LIGHTWAVE ILLUMINATOR™ HEAD TORCH

Lightwave of Laguna Hills, CA announces the introduction of a brand new kind of head torch, the solid-state Lightwave Illuminator™ Portable Lighting System. Like no other head torch, the Lightwave uses four super-bright white light emitting diodes (LEDs) that have a typical life of over 1000,000 hours. This is over 11 years of continuous usage (with battery change). The Lightwave Illuminator also has a specially designed printed circuit board to control the flow of voltage from the three AAA alkaline batteries. This means that the batteries powering a Lightwave Illuminator head torch will last 14 times as long as those powering a regular head torch. In fact, leaving a Lightwave Illuminator on for 336 hours, continuously, Lightwave’s engineers could still read a newspaper using only the light output from the Lightwave Illuminator. The Lightwave Illuminator weighs only 5 ounces and with batteries still only weighs less than 7 ounces. The light is waterproof to several feet so rain etc., is no problem. This makes it a good choice for camping, fishing and other outdoor activities. The Lightwave is also shockproof and there is no spark, caused by a breaking filament, if you happen to drop it. This makes it a great choice for miners, oil field workers and others where sparks can cause a big problem. The light can be dropped onto hard surfaces from 10 feet and the LEDs will not break and the light will still function normally. Except for batteries and abuse the light is warranted for 5 years. The super-bright white LEDs are visible for over one mile and are so bright that you almost have to be careful looking directly into them. Manufacturers suggested retail price is $39.95. Foe more information contact LightWave, Dept. SAR, 24702 Kim Circle, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Phone: 1-949-462-9065. Fax: 1-949-859-7581. On the web at www.longlight.com.

KENWOOD FREETALK FAMILY RADIOS

Taking personal communications to a new level of convenience, style, and economy, Kenwood Communications has introduced FreeTalk? EL, its smallest, least costly, family 2-way radio. Offering both the operating range and channel capability of more expensive FRS radios, the new FreeTalk EL (Model UBZ-AM14) offers an illuminated LCD display, volume and status indicators, automatic battery saver function, ring tones, and other popular features. Offered in black and fashionable translucent blue, the radios have a suggested list price of $114.95 per pair. As with all FreeTalk radios, airtime for sending and receiving messages is always free. “Family radios are the easiest and least costly way for people to keep in touch over short or moderate distances,” said Chris Ryg, Consumer Sales Manger. “It’s easy to see why they have quickly become the most popular 2-way radios for use by the general public.” The new FreeTalk EL, with a range of up to two miles, allows conversations to be conducted on any of the 38 “talk groups” available on each of its 14 channels. The radio’s LCD display is lighted, providing good visibility at night or in darkened rooms. The display shows which channel and talk group is in use, whether the radio is sending or receiving a signal, and at what level the speaker volume is set. Volume is set with a 32-step control. All radio controls and settings are operated using push-buttons. The radio’s small size and ergonomic design allow for convenient one-handed operation by children as well as adults. Any number of people can participate in conversations on the same channel, and FreeTalk EL may be used with other FRS radio from Kenwood and other companies. As with more expensive FRS radios, the FreeTalk EL allows users to contact each other either by voice or by sending a ring tone. To conserve power, the radio has a battery saver function that switches the receiver on and off at predetermined intervals. The radio, which sounds an alert tone when the battery level is low, operates on four AAA-size batteries, providing 30 hours of operation under typical usage patterns.Among the smallest FRS family radios available from any company, the FreeTalk EL measures a mere 3-3/4” tall, 2-1/4” wide, and less than 1-1/4” deep. It is equipped with a fixed, low-profile antenna and belt clip. An instruction manual is packaged with each pair of radios, which carry a 90-day warranty. For more information contact Kenwood Communications, Dept. SAR, Technology Park at Johns Creek, 3975 Johns Creek Road, Suwanee, GA 30024. Phone: 1-800-950-5005. The company’s web site is www.kenwood.net.

TAC-JAC 2001

Ridgeline , Inc., has just introduced their incredible Tac-Jac 2001. This quality made, heavy duty jacket was designed primarily for special operations, tactical deployment and undercover operations where the law enforcement/military professional is required to carry a wide variety of equipment including weapons, communications and other necessary items. The Tac-Jac 2001 has many special features for concealed carry where the professional must blend in with the environment. As such it is designed with a sporting look however is reinforced for maximum load bearing. It is made from the finest, most durable cotton/nylon blend for the utmost in comfort, wear and convenience. It is heavy enough for cold/inclement weather wear and also for wear in hotter climates where body armor may also be necessary. The sleeves zip out for comfort and all pockets, both interior and exterior, are easily accessible. The Velcro quick draw flaps located at the waist on the right and left sides are designed for rapid side arm deployment, as are the two interior weapons pockets. Other features of the outstanding Tac-Jac 2001 include rear shoulder yoke with pull down ID flap, Velcro epaulets, 2-flap shotgun shell pockets with retainer, dual closure snaps, heavy duty zipper with pull tag, long 3 inch elastic cuffs, map pockets, pull-down badge holder, gear pockets and elastic secured magazine pouches. The Tac-Jac 2001 is available in medium, large, x/large and xx/large in regular, long and extra long lengths. It can be ordered in either black, khaki and green. For more information contact Ridgeline, Inc., Dept. SAR, 101 Ridgeline Drive, Westcliffe, CO 81252. Phone: 1-719-783-4161. Fax: 1-719-783-4162. They are on the web at www.pro-ears.com.

SAR 21: ASSAULT RIFLE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Singapore Technologies Kinetics is the land systems arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering. As a world-class integrated land systems group, S. T. Kinetics provides design and engineering services for military vehicles, weapons systems ammunition is ranging from manufacturing, upgrading, prepared to maintenance and life-cycle management. It also provides components and subsystems design and development, and laboratory and industrial test services. Singapore Technology Kinetics has now introduced the S. A. R. 21 assault rifle. The SAR 21 is a world’s latest and most advanced combat rifle. Designed and manufactured by ST Kinetics, the SAR 21 was first introduced to the public in September 1999 in Singapore. It then quickly made its international debut at the Defense Systems Equipment International 99 show in the UK and is now set to make waves in the international arena. Gunning for any industry first, the SAR 21 boasts many outstanding features and state-of-the-art technologies integrated into one rifle. Built on the “Bull-Pup” design with extensive use of high strength engineering plastics and composites, the 5.56 caliber gas operated assault rifle is 20 percent shorter, more compact and lighter in weight compared to an equivalent M-16, it’s widely used U.S. counterpart. Perfectly balanced with ergonomic design and very low recoil, the SAR 21 is ideally suited for the modern combat infantryman. It’s integrated 1.5X optical scope eliminates the need for zeroing to suit different users while enabling quick and accurate aiming. For low light conditions, its built-in laser aiming device with infrared or visible red dot option, offers almost instant reaction capability. In addition, the aiming sight located above the optical scope provides a backup combat site for the soldier. For added protection, the SAR 21 has incorporated patent-pending safety features, like a high-pressure vent hole at the barrel extension and a composite plate at the cheek arrests. Both features prevent the user from sustaining serious injuries in the unlikely event of the chamber explosion. The former feature provides an outlet to release the high-pressure while the latter shields the user from the explosion. The SAR 21 is easily disassembled without the use of tools. It breaks down into four major groups, the barrel group, bolt group, upper receiver group and lower receiver group. There are four variants of the SAR 21. The SAR 21’s modular construction is highly adaptable for various operational requirements and its variants come with a high commonality of parts, providing cost savings in logistics support, training and spare parts requirement. The new variants include the SAR 21 Light Machine Gun, the SAR 21 with 40 mm Grenade Launcher, the SAR 21 P-rail and the SAR 21 Sharp Shooter. The SAR 21 Light Machine Gun features a heavy barrel, bipod and open bolt firing system. The SAR 21 Light Machine Gun was developed as a section assault weapon. The SAR 21 can also be fitted with 40 mm Grenade Launcher with a 9 inch barrel. The laser aiming device is mounted on the quadrant platform for quick accurate target acquisition. This configuration serves to add firepower to the modern combat infantryman. The SAR 21 P- rail has a sight mounting platform in place of the integrated optical scope. This variant offers the flexibility of integrating other sighting systems according to the users needs. The last model, the SAR 21 Sharp Shooter, has a 3X optical scope in place of the 1.5X optical scope. The SAR 21 is gas operated with a rotary bolt. It offers both semi and full-auto fire with a cyclic rate of between 450 to 650 rounds per minute. It is fed by a 30 round box magazine and standard accessories include magazines, rifle cleaning kit and rifle sling. Optional accessories include the laser aiming device, blank firing attachment and bore sighting equipment. For more information contact Singapore Technologies Kinetics, Ltd., Dept SAR, 5 Portsdown Road, Singapore, 139296. Phone: (65) 473-6311. Fax: (65) 471-0662. Their web address is www.stengg.com.

Blackjack-33: With the Special Forces in the Viet Cong Forbidden Zone by James C. Donahue is the story of how a few U.S. Army Special Forces advisors and a battalion of Cambodians took the war to the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army in their own sanctuaries. While U.S. Army Special Forces units were primarily involved in training units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) from 1957 to 1961, their mission was significantly broadened in 1961 when they were ordered to train and advise South Vietnam’s minority groups; Montagnards, Cambodians, Nungs, and ethnic Vietnamese of the Cao-Dai and Hao Hao sects. This marked the beginning of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) program. By 1965 SF “A-teams” had established forty-eight CIDG camps. In 1967, Colonel Kelly, the commanding officer of the 5th Special Forces Group, directed the formation of Mobile Guerrilla Forces Detachment A-303 in order to introduce American led “guerrillas” to Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) controlled sanctuaries, specifically War Zone D, a Viet Cong “secret zone”. Kelly ordered Captain James “Bo” Gritz, the executive officer of the Nha Trang Mike Force to form the MGF.

The Khmer Serei (Free Cambodians) troops Gritz recruited to form the MGF were young — many only 16 or 17 years old, but they were experienced fighters. Some of the older soldiers fought the Viet Minh. One, Thach, was at Dien Bien Phu with the 5th Para Brigade. The Khmer Serei were recruited from CIDG infantry companies already working with U.S. Army Special Forces. Donahue, an advisor to a Montagnard light infantry company at Duc Phong special forces camp, was recruited as cadre for the new unit. Donahue describes the camaraderie between Green Berets and their Cambodian troops. His rapport with the Cambodians of the MFG is readily apparent. Indeed, unlike many other memoirs of duty in Vietnam, the indigenous troops are central to the story and you get to know many of the Cambodians as well as you do their American Green Beret commanders.

James Donahue (currently the US Department of Labor’s Assistant Director for Veteran’s Employment and Training in Buffalo, NY) had enlisted in the Marine Corps and served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the missile crisis. After his enlistment in the U.S. Army he volunteered for Special Forces and saw action with Detachment A-343 at Duc Phong and Mobile Guerrilla Force Detachments A-303, A-304, A-361 and B-36 at Bien Hoa, Ho Ngoc Tao, and Trang Sup.

Blackjack-33 is not Donahue’s first book. No Greater love: A Day with the Mobile Guerrilla Force in Vietnam was published in 1989 and earned the George Washington Honor Medal. I read it in one sitting and remember being stunned at the ferocity of the combat Donahue described. On that mission, Blackjack 34, he was a medic and deputy patrol commander when his mobile guerrilla force (MGF) found itself surrounded and besieged by regiment sized units of Viet Cong and NVA. Donahue followed that book with Mobile Guerrilla Force published by Naval Institute Press in 1994. I’m a fan of Donahue’s books so my negative criticism of his writing style is sparse. Some of the dialogue seems a bit stilted and sometimes melodramatic and the phrasing that Donahue has had to re-create (from his journal and conversations with participants) after thirty years isn’t always what you might expect men in the heat of battle to utter. Some of the political and cultural explanations couched in dialogue seem contrived. Although a necessary mechanism to inform the reader what the author obviously already knew at the time, it is sometimes a distraction to Donahue’s otherwise vibrant, descriptive prose on the sights, sounds, and smells of Vietnam. The chirping of crickets, screeching of monkey — faint smells of wood-smoke and Vietnamese food cooking in the predawn air — Donahue makes all these come alive for the reader. His storytelling is gritty and violently factual.

War Zone D was known to the Viet Cong as “The Forbidden Zone.” It was here that the mobile guerrilla force would out-guerrilla the guerrilla: sneaking around the Viet Cong and NVA sanctuary, penetrating his inner lair, hitting the enemy where he lived, literally, in his base camps. As Donahue recounts: “It was a dangerous game — like hunting a three-hundred pound tiger with a jackknife.

” With an M-5 kit in one hand and an M-16 rifle in the other Donahue was both medic and assistant platoon leader, healer and killer. This balancing act sometimes seem incongruous especially when Donahue shoots a Viet Cong in the throat and them attempts to treat him as the enemy soldier gurgles his last breath.

While many G.I.s in Vietnam never even saw an enemy soldier, Donahue and his unit were often nearly overrun by ranks of khaki clad, pith helmet wearing North Vietnamese. In the first action described in Blackjack-33, Donahue’s unit engaged a unit of mixed black and green uniformed troops, a unit of Khaki clad regulars, Chinese mercenaries (the Cambodians recognized the language), and blue uniformed troops. One of the MFG recon platoons is overrun by the Chinese troops. James Williams, a section leader, is killed and the platoon leader, Dale England, is wounded and radios, “We’re stackin magazines. This may be my last transmission. Over”.

The MGF had to react quickly, decisively, and aggressively. Their standard operating procedure was to assault, kill a bunch of the enemy, destroy material, boobytrap the area and any ammunition stocks, then break contact and withdraw before any counterattack could outflank them. One raid included assaulting thirty or more Viet Cong, their weapons stacked uselessly behind them, while they were sitting on benches in a map reading class in their jungle schoolroom.

During another of these base camp raids on the NVA’s inner sanctum the MGF breaks contact and while withdrawing back into the relative safety of the jungle Donahue falls into a trench, landing on top of a badly wounded VC. Before he can shoot he realizes the enemy soldier is a woman. He uses his scarf to tie a tourniquet around her leg and injects her with morphine. Scenes such as this makes Blackjack-33 a riveting and at times, emotional. There is pathos here. As a firefight erupts around them Donahue’s radio operator, Ly, shouts a warning and pushes Donahue out of the way of incoming fire, only to take a fatal bullet meant for Donahue. Another, Set, has his spinal column severed and is given an overdose of morphine by his friends and dies.

In the epilogue Donahue gives a history of Khmer Serei forces from Blackjack-33 up to May 1970 when Cambodians of the 3rd Mobile Strike Force were flown to Phnom Penh for integration into the Cambodian Army, and provides post-war biographical sketches of all the participants including his Cambodian comrades. While a few found a happy ending here in the United States most did not survive their decade long struggle for freedom.

Badger Ordnance
6302 N. Park Ave.
Gladstone, MO 64118
(816)455-3704
www.badgerord.com

More than 200 companies were on hand with everything from body armor to books, from ammo and armored vehicles to guns and gear. In addition to the best known companies like Heckler & Koch and Safariland, TREXPO gives newer firms an equal chance to showcase their wares in the exhibit hall and in personal interaction with attendees. Whether you are a patrol officer looking for a backup weapon or a department chief concerned about efficiently processing field reports, there is lots of comparison shopping to be done among rows and rows of colorful booths.

E-Tech

This year’s four day event was further expanded by addition of E-Tech (Enforcement Technology), showcasing state-of-the-art electronic tools and techniques for the ever expanding missions of modern law enforcement. E-Tech features such things as “ComputerCop” software as well as digitized fingerprint identification and other cyber-gadgets that can help the street officer and his support or command structure.

Professional Development Conference

During the first three days of the event more than thirty mini classes were available to all who had paid their basic $295 registration fee. As an alternative, individuals can pick and choose exactly which of these they need to learn about at a mere $50 each. Either way this public security smorgasbord represents an amazing bargain given the expertise of the presenters and the timeliness of their subjects.

Beginning on the 15th with Response to Workplace Violence, the seminars ranged widely to include Advanced Raid Tactics, Weapons of Mass Destruction Delivery Systems, and Wireless Video Surveillance. Want to sharpen your survival skills in knife fighting? Join Jim Wagner of HSS International for a theory and practice session on Combative Subjects and Edged Weapon Defense. Want to get an inside track on how some big boys handled some big problems? Sit in with Captain Elliott Grollman of Federal Protective Service for his class- IMF World Bank Demonstrations —Washington DC Responds.

Range Day

Saving what many consider the most stimulating element for last, TREXPO Range Day provides attendees, exhibitors, and seminar presenters with an exciting opportunity to bring hardware and ideas into action. Best of all, it also affords the opportunity to grab a fistful of firepower and pump some lead with free ammo and somebody else cleaning the weapons afterward. Are we having fun yet?

Conducted just a few miles away from the Expo hall at the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department range, this was a four ring circus of live fire, classroom and practical demonstrations, plus numerous static displays.

Alas, “Murphy’s Law” was clearly dominant this year when a week of sunny days crashed into an overcast and intermittently rainy Friday. Undaunted, intrepid vendors and cops alike bravely carried on because the real world is not always sunshine and cool breezes. However, photographers — at least this one — are not typically resigned to rain and low light. Not only does this make the job of getting good pictures a pain in the butt, it also leads to rain-spotted lenses and sometimes drenched and ruined cameras. Bitch, bitch, bitch.

“Static” Displays

Of course the DRASH guys had to be delighted with the bad weather, dry and snug in their “Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter” super tent that is intended for just this sort of circumstance in field operations. Meanwhile, demonstrators from Foldable Products and SWATEC scrambled up and down their cleverly designed tactical climbing devices as the Tasertron guys zapped high voltage into a mylar target (nobody volunteered to stand in) and Time Domain peered through walls with their portable radar.

Pyros and Potential Lawsuits

The Upper range was set aside for several lively demonstrations of unusual ammo for some of the old favorite tools in the law enforcement arsenal. Six firms showed their stuff including Polyshok’s 12 ga. “smart ammo” and MK Ballistics’ “less lethal” loads and launchers from sidearms to 40mm chunkers. Armor Holdings’ Dave Young kept spectators ducking and hopping as rebounding 40mm and 12 ga. batons and balls bounced around. Fortunately, nobody got hit — at least during the session I observed — so the company’s lawyer will just have to wait for some other time to upgrade his Mercedes. Young’s energetic and fast moving demo also included an extensive line of smoke, chemical and other pyrotechnic rounds.

Serious Shooting

But the meat and potatoes of law enforcement armament was laid out on the lower range on several tables stacked with a variety of pistols, submachine guns and assault rifles. This is the place for free ammo, exotic weapons and the chance to load and shoot stuff that most guys just read about.

Not surprisingly, H&K’s presence was exceptionally strong given the fact that their US headquarters is only a few miles away in Sterling and the range we were on is its official Tactical Training site. Big boxes of ammo were laid out in a magazine loading station right behind a pair of tables covered end to end with their German and Italian wares.

A swarm of cops gathered to grab a mag or two (gimme one pistol and one smg mag to go, please) then bellied up to the bar for some shooting time. Under the watchful eyes of experienced trainers like Chris Shepard, even those who had never held an MP5 before were quickly checked out on loading and handling procedures then methodically air-conditioned the paper targets.

A small but significant annoyance needs to be mentioned here. Because the range’s target berm is directly opposite the Dulles International Airport complex just a few miles away, all shooting had to be done from close in at the 15 yard line! While this isn’t too bad for pistol popping, it is a real bummer when demonstrating or trying out an assault rifle — particularly when equipped with telescopic sights. There, I got it off my chest.

Ashley Outdoors was next on the line, demonstrating their Express and Pro Express pistol sights and white dot/ghost ring models for rifles and shotguns. H&K’s Matt Nassar tried out the Ashley sight for the USC Carbine and seemed favorably impressed.

The relatively new teaming of Mullins Ammunition and SIOPTS demonstrated some highly interesting tools for the special operations arena. Combining titanium suppressors with innovative ammunition from .22 to .50 caliber, their line includes the ultra-quiet rimfire SPECTRE pistol and OMEGA rifle, as well as cleverly engineered “Earth Safe Munitions” like the blunt nosed 46 grain tungsten composite 5.56mm ESM-2 reduced ricochet round. No earplugs needed when these southwest Virginia boys are shootin’.

Many time national champion tactical shooting competitor Todd Jarrett put on a fast moving and amazing demonstration of lightning speed mag changes and close-quarters accuracy for Aetco’s line of Para Ordnance auto pistols. Highlighting the award-winning new LDA 14-45, Jarrett makes an airtight case for the venerable old Army M1911, now updated in double action.

Bullpup Showdown

More than two decades old now, the highly praised Austrian “Armee Universal Gewehr” (AUG) has been around long enough to establish itself as the leader in compact assault rifle technology. Pioneering the use of a polymer housing with modular components for maximum tactical flexibility, the AUG concept has now inspired gun designers in the Middle East and the Orient to build a better bullpup. Two very exciting new assault rifles were introduced at TREXPO, externally similar in configuration but with significant differences inside.

Israel Military Industries was a last-minute entry this year at the Expo and on the range with their brand-new TAVOR-21. Billed as the “world’s lightest and shortest assault rifle,” the 5.56mm bullpup can be fitted with long or short barrels and a variety of sights on a US military standard Picatinny rail.

Israeli special operations veteran Segal Naom put two versions of the TAVOR through a multiple magazine demonstration of efficient semi and full auto fire in a variety of positions. Speed of mag change is particularly impressive, with the gunner merely bumping the prominent release lever with a quick rearward jab of the gripping hand then jamming in a fresh one guided home by the gun’s flared magazine well.

On the other side of the world, Felix Tsai and others at Singapore Technologies Engineering (perhaps better known to old-timers as Charter Industries of Singapore) have been hard at work on an Asian AUG. The resulting SAR-21 assault rifle with integrated 1.5x optical sight and built-in laser also got its North American debut at TREXPO. Several variants were on display including one with Picatinny rail, and another with the CIS 40GL, a 40mm single shot grenade launcher.

Cleveland SWAT veteran Ron Dodus conducted the SAR-21’s range demonstration on Friday, punctuating a matter-of-fact rundown of mechanical details and performance characteristics with short and long bursts of 5.56mm fire. STE employee Gek Soo How also fired alternative versions of the gun, including the 40mm grenade launcher (with non-explosive dye-marker ammo, of course).

I am delighted to report that both the TAVOR and the SAR have eliminated one of my pet peeves — the damned multi-lug Stoner bolt that is impossible to ever get really clean! Both guns use a variant of Gene Stoner’s AR-18 combined op-rod and carrier but now its bolt is thoughtfully fitted with a pair of big and beefy locking lugs. Good riddance to the strange porcupine chamber brushes and endless work with emery cloth….

Now, I did get to do a little shooting with both rifles and had a fair amount of time to strip and examine them in detail. As space limitations here won’t allow a more comprehensive report, I am preparing an in-depth look at both weapons for a future issue. Stay tuned….

Get More Information

Qualified law enforcement, military, corrections, security and those in related professions are encouraged to contact TREXPO and E-TECH for information on upcoming events including TREXPO-WEST: Varro Group, 4507 West 90th St., Shawnee Mission, KS 66207. Telephone 913-385-2034 or internet site www.varro.com

Also, here’s contact info for some of the products featured in this report:

Advanced Taser,
Taser Int., www.etaser.com

AO Sights,
Ashley Outdoors, www.ashleyoutdoors.com

ComputerCop,
ComputerCop Corp., www.computercopinfo.com

Cougar Armored Car,
Technical Solutions, www.forceprotection.net

CQD Knives,
Masters of Defense, www.mastersofdefense.com

Firearms,
H&K, www.hecklerkoch-usa.com

Gear,
Tactical & Survival Specialties, www.tacsurv.com

Ghillie Suits,
Custom Concealment, www.ghillie.com

Holographic Sight,
EOTech, www.eotechinc.com

K-9 Vest,
First Choice, www.firstchoicearmor.com

LDA 14-45,
Para-Ordnance, www.paraord.com

Mag-Cinch,
Buffer Technologies, www.buffertech.com

Radar,
Time Domain, www.time-domain.com

Remote Cameras,
NS Microwave, www.nsmicrowave.com

SAR-21 Assault Rifles,
ST Kinetics, www.stengg.com

SARK Knife,
Emerson Knives, www.emersonknives.com

Shooting Van,
Advanced Interactive Systems, www.ais-sim.com

TAVOR-21 Assault Rifles,
IMI Services USA, www.imi-israel.com

Mullins/SIOPTS,
Mullins Ammo, www.mullinsammunition.com

The light .223 bullet needs substantial velocity in order to work effectively. Initially the boat-tail round was designed to be marginally unstable, spun with a slow 1 turn in 14” twist. It tumbled on contact, breaking in half at the cannelure and causing two jagged wounds in one. Unfortunately the slow barrel twist caused problems in cold temperatures. Under Arctic conditions the weapon wouldn’t stay on a dinner plate at 25 yards. Eventually a faster twist was adopted. NATO trials were held in Europe, where it became apparent that a more streamlined, heavier bullet would be more accurate and more effective at longer range. The standard round was lengthened and streamlined, resulting in the 62-grain bullet we have today. The 62-grain bullet needs at least a 1 in 9” twist. The long-range 70, 75 & 80-grain bullets need a 1 in 7” twist in order to work effectively at all temperatures. LE personnel and civilians are not bound by the Geneva Accord, hence may use any bullet that will do the job (within their own legal limits, of course). Loaded ammunition is currently available in weights ranging from 40 to 150 grains, with 80 grains being the upper limit for lead-cored supersonic projectiles.

Heavier .223 bullets are more strongly constructed, and will penetrate fairly well. Lead melts at 700 degrees F. On a warm day a lead-cored bullet will easily reach these temperatures from the combined influence of bore pressure, bore friction and air friction. Lightly constructed varmint bullets often blow up on the way to the target, as they were never intended to spin as fast as 337,000 RPM (in a 7” twist barrel), and should not be used. A number of police departments have adopted the 40-grain bullet for use in entering trailers and apartments, as this light bullet typically dumps its energy quickly, and tends not to penetrate as many walls beyond the primary target. A light .223 round is preferred over a 9mm or .40 S&W round, as it will not penetrate walls as easily. Its effect during a headshot is devastating and instantaneous. Hornady builds TAP (tactical application, police) .223 (and .308) rounds in assorted weights that are designed to function in enforcement applications. We have not tested these extensively, but plan to in the near future. Jeff Hoffman of Black Hills Ammunition Co. favors their 60-grain softpoint bullet as an all-around, .223 enforcement and hunting projectile. It is a tough bullet that opens well into a classic mushroom, and tends to stay within the primary target. It is very accurate and very versatile. Ammunition manufacturers are very responsive of late, and are struggling to give the industry anything it will perceive as better. Other rounds that come highly recommended are Federal and Winchester’s 69 grain JHP, and Black Hill’s 68 and 75 grain JHP. If you have a Vietnam-era M16 with an older barrel with a 14” twist these longer bullets will not stabilize. They will tumble end-over-end as soon as they get out of the muzzle. One must have a barrel with a 9” to 7” twist for the heavier bullets.

For a JACKETED, SUBSONIC ROUND in suppressed weapons we like Speer’s 70-grain semi-spitzer, soft point, as it comes closest to a round-nose, flat-base bullet. These are not yet available as loaded rounds. Loaded subsonic .223 ammunition is currently available from E B R at 512-360-5327, and H J B R at 256 447 1987. It will eventually be available from Black Hills as well. The point of impact (POI) of subsonic rounds will be different from supersonic rounds (usually much lower and a bit left) because of different recoil characteristics. Some who use both rounds in the same weapon use an optical sight for high-powered ammunition, while the weapon’s iron sights are adjusted just for subsonic rounds. While expanding the versatility of the weapon, subsonic bullets out of a suppressed weapon typically do not have the energy to do much upon hitting a target. Another sighting technique is to use the lower part of the vertical part of a duplex crosshair as the aiming point for subsonic ammunition. Extensive practice is recommended to achieve familiarity with both types of ammunition. Again, don’t expect very much performance out of subsonic .223 ammunition, as there isn’t much energy involved.

Aguila currently distributes a .22 LR round that weighs 60-grains. These do not work very well in M16s that have been temporarily modified with a Ceiner conversion kit. They jam, and a single round loudly dumps its gas out the breech because the shell is very short. Subsonic 40-grain ammunition works in the conversion kit, but the kits have to be polished and reworked in most cases. They must be kept clean and well oiled for any sort of reliability. Subsonic ammunition delivers a small fraction of the energy to the target, but the sound level from a suppressed weapon is virtually undetectable. Supersonic ammunition is more fun, and unlike subsonic, will cycle the M16’s action reliably. Coconuts, tomatoes, cabbages and water-filled jugs make interesting targets, especially with some of the hyper-velocity varmint rounds.

Remember that hot weather will increase pressures and velocities, sometimes to the point where non-crimped primers fall out of fired, commercially loaded cases, tying up the action. We wouldn’t be mentioning this if it weren’t a problem, especially in those AR15s that have been “protected” with a steel anti-auto block in the receiver. It is during hot weather (or in a very hot barrel) that chances are greatest that the lightest weight, hyper-velocity ammunition will come apart in the faster 7” twist barrels. When this happens, the rounds will turn to copper foil and droplets of molten lead in the air. They will not retain their integrity, and will not strike a target.

For law enforcement use the M16 with a 14.5”, heavy barrel (H-BAR) represents the best compromise. There is enough length for reliable functioning and adequate ballistic performance, yet the weapon is still short enough to be handy. Some in LE are uncomfortable about the fact that either a short 14.5” barrel or the full-auto M16 constitute restricted, NFA weapons. There is some merit in the fact that, if a police duty weapon is used in a raid, and if it is a machine gun or NFA weapon, some bad press or legal problems could possibly ensue. The AR15 with a 16” barrel will neatly sidestep this issue. Both the 14.5” and the 16” barrels are short enough to be handy. The general public has seen the M16 for over 35 years. They are thus conditioned to its presence and view it as an “old” rifle, which is a positive public relations feature. Weapons that are smaller in stature are perceived as less dangerous than physically larger weapons. If the M16 is hanging by its sling against the side of an officer’s body in a muzzle-down position it will be perceived as less threatening (by the general public and press) than if it is brandished or carried in the ready position on the way to deployment. Loudness of the .223’s intense report is also an important public relations concern, and less noise is always better than more noise. A small silencer is a useful accessory, as is a flat-topped, receiver with a rail. If a scope is used the flat-topped upper and a gas block without a front sight tower are both quite useful. A scope mount that attaches to a carrying handle offers versatility, but puts the sight radius so high above the stock that it is awkward and uncomfortable to use. A flip-up rear sight is a handy backup for an ACOG sight, and both can be used together at the same time. SIGHTS THAT REQUIRE BATTERIES WILL OFTEN NOT WORK WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED, AND SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED UNLESS CHECKED CONSTANTLY. Don’t be lured by the apparent ease of use of these sights. All one has to do is forget to turn one off, and it will be absolutely useless a week later.

Curiously, flash hiders are perceived as silencers by the uneducated general public, as are tactical lights that look like they would work as silencers, even though they are not attached to the end of a barrel. Both the 14.5” and the 16” barrels cycle an action reliably. Both barrels will deliver powerful and accurate fire up to about 300 yards. These two barrel lengths make the M16 or AR15 very useful entry guns for raids and hostage rescue. The only barrels we endorse are 14.5” and 16” H-BARs, although we know that many have had very positive experiences with the short 11.5” barrels.

The military designates the weapon with its flawed 14.5” barrel the M4-A1. Curiously (and unfortunately) the rear portion of the standard M4 barrel is turned quite thin, at a touch over 5/8”. WE VIEW THIS REDUCTION IN DIAMETER AS A REAL MISTAKE, AS THE THINNER BARREL LACKS THE ABILITY TO REMAIN RIGID AND ABSORB HEAT LIKE THE H-BAR. The M4-A1 barrel was designed for a grenade launching attachment, and for this process a deep groove was cut forward of the front sight We feel that the reductions in barrel diameter seriously degrade the weapon’s accuracy potential. Dr. Philip Dater at Gemtech used such a barrel in the testing of his cans, and had his barrel bulge at the groove in front of the sight tower. Heat was probably a factor, combined with pressure. The bulge did not diminish the accuracy potential of the weapon. We are told that Colt delivers only this barrel with their version of the M4-A1. One can buy M16s and AR15s from Bushmaster or other manufacturers. Upon request they will provide them in the short H-BAR configuration without the offending rear reduction and groove in the barrels. Buy the weapon in the configuration you desire. An LE agency should not significantly alter weapons after they are purchased, as that may turn into a point of contention in court after a shooting. CYA.

It is said that Bushmaster makes the best weapons in the business today, although Colt has the reputation, having been in the business for over 160 years. The Commando-style, sliding buttstock is flimsy, but does offer a temporary 4” reduction in overall length. It is painful for anyone with a beard to use. We recommend the solid, plastic buttstock with a rubber buttplate instead, in the shortest version possible, and without a butt trap. This stock is steadier and more workable, yet still provides enough shoulder room for web gear and body armor. If you already have an M4-A1 with the defiled barrel, Bushmaster and other manufacturers will sell you a drop-in, match quality, post-ban (unthreaded) replacement barrel with all the hardware (barrel nut, gas tube, forearm and front sight group) for roughly $200. An LE agency should send the entire weapon in for modification and replacement of critical parts. Test the weapon extensively upon its return. CYA. A 7” twist is preferred only for long distance shooting with very heavy 70 & 80-grain bullets. The 9” twist is more desirable, as it is considered to be more versatile. Cartridges containing sharply pointed 70 and 80-grain bullets will not fit in standard magazines, and must be loaded into an M16’s port individually, by hand. This of course reduces a machinegun to a single shot, hand loaded rifle. Most Colt and Bushmaster barrels have chrome-lined bores. While not normally quite as accurate, chrome-lined bores are less susceptible to corrosion and wear, a consideration for a weapon that may only be cleaned infrequently.

When a law enforcement entry team is inside a building the members usually have one or both ears unprotected in order to hear the movement of suspects. Firing an unsuppressed M16 in a confined area is not only extremely painful and damaging to unprotected ears, it also destroys an officer’s ability to hear the continued movement of suspects. The report is so severe that perpetrators and officers have been found to be bleeding from the nose and ears if a .223 round was fired inside a room that they occupied. The flash from an unsuppressed weapon can also blind a shooter temporarily in a darkened environment. We strongly recommend that the AR15 or M16 be equipped with a small, compact sound suppressor to take the edge off the severe blast, and the sometimes substantial flash. A good flash hider of the vortex type will remove muzzle flash, but the felt report will be louder to the shooter’s ear. The down range report may be lessened to a substantial degree by some flash hiders and muzzle brakes. The assault rifle ban hasn’t helped us with regard to sound suppressors. It is not currently legal to mount a silencer or a flash hider on an AR15 with a post ban receiver, hence the rising value of pre ban lower AR15s. The receiver is of course the critical part, and listings of serial numbers are somewhat available to help determine which receivers are pre or post ban. BATF hasn’t made a serious effort at prosecution yet, but the day may come. The current unwritten rule of thumb is, if a prosecution will make headlines, BATF will make the effort. Again, law-abiding citizens and businesses are much easier to prosecute than criminals because they stand still and cooperate.

While there are a number of quick-release couplings on the market, we recommend the time-honored screw connection. Here’s why – the standard barrel threading at the muzzle is 1/2-28, which means that the very end of the barrel has been reduced to a mere 1/2” in diameter, and at the root of the threads the diameter is less than 7/16”. The grooves at the base of the threads act as stress concentrators, helping to propagate tears or cracks in the parent metal. While that threaded stub may be adequate for a flash suppressor, it is barely adequate as a base for a longer, heavier sound suppressor, which generates a considerable forward pull with each shot. The pull is very sharp and very strong, and in our view the small 1/2” thread is doomed to eventual failure if enough (2,000 to 10,000) cycles are loaded onto it. All or most quick-release couplings rely on a flash suppressor or lugs as a base for the connection. Ultimately one has everything hanging on a threaded, 1/2”-diameter stub with a .224” diameter hole in the center of it. Given the opportunity we would always opt for heavier threads. During the strain of a forced entry an officer may end up using his weapon as a punch or ram, and a heavy mount on a heavy barrel will more easily handle that strain without damage. We know you are not supposed to do that, but it happens. When one screws a can onto a heavy mount he knows it’s solid. It takes about 15 seconds to install a can on a threaded connection. Simplicity in this case is a virtue. A quick-release coupling is often weak, and sometimes not reliable. We have seen a can launch down-range more than once because the coupling either gave out, because the lugs weren’t properly seated, or because-the system loosened — allowing axial misalignment and bullet strike. The third sin of the snap-on coupling is not releasing on command. Corrosion, carbon buildup, or the failure of the spring-tensioner/piston has been known to cause the system to seize up. Accuracy problems have been traced to quick-release couplings that shot or wore loose, allowing slight baffle contact. Barrels have been bent and cans have been destroyed while trying to get frozen couplings to release. These couplings usually work fairly well when they are new and freshly greased. Shoot through one several hundred times and put it in the trunk of a cruiser, wet. Leave it there, unattended, for a few months in southern Florida. Humidity combined with heat will almost guarantee corrosion/seizure problems.

If we were given an unthreaded, heavy match barrel (H-BAR) we would probably turn and thread the muzzle at 11/16” or 3/4” NF, LH rather than 1/2-28. Indeed, if the 3/4” diameter of the hole in the front sight tower were not an issue we would machine a heavy flange near the barrel’s muzzle and install 3/4” or 13/16” – LH threads at the muzzle for a more serious attachment point. While a two-point mount may be more secure, it is more likely to seize up than a single-point mount. When a two-point mount seizes it is extremely difficult to get penetrating oil where it is needed. A large, single-point mounting system may be non-standard, but it is far stronger and more rigid in all respects. The industry trend is toward single-point mounting systems, as they tend to be inherently trouble-free if made large enough to handle the stress of firing and abuse. Left-hand threads tend to self-tighten at the muzzle, while right hand threads tend to loosen in reaction to barrel torque as each bullet is spun in a right hand direction. That doesn’t necessarily mean that LH threads will always stay tight, but they don’t tend to loosen as easily as right hand threads. A suppressor needs threads to pull on and a shoulder to rest against or it will not stay in line with the bore. The threads tend to center the can axially, while the shoulder holds and controls angular alignment (as long as the can remains tightly screwed in place). If the threads and shoulder are very close together the system is referred to as a single-point mount. If the threads and shoulder are from 2” to 10” apart the mounting system is referred to as a two-point mount, and here the threads are usually buried deep inside the center of the can. Both types of mounting systems will compensate for the considerable amount of wear that occurs as a can is screwed on and off its barrel. Wear occurs from three main sources. First, the intense forward pull following each discharge applies considerable stress to the threads. Second, ground glass particles from the priming materials are thoroughly distributed over the thread surfaces. Third, the high mechanical advantage of threads also applies a lot of force to all surfaces. This is why we prefer large diameters and a generous shoulder or flange, so that wear will not be as significant. Cross threading is occasionally a problem, and the only cure for a butchered thread is to cut the barrel off and re-thread it properly. The bottom line in all of this is that a simple, single-point, threaded mount of massive dimension will provide the best service with the least amount of trouble. If left-hand threads are used the rear of the can should be stamped LH to eliminate confusion for those who can read.

It has been mentioned that post-ban barrels are typically shooting more accurately than pre-ban barrels. This is probably due to the fact that pre-ban barrels are turned down to 1/2” diameter at the muzzle. Most barrels are button rifled, and the rifling process puts a lot of internal strain on the barrel metal. Turning the outside diameter thin reduces that strain, and has the effect of enlarging the bore at the muzzle, which is the place where the bore should be the tightest, not loosest. As far as accuracy is concerned, the best results will occur when the barrel is thickest at the muzzle. Many European target weapons are built that way, but the practice never caught on in the U.S. Putting a can on a muzzle does stabilize it to some degree, but it doesn’t usually tighten the bore at that point. Accuracy problems have been traced to asymmetrical blast baffles and to baffle apertures that were too tight to allow bullets to pass without striking. One last thought with regard to the small 1/2-28, threaded barrel stub – if a flash hider or a sound suppressor is screwed on too tightly it can have a detrimental effect on accuracy. This is of little consequence on an entry weapon, but can be a problem on a varmint rifle. The tightness of the can or flash hider will not be as much of an issue if the threaded muzzle stub is of a substantially larger diameter.

The .223 is such an intense cartridge that heat gain becomes a problem when a suppressor is attached. The more effective and the more compact a can is, the greater the heat gain. While rapidly shooting 20-rounds of military ball ammunition won’t present a problem, 50-rounds might. In combat, we feel that one should use carefully aimed shots and be conservative with ammunition.

Because water is a major byproduct in the combustion process, a good deal of it will get trapped in a suppressor. A suppressor should be removed and allowed to air dry after each firing session. The internal baffles and the threads should be lightly oiled or greased to protect them from corrosion. We use TSI 301, Corrosion-Bloc, Boeshield T-9, or RIG (rust inhibiting grease). RIG will vaporize and leave a cloud of smoke in front of the weapon, which could cause a problem in some circumstances. Left-hand threads are good here, as they don’t loosen as easily during firing. A suppressor will rust in place it the moisture aspect is not attended to. The rear part of a two-point mount acts like a seal against the slight swelling of the barrel just forward of the front sight tower. It will wear a bit with each use, and the seal will get better. The seal between the front sight tower and the gas port in the barrel is often less than perfect. High-pressure gas leaking here has been known to cause some amount of noise. A small bit of J B Weld applied before assembly will help. If you do this be sure that none gets into the barrel port or it will prevent proper cycling. Always store the weapon in a level position, or point it muzzle-down, with the action locked open. Do not store the weapon pointing up, as gravity will cause dirt and particles to fall downwards and lodge in the action. If the action is locked open, air movement will help dry accumulated moisture.

If suppressors are used, we believe that one should sight in and practice with them in place. It will not do to carry a suppressor in a pouch, to be used if one feels it might be beneficial at the time. Any weight placed on the end of a barrel will change its point of impact A can should be removed for cleaning, drying and oiling after every use. A can should remain in place during training and deployment. The weapon should be sighted in with the can in place, as the weapon’s point of impact will be different without that added muzzle weight. A weapon should not be fired without either a muzzle brake, a flash hider or a suppressor screwed on to 1/2-28 threads at the muzzle, as those threads have been known to expand without the support those devices offer to the thin, threaded area. The muzzle crown may expand, and the devices won’t screw back on later. This is not a common problem, but it occasionally does occur.

A properly designed and mounted suppressor typically enhances accuracy. The weight of the can will stabilize barrel movement. The reduction of recoil and report make the weapon much more comfortable to shoot. While these little rifles are primarily used at close range, they are also capable of being very accurate at longer distances. With a proper sight and a skilled marksman headshots are definitely viable at 100 yards. Iron sights are normally adequate on the M16 carbine. They are compact, durable and battle proven. An attached tactical flashlight with a pressure switch on the forearm is a useful accessory, although it certainly can reveal one’s position.