Such items have existed as long as there have been firearms, and, in truth, scale weapons have existed much longer. “There were skilled craftsmen making miniature weapons including cross bows, siege engines and, of course, even suits of armor,” said Wayne Driskill of Wayne Driskill Miniature Firearms (waynedriskillminiatures.com), one of the premier dealers of scale weapons. “I like to say that as soon as someone used the jawbone of an ass as a weapon someone else stepped up and used a jawbone from a baby ass for his son.” 

Driskill added that many of the scale models of larger items such as the siege engines and similar weapons were engineering models, but since the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, these served another purpose—namely, “salesman samples.” In some cases, this was a way for journeymen artisans to show off their skills; it was easier for a tradesman to carry scale replicas of actual weapons. 

In more recent times these have simply been a way for individuals to show off their skills. In this regard it is akin to model builders, but instead of putting together a kit, those who make scale weapons build everything from scratch. One irony is that while today’s modern world has allowed for all sorts of advancements in 3D printing, laser cutting and computer-aided design (CAD), the art of making scale firearms is a dying one. Perhaps that is because it is, in fact, an art form as few are learning the trade. 

“We’re the last of a dying breed,” admitted Zavie Kucer, who grew up making scale replicas of firearms. It was a skill he learned from his father David Kucer, who is now legendary amongst collectors worldwide and who has been working on the scale replicas for nearly 60 years (kucers.com). 

David Kucer grew up as a self-described “immigrant kid” in Montreal, and during a trip to visit his grandparents in New York City he took in the world of miniatures. The elder Kucer became intrigued with miniatures, while his interest in firearms came from his time in the military. 

“His job in the Canadian Army was to repair firearms,” said Zavie. “When he got out of the military he started to tinker with making miniature guns. His father had a metal shop, which offered the right tools to make these replicas. So he trained as a gunsmith and worked on everything from small arms to 25 pounders, and combined with his skills with tool and dies it just came together.” 

Fully Functional 

What sets the world of miniature firearms apart from so many other scale replicas is that these pieces are fully functional. In the Victorian Era, craftsmen produced the scale versions not only as the aforementioned samples to sell actual firearms but as a collectible to those with means. These included pinfire guns that were novelty guns that could fire blanks or even live miniature ammunition. 

One of the leading makers of these has been Bob Urso of Washington (boburso.com) who said he likes to think that he fills a middle ground for collectors. “I fill that niche between the inexpensive and the very expensive miniatures,” added Bob Urso. “With my guns I capture the look of the gun, and that includes duplicating the grips where I can. However, the action is greatly simplified compared to what others like Zavie Kucer does. I like to say they make a ‘true miniature’ while mine are simplified, but you can shoot the 2mm round.” 

While some of these are detailed and intricate, there is a word that shouldn’t be used to describe them, however: cute. “Cute is for puppies, and these pinfire guns are absolutely still dangerous,” explained Wayne Driskill, who has, since 2009, been the president of the Miniature Arms Collectors & Makers Society, a group that was founded in 1973. “Some will shoot, and some can kill you just the same as a full-sized gun.” 

However, most of the miniatures were not made as weapons, and that is true of the scale firearms made by the Kucers. “Our guns could shoot in theory, but in practice not really,” explained Zavie. “We don’t even make the ammunition, so these do go ‘click, click’ when you pull the trigger, but they don’t go ‘boom.’ But it is still a weapon and could be dangerous if used incorrectly.” 

This includes the scale machine guns, some of which have been built to function. This includes a miniature of the British STEN MkII, which was reportedly made by Leon Crottet of Switzerland, and is capable of full-auto fire. Due to the fact that they use custom-made miniature cartridges, these miniatures are reportedly not subject to the National Firearms Act (NFA) regulations of their full-size counterparts, but it wouldn’t be out of the question that these could raise the attention of law enforcement if used irresponsibly! 

True Americana 

While scale replicas of firearms have been made for centuries, there are plenty of vintage wheel lock and flintlock miniatures in collections. For the Kucers the sweet spot has been in the American small arms of the 19th century. The focus for the father/son duo has been those guns made from 1840 to 1890 and included cap and ball pistols and Winchester repeating rifles. That said, the Kucers have worked on 20th-century firearms as well, with the Colt 1911 being another favorite. “Among the favorite guns I’ve made include a Smith & Wesson Victory Model, which is one the Canadian soldiers used,” said David Kucer. “I also worked on a Smith & Wesson lever action pistol known as the Volcanic. That was an interesting project.” 

The Kucers also explained that they’ve relied on a time-tested method for making miniatures—one that has gone back to the days of these being salesman samples. That involves having a real one, copying each part in scale and producing an exact copy in miniature. This is why, despite the fact that they don’t produce ammunition, the firearms are otherwise fully functional in every other respect. “My dad’s approach was always to have an original, take it apart and copy each piece,” said Zavie. “More importantly this also involved using the same materials and the same method of manufacture. To replicate the guns in such detail requires this level of examination of the firearm. Drawings and even diagrams aren’t good enough.” 

As a result there is a lot of hand finishing involved that couldn’t be accurately represented in a drawing. “We always have to have the original,” added Zavie. “This allows us to make an exact copy of everything including the screws, the springs but also the bluing and the tempering.” When the Kucers produced a Colt 1849 revolver, it featured brass and silver plating, along with a stage coach scene engraved on the gun just like the original.

However, there have been a few guns that haven’t been made due to the complexities of the original. “There was one I really wanted to do,” said David Kucer. “It was a Colt Lightning Rifle, but it was too complicated and too big for our equipment.”

The scale of the weapons varies, but popular today with collectors are those that are in the one-third and one-fourth scale. Obviously the larger the scale, the more detail collectors can appreciate, but part of the appeal is in how small one can go. “It becomes increasingly difficult to make a functional firearm when you go smaller,” said Wayne Driskill. “When you get the cylinder working on these really small guns, it is like working on a watch. You’re talking tens of a thousand of an inch in precision. But it can be impressive to see something like the Colt Navy Revolvers in 1/12 scale, which is smaller than G.I. Joe but is still functional. That is doll house size!”

Modern Copies

The Kucers are part of a dying breed, made worse by the fact that the only production-made miniatures were produced by the now-defunct MiniArt in Russia and by Aldo Uberti, Srl—the latter being the Italian maker of full-sized historic firearms (ubertireplicas.com). 

The mass-produced guns by Uberti can be a good entry point for the new collector, at least compared to a similar handmade gun from Kucer and others. In comparison, a Kucer-made example could be near to $5,000 while a similar Uberti version might be several hundred dollars to $1,000 on the high end. However, some would argue the craftsmanship is a world apart. Then there is the new wave of low-end diecast versions that have come out of China. These are still a step up from toys but lack the overall detail of the handmade miniatures. 

“From my perspective there is no comparison,” said Zavie Kucer. “My father and I make 10 to 12 pieces a year, and our prices mean we’re in a completely different demographic of collectors. What I’ve seen is that new collectors start low and get comfortable in the field and move up. That is true of real firearms, and that is true of miniatures.”

Bob Urso added that he used to produce about 30 a year, but has slowed down in recent years. “I’m 76, and I’m retired,” he added. “This is a labor of love for me. Plus there are some very good makers in the Ukraine and Russia that are producing what I used to.”

This is why the diecast versions will never appeal to the serious collectors, as there are now lower cost, high quality alternatives. While the diecast versions might be worthy of decorating a desk at the office, they aren’t the sort of things that are meant to be on display and likely won’t appreciate over time the way these quality scale miniatures could. In fact, because there are so few being made for collectors it is now like buying real vintage firearms. 

“I’m not really getting any ‘new stuff,’” said Wayne Driskill. “What I’m now dealing in is recycling the stuff that was first sold 25 or more years ago. And just like old art, sometimes it can be a factor of 25 to 50 times more depending on who made it. Certain artists who made these guns back in the day bring more money than the unknowns.”

And that is where, again, it is easy to see the connection to works of art. Not just in the craftsmanship but in terms of how the good “stuff” will only appreciate over time. 

After the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the entire local arms industry came under German influence. The Czechs were very advanced in weapons engineering, rich in experience and know-how and possessed modern factories. In the course of the reorganization of the industry, the conglomerate Československá Zbrojovka a.s. Brno (“Czechoslovak arms factory AG Brno”) was placed under German administration. 

From 1938 until 1945, the conglomerate operated under the names Waffenwerke Brünn I (Brno) and II (Bystrica) and was affiliated to the Reichswerke Hermann Göring. The main products were military equipment for the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS. Not only were German weapons like the Karabiner 98k made, but also Czech pre-war developments under a new designation. For example, the vz. 24 rifle as Gewehr 24(t), the ZB vz. 26 as MG 26(t) and the ZB vz. 37 as MG 37(t). The (t) in the German name means “tschechisch” (Czech). 

The Waffen-SS quickly succeeded in gaining full control of the arms factory in Brno. The Waffenwerke’s development department worked from then on as a part of the “SS-Waffenakademie Brünn” (SS-Weap

ons Academy Brno) on the implementation of many innovative ideas, which would not have been possible through the official channels involved with the Heereswaffenamt (Army Ordnance Office) because of the intense rivalries between the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS. While the Wehrmacht was able to provide weapons through the official channels, the SS was often left out. Some developments proved to be successful and were then also produced at the Army Ordnance Office, such as the anti-tank rifle M.SS.41. 

The Need to Rise Above 

One particular development was the submachine gun Model SS 42. It was born out of the desire for more reliable function and a higher magazine capacity. The German MP 40 with its 32-round magazine was clearly inferior to the Russian PPSh-41 with its 71-round drum in the decisive moments of close combat and tended to have feeding problems under adverse conditions. Captured Russian SMGs, in the Wehrmacht designated as MP 717(r), were accordingly popular and were seldom delivered to the looted collection points. The Army Ordnance Office experimented with a converted MP 40 with a double magazine well holding two stick magazines. The result was called “MP 40/1” and was produced in a very limited number; however, the weapon was not very stable. On standard receivers taken from the series production, the cut-out for the magazine well was enlarged but without adding additional reinforcement to the weakened part of the receiver. On some of the still existing MP 40/1s, the receivers have been bent due to long-term storage. 

Further Development 

The SS therefore relied on a further development of the Czech pre-war submachine gun vz. 38. The work began at the end of March 1942, and as early as June, the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler was notified of the completion and testing of the first experimental weapons with a drum magazine for 64 rounds. The Army Ordnance Office of course did not remain uninformed about these events and was very angry about the arbitrary action of the Waffen-SS. Therefore, the submachine gun was rejected in a meeting of the Weapons Commission at the Reich Minister of Armaments and War Production in August. The decision was justified by spurious arguments like the imminent adoption of the Maschinenkarabiner MKb42, the improvement of the MP 40 magazines and the impractical wooden stock. 

However, despite that, the development continued. The MP SS 42 is blowback-operated and fires from the open bolt. It does not show any special technical features. Initially, the production was very complex because no components are interchangeable with the MP 38 or MP 40; however, the engineers were already working on simplifications, such as a receiver entirely made of sheet metal. Instead of the drum magazine, a stick magazine could be used alternatively. The MP SS 42 was not compatible with any other German submachine gun. The Waffen-SS applied for the production of a total of 10,000 pieces in December 1942, but nothing came of it. Albert Speer as Minister of Armaments and War Production had the last word. 

The MP SS 42’s Death Sentence 

In a letter dated April 12, 1943, Speer ordered that all further work on the submachine gun was prohibited: 

“1.) The M.P. SS 42 offers no advantages in design and manufacturing technology compared to the introduced M.P. 40, in particular, it can be achieved no increase in performance since it fires the pistol cartridge 08. 

2.) A production at the Waffenwerke Brno would severely affect the output of other equipment, including the Karabiner 98k and the 3.7cm anti-aircraft gun, whose maximum increase has recently been described as urgent by the Führer. 

Under these circumstances, I am of the opinion that the production of the M.P. SS 42 in a number of 10,000 pieces is not justifiable and ask to refrain from pursuing this matter.” 

The reasons for the refusal were completely different this time. Advantages like the increase in performance due to the higher capacity drum magazine did not count and were obviously not of interest. Thus, the MP SS 42 remains only a peripheral appearance in the variety of infantry weapons of World War II. Only a few unique prototypes have been preserved, all in slightly different variations, in the outstanding collection of the Prague Army Museum. 

• • • 

The author thanks Jan Skramoušský (VHU / Army Museum Prague).

In the new millennium, the young Russian state needed a main sidearm—something modern, hearty and comparable in size and function to NATO pistols. Paramount to the modern Russian fighting pistol, codenamed “Grach,” within the Russian Army trail program, was the newly adopted 9x21mm armor piercing SP-10 ammunition. This new “wonder round” was developed by the famous Central Research and Development Institute of Precision Machine Building, known by its Russian acronym TsNIITochMash, to be used in their “snub-nosed viper” pistol, the Gyurza, aka the SR-1. Pyotr Serdyukov, lead designer of the pistol, resolved to develop a submachine gun to accommodate the new round. 

Ammo 

The 9x21mm SP-10 special cartridge uses a 103-grain projectile and has a muzzle velocity of 1245 feet per second from the SR-1 pistol. Per Russian naming standards from the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate, it is recognized by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation as the 7N29, “7N” noting ammunition. Another 9x21mm cartridge, the SP-11, is designated as 7N28 and uses a full-metal jacket ball round. This makes it ideal for use on unprotected personnel and as a training round due to its lower cost and reduced ricochet. The SP-11 has a 121-grain projectile and a muzzle velocity of 1279 feet per second from an SR-1 pistol. The Russians also provide the SP-12, a 9x21mm jacketed hollow-point cartridge when expanding ammunition is needed. To date, the SP-10 armor piercing round is the most commonly fielded round from the SP family. 

Purpose 

The FSB (Federal Security Service) was the first organization to vocalize interest in a potential submachine gun chambered for the potent SP-10 cartridge. They communicated their desire to Serdyukov in the mid-1990s to create such a special purpose weapon. The result was the SR-2 (Spetsialnaya Razrabotka–Special Development), named Veresk, after the Eurasian flower, heather. In the early 2000s, the SR-2 entered service in the hands of FSB Spetsnaz and other special units such as OMON (Special Purpose Mobile Unit) of Russian law enforcement and SOBR (Special Rapid Response Unit) under the Russian National Guard. In practice, the SR-2 provides good armor penetration characteristics up to 40 meters and an effective range of 150–200 meters, with significant stopping power. The Veresk is exceptionally compact for its class, lightweight and concealable. As such, it is a favorite of special unit entry shield men, who may use the weapon with one hand, without sacrificing stopping power and ergonomics. 

Differing from most submachine guns, the Veresk is gas-operated with a rotating bolt, using a striker-fired floating hammer. This allows the receiver to be even more compact. An ergonomic fire control layout allows for a right-handed shooter to operate the safety with his index finger on the right side of the weapon and the selector switch with his thumb on the left. An ambidextrous magazine release is placed behind the trigger group, and a folding charging handle protrudes on the right side from the ejection port. A vertical foregrip is located just below the muzzle behind the removable hand stop. The hand stop may be removed to accommodate attaching a suppressor. 

TsNIITochMash designed the KP-SR-2 collimator sight specifically for the SR-2M to mount on top of the weapon, while simultaneously accommodating the top folding stock without interference. This feature required a stock redesign SR-2 to the SR-2M to allow this feature. To unfold the stock, the buttplate is pulled rearward, unlocking from the front sight. To fold the stock, a button on the bottom of the receiver is depressed and the stock can be folded over the top of the receiver. A special additional stock may be used to clear helmet face shields and is attached using a bracket securing to the original stock’s release button. Engaging this button will allow the face-shield stock to be completely removed from the weapon. 

The stock is a simple wire, swooping down to clear a helmet face shield, and a simple rubber butt pad covers the back. The Veresk is fed from a 20- or 30-round, double-stack, double-feed magazine, that inserts into the pistol grip/ magazine well. At 900 rounds per second, the weapon is surprisingly controllable based on its size and weight. 

After years of use, Special Force operators have noted some needed improvements to the design. Specifically, the folding charging handle and the folding vertical foregrip present some issues. The folding charging handle may be accidentally bumped closed. In the folded position, this adds an inconvenient step to reloading the weapon, especially under pressure as the weapon does not have a last round hold-open or a bolt release. One operator recalled striking a combatant in the face with the weapon and breaking off the foregrip as it was deployed in the down position. However, this move may have been outside the weapon’s design parameters but was nonetheless a need that arose in a life or death situation. 

An Upgrade 

The SR-2 was later upgraded to the SR-2M, swapping the screwed-in vertical grip to a folding vertical grip. The removable hand stop was added just rearward of the muzzle. The stock was redesigned to be folded and extended with a reflex sight in place. Coming to a total weight of 3.6 pounds, the SR-2M is a light submachine gun package providing sufficient fire and stopping power. The original SR-2 can still be found in units using older weapons or, as one Special Forces instructor said, those units with reduced budgets. The latest SR-2MP includes additional M1913 accessory rails on the left and right side of the handguard and on the top of the receiver in the place of sights. The SR-2MP remains available for export to partner nations and has shown its ability to modernize alongside contemporary force multipliers. 

In the UK there are several “Cadet” forces. These comprise the Army Cadet Force, the (RAF) Air Training Corps, the (Royal Navy) Sea Cadet Corps and the (RN and Royal Marines-affiliated) Volunteer Cadet Corps, collectively known as the “Community Cadet Forces;” all forces are open to children from age 12. The Combined Cadet Force provides the same service but does so from an embedded position within select civilian schools. These all exist as a parallel or alternative to purely civilian youth organisations such as the Scout Association. None are actually part of the military, but they are sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and run along military lines (many staff and officers are also Reservists, and training is also provided by regular soldiers). These organisations exist as a personal development opportunity and to encourage young people to join the military when they are old enough (not everyone who joins the Cadets goes on to join the military). 

The Cadets’ Rifle 

For this reason, Cadet forces have traditionally made use of both .22 LR caliber training rifles, such as the Lee-Enfield No.8, and “full-bore” military rifles like the .303 No.4. These teenage civilians had been permitted to shoot the self-loading 7.62x51mm SLR (FN Herstal FAL), but a decision was made in the 1980s to adopt a manually operated 5.56x45mm rifle for Cadet use. It should be noted that the subsequent UK legal restrictions on self-loading, center-fire rifled firearms—introduced in 1988—are purely coincidental. Semiautomatic firearms were legal to own in the UK when this decision was made and when the L98A1 was conceived, produced and issued. Therefore, although Enfield had an eye on exports and civilian sales, the brunt of this effort could have been borne by the self-loading-only “Super Ensign” L85A1 variant. This was designed as a semiautomatic stablemate for the manually operated Ensign (L98A1), reworked from the L85A1 as per typical civilian-legal designs sold around the world, in order to prevent ready conversion to automatic fire. 

With a lack of a viable market, the technical issues with the SA80 A1 family in general and ongoing issues at the factory, only a few examples seem to have been produced, and unlike other “vaporware” British firearm designs of the period, no advertisements seem to have been produced either. However, persistent, unconfirmed rumors exist of a few examples that remain in the hands of UK shooters prior to the 1988 ban and even of examples remaining in the U.S. 

L98A1 Trials 

Trials were carried out to determine the new Cadet rifle and included a modified straight-pull German Heckler & Koch (HK) SL6 (the only non-British entrant), the Interarms EX2 (also straight-pull) and bolt-action offerings from BSA and Parker-Hale. A prototype bolt-action designed and built by British engineer John Cross (with an extremely short bolt “throw”) was also submitted. Perhaps inevitably, RSAF Enfield was selected to provide the new rifle, which was titled, “L98A1 Cadet General Purpose Rifle” (“GP” to distinguish it from the 

inert “DP” or “Drill Purpose” model). This was known in-house by Enfield as the “Ensign.” The straight-pull SA80 was built using L85A1 components but critically without any “gas parts.” This necessitated a large external operating rod assembly to provide the leverage necessary to extract a fired case without disturbing the shooter’s position and hold more than necessary (although, of course, a manually operated rifle does this nonetheless). 

This operating mechanism ran on a large external track screwed to the outside of the body (upper receiver) forward of the bolt carrier assembly. On the prototype example, a thick steel rod ran from the handle assembly back to the real bolt handle, which was tapped to receive the rear end of the rod. On production guns, the same rod was curved in and downward and inserted into the cocking handle aperture in the bolt carrier. The replacement bolt handle on the new assembly was made much larger and consisted of a polymer knob rotating on a central steel spindle. This in turn was attached to a short lever. When the handle is pulled back, the lever pivots against a welded-on stop on the receiver, providing leverage while the bolt is withdrawn and rotated to unlock. The unlocked bolt carrier group is then carried to the rear by the remainder of the rearward straight-pull stroke. 

Minimal Changes 

Other changes were minimal. With no need to conceal muzzle flash, attach a bayonet or fit a rifle grenade, the SA80 flash suppressor was eliminated, creating (arguably) a needless difference between the service rifle and the Cadet equivalent. The void inside the handguard left by the gas parts was filled by an oil bottle and mounting clips. The pistol grip is of a unique pattern, with crescent-shaped cut-outs at the bottom to allow easy removal of the pistol grip plug to access the storage compartment inside. The purpose of this is unclear, and it does not appear to have ever seen use. The same compartment exists on the standard L85/86/22 grip also, where it is a relic of the original XL60 series’ stowed, emergency backup, rear sight concept. In that case, too, the plug is not typically removed; although rumor has it that soldiers have used it as cigarette storage. It seems that some specific purpose was envisaged for the L98A1’s compartment—perhaps storage for the oil bottle that ultimately was placed under the upper handguard. 

Sighting Arrangement 

Although superficially identical to the backup iron sights of other SA80 weapons, the L98A1 again diverged from the family in its sighting arrangement. The front sight is a thinner blade and lacks the Tritium element of the L85A1. Rather than the simple two-position battle aperture sight of the standard carrying handle, the L98A1 version contains a rotating disc with apertures for 100m to 500m. It can be folded down to present a single 100m aperture. In actual use, however, and as units were made available, the weapon was often fitted with the standard 4x SUSAT optical sight. 

A sub-variant of the L98A1 was the SA80 Competition Rifle, essentially an LSW built as per the Cadet GP rifle without gas parts and with the crank handle. In this case the intent was to provide the post-ban UK shooting community with a compliant straight-pull SA80 and one with superior accuracy. A great deal of effort was made (see Steve Raw’s, The Last Enfield, pp.213–215) to combine the LSW with the Cadet rifle, which proved more difficult than it might appear. Despite this, the product never reached market, perhaps caught up in the chaos of the Enfield factory closure. It is thought that some parts made it into the hands of firearms dealers, but the only complete weapon observed “in the wild” was that used for a time by the Royal Ordnance Rifle Club. 

With the advent of the HK A2 program, a new Cadet rifle was produced from A2 upgraded parts with a new semiautomatic-only trigger mechanism (the change lever is still omitted). The pistol grip is standard L85/L86 and not the Cadet pattern. Either the standard L85 carry handle (with field sights) or the SUSAT sight is fitted. From 2009, the L98A1 was phased out 

of use in favor of the L98A2; although examples no doubt still exist in Cadet armouries. It should be noted that neither variant has ever seen use in the UK military. They are strictly weapons for the Cadet forces listed above. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle 

• Caliber 5.56x45mm 
• Overall length 758mm 
• Barrel length 519mm (20.4in) 
• Weight 4.18kg (9.2lb) (unloaded with SUSAT)
• Feed device 30-round detachable magazine

• • • 

Special thanks to the National Firearms Centre at the Royal Armouries, who graciously allowed us access to their world-class collection. Thanks are also due to Mike Sterry for his assistance with some of the finer technical details. 

This is Part 7 in a series of articles examining the developmental history of the United Kingdom’s SA80 family of firearms. Part 6 appeared in Small Arms Review, Vol. 23, No. 8. 

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). 

On October 19, 1960, the U.S. Army announced the testing and evaluation of a new 40mm grenade launcher designated as the “XM79.” The weapon was designed to fire a high explosive (HE) shell at a muzzle velocity of 250 feet per second, at a range out to 400m (410 yards), when launched with a barrel elevation of approximately 35 degrees. Confirmatory testing of the XM79 started at Fort Benning on June 27, 1960. As a result, there were several changes made to the original design. 

Specifications 

The Infantry Board declared the original “ladder”-type rear sight unacceptable. A new rear sight for the M79 launcher had to be designed and fabricated. 

The Research and Development Department at the Springfield Armory initiated the design and fabrication of a new rear sight. The (somewhat intricate) new rear sight, part number 7791038, is made up of 22 separate parts. Since high elevations were required, it was graduated to 375m and adjustable both for elevation and windage. The sight design was completed, and production commenced in October 1960. All launchers produced up to June 1960 had to be retrofitted. This new requirement, occurring late in the program, involved additional procurement, rescheduling and overtime in order to meet the Ordnance Readiness Date of March 31, 1961, and the delivery requirement of 2,056 launchers by July 1961. Other recommended changes were made to the barrel locking lug, trigger spring and front sight. 

Early proposed designs for the grenade launcher were identified by a letter “S” representing the Springfield Armory. The Infantry Board at Fort Benning stated a preference for a semiautomatic, multiple-shot grenade launcher. The Springfield Armory designed a three-shot launcher, designated as the “S-6 T148E1” (not to be confused with the XM148 underbarrel launcher), that achieved semiautomatic operation through the use of a magazine made up of three chambers, each long enough for a cartridge 4.5 inches in length. The magazine would move to the left after firing by a constant force of a negator spring. As each round was fired, a latch detected the launching of the projectile and allowed the clip to move over until stopped by the next projectile, lining 

up that cartridge with the barrel. Although the basic concept was simple, the mechanism proved to be too complex and was unreliable. Repeated misalignment between the projectile and the bore created gas leakage and a loss of accuracy. Special purpose rounds, such as CS gas or signal flares with a longer overall length, could not be used. A much simpler design, designated as the “S-5,” was a single-shot, break-open type weapon. The S-5 evolved into the XM79 in 1959 after the three-shot S-6 T148E1 project was canceled. 

The XM79-M79 action is automatically cocked and safety engaged on opening of the breech by a lever under the barrel. Trigger pull is single-stage; the trigger guard can be configured for winter conditions by depressing the front detent plug and pivoting the trigger guard to either side; thus, allowing the launcher to be fired with heavy gloves or mittens. The buttstock and forend are black walnut. A synthetic stock was developed for use in humid tropical climates. A synthetic foregrip was developed but not adopted. The stock is very straight and slightly concave on top, designed to get the recoil in line with the buttplate and to make it easier to fire with high sight elevation settings. To reduce the recoil to the operator, a rubber pad was fitted to the buttstock. 

Official Classification and Development 

On December 15, 1960, the XM79 became type-classified as: Launcher, Grenade, M79. It was adopted to give the individual soldier a mortar-like capability between the distance the hand grenade can be thrown and the shortest range of the mortar. The XM79 was the successful one of several competitive weapons developed for this requirement. At the time of adoption, it supplemented the M14 rifle and M60 machine gun. A pilot production program was started at the Springfield Armory to develop manufacturing methods, tooling and solve any production problems that may be encountered. 

The M79 was developed at the U.S. Government’s Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. Armory engineer Dave Katz, under the direction of Cy Moore, was involved in the development program. Implementing a low-velocity round called for an unusual propellant system called the high–low type. Once ignited by the primer, the propellant’s expanding gases flow into a small high-pressure chamber. The pressure then bleeds through small holes into a larger low-pressure chamber immediately behind the projectile. The pressure in the low-pressure chamber is approximately 3,000 psi compared to 30,000 psi in the high-pressure chamber. 

The M79 grenade launcher has 90 parts and is 28.6 inches in length; barrel length is 14 inches. Loaded weight is 6 pounds, 11 ounces; unloaded weight is 6 pounds, 2 ounces, making it light, short and handy. The receiver is made of steel. The barrel is an aluminum alloy finished by hard coat anodizing. Rifling is 6 lands .01-inches high, one turn in 48 inches. Use of an aluminum barrel is possible because of the low velocity and low pressure at which the projectile is fired and keeps the weight of the weapon down. The cost to the government was $318.00 per launcher. 

M79 Sights 

The front sight is of conventional military pattern with side guards like those on the M14 rifle. The rear sight is a large, folding leaf, mounted on the barrel and is graduated to ranges from 75m to 375m in 25m increments and numbered at 100m, 200m, 300m and 375m. To move the sight carrier, push in the locking knob and slide the sight to the desired position. As the sight carrier is moved up the elevation scale, the rear sight is cammed to the left to compensate for the right-hand drift of the projectile. To lock the sight carrier in position, release pressure on the knob and turn it clockwise. An elevating wheel at the top of the sight frame is used to make fine adjustments. One click will move the impact of the projectile 2.5m at a range of 200m. When the sight is in a downward position, the fixed sight can be used to engage targets out to 100m. A knob on the right side of the sight is used to adjust windage; one click will move the impact of the projectile left or right 28cm (11 inches) at 200m. When raised the sight can be easily damaged. Despite all the features of the somewhat complex rear sight, it was seldom used in combat. Experienced grenadiers could instinctively place the rounds where needed. 

Accessories 

The M79 was issued with a small arms accessory case, which included a plastic lube container, combination tool and a pull-through cleaning brush with thong. Early carrying cases for the kit were made of a cotton-duck, which was later changed to mildew-proof vinyl. A sling that was issued for the relatively short M79 was the same one used for the M20 Bazooka (1055-00-714-5320); although an article in PS Magazine specified the small arms sling (1005-654-4508). Bandoleers were designed to carry six-rounds each; each pocket contained a plastic support, often referred to as “egg crates.” 

Like the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopter, the M79 became an icon of the Vietnam War; nicknames like the “blooper” and “thumper” were bestowed on the weapon because of the sound it made upon launching its payload. Another nickname was the “elephant gun,” due to its large 40mm (1.575- inch) bore. 

Contract Issues 

As was done with the M14 rifle, the M79 was to be designed and placed in limited production at the Springfield Armory, but most of the production was to be awarded to civilian contractors. This caused a lot of animosity between the employees of the Springfield Armory and the government. During 1961, contracts were awarded to private industry for the manufacture of the M79 grenade launcher: Contract DA-11-1199-ORD-736 went to the Action Manufacturing Company, Bristol, PA; DA-l l-199-AMC-715 went to Kannar Corp., Kingston, PA. The Action Manufacturing Company contract was reportedly terminated in December 1965. Another contract DA-11-199-ORD-730 was awarded to the Exotic Metal Products, Pasadena, CA. Although Exotic Metal Products is listed in government records as a manufacturer, it is unknown if any M79s were produced by that company. During 1966, a new contract for M79 production was awarded to Thompson Ramo Woolridge (TRW). 

Other subcontractors involved in the M79 project: 

• Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant for 40mm grenade fuzes. 
• The AMRON Corporation for cartridge case metal parts for the M118, M406 and M384 40mm grenades. 
• Crosley Avco and the U.S. Picatinny Arsenal for 40mm cartridges. 
• General Tire and Rubber Company (GenCorp) for plastic M79 buttstocks. 

40mm Ammunition 

There were numerous rounds developed for the M79, which included: training and practice rounds, high explosive (HE), high explosive dual-purpose, CS gas, pyrotechnical signal, smoke, buckshot and spotting rounds. The HE 40x46mm rounds used in the M79 are quite complex. The actual grenade, slightly smaller in diameter than a golf ball, inside the 40mm case is smaller than its hand-thrown counterpart, the M26 / M61 grenades. Fragmentation for the M79 HE round is accomplished by internally segmenting the grenade body so that it fragments according to established lines. When detonated, the engraved lines on the steel body create hundreds of small, 2-grain fragments. The fragments travel at an initial velocity of up to 5,000 feet per second from the point of detonation. But the light weight of the fragments causes them to lose velocity quickly. This gives the grenade a limited casualty radius of only 5m (16.4 feet). 

There are only 5.6 grains of M9 propellant used as a lift charge. The propelling charge is held in a cavity in the case head which has several small holes through its walls. It confines the powder gases and forces them to pass through the holes, controlling the burning. The design is bore-safe against premature detonation in the launcher. The fuze is armed after the projectile has traveled 14m to 28m. The shell fuze is a percussion type which initiates the burst on impact. 

Disadvantages 

The soldier or Marine armed with an M79 was at a disadvantage in enemy contact of less than 15m. The minimum arming range of some of the HE grenades, which, combined with its bursting radius, made the round ineffective and dangerous to friendly forces when used close-in during a sudden encounter with the enemy. To solve the problem, an anti-personnel round for the M79 was needed. The first of the close-combat rounds developed for the M79 was a “Beehive” cartridge loaded with 45 finned steel flechettes contained in a plastic sabot. The 10-grain flechettes resembled small nails with stabilizing fins. When fired, the plastic sabot holding the bundle of flechettes would break away soon after the projectile left the muzzle of the weapon, and 

the flechettes themselves would spread into a widening pattern. But, as with most of the small arms flechette loads used in Vietnam, the flechettes were not stable at the muzzle of the weapon and usually weren’t flying straight and on point first until they had traveled about 15m to 30m. In close encounters, half the flechettes would hit a target sideways or backward limiting the effectiveness of the round. To make the M79 deadly in close contact with the enemy, a shotgun-type buckshot round was developed for the weapon in the 1965–1966 time period to replace the flechette load. The resulting M576 round was loaded with 20 #4 (0.24-inch) hardened buckshots contained in a small cup designed to keep the shot pattern reasonably close at 20 to 30 yards. 

The M79 Grenade Launcher was in U.S. production from 1961 until 1971. Approximately 350,000 were manufactured before being replaced by the M203 launcher that attached under the barrel of the M16 rifle. Licensed production of the M79 by South Korea continued through the 1980s by Daewoo Precision Industries. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam reverse-engineered the M79, designated as the “M79-VN.” Unique features of that weapon include an optical sight and a maroon-color, fiberglass-reinforced plastic buttstock. Vietnam also refurbished and fielded the estimated 10,000 U.S.-made M79 launchers (and 175,000 40mm grenades) abandoned by the U.S. and South Vietnamese Armies. The Milkor M79 is a South African modernization of the M79 by the fitting of the stock, pistol grip and foregrip of the Vektor R4 assault rifle and a telescopic sight. 

Although the M79 has been largely replaced by the M203 40mm underbarrel-mounted grenade launcher, U.S. forces recently have used the M79 grenade launcher in Iraq as an answer to neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Most IED countermeasures have been high-technology electronic jamming devices sending out radio waves to either detonate or block IED electronic signals. However, not all IEDs are detonated with wireless radio-wave devices. Some are hard-wired to defeat attempts at electronic jamming. The M79 allows the stand-off distance needed to eliminate the threat and keep roads open for convoys. 

M79 and M203 40mm grenade launchers are considered “destructive devices” by the ATF. Occasionally, original GI M79s can be found offered for sale, but they can be quite expensive. An unknown number of M203 and M79 MIL-SPEC grenade launcher receivers were made by Randy Shivak. 

• • • 

Special thanks to Curator Alex MacKenzie Springfield Armory National Historic Site. 

Due in part to the growing cost and dwindling availability of Class III machine guns and suppressors, considerable interest has shifted to 37mm and 40mm launchers; now there are several options. One of the most popular is the underbarrel M203- type for mounting on a rail under a M16/AR-15 rifle. The underbarrel launchers are available in both 37mm and 40mm. There are also stand-alone models, as well as the old 38mm Federal Laboratories launchers used by police. Original GI and aftermarket 40mm M79 grenade launchers occasionally are offered for sale, and Spike’s Tactical now offers an accurate replica of the U.S. M79 launcher in unrestricted 37mm. 

For those considering the purchase of a launcher, the number one question that arises is, “What can I legally fire from the devices?” Well, much depends on the status of the launcher. 

Most 37mm launchers are primarily designed to launch flares, signal, smoke and other non-lethal rounds. 

Launcher Rounds 

Like the 37mm, 40mm launchers can fire flares and smoke, but 37mm and 40mm launchers registered with ATF as “destructive devices” can also shoot buckshot, flechettes, batons, rubber pellets, bean bags and other anti-personnel rounds. HE (high explosive) rounds are unavailable to the general public; if available, each round is considered a destructive device itself and would require a $200.00 tax per round; they also require a Federal Explosive permit and fall under strict shipping and storage guidelines. 

The definition of a “destructive device” is found in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(f). The definition reads as follows: 

(1) any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, (A) bomb, (B) grenade, (C) rocket having a propellant charge of more than 4 ounces, (D) missile having an explosive charge of more than 1/4 ounce, (E) mine or (F) similar device; 

(2) any weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes; and 

(3) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device as defined in subparagraphs (1) and (2) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. The term “destructive device” shall not include any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety or similar device; surplus ordnance sold, loaned or given by the Secretary of the Army, pursuant to the provisions of section 4684(2), 4685 or 4686 of Title 10 of the United States Code; or any other device the Secretary finds is not likely to be used as a weapon, or is an antique or is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely for sporting purposes. 

The 40mm launchers can fire the M781, GI chalk practice rounds when they can be found for sale. There are a number of different 40mm practice rounds, but the M781 round with the white nylon M212 case with a blue plastic nose cone is the most commonly available. The lift charge in the M781 cartridge is a .38 S&W BLP blank; the nose cone is filled with a bright orange powder, which is attached on a zinc pusher. Upon impact with a target, the nose cone shatters, and the powder dissipates in an orange cloud to mark where it hit. The practice rounds are designed to simulate the same ballistics as an HE round. 

Another interesting round that can be fired from registered 40mm launchers is known as the “Beehive” or “Hornet’s Nest.” The case is usually made of aluminum and holds 10 to 18 .22 rimfire cartridges, depending on the model. The .22 shells are all fired at the same time. This is accomplished by a steel disc with multiple fixed “firing pins.” The disc is actuated by a rifle primer, which thrusts the disc forward and fires the rounds. There are also 40mm shells available for simultaneously firing four .410 gauge shotgun shells. 

In addition to all the aforementioned calibers, adapters are available for both 37mm and 40mm devices to launch the surplus Czech 26.5mm or 12-gauge flares and smoke projectiles. Corrosive black powder is used as the lift charge in many 26.5mm projectiles; be sure to thoroughly clean your launcher after firing it. There are adapters available for registered launchers to fire 2 3 / 4-inch and 3-inch, 12-gauge shotgun shells. 

Loading Your Own 

There are a number of vendors that sell both loaded ammunition and kits for loading your own ammo for 37mm and 40mm launchers. The loading kits include reloadable plastic or aluminum shells, fuses and plastic or heavy rolled paper payload tubes. Rubber bands are used to assure the tubes are a tight fit inside the shell casing. The less expensive shell design uses a synthetic black powder lift charge ignited by a shotgun shell primer. The disadvantage of the black powder type is the large amount of smoke that is emitted from the muzzle, and black powder is corrosive. 

Smokeless Rounds 

The other type of shell generally uses the same plastic or paper/cardboard payload tubes, but in place of a somewhat large amount of synthetic black powder, the shell uses a small 5 to 6 grains charge of smokeless pistol powder for the lift charge and a small or large pistol primer for ignition. These shells use a similar high–low pressure system that is used in GI 40mm rounds. A copper burst disc is used to allow the pressure to build up in the high-pressure chamber until it bursts, and the pressure dissipates into the low-pressure chamber; the decreased pressure is used for launching a projectile. This type of shell produces far less smoke upon launch and has a far greater range than the black powder shells. The shells are reloadable; the downside is they are more expensive than the black powder shells, but they are built to last a lifetime. The smokeless shells are available in 37mm and 40mm. The smokeless 40mm M212-type shells can be loaded with the M79-M203 zinc pushers with a rotating band and the blue nose cones. The cones can be filled with powdered chalk normally used for chalk lines for construction projects. The chalk is available in a wide variety of colors. 

The purchasing of ready-made ammo for a 37mm or 40mm launcher can get expensive. Substantial savings can be realized by loading your own fodder. Assembling the rounds requires a few tools and supplies: a hot glue gun, rubber bands and payload tubes. Smokeless cases require: primers, a primer punch, copper sheets and a disc cutter (for making burst discs). Loading is not difficult and almost enjoyable. Most reloading kits include instructions, and a number of instructional videos can be found on YouTube. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Pace Launcher Casings, LLC Reloadable 37mm and 40mm smokeless shells 

reloadableshells.com 

American Specialty Ammo Black powder shells, launchers, fuse, payload tubes 

americanspecialtyammo.com 

MLR Distributing, LLC Launchers, reloading supplies 

mlrdistributing.com 

Exotic Ammo.com (Ordnance Group LLC) Launchers, 37mm ammo, reloading supplies 

exoticammo.com 

DeGroat Tactical Armaments, LLC 40mm .22 caliber Beehive rounds 

armamentsales.com 

Spike’s Tactical Launchers 37mm and 40mm 

spikestactical.com 

Lewis Machine & Tool Co. (LMT) 40mm Launchers 

lmtdefense.com 

Grog’s 37mm and 40mm discussion forum 

37and40mikemike.com/test/index.php

A Comprehensive Study of German Machine Gun Models

German Universal Machineguns, Volume II From the MG08 to the MG3 

• By Folke Myrvang 
• Published by Collector Grade Publications, Inc. 
• collectorgrade.com 
• ISBN 0-88935-542-8 
• Copyright 2012 
• 487 pages, 
• 986 illustrations, many in color 
• 8.5” x 11”, hardcover

I had planned to review this book along with an earlier book by the same author, together in one review. However, this was not to be, as the first book, 

MG34–MG42 German Universal Machineguns, is now out of print. 

With most multivolume books, the material is divided up between volumes so that each volume is a separate work and stands on its own; not in this case, however. There was a 10-year interval between the first and second volumes, in which the author collected many more photos and details on the various guns and accessories from many museums around Europe and collectors around world. Rather than re-issue a revised book, a second book was added. Consequently, the second volume often refers back to the first volume. All good if you have the first book when Vol. II states “See Chapter 3 for full details.” Not so fine if you do not have the earlier book. I hate to start a review on a negative note, especially when it is a quality book, but this does need to be addressed. 

Examination 

With that out of the way, let’s examine Vol. II. It continues the Part, Chapter and page numbering of Vol. I in sequence. Specifically, Vol. II begins at Part VIII, Chapter 28 and page 471. 

Part VIII is titled, “Before the MG34,” and Chapter 28 is titled, “More on the MG08.” These sections look at various upgrades made to the MG08 between the two World Wars. Chapters 29 and 30 study the MG08/15 and MG13, while Chapter 31 examines (and is titled) “Two Early MG34 Forerunners.” 

“Part IX: The Pre-Adoption Years” examines early prototypes, feed drums and optical sights, etc. 

“Part X: The MG34 at War” is the real heart of the book, at almost 150 pages. This section studies all manner of accessories, mounts, variants, gunsmith (“Waffenmeister”) support tools and production at the different factories that produced the MG34. 

“Part XI: Later Wartime Machineguns” examines the MG42 naturally, as well as lesser known experimental and prototype models such as the MG39Rh and the MG45. 

“Part XII: Post-War Countdown to the MG3,” and “Part XIII: The MG3 Era” are a detailed study (106 pages) of the introduction and adoption of the MG3, an upgraded and modernized version of the MG42. It also includes an all-new chapter (Part XII, Chapter 49) on “The German Contribution to Russian Assault Rifle Development.” This seems a bit out of place here, but it is interesting reading. While the Russian version of the story is that Mikhail Kalashnikov designed the AK-47 single-handedly, the author feels that German engineers taken back to the USSR at the end of the War contributed to the design. These designers included Dr. Werner Gruner, the inventor of the MG42, Hugo Schmeisser, inventor of the WWI-era MP18 I, and six other weapons designers. These men, along with their families, were taken to Izhevsk, to work at Plant #74, Izhmash, along side Kalashnikov. This chapter is 22 pages long, and it is complete. It fortunately does not need to refer to passages in Vol. I. 

Part XII, Chapter 50, “A Chronology of MG34 and MG42 Use after WWII” explores how the vast numbers of captured German weapons ended up in service around the world. “Part XIII: The MG3 Era,” covers the modern day use of the MG3, a direct copy of the MG42 chambered in 7.62×51 NATO. Many countries currently still use this updated gun, meaning that the basic design has been in service for 77 years. The progression from MG42, MG42/59, MG1, MG2 and finally the MG3 is well documented. 

It ends with “Part XIV: Finale,” with Chapter 53 covering the MG34 and MG42 in civilian ownership, as full-auto, semi-auto and as DEWAT. Chapter 54 explains their use by Norway’s military. As the author is Norwegian, a good deal of this book is told from a Norwegian point of view. 

An Appendix provides the best estimated production numbers, based on seen serial numbers from each of the German factories in WWII. 

Final Thoughts 

While the author’s references back to Vol. I is a bit distracting, it is not a deal-breaker. This volume still has much to offer, primarily information about rare equipment and accessories, along with many never before seen photos. It features the typical high quality Collector Grade printing, hardcover binding and solid research. At times, it does have a short, choppy writing style. This creates a sort of scrapbook effect, due to the paragraph-length sections of text on various items or subjects. 

There are no immediate plans to re-release Vol. I. Perhaps one day both volumes could be totally revised into one large volume, but again, there are no current plans to do so. 

An Informed Guide for the Thompson Buyer 

An Amateur’s Guide for the Colt’s Thompson Submachine Gun (Or How to be an Informed Buyer in a Very Expensive Market) 

• By Tom Davis, Jr. 
• Copyright 2019 
• ISBN 1794453814 
• 193 pages 
• Color photographs 
• 8.5”x 11”, Softcover 
• List price: $48.11 
• Available on Amazon 

There is little doubt that the Thompson submachine gun is a very popular NFA firearm and has a large following of dedicated enthusiasts. 

It can be said that no firearms collection is complete without at least one Thompson submachine gun. However, not all Thompsons were created equal. Variations include the original Colt-made guns of the 1920s, the 1939– 1944 World War II Thompsons and the commercial West Hurley, NY, select-fire Thompsons made during the 1970s–1980s. It’s a rather long list and confusing to a person interested in purchasing a Thompson. There is also a rather large difference in the value of each particular Thompson, though none of them are “cheap,” and all are in the five-figure price range. 

The Crown Jewels in the world of Thompsons are the Colt-made guns manufactured in the 1920s. While all Thompsons can be considered expensive, the Colt Thompsons are VERY expensive. A mint, well-documented Colt Thompson can have a value as high as six-figures. 

There have been more books written about the Thompson than any other submachine gun. However, most concentrate on the history and different models. Mr. Davis’ book differs from most related publications as it is a very detailed buyer’s guide. The use of the words Amateur’s Guide are slightly misleading, as even the most seasoned Thompson enthusiasts can learn something new from this book. 

During the time that the last Colt Thompson left the factory, nearly 100 years ago, many of the guns have been through several generations of owners and dealers. From the 1920s up to the 1980s, Colt-made Thompsons were not considered overly valuable, and many served simply as shooters. Those that were purchased, and remained, in police armories were simply tools for law enforcement. During this period, it is possible that parts were replaced, barrels bulged and worse. Often valuable original components were replaced by comparatively cheap and plentiful surplus parts from GI Thompsons made during World War II. 

The book has 20 chapters. 

Chapter 1: Books 

This chapter provides an extensive list of the many books published about the Thompson. Such publications are valuable sources for learning about the Thompson. 

Chapter 2: What to look for with a Colts [sic] 

This section covers important points to look for when considering a purchase: original finish, replacement or damaged barrel, mismatched frame and receiver; and non-original Colt parts, pointing out that spare parts are rare and expensive (a buttstock can cost upwards of $2000.00, actuators $1000.00 to $2000.00). Any parts that are not original Colt manufacture will seriously devalue a Colt-made Thompson submachine gun. 

Chapter 3: Freedom of Information Act 

This chapter serves as a guide on how to trace the history of a particular Thompson through the FOIA, including a sample letter. 

Chapter 4: Model of 1921 

All Thompsons manufactured by Colt were made in the Model of 1921 configuration, lacking a Cutts muzzle compensator. All of the original production was basically the same except for some minor manufacturing changes and markings. An in-depth, detailed study of an early production Thompson serial number 133 is presented in text and photographs. 

Chapter 5: Model of 1923 

This chapter covers the Model of 1923, of which very few were made, in several configurations chambered for the Remington-Thompson .45 cartridge that was longer and more 

powerful than the .45 ACP round. Like many variations of the Colt Thompsons, they were originally made as Model of 1921s. 

Chapter 6: Model of 1921AC 

The Model of 1921AC is simply a Model of 1921 fitted with a Cutts compensator, which was a $25.00 factory option, an upgrade introduced during 1927 to increase sales. To differentiate between the guns with or without the compensator the Thompsons with compensators were designated as the “Model of 1921AC” in sales literature. The receiver markings were not changed. The Cutts compensator proved to be a very popular option. A detailed study and history of Colt Thompson serial number 9468 is presented. 

Chapter 7: Model of 1927AC 

With lagging sales, Auto-Ordnance came up with a plan to offer a semiautomatic-only Thompson for customers who did not want their employees armed with a submachine gun. 

Again, using guns that were originally manufactured as 1921 Models, Auto-Ordnance converted them to semiautomatic by redesigning a few internal components. To complete the conversion, markings of the receivers and frames were milled out and re-marked to reflect its Model of 1927 and semiautomatic status. An in-depth study of an unaltered Model of 1927, serial number 4953, is presented. 

Chapter 8: Model of 1927A 

A 1927A Model is the same as the 1927 semiautomatic carbine but without a Cutts compensator. Most 1927 carbines were fitted with compensators; an example without a compensator is unique. Model of 1927A serial number 5177 is featured; this Thompson was seized by the St. Louis Police Department. The original serial number was ground off the receiver. A crime lab was able to raise the original number, and it was subsequently hand-stamped onto the receiver. This chapter includes a detailed photo array comparing the original Colt 1927 Model semiautomatic components with components for a 1921 Model submachine gun. 

Chapter 9: Model of 1928—U.S. Navy 

The Model of 1928 was the “slowed down” version of the Thompson. The Model of 1928 featured a slower cyclic rate than the Model of 1921. This was accomplished by the use of a heavier actuator, a new spring, buffer pilot and buffer. Built using off-the-shelf 1921 Models, with the number 1 over-stamped with a number 8. Many were stamped “U.S. Navy,” and despite the markings, many were sold to commercial customers. The 1928 Model was available with a vertical or horizontal foregrip and the optional Cutts compensator. Featured is a detailed examination of a 1928 Navy Model, serial number 4328. Also in this chapter is a detailed look at the 1928 actuators and the different types of Cutts compensators fitted on Thompsons. Serial number 7805 is shown fitted with a horizontal foregrip. 

Chapter 10: The Navy A 

The Cutts compensator option is common on the Model of 1928 Navy Thompsons, making one without a compensator rare. Featured are two U.S. Navy Models of 1928, serial numbers 7620 and 5824, both lacking compensators and fitted with horizontal foregrips with sling swivels. Both Thompsons were purchased from Auto-Ordnance by the Virginia Department of Corrections. 

Chapter 11: The Swedish 1928A 

During 1940, the Swedish government ordered 500 Model of 1928 Thompson submachine guns without Cutts compensators. Unique to the Swedish Thompsons was the addition of a letter “A” after the model number. Featured is serial number 14555. 

Chapter 12: U.S. Model of 1928 A1 

Prior to World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army submachine guns were procured in odd, small lots. One large order for 951 Model of 1928 Thompsons was received. It is likely that those Thompsons were marked as “U.S. Model of 1928 A1.” An extremely small number of Colt Thompsons are known to exist with such markings. Pictured with the U.S. and A1 markings are serial numbers 14975, 11410, 11551, 14322 and 14184. Serial number 14975 was owned by Ellis Props and Graphics of Hollywood, California, and appeared in a number of television programs and movies. 

Chapter 13: Those 1928 Navy Actuators 

As noted earlier, one of the changes made to the Model of 1921 to the slower firing 1928 Model was the actuator. This chapter covers the three different styled actuators found in the 1928 “Navy” Thompsons. Actuators from several different Thompsons are discussed. 

Chapter 14: 1922 Patent Dates 

On the right side of Colt Thompsons is a list of patent dates and on most guns the “JHB” inspection mark. Generally, most interest is focused on the serial number, and the patent dates are often overlooked other than a cursory glance. This chapter reveals the minor differences in the dates and alignment on different serial number ranges. 

Chapter 15: The Last Colts 

There were 15,000 Thompson submachine guns manufactured by Colt. The serial numbers of the production guns began with number 41 made in March 1921 and ended with 15040 manufactured in July 1922. Detailed photographs of serial number 15025 are presented. This Thompson, a 1928 Navy Model, is the highest known serial number in the U.S. 

Chapter 16: The St. Louis Police Department Thompson Guns 

Starting sometime during the 1920s and 1930s, the St. Louis, Missouri, Police Department began to procure Thompson submachine guns, 29 in all. The inventory included 1921A, 1921AC Thompson submachine guns and several Model of 1927 Thompson semiautomatic carbines. 

Four of the Thompsons in possession of the St. Louis PD were seized from gangsters operating in St. Louis PD’s jurisdiction. There are numerous detailed photographs and documents on the St. Louis PD and other Thompsons that were used by criminals. 

Chapter 17: Thompson Gun Spare Part Kit Container 

This chapter covers several accessories, one of which is the spare parts kit container, a rare and very expensive item that is often missing from hardcases. Since there were many collectors who had hardcases for displaying their Thompsons but were missing the coveted spare parts containers, reproductions were introduced to fill a void. Unfortunately, the reproduction kits were not marked to identify them as reproductions. The kits are described in detail as well as how to identify a genuine original parts kit container from a reproduction. 

Chapter 18: Should I Shoot My Colts? 

Colt-made Thompsons have increased in value to the point that for many, they have become “too valuable to shoot.” There is a good reason for this line of thinking, because if an original actuator ear breaks off, or a barrel bulges, replacement parts are rare and if found, expensive. This chapter offers some tips and suggestions for those desiring to shoot their Thompsons. 

Chapter 19: Cleaning and Staining of Gunstocks 

This section offers some tips on cleaning and restoring of old stocks and foregrips. 

Chapter 20: The Last Advice… 

This chapter provides detailed photos and advice on what to look for when considering purchasing an expensive Colt Thompson submachine gun and how to identify original Colt parts from GI issue and reproduction parts. 

Summary 

This is a very detailed, well-researched book. It is highly recommended for anyone considering the purchase of a Thompson or an individual who owns one or more. The text is well-written, and there are excellent color photographs. Spend a few dollars for this book before spending thousands on a Thompson. 

• • • 

Other works by Tom Davis, Jr. 

Great Britain – The Tommy Gun Story, available on Amazon.com. List price: $29.99. Copyright 2014 

Gunsite Academy is the oldest privately operated firearm training institution. Started by the legendary Jeff Cooper, this school prepares students for deadly force encounters rather than competitions. The competition-minded southpaw author attended a 5-day 223 carbine course (first of the series) with his Colt AR-15A2 carbine. 

Knowledgeable instructors, detailed instructions and ample facilities provided information that cannot be gleaned by merely reading and practicing on “flat ranges.” While the author discovered gaps in his low-light and CQB skills, he expects every student to discover his own shortcomings and to leave Gunsite with the necessary redress. Here are some lessons learned. 

The Mindset 

A phrase often repeated by instructors was, “this is a fighting school.” “Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas” (“Accuracy, Power, Speed”) form the Gunsite triad. Since no two problems are alike and there is no cure-all, this course teaches “many ways to skin a cat” albeit with their own trade-offs. 

Instructors induced stressors to ensure performance under pressure. Lower on the pressure scale, the same drills were not consecutively called in order to maintain vigilance. Higher on the pressure scale, the author experienced precipitous performance decline during the culminating exam. While satisfactory during warm-up practices, the author’s trigger control declined during time-pressured sessions, proving Gunsite wisdom: “Speed is the devil.” 

As trouble travels in packs, students are constantly reminded to search and assess. Gunsite teaches that shooters should follow the target to the ground with a finger on the trigger in case the threat resurges, before sweeping laterally (finger off trigger) and repeating with every elevation change. Compared to a weekend course, 5 days afforded many repetitions to form new habits. 

Stopping Threats 

To effectively stop threats, one must balance speed with accurate shot placement to the upper chest or soft tissue area of head. The upper chest presents a larger area, but the effect is delayed. Soft tissue of the head (so named because eyes and nose offer an unfettered path to the brain) is significantly smaller with little margin of error, but the effect is instant. Inside 15 yards, the author felt confident aiming for the head at speed, even with iron sights. At 25 yards, he was more comfortable with speed and margins of the upper chest. 

At “bad breath” distances, sight-height-over-bore means point-of-aim must be higher than desired point-of-impact. This holdover differs between rifles, optic configurations and zero distances to name some factors. Using the instructor’s recommended 50-yard zero (yielding less than 2 inches of deviation between point-of-aim and point-of-impact out to 200 yards), the author found the tabulated aiming references to work well with his AR-15-A2. 

Manipulation 

Gunsite Academy taught students to visually and tactilely confirm manipulations, such as loading and malfunction clearing, for both low-light use and safety assurances. The author interpreted this methodical approach to value certainties, purchased with some up-front time, to avoid surprises “for want of a nail.” 

To build this certainty, magazines are pushed then pulled to confirm proper seating. To confirm proper feeding, if time permits, students are taught to remember which side of the magazine the top round resides; seat magazine; chamber; then withdraw magazine and confirm the top round shifted to opposite side. The author appreciated this technique not only for low-light but for rifles with deeply recessed ejection ports (e.g., HK MP5, FN F2000) that make “brass check” impossible. 

When practising speed and partial magazine reloads (aka tac-load or reload with retention), the author experienced wrist fatigue. Mild fatigue prevented him from pointing the rifle at the threat while reloading; rotating it up and into his “workspace” eased burden but cost time. Severe fatigue prevented the magazine from seating during bolt-forward reloads, even with less-than-full magazines. To keep plodding on, the author placed his primary hand atop upper-receiver for leverage. While the author strengthens his wrists, he will ponder whether to lock the open bolt before reload as a general policy; he already observes this for HK G3 and MP5 as they lack last round bolt-hold-open. This exchanges the possibility of one (chambered) round for the certainty of a full magazine. 

To clear malfunctions, Gunsite teaches immediate action drill (Push-Pull-Roll-Rack- Assess) with additional steps to clear double-feeds. Push-pull ensures seating; slap does not confirm seating and can cause top rounds to jump feedlips and further foul action if the bolt were stuck to the rear. Roll carbine until ejection port faces the ground; this eases egress of offending rounds. Rack to clear chamber. Assess situation, as it may have evolved such that shooting is no longer warranted. 

A bolt not returning home during rack indicates double-feed, and one should first lock the open bolt, withdraw the magazine, insert a hand through magazine well to clear action, rack to clear chamber and finally reload. When the author unexpectedly experienced a double-feed, he visually identified it while his mind started taking shortcuts. After he fouled the sequence, all focus was directed at the rifle with no focus left for situational awareness. This experience illustrated the importance of a well-practiced and methodical checklist. 

Being ambidextrous, the author switches shoulders when slicing corners to reduce exposure. The instructor pointed out that doing so rendered one unable to respond for the duration (about two seconds) if a threat unexpectedly presents itself. As a testament to instructor caliber, Gunsight also taught the author an impromptu lesson via learning-by-doing: if one intends to shoot ambidextrously, one should be equally proficient at shooting and manipulating from either shoulder. When the author was shooting from support-side (right), instructor unexpectedly called various reload 

and malfunction drills. While fumbling, the author learned that placing all magazines on his right side meant none were at hand for a right-handed reload. As such, he supported his rifle with his left hand on the handguard so the southpaw manual-of-arms can be used. 

Shooting Positions 

For brevity, this section only covers a few tips. One such tip concerns how to quickly mount a rifle from low-ready: place buttstock toe high up into shoulder pocket such that comb contacts chin for a touch index. This helped the author consistently acquire proper sight alignment and sight picture, yielding faster reaction times and more accurate shot placements. 

Decidedly unconventional positions where a rifle is rotated 90 degrees (ejection port facing sky or ground) were introduced for use in urban environments or VTAC barricades common for many matches. To shoot over low cover (e.g., high roadway curbs, low flower beds), students learned supine prone. Lying on the back, students rolled toward the target just enough for rifles to fire over cover. To shoot through low openings, urban prone rotates a standing position orthogonally so the spine parallels the ground with the rifle merely inches off terra firma. Support hand is balled under handguard for support. Although not covered in class, the lower body can be further tucked behind cover such as a brake disc and rim to shoot under vehicles. The author also found success adopting this position for use with the bottom row of a VTAC barricade. In contrast, SBU prone adopts a traditional prone position with shoulders square to target, but the rifle is turned sideways and placed over shoulder to shoot through lateral slats such as those on a second-to-bottom row of a VTAC barricade. Also not covered, the same upper body position reused in kneeling allows one to shoot over vehicles with minimal head exposure; rifle rotation places bore at same elevation as the eye. With all three positions, sight-height-over-bore induces lateral offset which must be learned through practice. This course only afforded one practice session for these positions. 

For the outdoor-minded student, instructors discussed impromptu rifle support on vertical and horizontal surfaces familiar to Precision Rifle Series shooters. Outdoor Scrambler and Military Crest outdoor simulators provide ample opportunities for practice. Many other instructions are not mentioned here for brevity, but all are eminently useful and well worth the price of admission. 

Low-Light Exercises 

The course included an evening session to introduce low-light shooting. As twilight did not start until around 19:30 during summer, the session was limited to roughly 90 minutes (hampered by range limitations). Instructors discussed handheld light features and stressed simplicity in operation. 

Exercises during twilight, without illumination, showed limits of human vision and iron sights. Targets featured a black sweater and drawn revolver; the former made the black front sight post all but invisible while the latter proved difficult to identify past 7 yards. Since identification is a necessary precursor to engagement, this illustrated the attacker’s advantage and likely engagement distance. 

After darkness fell, the instructor stood behind students and swept his flashlight across them to simulate vehicle headlights, allowing a fleeting engagement. The author’s own backlit shadow obscured the front sight post, but he muddled through with body indexing, thus proving the worth of tactile memory. However, electro-optics would drastically improve matters. 

As befitting an introductory-level course, only handheld lighting techniques were discussed. Flashlights are common household items and are normally carried by prepared individuals as part of their daily kit. Even when equipped with weapon-mounted lights, handheld techniques are useful in case of malfunctions. 

Harries technique for rifles is analogous to that for pistols. An arm with light forms an “iron bar” that pulls against rifle magazine well, preferably at a point closer to the elbow than the wrist for strength. While this requires a bladed stance that leaves recoil-control wanting, the author found thumb activation of light intuitive and sight picture stable. 

The SureFire technique pinches the light between index and middle fingers of the support hand while bracing the tail switch against a vertical surface (e.g., magazine well or vertical foregrip) for weapon support. Curling one’s fingers towards the palm activates the light. 

The author found superior stability and recoil control, but one of his lights gave inconsistent activation. Pelican 2360 featured a low-profile tail switch; this required precise placement when pulled against a flat AR-15 magazine well in order to activate. A convex thumb pad or ribbed magazine (e.g., “Circle 10” magazine for Arsenal SLR-106 as pictured) provided reliable activation. In contrast, the Pelican 1910 tail switch protrudes further and activates reliably with this technique. It should be noted that lights with shrouded tail switches (e.g., SureFire Aviator) are incompatible with this technique. 

This session’s farthest distance was 15 yards, presumably to accommodate lights with low output and/or reach. The author’s two-AA-powered Pelican 2360 casts a spot beam with little spill, trading situational awareness for farther reach. His one-AAA-powered Pelican 1910 casts mostly a flood beam with short reach. His weapon-mounted, two-CR123-powered, SureFire X300 Ultra has significantly brighter output with a wide spot beam that amply covers a torso at these distances; there is abundant spill for situational awareness as well. Note that the X300, designed for pistols, trades reach for wider spot beam and more spill when compared to the rifle-oriented Scout series. The light was mounted to front sight block via Midwest Industries MCTAR-04. 

Readers are encouraged to experiment in a safe environment to find their own preferred technique. Facilities that allow night-time shooting are scarce, and indoor ranges with dimmed lights may be a useful substitute. 

Indoor CQB / Room Clearing 

The essential lesson learned regarding single-person CQB is to avoid it altogether unless there is an overwhelming imperative such as family member in imminent danger. While the author learned a great deal about footwork and path planning, he was disconcerted by the inevitable exposure to uncleared spaces. 

This course taught the proper way to slice corners. One should take small lateral side-steps until the edge of a potential threat is seen. Then, without pause, lean out to assess and engage if necessary. To avoid crossing one’s feet and failing to lead with foot closest to corner, one should lead with left foot when slicing left. In addition, do not move back behind cover when a potential threat is seen; this allows the threat to aim in with disastrous consequences. 

Instructors emphasized proper path planning to reduce uncleared spaces into manageable problems; although there are still inevitable “soup sandwiches” that illustrate why single-person CQB should be avoided. Students learned to approach doors from knob side, open authoritatively, then step back and slice corner as described above. Approaching from hinge side is not ideal, as feet or a shadow visible through gaps can alert threats and allow them to aim in. Another imperative is to properly plan footwork and a path for the entry itself. Lining up parallel to a wall and leading with the foot closest to the wall, move directly to opposite deep corner. Since average doorways (“fatal funnel”) require two steps to transit, it gives time to assess and address threats in the deep corner. On the third step, feet are properly positioned for pivoting toward the other deep corner while assessing the rest of the room. 

Gunsite shoot-houses provide scenarios for putting lessons into practice. The author learned that he moved too fast; when combined with fixating on one uncleared space, he was caught off guard by another threat. Additionally, he forgot about sight-height-over-bore when leaning around cover, so projectiles impacted the door frame and deflected from point-of-aim. His liberal expenditure of ammunition, combined with his forgetting to perform partial-magazine reloads, led to an empty rifle while engaging multiple targets. As he had practised his pistol transition without incorporating movements, he also didn’t move during the scenario despite kneeling to reduce his profile behind a dinner table. These lessons alone are well worth the tuition. To remedy these shortcomings, the author practices with multiple magazines loaded with a small and random amount of ammunition to force unexpected reloads or pistol transitions. 

Threat identification is a vital, but little practised, part of deadly force encounters. Most “flat-range” sessions, including competitions with no-shoot targets, only exercise the Act part of the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act loop. The author discovered this deficiency during the shoot-house scenario: his observation and decision time felt slow and required mental focus instead of being an instinctive action. Indeed, he failed to properly identify a suicide bomber (requiring a headshot) under pressure of multiple target engagements. Other students indicated this to be a common theme. A remedial drill would be posting targets with different numbers and having a partner call a random number; the trainee must search for and engage the correct number. 

This course only afforded one shoot-house scenario. For a “real world” application, the author surmises there is higher likelihood in clearing a room than shooting 100 yards. A shoot-house offers unique training opportunities not available elsewhere due to range constraints; the author learned important lessons in this scenario. 

Colt AR-15A2 

Overall, the AR-15A2 did not experience major deficiencies throughout the entire course. A2 iron sights were not an insurmountable handicap. For headshots up to 15 yards, the rear aperture could be ignored if the mount were consistent. At 25 yards, the author required the proper front and rear sight alignments to achieve good results; electro-optics, such as red dot sights, could alleviate this. At 100 yards, the author found more success with the small aperture than the large one. With no time pressure, he was able to produce similar group sizes with both, but the large aperture produced impacts almost 1 foot lower. At further distances, he had trouble focusing on the front sight; however, instructors’ coaching built his confidence using the iron sights. 

A light (aka A1) profile barrel, comparable to other service rifles such as AK-74 (5.45x39mm) and G36 (5.56x45mm), reduced weight and made long shooting sessions enjoyable. The author did not experience point-of-impact shifts attributable to thermal effects, as any were masked by shooter error. Of the three broad-categories of barrel profiles tabulated, the author favors light profile for carbines as it staves off fatigue and quickens target transitions. While profile affects thermal properties and accuracy potential, it is only one of many factors in the complicated relationship (see Chiu, Alton. “The ‘Proof’ Is in the Precision Proof Research Carbon Fiber Barrel.” Small Arms Review, Vol. 23, No. 7, pp. 50–55). 

The author used his Geissele Hi-Speed National Match two-stage trigger installed with “DMR” spring set for a 3-pound first stage. Second stage was set at 8 ounces and creep removed with internal adjustments. This provided predictable trigger breaks on-demand, affording precision in unstable positions or elevated heartbeat. The author credits this trigger with completing the outdoor scrambler fastest in his class (67.2 seconds with all first-round hits), earning him a Gunsite challenge coin. 

Final Thoughts

Gunsite’s professional and always cheerful instructors facilitate absorption of material developed with a combative mindset. As a competition-minded shooter, the author found many topics illuminating. However, 5 days aren’t enough to introduce, much less master, materials, and he would have liked more shoot-house scenarios. He sincerely believes students of all skill levels will find this course enlightening and fun.

For more information, see gunsite.com.

Regular Small Arms Review readers may recall the article, “Big Bore Cartridges for AR-10s & AR-15s” (Vol. 22, No. 8, October 2018) in which this author examined the big-bore cartridge trend as it relates to the AR-10 and AR-15 platforms. At the time, I noted that the list is growing all the time and to expect new designs to appear. 

Sure enough, there is a new cartridge to report on, and this one is a monster! The .475 Bishop Short Magnum (BSM) from Bishop Ammunition and Firearms is claimed to create approximately 5,400 ft.-lbs. of energy for the maximum load. That is definitely African dangerous game power level. This load fires a solid copper 390-grain bullet at 2500 fps from a 24-inch barrel. It is worth noting that this exceeds most factory loads for the .458 Winchester mag and all of the classic British “Nitro” rounds in the .450 to .476 range. 

While it would make a fine elephant round, it actually was designed for a different purpose. Merrisa Bishop, president of Bishop Ammunition and Firearms, designed this round for military use. She wanted a rifle and cartridge combo that had enough bonk to kill a vehicle, yet was far more portable than a typical rifle chambered in .50 BMG. The Bishop AR475GAR (Godzilla Auto Rifle) is built on a standard AR-10 platform, ensuring a handy package in a familiar layout. The rifle weighs 12 pounds. This includes a tungsten buffer to add weight and 

help tame recoil. An eight-port muzzle brake also helps as well. 

Features 

As with several other recently introduced cartridge designs, this one features a rebated rim. The .475 BSM case uses the same rim diameter as the .308 Winchester case, thereby allowing the use of a standard AR-10 bolt and carrier. The case has a length of 2.182 inches (55.4mm). Under the European naming system, this cartridge would be named 12×55.4RB. Speaking of names, the original prototype was called the “.475 Odin,” and some online gun forum posts still mention the Odin name. This was dropped to prevent issues with another similar name. 

The case body is an impressive .588-inch diameter, the same diameter as a .338 Lapua or .416 Rigby case. Merrisa explained that the case was designed from scratch with the dimensions of the AR-10 Star Chamber as the size limitation for its base and shoulder diameters. The cartridge OAL is 2.85 inches, allowing it to feed through a standard AR-10 magwell. The magazine itself will need to have its feed lips adjusted to accommodate the large body diameter. The AR475GAR rifle feeds from an AR-10 mag modified to single-stack, center-feed. Each cartridge case is CNC-machined from virgin brass by Roberson Cartridge Company. The Bishop-designed 390-grain bullets are CNC-machined by Cutting Edge Bullets. These are solid copper and feature a deep hollow-point to promote aggressive expansion. The new cartridge is designed to operate at a maximum pressure of 65,000 psi. 

Bishop also makes a bolt-action rifle called the .475 Safari in the same chambering. The .475 Safari and the AR475GAR were both unveiled at SHOT 2019. 

I asked if there might be a full family of calibers based upon the BSM case in the future. Merrisa replied, “We are considering a full magnum cartridge based on the .338 Lapua case and cartridge lengths. But at this time it is just theory. I am also considering a necked down version in a .375 caliber or possibly a sabot round in the .475.” 

Company History 

The business began as Bishop Ammunition Manufacturing, in 2009. Founded by Merrisa and Dianne Bishop, both are U.S. military veterans who have served in times of conflict. Merrisa, the president, is a disabled combat veteran and former Army military police officer and long-range marksman. She credits her father for introducing her to firearms. “My father was a U.S. Marine in the 1950s and taught me how to shoot when I was 6 years old. The U.S. Army further refined my shooting skills, and I became intimately familiar with the M16 rifle, its components and its shortcomings. As I was growing up my father taught me about ammunition reloading, quality control and gunsmithing.” 

Dianne is a former Air Force veteran, serving on active duty from 1982 to 1986 in satellite communications, operator-technician. She then served in the Air Force Active Reserves as a jet engine mechanic on C-5 Galaxy engines from 1988 to 1996. She was involuntarily recalled for active duty in 1991 for operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She was a 7-level Staff Sergeant when she transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve in 1996, until her Honorable Discharge in December 2000. 

Dianne takes care of all graphic design, website and ammunition production. Merrisa does the research and development of rifle and ammunition products, as well as being in charge of rifle builds. 

It is the innovation and initiative shown by small businesses such as Bishop that keeps the shooting sports interesting. You probably do not need a massive thumper such as the .475 BSM, but it is great to know that you can have one if you desire. I wish Merrisa and Dianne the best of success. 

RESOURCES 

Bishop Ammunition and Firearms 

bishopammunition.com 

Cutting Edge Bullets 

cuttingedgebullets.com 

Roberson Cartridge Company (RCC Brass) 

rccbrass.com/475-bishop 

As soon as Hiram Maxim invented automatic firearms, inventors tried to find novel means of operation to make their gun designs simpler, cheaper, lighter, more powerful and more reliable. 

But, not only was Maxim first to harness the gun’s own self-generated force to operate it, he went about imagining and patenting every method he could think of to achieve this. Gun designers hoping to dazzle the world often found Maxim’s name already attached to almost every variation of recoil and gas operation. 

Blowback is the simplest form of automatic operation. It is simple in concept and manufacture. The gun is powered by the energy of the firing cartridge “blowing back.” The case pushes the bolt back, usually against spring pressure, and energizes parts to extract and eject the spent case. The now compressed operating spring subsequently pushes the bolt forward, recharging the gun. 

But, the simplicity is deceptive. Blowback is a balancing act of ammunition, bolt weight and spring strength. There are upper limits to the power. As the limits are approached, bad things start happening. Gas pressure can bulge, split or blow the case apart. The forward part of the case, being thinner than the rear, can press so firmly into the chamber it sticks and separates while the rear part moves back, often damaging the gun and injuring the user. At best, the speed of the action will become violent, damaging internal parts and spewing out empty cases at dangerous speeds. The designer can add mass and spring resistance to counter this, but these will make the gun difficult to use. The designer must then devise some means of delaying the opening of the breech until the bullet has left the barrel and allowed pressure in the case to drop. This usually means gas operation or a complex design of recoil operation. 

As blowback operation is limited by the power of the cartridge, raising the safe limit can result in one of two desirable things: a more powerful cartridge can be used, or the gun can be made lighter. 

Giovanni Angelli had an answer. When the Italian firm FIAT was born in 1899, Giovanni Angelli was one of the founders. By 1902, he was Managing Director and by 1920, Chairman of the Board. 

FIAT-Revelli Model 1914 

In World War I, FIAT was making the 6.5mm FIAT-Revelli Model 1914 for the Italian Army. The gun had extraction problems and required the cartridges be oiled to overcome sticking. In the search to improve the gun, Angelli was issued Italian patent 8943. It covered two types of chamber modifications. One was intended to delay the opening of the breech, and the other was meant to ease it. 

Both were accomplished by adding grooves into the chamber. In order to ease extraction, grooves reach ahead of the case and channel gas backwards, between the chamber wall and the case, to push or “float” the case away from the chamber wall. These grooves, called “flutes,” are found in many firearms from pistols to grenade launchers. 

But, extraction can also be delayed by cutting grooves into the chamber walls that do not reach far enough ahead of the case to channel gas back. Instead, the brass of the case bulges into the indentations under pressure. The distorted case then has to be swaged back down during extraction. All this creates a delay by increasing “stickiness” rather than easing it. 

The expelled cases from fluted chamber guns are usually easily recognized. Some may be physically distorted by the fluting while most are simply betrayed by patterns of soot. 

Vest Pistol 

In the 1920s, Fritz Mann was a German businessman and gun designer in his family’s manufacturing firm. The “Vest Pistol” was a popular accessory, and Mann’s company was competing in the fiercely contested market. Mann needed to elevate his blowback gun above the competition. 

While his gun featured a number of innovations, Mann’s 1920 German Patent 334098 describes a chamber-ring based on Angelli’s concept. 

Mann cut a ring around the inner chamber wall, roughly 1mm deep and 3mm wide. When the gun was fired, the brass of the cartridge case was forced outward into the ring, only to be swaged back as blowback forced the case to the rear. The swelling and squeezing delayed the breech opening enough to allow the empty case to be withdrawn without a bulging head or separation. Mann’s firm produced two .25 ACP models, the Model 20 and Model 21. The ejected cases are clearly identifiable thanks to the ring. Because the .25 ACP cartridge is not overly powerful, the guns could digest a variety of ammunition. The gun was moderately successful, but Mann made a number of other products, allowed the gun department to languish and folded in 1938. 

In the years after WWI, Angelli and FIAT revisited the troubled 1914 machine gun. Their redesigned FIAT 28 used two full-length chamber flutes to float the case and replace the original’s oiler. The new gun also featured belt-feed instead of the awkward clips previously used. For all this, the Model 28 was not a good gun. Angelli’s flutes brought better results in the Breda 30 LMG in a 7mm made for Costa Rica. Instead of the two flutes of the FIAT, it used 30 full-chamber-length flutes to ease extraction. 

A New Chamber Concept 

A completely different chamber concept was devised and patented by American David “Carbine” Williams between the World Wars. Colt Firearms had wanted to offer their 1911 pistol in .22 long rifle. Their first attempt was an indifferent blowback design. The next try was designed by “Carbine” Williams and used his “floating chamber.” 

The inside of the chamber itself was not unusual, but the chamber was in a separate section that slipped into an enlarged and elongated chamber in the barrel. As the bullet fired, gases pushed into the gap between the front of the floating chamber and the barrel. The pressure exerted on the front of the moving chamber forced it back, transmitting enough force to function the gun. The design, being confined to the slide assembly, also meant a conversion slide could be sold and slipped onto existing 1911 lowers. Known as the “Ace Conversion,” this was a great success, and Williams designed a similar system for firing .22s from the .30 belt-fed Browning guns. 

The 1932 Soviet Union used chamber flutes in their ShKAS aircraft gun to handle a special high-powered 7.62×51 rimmed round. 

The Soviets next used flutes at the fronts of the chambers of their Tokarev SVT-38 and SVT- 40 gas-operated rifles. These were the first mass-produced guns with flutes and were used throughout WWII. 

Over 50 years later, the Russian PP-9 KLIN version of the KEDR submachinegun appeared. While the KEDR is a straight blowback gun chambered for the 9x18mm, the KLIN has helical grooves (picture compressed rifling) in its chamber. These are designed to delay operation by its hopped-up 9x18mm PPM Makarov cartridge. 

The Swiss embraced chamber flutes when they upgraded their arsenal after WWII to incorporate a series of roller-locked automatic rifles. The early SIG SAUER Stgw 57 used eight flutes in groups of two. The subsequent SIG AMT semiauto in 7.62 NATO used 16 evenly distributed flutes, and the later SIG 510 in 7.5mm and 7.62 NATO used eight flutes. The belt-fed MG 710 light machine guns (LMGs) all use 12 flutes. 

The recoil-operated, belt-fed French AAT Model 52 LMG was introduced in 1952. It uses 16 flutes to aid extraction of the 7.5mm or 7.62mm NATO cartridge. The French bullpup FAMAS in 5.56 NATO is also recoil-operated and uses 16 flutes to aid extraction. 

Spanish Star Z-45, Z-62, Z-70 and Z-84 SMGs all use 18 flutes, except for one Z-70 variation which uses10. The CETME Model 58 rifle, designed by former Mauser engineers, used 16 flutes. Later still, CETME SPAM LMG in 5.56mm used 16 flutes, and the 1970s Spanish AMELI 5.56mm LMG was a scaled down MG-42 with a fluted chamber. 

Germany’s Heckler & Koch (HK) developed the HK 91 from the Spanish CETME, itself an evolution of the late WWII Mauser Stg 45. After post-War France declined to go ahead with development of the Stg system, the ex-Mauser engineers moved to Spain to design the successful CETME. The Stg 45/CETME action did not actually lock. The system of semi-locked rollers remained locked under pressure and released as the pressure dropped. This worked well with the medium power German 8mm Kurz cartridge, but the full-power 7.62mm NATO was too powerful. The Spanish simply adopted a lower-powered version of the cartridge. 

Germany, being a NATO member, was committed to the standard NATO cartridge, and German engineers were determined to make the roller-lock system work. They made a development deal with CETME and added chamber flutes. This made all the difference; the resulting HK91 rifle was adopted by Germany as the G3. The various HK91 rifles and the firm’s HK93 5.56mm NATO rifles use fluted chambers with 18 flutes, and the belt-fed HKs in 7.62mm NATO all use chamber flutes. CETMEs soon featured the flutes. The function of the flutes has been occasionally misinterpreted as a method of slowing the extraction similar to a chamber ring, but this was never the case. 

Fluted Chambers for Handguns 

HK applied fluted chambers to their handguns as well. The HK 4 in .380 issued to German police and Customs has chamber cuts designed to delay the action. The HK 4 in .22 also has four flutes, but they are meant to assist extraction. 

Many roller-locked guns, whether fully locked by design or not, have a weakness known as “bolt-bounce.” If the rollers are not properly positioned at the instant of firing, the bolt can open prematurely with severe consequences. In the MG42, the bolt can close and the firing pin strikes the primer at the appropriate time, but if the inertia of the bolt slamming to battery results in the locking rollers momentarily “bouncing” back when a cartridge coincidentally hangs fire, the result can be catastrophic. The ill-timed delay in ignition can cause the cartridge to fire with the gun unlocked. This was cured by adding a device to the bolt which held the rollers outward to prevent any bounce. The same issue affected the Swiss SIG 510. In this case, the gun fires from a closed bolt, but here again the slamming of the bolt could cause it to bounce back and partially unlock. The Swiss chose to cure this by modifying the chamber. It incorporates flutes to float the cartridge case, but the chamber also has a step at the shoulder which prevents the case from fully entering the chamber until the closing bolt rams it in a fraction of an inch. This slows the final closing and keeps the bolt face from striking the back of the barrel hard enough to generate “bolt-bounce.” 

The discontinued 9mm and .40 HK P7 and the P9S 9mm use flutes to assist extraction. The 9mm HK MP5 submachine gun uses16 flutes. 

The Kimball 

A post-World War II American handgun took Mann’s design to the extreme. While Mann’s guns were small and elegant, the Kimball was pure Detroit. Born in the 1950s, it was big, brawny and loud. Made by J. Kimball Arms, it fired the .30 carbine cartridge. The carbine round may be considered sub-powered for a shoulder gun, but it is certainly at the top end of pistol ammunition. 

The Kimball is a large gun, or was, as its career was short. It was an attractive gun, finely cause dangerous conditions, particularly when powerful cartridges are used. 

The substantial recoil, large flash and enthusiastic operation made the Kimball a handful to shoot, but fear of mechanical failure doomed the enterprise. The slide relied on lugs at the rear of the frame to bring its rearward travel to a halt. Several examples showed evidence of being battered out of shape, and this led to fear of the lugs failing and letting the slide rocket back into the shooter’s face. There are no reports of this actually happening, but several reviews pointing out the perceived dangers helped bring the enterprise down in 1955. Only 238 were made, and it is a sought-after collectors’ gun today. 

The AutoMag II 

At first, the Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge, or WMR, was deemed too powerful for straight blowback. One of the first to challenge this limitation was the early AutoMag II designed by Harry Sanford and Larry Grossman and made by AMT (Arcadia Machine and Tool). The issue was not a premature exit of the case causing case failure but difficulty in extraction. 

The AutoMag II used a unique system. The barrel outside the chamber is machined to thin it down, and 18 holes are drilled through into the chamber. The front six are located just ahead of the case mouth. A steel sleeve is welded over the machined and drilled outer chamber area. When the gun is fired, gas fills the small chamber created by the sleeve and bleeds back into the chamber through the 12 rear holes. The gas floats the case, reducing adhesion and allowing extraction. While it presents cleaning issues, the idea worked and could be made expensively. 

Chinese Designers Take a Stab 

Communist Chinese designers also resorted to fluted chambers. Their silenced Type 64SMG has three flutes at the front of the chamber. The Model 80 7.62mm full-auto pistol (a homage to the 1932 Mauser 712 broom-handle) has six flutes; the more conventional Type 64 in 7.62mm has four helical retarding grooves; and the Type 77 7.62mm has an annular groove near the back of the chamber to retard operation. 

Grendel P30 

The Grendel P30 was designed by George Kellgren and first marketed in 1990. The 30-round handgun fires the .22 WMR. Kellgren incorporated 16 chamber flutes to aid in functioning. Production ceased in 1994. 

A range of .22 WMR cartridges suited to short barrels enabled Kellgren to refine the P30 design into the Kel-Tec PMR-30 without using a fluted chamber. When Hi-Standard re-introduced the AutoMag II, they were able to eliminate the holes in the chamber of the originals. 

Today, the legacy of Mann’s handgun lives on in L.W. Seecamp Co. guns. Seecamp was founded by Ludwig Wilhelm Seecamp, a gunsmith in pre-WWII Germany and a survivor of service in the Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front. Seecamp came to America after the War and settled in Connecticut. He began making a simple concealable double-action in .25 ACP. He had doubtless seen the Mann guns in Germany and used the chamber-ring delay to develop .32 and .380 versions. Admirers called them the “Rolex” of small handguns and demand soon out-reached supply. After the elder Seecamp passed on, the company remained a family enterprise, run by his equally talented son, Lueder “Larry” W. Seecamp. Before Larry Seecamp passed on in 2018, he sold the company. The larger caliber guns are now made in Massachusetts, no longer back-ordered and still remarkable for their quality, small size and concealability. 

Certainly the fluted chamber fills a narrow area of need, but shooters will be puzzling over oddly patterned brass on the ranges for many years to come. 

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My thanks to James Samalea, Carol Mintoff, Larry Albright and Mike Strannahan, Albright’s Gun Shop, Benedikt Rieger, Chuck Hawks, Finn Nielsen, Joseph “Jay” Bauser, Lisa Weder, Movie Armaments Group, Peter Dannecker, Sprague’s Sports, R. Blake Stevens, Rock Island Auctions, Noel Incavo, Midwest Sporting Goods, Shakeena Hearn, Adam Bucci, Rachel Hoefing, Ian Ballard at Glossover.co.uk, Stefan Klein, Wiley Clapp, Vaclav “Jack” Krcma, Journal of Forensic Science. 

Terry Edwards has done numerous articles for Soldier of Fortune, Small Arms Review and Small Arms Defense Journal. His books are available on Kindle.