Any mention of Christensen Arms inevitably brings forth an association with their precision bolt actions. Various models of Christensen weapons have been introduced since Dr. Roland Christensen saw a way to apply his aerospace experience to firearms. He developed and marketed a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel that has significant advantages over solid steel barrels in both weight and heat dissipation. He used his doctorate in mechanical engineering to look at how to apply carbon fiber to the benefit of shooters. Not resting on previous success, the company now builds a full range of firearms: tactical & precision rifles, 1911 pistols, rimfires and AR style rifles.   

The adage “if you want it done right, do it yourself” might be the unofficial motto for Christensen Arms. The same Christensen Arms quality and attention to detail, which enabled the company to provide highly-accurate, rugged and reliable bolt-action rifles, were turned toward the AR platform. This article will feature the Christensen Arms’ take on the AR platform, as embodied by the CA5five6 AR. 

Christensen continuously evolves with various models offered. For example, the CA5five6 has AR siblings in the form of the CA-15 G2, CA-10 G2 and CA-10 DMR. Christensen listened to market feedback about how cost was the main reason new users would hesitate with these earlier introductions. They concluded both customers and the company would benefit if more users became familiar with their products via a less-expensive rifle. The CA5five6 series was the solution. Christensen responded with forged upper and lower receivers, along with different furniture with the CA5five6. The handguard was changed from the CA15 G2’s free-floated, full aerograde carbon fiber handguard to hybrid aluminum handguard with carbon fiber inserts. All of this served to reduce price point while maintaining the carbon-wrapped barrel to deliver the Christensen Arms experience.   

The CA5five6 is not a stripped-down base offering. It features a 16-inch 416R stainless steel 1:8 twist aerograde carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel with .223 Wylde match chamber, ½×28 threaded muzzle wearing a stainless steel 3-prong flash hider, forged upper and lower receivers, black nitride finish bolt carrier group, M-LOK®-compatible 15-inch hybrid aluminum/carbon fiber handguard, Trigger Tech® single-stage trigger and Mission First Tactical (MFT®) Minimalist buttstock. A mid-length direct impingement gas system was chosen. The CA5five6 is backed by Christensen’s sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. Three color options are available: Hard Black Anodized, Tungsten Cerakote, Burnt Bronze Cerakote. 

An overarching theme with the Christensen CA5five6 is using weight efficiency to maximize overall efficiency. The carbon-wrapped barrel is a key component for this. The CA5five6 tested herein weighs in at 6.3 pounds. The hybrid handguard design not only minimizes weight, but maintains weapon balance, especially when combined with the carbon-wrapped barrel. The handguard is textured, allowing for positive grip anywhere along its length. QD sling mounts are placed out on the forend. A single-stage Trigger Tech trigger group rides in the lower receiver, featuring a 3.5-pound pull weight. 

A quick word about the CA5five6’s .223 Wylde chambering is in order. The .223 Wylde was designed as a match chambering for semi-automatic rifles. It will accommodate both .223 Remington and 5.56mm ammunition. It is relieved in the case body to aid in extraction and features a shorter throat for improved accuracy. As many know, the 5.56mm is not synonymous with the .223 Remington chambering. Generally, it is acceptable to fire .223 Remington in a 5.56mm, but not the other way around. The .223 Wylde was meant to give a slightly tighter body spec than 5.56mm, but a bit looser than .223 Remington, while retaining a longer leade/throat. In effect, the .223 Wylde is a hybrid, splitting the difference between the 5.56mm and .223 Remington while extending benefits in terms of accuracy and reliability. 

The CA5five6 was tested with a Riton Optics X5 Tactix 1-6×24mm optic. The X5 Tactix features daylight bright illumination and capped, zero resettable turrets. The X5 Tactix 1-6×24 illuminated, first focal plane (FFP) TF-1 reticle allows for quick, accurate ranging based on target size inside the unique diamond shaped reticle and spaced hash marks, as well as the ability to utilize bullet drop compensation (BDC).  

Combat experiences since 9/11 served as the catalyst for new optic types such as the Riton X5 Tactix compared to non-magnified red dot or fixed powered magnified optics. The X5 Tactix offers a 1x illuminated reticle setting for quick target acquisition at close range with both eyes open. A quick turn of the knob to 6x enables longer-precision shots. The ability to access 6x while still being able to use an illuminated dot at 1x is a force multiplier. This optic is loaded with high-end features, such as 30mm aircraft grade aluminum tube with high transmittance glass for outstanding light transmission and clarity, as well as an integrated removable throw lever, ½ MOA windage/elevation adjustment, fast focus eyepiece and six levels of red illumination with on/off space between each setting. The X5 Tactix is assembled in an EP-level clean room and is 100% waterproof, fog proof and shockproof (tested up to 1200 Gs).

T&E with the CA5five6 rifle with Riton X5 Tactix optic produced consistent hits out to 500 yards on steel targets placed downrange at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC). With budgets constantly under pressure, the CA5five6 with a Riton X5 Tactix 1-6x24mm optic could be the answer to fulfilling a multitude of roles: DMR, general-purpose patrol rifle and CQB/entry weapon. This is a positive reflection on how the Riton X5 Tactix positively influences the user/weapon equation. The Christensen CA5five6 displayed a high degree of accuracy, living up to Christensen’s sub-MOA promise. Ammunition used was a combination of Black Hills Ammunition 69 Grain Match and 55 Grain FMJ, Hornady® 55 Grain TAP and SIG SAUER 77 Grain Elite OTM. 

The 5.56mm/.223 round’s flat trajectory aids in making center mass hits out to 300 yards without having to compensate excessively for bullet drop. Range evaluations consisted of functionality tests consisting of dumping multiple magazines at several targets in rapid fashion once sights were verified. Magpul and Brownells AR-15 magazines were primarily used in testing the CA5five6, with other magazines types utilized to verify the Christensen Arms rifle was not particular about what feeds it. Once the CA5five6 proved functionally reliable, it was then put through its paces on different rifle courses that were set up for a pending law enforcement competition to be held at the Echo Valley Training Center facility. The CA5five6 handled as expected from a lightweight AR carbine. Total rounds fired was near 500 over several range visits.

The CA5five6 is not marketed as the least expensive AR option, though Christensen has done a great job in lowering the price point with it. All CA5five6 design features are intended for maximizing effectiveness during a fight or realistic training on the range. The key component in a fighting rifle is reliability. No matter how accurate or powerful chambering a rifle is, if it does not work 100% of the time it is a liability.

The 16-inch-barreled Christensen AR showed its versatility by performing within EVTC 100-yard bays, Jungle Walk firing from barricades and engaging targets, but also back at the prepared firing position line with targets placed out to 370 yards. Numerous drills were run involving magazine changes and moving between barricades simulating cover. Several of the more dynamic drills experienced during the T&E showed the CA5five6 at its best, with unrelenting reliability even when scorching hot after multiple magazines fired consecutively. 

The Christensen Arms CA5five6’s theme is evident. No one is advocating going retro and breaking out retired M16A1s for use. Christensen Arms is more than willing to utilize AR improvements as long as items contribute to effectiveness. However, the need for full-length quad rails adding weight and unbalancing the AR is resisted. Doubters are urged to attend a course with a rifle weighing 10 plus pounds, laden with accessories, and compare it to a rifle configured like the CA5five6. I guarantee which rifle allows its user to perform more dynamically, especially around cover, moving or unorthodox firing position drills. The ability to mount infrared laser designators, night vision devices or other sorts of hardware is not something most of us require. The CA5five6 balances performance with handling.

As with any personal weapon, and selection of a rifle is as personal as it gets, individual preferences and prejudices will decide interest level in the Christensen Arms CA5five6. There is a plethora of AR-style rifles vying for consumer attention from individuals, departments or other entities. The Christensen Arms CA5five6 is worthy of consideration based on the attention to detail and quality of materials used in its manufacture. The cliché of “buy right the first time” comes to mind, with the CA5five6 being a good example.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

Christensen Arms

christensenarms.com

Riton Optics

ritonoptics.com

Black Hills Ammunition

black-hills.com

Hornady

hornady.com

SIG SAUER

sigsauer.com

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

What does the statement “high capacity 9MM handgun” conjure up?  For sure, models coming to mind are the striker fired polymer ones. The steel framed Browning Hi-Power, or CZ75 variant may also sneak in there along with some double/single-action models like Beretta, or Smith&Wesson, especially if you were born before 1970. Few would think to name a 1911 Pistol derivative considering the high capacity 9MM caveat. Staccato 2011 is actively working on changing this with their C2 DPO Tactical offering. 

 Staccato 2011 can trace their corporate beginnings back to the 1980s as a supplier of high-end 1911 components. They then transitioned into offering exceptional 1911/2011 pistols under the STI moniker. One thing is certain, Staccato has been at the forefront of modernizing the 1911 into forms not previously conceived. While competitive shooting was the initial drive for this, the recent transition into the tactical realm is thanks to new leadership featuring strong military and law enforcement backgrounds.

The Staccato C2 DPO Tactical features the 2011  frame at its core. This patented frame that arrived in 1994 via STI, is a modular two-piece design consisting of a 4140 steel subframe mated to polymer grip. Housed within the  frame are the slide rails, fire control group, thumb and grip safeties, slide stop, and railed dust cover.

The 2011 polymer grip is contoured to maintain 1911 characteristics while also accommodating high capacity, double-stack magazines. Staccato decided to keep the 17-degree grip angle that the 1911 is renowned for. However, there is only a .25-inch difference in circumference, along with minor increases in width and front-to-back measurements on a 2011 frame compared to a 1911. The 2011 frame does not require a gargantuan paw to feel at home shooting. Its grips are made of a proprietary glass-filled polymer with side panels featuring a raised pattern design for texture. The same raised grip pattern is found on the front strap, as well as the flat mainspring housing. A nuance of the polymer grip construction is its relatively thin front strap and sidewalls, allowing for measurements comparable to a typical single stack 1911 with twice the round capacity.

The C2’s trigger pull is factory set for a nominal weight of 4 to 5 pounds. Other performance-enhancing features include an oversized, ambidextrous thumb safety, a high-grip beavertail safety with a palm pad, and an extended ejector. With a is CNC machined and heat treated 4140 steel slide featuring angled front and rear slide serrations, the pistol’s overall weight is 25.7 ounces. All its metal components have a DLC finish.

Lights, lasers, and other accessories are only getting more popular and accepted on a handgun; especially ones that offer carbine-like capacity such as C2 DPO. Did I mention the 2011 9MM platform accommodates 16, 17, 20, or 26 round magazines? Staccato offers numerous types of holsters that reflect C2 DPO Tactical versatility—IWB, belt and duty rigs. All of which are readily available from Staccato’s website.

The name change from STI to Staccato signifies a new mission for the organization. Staccato has decided to focus on the tactical arena based on experience garnered with previous STI Tactical models. This all came together when in 2018 US Marshal service chose the 2011 Staccato 9MM for its elite SOG unit. Long Beach SWAT was another early convert to the Staccato 2011 9MM platform. 

High round count testing protocols with these agencies gave invaluable feedback to Staccato in terms of production methods, material upgrades for certain high wear parts, recoil system, and most importantly the 2^nd Generation magazine. The 2^nd Generation double stack magazine is a redesign of the original STI magazine set to precise and consistent measurements at the feed lips and throughout the length of the tube, both front-to-back, and side-to-side. This translates into more consistent reliability and performance. In addition, features such as witness holes, and the polished interior/exterior of the mag body further enhance the quality of these magazines. The “ribs” on the 9MM magazine run down both sides of its body.

Staccato 2011 handguns are meant to function out of the box. The days of needing to “tune” STI competition weapons are over. Staccato assumes its weapons will be used in life-or-death situations; their production is guided by this. The Staccato C2 DPO Tactical is a valid choice for real-world use, and not merely a competition weapon attempting crossover appeal. Over 250 law enforcement agencies have approved the Staccato for use by its personnel. The C2 DPO Tactical featured in this article is a close rendition of the US Marshal SOG weapon, the 2011 Staccato-P, featuring the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro red dot. Staccato’s collaboration with Dawson’s Precision Optic System allows the mounting of multiple red dot sights while maintaining the use of iron sights.  A Commander-length slide was chosen based on testing protocol results, along with maximizing carry options for the end user.

The Staccato C2 DPO Tactical shot SIG SAUER, Wilson Combat, Black Hills, Hornady, and Federal/American Eagle ammunition for this article. Approximately 550 rounds of 9MM ranging from 115 to 147 grain were fired, with both hollow points and FMJ bullet types tested. A .50cal can with an assortment of steel and brass case 9MM loads consolidated from partially used boxes was purposely used to determine load sensitivity. No issues were encountered.

It was decided to evaluate the C2 DPO Tactical working in/around vehicles, breaching facades, door entries, and other CQB activities. The natural point-ability of the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical was confirmed along with speed getting it into action. Recoil is minimized by Staccato’s Recoil Master spring assembly. This dual spring system is designed to last ten times longer than a typical single recoil spring and allow for the bulk of kinetic energy to be expended in the process of loading a new round from the magazine. The slide comes forward more gently and with a fraction of the force typical of a standard 12–18-pound single spring. This reduces the slide slamming forward and creating muzzle dip. The dual springs of the Recoil Master assembly dampen recoil, and more importantly muzzle flip, allowing the shooter to re-acquire aim when firing multiple shot strings. The C2 DPO’s slide seemed to reciprocate on ball bearings, moving smoothly with the sights tracking efficiently in between shots fired.

One of the most basic weapon concepts that has remained constant, or stagnant, depending on point of view, are handgun sights. Yes, modern open sights are more refined, but the basic form is the same—align the front post within the rear notch. This is now undergoing a change with the advent of installing red dot sights in lieu of the traditional iron open sights for everyday personal defense weapons, law enforcement, and military weapons.

Competition handguns have sported enhanced sights, albeit red dots or magnified optics, for decades now. Debate rages over equipment derived from competition for use in the tactical world.  I think we can all accept that professional competition shooters are the highest skilled “pistoleers” in the world—after all that is what they do for a living: expend time and money on improving skill levels that most just cannot imagine. Reports of Tier 1 Special Operation units having world class competition shooters train them in running a handgun more efficiently and ruthlessly in CQB environments ends the argument in my opinion.  The number of red dot handguns appearing in the hands of elite unit personnel further confirms the soundness of the red dot handgun approach.

A concern based on handling other red dot equipped handguns was being able to find the DeltaPoint Pro’s dot just as quickly as traditional iron sights, especially in quick/fast close-range affairs. The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro mounted to the Dawson Precision Optic System allows for co-witnessing of iron sights with the Leupold red dot. Point shooting with the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical is still very possible using the window on the DeltaPoint as a ghost ring – albeit a large ghost ring – if forced to react spontaneously to a threat. Users of the Staccato fitted with Leupold DeltaPoint Pro find that they no longer have to switch focus from the target to the sights. They can now do as nature intends for them to do–focus on the threat. Moreover, because the indexing of a red dot is far easier than front and rear sight alignment, they find they can take accurate shots beyond what was considered feasible. Hitting steel silhouette at 100 yards on the first shot is very possible with the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical, as well as running CQB drills at times that were considered impossible to achieve before. All simply because the red dot concept uses the eyes in a more natural manner.

CrossBreed Holsters proved an excellent resource for the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical. The CrossBreed SuperTuck IWB and DropSlide OWB proved their worth over months of constant carry with the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical. At times the Staccato seemed to disappear on your hip due to Crossbreed comfort.  This is impressive considering the 30 plus ounce weight of a fully loaded C2 DPO Tactical.

What is it about the 100+-year-old 1911 design that keeps it so adored and desired by so many shooters for personal defense, tactical shooting, or competition? Surely more modern designs featuring higher capacity and new materials have eclipsed it. Don’t bet on it! Especially thanks to what Staccato is offering in the form of the C2 DPO Tactical. One thing is certain—Staccato is at the forefront of modernizing and adapting the 1911 into the forms not previously conceived.

A sidearm is an extremely personal weapon, albeit for duty or daily personal defense carry. A weapon like the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical is analogous to a medieval knight’s broadsword, or a samurai’s katana in terms of pride. They are intended to always be on your person, both due to their lethality, as well as warrior talisman. This type of weapon is intended to work when the world goes to hell. Just as with a sword, it takes lifelong training to achieve and maintain proficiency with a handgun. While more expensive than the typical polymer weapon, the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical is a top-of-the-line weapon intended to perform at a higher level than the standard handgun. The prevalence of polymer, striker fired weapons getting upgraded via aftermarket slides, triggers, springs, grip customization, etc., makes the cost of Staccato C2 DPO Tactical not so daunting.

With the C2 DPO Tactical you will feel as if you have reached the pinnacle of craftsmanship, design, reliability, and efficiency in the 1911 genre. While you cannot purchase proficiency, the Staccato C2 DPO Tactical certainly feels like a worthy enhancement to existing skill.  You perform better with it in your hand versus other types of weapons. There is no better compliment than this.

SITES OF INTEREST

Staccato

Staccato2011.com

CrossBreed Holsters

CrossBreedholsters.com

Leupold

Leupold.com

Specifications: Staccato C2 DPO Tactical

• Caliber: 9MM
• Barrel: 3.9 inches
• OA Length: 7.5 inches
• Weight: 25.7ounces (empty)
• Grips: Polymer
• Sights: Dawson Precision Optic system/Leupold DeltaPoint Pro with co-witnessing iron sights
• Action: Single Action
• Finish: DLC-Black
• Capacity: 16+1 (Three magazines arrive with Staccato C2 DPO C)
• MSRP: $2,299 (Dawson Precision Optic plate and Leupold DeltaPoint Pro not included)

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

Since the German MP 18 had shown its potential in World War I, submachine guns became an indispensable part of the future military armament. This was also recognized in Sweden, and in 1935 the armed forces set out in search of a suitable weapon.

The Swedish army found what it was looking for in neighbouring Finland. There, Aimo Johannes Lahti had designed an outstanding submachine gun in 9x19mm caliber, which had made it into the armament of the Finnish army. Its official designation was “9.00 konepistooli M/31,” but it became known mainly as the “Suomi.” It was a very robust and almost indestructible weapon, very reliable and easy to handle. This was achieved, however, by a very complex production from high-quality materials, a high portion of manual work and an empty weight of 4.7kg (approx. 10.36lbs) respectively over 7kg (approx. 15.43lbs) with the 71-round drum attached.

The bolt of the M/31, made of the best Swedish chrome nickel steel, was manufactured very precisely and sealed the tubular receiver almost hermetically during its movement. The reduced firing rate compared to earlier models was based on the resulting air compression and vacuum behind the bolt. The firing pin is interchangeable, but breakages happened rarely. The only weak point of the bolt assembly was the spring steel extractor. But the M/31 could even be fired without the extractor if necessary: the operator only had to hold it upside down so that the ejection port pointed downwards. The cocking handle at the rear of the receiver has no permanent connection to the bolt and does not move when shooting.

The Swedes were impressed by this submachine gun and after extensive testing they officially introduced the model in 1937 as the “Kulsprutepistol (Kpist) m/37.” However, Sweden was, for logistical reasons, afraid of adding a second type of cartridge to its ammunition stock and rather wanted to use its already adopted pistol cartridge 9x20mm Browning long (9 mm patr. m/07). Due to this decision, the Finnish manufacturer, Tikkakoski Oy, had to convert the new submachine gun. All ordered guns and magazines were produced especially for this caliber. The stick magazine with the nickname “coffin” had a capacity of 50 rounds; the Finnish drum magazine was never adopted by the Swedish armed forces.

The conversion was not done so easily. Due to the semi-rimmed cartridge case, they had to be placed one above the other in the magazine, but slightly offset in front of each other. Only in this arrangement could the uppermost cartridge slide smoothly over the following cartridge and be pushed into the chamber. The manufacturer designed a new magazine well that was slightly tilted backwards to match this fact. For Tikkakoski Oy, the production of this special model was quite costly and soon an agreement was reached with the Swedish government on a domestic license production by the Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB.

The Kpist m/37 also differed from the Finnish model in some other details: barrel jacket and barrel were shorter, the trigger guard was slightly enlarged, the cocking handle with knob-like ending was replaced by one with a hook and the wooden stock had a noticeably different design.

Two years after its introduction, the Swedish army owned just 900 pieces of the m/37. Political developments in Europe did not bode well and Sweden had to hurry up to meet its urgent need for submachine guns. The government came to an agreement with the German Reich and acquired 1,800 pieces of the Bergmann MP 35 (Swedish designation Kpist m/39), and at the same time 1,500 Walther pistols of the model HP (Swedish designation Pistol m/39). Carl Walther, in the German town Zella-Mehlis, also took over the production of the submachine guns for the Swedish contract. However, all these guns had one thing in common: the caliber 9x19mm. Now Sweden could no longer avoid the introduction of this caliber. The cartridge got the designation m/39.

In order to avoid complications in ammunition supply, Husqvarna also switched production to the new caliber, which gave the weapon the new designation m/37-39. The change can be seen in the now vertical magazine well at a 90-degree angle. The magazine capacity was reduced to only 50 rounds. The maximum sighting distance was extended from 200 to 300 meters by adding an additional rear sight blade.

Although Sweden itself had a large demand for submachine guns, it also supplied other countries such as Norway, Denmark, Indonesia and Egypt. On the other hand, at the same time, Sweden bought 500 of the early Suomi without muzzle brake from Finland and used them under the designation m/37-39F. American weapons also ended up in the hands of Swedish soldiers. In January 1940, the army bought 500 pieces of the Thompson 1928A  without compensator (Swedish designation m/40). The tangent rear sight was calibrated in meters.

In 1943, the Swedish government began a military training program for selected Norwegian refugees. In coordination with the Norwegian government in exile in London, the secret project was run under the guise of police training. Numerous submachine guns m/37-39 and pistols m/40, without any manufacturer’s markings or other stamps, were used for armament. These submachine guns, designated “neutral” in the Husqvarna company records, were ordered by a company called Skandiastal AB (Scandinavian Steel), which was a front company for the Swedish secret service C-byrån (C bureau).

Total production of the m/37-39 at Husqvarna was approximately 35,000 pieces. The weapon was robust and reliable, but also complex and expensive to manufacture. The Swedes closely followed developments in other countries and, in 1943, it was decided to create a modern submachine gun by using as many stamped sheet metal parts as possible. This efforts finally resulted in the “Kulsprutepistol m/45” (Kpist m/45), which was introduced in autumn of 1945. The old m/37-39 became obsolete a few years later.

TECHNICAL DATA

• Caliber m/37: 9x20mm Browning Long
• Caliber m/37-39: 9x19mm
• Length: 770mm (30.3in)
• Length of Barrel: 213mm (8.4in)
• Weight (Empty): 3.9kg (8.6lbs)
• Weight (Loaded): 4.9kg (10.8lbs)
• Rate of Fire: 900 rounds/minute
• Sights m/37: 100 and 200m                     
• Sights m/37-39: 100, 200 and 300m

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

The Copenhagen-based company Dansk Industri Syndikat (DISA) has been manufacturing weapons for the Danish armed forces since 1900. Even before the outbreak of  World War II, DISA was working on a universal machine gun in 20mm caliber.

Dansk Industri Syndikat is known worldwide under the name Madsen, after the company founder, officer, minister of war, and inventor Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen. When the 20mm Machine Cannon (M/38) was finished, DISA designed a range of suitable mounts for various tasks. A light field mount (Feltlavet M.1938 F.5) was available for use as an anti-tank weapon. It fit into the sidecar of the army’s Nimbus motorcycles when folded, thus allowing for an anti-tank squad that was extremely mobile and could reach “hot spots” quickly.

The somewhat heavier version of the field mount had two wheels and could be pulled by the crew or attached to a vehicle. There was also a specific mount for extended vertical movement in defense against low-flying aircraft. The heaviest and most complicated mount was equipped with three axles, compensating for movement on warships and other floating units. In addition, there were special designs such as fortress mounts for bunkers.

The air-cooled machine cannon with its drum magazine inserted on the left side weighed 54kg (119lbs) without a mount. The wheel carriage weighed an additional 64kg (140lbs). The sighting scale went up to a firing range of 1,800m (1,970 yds). It took a crew of seven men to transport the weapon and pull the handcart (Karremateriel M.1931) with the ammunition. Twelve cartridge drums packed two per transport box, found room on the trailer. In battle, the transport boxes, woven from bast fibres, could be carried as back-load.

Production of the M/38 was taken over by the factory in Herlev near Copenhagen. Thanks to the wide range of possible applications, the Royal Danish Army with their order of 158 units was not the only customer. Madsen achieved a number of export successes, especially in Asia and South America. However, the M/38’s high quality was reflected in the price. China, therefore, tried to copy the Danish weapon in their 21st Arsenal in Nanjing but broke off these attempts after five prototypes.

The US Ordnance Department received M/38 from Madsen in 1940. They tested it at Aberdeen Proving Ground in October of the same year on a wrecked M2A2 Light Tank. The evaluators were not impressed by its performance in terms of anti-tank defense. At 100m (110 yds), the armor-piercing projectile penetrated 42mm (1.6in) of steel at the optimum angle of impact, while at 500m (550 yds) it penetrated 32mm (1.3 in). These results were not acceptable in view of the improved battle tanks of the future.

Early, on the morning of April 9, 1940, German troops crossed the border into Denmark as part of Operation Weserübung. The resistance was quickly broken, but according to Danish sources the deployed Madsen M/38s brought eleven German armored reconnaissance vehicles and two Panzer I tanks to a standstill. As with most anti-tank rifles, the hits were not enough to cause permanent destruction to the vehicles.

Technical data:

• Caliber: 20x120mm
• Length: 98.5in, 250cm
• Length of barrel: 47.2in, 120cm
• Weight (without mount): 119lbs, 54kg
• Magazine capacity: 10, 15, 60 rounds

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V22N8 (May 2021)

Chassepot to FAMAS   French Military Rifles 1866-2016

• Author: Ian McCollum
• ISBN: 978-1-7334246-0-8
• Copyright date: 2019
• ePub or .pdf download? Y/N   No
• Binding:  Hardcover, deluxe embossed faux leather with gold foil stamped. Either red or blue, depending on Standard or upgraded editions. Printed and bound in the USA.
• Size:  Approx 7.75” x 10.25”
• Pages:  532 pages
• Color/B&W photos: Many color photos including close-up detail photos. Also, some B&W period photos and sketches.
• Publisher address:  Headstamp Publishing, LLC. P.O. Box 158294, Nashville, TN  37215
• Website:  HeadstampPublishing.com
• Cover price: originally $95 for Standard Edition, now sold out. Possibly a second run soon.

Well, this is a bit awkward. The way a book review is supposed to go is this: a book is released, it gets reviewed, and if the book sounds worthwhile you buy it. However, this title completely sold out almost immediately. So, I find myself saying this is a great reference book, and you should consider purchasing one if you can find one somewhere. The website has a notice that states “Yes, we do plan to reprint; however, no date has been scheduled at this time. We appreciate your patience.” As this book was funded by an online Kickstarter campaign, much of the publishing run was pre-sold before it went to print. In fact, this title is the third most successful book on any subject that was funded by Kickstarter. Over 6000 backers pledged over $800,000 to bring this book to life!

   Chassepot to FAMAS is the first book published by Headstamp Publishing. They describe themselves as “a specialist publisher producing authoritative books on arms, munitions, and military history”. Headstamp was founded by N.R. Jenzen-Jones, Ian McCollum, and James Rupley. You will no doubt recognize the name Ian McCollum from the wildly successful Forgotten Weapons YouTube channel. James Rupley is a Co-Founder and Creative Director of the popular Vickers Guide series of books, and Jenzen-Jones is an arms and munitions intelligence specialist, and the Director of Armament Research Services (ARES).

   This book combines the broad knowledge of McCollum with the wonderful photography of Rupley. I have noted Rupley’s great skill in previous reviews of books from the Vickers Guide series, by Rupley and Larry Vickers. The two publishing companies, Headstamp, and Vickers Guide share a P.O. Box in Nashville, TN.

     As the title suggests, the book covers the evolution of French military rifles, arranged chronologically. It begins with the Chassepot “needle fire” rifle of 1866 and ends with the current issue FAMAS bullpup assault rifle. Separate chapters are also given to the Gras, Kropatschek, Lebel, Berthier, RSC, MAS-36, MAS semi-auto series (MAS-40/44/49/56 variants), and FR series of rifles. Each of these ten chapters starts with an Overview and takes a look at each rifle’s development and role in history. Ian excels at blending history and technology matters nicely, and as a result, this book reads very well, managing to cover the subject in great detail without becoming a tedious, painful read. Other sub-chapter subjects include Production & Serial Numbers, Models & Variants, Markings, Mechanics, Accessories, and Service Use.

   Additional sidebars deal with various subjects in more detail. The origin of related myths, the meaning of French words and terms, and numerous other details are covered. Of particular value to collectors are the sidebars pointing out forgeries in the marketplace. Guest author Yann Carcaillon contributed three full pages to this volume that examine the history of the St. Étienne, Tulle, and Châtellerault arsenals. Each chapter closes with a few endnotes, usually clarifying something mentioned in the main text.  

   Following the first ten chapters is a two-page Epilogue. It states that the FAMAS is being replaced by a variant of the HK416  because all three state arsenals are now closed, forcing France to buy her rifles elsewhere. The Epilogue ends with “It is unfortunate that the story of French military rifle design has come to an end after more than two centuries of uniquely French innovation. The rifles themselves, however, and the history that they have made with their users, will continue to be studied and appreciated for centuries to come.”  

 Chassepot to FAMAS also features a glossary a list of French Military Terminology, and six appendices:

“Appendix 1” is a chart listing each model and variant by year of adoption and French designation.

“Appendix 2” is a more detailed look at the ammunition used from 1866 to current.

“Appendix 3” shows the French Script Font in all its glory.

“Appendix 4” lists all the Arsenal Directors through the years for the three arsenals.

“Appendix 5” lists Unit Markings found on Chassepot and Gras rifles.

“Appendix 6” contains Disassembly Instructions for all the rifles covered in the book

   This volume fills an important void in military rifles. French rifles were not well covered prior to this book, at least in English language publications. With detailed information not found elsewhere, it earns a solid recommendation for French arms collectors.

   A quick heads-up on future Headstamp releases, the next title planned is Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms, 1901 – 2020, by Jonathon Ferguson. It is expected to release in early 2021.

   Hold the press! A post on Headstamp’s Facebook page on Feb 10 says: “Don’t pay scalper prices. We will be printing another run of Chassepot to FAMAS later this year.”

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

Since Russia adopted the Mosin-Nagant rifle in 1891, something like 37 million of them went into service all over the world. Few wars in Eurasia and beyond happened without at least a few Mosin 3-line rifles in use. An iconic gun of an original design, with its pluses and minuses, the Mosin-Nagant was “the rifle” to more than one East European and Asian generation. While immediately recognizable even to American kids, it is not the kind of rifle that most children or teens would want to fire. Chambered for a hard-kicking round, Mosins also require a bit of a strong hand to unlock the poorly cammed bolt after firing.

The Keystone Sporting Arms, LLC KSA9130 Mini Mosin-Nagant looks almost exactly like a scaled-down M91/30 Soviet rifle, but it owes its mechanics more to the 1920s NRA smallbore rifles like the Winchester 60A. A manually cocked single shot bolt action rifle, the  Mini Mosin is a cosmetic variant of the popular Crickett® kids rifle designed to teach history at the range.

In some ways, the Mini Mosin is incredibly authentic. It features a nicely finished stock with metal fittings, as well as a front sight hood, metal-reinforced eyelets for the scaled-down reproduction sling, a trigger guard combined with a dummy magazine, and bolt handles attached to the safety lug, making it look just like the original. The rear sight base looks similar to the original from the side but features a battle sight instead of a range slider. Both rifles have finger-grooves in the stock.

Inside, the differences are greater. Unlike the magazine-fed Mosin with a stripper clip receiver bridge cutout, the Mini Mosin is purely a single shot rifle. The original bolt was rather complicated as it cocked on opening, which added to its already laborious unlocking and extraction. The Mini requires manual cocking with the spring-loaded knob. And opening the bolt with the action cocked requires manual de-cocking first. This design is more in line with the youth rifles of the 1920s and 30s, which were made this way both for safety and for simplicity of manufacture. kids were supposed to cock the action right before firing.

The sights are easier to use on the rimfire clone: both elevation and windage are adjusted on the rear sight with a small, common screwdriver. Turning the elevation screw adjusts the sight directly and proportionally. The windage is adjusted by hand, with the screw only retaining the rear sight blade. Doing that incrementally can be difficult. On the original Mosin-Nagant, either a sight pusher or a hammer was needed for adjusting the windage, and a dedicated tool was needed for the elevation. While the Mini is not supplied with a cleaning rod, it is almost a needless accessory on that gun. Its chamber stays quite clean, and the bore can be swabbed with a pull-through.

The Mini Mosin weighs only 40oz with the sling attached. The original M91/30 was 8.8lbs, three and a half times heavier than its mini variant. The original barrel was just over 29 inches, while the tiny Mini Mosin has a proportional 20-inch tube which dulls the report with subsonic ammunition to a very mild level. The buttplate is traditionally solid, but it is a lot easier to stand with a cartridge developing 1/25th of the 7.62×54’s muzzle energy.

While the original Mosin has two locking lugs on the front of the bolt, plus a safety lug under the bolt handle, the Mini does not develop nearly as much chamber pressure, so it uses a single lug combined with the bolt handle. Bolt removal is the save with both designs. It is retained by the sear, so holding down the trigger allows the bolt to exit aft. While the Mosin bolt must be pulled apart for cleaning, the Mini bolt can be just dunked in cleaning fluid.

Shooting the Mini Mosin is fun for kids and adults alike. The stock is short, with an 11.5” length of pull. It is fit perfectly for kids, while adults can still use it with a square stance. The thin neck of the stock has an inset channel for the lower third of the striker so that it cannot catch the shooter’s hand on firing. Considering that Keystone Sporting Arms, LLC also owns Revolution™ Stocks, a maker of high-grade wood and laminate stocks, this kind of refinement is welcome but not surprising. Its light weight and neutral balance make it feasible for even small children, but younger kids (under the age of seven or eight) may require assistance in cocking the hammer. A spring-loaded loading ramp allows just dropping a cartridge into the action and closing it, at least with round nose bullets. With hollow point ammunition, it is better to start the bullet into the chamber first.

In testing, we shot about 150 rounds of 38gr Aguila subsonic ammunition, and 80 rounds of Remington Golden Bullet (bulk). We did not experience any failures to fire or eject. Accuracy was similar with both, suggesting that the sights and the 4.5lb trigger pull was a limiting factor.  With subsonic ammunition, firing was done out to 35 yards in a windless hollow. The rifle was sufficiently accurate from field positions to knock down a pop can every time. Using the sling for support helped without any obvious horizontal deflection from the tension. The report was very mild, the recoil was almost absent. With supersonic 40-grainers on a windy day, I got more of a realistic result: the rifle stayed on a 4-inch plastic ball at 60 yards. Further out, I could get hits on full-size silhouettes, but performance on point targets became less consistent. The report was noticeably louder.

The Mini Mosin’s rounded rear notch almost made a perfect overlap with the circular front sight protector hood, aiding in alignment. I couldn’t move my face any further forward to perfect that alignment due to the extending cocking knob touching the lens of my safety glasses. The stainless sight pin, while nicely visible, had a vertical highlight that moved depending on the position of the sun. With the sun on the side, the sight pin seemed to be placed further in that direction, possibly affecting windage at longer distances. With the sun above or behind the shooter, the sight picture was perfect. Snap shooting reactive steel at distances of 15 to 30 yards was a breeze. The lessons of Project Appleseed™ came in handy, though the extreme light weight of the gun made it easier to avoid twisting it by wrapping the thumb around the neck of the stock. I really wish I had one as a kid!

The Mini Mosin’s receiver is drilled and tapped for Picatinny rails, allowing for additional accessories to be mounted to the rifle. The straight bolt handle limits the size of the optic, but a micro red dot in a closed tube form factor would complement this rifle making it a little easier to aim. It probably wouldn’t even require a cheek riser on the stock.

Keystone Sporting Arms, LLC originally announced plans to make variations looking like American, British, French, German, and Japanese World War II bolt action rifles. The continued popularity of the Mini Mosin, first introduced in early 2019, suggests that these plans may come to pass sooner rather than later.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

Hollywood has a tendency to glorify pistol carry methods. Many actors and actresses use guns in movies and don’t realize or care that the carry methods they promote may be risky. Small of the back carry may be particularly “sexy”, but if you choose to carry this in this location, please do your own research before spending the money on a holster and finding out that it may not be for you.

The holster industry has picked up on this popularity and made this style available to the public. In promoting the curve of the lower back to be ideal for the carrying of a firearm, it is considered one of the “coolest places” to concealed carry How many times do you see the firearm “whipped” out from behind the actor or actress followed by a smooth and accurate shot? In the prior scene, you didn’t see the pistol on the character’s back, but sure enough, there it was when needed. It was then returned to that location after the “bad guy” had been dealt with but is absent in the next shot of the “good guy or gal” walking away.

When I was 14, I fell off the back of a motorcycle. I hit my tailbone and permanently rotated my pelvis. I say permanently because nothing was done about it at the time, it was allowed to “cement” in place, and I will continue to receive therapy (adjustments) for the rest of my life. The pelvis rotation misaligned the vertebrae between 1L and 5L (L = Lumbar Spine). Between age 14 and age 22, there was slight irritation but when I went through a police academy, the damage became known to me. The constant running required at the academy and its continuation while with the department, along with carrying equipment on my hips, left me in a slight state of paralysis of the lower extremities. I had suffered a serious subluxation at the age of 14 and didn’t know it or even know that it needed immediate correction. Who really knew about “subluxation” in the mid-1960s?

A spinal subluxation is a misalignment of the vertebrae on the spine. The small of the back is a very fragile location where a slight bump or a hard fall could render you seriously injured or paralyzed. Initially, carrying  a handgun in the small of the back may not create discomfort, but continued pressure applied by sitting against the pistol, or falling on your back may cause a subluxation, irritating the vertebrae. If left uncorrected it can change the body’s response to stimulus, or the lack of it.

I realize that besides my own experience, a subluxation can also occur with simple activities such as carrying a heavy backpack, wearing poorly fitting shoes, changing a tire, martial arts, or any competitive sport where twisting, turning of the spine occurs. According to Dr. W. Keith Horne, D.C., a Chiropractic Physician and a Palmer Graduate who has been practicing for 35 years, “Studies have been conducted on the effects of children’s heavy backpacks on their skeletal system. There is a correlation between balance changes, pressure applied at certain points and the body’s reaction to the pressure.” This could also apply to firefighters, construction workers, and Police Officers who carry all of their equipment on the waist.

 If this misalignment of the spine is not corrected, compression of the nerve root will occur. The nerve root sends messages throughout the body. It controls and coordinates all organs and skeletal functions. If you’ve ever experienced tingling of the legs, backaches, or bowel or digestive disorders, you may have a spinal subluxation. As an example, the area between 1L and 5L (small of the back) controls the ileocecal valve (the valve at the opening of the ileum into the large intestine), large intestines, appendix, abdomen, upper leg, sex organs, uterus, bladder, knees, prostate gland, lower back, sciatic nerve, lower legs, ankles, and feet. If the nerves supplying these areas are pinched, you’ll experience a malfunction of these organs and issues with movement of your lower extremities.

Between 4L and 3L in the following photo, you will see a swollen disc. Pressure was applied in this area either because of a traumatic incident, or a continued application of pressure over time. The swelling is the tissue between the discs which assist in the movement of the vertebrae. The disc may heal if the subluxation that created the swelling is corrected. This would require readjusting the vertebrae to its’ correct position within the spine and exercises to strengthen the muscles to hold it in place. If not corrected through adjustments of the vertebrae, a surgical procedure may be necessary.

It is my opinion that if you choose to carry on the small of the back, the constant pressure on the lumbar spine may not readily appear to be a problem, but may contribute later to back issues. The ache may at first appear to be a “breaking in period” with a new holster and you’ll ignore the discomfort. Over time, however, the pressure exerted on the lumbar spine will push the skeletal structure, compress nerves and create discomfort. If you fail to pay attention to the warning signs your body is sending, permanent difficulties may manifest.

I am acutely aware of my body and I know when I need an adjustment. When I experience lower back discomfort or I have the sensation that my walking is awkward, I know that my right leg is shorter than my left leg and my pelvis has rotated. This has a ripple effect, as I also experience digestive issues and sometimes a headache. Imagine the ripple of a wave and this explains the ripple effect a subluxation has on multiple parts of the body. If left untreated my mobility is affected, my health is compromised, and no amount of chocolate or wine will treat my headache or my irritability.          All forms of pistol carry have a certain amount of discomfort associated with them, particularly for women who have a waist, hips, and a bustline that interfere with most carry methods. Finding what works for you is an investigation into comfort first, not popularity. What may be “cool” in the movies may not be “cool” for you. Consider the risk before you consider the method. Small of the back carry whether concealed or open, may be what’s popular, but not necessarily a safe or practical solution for you.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

What makes a “Personal Defense Weapon” (PDW)? This is a widely-discussed term that can mean different things to different people. Do we assign this term to weapon systems based on the caliber they use, overall length of weapon, total weight or intended use?

When I hear the term PDW, I immediately start thinking about the FN P90 or HK MP5 systems and, in recent years, the HK MP7. There are several others that come to mind, but over the years these specific weapons have shown up again and again in movies, video games and on the pages of the magazines you browse through at the local store. They were purpose-built for specific jobs and are smaller, compact weapon systems that are lightweight and easy-to-use with low recoil. This makes them easier to use than assault rifles and carbines, especially for those in tight spaces such as pilots, engineers and heavy machine gun crew members. For example, pilots were in need of something they could use in case of bailout or crash. This need stemmed from the fact that the bailout bags at the time only allowed them to place their full-size weapons into the bags in two parts, rather than together and ready-to-use. Situations like this made it easy to justify the need for PDW use in the military, Special Operations and law enforcement.

As we look into the evolution of the PDW, we see that when the concept started it was intended to be a smaller, lightweight, compact system that used smaller calibers like 9mm, .40 cal, .45 ACP, and the newer 5.7x28mm and 4.6x30mm. At first, these criteria worked and met what was asked for at the time. As time moved on, new and specific requirements developed and the PDW needed to evolve, and so it did.

Manufacturers started making weapons smaller with shorter barrels, or bullpup designs, and this allowed the PDW to move into rifle calibers like 5.56mm, 7.62x39mm, 6.8mm Remington SPC and .300 Blackout, as well as some other calibers that were made specifically for the rifle that was being designed. FN, Knight’s Armament Company, HK, Colt, Daniel Defense and B&T AG are just a few manufacturers that designed PDWs around both newer cartridges and common cartridges.

These new PDWs with rifle calibers would allow for the PDW to go toe-to-toe with larger, full-size weapons systems but in a new, compact system size. With this change in design came new companies that started making the PDW shorter from both ends, rather than just with shorter barrels or collapsible/side-folding stocks. These newest changes have allowed the PDW to still be used by the military, law enforcement, protection details or even the normal American citizen, allowing them to have heavy firepower while still being able to maintain that needed “element of surprise,” as well as discretion. 

These advancements have given end users the ability to have a small weapon system with maximum firepower. Some of the advancements came from shorter barrels or the use of side-folding stocks, but I mentioned before that companies started making the PDW shorter from both ends. An example of this is Maxim Defense Industries. They designed from both ends of the PDW and made it work. Maxim Defense, which started as a stock and brace company, cut their teeth in the PDW arena when they created their PDX in response to a SOCOM PDW solicitation. The PDX combines a 5.5-inch barrel with a rapid deploying stock system that allows the user to shoot in both the open and closed positions. When you combine these features with the fact that it measures only 18.75 inches overall (21.5 inches with Maxim’s suppressor) and weighs in at 5 lbs., 11 oz., you have a compact system that allows you to deliver max firepower. As opposed to a “Personal Defense Weapon,” making these smaller systems work as effective, reliable weapons would be better termed “Purpose-Designed Weapon.”

To put this in perspective, the HK MP5SD has an overall length of 25.98 inches and weighs in at 7 lbs., 8 oz. For those of you who prefer a more practical comparison, look at the Maxim PDX as this: it is just over three U.S. dollar bills long and weighs less than one gallon of milk. This size and weight allow the PDW to fit into most standard laptop cases, backpacks and, in some instances, tennis racket cases. Since this type of PDW can be placed inside a bag, it can be more easily used by School Resource Officers and other personnel who need to have a discreet system in a small package with maximum firepower. This also allows you to be able to travel and take your PDW with you and have it ready for use, not broken apart in two separate pieces, and you don’t have to worry about whether or not someone will see what you brought to the party.

This reduction in size makes the PDW easy to use in vehicles; its compact design allows easy maneuverability, especially when going in and out of the vehicle or in a security detail.

The “Purpose-Designed Weapon” has gone through many changes over the years, leading us to where we are today: with small, light, compact weapons capable of firing rifle calibers along with pistol calibers. This modern PDW is like the adult version of Legos. You have the ability to configure your PDW the way you want, in the caliber you want, from .22 to .458 SOCOM. You can make your PDW small (from the back with side-folding or collapsible stocks or from the front with shorter barrels). Since they are like Legos, the user can have different setups for different mission sets or uses; they have options without having to bring multiple firearms.

Another change that has helped fuel the advancements with the PDW was the creation of ammunition specifically designed for short-barreled rifles. Similar advancements were done for compact handguns when it was noticed that users were not getting the full potential from them. This has allowed for the PDW to be purpose-built, designed so that you get a small, compact system that gives you max results and performance.  Time will tell what the future holds for the PDW and what evolution the system will follow. I can’t wait to see what the future holds and what the next big change will be to the system. The imagination is the only thing that will limit what can be the next PDW.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

Robert G. Segel was well-known in the machine gun community. He had an intense interest in machine guns ever since he was nine years old. His father gave him a “dewat” (deactivated war trophy) Sten Mk II machine carbine that was bought at a local gun show for the princely sum of $25. Collecting dewats from an early age, he built a world-renowned collection of “classic” machine guns and all their associated accessories and memorabilia.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Penny, his two daughters, Lauren and Jennifer, and three grandchildren.

Robert began writing articles for the old Machine Gun News magazine in 1990. His articles concentrated on the early classic World War I and World War II machine guns and all the accessories and memorabilia associated with them.

When that magazine folded in 1997, he began writing for Small Arms Review as a Contributing Editor. In 2004, Robert became the Senior Editor for Small Arms Review and in 2009 he became the Senior Editor for Small Arms Defense Journal as well. Robert retired from those periodicals in 2015, but continued to write for Small Arms Review with a regular column entitled “Emmageeman’s Corner: Machine Gun Memorabilia.”

He had over 500 articles published, in five different languages, on early machine guns in seven countries that include the United States, England, Poland, Switzerland, South Korea, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

Robert was also an acknowledged contributor in over 25 highly-regarded reference books and wrote a book titled, Handbook of Machine Gun Support Equipment and Accessories 1895–1945 (available at EmmaGeeMan.com). He also wrote & co-wrote four machine-gun-related children’s coloring books.

Robert’s book on Machine Gun Memorabilia was planned, following in the tradition of his acclaimed column, “Emmageeman’s Corner,” as well as a book on miniature firearms, of which he was an avid collector. Robert was the North American representative of the Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades’ Association and participated in their articles and events. He was an enthusiastic antique MG car racer, and was known around the world as a good friend, an incredible historical resource and a mentor to many of the new collectors learning their way in the MG community.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)

EX Performance Adjustable M4-Style Stock for AR15/AR10 Carbines

Adaptive Tactical, LLC, manufacturers of firearm stocks and accessories, is proud to announce its EX Performance Adjustable M4-Style Stock for AR-15/AR-10 Carbines has received some updates for 2021 to meet growing customer demand. With its advanced design and high-impact, polymer construction, the EX Performance Adjustable Stock is the ideal upgrade. The stock is engineered for compatibility with MILSPEC buffer tubes, so it works on a variety of AR rifles, shotguns and rimfire platforms. The oversized pin, durable construction and extremely comfortable recoil pad make it an ideal option for customers building larger caliber rifles such as .308, .458 SOCOM and even .50 cal. Designed for owner installation, the quality of its sleek industrial design and construction is evident in the details. Available in Black, FDE and Orange Less Lethal, the EX Performance Adjustable Stock weighs in at 12oz with recoil pad (8oz without pad) and has an MSRP of $49.99.

adaptivetactical.com

Apex Tactical

Failure Resistant Extractor for Springfield Hellcat

Adding to its line of Failure Resistant Extractors, Apex Tactical Specialties is pleased to announce the upcoming release of a Failure Resistant Extractor for the Hellcat model pistols from Springfield Armory. Designed specifically for use in the Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistols, the Apex Failure Resistant Extractor replaces the factory extractor and delivers consistent, reliable extraction. It is machined from a billet of heat-treated stainless steel and the critical engagement surface features Apex’s custom extractor hook geometry. The extractor is Black Melonite finished for enhanced durability. The Apex Failure Resistant Extractor for the Hellcat will soon be available from ApexTactical.com, as well as through a number of dealers, online retailers and distributors.

Features and Specifications:

• Replaces factory extractor
• Features Apex’s custom extractor hook geometry
• Provides consistent, reliable extraction
• Works with all current 9mm Hellcat model pistols
• Easy to install
• Apex Part #: 115-090
• MSRP: $59.95

apextactical.com

PRIMARY ARMS OPTICS

GLx 2x PRISM WITH ACSS GEMINI RETICLE

Primary Arms Optics has released a brand-new reticle option for their popular GLx 2x Prism Scope: the ACSS Gemini.Designed for 9mm carbines and AR pistols, the ACSS Gemini reticle incorporates all the advanced features of ACSS and adapts it for a PCC format. At $369.99, the Primary Arms GLx 2x Prism with ACSS Gemini 9mm Reticle is certain to be a top choice for those seeking an innovative CQB optic for their pistol-caliber carbine.

Weighing in at only 11oz, the GLx 2x Prism is comparable to many full-size red dot and holographic weapon sights, though the ultra-clear 2x magnification and etched ACSS ballistic-compensating reticle provide additional precision at further distances. The daylight-bright illumination with Primary Arms Optics’ patented AutoLive motion-sensing on/off technology grants the user enhanced performance in any environment or lighting condition, while conserving runtime for an extended 20,000-hour battery-life. Since this is a magnified optic with an adjustable diopter, it is well-suited for marksmen with astigmatism, which can greatly impair the visibility of other traditional reflex sights.

primaryarms.com

Liemke

Keiler 13 Pro & Keiler 35 Pro Thermal Monoculars

Liemke is now shipping its popular Keiler 13 Pro and Keiler 35 Pro thermalmonoculars in the United States. Designed as hand-held devices, these compact and rugged spotters can detect heat signatures in all light conditions—nighttime, daytime, dawn or dusk—giving hunters a clear edge in the field for observing and tracking game. The pocket-size Keiler 13 Pro features heat signature detection up to 500 yards while the Keiler 35 Pro has detection capability up to 1,350 yards. Heat sources can be displayed in various color modes in both models and can be enlarged digitally to show even finer detail when viewing game. 

These high-performance monoculars are built to withstand the heaviest downpours and have 50 Hz frame rates ensuring fast refresh rates for unsurpassed image quality and easy viewing. They also have recording capability with internal data storage of 16G.   Video and photos can be transferred via cable from the Keiler 13 Pro. The Keiler 35 Pro has integrated Wi-Fi allowing live image data to be transferred to an Android or Apple device up to 54 yards away.

liemke.com

Safariland

575 Slim Pro-Fit Holster

Safariland, a brand of The Safariland Group, announced new 575 Slim Pro-Fit holsters equipped with Safariland’s Grip Locking System (GLS). The new 575 Slim extends the availability of the popular holster design to subcompact pistols.

“The new 575 Slim builds on the success of our robust 575 in-waistband design,” said Eric Gasvoda, Vice President and General Manager for The Safariland Group duty gear division. “The new 575 models are built for the smaller 9mms and other pistols designed for everyday carry. With Safariland’s GLS retention and the 575’s ease of concealment, this is a great way to secure your carry gun so it is ready and accessible when you need it most.”

The new 575 Slim IWB GLS Pro-Fit holster provides a fully adjustable cant and offers the unique Grip Locking System which secures the firearm once holstered. The retention of the GLS is deactivated with the middle finger while taking a shooting grip during the draw. The body is SafariSeven, a proprietary nylon blend that is non-abrasive to a firearm’s finish and maintains very high heat tolerance as well as low cold tolerance. This holster comes with two belt loop options based on preference (over or under the belt). Its low-cut and compact design makes concealment easy while also allowing for a quick draw.

The new 575 Slim is designed for the GLOCK, Inc. 43, 43X and 48, Springfield Armory Hellcat and XD-S, Sig Sauer P365/P365X, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield/Shield + and similarly-sized pistols. 

safariland.com

Meopta

MeoPro Air Binoculars

Meopta Sport Optics is now shipping its long-awaited MeoPro Air binoculars.  Available in 8×42 HD and 10×42 HD, the Air elevates the MeoPro line to a new level of performance with its advanced optical system, ergonomic open-hinge design and handsome new body style built to withstand the harshest hunting environments.

Featuring high-definition, extra-low dispersion fluoride glass with Meopta’s proprietary MeoBright lens coatings, the Air delivers maximum resolution and contrast with bright images and vivid colors throughout the entire field of view. This exceptional low-light performance—a hallmark of all Meopta optics—allows hunters to see fine detail more clearly at dawn and dusk when it matters most. Meopta’s MeoShield anti-abrasion lens coating offers added protection to exterior lenses in the field, and the MeoDrop hydrophobic lens coating easily repels rain, dust, and grease from exposed lens surfaces. The body is made from lightweight magnesium-alloy and protected by durable rubber armoring that provides a secure, non-slip grip.   

The diopter adjustment is integrated into the top end of the focus knob.  Twist-up eyecups are easily removed for cleaning and designed for use with or without eyeglasses.  Both models are tripod adapter ready, nitrogen purged, and fully sealed for fogproof and waterproof performance in the most demanding conditions. 

MeoPro Air 8×42 HD: Retail Price USD $979.00

MeoPro Air 10×42 HD: Retail Price USD $999.00

meoptasportsoptics.com

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N5 (May 2021)