The Armalite 15-inch forend rail dominates the M-15 3-Gun’s aesthetics. A Trijicon VCOG scope was easily installed. LUTH buttstock and Ergo pistol grip comprise other furniture aspects.

By Todd Burgreen

It is definitely the heyday of the AR platform. Labels have emerged to help distinguish certain AR rifle types, for example: M4, Recon/Recce, SPR, DMR, etc. The Recon and SPR ARs are multi-purpose, ubiquitous weapons with flat-top upper receivers for easy mounting of optics plus a 16- to 18-inch free floated medium profile barrel with 1:7 or 1:8 twist, surrounded by a forend rail system. Each seeks to minimize weight and keep the weapon’s profile sleek for better handling while offering superior accuracy and longer range terminal performance than shorter barreled ARs. These ARs are required to be equally at home in CQB encounters characterized by multiple rounds fired rapidly with distances measured in feet while still offering precision fire out to 350-400 yards. It is easy to see how these characteristics could also benefit both personal defense and competition shooters alike.

We all accept that professional competition shooters are some of the most highly skilled weapon handlers in the world (after all, that is what they do for a living) and they get to expend time and money on improving skill levels that most just cannot imagine. There are reports of Tier 1 Special Operations units inviting world-class competition shooters to train with them in an effort to wring out all possible kernels of knowledge in running a handgun or rifle more efficiently and ruthlessly in CQB environments. Why wouldn’t a rifle configured to perform in competition be viable as well? Of course, a wary eye must be present to ensure that reliability and ruggedness is not compromised for the sake of “gaming” enhancements.

Armalite’s M-15 3-Gun models are direct descendants from rifles used by Team Armalite shooters, including Greg Jordan and Tommy Thacker. Tommy is not only Captain of the shooting team, but also President of Armalite. It is refreshing to have such a proficient shooter as the head of a firearms manufacturer. The specific model evaluated for this article is the recently introduced Armalite M-15 3-Gun Rifle. Weighing less than 8 pounds, it is one of lighter AR-type versions on the market, especially considering it features an 18-inch barrel. Overall length of the M-15 3-Gun is 39.5 to 40.5 inches. A 13.5-inch barrel 5.56mm variant with pinned muzzle brake is also available, as are 7.62 NATO/.308 Win rifles. A minimalist, “airy” rail measuring 15 inches defines the Armalite M-15 3-Gun aesthetics. Armalite produces the forend rail system in house for quality control reasons. The Armalite forend permits the barrel to be free floated for increased accuracy potential. Armalite is using the KeyMod attachment system for increased weight savings. Most of the upper Picatinny rail is eliminated for further weight savings. Armalite has left an M4-like rail section on the forged upper receiver and only a short section of Picatinny rail for mounting a detachable front sight.

Thacker’s competition input is obvious with the M-15 3-Gun Rifle. The 18-inch stainless steel, medium contour barrel uses a 1:8 twist rate. This facilitates use of heavier long-range .223 bullets, as well as lighter grain types. Armalite has gone with a .223 Wylde chamber with the M-15 3-Gun. The .223 Wylde was designed as a match chambering for semiautomatic rifles. It will accommodate both .223 Remington and 5.56mm ammunition. It is relieved in the case body to aid in extraction and features a shorter throat for improved accuracy. As many know, the 5.56mm is not synonymous with the .223 Remington chambering. Generally, it is acceptable to fire .223 Remington in a 5.56mm, but not the other way around. The .223 Wylde was meant to give a slightly tighter body spec than 5.56mm (but a bit looser than .223 Remington) while retaining a longer leade/throat. In effect, the .223 Wylde is a hybrid, splitting the difference between the 5.56mm and .223 Remington while extending benefits in terms of accuracy and reliability.

A single-stage, 3 pound Timney trigger and ambidextrous Raptor charging handles are standard features on the M-15 3-Gun Rifles. A LUTH-AR MBA-1 adjustable buttstock is also standard with the new Armalite ARs. The LUTH-AR MBA-1 is a lightweight, modular stock which allows for secure adjustable length of pull and comb height without the use of tools. An enhanced Ergo Tactical Deluxe pistol grip is found on the Armalite AR. The Ergo Tactical Deluxe is a larger, more rounded grip than the original Ergo Grip, providing exceptional comfort and control. It features hand-filling palm swells for both left- and right-handed shooters. All of these items show positive influence from active hard use on the competition circuit, with thousands of rounds fired, determining what works most efficiently. The 7075-T6 Aluminum forged upper is equipped with a standard forward assist and case deflector, as well as an ejection port dust cover.

Other competition-influenced enhancements found on the M-15 3-Gun are an adjustable gas block and a tunable muzzle brake. The adjustable gas block is atypical for a direct impingement operating system. Both features bring something new to shooters and were proofed during Team Armalite’s multiple competitions over the last year. Armalite’s new baffled muzzle device features three adjustable ports, allowing users to fine tune the rifle’s recoil pattern. The gas block is also tunable, giving users the ability to tailor the performance of their rifles to various applications and ammunition. With a hex key, the adjustable gas blocks act as a valve to control the amount of gas being used to cycle the action. This is especially important when using a suppressor or for competition shooters who rely on fast follow-up shots with minimal recoil.

A discussion with Armalite President Tommy Thacker described the reasoning and best method to utilize the M-15 3-Gun’s tunable muzzle device and adjustable gas block once a specific load is settled on for use. Tommy stressed that shooters should not balk at spending the time required to fully utilize the two features, as this maximizes the rifle’s capability. He stated that the already great-handling M-15 3-Gun rifle would improve into something most would assume unobtainable in terms of smoothness and controllability. There is a reason professional shooters can obtain such mind-blowing results: rifles tuned to their specific traits. Armalite wants to share this. Adjusting the gas block begins with backing off a set screw at the front of the block. This allows for the screw on the right side to control gas flow to the bolt carrier. It is best to fire a few rounds of ammunition to observe the ejection pattern. Steady ejection to 3-3:30 o’clock position of the receiver is the desired goal. This assures only the required amount of gas is directed towards the bolt carrier for reliable function versus over pressuring the bolt, which increases recoil impulse. After the gas block is set, the tunable muzzle brake can be addressed.

Tommy suggests arranging four pieces of white paper in a large square 40 yards away and aiming at the center via a 6x optic. The 6x magnification allows a better snapshot of how the rifle tracks during recoil. The goal is to observe recoil pattern against the white background, i.e. up and left or right, and to what degree. This allows for the left or right baffle to be drilled out after backing out the set screw on top of it. The diameter of the drill bit controls the amount of gas allowed out to counteract muzzle climb accordingly. Every shooter holds the rifle differently, thus the reason for Armalite making available the means to tune muzzle climb for maximum efficiency. An important facet of setting the gas block and muzzle brake is to standardize what ammunition brand is used and stay with it.

Iron sights are not included with the M-15 3-Gun Rifle. It is assumed that an optic will be mounted, with the user being given opportunity to install his or her choice of BUIS (Back Up Iron Sights). A Trijicon VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) 1-6x with Illuminated Reticle was used with the Armalite M-15 3-Gun Rifle. This was my first opportunity to evaluate the VCOG, even though it has been on the market for a couple years now. The VCOG is designed for both instinctive close-range/low-magnification situations with variable intensity red illuminated reticle, yet it still allows shooters to engage targets with greater precision at longer ranges, thanks to the 6x. The VCOG scope will strike many as unconventional in terms of optics on an AR-style rifle. However, recent combat experiences in Africa and the Middle East served as the catalyst for new optic types, such as the Trijicon VCOG, compared to only non-magnified red dot or fixed power magnified optics. For law enforcement, soldier/Marine, civilian or private security contractor, the VCOG is worthy for consideration as it enhances an AR like the Armalite M-15 3-Gun’s performance.

The Armalite M-15 3-Gun AR mated to the variable power VCOG is able to handle diverse roles, i.e. close range or distant engagements as mission/stage dictates. The concern for operating the eye relief dependent Trijicon VCOG in a CQB environment is quelled once one becomes familiar with the Bindon Aiming Concept. Human vision is based upon a binocular (two-eyed) presentation of visual evidence to the brain. The addition of a bright red or green dot in the center of the crosshairs makes it very easy to keep both eyes open, especially at a 1x power setting. Even if you’re using a higher power, setting the brain merges the two images. During dynamic movement, the scene through the telescope blurs because the image moves more rapidly due to magnification. The one eye sees the bright dot against the blurred target scene, so the brain picks the scene from the unaided eye. The shooter swings the weapon towards the target while perceiving the dot indicating where the weapon is pointed. As soon as the weapon begins to become steady in the target area, the brain switches to the magnified view.

Trijicon was committed to making the VCOG as rugged as its combat-proven ACOG sibling. Manufacturing in the U.S., Trijicon machines the VCOG from 7075-T6 aluminum forgings and coats it with a MIL-SPEC hard coat anodized finish. The VCOG underwent rigorous shock and vibration testing to ensure it met the standards of a Trijicon brand optic. The VCOG is waterproof to 66 feet and its illumination electronics are based on MIL-SPEC proofed electronic standards. Extra thick tube walls give the VCOG unprecedented toughness. The VCOG offers 90 MOA of windage and elevation in ½ inch increments. Lenses are multicoated with an anti-reflective coating for ultimate light transmission combined with abrasion resistance. The VCOG separates itself from most variable optics in that it functions with a constant 4-inch eye relief at all magnification settings; no more sliding cheek weld positions depending on power setting. The VCOG’s power adjustment lever gives the user the ability to shift magnification quickly, even with gloves on; no need to install an aftermarket accessory, as some optics require. The VCOG is offered with different illuminated reticle styles, such as segmented circle and horseshoe/dot, combined with reticles ballistically matched to a specific cartridge load type such as 300 BLK, 5.56mm, and 7.62 NATO. The reticles are located in the first focal plane, allowing the ballistic reticle to be used at any magnification. The red illuminated reticle is powered by a common AA battery, accessible underneath the objective, delivering 700 continuous hours of runtime at setting 4 of 6 with a lithium battery. A rheostat is located on the main tube opposite the windage turret, and has an off position between each of its six brightness settings. An integral mount secures the VCOG to any MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail and its height is perfect for a flattop AR-style rifle.

Ammunition tested with the Armalite M-15 3-Gun consisted of Black Hills Ammunition 68 grain Match and 77 grain OTM, Hornady 75 grain loads, and Federal Gold Medal Match 69 grain. The emphasis was on premium, heavier 5.56mm/.223 Remington loads. This was a nod to requirement of greater accuracy and better long-range performance. Federal 55 grain and American Eagle 62 grain FMJ was used during CQB-type drills; a nod to basic economics in terms of ammunition costs. The M-15 3-Gun Rifle kept all loads tested at 1 inches at 100 yards with Black Hills 77 grain OTM, Federal Premium Match 69 grain, and Hornady 75 grain Match producing sub-MOA groups. This accuracy was obtained with the 6x setting on the Trijicon VCOG scope. Accuracy test protocol consisted of three five-shot groups with each ammunition type; group sizes were averaged. Velocity figures ranged from 2600 to 3000 feet per second over RCBS chronograph with the 18-inch barrel.

The M-15 3-Gun was evaluated at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC) in High View, West Virginia. The layout and availability of various steel targets and simulated barricades at Echo Valley Training Center are convenient for allowing full spectrum firearm evaluations. The Armalite AR was used within the 100 yard bays at EVTC firing from barricades and engaging multiple targets, prepared firing position line with targets placed out to 300 yards and EVTC’s Jungle Walk range. Numerous drills were run involving magazine changes and moving between barricades. Steel silhouettes were situated randomly from 35 to 310 yards. The M-15 3-Gun made short work of striking targets in quick fashion. Over 400 rounds were fired during T&E.

The inherent modularity of the AR is its greatest attribute for adapting to individual preference; whether it is for competition, target shooting, military & law enforcement, or personal defense. The AR platform seems to be coming full circle in terms of returning to a sleeker, more svelte form. The Armalite M-15 3-Gun is an excellent example of this. Generally speaking, there are minimal difference between AR labels such as Recon, SPR, DMR. All seek to maximize positive AR characteristics. The benefit of the M-15 3-Gun’s handling while maintaining superior accuracy is hard to deny. The ability to custom tune its gas block and muzzle brake further sets it apart from competitors. A lightweight, fast-handling, accurate rifle is a premium when moving dynamically during training, competition, or real-world situations; the Armalite M-15 3-Gun represents such a rifle.

SITES OF INTEREST

Armalite
www.armalite.com

Trijicon, Inc.
www.trijicon.com

Echo Valley Training Center
www.echovalleytrainingcenter.com

Hornady Manufacturing
www.hornady.com

Black Hills Ammunition
www.black-hills.com

Federal Premium Ammunition
www.federalpremium.com

The rifle submitted to SAR for test and evaluation is the LAR-47 Delta series, which included the MIL-STD-1913 quad rail.

By Christopher R. Bartocci

Over the years, there have been several manufacturers who have attempted to make (and some that still make) AR-platform rifles chambered in the 7.62x39mm caliber. It would only make sense since the M43 Soviet round has proven its mettle all over the globe. There are many out there who love the power of the 7.62x39mm round, but not the AK-series rifle that shoots it. Let’s face it, the AK is not known for its accuracy, human engineering or quality. Saying that, the rifles are nearly indestructible in terms of reliability. But putting that round into an AR-platform takes care of the accuracy, human engineering and quality issues. Reliability, well, the AK will still have that edge. In the commercial market, 7.62x39mm is inexpensive for target shooting purposes and is capable of taking down medium-size game, such as deer. Ballistics are quite similar between 7.62x39mm and the ever popular 30-30 Win cartridge.

The biggest problem encountered in the industry with trying to put the 7.62x39mm cartridge in the AR-platform is the magazine well/magazine. The taper of the 7.62x39mm cartridge case is significantly more than that of the 5.56x45mm cartridge case. That causes a significant difference in the shape of the cartridge stack in the magazine. The “banana” appearance of the AK magazine is not designed for cosmetics, it’s shaped that way because of the way the cartridges stack in the magazine due to the taper on the cartridge case. When these rounds are put into the straight magazine of the AR family of weapons, the rounds tend to nose dive below the barrel extension or even in the magazine itself. Several companies have worked on this throughout the last 30 years or so. In this author’s opinion, nobody has been able to make a combat reliable 7.62x39mm magazine that will fit into a standard AR-type receiver. With all of this failure, why keep trying? Reed Knight of Knight’s Armament was the first to remedy this problem with the development of the SR-47. At the request of SOCOM, a couple of the industry partners developed rifles to shoot this caliber. Reed Knight changed the magazine well to take the standard AK magazine. From a logistical standpoint, it made perfect sense. Proper feeding from a combat tried and proven magazine (in a weapon the military would be familiar with) would give much more flexibility than the AK series. The soldier would be able to pick up ammo from the enemy on the battlefield and use the magazines and ammo in his rifle if resupply was not imminent. After the designs were shown to SOCOM they said thank you, ran some tests and then dropped the program. Reed Knight never put his SR-47 into production, but people saw what he did and saw the merits. There are now a few companies out there that are manufacturing lower receivers to accept the standard AK magazine including MGI (Hydra), CMMG MK-47 MUTANT and the Rock River Arms LAR-47.

At the 2012 SHOT Show, Rock River Arms showed the first prototypes to the industry. It would not be until early- to mid-2014 that they would ship the first rifles to dealers. The LAR-47 is a different rifle than what has been seen in the past. The upper and lower receivers are both designed specifically for the LAR-47. The lower accepts the AK-type magazine. The upper is slightly wider to accept the wider magazine. Early prototype rifles were designed with receivers manufactured from solid billets of 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum. For the rifles to enter production, the receivers would be manufactured from forgings of 7075 T6 aluminum. Rock River Arms felt that forgings were the way to go for high volume production of the rifle.

The first model was the LAR-47 CAR A4. This is a basic model with an MSRP of $1,270. The LAR-47 CAR A4 weighs 6.4 pounds and has an overall length of 36 inches. Beginning in the rear of the rifle and moving forward, the CAR A4 is equipped with the standard Rock River Arms Tactical Stock, which is a branded version of the standard military stock. The receiver extension has six positions for the stock. The lower receiver is the LAR-47 lower with a standard A2-style pistol grip. There is no bolt catch on the LAR-47. This does not work well with the standard AK magazine follower. Safety lever is the standard left side and the trigger guard is an LAR-47 specific version of the Rock River Arms Winter Trigger Guard. The magazine release differs from that of the AK. It is much easier to use and it offers the shooter two different way to actuate the magazine release. First, the shooter can use his trigger finger to push inward on the release to disengage the magazine. The shooter can also use his thumb to disengage the catch while grasping the magazine. The trigger provided is a Rock River Arms Two Stage Trigger. The test and evaluation rifle broke at 5 3/4 pounds. There was little to no creep on the second stage. The power of the hammer spring was sufficient to fire the hardest Russian primers. This has become a challenge for some of the AR-platform rifles firing the 7.62x39mm ammo. Both Tula and WOLF ammunition were fired without any issues of light strikes.

The upper receiver is similar to the A4/M4 configuration. It has a flat top MIL-STD-1913 rail on top. The receiver has a forward bolt assist as well as a fired cartridge case deflector. The upper also features the standard ejection port cover. There is a new feature found on the upper receiver and bolt carrier: an indicator line on both. When aligned, there is a visual indication that the bolt is fully locked. If the indicator lines are not aligned, the bolt is not locked. According to Rock River Arms, this feature may be added to other product lines. The barrel is held on with a standard barrel nut with a Delta Slip Ring assembly. Standard single heat shield handguards are used on the CAR A4 model. The gas block has a MIL-STD-1913 rail on top and is held on by two bolts.

The barrel is manufactured from 4140 steel and button cut with a 1 turn in 10 inch right hand twist. The CAR A4 has a 16-inch barrel which is hard chromed. Although this is standard on most 5.56mm barrels, this is most important on these 7.62x39mm barrels due to the fact that there is still corrosive 7.62x39mm ammunition in circulation. The chrome plating assists with some corrosion resistance and also extends barrel life. The hard chrome-plated barrel is about 4 times as hard as the standard barrel steel. When asked if the bimetal Eastern Bloc ammunition prematurely wore the barrels compared to copper jackets, Rock River Arms claimed, “We have not worn any barrels out yet, so we cannot say with any certainty. Steel cased ammo is, in general, harder on the extractor (and to a lesser extent the chamber) and the sealants that often go hand-in-hand with steel cased ammo can have negative effects on the bore, gas system, and eventually the gas rings but proper cleaning and maintenance can go a long way to prevent that.”

The muzzle device is a standard A2-style compensator. The bolt and carrier are chrome plated. Designers at Rock River Arms designed it this way due to the corrosive nature of some of the 7.62x39mm ammunition still in circulation. They claim the chrome bolt and carrier help to offset this a bit by making them easier to clean and providing a protective layer over the actual bolt and carrier materials (bolt is Carpenter 158 and bolt carrier is 8620 tool steel).

The second model (the one sent to SAR for test and evaluation) is the Rock River Arms LAR-47 Delta Carbine. This rifle has a weight of 7.75 pounds and a overall length of 36.5 inches. There are three differences between this and the basic LAR-47 CAR A4. The first difference is the stock. Instead of the Tactical CAR stock, a Delta CAR stock is provided. This is a rather unique stock. There are two QD sling attachment points and a sling loop on the rear inside of the stock. On the lower tube of the sling is a MIL-STD-1913 rail for sling mounts or other accessories. On the lower part of the butt is a removable O-ring sealed cap for storage of batteries. The second difference is the pistol grip is a Ergo rubber grip. The third is a Rock River Arms two piece Quad MIL-STD-1913 rail. There are five QD sling attachment points. The vent holes are small so the shooter will not touch a hot barrel accidentally. The rifle comes standard with the Rock River Arms Two Stage Trigger. The MSRP is $1,545.

The third model is the Rock River Arms LAR-47 Tactical Comp. This differs from the CAR A4 because it has the Operator CAR stock. The ribbed butt plate can be slid downward, revealing two O-ring sealed battery compartments. There are four QD detachable sling points. The pistol grip is the Rock River Arms NSP Overmolded A2 grip. The rifle comes standard with the Rock River Arms Two Stage Trigger and the gas block is replaced with a Rock River Arms Flip Front Sight Gas Block Assembly. This assembly has an integral tactical rail in the location of the bayonet lug along with 3 sling swivels. The rail is the free floating Rock River Arms Quad aluminum handguard. MSRP is $1,500.

There are two newly introduced models in 2015. The first is the Rock River Arms Coyote Carbine. This rifle has an overall length of 38 inches and weighs 7.8 pounds. This differs from the CAR A4 in a few ways as well. The buttstock on this model is the Rock River Arms NSP stock and a Hogue rubber pistol grip. The rifle comes standard with the Rock River Arms Two Stage Trigger. There is a low profile gas block and a Rock River Arms Deluxe Extended Free Float handguard, which is rifle length. The muzzle device is the Smith Enterprises Vortex flash suppressor. MSRP is $1,740.

Second is the Rock River Arms X-Series X-1 Rifle, which uses a Rock River Arms Operator A2 or a Operator CAR stock and a Hogue rubber pistol grip. The muzzle device is a Hunter Muzzle Brake or a Rock River Arms BEAST. The rifle’s barrel is an 18 inch long, bead blasted, fluted stainless steel heavy barrel. The handguard is the TRO-XL Extended Length Free Float Rail with a low profile gas block. Also standard: the Rock River Arms Two Stage Trigger. This rifle has a weight of 8.2 pounds and an overall length of 39 inches. MSRP is $1,600 to $1,650.

The test & evaluation LAR-47 Delta was in excellent condition. Fit and finish were superb. The chrome plated bolt and bolt carrier is an excellent enhancement. The magazines tested were the Thermold magazine the rifle was supplied with and various Russian and East German steel magazines. A Soviet Bakelite and Chinese Bakelite were also tested. All went in and out of the magazine well without issue and locked securely. The rail was impressive in that it came with 5 QD sling mounting points including on the end of the bottom rail. While looking the rifle over, the only real critique this author could offer is the location of the charging handle. Most users of the M16/M4 series rifle only use the charging handle for initial loading and malfunction clearing. On all other reloads, the bolt catch is used. With the LAR-47, every time you want to reload you must un-shoulder the rifle, replace the magazine with a loaded one and then change your hand grip to retract the charging handle to load the rifle and then re-shoulder. If the charging handle was moved to the side of the bolt, same as the standard AK, time could be saved without having to un-shoulder and re-shoulder the rifle during reloads.

Prior to test fire, two things were added: rail protectors and an optic. The handguard is manufactured from aluminum. Without a vertical grip, those handguards tend to heat up quickly. Added to the handguards were Manta rail protectors on the 3:00, 6:00 and 12:00 positions. The Manta rails covers are not your typical rail protectors. They insulate the shooter’s hand from extreme temperatures caused by continuous firing. The material is so strong that if you hold a cigarette lighter to its material directly, the material will not burn. One of their sound suppressor sleeves was subjected to the extreme heat of a propane torch. The material never caught fire. There was some ash on the surface of the sleeve, which was shaken off, and the sleeve worked as designed. When most people look at a rail protector they think just that, a protector. The Manta rail protectors do much more. They will also hide an IR signature. The suppressor sleeve works so well that one could fire 100 rounds out of an M4 on fully automatic and hold the rifle bare handed by the suppressor sleeve.

The optic chosen for this rifle was just introduced at SHOT Show 2015 by D.I. Optical USA. This particular model is their EG1 prism gun sight. This sight is mounted on an A.R.M.S., Inc. #17 throw lever mount. The body is manufactured from billet of aircraft-quality 6061 T6 aluminum and anodized black. The intensity of the red dot is adjustable by the large knob on the left side of the sight. The knob is large enough for one to be able to operate with heavy gloves on. The T&E model is equipped with two glare-reducing rubber hoods. The sight has passed MIL-STD-810G testing and is submersible to 30 feet. The lens is 30mm in diameter with 1x magnification. 1 click of adjustment is 24mm at 100 meters (Dot Only) / 1 MOA. The dot size is 2.5 MOA. The overall dimensions of the sight are 48mm x 53mm x 62mm. The sight is night vision capable. The range of adjustment is 150 clicks. Adjustment for elevation and windage are made on the right side with a coin or screwdriver.

During firing, there were no misfires or malfunctions of any form. 500 rounds of WOLF 122gr FMJ and 100 rounds of Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ were used. Testing was conducted at the Van Road Gun Range in Houston, Texas. Firing at 50 yards revealed a just under 1.5 group firing from a rest with the D.I. Optical red dot sight. The best groups were all made with the Federal American Eagle ammunition.

Anyone who loves the 7.62x39mm cartridge but isn’t fond of all of the lower accuracy and the human engineering of the AK family of rifles now has a choice in an AR-type rifle that fires the cartridge they like and is in a proper magazine for the caliber. The AR-based 7.62x39mm magazines have always been a weak point in the reliability of the gun. With the use of the standard AK magazine, that problem is solved. The price is comparable to most high-quality black rifles as well.

By David Lake

Lewis Machine and Tool is rapidly approaching “alpha” status among small arms manufacturers. Their most recent distinction comes from New Zealand, where the Ministry of Defense has named LMT an official purveyor of small arms to the fighting soldiers of that island nation. Some years ago, Lewis Machine planted its flag on British soil, in the form of the L129A1 “Sharpshooter,” along with Law Enforcement International, Ltd.

What is noteworthy about these agreements with foreign governments is that the rifles demonstrated by LMT in these tests and trials were pitted against the presumed heavyweights in battle rifle design and manufacture. Major players like Fabrique Nacionale, Heckler and Koch, and Steyr had sent their best offerings to these trials, yet were not chosen when vying for favor of the selection committee. It would seem that the new battlefield is becoming more like the old battlefield; where the need for rugged simplicity has overshadowed the appeal of exciting, yet perhaps unproven or untrusted technology. Actual performance has trumped the promise of superiority. Enter the “Best of the Basics,” Lewis Machine and Tool, LM308MWS. It’s a cousin to the legendary Stoner SR-25, with some judicious adjustments to make it appropriate and expedient for today’s armed professional.

LMT’s approach to improving the AR based fighting rifle is based on sound and simple logic. A careful and nuanced approach has been adopted when revising or updating the battle rifle- LMT’s engineers exercise restraint and retain the good attributes of the original AR-15 and SR-25 designs. As updates and improvements are made, they really are improvements, in all sense of the word- not mere changes for the sake of boosting commercial sales. It is apparent that Lewis Machine and Tool is not in the business of fabricating and selling hype. LMT rifles come with some signature features, and a sterling reputation. And that’s sufficient for the best of us.

The most obvious and recurring design attributes that separate LMT from the competition are the MRP monolithic rail platform, and the SOPMOD stock system. The MRP allows for quick barrel changes (takes about a minute) that can be affected by addressing 2 torx screws. This design feature exploits the rigidity and accuracy potential of a unitized receiver and forearm structure by totally isolating the free-floated barrel from stresses applied to the forearm. The MRP system incorporates a massive barrel extension that further enhances accuracy by simply adding more mass and rigidity to the equation. The barrel is stable.

The SOPMOD stock was one of the first collapsible stocks to include waterproof storage compartments for batteries, ammunition and tools (also appropriately sized for a #40 cigar). The SOPMOD is loosely based on the old M4 or CAR stocks as we know them; it collapses in a similar manner. But LMT’s update deviates from the normal tubular shape of the comb and angle of the butt. This stock improves shooter comfort by way of a triangular comb, with deep flat sides that make for an ideal cheek weld. The SOPMOD is friendly to the tactical beard while most other modern enhancements to the collapsible stock tend to grab and pull facial hair. Also, the SOPMOD’s butt surface is perpendicular to the rifle’s axis and features a soft rubber pad with a wide radius around the corners. The M4 featured a negatively raked butt surface, a waffle-textured face, and nearly sharp corners around the edges. Also there is a touch of subtle genius in the SOPMOD stock. It does not wiggle or rattle like most collapsible stocks can. It rides on a few high spots that have been molded in at equally spaced contact patches around the receiver extension’s circumference. The stock seems to be molded a little bit undersized, and thus maintains just enough stretch to allow the stock to move freely, while remaining snug on the tube. So the stock is as solid as any other that may feature a mechanical lock, but the LMT stock maintains this rigidity and proper fit without separate complex locking structures. It’s just very well designed and well executed. It is the essence of genius in action- to enhance and simplify simultaneously.

This rifle is put together with much consideration. All of the incidental and common parts, at close inspection, are a little bit “better” than the norm. All of the small parts are made to order. The trigger is a fixed two stage unit. It gives positive control and feedback when slow, aimed, controlled fire is required. The second stage is short and only requires an extra pound of force past the initial take-up, so during rapid fire, as the trigger is yanked or slapped, there’s no perceived hesitation or delay. The safety selector is a rock hard piece of investment cast steel, and features a hard detent. The magazine catch can be operated from either side; by the trigger finger as usual or the “forward hand” can release the magazine by depressing a protected paddle on the left side of the receiver. The bolt catch has been maximized to survive the abuse imposed by the operator and mechanism alike. The charge handle is overbuilt as well. It features a “dam” on the rear face to help divert gasses and debris that might otherwise exit the rear of the upper receiver. The latch itself is slightly extended and shaped into a paddle on the leading edge to facilitate easier operation; the buffer spring is quite stout and much force is required to charge the weapon. The buffer is an H3, as required for the extra speed and load on the action the 7.62 Nato round creates. The Ceracoat finish is superb. It is applied to all external surfaces for elemental protection and camouflage. The sheen and “Dark Earth” color are perfectly suited against desert soil and rock and dry vegetation. The internal surfaces all exhibit a matte black finish; assumed to be hard anodizing. The application of the ceracoat is nearly perfect. There’s no hard masking line between internal and external surfaces, and zero visible defects in the finish. In fact, the Ceracoat finish on the face of the shell deflector is undamaged after firing 140 rounds. There is only a dark rub mark on the finish, but the Ceracoat film is intact. The grip on this rifle is made by Ergo. It is rubber coated, features shallow ginger grooves and fits the hand perfectly. The rifle includes a standard P-Mag and 2 QD flush cup sling loops and a set of hard sights as standard kit. The barrel on this rifle is made from cryogenically stress relieved ordnance steel and features hard chrome lining over the 1-10” twist rifled bore. Though not advertised as such, the rifling is of a “polygonal” profile. Polygonal (or improved) rifling is known by many names (5R being the most ubiquitous) but all brands and types boast the same advantages of a cleaner, cooler, more accurate and longer lasting barrel. The only room for improvement was found at the muzzle. The LM308MWS comes fitted with a basic old fashioned A2 style flash hider. When used with a .308, it is not especially effective at mitigating muzzle flash. It is even less impressive for recoil control. This rifle needs a better device on the business end. The Brits decided to affix a Surefire as part of their kit. Being intended for domestic civilian hobby use, this rifle could do well with a muzzle brake- of any kind. Recoil generated by this rifle just crosses the line between fun and discomfort. After a day out, it is taxing on the body.

The rifle seen on these pages is the LM308MWS. It is very similar to the model that Lewis Machine and Tool demonstrated to her Majesty’s Ministry of Defense in 2009. Of course, the Royal MoD did ultimately request some changes to the original entry, which resulted in the creation of the L129A1. This new service rifle was selected to serve in the role of “sharpshooter.” This role describes duties and demands similar to those of the “designated marksman” found among US forces. The relevance and need for the sharpshooter has been well demonstrated over the last 15 years of fighting in the Middle East. The sharpshooter is expected to operate in close contact and support of general infantry; so his rifle must serve in the capacity of a basic assault rifle. At the same time, the sharpshooter must be able to engage enemy snipers at range, or behind hard cover; so the sharpshooter and his rifle must be able to interdict at great distance, and with great power and penetration. The sharpshooter receives marksmanship training and is as capable of ranged precision fire like the scout sniper, but without the added time and expense of training in the complete fieldcraft of the sniper.

This breed of dual role battle rifle must be no larger than a typical assault rifle. It must not be significantly heavier than a basic infantry rifle. It must be able to sustain fire for prolonged engagements, and maintain accuracy and reliability. It must be able to deliver the accuracy, power, and distance analogous to a sniper rifle. That sounds like a dare more than a list of realistic qualifying criteria established by Military’s top brass. It’s a challenge, to be sure, but little by little, this dual role rifle has come into being. Digital and print media are full of ignorant conjecture and compelling support, valid opinion and intolerant retort made on the subject and interpretation of what’s become known as the “DMR” or Designated Marksman’s Rifle. This designation has evolved to be the label for any (intended) fighting rifle that has been purpose built…to serve 2 purposes- that of assault rifle and precision rifle. Many firearms makers list a “DMR” on their menu. Not many can actually deliver the gear that satisfies the call. It is the informed opinion of Small Arms Review that this LMT rifle does indeed perform in this requisite capacity.

Our LM308MWS was sent out into the rough desert of southern Utah for some field testing. A Warne Gen 2 MSR Mount wrapped around a Schmidt and Bender 1-8 Short-Dot would serve as the user’s visual interface. The rifle would be tested against close to medium range practical targets (IPSC metric silhouettes) from arm’s reach up to 40 yards and distant “hard” targets (12” steel plates) at ranges up to 500 yards. For the close targets, a shot clock was employed to measure time between shots. For long range targets, only a backpack was used for a rest, to simulate expedient field conditions. And for comparison’s sake, an M1A Scout and a basic M4 (type) carbine were present at our evaluation. The LMT’s recoil, control and shot-to-shot recovery and transitions between targets were more labored than with the M4 at close range as we expected. It’s a heavier and more powerful gun. Shot splits on target averaged .7 second, while the M4 was only .3 second apart. These times were not measured merely how fast the trigger could be pulled, but how fast a target could be hit at 40 yards. But then consider that most targets won’t need to be hit twice with a .308 round; shot-to-shot control becomes less of a concern. At ranged targets, the LMT’s first shot hit percentage was 20% higher than our M1A. Consecutive shots placed 40% better with the LMT. There are 2 reasons for this improved long range performance. The free-floating barrel of the LMT eliminates point-of-impact shift caused by heat and harmonics, and due to its improved ergonomics and more balanced operating system, the LMT allowed for a more manageable sight picture under recoil when fired rested from a prone position. When making follow-up and correction shots to compensate for wind and drop, it is important to maintain sight picture in order to get visual feedback from previous shots fired. Because the user can keep a visual on the target, and can see the “splash” from bullet impact downrange, he can make instant corrections before sending the next round. This is why the LMT returned a greater probability of landing hits at range. The LMT was also fired from a solid rest at 200 yards to test its inherent accuracy. We used 4 types of ammo; from 147 up to 175 grain bullet weights. The 1-10 twist rate of the rifle showed preference for the 168 and 175 grain pills. Match grade 155 grain ammo did not return optimal results. Ball 147 grain ammo was adequate on our steel targets up to 200 yards (for hit or miss). Shot groups sizes will not be represented here; as they just don’t apply to this rifle or its intended role. It is not a match rifle and should not be compared to such. To generalize- with the right ammo, and careful control and coordination, this rifle can be expected to hit 2 MOA targets up to the 308’s limited range.

We found the LMT to be plainly superior in some capacities and a worthwhile compromise in others. Handling speed and control on close targets was faster, and making good hits on distant targets was easier than with the M1A. When compared to the M4, the LMT was not measurably faster, but was indeed fast enough in control and handing to bring a prompt and decisive end to a close quarter insurgency of cardboard targets. Overall, the LMT had the advantage in the field.

Lewis Machine and Tool is an industry master at building rifles up to a standard, not down to a compromise. And they don’t build rifles to fill popular consumer demand; instead they just build as good a rifle as they can. In a market where the amateur or hobby-level consumer seeks out the “mil-spec” designation as a guarantee of performance or mark of quality, too many companies are content with simply applying a label to a rifle as proof of its pedigree. The well-informed will find real quality and performance from the likes of LMT. There are no claims and no promises made- just a statement, “Failure is not an option.” That is the LMT mantra. They make premium weapons that will do what they are intended to do and they will execute without excuse or exception. This brand is trusted and used by real professionals- those who put themselves in harm’s way and use their rifle as a tool of their craft. This rifle boldly represents the quality and performance and presence of Lewis Machine and Tool.

By Teresa G. Ficaretta, Esq. & Johanna Reeves, Esq.

Compliance Inspections Under the Gun Control Act – Know ATF’s Limitations and Boundaries

If you hold a federal license as a manufacturer, importer, or dealer in firearms, a call from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) advising you of an upcoming compliance inspection may result in anxiety, uncertainty, and even terror. This article will discuss ATF’s legal authority to conduct warrantless compliance inspections under the Gun Control Act of 1968, the agency’s limitations under the statute, how ATF decides who to inspect, and tips on how to prepare for an inspection. Information about the process may help you banish the anxiety and be well-prepared and confident on inspection day.

ATF’s Authority to Conduct Compliance Inspections

The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, gives ATF the authority to inspect the business premises of licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, and licensed dealers at limited times and for limited purposes. The statute, 18 U.S.C. § 923(g)(1)(A), allows ATF to conduct inspections of records required by the GCA and firearms and ammunition kept or stored by the licensee at the premises. ATF may conduct such inspections without a warrant at any time for the following reasons: (1) to inspect records relating to a firearm traced to the licensee or to determine the disposition of one or more particular firearms during a criminal investigation; and (2) in the course of a reasonable inquiry during the course of a criminal investigation of a person or persons other than the licensee. ATF may also conduct a warrantless inspection of records to ensure compliance with the recordkeeping requirements of the GCA, as long as such inspection is not conducted more than once during any 12-month period. The latter inspection, the so-called annual compliance inspection, is the one Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) are most likely to experience.

The GCA also gives ATF the authority to conduct inspections of records and inventory by obtaining a warrant from a Federal magistrate based on “reasonable cause.” A reasonable cause warrant is something less than “probable cause,” and is intended to guard against unreasonable exercises of power and to limit the scope of the intrusion on the FFL’s property. ATF rarely uses its authority to obtain reasonable cause warrants, relying instead on warrantless compliance inspections or obtaining a probable cause warrant under Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

It should be noted that prior to 1986, ATF had authority to conduct as many warrantless compliance inspections as it wished. In 1986 Congress enacted the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA), which included new limitations on the agency’s inspection authority. Legislative history for FOPA indicates Congressional concern about ATF using its authority to harass dealers by spending hours or days examining records without any reason to expect evidence of violations. See Halbrook, Stephen, Firearms Law Deskbook, 2014-2015 Ed., §§ 3:4, 3:5, Thompson Reuters, 2014.

ATF’s authority to conduct warrantless compliance inspections was well established prior to the GCA’s amendment by FOPA. The Supreme Court in U.S. v. Biswell, 406 U.S. 311 (1972), held that the GCA’s grant of warrantless inspection authority to ATF was constitutional under the Fourth Amendment. Specifically, the Supreme Court held that an FFL’s submission to lawful authority and permit a warrantless compliance inspection was similar to a householder’s acquiescence to a search pursuant to a warrant. The court noted that in the context of a regulatory inspection of business premises carefully limited in time, place and scope, the legality of the search depends not on consent, but on the authority of a valid statute. The court also noted that the GCA inspection provisions are not inconsistent with the Fourth Amendment because the licensee is on notice of ATF’s limited authority to inspect without a warrant and agrees to do business under those conditions.

Statutory Limits on Warrantless Inspections

Business Hours

ATF’s authority to conduct warrantless inspections is clearly limited by statute. The GCA provides that such inspections, whether the annual compliance inspection or an inspection based on a reasonable cause warrant, must be conducted during “business hours.” The term “business hours” is not defined in the statute, but is generally understood as the hours during which the FFL is open for business as indicated on ATF Form 7, Application for Federal Firearms License. Block 13 of the form is titled “Hours of Operation of Applicant’s Business” and has a grid with days of the week for applicants to indicate open time and closing time for Sunday-Saturday. The hours indicated on the Form 7 are the only hours during which ATF is authorized to conduct warrantless compliance inspections. Federal courts have excluded evidence of violations of the law obtained during warrantless inspections of FFLs conducted outside the hours listed on the ATF Form 7.

Inspection at Place of Business

Section 923(g)(1) of the GCA makes it clear that warrantless inspections of FFLs may be conducted only at the place of business (including places of storage) listed on the license application. If the licensed premises consists of only a portion of a building, only that portion may be inspected. The licensee’s consent or a warrant is required for inspection of any other portion of the premises. The GCA allows FFLs to conduct business temporarily at gun shows or events in the same state where the FFL’s premises are located, and this provision allows ATF to inspect the records and firearms inventory located at the gun show or other temporary location.

Inspection of Records and Inventory Only

It is important to emphasize that ATF’s authority to conduct warrantless inspections is limited to examining records required under the GCA and firearms and ammunition stored at the licensed premises or at separate, unlicensed storage facilities. ATF does not have authority to inspect commercial records, including invoices, bills of lading, records of production, or any other record not required to be kept by regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478.

What about records required by the National Firearms Act (NFA), including Forms 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9? ATF has authority to enter, during business hours, the premises (including places of storage) of any importer, manufacturer, or dealer in firearms, to examine any books, papers, or records required to be kept pursuant to the NFA or implementing regulations. However, warrantless NFA inspections may be conducted as often as ATF deems necessary, as such inspections are not limited by the annual inspection rule of the GCA.

One Inspection Every 12 Months

The GCA authorizes only one annual compliance inspection. If the Industry Operations Investigator (IOI) conducting the inspection does not finish the inspection during the initial visit to the premises, the IOI must make it clear the inspection is not concluded. One compliance inspection may take a number of days to complete, depending on the number of records and the amount of inventory to be examined.

If ATF completes a compliance inspection, issues a Report of Violations, or otherwise advises the FFL that the compliance inspection is complete, ATF cannot return to the premises to continue the inspection without a reasonable cause warrant, a criminal search warrant, or with the licensee’s express consent. ATF must wait for another 12 months before returning to the premises for another warrantless compliance inspection. Generally, the clock begins to run the day following the last day of the ATF inspection. However, the authors are unaware of any official ATF guidance on this issue and ATF field divisions may view it differently.

Inspection for Purposes of Determining Compliance Under GCA

Warrantless compliance inspections may be conducted only for the purposes of determining the licensee’s compliance with the GCA and regulations issued thereunder. ATF may not use its authority as a pretext to go on a fishing expedition for evidence of crimes committed by the licensee. For example, a Special Agent showing up to conduct a warrantless compliance inspection is a red flag that the visit is not a routine compliance inspection. Special Agents conduct criminal investigations, and the only reason for their participation is to look for evidence of a crime or to seize firearms (IOIs do not have seizure authority). Consequently, if a Special Agent shows up at your premises for an alleged compliance inspection, contact counsel immediately.

Even if IOIs conduct the compliance inspection, the inspection must be focused on records required under the GCA and firearms and ammunition in inventory. If IOIs request access to commercial records, customer lists, lists of suppliers, or any other records not required by the GCA, FFLs should contact counsel for guidance before providing such documents to ATF. There may be circumstances when it is in your interest to provide these documents to ATF. For example, if there are open entries in the acquisition and disposition record but no firearms in inventory that match those entries, a commercial sales invoice showing a lawful sale to another FFL could be produced. Providing ATF with this record would be preferable to ATF’s issuance of a Report of Violation charging failure to report a theft or loss of firearms, as this type of violation is one that ATF takes very seriously and may result in a recommendation for license revocation. Again, contact qualified counsel for advice on whether you should or should not provide ATF with records that are not required under the GCA or implementing regulations.

Advance Notice of Inspection

ATF is not required to provide FFLs with advance notice of a compliance inspection. As long as IOIs show up for the inspection during the business hours indicated on the license application, the FFL is required to provide access to the licensed premises. Refusal of the FFL to provide ATF entry to the licensed premises gives ATF legal authority to revoke the license.

Even though not required, ATF generally contacts FFLs in advance to make an appointment for a compliance inspection. This works to ATF’s advantage, as well as that of the FFL, as it ensures someone is present to grant IOIs access to the premises, show them where the records and inventory are stored, and answer any questions. ATF will generally accommodate the needs of FFLs in scheduling the compliance inspection. However, repeated delays in scheduling an inspection or failure to show up for scheduled inspections do not bode well for the licensee. Remember that the fate of your license rests in the hands of these ATF employees. It is therefore in your best interest to schedule the inspection promptly, show up at the appointed time, and cooperate with the IOIs in conducting the inspection.

How Does ATF Decide Which FFLs to Inspect?

A Department of Justice Office of Inspector General Report issued in 2013 provides insight into how ATF determines which FFLs to inspect. The report is titled “Review of ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee Inspection Program” and is available on the Department of Justice website. The report indicates that ATF generally sets a 3- or 5-year compliance inspection cycle for FFLs depending on whether the FFL is in a “source” or “non-source” state by the number of firearms sold or recovered at crime scenes as determined by trace requests submitted to ATF’s National Tracing Center. “Source” states are defined as those where crime guns are first purchased, and “non-source” states are those to which crime guns have traveled. Compliance inspections may also be initiated based on ATF criteria identifying the FFL as high risk or because of a specific request from ATF Headquarters. High risk indicators include (1) a high number of firearms used in crime were traced to the licensee; (2) numerous multiple sales by an FFL to a single individual; (3) theft or loss of firearms; (4) NICS denial ratios; (5) location in a high crime or border area; and (6) referrals from state or local law enforcement. An example of a specific request from ATF Headquarters might be a referral by the Imports Branch advising the ATF field division where the FFL is located there were indications the FFL was importing firearms in violation of law.

If you have had an ATF compliance inspection, you may already know that if violations are found during the inspection, you may be scheduled for a “recall” inspection the following year. The purpose of the recall inspection is to determine whether the FFL has corrected the violations that occurred the year before and is operating in compliance with the law. Recall inspections may be of limited scope, focusing on the areas of weakness indicated the year before. IOIs also have the discretion to expand the inspection into a full-scale compliance inspection if they are concerned about the licensee’s overall compliance. FFLs facing recall inspections need to take them seriously, as even seemingly insignificant recordkeeping violations provide a legal basis for license revocation if they are repeated.

How to Prepare for an ATF Compliance Inspection

The ATF field office has contacted you and scheduled a compliance inspection for a specific date. Take the time before the inspection to get your required records in order and make sure all records are available for the investigators. Conduct an inventory of your firearms and compare each firearm to its entry in the acquisition and disposition record, and then compare the records to your inventory. Review Forms 4473, multiple sale reports, and other required records, and make sure all records are filed in accordance with the regulations. If you have any recordkeeping variances, have copies available for the inspection. If you have a computerized recordkeeping system, make sure you are able to print out or download the records in the system if requested during the inspection.

Inspection Day – What to Expect

ATF investigators have discretion to determine how much of your inventory and how many required records to inspect. They may examine only those records dating from the closing date of your last compliance inspection, or they may go back further. They may examine 100 percent of your records for the period in question, or they may conduct a sampling of the records. Whatever they decide, provide them with access to any records requested. Remember that the sooner they complete the inspection, the sooner they are out of your business.

What should you do if an ATF IOI requests use of your copier to make copies of 4473s, acquisition and disposition records, and other required records? Do you have a legal obligation to make your office equipment available to them? The answer is no. Your only legal obligation is to make the records available for inspection, and the government cannot compel you to allow the use of your copier, fax machine, telephones, or other office equipment. If the investigators need to make copies of records, they can use their cell phones to take photos of the records or they can bring a portable copier to the premises to make copies with government-supplied copy paper.

You should be aware that ATF’s policy on copying of records is that IOIs should make copies only if they believe the record provides evidence of a violation of the law. There should be no wholesale copying of all 4473s or all multiple sale forms so the IOI may examine them later. If you observe an IOI making numerous copies of a large number of records, you should question the investigator about the need for the copies. If you are not satisfied with the answer, contact counsel.

What should you do if the ATF investigator advises you that he or she is removing some of your original records from the premises? Does ATF have the authority to seize the records? There are differing views on ATF’s authority, with some practitioners advising that a seizure warrant is required for removal and others taking the position that ATF’s inspection authority gives the agency inherent power to remove records when they contain evidence of violations. There is agreement among lawyers on two things: first, ATF must give you a receipt for your records, and second, if they take your originals, you should make a copy to retain in place of the originals. This is another area where you should contact qualified counsel for guidance before the records are removed.

Conclusion

ATF’s warrantless compliance inspections must be limited in time, scope and purpose and cannot be used as a pretext to obtain evidence of criminal violations by the licensee. If you suspect ATF representatives conducting a compliance inspection are exceeding the limitations outlined in this article, you should contact counsel immediately for guidance. Don’t allow overzealous agency representatives to violate your Fourth Amendment rights.

The information contained in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be construed or used as legal advice or as legal opinion. You should not rely or act on any information contained in this article without first seeking the advice of an attorney. Receipt of this article does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

About the Authors

Johanna Reeves is the founding partner of the law firm Reeves & Dola, LLP in Washington, DC (www.reevesdola.com). For more than ten years she has dedicated her practice to advising and representing U.S. companies on compliance matters arising under the federal firearms laws and
U.S. export controls.

Teresa Ficaretta is one of the country’s foremost experts on ATF regulations under the Gun Control Act, the National Firearms Act, the Arms Export Control Act and Federal explosives laws. Before joining Reeves & Dola in 2013, Teresa served as legal counsel to ATF for 26 years, followed by two years as Deputy Assistant Director in Enforcement Programs and Services. They can be reached at 202-683-4200.

By Chris A. Choat

BROWNING INTRODUCES BLACK LABEL 1911-380 HANDGUN

For 2015, Browning is proud to introduce the Black Label 1911-380 autoloading pistol. This new offering pairs two of John M. Browning’s original inventions: the Model 1911 handgun and the 380 ACP cartridge. The 1911 has been a favorite firearm among shooters for decades and the new 1911-380 keeps with that tradition of innovation and function. Scaled down to 85% of the size of the original 45 ACP versions, the new single-action Browning 1911-380 is made in the USA and utilizes a precision-built composite frame. Extras like an extended ambidextrous safety, beavertail grip safety, machined steel slide and skeletonized hammer are also featured. The new Black Label 1911-380 comes in a matte black finish with fixed combat sights. The overall length is 7.5 inches and average weight is 17.5 oz. Slightly larger than most .380 ACP pistols, the size manages recoil better and improves control for more accurate follow up shots. The grip is narrow, but long and wide enough for comfortable shooting. Barrel length is 4.25 inches, which increases bullet velocity for more downrange punch and improved accuracy for sport shooting. The magazine capacity is 8 rounds. An ABS carrying case is included with the retail price of $669.99. Go to www.browning.com.

CMMG EXPANDS THE MK47 MUTANT LINE

CMMG’s Mk47 MUTANT has been the most talked-about rifle of 2015. Built around the 7.62x39mm caliber, the MUTANT features a shortened AR-10-sized bolt carrier group that is paired with a unique upper and lower receiver to minimize weight and increase ergonomics. One of the primary benefits of the Mk47 design is its ability to accept existing AK magazines. After thorough review and testing by the foremost rifle experts in the industry, the Mk47 MUTANT has earned a solid reputation as the ultimate mid-sized AR rifle. Now CMMG has announced the addition of an AR pistol and a short-barreled rifle (see NFA regulations) version of the MUTANT, as well as the availability of California-compliant versions of the three original MUTANT rifles (Mk47 T, Mk47 AKM and Mk47 AKM2). The new Mk47 K Pistol and Mk47 K SBR utilize many of the same features as the full-sized rifles, including the ability to accept AK magazines and drums, a shortened AR-10-sized bolt and CMMG’s SV BrakeComplete specifications on the new Mk47 K Pistol and SBR models include a 7.62x39mm 10” medium taper profile barrel, a CMMG SV Brake hand guard, a CMMG RKM9 KeyMod upper receiver, a CMMG Single Stage trigger and MagPul MOE® pistol grip. The new guns come with one Magpul PMAG® 30 round AK/AKM MOE® magazine. See more at www.cmmginc.com.

PULSAR RECON X870 NIGHT VISION MONOCULAR

Pulsar is proud to release its newest addition to the already successful Recon line of digital night vision monoculars, the Recon X870. The Pulsar Recon X870 digital night vision monocular features a 5.5x magnification and 752×582 camera resolution for a crisp, detailed view. The new Recon is designed with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface packed into a lightweight and durable composite housing while featuring the highest sensor resolution of all Recon models. The new Pulsar Recon X870 is a revolutionary digital night vision monocular. It was designed for a wide array of uses and activities from hunting to surveillance and provides users the ability to spot objects at over 300 yards. The features built into these compact units are what set them apart from anything else on the market. Nothing in its class can compare to the resolution, range, features, and price. Equipped with an OLED display with 640×480 resolution, the X870 can even be used in colder environments down to -13° F. The Recon X870 model is designed with a 915nm laser IR illuminator that is invisible to the naked eye, an ideal application for law enforcement professionals. To learn more about Pulsar’s latest products, visit www.pulsarnv.com.

WARFIGHTER ADJUSTABLE RECEIVER FROM INNOVATIVE ARMS

The W.A.R.® (Warfighter Adjustable Receiver) is built for suppressed direct impingement 5.56 AR15/M16 rifles. Designed to give extreme advantages to the user, every detriment of suppressed firing of these rifles is now virtually eliminated. The Killswitch® of the W.A.R. is built directly into the upper receiver, meaning that you never unshoulder the rifle or use any tools. The adjustment can even be made in the dark. You can quickly and easily switch from suppressed to unsuppressed or leave it in between the two settings to shut “off” the gas to manually cycle the rifle, all while keeping the rifle on your target. The specific location of the Killswitch not only allows for use with almost every rail system on the market, but it reduces the gas just prior to interfacing with the carrier key. This means that the rifle not only sounds quieter to the shooter’s ear but it also reduces the wear of the rifle component parts from the reduction of heat and excessive fouling. When the W.A.R. is in the suppressed mode it virtually eliminates the “blow back” in the shooters face, along with the burning eyes and the choking gas. The design of the W.A.R. allows the gas tube to fully pressurize which can make the rifle “feel” different. Most users say that their rifle feels like is shoots softer and smoother. This is the only upper in the world that delivers all these advantages. The W.A.R. comes with forward assist, dust cover assembly and proprietary gas tube in either carbine, pistol length or mid length. The W.A.R. is for use in conjunction only with factory 5.56mm ammunition, a quality 5.56 suppressor and barrels with a gas port hole size between .084 – .093. For more information go to www.innovativearms.com.

STEVENS OFFERS 20-GAUGE PUMP SHOTGUNS FOR FIELD OR SECURITY

Stevens has expanded its 320 line with four new 20-gauge models: two field grade versions (standard and youth), as well as two security models. The Stevens 320 pump shotgun series has a reputation for solid, affordable performance for everything from wing shooting to home defense. Shipments of these products are currently being delivered. The new 20-gauge shotguns boast the same features as their 12-gauge counterparts, with dual slide bars, a rotary bolt, rugged synthetic stock, and five-round magazines. Yet, these lightweight, reliable firearms are priced at or below $260. Features and benefits of the new guns include dual slide pump bars, rotary bolt, rugged synthetic stock and a five plus one capacity. They are built on the popular 12-gauge model 320 pump shotgun platform. For more information you can find them at www.savagearms.com.

COMMAND ARMS SIDE-FOLDING, 6-POSITION AK-47 STOCK TUBE NOW AVAILABLE

CAA USA is pleased to announce the CAA ambidextrous, side-folding, 6-position, polymer, collapsible stock tube is now available and shipping to retailers across the country. The CAA side-folding, stock tube (AK47SFSP) allows the installation of M4-style stocks on most AK-style rifles with Saiga stamped receivers. The CAA side-folding stock tube provides rifle enthusiasts and professionals with CQB and covert carry capabilities and easily converts from left-hand to right-hand folding positions. The polymer construction of the stock tube features an internal aluminum lock and latch parts for extra strength. Installation is quick and easy and requires no gunsmithing or tools. The horizontal tube mounting to the stock also improves sight picture. An oversized, ridged push button makes it easy to locate and fold the stock, even under stress. To move the stock from the folded to extended position, a pull on the stock is all that is required (no push button). The 6-positions allow the user to customize the fit of the stock for a personalized and comfortable fit. The CAA side-folding, 6-position, collapsible tube accepts all commercial AR15/M4 collapsible stocks, including CAA’s skeletonized (SKBS) and collapsible (CBS) buttstocks. Available in black only with an Unconditional Lifetime Warranty, the CAA AK47SFSP collapsible tube for AK47’s has a retail price of $114.99. For more information go to www.commandarms.com.

FEDERAL PREMIUM ADDS 380 AUTO TO PERSONAL DEFENSE HST LINEUP

In 2013, Federal Premium® made law enforcement’s top duty round available to the public, creating the ultimate Personal Defense® load: HST®. This year, the product line is even stronger thanks to a new load in 380 Auto, which is an excellent option for concealed carry pistols. Shipments of this new ammunition are currently being delivered. HST ammunition provides consistent expansion, optimum penetration and terminal performance that raise the bar for micro-size handguns. Its specially designed hollow point won’t plug, and the jacket and core hold together to provide almost 100 percent weight retention. The construction ensures micro-size handguns deliver the power needed for personal defense situations. The HST 99 grain bullet’s exclusive design delivers best-in-caliber expansion, outperforming all other leading factory brands in 380 Auto. The result is full-size terminal performance from a compact platform. Performance tests were based on bullet and crush cavity diameters versus competition; tested with a micro handgun in 380 Auto with a 2.75-inch barrel fired into 10 percent ballistics gelatin at 10 feet. The new round offers a 380 Auto load for micro-size concealed carry pistols specially designed with a hollow point that expands reliably. Expanded diameter and weight retention produce the desired penetration for personal defense situations without over-penetrating, and the bullet nose profile, nickel-plated case and Federal primer provide the ultimate in function and reliability in semiautomatic handguns. Find out more at www.federalpremium.com.

SALTED EARTH DEVELOPS ATLAS-08 LASER TRAINING TARGET

The ATLAS-08 is a fully programmable adaptive laser training target; users have full control over the full-color display and detection regions. The ATLAS-08 can detect red, green, blue and infrared laser emitters while differentiating between lasers and flashlights to enable true low/no light training scenarios. Designed to be rugged, these targets can follow you into the field to take your dry-fire training outdoors. ATLAS-08 targets are wireless enabled and can be easily deployed in large scale operations to create sophisticated training environments. Through use of the mobile or desktop application, you can control your training environment while also receiving real time feedback (draw stroke, split times, accuracy, etc). Metrics can be tracked over time (optional) providing users with a real data set to track their progress and ensure that they are operating at the peak of their skill set. The ATLAS-08 includes a 1/4-20 UNC mount on the bottom of the device for mounting to tripods, RAM mounts, or any standard camera mounts to give you the ability to mount your trainers to suit your individual needs. The ATLAS-08 is currently available to Law Enforcement and Military customers, interested departments can send their information to Contact@TheSaltedEarth.com. More info available at www.TheSaltedEarth.com.

New Caledonia, South Pacific, 24 September 1945. An Army bazooka team demonstrates loading the improved M6A1 rocket in the M1A1 launcher, easily identified by the absence of a SAFE/FIRE box on the top. Following safety guidelines in field and technical manuals, the “rocketeers” are wearing gas masks for eye protection, steel helmets, and gloves on the gunner. Credit: U.S. National Archives

By Robert Bruce

“Battlefield reports dictated a number of design changes, starting with deflectors to protect the gunner against backblast of slow-burning rockets in cold weather. This was followed by wrapping the rear section of the barrel with piano wire to reinforce it against detonation of rocket motors within the launcher, substituting a generator for batteries in the firing mechanism, eliminating the forward hand grip, and, in the fall of 1943, the most radical change of all, the take-apart launcher M9. Each design change posed its own problems, but, as the bazooka enjoyed such a high priority, nothing was allowed to stand in its way for very long. In fact, production schedules were met more consistently on the bazooka than on any other item of small arms manufacture.” [Procurement and Supply, see Ref. 2]

In the first installment of this two-parter, we closely examined the genesis of the “Bazooka,” a revolutionary addition to the infantryman’s arsenal. Now, let’s move ahead with a look at how combat experience exposed some flaws in the first production model launchers and rockets, forcing both life-saving and death-dealing modifications at a breakneck pace.

New and Improved

A brief note of characteristics and improvements to the M1 launchers and M6 rockets:

M1 (fires M6 Rockets), fielded in June 1942: Closely resembling the T1 prototype, this first production model is a 54 inch long thin steel tube characterized by two handgrips and a rectangular SAFE/FIRE “control box” on top. To accommodate right- or left-handed gunners, it has ladder type front sights on both sides of the barrel and a notched bar rear sight on an arm that swings to either side. Electrical ignition of the rocket motor is accomplished by a firing circuit powered by a dry battery housed in a wooden stock. Electrical contacts on the M6 rocket are an unpainted conducting band around the warhead and a taped down wire running along its length to the fins.

M1A1 (fires M6A1 and A3 Rockets), fielded in July 1943: Simplified version of the M1, modified to launch the new M6A1 rocket with improved propellant, strengthened motor tubing and internal electrical wires that are less prone to damage and resultant malfunction. Retains battery ignition but eliminates control box in favor of twin wire contacts at the rear. Single handgrip/trigger as well as fixed front and rear sights for right-handed gunners only. Adds flash deflector screen on the muzzle and steel wire wrapping to reinforce the rear of the launch tube against rocket motor detonation. Mount points for a carrying sling.

M9 and M9A1 (fires M6A1 and A3 Rockets), fielded October 1943: Much-improved version, readily identified by its two-piece launch tube with quick coupling collar. Integral muzzle flash deflector and a single handgrip housing a squeeze-operated magneto electrical generator. Significantly better accuracy due to the T90 optical reflex sight. Wood stock replaced with a sheet metal ribbon type with two shoulder rest positions that allow more comfortable firing in all positions.

M6A3 Rocket: Essentially the same internally as the M6A1, the new A3 features a rounded nose to improve warhead detonation when striking targets at more extreme angles and drum-style fins for greater accuracy in flight. Interestingly, the “new and improved” nose shape and fin configuration were taken from combat-proven M9 rifle grenades that had long been used side by side with bazookas. Armor penetration increased some 30% (from 3 to 4 inches) by changing the steel cone in the shaped charge to copper.

Bazookas on Beachhead and Battlefront

These improvements were driven by battlefield experience, received with utmost seriousness and implemented with astonishing speed.

First combat use of the bazooka came in the North African campaign that began in November 1942. GIs, who first saw the new contraptions while en route aboard troop ships, were severely handicapped by the absence of instruction materials and no opportunity for live fire training prior to the actual assault landings.

Three months later (presuming that this interval allowed the training deficit to be overcome) it was unfortunate, but not inexplicable, that bazookas weren’t notable in stopping German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s armored forces in the disastrous rout of US II Corps at Kasserine Pass.

Likely contributing to this was poor reliability from an unfortunate combination of inherent flaws with hastily manufactured launchers and rockets coupled with mishandling by the rookie “rocketeer” teams. And when the rockets did launch and hit, the frontal and side armor on Rommel’s tough Tiger and Mark IV tanks was too thick to be penetrated.

It’s understandable that the radical new weapon’s performance as an effective anti-armor weapon was a disappointment to its Ordnance proponents, not to mention the unlucky GIs faced with latest-generation German tanks. This set in motion a determined and widespread effort to fix the chain of problems from factory to fighter that paid off in the next big Allied push.

“The work of the bazooka in the landings [Gila, Sicily, July 1943] and throughout the campaign was watched with great interest. One Ordnance observer claimed that bazookas accounted for Pzkw IV tanks on four occasions; another claimed a Pzkw VI Tiger, though admittedly the Tiger was knocked out by a lucky hit through the driver’s vision slot. On the other hand, many officers preferred the rifle grenade to the bazooka as a close-range antitank weapon. An interesting discovery made in Sicily was that the bazooka was effective as a morale weapon against enemy soldiers in strongpoints and machine gun nests.“ [On Beachhead and Battlefront, see Ref. 2]

While the bazooka got better and better as GIs pushed German and Italian enemy forces back into Europe, it was also showing both potential and problems in the Pacific Theater.

For Army and Marine infantrymen facing off relatively few and lightly armored Japanese tanks, the bazooka proved a particularly deadly weapon against far more numerous enemy bunkers and caves…when it worked. But failures to fire, as noted in North Africa, were even more common in the torrential tropical rains and steaming jungles of island-hopping warfare.

Corroded electrical contacts, battery problems and moisture-damaged rocket propellant were most often cited in battlefield reports, rapidly leading to improvements to the M1A1 and then the completely redesigned M9, best of the series. Most notable for replacing batteries with magneto ignition and separating the tube into two parts with a quick coupler, the M9 and M9A1 launchers with M6A3 rockets were highly effective in crippling the heavier model tanks and blasting bunkers and caves.

Damn good, but not nearly good enough.

The Bazooka’s German Babies

“On the performance of the bazooka, opinions varied. The general feeling was that it was good but ought to be better. One assistant division commander complained that ‘we’re still using the same model we started with’ while the Germans have ‘taken our bazooka idea and improved upon it.’ The Germans had produced more deadly antitank weapons of this type in the Panzerschreck and Panzerfaust, both of which, however, were extremely dangerous to the user. The Panzerfaust, a recoilless weapon firing a hollow-charge grenade, would pierce seven or eight inches of armor plate. Some U.S. combat officers collected all they could get their hands on for their troops; one tank officer considered the Panzerfaust ‘the most concentrated mass of destruction in the war.‘” [On Beachhead and Battlefront, see Ref. 2]

As previously noted in Part 1, our British and Russian allies had urgently requested bazookas and both got some from the earliest production run in 1942. The Brits thought about it and then inexplicably clung to the woefully inferior PIAT.

The Soviets, while favoring marginally effective anti-tank rifles of native design, apparently tried bazookas in battle and therein lies another fascinating tale, necessarily abbreviated here.

American M1 launchers and M6 rockets in use by the Red Army were soon captured by the Germans, quickly evaluated and greatly improved, resulting in the Raketenpanzerbusche 54, better known as the Panzerschreck, which is literally translated as “tank terror.”

This was a bigger and better bazooka; a shoulder-fired launcher for a much larger and more powerful 88mm (3.5 inch) diameter rocket. Capable of defeating 100mm/4 inches of armor, it was first encountered by U.S. forces in 1943.

The ingenious Panzerfaust (tank fist) followed, changing the bazooka concept of a rocket, to a cheaply manufactured single shot recoilless rifle, firing a series of increasingly powerful shaped charge warhead tipped grenades from a skinny, throwaway launch tube. (See back issues of SAR online to understand the difference between rockets and recoilless launchers).

Bazooka Epilogue

While the American GI’s spunky little 2.36-inch bazooka was effective in many situations, its armor penetration was inadequate from the beginning and only marginally improved during WWII. The fact that examination of the much more powerful German 3.5-inch Panzerschreck didn’t result in a crash program that was successful in fielding beefed-up bazookas any time in the next two years of the war borders on criminal negligence.

Not to say that Ordnance didn’t try.

Bringing necessarily pragmatic “capture and copy” full circle, the enemy’s Panzerschreck birthed the U.S. 3.5-inch M20 “Super Bazooka,” beginning development in October 1944 but not completed before war’s end with the surrender of Japan eleven months later.

Worse, few M20s were available to luckless GIs in South Korea in June 1950, who were facing heavily armored Russian T34 tanks supplied to
the invaders.

Although the Panzerfaust didn’t seem to inspire U.S. ordnance personnel to pursue development, it certainly found favor with the Soviets, who refined and fielded it as the RPG-2 recoilless launcher, first encountered by American troops in Vietnam, and going on in various forms as the RPG-7 recoilless rifle using a rocket assisted grenade. The famous “RPG” has become almost as famous and recognizable worldwide as the AK-47 family.

Anti-Tank Rocket Launchers M1A1 and M9

Characteristics: “The 2.36-inch AT Rocket Launcher M1A1 is an electrically operated weapon of the open tube type. It is fired from the shoulder in the standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone positions. It is used to launch high-explosive rockets against tanks, armored vehicles, pill boxes, and emplacements. The rockets weigh approximately 3 ½ pounds and are capable of penetrating heavy armor at angles of impact up to 30 degrees. The weapon can be aimed up to distances of 300 yards. Greater ranges may be obtained by estimating the angle of elevation. The maximum range is 700 yards.” [FM23-30 and TM 9-294, see Ref. 3 and 4]

Length: M1A1.…54.5 inches; M9.…61 inches, disassembled 31.5 inches
Weight: M1A1.…13.26 pounds; M9.…15 pounds
Internal diameter: 2.36 inches (2.37 in. actual)
Ignition: M1A1.…Electric power supplied by dry cell batteries; M9.…Electric power supplied by trigger actuated magneto
Range: Point targets 50 to 300 yards; Area targets 300 to 650 yards
Elevation for maximum range: 40 degrees
Rate of fire: Approximately 10 rounds per minute
Sights: M1A1.…fixed aperture rear and ladder front (100, 200, 300 yards); M9. …Optical reflex sight T90
Ammunition: High Explosive Anti Tank Rockets M6A1 and A3, Practice Rockets M7A1 and A3, Smoke Rocket M10.
Accessories: Rocket carrying Bag M6, sling
Notes: M1 model fielded 1942, M1A1 fielded 1943, M9 fielded 1943. Approximately 490,000 of all models were manufactured by end of WWII. Primary contractor General Electric Corp for M1 and M1A1, with Cheney Bigelow Wire Works making the M9s.

Anti-Tank Rocket M6A1

Length: 21.6 inches
Weight: 3.4 pounds
Muzzle velocity: 265 feet per second
Penetration: 3 inches of homogenous steel armor to 30 degrees off perpendicular. 1 inch entry hole.

Primary References:

1. The author acknowledges with great appreciation the cooperation and assistance given by the director and staff of the US Army Ordnance Museum, recently relocated to Fort Lee, Virginia. Most notably some of the rare photos accompanying this feature as well as the September-October 1944 issue of ARMY ORDNANCE magazine with by-then Colonel L.A. Skinner’s article “Birth of the Bazooka: The Genesis of a Powerful Portable Antitank Weapon.“

2. Three volumes from the United States Army in World War II series, The Technical Services, Office of the Chief of Military History, US Government
Printing Office:

Ordnance Department: Planning munitions for War
Ordnance Department: Procurement and Supply
Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront

(Many large municipal and university libraries in the U.S. are likely to have these and others in the United States Army in World War II series in their Reference sections. It is well worth the time and effort to find and examine them.)

3. War Department Basic Field Manual FM 23-30, HAND AND RIFLE GRENADES, ROCKET, AT, HE, 2.36-INCH, 1944

4. Ordnance Department Technical Manual TM 9-294, 2.36-inch AT ROCKET LAUNCHER M1A1, 1944

5. War Department Training Film T.F. 18 1166 “The Antitank Rocket M6”
(see YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRPsxgOozqk or search “Bazooka Rocket Launcher”)

6. U.S. Infantry Weapons of World War II, by Bruce N. Canfield, Mowbray Pub. 1994-96

The Smatchet was developed by Lt. Col. William Fairbairn for use by British Commandos of the SOE and SAS, and was later manufactured in the U.S. and adopted for use by the OSS. A massive close combat weapon with an 11 inch blade and 16 inches overall, it was heavy, balanced and combined the features of both the machete and bolo. The leaf-shaped blade is sharpened the entire length along the bottom and the front half along the top and allows it to be used for slashing, thrusting or chopping an opponent.

By Robert G. Segel

Except for Germany and Japan, the world was ill prepared for World War II. Military budgets had been cut, troop numbers reduced, tactics continued to be rooted in old ways, new technology ignored and research and development curtailed. Suddenly in September 1939, the world was stunned by the assault on Poland by Germany and Europe was once again being torn apart by a vicious war. Poland fell, France fell, Belgium fell, Italy joined Germany and Russia and England were faced with beating back the German advances. The U.S. provided material aid but tried to stay out of it.

Japan was expanding her empire and invaded China in the 1930s. Then in December of 1941, Japan attacked the U.S. at Pearl Harbor and later the Philippines fell, the Dutch East Indies fell, other Pacific islands were occupied and Australia was in danger of being invaded.

Unlike World War I that was stagnant and rooted in trench warfare, the new world war was swift and mobile. Modern technology of the time of aircraft, land machines and more efficient weapons dictated new tactics. With this came a sudden surge in research and development in everything imaginable in an effort to counter every threat. Secrecy, stealth, spying and clandestine operations suddenly were very real and necessary. Along with the spying side, the high number of aircrews that were shot down and captured demanded a wide range of materials to enhance the capabilities of escape and evasion. Truly, necessity is the mother of invention.

False information, secret meetings, coded messages, secrecy, lies, stealth, moles, double agents, dead drops, bribery, blackmail, assassination, couriers, saboteurs, concealment, interrogation, analysis, capture, interrogation, imprisonment, torture, false documents, tunnels, escape, evasion and execution – all are just some of the words associated with spying and clandestine operations or evading or escaping from captivity.

Novels, movies and television romanticize the game, but the reality is that the vast majority of such work, particularly in peacetime, is relatively safe and mundane information gathering and checking facts. Yet the stakes were high, lives at stake, and field agents and operatives, particularly in times of war, do indeed go in harm’s way with agents suffering the fate of immediate execution and escapees harsh punishment or execution at the hands of their captors.

World War II was the impetus for the development of specific services that focused on clandestine operations that also dovetailed into the art of escape and evasion for agents and downed pilots, aircrew and prisoners of war. In the U.S., the OSS (Office of Strategic Services, later after the war becoming the CIA – Central Intelligence Agency), the British SOE (Special Operations Executive), MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6 – Intelligence) and MI9 (Military Intelligence, Section 9 – Escape and Evasion) developed the many tools of the trade for all sorts of clandestine operations.

Inherent in these types of operations, operatives or soldiers must master many skills, among them close combat weapons that generally included knives, coshes and garrotes and specialty firearms. Some are designed as an offensive weapon to eliminate a guard or sentry in a swift and silent attack while others are a last ditch self-defense weapon to be used when no other means are available and life is immediately at risk.

Close combat is the ultimate battle – one on one and face to face. It calls upon the very fiber of self-preservation as there can be no mistakes. There is only one winner resulting in either the death of the opponent or the opportunity to disable or distract the opponent to enable escape from the situation.

Some weapons were specifically designed and adopted as issue equipment for field use such as the OSS Stiletto, Smatchet, Mark-1 Garrote and the suppressed High Standard pistol. But it was the British SOE, MI6 and MI9 that excelled in the art of deception, spying and escape and evasion during the war. Because so much was new, and untested, operatives had great leeway in obtaining commercially made items that they felt were necessary and were comfortable using. Surprisingly, the most common secondary knife used was the trusty Boy Scout knife. Yet there are a number of sleeve daggers, lapel daggers, stilettos, frisk knives, spike daggers, gravity knives, garrotes, blackjacks, the Welrod or Hi-Standard suppressed pistols, etc., that are attributed to various agencies as part of their close combat or escape and evasion arsenal of equipment. Some of them were, but the majority of special purpose blades were produced commercially, mostly in Great Britain, for private purchase and did not appear in official records or equipment lists. There is no evidence that these were ever used in actual operations let alone credited with an actual “kill.” While these specialized blades were designed for use by operatives, and were purchased by them, they appear to be more a souvenir than an actual field service item. That is not to say that they were not in fact taken into the field. As is often the case, an item designed for a perceived need is far from practical for the actual need. Nevertheless, such items offer an insight to the life and death world of clandestine operations.

By Will Dabbs, MD, Photos by Sarah Dabbs

If Big Is Good, Then Bigger Must Be Better

Everybody with access to a bit of wilderness needs a reliable and accurate .22 rifle. If your palate favors venison, then you need a decent large bore deer gun with an optical sight. Should you choose to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection, then you obviously need a proper defensive handgun. When it comes to other sorts of guns, however, the scope of the pursuit is limited solely by the imagination.

To investigate something as ethereal as personal proclivities for firearms will inevitably take one outside the realm of the practical. In no other aspect of American culture are fantasies better realized than in motion pictures, so the influence of popular movies on the perception of big bore handguns must therefore invariably be acknowledged. We will flavor our discussion with some of these seasonings as a result.

The pursuit of the ultimate big bore handgun is one of those things that really has no readily quantifiable terminus. In this manner it is not unlike love, greed or the capacity of little boys for mischief. Just about the time you feel like you have found its limits, then some other cool, noisy something shows up on the market to expand the boundaries yet further.

Sam Colt’s Equalizer

The compulsion regarding large-bore handguns is no contemporary addiction. Samuel Colt made a fortune producing quality revolvers 150 years ago and, in so doing, shaped both the American West as well as the rest of the world. Streamlined, aesthetically seductive and ergonomic beyond its years, the classic Colt Single Action Army was actually marketed to the American public before the U.S. military. Heft the Colt SAA while thumbing back its enormous manual hammer and try not to be viscerally moved by the experience. It is hard to fathom why something that looks so unnaturally industrial could so seamlessly interface with the human form, but the Colt Single Action Army is one of the most comfortable handguns in the world, even given today’s modern plastic competition.

John Moses Browning’s Extraordinary 1911

At a time when the world’s militaries seemed satisfied with a 9mm Parabellum round that pushed a 115-grain bullet, the esteemed Mr. Browning simply built one twice as big. John Browning was born five years before the onset of the American Civil War, yet the guns he designed remain in active service even today in the Information Age. Of all the inspired mechanisms to spring forth from the mind of this self-taught engineering luminary, few can compete with the 1911 service pistol.

The 1911 carried American Doughboys through the War to End All Wars and then the 1911A1 served their sons for the planet-wide encore two decades later. Mr. Browning’s powerful hand cannon was not displaced from U.S. military holsters for yet another forty years. Many American gunmen retain bruised feelings regarding its contemporary Italian interloper even today.

In practical use, the GI 1911 has marginal sights and is indeed at the top end of the envelope for small-statured shooters. However, Browning’s recoil-operated objet d’art works every time you pull the trigger and nearly half an inch of copper jacketed pain means not having to say you’re sorry in most any language.

Comrade Kalashnikov and the Spawn of the AK

The AK is an archetype. More than any other physical object, the Kalashnikov assault rifle has come to embody what it means to be Russian. That Mikhail Kalashnikov designed the world’s most prolific firearm is indisputable, but the party line tale of the heroic young peasant designing the Avtomat Kashnikova while recovering from wounds incurred at the hands of the Nazis smacks a bit of the Communist ideologue.

Built in countless variants by most all industrialized nations at one time or another, there are at least 100 million copies in circulation and that number goes up daily. The design is legendarily robust and indisputably effective while being simple enough for a child to use. The misguided teenaged malcontents comprising Liberia’s Lord’s Resistance Army have proven that beyond question.

In the mid-seventies the Kalashnikov got a facelift and the AKM was re-imagined as the small-caliber AK-74. The subsequent Lilliputian AKSU carbine tried to pigeonhole the assault rifle into a submachine gun envelope and, like most compromises, was almost but not quite satisfactory. The weapon is as handy and maneuverable as a pistol caliber subgun but the short barrel, itself roughly half the original length as that of the parent rifle, belches a muzzle blast and flash that are fairly atrocious. To produce something from this platform that will satisfy U.S. import restrictions and gun laws is sufficient to tax the most creative gun-bodger. Fortunately, the good folks at Century International Arms are indeed fairly creative.

The resulting Century PAP 85 is produced in Serbia, chambered for the .223 cartridge and incorporates a lot of the product improvements of the AKSU. The top cover is captive and pivots on the gas block. The rear sight is rigidly affixed to the cover to maximize the sight radius given the abbreviated barrel. The barrel is threaded for the classic conical flash suppressor.

When presented with an outstretched stance akin to that of the stockless MP5K submachine gun, the PAP 85 Frankenpistol is surprisingly effective. Like many of the guns on this list, it might not be the most practical shooter in the vault but it represents a splendid way to turn ammunition into noise on a pleasant Saturday afternoon at the range.

The Cultural Phenomenon That Is the Desert Eagle

If ever there was a production handgun that required testosterone for lubrication, it is the Desert Eagle. The design for this gas-operated behemoth was naturally birthed in the United States, but it was the Israelis who eventually brought the gun to market. The Desert Eagle made its commercial debut in the 1980s and has armed a veritable battalion of action movie stars since that time. Given its ubiquitous prevalence in his films, Arnold Schwarzenegger likely showered with one.

The design is a clever combination of tried engineering concepts that tamed the recoil of the massive rimmed revolver cartridges it fired. The gun was initially available in .357, .41 and .44 Magnum chamberings before being offered in .50 caliber Action Express. If you have never seen the Guy Ritchie movie Snatch with its hilarious commentary on the .50 caliber Desert Eagle, put down the magazine and go watch it now. It will cure what ails you.

The Desert Eagle action is driven by a gas piston built into the slide. The enormous single-action trigger is actually quite comfortable and lends itself to accurate shooting. The bolt bears a striking similarity to that of the M16 assault rifle and the iconic trapezoidal cross-section of the weapon when viewed muzzle-on cemented its unassailable position in movie arsenals. Schwarzenegger’s Commando and his under-appreciated Last Action Hero from the film of the same name, the Agents from The Matrix, and countless other muscle-bound celluloid stars, wearing hats both white and black, kept the gun firmly entrenched in the imaginations of American gun owners.

On the range the Desert Eagle in .50 AE is indeed a handful. The same weapon in .44 Magnum, while indeed sacrificing a few cool points, is the more enjoyable smoke pole. Recoil and muzzle flip are pronounced enough to be comical without crossing the line into pain and emptying a full magazine in a rapid string will indeed put a little hair on your chest, regardless of your gender. The characteristic bi-lobed muzzle flash that the gun produces both forward from the muzzle and downward from the gas port when fired at dusk will elicit the gyrating fantods in even the most jaded observer. Despite a literal lifetime of effort, a legitimate practical tactical application for this gargantuan hand cannon eludes me, yet it remains a personal favorite nonetheless.

Mad Max and Big Bore Handguns Sporting an Unconventional Genesis

To ingloriously paraphrase Jane Austen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that Mel Gibson’s Mad Max sporting a cut down side-by-side 12 gauge handgun kicks serious butt. The bit of personal combat that takes place atop a rolling tanker truck filled with dirt in the post-apocalyptic cautionary tale that is The Road Warrior introduced a generation of American males to the sawed-off 12 gauge Sicilian Lupo. Long a favorite of gangsters and similar ne’er-do-wells, the sawed-off shotgun is the only entry on our esteemed list requiring a transfer tax.

A cut-down shotgun is arguably one of the easiest weapons to obtain worldwide yet its practical utility on the range is not commensurate with its aesthetic mystique. A custom-built side-by-side 12 bore handgun will all but wrench your arm off if stoked with high-brass loads. This gun’s ferocious close-range firepower is unmatched in anything that doesn’t pack an impact fuse.

When fed custom-loaded low-recoil rounds or those magnificent Aguila mini-shells, however, the cut down side-by-side 12 bore has some legitimate practical applications. Thirteen deceased water moccasins have fallen to my particular copy in defense of my rural Mississippi farm. However, the trigger guard on my custom gun has drawn blood more than a few times and the rare unfortunate who touches off both barrels at once had better have a good orthopedic surgeon on speed dial.

SIG Gets Strange

One must wonder if Eugene Stoner had any idea what a can of worms he was opening when he had the original epiphany to form a holy alliance between aluminum aircraft technology and small arms. The Space Age assault rifle he sold the U.S. Air Force in the late 1950s, with its aluminum receivers and black plastic furniture, turned the gun world on its ear.

The SIG P516 pushes the very edges of the technical and legal envelope unlike any of its predecessors. The lower receiver upon which the gun is built sports sling sockets, a textured mag well, and ambidextrous everything. The operating system is an adjustable gas piston that is veritably immune to abuse and fouling. The proprietary bolt carrier is lightened, custom-designed, and coated with some bit of extraordinary voodoo finish that shirks filth like a politician shirks responsibility. The truly extraordinary feature that makes the gun revolutionary rather than simply evolutionary, however, is the Pistol Stabilizing Brace.

The SIG Pistol Stabilizing Brace straps to the forearm for a one-handed firepower solution sufficient to induce the vapors in the Terminator. When properly equipped with an EOTech Holosight, a laser designator, and a 100-round Beta C-mag, the SIG P516 is utilitarian and intimidating in comparable measure. The resulting gun tucks behind the seat in the truck, waiting patiently for the inevitable day the zombies come.

Philosophical Musings

Be forewarned, gentle reader, that to embark upon a quest to discover the Ultimate Big Bore Handgun will stress your bank account, your friendships and your marriage. The good stuff is expensive, the results will intimidate all but the most ardent fellow firearms enthusiast, and it is the rare spouse who will not at least raise an eyebrow when you slink in from the local firearms emporium with some of the aforementioned exotic iron in tow. You will engage in hushed conversations along the periphery of the local gun show with your few fellows comparing such seminal features as magazine capacity, calibers and barrel lengths, inevitably interspersed with the occasional giggle or admiring exhortation. Once on the range, the ear-splitting report or the muzzle blast sufficient to dislodge your spectacles serves as its own reward. Once the tendinitis has resolved and the retinal burns have had time to heal, it is the satisfaction that comes from owning something truly weird that keeps us striving for the next big thing. When some enterprising American engineer finally contrives a method of launching 105mm howitzer rounds from a handheld platform, rest assured I will be standing at the head of the line, credit card in hand and divorce papers tucked into my back pocket.

www.centuryarms.com
www.hprammo.com
www.sigsauer.com

It was decided to use the Century C39v2 in training scenarios involving team tactics and patrolling to contact through EVTC’s 360 and “Jungle Walk” ranges. Firing behind simulated cover was stressed.

By Todd Burgreen

Century Arms has been contributing to the increasing popularity of AK rifles in the U.S. for a long time. This stems from the multitude of AK products offered by Century over the years. The Century C39 Sporter Rifle proved innovative in many ways when it arrived on the U.S. AK scene. Century’s decision to maximize the use of U.S. manufactured parts in the C39 made it a true “All-American” AK. This decision, made several years back, now seems clairvoyant considering the recent Executive Order banning Russian-made AKs with no guarantee that other imported AKs or AK parts will not fall victim to the same fate. For years, users have sweated the details of complying with 18 U.S.C. § 922(r) and the potential of even more legislated compliance on the horizon related to allowable imported parts found on a rifle. The Century C39 eliminated this constant looking over the shoulder when it came to AKs. Century decided to follow up on the C39 with the C39v2. The C39v2 incorporates various tweaks/improvements to the original Century AK.

The most significant aspect of the original C39’s construction is the U.S.-made milled receiver with the C39v2 maintaining this method. The C39v2’s receiver is created from an 11 pound block of 4140 ordnance-quality steel. Stamped receivers are more associated with AK methods of construction in the U.S.. It is ironic in many ways that Century’s C39 makes use of a milled receiver. This resembles the experience of the AK’s original birth in the Soviet Union. The first mass-produced Soviet-made AKs used milled receivers to take advantage of existing manufacturing capacity the Soviet Union had available in the aftermath of the devastation of World War II. The AK was intended to utilize a stamped receiver to maximize production and minimize cost, but stamping machinery technology and manufacturing methods were relatively new in the Soviet Union in the late 1940s, creating problems with quality control and thus necessitating the use of milled receivers until production issues were solved with the stamped receivers, resulting in the AKM arriving on the scene in 1959. While only a supposition, it is reasonable to assume the U.S. commercial manufacturers with their commitment to CNC machines have no incentive to convert to or make the investment in stamping machinery just to make AKs.

The C39v2’s nitride-treated barrel measures 16.5 inches long with a 1:10 twist rate. Overall length of the rifle is 37.25 inches with a weight of 8.2 pounds. The milled receiver adds about a pound of weight to the C39v2 compared to a similarly configured stamped AK. Yes, the con is a heavier rifle, but the pro is reduced felt recoil, allowing for more controllability during rapid strings of fire. Enhancing the C39v2’s controllability is the proprietary “V” Chevron Compensator Century has designed and installed via M14x1 LH-threaded muzzle. The Chevron Compensator directs gases upward, mitigating muzzle climb during firing.

The C39v2’s wood buttstock and forend strikes one as superior quality compared to other AK furniture encountered. Overall the wood feels and looks denser compared to other furniture experienced. The lower forend piece features a palm swell for more comfortable hand placement. Stock choice is an individual choice. The upper and lower forends can be switched out with aftermarket accessories if desired; with the caveat of having to trim the lower forend for it to fit into the C39v2’s receiver recess. The original C39 had a longer-than-normal length of pull buttstock when compared to typical AK rifles. Century felt this would be better, considering its U.S. target audience. It was decided to utilize a shorter, more traditional length AK-like buttstock with the C39v2. The rear buttstock can also be switched out, if it is not what a shooter desires, with the plethora of buttstocks designed for stamped AK receivers. This is a pleasant surprise with the C39v2. Most milled AKs are not so accommodating, including the original Century C39. A milled receiver stock attaches differently than a stamped style stock due to having upper and lower tangs that are integral to the rear of the receiver. The original C39 followed the 1960 milled Polish AK pattern in terms of stock furniture and angle the rear stock sits at in relation to the receiver.

The U.S.-made milled receiver is not the only feature that sets it apart from other AKs on the market. The C39v2 comes with other enhancements in the form of a larger T-shaped magazine release tab, safety lever with bolt hold open notch and bolt carrier lightened via cuts removing material to reduce weight. The bolt carrier is also heat treated. Century uses its own AK trigger with the C39v2, versus the TAPCO G2 trigger found in the original C39 and so many other U.S. AKs. The “Made in the U.S.A.” theme is reinforced by the two U.S.-made Magpul 30-round magazines shipped with the C39v2.

New additions to the 7.62x39mm ammunition realm were accessed for testing with the Century C39v2: Century’s own Red Army Standard and Elite brands. Red Army Standard and Elite 7.62x39mm ammunition is offered in handy Range Packs (180 rounds) as well as 30-round boxes. This packaging allows the consumer to purchase multiple boxes of ammunition in a convenient, easy to carry and use format. Red Army ammunition is manufactured by the same factories that produced billions of rounds of ammunition for the Warsaw Pact nations. Markings on the Standard and Elite Range Pack boxes indicated Romanian, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Ukrainian manufacturing. While the recent import ban levied against Russian business concerns is sure to impact Russian ammunition, Red Army Standard and Elite Ammunition will help to fill the void. Century’s Red Army Standard will be available in many other popular Warsaw Pact rifle calibers such as 7.62x54R (148 grain FMJ) and 5.45×39 (69 grain FMJ).

Century incorporates typical AK-style open sights on the C39v2. The C39v2’s rear sight is adjustable for engagement distances with the front sight used for windage and elevation corrections during sight in. This return to more traditional AK sight configuration, versus the original C39 sights where windage was adjusted with rear sight and elevation only at the front sight, will be welcomed by most users. After a quick verification of 25-yard sight zero, range evaluation commenced with a function test firing several magazines in rapid succession at clay pigeons scattered along Echo Valley Training Center’s berm. The clay pigeons provide instant feedback when fired upon. This makes evaluations simpler versus firing at paper at distance and then viewing results later. While not unique, this is a good way to establish a baseline for reliability. Let’s face it, if a weapon such as the C39v2 does not have pristine reliability, its major attribute is nullified. The Century AK arrived with two Magpul PMAG 30 AK/AKM MOE magazines. Different types of AK47 magazines were used to further root out any manufacturing quirks that might exist in the C39v2. Metal and polymer 30-round magazines of various manufacturers performed fine with no issues inserting, removing or feeding the Century AK.

A more comprehensive 100-yard sight zero confirmation took place after functionality was established. Accuracy with the C39v2 was more than acceptable with the open sights producing 1.5-inch groups at 50 yards and 4-inch groups at 100 yards. The C39v2 does not feature an integral side scope rail prohibiting mounting of a magnified optic for more precise accuracy tests. Frankly, it was refreshing to revisit iron sights while conducting drills at EVTC while moving and firing behind simulated cover or vehicles. It was decided to concentrate on using the Century C39v2 in training scenarios involving team tactics and patrolling to contact through EVTC’s 360 and “Jungle Walk” ranges. This allowed the C39v2 to shine in terms of potent firepower and combat accuracy. Firing from unorthodox positions while working around range vehicles showed why the AK-pattern rifle is such an effective weapon. Not being a prisoner to a defined eye relief distance offers a certain advantage with the iron sights. Strings of fire ranged from 5 to 75 rounds with target distances measured in feet out to a couple hundred yards. The C39v2 handled great, feeling like a true carbine with perfect reliability. Total rounds fired involving several range visits was over 800 with no maintenance conducted besides initial lubrication of the C39v2 when it arrived.

A U.S. PALM AK Attack Rack Gen 1 chest rig was used at the range with the C39v2. U.S. PALM developed the AK Attack Rack to accommodate (and hold securely) 4 AK and four handgun magazines. It is easy to get on quickly. The magazine pockets are lined along the locking-lug end with a heavy polymer material designed to minimize wear. A shock cord retention provides retention for the AK magazines. The Attack Rack is constructed of 500d Cordura nylon and can either be worn over a plate carrier or used as a stand-alone chest rig.

AK-47 models/versions proliferate around the world and have spread across the land of its old Cold War nemesis. Despite the nefarious 1989 Import Ban, now defunct 1994 Assault Weapon Ban, and recent Executive Order, the AK platform has never been as popular in the U.S. as now. This is due to its well-earned reputation for ruggedness, reliability and terminal ballistics compared to the 5.56mm AR. Hard lessons relearned in Iraq and Afghanistan further enhance 7.62x39mm AK credentials. 7.62×39 loads perform very similar to the 30-30 in terms of ballistic performance, with bullet selection ranging from 122-154 grain FMJ, HP and SP. The gaining popularity of .300 Blackout for the AR is further supporting testimony, even if backhanded, of the 7.62×39 cartridge. The Kalashnikov long-stroke gas piston operating system is a long serving benchmark in terms of reliability. A key component in the AK design is the looser tolerances in its moving parts, giving it more latitude to function when dirty from field conditions or hot and grimy after firing numerous rounds over extended periods of time. This translates into reduced sensitivity to debris in the action and ultimately lower maintenance requirements to keep it functioning.

The C39v2 is proof that not all weapons need rails and an array of accessories to be considered viable. While reliability should never be compromised in terms of cost/performance ratios, other items, considered a must for some, may not be high priority or worth it for others. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) methodology can pay dividends in terms of budget and allowing for concentration on other priorities, such as training. With that said, the C39v2 could be accessorized via a Texas Weapon Systems dust cover rail, as well as numerous aftermarket railed forends, if magnified or red dot optics are desired.

Century Arms is a polarizing entity within the gun industry among consumers. While often appreciated for being the only access point for many in terms of certain weapons, especially AK types or other foreign types, Century is criticized at times in terms of quality control. All that can be relayed by this author is that over a 20-year period with over a dozen Century rifles and handguns evaluated, no issues have been encountered. Some will scoff at this by claiming receipt of privileged specimens; this is countered that many Century T&E weapons were purchased off the shelf at local dealer Stonewall Arms.

The Century C39v2 proved a reliable, well-handling and accurate rifle for this T&E based on any standard of evaluation—original imported weapon or U.S.-made version. Not much more can be asked of a 1940s Soviet-designed rifle that is now being made in the U.S.A. in 2015.

SITES OF INTEREST

Century Arms
www.centuryarms.com

Stonewall Arms, LLC
www.stonewallarms.com

U.S. PALM/SGCUSA
www.uspalm.com

Echo Valley Training Center
www.echovalleytraining.com

Right side of the .223 Wylde caliber Mk116. Notice the Magpul MOE pistol grip, stock and back-up sights.

By Christopher R. Bartocci

At this time, most of the major black rifle manufacturers offer their own external piston rifle and most all of them are short stroke tappet designs with the piston and operating rod separate from the bolt carrier. Only a couple manufacturers have gone with the long stroke piston, which is where the operating rod and piston are connected to the bolt carrier group as one piece. The most successful two companies making long stroke piston rifles are ADCOR Defense and Primary Weapon Systems.

Primary Weapon Systems (PWS) began in 2005 as AK Concepts and in 2008 they formed a new company called Primary Weapon Systems. The founder and President, Dean Sylvester, is also the lead designer of all PWS products. The early company AK Concepts, manufactured collector grade Yugoslavian variant AK-47s. The first product from that was the JTAC47 muzzle brake for the AK-47 that is still in production today. The new company, PWS, first started selling long stroke piston operated AR rifles in 2009. The Mod1 systems were released in 2013.

The AR-15/M16/M4 family of weapons is not designed to be an external piston operated firearm. The in-line construction is designed so the barrel, bolt carrier and stock are in perfect alignment and the action goes straight back into the receiver extension. This is a major contributor of the smoothness and reliability of the system. When one adds a short stroke tappet operating system into the rifle, the operation rod strikes the bolt carrier tipping the bolt carrier off center. This creates bolt carrier tilt where the bottom edge of the rear of the bolt carrier scrapes the receiver extension. Early designs showed this would dig into the receiver extension and if left alone the carrier could go through the receiver extension. The common fix is to add skis to the back of the bolt to prevent this. Another issue to arise is excessive cyclic rate. To reliably operate the heavier components that make up the operating system, more gas is required. This accelerates two things. First it accelerates wear on the bolt and fire control group and, secondly, the upper receiver, inside behind the cam slot, the cam pin digs a trench into the receiver from the bounce of the carrier striking the barrel extension. Rifles with an external piston mechanism are designed so the bolt carrier group rides on rails to keep it centered. So when the piston is driven rearward the bolt carrier rides rearward on the rails keeping the bolt in line with the chamber. Looking at the AK-47 system is a clear example of this. With the AR-type system the bolt carrier rides freely without rails – again designed to be inline. The benefit of the long stroke piston over the short stroke tappet is that the attached operating rod keeps the bolt carrier group straight; there is no tipping due to the operating rod striking the top of the bolt carrier.

The concept behind the PWS design is quite simply to put the AK-47 gas system into the AR platform. PWS claims that the AK-type long stroke piston mechanism (no extra parts, springs, etc.) offers a smoother push instead of a short violent push of the short stroke tappet system (no metal-to-metal impact/no short punchy recoil) simply made the most sense when they looked at everything else that was out on the market. The idea is to have the familiar AR rifle with the added reliability of the AK-47 system: meaning cleaner, less heat in the receiver and brutal reliability. The PWS mechanism is rather quite simple. The bolt carrier has the operating rod attached to it. Depending upon the length of the gas system an additional rod is clamped over the end of the operating rod. The gas block is adjustable with four different positions to facilitate use of various types of ammunition and use of a sound suppressor. As PWS designed the system, no tools are required to disassemble the rifle/gas system for cleaning. Contrary to what some believe, external piston mechanisms do need to be cleaned. Carbon, copper and powder fouling can seize the piston into the gas block making for extreme difficulty in pulling back the bolt carrier group or worse, cause the rifle to short stroke when fired due to the piston/operating rod being stuck in the gas regulator. One very important feature that PWS has added to their rifle that many of their competition are missing is an operating rod sleeve. This sleeve protects the operating rod and piston from the elements (other than carbon). During extreme conditions, if no protection sleeve is present, the dirt, sand, mud or any other debris can find its way into the rail and then onto the rod and it can work its way into the mechanism. Although a very simple concept, many manufacturers of the external pistol (short stroke tappet or long stroke) fail to add this important feature, which really amounts to a hollow tube.

PWS manufactures a significant number of parts for their weapons and unlike most manufactures the key components are all made in-house. With the exception of lower receiver parts kits, Magpul furniture and VLTOR Gunfighter charging handle, PWS have the ability to manufacture every part of the rifle in house. PWS does bring in some components from outside vendors due to volume needed, but they are heavily quality controlled before they reach the production floor. They manufacture a variety of configurations and barrel lengths. The MK107 has a 7.75 inch barrel, MK110 has a 10.75 inch barrel, MK112 has a 12 inch barrel, MK114 has a 14.5 inch barrel, MK116 has a 16 inch barrel and the MK118 has an 18 inch barrel. There were two T&E rifles sent – both MK116 rifles – one chambered in .223 Wylde and the other chambered in .300 AAC Blackout. Both rifles are virtually identical except the .300 Blackout uses a shorter 4-inch gas system instead of the 7-inch. Due to the pressure curve of the Blackout cartridge this is the most reliable option; particularly due to the use of both supersonic and subsonic ammunition. As of this writing, PWS is one of the very few manufactures who use an external piston system for the .300 Blackout cartridge. Most everyone uses the direct gas system.

Starting at the rear of the rifle, the rifle is equipped with a Magpul MOE stock. This is a very comfortable stock with a rubber butt pad for non slip on the shooter’s shoulder. The receiver extension is manufactured by PWS and is called the EBT Carbine Buffer System. This system eliminates the need for the receiver extension nut. There is an indexing screw in place of the receiver extension nut that ensures proper alignment. There is a receiver extension end plate that has two quick detach sling swivel attachments for ambidextrous use. The receiver extension is manufactured from a 6061 A1 extrusion with external flutes to allow debris to be pushed out of the way. The receiver extension permits five positions along with four extra-large drain holes. The rifle uses a PWS H2 buffer, which is two stainless steel weights along with
one tungsten weight.

The lower receiver is a basic Mil-Spec lower receiver that is manufactured from 7075 T6 aircraft grade aluminum and black anodized hard coated. The pistol grip is the very comfortable Magpul MOE and additionally the lower uses the Magpul polymer enhanced trigger guard. The safety, bolt catch and magazine catch are Mil-Spec. The trigger group is also standard Mil-Spec. Most customers will customize their rifles including adding the trigger of their choice. The trigger on the .223 Wylde rifle broke at 7 pounds. The trigger pull was decent; little creep but very respectable for a standard group.

The charging handle for the MK116 is the VLTOR Gunfighter charging handle. This charging handle is machined from a billet and uses the medium size latch. What is unique about this design is that unlike the standard charging handle where all of the pressure goes on that tiny roll pin when the charging handle is pulled back, the Gunfighter transfers all pressure right to the charging handle itself. This makes for an extremely durable charging handle that you would really be hard pressed to break.

The bolt carrier has additional mass on it compared to a standard DI carrier to delay unlocking. Looking at the bolt carrier/operating rod group, all the components minus the firing pin retainer pin and the firing pin are Nickel-Teflon coated for ease of cleaning and this finish is more tolerant of lack of lubrication. The bolt carrier is selective fire so it may be used in a selective fire lower receiver. The bolt carrier is manufactured by PWS. The rear of the carrier has two ridges on the rear as well as some “crud” grooves in the right and left side. The operating rod is attached by a groove in the operating rod and a slot in the top of the carrier. Then the operating rod is secured by two screws and the screws are staked into the operating rod rather than the carrier by being staked into the screws of the standard direct gas rifles. The bolt is manufactured by PWS as well. The front portion of the bolt with the locking lugs is standard Mil-Spec but the rear has been modified; the gas ring area has been ground down since gas rings are not needed. The bolt is nickel-Teflon coated as well as the extractor. The extractor has the rubber “O” ring on it to assist extraction by increasing the extraction force by a factor of 4. On the back of the bolt, a spring is attached aiding in assembly of the bolt carrier group by holding the bolt in the unlocked position. The cam pin is also nickel-Teflon coated. The firing pin is the standard Mil-Spec chrome plated firing pin. The piston head is attached without tools. In the case of the .223 Wylde the piston shaft is 3 3/4 inches in length and in the case of the .300 Blackout with the pistol length gas system, the piston is approximately 1-inch long.

The gas block is placed on the barrel and held on by a nut that is screwed onto the barrel in front of the gas block. Then the nut is staked in place. There is a piston tube to protect the operating rod from debris and fouling. The 4-position adjustable plug allows for positions for normal conditions, hotter military loads, suppressed and suppressed with hotter military ammunition. The plug is then removed by placing on the X positions. There is a spring loaded detent that pushes the plug out of the gas block. There is a slot cut in the top of the rail that gives the user access to the gas plug so the user can make adjustments and clearly see the pictogram of what setting the plug is on. The gas path is rather interesting. There is a straight 90° port out of the barrel, then there is another port hole drilled into the gas block that moved the gas forward to prevent fouling.

Both the .223 Wylde and .300 Blackout barrels were 16 inches in length. The .223 Wylde has a 1 turn in 8 twist with 6 lands and grooves. The .300 Blackout is also 1 turn in 8 inches. The 4140 steel barrels are Bergar button rifled blanks and PWS turns, profiles and chambers them in-house. PWS does a salt bath nitride coating that gets on the outside as well as inside of the barrel. This process has proven to PWS to not have the inconsistencies of chrome without losing any of the hardness. PWS manufactures their own barrel extensions.

The .300 Blackout rifle was equipped with the PWS Triad flash suppressor. There are elongated cuts between the tines to keep the muzzle rise to the absolute minimum and the tine shape prevents the venerable “pinging” associated with many other prong-type flash suppressors. The shape of the Triad allows installation of the Gemtech Halo sound suppressor. The .223 Wylde MK116 was equipped with a FSC556, the flagship of the PWS muzzle devices. This is basically a flash suppressing compensator. There is a quad-tine pattern that suppresses flash with a design to keep flash out of your line of sight and the unique shape provides recoil compensation. This flash suppressor/compensator is a very popular original equipment manufacturer product including the FNUSA SCAR16 and 17, Barrett, Core15 and AWC. Both of these flash suppressors/compensators are offered for both .223 and .308 caliber rifles. Additional models are available for the AK-47 as well as one compatible with the QDSS-NT 4 suppressor. PWS also offers just compensator models for the AK-47: an extremely short compensator (1.87 in), CQB (eliminates as much flash as possible and send the report forward of the shooter) and a precision compensator designed to reduce felt recoil in firearms from .223 to .338 caliber.

The T&E rifles were equipped with PWS designed and manufactured Keymod handguards. These rail systems are offered in both 12 and 15 inches in length and are manufactured from 6061 T6 aluminum extrusions. They are attached to a proprietary barrel nut by six hex screws. The Keymod interface permits attachment of rail panel segments enabling the user to only put on a rail that is needed. This cuts down on unnecessary weight as well as having unused rail that could be damaged in rough handling not permitting their future use. The rail is very narrow and easy to hold. When holding the rail by hand, it will heat up very fast requiring the use of gloves. PWS also offers this rail in a direct gas model enabling any Mil-Spec AR to be upgraded with the PWS Keymod rail.

The T&E rifles each came in a polymer case with one Magpul Gen 2 PMag. The ammunition used to test fire the .223 Wylde rifle was Federal American Eagle 62 grain full metal jacket (AE223N), Black Hills Ammunition Mk262 Mod1 77grain open tip match and Double Tap 80gr boat tail match (22380M20) ammunition. The rifle was tested with Magpul PMag Gen 2 and 3, Lancer AWM, Hera H3, H&K high reliability/polymer magazine and Surefire 60 round magazine. No lubrication was added to the rifle prior to firing. More than 400 rounds of ammunition were fired through the test rifle with no malfunctions of any sort. The muzzle brake was quite effective if you are the shooter, not so much if you are on the side of the shooter – the blast was quite loud. The rifle functioned properly with all the magazines. The rifle did not like the Doubletap Ammunition 80gr HPBT as the rifle would not get a consistent group. However, it did like the Doubletap 62gr FMJ giving constant 1.6 MOA groups at 100 yards. The rifle scored best with the Black Hills Mk262 Mod1 ammunition giving a 10 shot group of 1.2 inches at 100 yards. It should be noted that the wind was 18 to 22 mph when the rifle was tested. This could have been a factor in the group size. The trigger pull was also a factor as the heavy Mil-Spec trigger was difficult for precision work. Perhaps if a decent match trigger was installed, that could cause that group to tighten up. Recoil was noticeably more on the long stroke piston operated PWS rifle than the Mega Arms direct gas rifle we also had out at the range.

Flagship PWS FSC556 muzzle devices. This is basically a flash suppressing compensator.

The .300 Blackout rifle was tested with the Magpul PMag Gen 2 and the Lancer AWM magazine. The ammunition tested was the Remington 125gr OTM (RM300AAC6), Remington UMC 115gr CTFB (L300AAC2), Hornady Custom 110gr V-Max (#8089) and Barnes 110gr TAC-TX (90014). No lubrication was added to the rifle prior to firing. There were a total of 200 rounds fired with no malfunctions. It should be noted that the rifle even cycled 20 rounds of Hornady 208gr subsonic with no malfunctions. This was the only subsonic ammunition available at this time for testing. Recoil was decent and reliability absolute. This was the first long stroke or short stroke piston rifle chambered in .300 Blackout this author has fired. Most of the known external piston manufacturers have stayed away from this but PWS made it work and work well. It has been certainly well established the benefits of the pistol length gas system for this caliber. Much of the shooting with this rifle was done off hand and at a steel plate at 100 yards. Once the rifle was zeroed, the steel was pinging from one shot to the next. The rifle was then fired off of a bench with Remington 125gr OTM (RM300AAC6) with the best group of .860 inches at 52 yards.

Like most in the industry, PWS makes a 7.62x51mm rifle to complete their family of weapons; this is known as the MK2-series. The MK212 has a 12.75 inch barrel, the MK214 has a 14.5 inch barrel, the MK216 has a 16 inch barrel and the MK220 has a 20 inch barrel. Whether the operator wishes for a short CQB rifle or a DMR rifle, PWS has what they would need.

The rifle received for test and evaluation was a MK214 chambered in 7.62x51mm. This rifle has a 14.5 inch barrel with a 2.20 inch Triad 30 flash suppressor pinned to the end of the barrel to make the barrel reach the 16 inch + inches rendering it legal. This is the shortest non-NFA rifle in the PWS MK2 line up. Unloaded, the rifle weighs 8 lbs., 8.9 oz. The short barrel still retains an effective range of 700 yards using various types of ammunition.

The lower receiver is manufactured from a billet of 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum. The lower receiver has the Magpul MOE pistol grip. The PWS EBT receiver extension is used along with a Magpul MOE stock. The EBT used for the MK2 is slightly longer than that of one designed for a 5.56mm rifle to allow the use of a AR-15 carbine buffer instead of the shorter .308 carbine buffer. The weight of the buffer for the MK2 rifle is equivalent to that of a H2 buffer. In the grip insert of the MOE pistol grip is a gas block adjustment tool. This particular rifle was equipped with an ALG Defense QMS or Quality Mil-Spec trigger group. The trigger broke at 6.25 pounds and was quite smooth. The magazine catch and bolt catch are standard AR-type. The trigger guard is part of the lower receiver and is enlarged to accept gloved hands. In front of the magazine well are two chevron shaped grooves to assist with grip. The rifle uses the standard SR-25 magazine and was provided with a Magpul PMag 20LR. The rifle was tested with both the Knights Armament and CProducts steel magazines as well.

The upper receiver is manufactured from a billet of 7075 T6 aluminum and incorporates a combination forward assist and fired cartridge case deflector in the same manner as the DPMS .308 Win-family of weapons. The rifle sent for test and evaluation is the MK216 rifle. Like the MK116, the MK216 also uses the Keymod free floating rail system. The Magpul polymer MBus folding backup sight come standard on the rifle.

The barrel is again 14.5 inches and is button rifled from 4140 Chromoly steel with a 1 turn in 10 inch twist. At the end of the barrel is a 2.20 inch Triad 30 flash suppressor pinned in place. This barrel is an Isonite QPQ treated barrel. Primary Weapon Systems estimate a minimum barrel life of 9,000 rounds if routinely maintained (bore and chamber cleaned every 1,000 rounds and bolt carrier group disassembled and cleaned every 3 to 4,000 rounds). There is, like the MK1 series, a 4-position adjustable gas valve accessible through a cut-out in the front portion of the Primary Weapon Systems Keymod rail. The Keymod rail is manufactured from an extrusion of 6061T aluminum. Sent along with this rifle is the PWS Keymod polymer Harris bipod adapter as well as a 2.16 inch polymer rail segment. These rail segments are offered in aluminum as well. The maximum effective range is based off of the barrel length. The 12 inch is 600 yards, the 14.5 inch barrel is 700 yards, the 16 inch barrel is 800 yards and the 20 inch barrel is 1,000 yards.

The MK2 barrel is also equipped with the Primary Weapon System adjustable gas block that allows the shooter to balance the gas system giving just enough gas to properly cycle the weapon, no more. This decreases felt recoil and extends the service of several key rifle components. Position 1 is normal operation with standard and some military ammo. Position 2 is for hotter military loads. Position 3 is for use with a sound suppressor with standard ammunition and position 4 is for use with a sound suppressor and hotter military ammunition. The X position is for disassembly, removing the gas plug from the front sight base.

Both the upper, lower receiver, bolt carrier group and barrel are not compatible with any factory standard out in the industry. The upper receiver cannot be placed on any other lower. The PWS MK2 is designed as a complete weapon only.

The MK2 nickel Teflon coated bolt carrier group is really just the MK1 series on steroids. The bolt is a dedicated bolt with the gas ring location machined off. Unlike the MK1 series there is no spring on the tail of the bolt. All this means is you have to pay a little more attention during the assembly process to insure the bolt is in the unlocked position when installing it into the upper receiver. The bolt carrier does appear to be heavier than the standard AR10-type with the same geometry as the MK1. The bolt carrier group is manufactured by Primary Weapon Systems.

The ammunition used for testing the MK214 was Black Hills Ammunition 7.62mm 175gr M118LR ammunition as well as Federal XM80 ball ammunition. This rifle appears not to be sensitive to ammunition. The optic chose to test the rifle with is the Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 3.5-10x40mm M3 Illum (67950) optic. Groups averaged at just around 1 inch at 52 yards.

PWS offers their own direct gas bolt carrier upgrade to consumers based on their MK1. The enhanced bolt carrier requires less lubricant, increased surface hardness and slickness. The pores of the tool steel are sealed on either the Isonite QPQ or nickel Teflon carriers. The nickel Teflon is a running change in production in 2014. PWS feels it gives their rifles a more “broken in” feel when brand new. The carrier has slabbed sides and brought in the surfaces where they did not want the carrier to touch the inside of the upper receiver and extended the surfaces out that they did want the carrier to touch the inside of the upper receiver. The end result is less bearing surface, but the carrier rides inside the receiver with less slop and in return you get a smoother cycling of the system. This same philosophy holds true to the direct gas as well as their piston operated carriers. The carrier also has a heavier weight than normal that aids in longer dwell time, which means it allows for the cartridge case to contract more prior to the initiation of extraction. The less residual pressure the easier it is to extract the fired cartridge case. This can be very useful in short barreled suppressed rifles (10.5 and 14.5-inch barrels).

For the direct gas shooters, PWS offered Direct Impingement Keymod handguards as well. This handguard is offered in both 12 and 15 inch lengths. The lightweight rails weigh 8.4 oz for the 12 and 11.6 oz for the 15 inch Keymod rail. The kit is comprised of a Keymod rail, trunion, Neodymium magnet, barrel nut, barrel nut wrench and 6 hex screws. The only tools required for installation are a 9/64, 3/32 inch hex wrenches and 1/2 inch torque wrench. The rail is quite slim and lightweight and not difficult to assemble.

The PWS family of weapons differs from the others in its use of the long stroke gas system rather than the more common short stroke. All three weapons tested were 100% reliable. The recoil impulse was a little more stout than any other AR-type rifle this author has shot. The carrier/operating rod is a much larger mass than that used on a short stroke tappet rifle which explains the heavier recoil. This would be greatly useful in a condition where the rifle is in extremely adverse conditions. The PWS system fills a niche for those who may seek this type of reliability. The fit and finish of the PWS rifles is excellent and the rifles are extremely well made. The company manufactures many of their own components, which is always a significant plus in maintaining consistent reliability. The design approach that PWS took has only been used by ADCOR in their BEAR carbine. However, very few of these rifles exist in the market place so they are pretty much the only game in town using the true AK long stroke system in an AR platform.