced. However, it did not perform as well as the bolt action counterpart and required a full time gunsmith to keep it working. So the semiautomatic rifle was in limited use with the standard still being the bolt action sniper rifle.

However, in the late 1950s a rifle was designed by Eugene M. Stoner at ArmaLite, Inc. called the AR-10. ArmaLite was a division of Fairchild Engine and Aircraft located in Hollywood, California. This revolutionary rifle was truly “Tomorrow’s Rifle Today,” that was more true than anyone knew back then. Although it never had a chance to compete head-on with the M14 for the next U.S. infantry rifle due to Army politics, as well as the deep rooted thought of a rifle having to be made from steel and wood, the AR-10 did get noticed. During its limited testing it was known to be the most accurate auto loading rifle made as said by the testers from Ordnance Corps. Limited numbers of AR-10 rifles were manufactured in the Netherlands by Artillerie-Inrichtingen. They were manufactured for Dutch Army trials as well as sold in limited numbers to some other countries including, Sudan, Cuba, Italy, Guatemala and Portugal. As predicted, the M14 was adopted and the AR-10 was tossed in the Ordnance Corps scrap heap. The requirement came down to scale the AR-10 down to a .22 caliber and the AR-15 was born. The rights were sold for the AR-15 as well as the AR-10 to Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company. Colt went on to produce the AR-15 but ignored the AR-10 design. That was left for other companies to capitalize on. To trace the AR-10 lineage to today’s most advanced sniper rifle we must skip ahead nearly 30 or so years ahead to 1991.

In November of 1991, a Mission Needs Statement was drafted for an Enhanced Sniper Support Team Weapon (SSTW). This was written by Lt. Col. David Lutz while serving as the Program Manager for Infantry Weapons at MARCORSYSCOM at Quantico, VA. This documentation was an effort to restart a cancelled Designated Marksman Weapon program (DMR) based on the M14 which could not be made to do all the things needed in a logistically supportable package acceptable to the Fleet Marine Forces. Its requirement document was weak because it totally lacked objectivity in doing a mission analysis or seeking other viable solutions. At the time, the current SSTW was the M16A2 rifle. This weapon supported the M40A1 sniper rifle in the two man scout sniper team. The M16A2 SSTW was used to engage close-up targets and provide rapid fire suppressive fire if needed. Some noted deficiencies were the M16A2’s poor interface with the soldier when having optics mounted, including night vision. The current issue M855 ball ammunition did not meet the accuracy specifications of a SSTW.

The enhanced SSTW would fill the role of a 0 to 600 meter intermediate range sniper rifle. It would have ammunition interchangeability with the M40A1 7.62x51mm sniper rifle and it would have the ability to mount a sound suppressor. Optics would be mounted in-line with the shooter’s eyes for a comfortable mount. This rifle will also have to overcome current problems with the unit, direct, general, and depot support problems (availability and maintainability) long associated with the hand-built and Marine Corps customized M40A1.

Lt. Col. Lutz recalls that he knew of (5 each) Dutch NATO AR-10s that were in a bunker at Picatinny Arsenal from when he was stationed there during 1980-83. So he had one of his successors, USMC Liaison Officer Maj. Dody Knootz, pick out one that shot the best and “temporary loan” it to them at Quantico. Several modifications were made with the most significant being the carrying handle cut off and a weaver rail attached to the upper receiver. The AR-10 had some of the improved M16A2 components added to it including the pistol grip and handguards. All this was to make it look like and use A2 service rifle parts and training. Additionally, they removed the AR-10’s faux muzzle, which incorporated a grenade launching spigot, exposed its skinny barrel and threaded muzzle. Lutz recalls sending the upper to Phil Seberger to have a suppressor made & fitted to it.

As recalled by Lutz, as a concept demonstrator it was a success. “When my general came out to fire it he brought with him his Australian Army Liaison Officer, a full colonel. My general was reluctant to fire the weapon as I presented it to him, and handed if off to the Australian Colonel. Offhand, the Colonel hit a steel gong at 100 yards with 20 of 20 shots (suppressed). When he handed the rifle back to my general, he said “General, this is the finest rifle I have ever fired.” When the General handed the rifle back to me, he said “Dave, you have a program.” I guess the rest is history…” Though the concept was sound, the Marines or big army were not ready for a semiautomatic sniper rifle, at least not yet. So the AR-10 lay dormant once again until the early 1990s. Even though the original DMR program failed, the STSW maintained life in the requirement and allowed Rifle Team Equipment builders at Quantico to produce more prototype M14 based variants as “interim measures.” This eventually took on a “life of its own,” and an M14 based program eventually found traction as the M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR). However, the M39 is one of the weapons being replaced by the Marines recent purchase of M110s. The M110 was inherently able to meet the STSW requirement for mounting of Night Vision without lose of zero, sound suppressor integration, M16 ordnance maintenance and training commonality, supply system commonality and cross-service weapon commonality.

The name Eugene Stoner, although not as well known as Browning, is just as significant in the history of the gun. Stoner’s design is the longest service rifle in U.S. military history. During Stoner’s ArmaLite days his goal was to develop 7.62x51mm weapons. He was very fond of his direct gas system. After the M14 was selected, the future was only in the smaller caliber round so Stoner went on to develop other rifles to fire the 5.56mm cartridge including the AR-18 and the Stoner weapon series. He never quite forgot his AR-10. In the early 1990s, Stoner went to work with C. Reed Knight, Jr., the president of Knight’s Armament Company. The union spawned the rebirth of the AR-10. This would be the SR-25 (Stoner Rifle-25 (15+10)). This rifle would be an AR-10 but would take on the advancements of the M16A2 rifle and maintain 60% parts compatibility.

Released in the early 1990s, the SR-25 Match Rifle was equipped with a 24-inch Remington 5R match grade barrel – the same barrel blanks used on the M24 sniper rifle. The heavy barrel was free floating with a fiberglass handguard. The rifle was equipped with a flat top upper receiver with the Mil-Std 1913 rail and the receivers were made from aluminum extrusions. The rifle was equipped with a 2-stage match grade trigger. The bolt carrier group kept with the original AR-10 in that it was chrome plated and it also sported the captive firing pin retainer pin. These were not mass produced rifles. The uppers and lowers were mated together and had matching serial numbers to identify them. They were specifically designed around the 168gr OTM Match cartridge. Using this factory load, the ogive of the bullet set right on the rifling. This is something match shooters want to accomplish due to not wanting the bullet to “jump” into the rifling thus maintaining control of the projectile right from the moment of chambering. The original rifles used the standard “waffle” pattern 20-round magazine and later a steel magazine that looked more like an M16 20-round magazine in appearance. The SR-25 was sold initially through commercial channels that funded R&D. Every SR-25 was test fired at the factory and provided with a target. Knight guaranteed that this rifle would fire 1 MOA or under with factory ammunition. Gene Stoner would work with Knight up until his death in 1997.

The SR-25 quickly gained its reputation for precision accuracy and reliability and its versatility and benefits were appreciated right away by the special operation forces. SOCOM liked the idea of having a semiautomatic rifle that held 20 rounds of ammunition and rivaled the M24 and M40A1 bolt action rifles. They also liked that you could engage multiple targets in less than half the time they could with a manual bolt action rifle.

After more than 40 years, the AR-10 would have its day. In May of 2000, the U.S. Navy and SOCOM adopted the SR-25 as their new Mk 11 Mod 0. This would be follow by another contract in 2007 for 9.9 million dollars with the need from the Global War On Terrorism. The Mk11 had some departures from the original design. Designed to meet the SOCCOM requirement, the rifle was designed to fire the M118 and M118LR match grade 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. The Remington barrel was replaced with an Obermeyer barrel and was shortened to 20 inches and equipped with a mount for a quick detachable sound suppressor also developed by Knight’s Armament Company. The 11.35-inch Rail Accessory System free floating handguard provided quad Mil-Std 1913 rails enabling attachment of any given number of accessories including night vision, lasers, tactical lights and bipods. The standard M16A2 stock and pistol grip are used for parts commonality. A flip up front sight was added to the gas block as well as KAC’s fully adjustable back-up iron sight was added. The rifle was equipped with 20-round magazines, a Leupold Vari-X mil dot scope with detachable rings and a Harris bipod. The Mk11 weighs 15.3 pounds unloaded and has an overall length of 45.4 inches. The Mk11 would see action with U.S. Special Operations troops all over the world. The weight of the complete Mk11 Mod 0 with the Leupold 3.5×10 scope & SIMRAD adapter, bipod adapter with LM type S Bipod is 13.7 pounds.

Enter the M110 SASS (Semi Automatic Sniper System)

The success of the Mk11 was undeniable and spread to the other branches of the military – the sniper units in particular. Seeing the benefits in September of 2005, Knight’s won the contract for the M110 SASS rifle. The M110 was to replace the M24 bolt action sniper rifles in the U.S. Army. The M110 trials had many submissions including ArmaLite, Remington and DPMS Panther Arms. It would not be until April of 2008 that the M110 would see its first combat action with U.S. Army snipers from Task Force Fury in Afghanistan. During the early M110 period, the Marines purchased 180 XM110 variants they designated Mk11 Mod 1 and then in 2010 ordered 803 M110 rifles.

The M110 has many similarities to the Mk11 Mod 0, however with many enhancements. . The stock on the M110 is adjustable for length with a dial on the rear allowing for the length to be increased or decreased as desired. The stock has one moveable sling swivel mount on the bottom rear plus two QD mounts on the front of the stock on each side. The receiver is manufactured from an aluminum forging and incorporates fully ambidextrous selector lever, bolt catch and magazine release. A button right above the magazine catch on the right side of the receiver is the ambi-bolt release. This allows the right handed shooter to release the bolt without his hand ever leaving the pistol grip. On the left side of the receiver under the bolt catch is a button to release the magazine for a left handed shooter. The trigger is Knight’s 2-stage match trigger, which is exceptional for a sniper rifle.

The upper receiver utilizes the new URX (Upper Receiver Extending) free floating rail with an integral folding front sight. This saves space and makes for a dependable back-up sight. The bottom of the handguard is removable for cleaning. Quad Mil-Std 1913 rails allow attachment of any accessory imaginable. The top rail is continuous for adding thermal, night vision and scopes. The handguard comes with three KAC rail protectors that allow the rifle to be shot in a normal shooting position. It is also equipped with a Harris Type S bipod. The 20 inch Obermeyer heavy barrel has 5R grooves with a 1 turn in 11 inch twist that optimizes the 168 and 175gr match bullets of the M118 and M118LR ammunition. The M110 barrel has an A2-style compensator attached to the end. The pinned-on gas block has a Mil-Std 1913 rail on top of it. The M110 is a self-regulated direct gas operated rifle. The upper receiver is manufactured from a forging and now has an integrated fired cartridge case deflector. Early rifles, due to the upper being made from an extrusion, had the fired cartridge case deflector attached to the rail as a separate piece.

The bolt carrier group follows in the tradition of the original AR-10 in that it is chrome plated making for ease of cleaning. The bolt carrier has a captive firing pin retainer pin that prevents it from being lost during cleaning. The bolt utilizes a 1-piece gas ring that is much more durable than the standard 3-ring set. The extractor and, in particular the spring, have been enhanced since the inception of the rifle.

The M110 is packed with four 20-round and four 10-round magazines and pouches. The M110 can also use the Magpul LMag as well.

The optic used is the Leupold 3.5×10 Illuminated Reticle SASS scope with .5 MOA elevation clicks and 30mm SASS mount manufactured by Knight’s. The shooter can adjust the brightness of the reticle to suit the lighting conditions he faces. The scope is provided with lens covers.

The SASS also is equipped with a Knight’s Armament Company sound suppressor. The suppressor interfaces with two vertical slots cut on both sides of the gas block. There is an alignment pin on the underside of the gas block that prevents improper installation. The suppressor has a decibel reduction of -28dB.

Additional accessories include an operator’s repair parts kit that includes scope ring cap screws, bolt rings, extractor assembly, spring, pin and buffer, cam pin and firing pin. Am optics cleaning kit is provided and a torque wrench for the scope mounts. A complete cleaning system is provided as well. This includes an Otis DMR/M14 7.62 cleaning kit, Dewey rod and bore guide, multiple brushes, rod ends, pipe cleaners and swabs. Cleaning patches a bore snake and CLP is provided as well. A sling is provided as well. All this is provided in a large Hardigg box that is hermetically sealed with a pressure release valve.

The ammunition used in this test and evaluation firing was the M110 Silver State Armory (SSA) M118LR ammunition. There were 200 rounds fired with the barrel being cleaned every 10 rounds. The range was 100 meters and the rifle shot consistently sub-MOA. The best group was 5 rounds in a 1/2 inch group. The average was 3/4 inches. This is accuracy of a match bolt action rifle. Silver State Armory ammunition is match grade and they manufacture their own brass cartridge cases and blend their own powders to the particular load. Additional rounds of the 168gr OTM ammunition were fired with the same results as the M118LR.

It this shooter’s opinion there is no bolt action rifle out there that can beat the M110 on accuracy, speed and firepower. A sniper with a M110 can easily engage the same number of targets in less than half the time a well trained sniper can with a bolt action rifle. The suppressor makes it that much better: less noise, less invitation to reveal your position and no affect on accuracy. As expected, no malfunctions of any sort were encountered with the M110.

The M110 has a weight of 12.82 pounds equipped with iron sights, bipod adapter and scope. With M118LR ammunition the muzzle velocity is 2,571 feet per second. The overall length of the M110 is 40.5 inches with the stock at its shortest setting. The sound suppressor only adds 1.62 pounds to the rifle. The maximum effective range is 875 yards and is subjective to the skill of the shooter.

It is most unfortunate Gene Stoner did not live to see his AR-10 finally get into the U.S. inventory and equip the most elite snipers this world has ever known. He was way ahead of everyone in the late 1950s; they just did not have the vision to see it. Gene Stoner’s legacy has been the defense of this country and allies for nearly 50 years and being one of the most brilliant weapons designers of all time. Thanks to Reed Knight, Stoners vision was realized, produced and reintroduced to the U.S. military. Combining the genius of Gene Stoner with Knight’s technical and manufacturing abilities of KAC, the AR-10 will be with us for another 50 years.

Old hand colored postcard of the School of Musketry, Hythe.

The Small Arms School Corps (SASC) is a small corps of the British Army responsible for maintaining the proficiency of the army in the use of small arms, support weapons and range management.

In 1853 when the School of Musketry was formed in Hythe, Kent, a dedicated body of instructors was assembled to teach and improve standards of musketry and the use of the Minie Rifle. This group of instructors was the basis of the School of Musketry. Renamed as the Small Arms School at Hythe in 1919 and together with the Machine Gun School at Netheravon in 1926 the instructors were formed as the Small Arms School Corps. These respective schools at Hythe and Netheravon later became Wings of the School of Infantry.

In 1969, the Small Arms School moved from Hythe, Kent to Warminster, Wiltshire where the headquarters of the Small Arms School Corps remains to this day.

The Small Arms School Corps Badge

The original badge of the School was crossed rifles surmounted by a crown. In 1929 the present badge was introduced, consisting of crossed rifles and a Vickers machine gun, surmounted by a crown and surrounded by a laurel wreath. This reflected the change in name adopted for the School at Hythe in 1919 and for the expanding School, which now included Netheravon, that took on responsibility for the Vickers machine gun. The title Small Arms School Corps came into being at this time. The current design of the badge has remained unchanged except that depending on the current reign, the badge was surmounted by a King’s crown (prior to 1952) or a Queen’s crown (since 1952).

The Collection

Regimental officers holding appointments in these establishments and visitors have contributed weapons, some of which were captured or from private collections, and many others were donated by foreign armies. Very few weapons have been purchased specifically for the collection. The assembling of such a collection is probably best described as the result of the enthusiasm for weaponry of many individuals covering a period of more than 150 years.

Today this collection of over 2,100 weapon exhibits continues to exist as a serious training and teaching facility within the Infantry Training Base, as well as providing examples of major historical firearms development up to the present time. The collecting and receipt of weapon exhibits is an on-going commitment, with many sources providing contributions.

The collection is divided up into specific rooms showcasing the array and types of weapons on display.

The Pistol Room

The Pistol Room collection is made up of approximately 300 revolvers and pistols with numbers varying according to display emphasis.

The weapons date from circa 1640, a 3-chambered Dutch flintlock revolver, through to a pair of Napoleon’s pistols (by Le Page of Paris), and thence via percussion, pinfire and rimfire weapons to modern arms.

Exhibits include trial weapons within the historical sequence varying from the Babbett-Fairfax ‘Mars’ 8.5mm caliber of 1902 to the Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum.

The Rifle Room

The Rifle Room contains a display of long-arms and rifles which date from the 16th Century to the present time. The bulk of the weapons, however, date from post 1853 when the School of Musketry began and continued with the user testing of infantry weapons. It is possible to walk the length of the room and to identify key weapons used during the campaigns of the British Infantry.

Examples include the Tower musket and the Baker rifle which achieved such success in the hands of Wellington’s infantry in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo. The muzzle loaded Minie and Enfield rifles used in the Crimea. The single breech loading rifle in the form of the Martini-Henry, which met with success and failure during the Zulu War. The magazine rifle – the .303 Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) with its intensive back up training which slowed the German advance at Mons during World War I. The No. 4 Enfield used in NW Europe during 1944 and 1945 and the No. 5 Enfield used during the Malaya emergency. Just to name a few.

The Submachine Gun & Light Machine Gun Room

As you pass from the Pistol Room you enter the machine gun theater. As the name implies, this room contains the Infantry’s magnificent collection of sub and light machine guns. Pride of place must be shared between the collections of Stens and Brens.

The collection has the first ever Sten gun, serial number T-40/1 indicating its originator, Harold Turpin, the year, 1940, and the serial number 1. This gun was actually made by Harold Turpin at the Philips Radio Works at Perivale during December 1940 and January 1941. There follows the complete series from the Singer Sewing Machines production Mk 1 version to the last silenced Mk 6.

Also on display is the complete series of Patchett/Sterling submachine guns from the earliest prototype to the last military L34 silenced gun. The also have, what they believe, is the first Thompson gun purchased from the USA for 45 pounds, up front, in gold, as British currency was virtually worthless in 1940. The Thompson was used by the Small Arms School to evaluate the training program for the remaining 299,999 that had been ordered. Alas, of the 299,999 ordered, some 200,000 still lay at the bottom of the Atlantic. Also in the collection is a Reising SMG serial number 25 and a .30 cal. M1 Carbine serial number 11.

Besides the array of sub and light machine guns from around the world, of special note is the magnificent Bren gun collection. Without doubt, the most famous gun ever to grace the ranks of the British Army and equally without doubt the longest serving weapon in the British Army from its introduction in August 1938 until it was finally withdrawn in February 2000. They also have the BRNO ZGB prototype guns number 5 and 12.

The Medium Machine Gun and Mortars Room

This room contains examples of the heavier weapons used at battalion level. These weapons are medium and heavy mortars, medium, heavy and general purpose machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. The room also contains light mortars and flame throwers usually to be found in rifle companies.

The three most notable mortars are a barrel and projectile from a WWI Stokes 3-inch mortar. Russian 82mm and 120mm WWII mortars and the British post-WWII 81mm mortar.

A fine selection of machine guns include a Gatling, Gardner and Nordenfelt multi-barrel manually operated machine guns as well as an early Maxim, Vickers, Browning etc.

The Anti-Tank Weapons Room

With the development of tanks during WWI and the corresponding armor-piercing bullet, the relationship of armored vehicles and weapons to defeat them has created an escalation of ever more sophisticated hardware, ammunition and techniques that are portrayed in the collection.

The Anti-Tank room provides a selection of weapons and ammunition which cover individual, section and supporting anti-armor weaponry. From early anti-tank rifles such as the German Mauser of 1918 and Boys Anti-Tank Rifle to the latest .50 caliber Barrett Anti-Material Rifle.

Some well known weapons on display include the PIAT of WWII with hollow charge ammunition, the 2, 6, and 17 pounder guns and the recoilless 120mm BAT to WOMBAT series with High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) ammunition. Of course the RPG series are also included.

Visit

Visits to view the Small Arms School Corps weapons collection is arranged by appointment only. Standing tours are each Wednesday from 1000 to 1215 hours and are limited to 20 visitors. To join a tour phone 01985 222487 when full details will be provided. Other visits are, again, by appointment only.

Contact:

Officer IC Infantry & SASC
Weapons Collection
HQ SASC
Land Warfare Center
Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 0DJ
Telephone: 01985 222487

Greg Felton of Law Enforcement International (LEI) in the UK, was trying to meet the requirements of a friendly Government to supply a 7.62x51mm “Designated Marksman Rifle.” No product on the market met the client’s particular specifications. Greg brought in Karl Lewis of Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) from the U.S. After much brainstorming about the needs to be filled by this new rifle, Karl and Greg started in on the project. The client wanted select-fire capability, but the first designs were kept to semiautomatic only, with a 16-inch barrel. By good fortune, as final development and trials on the semiautomatic were completed, the British MOD published an “Urgent Operational Requirement” (UOR) solicitation for such a rifle for immediate deployment in Afghanistan. The rifle was submitted for trials and the design won the competition, was contracted for and designated as the L129A1 rifle, with the vernacular name as the “Sharpshooter Rifle;” comparable to the U.S. DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle). LMT and LEI have now finished development of the select-fire version, as well as some rifles with shorter (13.5-inch) barrels and other options – but that’s another story…

In essence, Lewis Machine & Tool’s semiautomatic rifle, the LM308MWS, has been selected by British MOD as the new Sharpshooter rifle. The version of this rifle was in competition with the FNH SCAR-17 (Mk17 Mod 0), the HK model 417, Sabre Defence’s XR-10 and offerings from Knights and Oberland Arms. When the competition was over, LMT’s rifle was designated as the L129A1. It has been several decades since MOD has changed rifles for the longer range duties, and the new L129A1 is geared towards the 800 meter ranges being encountered in today’s combat environment. The AI .338 bolt action replaced and upgraded the AI L96 7.62mm several years ago. “Sharpshooter” is a completely new role for the British Army. Quick reaction, rapid follow up shots, long range, harder hitting than 5.56mm is the idea for the L129A1, but the sniper rifle is still a bolt action.

Greg Felton from LEI explained the ammunition requirement to SAR:

“The ammunition criteria stated by the MOD was that the rifle was to be able to use both RG 155-grain sniper ammunition, plus M80 ball and tracer, including de-linked machine gun belts. In the end during their trials with the various competitors, they found that the 155-grain fired so much better than the standard ball that it was made the official issue ammunition for the weapon. As to what it is “matched to,” we (Karl & I) designed the rifle to use both standard ball and 168-grain Match. With a 1:11.25 inch twist it works well with these weights, however, the heavier 175-grain projectiles need a faster twist for best results at longer ranges.”

The LMT Monolithic Rail Platform is a one piece milled upper receiver that includes four rails to the front, providing a stable platform for returning devices to zero on installation. It also allows for a free floating barrel that is interchangeable for different lengths, although not in this particular issue.

The initial order of 440 L129A1 Sharpshooter rifles has been added to several times now. The L129A1 has been in combat in Afghanistan since April 2010, and has received excellent field reports from the troops.

“As a matter of course, we put all our developmental weapons through their paces before putting them in the hands of Soldiers. We test using thousands of rounds of ammunition in all kinds of environments. They undergo stress tests, drop tests, and extreme environment tests to include, arctic, jungle, desert and more before they get the green light. These weapons are durable, reliable and effective when we put them in the field. With regards to the punch of the 25mm round, we’re confident in the lethality the XM25 can deliver.” – Colonel Douglas Tamilio, PM Soldier Weapons

By the time you read this, the XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System with its uncannily accurate airburst ammo will undoubtedly have drawn its first blood in Afghanistan.

This sci-fi looking individual armament, initially the “grenade gun” upper half of the ill-fated Objective Individual Combat Weapon, has been in combat operational test mode for several months now with selected elements of US Special Operations Command.

It’s the hottest new man portable grenade launcher anywhere, boasting indirect fire capabilities with “smart” ammo that can kill enemies smugly squatting behind walls and boulders, until now unreachable by squad level weapons.

At their recent press briefing and live fire event at historic Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, top officials of PM Soldier Weapons told Small Arms Review and reporters for other military and defense industry publications how the XM25’s unique capabilities would have been of particular value to defenders in the now-famous “Keating” firefight.

Among many lessons learned in the near-annihilation of this small, fortified camp in what’s formally known as the Battle of Kamdesh, Afghanistan, they said, is the need for unit level indirect fire capability that is highly flexible and immediately available.

Combat Outpost Keating

More than 300 Taliban fighters launched a surprise attack on Keating in the predawn darkness of October 3, 2009, saturating the small base with mortar rounds, RPGs and heavy small arms fire.

They quickly breached the perimeter, routed the panicked Afghan Army detachment and nearly overran the American soldiers of Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment.

Bad weather and slow response from artillery and air support assets combined to give the enemy special advantages in their initial assault from the high ground “bowl” around the camp, leaving the defenders below with little more than basic individual and crew-served weapons to fight back with.

Their direct fire arms and single shot M203 grenade launchers were of limited value against battle-seasoned attackers who skillfully used abundant cover from boulders and depressions in the surrounding rough terrain and defensive positions inside the wire.

Relief came slowly but soon built to a decisive level as artillery, helicopter gunships, jet fighters and bombers combined to rout the enemy.

When the smoke cleared an estimated 150 Taliban were dead at the cost of 30 U.S. troopers killed or wounded.

Cost/Benefit Ratio

Richard Audette, Deputy PMSW, responding during the press conference at Aberdeen, to implied criticism in a reporter’s question noting the projected $25,000 cost per XM25, called it a bargain compared to far more expensive weaponry wielded by external support elements like those that turned the tide at Keating.

“They were hitting the attackers with Apache gunships, Hellfire missiles and Excaliber artillery rounds,” he said, “far more costly, cumbersome, and slow to arrive.”

“The XM25,” he emphasized, “is an immediately available, squad level weapon that pays for itself, but more importantly it saves solders’ lives because it can take out those defilade (behind cover) targets.”

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Lehner, Product Manager Individual Weapons, underscored the XM25’s remarkably fast target engagement capability against fleetingly-glimpsed targets.

“In under five seconds I can lase for range, get my adjusted reticle on target and pull the trigger,” he said. “At four hundred meters it takes another two seconds to get there and explode. Seven hundred meters another second or so. It really doesn’t give the Taliban a lot of time to reposition himself.”

Then, adding his perspective on the XM25’s $25,000 price tag, Lehner invited a comparison to the total cost of the current, less capable combination of weapon and accessories.

“Add up the cost of an M4 carbine with M203 grenade launcher, STORM laser rangefinder, plus night vision and aiming modules,” he said, noting that the XM25 fully integrates these components with the added benefit of a ballistic computer and airbursting ammunition.

SAR has been closely following the sixteen year saga of this 100 million dollar engineering marvel and we are pleased to know that it has finally made its way into the hands of the snake-eating fraternity. If all goes well, we’re told, it will be available in limited quantities for muddy-boots grunts in the 2013-14 time frame.

Lehner explained that the plan for fielding this exotic grenade launcher was under development but not to expect it to become a standard squad weapon.

“It’s potentially an arms room weapon,” he said, “like a shotgun or other specialized weapon that you’d draw for certain missions where you need the (XM25’s) unique capability.”

While the wizardry embodied in the XM25 is spectacular, there are several other developments from the dedicated team at Program Manager Soldier Weapons that also deserve special recognition.

Mulberry Point Range

PM Soldier Weapons had wisely set aside several consecutive days for hands-on demos for congressional and military VIPs, efficiently utilizing the considerable time and expense required for such things. These focused opportunities gave a wide variety of purse-keepers and decision-makers the chance to see for themselves what was in the weapons development pipeline.

Press day was a continuation of the process, with PMSW hoping that knowledgeable reporters would convey to the public how America’s defenders were armed. More than a dozen reps turned up, from outlets ranging in credibility and seriousness from USA Today to Army Times, with Small Arms Review in there on the right side of the scale.

After the obligatory meet, greet and ground rules briefing, Aberdeen Test Center’s Mulberry Point Small Arms Range went hot with a HE (high explosive) demo shot from the XM25. Safety concerns kept us inside the ballistic glass windowed observation building.

We could see the gunner just outside the thick glass window and his actions were explained in real time by Lieutenant Colonel Lehner. Using the weapon’s highly sophisticated fire control system with on-board laser rangefinder, he said, the shooter gets exact distance to the front wall of a simulated building with an open window.

With the simple push of a button he adds a meter to the range and the chambered “smart” round is electronically programmed with the precise distance from launch to detonation point. In this case right through the window and inside the room.

The fire control’s ballistic computer calculates angle of elevation based on range and displays a red dot in the electro-optical sight with the correct aiming point. Windage can be programmed as well.

When the round was fired, a computer chip in the 40mm HE warhead counted revolutions in flight and initiated detonation at approximately the center of the “room,” showering it with lethal fragments. A remote video camera linked to a large screen in the observation building provided dramatic evidence of the effectiveness of this programmable airburst weapon’s precision lethality.

Then, we were herded outside to observe a series of live fire demonstrations of selected current weaponry, starting with the lock-busting 12 gauge M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System and moving down the firing line to see grenade launchers, machine guns, sniper rifles and the new “dazzling” laser on a hulking armored vehicle.

M240 Light

While highly reliable and very accurate, a standard 7.62mm M240B medium machine gun weighs a hefty 27 pounds, making it a burden for dismounted troops on the move.

PM Crew Served Weapons has responded with the M240L (Light), incorporating a titanium receiver and other refinements to drop 5.7 pounds without sacrificing combat performance.

Further weight reduction is realized when pairing it with the new M192 Lightweight Ground Mount tripod, boasting better stability and an improved traversing and elevating mechanism at a weight saving of six pounds.

Old Warhorse Returns

Soldiers and Marines of a certain age (including a few of us at SADJ) should take special pleasure in seeing the honored return of the post-WW2 generation’s venerable M14 rifles.

This hard-hitting, long reaching 7.62x51mm NATO caliber battle rifle was pushed aside by the pipsqueak 5.56mm M16 in the Vietnam War when it was deemed that an “assault rifle,” characterized by light weight and high volume of fire, was better for jungle fighting.

But now that the battlefields are in Iraq and Afghanistan – mostly treeless, arid plains and mountains – the M16 and its little brother M4 are noticeably lacking in necessary range (maximum approximately 500 meters) and knockdown power.

Spurred by urgent Operational Need Statements from combat units, the Army started pulling mothballed M14s out of storage, adding day scopes, and rushing them off to CENTCOM’s AO for use by “Squad Designated Marksmen.”

This eminently practical solution has since been kicked up a notch at PM Soldier Weapons by creation of the Enhanced Battle Rifle, a classic M14 retro-fitted at the Army’s Rock Island Arsenal with a modern chassis stock and capable of mounting a full range of day and night sights. More than 5,000 have been fielded so far and 1,700 more are in the pipeline.

LTC Lehner says that the EBR’s dramatically increased effective range, as much as 800 meters in capable hands, has forced the Taliban to “change its tactics,” backing way off when initiating an attack.

More Sniper Stuff

The 7.62mm M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) from Knight’s Armament – apparently just about everything it needs to be already – will be outfitted with a collapsible buttstock, deemed better for close quarter engagements.

The awesomely powerful .50 caliber Barrett M107 Semi-Automatic Long Range Sniper Rifle is going to lose a little weight, get a specially designed suppressor and a new protective exterior coating.

Optics enhancements are in the works, starting with dumping complicated Mil-Dot reticles in favor of with a modern stadia type offering rapid estimation by fitting targets within graduated ranging overlays.

New sniper scopes are on the way, incorporating sophisticated laser rangefinders with electronic DOPE (Data On Previous Engagement) databases.

Two whiz-bang fire control systems are being conjured up by techno-spooks at DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), pushing cutting-edge technologies to increase operational range and hit probability for sniper-spotter teams:

* “One Shot” program seeks a technically advanced spotting scope capable of calculating cumulative wind effects to target and providing a near-instantaneous, accurate, adjusted ballistic aimpoint to the shooter.

* The EXACTO program takes One Shot to the “smart munitions” level; maybe like a laser guided bomb for snipers. It’s said to be a spotting scope-based target acquisition and guidance system that steers maneuverable .50 caliber projectiles directly to a target.

While SAR doesn’t shy away from wondering if EXACTO will be a ballistic breakthrough or an expensive, dead-end boondoggle, PEO Soldier documentation predicts maturity of these technologies and transition to the field over the next four years.

XM2010

Long range precision shooters should take particular note of an exciting development unveiled by PMSW just before this article was completed.

It’s a significant upgrade to the tried and true M24 Sniper Weapon System, that classic Remington 700 bolt action rifle, optimized for .308 cal. Winchester M118 Special Ball ammo.

The new “M24 Reconfigured Sniper Weapon System” carries the designation XM2010, now chambered for hot .300 Winchester Magnum rounds and wrapped in a modernistic skeletonized chassis.

• 5-round box magazine to make the system easier to load and reload with the additional option to change out ammunition quickly
• Rail endowed chassis and free floating barrel that allow for easier mounting of weapon accessories and greater accuracy
• Folding and adjustable stock that includes comb and length-of-pull adjustments
• Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20×50mm Extended Range/Tactical riflescope with advanced scalable ranging and targeting reticle; fielded with the AN/PVS-29 Clip-on Sniper Night Sight
• Quick attach/detach Advanced Armament Corp. suppressor to reduce audible and visible signature with an available thermal sleeve that reduces mirage effect on heated suppressors

The upgrade is said to have received high marks from skilled shooters involved in testing and evaluation.

“The XM2010 had pinpoint precision,” said SFC Robert Roof, NCOIC/Chief Instructor, United States Army Sniper School. “We were able to achieve shots well within the weapon’s capabilities both during limited visibility and during the day. The optics were clear and easy to use and the ergonomics of the weapon made it very comfortable to shoot.”

Remington won the contract following competitive trials and is well positioned to supply as many as 3,600 of these upgraded M24s with the first to be fielded in 2011.

Better M4 and a Brand-New Carbine?

While bravely defending against decades of criticism over reliability and durability of the 1.1 million M16/M4 weapon systems currently fielded, PMSW acknowledges the desirability of even more “product improvements.”

PEO Soldier is currently pursuing a “dual path” strategy; continuously improving the half million M4 Carbines in the field while simultaneously conducting a search for a replacement.

M4 Gets More

The first path is the three phase improvement plan for the M4, adding to more than 60 refinements since its introduction:

1. The Army will purchase 25,000 improved M4A1 Carbines with a heavier barrel for greater sustained rate of fire and fully automatic function in an ambidextrous fire control assembly (FCA). A solicitation will be issued for kits to convert up to 65,000 in-service M4s to A1 configuration.
2. Incorporate improvements in forward rail assemblies to increase accessory integration and more durable bolts and bolt carrier assemblies.
3. Evaluate commercially available operating systems against the performance of the M4’s current gas impingement system. It might even be an off-the-shelf piston kit.

Carbine Competition

At the same time that M4A1 upgrades are underway, Secretary of the Army has ordered a “full and open competition” for a possible replacement.

There’s a new requirements document and money is in hand to search for a new carbine that can outperform the current M16 and M4 series weapon systems.

It’s supposed to have improved features such as fully ambidextrous controls, semi- and full-automatic fire, and accurate and reliable firepower. In addition, integrated rails will accept accessories that currently attach to Mil-Std 1913 rails.

The new carbine will be capable of firing the family of U.S. Standard Type Classified rounds or nonstandard ammunition “with the same capabilities as the current 5.56mm family of ammunition.” We hope that’s actually supposed to read “better” capabilities.

Bye-bye Beretta?

Although combat use of handguns by conventional forces is said to be “statistically insignificant,” the intensely personal preferences of those who pack standard issue pistols is not kind to those designs handicapped by 9mm FMJ ammo, decidedly lacking in lethality.

And in the U.S. Army since 1989, that’s the Beretta M9, an eminently serviceable semiautomatic that has been unfairly maligned as unreliable due to stingy bureaucrats buying crappy magazines.

Credit Air Force Security for getting the latest handgun battle moving with the necessary validation from the Joint Requirements Oversight Council.

But it’s the Army taking the lead with what’s called the Modular Handgun System (MHS); a “non-caliber specific weapon” finished in a non-reflective neutral color with modular features to allow for adapting different fire control options, aiming aids on Mil-Std 1913 rails, alternate magazine choices, take a sound and flash suppressor and will fit various hand sizes.

Plenty of commercial firms have been working on all this for many, many years so there should be no lack of contenders. The timeline calls for trials and selection in FY11-12, completion of testing in FY13 and Type Classification expected in FY14.

Crew Served Weapons Future Initiatives

The American GI is a clever fellow and his natural admiration for the capabilities of vehicle mounted CROWS has led to urgent requests for a way to put these remote control rigs on top of guard towers.

The idea is to increase effectiveness by enabling them to conduct surveillance and engage threats from inside. That’s right – from up in the CROWS nest.

Armament, Research Development & Engineering Center (ARDEC) engineers are on it, working to retrofit an earlier CROWS variant into The Protector Lite Static Platform System.

Video and thermal surveillance cameras allow threat detection in all light and weather conditions and assist in accurate aiming of on-board M240B or M249 machine guns from elevated positions out to a range of 500-1,000 meters.

Ma Deuce on a Diet

The 90 year old “Ma Deuce” M2HB machine gun is getting a bit of modernization in the form of a Quick Change Barrel kit that speeds the process of swapping overheated barrels and eliminates the need for setting headspace and timing. And she’s getting a serious new rival.

The XM806 Lightweight .50 Caliber Machine Gun is intended to deliver heavy machine gun punch at about half the weight of the M2HB, making it particularly attractive to special operations, as well as airborne, airmobile, mountain, and light infantry forces.

Other important advantages claimed for the gun include 60 percent reduced recoil, improved reliability, manual safety, and a quick-change barrel with no adjustment needed for headspace and timing.

Development has reached the point where initial fielding is projected for sometime in 2011.

Grunt Gear and Guns from the “Big Green Machine”

Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier was created by the Army (informally known as the “Big Green Machine” by soldiers and others) with one primary purpose: To develop the best equipment and field it as quickly as possible so that our Soldiers remain second to none in missions that span the full spectrum of military operations.

As recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have vividly demonstrated, getting the right equipment to our military men and women is absolutely critical.

By viewing the Soldier as part of an integrated system, PEO Soldier ensures that the Soldier and everything he or she wears or carries works together as an integrated system.

The result is an overall systematic design that benefits Soldiers by enhancing their ability to accomplish individual and collective tasks, improving quality of life, building confidence, and saving lives.

By employing innovative concepts and technologies, PEO Soldier has made great strides in quickly getting improved equipment into the hands of Soldiers when and where they need it.

Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, PEO Soldier designs, develops, procures, fields, and sustains virtually everything the Soldier wears or carries.

Projects and Products

This big and complex mission is somewhat simplified through the contributions of four distinct Project Managers under overall command of PEO Soldier. All of these PMs have specialized Product Managers, responsible for nearly 500 items ranging from the Advanced Bomb Suit to the XM806 Lightweight .50 cal. Machine Gun.

Project Manager Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment

PM SPIE develops and fields advanced Soldier protection products, comfortable uniforms to enhance mission effectiveness, and improved parachute systems. These products are designed to protect Soldiers and allow them to be effective in any operating environment.

Project Manager Soldier Sensors and Lasers

PM SSL provides Soldiers with improved lethality, mobility, and survivability in all weather and visibility conditions. Soldier-borne sensors and lasers enhance the Soldier’s ability to see in all battlefield and lighting conditions, to acquire objects of military significance before the Soldier is detected, and to target threat objects accurately for engagement by Soldiers or guided munitions. These systems provide critical, on-the-ground direct support to U.S. forces.

Project Manager Soldier Warrior

PM SWAR supports Soldiers through the acquisition of an integrated Soldier system. Current systems include Land Warrior, Ground Soldier, Mounted Soldier, and Air Warrior. Project Manager Soldier Warrior develops and integrates components into complete systems designed to increase combat effectiveness, decrease combat load, and improve mission flexibility.

Project Manager Soldier Weapons

“All the Services have agreed upon the following definition of Small Arms Systems: Man portable, individual and crew served weapons systems used principally against personnel and lightly armored targets. Included are both ballistic and non-ballistic systems and associated ordnance, munitions, aiming, powering, storage, training, specialized maintenance equipment, logistic support and other ancillary items.” (PM Soldier Weapons)

PMSW is the centralized manager for all activities related to the development, systems integration, test, evaluation, acquisition, production, configuration management, fielding, and all other Life-Cycle management requirements for Small Arms Systems including weapons, fire-control, optics and associated equipment, e.g., mounts, and the development of Small Arms ammunition, for the U.S. Army.

PMSW ensures that Soldiers on the battlefield have overmatch capabilities in individual and crew served weapons. Continuous improvement programs enhance both survivability and lethality.

Two product managers under PMSW drive the mission to provide Soldiers battlefield superiority:

* Product Manager Crew Served Weapons (PMCSW) is responsible for research and development of current and future light to heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, small arms ammunition, remote weapons stations, and related target acquisition/fire control products.

* Product Manager Individual Weapons (PMIW) is responsible for research and development of current and future rifles, carbines, pistols, shotguns, grenade launchers, small arms ammunition, and related target acquisition/fire control products.

PM SW’s Current Small Arms Lineup

Weapons:

9mm M9 Pistol
5.56mm M16A2 and A4 Rifles
5.56mm M4 Carbine
5.56mm M349 Squad Automatic Weapon
7.62mm M24 Sniper Weapon System
7.62mm M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle
7.62mm M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System
7.62mm M240B, H, L Medium Machine Guns
7.62mm Mk48 Mod0 Machine Gun
.300 Win Mag caliber XM24E1 (now XM2010) Enhanced Sniper Rifle
12 gauge M500 Shotgun
12 gauge M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System
.50 caliber M2 and M2E2 Heavy Machine Guns
.50 caliber M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle
.50 caliber XM806 Light .50 caliber Machine Gun
25mm XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System
40mm M203 and M203A2 Grenade Launchers
40mm M320 Grenade Launcher
40mm Mk19 Grenade Machine Gun
XM153 Common Remotely Operated Weapon System

Weapon Accessories:

Improved M16 Magazine
M68 Close Combat Optic
M150 Rifle Combat Optic
M145 Machine Gun Optic
M24 Mini Binoculars
M25 Stabilized Binoculars
Close Quarters Battle Kit
M2E2 Quick Change barrel Kit
M192 Light Weight Ground Mount for Machine Guns
XM205 Light Weight Tripod for Heavy Machine Guns
Close Combat Mission Capability Kit

Ammunition:

XM1037 5.56mm Short-Range Training Round
XM1022 .50 Caliber Sniper Cartridge
XM116 12-Gauge Extended Range Less-Than-Lethal Cartridge
XM1140 40mm Extended Range Less-Than-Lethal Cartridge
XM1110 40mm Day/Night TP Cartridge
XM1112 40mm Airburst Less-Than-Lethal Cartridge
40mm Close-In Anti-Personnel Cartridge
Micro Electro-Mechanical Safe and Arming Mechanisms
Lightweight Ammunition

Learn More

Program Executive Officer Soldier: www.peosoldier.army.mil
U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center: www.atc.army.mil

Prologue

In November 2004, the United States Marine Corps rewrote the manuals on urbanized warfare as they battled the insurgency in Fallujah. The Battle of Fallujah was known as Operation Phantom Fury/Al-Fajr (the dawn) and took place from November 2004-December 2005. It would cost 195 American lives and take the lives of thousands of enemy insurgents. The Battle of Fallujah would go on to be described as the bloodiest urban battle since Hue City, Vietnam in 1968.

The insurgency that occupied Fallujah prior to the 2004 invasion was comprised of two types of fighters. One type was well trained foreign fighters in Iraqi to wage Jihad on America and the second was die-hard Iraqi insurgents who viewed the Americans as invaders and wanted them out of Iraq. These forces were vastly different; however they shared several things in common. They were both willing to fight to the death and they were both extremely well armed. Although weapons are common on any battlefield, after carefully analyzing the firearms utilized by the insurgency in Fallujah one would have to be curious as to the origins of some.

In April of 2004, the U.S. Military acting in response to the killing and mutilation of several military contractors decided to launch an invasion on the city of Fallujah and root out the insurgency there. The U.S. Military launched Operation Vigilant Resolve but ran into stiff resistance almost immediately. The U.S. Marines initial invasion into Fallujah caused many casualties on both sides but also began inflicting collateral damage to the civilian populace and started crumbling Fallujah’s infrastructure. Due to concern over collateral damage, the U.S. troops broke engagement and exited the city. Upon exit, the U.S. forces cordoned the city, laying it under siege. Security check points were set up and manned around the city’s perimeter enabling patrols of the city’s outskirts. These forces were also able to control traffic flow into and out of the city and gave the U.S. Military the opportunity to search vehicles and personnel. The use of fortified patrol bases around the city worked well in restricting the movements of insurgents outside the city limits; however inside the city insurgents roamed freely as no U.S. presence was maintained inside Fallujah.

Inside Fallujah the insurgency was free to launch mortar and rocket attacks at the troops stationed at the positions around the city. The insurgents also regularly conducted sniper attacks, sprung ambushes on supply convoys and harassed the day to day operations around the city with impunity. This deteriorating security situation lasted for nearly 7 months until November of 2004 when the U.S. Military decided to re-attack the insurgent stronghold. Since the April 2004 withdrawal of U.S. Forces from within the cities limits, Fallujah was left completely open to the insurgents and maintained no U.S. presence within the city. This gave the opposition time to prepare, draw battle plans, establish caches, tunnel, plant IEDs within the infrastructure (cemented into the sidewalks) and allow their supply chain to flood the market with explosives, weapons and ammo. The U.S. Marines assault on Fallujah was swift, brutal and deadly. U.S. Forces took hundreds of casualties, killed thousands of insurgents, destroyed much of Fallujah’s infrastructure and encountered weapons very seldom seen on today’s battlefields. Videos shot by insurgents prior to the U.S. invasion of Fallujah depicts insurgents manning checkpoints with PKMs, RPGs, SA-7 and SA-14 anti-aircraft missiles and other types of ComBloc battlefield weaponry. The true quantities and vast types of firearms available stifled even the most senior officials when the battle subsided and reports were taken.

Weapons Supply Chain

The insurgency in Iraq drew weapons and equipment from many sources. After Sadaam Hussein’s government was toppled his arsenals were looted by the populace and weaponry began to flood the streets and markets. Certain areas of Fallujah became impromptu arms bazaars selling these weapons off to insurgents and populace alike.

Many of the foreign fighters entering Iraq by car or train from Syria to fight against the U.S. passed through Fallujah. They frequently stopped to drop off or pick up weaponry in the process. Another source was due to the Iran-Iraq war and the first U.S.-Iraq war. Many weapons remained in the hands of the civilian populace and were easily sold for high prices to the insurgency. These were the insurgent’s easiest route to securing arms to fight the coalition forces.

Some weapons were smuggled in from Syria and other Arab nations and also usually found their way to areas such as Ramadi or Fallujah as they were along the route to Baghdad and were hotbeds of insurgent activity. Black market arms dealers were prevalent in Iraq. The coalition forces on occasion were tipped off to be on the alert for vehicles traveling that were occupied by alleged arms dealers traversing the countryside brokering illicit deals with Al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Insurgency. Another unfortunate source of insurgent arms was via the Iraqi Military and Police. Many times after the U.S. delivered new shipments of arms to local police or military units a group of insurgents would raid the armory and take them. Sometimes the insurgents would drop in for chai and get help from the local authorities loading up the new guns as they were often in cahoots.

Although the Kalashnikov was the most prevalent firearm on the battlefield, many other firearms were encountered. Like most Islamic Insurgencies the main armaments utilized were the AK-47/AKM, FN FAL rifles, G-3 rifles, SVD sniper rifles, RPK light machine guns, PKM General Purpose MGs, RPG-7 rocket assisted grenade launchers and SPG-9 recoilless rifles as well as the DSHK heavy MG and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun. Most of these weapons were of various origins that where common for their type.

Most of the hardware was derived from Russia, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, China, East Germany, Egypt, Romania and Iraq’s Tabuk Armory. The aforementioned firepower was integrated into Sadaam’s military ranks via legitimate sale and eventually ended up on the streets due to the toppling of his government and subsequent looting. Often times these weapons can be easily distinguished by arsenal markings, safety selector markings and by accessories such as the plastic pistol grip and grenade launching sites commonly seen on Iraqi and Yugo AKs.

Rarely encountered yet relished when they were confiscated were unlicensed Iranian copies of the MP5 submachine gun. These firearms were found on several dead insurgents not possessing identification so it remains unclear if they were operatives from Iran or simply utilizing weaponry left over from the Iran-Iraq war. As most firepower recovered from the enemy was placed in massive piles and destroyed, troops often times adopted them for personal use utilizing issued 9x19mm cartridges from their Berretta M9 (Model 92) to fill the magazines. The compact size of the retractable stock version MP5 encountered enabled troops to conduct close quarters battle with a combat proven weapons system without telegraphing the longer barrel of the M16A4 rifles they were issued past doorways and also gave them a fully automatic capability as opposed to the standard 3-round burst. Also recovered were several unlicensed Iranian copies of the G3 rifle. The markings were unique and very rarely encountered but were most certainly those of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

These rifles were often times recovered from dead Chechen foreign fighters who were also equipped with modern tactical vest, body armor and optics. They were often times hopped up on pain killers and had pre-applied tourniquets on their limbs.

Chechens could be easily distinguished by their lighter skin tone, lighter hair color, advanced equipment, Chechen literature and terrorist manuals they carried and by the amount of casualties they inflicted on U.S. forces in the ensuing battle to kill them. Overly accurate Chechen snipers utilizing Iranian G3 clones over the Draganov sniper system seemed to be commonplace on the battlefield of Fallujah.

Old Workhorses still in Action,
Some of the rare and exotic weaponry that was located throughout the battlefield of Fallujah had a more unique history. Firearms such as the British Sterling SMG, Soviet PPSh-41 SMG or the British Bren gun were often encountered in caches as opposed to being utilized in active combat by insurgents. In one specific instance, however, a general purpose machine gun was utilized to pin down U.S. troops advancing towards a row of shops. After Marines overran the position they were surprised that the enemy’s machine gun looked like a “mini Browning M2HB.” The Marines were even more surprised when they could read the markings on the firearms and determine it was of U.S. origin and being used against them. It was a U.S. Browning M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun. It was clearly very old, possibly from Korea or WWII era. Insurgents are known to utilize any firearms they can find – however, where did such antique firearms come from? After some careful digging it was established that several of the WWII weapons we encountered seemed to have derived from the post-invasion looting of Baghdad’s museums. Shortly after their looting they were enlisted into the insurgent’s arsenal via a high ticket price on the Iraqi black market.

Pistols were also readily available on the battlefield. Browning Hi-Power, CZ 75, Makarov, Tokarov, Glock 19, Walther P99, Colt 1911, Webley and Zastava revolvers and local Iraqi Tariq pistols were everywhere. Tariq pistols were Iraqi copies of the Beretta 52/Helwan pistols scrawled with Arabic writing and with a gold inlayed coin in the pistol grips. Pistols were usually found in caches as were homemade suppressors, however on occasion a pistol would be found on an insurgent, usually signifying a position of authority. CZ Skorpians were also a commonly encountered SMG but due to the small 7.65 caliber round it was never adapted for use by troops as was the MP5s, Sterlings, and PPSh-41s.

Fallujah was a battle fought much differently from other battles in the war. U.S. troops didn’t drive headlong into city’s centers and raise the flag as was done in Baghdad. Fallujah was fought room by room, house by house, block by block throughout the entire city. Enemies were encountered sometimes one or two at a time and others in groups of 25 or 30 and always heavily armed. Troops were unsure if enemies were in the next room, the next house or on the next block. This situation made the battle a very tense one. Until the battle ended and the city was searched, the US forces had no idea the arsenal that was hidden behind closed doors awaiting them.

Aftermath

After the city was seized by U.S. forces the daunting process of back clearing homes, conducting counter insurgency operations and attempting to retrieve and render inoperable all enemy hardware became the Marine mission.

Piles of firearms, mortars, rocket launchers, ammunition, grenades, explosives, and equipment lay around the base for months. These firearms were eventually lined up and crushed by tanks or burned. Surprisingly, even the crushing strength of an M1 Abrahams tank on weapons on concrete wouldn’t always render Kalashnikovs inoperable. The explosives and ammunition were placed in a large pit and controlled detonated by U.S. Explosive Ordinance Disposal units. Certain trophy pieces such as a Browning 12 gage with gold inlay, gold and chrome Kalashnikovs and custom Tariq pistols were spared for use in museums back in the states or for units to utilize as trophies for their barracks back home.

In the end, the Marines and Corpsman who took part in the battle saw the world’s most raw firepower being utilized at its finest and still managed to reckon with their enemies. All combatants learned firsthand more about firepower than they could have ever imagined: from the capabilities, usage and nomenclature of the enemies weapons to their strengths and weaknesses. The Battle of Fallujah was not only a tremendous battle and tactical feat for those involved it also became a university on foreign small arms.

(About the author: Jonathan M. Cuney is a former U.S. Marine Sergeant and combat wounded veteran of the Battle of Fallujah. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuous Service Star and nearly a half dozen other medals and accommodations. He served as the Threat Weapons Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) for Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines of the 1st Marine Division. Sgt. Cuney many times utilized his expertise to assist in identifying enemy weapon systems both captured and in use by the enemy during combat. This gave the troops he fought alongside the knowledge they needed to recognize the enemy’s capabilities (range, rounds per min, etc.). It also helped to render the enemies firearms inoperable as they continued to push on in their advance during battle.)

There are several famous firearms that we have all looked at, read about or simply heard of that we would like to claim personal ownership of. No matter the style or discipline of interest, such a famous or personally important gun exists. For those of us who take fondly to the black rifles, the most famous of all may arguably be the Colt ArmaLite AR-15 Serial Number 000106, also known as “The Coconut Rifle.” This particular gun is credited for the adoption of this weapon system eventually becoming the primary service weapon of the United States Military for almost 50 years.

The mystique of this special rifle begins its journey from Hartford, Connecticut to Baltimore, Maryland on February 17, 1960 and ends up in Fairfield, Maine in 2011 after traveling around the globe more than two times.

According to the research of David Norman, and later confirmed by Mr. William Mullen, Vice President of Cooper Macdonald Corp., it is believed that in December of 1959 Colt manufactured 20 of their new Colt ArmaLite AR-15 automatic rifles and it is documented through Colt that rifle #00106 was shipped to Cooper Macdonald Corp. on February 17, 1960. Cooper Macdonald Corp. was contracted to market this firearm.

It was in a July 15, 1992 meeting where many of the former suspicions were realized as factual. When Mr. Mullen was asked if #000106 was indeed the rifle that traveled around the world on two occasions and the rifle involved in the famous July 4, 1960 “Watermelon Demonstration” he replied, “Absolutely.”

When asked to recount the demonstration that would eventually lead to the adoption of this weapon system Mr. Mullen recounted the day. He stated the event was actually a yearly gathering at the Macdonald’s farm, usually for recreation: in his words, “a cookout and beer-bust.” A few days before the date he was asked to bring the rifle along because there would be “…some brass there.” Little did he know that the guests that day would include General Curtis LeMay, the United States Air Force Chief of Staff.

When it came time in the day to shoot this new rifle some watermelons were placed at approximately 50, 75 and 100 yards. General LeMay fired at and destroyed two of the watermelons. The General was very impressed with the results and noted there was one target remaining. When he was asked if he wanted to shoot the last watermelon or just go down and eat it, General LeMay sighted in on the lone melon and replied, “Let’s eat the son of a bitch!” It was in the middle of a field, eating watermelon where the discussion arose about an 8,500-unit order for the Air Force. It was at that point that Colt ArmaLite #106 became the rifle that made the M16 weapon system happen.

Another piece of information that seems to follow this rifle and its history is that it was fired by President Kennedy from the deck of his grandfather’s yacht, the Honey Fitz. Though this writer to date has uncovered no official documentation, this claim has been personally seen in an ad in Shotgun News dated November 15, 1977 and more recently in several Internet sites and blogs. Though very far from irrefutable proof, it is just another bit of lore that follows this legendary rifle.

The coconut part of the rifle’s adopted nickname came from its sales trips where it traveled to South Vietnam and several other “tropical” places. Coconuts were often used as targets to demonstrate the lethality of the rifle, hence the nickname. Other targets were also used in these demonstrations but due to the number of countries it traveled to and the newness of the weapon system it was quickly associated with the most common target engaged with this new, tiny projectile from a completely different type of rifle and the nickname “coconut rifle” stuck like glue.

Being a perpetual student of the black rifle, it has been an honor to actually handle this historical firearm and share its exciting role in the direction of the United States weapon procurement process with the readers of Small Arms Review. Fortunately for all of us, and especially for one extremely lucky individual, this story does not end here. Like we have all joked about when a pitchman on late night infomercials barks, “But wait, there’s more!” it applies to what you will read next. This rifle is not just something of lore that can never be seen, but it will actually be offered for sale October 4th of this year. The famous Colt ArmaLite #106 will be sold to the highest bidder at the James D. Julia Auction Company in the 2011 Fall Firearms Auction. Even though it is far above my pay grade you can bet I will be there to view and photograph this exciting piece of American history. Maybe I will see you there…

For more information:

James D. Julia, Inc.
203 Skowhegan Rd.
Fairfield, Maine 04937
Tel: (207) 453-7125
Fax:(207) 453-2502
Email: info@jamesdjulia.com
Website: www.JamesDJulia.com

Osprey Publishing,
Midland House, West Way,
Botley, Oxford
OX2 0PH
United Kingdom
Originally published 2008. Soft cover version published 2011. 256 pages

With the U.S. Navy SEALs suddenly being cast into the spotlight following the hugely successful raid and killing of terrorist Osama bin Laden, this book is sure to find an even larger audience.

You know the SEALs (SEa, Air and Land) are a force to be respected when an Army guy writes a book praising them.

SEALs – The Navy’s Elite Fighting Force is co-authored by Mir Bahmanyar and Chris Osman. Bahmanyar previously served with the US Army 75th Ranger Regiment, while Osman is a former Marine and Navy SEAL.

The bulk of this book is based on personal interviews with current and former SEALs. Consequently, the bulk of the accounts are from the last two decades. Not every action is covered, as they did not interview anyone involved in operations in Somalia, the Philippines, etc. As well, many SEAL operations are still classified. However, plenty of first person accounts from Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as action from the former Yugoslavia are given. Yes, the “frogmen” even see action in landlocked countries such as Afghanistan.

Part I deals with Command Structure, as well as Training. I found the Command Structure portion to be somewhat dry reading, but that is to be expected. The Training segment is the real eye opener. This is where you really gain an appreciation for just how tough the BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL) course is. It is 26 weeks in length, and there is roughly a 75 – 80% dropout rate for most classes. One photo shows about two dozen helmets in a row, representing those that quit. The photo was taken three days into the course. Special attention is given to the notorious “Hell Week”, in which recruits are allowed only four hours sleep in total from early Sunday morning until late Friday night.

Richard Whiteside, a former SEAL officer, offers a very detailed account of his own training from Aug 1975 to Jan 1976. Following the 16 pages of recollections from Whiteside, Chris Osman gives his own nine pages of memories from his training in 1997 and 1998.

The book details the training that follows the BUD/S portion. The student then goes on to do additional training such as parachute, cold weather, etc.

Part II Small Wars 1989-2003 deals with various operations in Panama, Bolivia, and the former Yugoslavia and Bosnia.

Part III Global War on Terrorism: Afghanistan 2001-2007 follows the reaction to the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. It ends with a detailed account of operation Redwing, in which 11 SEALs and 8 Army Night Stalkers (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Airborne) lost their lives on June 28, 2005. The only SEAL member to survive was Marcus Luttrell, who also wrote a Forward for this book. This is the largest loss of life for Naval Special Warfare Command since World War II.

Part IV Global War on Terrorism: Iraq 2003-2007 is the largest chapter. Much of it revolves around SEAL sniping action. Kyle (no last name given) is quoted extensively, based on interviews given to Bahmanyar and Osman in 2007. Kyle has the highest kill score in SOCOM (Special Operations Command) at time of printing, at 137, including one at 1,600 yards.

As this book relies heavily on first person interviews, it does tend to jump around somewhat. It does not read like an academic history volume. Rather, it reminds me of listening in on veterans swapping combat experiences over a few beers. As such, this book does not give an all encompassing history lesson of the entire battle plan. Instead, you get a glimpse of street to street fighting as told by those that were there.

One thing that stands out was how several members made harshly critical comments towards the senior leadership. One said that that SEAL Team 3’s leadership “was the most f***ed-up ever.” The endnotes mentioned that several SEALs made the same point.

Another quote attributed to a British Marine officer was that the SEALs are “lions led by dogs.” Other comments mention that certain upper ranks are more concerned with promotions than military objectives.

The final page of Part IV ends with the future of the SEALs. Most SEALs interviewed do not believe that the U.S. can win the War on Terrorism, despite overwhelming force. No military can win without clearly defined political objectives, no matter how honorably the armed forces serve.

Following Part IV is a sizable Appendix section listing the organization of Naval Special Warfare Command, Seal equipment and weapons, and ending with Appendix 5, a list of all Frogmen, UDTS, and SEALs killed in action from WW2 to present.

Overall, I found this book to give a unique insight into the life of a SEAL. Between the interview quotes, and the many high quality color photos (many with faces digitalized for security), the reader is given a glimpse into a very secretive group. As well, the book features many sidebars that help to fill in details. I would have preferred a more detailed index, as well as a list of all the many initial and acronyms that the military loves to use. Aside from that, this is a book that anyone at all interested in the SEALs should have.

Several months ago the NFATCA received a call from the NFA Branch Chief, Ed Saveedra, notifying us that the NFA Branch, in an effort to continue to improve efficiency, would be making some changes in how it processes NFA forms. As many of you know, the NFA Branch has been struggling for years to keep up with the increasing numbers of forms coming from the industry. With a drastic slump in the economy many NFA buyers have elected to shy away from the more expensive items and focus on the more affordable ones, such as suppressors, short barreled rifles and short barreled shotguns. When funds are tight it doesn’t long to figure out that purchasing a short-barreled Colt rifle for $1,500 makes more sense than buying an M16 for $15,000. Many buyers are holding out for better times but the habit is still there. Satisfying an NFA owner’s needs can be easily solved by more affordable venues.

It seems like every time that the NFATCA checks on the status of transfer times the NFA Branch is continuously making progress but the numbers still keep climbing. Even in the roughest economy, the numbers are hanging in there at the 900,000 mark. We are not that far from the one million transfers a year watershed. If you look back at the NFA Branch five or six years ago you will see that an increase in head count has not been in the cards to handle such a drastic increase in industry demands. Over the last five years the Branch has literally been frozen, from everything from Congressional continuing resolutions to freezes in spending. Additionally, handling industry demands in this particular Branch of ATF has literally driven Branch Chiefs away from the job. The day to day demands and the plain pressure of this kind of work would drive anyone crazy. Every time we are afforded the opportunity to sit with the Branch Chief and ask, “How can we help?” I am still dumfounded at the many reasons why some transfers take longer than others. Simple, yet ridiculous issues, such as bad checks, continue to be a problem in this process.

One of the top resources in the NFA Branch is Ted Clutter. Ted is still a good Marine and hard at serving our country in yet another position, managing the examiners. The last time that we spoke with Ted he mentioned that the NFA Branch was considering many issues in an effort to improve the process with the same available resources and thus try to stay ahead of the power curve.

To begin, the Branch will now be handling forms 1, 2, 10, and the 5320.20 to the appropriate legal instruments examiner, according to the State of the applicant’s address. Likewise, the NFA Branch will be assigning Forms 3, 4, and 9 applications to examiners by the State of the Transferor’s address.

As most of you will remember, NFA examiners were assigned, regardless of the types of forms to be used, by the alphabetical listing of the name of the dealer. This new process will no longer follow that routine. This will mean that many of the transferors and transferees will see different examiners handle forms. Why? The primary reason for this change has more to do with the ever-changing state of affairs within the states and their NFA laws. Not only has the increasing demand been a strain on the Branch but having examiners try and keep up dozens of different state regulations has been an untenable task to most of the examiners. Thus allowing specific examiners to become experts in a limited number of states has allowed these same examiners to know these laws and more efficiently process our forms. This has become one of the tools that Ed Saveedra and Ted Clutter have pulled from their arsenal of changes to increase efficiencies in the Branch.

The following list will represent the process of handling the various NFA Forms by the examiners from July forward:

Examiner/States to handle:

Nicole Dudash: IL, IN, OH, PA
Chris Farris: AK, CT, MA, ME, MI, NH, RI, VT
Ann Feltner: AZ, CA, NM, NV
Jason Frushour: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WI, WY
Sara Jones: LA, TX
Albert Lamberger: AL, FL, TN
Dana Pickles: DE, KY, MD, NC, NJ, NY, VA, WV
Suzanne Santamaria: GA, SC
William Shipman: AR, HI, IA, KS, MN, MO, MS, NE, OK
Sandra Snook: ID, OR, WA

“Applications for the District of Columbia and US Territories will be assigned to the Supervisory Legal Instruments Examiner.”

New .22 LR AR-15/M16 Conversion

MKS Distributing, distributor for Chiappa Firearms, debuts its M4-22 AR-15 type upper chambered in .22 LR. This high-quality and affordable Chiappa Mil-Spec M4-22 upper now makes it possible for most folks to purchase a .22 Long Rifle caliber conversion for their high-power AR platform (all models of AR-15, M16, and M4s now on the market). The Chiappa M4-22 upper features a Picatinny integral rail upper and the barrel has the same profile of the current military M4 carbine. Chiappa’s M4-22 upper is reliable, robust and installs in seconds and you’ve got yourself a mean looking .22 caliber fun gun. The new conversion has a 16 inch barrel and an overall length of 34.25 inches. This lightweight upper weighs just 3.5 pounds and is shipped with two 28-round magazines. In restricted states the upper comes with two 10-round magazines. One of the best things about the conversion upper is that it has a suggested retail price of just $349. For more information or to place an order please contact MKS, Supply, Inc., Dept. SAR, 8611-A North Dixie Drive, Dayton, OH 45414. Phone: (937) 454-0363. Fax: (937) 454-0503. On the web at www.mkschiappa.com.

Command Arms Introduces New Magazines and M4 Handguards

Command Arms Accessories (CAA)/EMA Tactical is proud to introduce their new and innovative Three Window Magazine. The three built in windows allows the operator to see how many rounds remain in the mag allowing the operator to keep track of his remaining rounds and facilitates timely magazine changes without the operator losing his sight picture. Simply glancing down at the back of the magazine from his cheek weld shows the approximate number of rounds remaining. When the magazine is full the operator will see the brass round casings in the top and middle windows. The (orange) follower will appear in the bottom window indicating a full magazine of 30 rounds. As rounds are fired, the operator glances at the middle window. When the middle window is empty only 19 rounds remain in the magazine. Then the operator glances at the top window. When the top window is empty only 11 rounds remain. This three window system shows that when the middle window is empty the operator has 2/3 or fewer of the rounds remaining and when the top window is empty only 1/3 of the rounds remain in the magazine.

Also new from Command Arms Accessories/EMA Tactical is their M4S1 M16/AR-15 Carbine Handguard System, which sets the standard for a stable and rigid design by combining interlocking top and bottom handguard sections with a bottom rail that can be mounted to the existing sling swivel mount for absolute rigidity. The M4S1 handguard will not move once locked in place providing repeatable zero. This is the first lightweight polymer handguard designed to withstand the extreme operating temperatures of a gas piston system. This extreme heat resistance is achieved by manufacturing the M4S1 from a proprietary heat resistant polymer, including a heat shield and providing significant upper and lower handguard venting in the design. The M4S1 also works with standard direct gas operating systems. The M4S1 includes two interchangeable lower rails of 4- and 1.75-inch lengths. This allows the operator to quickly change rails based on mission need. The two 1.75-inch side rails are removable if not required. Even with the side rails attached there is enough room left on the contoured handguard for your hand to hold it comfortably. An optional 9-inch long aluminum top rail attaches to the handguard and flat top rail providing a super stable platform for mounting optics and sights. The M4S1 also includes two mounting points for a push button quick detach sling swivel. For more information contact Command Arms Accessories/EMA Tactical, Dept. SAR, 1208 Branagan Drive, Tullytown, PA 19007. Phone: (215) 949-9944. Fax: (215) 949-9191. Website: www.ematactical.com.

CCI Introduces New Tactical .22 Long Rifle Load for AR Style Rifles

CCI now offers a load specifically for AR-style rifles: new .22 Long Rifle AR-Tactical. These new rounds are built to CCI’s high standards. The AR-Tactical bullets offer excellent accuracy – including 1.5 inches at 100 yards for 10-shot groups in factory testing. Testing also was conducted specifically for common law enforcement and military Smith & Wesson M&P 15/22 firearms. This testing confirmed the performance that tactical users require. A CCI case, primer and bullet lube combine with clean-burning powder to provide tactical-grade performance. The 40-grain rounds are a target bullet with a copper-plated round nose (CPRN) for smooth feeding. Tactical shooters can blast through an entire magazine without worrying of a glitch in feeding or on-target performance. A speed of 1,200 fps allows for excellent accuracy with low recoil. The AR-Tactical ammunition is available in 375-count loose packed, re-closeable boxes. For more on this new .22 LR ammunition contact ATK, Dept. SAR, 900 Bob Ehlen Drive, Anoka, MN 55303. Phone: (763) 323-2300. Fax: (763) 323-2506. One the web at www.atk.com.

Brownells Announces New AR-15/M16 “Paratrooper” Charging Handle

The Brownells Paratrooper Charging Handle for AR-15s and M16s improves the function of your favorite modern sporting rifle by providing the longest grasping surface on the market today. When you need to use it, the handle’s deeply serrated front face ensures non-slip hand contact for positive operation in all conditions. The Paratrooper is an oversized, left-side lever that folds against the receiver to present a slim, no-snag profile during carry or storage. It angles down slightly when retracted, so it won’t interfere with a scope or sight mounted on the receiver rail. The handle is 2.5 inches wide when open, and measures just under an inch wide when folded. Made in the U.S., the Paratrooper Charging Handle is machined from billet 7075 T6 aluminum – the same material as USGI receivers – for superb strength and reliability. The hardcoat-anodized finish resists corrosion and surface wear, and the matte-black finish matches most factory receiver finishes. The AR-15/M16 Paratrooper Charging Handle (#080-000-819) is drop-in ready for a Mil-Spec AR-15/M16 upper receiver. There’s no gunsmithing required. To learn more about the Paratrooper Charging Handle, you can contact them at Brownells, Dept. SAR, 200 Front Street, Montezuma, IA 501714. Phone: (641) 623-5401. Fax: (641) 623-3896. Website: www.brownells.com.

LaserLyte K-15 Kryptonyte Laser Now available in Tan

LaserLyte, the leader in laser technology for the shooting and hunting industry, is proud to introduce its popular K-15 Kryptonyte Laser in tan to match most military rifles. The cutting edge LaserLyte K-15 Kryptonyte is designed for use with the modern rifle, carbine or any weapon with three-inches of Picatinny or weaver type rail. It is constructed of aircraft grade 6061 aluminum with T3 hardness. The entire aluminum body is tan anodized with Level 2 hardness.

The concise laser engraved markings clearly display user-friendly features. The K-15 Kryptonyte is fully adjustable with hex drive screws protected by sealed turret caps. The offset design of the laser aperture allows for more flexible mounting options. The recessed activation selector can be changed to off, constant on and momentary on. The momentary on feature is used with the 10-inch long tape switch that can be mounted with provided Velcro strips. The bright green dot makes target acquisition fast and efficient. The green laser can be seen in daylight up to 100 yards. At night the laser can be seen up to a mile away. Powered by one CR-123 battery, the K-15 Kryptonyte offers 1.5 hours of continuous on. The MSRP is $249.95.

Contact them at LaserLyte,
Dept. SAR,
101 Airpark Road,
Suite C,
Cottonwood, AZ 86326.

Phone: (928) 649-3201.
Fax: (928) 649-3970.
Website: www.laserlyte.com.