Crimson Trace has just announced the Browning Hi-Power grip as the latest addition to their extensive line of precision laser sights for handguns. Lasergrips for the Browning Hi-Power feature Crimson Trace’s instinctively activated laser sight within a carefully designed, rubber wrap-around stock. Low profile finger grooves and double palm swells provide a quick, comfortable grip registration. Lasergrips rubber overmold design boasts superior comfort with reduced felt recoil. The grips also feature dual activation pads that allow for easy, immediate laser activation, and the laser itself is fully adjustable for windage and elevation. Lasergrips fit standard handgun holsters and include a master on/off switch for complete system over-ride. The new grip fits most Hi-Power models and clones, including: Browning Hi-Power Standard, Mark II and Practical models, and FN Herstal Hi-Power model HP-SA. Recommended retail price for the new High Power grip is $329.00. For more information contact Crimson Trace Corporation, Dept. SAR, 8089 S.W. Cirrus Drive, Beaverton, OR 97008. Phone: 1-503-627-9992. Fax: 1-503-627-0166. Their website is www.crimsontrace.com.

4-STEP FIREARM CLEANING FROM K.G. INDUSTRIES

Now you can professionally clean, restore and lube your prized firearms in just minutes. K.G. Industries, Inc. One of America’s leading manufacturers of a complete line of supreme kine of cleaning, coating and lubrication products for the firearms industry, now introduces a full-line of ammonia-free gun-care products. This new line is actually a 4-step product consisting of the new KG-1 Carbon Remover™, KG-2 Bore Restorer™, KG-3 Cleaning Solvent & Degreaser™ and KG-4 Gun Oil™. These products make gun cleaning as easy as 1-2-3-4. KG-1 Carbon Remover dissolves carbon build-up on contact. KG-2 Bore Restorer polishes barrels, removes copper, lead and powder residue. KG-3 Solvent & Degreaser rapidly cuts through oil and grease. KG-4 provides corrosion protection and lubrication. For years KG Industries has been recognized as a top supplier of innovative lubricants and protective coatings to such clients as the aerospace program, NASA and the US Military. For more information on their new 1-2-3-4 cleaning system as well as a full line of other coating and lubrication products contact KG Industries, Dept. SAR, 537 Louis Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320 Phone: 1-800-348-9558. Fax: 1-805-499-4372. Website: www.kgproducts.net.

REMINGTON 870 SHOTGUN SINGLE POINT SLING ATTACHMENT FROM GG&G

The newest product from GG&G industries is their Single Point Sling Attachment for the Remington 870 shotgun. Single point sling attachments have proven to have the “Tactical Advantage” over the standard “two point” sling attachments using the standard bottom mounted sling swivel. The new single point systems allow the operator to shoulder the weapon from either the right or left shoulder. This makes dynamic entries easier and it also becomes easier to “slice the pie” at doorways and while moving around corners without giving away the operators presence. Single Point Sling attachments also make it easier from users wearing body armor to deploy a sling mounted weapon as the sling attachment is now behind the receiver but in front of the buttstock. The new Remington 870 single point attachment is precisely machined from 7075 aircraft grade aluminum alloy and is anodized matte black. It will accommodate slings up to 1 1/4 inches in width and will also except the excellent Chalker sling system. It is easily user installed. This single point attachment can also be used in conjunction with a single point front mounting system to provide a dual-point mounting system. For more information contact GG&G, Dept. SAR, 3602 E. 42nd Stravenue, Tucson, AZ 85713. Phone: 1-520-748-7167. Fax: 520-748-7583. Their website is www.gggaz.com.

MULEY-POD BUTTSTOCK MONOPOD

One very interesting item that I ran across at this year’s SHOT SHOW was the Muley-Pod. It is a mono-pod device that attaches to the rear sling swivel on a rifles buttstock. When folded back it gives the shooter a rear rest that provides for a very firm support. When used with a front bipod like the excellent Harris bi-pod it allows a very steady rest for precise shot placement. The Muley-Pod is very well built from precision cast aluminum. It attaches to the standard sling swivel or in the case of the AR-15/M-16 to an adapter piece that is also available. The Muley-Pod incorporates a turn buckle design in which the center section is simple rotated to increase or decrease the buttstock height. The adjustment can be done with the shooters “off” hand while looking through the scope. It also allows shooters to acquire targets for long periods of time with less fatigue. This makes it ideal for SWAT and Military applications. The Muley-Pod has a swivel “foot” that has a non-slip rubber pad attached to it for a firm footing. The unit also has a built-in sling attachment point for use with a sling. When not in use the Muley-Pod folds forward against the bottom of the buttstock. It comes in three finishes black, matte (which looks like stainless) and metal ( which looks like nickel plate). It also comes in two heights, 9 inch and 5 inch. The new Muley-Pod is said to reduce recoil recovery time by as much as 80%. This outstanding device is made in America and is warranted for life. For more information contact Muley Enterprises, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 137, Oakley, ID 83346. Phone: 1-208-862-9226.

NEW LAPUA .22 LR AMMUNITION

Lapua, one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of match grade .22 long rifle ammunition, has just announced the introduction of a unique new multipurpose subsonic loading that features a specially lubricated bullet. Lapua Signum™ .22 LR ammunition utilizes a new coated 40 grain bullet that offers shooters the same benefits of coated bullets in centerfire loadings. It reduces bullet-to-bore friction, which makes obduration less violent and allows the bullet base, which is critical to accuracy, to resist deformation. The nose of the bullet is stamped with the Lapua trademark as an added means of identification. Muzzle velocity of the new ammunition is approximately 1075fps, making it firmly subsonic. This actually aids accuracy, as the bullet will not be subjected to any of the transonic buffeting experienced by faster projectiles as they decelerate through the sound barrier. Lapua has consistently achieved 10 shot group averages 15mm center to center at 50 meters. Signum™ bullets have 8 symmetrical horizontal and vertical lubricant grooves that are very evenly filled with lubricant so the barrel is lubricated homogeneously. This groove pattern absorbs about 15% more lubrication and distributes it over an area 50% greater than traditional lead bullets. This allows complete lubrication from chamber to muzzle. The lubrication also allows barrels to foul less readily and maintain peak accuracy for longer strings. For more information on the new ammo contact KalTron-Pettibone, Dept. SAR., 1241 Ellis Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. Phone: 1-630-350-1116. Fax: 1-630-350-1606. Their website is www.lapua.com.

About a week went by and I was thinking about what he had said, and I thought it would be fun to try shooting my mortar this way. So to the back yard I went with my mortar. The first and second rds. I shot landed about were I wanted them. Then came the third round. Of course I was feeling pretty confident until I dropped the round in the barrel and flinched. I watched in slow motion as the round went almost straight up and to the left. If it would have gone to the right it would not have mattered, but to the left was my house, and to make matters worse, my wife was inside. The only positive thing I could think of was that it would not hit the end of the house she was in. It missed the house and I decided shooting mortars in the back yard was a bad idea. However, I now I had the justification to buy something no mortar owner should be without so I could continue shooting safely in the back yard – a Subcaliber Mortar Trainer Device 3-F-8. This device was developed and procured by the Office of Naval Research Special Devices Center for the National Guard. There were four manufacturers: Folsom Arms (F.A.), Groov-Pin Corp. (G.P.C.), Topping Bros. (T.B.), and Waldes Kohinoor (W.K.). The kit consists of 20 subcaliber projectiles, a subcaliber insert barrel, 3 different barrel spacers,( 60mm, 81mm and a special spring steel adapter spacer is provided so this kit will also fit the larger 4.2 mortars) a pull through cleaning brush, a small cleaning brush and rod, retaining rings, rubber O ring, retaining ring removal tool, breech hole cleaner, hexagonal key and 3 spare fins. This is all contained in an olive drab wooden box. The box is approx. 31in. long by 10.in wide and 4.in. deep. There is a center tray that holds the projectiles and subcaliber barrel. The rest of the kit goes in the bottom of the box. The subcaliber barrel is approx. 26 3/4 long. It has a fixed firing pin in the end cap, which unscrews. The end cap and firing pin go into the base of the unit barrel approximately 4 1/2 inches. There are two 1/2-inch vent holes at the base to vent air out of the bottom of the subcaliber barrel into the mortar tube and out through the holes in the cover adapter when a projectile is dropped in the barrel, so the projectile will hit the firing pin hard enough to fire the primer.

The projectiles are 6 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. They consist of 8 parts. They are fired with a 22 caliber blank. There are 5 different gas bleed off settings for different ranges. In the nose of the projectile you can place another 22 blank. It has an inertia firing pin so when it hits on the nose it will fire the blank and the blast will vent through 2 holes on opposite sides of the nose. However, the projectile has to hit on a hard surface to fire the blank. The blank that goes into the nose was made by Winchester Arms, stock no. W22 BL. This is a 22 short with a black powder charge made for spotting. Winchester also made the original 22. cal. launching blanks, they came in a white box approx. 1 1/2 by 1 3/4 in. The box is marked “40 Propellants Sub Caliber Mortar Trainer Device 3-F-8” (I have 1 box marked 3-F-8A-1 I do not know if there is any difference). I use CCI 22 short blanks (Be very careful with using blanks that are more powerful. I had aprojectile blow up in the barrel). I use the smallest gas port, it launches it about 25 yards. If yougo any further it is easy to lose them, and it is quicker for the kids to run out and retrieve them if they are closer in. In the manual it states this device may be used on ranges up to 150 feet in Armories or Outdoors. When using you occasionally have a dud round. I have found it is easier to remove the subcaliber barrel and unscrew the end cap and the projectile is usually right there. Always keep the tube pointed in a safe direction, don’t get yourself or your hand in front of it, and observe safe timing of about 60 seconds after a “dud” round before you remove it. If you unhitch the barrel from the base plate to dump it out, it usually will not come out. In order to help prevent duds you have to clean the inside of the projectile base where the firing pin slides inside, as well as the outside of the chamberwhere the 22 blank goes after every shot. In order to stop damage to the nose chamber of the projectile you should keep a 22 snap cap in it while in use or the inertia firing pin will hit on the edge of the chamber damaging the chamber. Plus that will help keep dirt out of the unit. The manual I have was made in September 1953. These training kits are getting very rare and are usually not complete. So if you are lucky enough to own one be careful when used, you probably will not be able to find any spare parts. If you treat it with respect, you will have years of fun ahead of you.

By John Layman

The house is pitch black and your spouse is shaking you out of a deep sleep. She (or he) says there was a loud noise downstairs. A look at the clock tells you it’s just after 2 a.m. You rub the sleep out of your eyes and sit quietly listening. The creak in the second stair on the way up to the bedrooms sounds off and you’re wide-awake. Grabbing your pistol from the bedside table, you head for the hall looking like an unlikely storm trooper in your briefs. The “intruder” could be one of the kids or it could be somebody you weren’t expecting. Would a little light help right about now?

There are two general categories of people who purchase handgun-mounted lights: the homeowner protecting self and family, and the law enforcement or military professional. Each of these has a different application and a different set of needs. Let’s look at these needs before we compare the available lighting systems.

The law enforcement or military professional is faced with numerous situations. Not being one of these, your author has a hard time putting himself in those shoes. One thing is sure; the professional will have encounters where extra light will assure improved assessment. Another certainty, pointing the muzzle of a weapon at someone for identification and assessment is almost always unacceptable. A gun-mounted light is not a substitute for a quality hand-held flashlight. Each individual will have to decide if one more piece of equipment, no matter how useful, is worth carrying around.

For the professional, a handgun-mounted light has to be sturdy, reliable, and bright. Part of being reliable is being sure the light doesn’t come on by accident in your holster and run down the batteries. Longer battery life and batteries that are readily available and economical is a plus. The weight of a light will have an impact on your shooting and on the burden of carrying it around with you.

The homeowner will be using the lighted handgun to identify threats at night at fairly short ranges. For the homeowner, a reliable, moderately bright light with shorter range and battery life may be an acceptable solution.

For all applications, the quality of the light beam is important. Black shadows in the light beam make identification that much harder. It may also be desirable to detach the light during daylight use. Intermittent operation allows better use of the batteries, prevents a threat from zeroing in on you, and allows you to apply light to the situation only when needed. The factors that will be important when selecting a handgun-mounted light are:

* Brightness,
* Beam quality,
* Weight
* Sturdy construction / reliability
     o Materials of Construction
     o Durability of Construction
     o Disable Switch
* Battery life
* Interference with Pistol Operation
* Intermittent On/Off Availability
* Continuous On/Off Availability
* Cost to purchase
* Cost and availability of batteries
* Ease of operation
* Ability to detach the light easily

These factors will affect each individual’s choice differently based on budget and needs.

There are numerous manufacturers advertising handgun-mounted lights. In addition, there are mounting systems that hold a number of different common lights. The lights that were tested are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Each light was mounted and subject to at least 50 rounds on the range. Every light on the tables operated through the live fire test without failure.

The brightness numbers shown are from a light meter and are not in any standard unit. They serve to compare the lights to each other. The brightest lights are absolutely blinding. The least bright lights still put a lot of light in a dark room. For comparison, the Maglite 4 D-Cell light has a reading of 41 on the scale used. Also, a Maglite 2 AA has a reading of 29. Brightness readings were taken at the center of the beam with the light focused to its optimum.

There are a number of mounts made for a wide variety of handguns that hold commonly available flashlights. The mounts allow the gun owner to pick between a light made specifically for handguns and lights that may fill in for that purpose. Table 3 shows you available mounts and their characteristics.

Each gun owner will need to decide if a handgun-mounted light is warranted and, if so, which one will best fit his or her needs. A study of the tables will give you a good picture of what is available for your gun. There are a few combinations and a few pieces of equipment that worked especially well that I should point out.

To provide intermittent operations, a paddle switch is commonly used. Being able to position the paddle switch where it fits best allows you to adjust the light to your needs rather than change your grip to suit a light. The WLS 2000 by Lyman Products and the LAS/TAC by Laser Devices have large paddle switches that were easily repositioned and took moderate pressure to actuate. Both of these lights worked well overall.

For an overall tough light, the Surefire Millennium is made for combat. It is machined of aluminum, nicely finished and extremely solid. If you want something you could rely on after a parachute jump, this would be the thing. However, at 10.1 ounces with batteries, it’s also the heaviest light on the list. Its $480 retail price may be out of some people’s range. The LAS/TAC is also machined of aluminum. It weighs only 6.8 ounces and is less than half the price. The LAS/TAC has the disadvantage that it isn’t easily detachable. Either choice will really light up a room.

The TACM III by Diamond Products and M.U.E.L by Quick2See are made of delrin. This is a space age synthetic material that is known as one of the toughest available. Both of these products are extremely bright and well made. They are designed to mount on the magazine using a quick-detachable mount.

For the low cost end, a magazine-mounted one-inch light would fill the need for most of us. There are a lot of choices of mounts and lights. The Handgun Kits made by Quick-2-See and Laser Devices are especially solid and versatile. They come off the same patent and are almost indistinguishable. They come with two magazine attachments and one flashlight attachment. The two parts clip together and are quickly and easily separated. The Lyman Products Corporation SideClip Mount fits all flashlights tested. Because the mounting retainers are made of plastic, the mount needs to be held in place by griping the light during fire. Once I figured out how, it worked fine.

The 1 inch diameter lights tested include Laser Devices’ TL-2; Surefire Z2 & Z3; Streamlight Scorpion; and TACM-III. With a spacer made of rubber and secured by contact cement, it is possible to mount the Maglite MiniMag AA or the Brinkmann Legend into any of the mounts. There are a couple commercially available bushings for this purpose. They are made of hard plastic or nylon and didn’t hold the light well during the live fire tests. It’s possible that some glue would solve that problem, but I liked using rubber (old inner tube) . The success of the smaller lights despite not having a shock isolated bulb may be due to the shock insulation provided by the rubber.

As noted in the table, Brinkmann makes the NexStar xenon replacement bulb that fits the Maglite AA. With this bulb, the light output increases significantly. I enjoy having these in all my Maglite AA flashlights.

Once you decide that a handgun-mounted light is something you need, handle a few before making your choice. The market is changing quickly and you may find some new choices. The contact information for the manufacturers is below.

Glock, Inc. USA, Canada
Dept. SAR
6000 Highlands Parkway
Smyrna, GA 30082
Ph (770) 432-1202
Fax (770) 433-8719
http://www.glock.com/

Lyman Products Corporation

Dept. SAR
475 Smith Street
Middletown, CT 06457
Ph (800) 22-LYMAN
Fax (860) 632-1699
orders@lymanproducts.com
http://www.lymanproducts.com/

Diamond Products Marketing, Inc.

Dept. SAR
2300 Commerce Park Drive
Woodlake Commerce Center, #6
Palm Bay, FL 32905-2619
Ph (321) 726-0644 or (800) 530-0644
Fax (321) 726-0645
tacm3@aol.com or info@tacm3.com
http://www.tacm3.com/

Laser Devices, Inc.

Dept. SAR
Sales and Marketing Department
2 Harris Court, Suite A-4
Monterey, California 93940
http://www.laserdevices.com/
Ph (831) 373-0701 or (800) 235-2162
Fax (831) 373-0903
sales@laserdevices.com.
http://www.laserdevices.com

Streamlight®, Inc.

Dept. SAR
1030 W. Germantown Pike
Norristown, Pa. 19403
Ph (800) 523-7488 or (610) 631-0600
Fax (800) 220-7007 or (610) 631-0712
cs@streamlight.com
http://www.streamlight.com/

Insight Technology Incorporated
Dept. SAR
3 Technology Drive
Londonderry, NH 03053
Ph (877) 744-4802 or (603) 626-4800
Fax (603) 647-7234
service@insight-tek.com
http://www.insightlights.com/

LiteTek, Inc.
Dept. SAR
P.O. Box 245
Medway, MA 02053-0245
Phone (508) 533-0203
Fax (801) 457-9907
customerservice@litetek.com or service@litetek.com
http://www.litetek.com/

Quick2See

Dept. SAR
20472-A Chartwell Center Drive
Cornelius NC, 28036
Ph (704) 895-8649
Fax (704) 895-8619
http://www.quik2see.com/

SureFire LLC

Dept. SAR
18300 Mount Baldy Circle
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Ph (800) 828-8809
Fax (714) 545-9537
helpyou@surefire.com
http://www.surefire.com/

Mag Instruments Inc.

Dept. SAR
1721 East Locust Street – 51453
Ontario, CA 91761-7769
Ph (909) 947-1006
Fax (909) 947-3116
http://www.maglight.com/

The Brinkmann Corporation
Dept. SAR
4215 McEwen Road
Dallas, TX 75244
Ph 800-527-0717
bbock@dallasmfgco.com
http://www.thebrinkmanncorp.com/

The museum’s collection was initially obtained from battlefield pick-ups after World War Two. A small group of local residents formed an organization dedicated to preserving the history of battles that were fought in the area. This group eventually became the Diekirch Historical Society. The museum was opened to the public in September 1984 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Luxembourg and the Battle of the Bulge. The museum’s building was a former beer brewery and has over 2200 meters of display area.

The main display area contains a small assortment of tanks, large caliber weapons, wheeled and tracked vehicles of both German and American origin. All of the display vehicles have been restored with attention to detail and authenticity. On the German side there is a 2 cm (20mm) four barreled Flakviering German anti aircraft gun in perfect condition. Next to the Flakviering there is a Jagdpanzer model 38(t). An American M-3A1 Halftrack sits in one corner bristling with two 1919A-4 machine guns on flex mounts and a M-2 “ Ma Deuce’ on the ring turret. Of particular interest was a mint condition M-55 Quad .50 Caliber Anti Aircraft trailer being towed by a 3/4 ton Dodge 4×4. The M-55 sported a red and white shark’s mouth on the front shroud, most assuredly a GI field modification. One very interesting exhibit in the main hall was on the German V-3 program.

The V-3 was designed to be part of Hitler’s V- Series of weapons. There has been very little written on the existence or the operational use of the V-3. According to the documents located at the museum, The German V-3 was a high-pressure rail gun. The weapon system was to be deployed along steep hillsides where circular sections of tubing would be assembled to make an extremely long barrel. Once the V-3 was constructed on incline it would be an immobile weapon. The overall length would vary due to site conditions and the barrel length could be several hundred feet long. The V-3 would be able to fire a small caliber projectile over great distances. According to the display, there was at least one known attack using the V-3. The attack was only mildly successful and minimal damage was done. The program never really got out of its experimental stage as the war ended. The American army captured the only known prototype. The V-3 was sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for test and evaluation. The V-3 was presumably tested and the weapon was destroyed. Interestingly, Dr. Gerald Bull revived this concept as he designed several rail guns in the 1960’s for the US Army and was in the process of building the “Super Gun” for the Iraqi’s in the late 1980’s before the project was discovered by British authorities.

As you leave the main display area you are face to face with three German Volksgrenadiers in full battle dress. The soldiers represent some of the units that took part in the German offensive in the Ardennes. All are wearing authentic German World War II issue clothing ranging from snow parkas to camouflage smocks. One of the soldiers is armed with a Russian PPSh 41, another has an MP 44 and the last has a G-43 with a grenade launcher. This display is only the beginning of what will become a seemingly endless display of weapons and equipment and life-size dioramas depicting troops engaged in battle.

One of the first stops is the weapons collection room. As you enter, the archway over the door has the rusted relics of an M-1 rifle, Kar 43 and an MP-44 standing guard over the collection. Once inside you are overwhelmed by the enormous collection of weapons, ammo and armaments that are on display. The first case contains a complete assortment of German weapons used in WW II. There are three variations of the German Strumgeweher. The MP-43, MP-43-1 and the MP-44 with accessories such as the magazine loading tool and MP 44 leather magazine pouches. A Third Production model FG-42 (G) in excellent condition is also on display. The collection includes virtually all of the German sub machine guns used in WW II. The examples include the MP 38, MP 40, Erma EMP, Austrian made Steyr Solothurn MP 34(O) model, Bergman MP 35 and a Schmeisser MP28II. Italian submachine guns are present in a Beretta Model 38A and a Beretta Model 38/42 that was favored by some German units. The museum unfortunately did not have examples of the German STEN copy, the MP 3008 or the very crudely manufactured Erma EMP 44. German battle rifles include most variations of the Geweher 98, 98A and 98K in both standard and sniper variants. The semi automatic Kar 43 and G43 sniper variant as well as the G 41 are present. The best part of this display is the assortment and variations of German machine guns.

Literally every square inch on the bottom of the display case is occupied by a machine gun or associated accessories. A well worn MG 08 and its cousin the MG 08/15 are present. Several MG 34’s and the revolutionary MG 42 machine guns are on display. As you go through the museum there are probably at least 10 more examples of each the MG 34/MG 42. A Czech ZB -30 that does not have German acceptance markings fills the front of the case. The ZB-30 does have a rather unusual feature, the magazine of the weapon has two magazines seam welded together to increase capacity. The ZB-30 was known in German nomenclature as the Maschinengeweher (30) t and was the only true light machine used by the Germans during the war. Another weapon of Czech origin is the ZB 37 (Model 37) Heavy Machine Gun in 7.92mm. The ZB 37 was used mostly as vehicle armament due to its size and weight. Other captured/nationalized non-German manufactured weapons include the French model 1924 M29 Chatterrault, an 8mm Madsen 08 as well as the Austrian Schwarzlose. A rare weapon in the case was a German Rhienmetall MG 131/13 in 13mm that was used in aircraft and pressed into service as a ground machine gun late in the war. The MG 13 and MG 15 are also present; both are outfitted with bipods and stocks for use as a ground machine gun. A twin MG 81 machine gun designed for the Luftwaffe to protect bombers from attacking fighters is hidden among the machine guns lining the floor. The MG 81, a modified MG 34 adopted for the air role is not complete as it is missing the front spider site. The main differences between the MG 81 and MG 34 was that the MG 81 was capable of automatic fire only and had a higher rate of fire. The rate of fire for the MG 81 is between 1000-2000 rounds per minute (RPM) compared to 800-900 RPM for the MG 34. Almost unnoticed are a collection of pistols ranging from P-08 Lugers, Broomhandles, P-38’s, Polish Radom, various CZ pistols and a Browning High Power. A German designed Model 39 Grenade Launcher in 30 mm is displayed along with an assortment of 30-mm grenades designed for its use. Some of the interesting weapons were ones that had been captured in previous battles and were pressed into service late into the war. The museum has on display several Soviet PPSh 41 that were converted to fire 9mm. The conversion involved replacing the barrel with one chambered for 9mm, modifying the magazine well to accept MP 38/40 magazines and reworking the bolt assembly. Another is the Tokarev M 1940 semi automatic rifle.

The museum has a very impressive display of German anti tank weapons. The massive Mauser designed 13 mm Model 1918 “TankGewher” anti tank rifle with a variety of rounds. This rifle is an upscale copy of the Mauser Gewher 98 bolt action rifle that has a weight of 38 pounds. The cartridge was first developed during World War One as a direct result of the introduction of Tanks into the modern battlefield. The 13mm round, which has an actual diameter of 12.7 mm was capable of penetrating 1/2 inch of armor. John M. Browning used this round as a prototype in developing the .50 BMG cartridge that is the worldwide standard today. One of the most amazing sites was seeing factory new boxes containing Model 30 Panzerfausts. Both models of the Panzerfaust, the Model 30 and the Model 30 Klein (small) are displayed in their original German shipping crates. The room has an extensive display of German mines designed for anti personnel and anti tank uses. The entire ordinance collection was liberated after the war by the original members. Even more incredible was that the members deactivated almost all of the ordinance on display. They eventually sought the help of the Luxembourg Military EOD experts. As one views this vast assortment of small arms used by the Germans in WW II, it illustrates the difficult task of trying to supply all of the various caliber’s of ammunition and spare parts needed to keep these weapons working under combat conditions

This concept is easily visualized as you look at the case containing American small arms of WW II. The US collection takes only one quarter of the space as the German collection! The display includes the 1903 Springfield, M-1917 Enfield, M-1 Garand, M-1 carbine and the M1A1 carbine folding stock version. The M 3 and M3A1 sub machine guns, Thompson M1 A1 are represented as well as the Browning 1918 A-2. The case has 3 Browning M-2 Heavy machine guns on display. One is an aircraft version AN M-2 and the other two are ground versions on M 63 tripods. The Browning 1919A-4 and 1919A-6 are also included. The rest of the room has a tremendous collection of ordnance ranging from the 9mm Luger cartridge to a 500 pound US General Purpose Bomb. The room could be a reference library for any EOD team working with WW II ordinance.

After leaving the weapons collection room, the museum journey will now take you through snap shots of the war in the winter of 1944/45. These snap shots are in the form of life sized dioramas depicting soldiers at war. The largest of these displays depicts elements of the Fifth US Army making a night crossing of the river Sauer into Germany on January 18,1945. The Platoon sized scene has US soldiers dragging aluminum boats in deep snow to the river’s edge. The depiction puts you at the rear of the column as they advance into a dark snowy horizon. Each of the soldiers are wearing white snow smocks and are carrying a variety of weapons from the Browning 1919A-4 to the M-1 Rifle. Nothing has been left to imagination. The scene has been recreated to give the viewer a very accurate depiction of the event.

Another scene shows tired German troops settling down to an evening meal. A German meal wagon is providing the troops with hot food. The troops are huddled along the sides of a destroyed building, trying to find a warm and comfortable spot. One soldier who stands only feet away from the edge of the display is cleaning an MG 34. The soldier has broken down the weapon on a table and is busily cleaning the receiver in his hand. The scene has amazing detail from the German mailbag to the spilled food down the side of the meal wagon. Several other scenes depict a German MG 42 machine gun nest, a US mortar crew using a building as firing position, German PAK 40 cannon with crew and German 8 cm mortar crew. One diorama has a German communication NCO maintaining listening watch inside of a farmhouse serving as a command post. Several German soldiers have sought refuge in the house. Inside the house there are fine examples of the MP 44 series and the MG 42. At each display there are literally hundreds of artifacts that have been assembled to provide realism and authenticity.

Some of the more interesting exhibits include a bicycle that has been modified to carry two Model 30 Panzerfaust. The bike has a specially made bracket that fits over the front tire that allows the two Panzerfaust to be cradled on either side. Another is a rusted out Browning AN M2 aircraft machine gun that is hanging on a hallway that was found in a farmers field years later. If you look closely into the action you can see a rusted link and .50 shell still inside. There are so many details that have been included to create realism. If you look into the chamber of a Thompson M-1 being held by a serviceman accepting the surrender of a German, it holds a .45 ACP round.

s you travel through the museum’s passageways, you are constantly presented with a balanced perspective of the war. The goal of the museum is to provide an objective historical view from all parties that were involved. Some of the most visually moving parts of the museum are located on the stairwells and small spaces along the walls. The museum has obtained uncensored pictures depicting the aftermath of battle from both sides. These scenes of death and destruction complete the picture of what it was like to be in combat in the Ardennes.

The museum has the top two floors dedicated to the Luxembourg Military. These displays are virtually a history of military firearms from the Maxim to the M-60. Some of the more notable firearms was a 4” barreled P14 or P-17 and an even shorter barreled Mauser 98K that was used by the resistance forces against the Germans occupiers. One display depicts an M-40 recoilless cannon mounted on the back of a US jeep. Other displays depict a US made 105 Howitzer and gun crew and a TOW launcher and crew waiting in a snowstorm for their next prey. There is a display of modern weapons including MAG 58, Dutch service FN FAL, UZI fixed and folding stock models, French GIAT MAS and a British L1 A1. A very nice Bren CDN that was manufactured for the Chinese in 7.92mm by Ingliss of Canada is included in a display of Korean War weapons. There are several Lewis guns presented; one is the WW I Lewis in .303 British and the other is a Lewis K machine gun from WW II in .303. The Luxembourg Military component is small compared to its European neighbors, but the displays paint a proud and active role in worldwide operations.

This museum is small in size, but has one of the best collections of military weapons. What really sets this museum apart are the numerous dioramas depicting soldiers at war. These displays are the heart of the collection and every effort has been made to keep them authentic and historically accurate. The town of Diekirch is an approximately 3-hour drive from Frankfurt, Germany. The address 10 Balmeral Rue, Diekirch, Luxembourg. The museum is open daily from 1000-1800 April 1 to Nov 1 and from 1400-1800 from November 2 to March 31. The website address is www.luxembourg.co.uk/NMMH/.

While John M. Browning’s .50 caliber M2HB machine gun has the distinction of the longest continuous service of any weapon in the US Armed Forces, Doctor Richard Jordan Gatling’s revolving guns stand out as the oldest type currently in use. Characterized by multiple barrels spun by external power, modern Gatlings from .223 caliber to 30 millimeter serve around the world on land, sea and air, unmatched for their combination of extreme reliability with astonishingly high rates of fire.

Vulcans, Warthogs and Goalkeepers

Now built by General Electric on a novel operating principle dating back more than a century to the American Civil War, some of the best known of today’s Gatling-type weapons include the diminutive 5.56mm Six-Pak (Experimental only), the incomparable 7.62mm Minigun as first used on “Puff the Magic Dragon” flying gunships in Vietnam (Now manufactured by Dillon Aero), the 20mm Vulcan aircraft and air defense gun, and the formidable 30mm GAU-8 in tank-busting A-10 Warthog fanjets.

US Navy warships are protected from sea-skimming Exocet-type guided missiles by the GE/Signaal Goalkeeper (now known as the Phalanx) that can send out a radar-guided stream of 30mm lead at the incredible rate of over 4000 rounds per minute.

Remarkably, many military armaments specialists say that no other conventional ammunition bullet-hose on the horizon seems likely to replace the Gatlings’ deadly efficiency anytime soon. As a result, it may not be absurd to expect this archaic instrument to still be going strong on the 200th anniversary of its patent!

Yankees and Indians

Dr. Gatling himself, a North Carolinian who studied but never practiced medicine, inexplicably turned against his Southern brethren when he sold his first hand-cranked Revolving Battery Gun in 1862 to Abraham Lincoln’s Navy for testing. Oddly (and we Rebels take some comfort in this), by the end of the War of Northern Aggression the Federals had bought only about a dozen more despite favorable test results and vigorous efforts by the good doctor and his influential friends and financial backers.

While some are reported to have been used by the notorious General Benjamin “Beast” Butler against Confederates in the horribly inhumane siege of Petersburg, Virginia, the guns were mostly said to be not much more than an amusing novelty and no effective tactical employment resulted.

Despite what should have been obvious potential for battlefield efficiency and mechanical reliability thanks to newly developed metallic cartridges, Gatling’s “bullet organ” apparently failed to impress Union generals in the field or the War Department in Washington. Undaunted, Gatling managed shortly after the war’s end to sell about 115 of the improved .58 caliber and one inch (25mm) Model of 1865 guns for use on the American frontier. The Army was in a tight spot and needed these to protect intrusive forts and illegal settlements on the sovereign real estate of Native Americans (insensitively called “Red Indians” at the time) who were understandably upset with the Euro-imperialists for overrunning their ancestral homeland.

Curiously, reliable reports of actual combat use of Gatlings out West are virtually non-existent and they are perhaps most famous for their absence at the massacre of General George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn in 1876. Not wanting his column slowed down by the somewhat cumbersome horse-drawn guns, Custer chose to leave all four behind. The rest, as they say, is history.

Machine Gun Parker

Although neglected and even disdained by senior military leaders at the time, at least one junior officer kept Gatling’s rotating machine rifle alive. 1st Lieutenant John H. Parker made such a nuisance of himself in pressing his Army superiors for consideration of his ideas on tactical employment that he soon earned the derisive nickname of “Machine Gun Parker.”

However, the young lieutenant soon got the last laugh in the most famous engagement of the Spanish-American War when he superbly positioned his section of five .30 caliber Gatlings in support of Teddy Roosevelt’s assault of San Juan Hill. Spraying the forward slope with an almost continuous torrent of lethal lead raindrops, Parker’s Gatlings helped keep the well-dug-in enemy from effectively firing on the attacking Rough Riders. This victory — heralded in banner headlines around the world — vindicated the persistent Parker and finally bestowed battle honors on the long-suffering doctor’s invention.

Alas, the “automatic machine gun” (operating on the power of each cartridge fired) invented by Hiram Stevens Maxim, was to capitalize on the Army’s new found interest in the combat utility of rapid fire rifle caliber weaponry. The old fashioned, hand-cranked Gatlings were relegated to defense of stateside forts and were finally declared obsolete at the end of WWI, falling into nearly total obscurity for decades.

Electric Power

In an interesting aside to the historical record it should be noted that the indefatigable Doctor Gatling had conclusively demonstrated the astonishing firepower potential of his device in 1890 by rigging it with one of Mr. Edison’s newfangled electric motors. It reportedly fired at the amazing rate of 1500 rpm, with subsequent tests yielding bursts of up to 3000 rpm. Problem was, nobody at the time really needed this costly and dizzying volume of fire so the experiment soon faded away. Ah, but things change….

Jet Age Gatlings

Introduced toward the end of WWII, Germany’s fast and nimble jet-powered fighters made propeller driven combat aircraft obsolete virtually overnight. The incredible speed of America’s postwar jets far exceeded the capabilities of existing conventional machine guns and auto cannon, limiting their effectiveness in dogfights and strafing runs. Most simply put, even when the fastest firing single barrel guns were crowded into multiple mounts, they just couldn’t put out enough lead in the fleeting seconds of target exposure. What to do?

As luck would have it, somebody in the program remembered Gatling’s electric motor experiments more than a half-century before. By 1950, the General Electric company was well along in development of what was soon to become colorfully known as the VULCAN, a 20mm revolving cannon capable of firing bursts at 100 rounds per second!

Officially adopted in 1956 as the M61 Automatic Gun, the Vulcan was first installed in the F-104 Starfighter and went on to distinguished service in many other airframes. It also found enthusiastic acceptance as a radar-aimed anti-aircraft gun and rides in many different helicopters as primary armament and smaller versions in flexible door mounts. Various models in a range of calibers and applications carry inspiring names like Avenger, Equalizer and Phalanx in American and allied service worldwide.

Colonel George M. Chinn, perhaps the free world’s most respected authority on automatic gun systems, gives this product of the good doctor’s inventive genius a ringing accolade in the last of his monumental five-volume series THE MACHINE GUN:

“Surely Richard J. Gatling deserves the first and foremost acclamations for his insight of modern military weapon needs when he nurtured his famous invention with conceptual and persevering skills so that twentieth century man could take his gifts and build on them as has been done in the defense of our grateful country and of our friends throughout these last forty years.”

Primary Reference Sources

THE MACHINE GUN, By Chinn, US Navy, 1951
THE GATLING GUN, By Wahl and Toppell, Arco 1965
THE GATLING GUN, By Joseph Berk, Paladin 1991

The diversity of the firing line is certainly not limited to the age of firearm designs. Imagine an American 180 tearing at the backstop with a virtual hailstorm of .22lr at over 2000 rounds per minute, and a quad .50 just a few positions away opening up with all four barrels. If that is still not enough lead going in one direction at once, it should be known that the line is usually opened with a volley of artillery fire from a US-M1 57mm piece. If a six-pound projectile traveling at approximately the same speed as an average 30-06 doesn’t get your interest than this probably isn’t the place for you.

The firing line is between 100 and 150 yards from the point of impact. The impact area is packed with automobiles whose better years are long forgotten as well as an occasional appliance or bathroom accessory. Oh yeah, there is some dynamite there too. Lots of dynamite! Much to the pleasure of the substantial crowd of both shooters and spectators the explosives are not spared and are usually placed on the heavy side. This takes time to do correctly and safely as several safety sweeps take place in the impact area during the day. From my vantage point on the tower I am often asked what is going on downrange and when the line will open up again. When I relay it is the dynamite crew checking for unexpanded ordnance and placing fresh charges you can almost hear the smiles coming on.

There is absolutely nothing to prepare a shooting enthusiast who spends an occasional weekend at the local range and suddenly walks into the world of a well-organized national level event such as this. It is a complete overload for the senses. The sounds are very different from those encountered during a regular day on the range. If you are used to having four or five pals with you at the range or in the local gravel pit it will sound like silence compared to 62 roaring belt-fed machine guns all belted up and shooting in unison during the opening “mad minute” of each volley. If you bring out an occasional reactive target or two when you usually meet at the range, you will be eternally spoiled by the rapid explosions of 60% nitro sticks being impacted by the bullets of the shooters. When the first few rounds hit their mark and the thunderous percussion waves over the crowd it is a certain bulls-eye with everyone there. The percussion is so intense that it often sets off the car alarms of those new to the shoot. Those who have “been there and done that” know better than to arm their alarm if parked anywhere in close proximity to the line.

If you like the smell of gunpowder your nose is in for a sensation like nothing ever imagined. Over 32,000 rounds per minute will be going downrange at the opening of the volley and that produces a gunpowder smell like nothing else.

The sights of the occasional flame-thrower firing between volleys are extremely visually stimulating. The fire is bright and intense. The smoke is dark and thick. Above everything else, they throw a lot of heat. It is quite amazing to be standing 50 yards from this device pointed in the opposite direction, and still be able to feel the tremendous heat on your skin.

If being up close and personal on the line is more than you can stand for long periods you can spend some time browsing in the dealer tents. There you will find the people who make these shoots their business and supply the shooters and collectors with their prized possessions and the ammo to feed them. Many of these folks travel all around the country to shoots and shows, and bring a lot of inventory and experience with them. It is not uncommon to find nationally recognized authors doing research, selling their books or just relaxing and enjoying the company of fellow shooters here either. It is a family atmosphere and is well attended by many families.

The Hundred Mom Marchers draw attention to the shoot.

All in all, the 2001 shoot was business as usual with the exception of some unexpected helpers bringing a flurry of media coverage to the event just as it was getting underway. It seems that the local chapter of the so-called Million Mom March (now officially affiliated with Sarah Brady’s Brady Campaign) had issued a press release asking people not to attend the function, claiming it “….sent the wrong message to children.” When the associated press picked up on this, phones started ringing. The anti-gun group was so concerned that they never contacted anyone connected with the shoot and it looked like they were just trying to earn a little free publicity from the high profile of the annual event. It was reported by a local newspaper that their spokeswomen made a statement claiming that the so called “Million Moms” were going to protest the event but “felt threatened” and did not do so. The boogeyman of scary black guns raises his head again.

What a joke. If they had voiced an interest to anyone actually connected with the event they would have been given a booth just to let them see their misconceptions were wrong. All in all we don’t know if they damaged the attendance of the event, but we do know they caused things to be a little more hectic for the organizers than they needed to be at the time.

Shoot 2002

The dates for the 2002 shoot are July 19, 20 & 21. The place is the same as it has been since 1996. Take I-95 North to exit 39 (Newport Exit) and take Rt. 7 North to Dover-Foxcroft. The signs will bring you to the shoot. Admission is $6.00 per day for adults and $4.00 per day for children. Children must be under immediate adult supervision at all times. Shooter passes are $30.00 per day or $45.00 for the weekend. You can reach the club at (207) 465-2336 or on the web at www.hirammaxim.com. If you have a little vacation time you can use this summer, think about taking a trip to “Vacationland” the third weekend in July and visiting some of the best friends you have yet to meet. See you at the shoot!