With the ongoing War on Terror, weapons and their operators have become frequent topics in the media. Words like “snipers”, “silencers” and “confirmed kills” have become fodder for discussion by people well outside our industry. It will only be a matter of time before Hollywood brings their version of “fact” into the mainstream even more. For many people involved with military firearms, all this late attention is certainly interesting but those “new” buzzwords have been part of their daily existence for years. Far outside the limelight and away from the television cameras, numerous people inside the firearms community have been active participants in this new battlefront, filling the need for special requests due to this new and ever changing fighting environment. One such company is Engel Ballistic Research of Smithville Texas.

Engel Ballistic Research (EBR) is a Type 10 Firearms Manufacturer and Type 20 High Explosives Manufacturer with a focus in specialty ammunition. With a product line that starts with 9x19mm subsonic and frangible ammunition and goes all the way up to specialty 40mm loads, excellence and attention to detail remain their number one priority.

Whit Engel, President of EBR has been involved in the ammunition manufacturing business for almost 25 years. Upon completing a gunsmithing course by McBride’s of Austin in the early 1980s, Engel immediately opened his first gunshop. He continued to stay active in the custom gunsmithing field until he was asked to research specialty ammunitions, primarily for military and law enforcement applications in the early 1990s. Initially doing business as Southern Armory, Engel Ballistic Research was founded and incorporated in September of 1997, picking up the Southern Armory business and shifting the focus to the manufacture of consistent and accurate subsonic ammunition.

Recently, their research and development has included an emphasis in specialty shotgun ammunition. Three new rounds are currently being unveiled, including a new “entry” round. A big concern of operators when they make entry into populated areas is ammunition over-penetration. This new entry round allows the full energy of a 12-guage slug (1,625 ft./lbs.) to be completely expelled in the intended target with no concern of residual damage. As a demonstration of this amazing feat, there is a video you can watch on the EBR website where they shoot one of these slugs into a watermelon placed directly in front of a piece of cardboard. While the watermelon is completely destroyed and turned into a red mist, there is no damage to the cardboard other than a few small dings. The dent from the wad causes more of a dimple than anything left from the projectile.

Principals of Subsonic Ammunition

Subsonic ammunition has the immediate advantage of being much quieter than standard, supersonic ammunition. The sonic crack heard when firing supersonic ammunition can be as loud as the noise caused by the expulsion of the gasses from the firing itself. In the absence of this supersonic crack, especially when combined with the use of an effective sound suppressor, the signature, or residual noise, caused by the shooter is drastically and dramatically reduced.

The combination of a silencer and effective subsonic ammunition has obvious advantages for use in a military application such as sentry neutralization and sniper initiated assault. This combination also has several other uses that may not be as obvious. For police tactical teams, the use of suppressed firearms can include taking out a motion sensor light prior to crossing the path of an otherwise dark driveway so as not to announce a presence. They are also effective in dispatching menacing, sick or injured animals in populated areas where the sound of a gunshot would create additional problems.

Many people also like to shoot with suppressed firearms in a recreational setting just to have the convenience of the absence of unnecessary noise, and in many cases hearing protection is no longer necessary. The use of sound suppressors are extremely beneficial in teaching new people to shoot. The loud noise of a firearm is often a major source of intimidation to a new shooter and, in its absence, the shooter will typically not have to overcome a flinch and will shoot better right away. This has often been the case when dealing with women and children who have not had any experience in handling firearms in the past.

Subsonic Ammunition Performance

The threshold where ammunition will remain subsonic is generally referred to as being less than 1,050 feet per second (fps), although this is affected by temperature and atmospheric conditions. While this may be the case at the temperature of 0ºF, it can increase to as high as 1,160 fps at 100ºF. Refer to the simple table created by Dr. Phil Dater of Gemini Technologies in Boise Idaho.

The use of subsonic ammunition is immediately noticeable on the range by the lack of residual noise upon firing. It is, however, far from the only important characteristic. Consistency is a key factor to achieve the accuracy to actually have the round impact where it is intended. Without this accuracy, the operator might as well not bother to shoot at all as the desired effect of neutralizing a dangerous threat could not consistently be accomplished. Another important factor is that the round should actually stay as close to the speed of sound as possible without going over it, to insure the highest amount of terminal energy with the least amount of noise.

Even though every firearm and ammunition combination can result in different results, minor differences when dealing with subsonic ammunition are often magnified and exaggerated. A rough bore, an out of spec chamber, minor barrel blemishes and other abnormalities can create larger problems than typically apparent when using standard, supersonic ammunition. With the understanding that every gun is different, it is wise for the owner of a firearm that will be used with subsonic ammunition to spend a lot of time with it and learn exactly how it will perform well before the actual performance is a necessity.

Subsonic ammunition is going much slower than standard, supersonic ammunition. This means several things. The slower speed creates a longer time interval from the time the trigger is squeezed to the time the target is impacted. With gravity retaining the same amount of force regardless of the speed of the projectile, bullet drop is much more pronounced. The point of impact is going to be much different with subsonic ammunition and the rifle must be sighted in specifically for the ammunition you will be using. The use of a good Mil-Dot scope can take some of the guesswork away and even allow the shooter to use the same settings with both types of ammunition. In the case of the EBR rifle ammunition, it is suggested that a rifle zeroed for high-velocity ammunition at 100 yards can (in many guns) use the aiming point of 3 Mil-Dots down from the crosshair as a 50-yard zero and 4 Mil-Dots down at 100 yards. This certainly varies slightly depending on the platform used but it is a good starting point and surprisingly accurate. This was found to be the case when SAR tested the EBR .308 Thumper. After firing only one shot at 100 yards with the rifle sighted in for M118 Lake City Special ball, the new zero was recorded on the graduation scale of the BW Optic Y-TAC scope and bulls eyes were then immediately recorded with no manual scope adjustment at all. After conducting this test on the advice of Engel Ballistic Research, it makes sense to have a multi-use firearm with the assistance of a Mil-Dot or similar scope.

Range Time

EBR provided Small Arms Review with samples of their 5.56x45mm Ultra Stealth and 7.62x51mm Thumper for evaluation. The test rifle used for the 5.56x45mm ammo is a custom AR-16 type rifle built by Small Arms Research for use as a test platform. It has a free-floating, 14-inch barrel rifled 1 in 7 to stabilize heavier loads and is equipped with a TAC-ORD MS-556 stainless steel sound suppressor. The optics are an original Tasco 3×9 rubber armored DELTA Elite scope as offered by Colt. The test rifle utilized for the 7.62x51mm ammo is a DPMS LR-308 with a 20-inch stainless, free-floating bull barrel rifled 1 in 10; the recommended rifling for dual use with both subsonic and supersonic loads. The optics are a BW Optic Y-TAC 4×10 power scope. Both rifles perform very well with standard ammunition.

The outside temperature during the test was 32º F at an altitude of 165 feet above sea level. The humidity was at 52% with a barometric pressure of 29.20 Hg.

The first test was to measure muzzle velocity. In order to have some idea where the EBR ammunition stood in relation to standard Hi-Velocity ammunition, several strings with several types of ammo were fired. The results are listed in accompanying charts but, in summary, the EBR Ultra Stealth 63-grain 5.56x45mm averaged 1,042 fps, with factory high-velocity ammo averaging 2,843 fps. The EBR Thumper 180-grain 7.62x51mm averaged 968 feet per second with standard high-velocity ammo averaging 2,642 fps.

The second test was to measure accuracy. 3-round groups were fired with no barrel warming prior to the first shot. As both rifles are semiautomatic black-rifle variants, and with the outside temperature at the freezing mark, bench-rest accuracy was not expected. The results, however, were pleasantly surprising. The first round tested was the 7.62x51mm Thumper. This heavy 180-grain round-nose averaged groups of around an inch at 50 yards with some under an inch. At 100 yards the average group was closer to 2 inches with some closer to 1.5 inches. While this performance with a projectile so heavy and traveling so slow was certainly impressive, what happened with the 5.56x45mm Ultra Stealth was nothing short of amazing. The first group at 50 yards measured only .300 inches. It was immediately followed up with a group at 100 yards. This next group measured only .330 inches. That was far below the typical 1 MOA group which should be average under good conditions. Several more groups were fired with similar results and all averaged well under the 1-inch mark. A string was then fired at the 100 yard target using the 50 yard zero to observe the drop. With a 50-yard zero, the 5.56x45mm Ultra Stealth had an average drop of 4.5 inches at 100 yards. The 7.62×51 Thumper had an average drop of 6 inches at the same distance.

The third test was to measure penetration. At this point we knew the rounds were consistent and accurate, but did they have the stopping power necessary to neutralize a typical situation? It was calculated that the EBR Ultra Stealth has approximately 152 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle with 127 ft/lbs left at 100 yards. The Thumper came in at 374 ft/lbs at the muzzle and 323 ft/lbs at 100 yards. Being so cold, using any wet medium like ballistic gel or wet paper was out of the question to help determine penetration capability, so pine boards were used. Two pine boards (1″x12″x24″) were placed back-to-back and fired on at 100 yards. Both rounds easily penetrated both of them. A stack of 12 boards placed back-to-back and taped together was then used. The 5.56x45mm Ultra Stealth had an average penetration of 5.3 inches into the pine boards with all rounds traveling halfway through the 7th board and into the 8th before coming to a stop. The 7.62×51 Thumper did a little better averaging a little over 7 inches of pine and traveling through 9 pieces, coming to rest in the 10thh piece. One round even went completely through a knot about 4 boards into the stack and traveled 5.695 inches through 7 boards and into the 8th.

Shhhhhhhhh!

Not only does the EBR Ammo perform well in the areas of accuracy and penetration, as the subsonic designation would lead you to believe, it does it with an impressive amount of stealth. Without the electronic equipment available to accurately measure sound at our test range that day, we called on Doug Melton of SRT Arms to check the numbers from some of his past testing. He found that the EBR 7.62 Thumper averages 152db from an unsuppressed platform and 123db when using the SRT Shadow suppressor. For comparison he also measured Remington 180 Grain CoreLokt ammunition and recorded 164db while unsuppressed with 133db when using the same SRT Shadow suppressor. In the case of the EBR .223 Ultra Stealth it came in at 150db unsuppressed and 113 through an SRT Hurricane suppressor. Just for reference, an average Pellet rifle at 10 pumps is in the 122db to 123db range so you may start to get the idea how quiet this ammo really is.

Summary

If you have never used quality subsonic ammunition in the past, you owe it to yourself to indulge a little. With good quality comes a reasonably heavy price so this is not for those who want to expend thousands of rounds in the course of an afternoon. If you are in a line of work where the safety of you and that of your teammates depends on your capability with a rifle, then you may want to consider the EBR line of ammunition. If your intended targets are typically the size of a golf ball (or larger) at 100 yards, than this is the ammunition for you. With a silent delivery and surgical accuracy made possible, whether you use your firearm for special operations to basic animal control tasks, there should be some serious consideration given to the procurement of this ammunition for evaluation. At the time of this writing the 7.62x51mm Thumper ammunition was priced at $450 for 500 rounds. The 5.56x45mm Ultra Stealth was only available to military with no pricing available. Complete pricing and availability of the entire EBR product line can be obtained by visiting their website.

Subsonic and Specialty Ammunition
E.B.R., Inc
Dept. SAR
544 Alum Creek Road
Smithville, Texas 78957
Website: www.ebr-inc.net
E-Mail: sales@ebr-inc.net

SRT Sound Suppressors
SRT Arms
Dept. SAR
1739 E. Broadway Rd. #1-161
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone: (480)967-6218
Website: www.srtarms.com
E-mail: nac15@springmail.com

Panther LR-308 Rifle
DPMS, Inc
Dept. SAR
3312 12th Street SE
St. Cloud MN 56304
Phone: (320) 258-4448
Fax: (320) 258-4449
Website: www.dpmsinc.com

E-Mail: dpms@dpmsinc.com

Y-TAC Scopes
BW Optic
Dept. SAR
P.O. Box 355
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Phone: (864) 297-4137
Fax: (864) 458-8324
Website: www.bwoptic.com
E-mail: bwoptic@aol.com

PACT Timers
PACT, Inc.
Dept. SAR
P.O. Box 535025
Grand Prairie, TX 75053
Phone: (800) 722-8462
Website: www.pact.com

“The supply of weapons and ammunition is most difficult, particularly at the time the unit is established, but this problem can always be solved eventually. Guerilla bands that originate in the people are furnished with revolvers, pistols, bird guns, spears, big swords, and land mines and mortars of local manufacture. Other elementary weapons are added and as many new type rifles as are available are distributed. After a period of resistance, it is possible to increase the supply of equipment by capturing it from the enemy.– Mao Tse-Tung, Yu Chi Chan (Guerilla Warfare)

I was reading Mao’s old handbook on guerilla warfare, written in 1937 and translated by Brigadier General Samuel B. Griffith (who also performed the best translation I have seen on Master Sun Tzu’s The Art of War), and was struck by the agelessness of the above passage. It was interesting to note how in other passages, Mao quotes such diverse Western luminaries as Von Clausewitz and Lenin in his book. A significant part of the book is devoted to the tedious details of operating and supplying a hidden army, and that has much in common with the minutiae of the supply chain in modern armies that are far from home. It also has much in common with the guerilla tactics that our soldiers are facing in Iraq and Afghanistan today. Uncle Ho followed The Chairman’s recipes in Vietnam, and perhaps every rebel group has followed it as well. Combining these teachings with the violent capabilities of modern terrorist doctrine makes for a potent threat. Identifying the resources of the insurgents goes beyond simply finding their weapons caches; without food or other supplies, the terrorists and insurgents lose effectiveness.

It is to the great benefit of the modern soldier to have a thorough understanding of the weapons and tactics used by his enemy, and the archives of SAR are certainly a good place to start that education.

Q-I am a subscriber to Small Arms Review and recently received an interesting request from a friend in the UK for some information about the replacement of .50 BMG barrels during combat operations in WWII. My friend is the curator of a small museum at an RAF station, an enthusiastic shooter (when he can be, under current UK law), and an avid collector of militaria. When I read his question I thought you might be able to provide some references or anecdotal information to send to him.

Now for his technical question. “Last week I visited what was the MOD Pattern Room, which you will remember as a truly fantastic collection of firearms. I was shown two sectioned barrels of Browning 0.5″ M3 machine guns which had been seriously eroded and damaged by prolonged sustained automatic fire. I was informed that the root problem was such that barrels had to be changed after 180 rounds continuous automatic fire on the ground gun and after 150 rounds on the aircraft version.” What my friend wishes to know is: How did the USAAF cope with this problem in WW II when each B17 carried 10 or more of these guns? Did they change all barrels automatically after each sortie? Or, did the armorers have a quick check method to ensure that a barrel was sound?”

A- The short answer is that armorers could tell what needed to be changed out by the ammunition expended on return or with periodic checks of keyholing. The rule of thumb was that if more than 4% of the rounds keyholed at short range, the barrel was shot out. The bases you refer to in the UK had firing pits off the sides of the runways where the armorers could have the gunners test their weapons into large dirt piles. Some of these are still in use today in the UK as firing ranges.

There is more to the story though. All of the guns in the U.S. Army Air Force aircraft early on during the war were the M2 AC variant (AC stands for Air Craft), which was a relatively high speed gun with a rate of fire around 850 rpm. The later guns in 1945 were of the M3 AC-Basic configuration, which had a much higher rate of fire at 1,150 to 1,200 rpm. One of the prime differences from M2 to M3 was in the lining of the barrel. Both guns had lighter barrels than the venerable M2HB whose rate of fire was in the 500 rpm range. As you have noted in your question, there is a difference in the recommended barrel change frequency related to use.

First, let’s look at the mid-war (1943) manual recommendations:

TM 9-225 Browning Machine Gun, Cal. .50, M2, Aircraft, Basic Section 9-d Permissible bursts of automatic fire.

Aircraft machine guns are air-cooled. As guns are mounted at present, there is little difference in the rate of cooling whether the gun is fired on the ground or in the air. Because of the absence of an efficient cooling medium, the temperature of the barrel of a caliber .50 aircraft machine gun rises rapidly during firing. The longer the burst, the higher the temperature attained. The progressive heating of the barrel gives rise to several effects: (Lists four different ones)…

(2) For firing during training, a maximum burst of 75 rounds may be fired from a cool gun. Approximately 1 minute after firing a 75-round burst, firing may be resumed and a 20-round burst may be fired and repeated each minute thereafter.

(3) Combat firing is unrestricted, but bursts of longer duration than 75-rounds (5 second bursts) decrease accuracy and may lead to a stoppage due to overheating. Furthermore, the barrel will probably have to be scrapped, since a brand new barrel can be ruined by a prolonged burst of one half minute duration. (The manual continues with description of problems in synchronized guns and propellers.)

From this description in the manual, it is clear that the early barrels were considered trashed at about 450 rounds continuous fire. The armorers could tell how much firing was done by the rounds expended and asking the gunners what the burst ratio was – was it all at once in a furious fight, or more stretched out over several engagements. Ground testing was also done to function check the guns, and the armorer could tell about keyholing at this point.

Obviously, the barrels couldn’t be changed during the flight, and as noted in section 3, combat firing was unrestricted. There was no Pollyanna wishful thinking that anyone in combat would do other than put the hammer down in a fight. Barrels were changed out as needed, indicated by the type of fire they went through. Spare barrel supply was a big issue on the M2 AC guns.

The M3 AC-Basic .50 caliber machine gun had a much higher rate of fire, but the barrels were stellite lined and had a much longer life. Chromium plating was also introduced. The incidence of barrel destruction due to prolonged bursts went down, but armorers still had to watch carefully for keyholing and a degradation of accuracy. There was no point in sending out a plane where the gunners couldn’t hit their targets.

Of perhaps more interest to civilian shooters is the danger from long bursts. I have included a picture of a barrel that came from a civilian shoot where the shooter stood on the trigger so long that the barrel heated up to the point of reaching an elastic state. On a scale of good and bad, this is a “Bad” thing. As the metal reaches super high temperatures, the pressure of the expanding gases behind the projectile make the barrel appear to “pulse” white hot with each projectile moving down the bore. While this may make for the colorful combat stories frequently told of Ma Deuce in the fighting against the attacking Chinese human waves during the Korean War, it is a sign of the system reaching critical failure. This particular barrel failed at a shoot, and the projectile split the barrel and exited the side of the barrel jacket. Fortunately, no one was injured and the owner of the gun gave me the barrel to keep at LMO’s classroom as an example of what can go wrong. I am hoping this picture is a wake up call for recreational shooters as to what the real problems are with long bursts out of these air-cooled machine guns. Slow down a bit, and be safer, or buy a water-cooled machine gun for your prolonged bursts. You want one anyway, so here’s your excuse to get one. “Honey, I have to buy a 1917A1 because Raffica says that it isn’t safe or smart to shoot long bursts out of my air-cooled guns anymore. It’s about more safety for the children.” That should work.

Q-Do you have a cut off number for pre ban Mini-14 rifles? I want to make a side folder out of my Mini-14.

A- This isn’t really a relevant concern anymore. The so-called Clinton Assault Weapons Ban “sunsetted” in 2004 and went away after ten uneventful and inconsequential years. Like most feel-good legislation, it accomplished nothing other than annoying legitimate firearms owners and giving the regulatory agencies more incomprehensible, technical law to have to deal with. For historical purposes, here are the Ruger manufacturing dates, but today you can take any Mini-14 and put any stock on it as long as you keep it within Title I regulations with a barrel over 16 inches and an overall length over 26 inches. Remember that you may have state or local laws to contend with as well. Anything under that and you have to file a Form 1 to make a Short Barreled Rifle before you make it. This shouldn’t have any effect on your desire to put a folder on a standard Mini-14. This list also doesn’t address which model of Mini-14 was made, rifle, folder, or GB. I have also never been able to determine if there is a misprint in this list as the 1993 serial number range is the same on the Mini-14 and the Ranch Rifle, but this is the best info we have ever had on these dates.

Ruger Manufacture Dates

Q-I have an original low serial number AR-15 that is full auto with ArmaLite markings and I want to make sure I have the right magazine for it for my display. Which one would be correct?

A- This is a tough one, because you didn’t give me the serial number range on the rifle or tell me if it said “Colt” on it as well. Since it is marked ArmaLite AR-15 and is an original gun, then it has to be earlier than the Model 602. Most of the later guns would be correct with any aluminum bodied 20 or 30-round magazine, or the steel bodied 20-rounders. I suspect from your comment that it is a “low serial number” that you have one of the very early guns. This would be worth taking a look at the first two magazines that were made. The Colt Model 601, referred to as an “01”, was marked both Colt and ArmaLite. After the Model 601, the magazine wells only had “Colt” on them and up until the Model 614, they had “AR-15” as a model designation with other markings to indicate “O1” or “614” etc. The first guns were only marked with “ArmaLite”. If, in fact, you have a very early gun that is only marked Armalite, you have a truly special gun. See me after class, we need to talk.

Q-I am in Iraq and have found an AK magazine that looks different. It has a grey color paint and a large rib on the back, and it won’t fit into any of the AKs we have found. It is definitely 7.62×39 caliber. Is this for some odd Iraqi weapon?

A- You didn’t state where you were serving, so I can’t give you any feedback on other groups in your area, but from your description this is for the Czech VZ58 select fire rifle. There are three ways this magazine could have gotten to Iraq and into your hands. There is a contingent of soldiers from the Czech Republic on duty with the Multi National Force, and they have a hospital operation in Basra among other presence. Czech soldiers may be armed with the VZ58, as well as other more modern weapons like their homegrown AK74 variant. The Iraq government had procured some VZ58s at one time, not a primary weapon, but in testing. One of these that had been pimped up with a chrome finish was captured in the Battle of Fallujah. Astute reader, Iraq War vet and long time Rafficarian Andrew Clyde wrote in to us, and the picture of that little chromed out gem appeared in Raffica SAR Volume 8 Number 11. To further complicate the tracking on this magazine, there are a lot of VZ58s floating around on the world market, very inexpensively. We never were able to final track where that chromed example found in Fallujah came from, but our conjecture is that it was a palace guard model. So the exact source of your oddball magazine is ambiguous at best, but it does belong in-country.

I once had a set of VZ58s that were bring-backs from the Vietnam War purportedly taken from an NVA officer, and these were Amnesty registered so they were fully transferable. VZ58s have shown up in numerous places, and will continue to do so. SAR has covered these rifles in the past, as well as the American made semi-automatic VZ2000 from Ohio Ordnance Works, and the Czech offered VZ58S.

Q-I have been told the correct tripod for my M60 is the M122 and that it looks exactly like the tripod for the 1919A4. Is there a difference?

A- The one for the 1919 is marked M2, and the one for the M60 is marked M122. They are essentially the same and are interchangeable, but for technical and historical accuracy, your M60 should be mounted on an M122 marked tripod. There were many of the old 1919A4 tripods designated the “M2” that were remarked as “M122” and no further work was done to them. The primary differences in the shooting platforms are in the pintle and Traverse & Elevation mechanisms (T&E). Some of the later M122s had a smoother transition from the legs to the feet, appearing to be made from one piece and not welded. The best ID is from the photos accompanying this answer.

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

By Dan Shea

Longtime readers of Small Arms Review are aware of what was formerly the MOD Pattern Room Collection in Nottingham and its history, as well as the fact that it was packed up and shipped to various facilities around the UK in preparation for its new home. After a number of years where the rumors were of a frightening potential destruction of many of these unique artifacts, thankfully, a solution was found. The MOD Pattern Room ceased to exist on 1 September 2005, as it was finally gifted into its new home at the Royal Armouries at Leeds. The former MOD Pattern Room Collection was formed into the base of the new National Firearms Centre.

It took Herculean efforts on the part of the staff to carefully supervise and pack-up the collection at Nottingham, run the needed MOD service with much reduced resources in Leeds for 3.5 years, and get the collection unpacked and displayed as well as deal with the incorporation of another 1,000+ examples to add to the collection in that period. SAR readers are familiar with our contributors Mr. Richard Jones and Mr. John Henshaw on whom much of this responsibility fell. They are now blended into the new National Firearms Centre hierarchy, with the addition of new staff and much modern instrumentation as well as a test firing range. As part of the Royal Armouries, the National Firearms Centre will be a boon to the forensic community.

The Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) Integrated Project Team leader, Roger Colebrook said, “As well as being a remarkable historic artifact, the Pattern Room provides a major resource to security and police bodies (including, where permissible, those from across the globe). It helps them with forensic enquiries, weapon safety and handling, and other technical aspects of small arms. This collection of small arms is regarded by many as the best of its type in the world. With the recent parliamentary agreement to transfer the Pattern Room to the Royal Armouries, the future of this important asset is assured long-term. We have had many discussions with the museum and I know they are keen to develop the service. We wish them every success.” Commenting on the significance of the development, Guy Wilson, then Master of the Armouries, said: “Two pivotal parts of the national collection that have been developing separately since the mid 19th century are now being brought together. Quite simply this means that the Royal Armouries now contains the best assemblage of military small arms in the world, and those inspired to study of the evolution of firearms will travel to the Royal Armouries, Leeds to pursue their interest.”

More information can be found on the Armouries website: http://www.royalarmouries.com/.

Ministry of Defence Pattern Room and Small Arms Technical Information Centre to be Gifted to the Royal Armouries Museum

The MoD Pattern Room is the world’s largest working reference collection of military small arms from 1850 to current experimental, prototype and issue examples. Due to a combination of factors the collection, formerly housed at the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield and latterly BAe Systems Royal Ordnance factory Nottingham, needed a new home.

After careful research into a number of options, the Royal Armouries, with its own superb collection of small arms from all ages, was chosen as the best option. Not only was this a cost effective solution, it also took into account that this would be both beneficial to and enhance services provided to users and those undertaking academic research. The combination of these two collections will form the National Firearms Centre at the Royal Armouries. The collection is not open to the general public; however bonafide researchers will be able to request access to the Centre once it is reopened in the Autumn of 2005.

The Royal Armouries and the Pattern Room to form the National Firearms Centre

The new arrangement means that the Royal Armouries will become the world’s leading repository of historic and current firearms, and an international centre of excellence without equal. This will become the National Firearms Centre. The Royal Armouries looks forward to building on the Pattern Room’s exceptional work in serving its world-wide clientele and re-establishing the historic link between the two organisations which existed in the Tower of London in the early 19th century. Now the two major collections of British military sealed pattern weapons are being brought together so that the full story of the British serviceman’s small arms can be told in one institution. Work on the new site to house the collection started in early 2005 and is due for completion this year. The gifting of the MoD Pattern Room is scheduled for September of the same year. The new National Firearms Centre should become operational in the Autumn of 2005.

(Editor’s Note: SAR has covered the MOD Pattern Room several times in the past: Volume 1 Number 6 by Virginia Ezell and Volume 7 Number 4 by Dan Shea, which covers the closing of the MOD Pattern Room, the history, photos of days at Enfield Lock and the Nottingham facilities. We also gave tribute to the passing of Herbert H. J. Woodend, who had retired and passed on after thirty years of building up the Pattern Room collection. This article is subtitled “They paved paradise, and put in a parking lot” with apologies to Joni Mitchell, due to the leveling of the old facility and the installation of the new Sainsbury’s Superstore and parking lot on the site. This article is available for viewing on-line at http://www.smallarmsreview.com/pdf/jan04.pdf.)

The Royal Armouries’ official statement.

The Royal Armouries is Britain’s oldest national museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world.

It began life as the main royal and national arsenal housed in the Tower of London. Indeed, the Royal Armouries has occupied buildings within the Tower for making and storing arms, armour and military equipment for as long as the Tower itself has been in existence.

Although distinguished foreign visitors had been allowed to visit the Tower to inspect the Royal Armouries from the 15th century at least, at first they did so in the way a visiting statesman today might be taken to a military base in order to impress him with the power of the country. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, less exalted foreign and domestic visitors were allowed to view the collections, which then consisted almost entirely of relatively recent arms and armour from the arsenal of King Henry VIII. To make room for the modern equipment required by a great Renaissance monarch Henry had cleared the Tower stores of the collections of his medieval predecessors.

The Tower and its Armouries were not regularly opened to the paying public until King Charles II returned from exile in 1660. Visitors then came to see not only the Crown Jewels but also the ‘Line of Kings’, an exhibition of some of the grander armours, mounted on horses made by such sculptors as Grinling Gibbons, and representing the ‘good’ Kings of England, and the ‘Spanish Armoury’, containing weapons and instruments of torture said to have been taken from the ‘Invincible Armada’ of 1588. The Royal Armouries had become, in effect, what it has remained ever since, the national museum of arms and armour.

During the great age of Empire-building which followed, the collections grew steadily. Until its abolition in 1855, the Board of Ordnance, with its headquarters in the Tower, designed and tested prototypes, and organised the production of huge quantities of regulation arms of many sorts for the British armed forces. Considerable quantities of this material remain in the collections today, and some can be seen on the walls of the Hall of Steel.

Also, throughout this period trophy weapons of all sorts continued to be sent to the Tower and displayed as proof of Britain’s continuing military successes.

Early in the 19th century the nature and purpose of the museum began to change radically. Displays were gradually altered from exhibitions of curiosities to historically ‘accurate’ and logically organised displays designed to improve the visitor by illuminating the past. As part of this change items began to be added to the collection in new ways, by gift and purchase, and this increased rate of acquisition has continued to this day.

In this way the collection has developed enormously, the ‘old Tower’ material being joined in the last 150 years by the world-wide material which now makes the Royal Armouries one of the greatest collections of its type in the world.

As the museums’ collections continued to expand, the Tower became too small to house it all properly. In 1988, the Royal Armouries took a lease on Fort Nelson, a large 19th-century artillery fort near Portsmouth. This is now open to the public and displays the collection of artillery.

In 1990, after two years of preliminary research and deliberation, the decision was taken to establish a new Royal Armouries in the north of England in which to house the bulk of the collection of world-wide arms and armour, thus allowing the Royal Armouries in the Tower to concentrate upon the display and interpretation of those parts of the collection which directly relate to the Tower of London. The concept of the Royal Armouries in Leeds had been born.

The new museum has been developed specifically to show the collections of the Royal Armouries in the best possible way. We began with the question ‘How do we want to display our collections?’, and the answer to that has dictated the sort of building which has been designed and built.

The Royal Armouries Museum has been built for the 21st century using the best of traditional museum design and it has been developed quite consciously to show its collections in relation to the real world in which we live. The displays seek to make the historical stories relevant by bringing them up to the present day. The building has, quite literally, been designed around the collections of the museum. The displays are intended to entertain and stimulate a desire to learn, and our intention has been to create a multi-layered experience to cater for the many different interests and interest levels of our visitors.

The use of violence by humankind for supremacy or survival, or its sublimation into sport or play always has been, and probably always will be, one of the main forces for historical change. This is the underlying theme of the new Royal Armouries. It is a fascinating and often disturbing story of great importance to us and our children.

Royal Armouries and Forensic Alliance Ltd. Form Partnership at National Firearms Centre

The Royal Armouries, the UK’s national museum of arms and armour, has entered into an innovative partnership with Forensic Alliance Ltd. (FAL). The private sector organisation is developing a state-of-the-art facility for the forensic and ballistic examination of firearms at the Leeds-based museum. The new facility is part of the Royal Armouries’ planned National Firearms Centre. It includes a purpose-built 25m indoor firing range.

FAL, which is based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, currently provides comprehensive examination and analysis services to the majority of British police forces, including the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police, as well as coroners and other organisations. The Royal Armouries’ Museum Director, Peter Armstrong, said he was delighted that FAL would be part of the new National Firearms Centre. “The National Firearms Centre will include the historic Pattern Room collection, which has been gifted to the Royal Armouries, and a 27,000 sq ft open display area – the largest of its kind in the UK. The NFC will be a unique research facility, to which FAL will be an exciting and invaluable addition.” John Barrand, Head of Planning and Services at FAL, added, “As well as being able to do ballistics tests on firearms suspected of being used in crimes, our scientists will also be able to examine the weapons for fingerprints, DNA evidence and tool marks. We are very excited about our new partnership with the Royal Armouries, which will give us access to the NFC’s library and reference collection of weapons that is unrivalled in the world. The very strong synergy between our two organisations will help us to take our service to a new level. It also offers a potential collection point for local police forces.”

For further information, please contact: Royal Armouries, Peter Armstrong, Museum Director, Tel: 0113 220 1903; Simon Mountford, Simon Mountford Communications, Tel: 01347 844844; Forensic Alliance, John Barrand, Head of Planning & Services Tel: 01235 551800; Helen Newman, Tel: 07887780495.

A review of the rules that must be followed when building a firearm are reviewed in a recent letter from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Firearms Technology Branch Chief, Sterling Nixon.

The details were contained within a response the Technology Branch recently made to an individual posing the question of whether or not it is legal to assemble a firearm from commercially available parts kits.

ATF’s response began by noting that the provisions of the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 provide that an unlicensed individual may make a “firearm” as defined in the GCA for his own personal use, but not for sale or distribution.

The GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), defines the term “firearm” to include the following: “…(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive: (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.”

In addition, the National Firearms Act (NFA), 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b), defines the term “machine gun” as: “…any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. This term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.”

Finally, the GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 922(r), specifically states the following: “It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under the…(GCA) …Section 925(d)(3)…as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes…”

Also, 27 C.F.R. § 478.39 states: “…(a) No person shall assemble a semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun using more than 10 of the imported parts listed in paragraph (c) of this section if the assembled firearm is prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes… (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) The assembly of such rifle or shotgun for sale or distribution by a licensed manufacturer to the United States or any department or agency thereof or to any state or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or (2) The assembly of such rifle or shotgun for the purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Director (of ATF) under the provisions of [§478.15 (formerly 178.151)]; or (3) The repair of any rifle or shotgun which had been imported into or assembled in the United States prior to November 30, 1990, or the replacement of any part of such firearm. (c) For purposes of this section, the term imported parts (tabulated below) are:

1. Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings, or castings.
2. Barrels
3. Barrel extensions
4. Mounting blocks (trunnions)
5. Muzzle attachments
6. Bolts
7. Bolt carriers
8. Operating rods
9. Gas pistons
10. Trigger housings
11. Triggers
12. Hammers
13. Sears
14. Disconnectors
15. Buttstocks
16. Pistol grips
17. Forearms, handguards
18. Magazine bodies
19. Followers
20. Floor plates

1989 Gun Ban

As a result of a 1989 study by the U.S. Treasury Department regarding the importability of certain firearms, an import ban was placed on military-style firearms. This ban included not only military-type firearms, but also extended to firearms with certain features that were considered to be “nonsporting.”

Among such nonsporting features were the ability to accept a detachable magazine; folding/telescoping stocks; separate pistol grips; and the ability to accept a bayonet, flash suppressors, bipods, grenade launchers, and night sights.

Generally, an acceptable (to ATF) semiautomatic copy of a machine gun is one that has been significantly redesigned. The receiver must be incapable of accepting the original fire-control components that are designed to permit full automatic fire. The method of operation should employ a closed-bolt firing design that incorporates an inertia-type firing pin within the bolt assembly.

Further, an acceptably redesigned semiautomatic copy of a nonsporting firearm must be limited to using less than 10 of the imported parts listed in 27 CFR § 478.39(c). Otherwise, it is considered to be assembled into a nonsporting configuration per the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 925(d)(3) and is thus a violation of § 922(r).

Individuals manufacturing sporting-type firearms for their own use need not hold Federal Firearms Licenses. However, ATF suggests that the manufacturer at least identify the firearm with a serial number as a safeguard in the event that the firearm is lost or stolen. Also, the firearm must be identified as required in 27 CFR 478.92 if it is sold or otherwise lawfully transferred in the future.

The rules (contained within 27 CFR 478.92) say an unlicensed individual who intends to sell or otherwise lawfully transfer a self-made firearm are thus the same as for a licensed domestic (U.S.) manufacturer, which are as thus: A licensed manufacturer or licensed importer of firearms, must legibly identify each firearm manufactured or imported as follows: (i) By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame or receiver thereof an individual serial number. The serial number must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed, and must not duplicate any serial number placed by you on any other firearm.

For firearms manufactured or imported on and after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1/16-inch; and (ii) By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame, receiver, or barrel thereof certain additional information. This information must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. For firearms manufactured or imported on and after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of this information must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch.

The additional information includes: (A) The model, if such designation has been made; (B) The caliber or gauge; (C) Your name (or recognized abbreviation) and also, when applicable, the name of the foreign manufacturer; (D) In the case of a domestically made firearm, the city and state (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where you as the manufacturer maintain your place of business.

NASR Seeking Info on ATF Inspector Problems

The National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), a division of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), is collecting information on problems experienced by American retailers with inspectors from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

NSSF/NAFR says they want to bring legitimate problems and abuses to the attention of ATF management to get them corrected. The contact at NSSF/NAFR is Randy Clark, director of retail partnerships. Tel: (203) 426-1320 or rclark@nssf.org.

Bushmaster Wins Major Trademark Case vs. Colt

In a December 6, 2005 decision, the United States District Court in Maine granted summary judgment for Bushmaster in a trademark case brought by Colt Defense, LLC.

In the case, Colt accused Bushmaster of infringing the “M4” trademark and the trade dress of the M4, both of which Colt claimed it owned to the exclusion of others in the industry. In addition to denying Colt’s infringement claims, the Court granted judgment for Bushmaster on its claim for cancellation of Colt’s federal trademark registration for the “M4” trademark.

“Colt has for years made all sorts of claims as to rights it asserted that it said belonged only to it,” commented Richard Dyke, Chairman and principal shareholder of Bushmaster Firearms. “And this case clearly shows, Colt has been overstating its rights. In this case, the Court determined that the right to use the M4 term and to sell firearms that look like the M4 type, are rights that belong to the industry, not just Colt.”

The Court’s order affirmed a prior recommended decision of a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the case. Among other things, the Magistrate’s decision held:

• That the M4 is a generic term which merely describes a type of firearm, and is not an identifier of Colt as a sole source for such firearms. In doing so, the decision noted that more than a dozen firearm manufacturers other than Colt have used the term M4 for years to refer to military-style carbines with collapsible buttstocks and shortened barrels. Since the M4 term is generic, the court granted judgment for Bushmaster that Colt’s federal trademark registration for the M4 should be cancelled.
• Dismissed Colt’s claim for infringement of M4 trade dress both because the alleged trade dress is primarily non-functional and because Colt could not establish that the buying public associated the look of the M4 only with Colt.
• Dismissed Colt’s claims for infringement of the terms M16, CAR, MATCH TARGET, AR-15 and COMMANDO because it concluded that there was no likelihood of confusion among purchasers as to the source of Bushmaster’s products.

In the action, Colt had alleged that it is the owner of the common-law trademarks “M16” and “CAR” and the federally registered trademarks “MATCH TARGET” (registration no. 2,003,594), “AR-15” (Registration No. 825,581), “COLT AR-15” (Registration No. 827,453), “COLT AR-15 and design” (Registration No. 830,862), “COMMANDO” (Registration No. 2,095,131), and “M4” (Registration No. 2,734,001).

Colt asserted six counts against Bushmaster, alleging federal trademark infringement, false designation of origin, trade-dress infringement, false advertising, common-law trademark infringement and unfair competition, and federal trademark dilution of the M4 mark.

Background

The AR-15 (ArmaLite Rifle model 15) was developed by Eugene Stoner and others while working at the ArmaLite Division of Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation. In 1959, Colt bought the right to develop and build the AR-15 from ArmaLite. Colt later sold a variant of the AR-15 to the U.S. Air Force, which designated the firearm the M16. Colt also sold a variant of the AR-15 to the U.S. Army which designated it the XM16E1. The term “X” in the rifle’s name means “experimental.”

In 1967, the Army officially type-classified the firearm as standard “U.S. Rifle, 5.56mm, M16A1.” In the early 1980s, the U.S. government decided it needed a more compact version of the M16. Colt designed and built the prototype for the Colt M4 carbine in the mid-1980s under a contract with the Army dated June 12, 1985. In April 1990, Bushmaster and the Army entered into a contract pursuant to which Bushmaster provided 465 carbines having “all the physical and technical characteristics of the M4 Carbine.” In 1994, the U.S. government adopted a general-purpose military carbine and designated it the M4. The M4 carbine shares about 80% parts commonality with the M16 rifle.

In the mid-1990s a dispute arose between Colt and the U.S. government concerning the scope of, and the government’s discharge of its responsibilities under, a technical data licensing agreement that Colt and the U.S. military had executed in 1967 for the M16 rifle. Colt claimed that the government had breached the 1967 license agreement by failing to protect Colt’s proprietary data adequately against improper disclosure to other potential suppliers. The matter was settled by the execution of an addendum which recognized Colt’s claim to proprietary data rights in its M4 carbine and components.

The military specifications and military standards into which Colt’s M4 Technical Data Package have been incorporated consist of more than 200 rigorous standards covering inspection, tolerances, targeting, endurance and interchangeability of parts. These standards are enforced by a U.S. government inspector who maintains an office at Colt’s factory and by Colt’s own inspectors. The M4 carbine Technical Data Package is proprietary to Colt, and the U.S. government has designated Colt as its “sole source” supplier of M4 carbines.

In 1999, FN Manufacturing, Inc., a supplier of M16A2 series rifles to the U.S. government (after winning a price competition with Colt) challenged the government’s decision to proceed with a sole-source procurement of M4 carbines from Colt. On Aug. 9, 1999, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims upheld the legality of the M4 Addendum, and FN’s challenge was dismissed.

The court noted that Bushmaster has been selling AR-15/M16/M4-type firearms and firearms parts in direct competition with Colt for more than 25 years. Further, it found that Bushmaster is the number-one producer of AR-15-type rifles and carbines in the U.S. commercial and law-enforcement markets.

Further, in response to Colt’s claim that Bushmaster’s products were causing “consumer confusion” in telling the difference between Colt and Bushmaster products, the court found that Bushmaster displayed its name prominently – i.e. on its brochures, website, and that almost every product displayed in its brochures is preceded by the name “Bushmaster”, as in Bushmaster AK Carbines, etc. Colt, however, denied this assertion and claimed that the markings of its name that Bushmaster puts on its firearms are not prominent. The court found the prominence of Bushmasters markings “was a matter of opinion.”

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.

SIGARMS Introduces Their New SIG 556 Rifle

No other semi-automatic rifle has captured the imagination of the shooting public like the SIG 550 series rifle. For years this legendary Swiss made rifle has been restricted to law enforcement and military sales where it has continuously built on its reputation for outstanding performance, accuracy and durability. Now, SIGARMS has announced that the time has come for a U.S. made version and introduces the new SIG 556. The SIG 556 features the same high-performance two position adjustable gas piston operating rod system engineered by SIG’s sister company Swiss Arms and marries it to a trigger housing that not only cuts the rifle’s weight by a pound but is designed to accept standard AR magazines. Originally developed to work under the extreme situational pressures and environmental conditions of the Swiss Army on Alpine duty, the new SIG 556 delivers when it counts regardless of ammunition type and variances in gas pressure or case material. The SIG 556 features a 16-inch military grade cold hammer forged barrel with a twist rate of 1 in 9 inches. The barrel is locked to the steel receiver through a unique system that allows the user to easily change out the barrel. The forearm housing the gas operating system is a vented non-slip polymer featuring the SIG TriRail design with three integrated Picatinny rails for mounting accessories. There is a forward mount for right or left side sling attachment. The flip up front combat sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. The Picatinny rail equipped receiver is made of high strength carbon steel with a durable wear-resistant Nitron X rifle finish. The trigger housing is made from a heat treated aircraft grade aluminum alloy with a hard-coat anodized finish designed to survive extreme conditions. The rifle comes equipped with a smooth two-stage trigger. The SIG 556 also features an ambidextrous safety and is designed to accept standard AR magazines. A rugged 30-round polymer magazine is supplied with each rifle. Spare battery compartments are provided in the ergonomically designed pistol grip as well as the rubber padded watertight adjustable butt stock. The buttstock also offers sling attachment points. In addition to the standard model SIG 556, SIGARMS will also offer a SIG 556 L featuring a longer forearm but also equipped with the 16-inch barrel. The 556 L will be ideal for upgrading to the 20-inch barrel for more precision oriented shooting. The third model planned for 2006 is the SIG 556 SWAT. The SWAT model will feature the same compact design of the standard SIG 556 with 16-inch barrel but will feature a flat top Picatinny railed receiver and a tactical quad rail. These three rifles are the first of several new SIG 556 models that are currently in development at SIGARMS. The new U.S. made SIG 556 will begin to ship in late summer of 2006. For more information please contact SIGARMS, Inc., Dept. SAR, 18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, NH 03833. Phone: (603) 772-2302. Fax: (603) 772-9082.

New M16 A2 Stock from Keng’s Firearms Specialty

A new stock for the M16 A2 is now available from Keng’s Firearms Specialty, Inc. The stock has a sealed compartment for storing a loaded back-up 20-round magazine for use in emergency situations. The 20-round magazine is accessed by pulling down a lever on the buttplate and then rotating the buttplate counter-clockwise. The magazine is then released by pushing a standard M16 magazine release bottom located in the left side of the stock itself. There is a hidden spring in the compartment that helps “push” the magazine out of the recess. The stock’s length-of-pull is the same as that of a standard A2 buttstock and the new stock also has an opaque window through which the magazine can be seen. The inside of the compartment is bright yellow and, if there is no magazine inside the compartment, will serve to remind the shooter to put a loaded 20-round magazine back in place. The new stock is made from 30% glass-fiber reinforced material for added strength and durability. Availability will be late summer. For more information please contact Keng’s Firearms Specialty, Inc., Dept. SAR, 875 Wharton Drive, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30336. Phone: (404) 691-7611. Fax: (404) 505-8445. They can be found on the web at www.versapod.com.

New Colors and Templates from Lauer Custom Weaponry

Lauer Custom Weaponry, long known for their excellent DuraCoat products, have now introduced several new colors as well as new peel & stick templates to help refinish weapons of all types. One of the striking new colors and templates is called the Diamond Plate. The finished product makes the weapon look as if it is made of aluminum tread brite; the same color as a tool box that you would see in the back of a truck. The new “color” gives the host weapon a true 3-D look, as if the Diamond Plate material was actually formed in a weapon. The new Diamond Plate design is actually three different designs that are put on in layers with the help of Lauer’s Peel & Spray templates. Lauer now also has colors and templates available for the new Army Digital Camo as well as Black Oxide, Titanium and even colors that makes your weapon look as though is it the offspring of a Bengal Tiger. Their DuraCoat coatings can be applied with an airbrush, can be baked or not, and give outstanding results with minimal expense and expertise. Lauer even has complete kits which include paint colors, templates, airbrush and an instructional DVD. For more information please contact them at Lauer Custom Weaponry, 3601 129th Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. Phone: (715) 723-6861. Fax: (715) 723-2950. You can also view the colors on actual weapons at www.lauerweaponry.com.

New Spec-Ops Sniper Rifle Stock from Knoxx Industries

Knoxx Industries, LLC have just released their new Spec-Ops Sniper Rifle Stock. This stock adds to a list of other remarkable recoil-reducing stocks from this California company. This new stock is based on their tried and true Spec-Ops recoil reducing mechanism that tames recoil dramatically. The design and development of their Spec-Ops shotgun stocks have led the way for this new line of rifle stocks. The new stocks have a dramatic look and feature a new billet aluminum CNC-milled forearm. With a fully floated barrel and high tolerance machining, accuracy with these new stocks is said to be nothing short of fabulous. The first stocks will be available for the Remington 700 short and long actions and they will be adding Winchester, Weatherby/Howa 1500, Savage and Mauser stocks as quickly as they can be digitized and programmed into their milling machines. The new Spec-Ops Sniper stock makes a .308 feel like you’re shooing a .22 long rifle and a .375 H&H Magnum feels like a .22-250. An added feature of the new stocks is that the length of pull can be adjusted to fit anyone. For more information on these innovative new stocks, please contact Knoxx Industries, LLC, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 2848, Paso Robles, CA 93447. Phone: (805) 227-4099. Fax: (805) 238-2069. Their website is www.knoxx.com.

ArmaLite AR-18/180 Extended Scope Mount from StormWerkz

StormWerkz has now added an extended version of its popular AR-18/180 scope mount to their line of firearm upgrades. The StormWerkz brand scope mount for ArmaLite AR-18 and AR-180 rifles utilize the military standard M1913 Picatinny rail. Both Weaver and Picatinny rings and adapters will fit this mount. The mount fits all AR-18 and AR-180 rifles, carbines and machine guns regardless of date of manufacture. The mount body is completely CNC machined from 6061 T6511 aluminum bar-stock and then anodized matte black. All of the sub-components are stainless steel for maximum corrosion resistance. For more on this new scope mount as well as other accessories for the AR-18/180 and Daewoo line of rifles, please contact StormWerkz, Dept. SAR, 408 15th Ave. East, Superior, WI 54880. Phone: (218) 349-6175. They can be found on the web at www.stormwerkz.com.

“With the high percentage of Marines, both Regular and Reserve, male and female, deployed in harm’s way, it is a great credit to the Marine Corps League that much of the new equipment and technologies used by our Marines on today’s battlefield had their genesis through the Modern Day Marine Military Exposition.” General M. W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps

As GWOT – the Global War on Terror – continues, the US Marine Corps remains on the cutting edge of operations around the world, playing a key role in combat against terrorists and those who support and harbor them.

While much of the work they do is the same sort of grinding and gritty infantry combat that has characterized warfare for the last century, the Corps takes extraordinary measures to equip its fighters with the best available weapons and equipment. From sturdy desert boots to precise global positioning systems, US Marines shouldn’t have to settle for second best.

And it isn’t just the grunts on the ground who deserves to get the finest that money and technology can provide. Marine aviators, artillerymen, tankers, combat engineers, amphibious forces, and support elements need to keep up with the newest developments.

The never-ending search for the latest and most effective means of moving, shooting, communicating, and surviving on current and future battlefields is conducted in a variety of ways by USMC Headquarters at Quantico, Virginia. The roster of major activities at the “Crossroads of the Corps” includes such no-nonsense outfits as the Warfighting Lab, Systems Command and Combat Development Command.

At these and many others, new tactics, tools and techniques are closely examined by Marines with long and hard experience in real world operations. When appropriate, those that pass initial evaluation will then be subjected to the most demanding tests at locations around the world from arctic to desert and jungle. Only the strongest survive and make it “into the system” for issue to those doing the real fighting.

But how does the Corps efficiently find the most promising things among thousands of gimmicks, gadgets and guns that the defense industry so eagerly promotes each year? Indeed, how can inventors and manufacturers big and small catch the attention of those who make critical decisions on what will be chosen for a closer look?

The Commandant himself suggests that one excellent answer to these questions comes in the form of the annual Modern Day Marine Military Exposition, a unique trade show for some of the most demanding customers in the world. The 25th annual Expo was held over three days in September at Quantico’s historic Air Facility, home of the President’s Marine One helicopter.

Featuring nearly 300 industry and military exhibitors from AAI to Xenonics, the event showcased literally thousands of items needed for all aspects of modern war. Packed inside cavernous Hanger 3, along with two enormous tents and a wide expanse of outdoor space, were giant armored trucks, surveillance drones, artillery pieces, radars, computer-linked command centers, pistols, backpacks, night sights, and plenty of robots.

Co-sponsored by the Marine Corps League and MCB Quantico, it enjoys official support from the Commandant of the Corps on down the chain of command. It is a “must attend” for officers and enlisted at Quantico determined to find better tools and better ways to fight GWOT.

Located less than an hour’s drive from the Pentagon, the Expo always gets crowds of high level civilian and military visitors from all the US Armed Forces. Foreign defense personnel from Washington’s many embassies are also in attendance; some to buy and some to spy.

Machine Marines

While all the traditional categories were represented with small arms and ammo, body armor, trucks and helos, this year’s Expo was distinguished by an increasing number of robotic platforms. Defense industry giant General Dynamics in particular was enthusiastically presenting its vision of robots as co-combatants now and in the near future. The latest player from General Dynamics in this exciting drama is the “Tactical Autonomous Combat-Chassis,” or TAC-C, that will allow engineers to try out many different concepts for manned and unmanned operations. This fast and powerful new off-road platform is readily adaptable to a variety of configurations from cargo carrier to weaponized assault vehicle and, unlike previous robot rovers, has seating for human operators to take over at appropriate points in the mission.

Another robot on display should be familiar to our readers from recent features. The “Gladiator TUGV” (Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle) continues to develop in a partnership between military, industry and academia. Gladiator is on track for fielding as early as 2007 to provide dismounted Marine units with robotic recon, surveillance and target acquisition. Also, depending on what on-board weapons systems are mounted, to allow human operators to fire on the enemy from relative safety in rear areas.

Threat identification and neutralization using remotely operated small arms on vehicle mounts like Gladiator and ordinary tripod ground mounts is another battlefield capability that we have been closely following. The Marine Corps has been out front in experimentation and real-world operational evaluation of Precision Remotes’ TRAP system, mounting various weapons including M240 machine guns and Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifles. We were pleased to see that the system capabilities have been expanded with introduction of the Quad-X Controller, enabling remote operation of up to four surveillance and gun platforms.

The rapid development of Northrop Grumman’s “Fire Scout UAV” (Unmanned Air Vehicle) is also encouraging. This pilotless recon helo-from-hell has demonstrated increasing sophistication in its ability to carry out the full spectrum of airborne missions without direct human intervention. In addition to all-weather surveillance and target acquisition, on-board gun and missile systems make it a lethal threat for enemy forces.

The astonishing array of electronic contrivances for the “digital battlefield” continues to grow. This is as it must be, with America’s great technological edge aiding both the soldier on the ground and his command structure with real-time input on the whole spectrum of battle.

Office of Naval Research

We found an excellent example of the integration of highly mobile heavy weaponry and digital command links in the “Dragon II Automated Mortar,” a self-loading 120mm tube system that can detect incoming rounds in flight, instantly compute their point of origin and begin raining counterbattery fire and steel on the launch site in less than a half minute. This robo-mortar is a joint development of an interesting team including Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, Army ARDEC, General Dynamics, and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

While on the subject of mortars it bears mentioning that ONR is also working with Warfighting Lab on a project to significantly lighten the Corps’ standard 81mm M252 pipe at no penalty in range and rate of fire. Edgy experimentation carried out by ONR is invaluable to the Navy and Marine Corps team as evidenced by displays with military and industry partners in several areas of the expo. Some items of particular interest to this correspondent include the afore-mentioned Gladiator as well as its little brother Dragon Runner, the Boomerang countershooter detection and location system, and the mother of all shotgun rounds. More on that in a moment….

Super Small Arms

One might think that most everything possible in the world of rifles, pistols and such had been thought of by now and in many cases this is true. Some of today’s hot new gadgets are easily tracked back to olden days in one form or another. We’re not making fun of anybody here – just pointing out that good ideas of the past have a way of resurfacing when needed. An example is ONR’s “Frag-12” shotgun shell, a high explosive projectile intended for standoff door breaching with standard GI shotguns. When buckshot, slugs or frangible loads won’t do the job, apply some super energetic persuasion and marvel at the results. This good new idea is actually more than 30 years old, dating back to the end of the Vietnam War when Carroll Childers worked with SEALs and Force Recon as a Naval Science Officer at Dahlgren. Been there, done that, anybody save some money by checking the engineering papers he left on file?

Another clever gizmo that caught our eye is the “Parascope Urban Combat Sight” from MTC Technologies. A side viewing port allows the weapon to be aimed and fired from around corners or over protective barriers while exposing only the hands and arms. No batteries needed and no distortion of the regular sight picture using holographic or iron sights. History buffs know that periscopic aiming devices have their origins in the trenches of WWI.

Other notable improvements and updates to more recently fielded firearms were to be found at the Expo. Among the big boys, FN continues work on its exciting SCAR system for Special Operations Command and HK has prudently formed an alliance with General Dynamics for military sales of its 416 line as well as the Modular Weapon System Family, the latest XM8 incarnation.

EO Tech has a new clamp-on 4x magnifier to increase versatility of close-quarters combat rigs. Insight Tech showed a hush-hush new integrated night sight that we got to photograph only after promising not to write anything about it.

Crimson Trace has a new saddle type laser grip module that can be easily installed by Glock enthusiasts and Britain’s UTM is pushing into the SIMUNITION-dominated training field. LaRue has a sturdy new scope base for Special Operations Command’s high-speed Mark 14 upgrades of Uncle Sam’s pre-Vietnam M14 rifles. C-MAG is nearing fielding of a new double drum in 7.62 NATO, probably available in stylish desert tan color.

An old Special Warrior is back in the fight thanks to Nevada based US Ordnance, licensed by Saco Defense as the exclusive manufacturer/distributor for the snake-mean M60E4. Well known by Navy SEALs as the MK 43 Commando, this chopped “pig” boasts significant internal improvements along with a new machined aluminum feed cover and integrated length of Picatinny rail, plus handguard area with quad rail interface.

Awards Parade

History and traditions are particularly important to the Marine Corps and a highly impressive Enlisted Awards Parade is always part of the Expo program at Quantico. Led by the incomparable USMC Drum and Bugle Corps, it also featured precision drill from the famous Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. For those who understand and appreciate how much discipline, training and pride are required, the show these men put on is truly awe inspiring.

This set the parade deck stage for General M. W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, to personally recognize ten outstanding Marine enlisted personnel for exemplary performance. Particularly noteworthy to our readers should be the prestigious Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock Award, named for the famous Vietnam War sniper. This went to Gunnery Sergeant Lester L. Stone of Quantico’s Weapons Training Battalion.

2006

The 2006 Modern Day Marine Military Expo is scheduled for 12-14 September. Those who can’t make it to Quantico are encouraged to visit similar Expos at Camp Lejune, North Carolina or the West Coast version at Camp Pendleton, California. More information for attendees and exhibitors is available on their website at www.marinecorpsexpos.com.

Warfighting on the Web

The accompanying photos show only a few of the interesting products on display but much more can be found by visiting websites of exhibitors listed on the Expo program on the internet at www.marinecorpsexpos.com. Also see the USMC’s official website at www.usmc.mil, and the Marine Corps League at www.mcleague.org.

For the last few decades, the American 5.56x45mm and the Russian 5.45x39mm has dominated the small-caliber high-velocity (SCHV) rifle ammunition of the world. Surprisingly, in the mid-1990s, the Chinese military introduced a new indigenous 5.8x42mm SCHV assault rifle round of their own. Like the Russians, the advantages of SCHV assault rifle ammo observed in Vietnam War battle reports did not go unnoticed by the Chinese military. In March, 1971, the Chinese military logistic department commenced a small arms research meeting known as the “713 Conference” in Beijing to develop the design criteria for an indigenous SCHV assault rifle cartridge. The design criteria called for a cartridge of approximately 6mm caliber, 1,000 meters per second muzzle velocity with the goals of reducing recoil and ammo weight while improving accuracy and terminal ballistics over the Type 56/M43 7.62x39mm full-caliber intermediate round. The following “744 Conference” narrowed down the calibers under consideration to 5.8mm and 6mm caliber. The cartridge case was to be selected from seven designs with overall cartridge lengths ranging from 56mm to 59.5mm. However, the new small caliber cartridge development was mostly a “paper project” for the initial eight years. The actual initiation of the project didn’t begin until late 1978 after most of the Cultural Revolution turmoil had died down. By 1979, the 5.8mm caliber and the 42mm case were chosen as the final design for the new SCHV round. The project completed its development in 1987 and the new SCHV assault rifle cartridge was officially designated as the DBP87.

Shortly afterward, in 1988, Chinese small arms engineers started work on a long-range heavy load version of the 5.8mm cartridge to be used with the corresponding developments of a 5.8mm sniper rifle and 5.8mm lightweight General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). The 5.8mm heavy load variant was created as a replacement for the obsolescent Type 53/Mosin-Nagant 7.62x54R rimmed full power cartridge. Development of the 5.8mm heavy load cartridge was completed in 1995.

The Chinese military has since developed a variety of small arms chambered for the new 5.8mm cartridge. The first was the QBZ87 assault rifle, an updated Type 81 chambered for the new 5.8mm round, was primarily used as the test bed for further 5.8mm ammo development. Next came the QBZ95 assault rifle family comprised of the QBZ95 assault rifle, QBB95 squad automatic rifle/light machine gun and the QBZ95B carbine. The QBZ95 (Qing, Bu-Qiang, Zi-Dong, 1995 Si or Infantry Rifle, Automatic, Model 1995) is a modern looking 7.1 pound (3.25kg) assault rifle in a “bullpup” configuration. The QBU88 sniper rifle, also a bullpup, became available in 1997. A lightweight belt-fed general-purpose machine gun known as the QJY88 was also developed. Both the sniper and the lightweight GPMG were specifically designed for the 5.8mm heavy load cartridge but were also backward compatible with standard 5.8mm rifle ammo. Recently another member of the 5.8mm weapon appeared as the QBZ03 assault rifle. Instead of the bullpup layout, the QBZ03 is in the “traditional” configuration with its magazine and action in front of the trigger and pistol grip like the American M16.

The 5.8mm standard rifle load has a 64 grain (4.15g) bullet with a full metal jacket made of steel and copper-washed coating. The 24.2mm long projectile has a very streamlined external shape with a sharp bullet ogive and a sizeable boat-tail. The 5.8mm bullet has a composite core that consists of a pin shaped hardened steel penetrator located near the base of the bullet, with lead as the filling material between the penetrator and the jacket as well as the tip cavity. The steel penetrator is 16mm in length, 4mm in diameter, and weighs 23 grains (1.5g).

The 5.8mm heavy load has a completely different bullet design than that of the standard rifle load. Its bullet features a slightly smaller hardened steel penetrator at the tip of the bullet. This allows the use of more lead to increase the bullet’s mass and the front penetrator acts as a ballistic tip to help in attaining a higher ballistic coefficient for the 5.8mm heavy load. The overall bullet length is a little longer with a marginally rounder bullet ogive and a deeper boat-tail to improve aerodynamics in the near-subsonic velocity range. The bullet weight is increased to 77 grains (5g).

The 5.8mm cartridge has a 42mm long case with a 1 degree taper in the body from its 10.5mm diameter base. The bottle-neck shoulder and the neck are both 4mm long. The tapered case design also helps both ammo feeding and extraction. However, the straight wall case design of the 5.56mm has better accuracy. Steel is used as the primary material for the 5.8mm case likely because of the cost. The steel case is less expensive and lighter than the brass case of the 5.56mm but it requires extra corrosion protection in the form of a brownish color lacquer coating, which causes many other problems in itself. A harder and more brittle metal, steel tends to form a less than perfect seal in the chamber and more easily develops case ruptures that could lead to weapon malfunction. To ensure high extraction reliability, the 5.8mm case has a thick rim and a good size extractor groove.

The 5.8mm cartridge uses a silvery dual-base propellant in small dish shaped pellets. The propellant load is approximately 28 grains (1.8g), which is more than the 5.56mm’s 26 grains (1.7g) and the 5.45mm’s 25 grains (1.6g). Due to cost cutting measures, the 5.8mm’s propellant is of the corrosive powder variety. In contrast, NATO and other western nations have not used corrosive propellant since the end of World War II. The 5.8mm’s corrosive powder is not particularly hot either. It only generates a 41,500 psi (284 MPa) chamber pressure which is marginally higher than that of the old single-base propellant used by the vintage 7.62x39mm and much lower than the 5.56mm M855/SS109’s 55,000 psi (380 MPa). A non-reloadable Berdan primer is used to prime the 5.8mm cartridge’s propellant.

Chinese ammo designers claim the 5.8mm cartridge outperforms both the 5.56mm and 5.45mm in ballistics and penetration. The 5.8mm has more muzzle velocity and energy, a flatter trajectory with better velocity and energy retention down range.

The 5.8mm and the 5.56mm have similar ballistic performances out to 400 meter range. After 400 meters the 5.8mm with its superior ballistic coefficient moves ahead. The 5.45mm cartridge and the 5.56mm fired from the short barrel of the M4 carbine are simply no match for 5.8mm’s ballistics. The 5.8mm heavy load and the Mk262 5.56mm cartridge have roughly the same ballistic coefficient but the 5.8mm heavy load’s higher muzzle velocity gives it a higher velocity across the board. Both of these heavier bullets lose their velocity much slower than their lighter assault rifle counterparts.

The author had the opportunity to shoot the QBZ95 with the 5.8mm standard load, achieving an average 3 MOA (minute of angle) grouping at 100 meters. With a shooter more comfortable with the bullpup layout and a proper zero, a 2.5 MOA or better accuracy should be achievable with the same 5.8mm ammo and rifle combination. From my experience in the Marine Corps, the M855/SS109 5.56mm round has an average 2 MOA or better accuracy when fired from the M16A2. The newer M16A4 with its heavier and higher quality barrel should be even more accurate. The AK-74 and 7N6 5.45mm pairing can do 2.5-3 MOA up to 300 meters but the accuracy deteriorates rapidly once past 300 meters. The 5.8mm heavy load fired from the QBU88 sniper rifle is claimed to be capable of 1.2 MOA grouping at 100 meters. In actual service, the QBU88’s accuracy is around 1.5-1.6 MOA with non-match-grade regular 5.8mm heavy load ammo. In comparison, the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) new M16A4 SAM-R (Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle) can easily achieve sub-MOA accuracy when using the Mk262 5.56mm ammo. As a whole, the 5.8mm’s accuracy is a substantial improvement over the older 7.62x39mm cartridge. Furthermore, it beats out the 1970’s era 5.45mm and approaches the accuracy of the 5.56mm and M16A2/A4 combination.

Information on the 5.8mm ballistic test was published in the August, 2003 issue of Small Arms, a Chinese language gun enthusiast magazine from mainland China. Additional test data was available from American small arms writer David M. Fortier’s research. The results of hard and soft target tests are shown in the charts.

The first three tests demonstrated the 5.8mm indeed out-penetrates both the 5.56mm and the 5.45mm as Chinese engineers stated. However, the test was manipulated to make the 5.8mm look good. A long-barrel QBB95 squad automatic rifle was used instead of the QBZ95 assault rifle for the test. The 5.8mm rounds fired from the QBB95 have a 164 feet per second (50m/s) muzzle velocity advantage over the 5.56mm fired from the Fabrique Nationale FNC assault rifle. Nevertheless, the 5.8mm’s 100% penetration rate of the 10mm steel plate at 300 meters is very impressive.

Realistically, the penetration performance difference between the 5.56mm and the 5.8mm is much closer. Contrary to the rigged Chinese ballistic test, unbiased tests done by the USMC and US Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground show the 5.56mm M855/SS109 fired from the M16A2 rifle with the longer 20-inch (508mm) barrel has no problem penetrating the 3.5mm A3 steel test plate at 700 meters. Even so, the 5.8mm is still a better AP round than the 5.56mm. The 5.8mm bullet’s construction resembles the APHC (Armor-Piercing Hard Core) projectile design more common to dedicated AP ammo. The 5.8mm penetrates better because it was designed like AP ammo to begin with. The only known AP performance data of the 5.8mm heavy load is that it penetrates 15mm of mild steel at 85 meters and 1.3mm of hardened steel at 1,000 meters. The 5.8mm heavy load is said to out-penetrate the old 7.62x54R at any range. Many official and unofficial Chinese sources frequently mention how important the 5.8mm’s AP performance is. One possible explanation for the Chinese obsession with AP performance is that the 5.8mm’s AP ammo-like core was specially designed for use against opponents that are wearing heavy body armor – like the US forces.

Like most AP ammo, the test showed the 5.8mm bullet left a rather unimpressive wound cavity in the ballistic soap block. The 5.8mm’s wound cavity is one-third smaller than that of the 5.56mm’s and close to one-half smaller than the 5.45mm’s cavity. The thick steel jacket and the absence of a cannelure on the 5.8mm bullet prevent any fragmentation. The more balanced weight distribution of the solid lead tip with the steel core in the back also prevents the 5.8mm bullet from tumbling early and erratically. Nevertheless, Chinese sources claim the 5.8mm has 60 percent increase in lethality over the old 7.62x39mm it replaces.

How will the 5.8mm perform in combat? According to China’s Xinhua news agency, the 5.8mm round scored its first combat kill recently in Haiti during a firefight between Chinese United Nations peacekeepers and the local rebels. The performance of the 5.8mm in urban combat operation will likely be a mixed bag. On one hand, its superb penetration will be suitable for punching through tactical obstacles like brick wall, metal doors, automobile bodies, and masonry debris. On the other hand, the 5.8mm’s unimpressive terminal ballistics may require multiple hits to neutralize an opponent. The 5.8mm will fair better in open environments like desert and mountainous terrain with its longer effective range.

The 5.8mm heavy load may look good as an extended range small caliber rifle round, but as the replacement for the full-caliber high power 7.62x54R it is a miserable failure. It is just physically impossible for the SCHV round to produce anything close to the same amount of hitting power and bullet energy as the larger 7.62mm caliber. This is probably the main reason why the Chinese military didn’t want the 5.8mm general-purpose machine gun. The claim of the 5.8mm heavy load out-penetrating the 7.62mm is true but misleading. The higher penetration comes solely from the 5.8mm’s hardened steel penetrator that the all-lead core 7.62mm lacks.

I would like to acknowledge Capt. Stephen Miles, USA, Zhang Yuxing, David M. Fortier, Anthony G. Williams, Stanly Crist and Jon Cohen for their generous help.

DBP87 Specifications

Caliber: 5.8x42mm
Overall Length: 58mm
Total Weight: 192.5 grains (12.5 grams)
Cartridge Case Length: 42mm
Cartridge Case Taper: 1 degree
Cartridge Case Base Diameter: 10.5mm
Cartridge Case Material: Steel with Lacquer Coating
Propellant: Dual-based corrosive powder t type
Propellant Weight: 28 grains (1.8 grams)
Primer: Berdan Type
Projectile Type: FMJ-BT, Composite Core
Projectile Diameter: Approximately 6mm
Projectile Length: 24.2mm
Projectile Weight: Standard Rifle Load – 64 grains (4.15 grams), Heavy Load – 77 grains (5 grams)
Penetrator Material: Hardened Steel
Penetrator Length: 16mm
Penetrator Diameter: 4mm
Penetrator Weight: 23 grains (1.5 grams)
Muzzle Velocity: Assault Rifle – 3,050 fps (930m/s),
Squad Automatic Rifle – 3,181 fps (970m/s),
Carbine – 2,581 fps (790m/s),
Sniper Rifle and GPMG – 2,936 fps (895/s)
Status: In service with all branches of People’s Liberation Army of China, People’s Armed Police of China (Paramilitary), and the Chinese Police Forces.

Introduced in 1935, the German MG 34 was the first lightweight multi-purpose machine gun to be produced in appreciable quantities. Patents from several German firms contributed to the design of the weapon, which was based on the Solothurn S 2-200 Swiss machine gun originally designed by Louis Stange of Rheinmetall.

One of the best features of the 7.92mm MG 34 was its quick-change barrel. There were a number of improvements implemented into the basic design since it was initially fielded, resulting in a number of variations of the weapon. One modification of the MG 34 served as a tank machine gun. Captured examples of the MG 34 had an active postwar service life, pressed into service by a number of nations. Even during the Vietnam War a new generation of American troops occasionally faced the menacing MG 34 machine gun.

The MG 42, being made principally of sheet metal stampings and could be made cheaper and in larger numbers, supplanted the MG 34 during World War II although the MG 34 still remained in service throughout the conflict. Modern variations of the MG 42 still serve as the general-purpose machine gun of a number of countries.

During World War II, the United States Ordnance Department routinely studied, tested and evaluated many captured enemy small arms. Reports were written that included all of the weapon’s characteristics, specifications and overall performance. Each individual component, to the smallest spring and pin was carefully measured, weighed and photographed.

Captured arms were usually subjected to the Ordnance Department’s standard test for the particular type of weapon being evaluated, to see how they compared to similar U.S. designs. In the case of the German MG 34, the light machine gun test was administered. The U.S. Ordnance reports seldom gave praise to foreign designs.

The U.S. Ordnance Department Tests the German MG 34 Light Machine Gun, 1942

The first test of the German MG 34 was initiated at the Aberdeen Proving Center on 8 March 1942, lasting until 5 May 1942. Due to the lack of sufficient 7.92mm ammunition (only 1,383 rounds of tracer, ball and AP were captured with the weapon), the endurance test was not performed.

The initial impression of the MG 34 as reported from the field was that it was a very effective machine gun, and accomplished its mission in an efficient manner. The weapon and ammunition being submitted for the test had been captured in the Middle East. Three additional breech bolts were received with the weapon, all bearing different numbers, which did not correspond with the arm’s primary serial number. This led Ordnance personnel to initially believe that the bolts were hand fitted to each particular weapon. However, all of the bolts fit and functioned in the subject piece.

Ordnance Department Description, 1942

The MG 34 is the standard machine gun of the German Army. It can be employed as a light machine gun on a bipod or light tripod, or as a heavy machine gun on a tripod or the Lafette 34 mount. The machine gun can be used for anti-aircraft purposes on either tripod. Other mounts have been reported including a twin A.A. mount, which mounts a pair of MG 34 LMG’s in a side-by-side configuration. In addition to mounts, there are a number of different sights to include; the standard sights, the rear sight is a U-shaped affair graduated from 200 to 2,000 meters with a blade type front sight; an anti-aircraft sight with an aperture rear sight and a “cartwheel” A.A. front sight, mounted approximately 8-inches to the rear of the standard front sight position. A dial-type sight is used for the heavy machine gun role; this sight has a 3x magnification with a field of view of about 240 yards wide with a range of 1,000 yards.

The MG 34 is a short recoil-operated, belt fed air-cooled design. It operates on the typical Solothurn action. It is similar to the MG 15 weapon, differing mainly in that the bolt incorporates a firing pin spring and a tripped firing pin. This principal allows the bolt head to be completely locked before the force of the driving spring pushes the bolt body forward another 1/2-inch, releasing the firing pin by means of a trip.

The MG 34 is normally fed by a metallic ammunition belt, although the German hand book for the MG 34 also refers to a 50 and a 75-round cartridge drum. Each belt contains 50 rounds, although troops often join together as many as 5 belts for a 250-round capacity.

This weapon was originally reported to be easily manufactured; at first glance this appears to be true because of its circular configuration. However a closer study reveals that there are many intricate milling cuts on the breech-bolt alone. The bolt of this weapon has been shown to numerous American manufacturers, all of who estimated a high cost of manufacture for the part. Other parts of the MG 34 that require difficult machining procedures are the receiver, rear of the barrel jacket, the trigger mechanism and the feed cam. The reminder of the parts appear to be simple to produce, but not enough to off-set the cost of the complex pieces.

Field Stripping

The time required to field strip the MG 34 was 15-seconds, reassembly time 25-seconds. A complete strip requires approximately 2 minutes, reassembly time requires about 3 minutes. Time required for a barrel change was 6 seconds.

Firing Test

Accuracy of the MG 34 was found to be rather poor. Fired from the prone position, at a range of 300 yards an experienced gunner engaged five paper targets that measured 6 feet by 9 feet. Twenty rounds were fired using the semiautomatic mode. Only two of the targets had twenty hits with an extreme spread from 53 to 65.5 inches. The remaining targets showed 13, 15 and 19 hits on target.

Using full-automatic fire at 300 yards the weapon could not be held on the 6 foot by 9 foot targets, firing twenty-round bursts. Results on three separate targets were; two of the targets had 13 hits one had only 9 hits.

The average muzzle velocity was 2,380 feet per second. The cyclic rate of fire was measured at 750 rounds per minute with the booster plug closed and 830 rounds per minute with the booster plug set at 15-notches out from the closed position.

The MG 34 was capable of lifting 75 rounds of belted ammunition during firing.

Noted during the test was that most of the motion of the weapon during firing was in a horizontal plane. The jarring of the gunner’s head during firing made aiming difficult. Motion in the vertical plane was small, due to the point of support being in a direct line with the bore. The moment of forces acting on the muzzle are close to zero with little tendency to rise. This characteristic has been recently investigated at the Proving Ground with a Thompson submachine gun, using an improvised straight-line buttstock. The results of this testing bear out that the most efficient position of the stock is directly in line with the bore.

Problems encountered during the test.

During the early phases of the test a lack of sufficient power was noted due to 41 short recoils in the first 60 rounds fired. The short cycling resulted in failures to feed and eject. After several attempts at replacing various parts, it was necessary to disassemble the ammunition from the belts and remove all of the fine sand and debris from the ammunition and belts. After cleaning the weapon functioned in a satisfactory manner. An interesting note was during testing at Aberdeen, the MG 34 was subjected to Ordnance’s standard artificial sand test with no major problems encountered. Further investigation revealed that the sand present on the weapon and ammunition was from the Middle East and had a very fine consistency and was nearly invisible to the naked eye.

The general functioning is excellent, but the weapon is critical to proper adjustment, lubrication and foreign matter. The weapon was originally fitted with a booster having a .420-inch diameter. A new muzzle booster was made with a .350 and .380-inch diameters. With the clean ammunition and the .350-inch booster the weapon functioned well. The semiautomatic trigger would not function correctly, double and triple shots were common when attempting to fire the machine gun semi-automatically.

The accuracy of the German MG 34 during automatic fire is poor, this is due in part to the recoil and shock to the gunner’s shoulder. Its rate of automatic fire is far to high for a weapon of this type. The stability is good due to the point of support being a direct prolongation of the bore.

The weapon’s resistance to heat is very good.

The ability to rapidly change the barrel was excellent. German manuals state that a maximum of 250 rounds of continuous fire requires a barrel change. However, German prisoners of war have stated that up to 400 rounds could be fired during an emergency situation before changing out the barrel.

Conclusions of the U.S. Ordnance Department Testing

Results of the testing concluded that the MG 34 is simple, easy to disassemble in the field, however it would be difficult to manufacture on a mass production basis.

The general functioning is quite good, but is extremely critical to adjustment, lubrication and foreign matter.

The performance of the MG 34 during the dust test was considered poor; functioning in extreme cold was poor. Full-automatic performance is poor due to the recoil and shock to the gunner’s shoulder. Its rate of fire is too high for a light machine gun. The ease of changing out a hot barrel is excellent. The belt lift is good.

In general the German MG 34 is neither adaptable to American manufacturing methods due to the critical tolerance of its parts, or to the American soldier due to its inaccuracy.

MG 34 Dual Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber………………………..7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Overall length……………..48 1/4 – inches
Barrel length………………..24 9/16 – inch, 4- groove R.H. twist
Weight with bipod………..26 3/4 pounds
Weight without bipod……24 1/4 pounds
Command height
Low bipod position…..11 1/4 – inches
High bipod position…..13 1/2 – inches
Cyclic rate…………………..800 to 900 rounds per minute
Cartridge feed………………flexible metallic belt containing 50-rounds
Cooling………………………air
Operation……………………short recoil assisted by muzzle blast

(Editor’s Note: SAR Military Affairs Editor Robert Bruce was cleared to visit Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home of the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, to do a feature story on the tough and challenging training for Military Occupational Specialty 18 Bravo – the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. His report is built around two days on the range during foreign and crew-served weapons live fire and an in-depth interview with a man directly responsible for updating the course’s program of instruction and carrying it out on a daily basis. – Robert G. Segel)

“18 Bravos are the Team Sergeant’s right hand man. 18 Bravos and Charlies (Engineers)…are the meat eaters.” Master Sergeant Robert Baugher, 18 Bravo Course Chief Instructor and NCOIC of the 4th Battalion’s Weapons Training Detachment.

The Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha – the “A Team” – consists of two officers and ten NCOs. Two of each of these sergeants are trained in one of five functional areas including Weapons, Engineer, Medical, Communications, and Operations and Intelligence. While strong arguments can be made for the relative importance of each of these, most readers of Small Arms Review are probably naturally inclined to agree with MSG Baugher.

Baugher has been the Chief Instructor for the 18 Bravo course for a little more than a year, coming from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, directly engaged in the Global War on Terror (GWOT). His extensive combat experience has strongly influenced an insistence on dramatic changes to the course that reflect harsh and constantly evolving realities of unconventional warfare.

Informal conversations with his battalion commander and command sergeant major show enthusiastic support for Baugher’s ideas and how they fit into the big picture of ongoing transformation throughout Army Special Forces. Among several of these are increased emphasis on advanced combat marksmanship with individual weapons and effective employment of Ground Mobility Vehicles with the heavy firepower of their crew served weapons.

SAR’s long talk with Baugher took place on Fort Bragg’s Range 44 while more than sixty members of the current 18 Bravo class got a chance to live fire many of the enemy, allied and US individual and crew-served weapons they had been intensively studying for several weeks.

As these exotic tools of war were put into action the nearly constant rattle of small arms fire was repeatedly overwhelmed by deafening explosions from heavy weapons like the incomparable 106mm recoilless rifle. Thick clouds of fine reddish dust, kicked up by powerful backblast, drifted over the range carrying the strong and familiar scent of burnt gunpowder.

It is to be expected from a warrior with more than a dozen years in Army Special Forces and a lot of recent and intense combat experience, that Baugher is not shy about expressing his strong opinions and observations. He pulled no punches in candidly answering our many specific questions, trusting that we would report the answers accurately and in the context of official information provided by JFK Special Warfare Center and School.

Advice for Students

Baugher and his combat-seasoned instructor staff have some sobering words for their new students about the realities of what they are being trained for.

“You’re gonna get shot at! You know what, you don’t get scared when you’re shot at, you get ….(really, really mad)! This requires controlled aggression, another thing we will teach you in CMMS (Combat Marksmanship). You need to be able to channel all that and put it here (makes handgun gesture). And then switch it off. And when the light comes back on switch it back on.”

The course is dangerous work, reflecting the reality of real world operations. It was emphasized that students need to overcome fear of the guns. This is a big part of the CMMS range with shooting and moving – two guys shooting while moving – and getting what Baugher calls “that frying pan hitting them in the nose” (close muzzle blast from the weapon right beside them), described as a feeling and taste like getting punched in the face.

Changes Driven by GWOT

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Schwartz, 4th Battalion commander, spoke positively of the “institutional agility” shown by the command structure in quickly reviewing and approving changes in response to challenges in the Global War on Terror. Some of these in the 18 Bravo course, he said, are integration of close air support, .50 caliber sniping, close quarters battle, and employment of crew served weapons from ground mobility platforms.

“Gun Trucks,” modified Hummvees officially called Ground Mobility Vehicles (GMV), are now a key element of the Bravo course. There is a full day of GMV crew drills with the Mark 19 (40mm grenade machine gun) and .50 cal. M2HB including stationary and moving marksmanship, misfire procedures and related skills. Also load plans, how to configure it, how to set it up with all necessary fuel, food, individual gear and everything else.

Then there is intensive combat marksmanship – four days of nothing but CMMS with M9 (9mm Beretta pistol) and M4A1 (5.56mm Colt carbine). The goal is to double this training in later classes with more shooting and moving, shooting while moving, barriers, critical task evaluations, and a stress shoot at the end.

The rationale, Baugher says, is to get students out of their comfort zone, “away from getting behind a weapon on a sandbag, shaking it off and breaking a round. Move – shoot – put rounds on the target.”

Tough Choices

4th Battalion Command Sergeant Major George Bequer also emphasized recent changes in the Weapons Sergeant course.

“We’re not here to build gunsmiths,” he said while reviewing 18 Bravo range operations, “we want experts in how to employ these weapons in combat.”

With enormous numbers of weapons of all types out in the world it is a real challenge to choose which ones to include in the thirteen week course. The school solution is to pick those that best represent ones in use by US, allied and enemy forces, then specific examples among them to illustrate the different operational systems such as gas tappets, gas direct, manual pump, etc.

The long laundry list of small arms includes commonly encountered pistols, submachine guns, assault, battle and sniper rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers. Representative examples are seen in the accompanying photos and readers will no doubt recognize the old GI “Forty Five” along with the new HK USP, AKs of all types, US and Communist bloc squad autos and belt feds, as well as the M79 and M203 “bloopers.”

The first thing 18 Bravo students get is a class called Basic Operations, breaking down every system of operation and then going into cycles of operation – feeding, chambering, locking, cocking, firing, unlocking, extracting, and ejecting. That foundation can be applied to any different weapon system so the student can say “OK, I don’t really know much about this particular rifle or machine gun but I know it’s a gas tappet that hits the op rod.”

Thick paper manuals are on the way out as new students coming into the Q Course will be issued a notebook computer and software with references. 18 Bravos get CDs with weapon data, breakdowns, functioning, and more. They’ll also get a software package that will let them log into “ARSOF (Army Special Operations Forces) University” to access a comprehensive database with information and instruction useful to most any aspect of Army Special Operations Forces.

Weapons and Ammunition

The interesting and far-reaching question of where the foreign weapons and ammunition come from was sent by public affairs up the chain of command. SAR was told that foreign weapons procurement is based on the needs and requirements from units throughout the global theater of operations. Once a need has been identified, then an approved program of instruction is developed to support training while a request is processed through procurement channels.

Many among us have wondered about all those mountains of foreign weapons and ammunition captured in combat. Instead of torching, crushing or blowing them up, we asked if they could be brought back for training use to reduce expenses. The official answer makes sense on many levels including factoring the inherent dangers of high explosive ordnance and the devices that hurl them.

“There is a system in place but in most cases it is not cost effective to transfer weapons and ammo back to the installation Ammunition Supply Point (ASP). All ammo and weapons must go through testing and meet safety certification requirements and then be repackaged for shipping to the designated ASP. The time and cost involved usually makes it cost prohibitive.”

SAR was also assured that, despite the significant increase in class sizes and the changes in weapons being taught, the 18 Bravo course is getting enough ammo and there isn’t a problem to get more when the situation calls for it.

Performance-Oriented Training

Each block of instruction is followed by a test, often a combination of hands-on and written. For light weapons, they teach all the systems of operation and show key examples of pistols, rifles, and machine guns within each system. There is ample time for practical exercise with each before the hands-on examination including assembly and disassembly, changing barrels, crew drills, and employment.

18 Bravo instructors say the light weapons examination seems to be the hardest part for many students. This is a timed exercise involving key weapons and their disassembly, assembly, loading, (dry) firing, and other mechanical operations. They believe that self-induced stress is the biggest factor since most of the same students do fine in the practical exercises.

The characteristics part of this exam is done verbally. An instructor will hold up different guns picked at random and ask what it is, cyclic rate, system of operation, caliber and feed.

Students are also tested on their ability to successfully diagnose and correct operating deficiencies; misfiring, failure to feed, failure to extract, etc.

Instruction and practical exercises with antitank and antiaircraft systems follow a similar pattern. US and other weapons in the first category include the current AT4, Javelin, SPG-9, and Carl Gustaf, as well as two oldies but goodies; 90mm M67 and 106mm M40. Air defense weaponry includes the US Stinger and some ex-Soviet shoulder launchers starting with the SA-7.

Indirect Fire

Another area of difficulty is said to be in FDC (Fire Direction Center) teaching the employment of mortars and recently including other heavy hitters in JFE (Joint Fire Elements) with artillery and close air support. Baugher believes this is because many of the students have never had experience with the process. The instruction begins in a logical progression from drills and live fire with 60 through 120mm mortars, then adjusting fire as a Forward Observer. By the time they get to FDC they understand better why they’re doing specific tasks because they already know what’s going to happen down at the gun.

But attention to detail in all the precise math and geometry throws some off. “One little mistake,” he says, can have tragic consequences.

Measuring Success

The peacetime grace period is gone for Q Course (SF Qualification) graduates. Most will get their gear and fall in with a team that is already deployed to a war zone. 18 Bravo instructors make sure they’re switched on and ready to go.

Every man must demonstrate mastery of the mortars, antitank weapons and others organic to an ODA (Operational Detachment Alpha) – Mark 19, Fifty Cal., Mark 47 (40mm Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher), soon the Mark 44 Minigun.

And Baugher says, “Know the kit they carry – pistol and M4. When they know those guns in and out and know how to operate them, we feel they’re trained.”

Usually, more than nine out of ten students make it through the 18 Bravo course and many among the ones who don’t are eligible to “recycle” – to come back and pick up where they left off.

The Way Ahead

Baugher and his battle-hardened instructors would like to see additional changes to the Bravo course. Key among these are integration of high-tech simulators for appropriate weapons as well as FO and close air support training, more range time with all weapons, and more real-world type training with GMV gun trucks.

The Wall

SAR asked Baugher if there anything not officially part of the 18 Bravo course that he would encourage the students to see.

“The Wall at USASOC,” he said immediately, referring to the memorial in US Army Special Operations Command’s headquarters area. “See the name Mitch Lane and all the other men from the Regiment who gave their lives in GWOT. They need to know the hard reality of what they’re getting into.”

Are You Special Forces Material?

Background and aptitude play a big role in what MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is assigned following Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS). For Weapons Sergeants, good scores in GT (general technical component of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery testing) and CO (combat operations) are particularly important.

SFAS evaluators will be looking closely for six “core attributes” in individuals who best fit the SF mold – intelligence, trainability, judgment, influence, physical fitness, and motivation.

Those currently serving the US Army are the usual source of volunteers for Special Forces training. Detailed information on eligibility requirements is available at www.bragg.army.mil/specialforces.

In addition, an exciting direct enlistment program is available for qualified young men in civilian life. The 18 XRAY track guarantees new enlistees the opportunity to “try out” for Special Forces. Call your local Army recruiter or learn more online at www.goarmy.com.

Introduction to Special Forces

The Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha, or A-Team, is the fundamental building block for all Special Forces Groups. There are six Alpha detachments in each SF company.

A captain leads the 12-man team. Second in command is a warrant officer. Two noncommissioned officers, or NCOs, trained in each of five SF functional areas: weapons, engineer, medical, communications, and operations and intelligence comprise the remainder of the team. All team members are SF qualified and cross-trained in different skills, as well as being multi-lingual.

Capabilities of the highly versatile A-Team include: plan and conduct SF operations separately or as part of a larger force; infiltrate and exfiltrate specified operational areas by air, land, or sea; conduct operations in remote areas and hostile environments for extended periods of time with a minimum of external direction and support; develop, organize, equip, train and advise or direct indigenous forces up to battalion size in special operations; train, advise and assist other US and allied forces and agencies; plan and conduct unilateral SF operations; perform other special operations as directed by higher authority.

The Special Forces Pipeline

The Special Forces Qualification Course is considered by many to be the best special operations training and education in the world. Its mission is to train and build the future operational force with SF warriors who are adaptable, agile and capable to immediately enter into combat operations as a member of a Special Forces team.

The 1st Special warfare Training Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC, is responsible for all six phases of SF training, which is referred to as the Special Forces Pipeline.

This requires a commitment of one year (two years for 18 DELTA Medical Sergeants) of intensive coursework based on the soldier’s military specialty training. A soldier is awarded the distinctive Green Beret and the Special Forces Tab at the end of all phases of training. The six phases include:

• Phase IA – Special Forces Assessment and Selection Conditioning Course
• Phase IB – Special Forces Assessment and Selection
• Special Forces Preparation Course
• Phase II – Small Unit Tactics/SERE/PG/HD
• Common Leadership Training
• Phase III – Military Occupational Specialty Specific Training
• Phase IV – Language Training
• Phase V – Unconventional Warfare Culmination Exercise (Robin Sage)
• Phase VI – Graduation

All enlisted soldiers in the 18 X program must attend the Special Forces Preparation Course and those who have not already completed the Primary Leadership Development Course must go to Common Leadership Training.

The Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, MOS 18 Bravo

Special Forces Weapons Sergeants are the weapons specialists. They’re capable of operating and maintaining a wide variety of US, allied and foreign weaponry.

Some duties of the 18 Bravo include:

• Going behind enemy lines to recruit, train and equip friendly forces for guerrilla raids.
• Clearing mine fields, both underwater and on land.
• Carrying out demolition raids against enemy targets.
• Employing warfare tactics and techniques in infantry operations.
• Conducting offensive raids or invasions of enemy territories.
• Maintaining proficiency with all foreign high-density light and heavy weapons.
• Evaluating terrain.
• Selecting weapons placement and sites.
• Assigning targets and areas of fire.
• Reading, interpreting and preparing combat orders.

General Requirements

Special Operations Forces have very demanding physical requirements. Good eyesight, night vision, and physical conditioning are required to reach mission objectives via parachute, land or water. Excellent hand-eye coordination is also required to detonate or deactivate explosives. In most instances, Special Operations Forces Team Members are required to be qualified divers, parachutists and endurance runners.

Training

Due to the wide variety of missions, Special Operations Weapons Sergeants are trained as swimmers, paratroopers and survival experts, as well as trained in many forms of combat. Total training time consists of 44 weeks of formal classroom instruction and practical exercises. Some of the skills you will learn are:

• Physical conditioning, parachuting, swimming and scuba diving.
• Using land warfare weapons and communications devices.
• Handling and using explosives.
• Bomb and mine disposal.

Helpful Skills

• Ability to work as a team member.
• Readiness to accept challenge and face danger.
• Ability to stay in top physical condition.
• Interest in weapons and artillery.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

For up to date information on specific requirements contact your local Army recruiter.

The SHOT Show rocked again this year with crowds as large as ever. Board Members of the NFATCA went virtually booth to booth during the show promoting the NFATCA and recruiting new members at every turn. The SHOT Show helped us pass the 50 member mark with a lion’s share of Plank Holder members joining our ranks as we kicked off 2006.

The show was busy for the NFATCA on many fronts. We held our second annual NFATCA social at Long Mountain Outfitters, which was a tremendous success. At that meeting alone we were able to recruit 7 new members who anxiously listened as we addressed the many accomplishments of the organization in 2005. Included in our social this year was a guest speaker who spoke on the many issues that face the NFA community such as risks of financial loss, purchasing, sales, physical security, insurance and estate planning, as well as a detailed discussion on proper shipping of NFA items across state lines with the multiple carriers that are available and how the various carriers treat shipping of firearms, and which carriers prohibit it.

The members and guests found the presentation interesting and were given an opportunity to ask questions concerning many of the complex issues we face. At the conclusion of the presentation, members of the NFATCA were given copies in a booklet form containing a wealth of information covering the information presented. Additional copies were made available at a nominal fee for those guests that were not yet registered as members of the NFATCA. Once again, we were able to provide the crowd with a lot of new and helpful information.

As always, we want to express our special thanks to Dan Shea, his family, and the employees of Long Mountain Outfitters who made this gathering a success for its second year in a row. As we all departed LMO, we all pondered how we would top this event in Orlando in 2007.

Another success for the SHOT Show was an absolutely well organized and presented “peek” at what electronic form transfers might look like in the next year. ATF should be commended for an outstanding job in looking at what might well be one of the easiest processes that will be offered to dealers in the future. An excellent demonstration was given to a limited number of participants who were allowed to make mock transfers using electronic ATF forms during the demonstration. ATF has made major headway in this effort during the last year. We will all keep our fingers crossed for appropriate funding to allow a successful launch of the electronic forms program. I want to take this opportunity to express the NFATCA’s thanks to ATF on this effort as well as the major changes that we have all seen with the recent move to Martinsburg, Virginia. It is an understatement to say that forms processing for transfers and license renewals are moving at lightning speed. Thank you!

SHOT was the first time many of the Board members heard the comment, “Oh yeah, I have heard about you guys.” NFATCA board members were extremely successful with discussions with many of the larger manufacturers and industry leaders. Now, a month after SHOT, we are still following up with interested parties and the ranks of the membership are growing. Many of the industry leaders are now not only interested in what we are doing but are looking to join the ranks and increase our efforts in a rock solid relationship with the ATF. For the 2006 SHOT, I can easily say our motto, “Power Through Experience,” is growing faster than we ever expected. New members continue to increase our experience levels and the wealth of information we can provide the membership ranks.

As we all left SHOT, we were preparing for our annual board meeting at Knob Creek and our next gathering with the NFA community. Everyone is excited about coming events and the continued progress we are making in helping at every level in the NFA community. I wish we were a thousand strong at this point but I am reminded of an expression my father always used, “Nothing good comes easy.” So forward we continue to push by adding strength to our ranks.

For more information contact us at www.nfatca.org.