Vickers Guide: WWII Germany Vol I

• ISBN 978-0-9965032-3-5
• vickersguide.com
• 360 pages
• 13”x11” (approx.)
• Mott Lake Publishing
• P O Box 158294 Nashville, TN 37215
• mottlake.com

Vickers Guide: AK Kalashnikov Vol I

• ISBN 978-0-9965032-4-2
• vickersguide.com
• 360 pages
• 13”x11” (approx.)
• Mott Lake Publishing
• P O Box 158294 Nashville, TN 37215
• mottlake.com

As a lover of fine military books, I was immediately impressed by these wonderful books. They are everything that a premium quality, collector-grade coffee table book should be, without the “fluff.” Often, a book with great photos lacks technical expertise, simply relying on the photos to carry it. This most certainly is not the case with the Vickers Guide series. Author Larry Vickers definitely knows his stuff, as the list of his military and civilian awards and certifications attest.

Currently, there are five titles in the Vickers Guide series. In order of release, these are: 1911; AR-15, Vol. I; AR-15, Vol. II; WWII Germany, Vol. I; and AK Kalashnikov, Vol. I. This review will cover the two most recent titles.

Each title is available in three different versions or editions, these being the Standard, Signature and Limited Editions. The Signature Edition is hand-signed by Larry Vickers. The Limited Edition of each title is also hand-signed by Vickers, along with a personal handwritten message of your choosing. This numbered series is limited to 250 books (a mere 100 copies for the 1911 title).

Unfortunately, the vickersguide.com website now shows that all three versions of the AR-15 Vol. I are sold out. However, it also mentions the 1911 Standard Edition has been reprinted, so perhaps the AR book will be also.

These are large format books, measuring 13 inches wide, by 11 inches tall. And many of the photographs span across two pages, so the image is 26inx11in. The books are printed on premium quality paper, so the photos really pop. Each page feels a bit heavier than a typical page from other books. A nice touch is a ribbon page marker that is sewn into the binding. Not a huge deal, but it does add another touch of refinement to an already fine work.

Speaking of photography, the images featured are stunning. Photographer James Ripley has created a series of beautiful photos. The photos are studio quality images, more like high-end product photography than the usual distant, hard-to-make-out action shots in many books. Each photo is taken against a white background and is properly lit to avoid glare to bring out the finest details. Additional photography of mainly uniforms and other militaria was supplied by Jeff Demers for the WWII Germany Vol. I book.

Naturally, quality of this level does not come cheap. Starting at $95 for the Standard Edition (Signature Edition is $125, and the Limited Edition is $200), this is a big purchase for many people. However, books of this quality level do tend to increase in value once they are out of print. A quick browse on Amazon for other books of similar quality confirms this. Perhaps, if someone is having difficulty finding a suitable gift for you, a fine book is in order.

WWII Germany, Vol. I examines handguns, submachine guns, the K98k infantry rifle and sniper rifles. (The soon to be released Vol. II will cover semiauto rifles, select-fire rifles, belt-fed machine guns and “Last Ditch” weapons.)

The book begins with a sombre dedication to those lives lost due to WWII and the evil of the Third Reich. Vickers and Rupley want to be perfectly clear that displaying firearms and other historic militaria containing Swastikas and Nazi eagles does NOT imply any sort of support for such an evil regime.

The P08 Luger leads the collection of arms featured. Several fine specimens are displayed, representing different manufacturers, branches of service, grip types, etc., and then the P38, followed by foreign pistols put into German service.

Machine pistols and submachine guns pro-file some of the early attempts to create a practical SMG, culminating with the iconic MP38 and MP40 designs. The Soviet PPSh-41 is also discussed, due to so many being captured and put into German service.

The section on bolt-action rifles opens with a .22 rimfire training rifle, along with an article by guest author Robert Simpson explaining how the German military pulled a fast one on international inspectors. At the end of the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles put limits in place to prevent Germany from re-arming. By making “commercial sporting target” rifles, Germany was able to rebuild her arms industry and offer marksmanship training to huge numbers of men prior to WWII.
The K98k infantry rifle is studied in detail, comparing specimens from pre-war, early-war and late-war. Ian McCollum, of Forgotten Weapons fame, wrote a detailed essay on this subject. He contributed several articles, including a piece about waffenamts and proof marks.

Sniper rifles based upon the K98k are given a separate section. Also included is a look at Soviet sniper rifles. As with the PPSh-41 mentioned above, the rationale is that so many rifles were captured and used, it is valid to include the Mosin-Nagant as German equipment.

AK Kalashnikov Vol. I deals exclusively with the 7.62×39 caliber AK rifles, so we can probably expect a second volume on 5.45×39 in the future. In this first volume, the AK series is covered, from the earliest AK-47, up to the modern AK-203 and AK-15 variants. (It is worth noting that guest author, N.R. Jenzen-Jones, Director at Armament Research Services, points out that the name AK-47 actually only applies to the early “trials” guns, prototypes that took part in the selection process. The production service rifles are correctly named “AK” only, followed by the “AKM.”)

Speaking of the true AK-47 trials guns, the authors were given access to two early trials guns; one fixed stock and one underfolder. Again, Rupley was able to use his masterful photography skills to capture details of these rare items. Also featured is a gun presented to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
Several guest authors contributed articles on specific subjects. Ian McCollum wrote a piece on the progression of the Type 1, 2 and 3 receiver differences. He also contributed an article comparing and contrasting the German Sturmgewehr to the AK design. Maxim Popen-ker, founder of worldguns.ru wrote about the influence German designers may or may not have had on the AK. (He believes the German influence was minimal.) Rob Stott, publisher of the AK-47 Catalog Volume I, covered Type 2 production, as well as Chinese factory codes.

After covering the USSR and Russian models, the many foreign-produced variants are examined. Countries covered include Albania, Bulgaria, China, DDR (East Germany), Egypt, Hungary, Iraq, North Korea, Pakistan (Khyber Pass knock-offs), Poland, Romania, Vietnam and former Yugoslavia. There are many small but significant differences in these various models, detailed both in text and photos.

Several pages are given to cover the many variants of magazines fielded over the years, both Soviet and foreign. Guest author Brandon LeLeux wrote a three-page history of AK mags, describing steel, aluminum and polymer types, followed by five pages of comparison photos.

Based on the two titles I have seen, I predict great success for this series. And I hope the authors continue to add more books. Using the same format for WWII-era U.S., British Commonwealth and Soviet arms would make an amazing collection.

Once the creator of one of the first mass-produced light machine guns, Denmark had slept through the dawn of the submachine gun era.

While Denmark’s neighbours busily experimented with the new type of weapon in the 1930s, at first nothing happened in the country of the machine gun. The Dansk Rekyl Riffel Syndikat (DRS), which was founded in Copenhagen before World War I, continued with machine gun production. The Model 1903 and its successors sold well, and the brand name “Madsen” had already established itself into far countries. The officer, inventor and Minister of War Vilhelm Her-man Oluf Madsen had been the driving force behind the development, and in his honor the weapons bore his name.

When the Wehrmacht invaded Denmark in April 1940, there were only a few foreign submachine guns in use by the Danish Army. Negotiations with the Finnish arms factory, Oy Tikkakoski Ab, on a licensed production of the Konepistooli M31 (Suomi) were in progress but could not be finished before the German occupation. At the end of 1940, the company, now renamed Dansk Industri Syndikat A/S (DISA), began production of the Finnish submachine gun with a slightly modified stock and protected front sight as the M/41 under German control. The approximately 1,400 weapons produced were first used in Danish units and taken over by the Germans after the disarmament in October 1943. At DISA, each weapon model and each variant received its own P (project) number, even if only some mark-ings were different. For example, the P.5 was the version for Portugal, to which the weapon was offered in 1943.

Otherwise, not much happened in the course of the war. The development of their own submachine gun was going on slow. By the time P.13 was finally finished as the “Model 1945,” the war was over, and the design was already obsolete. An interesting feature: the bolt was attached to a slide which extended over the barrel and also covered the recoil spring. For cocking, the slide was pulled back until the bolt was locked by the sear—just like a conventional blowback pistol. This slide moves back and forth with each shot. This circumstance, and the elaborate milled parts, a solid wooden stock and a complicated interior were no longer up-to-date. The installation of a folding stock did not help either. Only Mexico and El Salvador bought a few pieces.

At the same time, however, a further development had been worked on, and it was to become a major commercial success for DISA: an uncomplicated, modern submachine gun with a sheet metal receiver, folding stock and a simple but effective safety.

The work on project P.16 would be completed by the end of 1946. The production-ready weapon was called “Model 1946” (M-46) and was sold under the brand name “Madsen.” The first weapons were sold to the Danish police. Thanks to a cost-effective production, inquiries soon came from South America and Asia. El Salvador, Paraguay and Thailand were among the first foreign customers.

The weapon is an unusual design, consisting of two receiver halves, each of them pressed from one piece of sheet metal including the grip piece and magazine well. They are held together at the back by the hinges of the side-folding wire stock and at the front by the barrel nut. The cocking handle is a bracket-shaped slider that rides along on top of the receiver. Disassembly of the M-46 is very easy: one must unscrew the barrel nut, pull out the barrel, remove the cocking slider and then open the left side of the receiver, almost like a book. All internal parts such as bolt, recoil spring and buffer will remain in the right receiver half and can be easily removed. No tools are needed, and there are no connecting pins that can get lost. Weapon cleaning has never been easier, as there are no inaccessible places.

On the other hand, the operating principle is not very innovative. The Model 1946 is a conventional blowback design firing from the open bolt. The cocking slider can be operated from both sides due to its position on top of the receiver. It moves forth and back with every round fired. The weapon is fed by a stick magazine with 32 rounds (9x19mm). The small magazine loader is practically stored inside the hollow grip together with a spare extractor and a second firing pin.

The safety mechanism is extraordinary: the bolt can be locked in the open or closed position by means of a manual safety switch located on the left side of the receiver right above the trigger. And then there is an additional automatic safety in form of a lever just behind the magazine well. To fire the weapon, one must grasp the magazine and this lever securely with the non-firing hand to release the bolt. Otherwise, the lever protrudes into the receiver and blocks the way of the bolt. This kind of safety is highly unusual in submachine guns. Only a few weapons, such as the Italian TZ-45 from World War II, have almost identical safeties. Most commonly the designers rely on a grip-safety located in the grip piece. The lever behind the magazine well has one big disadvantage: the weapon cannot be fired with one hand. In case of injury or if only one hand is free, the shooter has an unsolvable problem.

In the following years, DISA did a slight revision of its submachine gun, resulting in the P.56. The main improvement was the new cocking handle. It got the shape of a button, was firmly attached to the bolt, and there was no need to remove it before disassembling the weapon.

On November 7, 1950, the submachine gun was presented as “Model 1950” on the shooting range at the old Mosede Fort near Copenhagen. Military representatives from Great Britain, India, the United States and several other countries were allowed to attend the successful demonstration of firing 20,000 rounds with a weapon from the current serial production. After 2 hours and 17 minutes the test was over—and the gun still alright. Not a single malfunction occurred during firing. In the days before the demonstration a barrel was already stressed with 42,970 rounds and then measured. The muzzle velocity decreased by less than 10 percent and the bore widened by 0.04mm (0.0015 inch). The military, in any case, seemed to have been convinced by the Mad-sen M-50, because it soon became an export hit. Orders followed (again) from El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, Indonesia and many other countries.

To be even more successful in the international market, there were a few minor improvements to the weapon, as well as a few variants to choose from. From the Model 1953 (P.74), the thread for the barrel nut was relocated from the receiver to the barrel. A curved magazine was supposed to improve the cartridge feed (although the straight stick magazines were working properly). In addition, an alternative barrel nut could be used in connection with a perforated bar-rel jacket with integrated bayonet lug. The last DISA submachine gun was the Madsen Model 1953 Mark II (P.127). It too was optionally available with barrel jacket and bayonet. On request, wooden grip plates could be attached so that the grip piece did not heat up in the sun as much as the standard grip piece made of pure metal.

In Brazil, the Indústria Nacional de Armas S/A manufactured the submachine gun under license in São Paulo. Contact with the Danes was made in 1949, and DISA assem-bled some prototypes in the desired .45 ACP caliber. Already in the middle of 1950, serial production began in the factory in Brazil. The weapon was given the model designation INA M950. The most noticeable difference to the Danish model was the cocking handle relocated to the right side of the receiver. Three years later, a slightly improved version followed—the INA M953. Among other things, the magazine well was extended. The submachine guns were used in large numbers by army, navy, civilian police and other armed units. When the military forces switched to 9mm ammunition in the early 1970s, the INAs were gradually sent back to the depots for storage. The number of weapons is not known, but it was enough to let the military think about a conversion to 9mm caliber. Originally, the state-owned armaments company Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil (IMBEL) was to produce a conversion kit consisting of barrel, bolt and magazine so that the replacement work could be carried out directly in the respective depots. But the conditions of the weapons varied a lot, and many had to be repaired first. Ultimately, therefore, the weapons were sent to the IMBEL factory in Itajubá for rework and conversion. In addition, the submachine guns received a fire selector switch because most of them went to the police, and they wanted a semiautomatic function.

As great as the success of the Madsen sub-machine guns was in the world, it remained modest in its homeland of Denmark. Only the Danish police bought weapons from DISA. The army, however, preferred the M/49 “Hovea,” which was adopted in 1949. It was nothing more than a copy of the Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45. The state-owned weapons factory (Haerens Vabenarsenalet) in Copenhagen was chosen for its production.

While there is still some squabbling about proper terminology, mostly used to arrogant-ly put down the less experienced, the article in question is generally referred to by the shooting community as a “sound suppressor.” Silencers obviously do not silence a weapon’s operation, and those who refer to them as such usually get their terminology from Hollywood or the National Firearms Act of 1934. As much as suppressor gurus cringe at the use of the word “silencer,” it is the language used by Federal law, as regulated under Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was coined by Hiram Percy Maxim, himself. For this reason, I have never really worried about the terminology and just enjoyed the suppressor/silencer for what it is—a wonderful tool that adds another level of convenience and tactical practicality to the battlefield and the range. With the influx of usage during this suppressor renaissance, training is key for users to properly deploy their suppressor, as it is not like any other accessory.

This author had the pleasure to attend a tier one course operated by Dan Shea of Phoenix Defence. His company is well known to the U.S. Defense community, as well as to NATO and NA-TO-aligned nations. The course was organized as a seminar and was instructed by Dr. Philip H. Dater, MD. “Doc” Dater has over 50 years of experience in firearm suppression, including design and manufacturing. He is also an expert in firearm sound measuring techniques and pioneered the standardization of measuring procedures. Dr. Dater found this passion while filling the hours on-call as an overnight radiologist. In his spare time, he began to tinker with suppressors and successfully reproduced and improved upon existing designs. In the 1970s, he launched the Automatic Weapons Company (AWC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. By 1994, he had left AWC and started Gemini Technologies (Gemtech) in Idaho with a team of professional designers. A man of many hats, Dr. Dater also created his own private consulting company, Antares Technologies, which works with other defense manufacturers and the U.S. government. His consultancy specialized on firearm and suppression testing with modern sound equipment, high speed photography and other technologies.

The Seminar

The seminar was filled with top tier representatives of a wide spectrum of three letter agencies from around the DC belt-way and government design groups. Apart from tuning up on suppressor deployment, many were conducting research for product procurement and possible contract so-licitation. The seminar instructors included pioneers in modern suppression who offered development workshops, testing procedures, and live-fire testing of many examples. Instructors walked participants through the basic principles of suppression, source of sound, acoustic characteristics, ballistic crack and flash suppression through proper suppressor design with optimal material construction. As a class, participants reviewed proper suppressor maintenance, cleaning and common problems encountered. We discussed, at length, the role of muzzle length and gas pressure, the role of suppressed pistols and recoil management and modern linear inertial decoupler design. These lectures were punctuated with high-speed photography and videos, which transformed more abstract concepts into concrete engineering problems, and ideally, solutions.

Doc also passed on an interesting look into craft-built expedient devices. These lectures were complimented by detailed examples in the history of suppressor de-velopments. He elaborated on advantages and disadvantages of integral and mount-ed suppressors, baffles designs, including K and M baffles, and different construction materials in common use today, which in part, determine durability and service life and affect potential sound reduction. The seminar also addressed the persistent first-round pop problem, which challenges designers to this day. Of particular interest was the dissection of Soviet/Russian sup-pressed systems and specialty, reduced velocity ammunition, such as the 9×39 cartridge and the VSS rifle, and the role of captive piston ammunition.

Lesson Learned

The most valuable lesson from the course was the standardization of sound measuring procedures which Doc helped to develop and which private and government operators and instructors are able to bring back to their respective agencies. This author would highly recommend the seminar to any agency or individual looking to gain insights on next level suppressor deployment and development. Contact Phoenix Defence for the next upcoming advanced suppressor seminar, scheduled for October 3-4, 2019. phoenixdefence.com / 702-208-9735

The cap bodies were simply small, thimble-shaped cups with a base rim flange that were die-formed out of thin iron, pewter or copper sheet (today’s center fire primer caps are formed out of aluminum). A small amount of pressure-sensitive chemical explosive, called an initiator, was cast inside the cap base. Typical initiators used during that era were mercury fulminate or potassium chlorate, in combination with oxidizers. As a group, these initiating compounds were called fulminating powders or simply, fulminate. Today it is known as the “primer.”

Using this fulminated-base cap design as a crude cartridge meant the firing pin could strike the cap’s bottom outside face at any location to fire the cartridge. Since the cap’s base rim (flange) diameter was already small (6.9mm), with very thin metal across its center, Flobert designed a firing pin strike point to impact along the cap’s base rim where the metal was folded to create the flange. Striking this thicker rim area all but eliminated the likelihood of puncture that could vent combustion gas rearward towards the shooter. Thus, the rimfire cartridge was born. So now you know—it’s called “rimfire ammunition” because the gun’s firing pin strikes and crushes a small notch into the cartridge base’s rim to ignite the primer (fulminate), and that fires the cartridge.

These first Flobert .22 BB cartridges did not contain any propellant powder. The only propellant was the fulminate cast into the internal base of the BB cap. Although crude by today’s ammunition designs, the Flobert cartridge led to the elimination of muzzle loading and cap and ball firearms by combining a percussion cap (that later included a pre-mea-sured powder charge) and a bullet in a single, self-contained, easily loaded, weather-resis-tant cartridge.

Parlor Guns

Flobert made use of his new metallic cartridge ammunition in what he called “parlor guns.” These heavy barreled rifles and pistols, many with ornately engraved metal work and relief carved furniture (stocks and grips), were designed for in-home target shooting. In the mid-19th century it was fashionable for wealthy Europeans to have a dedicated shooting parlor or shooting gallery inside their homes. Flobert’s new ammunition fired by his parlor guns answered that market.

Prior to the 6mm Flobert cartridge, a typical “cartridge” consisted of a premeasured quantity of black powder wrapped together with a ball in a tightly rolled paper cylinder or small cylindrically shaped cloth bag, which also acted as wadding (gas check). This fragile cartridge was either breech-loaded or muzzle-loaded (depending on the firearm’s design) and ignited by a percussion cap that was separately attached to a cap nipple (touch hole). While far faster than muzzle loading individual components (powder, wad, ball), this delicate paper or cloth cartridge was neither weather-resistant, nor utilitarian.

In 1888, the .22 BB Cap that Flobert introduced in 1845 was improved and became the .22 CB (conical bullet) Cap. The .22 CB Cap was loaded with a lead-cast .22 caliber conical bullet instead of a ball. It also became slightly more powerful than its predecessor when a few grains of black powder were added inside the percussion cap cavity to boost bullet velocity from the BB’s 400ft/sec to CB’s 700ft/sec. Even so, both the BB and CB cartridges (still available today) are called 6mm Flobert and for all practical purposes are considered the same cartridge.

Unique to that point in history, Flobert designed a distinctive bullet shape for his cartridge using what is known as a “heeled” bullet design. This was necessary because the bullet and the cartridge case outside diameter are the same. Therefore, Flobert narrowed the bullet’s base to form a “heel” or “shoe-like” shape so it could be inserted into the cartridge case.

The Short and Long of It

Thus, rimfire ammunition got its start and continued to evolve. In 1857, Smith & Wesson developed the 22 Short for specific chambering in their newest revolver. The 22 Short used a lengthened CB rimfire cartridge case loaded with 4 grains of black powder that propelled a 29-grain, lead cast conical “heeled” bullet. This success in popularity and performance led to the 1871 debut of the 22 Long.

The 22 Long used the same 29-grain bullet as the 22 Short, but it employed a longer cartridge case that provided the needed space for 5 grains of black powder, which increased bullet velocity to near sonic speed. This was followed by the 22 Extra Long in 1880, which was designed primarily for use in bolt-action rifles. With a case longer than the 22 Long and a heavier 40-grain outside lubricated conical lead bullet, the Extra Long was loaded with 6 grains of black powder.

Building upon these many successes, the 22 Rimfire continued to morph. In 1887, U.S. arms manufacturer, J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company introduced today’s favorite 22 Long Rifle cartridge (22LR). Stevens brilliantly combined the casing of the 22 Long with the 40-grain bullet of the 22 Extra Long and loaded it with smokeless powder. This component marriage gave the 22LR a longer overall length, a higher muzzle velocity and superior performance for small game hunting, plinking and competition shooting. These enhancements also improved 22LR performance and popularity to the point its success doomed both the 22 Long and 22 Extra Long cartridges to obscurity.

22WRF Ammunition

In 1890, Winchester introduced its M1890 slide rifle (pump action) that fired Win-chester’s latest .22 rimfire ammunition improvement: the .22 Winchester Rimfire or 22WRF. This ammunition employed a slightly larger diameter cartridge case than the 22LR and a flat-base, flat-nose bullet, making it ideal for use in pump rifles with tubular magazines. The 22 WRF bullet also differed from its .22 rimfire predecessors’ outside-lubricated grooved bullets (used in the 22 Short, Long, LR and Extra Long) by using inside-lubricated bullets which protected the lubrication from dirt contamination. While demonstrably less accurate than the 22LR, it possessed a notable improvement in killing power.

But the 22 WRF met with obsolescence just prior to WWII as smokeless rifle propel-lants improved so significantly they replaced black powder and nitro-cellulose propellants. By loading this new, high-velocity, smokeless propellant in the 22 LR cartridge, its bullet velocity soared into the 1,300 to 1,500ft/sec range, trumping the 22WRF with increased power at a far cheaper cost per round.

From 22WRF to 22WMR

Winchester debuted the next major improvement in .22 rimfire ammunition in 1959 with their 22 Winchester Magnum Rifle ammunition or 22WMR. The WMR cartridge case is essentially a lengthened version of the older WRF cartridge case with a jacketed bullet. The WMR is offered in a range of 30- to 40-grain unlubricated jacketed (or plated) bullets. While comparable in bullet weight to the 22 Long Rifle, the WMR rounds fly faster, flatter and farther and carry far superior kinetic energy at all ranges. For example, WMR bullet velocities using a 30-grain bullet can easily exceed 2,300ft/sec and 1,875ft/sec using a heavier 40-grain bullet when fired from a rifle.

Because of the WMR’s larger case diameter and greater length, a 22WMR round will not chamber in a firearm chambered for any other .22 cartridge. However, the reverse is possible, and if fired, the resulting hot high-pressure gas venting around the smaller .22 cartridge case can be very dangerous to the shooter’s face and eyes.

Remarkably, in terms of ammunition quantity sold over the last 150 years, 22 Long Rifle far exceeds the popularity of any other commonly used ammunition on planet Earth. Some of the reasons are its low recoil, low cost (per round) and the large variety of rifles and handguns chambered to fire it. However, 22 LR ammunition has experienced sporadic availability issues over the past, resulting from the government’s tightening of firearms purchase and ownership regulations.
Those who experienced the threatening on again/off again times of firearms regulation—especially leading up to the 2006 through 2016 House, Senate and Presidential elections—may recall those times when store ammunition shelves were sold out, and ammunition hoarding became the norm. Today, .22 rim-fire ammunition is abundantly available, but that availability will again become threatened depending upon which political party is in power. Therefore, we should anticipate future ammunition shortages, at which time the political power changes hands. During such times, dating back to the early 1900s, reloading centerfire ammunition has always been a fallback to traverse ever-restrictive firearms and ammunition regulations. But today, reloading .22 rimfire brass has mostly been discounted as the impossible dream.

Sharp Shooter Ammunition LLC

Thanks to Brian Nixon, founder of Sharp Shooter Ammunition LLC, the .22 rimfire reloading story continues; and there is light at the end of the .22 rimfire reloading tunnel (and it’s not the approaching train). Not only is reloading .22 rimfire brass possible (including .22 WMR brass), it’s an easy process if you have the right stuff. Even better, the reloading equipment and components necessary are readily available and affordable should you desire to have the capability available when needed.

Everything needed to get started is available in kit form on the web at 22lrreloader.com/store. Sharp Shooter Ammunition LLC offers two .22 reloading kits, one for 22LR and one for 22WMR. Since LR and WMR use different outside diameter and length cartridge cases, you’ll need to buy the appropriate reloading kit depending upon what you intend to reload.

Sharp Shooter’s reloading kit provides the basic tools necessary to cast your own bullets and reload your spent .22 rimfire brass. Above all, Sharp Shooter has included a detailed instruction pamphlet. Written in plain English and laid out with descriptive close-up photos showing detailed cutaway views, this pamphlet contains everything you need to know to reload .22 rimfire ammunition using the Sharp Shooter kit.

A small, wire dual-purpose scraper/tamper tool is provided as part of the kit. This ingenuous tool serves as a scraper to remove the burnt priming compound residue from the case’s internal rim. The tamper end is designed to help work fresh (moistened) priming compound (fulminate) back into the cleaned cartridge case rim. The priming compound is moistened to make it insensitive to pressure and friction (more on that in a moment).

Manufacturers of .22 rimfire ammunition stuff a small quantity of priming compound into this petite space inside the cartridge case rim. It is this primer material that explodes and ignites the powder charge when the gun’s firing pin strikes the very edge of the case rim. The shot consumes all of the priming compound, and the firing pin strike leaves a characteristic compression dent in the base of the cartridge case rim.

Sharp Shooter additionally offers prim-ing compound ingredients consisting of four small bags of powders identified as, “L,” “L2” and two bags marked “S.” These powders are proportionally mixed per the guidance provided in the instruction manual using the kit’s measuring scoop. Once mixed, the light-gray-colored priming compound becomes pressure sensitive and must be respected in its handling. As a matter of safety, the primer compound should be desensitized by moistening before attempting to work it into the case’s internal rim. Desensitizing can be easily accomplished by using the kit-provided eyedropper to add a drop of acetone, denatured alcohol (even vodka will work) to the primer once it’s loaded into the case. Working moistened primer into the empty rim area is far safer and easier than using dry pressure sensitive primer. The down side of moistening the primer is that it must be completely dried out (at least overnight) before continuing the loading process. That said, the added margin of safety is worth the wait.

Using Sharp Shooter’s priming compound is both easy and reliable, but other priming compound, like Prime-All, is available from commercial sources. There are some priming compound homemade alternatives that can be realized by harvesting the powder contained in commonly available things, like strike anywhere match heads or the contents of party poppers you throw on the floor and pop when stepped on. Even powder contained in toy gun cup-type roll caps can be gently scraped off and collected for use as a primer. In all cases the primer should be moistened for loading safety.

As a side note, the question always seems to arise as to whether a reloaded rimfire round will reliably fire if the firing pin hits the same indent left from a previous firing. The answer is somewhat dubious. First, the firing pin dent can be knocked back out by using a small pin punch or flat blade screwdriver, but the casing can also be damaged in the process. Second, the odds that the firing pin will strike exactly the same location again are very long. Third, assuming one uses the same gun he used to fire the ammunition the first time with identical firing pin geometry, and should the firing pin precisely strike the exact same indent it left from the first firing, the odds are the round will still fire. That’s an acceptable gamble in most all scenarios except self-defense.

A small base funnel and a powder dipper are also provided in the kit. The small base funnel is used to charge the cases with primer and powder. The powder dipper has a small cup on either end that provides a precise powder measure with each dip. Weighing the powder charge is unnecessary if you use the powder dipper and follow the instruction book.

A pliers-like tool serves double duty as a two-cavity bullet mold and crimping tool. Two bullets can be made per cast; one is a 25-grain solid point, and the other is a 38-grain round nose. Sharp Shooter’s plier mold has a steel spur cutter engineered into the mold that flat cuts the bullet’s base. The bullets, themselves, have a lube groove cast into them for proper down-bore bullet lubrication. Bullet lubrication compound is commercially available, but alternatives like beeswax will work. Unlubed bullets are safe to use, but they will result in lead accumulation in the bore, necessitating frequent cleaning.

Resizing expended brass casing before reloading is a good idea but not necessary if the reloads are fired in the same gun. If the intention is to use the reloaded ammunition in several different guns, resizing is necessary. Sold separately, Sharp Shooter offers an inexpensive resizing die that fits any sin-gle-stage reloading press.

Casting your own bullets does not require using a casting furnace or buying lead. Almost any old iron pan or pot will work, and it can be heated using a propane blowtorch or other gas-type burner. Lead is available from numerous sources. Wheel weights, recovered lead shot or bullets can all be melted for bullet casting. Slag can be skimmed off using an old spoon. Preheating the mold prior to lead casting is important to flawless bullet casting. Be sure to extend the bullet mold’s handle length with a vice-grip or suitable locking pliers and wear gloves and eye protection. It’s also wise to do all lead melting and casting outdoors. Wearing a breathing mask is also a good idea.

Follow Directions

Make no mistake, reloading rimfire cartridges is a time-consuming process. Follow the provided instructions carefully. The most important step (before priming) is meticulously scraping the burned primer residue out of the inside rim of each cartridge case. That narrow little rim space must be clean so new primer can be worked into the rim.

Once the cartridge cases are primed and dried and bullets are cast, the next step is charging them with powder. Sharp Shooter’s instruction book provides suggested charge guidelines for several commonly available smokeless gunpowder brands, e.g., IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant Unique and Pyrodex P. Additionally, black powder can be effectively used.

The small powder funnel provided in the kit is used to charge each casing. The .22 bullets are inserted manually but need to be crimped using the bullet mold crimp-ing tool. The crimping notch is located forward of the two bullet cavities. At the conclusion of the described preceding process, the reloads are now complete and ready to shoot.

Is reloading .22 rimfire worth it? You be the judge. If history repeats itself, there will be future ammunition shortages. Having this inexpensive reloading capability in your hip pocket is insurance from tyranny. Sharp Shooter’s products work as advertised.

The ZG 1229, code named “Vampir,” was an infrared night scope developed during World War II for the German Wehrmacht for night operations. It was intended to be mounted on a Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44). It was first used in combat in February 1945. Built at the C.G. Haenel Munitions plant at Suhl in Thuringia, Germany, a total of 310 units were issued by the end of the war. Its main drawbacks were its weight and bulk. It was too cumbersome to use in fluid situations; however, it worked well when in a fixed position.

The infrared scope and spotlight weighed a little over 5 pounds. The battery unit that was encased in a wooden box and carried on a harness on the back of the Nachtjager (night hunter) weighed 30 pounds. The battery that ran the image converter sat under the main battery box in a modified gas mask container. The whole package was strapped to the Tragegestell 39 (pack frame 1939). Ernst Leitz GmbH, located in Wetzlar, Germany, developed the complete package.

The searchlight contained an incandescent, tungsten filament light source that had a color temperature of 3200K. The light projected through a filter that only let infrared wavelength light pass. The telescopic sensor operated in the high infrared, not the low infrared which the human body emits, so it could not detect body heat. Eastern Front Russian fighters reported that the Germans were using it at night with the aid of “peculiar non-shining torches coupled with enormous optical sights” mounted on their rifles.

Close to the end of hostilities, the MG34 and MG42 machine guns were fitted with similar night vision optics. However, the war ended before many of these reached the front lines.

C.G. Haenel Munitions

The Vampir system was produced by C.G. Haenel Munitions. Carl Gottlieb Haenel, a Prussian gun factory commissioner, began weapons production in 1840 with the production of bicycles and weapons, a common combination in pre-World War I years. During that war, C.G. Haenel produced large quantities of the Mauser M98 rifle. After World War II, the factory was disassembled and transported to the Soviet Union as part of war reparations. Only air rifles and carbines were manufactured until 2008 when the Suhl Arms Alliance was formed with Merkel, and rifle production began again.

In 1990, the Soviet Ministry of Defense was facing considerable economic strain. It nonetheless was confronted with the fact that its mainline sidearm, the Makarov PM pistol, was an aging, heavy hunk of steel that looked more at home in a 1960’s spy movie, than a pistol of the upcoming new century. The ministry put out a request to replace the Makarov PM, but before substantial development could get underway, the Soviet Union collapsed under the weight of failed political and social policy and a heavy military spending burden.

The ministry’s successor, the Ministry of Defense of the newly formed Russian Federation, was in no better economic position and was left with an even worse geopolitical and regional security disaster. The idea of a modern pistol to replace the PM design was one of the few projects not to be placed on the economic chopping block, and so a competition was put forth to bring Russia’s main sidearm into the new millennium.

The Russian Army trial program for the pistol, codenamed “Grach,” attracted the attention of the design team at the well-established цнииточмаш (aka “TsNIITOChMASh” in English, the Russian Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Building) which developed the “snub nosed viper”—the Gyurza. This dramatic name was visually fitting for the 1990s-designed SPS (Serdyukov self-loading pistol), which was created at the initial Soviet request in the years prior and was an early contender in the ill-fated attempt to unseat the prolific PM. In 1993, Piotr Serdyukov’s design would eventually be renamed the “Vektor,” as part of Russia’s introduction to the attractive naming conventions in a capitalistic state.

Yet, in the sunset of the Soviet Union, when the Gyurza round was not yet in the Vektor days, two men and one woman went to work on the future cartridge with which all Soviet soldiers (at least those outfitted with a pistol) were intended to be equipped. E.S. Kornilova, A.B. Yuryev and I.P. Kasyanov at TsNIITOCh-MASh had to create a bespoke and enhanced cartridge to meet the initial state requirements. The pistol would have to be more powerful than the PM, with an effective range no less than 50 meters, with the ability to defeat body armor at 100 meters. This was a tall order. Their answer was the 9×21. However, when the cartridge was modernized after the state’s collapse and thousands of former Soviet citizens found themselves without work, only Yuryev remained on the design team.

The cartridge was intended to be standard issue, but in practice the 9×21 cartridge was built from the ground up to be special purpose ammunition. As a result, it was and remains comparatively expensive compared to standard 9×19 and 9×18 cartridges. Immediately, this created a shortage in availability, precluding intensive training from anyone apart from special forces units and spooky agencies. The round had an armor piercing variant, the SP-10, a full metal jacket ball round, the SP-11, a reduced ricochet variant, the SP-12, and a tracer, the SP-13. The SP-10 armor-piercing round is a 103-grain projectile with a muzzle velocity of 1,300 feet per second. It carries 563 Joules or 415 foot pounds of muzzle energy. Per the state requirement, the SP-10 armor-piercing round is capable of defeating class IIIA at 50 meters.

Despite the new and improved cartridge and the slick name “Vektor,” the pistol was rejected by the Russian Army. Instead, the Izh-mash entry won the competition, called the MP-443 “Grach” (named for the competition itself) in 9×19, designed by Vladimir Yarygin. Soldiers called it the “PYa,” an abbreviation of “P,” for “pistol” and “Ya,” for “Yarygin.” Their Grach pistol entered production in 2003. While the Russian army was against the Vektor design, it attracted the attention of other Russian authorities and saw a second chance at life in the hands of Russian law enforcement and intelligence services. It was expeditiously put into production in 1996 and adopted by the FSB in the same year. The name “Vektor” was dropped in favor of the stoic SR-1, the “SR” meaning “special development” in Russian. Russian armament authorities, the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate, designate it with the less slick name “GRAU 6P53.”

In function, the Vektor is a short, recoil-operated, locked-breech pistol, with an 18-round, double-stack magazine. The barrel locking is achieved by a tilting locking block, located under the barrel. A polymer frame houses the double-action trigger, which features a trigger safety similar to that on the Glock. The pistol features a grip safety and finally a firing pin safety in the slide. The double-action mode of fire will work only if the hammer is in the half-cocked position.

In 2003, the design was modernized to the SR-1M, with a strengthened polymer frame and improved ergonomics. Another modernized variant is the SR-3MP, which features an M1913 rail adapter and threaded barrel for a sound suppressor. Recently, this author had the opportunity to inspect an SR-1M in late 2018 while visiting Chechnya. Unfortunately, he was not able to shoot it, due to the pistol’s infamous ammunition unavailability; the author was later told that if this were an FSB (Federal Security Service) unit there would be no issue with ammunition availability. A Special Forces instructor presented his pistol to me, and at his request, I was not able to photograph the weapon with the serial number visible. This is why the photo has it obstructed from view. In the hand, the pistol feels and handles well with ease of manipulation and fire control access. Coming in line with the eye, it has standard low-profile sights, and the crisp trigger is complimented by a short trigger pull and clean reset.

In the end, Grach was adopted as the standard issue Russian service pistol and for the last two decades as well; however, the PM is still in wide use in conflict zones around the world. Despite their best efforts, the world of Russian combat pistols remains a mixed bag—the SR-1M alongside the PM on the same fighting team. The Spetsnaz instructors, with whom this author spoke, indicated that the idea of a pistol with increased armor-defeating capability is very useful for their applications, but limited ammo had negatively affected their ability to train as rigorously as they demand. As for this author, all I could attest to was the feel of the gun. It was well-machined with a slick action. It was a typical TsNIITOChMAsh product. Someday, the author hopes to get his hands on that precious ammunition and put some rounds downrange.

As our previous instalments have covered, the SA80 family endured a very troubled development cycle, and many of these challenges continued well into its actual service life. Only a handful of small changes were made to the XL80 series before they were accepted as the L85A1 Rifle and L86A1 Machine Gun (aside from tiny dimensional changes in the final set of drawings). The cocking handle was simplified to eliminate the bevelled inner edge; the guide rail inside the body (upper receiver) was altered from an L-shape to an oblique-angled profile, presumably to strengthen it; the retainer that kept the ejection opening cover (dust-cover) closed was now a plate spot-welded onto the outside of the receiver, rather than being pressed from the inside of the receiver wall (which then had a plate welded in behind it over the resulting hole!); and the composition of the polymer furniture was altered lightening it from a darker forest green to a brighter colour. This plastic appears to be cheaper and more flimsy, and after complaints of breakage, it would be replaced in service with a more durable alternative.

In this form, the new rifle (formerly “Individual Weapon”) and machine gun (aka Light Support Weapon or LSW) were approved for service in 1984. This was a year later than the most recent target date that had been set and came with the acknowledgement that the weapons had issues still to be addressed. Unfortunately, rec-tifying the substantial challenges ultimately took more than 15 years, and these were only definitively solved by a far-reaching upgrade programme that would ultimately be dubbed “SA80 A2.”

In 1995, the German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch (HK), then owned by British Aerospace, was engaged to analyse and provide options for upgrades that would definitively solve many of the A1 series’ issues. In 2001, the SA80 A2 build standard was finalised, and troop trials began that year. General issue followed in 2002. The only obvious external change was the composite plastic and metal comma-shaped cocking handle/case deflector; the wedge-shaped, snow-clearing trigger seen on A2 weapons was actually one of many universal modifications made to the A1 series. Inside, the story was very different; almost every major component was replaced. Nonetheless, no features were extensively redesigned. The changes made were subtle and involved improved materials, precise manufacturing methods and superior quality control. Steve Raw’s The Last Enfield and an online article by regular ARES contributor Anthony Williams cover them in detail, but we will reprise them here:

• Cocking handle enlarged and reprofiled to serve as a case deflector;
• Bolt remanufactured, polished and relieved to reduce friction;
• Extractor claw enlarged;
• Extractor pin remanufactured;
• Ejector remanufactured to include a spring guide;
• Ejector retaining pin remanufactured from solid stock;
• Cam stud remanufactured to slightly greater length;
• Hold open device carrier and button extended for more positive engagement;
• Bolt carrier remanufactured and polished;
• Firing pin remanufactured and reprofiled to prevent tip breakage;
• Gas cylinder remanufactured;
• Gas plug remanufactured and reinforced to prevent damage;
• Hammer stop in TMH reinforced;
• Hammer weight increased;
• Barrel remanufactured in higher grade steel;
• Barrel extension (part of the body assembly and not the barrel) relieved (1.5 locking splines cut away) to ease extraction;
• Ejection opening slightly enlarged;
• Piston, recoil, ejector, extractor, extractor insert, hammer and safety sear springs all remanufactured;
• New steel magazine based upon HK G41 design;
• Polymer handguard redesigned with larger vents and a new upper with large plastic hinges in lieu of the plastic-covered sheet metal upper. NB that this was introduced as a spare part only, existing A1 handguards being retained with their old markings machined away; and
• “HK A2” markings on all upgraded components, most obviously on the rear upper of the body.

The body (upper receiver) is marked “HK A2” but, unlike other parts marked in this way, is otherwise unmodified (and is in fact a re-used component taken from A1 series weapons). Presumably the marking applies to the modified barrel/barrel extension which is normally an integral part of the body assembly. The recently introduced “A3” body has been improved in several ways, but it should be noted that this does not in itself denote a change in designation of the weapon (in other words, rifles may be fitted with this A3-marked assembly, but remain L85A2 models).

Again, as this list shows, a great deal was changed, but only in detail. Essentially, the weapon was simply rebuilt to the standard that it should have been manufactured to in the first place. It is worth noting that despite complaints about the number of vents in the receiver and handguard and the large, open ejection port, these supposed “problem” features were not addressed in the A2. The number and size of vents remained the same, and the ejection opening was actually slightly enlarged. Whereas the A1, with its marginal reliability, was susceptible to ingress of dirt and foreign matter, the A2 seems to take it in its stride, provided that the fairly detailed cleaning instructions are followed.

The A2 Rifle Enters Service

This was the extent of the changes introduced in 2001 for troop trials of the new SA80 A2, preceding the full-scale issue the following year. Improvements made since 2002 have all been either Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) resulting from service overseas or part of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme. These cumulative changes have yet to warrant a change from A2 to “A3” designation (see below) but are nonetheless significant. They include the introduction of 4x ACOG and ELCAN Specter OS 4x “Lightweight Day Sight” (LDS), with their respective Pica-tinny mount adaptors; improved laser light modules (LLM) Marks 2 and 3; Daniel Defense railed fore-end with Grip Pod vertical grip/bipod accessory; Magpul E-Mag polymer mag-azines; and the SureFire flash suppressor. All of these accessories except the muzzle device are still in service and, as with other contemporary service rifles, different configurations are seen in use with different units depending upon role and context. The A2 rifle described here is representative of a front-line weapon c.2008. Due to the “trickle-down” phenomenon of military logistics, weapons may still be found in this configuration in Reserve armouries, albeit without the flash-suppressor. The latter appears to be incompatible with the issue Blank Firing Adaptor; although it was designed to accept the SA80 bayonet. This bayonet, a cast-steel socket bayonet of utility knife pattern, remains unchanged from original issue with the A1 rifle in 1985; although its wire-cutting scabbard was modified later. Although we have not covered the bayonet or other accessories in this series, use of the bayonet as a weapon of last resort is still emphasised in British infantry doctrine.

In early 2004, the rifle (no longer referred to as the IW) and LSW were joined by the L22A2 carbine, a role-specific variant that we will cover in the next instalment of this series. The new SA80 A2 family therefore comprised:

● L85A2 Rifle;
● L86A2 MG (LSW);
● L22A2 Carbine (aka SA80K); and
● L98A2 Cadet Rifle.

The A1 family saw few export sales, and most of these comprised part of overseas military assistance packages. Only Bolivia and Jamaica appear to have made direct purchases. Despite the success of the SA80 A2 series, there have been no further export sales. This is likely in part due to the weapon’s tarnished reputation, and the availability of other product-improved and proven bullpup designs such as the Austrian Steyr AUG and Israeli IWI Tavor. However, a major factor is the SA80 family’s commercial “orphan” status. As a product, it belongs to HK (the “Enfield” name having long since been dropped), who has several other products in its line-up that it would rather market and that the customer would probably rather purchase (most notably, perhaps, the successful HK416 self-loading rifle). The clincher is that no full production line exists to manufacture complete weapons for sale even if there were a market.

Regardless, after 15 years of combat use in Iraq and Afghanistan, the L85A2 rifle is still going strong. Complaints are few and since a widely publicised incident in 2002, even the press controversy has petered out. Without getting into the politics of said incident, it appears to have been down to a cleaning issue that has, one way or another, been addressed and has not since reappeared. Today, regardless of the ongoing debate over the broader merits of the bullpup configuration, the only real complaint to be made is that the weapon remains excessively heavy. Yet this is a complaint rarely heard from users, unless they have spent time carrying an alternative weapon such as the L119A1 or A2 Diemaco (now Colt Canada) carbine. The rearward point of balance seems to go some way toward mitigating the felt weight. The L86A2 LSW remains an anomaly and is rarely seen in service outside of domestic training exercises, although a feasibility study was conducted in 2015 to look at potential upgrades to this weapon and assess its suitability to supplement the L129A1 Sharpshooter rifle as a weapon for sniper pair “no.2s.” Anecdotally, however, its reputation as a 5.56mm “sharpshooter” substitute has been exaggerated. The L22A2 appears to fill its particular niche satisfactorily, providing 5.56 capability with an 11-inch barrel in a PDW form factor for vehicle, aircraft and boarding party personnel.

SA80 A3 Coming Soon

It appears highly likely that a new A3 variant will soon appear in service. A standardised suite of upgrades were created for the “SA80 Equipped to Fight Improvement Programme,” aka SA80 EFI. Based upon open-source photographs of a prototype, these appear to consist of a new HK-de-signed negative-space accessory fore-end with continuous Picatinny/NATO rail extension, a cut-away gas block (to accommodate the new rail system) and a modified change lever (selector switch) to prevent over-ro-tation. The existing desert colour scheme found on front-line rifles is carried over as standard, along with the LDS optic and presumably the newly manufactured “A3” body and the LLM Mk.3 (or perhaps a further upgrade to this unit). The lighter LDS optic and E-Mags will reduce the weight of the weapon as carried. The longer sight rail extension will add a small amount of weight, but the cut-down steel gas block will likely compensate for this.

Finally, the prototype has been shown fitted with a new HK underbarrel grenade launcher (UGL) that can be fitted to the 6 o’clock rail of the fore-end rather than requiring the removal of the handguard as in the current SA80GL configuration. In a tender for refurbishment of an initial 5,000 units to this specification, this programme is referred to as “SA80 A3.” Coupled with the existence of the “HKA3”-marked body, this suggests that we will indeed see the next official iteration of the SA80 family and not simply another piecemeal set of improvements. Given that the only component not to have been newly manufactured since production ceased in 1994 is the TMH (lower receiver), SA80 seems likely to remain in service years beyond its current 2025 out-of-service date.

Technical Specifications L85A2 Rifle 

• Calibre: 5.56 x 45mm 
• Overall length: 773mm 
• Barrel length: 518mm (ex. flash suppressor) 
• Weight: 4.41kg (9.72lbs) (unloaded with SUSAT) 
• Feed device: 30-round detachable magazine 

The next article in our series on the SA80 will examine the SA80 carbines.

Special thanks to the National Firearms Centre at the Royal Armouries, which graciously allowed us access to their world-class collection, and to the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham for allowing us to handle and fire SA80 rifles. Thanks are also due to Neil Grant.

This is Part 5 in a series of articles examining the developmental history of the United Kingdom’s SA80 family of firearms. Part 4 appeared in Small Arms Review, Vol. 23, No. 6.

See armamentresearch.com for further original content.

(This article is adapted from a chapter in Mr. Ferguson’s forthcoming book on British bullpup rifles, which will be published by Headstamp Publishing in 2019. HeadstampPublishing.com)

Conventional wisdom trades barrel weight for accuracy and precision. Proof Research combines these attributes in its composite carbon fiber and 416R barrel. Through interview with Proof Research and the author’s own rudimentary math, this piece briefly explores the physical and thermal properties affecting accuracy and precision, as well as how Proof Research mitigates these concerns. Performance was evaluated over a 65-round string using a 1:8 twist, 16-inch AR-15 barrel with an intermediate gas length (PN 101599).

Barrel Harmonics

An aphorism goes that all models are wrong, but some are useful. This section develops a wrong but useful “back-of-the-napkin” model to illustrate the vibration characteristics between lightweight and tar-get profile steel barrels. Generally speaking, less vibrations yield better accuracy, but the exact relationship is a complex subject requiring proprietary knowledge not available to the author.

Firing a cartridge forms an impulse event that spreads energy across the frequency domain and excites all structural modes. A free-floated barrel, with uniform profile and material, can be modeled as a uniform cantilever beam. The fundamental frequencies can be written as follows:

f is the frequencies (Hz), K is a constant with values 3.52 for primary, 22 for secondary and 61.7 for tertiary mode. L is the beam length (m), E is Young’s modulus (Pa), g is acceleration due to gravity (m/s2), and m is mass per unit length (kg/m). I is the area moment of inertia (m4) computed as equation 2.

Assume 4150 steel with a nominal 200 Gpa, 16-inch barrel length, 0.224-inch inside diameter. For lightweight profile, assume 0.625-inch uniform outside diameter. For target profile, assume 0.936-inch uni-form outside diameter. The vibration frequencies can be computed as follows.
One could compute the pure bending tip deflection from frequency using the relationship below.

but the results would be disproportionately small to real-world deflection observed in slow-motion video footage. This is because the bar-rel experiences tension (recoil and Newton’s First Law of Motion: The Law of Inertia), torsion (imparting bullet spin and Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction), bending (gravity), as well as axial and hoop stress (gas pressure). Thus, it moves in more of a circular cone motion than mere whipping in a vertical plane. These complex interactions are best solved with Finite Element Analysis not available to the author.

One can still grasp the relationship between barrel profile and harmonics using these equations. A thicker profile increases the area moment of inertia, making it stiffer. This increases fundamental frequencies and reduces deflections, agreeing with the conventional wisdom that one trades weight for accuracy and precision. A Proof engineer indicates that while this generally results in better accuracy (ceteris paribus), there are many other factors and interactions. It is important to note that this relationship is not directly applicable to comparing a Proof composite barrel against a similarly weighted steel barrel, as their Young’s modulus differ.

Proof composite barrels are made of reduced contour 416R steel, then helically wrapped with continuous fibers on a computer-controlled winder. The company claims “the aerospace-grade carbon fiber we use has a specific strength up to 30 times that of stainless steel and a specific stiffness up to 7 times greater than steel” (Proof Research. (2019). Composite Rifle—Proof Research. [online] Available at: proofresearch.com/the-science/ [Accessed 14 Mar. 2019]). The author found this statement insufficient for “back-of-the-napkin” performance comparisons. First, specific strength is force per unit area at failure divided by density (Nm/kg). Since forces experienced at firing should not approach

failure, this metric is not directly applicable but merely hints at the improvement. Second, specific stiffness is stiffness (force divided by deflection) to weight ratio, and the statement specified neither the mode (e.g., tension or torsion or bending) nor dimension. Note the nominal density difference between carbon fiber (1.6 g/cm3) and steel (7.7 g/cm3) already accounts for a factor of 4.4. Lastly, the composite barrel has an unknown internal profile that precludes any reasonable computation. The author had requested but not received more information from Proof Research due to the proprietary nature of these details.

At this point, the reader may be frustrated with the qualifications and ultimate inability to provide a clear and direct comparison between steel and composite barrels. The author promises recompense by way of an unequivocal demonstration in the shooting section.

Thermal Effects

This section examines the detrimental effects of heat over a long string of fire, and how Proof both mitigates and delays that. The vibrational characteristics previously discussed could be considered constant across the working temperature of a barrel, as both Young’s modulus and dimensional changes are minor.
On the other hand, manufacturing inadequacies can degrade accuracy and precision as the barrel inevitably heats up. Bore dimension changes can cause varying bullet start. Residual stress from rifling can deflect the barrel. To mitigate this, Proof uses 416R steel ordered from foundry to spec, then performs all other steps (e.g., cutting, rifling, lap-ping, etc.) in house so as to maintain tight tolerances. Proof Research claims a very stress-free process that results in uniform and repeatable bore and groove as foundational elements to accuracy. The same process is used on both composite and steel barrels.

Another mitigation is to expel heat quicker, so as to delay the onset of degradation. Although the barrel conducts heat into the receiver, the contact area is the same between different barrels’ profiles and is thus omitted from this discussion. Consider the free convection transfer rate in equation 4 and the black body radiative transfer rate into vacuum in equation 5,

where q is transfer rate, A is barrel surface area, Tb is barrel surface temperature, and Ta is ambient temperature. One can deduce that a larger surface area (i.e., thick profile barrel) cools faster.

Another consideration is the efficiency in transporting heat from where it is deposited (chamber and bore) to where it is dissipated (surface), a small pot. Heat transfer from the case wall and gasses to the chamber and bore are conductive and forced convective respectively. Their rates depend upon bore temperature, which differs between barrel profiles due to their different cooling rate, making a study of temperature versus round count difficult.

Proof Research promotes surface cooling with a thick profile while speeding the transport of heat from the chamber to the surface with a carefully designed helical fiber wrapping pattern. Because the chamber end of the barrel experiences hot gasses longer, its surface temperature 1/2×28 threads on the muzzle. Gas block area comes dimpled.

is higher than the muzzle end. The fibers diffuse heat along the length of the barrel to even it out and promote cooling. Furthermore, the carbon fiber and resin are designed to expand at the same rate as steel, so as to prevent de-lamination and point-of-impact shift. Although Proof declined to provide test data, it assured the author various contours of steel and composite barrels were tested in order to substantiate its claim of faster cooling.

Lastly, one should be reminded that factors external to barrel (e.g., receiver or stock contact point) can also result in thermal-in-reduced, point-of-impact shift. For example, M1 Garand match modifications ensure the upper handguard (clipped to barrel) does not contact the stock while the front handguard (attached to lower band which pulls against the stock) should not contact the barrel (Roberts Jr., J.B. “Accurizing the M1 Rifle.” The M1 Rifle, An Ameri-can Rifleman Reprint: 16. Print). As detailed in the shooting section below, the author discovered contact between his AR-15 gas key and gas tube, and this likely induced vertical stringing and lateral group shift.

Test AR-15 Barrel

Since the claims of Proof Research are difficult to substantiate with rudimentary models, the improvements must be observed in action. After all, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The bar-rel chosen is a 16-inch, 1:8 twist, intermediate gas length composite barrel with a .223 Wylde chamber. Intermediate gas system is 1.5 inches shorter than a rifle-length system and longer than a mid-length one. Not being standard, a gas tube is also supplied. The gas port journal measuring 0.75-inch diameter is fully stainless steel and is dimpled for a set screw gas block; although the author utilized a clamp type adjustable gas block.

Proof Research offers both steel and composite barrels because light-ness is not universally desired. For carrying across mountains or burning through a close-quarters stage, low weight affords comfort and agility. After all, an old joke goes that an M1 Garand weighs 9.8 pounds with the decimal point falling out somewhere along a road march. Opposite is true for precision (e.g., PRS) rifles where weight increases polar moment of inertia and steadies an unstable shooting position such as off-hand or barricade. Author found the composite barrel to be a good compromise between steadiness and agility. For action matches, the rifle felt quick-to-hand even with multiple optics attached. For PRS matches, forward weight from a bipod and suppressor added steadiness.

Test Procedure

To evaluate both accuracy and precision over a long string of fire, the first 30 rounds were fired in five-round groups. These illustrated performance typically seen by most users. Thirty rounds were then fired in quick succession to generate heat, and the test concluded with five rounds fired in a group in order to highlight thermal effects.

The author fired from a prone position supported by the bipod and rear bag with a 10x scope at a 50m distant target. The human element was consciously added to observe mirage effects and to verify if the shifts were buried within discernible difference. The author fired at a cadence reserved for rapid fire portion of NRA high-power rifle matches, roughly one shot every four seconds. A pace of one round per second was used for the 30-round “mag dump.” There were magazine changes between each of the five-round groups, but the bolt was closed to minimize chamber convective cooling.

Results and Discussion

A peculiar lateral left shift and vertical stringing were noted when the test was first conducted. This was likely linked to heat as the effect showed in both rounds 26-30 group and 61-65 group. With the help of a Proof Research engineer, gas tube to gas key contact on the left and upper portions (looking from chamber to muzzle) was identified as the likely culprit. This data set is titled, “Rubbing Gas Tube” below. The clamp-type gas block was realigned and the gas tube slightly tweaked so the bolt carrier group slides home without shifting or resistance. The test was repeated and data presented with the title, “Aligned Gas Tube.” Considering the first 30 shots, the Proof barrel exhibited remarkably good accuracy and precision. Screening out the 26-30 group with the rubbing gas tube, both datasets exhibited point-of-impact shift within 0.2 Miliradian (MRAD) in horizontal and vertical directions. With a standard deviation of 0.1 to 0.2 MRAD, one cannot conclude the shift to be statistically significant. Putting it plainly, the author reasonably expects the first 30 shots to be within a 0.2 MRAD area. Note that although the adjusted gas tube data showed more shifts, it is likely due to the author committing shooting position errors.

Group centers for rounds 61-65 in both datasets are interesting. Lateral offset in the rubbing dataset is likely due to a rifle installation problem and not indicative of barrel performance. After correction, this group still showed an up-shift which is likely due to a barrel heat mirage. The author noted a heavy and boiling mirage developed during the 30-round “mag dump” and persisted into this last group. This mirage carried the target image high, causing the user to aim high, and, consequently, bullet impacts were high. The lateral offset is not likely a mirage effect but a position or natural point of aim error due to user fatigue. There were baffles on either side of the rifle to block wind. The gas tube adjustment also shrank vertical dispersion in this last group to be in line with the rest.

Infrared thermometer data was recorded on both the Proof Research composite and steel lightweight barrels but not presented in this piece owing to difficulty in meaningful comparisons. Chiefly, it was impossible to maintain the same timing of shots, ambient temperature or radiative heat from the sun. Infrared thermometer measures thermal radiation and is calibrated on a certain emissivity value. Differing barrel material has differing emissivity and does not allow for a direct comparison. Thus, this data did not add value to this discussion.

Conclusion

Proof Research’s composite barrel is a happy combination of light weight, accuracy and precision. Meticulous and stress-free manufacturing, combined with carbon fiber engineered for superior heat dissipation, produced an accurate and precise barrel even through a long string of fire. Although direct comparisons between composite and steel barrels proved difficult without the necessary but proprietary data, a shooting test unequivocally demonstrated its accuracy and precision. Despite carrying a hefty price tag (MSRP $920 USD), the author found the composite barrel a very worthwhile addition on his modern sporting rifle used for both precision and “run-and-gun” tasks.

The trend towards urbanization of conflict with non-state actors growing in preponderance is hard to argue against based on current patterns. Similarly the increasing occurrence of random entities making war on civilian populations is also increasing. It only makes sense to tailor a rifle to meet this. Remember law enforcement (LE) and military are not the only lens to view discussions of tactics and weaponry. The proverbial boat anchor, 17-pound, precision rifle fitted out will not be a friend if one is scoot-ing around urban settings. The same can be said if moving around in a rural setting scouting or patrolling. Just too damn heavy. Yes, it can hit a gnat at 500 yards; however, more pressing things such as survival and carrying basic subsistence items have to be taken into account. More emphasis on portability and versatility will pay dividends. Sometimes going against the grain provides food for thought. Let’s discuss a counterintuitive approach gaining momentum in certain communities that we will label “compact sniper rifle.”

Our analysis will not be based on the military or law enforcement logistical chain; rather, think more along the lines of guerrilla operations or even survival/end-of-the-world scenarios. Let us define the goal of the discrete sniper rifle as capable of accurate fire out to 300 plus yards standard velocity loads with the ability to utilize subsonic ammunition. Obviously, choice of suitable caliber is just as important as the rifle, if not more so. The same can be said of choosing a suppressor.

This is where the .300 Blackout (.300BLK) comes into the story. The .300BLK was introduced in response to a US special operation military forces request. Anecdotal information compares standard velocity .300BLK 115-125 grain ammunition as exceeding the ballistics of the 7.62x39mm and eclipses 5.56mm both in ballistics and terminal punch. At 300 yards, the .300BLK has approximately 17 percent more energy than the 7.62x39mm thanks to superior ballistic coefficient bullets.

One interesting twist with the .300BLK is the ability to choose factory loaded subsonic cartridges; perfect for use with a sound suppressor. The ability to access a plethora of either super-sonic or subsonic factory ammunition offers great flexibility to the .300BLK user. Compact, lightweight bolt-action rifles with threaded barrels are ideal candidates for use by irregular personas. Why bolt action? A bolt-action .300BLK rifle is capable of “Hollywood” quiet performance with a suppressor mounted using subsonic ammunition.

I will issue a caveat that a .308Win/7.62NATO bolt action could still be considered for our described role if configured properly in terms of compactness/weight. While subsonic .308Win ammunition is not as widely available as .300BLK, it is out there from COR®BON, Engel Ballistic Research, Inc. (EBR), Lapua and other manufacturers. A compact .308Win would offer more ballistic “oomph”/range than a .300BLK while still allowing for subsonic, if the situation required. This is sort of a role reversal compared to the .300BLK.

Urban conflict produces a need for rifles with shorter barrels and streamlined stocks for non-typical positional shooting. Weight of the rifle is critical as users are required to carry their rifles for extended periods of time. A way of proofing this is to attend any sort of MOUT assault course with a classic 15-plus pound sniper rifle sporting a 26-inch barrel. Never mind navigating walls and windows— just pounding down the street or up multiple stair cases to get set up in a hasty firing position will make my point. Further proof will be taking quick off-hand shots braced on a doorway or window opening. Classic sniper operations do not fit this mode. However, the type of tactical scenario alluded to at the beginning of this article is anything but typical and more a “regular guy” experience than pure sniper role.

The CZ 527 American SR and CZ 557 UCS

Practical examples of gear will better illustrate concept points. .300BLK is no longer confined to ARs. Most major manufacturers chamber a bolt action in the caliber. I turned to CZ-USA for an example in the form of the CZ 527 American Synthetic SR (Suppressor-Ready). As a nod to the .308Win option, the CZ 557 Urban Counter-Sniper (UCS) was chosen. CZ-USA, based in Kansas City, is the importer of CZ rifles. CZ’s company history dates back to the mid-1930s. CZ is based in the Czech Republic. In 1991, it was one of the first Eastern European corporations to emerge from the post-Soviet era to compete in the West. CZ is one of the world’s largest firearms manufacturers, employing over 2,000 people and selling its wares in over 60 countries. CZ products include handguns, shotguns, sporting rifles, suppressors and military weapons.

The CZ 527 SR has a classic sporter appearance taking full advantage of the CZ micro-Mauser action to create a lightweight great handling rifle. Truly a shortened profile, the CZ 527’s Mauser action is only 6 inches long and saves at least 1 pound over a standard Mauser bolt action. Positive functioning was never an issue. CZ has fitted the 527 SR with a 16.5-inch, hammer-forged barrel with threaded muzzle. CZ barrels are of excellent quality as evident by enclosed test group consistency and ease of cleaning. The barrel is free-floated. Sling swivels are standard feature with the CZ 527. The CZ 527 American SR features an American-style synthetic pattern stock, a sporter profile ham-mer-forged barrel, a set trigger and a threaded muzzle. The CZ 527 SR rifle is fed from a detachable 5-round magazine. Credit must be given to CZ for coming up with this for the American market; CZ was one of the first to offer .300BLK in a bolt-action-rifle format let alone with a 5 / 8×24 threaded barrel ready to accommodate mounting a suppressor.

What role is the CZ 527 SR intended to satisfy? As with most things related to firearms, the answer depends on the individual situation. Factors such as mindset, personal preference, skill level, training, need to fulfill multiple roles and even legal requirements all come into play regarding rifle selection. The CZ 527 SR, with its Mauser action, is definitely at home in a hunting role. The CZ decision to offer a suppressor-ready, bolt-action .300BLK opens up multiple use considerations. The CZ 527 SR and .300BLK were made for each other.

The last entry for our purposes is the CZ 557 Urban Counter-Sniper (UCS). Compared to the CZ 527 SR, the CZ 557 UCS more closely resembles a bolt-action sniper rifle. Built on the CZ 557 action rifle platform, the rifle is design-built for precision shooting within 400 yards. This allowed for a 16-inch barrel to minimize footprint. Velocity drop-off compared to a 20-inch barrel is approximately 150 fps. The CZ 557 is fed from a detachable, 10-round box magazine. CZ uses an oversized bolt handle for better control of operation even when under pressure and wearing gloves. The Manners stock is designed with ruggedness, stability, accuracy and ergonomics in mind. Stiffness-to-weight ratio is an important Manners consideration. The outer shells are made with 35% aircraft grade carbon fiber and 65% fiberglass in multiple layers. Unloaded, the CZ 557 weighs about 8.5 pounds without a scope. The weight should not be a turn off as it seems less due to its compact size while still somehow maintaining balance. The top of the receiver has a Picatinny-type rail for the easy addition of glass.

Suppression

The ability to suppress is an important aspect of the compact sniper rifle concept. While the sonic crack of a standard supersonic bullet is noticeable, the use of a suppressor combined with a proper firing position will mask the firing position. Subsonic rounds are downright spooky in their arrival. Yes, range is limited, but when discretion is necessary nothing can rival a subsonic bullet with a quality suppressor out of a bolt-action rifle. It does not take a drastic imagination to visualize what roles a rifle fitted with a suppressor would fill. Anything from sentry removal (canine or other), light fixture neutralization and stealthy operations in general come to mind. Another benefit of suppressors is serving as one of the most efficient flash hiders available. Suppressors from SIG SAUER and CZ-USA were mated up to the CZ 527 SR and CZ 557 UCS.

The SIG SAUER SRD762-QD suppressor was mounted via a Taper-Lok mounting system. SIG SAUER created the Taper-Lok Fast-Attach System to enable quick and simple installation of a muzzle adapter device while eliminating the need for shims. The SIG SAUER design optimizes alignment, improving accuracy and greatly reducing point-of-impact (POI) shift, even after multiple install/removal cycles. The Taper-Lok system allows users to access a variety of muzzle brakes and flash hiders for their rifles; all the while enabling SIG rifle suppressors to attach when needed.

CZ-USA’s entry into the suppressor market for this review is the Ti Reflex. It is direct thread and offers a reflex chamber option if a barrel profile allows. To shave ounces, each Titanium baffle is turned down on a lathe until it possesses just the right amount of material to withstand the pressures of full-auto use. The swirled shape of the internal baffle structure is reflected in its exterior, and each baffle is welded to the next until the stack exhibits a very unique silhouette. Not only does this eliminate extra material that would simply add weight, it also increases surface area for heat dissipation.

Handling and Performance

The CZ 527 SR and 557 UCS were tested from the bench for accuracy and around barricades and other obstacles to get a better appreciation of handling and performance. As expected, the CZ 557 UCS held the edge for innate accuracy with half-inch groups at 100 yards—not untypical. The CZ 527 SR was the easier handling package with its 3-pound lighter weight. This could have been minimized, but the Trijicon AccuPower 4.5–30×56 on the 557 UCS could not be resisted. Suppressors were mounted for the majority of use. Steel targets were smacked with ease out to 300 yards using field expedient rests. While by no means rivaling a semiautomatic for fire power, the detachable magazines were handy to recharge the CZ rifles after the last round. As expected from a bolt action, no malfunctions were experienced. The safeties made no audible noise when manipulating it; an important consideration for hunting or defense. Recoil was not a factor with nearly 150 rounds fired each with no issues experienced or detriment to accuracy experienced.

The advantage of a portable rifle should not be casually dismissed considering carrying the weapon would be constant compared to actual use or other tasks being required afield. A review focused only on range performance too easily misses this point. Ancillary items can assist. The Eberlestock X31 LoDrag II pack serves as an excellent example of this. Eberlestock strives to design a pack so items are easy to find as well as making them easy to attach to the outside of it. There’s no digging and wrestling with your pack to free an item—it’s quick at hand.

Eberlestock founder, Glen Eberlestock, learned via biathlon experience that if you carry your weapon on your back, you’re much more agile and effective than if it’s stuck in your hands or on a shoulder sling all of the time; there’s simply no better way to move about in an organized fashion. By having the pack carry the rifle, your hands are free for all of the things you need them for when you are traversing terrain. Furthermore, Eberlestock makes it so that you can get your weapons out of the pack without having to unstrap everything that you’re wearing. Most importantly the pack must be comfortable considering all the time spent with it out in the field. The X31 has all these characteristics.

The X31 LoDrag II is the latest evolution of the Eberlestock LoDrag series. The X31 incorporates a tactical weapon-sized scab bard. It has a unique contour shape that tapers at both the top and the bottom, giving the pack an excellent close-to-the-body ride. The packs are fully compressible with pairs of side-mounted compression straps that draw the load upward to optimally position the pack’s contents over the wearer’s center of gravity. The X31 LoDrag II has two new generously sized, form-follow-ing pockets on the exterior of the upper and lower front flaps. MOLLE-10 lightweight webbing is used, to which you can attach conventional 25mm MOLLE accessories.

A weaker force can take advantage of urban sniping as it can be devastating not only materially but also against morale. The price in terms of equipment is modest, especially if the cost-to-effectiveness ratio is considered. Sup-pressed bolt-action rifles are not just for urban settings or personal defense. The lack of noise is a huge plus on many levels. An obnoxious rifle shot could ruin many endeavors where discretion is the better part of valor. Being able to maintain “stealthiness” is an important aspect of tactics, hunting and/or survival. A typical rifle shot is sure to attract what could be unwanted attention both by two- and four-legged entities.
The CZ 527 SR and CZ 557 UCS are rifles that can serve in multiple roles albeit sport, hunting, survival and/or defense. The suppressibility (I think that is a word. Either way readers get the idea!) of the CZ rifles makes them ideal for urban or rural environment sniping. 50 yards out, fire-suppressed with subsonic loads are nearly undetectable. A mounted suppressor not only limits noise but eliminates muzzle blast signature so as not to give away position. With the ability to attract users from a variety of backgrounds, the CZ 527 American Suppres-sor-Ready and CZ 557 Urban Counter-Sniper merit serious consideration.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

cz-usa.com

sigsauer.com

trijicon.com

eberlestock.com

SIGHTMARK

Wraith Digital Riflescope

Sightmark introduces the Wraith Digital Riflescope. The 4-32x50mm Wraith digital riflescope is a revolutionary, new high-definition optic designed in Texas by hunters, for hunters. The advanced 1920×1080 HD sensor provides full-color clarity in daytime; simply hit the left arrow to enable night mode—with classic emerald or black and white viewing options. An included 850nm IR illuminator provides enhanced image brightness and accurate target acquisition to an astounding 200 yards. Notably, the IR is removable for hunters who live in states where emitted light is illegal. The Wraith allows (and Sightmark encourages) on-board recording and video export so your favorite moments can be shared with your friends and family on your favorite social media platform.
sellmarkcorp.com

TANGODOWN INC.

Magazine Floorplate Removal Tool for GLOCK

TangoDown Inc. announces the latest addition to the lineup—the TD Magazine Floorplate Removal Tool for GLOCK (GFRT-01). Despite the reliability of GLOCK magazines, they still require maintenance to maintain their longevity. The GFRT-01 makes removing GLOCK floorplates simple by providing the proper amount of leverage, without damage.
tangodown.com

VISTA OUTDOOR/FEDERAL PREMIUM

Fusion Component Bullets

Handloaders can now roll their own with the bullet design that changed hunting ammunition forever. Fusion com-ponent bullets provide the largest expansion and highest weight retention in their class. With a molecularly fused jacket and a pressure-formed core, Fusion transfers maximum energy on target and provides tag-filling accuracy. Now available in a full array of the most popular bullet diameters and weights.
vistaoutdoor.com

STREAMLIGHT

PROTAC 90

The ProTac 90 uses the latest in power LED technology for extreme brightness. Offering three different lighting modes, the light features a TEN-TAP programmable switch, which allows for user selection from among three programs: high/strobe/low (factory default); high only; or low/high. The ProTac 90 is powered by either one CR123A lithium, AA alkaline or AA lithium battery. When using a CR123A battery, it delivers 300 lumens and 5,400 candela over a 147-meter beam distance on High. Run times range from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 5 hours and 30 minutes on High, and from 8 hours and 15 minutes to 15 hours on Low, depending on battery selection. streamlight.com

MARK 7 RELOADING

The Evolution

This is an all-new, 10-stage consumer, manual reloading machine including: smooth hand operation that is ambidextrous with the included ergonomic handle designed by medical device engineers; priming system managed under-neath the priming mechanism to reduce/eliminate primer feeding complications, a fully engaged priming process with integrated springs; totally new case feeding process managed by roller bearings and user replaceable springs; double sleeve supports for the tool head creates a stable operation with speeds to 1,200 rounds per hour. The Evolution supports our one-pass rifle processing and loading for calibers from .380 up o .30-.06.
markvii-loading.com

B&T

USW-G17

There are many carbine conversion systems on the market in which a shooter can mount his or her pistol in order to get something like a pistol carbine. Frankly, the outcome of many of these conversions are neither a pistol nor a carbine, it’s a bulky toy.
With the introduction of the B&T USW-G17 chassis, one can convert any Gen 3, 4 or 5 Glock into a true pistol carbine, meaning one can still carry and use it like a pistol, but thanks to the integrated folding stock, one can use it as a car-bine with enhanced accuracy.
bt-ag.ch

CZ-USA

Scorpion Bullpup Kit

Relying on the bullpup expertise of the aftermarket design gurus over at Manticore Arms, the Scorpion Bullpup Kit has been a project long in the making. Able to convert any Scorpion over to a bullpup configuration, it reuses trigger components of the gun being converted and condenses the Scorpion down to an even smaller package. The ideal candidate for conversion is the Scorpion carbine, and the bullpup chassis ties into our standard carbine handguard as well as Manticore’s and HB Industries’ long handguards as well. With the addition of one of those handguards, Scorpion pistols can be converted as well, though doing so with a barrel length less than 16 inches will require proper paperwork/tax stamp and conversion of the pistol to an SBR. For those who will want to modify their Scorpion Bullpup, it retains the ability to take aftermarket grips, trigger shoes, charging handles and magazine releases.
cz-usa.com

STEINEL AMMUNITION

8x22mm Ammunition for Classic Type 94 & 14 Nambu Pistol

Steinel Ammunition has developed a new round specifically for the Type 94 and Type 14 Nambu pistols. The 83-grain FMJ round comes 25 to a box and has the “8×22 Nambu” head stamp on the brass casing. With a muzzle velocity of 1,040 FPS, it shoots clean and consistently, making it an ideal round for target plinking.
steinelammo.com

ADAPTIVE TACTICAL

Adaptive Tactical Ammo Storage Products for the Ruger 10/22

These essential pieces of gear for competitive shooting, varmint hunting or plinking on the range can store aftermarket or factory magazines for rapid deployment. The Tac-Hammer Triple Mag Drop Leg Storage Pouch for the Ruger 10/22 provides rapid deployment and convenient storage in a simple design. This is a versatile piece of gear for competitive shooting, varmint hunting or plinking at the range. Designed with comfort in mind, this storage pouch comes equipped with integrated quick release buckles and a rubberized leg strap. The Tac-Hammer Triple Mag Drop Leg Storage Pouch securely holds aftermarket or factory magazines.
adaptivetactical.com