In 1963, the United States placed an arms embargo against South Africa because of their government’s position on apartheid. This embargo was expanded in 1978 when the United Nations prohibited the export of arms to South Africa from all its member nations. At that time South Africa was experiencing a wave of terrorism that was a threat to its security and stability. Without a reliable supply of arms the situation was getting desperate. South Africa took a bold step and started its own defense industry by creating ARMSCOR along with Lyttelton Engineering Works. Lyttelton was a small arms manufacturing facility located in the beautiful city of Pretoria. I was in South Africa in 1985 and accompanied a friend who had a job interview there. We got a very brief tour of the facility as security was extremely tight at that time. Lyttelton grew under the pressure and was producing the FN FAL under license. They named that rifle the R1 and it was built to supplement the military. They also built the IMI Galil variants, also under license, that were named the R4 and R5. The LM4 was a civilian variation of the R4 as it only fires in the semi automatic mode.

ARMSCOR was also very prosperous and expanded its operation from small arms to military vehicles, electronic and telecommunication equipment. They then started to export these products to other nations bringing much needed revenue to South Africa. This was short lived however, as the United Nations in 1984 passed another resolution calling for another embargo against the purchase of arms from South Africa.

The LM4 was developed for use by civilians and farmers of South Africa. Being isolated on the large farms and cattle ranches, miles from help, they needed a weapon that was both reliable and handy and could produce a great deal of firepower to hold off the bands of heavily armed terrorists that were threatening their very existence.

Lyttelton took the basic Galil design and changed it to develop the R4. It was then refined slightly again in the creation of the LM4. The first change was the elimination of the wood forend and the steel buttstock. On the LM4 the forend is synthetic and the stock tubes were replaced with nylon. The buttstock was also lengthened about an inch to accommodate the larger stature of the average South African. The typical Galil carrying handle was also eliminated. These three changes make the LM4 significantly lighter (4.3kg) which is a benefit to those who have to carry it around all day long. Lyttelton also strengthened the front sight base by adding metal in that area to improve the original Galil design. Another improvement is the typical AK-style safety selector – characteristically both awkward and noisy to engage. On the LM4 it is still there, but it has been supplemented with another lever that is ambidextrous. This new addition is located on the left side of the weapon on the top of the pistol grip. This improvement allows the safety to be engaged while the stock is in the folded position which otherwise would be impossible. It is also a big help for left handed shooters. The only problem with this improvement is that the pistol grip lever operates backwards. The lever must be pulled backward to select “R” (repetition) and pushed forward to select “S” (safe). Despite this design quirk it is a tremendous upgrade as now the shooter does not have to remove his hand from the pistol grip to disengage the safety. The movement of this lever is a bit stiff but proved not be a problem for an average person. It has been reported that several members of the SADF have remedied this situation further by prying the selector away from the receiver slightly. This not only solved the problem of stiffness, it also made quieter the dangerous loud click that occurs when the selector is moved. Another internal change was the addition of a recoil buffer in the back of the receiver, which is a much needed improvement. The 5.56mm version of any of the Kalashnikov variants puts a great deal of force on the rearward motion of the bolt carrier assembly. This is a common problem with this cartridge often resulting in the back end of bolt carriers peened over and the backs of receivers severely battered from this forceful motion. It has been observed that a milled receiver on a new Bulgarian AK actually cracked because of this violent cycling. The large plastic buffer thoughtfully positioned in the LM4 would eliminate this problem.

The LM4 came packaged in a sealed plastic bag. Inside was a very well done instruction manual printed in the typical South African style of both English and Afrikaans, as these were the two official languages of the country at that time. The manual is very comprehensive and covers everything from technical data, operation, disassembly and assembly, preventative maintenance, trouble shooting, guarantee and after sales service.

The rifle came equipped with one 35-round steel magazine, which is identical to the Galil magazine. A nylon 35-round magazine was also available at that time along with a 50-round magazine. The 50-round magazine provides an impressive amount of firepower but its long length prevents its use with the bipod when shooting from the prone position. Another option was tritium night sights. The rear consisted of two dots and the front was a vertical bar. These sights were easy to install and were very bright. They were invaluable at night and could be folded down when not in use. Oddly, the other optional item that had to be purchased separately was a cleaning kit. The kit came in a canvas roll and included all the normal components one would find with one exception: the kit contained a broken shell extractor. Again, some forethought went with this choice. Taking into consideration that a broken shell could render the rifle useless in a tight situation, and the vast distances one would have to travel to remedy this occurrence, this tool gave the farmer or rancher a quick fix that he could do in a few minutes.

The LM4 is a very reliable rifle being able to shoot all types of 5.56mm ammunition with no malfunctions. The trigger is the typical Kalashnikov type that one would encounter in any of the variants and is noted for a great amount of creep. Some say that this creepy trigger affects accuracy, but you must remember that this is a battle rifle and the accuracy it achieves is more than adequate for fighting in the bush.

The LM4 has a pillar-type adjustable front sight and a flip-type rear sight. The low setting is for 0 to 300 meters and the high setting is for 300 to 500 meters. The night sights are set for 100 meters. The recoil produced by the 5.56 round is negligible and therefore it is a very comfortable rifle to shoot.

Very little information is available regarding this rifle as ARMSCOR was more concerned about security than commercial sales. The LM4 is a fine rifle that was very well made and reliable, but was rarely encountered outside of South Africa. Unfortunately, because of the drastic political changes in South Africa, this rifle is no longer in production and examples are extremely rare.

LM4 ASSAULT RIFLE SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber………………………………………………………………….5.56 NATO

Operation……………………Gas. Rotating Bolt, Semi Automatic Only

Weight………………………………………………………………………9.48 lbs.

Length Buttstock folded……………………………………………………29.13 inches

Buttstock extended………………………………………………..39.57 inches

Barrel Length………………………………………………………..18.11 inches

Rifling……………………………………..6 Groove, 1in 11.8” Right twist

Manufacture…….Lyttleton Engineering Works (Pty) Pretoria, RSA.

Anthony Dee

VIMBAR is an acronym for VIntage Military Bolt Action Rifle. This new shooting sport was created about three years ago by Denny Wilcox and Peter Sodoma of Salt Lake City, Utah. The nature of the game is to use old military bolt action rifles in a fun shooting sport utilizing situations that the guns were originally designed for.

The rules are very simple. The rifle must be a military bolt action rifle in an as-issued, battle-ready condition. The sights must also be of standard issue iron configuration, and the rifle must be chambered in its original military caliber. This concept is a great way for a shooter to go out and purchase an inexpensive Mosian Nagant or Mauser rifle, get some cheap surplus ammo, and get involved in a fun type activity for a very low cost initial investment. The great thing is that you will be just as competitive as the next guy.

VIMSAR (VIntage Military Semi Automatic Rifle) is another sub-discipline of the same concept that uses semi automatic Rifles from all eras up to the mid 1950’s. This discipline is currently a side match but is also growing in popularity. Shooters with SKS’s, FN49’s, Hakim’s and G43’s can now have fun with these fine semi automatic military rifles.

Targets for both sports are all steel and are large in size to simulate real-life shooting situations. The idea is to duplicate the capabilities of these rifles on the battlefield. No modern equipment is allowed to assist the shooter. You will not see any laser range-finders or wind flags at a VIMBAR match. The use of ammo cans and field packs may be used as improvised rests. Other military equipment such as pistol belts, ammo pouches, stripper clips and canteens is encouraged. Some clubs even award extra points if a shooter comes in a period uniform or shoots the entire match with a bayonet mounted on his rifle. There is no set standard course of fire to keep things interesting. This way each club can tailor a course to suit their own capabilities.

The first world championship was held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Desert Sportsman Rifle and Pistol Club. This club was the home of several Firepower Demonstrations that were held during the old Soldier of Fortune Conventions and was well suited for this competition. VIMBAR shooters from all over the United States put this fine facility to good use. There were ten different stages of fire used to determine the world champion. The stages were all very different and involved more than just rifle shooting. For example, at one stage the shooter had to use three different weapons. The shooter started with pistol and engaged a steel target before running to another position. There he picked up his rifle and, with a mounted bayonet, attacked a hay bale with three bayonet thrusts before then engaging two rifle targets two hundred yards down range from the standing position. The shooter then had to run to another position, pick up a pre-staged shotgun and load three rounds before neutralizing another steel target. This was a timed stage and the faster time was used to break ties in the main match. All pistols and shotguns used also had to be of a vintage military type. A 1911 Colt, Beretta Model 34, P38 and a Walther PP were seen along with a Model 97 Winchester trench gun.

At another stage, each shooter got the opportunity to shoot a 1919A4 Browning belt fed machine gun. The shooter started at the Browning and fired ten rounds at a target three hundred yards away. Bonus points were awarded if this target was hit. The shooter then grabbed his rifle and moved behind a sandbagged bunker. From that position he then fired ten rounds at two steel targets placed at three hundred and three hundred fifty yards. This entire scenario had to be completed in ninety seconds. This stage was a big hit as several shooters had never had the pleasure of shooting a belt fed machine-gun before!

An interesting array of vintage rifles was represented at the match. There were Mausers of several types and variations with Swedes, 98K’s and Yugos being the most prevalent. Mosin Nagants were very abundant along with some straight pull Swiss K31’s. Several Enfields and Springfields were also seen. Even a rare Model 41 Carcano with set triggers was utilized.

At the end of the main match a team event was held. All the shooters using Axis country rifles were pitted against rifles used by the Allies. Shooters using rifles from neutral countries were used to keep the teams even. The event was a log shoot. Both teams opened fire on a 4X4 log and the team that cut it in half first won the match. In this case the Axis powers prevailed.

The prize table was very impressive and well stocked with a great deal of high quality merchandise. In addition, each shooter received a prize bucket that was filled with a variety of useful items that every shooter could use including ammo, cleaning supplies, three different kinds of gun lube, and passes for a free buffet and several drink coupons at a local Las Vegas club. An impressive catered lunch was provided and the cost was included in the entry fee.

Judging by the enthusiastic attendance and the great time had by all, VIMBAR and VIMSAR will surely gain in popularity around the country.

The top ten shooters for the 2003 VIMBAR World Championship are as follows.

1. Tony Dee – 98 Mauser
2. Denny Wilcox – Yugo M48 Mauser
3. Bobby Ramsay – K31 Swiss
4. Bob Hasagawa – 1903A3 Springfield
5. Joe Brennan – 98 Mauser
6. Derrel Carter – K31 Swiss
7. Peter Sodoma – Enfield #4
8. Miguel Qintanilla – 1903A3 Springfield
9. Sam Salvo – 96 Swedish Mauser
10. Clyde Byerly – 1903A3 Springfield

Ladies Champion

1. Cathie Ringler – 38 Swedish Mauser

A prototype had already been built and was ready for preliminary testing when I became involved. Kodak had developed an insert-molding technique that allowed the imbedding of a pressed glass lens that was not edge trued, into the plastic body of a riflescope. This was a very advanced design and could dramatically lower the cost of quality military optics. The proper positioning of the lenses and prisms was critical to the success of this project and Kodak seemed to have perfected this difficult technique. This new scope was to have a Tritium illuminated reticle and also be fitted with a slide-on night vision adapter. It sounded like a very ambitious project that had almost everything going for it. I was very anxious to see this new scope and begin testing.

The system was never adopted by any military branch and was found to be inadequate in several areas during final field testing. I can attribute this to the simple fact that the majority of the designers and engineers working on this project had almost no firearms experience at all. It is not my purpose to disparage the company or its personnel, but I was amazed at the lack of basic firearm knowledge displayed by the staff. An example of this was apparent at the first test.

I was met at the range by the project manager and several engineers. At that time I was shown a short plastic scope that was mounted on a base that fit into the carry handle of the M-16 by means of a thumbscrew. The one thing that struck me as odd was that neither the scope or mount had any means of adjustment for windage or elevation. When I questioned the project manager about this he assured me that the scope was pre-sighted for trajectory along the bore of the rifle and that any adjustment was unnecessary. I was skeptical at best and began to explain the several variables involved in the mounting and sighting of a riflescope. I was assured that these variables were all taken into consideration and the testing proceeded. The scope was mounted on a rifle and the first tests were conducted to measure the forces recoil would have on the scope. These tests ended satisfactorily but not a single round of ammunition was fired at a target. Weeks later another set of tests were ordered to test the scope for accuracy. As you can imagine, this did not work out very well at all. Some of the engineers could not believe that the scope didn’t shoot the “X” ring out of the target as all of their calculations had predicted. It was then decided that a new mounting system had to be designed that incorporated adjustments for windage and elevation.

A.R.M.S., a well known scope-mount manufacturer was contracted to manufacture several prototype mounts that had thumbwheel adjustments for windage and elevation. These thumbwheels had click type detents and were located on both sides of the mount. The windage knob on one side and the elevation on the other. Several months later after the mounts were completed another round of tests were conducted. These tests were again not very successful as the click adjustments were far too coarse. One click could move the point of impact about twelve inches at one hundred yards. This was understandably unacceptable and revisions were ordered. By this time an alternative mounting system was also being considered.

I provided the project manager with some old type Bausch & Lomb mounts. These mounts had external adjustments for windage and elevation and had proven themselves reliable in the old Bausch & Lomb Balvar, Balfor & Baltur Riflescopes of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Like the Kodak scope, the Bausch & Lomb scopes also lacked any internal adjustment. A prototype mount was built and worked quite well. The scope could be adjusted finely and hold zero reliably. About this time a prototype of the Night Vision adapter was completed. It utilized a second generation intensifier tube that was activated by a lithium power source. The mounting system and focusing adjustments were not perfected at this point in time, but the system did work. There were at least two types of reticles developed for this system and a photo of the final design is shown. Some of the prototype scopes did not have the tritium lit reticles and the first ones had very crude hand etched reticles. There were two types of the revised A.R.M.S. mounts built. One fit into the carry handle of the standard upper receiver. The other was manufactured with a “Weaver” type base made to fit on the then newer type “Flat Top” type upper receiver. A padded O.D. colored nylon case was designed for the carrying of the scope on a belt. A final prototype design was submitted for testing, but was found to be unacceptable for service. At this time the project was disbanded and the personnel were reassigned.

I felt that this system had a great deal of potential but in my opinion the project was doomed from the onset. The main reason was the dismal lack of basic firearms knowledge of the personnel involved. If the scope had been originally designed with internal adjustments it would have had a far better chance of being successful. It is incomprehensible that a multi-million dollar project of this magnitude would be initiated without the input of several “Reasonably Knowledgeable Individuals” or (RKI’s) as we know them at SAR.

A few of the remaining prototype scopes and mounts have found their way into the hands of such a person. These scopes are unique in their design and are a rare piece of firearms history. If anyone is interested in obtaining one for their personal collection you can contact me through SAR and I will put you in contact. Please, serious inquiries only.

The Japanese required a rifle that was similar to the standard issue Model 38 Arisaka in almost every respect. In 1938 The Italian Royal Arms Factory (F.A.R.E., Fabbrica Armi Rego Esercito) designed and built a rifle that fit their needs and it was subsequently called the Type “I”.

This new rifle utilized a Model 91 Carcano action as a starting point. One major difference was that the single stack 6 round Mannlicher clip that was standard on the Italian Carcano was not used in the Type “I”. A staggered 5 round box magazine common to the Arisaka and the 98 Mauser was successfully mated to the Carcano action. The gun was then chambered in the standard 6.5mm Japanese semi-rimmed caliber and the action was notched to accept the Japanese stripper clip. The rifle also used the standard Japanese bayonet and sling. The sights were also similar to the Arisaka and were adjustable from 400 meters to a very optimistic 2400 meters. The front sight was adjustable by means of a dovetailed slot.

The stock was manufactured just like the Arisaka using the two piece buttstock. This design required that the buttstock be dovetailed and pinned together. The buttstock came in two different lengths. The shorter one should fit the average Japanese soldier just fine. The longer version seemed to be far too long for the average person. It has been reported that these longer rifles were specifically made for some Special Naval Landing Force units (The Japanese Marines); that had members of particularly large stature. These longer stocked rifles would fit these soldiers comfortably.

The Type “I” was built by three Italian arms factories between 1938 and 1939. Most were produced by “Gardone V.T”. (50,000 to 70,000), followed by “FNA Brescia” (30,000 to 40,000) and “Beretta” (20,000 to 30,000). The total estimated production was between 100,000 to 140,000.

There are no markings on the rifles that will tell you the manufacturer without disassembly. The serial number is all that appears visible on the left side of the chamber. If you remove the action you would see proof marks and the manufacturer marks on the bottom of the receiver. However, I have seen some rifles with no markings at all. An easier way to determine the manufacturer is the following guide. A letter code was assigned to the different factories to precede the serial number.

A, B, C, D, E, F > Gardone V.T.

G, H, I > FNA. Brescia

J, K, L > Beretta

Some “J” series rifles were made by FNA. Brescia due to an overrun.

These were very well built sturdy rifles that weighed in at an impressive 8 lbs. 12 ozs. They are a pleasure to shoot with a minimum amount of recoil and they are very accurate. The rifles used in this article are typical examples. One was made by Gardone and has the longer style stock. The other one was built by FNA, and it also has the longer stock. This gun has a mint bore and is very accurate. The group shown was shot at 100 yds with Norma factory ammo and measures just under 2 1/2 inches.

A great deal has been written regarding the poor quality and inaccurate Carcano rifle. I have found from personal experience that the Carcano is a very good weapon and with proper ammunition it can be a very accurate rifle. The Carcano served its country for over 60 years. I find it difficult to accept that any country would utilize a rifle in two World Wars if it was unsafe and inaccurate.

The Type “I” was used extensively in the Philippines and several were captured in the battle for Okinawa. They saw service in Peliliu, Burma and several other campaigns. They were also standard issue to several Japanese Navy units. These rifles served with distinction and are a unique piece of WW II History with a very unusual origin.

By Anthony Dee

It is not very often that the public has the opportunity to shoot in a formal competition on a Police Range. It is even more uncommon for the public to shoot in competition with law enforcement officers. What is almost totally unheard of is that the public would be able to fire their own automatic weapons in competition at a police range. But that is exactly what has happened for the past three years in the annual Iron Man Competition sponsored by the North Las Vegas Police Citizens Academy Alumni. This enthusiastic group of people have put together a very unique pistol and machine gun match that has been enormously successful. The North Las Vegas Police Department heartily endorses this competition and donated the use of their range along with support personnel.

The main match is a practical pistol match that utilized both steel and paper targets. A mandatory reload is incorporated along with a weak hand stage. Targets had to be engaged in a specific order and the steel plates were a must hit target. No point value was credited to the steel but they had to fall. Standard UPSPA-IPSC targets were used. The shooter may enter as many times as he likes for an additional entry fee. The weapons used must use standard sights with no exotic accessories such as compensators or lasers are allowed. A minimum caliber of 9mm is required. All shooting is done with the gun in hand resting on a starting rail approximately three feet high. Targets were pasted and reset by the local Police Explorer group and food and refreshments were served all weekend long. Approximately 130 shooters entered over the course of the weekend. A team event was also included. The different classes were as follows. Law-Enforcement Team Division, Security Team Division, Open Team Division, Individual Open Division, Individual Division Revolver Class, Sub-Machine Gun Division, and a Novice Division for inexperienced, individual shooters.

The Sub-Machine Gun Match had 16 entries and was a multi-stage event utilizing the Departments brand new SWAT house. This new training facility was built by the members of the Citizens Academy Alumni with all labor and materials donated to the Department.

The shooter started with an empty gun in hand. Upon signal the shooter loaded the gun and, shooting on the move, engaged several paper targets that were partially obscured by hostages. There were two mandatory reloads that the shooter had to perform any time during the course. The shooter then moved to another position and engaged several bowling pins and pepper poppers. Another move was to the “Mouse Trap”. This prop was built to test the shooter’s reaction time and trigger control. The shooter had to shoot a bowling pin off a shelf which activated a trap door in front of two targets . The shooter then had to neutralize the two targets before the falling door covered them . Any shots that went through the door were counted as misses plus penalties.

The shooter then moved to the SWAT house. The shooter first engaged paper targets and pepper poppers on the left side of the house. He then moved to the front of the house and engaged two more paper targets through a window before entering. Upon entering the shooter went down several hallways opening doors to several rooms.

The shooter had to immediately assess the situation and make the decision to take out the various bad guys without hitting the various good guys and hostages that were interspersed among the bad guys. When you finished, I can honestly say that you were thoroughly winded.

Several raffle prizes were given to competitors during the weekend that were donated by local merchants and sponsors. The actual shooting Awards were given personally by Chief Joey Tillmon at an official ceremony at Police Headquarters after the scores were tabulated.

The Ironman Competition is a great public relations tool for the North Las Vegas Police Department. It shows a solid commitment to the encouragement of safe and legal firearms competition, even with the inclusion of Class III type firearms. I wish other Police Departments across the country would be so enlightened.

Winners of the two divisions of the Sub-Machine Gun Category were:

Law Enforcement:

Anthony Dee, Rochester Police Department. Shooting a Beretta 38A

Civilian:

Larry Miranda, Shooting an MP5K

Any readers who have attended any of the Solider Of Fortune Conventions in Las Vegas should be familiar with the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club. All of SOF’s Firepower demonstrations and Three gun shooting competitions have been held there. We are located just outside the beautiful Red Rock Canyon recreational area off W. Charleston Blvd. on the outskirts of Las Vegas. The club facilities cater to several shooting disciplines, Benchrest, Silhouette, IPSC, Cowboy, IDPA and Hi.Power. We have several different range areas to cater to their needs. What you may not know is that we also conduct a monthly Machine Gun match. In fact we have been conducting these regularly scheduled matches longer than any other club in the country. I have been the match director for the past two years and would like to share one of our recent matches with you. We meet on the first Sunday of the month and usually set up some sort of tactical course. We use a wide variety of targets and props that are available from the clubs large assortment. We like to use a mix of steel, paper and bowling pin targets to keep it interesting. We are very fortunate here that several of the shooting disciplines share their resources so there is always something new to challenge the contestants. This particular match was a six stage assault course in which the shooter started sitting with an unloaded gun. Upon signal the shooter loaded the gun and moved to what we call the Mousetrap. This prop was built from a similar one seen in a earlier edition of MGN. The shooter had to engage a bowling pin sitting on a platform and doing so activated a falling door. The shooter had a very short time to engage the two exposed targets without hitting the door. The shooter then moved to a three position barricade and had to engage a variety of targets through each of the openings. From there the shooter moved to a barrel and engaged a variety of steel plates shooting through the barrel. The shooter then moved to a doorway and upon opening the door a turning target was activated and the shooter had to engage it before is moved out of sight. The shooter then engaged a steel plate which activated a hostage target that moved in front of a bad guy. Needles to say the bad guy had to be neutralized before the hostage obstructed its path. The shooter then moved to a mailbox and engaged several pepper poppers interspersed with good guys. Next were several bowling pins and finally a falling plate to stop the timer. Penalties are given for targets that are not neutralized with the fastest time being the winner. We usually have a team match at the end of the regular match and awards are given at all the matches.

We have a large Class III community here in Las Vegas and we always try to promote these weapons in a positive manner. I always have a gun available to anyone who wants to take part in a match free of charge. Just bring ammo.

Another aspect that has been present here in Las Vegas for several years is that there are a few gunshops in town that rent subguns for use on their indoor ranges. One of the oldest and the best, (I work there) is The Gun Store on East Tropicana Ave. They offer 10 different guns to rent. These are a big hit with our tourist community and make for some lasting memories of this fabulous city. If you should find yourself in Las Vegas be sure and look us up you’ll be glad you did.

Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc.

Post Office Box 517
Las Vegas NV 89125-0517
702-642-9928

The Gun Store

2900 East Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89121
702-454-1110