Ernest Vaux, grandson of the Brewery’s founder, Cuthbert Vaux, was a Major in the Durham Voluntary Artillery when he volunteered for service with the Imperial Yeomanry (a British volunteer cavalry regiment) during the Second Boer War. He was appointed Machine Gun Commander with the temporary rank of Lieutenant in the British Army serving in the Imperial Yeomanry, 15th Company of the 5th Battalion, a part of the Northumberland Hussars, from July 1900 to June 1901 in South Africa. He commanded a Maxim machine gun detachment that operated in the Transvall, Orange River and Cape Colony areas of South Africa (though mostly in the Transvall) and took part in over 80 operations there. Major Vaux was “Mentioned in Dispatches” no less than 7 times for his service in South Africa and was awarded the Queens’ South Africa medal with four clasps. In November, 1901 he was awarded the prestigious DSO (Distinguished Service Order).

Upon his safe return to Sunderland the brewery, in late 1901, created a new brand of ale, Maxim Ale, with a very distinguished looking label featuring the Maxim machine gun in recognition of Ernest Vaux’s exploits. The initial recipe for the ale (said to be created by Ernest Vaux himself) was so strong that pub landlords complained that it put their patrons to sleep so the strength was reduced. But in 1938 the brewery increased the strength and renamed the brand Double Maxim.

Founded in 1837 by Cuthbert Vaux, and run by family members for generation, the Vaux brewery was purchased by Wards Brewing Company in 1972. Nevertheless, after over 150 years of brewing history, it closed, along with Wards, in 1999. In 2000, two former directors of Vaux and the head brew master resurrected the brand and established the Double Maxim Beer Company purchasing the rights to both the beer recipes and brand names.

Alas, the historic and renowned North East England brewery name of Vaux, and the iconic image of the Maxim machine gun on a British ale label, are long gone and now exists in name only.

The Dirty Dozen & The Wild Geese

“The Dirty Dozen” hit theaters in 1967 and was a big success. It was well liked by audiences, though there was some criticism for the violence, which was pretty rough for the time. It stars Lee Marvin, a World War II Veteran who was once awarded the Purple Heart. In fact, the film is full of WWII veteran actors, including Robert Ryan, Clint Walker, Telly Savalas, and Charles Bronson of the “Death Wish” series. It is the story of a group of criminals in the US Army being recruited to take out a group of top German Officers, hoping to make the D-Day Landings easier in the process. It is actually based on the novel of the same name, written by E. M. Nathanson, who took inspiration from the Filthy Thirteen, a real fighting unit from WWII. Unlike “The Dirty Dozen” from the film and book, Filthy Thirteen got their name because they wouldn’t shave or bath for weeks, and were not a collection of criminals who were promised a better sentence.

“The Dirty Dozen” is a classic guy movie. In the movie “Sleepless in Seattle,” after a woman has stopped crying over a movie she had just watched, the two men in the room suddenly recall the death of a character in “The Dirty Dozen” and start tearing up, much to the woman’s enjoyment. In 1985, a made for TV movie aired staring some of the original cast, called “The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission.” It was soon followed by “Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission” and “Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission.” The movies aren’t great and are obviously made for TV, with parts fading to black at certain points for the commercials. The last two movies see the return of Telly Savalas, though he plays an entirely different character from the one he played in the first movie.

In the first of the sequels, “The Next Mission,” Lee Marvin’s character, Maj. John Reisman, recruits a new Dirty Dozen to infiltrate behind enemy lines disguised as Wehrmacht soldiers. They are armed with the MP40 submachine guns, one of the finest guns of the war. Maj. Reisman is actually given a special gun, an MP40 with a shorter barrel than the others. In reality, no such gun existed during WWII and is entirely movie magic made by the machine shop at Bapty, Ltd in London, England.

The MP40 was one of Germany’s best and most prolific weapons during WWII, with over one million guns made. It was light, easy to shoot, and carried a 32 round magazine. The MP 38, its precursor, was actually slightly more expensive because of the milled receiver (MP40s are stamped) but was not as well received. Both were actually designed by the same men, Berthold Geipel and Henrich Vollmer. Much of the action it saw was on the Eastern Front in Russia, with some sent to North Africa where the allies got their hands on them. The MP40 was such a great gun that it was used well after the war by Norwegian tank crews and the armies of the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, and Austria. The Soviet Union even took the countless MP40s they captured in their war with Germany and sent them to their satellite states and to numerous rebel groups around the world, including the North Vietnamese.

As mentioned before, the “Dirty Dozen” sequels are not that great. “The Next Mission” does have an interesting idea in that the dozen are being sent to assassinate a top SS Officer who is planning to kill Adolf Hitler, because the Allies are worried that someone more dangerous and “much more competent” will take his place. The plot of the “Deadly Mission” is to rescue a group of scientists from the Nazis and destroy a dangerous weapon of mass destruction. The plot of “The Fatal Mission” is to capture a group of German intellectuals who are trying to start a Fourth Reich in the Middle East. If you enjoy these movies, by all means, enjoy, but they are nothing compared to the original “The Dirty Dozen” classic.

During the cold war, the Ak-47 was found all over the world as the weapon of choice for the USSR and its Communist allies, as well as countless rebel and terrorist groups. To counter this, the US had the M16 assault rifle, but many of its allies depended on another weapon, one that had come out of Belgium. Created by the company FN Herstal, The FN FAL (or Fusil Automatique Leger, French for Light Automatic Rifle) was at one time the primary assault rifle for over ninety countries, including Israel and most of the NATO countries.

Designed by Dieudonne Saive and Ernest Vervier, the FN FAL is an excellent rifle that has stood its ground against the arguably more popular AK-47. Its usual caliber is 7.62x51mm NATO although the British tried it in .280, and has an effective range of 200 to 600 meters with open sights. It comes in many variants, including the L1A1, or SLR, which saw service in the UK and most of its Commonwealth Nations, including Canada, the first country to order the rifle in large numbers (The Commonwealth Nations used the “Inch Pattern” FALs while the others basically used the “Metric FALs”). It has been replaced in some of these countries by the SA80, the C7 Assault rifle, and the Steyr AUG, but is still used in a few areas of Law enforcement and is popular with civilians.

The FN FAL saw service in many conflicts, including the Vietnam War, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the Rhodesian Bush War. It was used on both sides of the Falkland War and saw service in the Israeli army throughout the Suez Crisis, the Six Day War, and the Yom Kippur War. It is even being used today with the Syrian and Libyan Civil Wars, and the Mexican Drug War.

Though it is a great rifle, the FN FAL has a few problems. One problem is the weight. It is heavier than the AK-47 by two pounds or more, and that is without the ammo, which is also heavier. The Israeli rifles tended to jam because of the sand that got into the gun. It also has a strong recoil that feels like somebody is punching you in the shoulder. Perhaps the weirdest problem is the firepower itself. The bullet tended to go through walls and enemy combatants alike.

In the film “The Wild Geese,” the FN FAL is one of the most common guns used. One of them is the FN FAL with a shortened barrel that was carried by Tosh Donaldson, portrayed by real life professional soldier Ian Yule, who served with Colonel “Mad Mike” Hoare in the Commando unit which inspired “The Wild Geese” and all over the world. He was also a stunt man on the movie Ben-Hur. In truth, this Shortened FAL is movie magic from Bapty, Ltd, for there was no FAL that had a shortened barrel at the time. The Bapty FAL is made from a British L2A1 rifle. There are a few that do have them in recent years, including the Armtech L1A1 SAS and DS Arms’ OS-58.

“The Wild Geese” is a good movie. It stars Richard Burton, Roger Moore, and Richard Harris as a group of mercenaries hired by a private mining company to rescue a political prisoner in Africa. It had a bit of a controversy because it was filmed in apartheid South Africa. Despite this, it did well in the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world, but did poorly in the USA for a number of reasons. The Wild Geese is also the name used by many of the Irish fighting units that fought for Spain and France during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and the eighteenth centuries. If you have time, look up the history of these units and, of course, the movie “The Wild Geese.”

Battle Arms Development (BAD) is an armament research and development corporation located in Henderson, Nevada. Founded in 2009; it began as an internet retail outlet. Their first product was a multi-tool for the M/14/M1A/M1 family of battle rifles. Next in line were upgraded parts for the AR-15 type rifle. These include titanium gas blocks, ambidextrous safeties, enhanced bolt catches, modular mag release buttons, Sabertube lightweight stocks, and numerous other products. Their premium product is their lightweight billet receiver set. The receiver is precision CNC milled from 7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminum, it weighs 6.84-ounces, and is made entirely in the USA. The BAD lower receiver can be ordered as a complete set with all internal components except the trigger assembly. It has a Vertical Stock System with the Ultra Compact Buffer System that extends from 4.75-inches to 8.75-inches when fully extended. Stripped upper and lower receivers are also available.

It was only a matter of time before BAD decided to build their own complete rifle utilizing all of their premium parts. Thus the BAD556-LW was born. It’s available in two versions – the 300 Spartan Rifle and the BAD556-LW Lightweight Rifle – custom Vader themed rifle. It’s this second rifle that was tested recently.

Opening the black, foam-lined case brought to light a rifle that bears a distinct resemblance to the Star Wars DLT-20A Battle Rifle. It also reflects a certain Art Deco appearance. Art Deco is a style of visual arts, architecture, and design that first appeared in France that became very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It influenced the design of furniture, jewelry, cars, radios, and vacuum cleaners.

The underpinnings of the BAD556 start with their proprietary lightweight billet 7075 T6 aluminum upper and lower receiver set. A 16-inch Ultramatch 416R Stainless Steel Wylde 1:8 twist fluted barrel designed by Bill Wylde to chamber both .223 and 5.56 mm ammunition is installed. This barrel’s chamber is made with the external dimensions and lead angle as used with NATO 5.56x45mm ammunition; the .2240 inch free bore diameter as in the .223 Remington cartridge. This allows either caliber to be used in the rifle.

BAD uses its lightweight titanium gas block, which weighs just about as much as the mid-length stainless steel gas tube. The barrel’s BAD muzzle brake also acts as a flash hider/compensator. The bolt carrier group is MIL-SPEC M16 with a black nitride finish. The rifle is cocked using a BCM ambidextrous charging handle forged from 7075 T6 aluminum; it is designed to move the operating force to the body of the charging handle when using the support-hand-only operations. This relieves the stress on the 1/16-inch roll pin. Repeated hard support hand racking of the charging handle can lead to breaking the roll pin which would down-check the rifle.

Fortis supplies the 6061 T6 aluminum 556 Switch Rail System which is completely free-floating, attached only to the upper receiver. It can be quickly removed utilizing a locking lever that allows tool-less removal. It is configured with KeyMod slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions, and has a continuous Picatinny top rail along its entire 14-inch length.

The lightweight billet lower receiver uses BAD’s SSL ambidextrous safety selector, detent, and spring. The pivot and takedown pins are BAD-EPS titanium. Their heads are undercut, and the bottom of the pin shafts have slight detents, easing pin retraction and removal. The trigger group is an in-house product, adjustable, but factory-set to 3.5-pound pull. The stock is the BAD Sabertube mid length lightweight combo. However, the stock is only compatible with the BADD lower receiver because the lower uses a captive rear takedown detent spring, which eliminates the end plate and castle nut. A Hilsabeck Firearms Flatline dual rate buffer spring aids in muzzle lift reduction, providing a faster return to target, the buffer is a standard M4 Carbine item.

MIL-Spec parts in the lower receiver include the magazine catch spring, bolt catch detent and spring, and the buffer catch and spring. Bad produces the pistol grip, bolt catch, and magazine release. Norgon LLC supplies their Ambi-Catch ambidextrous magazine release catch. Total empty weight without optics is 5.4-pounds. The rifle comes with a Patriot rifle case fitted for the BAD 556-LW. Along with the rifle and magazine, are a Certificate of Authenticity and a BAD T-shirt.

This particular rifle had a number of accessories added. The forward grip is a Fortis Shiftshort hard coat anodized; billet aluminum angled grip that attaches via KeyMod or M-Lok. The iron sights are Magpul MBUS Pro folding that can be stowed when optics are used. The magazine is a Magpul Gen 2 PMAG 30-round magazine, Ceracote finish with BAD helmeted logo emblazoned on the side. A Magpul Magpod 1 replaces the floorplate and turns the magazine into a compact monopod. It also functions as an extended grip when removing the magazine. In this particular case, it was used as a monopod, but its extended grip feature wasn’t needed as the magazine slid in and out, loaded, or unloaded like it was on ball bearings.

The finish on the BAD556-LW is a Vader/Star Wars inspired Ceracote paint finish. Ceracote is a ceramic-based finish that can be applied to numerous surfaces including metals, plastics, polymers, and even wood. The Ceracote ceramic coating enhances a number of physical performance properties not limited to abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, impact strength, and hardness.

A Trijicon MRO optic is mounted on top of the receiver using a BAD-MRO mount. This is a sealed miniature red dot sight intended for use on carbines, rifles, shotguns, and revolvers. Its large aperture allows rapid target acquisition and increased situational awareness. The shooter can select any brightness setting level from one to eight, including two-night vision settings. It runs on a single CR2032 lithium battery that has a constant-on life of five years when running at its middle 3 setting. The brightness knob is large enough to be easily adjusted, plus it’s silent; no loud clicks. It uses a slightly canted 25mm objective lens which keeps the total length to 2.6- inches. Weight with battery is 4.1-ounces. There has no magnification, so it works well with both eyes open. One click of adjustment equals ¼ MOA. The glass lenses are multi-coated, and the optic is parallax free.

Some of the more subtle features on the BAD556-LW are the right rear rail of the trigger guard that is slightly cut away to stop it from hitting your finger during recoil. There are lightening cuts to reduce weight on the upper and lower receiver. The pistol grip is BAD’s 3-position adjustable tactical grip. Overall fit and finish are excellent.

Time at the range was limited by weather and other constraints. The BAD556-LW came out of the case without a speck of dust and was clean inside and out. The rifle was gone over lightly with a cloth during shooting sessions. That was the limit of maintenance for a little over 300 rounds.

The simple story is that it ran flawlessly from the first round to the 300th round. Because of the limitations of the red dot sight (and my aging eyes), ranges were limited to 75-100 yards. It was fired slow-fire, and magazine-dump fashion. Five shot groups stayed right at 1 – 1.3-inches. The barrel was allowed to cool between groups. The best one-inch group came from off the bench using the Magpod as a rest, and pausing between shots.

At the end of shooting the target was set at 75-yards, and a full 30-round magazine fired as fast as the target could be acquired. The group in the photo measures 2.3-inches. The gun was certainly warm after that, but the forearm was almost cool to the touch. Ammo used in the shoot was Black Hills 5.56MM 77 Gr Match HP, and Black Hills 5.56MM 77 Gr OTM.

Opinion? The BAD556-LW sure makes for interesting range jewelry, Star Wars and all, but it definitely is a fine piece of equipment that ran flawlessly from the first shot – this when some firearms manufacturers state that their products require 200 rounds, or more, before they break in. If you’re looking for a nice present for yourself, and an AR is on your short list, you would be hard-pressed to find a better rifle.

On a recent assignment for SAR magazine, I had the opportunity to spend a few days at Gemtech’s Research and Development Center located near Boise, Idaho, as a guest of co-founder Dr. Phil Dater.

During my visit, I had to chance to observe and shoot quite a few suppressor equipped firearms. The suppressors demonstrated were both production and prototype models; all regardless of caliber, were hearing safe. One experimental model that impressed everyone in attendance was Gemtech’s .22 LR caliber integral Mist-22 suppressor, adapted to a Czech CZ 415 bolt action rifle. All that could be heard was the firing pin striking the cartridge, and the bullet hitting the target down range.

The Gemtech Mist suppressor was originally designed for one of the most popular .22 rimfire rifles in the country, the semiautomatic Ruger 10/22. The 10/22 has been in continuous production since 1964. Few rifles on the market today can boast of being in production for 52 years, with a reported 6-million sold. Since its introduction, the 10/22 has been offered in many different configurations and models. It was only natural to design and produce an integral suppressor for the Ruger. The Mist 22 was designed by Gemtech exclusively for a Lipsey’s, a large firearm wholesale firearms distributor in Louisiana.

The Gemtech Mist 22 is a complete barrel and suppressor assembly. The barrel portion of the Mist just under 9-inches in length, with a match grade 22 LR chamber and a 1 in 16 inches, right-hand twist. The suppressor core is permanently attached to the barrel, giving it a legal overall length of 16.25 inches. In place of conventional baffles, is Gemtech’s one-piece G-Core Monolithic Baffle.

As soon as I returned from my Gemtech trip, I ordered a Mist for my 1976 vintage Ruger 10/22, and I am very pleased with its quiet performance. However, as on any suppressed full-automatic or semiautomatic firearm, most of the noise heard is generated by the action cycling. On the 10/22 some of the noise can be reduced by replacing the steel bolt stop pin with a nylon Volquartsen Recoil Buffer.

Mist to Savage Conversion

Note: altering the Mist suppressor as described below will void any factory warranty.

To satisfy my desire for a suppressed bolt-action .22 rifle, I purchased a Savage Mark II FV-SR rifle. The Savage is an economically priced bolt-action rifle that comes with a suppressor ready ½-28 threaded 16.5-inch heavy, fluted barrel, a user adjustable AccuTrigger™, and black synthetic stock. The Mark II weighs 5.5 pounds with an overall length of 35.25-inches. A 5-round detachable metal box magazine is standard, but 10-round capacity mags are available.

In place of conventional iron sights, the Savage Mark II comes equipped with a 14-position Picatinny rail mounted on top of the receiver, for use with a multitude of optics from red-dot sights to variable-power scopes. This allows the rifle the to be used at both close and long ranges.

As mentioned earlier, the Mark II is equipped with Savage’s AccuTrigger™, which is user adjustable from approximately a 2.5-pound pull to a 6-pound pull. The rifle’s standard oversized bolt handle is another desirable feature. Operation is smooth, and the extra size and weight of the bolt handle allows for positive movement into each position, and be manipulated with minimal shift to the shooter’s point of aim. The clean, crisp action and smooth operating bolt are two more features that make the Savage Mark II an attractive package, and a perfect candidate in which to adapt a Mist suppressor.

One of the primary features that attracted me to the Savage MK II FV-SR was its standard ½-28 threaded barrel, which would allow me to mount my Gemtech Outback suppressor. My Outback has been upgraded with the G-core option, which makes cleaning less of a chore. My Outback can is shared with a stable of .22 caliber pistols, which involves a lot of switching back and forth.

I was pleased with the performance of my Savage Mark II fitted with the Outback. However, I could not get the idea of the Mist adapted to a bolt action rifle out of my head. I like the idea and look of an integral suppressor; the overall length would be shorter, and I would not have to keep switching the suppressor from the rifle to the pistols. Fully convinced, I ordered another Mist suppressor.

For the adaptation of the Mist to the Savage I needed the help of a skilled gunsmith, so I contacted Tony Veronesi at Veronesi Gunworks. Tony is a Class II manufacturer with a modern, well-equipped shop, and he has assisted me with a number of projects in the past.

After the Mist suppressor was transferred to me, I took it and the Savage rifle to Tony’s shop. After removing the trigger group and bolt, the next step was to remove the original barrel. The barrel is secured with two pins and lightly pressed into the Mark II’s steel receiver. After taking some measurements, Tony announced that the Mist could be easily adapted to the receiver by a few machining operations, and the Savage’s fluted barrel could remain intact. This was good news, although I was willing to sacrifice the original barrel for the conversion, I was pleased that it was not necessary.

One of the first operations involved the machining away a portion of the Mist’s barrel tenon to allow it to fit far enough into the receiver as the original barrel. Fortunately, the breech end of the Mist’s barrel is only .0005” (half of a thousandth) of an inch smaller in diameter than the Savage barrel and matched up perfectly with the receiver.

The Ruger 10/22 has a single extractor, while the Savage Mark II has two, a primary and secondary extractor, necessitating a second extractor slot to be milled in the breech end of the barrel.

Next, a flat was milled on the bottom of the Mist’s barrel to assist in adjusting the proper headspace. The barrel end inside of the Savage’s receiver is beveled so that the barrel can be moved slightly forward or back until the correct dimension is achieved. A set screw is then tightened onto the milled flat, to hold the barrel in place so that the holes for the cross-pins used to secure the barrel can be accurately drilled.

Since the outside diameter of the Mist’s suppressor tube requires a stock channel .920-inches in diameter, slightly larger in its outside diameter than the Savage’s barrel, the stock needed to be milled open slightly to fit the suppressor.After approximately 50-rounds were fired, a few failures to extract the spent case from the chamber occurred. The chamber was polished with a bronze bore brush attached to a drill. After the polishing, no more problems were encountered. The suppressed Savage turned in a very impressive sub-one-inch, five-shot group at a range of 75 yards off of a rest.

The outer tube of the suppressor is easily removed for cleaning. I have found an easy way to clean the Mist’s monocore baffle is to use a piece of 1.5-inch PCV pipe approximately 17-inches in length. Attach threaded end caps to the pipe, and fill it with your favorite solvent. Remove the stock and outer tube; there is no need to remove the receiver or trigger group. Insert the suppressor end into the PCV tube and soak it for a few days. It is recommended that the suppressor be cleaned every 500 rounds. If not cleaned periodically, the outer tube can be difficult to remove.

There is an old saying that is worth consideration: “Never get into a gunfight with a caliber that does not start with anything less than a 4.”

There are a number of arguments about which particular round is better, the 10mm Auto or the .40 Smith and Wesson. The performance argument between the 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP rounds, for example, seems to never end, but few have heard the same argument applied to the 10mm Auto and .40 Smith and Wesson cartridges. There are some who swear by the 10mm Auto round, but most gun enthusiasts have never shot one much less considered an analytical comparison between the 10mm Auto and the .40 S&W. Why are these two particular rounds comparable?

Let’s start with the basics: 10mm is the metric equivalent for .40 caliber, or 10 millimeters equals .40 of an inch. Therefore, both bullets are the same diameter. So now you might think, what is the difference? The answer lies in cartridge case length, not in bullet diameter. The 10mm Auto has a cartridge casing length of 25mm, while the .40 S&W has a case length of 22mm. Both cartridges are rimless and possess the same base dimensions. Both employ a large pistol primer as their ignition source. Both perform best with the same 1 in 16-inches, 6-groove rifling twist rate. That is right – except for their case length (a slim 3 millimeters difference) they are comparatively identical. Let’s walk through this conundrum and see if we can make sense out of it.

Many believe, and some gun writers have published, an erroneous history of the two rounds. It goes like this. After a fatal 1986 Miami shootout between FBI agents and heavily armed robbers, the FBI blamed the deaths of two of their agents, and the wounding of five other agents, on the ineffectiveness of their underpowered 9mm and .38 Special handguns. The FBI’s solution was to identify and rearm their Special Agents with a more lethal round. So in conjunction with the gun industry, the FBI adopted the 10mm Auto round because of its knockdown power. As logical as that might sound, it is far from true.

Famed shooter Jeff Cooper, largely developed the 10mm round in the very early 1980s, well before the FBI’s 1986 fatal shootout. Cooper, in the late 1970s, began experimenting (wildcatting) with the concept of a larger caliber semi-automatic pistol round (not a revolver round) that would have more effective knockdown power than a .45 ACP. Cooper’s purpose was personal defense, Cooper’s claim to fame, in a military combat pistol application. Remember, in 1979 the U.S. military was actively seeking a more lethal replacement for its aging M1911A1 .45 ACP pistol inventory with a new high- capacity combat pistol. Several years later, Beretta ultimately won this competition with their 9mm NATO compatible Model 92S pistol.

Cooper developed his 10mm Auto round based on superior ballistic performance over the .45 ACP. The 10mm Auto round was smaller in diameter than the .45 ACP round, so more rounds could be stuffed in the same length magazine as compared to the .45 ACP. The 10mm Auto round itself flew faster, further and carried with it significantly more energy upon impact than the .45 ACP round. Initial technical testing showed promise, so Cooper chose to mate his new 10mm Auto round with the Bren-Ten semi-automatic pistol, a close operating relative to the CZ-75.

This served several purposes as a potential military pistol replacement contender. The Bren-Ten had comparable ergonomics and functions to the M1911A1 (reducing the training requirement), and it could carry more rounds in its magazine because it’s cartridge was 10mm (.40) vs. .45 diameter. Additionally, the 10mm Auto round was comparatively more lethal than the .45 ACP round, and all this was encompassed within DoD’s new pistol requirement. Cooper was confident he had a winner by marrying his new 10mm Auto round to the Bren-Ten pistol.

With a less-arched ballistic path (upon firing) relative to other handgun cartridges, the 10mm Auto is acknowledged as a high velocity “flat-shooting” round. In a full potential comparison, the 10mm Auto delivers slightly higher energy than an average .357 Magnum load and below standard .41 Magnum rounds. More powerful loadings can equal or exceed the performance of the .357 Magnum, and retain more kinetic energy at 100 yards than the .45 ACP has at the muzzle. The performance of the 9mm Luger round does not even come close. This all made Cooper’s new cartridge a solution looking for a problem.

How did the FBI get hooked up with Cooper? Cooper ran an excellent shooting school that taught Cooper’s unique style of carry, draw, and shoot techniques. The FBI had been sending their Special Agents to Cooper’s shooting school for years, as did the U.S. Special Operations Forces. Cooper’s combat shooting techniques were, and still are, tried, tested, and proven as well as unquestionably credible, so a trusted relationship between Cooper and the FBI had long existed. Cooper himself was not only a shooter of renown, but he was also a businessman extraordinaire, and he leveraged his longstanding trusted relationship with the FBI to market his 10mm Auto round and the pistol he had chosen to fire it. The FBI had a problem and Cooper offered an immediate solution. The FBI did not question their trusted friend’s advice.

So what happened? Initially produced overseas by ammunition manufacturer FFV Norma AB of Åmotfors, Sweden, the 10mm Bren-Ten semi-automatic pistol was expensive to manufacture. The gun’s design and questionable substandard manufacturing quality control led to operational reliability issues when the pistol was exposed to off range real-world operational environments: lint, grit, dry, and wet. Moreover, Cooper’s 10mm Auto round was not NATO interoperable, a bottom line requirement for military acceptance. However, there was a saving grace – the FBI and Hollywood.

Following the FBI’s previously mentioned tragic 1986 Miami shootout, they briefly adopted Cooper’s 10mm Auto for FBI-wide use, an expensive decision. In fact, in early 1990 they contracted Heckler & Koch to produce a limited quantity of the MP5 sub-machineguns utilizing the 10mm Auto cartridge. These specially built MP-5s were designated the MP5/10 and were provided specifically to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, another expensive decision. Ironically, during that brief FBI embracement during the late 1980s, Hollywood picked up on the 10mm’s uniqueness. Casting it as a favorite gun/round in the Miami Vice TV series, surging its public notoriety and shooters’ popularity (if a Hollywood character uses it on-screen it must be good).

Even with the momentum of popularity, the FBI discontinued use of the 10mm Auto within a couple of years because the round’s recoil was determined to be excessively strong, and the preponderance of their agents disliked it. One might conclude that those FBI agents who fired it at Cooper’s school might have made that determination years earlier, but if such a determination was made it was swept under the carpet in the FBI’s rush to find a lethality solution. An additional detractor for the FBI was the high cost and low availability (in quantity) of 10mm Auto ammunition for training. The FBI quickly realized it needed a high-performance pistol round with less recoil that was cheaper and available, but they were now stuck with the 10mm Auto.

Sadly, it all came to an abrupt finale and somewhat happy ending in the early 1990s with the advent of the .40 S&W, but we must digress a bit to explain the historical dynamics in play at the time.

As early as 1988, the FBI was testing various 10mm Auto reduced loads in an attempt to decrease its objectionable recoil. The FBI had no question that the 10mm Auto’s full-power commercial load out-performed all other semi-automatic pistol cartridges of the era. This fact made it singularly ideal for law enforcement use, but its undesirable recoil needed mitigation. A solution was necessary that wouldn’t jeopardize the professional careers of those involved in the FBI’s very expensive decision to replace their pistol and ammunition inventory with the 10mm Auto.

The FBI experimented with hand-loaded reduced propellant ammunition until they found the proper recoil reducing load that didn’t significantly sacrifice the 10mm Auto’s ballistic performance, and a specification for reduced-recoil ammunition was created. It seemed to be an 80% solution. The FBI awarded a production contract to the Federal Cartridge Corporation and the “10mm Lite”, or “10mm FBI” load, was born. This load remains in production by various ammunition manufacturers today.

There was, however, an inherent problem using this lighter load not identified because the FBI did only technical testing under ideal range conditions and no operational testing (there is a huge purposeful difference between the two).

The lighter load resulted in pistol feed and ejection problems. Because of its reduction in the pistol slide backstroke (blowback) force required to reliably eject spent cartages, and chamber fresh rounds on the slide’s forward stroke. Failures were especially evident when the pistol was fired in an up or down vertical position as one might when be engaging an opponent on a roof or down a stairwell.

The problem with downloading (reducing the propellant quantity) in any cartridge is the airspace that results inside the cartridge case. If you visualize a cartridge that is fully loaded with propellant, there is little to no air space between the top of the powder column and the base of the bullet, with the bullet installed at its specified depth in the cartridge case. This is the optimal physical scenario for full propellant combustion and its subsequent development of the maximum pressure necessary to optimally propel the bullet down range.

Bullet velocity is a product of the velocity of propellant combustion (burn speed). Therefore, bullet velocity cannot exceed its propellant pressure velocity. Consequently, a downloaded cartridge that possesses an airspace allowing the powder column to relax horizontally will not “burn” with the same consistency that a compact powder column (no airspace) burns. Airspace leads to radical propellant burn pressures and inherent inaccuracy because of pressure fluctuations. So, how do you fix that problem? The answer is to reduce the cartridge case length and eliminate the air space.

At this point myth again carries the story. Many believe the FBI went to Smith and Wesson and Winchester, and they jointly developed the smaller case length cartridge resulting in .40 Smith and Wesson. The facts show otherwise. It may also be appropriate to point out that Industry develops stuff. The FBI does not develop hardware or anything else, save investigative reports.

Smith and Wesson is a very competitive gun manufacturer and market share is a big deal. Unlike the government, they are a for-profit business. Seeing the 1986 popularity of the 10mm Auto, Colt unexpectedly decided to chamber their Colt Government model 1911 in 10mm Auto and name it the Delta Elite pistol. Colt debuted their Delta Elite model in 1987. Following prolonged media attention and screen accounts aggrandizing the Army’s elite Delta Force notoriety following the failed 1980 Operation Eagle Claw attempt to rescue 52 American diplomats being held hostage by Islamic militants in Tehran. Smith and Wesson, an avid Colt competitor, decided they wanted a share of the 10mm Auto market.

S&W design engineers understood the issues surrounding the full-up 10mm Auto and the reduced recoil 10mm FBI load. Their business solution was to create a new cartridge unique to Smith and Wesson that would provide identical performance of the 10mm FBI load, but for marketing be unique to Smith and Wesson. They needed something they could own. This was a business decision based upon a very smart market analysis, not an FBI-driven requirement.

is a very competitive gun manufacturer and market share is a big deal. Unlike the government, they are a for-profit business.

The FBI immediately got on board with Smith and Wesson who shared their accomplishment of fathering the new round with them (an FBI face-saving marketing strategy). With the FBI now touting the .40 S&W’s virtues to the law enforcement community, along with their claim of co-development, the rest of the shooting world wanted a gun chambered in Smith and Wesson’s new .40 S&W. All the major gun manufacturers scrambled to rechamber their 9mm pistols in this new cartridge which instantly proliferated its popularity even further. Momentum was established, and the course was set. It was only a matter of time until the 10mm Auto fell from grace and its obscurity followed.
S&W engineers shortened the 10mm Auto’s case from 25mm to 22mm without sacrificing the performance parameters of the 10mm FBI load. However, why not shorten it to 21mm or even 20mm? The reason was that the 22mm length case allowed for it to widely function in pistols with smaller frame dimensions designed for the 9mm Luger round. The 9mm Luger round was popular among shooters with smaller hands and those who craved less recoil. Smith and Wesson named it the .40 S&W departing entirely from the 10mm metric brand. Thereby established a new high-performance all-American round that most existing pistols chambered in 9mm could handle with an easy barrel and magazine change out. Offering a teaming relationship, they got Winchester to manufacture the new ammunition offering a range of bullet weights. Smith and Wesson’s marketing was brilliant.

Today, the popular .40 S&W rounds are cheap, abundantly available, and come in a wide range of bullet weights and styles. Although most shooters would consider 165 or 180 grain standard for range or self-defense use bullets, the round is available as light as 135 grains to as heavy as 200 grains. In terms of muzzle velocity, you will find the speediest .40 S&W rounds zip downrange at about 1,200 feet per second. Larger rounds pack a serious punch with some 180-grain rounds that carry a muzzle velocity close to 1,100 feet per second and deliver more than 450 foot-pounds of energy on target. Incidentally, because of the wide range of bullet weights, styles and velocities, the .40 S&W round is ideal for use with sound suppressor equipped pistols with no performance tradeoff. Try one; you will like it.

The 10mm Auto is still around. Reportedly, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team still has it in their armory, as do some U.S. military special mission units, but its civilian popularity has remained stalled. As recently as 2015, Sig Saur offered a version of their P-220 workhorse chambered in 10mm Auto with relatively dismal sales numbers. It seems those shooters who have guns chambered in 10mm Auto like them more for the nostalgia than their performance. The .40 S&W dominates the law enforcement and self-defense market (as well as casual plinkers) who want the performance of a .40 without the obnoxious recoil of a 10mm Auto. Finally, for the shooter who intends to win in a gunfight, the .40 S&W is a 90% solution between affordability, availability, and superb lethality.

Shotguns have always been a fighting weapon for the US military although not often seen. They serve roles such as defense, offensive, breaching as well as deploying less than lethal ammunition such as bean bag loads. In law enforcement, every car had a shotgun.

That has changed in favor of the patrol carbine. Though is that one projectile is easier to account for than 8 or 9. Law enforcement also faces the threat of suspects/active shooters wearing body armor. In this case the penetration power of the 5.56mm round is certainly more appropriate than buckshot or slugs. High capacity magazines with 5.56mm ammunition put a patrol officer in the position to deal with an active shooter when traditionally armed officers with shotguns would have to wait for SWAT to arrive. However in military application, the shotgun stands out as devastating firepower at close range. In urban combat, shotguns are used for breaching. What this means is blowing locked doors off of their hinges or blowing the lock out so the soldiers can gain entrance.

Over the last 50 or so years, shotguns have been visible in military operations such as Vietnam, Panama, Gulf War 1 as well as the Global War on Terrorism. Looking at this time period you may think of a tunnel rat in Vietnam with a sawed off Ithaca shotgun. Today there are several shotguns in service but what we will look at are two of the general purpose shotguns in current service. The Mossberg 590/590A1 pump action and the Benelli M1014 semi-automatic shotgun are the most prevalent in the inventory.

As early as 1979, the Mossberg 500 and 590 pump action shotguns were accepted when they successfully passed the Mil Spec 3443 testing. In 1992, Mossberg was awarded the contract for the 590A1 shotgun. This contract was spearheaded by the Navy. In the mid-2000’s the shotgun would be made available to the commercial market. Two major changes of the 590A1 over the predecessors is the use of an aluminum trigger guard and safety.

The 590 has a 18.5 inch barrel with a improved cylinder choke and a bead front sight. The magazine holds 6 rounds of 2 3/4 or 3” magnum 12-gauge shotgun shells. The stock and forgrip are made of black polymer. This is superior to wood in that the material does not swell, splinter or rot. It is impervious to the elements. The receiver is manufactured from aluminum and anodized black. The shotgun is 39.5 inches weigh in at 6.75 pounds. These may also be found with just a pistol grip and no stock. These are often carried as secondary weapons for breaching purposes or extreme close combat situations.

The pump action 590A1 as previously stated has a aluminum trigger housing and safety lever rather than polymer. These can be had in several configurations as well. The combat shotgun has a 9 round capacity and can also fore 2 3/4 or 3 inch 12-gauge shotgun shells and a cylinder bore choke. The barrel is parkerized black and the stocks are polymer in black color. The receiver is also manufactured from aluminum and anodized black. The 590A1 has a 20 inch barrel with a bead front sight. This model also may be seen with Ghost Ring sights which is a rear peep sight and a front sight post similar to that of an M16 rifle. None were shipped in this configuration but some shotguns have been converted to have this sight feature. All leave with a front bead. The shotgun weighs in a 7.25 pounds and an overall length of 41 inches. This 20 inch barrel mode will also accept a M9 bayonet. There is a bayonet lug and the front o the bayonet attaches to the magazine cap. This model also may be found with an 18.5 inch barrel or with a pistol grip rather than stock.

Loading procedure is to load the magazine tube to capacity. Push upward on the action lock lever to release the bolt. Cycle the action fully and now there is a round in the chamber. The safety is located on top rear of the receiver. It is a sliding button. With the shotgun being pump action, it may fire all types of ammunition without cycling issue. Unlike autoloaders which require full powered loads, the pump action can fire low recoil loads and less than lethal shells.

Mossberg provided a T&E shotgun. The one requested was the 590A1SPX (50771). This shotgun has all the bells and whistles. It has Ghost Ring sights which the rear sight is mounted to a Mil-Std-1913 rail. The rear sight may be removed and an optic such as a reflex sight can be mounted. The barrel was ported right behind the front sight assembly. The front sight is provided with a reddish fiber optic sight. This was very visible in daytime conditions. The shotgun was provided with a M9 bayonet which mounted to the shotgun with ease. The shotgun was what you would expect of a military grade shotgun. Strong, robust and simple. The shotgun was tested with Winchester OO Buck, Federal OO Buck, Hornady TAP, Winchester 1oz slug, Federal Low Recoil slug and Hornady TAP High Velocity slug. Every round cycled perfectly. No mechanical issues whatsoever. It is nice being able to use Low Recoil ammunition. You really sacrifice little performance. The shotgun did hit a steel gong at 100 yards with ease.

Both of these models may be seen in the hands of all branches of the military. Mossberg has sold more than 100,000 shotguns to the U.S. military. However the Marines took it one step farther. They wanted a semi-automatic shotgun. On May 4, 1998, a solicitation (DAAE30-98-R-0401) was issued to Picatinny arsenal for a new shotgun. This was a much more modernized semi-automatic combat shotgun. The requirements put out were that the shotgun must fire 2.75-inch 12 gauge slugs (100 to 125 meters accurately) and 00 Buckshot (40 meters accuracy). The shotgun must have a length up to 41.75 inches and be capable of reconfiguring to 36 inches or less. The maximum weight allowed was 8.5 pounds with the desire to be six pounds unloaded. The shotgun will be equipped with Low Light Level iron sights and standard Mil-Std-1913 rail on the top of the receiver to permit use of enhanced sighting systems. The project was called the Joint Services Combat Shotgun (JSCS) and the weapon would go on to be classified as the M1014. Deliveries began in 1999 to the Marine Corps. This shotgun is also used by special forces.

Out of this competition came the most reliable, durable and versatile combat shotgun in the world. This shotgun really cannot be compared to the Mossberg 590/590A1. They were procured for different missions. The Benelli M4 Super 90 was type classified as the M1014 shotgun. This semiautomatic was Benelli’s first shotgun that did not use their trademark inertia operating system. This new system is called ARGO or Auto Regulating Gas Operated system. This consists of two short stroke operating rods using two stainless steel pistons which are touted as being self-cleaning. The operating mechanism is located just in front of the 3 inch chamber to function opposite of the bolt. The ARGO system uses only four components which are two symmetrical shrouds containing two small steel gas pistons. The ARGO gas system eliminates the complexities in using a standard piston mechanism with all its additional parts. The ARGO system is self regulating which will allow the shotgun to function with a wide array of shotgun ammunition. The bolt itself, is a rotary lock mechanism. The bolt runs in a cam track to lock and unlock. The bolt is also chrome plated. The only drawback to this system is most Less Than Lethal ammunition must be cycled manually.

The way the mechanism works allows rapid ammo change. For example your M1014 is loaded with Buckshot and a target appears 100 yards away and you need to transition to a slug. Unlike a traditional shotgun you have to eject the chambered round and remove the round on the carrier by hand, the M1014 ejects the round in the chamber by retracting the bolt. The round in the magazine will only be released if the shotgun is fired or if you manually release it by way of the cartridge drop lever. Now after the shell in the chamber is ejected you just drop the slug shell in the receiver and release the bolt handle. The loading procedure for the M1014 is to insert 7 rounds in the tubular magazine, push upward on the cartridge drop lever. This releases the round to the carrier. The retract the bolt and release allowing the rotating bolt to chamber and lock the bolt into battery. You may now insert another round into the magazine.

The M1014 has a two position folding stock and a 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel. The safety is a conventional cross-bolt type in front of the trigger guard. The bore, chamber and bolt are hard chrome plated which permits fast and easy cleaning. The receiver is manufactured from aluminum and anodized black. The sights are Ghost Ring sights which are peep sights, similar to that of an M16. In front of the rear sight is a Mil-Std-1913 rail for mounting optics. This shotgun is well suited for a dot-type optic such as a Trijicon Reflex, EOtech or Aimpoint sight. The t&e shotgun was equipped with a Trijicon Reflex 1x42mm sight. The magazine holds 7 shotgun shells of either 2 3/4 or 3 inch magnum loads. However the shotgun can potentially carry a load of 9 shells. One would be in the chamber and the other is loaded on the carrier. The M1014 weighs 8.4 pounds with a length of 34.8 inches.

The T&E provided from Benelli is pristine. This is what you would expect from the fine Italian gun maker. Keep in mind the MSRP of the Mossberg is between $500 to $900 depending on the model, the M1014 has an MSRP of $2399 so you expect allot more out of the Benelli M1014. Fit and finish is flawless. The bolt glides rearward like the hammer on a Colt Python! This author has had a significant amount of experience with the M1014. In testing over the years this shotgun was exposed to brisk upstate New York winter with -13°F and -30 wind-chill. The shotgun cycled all standard OO Buckshot and slugs. You could feel the action work and could tell it was slower than normal but it never skipped a beat. It would not fire the low recoil loads, the M1014 would short stroke. The test shotgun has seen well over 500 rounds without issue.

Another role the shotgun serves is for breeching doors. Whether it be search warrant or a military unit clearing buildings, the operators come across locked doors. Heavier doors cannot be kicked in. So the muzzle of a shotgun is placed over the lock whether it be a dead bolt or standard lock and then the shotgun is fired blowing out the lock. Occasionally it may take two or three shots. Also the operator can blow the door off the hinges as well. The muzzle is placed in the location of the hinges and blows the hinges out, of the door can be kicked in. This can be done with a standard muzzle but is better handled with a breaching choke tube. The breeching choke tested was the Carlson Choke Tubes, LLC. Tactical Breecher Muzzle Brake (model 84130). The teeth on the muzzle enable the choke tube to grip the door/wall and the ports allow pressure to escape from the side so the shooter is not blown back away from door/wall. Both slugs and Buckshot can be used for breeching. There are specific rounds for breaching as well. Looking at this specific breaching choke, it has more porting than most to allow more recoil reduction and helps eliminate some of the back pressure that would kick back the shotgun into the shooters hands as well as the construction allows all loads to be used including slugs and buckshot loads.

Does the average shooter need one of these Benelli M1014 shotguns, of course not. It is a steep price tag but if you want the finest combat shotgun in the world it is well worth the money. The Mossberg 500/590A1 shotguns offer all the tactical benefits at a price within grasp of most shooters. This is one of those time where you really cannot compare the two shotguns. They were designed for different purpose with different mission in mind and they both truly shine. Also fortunately they are both available in the commercial market. As long as you do not live in an occupied state which restricts civilian ownership of these “assault” shotguns!

In the U.S. military, the preferred shotgun round is OO Buck with 9 pellets. Winchester/Olin is the major supplier. They can have green or red hulls and are high brass. The OO buck is the most effective anti-personnel round out there. However the slug does also have its place and are also in use. Not so much as anti-personnel, although it could be but more for breaching buildings. For instance you come across a locked door, the soldier can fire a slug into the lock area and see if he can blow the lock out to open the door. If that does not work he will aim at the location of the hinges and blow the door off the hinges. If the soldier has to shoot through barriers the slug is an excellent option. They do a good job on car doors and going through mud huts!

Although there is an expectation in a combat zone for “collateral damage”, law enforcement does not have that option. Any police officer who carried a shotgun with OO Buck must account for each pellet when he pulls the trigger. Often you will get that one flyer pellet that may miss the target and possibly injure a innocent bystander which can , will and has happened. Hornady manufacturing has a excellent line of T.A.P. or Tactical Application Police ammunition. This ammunition offers law enforcement a wide array of rifle, pistol and shotgun ammunition to fit their agencies individual needs. This ammunition is sold to Law Enforcement/military only but as you can imagine it finds its way to the commercial market.

They offered two loads. First is a 12-gauge Reduced Recoil load (blue hull) which has 8 OO buck pellets firing at a velocity 991 feet per second coming out of an 18.5 inch barrel. This is designed for slide action shotguns which does not require the higher pressures to cycle the action. The second is the 12gauge TAP Light Magnum OO Buck load. This also has 8 OO buck pellets but fires a higher 1428 feet per second out of a 18.5 inch barrel. Both of these loads were tested in the Mossberg 500A1 shotgun and there was no undoubtedly a noticeable difference in recoil. The low recoil did not cycle reliably in the M1014 but cycled perfectly with the Light Magnum Load.

The benefits do not stop with this TAP load here. The shot patterns are significantly tighter than that of a standard OO buck load. This is due to the shot cup. As previously mentioned the Police officer has to account for every projectile. With a tighter pattern the chance is greatly reduced of having a flyer. Of course nothing is absolute but there is a major difference. Targets were set up at 10, 15 and 20 yards. First a standard Winchester LE OO Buck round (2 3/4 inch) and then the TAP round and the diameter of the shot patterns was measured. At 10 yards the Winchester load opened up approximately 4 inches in diameter. The TAP round was shot at the same distance with an approximate diameter 1.75 inches. Major change! At 15 yards the Winchester round was fire with a diameter of about 7 inches. The TAP was tested at the same range giving a diameter of approximately 3 inches with one flyer. If you want to count the one flyer it is approximately 5.5 inches. Still a major difference either way. The last test was a 20 yards. The Winchester load had an approximate diameter of approximately 8.75 inches with the TAP coming in at approximately 6 inches.

Hornady also offers a 1oz rifled slug in both low recoil and magnum loads. Accuracy was measured by hitting a steel target at 100 yards with these slugs. The Mossberg fired both reliability as expected. However the results were surprising with the Benelli M1014. If shot and reliably cycled both the low recoil as well as light magnum loads. Slugs will create more pressure even in a light load compared to buck shot. Recoil was noticeably different between the two. However just to remain on the safe side this author would prefer the light magnum given the choice. There is no evidence in the testing to show the low recoil is not reliable but the recoil of the light magnum is not much different to a 270-pound shooter.

Shotguns remain a viable combat weapon whether it be military or law enforcement. In the instance of shotguns the U.S. military did not hit up the lowest bidder. The requirement bar was set high and both Mossberg and Benelli made the grade with distinction. Ammunition advances continue and the 12-gauge is still the standard military and LE choice. Hornady has made an excellent improvement in this technology.

Recently, a newcomer to the AOW field was tested – the Typhoon 12. The shotgun is manufactured in China for Hurricane Butterfly Research, a Type 7 manufacturer located in Washington State. The Typhoon is based on the Remington 870-type action. However, it is configured to take a five-round box magazine. Caliber is 12-Gauge, and the plastic magazine is limited to 2-3/4 inch shells due to space limitations in the action. With one in the chamber, the Typhoon 12 has a total six-round capacity. There is no ammunition in the former ammo tube. This AOW is manufactured by the same company that builds the Harrington and Richardson Partner Protector 12- Gauge pump shotgun.

Overall length is 20.5-inches, barrel length is 8.75-inches, not including the muzzle brake, configured similar to a door breacher, which brings the total length to 11.75-inches. Empty weight scales right at 5.8-pounds and the plastic magazine adds two-tenths of a pound.

The mag has a plastic follower, steel floorplate and spring. When the last round is fired, the follower rises up into the action and holds the bolt open. The magazine release latch is between the rear of the magazine well and the front of the trigger guard. Both full and empty magazine drop freely. A lip on the magazine stops it from seating too deeply. There are two holes in the side of the magazine that allow a shell count. The prototype gun was finished in Ceracoat. However, the standard finish will be blued with Ceracoat as an option.

During development, hundreds of rounds were cycled through the magazine with only one failure to fire. The chief engineer at the factory inspected the firearm and stated the problem was with the ammunition. A different batch was sourced, and no further problems were encountered. Some problems arose when steel shot was run through the Typhoon 12. Additional testing discovered that the wad/ shot collar was causing some small malfunctions.

The forearm doesn’t have a fixed grip. Instead, there is a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail fastened to the action bar which allows a number of different grips to be used. The firearm tested has a Magpul Rail Vertical Grip (RVG) in place, but any foregrip configured for a rail can be easily added.

The Typhoon 12 is imported unassembled without a shoulder stock, so it qualifies as an AOW instead of an SBS, which requires a $200 tax stamp. It’s assembled with a synthetic pistol grip to follow BATFE requirements.

There is an attachment point on the upper rear to take a single-point sling. A double-point sling can be attached by using the hole in the tube nut on the forward end of the tube barrel.

If the potential buyer wants an SBS, any buttstock for a Remington 870 would fit. Then it would have to be registered and the $200 transfer tax stamp procured.

The Typhoon 12 should be available just about when you are reading this. There are 300 currently being shipped to the USA, as this Small Arms Review issue goes to press (December), the distributors are cataloging them for sales. Hurricane Butterfly’s CEO stated that the price will be set in the $575-$600 range, but as this is being written, no final price has been determined.

MAKE: Hurricane Butterfly Research
MODEL: Typhoon 12
CALIBER: 12GA 2/3/4” shells only
BARREL: 8-3/4”
WEIGHT: 5.8 lbs. 6.0 with empty magazine
CAPACITY: 5 + 1
RECEIVER: Steel
FOREARM/GRIP: Magpul
REAR GRIP: Synthetic Pistol Grip
ACTION: Pump
NFA STATUS: Any Other Weapon (AOW)
TRANSFER FEE: $5 (USD)
ESTIMATED PRICE: $575-$600

B&T

The B&T suppressor for the HK MP5 and the B&T APC9 is one of the most widely used suppressors in the world. It has not only been NATO qualified (NSN: 1005-17-117-8913) but it is also selected by Heckler & Koch as their OEM suppressor of choice. The suppressor was chosen because of its reliable functioning, ease of use and long service life. The use of special alloys, hi-tech coatings, years of end user feedback and of course the famous Swiss quality makes the B&T suppressor for the HK MP5 the first choice of professional users who require a rugged, reliable and easily maintained suppressor.

MODEL HK MP5 + B&T APC9
CALIBER 9 x 19 mm (9 mm Luger)
LENGTH 208 mm / 8.2“
DIAMETER 35 mm / 1.37“
WEIGHT 300 g / 10.5 oz
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 33 dB (A) dry
MATERIALS Aluminum
FINISH Black, hardcoat anodized
WEBSITE www.bt-ag.ch

The B&T MP9 / TP9 is the weapon of choice of many security details, intelligence units and special Police teams all around the world. Whenever the operation requires a suppressor, the B&T MP9 suppressor is first class. The unique quick detachable (QD™) attachment means that any operator can securely and safely mount the suppressor in a matter of seconds with one hand. The suppressor offers an additional Picatinny/NAR rail for mounting mission specific items like lights or lasers.

MODEL B&T MP9 / TP9
CALIBER 9 x 19 mm (9 mm Luger)
LENGTH 206 mm / 8.1”
DIAMETER 50 mm / 1.9”
WEIGHT 485 g / 17.1 oz
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 34 dB (A) dry
MATERIALS Aliminum
FINISH Black, hardcoat anodized

Dead Air Silencers

The Ghost M is a modular multi-caliber pistol/subgun suppressor. A centerfire pistol suppressor rated all the way up to 300 blk sub-sonic. It is full auto rated and features a unique patent pending modular design. In the short configuration you have the smallest & quietest .45 can in its class. To be scary quiet, the Long configuration with wipes is the way to go. While not needed for the Ghost to function, the Ghost M front end cap can house a wipe, maximizing its performance.

MODEL Ghost M
CALIBER .22 LR, .300 BLK (subsonic), .40 S&W, .45ACP, 10mm, 9mm
LENGTH Full: 8.75”
Compact: 6.2” 1.06”
*(Weight and length will vary with various attachments) 6.2 oz.
DIAMETER 1.375″
WEIGHT Full: 12.0oz
Compact: 9.6oz* CerakoteTM
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION See chart attached
MATERIALS A combination of 17-4 stainless steel, titanium, and anodized 7075 aluminum materials
FINISH Cerakote Boxy, Nitrided Attachments
WEBSITE https://deadairsilencers.com/products/ghost-m/
MSRP (USD) $949

AK and Combloc rifle owners rejoice. The Wolverine PBS-1 is a state-of-the-art direct thread silencer that fits your favorite rifles. Don’t worry about non-concentric muzzle threads, the Wolverine addresses that. It also strikes a perfect balance of muzzle suppression and blowback the AK is notoriously known for. With numerous thread inserts available, we’re sure the Wolverine will fit right in with your collection.

MODEL Wolverine PBS-1
CALIBER Multi – Up to 7.92×54
LENGTH 7.4” (with thread adapter)
DIAMETER 1.5” Tube, 1.93” Outside Diameter
WEIGHT 19.8oz – 24.4oz depending on mount
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION See chart attached
FINISH Cerakote Body, with Nitrided parts
WEBSITE https://deadairsilencers.com/products/wolverine-pbs-1/
MATERIALS A combination of 17-4 stainless steel, titanium, and anodized 7075 aluminum materials
MSRP (USD) $1099
WEBSITE https://deadairsilencers.com/products/ghost-m/
MSRP (USD) $949

Elite Iron

The STFU was designed for .30cal rifles and is all of stainless construction. The design removes horizontal point of impact shift sometimes experienced with an un-timed suppressor. The STFU can used on rifles chambered in .308 and 30.06 class cartridges, and 300WM class cartridges with 24 in. barrels.

MODEL STFU
CALIBER .308/30-06/ 300WM
LENGTH 7.875”
DIAMETER 1.625”
WEIGHT 22.8 oz.
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 28 db
MATERIALS
FINISH
WEBSITE www.eliteiron.com/
MSRP (USD) $760

The Battledog was also designed around the AR-10 gas rifle in .308 to supply the tactical world with a small effective suppressor. There has been an increasing demand for more knockdown power in close quarter situations and the Battledog is an excellent choice.

The Battledog works excellent on the 7.62×39, 5.56×45 and .300 Blackout short barrel rifles and greatly reduces the breech blowback on these weapon systems.

MODEL Battle Dog
CALIBER 7.62×39/5.56×45/.300
LENGTH 6”
DIAMETER 1.625”
WEIGHT 16 oz.
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION Up to 40 db
MATERIALS Titanium,17-4 Stainless and Aluminum
FINISH CerakoteTM
WEBSITE http://www.ruger.com/micros/silent-sr/index.html
MSRP (USD) $449

Freedom Armory

FA Machine Works Minuteman TI and Grenadier suppressors have revolutionized modern suppressor design with Gas Indexing Technology (GIT), Patent No. US9,410,761 B2. GIT allows for the rotational orientation of baffles by the user so as to take advantage of the differences in pressures between handguns and rifles of the same caliber and thereby, providing optimum sound reduction for each. These lightweight, titanium suppressors also utilize Total Breakdown Technology (TBT) providing complete serviceability using common tools.

MODEL Minuteman TI
CALIBER .22LR thru FN 5.7×28
LENGTH 6 inches
DIAMETER 1 inch
WEIGHT 3.9 oz.
FACTORY TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 42db
MATERIALS Titanium
FINISH Cerakote (Black or FDE) or
Polished Natural Cerakote (Black or FDE) or
Polished Natural $550
WEBSITE FAMACHINEWORKS.COM
MSRP (USD) $600.00
Polished Natural adds $30 $905.00 / $930.00 / $980.00
Polished Natural adds $50

MODEL Grenadier
CALIBER 9mm / 45 ACP
LENGTH 6.8” / 7.4” / 8.5”
DIAMETER 1.375”
WEIGHT 9.9 oz./ 10.3 oz. / 11.4 oz.
FACTORY TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 32db-38db
MATERIALS Titanium

GEMTECH

The GEMTECH MIST-22 is the quietest integrally suppressed barrel available for your 10/22 Rifle. The MIST-22 is an astonishing 112dB to the shooter, quieter than an air rifle! With the same profile as popular bull barrels the MIST-22 is compatible with a huge variety of aftermarket stocks and receivers. The barrel is match grade and the GEMTECH G-Core technology makes cleaning a breeze.

MODEL MIST-22
CALIBER 22 LR
LENGTH 16.1”
DIAMETER 0.92
WEIGHT 1lbs. 5 oz.
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 40 db
MATERIALS Military Grade Aluminum/Steel Barrel
FINISH Black Isonite
WEBSITE www.gemtech.com
MSRP (USD) $550

Ruger

The Ruger® Silent-SR® sound suppressor features best-in-class materials and advanced design, resulting in a lightweight, compact size and top-tier sound reduction. It was designed and built by Ruger utilizing the very latest in fluid dynamic simulation and computer numeric controlled (CNC) machining equipment. The Ruger® Silent-SR® is easy to disassemble and clean. Each piece snaps together to seal the baffles and keep the byproducts of combustion away from the tube and end caps. It is also strong and light, utilizing a titanium tube, aluminum rear cap, and stainless steel threaded mount, baffles and front cap. Ruger has selected the best material for each part to maximize strength and minimize weight without sacrificing durability.

MODEL Silent-SR
CALIBER 22LR/22WMR/17HMR
LENGTH 5.37”
DIAMETER 1.06”
WEIGHT 6.2 oz.
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION Up to 40 db
MATERIALS Titanium,17-4 Stainless and Aluminum
FINISH CerakoteTM
WEBSITE http://www.ruger.com/micros/silent-sr/index.html
MSRP (USD) $449

Surefire

The RYDER 9 Modular suppressor is designed to be the best option available for overall length and maximum sound suppression capable. With the modular installed the RYDER 9M performs the same as the best-in-class RYDER 9 suppressor; however, if overall length is a concern the 2” modular can be removed only losing a nominal amount of sound reduction. As like the RYDER9, the RYDER 9M is disassemble for cleaning of the stainless steel baffles and Titanium tube. Each baffle is numbered for ease of reassembly and each suppressor comes with an assembly tool which includes a threaded baffle alignment rod and pusher. Available in either the ½-28 thread or M13.5×1 LH threaded Piston which is also available separately. Proudly designed, produced and assembled in the United States.

MODEL SF RYDER 9M-TI
CALIBER 9MM
LENGTH 5.9”/7.9”
DIAMETER 0.92
WEIGHT 8.5 oz./11oz.
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 20-25dB
MATERIALS Titanium Tube, Front Plate, Rear Cap, Stainless Steel Baffles
FINISH Cerakote finish
WEBSITE www.surefire.com/tactical-equipment/sound-suppressors/sf-ryder-suppressors.html
MSRP (USD) $999.00

The SOCOM300-SPS suppressors is designed for the specific characteristics of .300BLK firing both Subsonic and Super Sonic ammunition for maximum sound suppression. This suppressor is also capable of being fired on 5.56MM though 300WIN when using bolt action rifles with the same great sound suppression capability. This is achieved with the SureFire patented V-baffle designed which routes more gas through the core than would be seen with other suppressors. The 300-SPS boasts the same rock solid Fast-Attach® lock ring as seen on all of the SOCOM and SOCOM2 series of suppressors. As with every SureFire SOCOM series of suppressors accuracy, repeatability, durability, long service life and signature reduction to include sound, flash and limiting environment disruption is engineered and produced in the US with only the top quality of material available.

MODEL SOCOM300 SPS
CALIBER 5.56MM to 300 WM
LENGTH 8.0”
DIAMETER 1.5”
WEIGHT 6.2 oz.
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 120dB – 300 Black Out Subsonic, 129dB – 7.62×51
134dB – 5.56, 137dB – 300 WM
MATERIALS High-temp alloy & stainless steel
FINISH Ionbond and Cerakote™ finish
WEBSITE www.surefire.com
MSRP (USD) $ 1075.00

Thompson Machine

Industry-leading dB reduction, fool-proof disassembly and re-assembly (with only 3 total parts), and an affordable price tag are just a few of the features that set the Isis22 apart. Top that off with a full-auto and .22Mag/.17HMR rating on rifle hosts and you’ve got a suppressor that is ahead of the pack.

MODEL Isis 22
CALIBER .22LR/.22Mag/.17HMR (Full-Auto Rated)
LENGTH 6.5”
DIAMETER 1.125”
WEIGHT 4.2 oz.
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 41 db
MATERIALS Hard-Anodized 6061-T6
FINISH Hard-Anodized Matte Black
WEBSITE www.ThompsonMachine.net
MSRP (USD) $315

The Poseidon series of silencers by Thompson Machine shatters the mold for how small a centerfire pistol silencer can be while still being effective. The Poseidon 9mm is impossibly small and light at only 4.125” in length and 4 ounces, but still delivers hearing-safe performance on most 9mm hosts. Equally at home on pistol hosts, or pistol-caliber carbines, the Poseidon is a must-have piece of kit for ultra-compact suppression.

MODEL Poseidon
CALIBER 9MM & 45 Models available
LENGTH 4.125” (9mm) 4.5” (45)
DIAMETER 1.25” (9mm) 1.375” (.45)
WEIGHT 4 oz. (9mm) 5.2 oz. (.45)
FACTORY-TESTED SOUND REDUCTION 20-25 db
MATERIALS Hard-Anodized 6061-T6
FINISH Hard-Anodized Matte Black
WEBSITE www.ThompsonMachine.net
MSRP (USD) $379 (Poseidon 9mm) $399 (Poseidon .45)

PROTECH TACTICAL DEBUTS TACTICAL CARRIER WITH FIRST SPEAR TECHNOLOGY

Safariland, a recognized leader in the tactical armor market, has just announced the release of the PROTECH Tactical Shift 360 Scalable Plate Rack System as its first platform to encompass the FIRST SPEAR Tubes closure system. Utilizing advanced technologies from industry-leading armor brands, PROTECH Tactical and FIRST SPEAR, the Shift 360 plate rack is a high-speed carrier system representing PROTECH Tactical’s fastest and most dynamic scalable plate rack offering. The system starts as a basic plate rack carrier with the ability to transition into a fully loaded tactical system for a multitude of mission specifications. FIRST SPEAR Tubes modernize the armor carrier closure system, enhancing the ease of donning and doffing the Shift 360 carrier with a quick up or down single hand function. The simple motion for attaching or detaching the system capitalizes on the user’s muscle memory, ideal for stressful or high-speed scenarios. This lightweight closure system ensures the cummerbund is always positioned in the same location, which is vital for proper ballistic coverage and mitigates the risk of misalignment and incorrect attachment. The Shift 360 meets the requirements of patrol and tactical law enforcement officers who need to transition from routine activities to high-threat situations in a matter of seconds. Facing increased occurrences of scenarios evolving into an active shooter, hostage or terrorist situations, law enforcement officers can have confidence that the Shift 360 will outfit them for any situation. The Shift 360 system was put to the test with a variety of law enforcement teams, providing PROTECH Tactical with vital feedback to make it one of the most sought after scalable plate racks on the market. Beyond the FirstSpear technology, the Shift 360 plate rack incorporates other recently updated design elements, which elevate the functionality of the system, such as a cummerbund attachment, ballistics insertions and reinforced support. The Shift 360 AWS is available with all three closure system options – FirstSpear Tubes, single-point Quick-Release and Velcro closure. For more information, please contact them at www.protechtactical.com.

NEW PANDEMONIUM FULL AUTO KNIFE FROM BROWNING

New to the Black Label line of products from Browning is the Pandemonium Full Auto Knife. This unique modified tanto blade model is made in the U.S.A. and has full auto-assisted opening for rapid blade deployment. The blade on the knife is hollow ground and made from 440 stainless steel. The blade is 3 ½” long, and the knife has an overall length of 7 ¾” when opened. The handle is made of checkered black G-10 scales and has a tactical pocket clip. The Pandemonium Full Auto Knife has a suggested retail $309.99. More information at www.browning.com.

FIREFIELD CHARGE AR LASERS

Ideal for quick target acquisition and tactical situations, Firefield’s new Charge AR Lasers are primed and ready to deliver pinpoint accuracy. Firefield Charge AR Lasers are available in four models to best suit your individual needs. Offering a compact and low profile design, the Firefield Charge AR Red Laser Sight (FF25006) and Firefield AR Green Laser (FF25007) feature strong lasers visible out to 300 yards and 600 yards respectively at night. Both lasers use a single CR2 battery, are operable with push button or pressure pad, and offer reliable accuracy via windage and elevation adjustments. Constructed of aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum and finished in matte black, Charge AR lasers mount perfectly to weaver and Picatinny rails. Taking advantage of the same durable aluminum construction, the Firefield Charge AR Red Laser and Light Combo (FF25008) and Firefield Charge AR Green Laser and Light Combo (FF25009) weigh a mere 3.4 oz., adding value and functionality to rifles without adding much weight. Both laser sights light up surroundings with a bright 180-lumen flashlight. The offset design of the Charge AR Lasers allow the lasers to work with front sight posts and does not block views around the gun. You can reach them at www.fire-field.com.

AIMPOINT NOW SHIPPING NEW 3X-C MAGNIFIERS

The new Aimpoint 3X-C Magnifier, which debuted at SHOT Show 2016, is now available from authorized Aimpoint dealers. Designed for the civilian shooter at a budget-friendly price point, the 3X-C can be used in conjunction with all Aimpoint sights for long-range aiming or observation. Additionally, a variable (-2 to +2) dioptic setting allows this magnifier to be adapted to the individual shooter’s eye. The 3X-C can also be used as a handheld 3X monocular. Aimpoint magnifiers utilize the red dot in Aimpoint sights as the aiming reticle, eliminating the need for re-zeroing when shifting between non-magnified and magnified aiming. The 3X-C is encased in a shock absorbing protective rubber cover that also creates an ideal ergonomic grip. Internal optical adjustments make aligning the magnifier and sight quick and easy. The new 3X-C carries a retail price of just $307.00. Their website is www.aimpoint.com.

TRULOCK TACTICAL CHOKE TUBES

In an ideal world, you’d never need to use a tactical or home defense shotgun. But in a less-than-ideal world, if you do need to use one, it has to work exactly as it’s supposed to. Failure is not an option. Under those conditions, you want that shotgun equipped with a tactical choke tube from Trulock Choke Tubes. The Trulock Tactical Choke was designed to produce optimum performance with breaching rounds, buckshot, and slugs. This new and innovative design eliminates the need to change muzzle devices when alternating ammunition from breaching rounds to either buckshot or rifled slugs – potentially saving valuable time in any situation that requires the rapid firing of different load types. The Trulock Tactical Choke has a crenulated muzzle so that it can be used as a standoff tool with a positive grip. That allows breaching loads to be fired safely and effectively by holding the standoff directly on a door hinge or lock. The design reduces the chance of slipping off the target and vents gas from the blast at the same time. It makes the breaching process faster and safer. Internally, the Trulock Tactical Choke is more than just a breaching tool. The new design is constructed to produce improved downrange performance and accuracy for buckshot or rifled slug applications. To find out more about Trulock Choke Tubes, visit their website at www.trulockchokes.com.

LYMAN’S AUTO-ADVANCE TARGET SYSTEM

The new Lyman Auto-Advance Target System is a revolutionary design, offering shooters the ability to change targets at up to 200 yards with the press of a button! No more walking downrange to replace targets, or waiting for cease-fires! The Auto-Advance Target System is battery operated, so there is no need for wires and power outlets, plus it disassembles easily for transportation back and forth to the range. The Auto-Advance Target System has steel protection plates that are rated for use with all rimfire calibers. The Auto-Advance Target System comes with a roll of standard bullseye targets. Additional 50-foot target rolls are available with bullseye, animal and silhouette designs. Price for the Auto Advance Remote Controlled System is $229.95, and additional target rolls are $19.98. You can contact them at 1(860)-632-2020, or see their whole line up at www.LymanPRoducts.com

1.426 MILLION NFA items

As mentioned in a previous publication and online sources, ATF reports that it processed 308,563 NFA forms for 2015. That corresponds to an astonishing 1.426 MILLION NFA items. That number embraces the surge in popularity of suppressors and also short-barreled rifles (SBR’s). All of this was accomplished while ATF was staffing up the NFA Branch to address the work surge and efficiency certainly improved from month to month. So how do things look right now?

To be sure, there is a general sense that demand has increased and that wait times on forms processing has increased, as well. This general sense is actually quite accurate and there are several pieces of the puzzle driving the current state of affairs. Let’s take a look at a few of those pieces.

The Department of Justice announced, at the beginning of 2016, that it would implement the new rules for legal entity ownership of NFA items so that the playing field for purchasing items was level and that all potential NFA possessors be subject to positive identification and background checks. July 13, 2016 saw this implementation of the new rules, known as 41F. January 1st though July 13th saw a huge surge in applications for those who wanted to make application under the new rule set. While official numbers are not yet available, ATF estimates that over 365,000 applications were processed into the month of August, far surpassing last year’s total.

And now, the second surge is occurring. There were many NFA enthusiasts that could not obtain chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) approval and did not want to pay extra for a lawyer to create a trust or other legal entity to obviate the signature approval requirement. Those applicants have now added their work load volume to the mix. Again, no official numbers have been published, yet sources within ATF are projecting that NFA Branch will process an additional ONE MILLION NFA items to close 2016 at 2.4 million items.

The NFATCA does not expect to see demand taper off any time soon. Further, as more innovation is brought to the marketplace and more people realize the freedom of choice that they have to purchase NFA items without a CLEO signature approval, the volume should continue to increase. One million additional NFA items has increased the size of the community and the size of the market. The only thing that could accelerate the pace is a post-election purchase surge!