Right side view of the Japanese Type 11 light machine gun with canvas sling.

By Robert G. Segel

In preparing research for this article it was found that there was no consistent consensus on the actual proper name of this weapon among the many sources utilized – both in English and in Japanese. A good part of that may be as simple as how the Japanese word or words were translated into English, the time period or era in which it is discussed or the emblematic usage of a nick-name. This gun is known by many names: Type 11, T-11, Taish? 11, Nambu Type 11, Nambu Taish? 11 and Model 1922; with Type 11 and Taish? 11 being the most encountered. For consistency purposes the name used throughout this article will be Type 11 as that is what it is commonly known as and accepted in the broadest of terms.

History

At the turn of the twentieth century, the Japanese military, like most of the rest of the world, was unsure of the effectiveness of machine guns and what they meant and how they were to be used on the battlefield, whether offensively or defensively and how they would, or would not, affect the outcome of engagements. They had no modern firearms strategies and relied on foreign designed guns to test, evaluate and use. The leading candidates of the time were the water-cooled short recoil Maxim gun and the air-cooled gas operated French Hotchkiss gun. The Japanese ultimately chose the Hotchkiss Model 1901 gun as they felt that even though the Hotchkiss used 24-round feed strips, being air cooled and lighter in weight provided them with a mobility advantage without the reliance of always being near a water source. Thus it was the combat knowledge gained in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905 where the Japanese used the Hotchkiss Model 1901 heavy machine guns versus the Russian Maxims that convinced the Japanese of the usefulness of machine guns; particularly in providing covering fire for advancing infantry.

Later, as World War I raged all across Europe in 1914, Japanese military attachés made direct observations of the battles and combat tactics, which ultimately reinforced their estimations of the use of automatic weapons in warfare. Wanting to expand its sphere of influence in the Far East, Japan sided with the Allies and declared war on Germany in August 1914, quickly occupying German-leased territories in China’s Shandong Province and the Mariana, Caroline and Marshall islands in the Pacific. While the rest of the world was focused on the European battleground, Japan continued to expand and consolidate its position in China and expand control over German holdings in Manchuria and Inner Mongolia. World War I permitted Japan to expand its influence in Asia and its territorial holding in the Pacific while the Imperial Japanese Navy, seized Germany’s Micronesian colonies.

It was in 1914 that Japan started production, under license, of the Taish? 3 heavy machine gun based upon the design of the French Hotchkiss Model 1914 as their heavy machine gun in 6.5x50mm Arisaka ammunition. Beyond that, they recognized the value of a lightweight, man-portable weapon such as they saw with the Lewis gun as a huge advantage for infantry on the offensive. After the hostilities ended in Europe, the Japanese Army Technical Bureau was charged with the development of a lightweight machine gun that could be easily transported and used by one man in the infantry squad resulting in the Type 11 in 1922. Gaining combat experience in Japan’s growing sphere of influence in Manchuria and northern China confirmed Japan’s effectiveness of providing automatic covering fire for advancing infantry troops.

The first light machine gun to be manufactured in large quantities in Japan was the Type 11 light machine gun and when accepted was “Typed” in commemoration after the 11th year of the reign of Emperor Taish?, or 1922. The gun was a highly modified design by the famous Japanese arms designer General (then Colonel) Kijir? Nambu, based on the French Hotchkiss Mle 1909 light machine gun. Retaining the cooling fins on the barrel and the collapsible attached bipod, instead of using the typical Hotchkiss feed strip design, he developed a hopper feed housing design holding 30 rounds to feed the weapon. He also completely redesigned the bolt and locking system. His design also meant that the bolt violently extracted the spent cartridge casing requiring an oiler system to oil the cartridges prior to chambering. This oil reservoir had to be located immediately over the center of the feedway causing the sights to be offset to the right. He then radically changed the shoulder stock configuration to be offset to the right to be ergonomically beneficial because the sights were offset. The Type 11 saw active service in the Imperial Japanese Army from 1922 through to the end of World War II in 1945. It was the oldest Japanese light machine gun design to see service in the Pacific War in World War II even though it was superseded by the Type 96 light machine gun (6.5x50mm Arisaka) in 1936 and then the Type 99 light machine gun (7.7x58mm) in 1939. Both those guns resembled the 1920’s design of the Czech ZB 26 being gas operated with a top feed magazine and bipod mount, but the Japanese guns were completely different internally.

Type 11 (1922) 6.5mm Light Machine Gun

The Type 11 was the standard equipment in the Imperial Japanese Army infantry squad. It is gas-operated, air-cooled, and hopper fed and full automatic only. Like many Japanese automatic weapons, its design stems from the French Hotchkiss system, but the method of feed, consisting of a removable feed housing hopper attached to the left side of the receiver in line with the feedway and charged with clips of cartridges, is unique. The hopper holds six five-round stripper clips; or thirty rounds in all. The five-round clips are stacked lying flat above the receiver, secured by a strong spring arm follower, and the rounds stripped from the lowest clip one at a time, with the empty clip thrown clear and the next clip automatically falling into place as the gun was fired.

The hopper can be refilled while attached and does not require removal during operation and can be replenished at any time. The inherent and obvious disadvantage of this hopper system was that the open feeder box was susceptible to dirt, dust, grime and mud entering the gun. That, along with poor dimensional tolerances, made the gun prone to operational jams. Additionally, it was practically impossible to reload the weapon during an assault charge due to the clip feeding system and the strong spring arm follower holding the cartridge strips in place. A soldier literally needed three hands to reload the weapon while advancing

The ammunition is loaded with 5-rounds in a stripper clip with 1,440 rounds to the wooden box. A small cardboard package contains 3 stripper clips (15 rounds). A small steel ammunition box to be carried with the gun has capacity for 24 clips (120 rounds).

Another unique and easily identifiable aspect of the Type 11 is the ‘bent’ buttstock to the right. The trigger housing extends behind the trigger with a very narrow metal wrist that then expands into a wide wooden buttstock. This entire assembly is offset to the right. Since the cartridge oiler is located along the top of the receiver along the centerline axis, the sights have to be offset to the right. The idea being that the stock was also offset to the right to align with the offset sights. (Though offset sights are not unusual in guns designed with a magazine feed on the top of the receiver like a ZB or Bren gun, whose stocks are not offset, apparently in 1922, Colonel Nambu thought it mattered.) Another (weak) theory that surfaces on occasion hypothesized that due to the weight of thirty cartridges loaded in the hopper that hangs from the left side of the gun, to counteract that weight imbalance, the stock was offset to the right.

Overall, identifying the Type 11 may be easily observed by the unique feed hopper, the cartridge oiler located on top of the receiver, the cutout thin wrist section of the wide wood shoulder stock that is offset to the right, the front and rear sights being offset to the right and the markings, which are on top of the receiver and reads Juichinen Shiki meaning “11th Year Type.”

The weapon has a bipod fixed permanently to the gun near the muzzle that can be folded rearward back along the gas tube and barrel when in transport. It can also be fired from the model M1922 folding tripod mount, which is carried by the gun squad for use as desired. When the mount is used the bipod is folded back along the barrel. This mount has both a traversing and elevating mechanism. When the gun is to be used against aircraft, the legs are extended and the tripod raised to its maximum height, which places the gun about four feet from the ground. The elevating device is then unfastened so that the gun will have free traverse and elevation.

Operation

A safety lever located on the left of the trigger guard is shifted downward until approximately vertical for “safe.” In this position its lower end engages a small notch in the side of the trigger guard and cannot easily be displaced. For “fire,” the safety lever is rotated backward and upward until it points horizontally to the rear.

The safety lever is attached to the end of a pin, part of which is cut away. When the safety lever is set at “safe,” the solid portion of the pin obstructs the trigger, whereas when it is set on “fire,” the cutaway allows the trigger to operate freely and to depress the sear.

Before firing, one must be sure that the oil in the oil reservoir is adequately filled. As the rounds are fed into the gun, they work against an oil pump. This allows a small amount of oil to come down on the cartridge, thus oiling the rounds as they are fed into the gun. The ammunition is oiled as this gun does not have a slow initial extraction to prevent ruptured cartridges.

The rate of fire is regulated by means of a gas regulator with several openings of different sizes for the passage of gas through the regulator until it strikes the gas piston. The gas cylinder has five holes of different sizes and is numbered 10 – 15 – 18 – 20 – 28, the small number being the small hole. These holes regulate the force with which the bolt recoils. Adjustments are made to ‘smooth out’ the action of the gun so that only enough gas is utilized to force the recoiling parts to the rear smoothly and without their striking the buffer with excessive force. After initial regulation, changes are necessary only when the gun becomes excessively fouled and dirty, so that more force is required to drive the parts rearward. If the bolt recoils too fast, a smaller hole should be used. If the bolt recoil is slow, sluggish or insufficient, a larger hole should be used.

The ammunition hopper must be filled and is accomplished by raising the follower and placing six five-round clips in the hopper. The follower is then lowered on the cartridges. As the follower is under spring tension it holds the cartridges down against the feed mechanism in the bottom of the hopper.

Cock the gun by pulling back the bolt slide (operating handle) on the left until the projection on the piston engages the sear notch. Push the operating handle forward until its catch clips into the receiver. The gun is now cocked and ready to be fired.

As the bolt is pulled to the rear the operating slide cams the feed slide to the right. As the feed rack plunger is against a shoulder of the feed housing, it causes the feed rack, due to a diagonal cut in the feed slide, to be cammed up until the feed rack plunger (which also raises), comes to a cut-away portion of the feed housing. During this movement the feed racks raise and engage the cartridge in the lower clip. As the feed rack plunger has raised to the cut-away portion of the feed housing it allows the feed and stripping racks to move in with the feed slide, stripping a round from the lower clip and placing it in front of the holding pawl. At the same time the feed rack plunger is cammed in and comes out in another slot.

As the bolt comes forward and pushes the round into the chamber, the feed slide is cammed out. As the feed rack plunger is in another slot the feed racks are held, due to the diagonal cut in the feed slide. The racks are cammed down until the feed rack plunger is cammed in. During this action the feeding and stripping racks have dropped down below the level of the cartridge. After the feed rack plunger has been cammed in, the feeding and stripping racks move out with the feed slide until they reach their outmost position; at that time the feed rack plunger comes out into the first slot and the cycle is repeated. After the cartridge has been stripped from the clip, the clip is ejected out the rear bottom of the hopper by the clip ejector.

The holding pawl is holding the first round of ammunition in line with the chamber. As the trigger is pulled it causes the sear to move down, disengaging the sear from the operating slide. The operating slide, bolt lock and bolt travel forward under the pressure of the compressed recoil spring, the bolt chambering a round. After the bolt has reached its forward position, the operating slide continues to move forward. As it travels forward it cams the bolt lock down behind the locking lugs on the side of the receiver, locking the breech. As the operating slide continues to move forward, a portion of the operating slide strikes the firing pin, driving it forward, striking the primer and firing the gun.

As the projectile passes the port in the barrel the gases pass down through the port and into the gas cylinder, giving the gas piston a push to the rear. As the gas piston is made on the forward end of the operating slide, the slide also moves to the rear. The first one-half inch of movement cams the bolt lock up, unlocking the bolt. During this movement the bolt lock cams the firing pin back from the face of the bolt. After the bolt is unlocked the operating slide, bolt lock, bolt and empty cartridge case, which is held to the face of the bolt by the extractor, recoil. When these parts have recoiled a sufficient distance, the rear of the bolt strikes the ejector, pushing out on the rear end of the ejector, causing the front end to pivot in knocking the empty cartridge out through the ejection port opening. The operating slide, bolt lock and bolt continue on to the rear, compressing the recoil spring until the bolt strikes the buffer fork, thus absorbing the remainder of the recoil force.

The front and rear sights are of necessity offset to the right to prevent obstruction of sighting by the oil reservoir. To set the rear sight, press the knurled catch on the left side of the rear-sight slide, move the slide to the desired range, and release the catch. The rear sight is in increments ranging from 300 to 1,500 meters. There is no means for windage adjustment.

To unload the weapon, pull back on the knurled feed-housing lock on the feed-house assembly, where it projects out of the lower center of the right side of the feedway, and remove the entire feed-housing hopper assembly to the left. Remove the live ammunition from the feed well of the feed-housing hopper assembly and replace the feed-housing assembly in place on the gun. Do not attempt to unload the gun by working live rounds through the gun, because it fires from an open bolt and will fire when the bolt closes and locks.

Disassembly

Always make sure the weapon is unloaded by visually checking the hopper magazine, feed-housing assembly and the chamber.

Taking care that the backplate does not fly out under spring tension, remove the backplate pin by releasing the catch, turning it down to a vertical position, and puling it out. Remove the backplate group and operating spring.

Pull the bolt slide (cocking handle) to the rear and remove the operating slide, the bolt, and the bolt lock. Line up the lugs on the bolt slide with the opening on the side of the receiver and remove the bolt slide to the left. Lift the bolt and bolt lock from the operating slide. Slide the firing pin from the rear of the bolt and remove the bolt lock from the bolt by sliding off the top of the bolt. Lift up on the front of the extractor spring and rotate it to the left ninety degrees, and remove from the bolt. The extractor will now lift off of the bolt.

To remove the feed housing from the receiver, pull the feed housing lock, on the front right side of the receiver, to the rear. Slide the feed housing to the left, removing it from the receiver. Note that the feed housing can be removed in the same manner when the gun is assembled and the bolt is in battery position. To further strip the feed mechanism, raise up on the feed slide lock on the rear left side of the feed housing. Slide the feed mechanism to the left, removing it from the feed housing. Slide the stripping and feeding rack to the left and lift up on the stripping rack, separating the two pieces. Press in on the feed rack plunger and lift up on the feed rack, removing it from the feed rack. Extreme care should be used in removing the follower spring. Remove the follower stop, which is located to the rear of the follower pivot. Then raise the follower up, holding the front of the feed housing against a table or some other object to catch the follower plunger and spring. The follower can then be removed by aligning the lugs on the follower pivot with the cut-away portion of the follower bearing on the feed housing. The holding pawl should not be removed except in case of breakage. It is then drifted out to the left.

The oiler assembly is removed by pressing down on the oiler lock, which is located directly in front of the rear sight, and sliding the oiler assembly to the left, removing it from the receiver.

The trigger housing and stock can be removed from the receiver by using a drift to drive out the trigger-housing split pin from right to left. This pin is located between the trigger housing and receiver, directly behind the trigger. By pulling the trigger, the trigger housing together with the shoulder stock can now be removed by sliding it off to the rear of the receiver. To further strip the trigger housing, rotate the safety down, raising up on the end of the safety at the same time, and continue rotation until it is in the forward position, then pull out, removing the safety from the trigger housing. Drift the trigger pin out, removing the trigger, sear and sear spring.

The barrel jacket can be detached by removing the barrel jacket lock retainer plate, which is located on the left rear part of the gas piston tube, by drifting to the front of the weapon. The barrel jacket lock retainer can be removed and the barrel jacket lock drifted to the front of the gun, removing it. The barrel jacket will now unscrew from the receiver, right hand threads.

Unscrew the gas cylinder from the front of the gas piston tube. Slide the gas piston tube to the rear about one inch and remove from the bottom of the barrel jacket. The barrel is pressed into the barrel jacket and cannot be replaced without having access to a press.

The ejector is located on the left top corner of the receiver and is removed by removing the ejector pin. The bolt locks are located under a plate and are pressed into the receiver, on the right and left side of the receiver, directly behind the feed opening.

Accessories

The Type 11 light machine gun was intended for both infantry and cavalry use. Among the accessories of this weapon are manuals, a small armor shield, foldable tripod, waist ammunition pouch, spare barrel, spare barrel cover, spare feed-housing (hopper) pouch, bulk ammunition sacks, muzzle cap, canvas and leather transport case, spare parts and tools maintenance kit and steel ammunition box containing 24 five-round strips for a total of 120 rounds. There were also special pack and saddle outfits for use by the cavalry.

Conclusion

The Japanese Type 11 (1922) light machine gun was an early attempt at a single man-portable automatic weapon following in the footsteps of the Lewis gun, Chauchat and Hotchkiss Portative. Using the French Hotchkiss as a starting point, tweaking the operating system and adding a unique feed mechanism and a bent buttstock, Colonel Kijir? Nambu made his mark on this early design. Though light and man-portable, its unique feed system was a central cause of its problems in various sandy or muddy environments that Japan fought in and having to oil the cartridges prior to chambering was a big drawback both operationally and logistically. Nevertheless, the gun, when properly maintained, was accurate and reliable and provided the cover for advancing infantry that it was designed for and saw extensive use in Manchuria and China prior to World War II. Although in the 1930s, in skirmishes with the Chinese, the Japanese army realized that their awkward, hopper-fed Type 11 was inferior to the Czech ZB machine guns used by the Chinese and set about to create a similar type of weapon that became the Type 96 and Type 99. With approximately 29,000 Type 11s manufactured from 1922 to 1941, and superseded by the likes of the Type 96 and Type 99 light machine guns, it was never declared obsolete and fought alongside the newer types throughout the entire Pacific Campaign right up to the end of the war. It is believed that four or five companies manufactured the Type 11. Initial production began at the Nagoya Army Arsenal and the Kokura Army Arsenal. TG&E (Tokyo Gas and Electric) produced the Type 11 until production was taken over by the Hitachi Manufacturing Company in 1939. It is possible that the Hoten Arsenal in Manchuria also produced the gun in quantity.

Like many Hotchkiss designs, the Type 11 feels clumsy except when actually fired as its forward center of gravity becomes an advantage. And, since so many of the Hotchkiss designs used feed strips, it was felt the hopper design eliminated snagging problems. Though not a bad idea, it did not meet practical expectations in the field.

The Reduced Load Controversy Set Straight

Almost every single reference publication refers to a reduced charge rifle cartridge for the Type 11 as it would not function properly with the standard-charge rifle ammunition and, because of reliability problems, muzzle velocity and thus cartridge impulse were reduced. This reduced-charge ammunition contains about 2 grams of propellant instead of the 2.15 grams that was the standard charge for rifle ammunition. This ammunition was denoted on cardboard packaging with a Roman letter “G” inside a circle. As translated from a Japanese ammunition manual during the war by MacArthur’s intelligence unit (MID) in 1943, they erroneously thought the “G” stood for the Japanese word “gensou” – or “reduced.” But why would the Japanese use an English letter and was cartridge performance actually reduced?

Thanks to the research efforts of leading Japanese arms authorities Edwin Libby, Robert Naess, and others, the real story can now be explained. In the intelligence report of ’43 they claim the Type 3 HMG, Type 38 HMG, Type 11 LMG and Type 96 LMG all used the “G” round from the introduction of each of these MGs. This was wrong in that the Type 3 and Type 38 could not have used the “G” rounds as it had not been developed yet.

The Japanese were concerned with the amount of smoke and flash of their early rounds and in the 1930s developed double nitro based propellants – nitrocellulose combined with nitroglycerine – to reduce smoke and flash. Analysis of rounds in the packets marked with the “G” revealed the use of a double nitro powder. The diamond shaped flake powder in the cases was made including the use of very refined chips of cedar wood that held a solvent of glycerin and then mixed with graphite. This double nitro charge was slightly heavier than the single base that was used previously and resulted in a slightly smaller charge in the cartridge case by approximately 1.5 grains. The reduction in the powder charge was not understood by the MID and theorized the reduction was to reduce muzzle velocity to ease firing impulse in the weapons. This was, in fact, wrong. Though the cartridge had a slightly reduced powder volume due to its reformulation, muzzle velocity and impulse did not change as has been widely speculated and reported. It reduced muzzle flash and visible powder signature.

So why the English letter “G”? The Japanese used four types of powders in their rifle cartridges and each type was designated with an English letter. Note that a Japanese Kanji symbol was not used. The “G” on the packets of the double nitro cartridges stood for the Japanese use of their anglicized word for “glycerin” which described the additive in the powder in those specific cartridges in the packets. That the MID in ’43 erroneously believed the “G” stood for the Japanese word “gensou” or “reduced” has dogged the actual truth ever since. However, if that were the case, an English letter would not have been used and a common Kanji symbol would have been printed on the packets to specify the composition of the powder in the rounds. The “G” stands for a technical word, not a common Kanji word.

(Thanks to Bob Naess for providing the excellent information and explanation concerning the Japanese “G” labeled cartridge used herein.)

Japanese System of Naming and Numbering of Weapons

The naming and numbering of modern Japanese weapons generally relates to the Emperor at the time of acceptance. There were basically two systems in use; both of which had reference to the year of the gun’s introduction. The first system referred to the year of the reign of the Emperor at the time of introduction. On July 30, 1912, the Meiji Emperor died and Crown Prince Yoshihito became the new emperor of Japan and succeeded to the throne becoming Emperor Taish?, beginning the Taish? period. Type 11 refers to the eleventh year of the Taish? era, or in the western calendar, 1922.

Emperor Taish? died in 1926 and Hirohito becomes the Showa Emperor. Thus, a Type 14 Nambu pistol showing a manufacturing date as Showa 15 was made in the Western year 1940 – the 15th year of the Showa reign.

However, just to confuse the issue, another third method was simultaneously used during World War II that did not refer to an emperor’s reign. Again using a Type number, it sometimes represented the last two digits of the Japanese Jimmu Year which, by Western terms, began in 660 BC. For example, the Type 92 heavy machine gun, that does not have a qualifying era name such as Taish? or Showa, represents the year 2592 (or 1932 on the Gregorian calendar).

Pre-cut copper bar stock. From here the copper will be turned to the desired diameter for the projectile being made and then multiple projectiles will be manufactured from each.

By Christopher R. Bartocci

Like firearms, ammunition hits a peak of development and levels off. Once in a while, something really new hits the market. Back in 1991, Winchester Black Talon was introduced to the market and there was an outcry from gun control advocates and some medical personnel that his round was too lethal and should be banned because of its excessive destructive nature. At what point do we really say any ammunition is too dangerous? The purpose of a defensive bullet is to stop the threat. There are different ways to do that such as by destroying major blood vessels and lungs and heart and this is accomplished by using a projectile that destroys tissue. Full metal jacket projectiles do this by punching holes in them; hollow point projectiles do this by destroying tissue as they expand. The more the projectile fragments the more separate wound channels are made thus more tissue is destroyed with an end result in stopping the threat. Some projectiles do this better than others. Anyone who has studied the theory and application of wound ballistics knows that there is no magic bullet. There is no magic caliber either.

Interestingly, one would be surprised how often hollow point projectile do not open up as designed. There are many factors; this includes initial barriers such as glass, wood, drywall and most importantly clothing. Hollow point projectiles can become clogged with clothing (cotton, denim, polyester, etc.) that will prevent them from opening and also depending on the density of the tissue the bullet strikes. Harder muscle and bones for instance can affect the opening of a projectile. Then straight soft tissue hits can open projectiles up as designed. It would not be uncommon at all to have multiple shots and have only 20% of the projectiles actually mushroom as designed due to all of these potential variables. With that being said, some believe in the single projectile that retains all of its weight and expands nearly double in diameter as the way to go where others believe in fragmentation. Leave that up to the individual to decide. However, from the standpoint of physiology, the more tissue destroyed the more apt you are to stop an attacker.

Bullet manufacturing and development has taken a direction away from lead in the area of high performance hollow point ammunition beginning with solid copper Barnes bullets – made in both rifle and pistol rounds. Originally developed in high caliber rifle rounds for deep penetration in heavy to dangerous game, the solid copper projectile now make up some very good pistol projectiles including the Barnes TAC-TX. Machined/CNC machined projectiles from solid copper rod or different material were first seen with LeHigh Defense. These projectiles seemed extremely effective but expensive. Then again this is not target shooting ammo.

The newest, opening their doors late in 2013, is G2 Research with The RIP (Radically Invasive Projectile). This is quite different from anything that has been done in the past. What truly sets this projectile apart from the rest is explained by Chris Nix of G2 Research

“Like LeHigh Defense, the design has features that are precision machined from a solid copper bar. These machined geometries create weaker cross sections that fail or fracture predictably under certain loads. Where we differ is that our machined features are not just engineered to create weak points in the structure. Geometry is the key variable in the concept of this technology. The trocars and other machined features play a significant role in barrier penetration and where the energy is dissipated. There is a moment in time in which this piercing action transfers from one medium to the next with less resistance thus retaining energy in the form of velocity. Through hard, semi hard and soft mediums, the projectile’s performance is optimized by the result of how the geometry is presented relative to its direction of travel. It is evident in hard barrier testing like sheet metal that the punctured hole is cleaner and if the sheet metal is unconstrained you can observe that it falls over like a domino instead of being knocked down. What is happening here is the barrier is being defeated with less energy loss.

“The 45 degree autoglass test shows trajectory being retained as a result of this application of technology. In fact in the real world the angles of presentation are quite compounded and variable as is the resistance at point of impact of that medium. To better explain in a real world defense situation a law enforcement officer may not stand directly in front of the vehicle that is trying to run them over especially if given the opportunity to move. Different makes of vehicles yield a lottery of curvature and geometrical differences. If the vector of shot places the trajectory’s path intersecting the surface of the windshield closer to the corners verses the center, this can make a difference in resistance too. With G2 Research’s design there is a broader range of angles where the round maintains trajectory. Your more conventional projectile shape shows a higher propensity to glance as its rounded nose is presented to these types of obstacles at lesser angles. To incapacitate the threat you must hit it and under distress shooting as described shot placement will be compromised enough.

“The heavy clothing test defined by the FBI is 4 layers of heavy denim. What we test for here is that the round will penetrate this barrier and still perform its expansion or fracture (depending on the product) through this medium. During development we found that our design would very consistently perform this requirement. So our team decided to amp the test up a little to see where we drop off in performance. The results compared to other rounds were quite amazing and it was evident that we were on to something. The large cavity along with the other geometries mentioned work together to prevent clogging that would otherwise impede its performance. The results were 12 plus layers. In real world scenarios it’s not impractical to create the equivalent of more than 4 layers of denim especially in colder climates.

“Once the round has entered soft tissue targets the geometry is still working for us. Another difference that exists between us and some other machined solid copper projectiles is the cuts along the axis of the projectile do not go into the hollow point. An increased rate of radial pressure built from fluid or tissue is a result of the reduced deceleration at impact mentioned earlier. These hydrostatic forces are contained inside the cylinder until the hoop strength of the material fails. When the failure along the axis occurs it is quite mechanically explosive. Each petal inside the soft target will carry its wave of energy after they’ve fractured and traveled along their predictable paths. This conical disbursement of 8 trocars are approximately 60 degrees of included angle. Each of the 8 trocars path along that 60 degree conical are an approximate radial increment of 45 degrees. This creates a wave of energy that is very easy to witness in the slow motion segments of the gel shots other than the temporary wound cavity resulting from these now individual projectiles energy push. Their shape is designed to slice through muscle tissue, arteries and organs with less resistance. Our 8 petal versus 3 petals increases the probability of one of those fragments compromising a vital, thus increasing odds of incapacitation per shot by a factor of 2.66. Especially if shot placement isn’t perfect under a distress real world self-defense situation.

“We all play by the same rules and constraints regarding SAAMI specifications for loading of OAL, diameters and pressures, materials available, choices in brass, primer and powder technologies. 1/2 MV^2= Ke

“What this has done is created a seesaw between Mass and Velocity as many manufactures have juggled those two variables to achieve similar results of the predicate.

“With this new and radical approach to geometry, G2 Research has introduced a new variable that allows the energy to be put more where
it is intended.”

The research and development at G2 is continuously on-going and geared for new products. The RIP projectile was more than a year in development. Manufacturing starts off with a single copper bar that is 12 feet long and depending on the caliber gets 147 to 238 projectiles. The CNC machine manufactures a projectile from the end of the copper bar. Each projectile takes about 20 to 50 seconds to manufacture depending upon the caliber. That round is cut at the base, falls in a bucket and the next projectile is made. The process continues until the bar is used up.

Outside loading is used. G2 build the components to adapt their machines to load the G2 projectiles. G2 has a very strict quality control and testing policies in place for anything loaded by their vendors. G2 outsources brass, powder and primers. All the ammunition is subjected to SAAMI specifications. The accuracy requirement is 2 inches at 25 yards. These are not designed for target shooting or match accuracy; they are designed for an up close protection round. Currently, G2 offers the RIP projectile in calibers .380 Auto, 9x19mm, .357 SIG, .40 cal. and .45 Auto.

Samples of .380 Auto, 9mm, .40 and .45 Auto were provided to SAR for test and evaluation. We at SAR do not like to take anyone’s word for how a product functions or works, we like to test it ourselves. There were 4 gel blocks made up to FMI standards. The gel blocks were calibrated with a BB fired at 589 feet per second.

The .380 Auto was the first tested. The gel was calibrated with a single BB fired at 589 feet per second with a depth of 3.34 inches. The 62 grain round was fired in a Ruger LCP with a 2.75 inch barrel at a muzzle velocity of 1,238 feet per second. The total cavity length was 4.875 inches. The trocars penetrated at 360° from 2 3/4 to 5 inches as advertised. The core penetrated 8.75 inches. The projectile retained 62% of its weight. This was without a doubt the most impressive result.

The 9x19mm was next. The gel was calibrated with a single BB fired at 590 feet per second with a depth of 3.14 inches. The 92 grain round was fired in a Browning Hi-Power with a 4.75 inch barrel at a muzzle velocity of 1,347 feet per second. The total cavity length was 7 inches. The trocars penetrated at 360° from 5 to 7 inches in depth. The core penetrated 11.125 inches. The projectile retained 49% of its weight with an average expansion diameter of .366 inches with the largest being .373 inches.

Next was the .40 caliber. The gel was calibrated with a single BB and fired at 578 feet per second with a depth of 3.24 inches. The 115gr round was fired in a Glock 22 with a 4.49 inch barrel at a muzzle velocity of 1,164 feet per second. The total cavity length was 4.75 inches. The trocars penetrated at 360° from 5 to 6 inches in depth. The core penetrated 9.5 inches. The projectile retained 45.1% of its weight with an average expansion diameter of .400 inches.

Lastly was the .45 Auto. The gel was calibrated with a single BB and fired at 576 feet per second with a depth of 2.97 inches. The 158 grain projectile was fired in a Springfield Armory M1911A1 with a 5 inch barrel at a muzzle velocity of 1,024 feet per second. The total cavity length was 5.75 inches. The trocars penetrated at 360° from 5.5 to 8 inches in depth. The core penetrated 10.75 inches. The projectile retained 52% of its original weight with the average expansion diameter of .450 inches.

All rounds fired performed as advertised. All trocars broke off in aradial pattern creating multiple wound channels. Gel is not the end all of testing. It takes into account the simulation of soft tissue. It does not take into account the density of muscle and harder tissues found in various organs nor bone. We were limited on gel blocks so it was not possible to test for the other variables. Based on the gel testing the projectile does appear to be extremely effective. Depending on the caliber there are 7 to 9 separate wound channels. This drastically increases the chance of hitting a vital organ with a single shot and stopping the target as opposed to a single projectile.

Not unlike Winchester’s Black Talon, G2 has received bad press for making an evil devastating projectile.

Chris Nix of G2 continues: “Not official, but there are two sides of this coin on the internet. There are people that make claims that we are the most destructive ammo ever developed and we should all burn in hell for creating such a thing. The other side says that the ammo is a gimmick round that has absolutely no power for defensive and we should burn in hell for our marketing. The people who actually test the ammo for themselves realize that we are an incremental step in the evolution of modern ammunition and we will continue to research and develop its evolution.

“We believe that at this stage many people are trying new forms of defense with lead free projectiles and so far no one has created a round that we would be scared to carry in our own guns. We believe our round is more efficient in certain aspects of its life cycle and in the arena of self-defense, any advantage is a good advantage.”

Another line of ammunition recently introduced by G2 is their VIP (Visually Indicated Projectile) based on cold tracer technology.

According to Chris Nix, “Our VIP uses a cold tracer technology that nullifies the incendiary and toxic qualities of the common tracer using a proprietary technology affixed to the back of the projectile. The particular light glow of the powder we use in the round lights the back of the projectile much like the glow in the dark stickers that we are all familiar with. Our Cold Tracer is meant for low light conditions where the trace could help to quicker get on target in a panic situation or as a training round that the instructor can see. Unlike, traditional tracers the vector of light emitted from the VIP is axial to the projectile, which means the light is coming off the tail end. This makes the illumination only visible from an approximated 15 degree included angle from the shooter’s point of view. No one outside that field of view can see the light trail therefore not compromising the shooter’s position.”

As of this writing the VIP is only available in 9mm but soon to be introduced in .45 Auto. Due to the cold tracer technology, the VIP round is safe to use indoors and will not set a fire to a dry range.

G2 also offers rifle ammunition in both super and subsonic .300 Blackout as well as .223 Rem. The Trident is a precision CNC machined, lead free, solid copper projectile engineered to expand to nearly 3 times its original diameter while maintaining almost 100% of its initial weight. Each Trident projectile is engineered to expand in a predetermined velocity range. As an example, a competing .30 cal. 150 grain projectile will expand at velocities in excess of 2,600 fps when fired from a .308 rifle, but when the same 150 grain projectile is used in a .300 blackout, the performance is less than ideal. Since each projectile is individually machined, G2 can tailor the performance to the specific application. While some companies take a bigger is always better approach, the Trident rounds are optimized for expansion as well as penetration to provide the optimum in energy transfer. Additionally, the Trident round only expands when it contacts tissue, so it is suppressor safe. While the Trident round was specifically designed for hunting, it is equally effective as a self-defense round. The Trident will penetrate clothing and heavy denim and expand as designed on soft targets, yet still retain its mass as it punches through solid barriers such as drywall, sheet metal and auto glass.

The RIP, VIP and Trident lines of ammunition are certainly a new take on ammunition mating high-tech manufacturing to projectiles. With a MSRP ranging from $49.99 to $59.99, you will not be target shooting with it. This will go in the magazine of your personal defense handgun or rifle. Only time will tell how effective this is on an assailant. But from a concept, execution and testing it appears as this will take its place alongside other well established personal defense rounds.

The SCCY CPX-2 loaded with 10 + 1 rounds of a high performance 9mm defense load like the ASYM 9mm +P TAC-XP load makes for a very compact lethal package. SCCY says that +P ammunition is recommended only in the CPX-2 model and only then in limited quantities.

By Chris A. Choat

In 1998, Joe Roebuck recognized that there was an increasing demand for a safe, simple to operate and affordable firearm as a growing number of states enacted legislation to allow concealed-carry permits to law-abiding citizens. His company had more than three decades of experience in the manufacturing industry, so he set out to apply his skills as a Tool & Die Maker and Mechanical Design Engineer to design such a firearm. What he ended up with is now known as the CPX series of 9mm firearms. In September 2003, Roebuck founded Skyy Industries, LLC, (now known as SCCY Industries, LLC and pronounced “sky”), to produce the innovative CPX line. Their manufacturing facilities are located in Daytona Beach, Florida, just a half a mile from the famous Daytona 500 speedway.

The CPX line of pistols consists of the CPX-1 and the CPX-2. They are both chambered in 9mm and they are identical except that the CPX-1 has a manual safety lever. Both pistols are double action only and are hammer fired. They have a fairly long, heavy trigger pull but that is usually the rule for this type of pistol. In the SCCY pistol, the hammer is at rest until the trigger is almost to the end of its pull. Only then is the hammer fully cocked making the gun completely safe until the trigger is intentionally pulled all the way back. This makes for an extremely safe firearm; something that anyone carrying a gun should make their primary concern. The pistol that was used in our testing was their CPX-2 model. Since the gun is safe because of its internal design this author had no use for a manual safety. If and when someone needs to use a concealed gun there are enough things to think about without the safety being one of them. It should be just draw, aim and fire.

The CPX-2 has a stainless steel slide and a polymer frame. The slide has cocking serrations and uses a 3-dot set of sights. The front sight is machined into the slide and the rear is dovetailed. The rear sight is drift adjustable and has a locking screw. The slide and the sights have smooth, rounded edges with nothing to snag clothing or hinder being able to draw the gun quickly. The gun has a barrel that is 3.1 inches long, machined from bar stock and has a 16:1 right hand twist. The recoil spring and guide rod are all steel and are fully encapsulated so no parts to go flying or get lost during disassembly. The gun’s frame is made from aluminum mounted into a Zytel polymer grip. It has ergonomic finger grooves and what SCCY Industries calls a “Re-Coil Cushion” molded in. With this model, controls consist of just a slide release lever and a magazine release button – neither of which are ambidextrous. The complete gun is 4 inches tall and 5.7 inches from front to back. It has a thickness of exactly 1 inch. It is slightly thicker than other concealed carry guns but this is because it carries 11+1 9mm cartridges.

The pistol is fed from a standard steel 10-round magazine of which 2 are included with it. They are double stack magazines and there are two finger extension and two flat magazine base plates also included. They can be interchanged as per shooter preference. The gun is also shipped with a trigger lock and two keys.

All of the SCCY pistols can be ordered with either a black nitride or natural stainless steel finish on the slide. The polymer frame can be acquired in black, flat dark earth, pink and now the new purple. Of course you can mix and match the colors as you desire. The test pistol featured a black slide, fire controls and a flat dark earth grip.

The pistol was received several months ago and testing proceeded apace. In the first three weeks, the pistol fired over 500 rounds with no issues or failures of any kind. It shot full metal jackets and hollow points alike. The gun was not cleaned or lubricated; it was just shot. It didn’t have a preference for any ammunition type; it shot everything including the author’s reloads. We also shot aluminum cased ammunition with no problems. It was even fed some +P loads with not so much as a hiccup. SCCY Industries recommends that +P ammunition be shot ONLY in their CPX-2 models and then only in limited quantities. As this pistol is marketed as a conceal carry pistol, this author started carrying it on a regular basis in my vehicle and in my briefcase as well as in an inside the belt concealment holster to see what effects long term carry would have on the gun’s finish. In short the gun still looks like new. Just as this article was being finished, a holster was received for testing that may just be this author’s favorite new holster. It’s called the Stealth Operator Compact Holster and is made by Phalanx Defense Systems. Four months and several hundred more rounds later the gun performed perfectly and still looks almost new with only a very small shiny spot on the edge of the slide. During all of this time the gun was shot at least on a weekly basis and sometimes 2 or 3 times a week. Every time another gun was tested for an article, the SCCY pistol was taken out and shot. An exact count at this point wasn’t being made but it has to have fired close to 1,000 rounds to date.

In the accuracy department the pistol is more accurate than this author can hold it and several other shooters have shot groups into 2 inches at 50 feet. The gun is far more accurate than it needs to be for the job it was designed to do. If it can shoot into 2 inches at 50 feet then it is more than accurate enough for the “across the room” ranges that most concealed carry guns are designed for. The trigger on the gun was not at all bad when it was received for testing and seems to be even better now. Yes, it is a heavy pull (about 7 to 8 pounds) but on this type of gun that’s the way this author likes it. It is a long a pull but very smooth, much like that of a high quality revolver. The gun’s sights feature fairly large white dots and you can pick them up quickly and easily even in low light situations making it a very good home defense or bedside gun.

My concluding thoughts on the pistol are very different from my first impressions. At first I thought that this was just another low priced pistol that was built cheaply and was built to sell in high volumes without much regard as to its reliability or accuracy. I was very wrong. In the last few months this gun has had more ammunition shot through it than most SCCY pistols will probably be shot in their lifetimes. Speaking of lifetimes, all SCCY pistols carry a No-Questions-Asked Lifetime Warranty that stays with the gun. In short, I highly recommend this gun. With a retail price of only of only $314 for the CPX-2 ($334 for the CPX-1) it is a bargain. In fact you should have one in your home as well as one in all of your vehicles. The pistol has great round capacity, light weight, low recoil, total reliability, the best warranty and is very accurate. What more could you ask for?

SCCY Firearms
1800 Concept Court
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone: (386) 322-6336
Website: www.sccy.com

By David Lake

As the name implies, Battle Arms Development, Inc. (herein, Battle Arms, or BAD) is a product development firm. They specialize in creating new products and solutions to satisfy the needs of the hobby and professional shooter; and even solve the problems these shooters don’t yet know they have. Preemption is the Battle Arms’ strategy to successful problem solving. BAD was founded by an engineer and architect with an impressive resume in the themed entertainment industry, George Huang. He has worked for Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Studios, and many major casino hotel resort venues around the world. His work mainly involved creating lighting and special effects displays to attract and impress the crowd. George’s superpower is that he knows what people want.

In 2009, Battle Arms Development was launched and began by offering a few armorers tools and AR-15 accessories. Today, BAD is an OEM supplier to dozens of other small arms manufacturers. There’s a good chance that your favorite boutique AR brand features the BAD selector lever as standard equipment. And BAD offers its services as a consulting firm and project development partner to a handful of new, small startups in the arms industry. Battle Arms’ latest claim to fame is that they’re an engineering and manufacturing partner to Bentwood Gunsmithing, the creators and purveyors of the world’s lightest AR-15 rifle, known as the OIP.

The mainstay of the BAD product line is the modular ambidextrous safety selector for the AR-15. The safety can be regarded as an innocuous and relatively simple part of the AR-15 mechanism. And that is not untrue. But George Huang is not one to accept that simple conclusion. He saw that the selector is one of the most important parts of a rifle. The rifles used in service by law enforcement and security companies may never fire, and if so, rarely. But, those same rifles may be deployed and carried and handled and loaded and unloaded on a daily basis throughout their service life. The selector lever can see more use than the trigger in some cases. And this begs the question, why then do we spend up to $400 on a trigger for our AR-15, and just accept the solid, cast safety that came in a little bag with our rifle’s small parts kit? Well, we shouldn’t. That’s the straight answer. The safety selector on a rifle is as important as the brakes on a car. The selector made by BAD has been optimized to enhance its role and utility. The selector levers are modular, that is, they can be interchanged as required to fit a shooter. The internal barrel of the BAD safety is made of hardened steel. The detent pin supplied with the safety selector kit is also harden stainless steel and features an improved geometry – this coupled with similarly refined geometry of the track in the selector barrel, where the detent rides, results in the most positive feeling safety on the market. The BAD safety delivers audible and tactile feedback to the shooter. The modular levers that are available in different lengths and profiles can also be had in many colors. There’s a BAD safety selector lever to match your new camouflage dip or Cerakote treatment. Or your selector can be red, pink, Tiffany Blue, zombie green or even raw stainless steel, just to upset the monotony of the “black rifle.” The BAD selector lever is available in two basic operating designs featuring the typical 90 degree swing and the 50 degree short throw lever. Among those two options, there are two basic constructions as well: the standard, BAD-ASS (Ambi Safety Selector) and the BAD-CASS (Combat Ambi Safety Selector), which has been “up-armored” for professional use. The CASS unit is mechanically locked together by a robust dovetail and a locking torx screw. The CASS lever is available in a select fire version also, to suit the needs of government agencies and the lucky owners of legal M16s. Battle Arms also makes a selector for the S&W MP15-22 to replace the plastic OEM part. And as a teaser Battle Arms would not confirm, but won’t deny, plans on an upcoming short throw safe/full-auto only selector with no semi-auto setting.

Another growing sector of our shooting community is long range precision shooting, also known as “tactical rifle.” This shooting discipline employs what some may call a “sniper rifle” to engage practical targets at distance, in less than ideal conditions. A shooter may be required to shoot without a bipod, or from a rooftop, or while lying in weeds or gravel. The targets may present at unknown distances, or with limited time exposures. This type of shooting has become very equipment oriented. More and more, shooters of “tactical rifle” can simply buy superiority over the other competitors. Enter Battle Arms Development. BAD did not invent the detachable box magazine (DBM) kit for the bolt action rifle, but they did indeed make it better. Most DBM devices place the magazine release button outside or far enough from the trigger guard that the shooter’s support hand is required to eject the spent magazine, and replace it with a new magazine. The BAD-DBM incorporates the magazine release paddles into the contour of the trigger guard. This allows the trigger finger to extend forward and easily reach and operate the mag release. This frees up the support hand to simultaneously go off in search of a full magazine, which cuts down reload time by half.

It should be agreed upon that Battle Arms is not really in the accessory market. It is more correct to say that BAD is in the problem solving business. One of the biggest persistent problems affecting shooters today is control and handling of their weapon. If parts and accessories don’t claim to make your gun more reliable, they probably claim to enhance its feel, handling, and control. This may allude to the shooter interface – the ergonomics of the gun, specifically, the stock and grip and forearm. It is not misleading to suggest that a rifle’s attitude and performance under fire can be tamed by a proper fit to the shooter and balance in his hands. Also, control and handling can be enhanced further by enforcing proper “hold” by the user. Technique can usually make up for technology to some degree, and vise-versa. Remember that next time someone is selling you something. Knowing this, BAD conspired in the development and refinement of a next generation stock assembly for the AR-15. Battle Arms calls their optimized lightweight butt stock the BAD-LBS. The LBS and its accompanying SABERTUBE receiver extension represent some “next gen” thinking. The length of the tube, and angle and draft of the butt plate are based on research into firearm behavior, the structure of the average human body, and the abilities and ideals of today’s shooting community. This may sound like snake oil at first consideration, but it has merit. Less experienced shooters tend to “blade” their body toward a target, or turn sideways while presenting the rifle. This position further encourages bad form by suggesting that a shooter place the rifle’s butt plate very high on the shoulder. The shooter must then bring the stock comb up to the head, which is setting atop a relaxed and vertical neck. This technique is ideal for slow fire, off-hand target shooting. This is not the way to present a semiautomatic combat rifle to a would-be assailant on the battlefield. This is not the way to carry your AR-15 onto the high-stakes game of multi-gun competition. This sideways and “open” hold of a rifle leaves the gun largely unsupported against any force besides gravity. Recoil and carryover forces from the cycling mass in the rifle will push and pull the shooter around, and recoil will push the gun back into the shoulder, then up and over and away from the shooter; off to the high one o’clock direction. By positioning oneself correctly behind and “on top of” a rifle, that rifle’s inherent control and accuracy can be improved. Proper form and hold on a rifle will reduce muzzle climb and overall recoil. Proper form will facilitate faster target transitions and make “walking fire” possible, and ultimately effective. The stock assembly offered by Battle Arms is not for decoration. It is a bolt-on performance enhancing upgrade for the AR-15. The BAD-LBS and SABERTUBE work by simply encouraging correct form and magnifying the performance enhancement afforded by the employment of proper technique. It will help you shoot better. The SABERTUBE and LBS componentry is all made from 7075 aluminum and type 3 hard-coat anodized. The SABERTUBE is honed and polished inside for smooth motion of the rifle’s recoiling mass. The unique dimpled structure of the tube promises great strength at an overall weight savings and, though the SABERTUBE’s length falls somewhere between that of rifle and carbine, it uses a standard carbine buffer and spring assembly.

Most of the ideas and innovations from Battle Arms began as inert boring parts that we see on “old fashioned” AR-15 rifles. Most hobby shooters and professionals alike are generally content with what they’ve got. Most just want “more,” not necessarily “better” when it comes to guns. But not George Huang. He has the habit of scrutinizing everything and looking for possibilities and greatness in the most mundane and inanimate things. The takedown and pivot pins on the AR have been brought into the 21st century with the BAD-EPS (Enhanced Pin Set) kit. These pins include a neodymium-iron-boron rare earth magnet that secures the detent pin in a small dimple at the bottom of the pivot pin, to assist with holding the pin while it is inserted into its pocket, atop the spring. The EPS pivot pin incorporates a shallow guide channel to maintain control of the detent pin until it snaps into the main groove on the pivot pin, thereafter remaining captive. This method facilitates a tool-free installation, and makes losing the elusive little detent impossible. One step further is the BAD-EPS-Ti. This pin kit comes crafted in 6AL-4V titanium for ultimate in corrosion resistance, strength, and weight savings. They’re also beautiful to look at. Both EPS pin kits feature improved head geometry, and increased length, both to make tool-free operation fast, easy, and painless. The EPS kits include selected premium springs and detents to ensure correct, positive function. Since Battle Arms’ involvement in the OIP ultra-light rifle project, titanium has become more common in Battle Arms’ lineup. Soon to go up for sale is an ultra-lean titanium gas block by BAD said to weigh less than the gas tube. Some firms in the gun industry shy away from the use of Titanium for its added expense and the extra care that must be taken during the manufacture of parts, but George Huang is not scared of Titanium. Keep an eye on Battle Arms for more upcoming Titanium accessories.

The magazine button is another boring item that is overlooked by everyone. Not at BAD. The Battle Arms magazine button, the BAD-EMR, has seen that the magazine release button rise to new levels of distinction. It’s made from 7075 aluminum, because it’s harder and stronger and costs more and is more difficult to machine. But it’s better, therefore it is the material chosen by George Huang to craft a simple button. They come in 8 different anodized finishes, some will match your camouflage pattern, others, like red, gold, or blue will boldly stand out against your black rifles. The EMR is slightly taller than other buttons. The screw does not protrude through the V-shaped face, and the smooth horizontal serrations allow the finger to “swipe” the button to initiate lightning fast mag changes. The extra height makes for ideal application to competitive shooting. For more serious endeavors, the magazine latch post can be cut short in order to mount the EMR lower, and below the “fence” on the receiver, to avoid inadvertently dropping a mag.

Whenever Battle Arms cannot improve on an item (where perhaps someone already has), BAD stocks and sells those optimized premium parts on his web store. Battle Arms Development stocks the ambidextrous magazine release from Norgon, anti-rotation pins, and takedown and selector detents from KNS Precision, the Fortis SWITCH rail and the SHIFT short angle grip. Also, BAD carries the modular Tactical Link sling mount, the MFT Battlelink collapsible stock and triggers from Geisele, ALG and CMC. Rainier and Battle Comp muzzle brakes as well. The consumer can buy with confidence if George is selling it. The reason Battle Arms carries these fine products from these respectable companies is that the Battle Arms brand of complete rifles (soon to be unveiled) are all built using these premium parts.

The beating heart of the AR-15 is the receiver and Battle Arms has not forgotten this. BAD offers two trim levels to their receivers. The entry model, coined the BAD-15, is a premium forged lower that features a precision wire EDM cut magazine well. The working surfaces are all CNC machined and holes are all precision reamed to size. All markings are laser engraved into the aluminum in fine detail. The Battle Arms “SPARTAN” logo shows itself in bold 3D relief. Prior to final finish, the BAD-15 is tumbled in fine abrasive media to even out the texture and marks from tooling or fixtures to produce a smooth satin surface. The receiver is finished in a Mil-Spec Type III Class 2 hardcoat anodizing.

The next step up in receivers is the BAD556-LW; available as a matched set upper and lower. It’s a departure from the norm even among the “billet” receivers of today and is a radical departure in that it weighs less than a basic forged receiver. The design takes cues from architecture. The “web and strut” can be found in skyscrapers and aircraft. It’s a beautiful and efficient way to incorporate strength and rigidity without adding more material. The overall aesthetic of the BAD556-LW finds its roots in Battle Arms’ collaboration on the OIP ultra-light rifle project. When compared to the exclusive and elusive OIP receiver (the OIP receivers are also made by Battle Arms), The BAD556-LW features a full length Picatinny rail to give the shooter a multitude of sighting options. This receiver lacks the see-through windows of the OIP allows for the use of a dust cover door. So it offers all the versatility and capability of any receiver, but weighs less and looks amazing while doing it.

The other major component of the AR-15 is the barrel. The barrel is the last influence a shooter has on a bullet before it is sent out, alone, into the world to find its target; the singular task for which all bullets are made. The barrel of a gun cannot be taken lightly and is, in fact, an iconic image today (recall a James Bond intro montage). The barrel requires supreme quality and precision and must be built to a specific purpose; the length, weight, taper, twist rate, contour and construction material all determine the role for which any barrel is ideally suited. The “one size fits all approach” is a losing strategy when it comes to the barrel on your AR-15. Late in 2014, Battle Arms released the LIGHTRIGID barrel. The thinking behind it was that if little material was used, little material would be required to support it. This is true in architecture and engineering alike as the heavier a structure becomes, the heavier it must then become to maintain strength in its operating threshold. As a barrel gets longer, it must become fatter to maintain rigidity. As a barrel becomes heavier, its spine is taxed by its own weight, and a stressed barrel will exhibit increased harmonic frequency, which leads to poor accuracy. At an extreme degree, a barrel can be made so thick and heavy, that it will not exhibit any harmonic activity, but nobody wants to carry that barrel around. The length and weight of a barrel do not directly determine inherent accuracy. Rigidity and internal finish and tolerance determine accuracy. Battle Arms set out to make the best light barrel; not the lightest good barrel. Double heat treated and cryogenic stress relieved 416 R stainless is used in the LIGHTRIGID barrel. This stainless alloy can be machined and tooled while maintaining a superb surface finish. The twist rate is 1-8 inches. This is actually the ideal twist for 55 and 62 grain .223 projectiles. 1-7 inches has found some popularity, and thus, demand in the current market. There is little demonstrable reason for a 1-7 inch barrel on a compact rifle wearing a 14.5 or 16-inch barrel. 1-7 is better suited for the DCM course, in slow fire high power competition. In fact, some high power shooters at Camp Perry still use 1-8 inch twist with bullets up to 80 grains. The LIGHTRIGID barrel has been kept to a minimum safe contour. It’s also worth mention that these barrels have extra material around the chamber and are thicker over the length behind the gas block than the standard M4 barrel profile. This is done for added safety, better accuracy and a longer service life. The gas block journal is only 5/8 inch diameter (this was the original design of the first AR rifles). The barrel is fluted across the entire length as a measure to save weight. The rifling is formed by a precision button process. The LIGHTRIGID barrel only comes with a mid-length gas system; it is preferred over the standard carbine as it runs with slightly reduced pressure and particulate in the gas charge. These barrels are chambered in .223 Wylde, an improved 5.56 NATO chamber that allows for the reliable use of all NATO spec ammo, and yet returns supreme levels of accuracy with match grade .223 ammunition. All LIGHTRIGID barrels come threaded with the standard 1/2 x 28 at the muzzle. As an option, the LIGTRIGID can be had in a 2-tone finish.

Yet to come from Battle Arms: There are rumors of their own ambidextrous charging handle, lightweight (and maybe modular) bolt stop, lightweight magazine latch, and an array of caliber choices in the new LIGHTRIGID barrel. Be on the lookout for .300 AAC blackout (subsonic and supersonic variants), 6.8 SPC, and even 7.62 NATO and 6.5 Creedmoor, whenever the BAD556-LW grows into the large pattern. There are two exciting (and unofficial) projects that are being kept in a vault, in the sub-basement of the Battle Arms’ research laboratory – a 6.8 SPC specific receiver set, to accommodate the new optimized pattern magazines, which allow the 6.8 to stagger correctly and utilize some extra room in the mag for new and better bullet profiles. This receiver pattern is very specialized; to both the bolt group and magazine, but it does let the 6.8 come into its own realm and stretch it legs rather than share space with the underachieving 5.56. Also we found an impossibly cool new take on the AR receiver. It’s a PDW monolithic receiver/stock combo. It’s a joint endeavor between Battle Arms and Cross Machine Tool. It features a sliding wire frame stock that lives in and on the receiver. The receiver is the stock and the stock is the receiver. To reiterate, the ultra-short PDW style collapsible buttstock mechanism does not attach to the receiver – it is born there. This new design cuts inches and ounces off the assembled configuration of many other offerings to this market. It comes with its own special space-saving buffer and spring system and even a beard-friendly carbon fiber cheek rest. The entire surprise will not be spoiled here, now. Suffice to say that it is an over-achieving piece of engineering and is peerless in execution. SAR will have images of this exciting receiver in an upcoming issue.

Battle Arms Development is rapidly becoming a front-runner in the race to reform and re-brand the AR-15. But BAD is not a giant disconnected company. One can actually call the office and speak to George Huang. Or you can speak to his wife (who is really the boss). Battle Arms has always held the ideals of “progress and innovation” higher than “production and margins.” Respect and reputation are also on the list of what’s important at Battle Arms. BAD seeks out and welcomes contact with and feedback from the end user of the product. Battle Arms can offer tremendous input and insight in projects or ideas to established companies or new startups. They should not be seen as a competitor, but a partner. The goal and purpose of Battle Arms Development is to make what you the shooter; weekend player or workweek professional, want and need from your rifle.

Battle Arms Development, Inc.
180 Cassia Way, Suite 510
Henderson, NV 89014.
Phone: (702) 802-3588
www.battlearmsdevelopment.com
https://www.facebook.com/BattleArms
Instagram: Battlearms

By J.M. Ramos

Over the years since its initial adoption as the official U.S. military sidearm in 1911, the legendary Colt .45 automatic has seen countless upgrading that includes mechanical redesigns such as double action conversions, high capacity magazine enhancement, cosmetic improvements and the introduction of many recoil reduction devices that were made popular by the action shooting circuits of the 80s and the 90s. In the aesthetic department, it was the custom grip that never ran out of style. The market is continually flooded with stylish 1911 pistol grips that are made from so many different materials; from aluminium, titanium, ivory, stag, exotic woods and the popular G-10 fiberglass composite just to name a few. This line of custom grips comes in different patterns and checkering cuts to maximize purchase and overall appeal. Despite all the differences in materials, color and styling, they all share the same commonality – plain and slab sided. That old tradition in 1911 grip innovation is about to change with the introduction of the revolutionary Recover Tactical CC3 grip system. The CC3 is truly a superb 21st century upgrade for the veteran service handgun. The unique design and styling of the CC3 can be attributed to the exceptional talent of Tamir Porat, a world renowned Israeli weapon engineer, also responsible for the creation of the Tavor combat rifle recently adopted by the Israeli Defence Forces. With his impressive firearm design background, it’s not surprising that Mr. Porat was able to accomplish a remarkable feat when creating his CC3 grip system. It has truly benefited the 1911 aficionado on a tight budget by instantly transforming this century old warhorse to an ultra-modern pistol equalizer capable of accepting tactical wares such as weapon light, laser and even vertical grip (where allowed by law) for maximum control with
a large pistol caliber.

The CC3 grip system consists of two halves that virtually cover the receiver (frame) of the pistol except the back side where the main spring housing and grip safety is located. It is made of high-grade polymer – the same material used on the Tavor rifle. The CC3 is tailored to be a universal fit to a standard 1911 type pistols. While most 1911 pistols produced by various gun manufacturers are designed to Colt specifications, there are some makes that differ in certain areas – primarily in the grip fore-strap contour for raised checkering purposes and the dust cover being beefed up a bit for strength and added weight as an aid to muzzle flip reduction without the aid of a muzzle device. To check out the fit of the CC3 with various 1911s, the grip was installed to the Series-70 Colt; then to the Caspian Arms, utilizing an early manufacture frame kit. The fit to the Colt Series 70 frame is near seamless with just a tiny line appearing below the trigger guard. On the Series-80 gun, the CC3 grip fit perfectly and seamlessly. The Caspian frame kit on the other hand had a very prominent .042 inch wide gap at the front of the grip. This could be the result of the added material from the raised checkering as well as the overall contour and dimension of the front strap radius. Another production brand 1911 pistol that has the same issue in this area is the Taurus PT 1911. Both 1911 frames have a noticeable square edge at the rim of the front strap (not a full radius like Colt) precluding a seamless fit. The large ribbings on all sides of the CC3 afford excellent purchase and the portion of the grip that covers the front strap improves the ergonomics. The CC3 appears to have better feel and ergonomics than any 1911 grip this author has tried before (wood or plastic). The styling is great, the material is light and strong but most of all, it offers the versatility of a railed 1911 pistol at a fraction of the price all without the
added weight and bulk.

Installation of the CC3 to the pistol is quite straightforward and takes about three minutes to complete. Simply remove the original grip of the gun and substitute the Recover. The only added work is the installation of the two small screws (comes with the kit with a hardware) that tightens the front end of the part. The halves are surprisingly snug when mated to the frame with no looseness whatsoever once all screws are tightened. The cut out for the magazine catch is very well thought out providing easy access, while the opposite side has an identical profile that gives the trigger finger excellent clearance for trigger reach and pull. In addition, the CC3 thumb safety clearance is also commendable focusing primarily on the shooter’s comfort and ergonomics. The profile on this area is also the same on both sides, truly ambidextrous and very nicely done. The CC3 fully encloses the dust shield of the frame and extend just a bit to increase the length of the rail and was perfect for the TLR weapon light, SIG-Arms mini-laser and Fab Defence folding front grip (made for a Glock pistol) for PDW conversion. Naturally, it is even more exciting to dress up a vintage 1911 carbine utilizing a detachable shoulder stock to a more sophisticated modernized PDW conversion complete with a folding front grip. In Canada this setup is perfectly legal for restricted firearms license holders. In the USA, stocked handguns or a handgun with a forward grip falls under a different class of weaponry and is subject to NFA rules and regulations. Having a forward grip on a railed stocked handgun makes a lot of difference in weapon control and comfort. It provided the handling characteristic of shooting a short barrelled rifle. The stock and grip in the carbine set-up really does make a lot of difference and it’s quite pleasurable to shoot specially with a compensated top end or a long slide with a match barrel. This can only be accomplished with a railed frame and the CC3 system made this all possible almost instantly without all the extra work or expense.

Although the overall design characteristics of the CC3 is quite impressive, there is still a little bit more room for improvement to further enhance its ergonomic and user friendliness. One desirable feature that can be incorporated with the system is an elevated serrated thumb rest to be positioned just forward of the slide stop and behind the CC3 marking on the dust cover. This would be a perfect location for locking the thumb of the non- shooting hand in a two hand hold position to attain maximum control of the gun as well as comfort. The built-in thumb rest can be made ambidextrous for all shooters and ideally the same height and profile as the slide stop serrated section. The right half of the grip of the CC3 first production batch has no cut for an ambidextrous safety. The ambidextrous cut is now incorporated on the latest production grips. A square bottom type grip for Smith & Alexander type mag-wells for those who prefer to use this popular accessory as an aid for speed reloading would also be a welcome addition to the series. A very useful tactical accessory for the CC3 that can be put to a good use is an optional one-piece scope mount that can be slid and secured directly to the rail of the grip. The mount will shroud the top of the slide just forward of the ejection port to allow unobstructed ejection of empty shell during firing. The top of the mount that covers the portion of the slide would have a built-in rail similar to that one already incorporated in the CC3 for mounting a small red dot or reflex type optic. The scope mount can be tailored to have a clearance underneath the shroud for aiming with an iron sight without removing the mount in the event the optic becomes unserviceable. If the overall dimension of the bridge module that encloses the slide can be kept streamlined and flat, it can be a phenomenal outfit for defense, competition or hunting purposes. A very versatile hi-quality optical mounting system is currently available for this tactical set up. It is called the handgun Universal Scope Mount (USM) by Fab Defence, one of Israel’s leading weapon accessory producers. This accessory is made from CNC machined 6061 T-6 aluminum and beautifully anodized to match any handgun finish. The USM features a top and bottom rail system allowing the mounting of an optic at the top and the bottom for a folding forward grip such as the Tactical Folding Fore-grips (FGG-S and FGGK-S for Glock pistols) also made by Fab Defence. Unfortunately, the USM is not compatible for use with the CC3 due to the low position of the rail in comparison to rails cut directly to the frame of the pistol. The good news is there is an alternative mount to the USM that can be used with the CC3 and is available from SIG Sauer called bridge mount. This accessory is made of high strength polymer and a bit bulkier than the USM but lighter. The bridge-mount features top rail (for miniature reflex type optic) and bottom rail (for weapon light, laser or forward grip). Just recently, Recover Tactical expanded their grip system series with the introduction of the new BC2 grip system for the Beretta 92F pistol.

Sources

www.recovertactical.com
www.fabdefence.com
www.missionfirsttactical.com
www.sig-sauer.com

By David Lake

Here is the unlikely success story about a new small arms manufacturer from the desert of Southern Utah. Cobalt Kinetics came from nothing; that is, the founder and partners involved in the inception of the company knew little to nothing about guns or how to make them, or how to sell them. All they really had was vision and motivation; usually enough to ensure success in anything. Cobalt began unencumbered by the financial burden that makes growing a new business difficult; the infrastructure to make this business venture possible came about at the snap of a finger. Free from the mundane struggles and growing pains of starting a new business, the men and women of Cobalt Kinetics were able to move forward at the speed of thought in pursuit of their endeavor. The company’s success was not without cost however. There was much hard work involved, to be sure. The people of Cobalt Kinetics will regale you with stories of 20 hour workdays and 7 day workweeks to get the thing started. Their greatest challenge, and highest achievement, and ultimately the key to their success was the cohesive working relationship among the staff. The machine operators, the executives, and everyone in between shared a common goal. Cobalt’s goal and vision was not to simply package another AR-15 but to create a better AR-15. Sure, the current staple of the Cobalt brand is indeed an AR-15 at its heart. But Small Arms Review was made to understand (and shown, unofficially) that Cobalt’s interpretation of the AR-15 is just a first step. Cobalt Kinetics is scheming to change the industry and they intend to make some waves.

At first look, Cobalt’s flagship rifle, the BAMF (Billet Aluminum Modern Firearm) comes across as an abstract modern art masterpiece. It’s as if Alexander Calder and his contemporaries conspired to craft a rifle. Maybe the BAMF is where gothic architecture meets science fiction space film. This rifle’s shape is more art than engineering. During conception and design, the artist behind the gun was left to draIw and design as he wished (Cobalt really does employ an artist who in fact knows precious little about guns). Cobalt’s engineering team just had to fine tune the artwork until a gun could fit inside. Whatever the cause or effect of its marked appearance, believe that the BAMF is all business. Small Arms Review became aware of Cobalt’s plans in October of 2014. Cobalt expressed some very optimistic plans and goals for the future and direction of the company. They had nothing but a lower receiver and some drawings and, in no more than 10 weeks, Cobalt Kinetics managed to create a full line of rifles and unique features and amazing possibilities. SHOT Show 2015 was the official unveiling of Cobalt and its BAMF.

During its growth, the team at Cobalt never lost sight of the plan to produce a supreme quality AR-15. The internals and all working components are either sourced from top-shelf industry firms or created in-house at Cobalt Kinetics. The BAMF makes neither compromise nor concession for economy’s sake. No expense is spared, as long as that expense directly enhances the rifle’s performance or aesthetic. There are many practical rifles available to the consumer. There are many accurate rifles available to the competitor. There are many hard-working rifles available to the professional. There are beautiful rifles available to the collector. The BAMF is all of these; and available to everyone. The BAMF straddles the thin line that separates form from function. Nay, it erases that line and expresses plainly that form and function can coexist. The trend in small arms development today demands modularity and durability and the tastes of upcoming consumers demand style and exclusivity. Anyone with a background in mechanics or engineering will scoff at the allusion that you can have it all. For example, a Maserati is a work of art – it’s exquisitely sculpted by old-world craftsmen, but it can never run as long or be as reliable as a Toyota, which is built with gross robotic precision. And be sure that Toyota will never make anything as beautiful as the Maserati. So, maybe it’s true, in cars at least- you cannot have it all. But if you’re seeking an AR-15 rifle that is visually pleasing, and functionally superior, you are now in luck. As with all things art, everyone has their taste. If the BAMF does not please your eye, sorry, you should move on. There are plenty of boring, ordinary AR clones on the market.

When looking over the Cobalt BAMF, it’s easy to miss the mechanical genius inside and the beauty is in the details. The BAMF has a totally new and unique operating feature coined the “DD” (double “d”) and it is an ambidextrous forward assist and simultaneous bolt release integrated and incorporated into the upper receiver. The conventional forward assist is mirrored on both sides of the upper. The forward assist buttons have been linked through a secret mechanism in the upper receiver, so each button actuates the other. And this symmetrical forward assist has been linked to the bolt catch in the lower receiver. There are no major changes to the basic function of the AR-15. The system does not require a special bolt group or any modification to any component. It’s a big step forward, without the usual step back. The Double-D offers the user fast (and safe) actuation of the bolt catch after the bolt has locked to the rear on an empty magazine. Once a full mag has been seated into the rifle, the thumb of the strong hand just bumps one of the forward assist buttons to send the bolt home. The result is equal to the extended levers that snake down through the trigger guard with claims to speed up the operation of a rifle. But these devices come with their own kinds of potential problems. Some shooters have been observed to discharge a rifle while attempting to actuate the control lever in the trigger guard. It is the belief, in fact, of every gun-handling professional that the finger should only ever enter the trigger guard with immediate intent to fire the gun. The placement of other optional control surfaces proximal to the bang switch is just a bad idea. The Double-D mechanism serves the same purpose, without exposing the shooter to the possibility of an accident. Also, the forward assist is a familiar part on the AR-15 and a standard part of the AR’s manual of arms, so there’s no need to re-learn or familiarize one’s self with the placement of a new control surface to
operate the rifle.

Cobalt Kinetics would not rest on their laurels when it comes to proving the rifle. Good looks will only get you so far today so they employed a team of men whose daily job requirement was to wear out and destroy the BAMF. For weeks this team loaded magazines and emptied those magazines as efficiently as possible; by pulling the trigger on a rifle. Cobalt burned off over 80,000 rounds of 5.56 NATO through 4 rifles in the name of learning, by way of abusive testing. Two of these rifles have cycled over 30,000 rounds each. Failures happened, sure, but not like one would expect. A gas tube burst as it approached a temperature so high all tensile strength had been lost. One barrel cooked off its ceramic coating. Another barrel changed color turning from bright stainless to purple and brown. Extractor and ejector springs flattened out after taking a set and losing tension from extreme heat exposure. One buffer’s urethane bumper shattered from fatigue. Smoke escaped from all the cracks and gaps as oil and lock-tite were boiled off. The pair of 30,000 round rifles, however, kept the same bolt groups and trigger mechanisms throughout testing. The structural members; the receivers, forearms, stocks and buffer tubes all lasted the duration with no demonstrable wear, failure or other deficiency (the barrels lasted through the entire test, but with little remaining accuracy potential). This month long exercise showed a wanton indifference to the ammunition shortage we’re experiencing today. But what was learned from it is the important part.
Cobalt can authoritatively say what works and what doesn’t. You can wholeheartedly believe that the Cobalt BAMF is built to perform based on that.

The lessons learned in the testing phase have been applied to the production rifle. Cobalt’s rifles are held to a standard of perfection. The receiver’s internal tolerances and surface finish are tightly controlled to a far greater degree than Mil-Spec demands. The receivers are tracked and recorded through every step of the manufacturing process; from the delivery of the bar stock to the final assembly of a complete rifle. The receivers are inspected for tolerance, function and appearance at multiple stages throughout the process. Upper to lower fit are held at between zero and two thousandths of an inch. The magazine wells are cut by the slowest, but most precise means – wire EDM. The final assembly process is taken on with the solemnity of a religious rite. One technician is tasked with hand selecting components for a rifle, based on individual fit. The receiver sets are assembled and a finger is passed over the mating edges to ensure perfect fit. The buffer tubes and receiver extensions are honed and polished inside. The buffer springs are polished as well. Safety selector barrels and takedown and pivot pins are sourced from the best firms in the industry, but are still checked with a micrometer before assembly to ensure it fits ideally in the prescribed hole, which has also been checked with a precision pin gauge just before the moment of assembly. Every screw is torqued to a prescribed load. One technician carries one rifle through the process from parts selection to test fire and ultimately packaging for shipment. His name and contact information accompany the rifle to the end user. He and he alone has built your rifle. It’s a matter of personal pride and absolute quality assurance.

The componentry selected for the BAMF rifles is all top shelf- again, from the lessons learned in destructive testing. The bolt groups are the best available; made by Toolcraft and are then treated with a high performance Nickel Boron Coating. This coating reduces the need for regular lubrication in the upper receiver. These enhanced bolt groups also add a great deal of functionality to the gun. The coating is so smooth that fouling and particulate contaminants find it difficult to adhere to the bolt group, where they might retard function. When the bolt group looks dirty and needs a cleaning, a wipe down with rag and light oil does the trick. The trigger supplied with the BAMF is from KE Arms. A unitized drop-in assembly, it is adjustable for pull weight and let-off by one screw. KE Arms’ triggers feature a titanium nitride PVD surface treatment on all the working bits. Titanium nitride is totally corrosion resistant and very hard, which results in a smooth trigger feel. The barrels are manufactured by a seasoned expert in barrel making to the standards and specifics established by Cobalt engineers. The safety selector and magazine latch and changing handle are all premium ambidextrous components. All BAMF models come standard with an adjustable gas block that features audible clicks in the adjustment valve.

Cobalt offers these rifles in two trims; the basic BAMF and the BAMF EDGE. The visible difference is the butt-stock assembly. The EDGE utilizes Cobalt’s proprietary billet stock. It’s a fixed rifle length stock that completes the aesthetic appeal of the rifle. It’s also a very comfortable and practical place to rest your cheek while shooting your BAMF. Yes, it’s heavy, but the little extra weight in the rear end of the rifle does wonders for balance and handling. The basic BAMF features a Hogue collapsible over-molded unit, attached to a Mil-Spec receiver extension tube. The two rifles utilize different barrels. The BAMF includes a 14.5-inch service weight, chrome-lined CM steel barrel permanently affixed to Cobalt’s own flash hider. The EDGE model gives buyers an option for a 16-inch chrome lined or 18-inch match-grade stainless steel barrel. All barrels are chambered in .223 Wylde. All BAMF rifles feature the signature forearm, notable by the spikes at the business end. These are indeed Picatinny bases at 12 and 6 o’clock to attach iron sights or other accessories. The forearm is also part of the statement Cobalt wishes to make about the current shape of the AR-15 that everything need not be low profile and boring to be of practical use. The forearm is also M-LOK compatible for the addition of lights, grips, bipods or additional optical equipment. Another signature feature of the BAMF forearm is the hump at the receiver end that makes room for the gas tube. Absent is the continuous “tunnel” along the inside dorsal surface of the forearm. The unique arrangement allows for the forearm to clear the gas tube where required, and at the same time, keep the forearm round, and of a smaller diameter than most free-float tubes on the market. The last standard option is the color of the rifle. The BAMF and EDGE can be ordered in 3 finishes; OD green, slate gray, and brazed (a tan/straw).

The BAMF and EDGE rifles are in production and shipping and are available at a few discerning gun dealers around the country who signed up early. These rifles may be on the backorder list from time to time, but be assured that Cobalt has no intention of keeping their wares exclusive. The company is constantly expanding and has just moved production into a larger facility, and installed more 5 axis CNC machines and another wire EDM to keep up with production demand. Upcoming additions to the BAMF lineup includes a PRO model; a rifle that has been designed taking input and direction from a few of America’s top multi-gun competitors. It has all the ideal features and capabilities required for top performance on the range. The stock and forearm have been optimized and streamlined and the trigger has been upgraded to a fully adjustable unit. The barrel is lighter and more accurate and longer wearing. The bolt group is from Cryptic and features a CVD coating that is arguably the best AR bolt group ever made. The BAMF PRO is as good as a rifle can get.

“Kinetic” in the company name at first seemed out of place as this refers to something in motion. A rifle is a solid-state machine for the most part; there is only a reciprocating bolt and occasionally a projectile headed downrange. And its motion is repetitive and cyclic. After touring Cobalt’s Utah facility, and fielding the rifles and spending time with this visionary group, we became aware that “Kinetic” refers to the company and the ideas and the people who make it run. It’s moving forward – sometimes too fast. As mentioned before, SAR was made aware of some next generation concept rifles and projects. Some of these concepts are waiting for manufacturing capability to evolve enough to make them possible. That is boldness at its best; to outrun one’s own abilities. It has been said by wise men that “fortune favors the bold.” Many a tactical shoulder patch, ball cap or challenge coin touts this theme, as a reminder to us. It would seem that this great concept has been lost on too many gun companies, who continue to make rubber stamp “M-forgeries” and are content to remain static. Cobalt Kinetics is going to cure the black rifle.

Cobalt Kinetics
1478 South 270 East, Suite #1
Saint George, UT 84790
(435) 656-0599
www.cobaltkinetics.com
www.facebook.com/cobaltkinetics27

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

Curio or Relic Firearms vs. Collector’s Items: What’s the Difference?

Classifications of firearms as curios or relics and/or collector’s items have legal significance that affects importation, transfer, interstate movement, and the ability of firearms enthusiasts to acquire such firearms. This article will explain the two terms, the significance of classifications by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and will provide tips on submitting requests for classification to ATF.

I. Curio or Relic Firearms

A. What is a Curio or Relic?

The term “curio or relic” is not defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA), 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44. It is referenced in several provisions of the GCA, including the definition of “collector” in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(13), and in the import provisions of the GCA in 18 U.S.C. §
925(d) and (e).

ATF regulations implementing the GCA in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 define the term “curios or relics.” The regulatory definition in 27 C.F.R. § 478.11 provides as follows:

Curios or relics. Firearms which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. To be recognized as curios or relics, firearms must fall within one of the following categories:

(a) Firearms which were manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof;

(b) Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of
museum interest; and

(c) Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event. Proof of qualification of a particular firearm under this category may be established by evidence of present value and evidence that like firearms are not available except as collector’s items, or that the value of like firearms in ordinary commercial channels is substantially less.

An appropriations restriction has been included in ATF’s annual appropriations since 1994 prohibiting the agency from amending the above regulatory definition. The restriction also prohibits the removal of any firearm from the Firearms Curios or Relics List if the firearm was on the list on January 1, 1994. Until this restriction is lifted, ATF cannot change the regulatory definition of
“curio or relic.”

ATF publishes a list of firearms classified as “curios or relics” on its website, www.atf.gov. The current list, ATF Publication 5300.1, was revised in December 2007. ATF has published updates to the list through June 2010.

ATF regulations in 27 C.F.R. § 478.26 set forth the method for obtaining a determination whether a particular firearms is a curio or relic. The regulation requires submission of a written request, in duplicate, for a ruling to the Director. ATF has delegated C&R determinations to the Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division, and the authors recommend submitting the request to the division Chief. The regulations require requests for classification be executed under penalties of perjury and contain a complete and accurate description of the firearm and photographs, diagrams, or drawings as may be necessary to assist with the determination. Finally, the regulations provide that a sample of the firearm may be required for examination and evaluation.

Based on the regulatory definition of “curios or relics,” there are three ways a firearm may be classified as C&R. The first is that it be at least 50 years old. ATF has stated that firearms automatically attain C&R status when they are 50 years old, and it is not necessary for such firearms to be listed in the Firearms Curios or Relics List to be so classified. Assuming no problems in verifying the age of a particular firearm, this is the easiest way for a firearm to attain C&R status.

The second way for firearms to be classified as C&R is for a curator of a government-owned museum to certify that the firearms are of “museum interest.” A number of firearms classified as C&R made their way onto the list through the museum curator certification process. This requires that an applicant send a letter to the Chief, Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division, requesting classification of the particular firearm as a curio or relic. The application must include a letter from a curator of a Federal, State, or municipal museum certifying that the firearms are of museum interest.

Applicants who seek classification under the museum curator certification process should be forewarned that ATF requires a great deal of specificity in the certification. The agency is likely to require a list of all serial numbers for firearms sought to be classified as C&R; specific information as to why the firearms are of museum interest (e.g., associated with particular military conflicts, military operations, or other historical events), and evidence supporting the museum curator’s conclusions. The applicant may also be asked to provide evidence that the curator is associated with a government-owned museum, as opposed to a private museum.

The third way for firearms to be classified as C&R is to request ATF make a determination under paragraph (c) of the regulatory definition. Such a request should be submitted in writing to the Chief, Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division and address all the requirements of the regulations, including (1) monetary value; (2) rarity and/or novelty; and (3) association with a specific historical figure, period, or event. The information provided should be specific and detailed. ATF may request a sample of the firearm sought for C&R classification for its examination.

ATF takes the position that curio or relic firearms must be in their original condition to be classified as a C&R firearm. However, information on ATF’s website indicates that minor changes to firearms, such as the addition of scope mounts, non-original sights, or sling swivels would not affect a firearm’s classification as C&R. ATF has also determined that replacing particular firearms parts with new parts manufactured in the original design would also be acceptable. An example of an acceptable repair would be replacing a cracked M1 Garand stock with a new wooden stock of the same design, while ATF advises that replacing it with a plastic stock would change the rifle’s classification as C&R. In addition, although frames and receivers are included in the definition of “firearm,” ATF takes the position that frames and receivers cannot be classified as C&R firearms.

B. What Is the Significance of a Curio or Relic Classification?

1. Licensed Collectors

The definition of “collector” in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(13), combined with other provisions of the GCA, makes it clear that licensed collectors may lawfully acquire firearms classified as curios or relics in interstate commerce. Persons who do not hold a collector’s license are generally prohibited from obtaining firearms (including curios or relics) in interstate commerce from any person other than a Federal firearms licensee. Licensed collectors may obtain curio or relic firearms from other licensees without completing an ATF Form 4473, and the transferring licensee is not required to comply with the background check provisions of the Brady Law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). For persons interested in firearms of historical significance, obtaining a collector’s license is of tremendous benefit. It allows the license holder to obtain firearms from other licensed collectors and other licensees without going through a licensee in their state of residence.

It should be noted, however, that a collector’s license conveys no benefits as to firearms that are not C&R. As to non-C&R firearms, a licensed collector is like any other unlicensed individual and must generally go through a Federal firearms licensee in his or her state of residence to lawfully obtain firearms.

Licensed collectors are also cautioned that a collector’s license does not authorize the holder to engage in a firearms business, even if that business is limited to curio or relic firearms. Any person who is devoting time, attention, and labor to engaging in business in curio or relic firearms with the principal objective of livelihood and profit must obtain a dealer’s license to lawfully do so. ATF’s Firearms Curios or Relics List, ATF Publication 5300.1, page 2, provides the following guidance on this topic:

For example, if a collector acquires Curios or Relics for the purpose of sale rather than to enhance a collection, the collector would have to be licensed as a dealer in firearms under the GCA. The sole intent and purpose of the collector’s license is to enable a firearms collector to obtain curio or relic firearms from outside his or her State of residence. (Emphasis in original).

The determining factor for whether a dealer’s license is needed is whether the person is acquiring curio or relic firearms for a personal collection or for resale. Collectors may swap or sell firearms from their collection and do so at a profit. However, the motive must always be to enhance a personal collection, rather than to make money selling firearms. Collectors who are unsure whether their activities may be lawfully conducted with a collector’s license should discuss with qualified counsel whether it would be advisable to obtain a dealer’s license.

2. Importation of C&R Firearms

Import provisions of the GCA generally prohibit the importation of surplus military firearms, firearms subject to the National Firearms Act, and those that are “nonsporting.” 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3). However, a provision of the GCA added to the statute in 1984 provides as follows (18 U.S.C. § 925(e)):

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Attorney General shall authorize the importation of, by any licensed importer, the following:

(1) All rifles and shotguns listed as curios or relics by the Attorney General pursuant to section 921(a)(13), and

(2) All handguns, listed as curios or relics by the Attorney General pursuant to section 921(a)(13), provided that such handguns are generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.

Section 925(e) allows surplus military firearms to be imported by a licensed importer if they are classified as C&R. Handguns must also be “sporting” by meeting ATF’s Factoring Criteria as set forth on ATF Form 4590. This provision of the GCA is very significant, as it allows otherwise non-importable surplus military firearms to be imported if they are 50 years old or are classified as C&R under one of the other regulatory definitions. Surplus military rifles, shotguns, and handguns have been imported by licensed importers under this provision of the statute.

II. Collector’s Items

A. What is a Collector’s Item?

The National Firearms Act (NFA), 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, imposes registration, transfer, tax, and other requirements on certain specified “firearms.” The term “firearm” is defined to include machine guns, short barrel shotguns, short barrel rifles, silencers, destructive devices, and other concealable weapons. 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a). This provision of the NFA also provides that the term “firearm” shall not include any device (other than a machine gun or destructive device) which, although designed as a weapon, ATF finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a collector’s item and not likely to be used as a weapon.

Implementing regulations in 27 C.F.R. § 479.25 set forth the process for obtaining a classification of a particular firearm as a collector’s item. The regulation provides that requests for such classification should be submitted in writing in triplicate, to the Director. As with curio or relic classifications, the authority to make collector’s item classifications has been delegated to the Chief, Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division. Accordingly, requests for such classification should be sent to this Division. The regulations require that classification requests be executed under penalties of perjury and contain a complete and accurate description of the device, the name and address of the manufacturer or importer, the purpose of and use for which it is intended, and photographs, diagrams, or drawings of the device. ATF may request a sample of the device for examination.

It should be noted that the statute specifically excludes machine guns and destructive devices from the removal authorization. Removal requests submitted for these two categories of NFA firearms will be returned by ATF without action.

The most important information that must be included in a request for classification as a collector’s item is information on the date of manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics indicating that the firearm is primarily a collector’s item and not likely to be used as a weapon. This information must be very specific, particularly the information about value. Information indicating the firearm is not likely to be used as a weapon must also be specific and compelling.

B. Significance of Classification as a Collector’s Item.

Firearms removed from the NFA as a collector’s item are no longer subject to any provisions of the NFA. This means such firearms are not required to be registered, no advance approval is required for the transfer of the firearms, and none of the other provisions of the NFA apply. Significantly, a firearm removed from the NFA as a collector’s item will not be subject to the stringent import provisions of the NFA. Import provisions of the NFA in 26 U.S.C. § 5844 generally limit importation of NFA firearms to those brought in for the official use of government agencies. Classification as a collector’s item removes this obstacle, and if the firearm is sporting or fits within the other import criteria of the GCA, the firearm may be lawfully imported into the United States. Importation is often one of the primary reasons removal requests are filed
under the NFA.

Because the removal of a firearm from the NFA results in significantly less Federal regulation, ATF carefully and thoroughly considers removal applications. Only specific and compelling information about a particular firearm is likely to result in granting a removal request. There are also certain types of firearms ATF generally denies for removal. These include pistol grip shotgun-type weapons, due to their concealability and configuration similar to sawed-off shotguns, which are commonly used in crime. ATF has also consistently denied applications to remove certain firearms classified as an “any other weapon” because of the narrow category of weapons described in the statutory language. ATF denies such requests on the basis that removal would render the statutory language meaningless.

Even though a firearm is removed as a collector’s item, it will likely still be a “firearm” subject to all provisions of the GCA. This is true even if the weapon is classified as a “curio or relic” firearm under the GCA. Marking requirements, interstate movement, record keeping requirements applicable to Federal firearms licensees, and all other requirements of the GCA would continue to apply.

III. Conclusion

Classifications of firearms as curios or relics and/or collector’s items result in less Federal regulation and may allow otherwise non-importable firearms to lawfully enter the United States. Persons who submit curio or relic or collector’s item classification requests should ensure their submissions are accurate, specific, and complete to avoid delays in obtaining a response from ATF.

(The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed or used as legal advice.)

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.

Classifications of firearms as curios or relics and/or collector’s items result in less Federal regulation and may allow otherwise non-importable firearms to lawfully enter the United States. Persons who submit curio or relic or collector’s item classification requests should ensure their submissions are accurate, specific, and complete to avoid delays in obtaining a response from ATF.

By Chris A. Choat

Glock Releases Single Stack 9mm

Glock, Inc. has just announced the release of the new Glock single stack slimline 9mm pistol, the Glock 43. The G43 is the most highly desired and anticipated pistol release in Glock’s history. Designed to be the answer to everyday concealed carry needs, the G43 is ultra-concealable, accurate, and comfortable for all shooters regardless of hand size. The G43 sets a new standard for concealed carry pistols. A true slimline pistol, the frame width of the G43 is just over one inch and the slide width measures only 0.87 inch. The overall length is 6.26 inches. For those who have smaller hands, the trigger distance is only 2.6 inches, making it ideal for functionality. The single stack magazine holds 6 rounds and is the perfect concealed carry pistol for both duty and civilian use. The G43 is engineered to the same superior standards as all Glock pistols and the reliability instills confidence for all lifestyles. For more information please go to www.Glock.us.

Caldwell Introduces the AK-47 Mag Charger and Ammo Boxes

Caldwell now brings the same revolutionizing ammo loading process of the AR-15 Mag Charger to the AK platform by introducing the new AK (7.62×39) Mag Charger that is designed to hold 50-rounds from any common 50-round ammo box. Simply align the bullet tips with holes in the Mag Charger and dump them in. Specially designed indexing tabs align all the rounds in the loader at the same time. No need to handle each round. Then insert your AK magazine into Mag Charger, operate the plunger back and forth and with each stroke 5 rounds are loaded until the magazine is full. Now you can load 50 rounds into two AK magazines in less than 15 seconds. Made from a highly durable polycarbonate, the loader is compatible with all 7.62×39 ammo. The loader allows the user to load AK magazines in just seconds and is compatible with all AK platform mags. The loader loads 5 rounds per “stroke” with an auto advance feature. Caldwell also introduces their new Mag Charger Ammo Boxes. The Mag Charger Ammo Box is optimized to drop ammo into the AR-15 and AK-47 Mag Chargers. The AR ammo box will hold 50 rounds of .223, 5.56 and .204. The AK ammo box will hold 50 rounds of 7.62×39. The durable polymer design is proven to be extremely tough and great for long term storage. The lid can easily be removed for use when loading. They are available in 5 Pack. For more information go to
www.BTIbrands.com.

HIVIZ Announces New LITEWAVE Series Sights for Ruger10/22

HIVIZ Shooting Systems is excited to introduce another addition to their new fiber optic LITEWAVE rifle sight line — now for the Ruger 10/22. Like all HI-VIZ LITEWAVE sights, the new Ruger 10/22 front sight features a state of the art exoskeleton frame made of carbon steel allowing an unprecedented amount of light to enter their uniquely interchangeable LitePipes. All LITEWAVE designs not only offer an even brighter sight picture giving shooters faster target acquisition in a variety of light conditions whether on the range or out on the field, but also provide even more extreme durability than prior HIVIZ sights with a streamlined design for easy target acquisition of your favorite #1 plinker rifle. LITEWAVE for the Ruger 10/22 also offers the unique versatility of the interchangeable LitePipe system for the front and rear sight, giving shooters a variety of color choices for all shooting conditions. The unique design and patented locking feature of the LitePipe system effectively secures any color or size of sight in place providing shooters the ultimate combination of durability and visual lighting flexibility for their rifle. For the rear foldable sight, the HIVIZ 10/22 features simple elevation adjustments with the ability to interchange the color of the LitePipe as well like all LITEWAVE designs. The new LITEWAVE sight for the Ruger 10/22 and many others are available today at HIVIZ retailers or check them out at www.HIVIZSights.com. Retail price is just $48.95.

Luth-AR Introduces Their New MBA-1 Modular Buttstock Assembly

Luth-AR has just introduced their new MBA-1 Modular Buttstock Assembly. The new buttstock is fully adjustable for cheek rest height and length of pull adding up to one inch of cheek rest height and 1 and 1/16th inch length of pull. The cheek can also be adjusted forward or rearward. The MBA-1 is approximately half the weight of competitor’s adjustable stocks weighing in at just 1.26 pounds. The new stock is easy to replace and quick to install fitting all .223 and most .308 AR style stocks. Made from super strong glass-filled nylon, the stock is almost indestructible. All adjustments are made by loosening metal thumbscrews with no parts to lose or tools needed. The stock also has a non-slip rubber buttpad for positive shoulder positioning. The stock features sling swivel sockets and Grovetec heavy duty push button sling swivels are available as an option. The stock is perfect for your SASS rifle. For more information on the web go to www.luth-ar.com.

Breakthrough IntroducesNew Revolutionary Cleaning Products

Breakthrough Clean is proud to announce its two new products: Battle Born Oil and Battle Born Grease. Along with its revolutionary, made in the USA Breakthrough Military-Grade Solvent, Breakthrough Clean is ushering in a new era of technology, where cleaning your firearm is now faster and safer than ever. Breakthrough’s state-of-the-art distillation process provides superior firearm cleaning products that are environmentally friendly, non-toxic and virtually odorless. Currently Breakthrough is approved, qualified, and utilized daily by the largest user of firearm cleaning technology in the USA – The U.S. Department of Defense. Now, it’s available to you. Breakthrough Military-Grade Solvent is a non-water based distilled petroleum solvent that through their proprietary distillation process has had all carcinogens and hazardous waste materials virtually wiped out of the formula. Breakthrough Military-Grade Solvent has no odor, is non-staining, removes all fouling, while completely evaporating, leaving absolutely no residue behind. It’s truly pH neutral, which means it’s safe on your firearm’s wood, plastics, polymers, Cerakote and/or hydro-printing. Unlike traditional firearm cleaning solvents, Breakthrough Military-Grade Solvent has a flashpoint of 150° F and is therefore considered non-flammable. Breakthrough Military-Grade Solvent cleans efficiently, dramatically reducing the duration of cleaning while using less product. Battle Born Oil is a blend of the finest synthetic oils available and treated with the most effective extreme pressure, corrosion inhibitors, anti-oxidant, anti-foam, and anti-wear additives. This unique combination provides maximum firearm lubrication and protection in extreme environmental conditions and is a bio-degradable multi-service lubricant and protectant for extended service under high and low temperatures conditions (from -90°F to 417°F). Battle Born Grease represents some of the most advanced lubricant technology. It is a versatile, premium quality, synthetic grease fortified with Sub-Micron size PTFE blended completely with pure synthetic base oils, additives, and shear stable thickeners to provide maximum firearm protection in extremely high and low temperatures (from -75°F to 510°F). Learn more at: www.breakthroughclean.com.

American Built Arms Introduces Mission Critical Kit

American Built Arms Company (A*B Arms), a veteran-owned, Type 07 U.S. manufacturer of firearms and firearms parts and accessories to the civilian, law enforcement and defense industry, has launched the A*B Arms Mission Critical Kit (MCK). The A*B Arms Mission Critical Kit is a collection of critical replacement parts for you and your AR-15/M4 that are there to serve you in your time of need. The MCK is manufactured for military and law enforcement, as well as civilian firearms enthusiasts. The MCK will make sure you have what you need, when you need it. The Mission Critical Kit includes the following items:

1) One A*B Arms Complete Nickel Boron Coated Bolt Assembly
2) One A*B Arms Firing Pin
3) One Firing Pin Retaining Pin
4) One A*B Arms Extractor
5) One Extractor Axle
6) Six Gas Rings
7) One Bolt Assembly Instruction Card
8) Two UV Resistant Black Gear Bands
9) One A*B Arms Latex Barrel Cover
10) One 5.56 Broken Shell Extractor
11) Two vials of 3ml Breakthrough Battle Born High-Purity Oil
12) Two Latex-Free Adhesive Bandages and Alcohol Prep Pad – Great for those annoying cuts when you’re out in the thick of it.
13) One Tactical Black, Ballistic Nylon Case with Multiple Gear Pockets: This 5×3.5×1-inch compact zippered pouch is an EDC style kit that’s small enough to fit into your pocket or gun bag.

For more information or to order go to www.abarms.com.

A Browning 1919A1 .30 caliber machine gun (bottom) along with other World War II era small arms including a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and two M1 Garand rifles (top).

By Peter Suciu

It isn’t hard to find a firearms museum that has something special, but what sets the Rock Island Arsenal Museum apart from other military and firearms museums is that it in itself is truly very special. Located at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois, the museum occupies the room in Building 60 that once housed Shop B where the Model 1903 Springfield receiver was produced during the First World War.

Today the museum is home to one of the finest collections of small arms in North America, and moreover it is the second oldest U.S. Army Museum in the United States after the West Point Museum. Established on July 4, 1905, the museum has only been closed twice – during World War I and World War II to provide more space for the manufacturing facilities. Today the museum’s collection now includes some 12,000 items in total; with nearly 70 percent of the museum’s firearms on permanent display.

The only downside to displaying a collection of this size is that it isn’t presented in any chronological order, nor is it broken down by nation or even weapon type. Instead the collection features vintage black powder long guns on the wall with modern MAC 10s.

“We’d like to reorganize the collection but it is impossible at the present time,” said Kris Gayman Leinicke, director of the Rock Island Arsenal Museum. “With so many firearms there is simply no way to take everything down and reorganize it without closing the museum for days or weeks.”

The irony in this is that the museum had fairly humble beginnings when 110 years ago Chief of Ordnance Major General William Crozier supplied 15 boxes of ordnance and small arms with the intent to preserve it as a military museum at the Rock Island Arsenal. From those 15 boxes the collection has grown and greatly expanded. Today the collection of small arms is displayed on nearly two full walls with firearms dating back to the American Revolution and continuing to the modern day.

The oldest piece in the collection is believed to be a “wall gun” that features a 1 3/16-inch bore diameter. It is believed this firearm was made between 1775 and 1780 at the Rappahannock Forge in Falmouth, Virginia. It is also one of just five of these wall guns known to exist – the museum also has one other not on display in its collection.

Special attention is paid to the firearms that were produced at the Rock Island Arsenal and this includes a Model 1903 Springfield with serial number 1. While this rifle was designed and produced by the Springfield Armory this example is one of the first 18,000 rifles produced as the rod-bayonet type. Under the orders of then President Theodore Roosevelt on January 4, 1905 the production of this model was halted and a new knife-bayonet version was produced.

According to the museum’s records this example has the serial number 1, and was likely fabricated on December 20, 1904 but has the stock dated as 1905 and marked “CN/1905.” This cartouche actually indicates that the rifle was inspected in the fiscal year 1905. It has been in the museum’s collection ever since it passed this inspection.

From the very old to the new the museum also has on display a very rare example of the General Officers M15 Pistol, which was designed at the Rodman Laboratories at the Rock Island Arsenal. Only 1,004 of these were produced on the island from 1972 to 1974 and these were designed to replace the Colt “Model M” .32 and .380 caliber “pocket pistols” that had been issued to General Officers since 1941.

These pistols were all rebuilt Model 1911A1 pistols that were produced by the same armorers at the Rock Island Arsenal, but featured a shortened barrel and slide, distinctive horizontal grooves on the back grip and checkering on the front grip strap.

The collection also includes several M1919 .30 caliber Browning machine guns. The Rock Island Arsenal produced these beginning in 1938 with the M1919A4 air cooled confirmation being the most common model to pass through the armories and production continued throughout World War II.

Another item developed at the Arsenal was the “Brunton Bump,” that was designed to allow left-handed shooters to fire an M16/M4 without having the shell casing fly across the shooters’ face. It was designed by Loren H. Brunton of the small arms branch at the Rock Island Arsenal, and he even holds two patents for the design of this unique and very necessary feature.

American Small Arms

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum is of course devoted to the history of American small arms. Housed in its collection are some truly unique pieces and these include three of the only known examples of the Pederson Device, which was developed during the First World War to convert the Model 1903 rifle from a bolt action into a semiautomatic rifle.

Known officially as the “Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30 Model of 1918” in an attempt to keep the design and manufacture a secret, it utilized a special 40-round magazine that held the .30 caliber pistol cartridge. The rifle had to be slightly modified to use the Pederson Device and was re-designated as the Model 1903 Mark I.

“These are the holy grail for our collection,” said Eric Kramer, public affairs director for the Rock Island Arsenal. “I know of only three others that are in private collections but we are fortunate to have three in our collection.”

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum also features several notable prototypes including a Model 1919 submachine gun that was built by the Auto-Ordnance Corporation in 1919. The example, serial number 6, is one of just a handful of known examples of the prototypes of the firearm that would go on to become the Thompson submachine gun.

While Eugene Stoner’s AR-15, later the M16, was not designed or produced at the Rock Island Arsenal the museum does have several notable pieces in its collection, which showcase the development and evolution of this firearm from the 1960s to the modern M4 versions.

The collection also features numerous versions of the M79 grenade launcher and examples of the MAC 10/11; but a visitor favorite remains a gold plated M60 machine gun that marked the end of the firearm’s production run. It is made of unserviceable parts and thus is one of the firearms in the collection that couldn’t actually fire, and attempts to remove it from permanent display have created a problem. “People keep asking to see the ‘gold gun,” said Leinicke.

International Weapons

The collection is not limited to American firepower – and the museum has several notable pieces on display including a mid-19th century Japanese matchlock to several variations of the British Sten gun. Among the standout pieces of international firearms are those that were developed by America’s enemies and rivals in the 20th century.

These include several examples of German firearms from both World Wars including variations of the MP-18/I and MP-28/II as well as the MP40, MG34 and MG42 machine guns. The most impressive standouts in the German collection is that the museum features three versions of the FG42 (Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 or “paratrooper rifle 42”), which was one of the most advanced small arm designs of the Second World War. Only some 6,000 of these were produced during the war and three are now in the museum’s collection.

In addition to the FG42 the museum also has three MP44/StG44 “Sturmgewehr” examples in the collection. These were the first true “assault rifles” developed and had a major impact on modern infantry small arms development. While it has been argued that the AK47 was not a copy of the StG44 – the weapons have different mechanisms – it is true that the Soviets closely examined the thousands of captured weapons and these likely did play a role in Soviet Cold War small arms development.

The Rock Island Arsenal has several notable examples of these Soviet weapons including AK47 variations, but also other small arms including the PPSh41, DP28 and SKS.

With so many firearms it is hard to take in everything on one visit, but even to Leinicke it is really more than just a museum. “This is really a library of small arms as much as it is just a really good museum.”

Beyond the Museum

The museum is just one small component of the Rock Island Arsenal – the 946 acre island located on the Mississippi River. In fact the history of the government presence here goes back to 1816 with the construction of Fort Armstrong, which was one of the first western frontier defenses that were erected by the U.S. Army after the War of 1812. The Island later served as a prisoner of war camp during the American Civil War. Today the island is the final resting place for some 2,000 Confederate prisoners.

Since the 1880s, the Rock Island Arsenal, which is largest government-owned weapons manufacturing armory in the country, has produced various military equipment and ordnance including the M198 and M119 towed howitzers, as well as the Anglo-American Liberty Mark VIII tanks that were manufactured just after the First World War. Unfortunately none of these first American-made tanks has survived to the modern day, but the Rock Island Arsenal does have several other large pieces on display at the Memorial Field. In total 31 ordnance systems are on permanent display and these include an M119 howitzer, M51 anti-aircraft gun, an M50 anti-tank gun and even an M65 Atomic Cannon. This is the islands way of showing off its “big guns.”

Battle Rifle Company’s BR-4 Odin is a lightweight, fast handling rifle with all the tricks of the trade for the role of a 3-gun competition rifle, a fast firing varmint hunting gun or just as a versatile recreational plinker. It is well put together with the best parts available and runs perfectly.

By Chris A. Choat

Battle Rifle Company (BRC) is a Texas based company that specializes in manufacturing quality built AR based rifle platforms. They have been in business for about five years and started out just building 5.56 guns. They later evolved into taking the next logical step by building .308 rifles. This year, at the SHOT Show, they were showing the new pistol version of their .308 rifle as well as their new AR-15 9mm pistol called the Attache. In fact, they make 5.56 and .308 pistols as well and they also carry the Attache
model designation.

BRC offers nine different variations of their 5.56 caliber guns designated the BR4. They run the gamut from 14.5 to 20 inch guns with varying types of different accessories. The firearm tested herein is their BR4 Odin rifle. This rifle is a carbine style gun with a 14.5 inch barrel and a 2 inch permanently attached muzzle brake making it a legal 16 inch length. The BR4 Odin is a joint project between Battle Rifle Company and Odin Works, as a premium carbine in their line of rifles. The base model BR4 rifle is a direct gas impingement operated carbine with all of the features of a standard AR-15 carbine. The Odin model has quite a few added features that set this gun apart from others of its kind. The rifle has a 14.5 inch barrel with one of Battle Rifle Company’s Disintegrator Flash suppressor permanently attached. This flash suppressor is advertised as having the ability to reduce 98% of the muzzle flash and it works as advertised. The barrel is cryogenically treated for the ultimate in accuracy.

The gun has a mid-length gas system covered with Odin Works’ 12.5 inch K-Mod forearm. This forearm is made to VLTOR Weapons Systems KeyMod specification from 600T651 aluminum. It is a free-float forearm with a continuous uninterrupted Picatinny rail across the top. It has KeyMod slots at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock for adding lights, lasers or other accessories. The top rail matches up perfectly with the rail on the upper receiver. The forearm is light (10.15 ounces) and very sleek being engineered to allow for a low profile gas block to fit inside. With an outside diameter of just 1.8 inches it is very comfortable to hold onto. The forearm comes with one five slot accessory rail installed.

Sights are included installed on the Odin rifle and are MagPul MBUS folding sights. Other MagPul accessories include their Extended Trigger Guard as well as their B.A.D. bolt release lever. You can also order the rifle with several different buttstock options including any of MagPul’s outstanding stocks.

The test rifle came with a Hogue Overmolded Collapsible Buttstock. This was the first time that this author had used one of these stocks and came away very impressed. The Hogue stock features reinforced polymer construction with a built-in rubber cheek piece and a rubber/polymer hybrid butt pad that provides snag-free shouldering. The design of the stock creates a snug anti-rattle friction fit on the buffer tube. The stock is available for both Mil-Spec and commercial buffer tubes. The test rifle came with a Mil-Spec tube. The stock also has multiple sling mounting slots as well as several quick attach sling mounting sockets. The stocks are available in black, tan and OD green. An Ergo pistol grip concluded the list of furniture.

The fire control parts on the rifle are the standard AR-15 type except that the trigger and hammer in the test gun had been nickel boron coated. Nickel boron has a natural lubricity that gave the test gun a very smooth trigger pull. The gun’s charging handle was equipped with an extended tactical latch to make charging the weapon easier with an optic mounted.

For an optic the author chose to mount one of the new Bushnell AR/223 scopes. The scope used was a 1X4 24 mm power scope with a 30mm tube. It features their Drop Zone-223 bullet drop compensating reticle designed especially for the 5.56 cartridge. The AR Optics riflescopes are available in 6 configurations for every AR platform rifle from .22 rimfire to long range .223. The reticle features a center crosshair with a row of 4 aiming dots on the bottom crosshair. These dots are placed to coincide with ranges from 200 through 500 yards. So simply zero the scope at 100 with the center crosshair and then use the dots at all ranges out to 500 yards. The scope also features target turrets with 0.1 mil click adjustments. The scope offers the best in CQB as well as long range accuracy. The scope would make an excellent choice to use in 3-gun matches, which the Odin rifle seems made for.

The rifle comes with a single MagPul 30-round Pmag but will naturally take any Mil-Spec AR-15 magazine. The author used the Pmag as well as two of the new Elite Tactical Systems (ETS) magazines that were also received for testing. The new magazines are available in 10-, 15- or 30-round capacities and are made from smoked translucent polymer. One of the most unique features of the new magazines is that they can be had either with or without a built-in coupling system. The couplers are molded right into the magazines and only make the magazines about 1/8th of an inch wider allowing them to still fit into standard AR-15 magazine pouches. The magazines can be coupled by simply turning them 90 degrees to each other and then rotating them a 1/4 turn to lock them together. They remain firmly locked until the magazine tops are squeezed together and then they can be rotated to unlock them. The connectors allow any number of magazines to be coupled together. The magazines are marked 5.56 x 45 as well as 7.62 x 35 because they work equally well with .300 Blackout. The new magazines use stainless steel springs and come with clip-on dust covers that can be instantly detached with the shooter’s thumb. Elite Tactical Systems has also just come out with what they call their R.R.S. (Rapid Recognition System). These are their excellent anti-tilt magazine followers and base plate inserts molded in different colors so that the user can color code his followers and base plates to different calibers or even different bullet types. Where the magazines are translucent you can even see the follower at any angle even when the mags are loaded.

The rifle was tested in a variety of 3-gun scenarios as well as some varmint hunting sessions. A gun like the Odin seems to be at home competing in 3-gun matches where the gun weight and reliability come first. The gun proved fully capable of performing 3-gun match requirements. Its lightweight and reliability were second to none. The rifle was fired 200 plus rounds on the first outing and never had so much as a hiccup. It was fed only quality ammunition and it just ran and ran. It was also used on a couple of varmint hunting expeditions where it had to be carried for long periods. Night time coyote hunting proved that the manufacturer’s claim of 98% flash reduction was indeed accurate. The rifle’s light weight was a welcome relief after going through a phase where it seemed to be that the latest craze was to hang as much stuff as possible on a rifle. Shooting this lightweight fast-handling rifle was a pleasure. In the accuracy department the gun proved to be a winner as well. From the bench, the rifle would print groups inside an inch all day long. It also scored a 100% on its reliability test having fed and ejected all ammunition that it was fed. The Bushnell proved to be an excellent optic for this rifle whether it was used as a games gun or in a hunting role. Probably the addition of an offset red dot optic would be perfect for those distances under 100 yards. Other than that this author wouldn’t change a thing.

Battle Rifle Company has proved to this author that they make an excellent product. The great thing about them is that they are a small enough company that customer service is one of their main goals. You can call them up and tell them what you want and they will build it just as you request. You won’t be disappointed with a Battle Rifle Company gun.

Battle Rifle Company
1056 Hercules Avenue
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 777-0316
www.battleriflecompany.com

Bushnell Outdoor Products
9200 Cody
Overland Park, KS 66214
(800) 423-3537
www.bushnell.com

Elite Tactical Systems Group LLC
P.O. Box 18511
Knoxville, TN 37928
(855) 887-5452
www.etsgroup.us