This is the golden age for enhancing established firearms beyond what was originally thought possible only a few years back. ARs, AKs, GLOCKS and 1911s are not the only firearms I am referencing. Even the standard bolt-action rifle is getting a makeover in terms of performance and appearance. This is in large part due to the rise of CNC machines and other cutting-edge manufacturing techniques. The Bergara Premier Approach bolt-action rifle featured in the article is an excellent case in point.

Bergara is part of Blackpowder Products, Inc. (BPI, Inc.) which also controls CVA, Dead Air Suppressors, PowerBelt Bullets, Quake accessories and DuraSight Sighting Systems scope rings. BPI is in turn owned by the Spanish firm Dikar; however, it is important to point out that BPI is based in Georgia with its focus being the American market. Its various products are conceived and made here in the United States for the American consumer. For years, BPI had been producing barrels and other components for other well-respected entities when the inspiration hit on producing its own firearms. Bergara quickly evolved into a noteworthy force in the U.S. This was due to easily discernable, quality production techniques backed up by performance in the field. Also, a full gamut of product lines from entry level to custom satisfies most customer niches.

Bergara’s strength lies in its in-house-manufactured barrels and actions. The Premier Approach 7mm Magnum featured in this article is an ideal vehicle to explore this. The Bergara Premier Approach action shares the Remington 700’s footprint. The Premier Approach action features spiral fluting to minimize binding even when dirty, and a floating bolt head ensures perfect alignment to the receiver. The Premier Approach also features a cone-shaped bolt nose for smooth feeding of the cartridge and a spring-loaded sliding plate extractor located in the front of the lower locking lug. The one-piece bolt body is stainless steel with a pad at the rear to accept the threaded-in bolt handle. The bolt head, the non-rotating gas shield, the bolt handle and bolt shroud are fully nitrided for extreme durability, as well as its self-lubricating properties.

A two-position safety is part of the TriggerTech trigger assembly in the Bergara Premier Approach rifle. This allows the bolt handle not to lock in the closed position, which in turn allows the rifle to be unloaded while in the safe position. The 2020 Premier Approach comes with a hinged floor plate versus detachable magazine found in previous Approach models. This decision was made to maximize the ergonomics of the Grayboe fiberglass stock. How many times afield do you carry your rifle with hand under the action? A lot—thus, the change.

Shilen’s Techniques

Bergara is especially proud of its barrels. The in-house barrel production gives Bergara a competitive advantage compared to other brands in terms of accuracy and cost control. In 2003, BPI approached its parent company Dikar with the idea of taking advantage of renowned, high-quality Spanish steel to produce barrels. An important part of this plan was the involvement of Ed Shilen as a consultant in the process. Shilen’s barrels have won 13 world records, and he is an inductee into the Benchrest Hall of Fame. Bergara wanted to create custom quality barrels at production prices. Shilen helped Bergara develop manufacturing techniques that would make this possible versus the tedious hands-on procedures commonly associated with custom barrels. When the Bergara barrel factory was set up, it purchased state-of-the-art, computerized machinery and robotics that were superior to its business competitors that were still utilizing WWII-era machinery. Shilen’s techniques combined with the new machinery produces custom quality barrels at a price point benefitting from the larger production runs.

Each Premier Approach barrel starts with quality inspection for straightness (.004 tolerance), then it is deep-hole drilled, followed by a proprietary, accuracy-enhancing honing process to remove tool marks leaving a mirror-like finish, then a carbide button-rifling process with groove deviation less than .0002 inch is applied, and finally a high-temperature heating process realigns the steel molecules ensuring that the barrel is free from any stress after the button-rifling process.

The Premier Approach 7mm Magnum features a 24-inch, 1:9.5 twist #5.5 profile stainless steel barrel. An Omni muzzle brake is attached via 5/8×24 threads. The barrel receives a graphite black Cerakote finish. The Bergara barrel and action are coupled with a Grayboe stock at Bergara’s U.S. facility in Lawrenceville, GA. The Premier Approach features a distinctive-looking fiberglass/carbon fiber, epoxy resin stock with internal pillar bedding with the barrel free-floated in the stock. The hand-painted Grayboe stock is a “Monte Carlo” style. The raised, tapered comb allows for a good cheekweld with mounted optic. This aids in handling recoil by preventing a “slap” of the face that is more typical of the jaw welds found on a lot of rifles when scopes are used. Comfortable shooting translates into accurate shooting. The full palm swell fits nicely in your hand and allows you settle into your rifle. The Grayboe stock’s forend flares out for use with bag rests, packs or bipods. The stock is fitted with a recoil pad. The Premier Approach rifle includes integrated QD flush-cup sling mounts in the forend and buttstock for use with quick-detach slings.

Material advantages mean nothing if the people creating the rifles are not qualified to do so. Bergara first began with a small line of custom rifles and one top-notch craftsman, the former Production Chief and Chief Instructor for the United States Marine Corps Precision Weapons Section (Dan Hanus). As Bergara rapidly expanded, fellow Marines from the Precision Weapon Section were added to the team. Today, many of these Marines and methods instilled several years back still form the core of the Bergara production staff.

Customization

Bergara Premier Approach rifles are truly custom affairs, not just a marketing ploy. Bergara literature is very clear on this. For example, the barrels, which were previously inspected at the Bergara factory, are re-inspected and hand-lapped. The centerline of the bore, after the barrel is screwed into the receiver, must be true to within .0002-inch. The action is pillar-bedded in a compound called Marine Tex, which is impervious to chemical breakdown and has almost zero shrinkage over time. Before the action is glued in, the components are dry-fit until they match perfectly. Chambering is done by hand, and the reamer pilots are individually ground for each barrel. Bergara does not use a standard pilot. Threading is done by hand, and each action is hand-lapped to the barrel to ensure proper lockup-thread engagement. There is zero crush factor (lug setback) in the action.

Readers may be surprised by the cartridge choice for the Premier Approach rifle in this article, especially considering an ongoing craze for anything starting in 6.5mm. The 7mm Magnum has been getting it done since 1962. The 7mm Magnum has a following around the world including Europe, Africa, and Australia.

Scope Selection

This author did not want to put an anchor on the Picatinny rail installed on the receiver from the factory; yet still wanted magnification range to take advantage of an accurate rifle such as the Bergara Premier Approach. We are talking about true multipurpose roles: stalking game while maintaining long-range punch across a clearing or field. An important part of the accuracy equation is a quality optic to go along with cartridge and rifle. A Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm was chosen.

Let us get into the details of what distinguishes the Mark 5HD from other optics. First off, the size and weight of the 35mm tubed Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm stands out in a positive way. The Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm weighs in at 26 ounces. This is 20 ounces lighter than many competitors’ offerings with the same features. The Leupold Mark 5HD is just 12.6 inches long. The 35mm maintube of the 3.6x18x44mm is constructed with 6061-T6 aluminum. Numerous reticle designs are available within the Mark 5HD product lineup, including illuminated options. An H59 reticle was present in the 3.6-18x44mm for this article.

Optics are all about the glass quality. Leupold maximizes this with their Twilight Max HD process. Twilight Max HD combines exceptional light transmission and glare management to provide vivid, bright and high-contrast images in all conditions—lowlight as well as high glare. Leupold consulted with elite military personnel and professional shooters when initially considering creating a new optic that eventually evolved into the Mark 5HD. All insisted on ruggedness to bear the brunt of abuse afield—high-level optical contrast, increased internal reticle travel range and improved ergonomics for making magnification and sighting adjustments were high on the list as well and all in the most compact package possible. After much consideration from the in-house Leupold design engineer the Mark 5HD emerged. Thanks to its 35mm main tube and redesigned erector housing, the Mark 5HD has a generous industry-leading 120 MOA of internal adjustment available. The Leupold M5C3 ZeroLock™ turrets provide positive one-tenth MIL clicks, allowing very precise elevation and windage corrections for shooters.

Testing

Every Premier Approach rifle comes with an MOA accuracy guarantee. Bergara tests every Premier Approach rifle before it leaves the shop. Bergara includes the test target with the rifle indicating what ammo was used, so that a customer can either continue using that ammo or experiment with other brands. Black Hills Ammunition and Hornady ammunition was used in testing the Bergara Premier Approach. Black Hills Gold 140-grain, Barnes TSX, 154-grain Hornady SST and 139-grain Hornady GMX 7mm Magnum loads were used as well as Hornady 139-grain GMX and 162-grain SST. Velocities ranged from near 3,200 fps to low 2,900 fps. Velocities are based on firing three rounds of each type of ammunition across a Caldwell Ballistic chronograph. The 7mm Magnum is a flat-shooting, relatively light, recoiling round. For example, 1.5 inches high at 100 yards translates into a 200-yard zero and less than 6-inch drop at 300 yards. The Premier Approach lived up to the Bergara’s MOA accuracy guarantee. Three rounds into ¾ inch at 100 yards was the norm; most of the time five rounds went into the ¾ inch. The Premier Approach is the type of rifle that leaves no doubt it can perform if the user does his/her job correctly.

After the benchwork at Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC) Range #2, I performed a battery of field tests. This consisted of shooting prone off a bipod and/or pack at clay pigeons at 300 yards. I worked the bolt and acquired the next target as quickly as possible. The muzzle brake combined with the ergonomic stock and slick bolt proved potent. Other range work consisted of shooting 8-inch round steel poppers out to 650 yards on EVTC’s Known Distance Range.

A rifle weighing 8 or so pounds chambered in a hard-hitting caliber and capable of sub-MOA accuracy cannot be ignored by any hunter who frequently stalks or still hunts no matter the terrain. What Bergara has created with the Premier Approach chambered in 7mm Magnum is a rifle/caliber combination capable of handling a multitude of hunting situations and quarry. In short, if you need a rifle to reach out and hammer something, the 7mm Magnum Bergara Premier Approach is a good place to start.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

bergara.online/us
black-hills.com
hornady.com
echovalleytraining.com
leupold.com

Anyone interested in the history, development, selection and use of modern military rifles will find this book to be a very useful reference source. Assault Rifles covers all aspects of the infantry rifle design, from its first inception, to its current state and to future trends.

This book is the collaboration between authors Maxim Popenker and Anthony Williams. Mr. Popenker, a Russia-based author, is the owner of the excellent website, Modern Firearms. Mr. Williams, from the U.K., also has his own site called Military Guns and Ammunition. This site focuses on current and older military ammo up to 57mm artillery-size rounds. Both authors have previously contributed articles to Small Arms Review.

Although the first gun to take the title “assault rifle,” or Sturmgewehr in German, was the StG 44, the authors make mention of a Russian design from the First World War. The Fedorov Avtomat of 1916 was the first to meet the accepted definition of a true assault rifle. Specifically, it must be capable of full-auto fire (usually selective fire), be magazine-fed and fire an “intermediate” power round. The cartridge used was the Japanese 6.5x50SR (semi-rimmed) Arisaka round. This seemingly odd choice of ammo came about due to capturing guns and ammo during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905 and buying large amounts from Japan at the start of WWI. While very few Fedorovs were produced (~3000), they did see some action in the Russian Civil War (post-1917 Revolutions).

Assault Rifle is divided into two main sections. “Part I, Introduction,” starts with a look at the history of guns in battle, technical aspects of the various guns, as well as a very thorough study of assault rifle cartridges. The second section is a country-by-country study of the various guns in use, as well as experimental prototypes.

From a personal perspective, I found the first section to be the more interesting part, as it deals with the “nuts and bolts” of the design and development process. Part I details the progressive improvements of recent assault rifles, as well as some little-known, and sometimes unusual, experimental models. Procurement process shenanigans are mentioned as well. The portion on cartridge evolution and the ultimate selection by NATO members is most interesting. The authors detail the large volume of research that goes into designing the “perfect” cartridge.

A fine balance must be drawn between various factors when choosing a service round. Sufficient knockdown power, minimum recoil (in order to allow for controllable full-auto fire), high enough velocity to give a flat trajectory, heavy enough bullets to retain momentum at longer ranges and yet still be light enough to carry a sufficient number, etc., are all valid points to consider.

After much research by Britain, along with additional support from Belgium and Canada (“BBC committee”), the 7x43mm cartridge was submitted for NATO trials in 1950. However, good old-fashioned politics reared its ugly head at this point. The U.S. military decided to keep a .30-caliber bore diameter and simply shorten the venerable .30-06 service round slightly to create what would eventually become the 7.62x51mm NATO. The great flaw in this choice was that it was far too powerful to be fired from the shoulder in full-auto mode, meaning that the gun and ammo combo was outdated even before it was adopted.

Very soon after the adoption of the M14 and its 7.62×51 cartridge, the U.S. was once again looking for a true select-fire, intermediate-round assault rifle. The result was the famous M16 and its .223 Remington (5.56x45mm NATO) round. While the M16/5.56 combination fits the description of an assault rifle, there has been criticism of its lack of knockdown power.

Now, far too many years after the original British studies (from 1945 to 1951) which led to the 7×43 proposal, the U.S. military is testing the 6.8×43 Remington SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge). Although not identical, the 6.8×43 is suspiciously similar to the 7×43 round rejected so long ago. Part I, Chapter 4 covers this controversy in detail.

“Part II: The Weapons” deals with the guns. It is very encyclopedia-like, listing the entries on a country-by-country basis, first giving a rundown on the history and make-up of the country, then a more detailed look at the choice of arms. As Maxim Popenker is Russian, the entry for Russia and the former Soviet Union (USSR) is very thorough. Included are several prototypes entered in the trials that eventually led to the adoption of the AK-47. Several more types that competed in the Abakan (code-named after a city in Russia) trials of 1984 are also profiled, as well as a few others developed since then. One of the most unusual guns is the APS underwater assault rifle. The APS (Avtomat Podvodny Spetsialnyy), or special underwater automatic rifle, was developed for Navy Special Forces divers, and it truly can be fired under water! This unique gun uses a special 5.66x39mm MPS round with a 120mm-long, needle-type bullet. Also briefly mentioned is a newer updated version called the ASM-DT that can be used underwater with its special ammo or on land with standard 5.45×39 ammo. Clever!

It must be noted, this book is 15 years old, so it is missing the most recent designs. There is no mention of the Beretta ARX160, CZ 805 Bren, Fabryka Broni MSBS, HK416 or HK433, or the Kalashnikov Concern AK-12. Aside from that, this title covers the subject nicely. While not a large book, it does contain a lot of information.

Note: Since the publication of Assault Rifle, the two authors have joined forces again to publish two more books titled, Machine Gun: The Development of the Machine Gun from the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day and Sub-Machine Gun: The Development of Sub-Machine Guns and Their Ammunition from World War I to the Present Day. Unfortunately, these latter two books are no longer available from the publisher. Assault Rifle still is available, however.

Title: ASSAULT RIFLE: The Development of the Modern Military Rifle and Its Ammunition
Author: Maxim Popenker and Anthony G. Williams
ISBN: 1861267002 (print) / 978-1861267009 (website)
Copyright: 2004
Binding: Hardcover, with a color dust jacket
Size: 7.75 x 10 inches
Pages: 224; Color/B&W photos include 250 B&W photos
Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd

During the years immediately before the World War I, small hollow off-white china ornaments decorated with civic arms and other crests were popular souvenirs for many people in England who took holidays or daytrips to seaside resorts. Crested china was typically bought from the places on the crest and carefully carried home. During World War I, holidays were still celebrated at most East Coast and South Coast resorts, and the ornament makers began to create designs related to the War.

The ornaments were largely made in the potteries around Stoke-on-Trent by companies such as Arcadian, Carlton, Grafton, Savoy, Shelley, Swan, Willow Art and W.H. Goss. The peacetime ornaments included figurines of everyday objects, local museum antiquities or items such as ring trees, stamp boxes and pin trays.

With the coming of War, new designs were created, such as grenades and mines, ships, airplanes, ambulances and military headdress and tanks. Depicting military subjects accurately was less important than the topicality of the model or its label; therefore, some crests on this china have proven to be “imagined” or are unofficial designs.

Crested china Vickers machine gun on tripod consisting of two-piece construction. Gun swivels 360 degrees on tripod. Gold high-lights. Crest atop water jacket is of Ayr, Scotland. Front of tripod head marked, “RD No. 66144.” (“RD” is “Registered Design” and is a form of copyright to prevent others from copying the style of the image.) Left side of water jacket marked “Model of Machine Gun.” Bottom of gun marked “402” and “Savoy China Stoke-on-Trent England” logo.

Crested china WWI Talbot armored car with two Vick-ers machine guns mounted fore and aft on the top. Crest of Chelmsford on hood of car under a banner that reads, “Many Minds One Heart.” Bottom mak-er-marked “Savoy China (introduced c.1910 until c.1928) Stoke-on-Trent England” for “BR&Co sellers” (Birks Rawlins & Co.).

Crested china commemorative World War I Vickers machine gun on tripod. Large crested front has blue and yellow shield of St. Albans. Atop water jacket is the Machine Gun Corps Skill-at-Arms badge of “MG” within wreath. Rear of tripod marked “The Victory of Justice Armistice of the Great War Signed Nov. 11th 1918.” Gold highlights around muzzle, rear and ammunition belt. Made by Carlton China with maker’s stamp on bottom.

Crested china golf ball with the central image of the king’s crown over crossed Vickers over “Machine Gun Corps” banner below.

Crested china good luck horseshoe with central mage of king’s crown over crossed Vickers over “Machine Gun Corps” banner. Above reads, “The Old Horseshoe” followed by a four-line poem. At bottom is, “The Legend” and a short history of why the horseshoe is considered a good luck symbol. Reverse maker-marked “W.H. Goss.”

Crested china bushel basket with crest insignia of the Machine Gun Corps in center of bottom of basket. Gold trim to edge highlight. Bottom maker-marked “W.H. Goss Ashbourne Bushel RD No. 450628.”

Crested china white porcelain figurine of World War I Machine Gun Corps “Tommy and his gun” firing a Vickers machine gun with gold trim highlights to cap, eyes, machine gun and base. Painted crested front has large coat of arms for Southampton. Bottom mak-er-marked “Arcadian China Stoke-on-Trent.”

Crested china with five fluted vase positions rimmed in gold. The vase is diminutive in size measuring only 3 inches wide and 2 inches high. Affixed to the front is the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps insignia of king’s crown over crossed Vickers with “N.Z” below. There is no maker mark, but it is of the Carlton style of crested china.

Crested china teddy bear with central image on stomach of the king’s crown over crossed Vickers and “Machine Gun Corps” below. Gold accents on ears and eyes. Bot-tom maker-marked “Arcadian China.”

Shortly before World War II, interest in a semi-automatic rifle to strengthen the armed forces reawakened in Sweden, but (luckily) the feared case of defence did not occur. After the War, the Automatgevär m/42 remained in active service for many years, was even manufactured in Egypt and is still popular with sports shooters today.

During World War I, Sweden had already tested French and Russian semi-automatic rifles, but this half-hearted venture soon came to nothing. Eric Wallberg of the Kungliga Armétygförvaltningen (Royal Army Administration) tried in 1938 to convert the already-introduced m/39 bolt-action rifle to automatic fire. However, it soon became clear that this project would have little chance of success. This was followed by a call to various weapon designers to develop a semi-automatic rifle.

Towards the end of the trials and comparison shooting, only two gas-operated models were still in the game. One designed by the Finnish officer Carl Pelo and one by Erik Eklund, the owner of the company AB C.J. Ljungmans Verkstäder in Malmö. His company had nothing to do with weapons but produced pumps and fuel dispensers for gas stations. In August 1941, the board of examiners finally chose Eklund’s rifle because it was lighter and consisted of fewer parts. The official introduction to standard armament was on December 5, 1941, as “Automatgevär m/42,” or in short, “Ag m/42.” That was not even 1 year after the completion of the prototype. The Swedish nomenclature does not distinguish between semi-automatic and fully automatic rifles, but only between Kulsprutegevär (light machine gun) and Kulsprutepistol (submachine gun). The production of the new gun was taken over by the state-owned arms factory Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna.

Erik Eklund had from the very beginning attached importance to a mechanically simple construction. Therefore, his rifle is operated by means of a direct-impingement gas system that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier. In its forward position, a cup attached to the bolt carrier slips over the end of the gas tube and prevents the gas pressure from escaping. Such systems are simple, but hot gases and powder residues get directly into the weapon and can cause malfunctions due to deposits if not cleaned properly.

The Ag m/42 uses a tilting breech block that drops down into a receiver recess for locking. This tilting allows gas pressure in the barrel to lower to safe levels before the cartridge case is ejected. After the last shot the bolt carrier remains in the rear position, and the shooter can reload. The Swedish military, however, did not recognize the advantage of an interchangeable magazine and decided that the preferred method was reloading from five-round stripper clips from above into the 10-round box magazine that remains attached to the gun. The Ag m/42 has a wing safety located at the rear of the receiver: right position is safe; left position is fire.

Since 1894, the Swedish Army has used the 6.5x55mm skarp patron m/94 projektil m/94 (live cartridge m/94 projectile m/94) with a round-nosed bullet. A new pointed bullet with a boat tail to reduce aerodynamic drag was developed for civilian weapons before WWII. Its trajectory was very flat, and the accuracy of the shot was therefore high. In 1941, the Army accepted this bullet as “prj m/41” (prj stands for projectile). The adjustment wheel on the Ag 42/m rear sight therefore has a small cut-out through which the distance marks and the contour of one of the two projectiles can be seen. The scale-ring and the contour inside the wheel are exchangeable. This allows the shooter to adjust his sight depending on the ammunition used. The sight can be adjusted for every 100m, from 100m to 600m with round-nosed ammunition or 100m to 700m with pointed ammunition. During the first troop trials, the rifle showed a very variable accuracy. Since the gas tube is located directly above the barrel and is also firmly connected to it, both components cannot expand freely when heated. With hot barrels, the dispersion on 100 meters ranged from 83mm to an alarming 356mm.

The Ag m/42 did not have a good start in the Swedish Army in other respects as well. During regular shooting exercises the extractors broke constantly. The development department then found out that the carbon content in the steel supplied by Fagersta bruk ironworks varied between 0.15% and 0.40%, which of course had an effect on stability. This was a serious mistake made by a company whose chief engineer at the time was none other than Johan August Brinell, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and inventor of hardness-testing methods. Initially, one extractor only lasted about 4,000 shots. Another problem was the susceptibility of the gas tube to rust, making a change to stainless steel necessary. The magazine release also had to be modified, as the magazines fell out easily when handling the weapon.

In 1953, a program to upgrade the entire stock of weapons to the latest state of the art began. After 3 years the work was completed. In addition to the changes mentioned above, the cover of the bolt carrier was fitted with two lateral knobs for better gripping by hand, and the sight got a different adjustment wheel. The case deflector was given a thick rubber jacket so that the empty cases were no longer deformed and could be used for reloading. The new magazines had an additional hook for a better grip, and the multi-piece, screwable cleaning rod was replaced by a one-piece rod. The reworked weapons got the suffix “B” and were now called “Ag m/42B.” The reworking was so thorough that today only a few weapons still exist in their original condition. Most of them had been taken home during the War by Norwegian police units after their training in Sweden and thus escaped the reworking.

The Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna produced about 30,000 pieces of the Ag 42/m. The reworking made it a reliable and popular weapon that remained in active service until the 1960s. After an extensive selection process, Sweden chose the assault rifle G3 from Heckler & Koch (HK) as its successor and from 1965 to 1985, a licensed version was produced as the “Ak 4” (Automatkarbin 4) by Husqvarna and Carl Gustaf.

After a conversion to NATO caliber 7.62x51mm, some Ljungman systems served as ranging guns for the 90mm anti-tank gun Pv-1110 under the designation “Inskjutningsgevär 5110.” From 1949 on, Denmark tried to improve the Ag m/42 design, and the company Dansk Industri Syndikat A/S (DISA) produced various weapons in different calibers under the designation “Madsen/Ljungman.” After only about 50 test pieces, the project came to an end in 1955.

A few years later, Sweden once again made a good deal and sold the manufacturing rights and all the machines no longer needed from its own production (which had long since ceased) to Egypt. The copy was called “Hakim” and differs in some details from the original Ag m/42. Because of the large WWII stocks of cartridges in caliber 7.92x57mm, the rifle was equipped for this stronger caliber and fitted with an improved muzzle brake to reduce the recoil. The fluctuating ammunition quality made a gas-pressure regulation necessary, and so the Egyptians included an adjustable valve screw in the gas port. Some 70,000 Hakims rolled off the assembly line at the Al Maadi Company for Engineering Industries (Factory 54) in Cairo. In addition, about 8,000 pieces of the short version called, “Rasheed” in the Soviet caliber 7.62x39mm and with folding bayonet were made before the licensed production of the Kalashnikov AK-47 went into series production in the mid-1960s.

Technical Data of the Ag m/42
Caliber                                  6.5x55mm
Length                                  47.8in                      1.214mm
Length of barrel                   24.5in                      622mm
Weight (empty)                     10.4lb                      4.7kg
Magazine capacity               10 rounds
Rate of fire                            40 rounds/minute

I owe everything I have ever accomplished to firearms. A thousand years ago, some skinny guy like me would undoubtedly end up somebody’s slave. However, to paraphrase Sam Colt, nowadays guns render everyone truly equal. Thanks to firearms one can remain secure in their person irrespective of habitus, circumstance or station.

If you are currently clutching this hallowed tome you have at least some interest in self-reliance and personal defense. Ours is indeed a strange old world that grows stranger daily. Depending on where you live, maintaining the gear you need to survive and thrive in the face of Information Age threats can be a daunting task indeed.

The inclusion of a Rigid MOLLE Panel from Grey Man Tactical helps keep your gear organized and accessible within your book bag, day pack or computer case.

The Rigid MOLLE Panel from Grey Man Tactical keeps the critical stuff you need where you need it.

Grey Man Tactical

Grey Man Tactical (GMT) is as much a concept as a piece of equipment. Back in 2012, Paul Capdepon, the CEO and founder of GMT (greymantactical.com), needed some way to manage his EDC (Everyday Carry) gear so as not to alarm the less durable folks in his neighborhood. Like most of us, he wanted to be prepared, but he didn’t want to seem unduly overt about it.

That original idea back in 2012 spawned the first Rigid MOLLE Panel (RMP). MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment and is the standard protocol for configuring individual tactical gear in both the U.S. and British militaries. MOLLE equipment orbits around 1-inch nylon webbing, sewn uniformly with 1.5-inch gaps between seams. This allows a nearly infinite number of possible combinations for ammo pouches, first-aid gear, holsters, knives, support gear and the like. The MOLLE system allows military users to customize their carry gear to meet their unique anatomy and mission.

GMT’s Rigid MOLLE Panel is a robust polymer grid that accepts MOLLE equipment and can be adapted to most any application. Starting in 2014 Capdepon began selling these panels on a small scale online. Today his users include the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the U.S. Federal Marshals, NYPD, LAPD, the U.S. Border Patrol and all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Grey Man Tactical offers RMPs specifically designed to accommodate gun safes, backpacks, automobile seats, tactical vehicles and any handy wall. Applications for this modular technology are limited solely by your imagination.

All RMP units are formed from high-density polyethylene that is weatherproof and resistant to corrosion. Holes with a 0.25-inch perimeter facilitate mounting, while 1-inch slots accept a convenient carrying handle as well. The load-bearing, sag-resistant design makes for maximum flexibility and long life. GMT lets you access the gear you need when and where you need it.

Dracula: The Motivational Construct

When I was a little kid I was terrified of Dracula. Though the Dracula movies available during my childhood were comically inane, we youngsters discussed such stuff in lurid detail on the playground during recess. Rumor had it that this sinister Transylvanian prince would creep into your bedroom late at night while you were sleeping, bite you on the neck and drain you dry before you had a chance to alert your parents.

Forget that Bela Lugosi was a physically unimposing sort who dressed like an opera singer. His 1931-era depiction of Bram Stoker’s creepy undead blood sucker caused me many a sleepless night as a child. However, by the time I reached adulthood, I came to realize that Dracula was just another harmless made-up dude.

These days, however, I have a whole new collection of phobias. I am afraid of Democrats in the White House, great white sharks, plaintiffs’ attorneys and my wife after I’ve done something really stupid. This deep into the Information Age there is also something else that most responsible Americans should find genuinely terrifying.

A Brave New World

In August 2020 Adam Haner was driving through Portland, Oregon, with his girlfriend heading to the local 7-Eleven. Enroute he encountered a woman who had been robbed and beaten by a mob of angry protesters. Stopping to provide assistance, the mob then inexplicably turned on him.

Haner returned to his vehicle and attempted to flee. Surrounded by protesters and trying not to run anybody over, he crashed his pickup truck on a sidewalk. The crowd then dragged Haner out of his truck and forced him to his knees on the asphalt. These deranged social justice warriors began beating the man. A 25-year-old anarchist named Marquise Love then approached Haner from behind and kicked him viciously in the head, rendering the helpless man instantly unconscious. The rioters then glowered over his motionless body while shouting obscenities. Haner’s girlfriend called 911.

The Portland police arrived some 10 minutes later. Love had a lengthy criminal record that included charges of domestic assault, harassment, driving without a license, interfering with public transport and illegal gun possession. Miraculously, Haner eventually recovered. However, I doubt that head injury did his sudoku skills much good.

Friends, I don’t fear Dracula anymore. However, now that we apparently live in a country where you can be dragged from your vehicle and beaten senseless over a bumper sticker, I do justifiably fear mob violence. As God is my witness, if that ever happens to me I’m not going down without a fight. GMT can help you be prepared for this as well as countless other unfortunate eventualities.

The Rigid MOLLE Panel is as much a concept as a consumer product. The entire system orbits around the cus-tom polymer mounting material.

It cost me a pleasant evening in front of a Netflix movie to get things set up and assembled. The end result is efficient, effective and cool.

Obvious Applications

Let’s cover the testosterone-infused applications first. GMT offers a version of their RMP that secures to the back of the seat in your pickup truck or minivan. A rugged cable lock security system keeps the unit in place even in the face of burglary or similar mischief. Once fully installed, it would require some proper tools and a little time to remove this thing.

A single RMP has plenty of space to carry a handgun, a first-aid kit, a rifle, spare magazines, a fire extinguisher and much more. The RMP accepts any MOLLE-compatible pouch or accessory with flexible mounting straps. The same magazine pouches you might use on a plate carrier or tactical vest fit seamlessly into the RMP. Most holsters with belt clips will snap over the side as well.

Grey Man Tactical makes RMPs for literally any automotive application. These things can be mounted to the back of the front seats, around the door or dash, or inside the trunk. Dimensions and fit guidance are listed on GMT’s website.

There are a couple of different options for securing a long gun. The minimalist version is a cleat that mounts to a standard Picatinny rail and then secures to the RMP frame via a key lock. My favorite includes a rigid aluminum cup to accept the buttstock. This cup is available in a couple of different sizes to accommodate disparate stock or pistol brace designs.

The second component affixes around the handguard or buffer tube and includes a versatile locking mechanism to keep the weapon secure and inert around meddlesome intruders or little fingers. This mechanism is conceptually similar to that of a handcuff and ratchets in place to keep your long gun secure. The device is rugged stainless steel, but everything that touches your firearm is rubber-coated.

You can open the gunlock with one of the two included keys or remotely through an electronic switch that plugs into the vehicle cigarette lighter. The kit even includes a separate pushbutton switch you can mount yourself in a discreet spot should you be handy with tools. This allows you to secure your weapon reliably but still retain immediate access if needed.

When I was a kid growing up in the Deep South everybody had a gun rack in the back window of their pickup truck. If you were dropping by the store, going to work or even attending school, you just left your rifle or shotgun locked inside the vehicle until your responsibilities were complete. It honestly never occurred to us that somebody might break into our vehicles. Nowadays life is sadly not quite so simple.

The GMT solution is an elasticized cover that stretches over the RMP effectively occluding everything affixed therein. Passersby might notice that there is something in the vehicle, but it remains innocuous—even bagged up, everything remains easily accessible in a hurry.

Unconventional Applications

These same panels can be used for lots of things that aren’t terribly tactical. It seems whenever I have need of roadside gear like jumper cables or simple tools it is dark, cold and frustrating. By using a little creativity such a panel can help keep basic maintenance and survival equipment organized and out of the way while remaining easily accessible. The key to maximizing such a device’s utility is to think outside the box.

I have a friend who uses his RMP to keep track of his young daughter’s recreation and support gear. There’s no better place to hang a diaper bag and baby toys. As the thing sits right in front of a car seat, it allows you to hook up stuff to help keep junior occupied on a long car trip as well.

A piece of RMP inside your day pack or book bag lets you keep critical gear organized and handy for easy access. The material is sufficiently thin as to leave plenty of space for laptops and books. It is also lightweight for its prodigious strength.

Packing a gun off-body doesn’t help a whole lot if you struggle to get to it quickly. Both safety and security are enhanced by having your defensive handgun in a reliable spot inside of your go bag. The backpack organizer RMP lets you affix your weapon, spare magazines and IFAK (individual first-aid kit) to the inside face of your day pack, leaving more space for books, a laptop and gear. By using a quality holster and pouches, your gear is always accessible in a moment’s notice.

The thickness of the RMP is such that it accepts flexible MOLLE mounting straps but not the rigid polymer sort. Some holsters have polymer MOLLE hooks that are too thin to accommodate the RMP material. Gear that does not feature standard MOLLE mounts can still be affixed to the RMP using zip ties, bungee cords or tie down straps.

Gun collections among serious gun nerds are like a gas. They tend to expand to fill the space available. In the case of your typical gun safe, mounting up an RMP in the door helps keep track of ready ammo, critical accessories, and smaller bits like handguns. Room in the safe always seems to be at a premium. The RMP optimizes your safe space and expands the amount of stuff you can store securely.

Grey Man Tactical and Netflix: Pure Ballistic Synergy

Configuring your RMP is very much like building a puzzle. I laid out all my gear alongside my RMP and pulled up “Die Hard” on Netflix for background clutter. Two hours later John McClane had yet again rid Nakatomi Plaza of Euro-terrorists, and my RMP was ready for mounting in my pickup truck. The inclusion of a drag handle at the top makes the whole shebang easy to move about—even fully loaded.

I started by arranging my long gun exactly where I wanted it for quick access. I then moved the first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and mag pouches around until everything was logical, intuitive and efficient. The rifle mount sticks out from the RMP sufficiently that a user can also secure stuff in the free space underneath the weapon as well.

The MOLLE gear mounts simply by threading the straps and snapping them in place. The extinguisher and gun mounts attach via threaded bolts and backing plates. If you can tie your own shoes without assistance you are mechanically capable of using this stuff. If you just don’t feel like doing it yourself the GMT folks will set it up to your personal specifications for $50.

Not everything has to be vertical. The RMP doesn’t care if your gear is right-side up, upside down or sideways. Mounting my rifle mag carrier horizontally makes it more easily accessed from the driver’s position.

The RMP hangs from the headrest mount and secures in place with a strap around the base of the seat. Remove the headrest, slip the suspension rings over the top and replace the headrest. Thread the bottom strap around between the seat base and the seat back, and it gets lost in the crease. When done properly, the RMP is invisible from the front of the vehicle. Most modern vehicles have tinted rear windows anyway. With the removable cover in place there’s really nothing to see from outside my truck.

Once everything is in place, thread the security cable through the bottom of the RMP and then around the base of the seat. Snug it tightly and tuck the excess away underneath; you won’t know it’s there. Once secured, it would take a set of industrial bolt cutters to get this stuff out of your vehicle without the key.

Ruminations

Chances are you won’t be dragged out of your vehicle by an angry mob based solely upon your political preferences. However, if you are a normal adult, you will likely drive up on a traffic accident at some point. At the very least you will be called upon to help jump off a friend whose car has stalled. The RMP from Grey Man Tactical helps keep stuff like jumper cables, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and a flashlight handy for easy access, day or night. I’m 54 years old, and I have used all of those things for real on the road before. Designing and assembling your own custom loadout really is fun. RMP gear is not cheap, but it is beautifully executed. This is the same stuff that rides around in police cruisers and military MRAP vehicles both around the country and the world. Rugged, proven, versatile and cool, Rigid MOLLE Panels from Grey Man Tactical are like Garanimals for gun guys.

GLOCK has reacted to two powerful market forces with one of its latest offerings—the GLOCK 44 chambered in .22LR. As we all know, handguns have spiked in sales of late making acquiring one both difficult to achieve and hard on the wallet. Along these same lines, ammunition costs have also escalated dramatically with the same effect on users’ wallets and on supply. Many are searching for ways to maintain or increase proficiency without having to spend disproportionate amounts of their individual budgets on centerfire ammunition. The advantage of having an “understudy” chambered in .22LR similar in ergonomics and controls to its full-powered sibling is well recognized.

The idea of shooting a .22LR out of a handgun resembling your carry weapon is not a new concept. For a GLOCK, this concept has been problematic to achieve. Multiple models by manufacturers other than GLOCK have been introduced trying to imitate the GLOCK platform. Most have missed the mark in terms of either not being striker-fired, not close to the manipulation techniques of the GLOCK and so on. After its typical studious approach, GLOCK decided to step into the void with its own .22LR to solve the dilemma with the GLOCK 44 (G44) .22LR.

After erupting on the scene in the early 1980s with the GLOCK 17 (G17), GLOCK pistols quickly evolved into the benchmark for personal defense, law enforcement and military handguns. GLOCK handguns are ultra-reliable, accurate, tough and simple to operate; all at a competitive market price. A review of the personal defense handgun market makes it clear that GLOCK is the design standard that the others are still chasing in many ways. Many detractors would have you believe that GLOCK has grown complacent by not introducing any new designs that depart significantly from the template laid by the G17’s arrival in 1982. In fact, GLOCK handguns are into their Fifth Generation of refinement.

It is best to think of the GLOCK lineup of handguns as a “system” stretching from the mini G26, to the G40 MOS, through the Slimline G43X™ and G48™ and now to the G44. Every GLOCK shares a lineage back to the first GLOCK—the G17. The GLOCK “secret” to success is minimal operating controls, relentless reliability and to paraphrase a famous political advertisement, “It is the trigger stupid.” While the grip size may change between specific models, the position of the slide and magazine releases will instantly be familiar. A better illustration of the GLOCK system would be the similar trigger pull and weight found on all of its weapons—including the new G44. Simplicity should not be confused for a lack of refinement. GLOCK’s solid performance has become entrenched as the standard.

Developing Skill

GLOCK is a top seller in the U.S. market. It only makes market sense to introduce a .22LR chambered GLOCK. The extra time spent with an understudy weapon such as the GLOCK 44 serves to quicken one’s learning curve in terms of weapon manipulation and skill. A conversation with one of my area’s top trainers, David Altenburg of Defender Tactical, whose schedule has exploded of late with gun owners requesting training, indicates that his G44 purchase was one of the best things he has done in terms of teaching aids. Proper sight alignment and trigger control are easy to self-diagnose with the G44 .22LR. Inexperienced shooters can afford to practice much longer with the G44 and have the endurance to do so without having to deal with recoil and muzzle blast. The G44 has the added benefit of training shooters of all skill levels in the manipulation techniques of a GLOCK.

The G44’s development took over 3 years due to GLOCK parameters of being striker-fired and the necessity to mimic other GLOCK designs even though they’re blowback. The G44 uses a hybrid polymer/steel slide to accommodate the blowblack semiautomatic function. While the G44 clones the G19 in size, the G44 can utilize most holsters intended for the G19, the G44 is 10 ounces lighter. Most of the weight loss is due to the hybrid/steel slide. All steel would have been too heavy for the .22LR to drive rearward upon ignition. GLOCK did not want to use all aluminum (as some .22LRs are) in order to maintain the durability that steel offers, especially with the interaction points between slide and embedded steel inserts. Thus, GLOCK installed a steel sub-structure low in the G44’s polymer slide to connect with the frame’s steel inserts.

GLOCK aspired to recreate the feel of a standard GLOCK handgun with its G44. Many may choose not to utilize the G44 as an understudy but rather as a stand-alone .22LR in its own right. GLOCK’s attention to detail extends to the G44’s magazine design. The two 10-round magazines shipped with the G44 are of similar dimensions to standard, double-stack GLOCK magazines. This further duplicates the similarity of handling and the manual of arms between the G44 .22LR and centerfire variants. Most .22LR pistols feature slimmer magazines versus their normal centerfire counterparts. The same web gear and magazine pouches utilized for G17/19 magazines will work with the G44 magazine. All of these features assist in duplicating the feel and manipulation of centerfire, big brother GLOCKs.

How Does It Shoot?

The ballistics of the .22LR allows for effective target engagement typically associated with handguns. The author’s range T&E consisted of normal firing from the bench for an accuracy assessment of CCI® target standard-velocity 40-grain Segmented HP and 45-grain Subsonic; Federal American Eagle® 40-grain; Wolf 40-grain; Winchester M-22® Subsonic® 45-grain and Super Suppressed™ 45-grain; and SK Standard Plus. Groups at 25 yards were in the 1.25-inch range. After the G44’s accuracy benchmark was established, courses of fire were set up similarly to those used for centerfire training involving multiple targets and firing positions. Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC) proved ideal for a T&E with various ranges equipped with range vehicles, shoot houses, etc. The G44 performed well; though it took some time getting used to the lack of muzzle blast while moving through the courses of fire—a pleasant problem to deal with. There were no excuses to miss targets; if you are missing targets, it is time to slow down and re-evaluate. Here, the advantage of being able to fire hundreds, even thousands, of .22LR rounds for significantly less than the cheapest centerfire surplus ammunition became evident.

From the first time the GLOCK 44 was handled, it was noted that the shooter experienced the same feel as if using a centerfire GLOCK 19. An ambidextrous slide stop, reversible magazine catch and four interchangeable backstraps allow end users to set up according to their preferences. Two 10-round magazines come standard. Trigger upgrades and sights for a Gen5 G19 are compatible with the G44. The takedown is done the same way. The G44 arrives with an adjustable rear sight. Take care when installing new sights if you do switch them out. The G44 polymer slide is more sensitive to damage when drifting in your metal G19 sights. How did GLOCK pull all this off? This is possible because the G44 is a true GLOCK; not a name license deal with another manufacturer. The G44 is made in the U.S. at GLOCK’s Smyrna, Georgia headquarters.

GLOCK has introduced an aftermarket threaded barrel kit for use in the G44—it would have been nice to have had it included as a standard item. However, consider yourself lucky that the threaded barrel was offered nearly simultaneously with the G44’s release. The barrel is an M9x.75 threaded with a .500-28 adapter, and thread protector is included. It’s only a matter of time before red-dot compatible G44 slides will be appearing.

Using Suppressors

SIG SAUER SRD22 and CZ Rimfire silencers were quickly added as companions to any of the author’s range visits with the G44. Each suppressor features an aluminum outer tube with stainless steel baffles. The SRD22 measures 6.2 inches long, 1.25 inches in diameter and weighs 7.7 ounces. The CZ Rimfire is one of the lightest and slimmest on the market, weighing 2.5 ounces and measuring .866 inches in diameter and 6.9 inches long. Both the SIG SAUER and CZ list sound signature reduction down to 117 decibels (dB). For reference sake, the actions of many semiautomatic .22 caliber weapons produce 125 to 130 decibels when simply cycling out and into battery. An unsuppressed .22LR produces approximately 142 decibels when fired. Unsuppressed centerfire rifles and handguns produce approximately 165 decibels. The SRD22 comes with both a ½”x28tpi and M9x.75 adaptors to facilitate mounting to typical U.S. and European thread patterns found on .22LR weapons. The CZ Rimfire is ready to direct thread via 1/2×28.

The SRD22 and CZ Rimfire suppressors are easily disassembled for cleaning. This is especially important with a .22LR suppressor versus other calibers due to the heavy use of lead in .22LR ammunition. The minimal width of the SRD22 and CZ Rimfire allows for the standard sights of the G44 .22LR pistols to be used without issue. Larger suppressors often necessitate the adding of taller, suppressor-specific sights on a handgun; this negates some of the “understudy” application and can impact use of certain holsters.

While certainly usable with rifles, the SIG SAUER SRD22 and CZ Rimfire suppressors are ideal for use with handguns. This rests with the minimal barrel length associated with handguns helping to maximize what .22LR ammunition can be used while maintaining subsonic velocities. For subsonic velocities, 1,050 feet per second and under is a good rule of thumb. The difference in noise produced from firing supersonic ammunition, which generates a distinct “crack” due to exceeding the sound barrier versus subsonic through a suppressor is striking. Experimentation with different loads is encouraged and can yield surprising results. CCI Suppressor 45-grain and Subsonic 40-grain .22LR loads were tested along with 40-grain CCI Standard and AR Tactical .22LR and Winchester M-22 40-grain. Often Match or Standard velocity .22LR ammunition proves subsonic when fired from a pistol-length barrel compared to when fired from a 16-inch rifle barrel.

Cast a Wide Ammo Net

Another reason for casting a wide net is to determine what subsonic loads still function reliably with the blowback operating method typical of rimfire weapons such as the G44. Many semiautomatic rimfire handguns arrive with manufacturers’ literature advising use of high-velocity ammunition for reliable functioning. Generally speaking, the installation of a suppressor on a blowback rimfire handgun will aid in more reliable functioning, even with lower powered subsonic ammunition. This is due to increased backpressure generated by the suppressor. The evaluation of different ammunition is important to conduct with and without a suppressor mounted. The G44 handled all the ammunition listed without issue; no matter if suppressed or not.

A Good Addition

The GLOCK 44 .22LR can fall in line with the traditional .22LR role of introducing new shooters to the sport. Trigger control and steady hold can be perfected with minimal recoil and blast associated with a .22LR. Proper sight alignment and trigger control are easy to self-diagnose with the .22LR. The G44 has the added benefit of training shooters of all skill levels in manipulation techniques of the ubiquitous GLOCK. Along these same lines, experienced shooters will also gain from training with the G44 .22LR without having to deal with blast and recoil of a centerfire handgun. The low cost of shooting .22LR ammo is attractive but not at the expense of shooting an unfamiliar rifle with awkward controls and an uncertain reliability compounded by a lack of range-time training that is applicable to your primary weapon. From the first use of the G44, it was noted that the shooter had the same feel as if he were shooting a GLOCK 19. Whether it is for low-cost realistic training, a departure from the associated muzzle blast of a centerfire chambering, or to help a youngster learn to handle a GLOCK handgun without the recoil and intimidation of the muzzle blast, the GLOCK centerfire will make a nice addition to any firearms collection.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• us.glock.com
• cz-usa.com
• sigsauer.com
• cci-ammunition.com
• winchester.com

By Linda M. Gilbertson

THE SITUATION

Springtime is when those of us who live in the Southwest United States start looking a little closer at everything that is on the ground. We watch for anything that moves. The diamondback rattlesnake is a resident of Arizona. It makes its way to the surface from its winter hiding place when temperatures rise. It’s looking for warmth and food. It will be hungry and angry if it has been a particularly long and cold winter. The snake is stealthy in nature, and if you tread too close, it will let you know it’s present. The rattle is distinct and gives you the chance to change directions before it strikes. Flight is the best answer.

Fight is also a good choice should this snake endanger you and anyone or anything nearby. I’ve almost stepped on one, because it was stretched across the gravel driveway taking in the sun. I couldn’t distinguish it from the roadway. It blended in with its environment. A snake encountered accidentally, won’t always rattle as it bathes in the sun’s warmth. When I encounter a rattlesnake, I take a shovel to its head, decapitate and bury it. Once I chased a rattlesnake from one side of a shed to the other and finally ended it with the snake-shot from a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog. Fight is the best answer.

THE DILEMMA

Now you may ask why I didn’t leave the snake alone that was under my shed. The simple answer is that a snake procreates. Even though our dogs have the rattlesnake vaccine on board, it does not protect them from being bitten. The vaccine only slows down the absorption of the venom until you can get them to the veterinarian. There is yet no rattlesnake vaccine for humans as a preventive. There is only the expensive treatment after humans have been bitten. I keep snakes away from my house so my husband, I and the dogs don’t get bitten. I must fight in this situation to control the rattlesnake population. Most of us are raised with a fear of snakes because we’re educated from infancy to be aware of and be prepared with a response to seeing or hearing them. We’re taught to avoid their territory. Also, the appearance of a venomous snake is constant. It doesn’t change clothing, it doesn’t walk upright, and it is predictable during certain seasons. The rattle is distinct and makes you hesitate. You fear the bite, which can kill.

An “active shooter” situation is very similar to an encounter with a rattlesnake. The shooter is silent, conniving, venomous and deadly. The shooter is hungry. Unfortunately, in our current culture, people rarely have heightened awareness of those two-legged snakes. Active shooters come in different colors, wear different clothing and are active all season long. With society’s need for “profile-less” encounters, people are told not to base a belief of a person on his or her physical appearance or behavior. The human rattlesnake is to be accepted whether a danger or not. Look at the school shootings that have taken place. The human rattlesnake was detected but not reported. It was tolerated. Acceptance of these snakes’ peculiarities (because society says we need to accept everyone’s peculiarities) leads to denial of any danger, and many times, that’s too late!

THE FLIGHT THEORY

In The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker, survival skills protect us from violence. The main skill is intuition. It is a skill which is undeveloped in many people because they’ve become lazy in their own personal protection. Society tells people to deny basic survival skills and that responding to the threat will get them in trouble because they’re not competent to respond appropriately. In his book, Gavin De Becker is adamant that we need to pay attention to the following messages and heed what our “natural animal” mind is telling us. These are called the “Messengers of Intuition.” These 13 messengers are telling you something about the person(s) or the situation(s):

• Nagging feeling
• Persistent thoughts
• Dark humor
• Wonder
• Anxiety/fear
• Curiosity
• Hunches
• Gut feelings
• Doubt
• Hesitation
• Suspicion
• Apprehension

Pay attention to your intuition if any of these feelings have you questioning what is occurring. If you can avoid and flee from the situation, do so. As an example, I went into a restaurant and could not eat there. It was a matter of something that told me I couldn’t remain. I don’t know if it was the smell, the color or whether someone inside the restaurant said or did something, but I became anxious. I couldn’t articulate what it was, but I could not remain. I have no idea whether anything happened after I left—I chose flight.

THE FIGHT THEORY

Lori Hartman Gervasi is an expert in martial arts and the author of Fight Like a Girl and Win. In her book she explains her view on fighting:

• Don’t just stand there and allow initial threats by suspicious people.
• Do react when anyone tries to close in on you in a physical or relational manner.
• Do consider his/her attitude and reactions as clues to what may happen next.
• Don’t wait. Get moving and gain back your distance.

I was standing in line at Kmart one day. There were two people in front of me and two people behind me. Of course, all of us are either carrying goods or pushing a cart full of our goods. So, we’re jammed together; everyone has violated personal space. I was very aware of each of these individuals, purposely practicing “awareness.” Suddenly, the second person behind me, a male, started talking inappropriately to the woman in front of him. These comments were of a personal and sexual topic. This continued for approximately one minute. I became annoyed. I turned to look at her, and I saw FEAR in her eyes. I got mad. I squarely faced the man. The woman being shorter than I, gave me a great view of the man behind her. I raised my voice and said to this man, “Leave her alone. She’s not interested.” He said to me, “You’re rude!” I raised my voice a little louder, glared into his eyes and said to him, “Yes, and you’re obnoxious, leave her alone.” Kmart personnel called security. I already knew what I would do in a situation like this, as I had practiced it in my mind. I had visualized my next move which was to exchange places with her (a little hard to do under the circumstances) and put distance between him and her. I went directly from fear to anger. I fought for her not with force, but with voice. In this case a firearm did not need to be displayed, but mine was available if the situation had escalated to physical assault. I was prepared to fight.

When near an active shooter, you must be prepared to fight. You need to be on the offense rather than the defense and take it to the next level if necessary. That’s reality!

THE REALITY   

In Arizona if you are in fear for your life or the life of someone else, this is your justification for using deadly force. Deadly force is causing serious bodily injury or death. In most situations, a gun is considered deadly force, but a baseball bat, a knife, a person’s fists, even body size could be considered deadly. Many have been killed by strangulation, by being kicked, punched, tossed on the ground, stomped, knifed, etc., and though not considered deadly force, that’s a matter of opinion. If you fear for your life, no matter the method of force used, you must fight with all your might. So, in an active shooter situation what would make you flee vs. fight? Let’s explain this question with a few pictures.

Is deadly force justified in this situation? In this picture the perpetrator is not a threat to me because of the distance he is from me. However, he’s also carrying a rifle. He’s carrying the rifle, not aiming the rifle. Am I justified in shooting at him at this distance? Will I even hit him with my pistol? How quickly can he run toward me or shift the rifle into a firing position? A court would say that at this distance, I should go to a safe area with my phone and call 911. This would be considered an alternative to engaging the perpetrator in a gun battle. Otherwise the court may say that I was waiting for trouble rather than removing myself to safety. I would flee.

Is deadly force justified in this situation? In this picture the perpetrator is closer and becoming a threat. His rifle is now raised so he may aim at me. Is he accurate enough for his round to hit me? He does have a rifle scope. Do I even want to stick around and find out? I’m in fear for my life since he’s starting to aim at me, and the court would again recommend avoidance by leaving the premise or barricading myself in a room and relying upon 911. I can leave because he’s still at a distance from which I can run. If I hesitate and allow him to get closer, the court may intimate that I was looking for a fight. If I engaged him with shots at this distance, I may not be successful at hitting him, and an innocent bystander may be hit. I would flee, but if I’m in a wheelchair or on crutches, I might have to fight.

Is deadly force justified in this situation? In this picture, the perpetrator is at 10 feet. His rifle is not a threat to me, but the knife is. Do I have the time to avoid or am I in the thick of it? My response is now dependent upon my size and physical ability. I’m not a Black Belt in Karate nor do I have the physical strength for any hand-to-hand combat. I’m not proficient in knife fighting nor am I a track star, so if running is involved, I’ve got a problem. I’ve allowed the perpetrator to get to close to me. He has me at a disadvantage. I’m in fear for my life, and if I don’t respond appropriately, I’ll experience bodily harm or possibly death. The attack must be stopped. My first concern is to stay alive. I will fight to accomplish this. If I choose to utter something to the perpetrator it would be to stop and disarm. I’d take the rifle and knife, call 911 and keep my pistol on him till the police arrive. I can articulate in court that I was in fear for my life based upon the circumstances. The court would probably agree. Or, do I draw and fire? If he doesn’t comply with my orders and continues to advance, I’m justified in using deadly force. I will fight.

THE WRAP-UP

In Arizona, you can “Stand Your Ground” if you have a legal right to be where you are. We also have the Castle Doctrine which says that we don’t have to leave our home when it is invaded. And, it is not required that we utter a verbal warning. The question then becomes, should you fight, and what would make you fight. According to Gavin De Becker, “When you are at imminent risk, intuition forgets about all this logical thought and just sends the fear signal. You are given the opportunity to react to a prediction that has already been completed (by you) by the time it comes into consciousness.” Flight vs. Fight (flee if you can, but fight if you must) is based on the signals you’re receiving. In an active shooter situation, most people are not prepared for trouble, and they become involved in a reactive rather than a proactive response. Fear shuts them down, and they become casualties. Those people who are prepared for trouble and have practiced physically and mentally an offensive response will be the survivors. Whether it is running away or standing and fighting, know the law and be prepared. Franklin Roosevelt said it best, “When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike, you do not wait until he has struck before you crush him.”

The early M16 rifles were issued in relatively small numbers to U.S. military advisors and Special Forces personnel serving in Vietnam and the Air Force’s Air Police. Feedback from the field resulted in a few changes to the original design. The barrel twist was changed from 1:14 to 1:12 to increase accuracy, and a bolt closure device, known as the forward assist, was added; USAF models did not have a forward assist. The updated M16 was designated as the XM16E1: X = experimental, E1 = Evolution 1.

The M16A1 rifle slowly evolved from the XM16E1 initially fielded in large numbers during 1964 to the U.S. Standard A infantry weapon, officially adopted in 1967.

The adoption of the 5.56mm M16 during the war in Vietnam was to replace the M14 rifle that was proving to be too cumbersome, too heavy and its 7.62mm cartridge too powerful for the type of engagements being encountered in the jungles of Vietnam. What was needed was a handy weapon that was light in weight, controllable in full-automatic fire and one with a small 5.56mm cartridge that would allow the infantryman to carry a larger ammunition load; a weapon that could match the firepower from the enemy’s AK rifle.

The M16 rifle was a revolutionary design made of unconventional materials that included aluminum and plastic. The weapon’s appearance and lightweight and relatively small cartridge were not readily accepted by the military establishment or many of the younger soldiers who did most of the fighting. As a result, the M16 was bestowed with the condescending rumor that they were being made by the Mattel® toy company.

The XM16E1

The first contract to purchase M16 and XM16E1 rifles was awarded to Colt on November 4, 1963. The contract was for 104,000 rifles; 85,000 XM16E1 rifles with the forward assist feature and 19,000 M16 rifles without the forward assist for the Air Force. The cost of the XM16E1 was $121.84 per rifle, the M16 cost was $112.00 per rifle. The initial contract was considered to be a “one-time” purchase until the Special Purpose Individual Weapon, more commonly known by the acronym SPIW, was perfected and put into production—adoption of the SPIW was estimated to be in 1965.

The SPIW program began in 1959 after a number of government studies were conducted on the lethal effectiveness of infantry weapons. The basic SPIW concept was an individual infantry weapon that fired both flechettes and grenades. The U.S. Springfield Armory along with Harrington & Richardson, Aircraft Armament Inc. (AAI) and Winchester were involved in developing a satisfactory weapon. The requirements set for the proposed SPIW included a 60-round magazine for the flechette ammunition and a multi-shot 40mm grenade launcher. There was a maximum weight limit of 10 pounds loaded with 60 flechette rounds and three grenades. Development of a suitable SPIW was deemed to be unrealistic, and the program was terminated in 1968.

The realization that the SPIW program was heading for failure came as welcome news for Colt. The war in Vietnam was escalating, and more M16 rifles would be needed to equip the growing number of U.S. military personnel being assigned there.

The XM16E1 to the M16A1

The XM16E1 was the first model of the Colt/ArmaLite M16 rifle that was purchased in large quantities by the U.S. government. The M16 would become infamous during the rifle’s service during the Vietnam War. The problems experienced with the XM16E1 were the result of not one, but a compilation of missteps. The problems with the weapon resulted in a Congressional Investigation, the Ichord Committee, in 1967.

Plating the Barrel Chambers

One of the primary reasons for the M16 rifle’s early failure was being purchased “off the shelf” with little or no initial engineering study by the Ordnance Corps, who were quite dissatisfied with the adoption of a rifle from outside the traditional ordnance system. A major contributing factor was a failure to chromium plate the barrel chambers. During fighting in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, it was discovered how a humid climate contributed to rapid barrel corrosion, which resulted in failure to extract cartridge cases stuck in the chamber. As a result, all production M14 rifles had chromium barrel chambers and bores. So why didn’t the original AR-15 / M16 rifles have chromium-lined barrels? Because people in government, who knew little or nothing about small arms, were making decisions based on cost. The infamous quote, “If the rifle needed a chrome chamber, [Gene] Stoner would have designed it that way.”

Ball Powder

Originally the AR-15 / M16 rifle was designed around cartridges loaded with DuPont IMR® (Improved Military Rifle) gun powder. A decision was made to load the 5.56mm rounds with Olin-Mathieson 846 ball powder. This was done with no testing for any effects the change might have on the weapon’s gas impingement system. Ball powder burns faster than IMR powder; this resulted in a higher port pressure, which in turn increased the full-automatic cyclic rate far beyond the rifle’s design limitations. A number of 5.56mm cartridges loaded with ball powder were issued to the troops in Vietnam, and the result was disastrous.

Other transitional enhancements were made to the XM16E1 to create the M16A1 rifle, solving the reliability problems with the weapon:

• A new, redesigned buffer
• Chromium-plated barrel chambers and cleaning kits
• “Bird cage” flash hider, replacing the 3-prong type
• Chromed bolt carrier replaced by a Parkerized bolt carrier with chromium internal surfaces
• New firing pin retainer
• Redesigned bolt catch to resist breakage
• Original gas tube replaced by one made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel
• Receiver-raised “fence” to protect magazine release button from accidental ejection of the magazine
• New buttstock designed with hollow section to contain a cleaning kit, including trapdoor to access the kit
• Introduction of a 30-round magazine during 1969

By 1967, the M16 was a reliable weapon and type-classified as the M16A1 rifle. To keep up with demand, Harrington & Richardson and the Hydra-Matic Division of General Motors were awarded contracts to manufacture M16A1 rifles. The M16A1 would serve as the Standard A rifle until being phased out by the M16A2. The product-improved M16A2 was adopted by the Marine Corps in 1983 and the Army in 1986.

Civilian M16 Rifles

Fortunately for NFA collectors and enthusiasts, a fair number of M16 rifles were registered and transferable. Colt’s policy during the 1980s was that each Class III dealer could order one M16A1 rifle and one carbine. Colt specified that to reorder the rifles dealers would have to provide proof that the guns were sold to a law enforcement agency. As a result, the M16s that were offered to individuals were sold at a premium. Along with the commercial Colt M16A1 models, a few “U.S. Gov’t Property”-marked M16s made by Colt, H&R and GM’s Hydra-Matic Division were registered during the 1968 amnesty. When offered for sale, they often commanded a premium price. In addition to amnesty-registered U.S. government property-marked rifles, the Harrington & Richardson® (H&R®) Corporation sold a number of their Vietnam-era contract U.S.-marked M16A1s during an asset reduction sale in 1985. There have been 66 new H&R M16A1 rifles documented from that sale, along with a lesser number of M14 rifles. Also, occasionally available are the select-fire Colt model 614 rifles marked “AR-15.” A few M16A2 models also were registered prior to the May 1986 ruling ending the registration of transferable machine guns.

A few military M16 receivers that were functionally destroyed by shearing once through the trigger area, were painstakingly welded back together and registered. There was an article in the July 1986 issue of the old Firepower magazine by John Norrell describing the process. Unfortunately, by the time the article was published in July, it was no longer possible to register a transferable machine gun.

Conversions of Semi-Automatics

In addition to the factory select-fire M16s, prior to 1986, it was legal to convert semi-automatic AR-15-type rifles to select-fire after paying a $200.00 federal tax and receiving approval from the NFA branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In addition to receivers, there were “drop-in” “auto-sears” and “lightening links” registered to convert semi-autos to full-auto. Today the drop-in devices are often more expensive than a factory M16 rifle. The attraction, that justifies the five-figure price to many, is the device itself is a “machine gun” and can be legally used in any semi-automatic AR-15-type rifle.

In addition to Colt-made SP1 AR-15s, a number of pre-1986 conversions were done to other manufacturers’ AR-15-type rifles. A few of those companies included Frankford Arsenal, Sendra Corp., SGW-Olympic Arms and the Essential Arms (EA) Company.

[Link to Part III]

Recommended Reading

The Black Rifle, Volume I by Christopher R. Bartocci, R. Blake Stevens and Edward C. Ezell

The U.S. M14 Rifle: The Last Steel Warrior, Second Edition by Frank Iannamico

Parlor shooting was the after-dinner rage in the later 1800s because of one inventor. In 1845, Louis-Nicolas Flobert introduced his indoor target guns. The ammunition he invented for them was the self-contained metallic cartridge; the single greatest advance in guns since the invention of gunpowder.

While Flobert’s cartridge was handled with caution, its offspring, the full-power .22 Long Rifle (LR), is lethal. Even so, the .22LR is also undeniably nowhere near as damaging as just about any other modern round. This led to it being deemed “less than lethal” for a short time by the Israeli Defense Forces; an unfortunate description that brought on a hail of derision despite its relative truth. It was a unique case of the .22 being officially issued for battle by a professional army.

Flobert’s self-contained, metallic cartridge was brilliant. The case swelled in the chamber when the gun fired, sealing the conflagration in the barrel and finally making the breech-loader clean and safe to fire. By design, the round could only be loaded correctly. Not only was the cartridge foolproof from rain, the easily handled ammo let a novice load and fire a Flobert 10 times faster than a muzzleloader.

Flobert’s Bulleted Breech Cap, led to it being called the “BB Cap.” A stubby, straight-sided brass tube had one end capped with a lead ball. At the opposite end, a protruding rim resembled the rim of a gentleman’s hat.

The rim is hollow. The priming compound, at the time mercury fulminate, was dropped into the case, and the case was spun; centrifugal force flinging the compound into the rim. A blow anywhere on the rim crushed the soft metal and ignited the pressure-sensitive compound within.

The BB Cap was capable of felling a medium-size insect. The Flobert and its imitators are still often called “garden” guns, “parlor” guns and “gallery” guns.

The American Civil War first popularized the .22—the .22 short Smith and Wesson® No. 1 revolver. It never tipped the scales of a battle, but its presence in pocket or pack comforted many soldiers.

Serious calibers followed up to .58. The rimfire .44 “flat” made the Henry lever-action possible, but the necessarily weak rim restricted the rimfire design to low-pressure loads. Putting the primer in the center of the base allowed for greater pressures, and large rimfire cartridges faded from use.

Not so with the .22 rimfire. Progressively longer cases, powder charges and bigger bullets marked the evolution of the .22 short, long and extra-long. The CB round was introduced in 1888 to supplant the BB Cap. CB stands for “Conical Bullet.” It never replaced the BB Cap and interchangeable BB Caps, but CB Caps are still made today.

Variants

In 1887, the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. introduced the Long Rifle cartridge, essentially an uploaded long. The LR .22 rimfire, in the form of the long rifle, remains the most popular cartridge in the world.

After the Civil War, a gentleman could find himself prey to ruffians or the unwanted attentions of stray dogs. If he left his trusty No. 1 at home, and the miscreants could not be deterred by a sharp blow, his “cane” gun, usually discharging a .22 rimfire, might be deployed. This was one of several guns designed for self-defense. Others were called “automobile” and “bicycle” guns and could be found fixed to bicycle frames or tucked in amongst the auto’s tire changing equipment. Millions have places in today’s survival kits and survivalist arsenals.

The wonderfully, politically incorrect “boy’s rifle” was not a result of the .22 rimfire. Since the invention of firearms, those who could afford it equipped their offspring with downsized versions of Dad’s guns. The industrial revolution put child-sized .22 rifles within the commoners’ reach, and the “boy’s rifle” became the ultimate Christmas or birthday prize. Most manufacturers produced rifles scaled for younger shooters, and many a .22 was reborn under Dad’s wood saw and hacksaw. The breed survives in the gender-inclusive “youth” rifles still made by unintimidated manufacturers.

Those unfortunates who could not beg themselves into a rifle could earn one by selling “salve” or some other unlikely product to neighbors and family. The prize rifles offered were not the pinnacle of the gun-maker’s art, but most were serviceable, hard-earned and well-loved. Their manufacture usually featured a mandrel-formed barrel. A flat piece of steel, the length of the barrel, was first hammered into a long U-shape then hammer-forged and welded around the mandrel. The machined steel mandrel imparted rifling to the inside of the resulting tube. The addition of a primitive action and wood completed the ensemble.

A more gregarious and harder-working cousin of the parlor gun was the gallery gun, so-named for its use in the shooting galleries that were a fixture of travelling fairs from the late 1800s. For many, the pump-action Remington Model 12B and the Winchester Model 62, typical of the type, were their first taste of gunpowder; though the .22 rimfire still dominates target shooting competition.

However, military glories are sparse. For training, practice and fun, .22s see a lot of use but little combat. Russian police and Special Forces use a suppressed counter-sniper version of the nation’s .22LR biathlon rifle. Inconvenient lights and barking dogs still fall, officially, to handguns like the blow-back High Standard HDMS and the Colt Woodsman. The small size of the .22 cartridge allows it to be fired from devices disguised as pens and even key fobs.

Lethality

The lethality of the .22 rimfire is beyond question. Those who do the math agree the 1891 Russian 7.62x54mm, used through two World Wars, the 1917 Revolution and Cold War unpleasantness, holds the military body count record. The .22 rimfire is world leader in domestic violence, accidents, crime and suicide, killing more Americans than any other cartridge.

It has long been an assassin’s favorite. Robert Kennedy was running for the U.S. presidency in 1968. Sirhan Sirhan used an eight-shot .22LR Iver Johnson Cadet 55-A revolver to shoot Kennedy while he transited a hotel kitchen. Kennedy died on the hard floor. Sirhan Sirhan remains in prison.

A Röhm RG-14 in .22LR was John Hinckley Jr’s. weapon to wound then President Regan and three others.

An American Special Forces veteran, David Beckerman, introduced the Israeli sky marshals, Mossad, Shin Bet and the Sayeret Matkal Special Forces to the potential of the .22LR Beretta 71. Such a Mossad .22 allegedly brought the abrupt termination of Gerald Bull in March 1990.

Bull was engineering a long-range gun to enable Iraq to bombard Israel and/or Iran. Bull’s Belgian apartment had been trashed in warning, but Bull continued work on his “super-gun.” On his last day, Bull answered the door. His assassin likely aimed his modified .22 Beretta low and let the gun climb on full-auto to empty the eight-shot magazine in a single burst. It was the end of the super-gun project. Century Arms recently offered a semi-auto “Mossad replica” Beretta 71 with integral faux suppressor.

The Intifada protests first began at the Gaza strip in December 1987. For weeks thereafter, thousands of Palestinian protestors targeted the security fence erected by Israel on the northern border of the Gaza strip. The protests became a rite of passage to many, a disability pension for some and the path to martyrdom for others.

Israeli snipers shot selected protesters, usually in the knee, with silenced .22 rimfire rifles. Targeting the enemy’s knee predates the Bible. It was often the most vulnerable part of an armored warrior’s anatomy. For the modern Israel, the lack of political “martyrs” was doubtless the main motive. The toll exacted in treating and often supporting the crippled veterans was not unwelcome. According to UN observers, 7,996 protesters were shot during the Intifada and 215 killed by gunfire. By 1993, Israel had counted 60 soldiers and police dead along the battle lines.

Each shot had to be authorized, usually up several layers of command. The sniper or his spotter first radioed in proposing a target. Targets had to be employing some type of weapon or actively directing others. They also had to be adults, or close to the age, and training included age estimation from build, clothing, etc. Other observers would frequently follow the proposed target to confirm or question the sniper/spotter’s judgment. To shorten the authorization time, a sniper might find himself surrounded by his entire chain of command.

There were still dead bodies. Israel feared that the “less-than-lethal” description encouraged less careful use and aim. Others saw a sinister attempt to white-wash an assassin’s weapon as being “kinder and gentler.”

A hit above the knee could cut an artery and bring rapid blood loss and death, so at one time the ordered point of aim was changed briefly from the knee to the ankle, a tougher target. There were still accidents and mistakes, but intentionally lethal shots were uncommon and, with the layers of oversight, difficult to conceal. One sniper served jail time for an ill-considered shot.

After an inquiry, the less-than-lethal terminology was dropped, and the .22 rimfire rifles were re-categorized as regular firearms subject to applicable rules of engagement.

The gun chosen by the Israelis was the Ruger 10/22®. Founded in 1949 by Alexander McCormick Sturm and William B. Ruger, Ruger is the largest American arms maker. Much of Ruger’s success is thanks to its first product, the Ruger MK2 .22 semi-auto pistol and the later 10/22 rifle.

In 1961, Ruger introduced the “Deerstalker” carbine. It was a five-shot, .44 Magnum, semi-automatic with the lines and look of an M1 carbine. It remained in production until 1985.

In 1964, a .22 rimfire carbine stole the looks and thunder of the .44. The 10/22, standing for 10 shots of .22 rimfire, has remained in production ever since. Upwards of six million have been built on Ruger’s investment cast aluminum receiver and a stainless steel version. Most are the classic carbine configuration with its signature barrel band, but there have been Mannlicher-style stocks, sporter and synthetic stocks, target, compact, a takedown model and a pistol. There are standard, bull and lightweight barrels of various lengths; some with muzzles threaded for flash hiders and other accessories. The standard .22LR version had to share space with .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire and .17-caliber siblings. The 10-shot rotary magazine is fail-safe and indestructible, and if 10-shots aren’t enough, many high-capacity replacements are available.

Few guns have been as fiercely wooed with accessories. The 10/22’s simple, rugged design is inviting and forgiving to those who just have to mess with it. After-market components and stocks are offered in a bewildering array, and barrels, optics, bipods and trigger packages are limited only by the shooter’s budget. Ruger now sells both .22 handguns and rifles with integral suppressors. The SR-1 strays from the traditional can or tube look, and the barrel resembles a long pistol slide. Inside the device, a series of machined baffles are linked together in a tube under the barrel itself. These baffles slide out the front for cleaning.

Snipers on the Gaza strip worked in pairs. One man did the shooting while his partner, usually another sniper, spotted targets and coached the shooter on range and wind.

The .22 was intended to fill the “middle ground,” the area too far away to use a rubber baton round, and where use of a 7.62×51 M24 or Barak HTR-2000 sniper rifle could easily result in a kill from loss of blood.

The first Israeli “combat” .22s were Ruger 10/22s, customized by Sabatti, a well-known Italian arms maker. The gun’s bull barrel was surrounded by a full-length silencer. These rifles retained the original, albeit cut-away, stocks, and most were topped with four-power scopes on Weaver mounts and equipped with Harris-style bipods. Over time, extended magazines, modular stock systems and new optics have been added.

There are two major .22 models used by the Israeli Defense Forces; although individual weapons may vary in accessories. Both versions are built on the Sturm Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic .22 action. In Israeli service they are known simply as “Rugers.”

The newer SR-22 is preferred by many, as its tactical look does not visually set the sniper apart from other soldiers. Not all are silenced.

Many conversion kits have been developed to enable larger caliber guns to fire the .22 rimfire. Much of this remains the result of government parsimony and the need to practice with less noise and uproar. Kits were developed to fire .22-rimfires from .30 Browning machine guns and numerous others including the AR-15 family. Today, .22 rimfire versions of many full-powered guns from handguns and submachine guns to assault rifles are on the market.

In Other Realms

The criminal world is equally aware of the .22’s stealthy advantages. While GLOCKS and black-rifle exotics dominate TV and movie screens, the deadly reality is often the .22. The low recoil and blast won’t overwhelm the trembling novice as a larger caliber might, and even without a suppressor, a .22’s report can be mistaken for a backfire or firecracker. In time of need, an acceptable silencer can even be improvised with a plastic pop bottle.

The low pressure of the .22 rimfire can be contained by many improvised devices: drilled-out toys and starter pistols, flare guns and pipes from the hardware store. Single-shot, hand-made “zip guns” are still popular in some circles. The great advantage for society is the probability of these doing greater injury to the user than the intended victim.

Thanks to isayeret, Daniel Cohen, Richard Cornblum, Jim Samalea, Carol Mintoff, G. N. Dentay, Jay Dressler, Lisa Weder, Rachel A. Hoefing, Adam Bucci, Movie Armaments Group, the late Hubert Page and late Blake Stevens.

The author has covered wars in the Middle East and Central America and written for Soldier of Fortune, Small Arms Review, Small Arms Defense Journaland others. His earlier books are available on Kindle.

For anyone interested in long-range precision shooting, there is a lot of equipment available to enhance your effectiveness. You can find all sorts of gadgets and accessories for your rifle and your shooting kit, including support bags, bipods and optics.

For most applications, the two optics necessary for your success are a precision riflescope and laser rangefinder (LRF). With the multitudes of options out there, the subject can feel daunting at times, and quite often buyers will complete their purchase only to find out soon after they should have gone another route.

PRECISION RIFLESCOPE

There are many important things to consider when picking out the best precision riflescope for your application. It can often feel overwhelming once you “jump down the rabbit hole.” However, if we just take a quick step back and start filtering our options down based on a short list of features and functions, finding the right optic becomes much simpler.

Magnification

When it comes to long-range precision, the question of magnification often comes up first. How much magnification does one need to accomplish the task? Although magnification is often helpful when refining your point of aim, it is not always beneficial optically. As magnification increases, FOV (field of view) decreases, light transmission diminishes, and clarity starts to fall off. Also, atmospheric effects such as mirage usually become much more intrusive and detrimental to overall image quality.

A good way to determine the amount of magnification needed, without going overboard, is to give yourself a scenario. Ask yourself, “What is the smallest target I can imagine being required to shoot with this weapon system?” Then ask, “Without magnification, what is the furthest I would feel comfortable shooting that size target?”

For example, if your smallest target were a 10-inch circle, many would say they would be confident hitting that target without any magnification out to 100 yards. This means that you could be effective with 1x magnification per every 100 yards. If that same 10-inch target was 250 yards away, you should only need 2.5x magnification. If that same 10-inch target were 1,000 yards away, you’d only need 10x magnification.

Perhaps you require more precision than that. Let’s say your smallest target was the size of a golf ball. This requires a much higher level of precision. In this example, perhaps you feel confident out to 25 yards without magnification for a target this small. In this scenario, you’d need 1x magnification per every 25 yards. If that golf ball were 250 yards away, you’d need 10x magnification. If that golf ball were 1,000 yards away, you’d need 40x magnification to be effective.

Turrets and Reticle

I like to put these two features into the same group because, in many cases, the design of one can influence the other. A riflescope’s turrets allow you to zero your optic at a given range and can be used to correct for bullet drop and horizontal deflection. The overwhelming majority of riflescopes designed with long-range precision in mind will have exposed, target-style turrets. These are designed for quick adjustment and ease of use.

The other method of correcting for bullet drop and horizontal deflection is to compensate using the reticle. These two methods can be used independently of each other or combined.

The important thing to consider here is, if your reticle design allows you to make these adjustments without the exposed, target-style turrets, you may not need them as a feature. However, if your system has exposed, target-style turrets, you may find yourself going with a simpler reticle design.

These two design features do not only influence each other, but other important considerations such as which focal plane your reticle should be in.

Focal Plane

Another very important feature to consider is which focal plane your reticle is in. This means, when you are adjusting the magnification of your optic, will you be zooming in on the reticle and target simultaneously, or will the reticle appear to look the same throughout the magnification range while your target appears to grow and shrink? Perhaps you are wondering why it matters either way.

If your reticle is in the First Focal Plane (FFP), the subtensions (graduation marks) on your reticle will remain accurate throughout the range of magnification. As you increase and decrease your magnification, both your reticle and target will grow and shrink as they appear closer or further away, remaining scaled evenly to one another. This is a beneficial feature if you plan to use the reticle to compensate for bullet drop and horizontal deflection at any magnification.

If your reticle is in the Second Focal Plane (SFP), any subtensions (graduation marks) available on the reticle will change in scale relative to your target throughout the magnification range. In this case, there will be one magnification, usually toward the top end, intended for accurate scaling. Take, for example, an SFP riflescope with a magnification range of 5-20x. Commonly, this riflescope would be set up with subtensions accurate at 20x. If the reticle were designed to accurately subtend at 20x, and you set your magnification to 10x, the subtensions would double in value because the target would appear half the size in relation to the reticle. Additionally, if you set the magnification to 5x, those subtensions would quadruple in value. SFP is more common with reticles with simpler features.

LASER RANGEFINDERS

Although some shooting sports provide shooters the range to their targets, in nearly all practical applications this is not the case. In most situations, shooters will need to determine the distance to the target before taking a shot. There are other methods for determining this distance such as GPS or “milling” with the reticle. However, the use of an LRF is by far the quickest and most convenient. LRFs come in all shapes and sizes, but they can usually be broken down into two primary categories: Monocular and Binocular style. Here are some important things to consider when picking out the right LRF for you.

Max Ranging Distance

Although it is easy to look at the max ranging distance as the primary determining factor in picking out an LRF, it is important to keep in mind the max ranging distance is based on optimal conditions and is not always easy to replicate. Many conditions can alter the effectiveness of an LRF, such as the position of the sun in relation to your target, the target’s color and the target’s density. A good rule of thumb is to purchase an LRF with a max ranging distance approximately double what you need.

For example, if the furthest I would conceivably need to accurately range a target was 1,000 yards, it would be beneficial to purchase a rangefinder with a max ranging distance around 2,000 yards. If the furthest I would need to range a target was 1,500 yards, it would be beneficial to purchase a rangefinder with a max ranging distance around 3,000 yards. This ensures that in the absolute worst-case scenario, your rangefinder will still easily achieve the task. In most cases, this will be overkill. However, it is worth the additional investment.

Modes

Depending on the price and intended use of the LRF, manufacturers include a multitude of options to aid in accurate ranging. A few common modes include angle compensation, first mode, last mode and ballistics. An LRF which can compensate for angle will typically allow you to toggle between LOS (Line of Sight) which displays the distance in a straight path between you and the target, as well as your angle of fire, or an HCD (Horizontal Component Distance). HCD can be referred to as many different things depending on the manufacturer. However, no matter the name, they all work on the same principle.

Angle Compensation

HCD mode is using the “Rifleman’s Rule” to account for the approximate distance over which gravity will be affecting the projectile. This can be determined manually by multiplying your LOS distance by the cosine of your angle of fire (LOS x COS(Angle)). The “Rifleman’s Rule” is not perfect; however, it is accurate enough for most applications.

First Mode and Last Mode

First Mode and Last Mode are very helpful when ranging through brush or other dense cover. When ranging with an LRF, the LRF will send out a signal in your target’s direction and receive a signal coming back. This signal will return in the form of many ranges, and the unit must determine which range has the best signal to be displayed.

Typically, the intended target will have the best signal because it is what the LRF is focused on. However, when ranging a target that is either in front of or behind other objects likely to be picked up by the LRF, First Mode and Last Mode can be utilized to tell the LRF which object was your intended target.

Ballistics

With the advancements in LRF technology, ballistics has become a popular addition to the ever-growing list of options available. Some use simple profiles which roughly match the trajectory of a select group of cartridges. Others pull data from a separate ballistic solver, while some, such as the new Vortex Fury HD 5000 AB laser rangefinder binocular with Applied Ballistics, can range your target, designate the direction of the wind, input the speed of the wind and display the necessary correction to engage that target. This system, being a binocular, is great for locating targets, reading mirage and is easy to pack away when not in use. Systems like this reduce the amount of equipment needed to accomplish your task while simultaneously increasing your effectiveness of getting rounds on target.