Triggers are one of the most misunderstood parts of a firearm and for good reason—the numerous terms associated with them: two-stage, single-stage, double trigger, double-set, double-action, single-action, pull-release trigger, safe-action trigger, trigger creep, length of pull, break weight, trigger slap, reset, custom geometry, sears, hammers, disconnectors, direct replacement, modular replacement, etc. What does it all mean? (Please note that triggers used on fully automatic weapons will not be addressed in this article.)

Many shooters classify the trigger(s) on their firearm(s) as either good or bad. We tend to categorize a hard-pulling trigger in the “bad” category, while easily pulled (light-pulling) triggers are seen as “good.” However, the delta between good and bad contains a variety of subtle attributes not generally understood. A lighter, easier to pull/manipulate trigger can make a huge difference for the competition shooter or tactical sniper, when a single shot determines the critical difference, but it may not be suitable or safe for sporting purposes.

Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage

Most of us have no idea if we’re pulling a single-stage or two-stage trigger. Since two sounds better than single, and we are conditioned to believe more is always better, we assume a two-stage trigger is best for our shooting purpose. That assumption is simply wrong. So, what’s the difference?

A two-stage trigger (also called a double-stage trigger) has two stages of operation (or steps) to its break (point of release). The break is the point of the trigger pull when the sear releases the hammer, or the striker, to fire a shot. In a two-stage trigger, the first stage provides a set amount of free trigger movement under spring tension, and that movement ends in a distinct stop. At the stop, continued finger pressure must be applied to the trigger to eventually release (break) the sear engagement and fire the shot. The trigger pull is a distinct two-stage process. Once the gun fires, the trigger return distance (or trigger “swing distance”) to reset is notably lengthy in most two-stage triggers.

Single-stage triggers are the oldest design of all triggers as well as the most widely used. A single-stage trigger doesn’t have the initial spring-tensioned movement to a predictable stop. Its pull essentially starts at the second stage of trigger pull (at the stop), and that’s how it differs from a two-stage trigger. We’ll discuss trigger break weight in moment.

Which is better—a single-stage or two-stage trigger? Safety is the primary reason many military rifles use two-stage triggers. The AR-10 and AR-15 are the exception because they both use a hard-pulling, 6-to 10-pound (factory-set), single-stage trigger. It’s designed to be hard pulling out-of-the-box for safety purposes (low manufacturing cost is another driving factor for the AR-style, single-stage trigger). Most sporting rifles and shotguns have factory-set single-stage triggers. Many target and competition rifles have double-stage (two-stage) triggers. A double-stage trigger is thought to be safer because the trigger has a separate, distinct and predictable movement (travel) before it comes to a stop; it then requires additional trigger pressure for the final break/release. Thus, a shooter can come in and out of a shot with a higher degree of safety.

Double-Set vs. Double-Stage Triggers

What’s the difference between double-set and double-stage triggers? To be sure, double-set triggers are not the same as double-stage triggers. Double-set triggers were primarily used in the 1800s on early black powder rifles and muzzle loading pistols, both flintlock and cap-lock, to improve long-range accuracy and safety. A double-set trigger is easily identified on these early firearms because the gun has two in-line triggers (not two side-by-side triggers—also called double triggers).

After the gun’s external hammer is manually cocked rearward into the full cock firing position and the target aim is acquired, the forward set trigger is pulled. This trigger sets the rear trigger, which is a single-stage, low break-weight (“hair”) trigger. The forward set trigger is a hard pulling trigger usually requiring around 8 to 10 pounds of pull. The trigger set can easily be felt as the pull stops and an audible click sounds. The trigger finger is then moved from the forward set trigger to the rear trigger to fire the gun. Now set, the rear trigger is a single-stage hair trigger requiring very little release pressure (low break weight) to release the hammer that subsequently fires the gun.

The set trigger was intended to be a hard-pulling trigger because these early guns did not have safeties. Therefore, carrying them with the hammer in the fully cocked, ready-fire position was highly unsafe. The double-set trigger both increased the margin of safety and increased accuracy.

There’s another confusing trigger to understand: the dual trigger. A dual-trigger configuration is most commonly found on older double-barrel (side-by-side barrel configuration) shotguns. They’re easily identified because each barrel has its own dedicated trigger, and the two triggers are configured in-line much like the double-set triggers previously discussed. Dual triggers are themselves each single-stage triggers independent of one another. The gun is fired by pulling the first trigger (it’s the shooter’s preference which trigger to pull first) and moving the finger from the first trigger to the second trigger. Most double-barrel shotguns employ different size chokes in their two barrels. Most shooters will fire the barrel choked to the widest shot pattern first at a close-moving target and then fire the more tightly choked barrel second at the longer distanced target. The double trigger provides the shooter an instant barrel (choke and shot shell load) selection depending on the range of the target.

Double triggers have been almost completely phased out with the advent of the single-selective trigger now used on modern side-by-side, double-barrel and over/under barrel shotguns. This single-stage trigger has a selector switch usually located atop the tang behind the top lever. The selector switch allows the shooter to quickly select which barrel he wants to fire first. Many single-selective triggers use either an inertial cocking mechanism to cock the second striker as a safety feature, or a spring-operated selector that automatically switches the trigger over to fire the second barrel upon firing the first barrel. Single-selective triggers have been refined in a wide variety of break weights and configurations for competition and sporting purposes.

Single-action and double-action triggers also provide a level of confusion. The term single-action was never used until the mid-19th century when firearms with “double-action” triggers were invented. Before that, all triggers were single-action, e.g., matchlocks, flintlocks, muskets, cap and ball pistols, etc.

A single-action trigger is the most mechanically uncomplicated and simple operating of all trigger designs. It is nothing more than a simple single-stage trigger that requires the hammer of the gun be manually cocked for each shot before the gun can be fired. A prime example of this type of trigger can be found on the Old West’s Colt Peacemaker-style revolvers and the cap and ball black powder revolvers that preceded it. The revolver’s hammer must be manually cocked back, resetting the trigger, before each shot. Pulling the trigger with the hammer down cannot fire the gun.

Double-action triggers were most often used in revolvers, but today there are a number of semiautomatic (self-loading) handguns that employ them as well. The easiest way to understand a double-action trigger is by using the example of a child’s toy cowboy cap pistol. When the trigger is pulled, the trigger pull cocks the revolver’s hammer back (it works the same way in a self-loading pistol). When the trigger reaches its furthest rearward position during pull, the hammer releases, and the gun fires. Each trigger pull (in a double-action revolver) results in firing.

In the self-loading semiautomatic, a double-action trigger works similar to the revolver. The trigger is pulled through the first shot (same as a revolver), but once the first shot is fired, the slide’s backstroke ejects the spent cartridge, resets the trigger and cocks the hammer (or striker) in preparation for the next shot. The slide’s forward stroke loads (chambers) a fresh round, and the gun goes into battery. The next shot is ready. In this case, the trigger essentially becomes a double-stage trigger for every shot following the first shot.

This is where “trigger travel” comes into play. Once a double-action trigger fires the first shot on a semiautomatic gun, the trigger has a degree of travel (free movement) to its stop point (for each succeeding shot) where pulling it further, releases the trigger sear and the gun fires. Some shooters refer to this free movement as “trigger slop” because the pull feels sloppy, but it’s really a matter of training and individual shooter preference.

GLOCK

GLOCK’s popular SAFE ACTION® System trigger is found on all GLOCK pistols (since 1983) and is now in use on numerous other modern handguns and some rifles. Walther’s “quick-action” trigger and some other pistol manufacturers offer very similar triggers. GLOCK uniquely revolutionized the trigger with this safe, simple and fast two-stage trigger system that allows the operator to fully concentrate on shooting without having any additional safeties to disengage and reengage. GLOCK’s unique trigger is a fully automatic safety system consisting of three passive, independently operating, mechanical safeties. All three safeties disengage sequentially as the trigger is pulled and automatically re-engage when the trigger is released. These three automatic, independently operating, mechanical safeties are built into the trigger’s fire control system of the pistol. Additionally, this style trigger provides a consistent pull from the first through the last round.

Pull-Release Triggers

Next we have the hybrid pull-release trigger. This trigger is a very specialized hybrid trigger used exclusively for competition trap (or other clay bird) shooting. Some shooters develop bad habits like flinching or raising their heads off the gun as they pull the trigger in subconscious anticipation of the recoil. Breaking bad shooting habits is exceedingly difficult, time consuming and expensive. Some shooters use the pull-release trigger as a means to counter their flinching habit.

The pull-release trigger works like this: The competitor loads, closes and shoulders his gun. Prior to yelling “pull,” the shooter pulls the trigger and holds it in the full back position with his trigger finger. He then yells “pull,” and the clay bird is released. To fire the gun, he releases his finger from the trigger instead of pulling the trigger. This is obviously a very unsafe trigger for most everyone, save a very select few, and can only be used on a competition trap field. Should the shooter decide not to fire the gun once the trigger is in the full pulled-back position, he can only de-cock the trigger by opening the gun using his opposite hand. These highly specialized (and expensive) competition shotgun triggers don’t have safeties built into them. These guns are only loaded and cocked just prior to calling for the clay bird, and they’re never carried loaded or used for any other purpose than for competition.

How Pull Is Measured

At this point, a quick discussion of how the trigger pull is measured in pounds of pull is in order. The handheld scale used to measure pounds of trigger pull looks much like the portable scale used by fishermen to weigh their fish. The major difference is its precision. The trigger break weight scale is hooked onto a cocked trigger (of an unloaded gun), and the trigger is pulled using the scale until the trigger releases. The pound value measured by the scale at the trigger release is the trigger break weight required to fire the gun—it’s that simple. For example, a gun with a 3-pound trigger break weight has a much easier (lighter) trigger pull compared to a gun with a 6-pound trigger break weight; and so it goes that a 3-pound pull would likely be very suitable for competition or sniper use, compared to a harder 6-pound pull being more suitable and safer for hunting purposes or for military rifles intended for rough use.

Other Terms

Another term commonly misunderstood is trigger reset. Trigger reset refers to the full cycle mechanical operation time (swing) a particular trigger design requires from pull to reset for the next shot. In simple terms—it means the total time duration from the trigger pull to sear release until the trigger is reset and ready to fire the next shot. Therefore, the speed in which a trigger resets is dependent upon the trigger type and how fast the gun mechanism, as a whole, operates.

Rarely are a shooter’s reflexes faster than the trigger reset. Obviously, two-stage triggers have greater return distance (travel) than single-stage triggers, so the trigger swing time is greater which increases trigger reset time. Trigger manufacturers that advertise high-end, fast resetting replacement triggers are outright misleading shooters into paying for something that can’t be physically realized by 99% of shooters. Save your money.

The term trigger slap is somewhat misleading, but here’s a layman’s explanation. Trigger slap is not the result of a faulty trigger. If the trigger “slaps” your finger when the gun fires it’s because you lost trigger contact, and your finger is in the wrong place. Trigger slap can cause minor stinging pain but not any permanent injury to the trigger finger. Inexperienced shooters often experience trigger slap because their grip is inconsistent or loosely held. The remedy is easy. Grip and operate your firearm’s trigger properly, and trigger slap will not occur.

More experienced shooters tend to keep their finger on the trigger throughout the gun’s firing cycle. Upon firing, they move their finger slightly forward until the trigger resets, and they then begin the rearward pull. This process is very subtle and is executed seamlessly as the gun recoils. As the shooter “rides” his gun’s recoil back to its original on-target position, the shooter is ready to take the next shot without having to take the slack out of the trigger again. This is a normal trigger manipulation technique when (“double tapping”) firing two (or more) shots in very rapid succession at the same target.

Length of pull is also a term that seems to always confuse gun owners. Length of pull is the distance, measured in inches, from the trigger shoe/bar (point where your finger touches the trigger to pull it) rearward, to the stock buttplate/recoil pad (the rearward part of the gunstock you place against your shoulder). Most out-of-the-box long guns without adjustable stocks have a 13- to 14¾-inch length of pull.

Why is length of pull important? It’s really all about the shooter’s proper eye alignment with the gun sights and shooting comfort. A short length of pull will usually inhibit proper sight alignment as will an excessively long length of pull. If a particular firearm is used under different environmental conditions where the shooter may range between wearing a heavy winter hunting coat to a summer T-shirt, an adjustable stock should be considered. This allows the actual length of the gunstock (length of pull) to be adjusted to the shooter’s dress, providing consistent length of pull for eye relief and sight alignment.

This is where it gets confusing. A number of manufacturers tout adjustable triggers on their factory firearms, as do some of the replacement trigger manufacturers. In most of these cases the adjustment they are marketing involves the ability to adjust the first-stage pull pressure on a two-stage trigger. This is accomplished by tweaking a small screw that tensions the trigger spring. It doesn’t contribute to trigger system reliability because it adds one more moving part that can fail.

Some trigger manufacturers offer an adjustable trigger shoe that rides on a dovetail slot (or a similar sliding track) that is fixed by a small Allen screw. This allows the shooter to move the trigger slightly forward or rearward along a track to best fit individual hand geometry. This is not an adjustable trigger. It is an adjustable length of pull trigger. These can be found on many competition long guns (with pistol-grip-style stocks) and on competition handguns. It serves to adjust the trigger reach to better fit individual hand geometry. That said, adjusting the length of pull involves adjusting the length of the gunstock.

Trigger Geometry

Trigger shape presents an additional conundrum for many shooters. There are two trigger shapes: the curved (crescent) traditional shape and the flat (straight-blade) trigger. The flat blade trigger is often marketed as a newly invented accuracy upgrade for both pistols and long guns. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Flat blade triggers can be traced back to the earliest firearms used centuries ago.

The reason some shooters favor a flat trigger is because the trigger finger makes more uniform contact with a flat vertical trigger blade than a traditional curved (or crescent blade) trigger. This matters most for handguns when drawing from the holster. If it seems your trigger finger never lands on the exact same spot on the trigger, that’s because it likely doesn’t, especially if you tend to carry using different style holsters, e.g., ITW, scabbed, canted, shoulder, etc. Different style holsters present the pistol differently when drawing. This results in an inconsistent grip, and grip translates to trigger pull that can range from ideal to disparate. Notwithstanding, there are other variables that impact the trigger finger’s position as well.

One’s hand geometry (hand shape and size) is a huge factor when choosing a trigger replacement or new gun trigger shape. It always seems to be the proverbial “small gun verses large hands,” or the reverse, that exacerbates the grip by pushing the hand lower or higher on the grip. This variable results in either an extended trigger finger reach or a trigger finger tailback. Rarely does an out-of-the-box gun’s geometry ideally fit the shooter’s hand or length of pull dimensions. Therefore, a flat trigger helps ensure the trigger pull length is more uniform no matter where the trigger finger makes contact on the blade.

Correspondingly, the advantage to a curved trigger is that the trigger reach (defined as the distance from the back of the grip to the trigger face) is shorter in the middle of the trigger blade than at the top or the bottom. So your finger naturally finds the center of the trigger blade, and you don’t have to reach as far. A curved trigger is also a must if you’re shooting with a gloved hand; that’s why military and other tactical weapons all use curved triggers. The second reason is that a curved trigger readily accommodates a more diverse range of hand sizes/geometries with optimum pull comfort.

It all comes down to this. The above pros and cons, while true in a practical sense, don’t mean a thing in a gunfight. If you’re shooting holes in paper targets, the arguments for and against a particular trigger shape might matter but not in the real world. In the real world, it all comes down to personal preference and what works best for you. So before spending a lot of money to replace your trigger for a particular sexy shape, give it some real-world consideration and save the money for upgrades that really don’t make any notable difference.

Things to Remember

In closing, there are several points you should remember when it comes to triggers. First, keep it simple. The more adjustments that are incorporated into a trigger system, the more points of failure are added. Precision and its inherent level of complexity are fine when the firearm is dedicated to target shooting, but complexity is a reliability detractor in every other use scenario, especially defense.

Second, never attempt to “tune” a factory trigger yourself unless you are skilled at doing such things. Honing the sear to smooth the trigger break as a home gunsmith enthusiast can compromise a gun’s operating safety. Obviously, you want the gun to fire when you pull the trigger, not any other random time you happen to set it down hard or bump it against something.

Third, replacing your trigger is always an expensive decision no matter what type of replacement you choose to use. Ensure you know why you’re replacing the trigger. For example, replacing a 6-pound, single-stage trigger on an AR frame with a modular 3½-pound, two-stage target trigger may compromise your safety along with those around you, especially if you’re using your AR for something other than target shooting. Last, just because a replacement trigger costs a lot of money doesn’t necessarily make it a better trigger than one that costs half as much, or the one you’re currently using. Do your research and analysis before replacing your trigger. Your local gun shop salesmen are usually not an authoritative source of trigger information; neither are the blogs. Reading product user testimonies is always nice but understand most people have limited experience and little technical knowledge about what they’re blogging about. Remember, the average user’s feedback information is overwhelmingly subjective. Where does one go for accurate information? Shooting competitors’ and armorers’ forums usually provide a good source of information.

During the holiday season, family members decorate their homes together and listen to Christmas music. The promise of presents and the smell of cookies bring out a nostalgic feeling and give birth to new memories alike. If there are fights, it is usually over politics or religion or something really petty; or it is over whether “Die Hard” is an actual Christmas movie.

“Die Hard” came out in 1988 and was an instant classic. The story takes place on Christmas when Detective Lt. John McClane (Bruce Willis) visits his estranged wife in Los Angeles. He arrives right in the middle of a Christmas party in a partially built building. While he is getting changed into fresh clothes, a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) take the whole party hostage. McClane manages to escape into the building and spends the rest of the night picking off the terrorists one by one.

The main villain of the movie is Hans Gruber, who is played brilliantly by the late Alan Rickman. Hans Gruber is both cultured and a ruthless man who would enjoy a civilized conversation before killing anyone who gets in his way. He is considered one of the greatest movie villains of all time, up there with Darth Vader and Hannibal Lecter. He is also one of the smartest, as he easily outsmarts the police, the FBI and even John McClane.

Hans Gruber’s weapon of choice is an HK P7 M13 pistol, a variant of the P7 series. These guns were made for the German police forces to replace the Walther PP. They went against other pistols in a test and dominated most of the challenges. However, they were expensive, and only a few agencies accepted them. They also saw service in France, Norway and a few other countries. In the United States, the gun is rare and expensive but very popular. The front of the grip squeeze-cocking is disconcerting until you practice with it, but the gun becomes a favorite of almost all who shoot it.

The gun in the film is hard-chromed making it quite good looking. It shoots 9x19mm Parabellum from a 13-round magazine, making it the P7 variant that can hold the most ammo. The safety on P7 pistols is a cocking lever on the forward grip of the gun. To fire the gun, you have to squeeze the lever when you hold the grip. The Die Hard gun has a silencer, but it is a fake. On the top of the gun on one side it is stamped, “HECKLER & KOCH GMBH, OBERNDORF/N MADE IN W-GERMANY,” and below that, “HK T&E ONLY.” On the other side near the front of the gun are the words “M13” and “HK CHANTILLY VA.” On the pistol grip near the bottom are the logo of the company and the model of the gun, P7 M13.

Other guns used in the movie include a Beretta 92F used by John McClane and a Steyr AUG used by the villain Karl, who was played by Alexander Godunov. (Sidenote on Godunov: He was a famous ballet dancer who defected from the USSR in 1979 and was the inspiration for a movie, “Flight 222.”) Most of the terrorists in the film carry HK MP5s, one of which McClane manages to get his hands on. Police officers are seen carrying M-16s and one of the best characters of the movie, Sergeant Al Powell, uses an old school Smith & Wesson Model 15.

“Die Hard” is one of the greatest “man movies” ever made. It had a mixed reaction from critics but was loved by audiences. It launched the film careers of Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman. It also stars Reginald VelJohnson from “Family Matters” as Sergeant Al Powell, Bonnie Bedelia (Culkin) from “Salem’s Lot” as McClane’s ex-wife Holly and Paul Gleason from the “Breakfast Club” as LAPD Deputy Chief Dwayne Robinson. The film is filled with iconic action scenes and many great movie lines. It is a great movie worth owning and watching on Christmas or any other day of the year.

“Hans Gruber’s” P7 M13 Serial Number: 73169We’d like to thank Mike Papac of Cinema Weaponry for sharing the great Hans Gruber’s pistol with SAR’s readers!

AIMPOINT®
ACRO™ P-1 Red Dot Reflex Sight
The ACRO P-1 was developed for use on pistols and other firearms requiring a small enclosed red dot sight. It is has proven to stand up the extreme shock, vibration, temperature changes and material stress generated by firing over 20,000 rounds of .40 S&W ammunition. Aimpoint red dot sights are operationally parallax-free, which means the visible dot remains parallel to the bore of your weapon no matter what angle your eye is in relation to the sight. Therefore, the user never has to worry about centering the dot inside the sight. If you have a proper zero, when the dot is on the target, so are you. Aimpoint red dot sights increase confidence by allowing the shooter to focus on the target while keeping both eyes open, fully situationally aware at all times. Users can achieve first round hits faster with greater confidence.
aimpoint.us
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.9 x 1.2 x 1.2in
Weight: 2.1oz
Illumination Source: Point Source LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR1225
Battery Life: 15,000 hours
Waterproof: Yes, to 80ft
Mount: Weaver / MIL-STD 1913 rail system / Picatinny
Housing Material: 6061-T6 Aircraft-grade extruded
Finish: Matte Black
For pistol make: Pistols, carbines, shotguns, rifles and applications which require a low-profile red dot system
MSRP (USD): $599

BURRIS® OPTICS
FastFire™ 4
The FastFire 4 is an improvement on its predecessors providing increased impact resistance and a larger sight window for a greater field of view. No longer restricted to one reticle, shooters can now select from four versatile options suitable for multiple shooting scenarios through the quickly accessible side toggle buttons.
burrisoptics.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.9in (length)
Weight: 1.6oz
Illumination Source: N/A
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR1632
Battery Life: N/A
Waterproof: Yes
Mount: Picatinny / Docter® optic
Housing Material: Impact-resistant
Finish: Matte
Fits what make of pistol: Handguns, rifles and shotguns
MSRP (USD): $455

BUSHNELL [NEW]
RXS-100 Reflex Sight
The RXS-100 offers class-leading value that starts with multi-platform versatility with its DeltaPoint® Pro mounting pattern, daylight bright 4-MOA red dot with eight settings, side battery door, up to 5,000 hours of battery life and an included Weaver-style, low-rise mount. RXS-100 mounts on pistols, ARs and shotguns.
bushnell.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.8in (1.9in overall)
Weight: Without base: 1.3oz; With base: 2.2oz
Illumination Source: Point Source LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: Up to 5,000 hours
Waterproof: Yes, IPX7 (Water-resistant)
Housing Material: 6061-T6 Aircraft-grade extruded
Finish: Matte Black
For pistol make: Direct mountable to DeltaPoint Pro standard; Weaver-style mount included; pistols, ARs and shotguns
MSRP (USD): $99.99

BUSHNELL [NEW]
RXS-250 Reflex Sight
The RXS-250 represents a new standard of high-performing reflex slights with its MIL-STD-810F impact-resistant design, clear 4-MOA red dot, user-adjustable brightness settings and True Tone coatings that provide users with a vivid, clear view, free of color distortion. A desirable option for pistols, rifles and shotguns, the RXS-250 also offers industry-leading battery life.
bushnell.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.8in (1.9in overall)
Weight: Without base: 1.4oz; With base: 2.3oz
Illumination Source: Point Source LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: Up to 5,000 Hours
Waterproof: Yes, IPX7 (Water-resistant)
Housing Material: Cast aluminum (exceeds the requirements of MIL-STD-810 drop testing)
Finish: Matte Black
For pistol make: Direct mountable to DeltaPoint® Pro standard; Weaver-style mount included; pistols, rifles and shotguns
MSRP (USD): $249.99

CRIMSON TRACE®
CTS-1250
The CTS-1250 Electronic Sight is a compact, open reflex sight for pistols. Featuring a 3.25 MOA round aiming dot, the CTS-1250 will elevate your pistol’s performance instantly. Easily user-installed by utilizing an industry-standard mounting interface (uses industry standard mounting interface matching: Burris® FastFire™, JP Enterprises Docter™, Vortex Venom® and Vortex Viper®), the CTS-1250 boasts high efficiency LED for years of use. This open reflex sight is covered by a 3-year protection guaranteed warranty and Free Batteries For Life program.
crimsontrace.com
Optical Magnification: 3.25 MOA
Length/Width/Height: 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.5in (packaging)
Weight: 1.11oz
Illumination Source: High-efficiency LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: Lithium Coin Cell, CR1632
Battery Life: 40,000 hours (4.5 years)
Waterproof: IPX7 (1m for 30 minutes)
Housing Material: 6061 aluminum
Finish: Type 2 black anodize
For pistol make: Fits standard Docter mounting pattern; GLOCK 01 plate, S&W Type 3 or 5 plate, FN Docter plate, Walther Plate 01
MSRP (USD): $299.99

JP ENTERPRISES
JPoint™ MRD Sight
The JPoint is the lightest MRD available with a minimal profile to match. From a low light to daylight, its auto-adjusting light sensor ensures reliable service in any environment. Whatever the weapon, the JPoint adds fantastic utility without encumbrance, making it a great optic choice for any number of applications.
jprifles.com
Optical Magnification: Reflex (1x)
Length/Width/Height: 1.7 x 1.0 x 0.9in
Weight: 0.5oz
Illumination Source: LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: 2–3 years (average use >4 years)
Waterproof: No
Reticle Pattern: Dot (4 MOA or 8 MOA)
Day Reticle Color: Red
Night Reticle Color: Red
Mount: Wide range available
Housing Material: Polymer
Finish: Matte Black
For pistol make: Many, with appropriate mount
MSRP (USD): $299.95

PRIMARY ARMS® / HOLOSUN
HS507C-X2 Pistol Red Dot Sight
The co-branded Holosun HS507C-X2-ACSS is the first mini reflex sight to feature Primary Arms’ brand-new, patent-pending ACSS® Vulcan™ Reticle. The reticle’s groundbreaking technology improves user agility and target acquisition through an innovative “heads-up” design. Priced at $309.99, the HS507-X2-ACSS brings the advanced features of premium optics to every budget.
primaryarms.com
Optical Magnification: N/A
Length/Width/Height: N/A
Weight: 1.5oz
Illumination Source: LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR1632 3V lithium coin
Battery Life: 50,000 hours
Waterproof: N/A
Reticle Pattern: ACSS-Vulcan
Day Reticle Color: Red
Night Reticle Color: Red
Mount: Picatinny
Housing Material: 7075-T6 aluminum
Finish: Black hard coat anodize
For pistol make: Handguns, rifles, shotguns, pistol caliber carbines with Picatinny base
MSRP (USD): $309.99

RITON OPTICS
X3 Tactix MPRD
The X3 Tactix MPRD is an extremely compact and versatile pistol red dot with a 3 MOA dot that will ensure ultimate precision and rapid target acquisition. Designed with a Shield RMS-C Footprint, the optic features a 12-hour auto shut off and 10 levels of brightness with night vision compatibility on Levels 1-2.
ritonoptics.com
Optical Magnification: N/A
Length/Width: 1.6 x 0.98in
Weight: 0.6oz
Illumination Source: CR2032 battery
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: 50,000 hours (12-hour auto shutoff)
Waterproof: Yes
Reticle Pattern: 3 MOA Red Dot
Day Reticle Color: Red
Night Reticle Color: Red
Mount: Direct mount to Shield RMS-C Footprint pistol cutout on slides
Housing Material: 6061 Aircraft-grade aluminum
Finish: Hard coat anodize
For pistol make: GLOCK 43X MOS, GLOCK 48 MOS, SIG SAUER P365XL, Springfield Hellcat, SCCY DVG1, SCCY CPX-1/2, SCCY CPX-3/4
MSRP (USD): $299.95

SIG SAUER
ROMEOZero™
The fastest, most accurate, ultra-compact micro reflex sight. The ROMEOZero is optimized for everyday concealed carry pistols and slim slide profiles, featuring a ruggedized, WeaponsGrade™ textured polymer body and SpectraCoat™ HD Polymer lens. The ROMEOZero enables rapid target acquisition in an everyday carry package at an iron sight price.
sigsauer.com Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: .1.6 x .93. x .93in
Weight: 0.4oz
Illumination Source: Point Source LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR1632
Battery Life: Up to 10 years
Waterproof: No
Housing Material: Polymer
Finish: Black
For pistol make: P365XL, concealed-carry pistols and slim slide profiles such as 1911s and sub-compact firearms
MSRP (USD): $219.99

SIG SAUER
ROMEO1Pro
A miniature open reflex sight is designed for fast, responsive target acquisition and accuracy. The ROMEO1Pro sight is engineered to withstand the punishment of harsh environments. This sight is capable of mounting to any SIG SAUER pistol or any pistol machined to accept the ROMEO2 / PRO Reflex sight interface and mounting hold spacing.
sigsauer.com Optical Magnification: 1x30mm (3 MOA or 6 MOA)
Length/Width/Height: 1.8 x 1.0 x 1.1in
Weight: 1.0oz
Illumination Source: Point Source LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR1632
Battery Life: 20,000+ hours
Waterproof: Yes
Mount: ROMEO1Pro mount
Housing Material: Aircraft-grade CNC aluminum
Finish: Black or FDE
For pistol make: SIG SAUER pistol or any other pistol machined to accept the ROMEO2 / PRO Reflex sight interface
MSRP (USD): $439.99

TRIJICON
Trijicon SRO®
The Trijicon SRO is specifically designed for pistol use. The wide field of view and clean, crisp dot makes it easy for users to find and track the dot in both target and competitive shooting applications. Every SRO features both manual and automatic brightness modes with a top-loading CR2032 battery.
trijicon.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 2.2 x 1.3 x 1.4in
Weight: 1.6oz
Illumination Source: LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: 2032
Battery Life: 3 years of continuous use at setting 3 of 8
Waterproof: Yes, to 10ft
Reticle Pattern: Dot
Day Reticle Color: Red
Night Reticle Color: Red
Housing Material: 7075-T6 aluminum
Finish: Matte Black
MSRP (USD): $749

TRIJICON
RMR®cc
Born from the legendary Trijicon RMR®, the thinner, lower profile RMRcc provides fast, both-eyes-open target acquisition, accurate aiming and proven reliability. Weighing a mere 1 ounce with battery installed and measuring less than 1 inch in width and height, the RMRcc is ready to pair with any concealed carry pistol.
trijicon.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.8 x .95 x .97in
Weight: 1oz
Illumination Source: LED
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: 4 years at setting 4 of 8
Waterproof: Yes, to 66ft
Reticle Pattern: Dot
Day Reticle Color: Red
Night Reticle Color: Red
Housing Material: 7075-T6 aluminum
Finish: Matte Black
MSRP (USD): $699

U.S. OPTICS (USO) [NEW]
DRS 2.0
The DRS 2.0 is the perfect red dot solution for your handgun. Its 6-MOA dot with 10 intensity settings and wide field of view makes target acquisition accurate and fast.
usoptics.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.81 x 1.06 x .96in
Weight: .063lb
Illumination Source: Open emitter
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: 2-3 years
Waterproof: Yes
Reticle Pattern: Dot
Day Reticle Color: Red
Night Reticle Color: Red
Mount: Docter / Viper
Housing Material: 6061-T6 aluminum
Finish: Black Type III hard anodize
For pistol make: Any pistol with a Viper footprint optic cut
MSRP (USD): $249

U.S. OPTICS (USO) [NEW]
DRS 2.0 Enhanced
The DRS 2.0 Enhanced will undoubtedly help you find your target fast and accurately. Its 5-MOA, daylight-bright, ambient light-sensing red dot is perfect for precise hits.
usoptics.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.81 x 1.06 x 1.02in
Weight: .076lb
Illumination Source: Open emitter / Ambient light
Illumination Color: Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: 2-3 years
Waterproof: Yes
Reticle Pattern: Dot
Day Reticle Color: Red
Night Reticle Color: Red
Mount: Docter / Viper
Housing Material: 6061-T6 aluminum
Finish: Black Type III hard anodize
For pistol make: Any pistol with a Viper footprint optic cut
MSRP (USD): $349

VORTEX OPTICS
VENOM® Red Dot
The low-profile, yet rugged aluminum housing of the VENOM red dot surrounds a large viewing window that makes for a wide field of view and sight picture with next-to-no obstruction for rapid shooting transitions and target acquisition. Users can choose between 10 levels of brightness in manual mode or switch to auto-mode.
vortexoptics.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.9 x 1.11 x 1.02in
Weight: 1.1oz
Illumination Source: N/A
Illumination Color: Bright Red
Battery Type: CR1632
Battery Life: Up to 150 hours on highest setting; up to 30,000 hours on lower settings
Waterproof: Yes
Reticle Pattern: Dot
Day Reticle Color: Bright Red
Night Reticle Color: Bright Red
Mount: Weaver / Picatinny
Housing Material: Aluminum
Finish: Matte anodize
For pistol make: ARs, pistols or shotguns
MSRP (USD): $349.99

VORTEX OPTICS
VIPER® Red Dot
The Viper red dot’s super low mounting height makes it the perfect solution for handguns with cutout slides. The Viper offers the simplicity and speed advantage of a red dot, while co-witnessing with suppressor-height iron sights.
vortexoptics.com
Optical Magnification: 1x
Length/Width/Height: 1.81 x 1.06 x 1.02in
Weight: 1.03oz
Illumination Source: N/A
Illumination Color: Bright Red
Battery Type: CR2032
Battery Life: Up to 150 hours on highest setting; up to 30,000 hours on lower settings
Waterproof: Yes
Reticle Pattern: Dot
Day Reticle Color: Bright Red
Night Reticle Color: Bright Red
Mount: Weaver / Picatinny
Housing Material: Aluminum
Finish: Matte anodize
For pistol make: Handguns with cutout slides
MSRP (USD): $349.99

Large bronze casting (circa 1920s) by Hungarian artist Miltiades Manno (1880–1935) of an Austria-Hungary three-man machine gun team firing the Schwarzlose M. 07/12 water-cooled machine gun. Very detailed with soldiers in full combat gear all the way down to the hobnail boots. The large bronze casting combat set-scene is mounted on a marble base measuring approximately 30×17 inches (to further sit atop a waist-high plinth) and in total, weighs nearly 100 pounds. Coming from a family of Greek immigrants, Miltiades Manno was born in Pacsova, Austria-Hungary and died in Budapest, Hungary. He was an accomplished multi-faceted athlete in a number of sports competing in two Olympics. He was also a noted graphic artist, painter and sculptor, having studied at the Academy of Munich at the turn of the century. He fought in the Austro-Hungarian Army in WWI and was wounded several times while fighting the Russians in Galicia requiring him to retire from sports. He is best known for his anti-communist Hungarian posters of the 1920s.

Immediate post-World War I (circa early 1920s) bronze table sculpture depicting two French soldiers manning a French M1907 St. Etienne machine gun on the Omnibus 1915 tripod. The bronze shows great detail in the uniforms and equipment. Signed by the artist Georges Omerth (1895–1925). Weighing almost 20 pounds, it is mounted on a green marble plinth. It measures 16¾ inches long by 6½ inches wide by 13¼ inches tall.

A cold-cast bronze figurine depicting a late World War II Australian Commando during World War II operating in the Pacific theater. The soldier wears jungle greens, a slouch hat bearing the double-diamond commando patch affixed to the hatband and carries the rugged and reliable Owen 9mm submachine gun. His gear is based on the Pattern 37 webbing equipment, modified to better suit the harsh jungle conditions. This statuette is made by Naked Army®, is serial number 632 of a limited production run that was created in 2015 and stands approximately 12 inches tall.

Highly detailed desk ornament casting in Austrian gilded bronze of an Austrian KuK storm trooper with field pack firing a Schwarzlose M. 07/12 water-cooled machine gun. The soldier is shown wearing the Austrian early issue cap with the full-issue uniform with field pack, canteen and bayonet in scabbard. He has the marksmanship award in the form of an aiguillette-looking braided cord worn from the left shoulder board. The artwork is signed by the artist “T. Henn” and is mounted on an Austrian marble base that is 1½ inches thick and measures 5½ x 4 inches.

Cold-cast bronze statue of a World War I Australian Army Lewis gun soldier of the 1st AIF (Australian Imperial Force) in 1918. Exceptionally well-detailed, this typical Australian machine gunner on the Western Front carries his Lewis .303 caliber machine gun on his shoulder, with a Webley & Scott Mk VI .455 caliber revolver in his holster and wears the Pattern 08 pistol rig equipment in battle order. He also wears an English Brody steel helmet and carries his “small box respirator” gas mask slung around his neck in the “ready” position. The statue is approximately 12 inches high and made by Naked Army®. This is number 90 of a limited edition of 2,000 worldwide. Made in 2005.

French bronze desk sculpture made post-World War I in the 1920s. The set-scene depicts two exceptionally well-detailed French machine gunners with the Hotchkiss Model 1914 air-cooled heavy machine gun mounted on a Model 1914 Hotchkiss tripod. They are depicted in the field behind a fence-line emplacement. Weighing approximately 8 pounds, the sculpture is mounted on a marble base 13×6½ inches and stands 10 inches high. Signed by the artist “CH Gillet” (Charles Gillet).

Statuette of a U.S. Marine “Devil Dog” Chauchat gunner in France, 1918. Cold-cast bronze figurine 12.5 inches tall. Cast by KHAKI-ARMY in 2013, this is serial number 44 of a limited production run. This WWI figure represents a U.S. Marine Chauchat gunner in action in late 1918 as attached to the 2nd Infantry Division. He wears the AEF M1917 khaki drab uniform, typically worn without collar insignia. His weapons are the French Mle. 1915 Chauchat (CSRG) machine rifle and Colt Model of 1911 .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol in a holster on his hip. His backpack is lightly loaded for the assault, and he carries extra 20-round magazines for his Chauchat in a French-made haversack. His gas mask, worn in the “ready” position, helmet and gear are all U.S. issue. The term Devil Dog has its origins at Belleau Wood where a dispatch from the German front lines to their headquarters described the fighting abilities of the Americans as fighting like “Teufelshunde.”

Another Fine Book from Wet Dog Publications

The FN-49: The Last Elegant Old-World Military Rifle (Expanded Second Edition)
Author: Wayne Johnson
Publisher: Wet Dog Publications
ISBN: 978-0-9981397-1-5
Copyright: 2019
Hard cover: Color laminated; 8.75″x11.25″; 460 pages; 1,100 color/B&W photos and Illustrations
Available from publisher and Amazon

Wet Dog Publications is a small, family-owned business with a stellar reputation for producing high-quality gun books. Regular readers of Small Arms Review may recall my reviews of FN Browning Pistols and FN Mauser Rifles (Anthony Vanderlinden). Those two titles were excellent books in their own right, so it should come as no surprise that this FN-49 book is also a great book.

Wet Dog is owned by noted FN authority Anthony Vanderlinden who wrote the Browning pistol and Mauser rifles books and also contributed two sub-chapters to this title. The primary author is Wayne Johnson. Mr. Johnson, a retired USMC veteran, authored the first edition of this book in 2004. This new expanded second edition FN-49 book was released in late 2019.

This new edition is a beautiful book! At 460 pages, it is well over double the size of the first edition. As with other titles from Wet Dog, it is printed and bound entirely in the USA, a point they take great pride in noting. The paper has a glossy finish that makes the photographs pop nicely. Speaking of which, it features clear, crisp, studio-quality color photos throughout.

Starting with an overview of Fabrique Nationale through the years, we learn about the Belgian-based FN company being formed in 1889 to supply Mauser rifles to the Belgian military. Then Johnson provides a bit of a history lesson. Twice, during WWI and again during WWII, the FN factory was overrun by German troops. In both cases, after war ended, the FN factory expanded its product line to keep it busy during the post-War economic slowdown. Over the years, FN has produced cars, bicycles, typewriters and even dairy milking machines.

Next is a look at the inventor of the FN-49 rifle, Dieudonné Saive. Mr. Saive was the chief assistant to none other than John Browning during Browning’s time at FN. After Browning’s death in 1926, Saive went on to complete the design of the FN Hi-Power pistol, Model 1935. He then began work on a self-loading rifle that would eventually lead to the FN-49.

Chapter 3 steps back in time to study the long road to a viable self-loading rifle design. The concept of harnessing energy to cycle the action of a firearm was understood, with both pistols and heavy machine guns being in service since before WWI. However, a pistol fires a very low-powered round, while a tripod-mounted machine gun is far too heavy to be carried by each soldier. Beginning with several early designs, this chapter looks at the progression toward the SLEM (Self-loading Experimental Model) and finally the FN-49. Much of this work was done in England, as Saive and several other FN designers had fled Belgium during the Nazi occupation.

Chapter 4 covers the introduction of the FN-49, while Chapter 5 examines proof marks, FN factory markings and contract acceptance markings as used by each customer country. Chapter 6 deals with production summaries and order lists. This should appeal to the accountants here.

Chapters 7 to 16 get into the real heart of the matter; a detailed look at each variant by country. There are many small changes made throughout the production run, with each customer country selecting different options. For me, this is vital to determine that a particular rifle is historically correct. Johnson includes many sidebars throughout the book that point out various things to note. Many of these sidebars are headlined, “Collector’s Note.” He points out specific things that may have been mismatched or outright forged. This alone could very well be worth the price of the book if you are looking to buy a rifle.

Another sidebar deals with the one-piece firing pin safety issue and the firing pin safety stop (FPSS). Many of the early guns had a one-piece firing pin. The Egyptian guns also lacked an FPSS. This creates the possibility of a slam-fire situation with soft commercial primers.

It is interesting to note that the FN-49 may hold the record for the service rifle available in the most number of calibers. While the AR-15 in civilian sales is available in many dozens of calibers, this is not the case for official service rifles. The FN-49 was produced in 7×57, 8×57, .30-06, 7.65×53 and later in 7.62×51.

Chapter 19 examines bayonets found on the various rifles. As expected, different countries selected different styles of blades and scabbards. These fall into three general types: the Model 1924/49 Long, Model 1924/49 Short and the Model 1949.

“Chapter 23: Parts Breakdown,” “Chapter 24: Description of Operation …,” and “Chapter 25: Disassembly/Assembly Instructions” go deep inside the gun and show detailed close-ups of the various parts. If any parts have been swapped out and replaced with non-standard parts, these chapters will let enthusiasts know.

Appendix A has many patent certificates and drawings reproduced in full color. While not required to maintain your rifle, these do add a lot of interest to the book.

Appendix B is titled, “Contract Requirement Extracts.” It shows how each country specified how the rifles were to be shipped, and how the shipping crates were to be constructed and so on.

Appendix C is a complete list of the entire shipment of surplus rifles from Luxembourg to Interarmco, located in Alexandria, VA. All 154 crates are listed, and serial numbers for all 6,160 rifles are given. This seems a bit extravagant, but I suppose if I owned a Luxembourg rifle I might appreciate this.

Once again, Wet Dog Publications has produced a book that is both beautiful to look at and is a great reference source. It is limited to 2,200 copies. Each book is individually autographed by Johnson when ordered from the publisher.

Exporting Firearm Suppressors

Will a Policy Change Allow U.S. Industry to Compete in the Global Market?

“Ding dong the witch is dead!” In the midst of the summer heat and the craziness that has gripped our country (the pandemic, social unrest and uprisings, mob violence and political nuttiness), something happened that appeared to bring a ray of sunshine to the firearms industry. After more than 18 years, the U.S. Department of State rescinded its policy of denial that prevented U.S. companies from exporting suppressors to most commercial end-users. Because of this policy, the only permissible exports were to military or official end-users in countries friendly to the U.S.

Hailing the policy change as a win, the firearms industry was quick to praise President Trump and his administration for making such a bold move. Many expect the change will boost suppressor sales and enable U.S. companies to finally compete in the well-established global market. Knox Williams, president of the American Suppressor Association (ASA), said in a statement issued by ASA, “This change in policy will create hundreds of jobs at a time when our country needs them the most” (americansuppressorassociation.com/suppressor-exportation-now-legal).

The projected sales certainly have the anti-Trump and anti-firearm forces worried. In a July 13, 2020, article, the New York Times cites a potential “$250 million a year in possible new overseas sales” of suppressors (Michael LaForgia and Kenneth B. Vogel, “Inside the White House, a Gun Industry Lobbyist Delivers for His Former Patrons,” nytimes.com/2020/07/13/us/trump-gun-silencer-exports.html). “I sure hope that none of these are aimed at U.S. or allied forces” the Times quotes Lincoln Bloomfield, Jr., who served under President George W. Bush as Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs when the State Department initiated the so-called ban.

But is this change in policy really all that it’s cracked up to be?

The Department of State—Protector of U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security

Pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), Pub. L. 94-329, 90 Stat. 729 (enacted June 30, 1976, codified at 22 U.S.C. Ch. 39), Congress granted the president the power to control the export and import of defense articles and defense services “in furtherance of world peace and the security and foreign policy of the United States” (22 U.S.C. §2778(a)(1)). As part of this authority, the president must determine what items should be controlled as defense articles and what activities constitute defense services.

By way of executive order, the president has delegated to the Secretary of State the authority to control the exports, temporary imports and brokering of defense articles and defense services (most of you are likely familiar with the fact that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives controls the permanent import of defense articles, but that is not the subject of today’s article). Through multiple layers of delegations, the Political-Military Affairs Bureau’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) is primarily responsible for administering the regulations that implement the AECA. The regulations are known as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which have been the subject of many “Legally Armed” columns.

Firearm Suppressors—Significant Military Equipment?

The U.S. government has long controlled firearm suppressors as defense articles under the ITAR, presumably in furtherance of world peace and the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Going back to at least July 1993, firearm suppressors were classified on the United States Munitions List (USML) under Category I, paragraph (b). See 58 Fed. Reg. 39283 (July 22, 1993). Back then, however, the State Department did not consider firearm suppressors to be “Significant Military Equipment” (SME). SME is defined as articles for which special export controls are warranted because of the capacity of such articles for substantial military utility or capability, and includes those articles on the USML marked with an asterisk (*) as well as all classified defense articles. See 22 U.S.C. §2794(9); 22 C.F.R. §120.7.

The State Department did not classify suppressors as SME until 2002. In an April 29 notice, the State Department announced that firearm suppressors were re-designated as SME. See 67 Fed. Reg. 20894 (Apr. 29, 2002). The public notice did not contain any explanation as to what prompted the re-designation, but it is important to note that this announcement came less than 2 weeks after the State Department initiated its policy (unpublished) of prohibiting suppressor exports to private entities.

Eighteen years later, significant change swept across the U.S. export controls landscape. In March 2020, new rules went into effect that completely overhauled the USML categories controlling firearms and ammunition, whereby most commercially available firearms and ammunition moved off the USML and over to the Commerce Control List for exports. Suppressors were left behind on the USML, along with their SME designation. But as it turns out, more change was coming.

State Department Rescinds Its Old Policy

On July 10, 2020, the DDTC announced that it was changing its policy on suppressor exports. The web posting read as follows:

Effective immediately, the Department of State has rescinded its April 18, 2002, firearms sound suppressor policy. This policy provided for enhanced guidelines for the approval and issuance of export licenses for sound suppressors and restricted their export to only official end users such as government or military entities. Henceforth, DDTC will handle suppressor exports in a manner consistent with other USML-controlled technologies. This requires that applicants must identify a specific end user. Applications for the permanent export of hardware must include purchase documentation, a DSP-83 non-transfer and end use certificate (as suppressors are considered Significant Military Equipment under the USML), an end-user statement, and an import permit (if required by the destination country). Consistent with current licensing practices, all licenses will be reviewed and adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, and any pre-license checks or post shipment verifications will be conducted as deemed necessary and appropriate based on the totality of the circumstances of the transaction. Standard staffing protocols within the Department and interagency will be applied as required.

When the announcement came down, it was difficult to tell what was causing the popping sound heard far and wide in Washington, D.C. Was it industry lobbyists and representatives gleefully opening champagne in celebration? Perhaps it was the heads of gun control advocates exploding in frustration and dismay? More likely it was both, but what actually changed? Did this announcement really mark the end of an era? Was the State Department actually lifting a ban and easing restrictions on the exports of suppressors?

It is important to not lose sight of the details, where the devil so often lurks. According to the notice, “DDTC will handle suppressor exports in a manner consistent with other USML-controlled technologies.” The DDTC goes on to explain that “all applicants must identify a specific end-user,” which by the way is a standard requirement for all other articles controlled under the ITAR. When asked for clarification on this point in the civilian context, the DDTC advised that it will not authorize the export of suppressors to dealers or distributors without identification of the ultimate end-user (i.e., the customers) and presentation of a Nontransfer and Use Certificate (Form DSP-83) signed by that individual. All of which are standard requirements for SME. Consequently, applications to export suppressors to distributors or “for commercial resale in NAMED COUNTRY” as an end-use/end-user will be returned without action. See Reeves & Dola, LLP alert, “State Department Updates Suppressor Policy,” July 15, 2020, reevesdola.com/alerts.

So is this change really better for industry? Sure, as long as the exporter is able to identify each ultimate individual end-user and get his or her signature on a Form DSP-83. Is this realistic? Or will industry remain stuck in the same old position of not being able to obtain the elusive State Department approval to export suppressors to non-official entities or persons because of a requirement that is impossible to satisfy? In the haunting words of Pete Townshend, “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”

Many in the media and elsewhere will miss this nuance. “U.S. loosens export curbs on gun silencers” screams the headline from a Reuters report, reuters.com/article/us-usa-arms-silencers-idUSKBN24B34K. Loosen? The report goes on to explain that “[s]ilencers will now be able to be licensed and exported like any other weapon on the U.S. munitions list which includes satellites and nuclear weapons.” The use of the phrase “be able to” is an interesting twist on reality. Remember when Democrat politicians and human rights watchdog groups were wringing their hands over the proposed rules to move firearms and ammunition off the USML? They exclaimed that such a change in export controls will add to world instability and undermine our national security. Back then, being able to be licensed and exported like other weapons on the USML was a good thing. Now it’s not? It will make your head spin.

In reality, the harsh truth for industry may very well be the fact that suppressors are licensed and exported like any other weapon on the USML, particularly those articles designated as SME. The dawning of a new era may in practical terms be nothing more than a big fat nothingburger.

But hysterics are never lacking in Washington, and this latest development does not disappoint. There is “concern” over how this change came about, namely the role of a particular White House lawyer who had personal and financial ties to the suppressor industry. These ties are detailed in the July 13 Times article, which quotes government watchdog groups saying, “the case raised concerns about special interests gaining remarkable access in the Trump White House.” The Times goes on to report that “[t]here is a pattern in the Trump Administration of handing over policymaking to allies of special interest groups with a stake in those policies.”

Yes, you read those two quotes correctly. No doubt the watchdog groups were just formed, and the Times reporter is brand new to Washington, D.C.

Predictably, House Democrats are very upset, and not just because of the prospect of U.S.-made suppressors flooding the world market and the risk to U.S. troops. Citing the Times article, Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget requesting documents related to the State Department’s decision to overturn its restrictive policy. “The overseas sale of U.S. defense articles, especially when those weapons could endanger the safety and security of our men and women in uniform, cannot and should not be influenced by personal financial or political interests.” The letter is available at oversight.house.gov.

Of course neither the letter request nor the House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s web announcement acknowledge the legality, popularity and widespread availability of firearm suppressors throughout the world. This accessory has been and remains a very popular item in the commercial market, not just in the U.S. but everywhere. So regardless of whether U.S. industry gets to participate in the world market, suppressors will continue to be bought and sold. How can the U.S. government continue to justify treating suppressors as SME?

The July 13 Times article quotes a State Department spokeswoman as saying “U.S. companies should have the same opportunity to compete in the international marketplace as other manufacturers around the world.” This spokeswoman also explained that suppressors are more readily available in foreign countries now than when the ban was originally imposed. Nevertheless, the State Department has not changed its designation of firearm suppressors as SME.

There is a perception that the Trump Administration has lifted a ban on suppressor exports because a blanket policy of denial is no longer in place. The perception is clearly dominating both sides of the debate. But talk is cheap, and words are easy. The fundamental issue of whether the new State Department policy amounts to the change for which industry so long has been pining is not settled. It seems that as long as suppressors are classified as SME, there really won’t be any change at all. We’ll see.

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

About the Author

Johanna Reeves is the founding partner of the law firm Reeves & Dola, LLP in Washington, DC (reevesdola.com). For more than 17 years she has dedicated her practice to advising and representing U.S. companies on compliance matters arising under the federal firearms laws and U.S. export controls. On March 26, 2019, Johanna testified before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the proposed rules to transition most firearms and ammunition from the export controls of the State Department and over to the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department (foreignaffairs.house.gov/2019/3/proposed-small-arms-transfers-big-implications-for-u-s-foreign-policy). Johanna can be reached at jreeves@reevesdola.com or 202-715-9941.

By Seth R. Nadel

This is a follow-on to Seth Nadel’s preceding article titled, “Reloading Ammo—Cost-Effective, Efficient, Fun” in Small Arms Review, Vol. 24, No. 8.
Before you can select a powder, you must know what you want to do (hunting, casual shooting, practice for personal defense or target shooting), what cartridge you are loading, what bullet weight you want to use and your ultimate goal, be it precision, velocity or purely cost savings.
There are many different makes and distinct powders, which are divided into three groups: black powder (and its substitutes), rifle powders and pistol/shotgun powders— in this case, the same powders can be used for both. A visit to a local gun shop showed they carry four types of black powder substitutes and 71 different kinds of smokeless powder for rifles, pistols and shotguns.

We can dispense with black powder, as it is only used in muzzleloading firearms and old cartridges. When the round is known by two or three sets of numbers, such as the 45-70 or 45-70-405, it is usually a round that was created in the black powder era. In this case, it is a .45-caliber bullet, loaded over 70 grains of black powder and weighing 405 grains. The most common round like this is the 30-30, a .30-caliber bullet originally loaded over 30 grains of black powder. There are of course exceptions, such as the 30-06—the .30-caliber round modified in 1906. Black powder is an explosive, with regulations as to how it is to be stored and limits to the quantity of how much a store can have on hand. The substitutes are not restricted.

Smokeless powder is a propellant and much safer to handle. It can be single or double base (nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin) and shaped as rods, flakes or balls. It can be coated with deterrent coatings to change its burn characteristics. You will find “burn rate charts,” which give the relative “speed” at which powders burn. Never use load data for one powder with any other powder, even one from a different maker with the same name, or adjacent on a burn chart.

Smokeless is just that—it smokes less than black powder. It is not completely smoke-free. It is a fire hazard (so no smoking while reloading) but not an explosive hazard. Powder is measured by weight, but dispensed by volume. What does that mean?? The charge—the amount of powder to be placed in the case—is defined by weight in grains and tenths of a grain. Thus you will need a powder scale to weigh the charge. But for convenience it is run through a powder measure, with an adjustable cavity. You set the cavity to “drop” the right amount of powder for each case by weight—the scale lets you set the measure.

Some makers name their powders—Bull’s-eye (the oldest name still in use) is a pistol powder usually used for target shooting at round, bulls-eye targets with pistols. Other companies use numbers: IMR 4895 is “Improved Military Rifle formula #4895.”

Bullets

The bullet is what “does the work,” be it punching a hole in a paper target, ringing some steel, dropping the animal you are hunting or protecting your life. There are a variety of bullets optimized for each use.

The least expensive are lead bullets, cast or swaged into shape for your caliber. These are mostly used for practice and some types of precision competitions. They are limited by the soft nature of lead to lower velocities.
Plated bullets are the (relative) “new kids on the block,” electrically plated with a thin “skin” of copper over the lead. Slightly more expensive than lead, they can be pushed to higher velocities and leave less residue in the barrel of your gun.

The top of the list are the jacketed bullets, where the lead is forced into a copper jacket. These can be sent downrange at the highest velocities—close to 4,000 feet per second in some rifles.

There are a limited number of pure copper bullets used for hunting and a few defensive pistol rounds. Usually found in factory ammunition, a few have found their way onto gun shop shelves.

In addition to their composition, the shape of the bullet is also a factor in selection. For precision pistol shooting in handguns, there are the wadcutter and semi-wadcutter shapes of lead bullets. The wadcutter is used in revolvers and looks like a cylinder of lead, dead flat on the ends. They cut a hole of bore size in the paper target and leave little wads of paper on the ground behind the target—like a hole punch dumped on the ground—thus the name. The semi-wadcutter does the same thing for use in semi-automatic pistols, with a smaller than bore-size tapered cylinder on the top to allow feeding.

Round nose bullets are just that—fine for some kinds of competition and all kinds of practice. Jacketed Hollow points and, for rifles, jacketed soft points, are the choice for personal protection and hunting. Match bullets are, as you would expect, used for competitions—matches. They are made to a high level of precision and, of course, cost more.

Tools

The list is fairly short, and used, err … “previously enjoyed,” tools can be found at discount prices. The author has been using some of the same tools for 50 years while loading an average of 10,000 rounds per year, and in examining used tools has yet to find any junk. All the makers are dedicated to making tools that will last several lifetimes.

The Number 1 tool is the reloading press. These come in single-stage (one operation at a time), turret (capable of performing each operation on a single case) and progressive tools, which, once loaded with cases, primers, powder and bullets, produce a loaded round with each pull of the handle. For clarity, and because most folks people start out this way, I’ll describe the operations as if loaded on a single station press.

Die sets for each caliber (along with a shell holder) allow you to load different rounds in the same press. With one very minor exception, all dies use the same thread pattern and fit in all presses. For bottleneck rounds, there are two dies in the box. Straight wall cases (rifle and pistol) require a three-die set, as you will see. Dies come in standard, small base, tungsten carbide (for very high volume reloading) and match (higher precision) types.

A case cleaner—rotating, vibrating or ultrasonic is a must have, as is a case trimmer and a micrometer. One final tool is a bullet puller, to “erase” any mistakes.

As noted above, you will need a powder scale and a powder measure. There are lots of small items like boxes, bags, markers, etc., that are not reloading-specific.

Putting It All Together

The first thing you will learn here is there are always two or more ways for each step in turning your brass into ammunition. I’ll cover the most common methods.

We will use the cleaned brass mentioned in “Reloading Ammo—Cost-Effective, Efficient, Fun” (Small Arms Review, Vol. 24, No. 8). Get your dies for the caliber out, and set them according to the instructions. This is a step you only need do once.

The clean brass needs to be lubricated for sizing—reforming the expanded case to its original shape. You can use a pad (which does a fine job of lubricating your hand) or spray lube. If you are loading straight-wall pistol cases and have carbide dies, you can skip lubrication. If you are loading a bottleneck case, even with carbide dies, you still must lubricate. If you fail to lubricate, you will get a case stuck in the die, which is FAR more trouble than lubricating the cases.

With the correct shell holder in place, running the ram to the top (by lowering the press handle) will decap (remove the primer) and resize the case. You can re-prime the case on the down stroke of the ram or choose a separate priming tool. On a bottleneck case, the decapping stem will also bell (expand) the case mouth to accept the new bullet. On straight wall cases this is a separate operation utilizing the second die in a three-die set.

Those bottleneck cases need to be measured for length, as the cases stretch with each firing. The forward portion of the chamber is designed for the diameter of the bullet, not the diameter plus the case wall thickness. This will cause a pressure spike big enough to possibly blow up your gun. Your reloading manual will have the case “OAL” (overall length), and you will need a case trimmer to cut it back. The straight wall cases can skip the trimming as they have no shoulder for the gases to push forward.

By now you have selected the bullet weight and design, and by consulting the loading manual, a powder and charge weight. That charge can be high or low, with two caveats:
1) Never load a charge you “found on the net” unless you can find it listed in a reloading manual or on the powder or bullet makers’ website. Someone’s “perfect load” can work in his gun but blow yours up. Plus you run the risk that it came from some 12-year-old in mommy’s basement who thinks it would be “funny” for you to destroy your gun and possibly get hurt.
2) Use at least two separate sources—two manuals or a manual and one of the aforementioned websites to confirm that the load is safe. Even the folks who write the manuals can make a mistake.

The author always loads “in the middle” of the charges listed. That way if he makes a minor error—the case chosen has an unusually thick side wall, the bullet is a bit on the heavy side or any one of a hundred things beyond his control—he still has a safe load. If the “middle” load is too slow for your needs, buy a bigger caliber gun! If the .308 is too slow, buy a .300 Win Magnum. In the long run, it is much cheaper than pushing the envelope and getting a ride to the emergency room. There is no reason to risk blowing up your gun and/or getting injured in a “pressure excursion” just to get your bullet to go 100 feet per second faster.

After selecting a charge weight, close the manual, reopen it and make sure you are on the right page for the round you are loading and looking at the right bullet weight. These extra seconds can save you from making up an over or under pressure batch! Then using the powder scale and the powder measure, set the measure to drop the correct weight. As another safety check, never accept the first correct weight. Always drop several more charges and then weigh another, as some powders settle and become denser from the operation of the measure. When you first start, weigh every charge. If they are all good, you can weigh every fifth charge and then every tenth as you become more comfortable. Once you establish a consistent rhythm, it’s easy to drop the charges with confidence. You will want a cartridge tray to place the rounds with powder in them and reduce the chance of knocking them over. Only cases with powder in them stand up on the author’s bench, or else there is a chance of seating a bullet into a case with no powder!

Using the bullet seating die, set per the directions, seat the first bullet and let the die crimp the case into the bullet. This keeps the bullet from setting back or moving forward—setting back can drastically raise the pressure, and moving forward can jam a revolver. Then take that first round and make sure it will fit into your magazine. You may want to make up a dummy round (no primer or powder) for this step. Save that dummy, as it can be handy if you ever need to rest your dies.

The final steps are wiping the lube off the completed rounds, if you have not already done so after sizing, and then boxing or bagging them with the load data. You’ll want the caliber, case make, powder make and charge, and bullet make and weight on a note with your handcrafted ammo.

Going Forward

Once you become confident, you may want to experiment with higher or lower powder charges or different bullets and seating depths. You can customize your loads for the best precision in your rifle or pistol or produce large quantities for the same cost as store-bought ammo. You may also decide shooting your ammo is so much fun that you want to shoot more and perhaps move up to a progressive press. With such a tool, you pre-load it with powder and primers, then put in a case and a bullet, pull the handle, and a loaded round comes out!

So start saving your brass and try reloading it!

By Frank Iannamico

The history, use and details of revolvers fielded by the military have often been overshadowed by their semiautomatic counterparts. However, the revolver served in relatively large numbers in both World War I and World War II.

When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, the standard handgun for the U.S. Army and Navy was John Browning’s .45 caliber 1911 semiautomatic pistol. Inadequate supplies of the 1911 pistol resulted in contracts being awarded to Colt and Smith & Wesson (S&W) to manufacture .45 caliber revolvers to supplement the standard 1911 pistol. The Colt and S&W designs are totally different; only the caliber is the same.

Contract discussions began in the spring of 1917, but due to a lack of funding, Colt’s contract was not let until October of that year.

.45 Caliber
The Army’s experience in fighting during the Moro Rebellion of 1899 in the Philippine Islands revealed that the standard-issue, .38 Long Colt (LC) caliber Colt Model 1892 service revolvers lacked adequate stopping power against a determined enemy. As a direct result, the .38 caliber M1892 revolver was replaced by the .45 caliber M1909 Colt New Service revolver. The Colt M1909 New Service revolver was chambered for the rimmed .45 LC caliber cartridge, not the .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) round adopted in 1911.

The Model 1917 Colt Revolver
Colt’s M1909 New Service revolver’s basic design was modified for the .45 ACP cartridge by implementing a wider cylinder stop lug to keep the cylinder in place when the cylinder was swung out to load as well as a tapered barrel. A shorter cylinder was designed to allow use of the half-moon clips designed by Smith & Wesson for their 1917 revolver. The cylinders on early Colt 1917 revolvers were drilled straight through, lacking head-spacing shoulders. Consequently, the Colt model could only fire rimless .45 ACP rounds mounted in the half-moon clips. The Army directed Colt to design cylinders with head-spacing shoulders, thus allowing .45 ACP cartridges to be chambered and fired without clips, if needed, but each spent case had to be individually ejected with a cleaning rod or similar tool. The U.S. Colt Model 1917 was a six-shot, double-action, large frame revolver.

The number of Colt 1917 revolvers procured was reported as 154,802. In addition to the Army and Navy, a small number of the revolvers were issued to U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Post Office, the Justice Department, the Treasury Department and others. The original contract (R32/14984-R32) price with two half-moon clips was $14.00 per revolver. A later contract had a revised price of $19.00 each. After World War I ended, Colt’s contract was suspended in December 1918. The last 1917 Colt revolver was delivered during February 1919.

The .45 ACP Colt M1917 military revolvers have a 5.5-inch barrel, with 6-grooves and a left-hand twist of one turn in 16-inches. The revolver’s overall length is 10.8 inches, weighs 2 pounds, 7 ounces and is slightly heavier than its S&W counterpart. Its original finish was a low-luster blue with smooth walnut grips.

The serial numbers were marked on the frame under the yoke and written on the inside of the grips in pencil. The butt of the weapons was marked, “U.S. Army Model 1917” and a number that is different from the Colt factory serial number.

The left side of the barrel was roll marked, “COLT D.A. 45.” The top of the barrel was marked, “COLT’S PT F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT U.S.A. PAT’D AUG 5, 1884 JUNE 5, 1900 JULY 4, 1905.” (Note a number of replacement barrels were manufactured at the Springfield Armory). The bottom of the barrel was roll marked, “UNITED STATES PROPERTY.” There were several variations of the property markings that used different fonts and one without quotation marks. The VP (Verified Proof) common on Colt commercial firearms was not used on military contract revolvers. The trademark “Rampant Colt” was roll marked on the left side of the frame.

Note: The factory serial number on the Colt-manufactured U.S. Army Model of 1917 is stamped on the frame. A different, non-matching, number is stamped on the butt; it is not the Colt serial number, but a government control number. However, the number stamped on the butt of the Smith & Wesson military M1917 revolver is the weapon’s factory serial number.

Military Acceptance and Proof Markings
Various components and assemblies were inspected prior to those parts being assembled into a completed revolver. Individual parts that passed were given a provisional inspection mark. Provisional inspection markings were stamped on the frame under the yoke, back of the cylinder and on the underside of the barrel. On Colt revolvers, the provisional inspection mark was the letter “H” representing Francis Hosmer, assistant inspector at the Colt factory. Other factory inspection markings were stamped on the frame under the grips.

The acceptance stamp used until February 1918 was that of Army Inspector of Ordnance (AIO) Officer Gilbert H. Stewart. His initials “GHS” were superimposed in a circle located on the upper left side of the frame. In later production, to approximately May 1918, the initials of AIO Army Officer John M. Gibert , “JMG,” were marked on the upper left side of the weapon, with the G encircling the letters “JM.” Later stamps were an eagle’s head with letter codes beneath it, the most common being “S20.” The AIO stamp indicated that the completed weapon inspected was being accepted on behalf of the U.S. government.

The 1917 Colt revolvers were procured, and inspected, by U.S. Springfield Armory personnel. Revolvers were function-fired with six rounds—three in single action and three in double action. Weapons were fired for accuracy on a 15-yard range. A revolver was randomly selected from each lot for endurance testing with 2,000 rounds of standard ball ammunition. After testing, the weapons were cleaned, oiled and packed for shipment.

Other markings that may appear on military weapons were those added when a weapon was sent to the factory or a government arsenal to be rebuilt. If rebuilt at an arsenal located in the U.S., the initials of that facility were stamped onto the right side of the frame. Generally, the facility involved in the rebuild of Colt revolvers was the Springfield Armory using the letters “SA” or the Rock Island Arsenal using “RIA.” In some cases, the Ordnance “flaming bomb” or “wheel” were applied to signify that the weapon passed inspection after being rebuilt.

After World War I ended, the revolvers saw use by military police units. Most were returned to military arsenals or the manufacturer for repair or rebuild before being placed in storage. The Springfield Armory performed most of the work.

During 1941, prior to the U.S. entering World War II, the 1917 revolvers remaining in military storage were planned to be issued only in the continental U.S. However, the .45 caliber revolvers were issued to military police units serving in the European and Pacific Theaters. When World War II ended in 1945, there were a reported 96,530 Colt Model 1917 revolvers returned for storage, 27 to 28 years after they first entered service. After the War ended with adequate supplies of 1911 and 1911A1 pistols, the revolvers were to be classified as obsolete, but the Provost Marshall disagreed, saying that the revolvers were well-suited for military police work, so they remained in service up until the Vietnam era. Today, the old war horses are over 100 years old and a cherished collector’s item, many still functioning as an occasional shooter.

By Michael Heidler

The traditional German weapon manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH became famous for its pistols and sports rifles. The attempts to gain a foothold in other segments as well brought only limited success. Some developments remained only on paper, such as a folding stock with an aiming device for shooting around corners.

After World War II, the new German police and the Federal Border Guard (Bundesgrenzschutz / BGS) received an initial supply of weapons, vehicles and equipment mainly from stocks of wartime production. This included, for example, the Italian Beretta submachine gun, which was formerly manufactured under German occupation. A slightly modified version with a push-button safety incorporated into the wooden stock was adopted as the “Maschinenpistole 1,” or in short “MP 1.”

Like many other business owners, Fritz Walther, Carl’s son, fled from his hometown Zella-Mehlis in East Germany to the West Zone. There he initially manufactured civilian products such as calculating machines and tools before he was allowed to start manufacturing pistols again after Allied restrictions were relaxed in the early 1950s. During this time, a curious development also took place, of which only a few photos in the company archives are still preserved today.

Shooting at an opponent is one thing, but in a gunfight, the opponent shoots back. Therefore, it is generally advantageous to take cover and to expose as little body area as possible. As early as 1944, the Wehrmacht tested a curved barrel attachment for the Sturmgewehr 44, which allowed firing at the enemy from cover. A complicated prismatic sight helped with aiming. However, this device was too heavy, unwieldy to use, and the curved barrel quickly wore out due to the forced guidance of the projectiles. Series production and use in combat were never realized.

Walther now went a different way. Instead of a bulky, curved barrel extension, a special sighting device in combination with a laterally swivelling stock was to provide a remedy. For testing on a submachine gun, Walther used the Beretta which was in German service at the time. The wooden stock was sawn off behind the trigger, and a mount for a folding stock similar in design to the MP38/40 was attached. This mount could also be swivelled sideways.

On the top of the receiver, near the end cap, a pivotable mirror was placed, with which the shooter could take aim via rear and front sights. The resulting higher sight line made it necessary to increase the height of both sights. On the photos it is not visible whether the mirror is connected to the stock joint and pivots synchronously. It would make sense, however. Otherwise the shooter would have to realign the mirror manually with every slight swivel movement of the stock.

The posture in a shoot-around-corner firing position is uncomfortable and probably only intended for unusual situations or emergencies. The weight of the loaded weapon of approximately 9 pounds and the recoil forces strain the arm muscles and make accurate aiming difficult. The Walther engineers therefore attached a clamp with two spikes near the middle of the barrel. These spikes can be folded out on the left or right side as required, and the shooter can use them to hook the weapon into the bark of a tree, for example. The spikes, however, only serve as a support and are by no means able to bear the whole weight of the gun alone.

A T-shaped metal grip, which is mounted between the trigger guard and the magazine well, serves as a further aid for the shooter. It can also be swivelled to the left and right and allows the shooter to keep his front hand behind the cover. When not in use, the grip swings to the left side and rests partially in a cut-out in the wooden stock.

Written documents about this development do not seem to exist anymore, and nothing is known about a trial or even a presentation to police or military officials. Therefore, only three photos remain in the company archive. This purely mechanical device for shooting around corners probably did not prove to be suitable for practical use, and Walther did not follow up on this idea. Today, thanks to modern technology, international development is already one step further. With a digital camera on the barrel and a small high-resolution color monitor on the swivel stock, shooting around corners has become more comfortable.

Special thanks to Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen, Ulm, Germany.

Most readers of this column will have already reviewed many articles regarding the “move” of many firearms and firearms-related articles to the Commerce Department in terms of regulation and administration. This move was universally lauded for eliminating much of the cumbersome and expensive International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), as administered by the U.S. Department of State (State Department / State). This migration was many years (decades) in the making and did, in fact, make life easier for many.

Unfortunately, the move did not make life easier for those who manufacture National Firearms Act (NFA) items such as suppressors and machine guns. Manufacturers of those items are still required to register with the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), regardless of whether the manufactured items are destined for international commerce. Many manufacturers are aware of the onerous process of maintaining compliance under Department of State control. Fortunately, State has rolled out its new online system, the Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS). DECCS will replace DTRA, DTrade, EFS, ELLIE and MARY, providing users access to a number of DDTC business applications through a single, cloud-based portal. Currently, the Registration, Licensing, Advisory Opinions and Commodity Jurisdictions applications are live in the DECCS Portal.

Many manufacturers of NFA items were grudgingly drawn into the regimented and confounding world of ITAR registration with the Department of State many years ago, and many NFA manufacturers chose to simply ignore the need for registration, despite the dire warnings regarding the consequences of such malfeasance. Frankly, State’s old system was cumbersome and overly complicated. One had to download approved electronic documents; electronically complete some portions of those documents; print out those documents; sign those documents; scan the now-signed documents; save and then submit those documents; and then head on down to your local bank to submit your onerous payment via ACH or wire (though State loved calling it “FedWire”), all the while, cross-referencing applications and payments with all sorts of arcane reference numbers. All that appears to be buried. Applying for a DECCS account is fairly straightforward at deccs.pmddtc.state.gov/deccs. It is also quite secure. Users will immediately notice that the system employs two-factor authentication for each login to the system. This can be done via a smart phone application or via an automated dialer service.

Once logged into the system, users can go directly to the registration programs via pull-down menus. The ITAR registration is significantly streamlined, and users are walked through each step of the process, including identification, documentation and certification. Of note is that documentation is more rigorous and includes items such as articles of incorporation. All of this can be done online and electronically. No printing and rescanning.

The best part? The base registration fee is currently, as of the time of the writing of this column, only $500 (as opposed to $2,250) and can be paid for with a credit card after the registration has been approved! No expensive trip to the bank to make the payment. The NFATCA has railed for ages against the onerous registration scheme employed by State for NFA manufacturers that do not export and have no intention of doing so. We have worked hand-in-hand with other organizations in the long process of reducing the impact of ITAR registration. The current process is a much appreciated first step in reducing the regulatory burden, but we still have a long way to go! We have been committed to assisting the NFA community for almost 15 years. Our goal is to help our community act responsibly and safely within the law. We work with legislators and regulators to expand NFA opportunities for everyone. We thank you for your continued support. Thank you and don’t forget to sign up or renew your membership today at nfatca.org/join.htm.