Text & Photos by Jeff W. Zimba

Located just 1/2 hour from Las Vegas, a membership to this little Desert Paradise should be high on your “to do” list if you live in the area or even if just frequent visitor.

Trade shows and shooting events have been attracting SAR readers to the Las Vegas area for a long time. Fortunately, there are several places to shoot and we have run guides to various area facilities in the pages of SAR during peak travel times for shooters attending events such as the SHOT Show. In this issue we want to focus on one particular shooting facility, The Desert Lake Country Club (DLCC) in Boulder City.

Covering over 80 acres in the Nevada High Desert, with a spectacular mountain as a backstop, the views alone could be reason enough to desire a membership to this first class shooting facility. Every discipline in the shooting sports is catered to at the Desert Lake Country Club including trap & skeet, sporting clays, rifle, pistol, and even 3D archery. And yes, Class III firearms are welcome.

The shooting facilities include a 300-yard rifle range with covered positions, a 50-yard pistol range with reactive targets, a 1-mile long, 20-station sporting clays course, and a 1-mile long, 24 station 3D archery course. Shooting instruction and a pro shop are available on site as are gun rentals and ammo sales. All are centered around an exclusive 5,000 square foot lodge style, clubhouse and restaurant. Golf carts are even available for traveling over the expansive facility.

Over the past few years the DLCC has been an excellent host for invitational manufacturers’ demonstrations that have coincided with large trade shows in the shooting sports. They have assisted in providing support staff, catering and luncheon facilities, and helping with general logistics. Their staff is helpful and knowledgeable and the facilities are extremely safe and well run. If you would like to organize a similar shooting event in the Las Vegas area it may be wise to contact the club for specifics well in advance of any proposed event. This writer has had the opportunity to visit the range on several occasions while traveling for business and each outing is eagerly anticipated.

Some firearms companies have a corporate membership with the DLCC and it is an excellent place to conduct testing and evaluation as well as research and development. Only a 1/2 hour from Las Vegas heading towards Boulder City, the location is far enough out to ensure hassle free shooting but close enough to allow repeated trips to the range if necessary.

Given any necessity to spend some time at a shooting range in the Las Vegas area, the DLCC is wholeheartedly recommend for your consideration. If you are a manufacturer looking for a facility to demonstrate your products during an accompanying trade show, it may be worth your time to look into the DLCC. If you are simply someone who lives locally who would like to have a nice, clean, safe place to shoot almost anything you can carry there, the same would apply.

The following Memberships are currently available:

* Corporate: 2 Memberships and 3 Guests (Total 5) – $1,750
* Family Corporate: 2 Memberships and 3 Family Members/Friends (Total 5) – $1,750
* Family Couple: 1 Membership 1 Spouse/Friend (Total 2) – $750
* Individual: 1 Member Only – $550

Directions

It is very easy to find the DLCC. To visit their facility from the Las Vegas area, proceed south on I-515 for 25 miles. Turn south on U.S. 95 for 1/2 mile. Turn right on Silverline Road, go 1/2 mile. Turn left on Old Hwy. 2. Desert Lake is on the right.

For more information on the Desert Lake Country Club please visit their website at: http://www.desertlakecc.com or contact them at the information below. Make sure you tell them you heard about them in Small Arms Review Magazine!

Physical Address: 12801 U.S. 95 South Boulder City, NV 89005 Tel: (702) 294-0029

Mailing Address: Desert Lake Country Club P.O. Box 62308 Boulder City, NV 89006-2308 E-mail address: info@desertlakecc.com

Richard Dyke, owner of Bushmaster Firearms, Inc. in North Windham, Maine, sold his 28-year-old firearms manufacturing company in late April for an undisclosed sum.

The new owner is Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., a company that has $18 billion in investment assets. Dyke, 72, will remain involved in the business as a member of the board of directors.

Dyke said he sold Bushmaster, which did $65 million in business last year, for the good of the company, his family and the stockholders. “Bushmaster has the potential of becoming a $200-million-a-year company. For the Dyke family to lead that, a little voice told me that it was just time to turn over the reins for the benefit of everyone,” Dyke said. “I just know a company like Cerberus has the ability to do the things Dick Dyke doesn’t have the means to do.”

The new owners say they are dedicated to keeping Bushmaster and its 95 employees at the Windham, Maine Business Park. Dyke said he owns the park, and Bushmaster has signed a five-year lease for the property. Bushmaster’s second manufacturing facility, located in Lake Havasu City, Nevada, where the recently purchased Carbon-15 line is produced, will also stay open.

Little will change for Bushmaster’s employees. John DeSantis will continue as the chief executive officer, and Richard Thurston and Allen Faraday will continue in their current roles as senior executives of Bushmaster. The workforce will see little in the way of change as well.

“We have very good people who work here and Cerberus knows that,” Faraday said. “Having lost Dick (Dyke) as a boss and having a new owner has created some anxiety but the more they get to know the new employer, the more that nervousness is settling down. There are no plans for change. The goal is to grow and the new owners are dedicated to that.”

Faraday said Cerberus usually doesn’t invest in companies the size of Bushmaster. But, Faraday said, “Cerberus is excited about Bushmaster’s potential. They hope to double or triple sales in the next five or six years. And we believe those are realistic goals.”

Cerberus is not new to the arms arena. The company, which Dyke describes as a hedge fund that buys previously established companies in hopes of growing them, has many contacts in the military logistics field. However, this is Cerberus’ first foray into firearms. It already supplies items to military bases and provides logistical support for the military.

Dyke, a well-known entrepreneur, has started more than 40 businesses during his career. Bushmaster is one of his most successful ventures. Dyke bought Bushmaster 28 years ago, moved it to Portland, Maine and then to Windham and built it into a worldwide leader in rifles and pistols. The company’s products are used by civilians, military and police forces around the world.

When Dyke purchased the company in 1978, Bushmaster provided small-arm survival pistols used by Air Force pilots when they went down in combat. Dyke turned the company into a top-tier gun manufacturer specializing in target shooting and military applications.

Meanwhile Dyke has secured office space in North Windham. He, and his son Jeff, are already looking at new investments around the state.

Year 2004 U.S. Firearms Manufacturing Statistics

Firearm production statistics for American manufacturers during the year 2004 are now available from the FB Library.

Note: government statisticians compile handgun statistics into broad caliber categories. For example, .22 caliber statistics include .17 caliber handguns; the .50 caliber pistol category includes all pistols chambered for cartridges larger than 9mm (the preceding category) up to and including .50 caliber.

During the year, pistol production totaled 728,511 units, revolver production totaled 294,099 units, rifle production totaled 1,325,138 units, shotgun production totaled 731,769 units and total production of firearms classified as miscellaneous was: 19,508 units.

Pistols exported from the U.S. during 2004 totaled 14,959 units, revolver exports totaled 24,122 units, rifles exported totaled 62,403 units, shotguns exported totaled 31,025 units and miscellaneous firearms exported totaled 7,411 units.

For purposes of this report, “production” is defined as: firearms, including separate frames or receivers, actions or barreled actions, manufactured and disposed of in commerce during the calendar year. They do not include totals for firearms manufactured by individuals for their private use.

Sturm, Ruger & Co. emerged as the top pistol manufacturer in 2004 with production of 99,002 units. Smith & Wesson finished in the number two slot in pistol production with 89,427 units. Bryco Arms was in third place with manufacture of 87,767 units. Beretta U.S.A. Corp. finished in fourth place for the year with 84,714 pistols. Beemiller, Inc. was in fifth place with production of 76,570 pistols. Other significant pistol producers included: Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. with a total of 59,815 units, SIG Arms, Inc. produced 36,241 units, Kimber Mfg. Inc. produced 44,806 units and Arms Technology, Inc. produced 23,175 pistols.

By caliber, pistol production during 2004 broke down as follows: up to .22-caliber: 211,473 units; up to .25-caliber: 10,140 units; up to .32-caliber: 32,435 units; up to .380 caliber: 68,291 units; up to 9mm: 182,493 units; up to .50-caliber: 223,679 units.

These statistics are for 74% of manufacturers. Some 26% of licensed manufacturers did not file reports for the year in time to be included in this summary.

Suit Dismissal Based on Industry Liability Law

A California judge’s recent dismissal of a suit against industry firms marks the first time that the new federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) has worked as intended, to end a lawsuit.

Federal District Court Judge Audrey B. Collins used the PLCAA as the basis for dismissal of a reckless “public-nuisance” lawsuit against firearm manufacturer Glock and distributor RSR. In doing so, Judge Collins became the first judge in the country to use the new law to counter the anti-gun lobby’s attempts to hold the lawful firearm industry responsible for the acts of criminals.

The suit sought to blame Glock and RSR for the criminal actions of white supremacist Buford Furrow. In 1999, Furrow shot and killed postal worker Joseph Ileto, and wounded three children at a Jewish Community Center in Grenada Hills, California, after illegally acquiring firearms.

What is not often reported is that, while a Glock pistol was used in Furrow’s heinous crime, the gun was originally sold to a police department, which subsequently sold it to a licensed dealer, who in turn sold it to a collector, who finally sold it to Furrow. Glock was being targeted, but did nothing illegal, and RSR never owned, sold, or possessed the firearm.

“It is fitting that this case was the first ever dismissed based on the PLCAA because the facts made this case the poster child for passage of common sense legal reform,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Gunmakers Say They Will Leave Illinois if Ban Becomes Law

Some Illinois gun manufacturers say they will leave if state lawmakers approve a ban on “assault weapons.”

The threats came as a House panel approved legislation to ban the weapons, even though the proposal’s prospects appear bleak in the Senate following comments by Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.

In a press conference before the House Executive Committee’s 9-3 vote in favor of the ban, the gunmakers said they would pull up stakes and take 750 jobs with them if the ban is OK’d.

“If this passes, we’re out of town,” said Dennis Reese, co-owner of Springfield Armory in Geneseo, one of four gun makers located in the Rock River Valley town of 6,400 residents.

“Our only course of action would be moving out of state,” added Mark Westrom, president of ArmaLite Inc., another Geneseo gun manufacturer.

Significant Military Contracts Awarded

A pair of delivery orders worth about $159.2 million from the U.S. Army Field Support Command, Rock Island, IL has been issued to two firms.

ATK’s Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Company L.L.C. in Independence, MO received a delivery order amount of $133.9 million as part of a $300.45 million firm-fixed-price contract for small caliber ammunition services. Work will be performed in Independence, MO and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Oct. 5, 2005 (DAAA09-99-D-0016).

Second source prime supplier General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL received a delivery order amount of $25.3 million as part of a $196.44 million firm-fixed-price contract (W52P1J-05-G-0002) for production of .50 caliber ammunition. Work will be performed in St. Petersburg, FL, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 23, 2010.

In other contract news, small business qualifier Knight’s Armament Co. in Titusville, FL received a delivery order amount of $31 million as part of a $110.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Modular Weapon System in support of the M16A4 Rifle and M4 Carbine. The U.S. Army Field Manual specifies that adding the Rail Accessory System (RAS) turns the weapon into the M4 MWS or Modular Weapon System.

Work will be performed in Titusville, FL and is expected to be complete by the end of the fiscal year – Sept. 30, 2006. This was a sole source contract initiated on Feb. 1, 2006 by the Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command at Rock Island, IL.

Center Industries Corp. in Wichita, KS received a contract extension that calls for the production of 980,000 more ammunition magazines for the M16 rifle and M4A1 carbine. More than 80 of the 248 people who work at the plant will be involved in fulfilling the contract, which the company has had since 1997. About 75% of Center Industries’ workforce is disabled.

Center has a number of quality-related certifications, and holds a 100% quality rating with the US Department of Defense with over 1.3 million parts shipped. Center Industries expects to have sales in excess of $22 million in 2006, and also does work for the state of Kansas, Spirit AeroSystems and Cessna Aircraft Co., among others.

The author publishes two of the small arms industry’s most widely read trade newsletters. The International Firearms Trade covers the world firearms scene, and The New Firearms Business covers the domestic market. He also offers FFL-mailing lists to firms interested in direct marketing efforts to the industry. He may be reached at: FirearmsB@aol.com.

Streamlight Introduces Rail Mount Tactical Flashlight

Streamlight has expanded its extremely popular line of ultra-compact Strion flashlights with the introduction of the Tactical Strion. They have also introduced a new tactical rail mount for the model, making the Tactical Strion the first and only rechargeable gun-mountable tactical flashlight available today. The Strion represents the state-of-the-art in rechargeable flashlights and it’s as bright as flashlights five times its size. The introduction of the Tactical Strion and tactical rail mount has added significant versatility for law enforcement or military professionals using the light in tactical situations. For them, the ability to use the same rechargeable flashlight they carry on their duty belt in either hand-held or weapon-mounted roles is unprecedented. At 5.3 inches in length, the Tactical Strion weighs just 4.6 ounces. The grooved and serrated body is manufactured from machined, anodized aluminum, and is designed to provide solid rail mount retention as well as a superior hand-held grip. The serrated tailcap push-button switch is extended beyond the light body to allow easy one-handed momentary operation. A quick clockwise twist of the tailcap places the light in constant-on mode. Powered by an innovative, super-compact lithium ion rechargeable battery, the Tactical Strion utilizes a xenon gas-filled bulb that produces up to 12,000 candlepower (116 lumens) of intense, focus-adjustable light for up to70 minutes of continuous runtime between charges. The snap-in charger holder achieves full-charge in just 2.5 hours. Built-in digital controls prevent overcharging, and an LED indicator provides positive verification of battery charge status. The newly developed tactical rail mount allows quick light attachment/detachment from the firearm. Available as an accessory for the Tactical Strion, the new machined aluminum rail mount is designed to work on virtually any long gun with a 1913 (Picatinny-style) rail. Suggested retail price for the Tactical Strion system, with AC/DC charger and tactical rail mount is $224.95. The tactical rail mount is also available separately for $60. For more information please contact Streamlight, Inc., Dept SAR, 30 Eagleville Road, Eagleville, PA 19403. Phone: (610) 631-0600. Fax: (610) 631-0712. Their website is www.streamlight.com.

LaserMax Sight Now for Springfield XD Sub-Compact

LaserMax, Inc. is pleased to announce a new addition to its renowned internal laser sight line. The LMS-3XD is a precision engineered laser aiming device designed to fit inside Springfield XD Sub-Compact pistols. The LMS-3XD will join three other LaserMax models for XD pistols released last spring. The first units are expected to ship early this May. LaserMax’s proprietary laser sighting system consists of a replacement guide rod/spring assembly and a modified takedown lever. The miniaturized laser, electronics and batteries are all housed within the spring guide, which is crafted from tough aircraft grade aluminum. Activation is ambidextrous and as simple as pressing in on a button incorporated into the takedown lever. The laser is pulsed, which makes it up to three times more visible than a continuous laser. Weighing in at a mere 20.5 ounces, the Springfield XD Sub-Compact pistol packs either 10+1 rounds of 9mm or 9+1 rounds of .40 S&W into a very small package. With dozens of incredible features and an overall size of only 6.26 inches in length and 4.55 inches in height, the XD Sub-Compact is perfectly built for concealed carry. The new LaserMax sight fills a void that no other laser system could fill; it provides the capability for precise laser targeting in low light, while adding nothing to the external dimensions of the firearm. The LMS-3XD adds less than an ounce to the weight of the firearm. Installation is a simple process that is user friendly and can be performed in minutes without special tools. The sight comes with permanently set alignment and guaranteed center of mass accuracy. The LMS-3XD is compatible with all of the many holsters and rail-mounted lights available for the Springfield XD. While a great deal of thought obviously went into making the XD Sub-Compact a small and rugged carry firearm, Springfield has also gone to great lengths to assure that it is a safe pistol to handle. Each unit comes equipped with a USA Action Trigger safety, firing pin status indicator, firing pin safety, grip safety, and loaded chamber indicator. The LaserMax LMS-3XD is compatible with every one of these important safety features. LaserMax, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of laser gun sights for law enforcement and the shooting sports community. All LaserMax products are designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. For more information, please contact LaserMax, 3495 Winton Place, Rochester, NY 14623. Phone: (585) 272-5420. Fax: (585) 272-5420. They can be located on the web at www.lasermax.com.

Centurion Arms Introduces “Diopter” Sights for AR-15/M4 Rifles

Centurion Arms introduces a set of new “diopter” style iron sights for use with AR-15 or M4 flat top receivers. The new sights are designed to the correct ergonomic height for the standard AR-15/M4 flat top receivers for the proper feel and rapid sight acquisition. The rear drum has four different apertures, allowing the shooter to rapidly adjust for different light conditions. It uses a standard HK type adjustment tool for windage and elevation. The front sight mounts to any commonly available same-plane rail style hand guard (LMT MRP, La Rue, Knight’s free float rails, Daniel Defense, Samson, Troy Ind. and Yankee Hill Machine to name a few). It uses a standard fixed blade which can be replaced with the tritium front sight blade commonly sold for the HK91/94/93/ and MP5’s. Both front and rear sights are also compatible with any standard AR-15/M4 sights, including any standard height back-up iron sights or the detachable carry handle rear sights. This offers the shooter maximum sight options. The new Centurion Arms sights also take up a minimal amount of rail space leaving plenty of room to be used as back-up iron sights in conjunction with AimPoint, EO Tech and most other readily available red dot sights. The front and rear sight set retails for $225. For more information, please contact Centurion Arms, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 1528, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. Visit them at www.centurionarms.com.

10-Round Magazine Extension for FN 5.7 Pistol from CMMG

CMMG Inc, a Missouri based company, is now offering what every FN 5.7 pistol owner has been waiting for; a ten-round magazine extension. Made from high impact polymers, the new product, called the 5.7 EXT, provides the shooter with up to 10 extra rounds of the potent little cartridge per magazine. This brings the total round count from 20 up to 30. The CMMG 5.7 EXT comes in a kit that contains the extension and a new chrome silicon replacement spring. The kit installs in seconds without the need for special tools. For more information, please contact CMMG, Inc., Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 369, Fayette, MO 65248. Phone: (660) 248-2293. Their website is www.cmmginc.com.

CamelBak Launches New Tactical Hydration Systems

CamelBak Products, LLC, the world leader in hands-free hydration systems, has announced that it has developed two new tactical products. CamelBak’s Delta-5 Tactical Vest is a revolutionary new design that fully integrates efficient, hands-free hydration into an extremely comfortable, adjustable, breathable and durable vest platform. Generous MOLLE/PAL webbing on the front and back of the vest are ideal for attaching most current pouch systems, zip-cuffs, and other accessories. The Delta-5 has a low profile drag handle for situations involving wounded personnel and multiple Velcro attachment points for identification patches. The Delta-5 was specifically designed to keep the user’s gear and 102-ounce (3.1 L) water supply close to the body, while not interfering with existing soft or hard body armor systems.

Designed specifically for officers and soldiers who need their gear close at-hand in tense tactical situations, the new ST-5 Tactical Pack is ideal for use by police officers involved in SWAT or riot control operations. The ST-5 offers quick access to frequently used tools, including a riot baton and helmet, radio and tactical light, and numerous MOLLE/PAL attachment points allow pouches and zip-cuffs to be easily secured to the exterior of the pack. In addition to offering a generous 1,404 cubic inches (23.0 L) of cargo space for gear, the ST-5 features CamelBak’s 100-ounce (3.0 liter) Omega Water Beast reservoir with HydroGuard technology. Tough, USA-made 1000D Cordura exterior construction provides high resistance to abrasions and tears, and an integrated high-visibility rain cover keeps gear dry while enhancing safety in low-light conditions. The design of the ST-5 utilizes wide, padded shoulder straps, a padded waist belt and a sternum strap to comfortably stabilize the load on the back and an adjustable strap management system keeps straps out of the way for enhanced comfort and safety. To maximize the function and flexibility of its packs in-use, CamelBak has also introduced a number of MOLLE-compatible pouches to its line for 2006. Manufactured of tough 1000D Cordura, tactical-grade nylon and elastic, CamelBak’s new pouches are available in the following models:

• Triple SMG Mag Pouch – carries three, 30-round sub-machine gun magazines
• Pistol Mag Pouch – carries two, double-stack, high-capacity magazines
• M4 Mag Pouch – carries four, 30-round M4 or AR-15 magazines
• Rapid Pouch – holds most heavy, hand-held ‘brick’ radios
• Double Cuff Case – holds up to two pairs of metal handcuffs; hinged or chain link
• Tactical Light Pouch – ideally sized to hold a standard hand-held combat light

The Delta-5 Tactical Vest and ST-5 are the latest additions to CamelBak’s extensive line of hydration systems for military, tactical and law enforcement professionals. To learn more, please contact CamelBak Products, Dept. SAR, 1310 Redwood Way, Suite “C”, Petaluma, CA 94954. Phone: (707) 792-9700. Fax: (707) 665-3844. Their website is www.camelbak.com.

Short and sweet this month, fellow Rafficarians. I broke my thumb firing a rifle grenade at too low an angle. Not that I haven’t fired a lot of these in the past, or because I don’t know how – simply the lower I aimed, the harder to keep sling tension. Just before touching the HEAT round off, I subconsciously noted the slack condition of the sling. Nice satisfying explosion followed by a big “Ouch.” Makes typing with this cast on a total pain, so, a shorter Raffica this month. Back in force next month.

So, kids, don’t be like your old Uncle Dan and wind up being humiliated by the constant email arrival of Mpeg loops from “friends” showing how dumb you were, or the constant questioning of, “So, how’d you break your thumb? Someone kick you in the axx?” Make sure the sling is tight.

Q– While attending a recent gun show, something in a class 3 dealer’s display caught my eye. It was an unusual “tube gun” that I had never seen before. The dealer was very busy but I did get from him that it was the only sub-gun designed and fielded in Luxembourg. Can you shed any more light on this interesting little gun?

A– It is called the Sola and was manufactured by Société Luxembourgeoise d’Arms S.A. They produced two distinct models with some slight sub-variants. The two variations of the unusual and very rare Sola Super are the standard Sola Super and the very different Sola Light. Both are “tube” guns as you noted. There are many design similarities with the Belgian Vigneron submachine gun, but the Solas are indeed their own unique designs. This was in the post World War II era and many of the submachine gun designs in the 1950s were destined for economic failure mostly due to the huge piles of surplus submachine guns that could be had for about 25 cents each in quantity.

Supposedly, there were five of the Sola Supers that were brought into the United States in 1955 for trials. I have never seen a transferable, original gun, although there are some examples in museums in the U.S. The Sola Supers were sold into North Africa, particularly Morocco, and some have been seen in South America, but there aren’t any contract records. The Sola Light was only sold to the FLN in Algeria, as far as records show. The parts kits for these were brought in by LMO in the late 1980s-early 1990. We purchased them from another contractor who was working in Morocco. There were 134 of the Sola Super kits brought in and sold, and 5 of the Sola Lights. One live Sola Super was imported. Class 2 Gunsmith Stan Andrewski built several of the Sola Lights for study and evaluation and LMO built one. It is a very interesting post-war design. The guns were inherently very accurate, and with the long receiver tubes the bolt tended to “run out” on the recoil spring, which made for a very smooth shooting cycle. Examples of this concept pre-dated the Sola of course, but the same principle can be seen on modern machine guns such as the Negev and the Ultimax. (Both of which have entirely different recoil/return systems, but still take advantage of a long spring controlled recoil stroke to achieve their smooth firing.) At some point SAR will cover these unusual Luxembourg submachine guns in depth, but at this point they are generally considered a footnote to post World War II development. Soldiers serving in North Africa should note these weapons in case they see them, like any other oddity.

Q– I have seen an odd drum in a private collection. It was very old and rusty and reminded me of the Luger snail drums, but it was rifle caliber and offset to feed from the side. It had a fold out lever for charging. Any ideas?

A– Markings would help, if you could get them. It does sound a lot like the Mondragon drum. If it is, surely the collector should know that. If it is unidentified, then let’s nail it down. I was doing a study on the Mondragons at the MOD Pattern Room and gathered some ID guide photos of both the Mondragon drum and the standard box magazine.

Soon to become General, Manuel Mondragon was an amateur firearms designer in Mexico, and when he was a younger officer he tackled the self loading rifle problem. This was in the 1890s, so you can imagine he was ahead of his time. Mexico wanted to move ahead in the arms race, but they didn’t have the industrial capacity, so Mondragon’s design went to SIG in Switzerland. We’ll get into this all deeper at another time, but the General had nailed down a basic gas port take off with a piston that had copper gas rings reminiscent of the M16 gas rings on the bolt. The bolt had seven locking lugs, which again sounds spookily familiar, but in the Mondragon there were three lugs in the front of the bolt and four lugs in the rear: the idea being to make a super tight gas seal. This is all at the beginning of gas operated self loading rifle designs, and it is still quite exciting to study in a historical sense.

The Mexicans ordered 4,000 rifles from SIG, took about ten percent and canceled the rest of the order. SIG took the hit financially on the Self Loading rifle of 1908, but during the mid World War I era, they sold the remaining stocks (re-worked into 7x57mm) of about 1,000 rifles to the German Air Force as the Self Loading Rifle 15. This is the point where the 30 round drums were added. Obviously, there is much more to the story but that is for a longer article.

Send questions to:

Raffica
sareview@aol.com
Or mail to
Small Arms Review Attn Raffica
631 N. Stephanie St #562
Henderson, NV 89014

I have had the distinct honor, and pleasure, of serving as the President of the NFATCA for over a year now. I have met and advised a lot of NFA owners on the importance of our efforts. Most, unfortunately, don’t feel the “squeeze” or pressure that anything is on the horizon that may threaten the ownership of NFA weapons; let alone the significant financial investment that they have made in the single gun they own or the collections they have accumulated. It is a familiar wind that blows with the reign of a Republican Congress.

During the last year, recruiting efforts have been launched on many fronts; from the halls of the SHOT Show and the SAR show to the firing line at Knob Creek. Yet, still today, I get the same old feeling that I am bothering a fellow NFA owner when I speak of the importance of the NFATCA. It always seems strange to me that when a person’s livelihood is at stake, let alone another person’s life savings, they don’t feel the need to join up and make a difference. It’s not that they don’t care; it’s just there doesn’t seem to be any pressure to help out. I often get the response of, “You guys go knock yourselves out, and when I see you are making a difference, I’ll join.” As incredible as it sounds, many of us don’t ever react, unless there is a threat to us on a personal level. And so goes the recruiting effort, not just for the NFATCA, but for every gun organization in the country. We are feeling pretty “fat and happy” and don’t feel like we need to get out of our seat and get involved – on any level. There seems to be nothing looming on the horizon that we need to worry about. Well, some pretty serious elections are just around the corner.

With elections at all levels on the horizon, the NFATCA is not sleeping at the wheel. We have developed for the first time a true representation at ATF and are working in a collaborative effort to institute change in the government. Best of all, despite the general lethargy in the NFA community, we are making a huge move forward with the experience and expertise with not nearly enough resources.

What amazes me the most is the fact that few NFA owners understand what a few lost seats in Congress can do to the entire NFA infrastructure. It is so hard for me to understand why we can’t move as a community together in protecting our second amendment rights and the rights of every gun control bill that we live by. I find it difficult to believe that many of you who would never talk about your collections or even use the words “machine gun” or “silencer” in an open conversation, don’t care more about protecting yourselves from further regulation. There is no single organization anywhere in the United States that is working as hard as the NFATCA to protect all NFA rights. I am astonished that I still hear, “Oh, that’s just an elite group of guys forming a club,” or “What has the NFATCA done for me lately?” Shocked and surprised, the board still presses forward – depending on the membership to drive home the points on why we need the NFATCA. I can now laugh about the “elite bunch of guys” comments because the NFATCA has managed to gather the top industry experts in every field on NFA issues. If that is what you want to call an elite group then I guess I would have to say we are darn lucky to have people of this stature as founders of our organization.

Once again our motto “Power through experience” rings loudly through the community.

This time last year no one called my office and asked about the NFATCA. This week I have fielded 8 calls alone on various NFA issues and it’s only Tuesday. Today, a massive number of collectors, manufacturers, and dealers are coming together with the NFATCA because they see and feel the connection and can see the results. I have spoken to large manufacturers of NFA weapons to a concerned Class 2 manufacturer that is worried he took the wrong route in getting a approval for a design. When it came time for help the call came to the NFATCA, and we are all over the issue in question. We will get the results and carve another notch in our list of accomplishments.

But, I remind you, we are in a mostly gun friendly Congress and being lethargic about supporting an organization like the NFATCA is not an option. We must all join together and represent ourselves as a rock solid community that is making a distinct difference in NFA ownership. Sit on your laurels later, but today bring us your strength, your ideas, and most importantly your experience. Join the NFATCA today, not after the next election.

www.nfatca.org

One of the most iconic firearms of the Cold War was the diminutive Vzor 1961 (Model 1961) submachine gun made in the Czech city of Uhersky Brod by the firm of Ceska Zbrojovka. More properly classified as a machine pistol than true a SMG, the Vz61 was named the “Skorpion.” This unusual Combloc firearm, of which only a few post-86 dealer samples are currently in the United States, seemed to naturally find its way into the hands of Red Brigade terrorists, Central American assassins and assorted bad guys who opposed American interests.

Skorpion parts kits are available in the US and now, for the first time, a lower receiver made here in the US is available for sale and is specifically designed for direct “drop in” of a Skorpion parts kit. It has just received ATF approval for sale as a receiver which “is not readily convertible” to full automatic. You can now legally possess a Skorpion that is as close to the actual Vz61 as our government will allow without some form of NFA provision.

The Company Behind the Skorpion

RT Manufacturing is the creator behind this US-made Skorpion Vz61 receiver. Co-founded in 1999 in Wauconda, Illinois, by Jack Koziol and a business partner, it was purchased outright by Jack in 2000 and has continued under his management since that time. Employing four full time machinists, it is a general job shop which has several major customers, one of which is a huge entity in the medical precision equipment field.

Jack and his family have been in the machinist trade for many years. After completing a four-year formal apprenticeship program in the machinist field (and winning a VICA “National Machining Championship” in the 1990s), over a 15-year career, he taught himself CAD/CAM designing and its integration with CNC machining. This became key to the Skorpion project.

Aggressively looking for more work in early 2001, he introduced himself to a neighboring firm in Wauconda – Krebs Customs – and started performing subcontractor machine work for them. Krebs is nationally known for quality AK parts and RT Manufacturing began making their muzzle compensators, Picatinny rail fore-end, front sight gas block and other precision AK parts. As Jack had never worked with firearms before, he became increasingly fascinated with their design and manufacture. It was at this point the Skorpion concept emerged.

With RT Manufacturing looking for more projects in the firearms field, Mr. Krebs threw Jack a huge challenge in mid-2003….build a Skorpion lower receiver which can pass ATF muster as a legal semiauto pistol when fitted with a parts kit. Krebs had been very interested in the Vz61 for years but simply did not have the time to properly design and build one themselves given their AK work.

There was only one problem with this. RT Manufacturing had literally no idea what a Vz61 was or looked like. Further, Jack now laughingly admits he did not even know there was a “K” in the Skorpion name instead of the Americanized “C”. For this reason his first Internet searches turned up no information. Not admitting failure, Jack made the October, 2003, pilgrimage to Knob Creek and purchased his first Skorpion parts kit. Though he had the parts kit, he still did not know what it should look like.

Designing the Lower Receiver

Throughout late 2003 and early 2004, Jack carefully examined every piece of the Vz61 parts kit being very interested in how the Czech’s had machined the lower receiver. Fortunately, the kit included the four torch-cut receiver pieces. By examination of their machining marks, he determined their sequence of cuts and the kinds of tools used. He also realized this was not an easy project and why Mr. Krebs had directed it his way.

The Skorpion lower receiver was a true jewel of the machinist’s art. The Czech’s are internationally recognized for their industrial skills and the Vz61 was proof of that reputation. Designed by Miroslav Rybar in 1959 when CNC did not exist and the Communist regime had literally thousands of skilled machinists and many tons of machine tools, the receiver was truly “old school” in both design and execution. During its production run of 1961-1976, the Skorpion was manufactured by manually-controlled equipment. RT Manufacturing could not economically apply this extremely labor-intensive practice to create a new Skorpion. A new receiver could only be profitably cut by CNC.

Jack began reverse-engineering the receiver by using the parts kit itself as the starting point. The overall dimensions of the new receiver were easily captured by the upper receiver from the parts kit. The front of the lower receiver was determined by the takedown pin hole. The rear of the lower receiver was established by the back of the upper receiver where it must snap into place. The magazine well area was defined by the proper lockup of the magazine, while the trigger area was brought into relationship by the rivet hole of the trigger guard. In short, Jack was able to arrive at a fairly accurate starting point for the dimensions of the lower receiver. But that was the starting and not ending point.

Using these initial dimensions, Jack then began using CAD/CAM software to design the first version of the Vz61 receiver. It was a laborious trial and error process in which iterative test cutting was done on blocks of 6061 aluminum. With each passing block the parts kit would fit better. By the 15th block the parts kit simply “dropped in”…with just one problem to overcome.

The front pin hole

Try as he might, Jack could get everything to routinely fit except for the front pin hole. It seemed that one time the parts kit would fit as expected while another would have trouble getting its upper receiver to mount with the front takedown pin and then slide into the rear of the receiver. He even considered making the hole larger to accommodate all possibilities, but, that could lead to a sloppy fit. Finally, by moving the hole a few thousandths of an inch at a time, Jack got it precisely where needed. The temporary loan of a post-86 dealer sample Skorpion ultimately validated the dimensions by allowing direct comparison of the new lower receiver to that of an original. This also facilitated minor cosmetic corrections such as the depth of lightening cuts, etc.

It was now mid-2005 and time to machine a steel Vz61 lower receiver and get it to ATF’s Tech Branch for validation as a legal semiautomatic receiver. Almost two years of work was now coming to this final step.

Manufacturing the Lower Receiver

The receiver is manufactured out of billet 4140 pre-hardened steel. This starts life as a 6.75 lb “hunk of metal” that measures 1.5 x 2.5 x 6.75 inches and is precisely machined down to three-quarters of a pound, an incredible 89% reduction in weight. To achieve this result, RT Manufacturing uses MasterCam CAD/CAM software which is directly connected via RS232 cables to two machines: a Haas VF2 and Hurco vertical machining centers.

While each machine can easily carve a complete Skorpion lower receiver by itself, so much time is consumed to make a receiver that it takes two machines running simultaneously to output a profitable production run. One machine simply could not mill a receiver fast enough.

The MasterCam software produces almost 15,000 lines of G-code to define a Vz61 receiver. In turn, this code controls each machining cut so that every steel billet requires almost five hours of dedicated machine time – and seven separate setups – to be converted into a receiver. Every single internal and external surface on the receiver is touched in some fashion by a carbide cutting tool. Each side of the receiver of this intensive machining takes approximately 45 minutes to make. There are six sides.

After the CNC work is done the lower receiver is still not completed. RT Manufacturing must still perform over 30 minutes per receiver of hand deburring with an air tool to remove all sharp edges. It is then tumbled in ceramic media for another 45 minutes to ensure all internal edges are truly finished. After that….the entire receiver is glass bead blasted to finalize the surface preparation.

Each receiver is then quality checked on a granite surface plate which allows readings to one millionth of an inch. However, for a firearm, this level of tolerance is unnecessary and in fact would lead to an unreliable and far too costly weapon. RT Manufacturing holds the Vz61 receiver production tolerances to +.0025” and for the critical pin holes to +.0005”. These are tighter tolerances than original Czech receivers. But there is still one more “real world” inspection to pass. Will the new receiver accept a Vz61 parts kit? RT Manufacturing verifies this by taking a kit and test fitting the mag well parts into the receiver. A factory mag must correctly lock up with minimal movement. The upper receiver is then slid into place to ensure no lateral deviation and also must smoothly mate with the rear of the lower receiver. Finally, the front takedown pin is snapped into its pin hole and must properly lock up. Upon passing all these inspections the new receiver is stripped and shipped for final finishing.

This final surface finish is a deep black oxide finish that goes well with either blued or powder painted parts kits. The firm which does this is a full time finishing service and has worked with RT Manufacturing for years. Thus, their processing quality and delivery schedule are a known quantity. However, if requested, RT Manufacturing will at no cost leave the receiver in-the-white if the customer wishes to finish it themselves.

ATF Certification of the Lower Receiver

After milling the first receiver in June of 2005, it was sent to ATF’s Tech Branch for examination and validation as a semiauto firearm. This is the single step that has caused more problems and concerns for so many manufacturers. However, Jack’s Vz61 lower receiver passed the first time through in just two months.

ATF issued their approval on 25 August 2005 and confirmed that any receiver which RT Manufacturing made to the specifications contained in that letter would be classified as a semiautomatic firearm. Jack had done his research very well and now had the formal government documentation to validate his work. While the specific internal modifications made to gain ATF approval are proprietary, a copy of the letter will be shipped with each Skorpion lower receiver to assure the end user of a legal firearm. Externally, the RT Manufacturing Vz61 Skorpion receiver appears to be an exact duplicate of the real thing. Side by side, other than the required US manufacturing markings and no folding stock dovetail, you cannot tell the difference.

Building the Skorpion Semiauto Pistol

The absolute first thing to do is obtain a parts kit. Prices have gone higher and availability is getting tight. SILLC of Nevada imported 200 Vz61 kits in the late 1990s and an additional 200 in 2003. These kits were “as new” when decommissioned and first class in all respects. SILLC is importing another group of 130 Vz61 kits but, after that, US government regulations may have shut the door. At a minimum, kits which might come in will not have barrels remaining intact. Yugoslav-made Skorpions, known as the M61(j), are still being produced but their availability is unknown. There are probably less than 550 Czech Vz61 parts kits currently available in the US. So, getting one is the first order of business.

Handling about 20 parts kits over the past six months, it appears that two slightly different variations of Skorpion were imported: One group was made in 1965 and contains all blued parts, while the second type was made in 1975-76 and has a tough, dark grey-blue powder paint finish. Both kits are exactly the same with regard to quality of manufacture and ease of assembly. Each kit comes with a 10-round magazine, lanyard, leather holster and cleaning kit. A special magazine deal is available where you can get two high capacity, factory 20-round mags and leather pouch for about $40.

The Skorpion as delivered from RT Manufacturing arrives in a sturdy cardboard tube and contains the receiver, a slave pin to ease trigger assembly, a trigger axis pin to replace the one in the kit and a small button-head screw which replaces the trigger guard rivet. After cleaning and laying out the parts, the sequence to build the Skorpion is:

1. Bolt hold open, magazine catch and ejector assemblies.
2. Trigger guard, pistol grip screw, rate reducer and bolt stop assemblies.
3. Trigger mechanism and safety selector.
4. Hammer and spring cover assemblies.
5. Bolt assembly and upper receiver.

Construction starts with removing all parts from the kit’s torched central section which contains the bolt hold open, magazine catch and ejector assemblies. Use a 1/16 inch punch and push down on the small detent pin that is at the rear of the ejector. This pin is spring-loaded so once you push it down, carefully slide the ejector forward and remove it; the detent pin and spring are now free to be taken out.

This ejector detent pin also cleverly retains the bolt hold open and magazine catch assemblies. Once this detent pin comes out, these two assemblies will pull out easily. Make sure each of their springs comes with them as these could inadvertently remain hidden inside the torched section due to congealed grease or metal movement from the demil procedure.

Reverse the process to insert them into the new Skorpion receiver. The order should be the bolt hold open, mag catch, and ejector assemblies. To verify all is correct, insert a magazine to ensure it locks up and releases correctly. The Skorpion has a tight well and you will have minimal magazine rocking.

The trigger guard, pistol grip screw/rate reducer and bolt stop assemblies are now installed into the new receiver. The original Skorpion had a riveted trigger guard while the new receiver uses a 4-40 buttonhead screw. Some trigger guards were slightly bent during demilling and thus, depending on yours, it may fit perfectly or require some slight bending/cutting to line the holes up. If the small curved tang on the trigger guard must be removed to obtain proper hole alignment, then do so as it does not affect functioning or looks. You must also enlarge the trigger guard rivet hole with a 1/8 inch drill bit to allow clearance for the screw. Finally, use a drop of blue Loctite and a 1/16 inch allen wrench to install the front of the trigger guard onto the receiver.

Insert the pistol grip screw/rate reducer assembly into the wooden grip, then through the large hole at the rear of the trigger guard. Screw this assembly into the receiver until it seats the wood grip into place. Insert a 1/8 inch punch into the two holes on the bottom cap to further tighten it. You could use blue Loctite but this is not necessary since a wave washer is holding it in place.

Next is the installation of the bolt stop assembly. Insert the “hat shaped” axis pin into its hole in the left side of the receiver and push it all the way through while capturing the rate reducer lever and bolt stop. Make sure the bolt stop has its detent pin assembly in place before doing this otherwise it will not cycle correctly.

The trigger mechanism is relatively easy to complete with a bit of patience. Using a 1/8 inch punch, tap out the original axis pin and remove the full auto controlling lever (aka the “FA sear”) on the right side of the assembly and bolt hold open connecting lever on the left side. Discard the FA controlling lever as it will no longer be used on this semiauto pistol; however, set aside the bolt hold open connecting lever as it will be reutilized. Next, insert the provided slave pin through the axis hole on the right side of the receiver, then through/capturing the remaining parts of the trigger mechanism, and into its corresponding hole on the left side, to temporarily fix it into place.

Now, slightly withdraw the slave pin back towards the right and drop the connecting lever back into place on the left side of the assembly. The forward tip of this lever must fit into the hole on the back of the bolt hold open button. Line everything up and tap the new axis pin into place from left to right. This will push out the slave pin while keeping all parts aligned. The single groove on this new axis pin must be on the left so the connecting lever can snap into it. Once again, the single groove on this new trigger pin must be on the left side.

Now, take the safety selector and insert it into position from left to right and rotate counterclockwise into place. You will have to depress the bolt hold open button to mechanically lower the connecting lever in order to give the safety selector enough entry clearance. To validate its proper installation, flip it back and forth from “0” to “1” several times. When installed properly you will see the bolt hold open go up and down.

The hammer assembly is installed by inserting the main spring into the main spring guide. This guide is the cylindrical housing attached to the front of the trigger assembly. Then, insert the main spring strut into the spring and slide the entire hammer assembly down into the receiver. Insert the flathead axis pin from right to left and you are complete. The hammer stop pin is then inserted through the receiver from left to right. Finally, drop the large and small detent pin assemblies into their holes on the bottom of the receiver and slide the spring cover over them. Make sure the pins fully snap into their respective holes in the cover.

To attach the upper receiver you use a small needle or dental pick to push in the tiny detent pin which is found on its left mounting arm. Push it in just enough so you can rotate the takedown pin and force the detent further back into its hole. Then, withdraw the takedown pin just enough (about 1/8 inch) to allow the upper receiver to be installed onto the mounting lug of the lower receiver. Push the takedown pin into this lug and then rotate it until the detent snaps back into position. The upper receiver is now locked onto the lower receiver.

Insert the complete bolt assembly into the upper receiver, drop into place the two cocking knobs and then slide it all the way forward. Swing the upper receiver down onto the lower receiver, push it back 1/4 inch until it stops, then snap the takedown pin all the way home. Congratulations, you have just built your Skorpion pistol.

Obtaining the Skorpion Lower Receiver

RT Manufacturing has invested many man-hours of time and research into this ATF-approved semiauto Skorpion receiver. It is the first one of this quality, and the first ever, to come onto the US market. With five hours of CNC machine time per receiver, an additional two hours for hand deburring, inspection, test fitting, tumbling, plus the black oxide finish, it is a high quality product.

The current retail price from RT Manufacturing is $645 and includes insurance and delivery to anywhere in the United States. Volume purchasers will receive pricing discounts and should contact Jack for more specifics. Add to this the cost of an original Czech Vz61 parts set and for less than $1,000 you have an iconoclast of the Cold War which will truly enhance a small arms collection. More than that, it is just pure fun to shoot with widely available ammunition.

Mods and Sods

The .32 ACP ammo that the Skorpion fires is a light recoiling cartridge. More importantly, the common 71-grain FMJ projectile is easily subsonic at approximately 900fps. This means the Skorpion is an excellent candidate for suppression. But, there are currently no suppressors being built in .32 ACP by the leading manufacturers such as Gemtech, SWR, etc.

RT Manufacturing is addressing this gap by optionally installing an H&K-style three-lug adapter to the muzzle of the Skorpion barrel and allowing a standard 9mm snap-on suppressor to be mounted. Though the 9mm aperture is inefficiently large for a slug measuring 7.65mm in diameter, it is dealing with substantially less expanding gas and the sound signature remains very quiet. Thus, for those owners who already have a 9mm suppressor of this type, there is now an additional weapon which can use it. RT Manufacturing will sell/install the adapter for a nominal charge and this option should really be looked into by the enthusiast.

Another option being investigated is a .22 conversion kit. While still in the initial planning stage, this possibility could greatly reduce the cost of firing the Skorpion. Since the factory barrel is pressed and then pinned into a steel trunnion, some form of .22 barrel liner is being looked at as a viable solution. Of course, the issues of magazine modifications, bolt, offset firing pin, spring rates, etc. must all be dealt with. This option is clearly further down the line but not outside the capabilities of the firm.

Finally, for those who possess the proper NFA authorization, RT Manufacturing will sell a fully automatic version of the Skorpion as a post-86 Dealer Sample firearm. This has already been tested and works as reliably as the original Skorpion. In fact, of the first production run of 50 Skorpion lower receivers, 15 of these are already spoken for as post-86 versions. As before, contact Jack for additional information on this option.

Conclusion

Rare, unusual, hard to “quite-really-define” what category it fits into, the Czech Vz61 Skorpion has been an enigmatic firearm since its shadowy introduction over 45 years ago. Ostensibly designed for armored vehicle crewman who needed a small and efficient firearm in their cramped quarters, it typically found its way into terrorist, police, insurgency and other paramilitary hands. Other than a handful imported into America, this situation has been clearly remedied by RT Manufacturing.

Their ATF-approved semiautomatic Skorpion lower receiver is a superbly designed piece of the machinist art. Externally it is an exact duplicate of the original version and is cleverly built to accept the drop-in of a Vz61 parts kit. Made of proper 4140 pre-hardened steel and cut on modern CNC milling machines to the highest tolerances, it is a delight to own and fire. RT Manufacturing has certainly done their homework on bringing this Skorpion to America.

Sources

RT Manufacturing Company Inc.
Attn: Jack Koziol
1000 Rand Road, Unit #212
Wauconda, IL 60084
(847) 487-7562
SILLC
631 N. Stephanie Street, #372
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 564-0521
surplusllc@aol.com
www.sillc.com

The author Dolf Goldsmith presents in his authoritative study on Maxim machine guns The Devil’s Paintbrush: Sir Hiram Maxim’s Gun, the story of the early Maxim machine guns adopted for service in Italy. The earliest Maxims purchased by the Italian government were chambered for either 10.4x47R Vetterli or 6.5×52 Carcano. Trials span between 1887 and 1906 when finally the Italian Army officially adopted the Maxim machine gun under the designation Mitragliatrice Maxim M. 1906 calibro mm 6.5. A total of 220 Maxim machine guns chambered for the 6.5×52 Carcano cartridges were purchased from the Vickers Sons & Maxim company (VSM). Tripods were not purchased together with the weapon itself from VSM but rather from the Spanish company Gabolino y Cia in Eibar. Some ammunition belts might have probably been supplied from VSM but others were manufactured locally in Italy. So far, only one scarce Italian-made Maxim belt has been encountered by the author and it remains unknown if any other different Italian makers ever produced belts, or even if VSM ever provided ammunition belts on a large scale.

The Italian-made belt described here was made by the company Unione Elettrotecnica Bresciana in the city of Brescia. It is characterized by an odd capacity of 200 rounds, which reason might perhaps find its origin in the size of the ammunition box available.

As soon as 1914, the Italian Army adopted a new domestically designed machine gun, the Revelli Model of 1914, whose only major advantage was being of Italian origin. This new weapon soon caused the end of the Italian Maxim adventure.

“Under present day threat, Navy leadership recognized the need for a light, rapid deployable security force to provide point defense for Navy assets worldwide. Thus was born the Navy Mobile Security Force.” CDR David Somers III, Commander, Mobile Security Squadron TWO

The threat that Commander Somers refers to became horribly clear on the 12th of October 2000, when the USS COLE was ripped apart by suicide bombers as it was refueling in the Middle Eastern port of Aden, Yemen. Fanatical Muslim terrorists, pretending to be part of the native mooring crew, detonated their explosives-packed small boat right alongside the multimillion dollar Guided Missile Destroyer. The powerful blast punched an enormous hole at the water line, killing seventeen sailors and wounding thirty-nine more.

Plenty of things were wrong about the COLE being ordered to make a refueling stop in a country known for supporting terrorists and the failure to fully implement established security procedures, but the tragedy sparked resolve at the highest levels.

The first significant protective elements to reach the COLE were FAST Marines – Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams. These heavily armed and highly trained men threw a tight and formidable barrier around the stricken warship, ensuring that no follow-up attack would succeed.

But countless other US Navy ships and aircraft were routinely operating in hostile territory, often alone and largely unprotected. There weren’t enough FAST Marines to cover them all and Naval Security had their hands full with patrolling established ports, bases and airfields.

Mobile Security Forces

“Provide light, mobile, short-term point defense against terrorist attacks in locations where U.S. shore infrastructure does not exist or requires augmentation for:US Navy ships and Military Sealift Command ships, moored or at anchor.US Navy aircraft (single or several) at unsecured airfields or Department of Defense High Value Assets.Provide augmentation of continental United States US Navy installation security forces or support to lead federal agency for maritime homeland security in non-Navy ports.” MSF Mission Statement

Necessity is the mother of invention, it is sagely observed, and obvious necessity led to creation of Navy Mobile Security Forces soon after the COLE disaster. As of this writing there are four squadrons in place, two each on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Their worldwide responsibilities are carried out as ordered with dispatch of detachments or subunits tailored to meet specific missions.

Each squadron has three 76-man detachments consisting of a command, control and logistics element, three 15-man security teams, and three patrol boats with two 4-man crews each. This well-thought-out structure allows maximum flexibility in accomplishing a variety of taskings. Whole detachments are deployed to provide security to HVAs (High Value Assets) like aircraft carriers or oil terminals. Smaller forces escort submarines or ride along with other warships at vulnerable times, provide additional muscle to local security, or protect Navy aircraft flying VIPs into danger spots.

This last is the interesting “Sea RAVEN” program, modeled after the Air Force’s very successful Phoenix RAVENs. The Navy operates a fairly large fleet of commercial-type passenger planes to shuttle its personnel around the world. This valuable asset is sometimes made available to government VIPs on official business such as Congressional Delegations (CODEL) making fact-finding trips abroad. Depending on the situation, between two and four specially trained Sea RAVENs will fly along, providing a tangible deterrent to those who might desire to make themselves martyrs in the war against the infidels.

Selected MSF Detachments are expected to launch a mission within just six hours of tasking. All 72 tons of men, boats and gear can be carried anywhere in the world in two C-5A cargo planes or three C-17s. Once on the ground, they are almost fully self-sustaining for up to ten days, requiring only fuel for patrol boats, vehicles and generators.

Tough Training

MSF commanders take pride in leading highly trained and very motivated sailors. Most members undergo more than eight months of specialized individual and team Force Protection instruction that includes crew served weapons, advanced boat tactics, surveillance and security techniques, as well as hand-to-hand combat.

Tools of the Trade

The Navy is not new at the job of providing security to ports, ships and planes. Today’s MSF hails back to World War Two’s Harbor Defense Units, then Vietnam’s Inshore Undersea Warfare Units. Naval bases are well secured by their own specialized police units. All of these have contributed to a good understanding of what guns and gear it takes to do the job well.

Perhaps taking a cue from the Coast Guard, MSFs are rapidly trading in their old collection of patrol craft for the fast and nimble new Oswald Class 25 footers from Safe Boats International.

Small arms include standard 9mm M9 semiauto pistols (Beretta M92F) , 12 gauge pump shotguns (Mossberg 500A) , and 5.56mm M16A3 rifles and carbines (Colt 727). While some of the old M60 machine guns are still in use, they are quickly being replaced with the fine M240 (FNMI) general purpose machine guns. Heavy hitting comes in the form of 40mm grenade launchers of the M203 and Mark 19 variety, and venerable .50 caliber M2HB machine guns.

Low to no light operations are essential and the usual helmet-mounted PVS-7 goggles work quite well. While official documents do not specifically mention them, most all the other military NVDs are likely to be in use including PVS 4 and 5 “starlight scope” weapon sights and some newer thermal imagers.

A special piece of gear has been developed for, and is being issued to, those who crew and operate out of the Navy’s tactical small boats. This is London Bridge Trading Company’s well-designed Force Protection Tactical Vest, cleverly combining floatation with a lot of gear compartments. London Bridge has a companion piece, with built-in ballistic protection, that is in limited issue in the Navy Special Warfare community, and may also be under consideration for MSFs. But for right now, these security sailors depend on the Tactical Armor Products flak plate vest.

London Bridge also provides their load bearing equipment, which they call “H Gear.” Officially, this is because it is a “Harness,” but saltier terms may also apply. This is sturdy, tough and well designed stowage for ammo and all sorts of other things that, quite practically, also has compartments for floatation pads. Drop leg Safariland 6004 series holster rigs carry their Berettas. Tactical lights and knives are private-purchase items with lots of leeway in selection to meet personal standards.

How to Join

Navy Mobile Security Forces are manned by a variety of ratings (the Navy term for occupational specialty). Most are MAs (Master-at-Arms) and BMs (Boatswain’s Mates) who skipper the patrol craft. ENs (Enginemen) do the maintenance and others handle communications, emergency medical, and support. Applicants must meet strict guidelines. Additional schooling is available for Sea Ravens and other skills. Expanding from 1,500 to 9,000 in the next few years, Master-at-Arms is one of the Navy’s fastest-growing career fields so now is the time to get on board. Contact your local recruiter and be sure to ask if enlistment bonuses are available. US Navy on the Internet – www.navy.mil

Visionaries such as Billy Mitchell and Jimmy Doolittle saw the potential of the aircraft as a weapon of war. The evolution of aircraft weaponry went from bricks, to pistols, to rifles and eventually to machine guns and bombs. As a fledgling, the military saw the airplane as an eye in the sky for observations only. The first machine gun fired from a plane was on June 7, 1912, when Captain Charles De Forest Chandler fired a Lewis light machine gun from a Type B Wright pusher, flown by Lt. T. Dewitt Milling. The field and test areas were at College Park Maryland within sight of the Nation’s Capital.

As the character of aircraft changed from a defensive/observation role to one of offensive capabilities, airborne weaponry consisting of machine guns and bombs soon led to a need to combat the threat of air power.

This article is a photo journey from a unique historic document provided by Dr. James Alley, Ph.D which shows the evolution of anti-aircraft deployment during the World War I years of 1914 to 1918 that include a Hotchkiss mounted on a wagon wheel to a large Maxim “Pom Pom” gun mounted on a truck for mobility.

All of these photos, except were noted, were copied from an Army Ordnance 1917-1919 manual, No. 1941, titled; History of Anti-aircraft Guns by W.N. Dickerson, dated Washington, 1920

With the advent of the Aeroplane as an offensive weapon in WWI, countermeasures against aircraft inevitably were developed. In this photo album is a cross section of Allied and German anti-aircraft weaponry. It has always been a futile habit of infantrymen to fire at enemy planes more for morale than effectiveness. It has been speculated that a Canadian rifleman brought down the “Cursed” Red Baron of the German Flying Circus. Foot soldier ingenuity being what it is, more effective means of anti-aircraft fire were developed.

One of the first and simplest advancements in increasing firepower was the 1914 French Hotchkiss machine gun in 8mm Lebel mounted on a wagon wheel attached to a post. It allowed for a relatively stable platform that permitted a high degree of elevation with a 360-degree field of fire, fed from a rigid 30-round feed strip. Later, they developed a four shot strip section that was attached in groups to form an articulated belt in any desired length; particularly for anti-aircraft use. This became the primary combination for use against low flying aircraft or observation balloons.

Advancements in cartridge design led to larger calibers, most notably the 11mm “balloon buster” capable of carrying an incendiary or tracer charge. This vastly increased the kill ratio.

Several attempts were made to apply the BAR in an anti-aircraft mode. First, the Allies doubled the magazine capacity from 20 to 40 rounds. There are pictures in the British Imperial War museum, dated April 1918, depicting this. There is further documentation in brochures and a letter written by British Col. R.A. Helmer to confirm this. It is apparent that this magazine could only be used on a mounted BAR due to the elongated protrusion from the bottom of the weapon.

A second attempt was made by joining two BARs together with a common trigger. A photo exists of this “Rube Goldberg” type device, though it seems to have been a one-time attempt. It would have taken a very nimble operator to drop two forty round magazines and replace them.

Another weapon employed was the Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon. It was originally developed by an American, Benjamin Berkley Hotchkiss, for use by the Navy. Its unique feature was that each of the five barrels was rifled differently so that the shells projected in an elongated, rectangular pattern designed to impact the length of a large ship. The most common deployment was off the back of a truck, adding mobility.

Another innovation was the development of the 37mm shell, which was an ideal vehicle for an explosive charge. All one would have to do was deliver the shell in close proximity and the plane would be taken down.

The Pom Pom gun was the largest Maxim machine gun made in 1.1 inch caliber fed by a very large belt spool. The gun was not utilized by the Allies, but by the Germans, who were greatly impressed by the firepower.

Eventually, all sorts of machine guns from both the Allied and Central Powers were used in the anti-aircraft role: most utilizing makeshift mounts. These included German MG08 and MG08/15s, French Hotchkiss 1914s and 1907 St. Etiennes, British Vickers and Lewis guns, Austrian 07/12 Schwarzloses, Italian 1914 FIAT Revellis and US BARs and Marlins.

Ultimately, when enemy aircraft were overhead, the eager and undisciplined soldier would fire anything to try to bring it down. This photo selection provides a unique insight into WWI anti-aircraft efforts. It also illustrates the transition of warfare from the end of the 19th Century to the early 20th Century.

By Robert G. Segel

Located in the center of Athens just several hundred yards from the Athens Hilton hotel is the Greek Ministry of Defense War Museum. Opened in 1975, the museum’s mission is to gather, safeguard and display military artifacts and memorabilia of Greek history to reinforce the national memory and highlight the historic continuity and unity of Hellenism.

The outdoor exhibits feature a fine display of a number of howitzer light field guns, anti-aircraft and mountain artillery pieces from different periods used by the Greeks, or their war booty. These include a French 47mm M1937 Puteaux, Bofors Mk I Rapid Fire 40mm AA gun, Hotchkiss 25mm M1938 light AA gun and two unique armored metal horse drawn carriages each armed with a Krupp-Schuman Model 1899 57mm gun. These carriages were used by the Central Powers during World War I and are spoils of the Hellenic army from the Bulgarian army in 1918. Also on display are some aircraft used by the Hellenic Air Force that include a replica 1912 H. Harman, Bell helicopter OH-13S, F-5A, F-104, F-84F, T6-G Harvard and F-86D. Guarding the entrance to the museum building is a British 40mm Model 1940 Pom-Pom gun used by the Greek navy in World War II.

Inside the museum, the first floor is dedicated in twelve specially laid out halls devoted to antiquity, the Alexander Years, Byzantium, Latin and Turkish rule, the National Uprising, the Greek War of Independence in 1821 and the New Hellenic State. The exhibits display the arms and armor of these periods and include pikes, spears, swords, cross bows, daggers, armor and early European rifles and pistols.

The mezzanine level is dedicated to the action and contribution of the Greeks to the success of allied operations against the Axis forces during World War II including Sacred Company, El Alamein, Rimini in North Africa and Middle East, Italy, the Aegean Islands and the coast of Normandy. The Occupation, Resistance and Liberation of Greece complete the section on World War II. There is a separate section on the mezzanine that highlights the contributions of Greece to the United Nations mission to Korea.

Weapons on exhibit on the mezzanine level are displayed both openly and in enclosed glass display cases with placards identifying the weapons in both Greek and English. Mannequins in various uniforms add to the well thought-out displays. While the display of heavy machine guns, light machine guns, submachine guns, rifles, bayonets, pistols, grenades and mortars are highlighted, they are of the common WWII variants; but they are well represented by the United States, Britain, French, Italian, Czech and German origins as used and encountered during World War II.

The museum is housed in a purpose built building and is well thought out in its layout and displays. If visiting Athens, it is time well spent to visit this museum. The museum is located at the corner of Vassilissis Sophias Avenue and 2 Rizari streets in the center of Athens. The museum is open weekdays except Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.