Tactical Use of Low-Signature Weapons for Military and Police

By Mark White.
Copyright 2010, 2012 Paladin Press.
Soft cover, 5 ½” x 8 ½” 110 pages $15.95
Reviewed by Dean V. Roxby

Suppressed firearms hold a particular fascination for many shooters. This book explores the science and myths associated with suppressors. The book is divided into many short individual chapters covering such topics as: The True Cause of Firearm Discharge Noise- The Mach Disc, Bore Diameter and Relative Loudness, Power Levels of Subsonic Ammo, etc.

While the book does contain much useful information, it also tends to wander somewhat. Six pages dedicated to ancient spears and arrows seem a bit out of place. (Although, to be fair, there is a brief reference to the lethal range of 4,000 year old sling technology in a critical look at the 5.56×45 round later on.) As well, many of the chapters are no more than one or two paragraphs long, yet are given a full page. The result is that rather than 110 pages of info, there are perhaps 60 or 70 pages of actual suppressor information. The book is primarily text, with no plans, design sketches, charts, or graphs given, and only a few photos.

Having said that, it is a good source of firearms info, with attention paid to such the above mentioned Mach Disc, the supersonic crack of a bullet, barrel porting to keep the bullet subsonic, energy levels of a subsonic bullet, even the issue of moisture trapped in the barrel if the suppressor is kept on the rifle. Much attention is given to the matter of longer, heavier bullets suited for subsonic use, and the appropriate rifling twist required. The subject of getting bullets to yaw or turn sideways after striking flesh is addressed as well, including a chapter on Slant-Nose bullets. The author also mentions that as a subsonic round does not require a long barrel to achieve great velocity, the barrel can be made shorter and therefore stiffer, thus giving greater accuracy. The four page chapter on powder selection and charges is quite informative.

The book ends with a chapter discussing the ballistics of various supersonic cartridges often used for police and military sniping work, followed by a warning about test firing a new suppressor with subsonic ammo prior to using supersonic ammo.

Overall, this book does contain some very good information relative to the author’s targeted subjects, but it is not the complete treatise on suppressor technology.

Military Rifle and Machine Gun Cartridges

By Jean Huon
Copyright 1988. Ironside International Inc., Alexandria, VA
Hardcover, 6” x 9” 378 pages.
$34.95
Reviewed by Dean Roxby

If you are a serious cartridge collector or student of military small arms, you should be aware of this book. Very well written, and very thorough, it details military rifle cartridges in use since 1870.

The author, Jean Huon, originally published this book in French, (Les Cartouches Pour Fusils Et Mitrailleuses). He is a very prolific author, having many articles (including over three dozen for SAR) and books to his credit. He is recognized as a very thorough researcher, so it is no surprise this book is first class reference material. It must be noted that it was printed in 1988, so there are several cartridges that came later that do not appear in this edition. (There is an updated version in French).

The book is divided into two main parts, Metric calibers and British & U.S. (meaning Imperial dimensions) cartridges. A short introduction precedes the main reference section. This introduction briefly describes the chronological progression of ammunition development, starting with paper cartridges, then rimfire and pinfire, and finally centerfire. The Metric section is the largest section of the two due mainly to the numerous European designs. Each cartridge is given at least a full page, sometimes more.

The 8×57 Mauser and the .30-06 are each given seven pages and the mighty .303 British is given eight pages. Most of this is used for photographs and notes of variations of the round like ball, tracer, AP, blank, wood blank, drill rounds, etc.

Besides the usual suspects, there are some really rare, unusual rounds profiled. Ever heard of or seen a .40 Booby Trap round? It is a British WW2 era anti-personnel “set-gun” device that is left in the ground, much like a mine.

As is traditional for cartridge books, the rounds are listed in order of increasing diameter, from 4.5mm (4.5×26 Interdynamic rimfire) to 18mm (18x35R Tabatiere), and .17 (.17 SBR) to .60 machine gun. Each entry gives cartridge dimensions and weight of a complete round. (Entirely in Metric! Be aware of this if you are Metric-challenged.) There is also a brief but concise explanation and history of each round, and a photograph of a standard ball round, and often of other types. A photo of the rifle or MG most often associated with the cartridge is also shown. The photos are entirely B&W. The main photo of the round is in true scale, which makes it useful for identifying mystery rounds. A nice feature of this book is that if a cartridge has several names, they too are listed. The 8×57 has 12 aliases.

Following the Imperial section is a short section on various experimental rounds that were made in very limited amounts and never saw service. This section is only a group photo of cartridges, with no further details provided.

This book is a worthy addition to the library of any serious cartridge collector or military arms enthusiast.

23 December, 2013. It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to General Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, age 94, who passed in the afternoon in a hospital in Izhevsk, in the Udmurt Republic. The Father of the AK47 affected just about every person on the planet; who hasn’t heard of his weapon systems or had their lives affected in some manner?

The Great Designers of the 20th Century – Browning, Stoner, Nambu, Hotchkiss, Lewis and Maxim include the Sergeant from Kurya as one of their own.

Kalashnikov was born on 10 November, 1919, in Kurya, the Kuryinsky District, Altai Krai, Russia, just after the Red Revolution of 1917. He fought in The Great Patriotic War against the Nazi Germans, and was wounded. In his 20s, while recuperating, he designed what became the AK47 Assault Rifle.

While Small Arms Review counted the General as one of our heroes, and we’ve devoted much of our editorial space to his designs and the offshoots thereof, it seems like everyone remembers him simply on his weapon designs. The personal anecdotes will flourish in the press as writers vie to tell their stories. We would like to take a moment to remember Mikhail Kalashnikov as the family man he was in the photo above during his 85th birthday party. In his expressions to us, he was the father/grandfather first, then a Patriot of Mother Russia, and then the inventor of weapons.

He was surrounded by his family and friends for the balance of his life. The Western Press frequently quotes the General as saying he regretted his weapon inventions, but that would be patently false, simply a ruse by apologists to paint over his legacy. As a patriot of Russia, and a staunch Communist of the old school, Kalashnikov believed firmly in his contributions as protecting his beloved Russia and the Russian people as well. He was always close friends with the designers at Zastava in Serbia, and communicated with weapons designers and friends around the world, including Eugene Stoner. The only regret that this writer is familiar with Kalashnikov expressing, was related to certain terrorists using his weapons, never a regret regarding professional soldiers.

-Dan

MAGPUL INTRODUCES THEIR NEW MBUS PRO BACK-UP SIGHTS

The MBUS Pro is a new corrosion resistant all-steel back-up sighting solution that delivers maximum functionality and strength with minimum bulk at a price that’s even smaller than its size. The dual aperture, windage adjustable Rear and no-tool, elevation adjustable Front excel in all 1913 Picatinny rail mounting applications, including rail-height gas blocks. Positive detents keep the MBUS Pro Front and Rear at standard AR sight height when deployed, and so low when they are stowed that you’ll never notice them until they’re needed. Narrow width Front is compatible with most IR aiming laser and light installations for the professional user. For more information contact Magpul Industries Corporation, P.O. Box 17697, Boulder, CO 80308. Phone: (877) 462-4785. On the web at www.magpul.com.

TWO NEW COLT COMPETITION SPORTING RIFLES

Bold Ideas Texas, the Licensed Manufacturer of the CCR Colt Competition Rifles, is proud to introduce two new CSR Colt Sporting Rifles, the CSR-1516 and CSR-1518. Immediately available to the consumer market, the CSR-1516 and CSR-1518 Colt Sporting Rifles are ideal choices for sportsmen, target shooters, and hunters alike due to their superb accuracy and reliability. Both models are chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) and are designed to handle 50 grain to 77 grain bullets. Whether shooting tight groups at the range or competing in 3-gun matches, these new Colt Sporting Rifle models offer reliable performance at a price anyone can afford. Built on forged Mil-Spec-alloy receivers, the CSR-1516 and CSR-1518 feature match-grade Colt-branded chrome-moly steel barrels, button-rifled with a 1 in 8 inch right-hand twist, and air-gauged for quality. For corrosion resistance, all CSR barrels are finished in matte-black manganese phosphate. Each CSR rifle comes with a 12-inch float-tube handguard with a top mounted 7-slot accessory rail, a Colt-branded finger-groove rubber grip with integral beavertail, and a Colt Match-Target Trigger with a crisp 6 pound release. Each Colt Sporting Rifle ships with one 30-round magazine. The CSR-1516 weighs less than 6-1/2 pounds with a quality 16-inch mid-weight barrel, and measures 32.75 inches retracted and 36 inches extended. The buttstock is a Colt-branded 6-position adjustable carbine stock in an improved M4-style. The MSRP for the CSR-1516 is $990. The CSR-1518 weighs less than 7 pounds with an 18-inch mid-weight match-grade barrel, and measures 34.75 inches retracted and 38 inches extended. The buttstock is a Colt-branded 6-position adjustable rifle stock with a wide ambidextrous cheek rest for comfort and improved shootability. The MSRP for the CSR-1518 is $1,049. For more information contact them at www.coltcompetitionrifle.com.

TERRALUX INTRODUCES MORE POWERFUL LED FLASHLIGHTS

TerraLUX is a leader in LED technology. They are constantly thinking of new ways to improve lighting, save energy, time and money. Now, TerraLUX has developed a new state of the art portable light called the TT-5. This tactical LED light has four different stages of brightness; High, Medium, Low and Strobe. Since the TT-5 has a tempered glass lens, rest assured you will be getting the very best view straight ahead as long as 170 meters. The TT-5 can survive the most rugged and tough environments. The LED flashlight is CNC machined 6061 aluminum, type III hard anodize. However, if something were to happen, the TT-5 has a lifetime warranty. Technicians, law enforcement officers, military personnel and hardcore outdoorsmen all appreciate the durability and reliability that comes with owning a TerraLUX light. TerraLUX TT-5 is designed with the pros in mind but sold without the professional price tag, and there are no bulbs to replace and no expensive specialty batteries to buy. TerraLUX flashlights can be purchased online at www.terraluxportable.com.

Bushnell Announces Three New Extreme Range Rifle Scopes

Bushnell Outdoor Products, an industry leader in high performance sports optics for 65 years, has introduced a new Elite Tactical 4.5-30x 50mm extreme range riflescope (XRS). This high-powered first focal plane riflescope is built for long-range target acquisition and available with three reticle options: Horus H59, the TreMoR2 and the G2DMR. The Elite Tactical 4.5-30x 50mm XRS riflescope packs a robust magnification range yet measures just 14.4 inches in length. With the potential to acquire targets at extended ranges with the XRS, Bushnell has incorporated its new Z-Lok locking elevation turret, which has .1 mil clicks and 10 mil revolutions. In addition, the new Z-Lok features a zero stop that allows the shooter to preset the zero and avoid the possibility of dialing below zero. Because windage adjustments require less dialing, the T-Lok turret is used on the windage knob and can be quickly lifted for adjustments when conditions change and instantly locked into place by depressing the turret to its standard position. Bushnell Elite Tactical series scopes are built to withstand the rigors of the field, whether in military and law enforcement situations, competitions or countless rounds at the range. With fully multi-coated optics and the anti-reflective Ultra Wide Band (UWB) coating, the scope has 95 percent light transmission. This results in enhanced clarity, exceptional brightness and true color from dawn to dusk. Built from high-quality forged aluminum alloy, the scope features a robust 34 mm one-piece tube and Argon purging. Elite Tactical riflescopes are 100 percent fog proof, shock proof and waterproof. The permanent, water-resistant finish causes moisture to bead up and scatter less light, giving shooters a clear view when weather conditions present a challenge. The Bushnell Elite Tactical 4.5-30x 50mm XRS is available in a black finish with either the H59 or G2DMR reticle for a suggested retail price of $2,149.99, and in the new flat dark earth finish with the H59, TreMoR2 or G2DMR reticle for $2,199.99. For more information about the Bushnell Elite Tactical series, visit the product section online at www.bushnell.com.

CALDWELL INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCTS

Caldwell is pleased to introduce new AR Transporter Case. Caldwell’s AR Transporter Case is perfect for transporting and storing your AR-15 and separate upper assembly. This padded case is made of heavy duty ballistic fabric for durability and has a comfortable padded shoulder strap and wide carrying handles. The case features a large fully zippered accessories pouch and 6 Hook & Loop top magazine pouches. Caldwell’s AR Transporter Case will hold most configurations of AR-15s up to a full size AR-15 with A2 stock, scope, and 24-inch barrel (overall rifle length 42 inches). Internal attached Hook & Loop straps hold your AR secure during transport. An additional scoped upper assembly can be strapped in as well. Interior open cell foam padding allows you to customize the fit of the case to your AR-15 with just the use of a razor knife. Interior gun cutout accepts scoped rifles up to 42 inches long.

Also new is the Caldwell Brass Trap. Are you tired of spending as much time sifting through grass looking for brass as you do shooting at the range? Look no more with the Caldwell Brass Trap. It is specifically designed to catch the brass in most shooting environments, styles and guns. The Brass Trap quickly assembles to be set on a bench and catch all or your rifle brass or placed on tripod to catch all of your pistol brass. The heat resistant mesh bag design allows wind through so it stays put no matter what. When you are done shooting unzip the zipper for quick brass removal and break it down to store in your range bag. Spend more time shooting and less time looking for brass with the Caldwell Brass Trap. It also prevents hot brass from landing on the shooter or someone next to him as well as keeping brass clean for reloading. The unit includes a carry bag and attaches to any tripod with a 1/4-20 male threaded stud (tripod not included). For more information contact Battenfield Technologies, Inc., 5885 West Van Horn Tavern Road, Columbia, MO 65203. Phone: (877) 509-9160. Website: www.battenfieldtechnologies.com.

Chris Kurzadkowski was not new to firearms. While serving active duty in the Army he was on the 9th Infantry rifle team and eventually would become the division sniper. Then he was off to Korea, then to the 7th Infantry Division where he was assigned to CEDC while on active duty with a test battalion. Then he entered the Army Reserves where he wound up in Mechanized Infantry units and finally to test and evaluation units until he retired. He tested small arms and served in test and evaluation units until his retirement from the reserves.

Battle Rifle Company debuted at the 2012 SHOT Show where he introduced his standard lines of rifles. In 2013 the company attended SHOT Show as well as the NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits.

With all these different Black Rifle manufacturers, something has to set each of them apart from the other. Battle Rifle Company has many areas they stand out.

• Every rifle is assembled by an armorer. There is no production line. Each rifle is individually crafted and custom for the customer if special ordered. It is Chris’ plan to remain this way. Although only 30 rifles are made per month at this point, he plans to hire additional experienced armorers to increase production to 100 per month.
• Battle Rifle Company manufactures their own design flash suppressor that eliminates 98% of the flash according to Battle Rifle Company.
• All of the barrels are cryogenically treated to increase the life of the barrel.
• Each rifle is custom tuned to run optimally.
• Every rifle has a rail of some sort on it. Knowing most every customer would want one to add accessories, the rifle is provided this way so it may be pulled right out of the box and put into service.
• Every rifle is equipped with back up sights. Early rifles have either A.R.M.S., Inc. folding polymer sights or Magpul polymer sights. As of this writing, Battle Rifle Company is phasing in their own design folding back up sights on their production rifles.
• Each rifle comes with a C Products steel magazine or PMag LR polymer magazine.
• Each trigger is polished giving a trigger pull from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 pounds. Also what is a referred to as rapid reset spring are added to increase the speed of follow up shots.
• All components are manufactured by manufacturers that make Mil-Spec parts for the U.S. government as well as the OEM that produce them such as bolts, carriers, receivers and so on.
• The customer has options of stock assemblies such as the Damage Industries Enhanced Combat System Stock, Magpul stocks, Chaote M4 stock and Enhanced M4 stock to name a few.
• Depending on the model, the barrels are manufactured by Ballistic Advantage, Green Mountain, DSS or Blackhole Weapons.
• Every mag well is currently inspected with numerous manufacturers of magazines to insure compatibility with all commercially available magazines.

The rifle submitted for test and evaluation had an 18-inch barrel with the Battle Rifle Company designed Disintegrator flash hider. The precision machined barrel has a 1 turn in 11 inch twist and is cryogenically treated to relive stress from the steel. There is a low profile gas block, which is under the handguard. The rifle was equipped with a Troy Industries fully free floating handguard. There are removable rail sections on the handguard as well. There are two-inch rail panel sections on the front left and right side and a 4-inch rail panel on the front bottom of the handguard. Attached to that is a Harris bipod, which is standard on the 18 and 20-inch barrel versions of the rifle. The 18 inch barrel uses a mid length gas tube.

The upper receiver is DPMS pattern with the combination of forward assist and fired cartridge case deflector all in one. This particular rifle had a standard charging handle/latch. There is an ejection port dust cover as well. The front and rear back up sights provided on this rifle were the A.R.M.S., Inc. #17 folding polymer buis.

The bolt carrier group provided was the JP Enterprises low mass bolt carrier and enhanced bolt. The low mass bolt carrier is designed to regulate the bolt velocity with regulation of gas pressure rather than by the mass of the bolt. The enhanced JP Enterprises bolt is a high pressure bolt and deals with ammunition incompatibility that plagues .308 rifles. Primer blowback and case head ejector flow modifications have been made. The bolt uses a more durable extractor over a wide variety of ammo. The firing pin mass has been reduced and that gives a 30% increase lock time.

The lower receiver also is DPMS based. The receiver extension offers six positions for the buttstock. The rifle was equipped with an Enhanced Combat Stock system with a sling swivel and easy grip adjustments. The stock has a triangular shaped cheek weld with the Battle Rifle logo on it. The rifle features a custom heavy buffer. The rifle has an Ergo grip that makes a much more comfortable and stable grip on the pistol grip. An ambidextrous safety lever was provided on the lower receiver. The trigger guard is part of the lower receiver making it very strong and durable. The magazine well is adapted for the standard SR-25/original AR-10 pattern rifle. The rifle was supplied with one Magpul PMag LR magazine and was also tested with a Knights Armament steel 20-round magazine as well as a C-Products steel magazine. The trigger provided in this rifle was a standard one stage combat trigger that broke at 7 1/2 pounds. On the rear of the receiver extension plate is a one point sling adapter mount. There is a tensioning screw located in the bottom of the lower receiver that permits tension to be put on the upper receiver to keep the receiver’s tight similar to that of the SIG 517 rifle.

The rifle was equipped with a Trijicon ACOG 4×32 TA31RCO-A4CP. This optic is powered by both fiber optics in day time use and tritium lamp by night. The scope is manufactured from 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum forgings, same as the Mil-Spec M16/M4-series rifles. The scope was equipped with a flash kill on the end to eliminate glare being seen that may give away the shooter’s position. The reticle was a red chevron with a bullet drop indicator. This particular optic has bullet drop compensation for the M855 62gr 5.55mm projectile but zeroing at 100 meters worked just fine for this 7.62x51mm rifle.

The ammunition chosen for this test and evaluation rifle was U.S. military M118 Match 7.62mm ammunition, Hornady 175gr Superformance Match OTM and Black Hills 168gr OTM. Silver State Armory 7.62x51mm M80 FMJ ammunition was used for function testing. The rifle experienced no malfunctions with any of the ammunition. More than 200 rounds of M80 ball were fired. The best group of the day was 1.565 inches at 100 yards using Hornady Superformance Match 178gr BTHP (#8077) ammunition. All ammunition fired was under 2 MOA. The only issue encountered with this rifle, and it may have affected the accuracy, was the trigger. The trigger had significant creep and was scratchy. In speaking with Chris Kurzadkowski, he stated that all new production rifles will come with a two stage trigger. I expect this rifle would have shot even better with one of these newer triggers.

The rifle can be had in 14.5, 16, 18 and 20-inch barrel lengths. There are various offerings with different rail assemblies and ambidextrous charging handle/selector lector lever. BRC also offers their logo to be left black or colored in their trademark yellow. Battle Rifle Company is a new entry into the Black Rifle market and just finding their way in. Although they do not make many rifles they do make fine quality rifles.

Nothing is as individualistic as choosing the pack for carrying necessary items on a mission or even a back country foray. Factors such as accessibility, adaptability, fit, weight to mobility ratio, retention, and most effective use of limited real estate found on an operators body all come into play in the decision making process. Military, law enforcement, private security contractors (PSC) and civilians each will have different stimuli dictating what carry method works better from them. The process gets even more complicated when multiple weapon platforms are in the operator’s inventory. Training experience, observation, and communication with personnel from the above mentioned cross section – military, law enforcement, PSC, and civilian – indicates that Eberlestock is a good place to start looking for a pack.

Eberlestock traces its founding to 1985. At the time, Glen Eberle was working his way through college and competing in biathlons at the Olympic level. Glen Eberle was a member of the U.S. National Biathlon Team for eight years, and a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team. Biathlon is a grueling sport that combines the opposing disciplines of cross country skiing and rifle marksmanship. Following the 1985 World Championships, Glen decided that it was time to make some changes to the rifle he’d been packing around. He embarked on a project to build a better gunstock. The initial idea was to simply make it stronger, but as he began studying the concept, he realized that there were opportunities for weight savings as well. Glen invented a rifle system that set the standard for modern biathlon competitions by removing four pounds from the rifle weight. Soon, Glen was making dozens of his new stocks. In homage to this start Glen named his company Eberlestock. Eberlestock soon evolved into other innovative products that set the standard in their respective fields: the Eberlestock hunting/military packs. The Eberlestock Gunslinger II (G2) pack is being reviewed herein and serves as an excellent example of Eberlestock’s simple, practical ingenuity.

Glen Eberle’s entry into backpacks evolved from his own passion for hunting in the rugged terrain of Idaho and surrounding states combined with his background in biathlon. Glen states, “…after an elk is down is not the time to think about heading off of the mountain in order to get a freight pack, so that you can come back up the mountain to start carrying meat. At the end of the day, you’ll be glad to have saved those extra miles, especially if they’re vertical ones. The desire to have my meat pack with me, combined with the experience of carrying rifles on my back in the sport of biathlon (along with my habit of tinkering) led me to start making true hunting packs for myself many years ago. At the time, there really weren’t any good hunting packs available, so if you wanted to make something to get the job done, and didn’t own an industrial sewing machine, you spent a little time with a Speedy Stitcher and made what you needed.”

A true hunting/tactical pack is not something picked up at a national retail chain store. It needs to be quiet, tough, and versatile in terms of serving as both a pack for active hunting and when the work starts of packing out meat. Of course, it is not a large stretch of the imagination to realize that once you make a backpack that carries a rifle, then the military, law enforcement, private contractors, and security conscience civilians will take note. Eberlestock’s hunting packs evolution into a tactical pack product line up sped up after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Eberlestock gear is in service all over the world with Special Forces, regular military and police units. Eberlestock’s “secret” as typified by the Gunslinger II is to design a pack so gear is easy to find as well as make it easy to attach things to the outside of it. The G2’s combination of being a top loader and accessible front panel means that the main compartment is hassle free to access. There’s no digging and wrestling with your pack to free an item – its quick at hand. It’s a great combination. Glen learned via biathlon experience if you carry your weapon on your back, you’re much more agile and effective than if it’s stuck in your hands or on a shoulder sling all of the time; simply no better way to move about in an organized fashion. By having the pack carry the rifle, your hands are free for all of the things you need them for when you are traversing terrain. Furthermore, Eberlestock makes it so that you can get your weapons off the pack without having to un-strap everything that you’re wearing. Most importantly the pack must be comfortable considering all the time spent with it out in the field. The Gunslinger II (G2) has all these characteristics.

The G2 is the latest evolution of the original GS05M Gunslinger pack. Glen Eberle relates conversations he had with numerous SOCOM operators who choose the G2 over all others available. It’s a mid-sized pack with a full-width scabbard to better accommodate weapons with larger cross-sections or bulky optics; weapons up to 60 inches long can be accommodated. The wide scabbard also allows it to serve as an excellent laptop or military radio compartment and because it is also wide at the bottom users have the option of carrying weapons butt-down or butt-up. Eberlestock’s “Control Clips” at the top of the G2’s Backscabbard compartment are used to segregate the scabbard and also to securely hold a rifle. The Control Clips are also used to hold the top cover onto the scabbard locking your rifle into the pack. The G2 offers 2,700 cubic inches of space measuring 22 inches high, 10 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. The G2 can be generalized as a Three-Day pack in terms of what it can carry afield. The G2 is waterproof with the 1000d Cordura Nylon material polyurethane coated.

The G2 comes with the Eberlestock’s Intex-II frame system. The Intex-II is another example of Eberlestock innovation; it out-performs both traditional external frames and internal frames. The G2 equipped with Intex-II frame offers the support structure of an external frame without the noise. The Intex-II frame helps to minimize weight while offering the close to the body ride and comfort of an internal frame pack. The G2 weighs just over 8 pounds. The Intex-II adds a new level of stability to the Gunslinger II making it a tough heavy load capable pack. The Intex-II frame can be removed, which effectively reverts the pack back to the traditional G2 platform. The distinguishing Eberlestock weapon scabbard of the G2 can be folded into the pack secured by a buckle if not required. This configuration is good for shorter weapons and other gear. The folded scabbard makes a great place to carry a laptop computer if rifle carry is not required for specific missions. Eberlestock has enhanced the padding configuration on the G2 to increase critical comfort points on the users back. The G2 padding and carry straps allow for maximum breathability and optimal contact point for increased comfort even when worn over armor.

The Eberlestock G2 was evaluated during multiple trips to Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC). These visits included accommodating various rifle types that were being tested as well as general scouting/patrolling on EVTC’s 300+ acres. The Eberlestock G2’s versatility was appreciated – especially its numerous easily accessible compartments. Many train and operate with multiple calibers either by choice or necessity. Accessing gear must remain seamless with no hitches caused due to different feel or location of pouches. The G2 is designed with this set of circumstances in mind. An obvious question is to what degree is your rifle accessible when placed in the G2’s scabbard. Most military applications see a sniper or precision rifle contained within the G2 scabbard during entry into operational zone with CQB weapon carried in the hand. It is certainly not optimal if surprised and required to dig your weapon out of the scabbard during a hunting or tactical situation. The key to success is drawing the top shoulder pull-straps tight, so that the top of the pack is brought as close to your shoulders as possible. Reach back with your left hand and find the rifle and begin to withdraw it. Once the left arm is extended, reach up and grasp the gun with your right hand and continue to withdraw it. These two hand-holds usually free the gun from the scabbard, and take as little time as un-slinging a gun from your shoulder. This method was validated during “walk arounds” at EVTC.

Anyone contemplating using an Eberlestock pack, or any other pack for that matter, is encouraged to visit Eberlestock’s well done informative website. Much valuable knowledge is available in terms of custom fitting your pack. The Eberlestock advantage is quickly perceived in terms of adjustability and the insightful tweaks made to their designs with both vertical and horizontal adjustments possible. As discussed on Eberlestock’s site and experienced during use of the G2, start by loosening the shoulder straps enough so that the pack settles right down onto the top of your hips and the bottom of the lumbar pad rests on your upper pelvis. Crank the waist belt tight. Next, adjust the shoulder straps to bring the pack snugly around your shoulders. Next buckle and adjust the chest strap for comfort, and to control the lateral placement of the shoulder straps. Slide the sternum strap vertically up or down as necessary. Finally, crank the top-pull adjustment straps snug to bring the top of the pack closer to your body. These simple measures ensure maximum user comfort and performance while afield. More extensive and detailed directions are available in video form on Eberlestock’s website.

The G2 is no compromise candidate relying on its adaptability for its sole attraction; it offers a user the capability to adapt his equipment to the mission at hand without concern of losing performance. This peace of mind is invaluable for someone working in dynamic shifting environments. The Eberlestock Gunslinger II is not a “sniper” only pack. The G2 is perfect candidate for a “bug out” bag, especially considering one’s weapon can also be stored in same place as pack with a magazine in place if an AR or AK. It is possible to completely cover your rifle with the Eberlestock “butt cover” to keep away elements or prying eyes. A top pocket on the G2 features a handy internal organizer, with several small pockets, pen holders and a padded pocket that effectively serves as magazine holder for AR-15 or similar style magazines. Anyone needing a flexible pack set up that does not compromise on retention, accessibility, and maximum effective use of limited space on one’s person should consider the Eberlestock Gunslinger II.

Eberlestock

PO Box 862
Boise, ID 83701
(877) 866-3047
www.eberlestock.com

The upper receiver is made of 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum and has a forward assist assembly, fired cartridge case deflector and ejection port cover. Top of the rail has a Mil-Std 1913 rail. This is a standard M4-type upper receiver and the charging handle is a standard M4-type charging handle.

Due to the characteristics of the 300 Blackout cartridge a standard M4-type bolt carrier group is used. This particular carrier was a semi-auto only carrier with the sear trip area cut back. The bolt carrier had a properly staked gas key and was finished with the Mil-Spec manganese phosphate finish. The bolt was a standard bolt and the extractor was equipped with a rubber “o” ring that slides over the extractor spring greatly enhancing the extractor force lessening the probability of having the extractor slip off the rim during extraction and ejection.

The lower receiver is also manufactured from 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum. The stock is a standard military style polymer stock with the DoubleStar logo on it. The receiver extension offers six different positions. The rifle used a standard carbine buffer as well. The trigger group is a standard single stage factory trigger. It is this author’s opinion for any combat style rifle this is the optimal type of trigger. This trigger broke at 7 1/4 pounds. The standard A2 style pistol grip was used.

The rifle was provided with one C Products Defense aluminum magazine with an orange anti-tilt follower. This company, formally C Products of Connecticut, was purchased and moved to Florida under new management. The magazines are quite different from the Connecticut made magazines; many improvements have been made to the entire line and some of the magazines have been redesigned entirely. This rifle was test fired with a variety of other magazines including the 3rd generation PMag, Lancer AWM, H&K magazine as well as a standard GI aluminum magazine.

Just in time to test this rifle, a brand new EOTech 300 Blackout optic was received. This optic is designed specifically for the 300 Blackout cartridge. The 300 Blackout model XPS2 1x holographic sight offers two 1 MOA aiming dots that provide precise points of aim throughout the effective range of the round. The 300 Blackout ammunition is offered in both sub and supersonic loads. To switch back and forth, the shooter will need to re-zero but the engraved reticle image on the hood of the sight provides simple reference points. Using the 16 inch barrel of the DoubleStar carbine and a 110 grain supersonic projectile, the top dot of the sight should be zeroed at 100 yards. At this zero distance the second dot will be zeroed at 300 yards. When using the 220 grain subsonic ammunition, the top dot should be zeroed at 50 yards. At this distance the second aiming dot will be zeroed at 250 yards. The sight is powered by a single CR123 battery that will run continuous for 600 hours set on 12. There are 20 different brightness settings of the dots. The intensity is adjustable by pressing the up and down switch on the rear of the sight. To turn the power on, press one of the buttons and to turn off, push both at once. The temperature range of the sight is from -40 to 150°F.

Also just received is the new Otis Technology 300 Blackout cleaning system. Built on their proven “breech to muzzle” cleaning system, this new kit offers every tool necessary to properly maintain a rifle in the new caliber. The kit includes the cable along with chamber brush, bore brush, slotted tip (patch holder) two cleaning picks (for reaching hard to get areas), breech face scraper, nylon all purpose brush, cleaning oil, lens brush, lens cleaner and Q-tips. Additionally, the kit is equipped with a .30 caliber Mongoose brush, which is a bore brush with the top half being a wool mop for quick cleaning in the field. The chamber brush is specifically designed to properly clean the 300 Blackout chamber and barrel extension. All of this fits in a small round package that fits in the palm of your hand. Otis Technology is known to be the premier weapons cleaning system in the world and has been the main cleaning equipment contractor for the U.S. military for many years.

The rifle was test fired with a wide range of 300 Blackout ammunition in both super and subsonic loads. It should be noted that the rifle did not fully cycle with any of the subsonic cartridges. The rifle is designed to have a sound suppressor on when firing this ammunition. When firing this ammunition with a suppressor on, the overpressure conditions caused by the suppressor offer enough chamber and port pressure to cycle the rifle completely. The rifle functioned flawlessly with all of the supersonic ammunition that was fired. The supersonic ammunition included the Barnes 110 grain TAC-TX, Hornady 300 Whisper 110 grain V-Max, Remington UMC 115 grain CTFB and Remington 125 grain AccuTip. For subsonic loads, Remington 300 Blackout 220 grain OTM and Hornady 300 Whisper 208 grain AMAX was used. Groups averaged between 1.5 and 2 inches at 100 yards with the entire variety of ammunition. More than 200 rounds of supersonic ammunition were fired with no malfunctions. Recoil was noticeably more than a 5.56mm but still very easy to control. Quite pleasant considering the recoil of an AK47 firing the comparable 7.62x39mm cartridge. The optic worked just as advertised and if you are dedicating an optic just for the 300 Blackout cartridge the EOTech sight is just what you need.

The 300 Blackout cartridge is certainly here to stay. The cartridge has bridged the gap for those who like the power of the 7.62x39mm cartridge but do not like the AK-type rifle. The DoubleStar rifle is an excellent rifle to fire this cartridge. When using supersonic ammunition, the rifle is reliable and accurate. Keep in mind if you want to fire subsonic ammunition, you will need the sound suppressor to get the rifle to function reliably. The OTIS 300 Blackout cleaning system holds everything needed to properly maintain the rifle. It would be safe to assume there will be more models of this caliber coming out in the future.

Ruger describes its short stroke piston as a two-stage affair eliminating the sharp pulse often associated with other piston ARs as the op-rod strikes the flat faced carrier key located on the bolt carrier. Ruger’s transfer rod lies behind the gas block regulator and rests between captive springs and bushings. The transfer rod is acted on by the piston between it and the gas port regulator sending it rearward to work the SR-762’s action. One interesting feature of the SR-762’s operating method is the inability to remove the transfer rod and spring for routine cleaning and maintenance. Ruger claims this is not needed as the components are nickel-Teflon coated for lubricity and rust resistance with the transfer rod spring made from stainless steel. The movement of the action provides a functional cleaning of the transfer rod. Another reason for Ruger wanting the transfer rod left alone are the bushings installed around it serve to further dampen vibration caused by the piston acting on the transfer rod. It could be problematic for the users to get these re-installed correctly after disassembly. The design makes the Ruger forend almost monolithic in design compared to free floated. Free floated forends are often temperamental in finding a load that suits it compared to “bedded” forends being steadier in accuracy across the board with a variety of loads.

Conversations with Ruger’s Mark Gurney helped to clarify what is meant by Ruger stating that their piston is a two-stage design. As stated above, Ruger wanted to minimize the sharp impulse of the piston striking the bolt carrier typically found in short-stroke ARs. This impulse is the cause of much criticism leveled at piston ARs associated with carrier tilt and the perception that piston driven ARs are inherently more inaccurate than direct impingement brethren. In laymen’s terms, the Ruger piston delivers two smaller impulses to the operating rod in lieu of one longer sharper impulse of other designs. The piston fitting inside the gas regulator is acted upon initially only by a small amount of gas once cartridge ignition occurs and moves down the barrel. The smaller nipple area of the piston moves about 3/16 of an inch unlocking the action; once this happens the larger surface area of the piston is exposed allowing gas pressure controlled by regulator to effect it and cycle the action during the second stage of piston operation. The bullet has left the barrel at this stage. In crude summary, the first stage acts to alleviate the state of inertia in the action by a “softer” impulse which is then followed by the stronger pulse working the action. The net sum of this is a less traumatic strike on the action as typified by other short stroke piston ARs leading, in theory, to better accuracy and better durability in the bolt carrier.

Ruger’s piston AR design has a four position gas regulator allowing for the user to completely cut gas off (Setting #0) in effect making SR-762 a manually operated rifle up to Setting #3 with the widest orifice in case the rifle is extremely fouled or underpowered ammunition encountered. Setting #2 is the normal setting. Ruger is “all in” making the SR-762 one of the most durable piston driven ARs on the market by chrome plating the piston and bolt carrier along with chrome lined Mil-Spec 41V45 1:10 twist hammer forged barrel. The SR-762 has a Ruger Mini-14 style flash suppressor mounted with a 5/8 inch-24 threads. Overall, length of the rifle is 34.75 to 38 inches depending on adjustable buttstock position. Weight of the Ruger SR-762 is 8.6 pounds.

The Ruger SR-762 features a minimized rail design and that helps to save weight. Not all weapons need rails and an array of accessories to be considered viable. While reliability should never be compromised in terms of cost/performance ratios, other items considered a must for some may not be high priority or worth it for others. The Ruger forend rail is rounded with smooth sides combined with full length flattop receiver featuring Mil-Spec 1913 Picatinny rail at the 12 o’clock position that extends the full length of the handguard. The Ruger forend is drilled and tapped for additional rails at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions with two additional rail sections included with the rifle to use as owner sees fit. Three Magpul 20-round 7.62 magazines are included along with a very functional soft case for the rifle. Along these lines, Samson iron sights are also included serving as stand alone battle sights or folded down acting as back-up sights once an optic is mounted. A Mil-Spec trigger group rides in the Ruger’s lower receiver. An over engineered match or any kind of competition trigger that can malfunction or go out of adjustment is not suitable for a fighting rifle. All of the Ruger 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. All of these features, including slim forend rail, would be several hundred dollars if a user were to purchase a base rifle and set up with these features accessed as after market accessories.

Suppressor use is increasingly popular in the civilian and military/LE realm. As a result, Ruger’s SR-762 is suppressor friendly even though suppressing a .308 AR type rifle while maintaining reliability is difficult. There is simply too much gas volume and pressure in an AR .308 type rifle to allow for proper function without some kind of gas adjustment to account for the suppressor. The need for simple adjustment at the gas block was obvious with Ruger responding. Ruger’s multi adjustable gas system accommodates this.

A Weaver Tactical 1-5x with Illuminated MDR Reticle was used along with a Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x. The Weaver Tactical 1-5x is designed for instinctive, close-range/low-magnification situations with illuminated reticles, yet allow shooters to engage targets with greater precision at longer ranges thanks to the 5x. The Weaver Tactical 1-5x scope will strike many as unconventional in terms of commonly associated optics on a military style rifle. However, for law enforcement, civilian or private security contractor it is worthy consideration as it supplements the Ruger SR-762’s performance flexibility. The SR-762 mated to variable power Weaver optic is able to handle diverse roles albeit close range engagements or further. The concern for operating the magnified Weaver Tactical in a CQB environment is quelled once one becomes familiar with the Bindon aiming concept. Human vision is based upon a binocular (two eyes) presentation of visual evidence to the brain. The addition of a bright red or green dot in the center of the cross-hairs makes it very easy to keep both eyes open, especially at a low power setting. The brain merges the two images. During dynamic movement, the scene through the telescope blurs because the image moves more rapidly due to magnification. The one eye sees the bright dot against the blurred target scene, so the brain picks the scene from the unaided eye. The shooter swings the weapon towards the target while perceiving the dot indicating where the weapon is pointed. As soon as the weapon begins to become steady in the target area, the brain switches to the magnified view.

The Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10x scope served as primary optic during accuracy testing. Frankly, the Leupold could be left on the Ruger SR-762 if a user desired; based on the accuracy level exhibited by the rifle. An offset mount bracket featuring a Leupold Deltapoint or similar pattern red dot offered by other manufacturers would quell any concerns of the Leupold not being conducive in a CQB engagement. The offset mount allows a quick rotation of the rifle in the shoulder pocket a few degrees accessing the red dot optic with minimal effort or disturbance of handling.

Winchester 168gr Match, Hornady 168gr TAP, Federal 168gr Match, and Black Hills Ammunition 168gr Match was used evaluating the Ruger SR-762. No ammunition tested produced over 1.75 inch groups at 100 yards with most five round groups at 1 inch or slightly over. This is quite a statement. There are many bolt action rifles chambered in .308 that do not have this type of accuracy – let alone a factory mass produced semiautomatic AR. FMJ loads from Winchester were tested as well. This was more for making sure of functionality than for primary use. The Ruger SR-762 proved reliable throughout this evaluation with over 400 assorted rounds sent downrange. The SR-762 accepts Magpul PMag 20-round magazines. Three are shipped with the rifle. Several more of the Magpul magazines were acquired for this evaluation. Magpul’s PMag 20LR magazine is quickly becoming the standard .308/7.62x51mm AR magazine with several manufacturers setting up their lowers to utilize the Magpul product. Quality magazines are a linchpin for a reliably functioning semiautomatic or select-fire weapon.

The Ruger SR-762’s 16 inch barrel combined with 168gr bullets produced velocity in the low to mid 2,500 fps range when tested over a RCBS chronograph. The SR-762 was evaluated at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC). The rifle was not only evaluated within the 100 yard bays at EVTC firing from barricades and engaging multiple targets, but also back at the prepared firing position line with targets placed out to 300 yards. Numerous drills were run involving magazine changes and moving between barricades simulating cover. US Palm Multi Platform Attack Rack chest rig and Agile Combat System (ACS) armor was used in evaluating the Ruger SR-762. The Multi Attack Rack is a low profile platform that can be configured for a variety of magazine profiles. For this evaluation with Ruger SR-762 it was set up for five PMag magazines and four pistol magazines. The Multi Attack Rack chest rig can be worn over hard or soft body armor and is built to military specifications out of 500d Cordura nylon for durability and minimal weight. It allows for a Level III soft armor insert. The ACS also comes with a Level III soft armor insert with ability to install hard SAPI plates. Like the Ruger SR-762, the US Palm ACS is imminently adaptable allowing a user to configure front and rear components as needed based on perceived mission needs. The ACS is another addition to US Palm’s stable of products available for security conscience civilians, military, or law enforcement. The ACS mounts quickly and offers body armor protection along with capability to carry rifle magazines and pistol magazines if so configured.

Ruger’s decision to expand its AR model line-up with the piston driven SR-762 is a valid one. While the SR-762 is not going to be issued to our military services, LE and security conscience individuals would do well to consider it. The combining of the AR platform with the increased power represented in the .308/7.62x51mm cartridge is the key to its appeal. This is speaking in terms of lethality and effective range, while still allowing for multiple rounds sent quickly downrange if needed in a close range melee. In training courses experienced involving LE, military and private security contractors the mantra of “one mag one kill” is often repeated in relation to the M16/AR-15. While the 5.56mm round is often chided in terms of lethality, the .308/7.62x51mm does not suffer from this reputation. With budgets constantly under pressure, the Ruger SR-762 could be the answer to fulfilling a multitude of roles – DMR rifle, general-purpose patrol rifle, or entry weapon. This is a positive reflection on the rifle’s accuracy, reliability, handling and ergonomics.

For the 14th straight year, Small Arms Review is a co-host of the show and has one entire building all to itself. This building houses mainly exhibitors whose wares have to do with “black rifles,” Class III items, which include machine guns and suppressors, and all accompanying parts and accessories. The show draws vendors from all over the United States as this show is a destination for shooters and collectors. Many of the companies advertising in Small Arms Review magazine or other notable industry publications can be found here showing off their products. The show gives attendees a great chance to have hands on inspection before they part with their hard earned dollars. It also is a chance to meet with industry leaders and the people behind the products that they sell. This year’s show was once again sold out and attendance was above average. Ammunition seemed to be the hot item at this year’s show and even though it was fairly pricey there was plenty of it and the only limit on the amount you could buy was the size of your wallet. Most of the time you had to stand in line to purchase something from one of the vendor tables. There were some very interesting transferable machine guns for sale including a Remington Model of 1917 that was used at Sing Sing prison. Generally, prices on transferable machine guns have stabilized a bit and a number of vendors reported sales.

A lot of the exhibitors choose to introduce their new products at this show much like they do at the SHOT Show. This year was no exception with new firearms, suppressors and tons of new accessories for sale.

There was a new bullpup rifle at this year’s show made by a company called K&M Arms (www.kmarms.com). The new rifle is called the M-17S and weighs just slightly over 7 pounds. It is chambered in .223 with 300 Blackout following next. The manufacturer says there will also be another model to follow in calibers 6.5 Grendel and .308. While you may think that there is nothing new in the way of bullpup rifles, the M-17S has numerous improvements over others that are marketed today. Probably the most notable is that the gun has a 3.5 pound trigger pull. As anyone that has fired a bullpup knows, a good trigger is not usually one of their attributes. This author tried the trigger on the sample gun and it was absolutely fantastic. It was 3.5 pounds and it was very crisp with absolutely no slop or mushy feel to it. It felt like the proverbial glass rod breaking. The gun will also be available with a 5 pound trigger, for law enforcement agencies require at least a 4.5 pound trigger pull for liability reasons. Another remarkable feature is that the rifle only requires three screws to be taken out for the barrel to be removed. The rifle uses AR-15 type magazines and the .308 version will thankfully take the .308 P-Mags. While all controls on the gun are ambidextrous it does eject from the right hand side. The manufacturer tells the author that later versions will be available with left hand ejection for southpaws. Watch upcoming issues of SAR for a detail test and evaluation of this new rifle.

While it is not a brand new firearm, another gun drew lots of attention at the show. A company called U.S. Machine Gun Armory, LLC (www.machinegunarmory.com) is producing a belt-fed gun that is modeled after and even accepts parts from the FN M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Their gun comes in three models, the MK48, MK46 and the M249. The guns feature several improved features over the FN guns but probably one of the most notable is that these guns accept the H&K G3 or Model 91 triggers pack. So if you already own a registered select-fire H&K trigger pack you can install it in one of the U.S. Machine Gun Armory guns and have yourself a select-fire belt fed. The new guns fire from the closed bolt position and the machining tolerances are much tighter than on the military guns. This provides much better accuracy and longer parts life. These guns are also easily caliber convertible and can be ordered in 5.56 (.223), 5.45×39, 6.8 SPC, 300 Blackout, 7.62×39, Wilson Combat 7.62×40 as well as 7.62×51 (.308). These guns are not cheap but the quality is outstanding. U.S. Machine Armory LLC is also offering Class III models of all guns for qualified purchasers.

There was also a new bolt-action rifle at the show from Robar, originators of the Robar NP3 firearms finish. The new rifle is called the SR 21 Precision Rifle and is a modular chassis system mated with an accurized Remington model 700 rifle. It features a full length Picatinny rail across the top of its monolithic receiver with a 20 MOS slope built in allowing the shooter enough room to mount NV optics in front of the regular scope. It also features side and bottom rails for other accessories. Robar is known for producing precision firearms and the SR21 is no exception. Out of the box they guarantee 0.5 MOA or better accuracy. The gun comes with a MagPul PRS stock that can be removed with the flip of a lever making it easier to store or transport. The new rifle accepts AR-15 style grips and comes with a MagPul MIAD grip installed. The SR21 accepts AICS style magazines and comes with two. The trigger on the rifle breaks at 2.5 pounds but the trigger pull can be custom tailored to user specs. The gun is finished with Roguard or Ply-T2 finish and has NP3 coating on the bolt and internal parts, which makes the action butter smooth. It can be ordered with an optional Surefire flash hider or muzzle brake or with the barrel threaded to customer specifications. The rifle can also be built with a customer supplied Remington 700 short or long action or even most short action Savage rifles.

Michael’s Machines (www.michaelsmachines.com) have long been known for producing H&K style belt-fed guns in .223, 7.62×39 as well as .308. Their rifles are top-of-the-line and run like sewing machines. Now they have turned their attention to the AR-15 style of rifle and have come out with machined billet aluminum upper and lower receivers that are designed to accept AK pattern magazines to turn your AK into a 7.62×39 gun. While this is not a new idea, Michael’s Machines has done it the right way. They have widened the magwell on the lower to accept standard unmodified AK magazines. They have also designed an upper receiver that is wider to match the profiles of their new lower. The new units are black hard-coat Mil-Spec anodized and will accept most all AK magazines and even most drums. Knowing this company, these products will work perfectly.

Suppressor technology has been advancing very rapidly in the last several years. New suppressors are smaller, lighter and quiet their host weapons to a degree that was never thought possible before. On the forefront of these designs is a relatively new suppressor company called APD (Asymmetric Product Development) LLC (www.apdcans.com). The new suppressors from ADP offer extreme sound reduction as well as a small size in a product that does not have to be rebuilt and will hold up even to the abuse of a short barreled rifle in heavy calibers. They have taken cues from the aerospace industry in manufacturing and assembly principle that are used to keep jet aircraft engines intact under harsh conditions and applied them to the manufacture of suppressors. Their manufacturing process is proprietary and results in a can made from the highest quality materials but is still affordable. All of their suppressors are made from 17-7 and 304L stainless steel as well as Inconel 718. Another feature of the ADP suppressor that a lot of other suppressors do not offer is complete flash suppression regardless of caliber. Keep your eye on this company for some dramatic suppressor design.

Another suppressor manufacturer that has been at the show for years was Gemtech. They have been producing quality suppressors since the “early days” but are not much for standing on their laurels. They were showing off several newly released suppressors in different calibers. Watch these pages for more on these new suppressors as they are released. They also are also selling a subsonic .22 cal. LR round with a 42-gr bullet for specific use in suppressed .22 caliber weapons. This ammunition is of the highest quality and with excellent reviews has been greatly accepted by the firearms community. They brought 2 pallets of ammunition and by the end of the show, all were sold.

Firearms are not the only weapons that are displayed and sold at the SAR Show. You can find anything from mini-guns to knives and this year’s show was full of interesting weapons. Arsenal, Inc. (www.arsenalinc.com) is a regular at the show and this year they were displaying their new Special Ops weapons collection. This collection of three NFA weapons are .22 caliber firearms that are disguised to look like something else. Hidden in the handle of a very well made combat knife is a .22 caliber revolver that shoots from a short barrel. The whole mechanism is hidden in the knife handle and is therefore classified as an NFA item requiring a special tax stamp. There are three different models of the knife/gun; the aforementioned model, another that is built into an AR-15 bayonet and a third model that is actually built right into the handle of an aluminum briefcase. These Special Ops weapons are available to anyone that can own a NFA weapon but they are available in very limited quantities. These new weapons bring a whole new point of view to the saying, “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.” Now you can have both.

Ammunition, magazines and other firearms accessories make up the show as well as the firearms themselves. There was ammunition there to be had literally by the truckload with enough magazines to supply small countries. With several companies vying for buyers’ attention the prices were very competitive. The items mentioned here are merely a glimpse into the new and exciting things that were displayed at this year’s show. It would take a book to describe everything and even then you would probably not know of everything that was there.

This author has been to a lot of gun shows over the years but this is by far the best one to attend. It has something for everyone, whether you’re a cowboy action shooter or a Class III collector. The show opens on Friday at noon and continues all day on Saturday and Sunday. Even with the show lasting 2½ days it’s still almost not enough time to take it all in. So plan now for next year’s show. The show is always approximately the same time of year, the first weekend in December. If you are looking for ANYTHING firearms related, you can probably find it here. Not to mention that Phoenix is a lovely place to visit in December. Just be sure to take lots of cash and your truck so you can haul home all of your treasures. You also might be as lucky as this author was and your wife will say; “Here’s some money, I never know what to get you anyway, just buy your Christmas present while you’re there”. It doesn’t get any better than that!!

Development and Design

Prior to, and in the beginning years of World War II, the British had two primary infantry anti-tank weapons: the Boys anti-tank rifle and the No. 68 anti-tank rifle grenade. Unfortunately, neither proved adequate to the job as advancement in technology brought forth newer and more heavily armored tanks. Outdated by 1940, the .55 caliber Boys was only effective at short ranges against light tanks and armored cars and was totally ineffective against the newer, heavier German tanks. The No. 68 anti-tank rifle grenade was too light to do any significant damage to tanks and was rarely used. These two outdated and ineffective weapons created a large hole in anti-tank warfare for the British and something new was desperately needed.

In the early 1930s, Lt. Col. Latham Valentine Stewart Blacker OBE of the Royal Artillery began work on prototype models of anti-tank weapons. He was intrigued with the idea of a spigot discharger that eliminates a convention barrel and replaces it with a hollow tail unit in the projectile that is placed in a simple tray. A percussion cartridge placed inside the hollow tail is struck by a heavy steel rod called the spigot, upon firing. The detonation of the cartridge blows the projectile from the spigot with the length of its travel along the spigot being sufficient to impart direction. Lt. Col. Blacker received a patent for this work in the early 1930s on a spigot discharged hollow-charge projectile. He continued to work and refine his weapon and in 1937 several prototypes were built by the Parnell Aircraft Company for testing by the British Ordnance Department in 1939. Blacker called this the “Arbalest.” It was, however, rejected in May of that year since the Ministry of Defense deemed the 2-inch mortar a better proposition as a bomb-thrower.

In 1940, Lt. Col. Blacker was reassigned and became involved in MD1 (Ministry of Defense 1) that was concerned with the development of unconventional and unorthodox weapons for clandestine use. In this environment, Lt. Col. Blacker redesigned the Arbalest and resubmitted it as a combined anti-tank and bombardment weapon that, he claimed, had the anti-tank effect of the 2-pounder gun and almost the same range as the 3-inch mortar. Although viewed somewhat skeptically by most of the approving authorities, it was accepted into service in 1941 as the 29mm Spigot Mortar, or the “Blacker Bombard.” It was used extensively by the Home Guard and Airfield Defense units.

Blacker then started work on a smaller, man-portable version that he called the “Baby Bombard.” However, before much work could be done with it, Lt. Col. Blacker was transferred to another post.

The prototype Baby Bombard sat at MD1 where it was eventually taken up by Major M. R. Jefferis (later Major-General Sir Millis Rowland Jefferis, KBE, MC). The 0.625 inch No. 1 “Baby Bombard” (the measurement being the diameter of the spigot) went into field trials in June 1941 before the Ordnance Board. It was not well received with the Ordnance Board reporting, “The Baby Bombard would prove ineffective as an anti-tank weapon under any conceivable conditions of employment.” This assessment was also the opinion of the Director of Artillery and the Assistant to the CIGS (Chief of the Imperial General Staff). The problem wasn’t so much the delivery system of the bomb; it was the ineffectiveness of the hollow charge against armour. It was officially dropped on August 11, 1941.

Major Jefferis continued to work on the Baby Bombard concentrating on increasing the effectiveness of the hollow charge bomb in which he was successful and started to explain the new bomb in February 1942 to his superiors in different departments. The various authorities expressed interest and by mid-March, 1942, pilot models of the PIAT were being made. The trials using the new bomb proved to be successful and the weapon was given final approval on August 31, 1942 and went into production at Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. (ICI). Eventually, some 15,000 units were produced and saw service from mid-1943 to 1950 with infantry units of Great Britain and the Commonwealth nations. The PIAT was used in all theaters of operation. The first PIAT combat action was with the Canadians during the Allied invasion of Sicily.

The PIAT was a simple, yet crude appearing weapon and was not without its faults. It was heavy and cumbersome. At longer ranges, the bomb’s trajectory became erratic and unreliable. Using it at extremely short ranges to assure a hit on tanks exposed the operators to highly increased danger. Cocking the weapon was extremely difficult due to the large spring. Though the spigot had to be cocked for the first shot, the recoil recocked the weapon automatically provided the firer held the weapon firmly. When fired, the gunner had to hold onto the trigger guard with his left hand pulling the weapon back hard against his shoulder. The trigger was so stiff that it took two fingers to operate and after pulling there was a noticeable pause while the spigot moved forward contacting the discharge cartridge inside the tail of the bomb thus firing the projectile. Unwary recruits tended to loosen their grip at this point, receiving a massive blow on the shoulder as the bomb flew off, and then finding that the spring had not been recocked.

Virtues of the PIAT were that it was man-portable and the hollow-charge bomb proved effective against German armor. It could also be used as a mortar with high or low angle of flight and could be used as a “house-buster.” And, unlike the M9 or M9A1 Bazooka, or the Panzerfaust, it could be fired from an enclosed position such as a room without risk to the firer and others due to there being no back-blast. It was used this way in innumerable street fights.

Characteristics

The Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT) is a light, self-cocking, anti-tank weapon and is fired in its primary anti-tank role from the shoulder and projects a bomb that has a considerable armor piercing effect. The chief characteristics of the Projector are its simplicity, mobility, penetration, short range, and limited recoil when used correctly. The weapon is simple in design and construction, being easy to strip and maintain. Loading presents no problems and elaborate training is not required. Mobility is accomplished as a single man-portable weapon that weighs 32 pounds with a length of 39 inches. Penetration of armor plating by the High Explosive (HE) anti-tank round is about 4 inches at 115 yards (110 m) and proved most capable in defeating tanks and other armored vehicles. The short range of the Projector limited its effectiveness on tanks to approximately 100 yards, though when used in its secondary role as a high angle firing weapon against buildings, other light armored vehicles and indirect fire, effective range was 350 yards (320 m). The limited recoil allowed use without discomfort to the firer.

Description

The PIAT Mk. 1 is a spigot-type projector that is fired from the shoulder. Externally, the PIAT consists of a projectile support and guides, spigot guide tube stopper, front support, outer casing, front sling swivels, folding foresight, slings, trigger assembly grip, folding backsight, hand grip, rear sling swivels and shoulder piece with shoulder pad and laced cover.

The projectile support is U-shaped, being open at the top to facilitate loading. At the rear of the projectile support and on the front end of the outer casing are guides for the loading clip, which is to be found on the tail tube of the projectile. These guides ensure the correct location of the tail tube relative to the spigot and hold the projectile in position, preventing the projectile from falling out of the support, until it is fired.

The spigot guide tube stopper is a shaped piece of cork, attached to the projector by a chain, used to plug the hole in the front end of the outer casing through which the spigot passes at the moment of firing. This stopper prevents dust and dirt from getting into the mechanism and can only be used when the spigot is pulled back and the weapon is cocked. It must be removed prior to loading a projectile into the projectile support. The placement and removal of the guide tube stopper is done manually.

The front support is fixed to the outer casing by a hinged metal band and a wing nut. Correct location of the front support is ensured by a pin in the band that fits into a hole in the outer casing as well as guides around the outer casing that the band fits into. The height of the early type front support is not adjustable. The base of the front support is smooth to enable the projector to be traversed easily when engaging a moving target.

The outer casing contains the mechanism. The sights and sling swivels are mounted directly on the outer casing and the front sling swivels are like rifle swivels, and are welded to the outer casing. Two rifle slings are fitted for carrying the weapon.

The foresight is a bead, which folds down into the foresight casing when not in use. It is capable of adjustment both vertically and laterally for zeroing purposes.

The backsight consist of a single leaf with two (later three) apertures, ranging from 50 to 80 to 110 yards respectively. When not in use, it folds down into the backsight casing.

The trigger mechanism casing has a safety catch on the right-hand side. The entire trigger mechanism can be removed for armourer’s attention by unscrewing two bolts and nuts.

A webbing gaiter is laced round the outer casing to provide a grip for the left hand when firing.

The shoulder piece is fitted with a shock absorbing pad and the whole is enclosed in a laced canvas cover.

Internally, the principle parts of the mechanisms are the spigot guide tube, spigot with fixed firing pin, sleeve bolt, main spring, sear, tripping lever, cocking rod and cocking rod tube.

The spigot guide tube is welded to the inside of the outer casing and acts as a guide to ensure the accurate location of the spigot at all points of its travel.

The spigot is a tube with a head of high-grade steel screwed to the front end. This head is machined to form a firing pin. The spigot is rigidly attached at the rear end to the sleeve bolt.

The sleeve bolt weighs 10 pounds and when in the rear position holds the mainspring in compression. On the forward end is screwed a plate which acts as a bent. The whole assembly is free to rotate in the outer casing – this prevents localized wear to the sleeve bolt plate, which might otherwise result through contact with the sear.

The main spring drives the sleeve bolt and spigot assembly forward when the trigger is pressed. The compression of this spring on the return of the spigot reduces the shock of recoil. When new, the length of the spring is 32 inches. If, owing to use, the length is reduced to 26 inches, the spring should be replaced by an armorer.

The sear is controlled by the trigger and holds the spigot and sleeve bolt in the cocked position against the compressed main spring.

The tripping lever forms the link between the trigger and the sear. On firing, the tripping lever is struck by the sleeve bolt and it disengages from the sear leaving the latter free to rise under the influence of its spring.

The cocking rod is screwed to the spigot, and is the means whereby the spigot assembly is drawn back to the cocked position when cocking by hand is necessary.

The rear of the cocking rod guide tube is screwed to the shoulder piece. It is provided with a drilled nut at the front end which engages with the enlarged end of the cocking rod when the shoulder piece is withdrawn to the rear to cock the weapon.

Ammunition

There were four types of ammunition provided: Bomb H.E./A.T.; Bomb, Practice Inert/A.T.; Bomb, Drill/A.T. and Shot, Practice/A.T.

The color of the Bomb, H.E./A.T. (High Explosive/Anti-Tank) is green. There are identification marks on the filling band or RED x-x-x-x. Also, particulars of filling and Lot No., etc., are on the head. The Bomb consists of the fuze which, when fitted, is held in place in the nose of the bomb by a thimble. The body contains the explosive filling. The tail tube contains the cartridge and acts as a gun barrel. The drum tail attaches to the rear of the tail tube. The loading clip is a spring ring that is clipped to the end of the tail tube. This loading clip engages behind the guides on the front end of the weapon outer casing and serves to locate the bomb when in the loaded position.

For transit purposes, the bombs are carried in damp-proof ammunition carriers, each containing three bombs and identified by RED x-x-x-x on each container. The bombs are cartridged on issue, but until required they are unfuzed. The fuze is carried in a fuze container that is clipped to the tail of each bomb, the place of the fuze in the bomb being occupied by a transit piece. The tail tube is closed by a paper dust plug.

The Bomb, Practice Inert/A.T. is colored black and marked INERT in white letters on the body and yellow ring, 1/2 inch wide, round the body. It is similar in form to the HE/AT bomb but the HE filing is replaced by an equivalent weight of inert material and the fuze is replaced by a solid nose piece. This ammunition is cartridged on issue and when fired has the same trajectory as the Bomb, HE/AT. It can only be fired once. The ammunition carrier is identified by a 1/2-inch yellow ring on each container. On no account may it be used for drill purposes.

The Bomb, Drill/A.T. is colored black and has DRILL in white letters on the body. This bomb is similar in form to the Bomb, H.E./A.T., but contains no explosive filling or cartridge. The fuze container holds an inert drill fuze. The tail tube is plugged. This bomb is for drill purposes only and the plug in the tail tube must on no account be removed. The ammunition carrier is identified by each container marked DRILL in white letters.

SHOT, Practice/A.T. is colored white. This practice shot consists of a heavy steel tube screwed into a solid steel head. It is designed for training personnel in the firing of the weapon and be re-cartridged for further use a number of times. The tube is grooved at the rear end for the attachment of a loading clip. Each packing box for this type holds 20 bombs and a cleaning brush. The cartridges and loading clips are issued separately.

There is a special adaptor for the use of SHOT, Practice/A.T. and consists of a shallow steel trough with a hook clip at the front end. At the rear end a slot is cut through which the loading clip and the rear part of the cartridge fall clear. There is a hinged bar across the rear of this slot, and a screw, with a knurled nut for locking purposes, is hinged under the adaptor.

The object of this adaptor is to enable the practice shot to be fired from the projectile support by compensating for the smaller diameter of the shot, compared with the service round, and the absence of a drum tail. It is fitted to the weapon by first swinging the small hinged bar across the adaptor. Then slide the adaptor into the projectile support from the front with the smooth surface uppermost and the hook clip towards the front. When the hook clip has gripped the front of the projectile support, the knurled nut will drop through the cartridge clearing hole and the screw swivel will enter the slot provided. Check that the spring washer is immediately under the knurled nut and tighten this up hard.

Cocking and Uncocking

When the weapon is uncocked, the spigot and firing pin will protrude from the spigot guide tube into the projectile support and the spigot guide tube stopper will not be in position.

Cocking the weapon from the standing position, check that the safety catch lever is in the firing (forward) position and that the sights are down. Stand the weapon vertically on the shoulder piece with the trigger guard on the right. See that the slings are clear of the weapon. Place a foot on each horn of the shoulder piece and, keeping the heels on the ground, grip the shoulder piece under the insteps. Leaning over the weapon and bending the knees outwards, take a firm hold on the trigger guard grip with both hands. Pull the outer casing straight up for about 1/4-inch and then twist it anti-clockwise through 45 degrees. This disengages the rear cap stud from the bayonet slot in the shoulder piece body. Straightening the knees and body in one quick action, pull the outer casing tube up against the pressure of the main spring until the sear is heard to engage. The movement required is about 12 inches. Then move the safety catch lever to the safe (backward) position. Allow the outer casing to descend slowly to the shoulder piece and re-engage the rear cap stud in the bayonet slot of the shoulder piece. Insert the guide tube stopper if the weapon is not to be fired at once.

Upon initial usage, or if the weapon fails to automatically recock, when firing in the prone position, the following method of cocking can be carried out with the least exposure to the firer, who must keep the upper part of his body in contact with the ground throughout. Check that the safety catch lever is in the firing (forward) position and lower the sights. Turn on the right side and draw the weapon down until the shoulder piece is opposite the feet. Then follow the same cocking procedures outlined above.

Uncocking the weapon is to be carried out in the standing position. Remove the spigot guide tube stopper if inserted. Stand the weapon vertically on the shoulder piece and keeping the heels on the ground, grip the shoulder piece under the insteps. Lean over the weapon, grip the trigger guard grip with both hands and pull the outer casing straight up for about 1/4-inch then twist it anti-clockwise through 45 degrees thus disengaging the rear cap stud from the bayonet slot in the shoulder piece body. Pull the outer casing straight up to the end of its free travel, about 12 inches. Move the safety catch lever to the firing (forward position. Gripping the weapon firmly with both hands, pull the trigger with the right thumb and allow the outer casing to descend slowly under control to the shoulder piece under the action of the main spring. Re-engage the rear cap stud in the bayonet slot of the shoulder piece.

Functioning

When cocked, the sleeve bolt and the spigot, to which it is rigidly attached, are held to the rear by the sear; the sleeve bolt holding the main spring in compression. When the trigger is pressed, the sear is lowered releasing the sleeve bolt and spigot that then move forward under the influence of the main spring. The spigot travels along the spigot guide tube. It enters the tail tube of the bomb and the firing pin strikes the cartridge cap, which in turns ignites the propellant charge, thus firing the projectile. The back pressure of the gases drives the rear portion of the cartridge against the firing pin and this checks the forward movement of the spigot and sleeve bolt and then returns them to the cocked position compressing the main spring.

The initial forward movement of the sleeve bolt depresses the tripping lever and disengages the sear from the trigger. The sear is thus left free to rise under the influence of its spring, whenever the sleeve bolt returns to the cocked position.

Loading

The Bomb, H.E./A.T. is issued with the cartridge in position. To fuze the bomb, detach the fuze container from the bomb tail, extract the fuze and retain the fuze container. Remove the thimble from the bomb nose by pressing it towards the back of the bomb and turning it anti-clockwise. Remove the transit plug and place it in the fuze container for use if the bomb has later to be unfuzed. Insert the fuze with the sharp nose pointing towards the front. Place the thimble over the fuze and lock it into position by turning it clockwise until home. To prepare the bomb for loading, remove the dust plug from the tail tube.

Loading consists of three specific actions normally carried out by a No. 2. He will generally load from the left of the weapon with the right hand, but must be able to carry out the three actions with either hand. The first action is to grip the tail tube and drum tail lightly in the hand with the bomb head pointing forward and downward. Place the head of the bomb in the center of the projectile support and push the nose of the bomb under the front ring of the support. The second action is to slide the bomb forward until the tail can be lowered. Keeping the loading clip against the front end cap of the weapon, engage it behind the two guide plates. The third and final action is to release the grip on the bomb, press it down with the flat of the hand until the drum tail rests in the projectile support thus bringing the tail tube in line with the spigot guide tube and in position for the spigot to enter making sure that the loading clip is behind the guide plates and the drum tail is fully down.

Firing

The sights are a bead foresight and a leaf backsight with three apertures ranging from 50 to 110 yards. Although the weapon is fired from the shoulder, the action that takes place in the weapon on firing is very different from that of a rifle or machine gun. When the trigger action has released the spigot, a total weight of about 12 pounds travels forward for 1/10th of a second before the round is fired. The backward thrust on the shoulder is increased and the balance of the weapon changes slightly. The aim has to be kept steady against these effects that require a firm grip and some practice.

There are two basic means of firing: standing from a slit trench or lying prone from a shallow trench.

Modifications

The PIAT was modified in 1944 so that the weapon could be used in a secondary role for high angle firing, much like a mortar. The modifications were a telescopic front monopod that was fitted in place of the original static monopod. A straight shoulder piece replaced the original curved pattern and the quadrant sight, affixed to the rear sight casing, was graduated for ranges from 100 yards to 370 yards, high and low angle, was fitted.

The second model front monopod consists of an inner and outer tube with a lever fitted to the left hand side of the outer tube engaging one of a series of serrations in the wall of the inner tube under the action of a spring. By pressing in the lever and raising or lowering the weapon, the height of the front monopod may be varied as required. The monopod is clamped to the outer casing of the weapon by similar means to those used in the original Mk. I model and the square metal base is also identical with the original base.

The shoulder piece was modified by being straightened and an additional hole was drilled in the rear end cap. The shoulder piece could then be rotated anti-clockwise through 90 degrees into a horizontal position and locked in this position by the rear cap retainer thus providing a more solid “footing” when braced on the ground. When fired from the shoulder at close-range targets, the shoulder piece is in a vertical position to be placed against the shoulder for support.

The quadrant sight comprised a plate calibrated in yards from 100 to 370 and fitted with a leveling bubble. The quadrant sight is fitted to the rear sight casing by means of a lengthened rear sight leaf axis screws. It is free to rotate through 90 degrees and can be clamped in the required position by means of a knurled nub and spring washer.

A white line is marked on the rear sight casing at right angles to the major axis of the weapon. When the low angle zero line of the quadrant sight is coincident with the white line and the weapon horizontal, the bubble of the sprit level is centrally disposed.

These modifications allowed the PIAT to be used as a crude mortar by placing the rotated shoulder piece on the ground and the front of the weapon elevated by the adjustable monopod. This allowed the PIAT to be used at greater distances, up to 350 yards (320 m), in “house-braking” roles with a high arching trajectory to particularly knock out buildings, houses, and bunkers used by the enemy.

Victoria Crosses

The PIAT figured in a number of immediate combat actions that resulted in six Victoria Crosses being awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces, four of which are highlighted below.

Fusilier Frank Arthur Jefferson

In repelling a German counterattack against his unit along a section of the Gustav Line during the Italian Campaign on May 16, 1944, Fusilier Frank Jefferson destroyed a Panzer IV tank using a PIAT The account is taken up from a supplement of The London Gazette, 13 July 1944: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: No. 3663590 Fusilier Francis Arthur Jefferson, The Lancashire Fusiliers (Ulverston, Lancs.). On 16th May, 1944, during an attack on the Gustav Line, an anti-tank obstacle held up some of our tanks, leaving the leading Company of Fusilier Jefferson’s Battalion to dig in on the hill without tanks or anti-tank guns. The enemy counter-attacked with infantry and two Mark IV tanks, which opened fire at short range causing a number of casualties, and eliminating one PIAT group entirely. As the tanks advanced towards the partially dug trenches, Fusilier Jefferson, entirely on his own initiative, seized a PIAT and running forward alone under heavy fire, took up a position behind a hedge; as he could not see properly, he came into the open, and standing up under a hail of bullets, fired at the leading tank which was now only twenty yards away. It burst into flames and all the crew were killed. Fusilier Jefferson then reloaded the PIAT and proceeded towards the second tank, which withdrew before he could get within range. By this time our own tanks had arrived and the enemy counter-attack was smashed with heavy casualties. Fusilier Jefferson’s gallant act not merely saved the lives of his Company and caused many casualties to the Germans, but also broke up the enemy counter-attack and had a decisive effect on the subsequent operation. His supreme gallantry and disregard of personal risk contributed very largely to the success of the action.

Rifleman Ganju Lama

In an area of Burma, Indian Army Rifleman Ganju Lama on June 12, 1944, knocked out several Japanese tanks using a PIAT advancing on his unit’s position that prevented his unit from advancing. The account is taken up from a supplement of The London Gazette, 7 September, 1944: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: No. 78763 Rifleman Ganju Lama, 7th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army. In Burma, on the morning of the 12th June, 1944, the enemy put down an intense artillery barrage lasting an hour on our positions north of the village of Ningthoukhong. This heavy artillery fire knocked out several bunkers and caused heavy casualties, and was immediately followed by a very strong enemy attack supported by five medium tanks. After fierce hand to hand fighting, the perimeter was driven in- in one place and enemy infantry, supported by three medium tanks, broke through, pinning our troops to the ground with intense fire. “B” Company, 7th Gurkha Rifles, was ordered to counter-attack and restore the situation. Shortly after passing the starting line it came under heavy enemy medium machine gun and tank machine gun fire at point blank range, which covered all lines of approach. Rifleman Ganju Lama, the No. 1 of the PIAT gun, on his own initiative, with great coolness and complete disregard for his own safety, crawled forward and engaged the tanks single handed. In spite of a broken left wrist and two other wounds, one in his right hand and one in his leg, caused by withering cross fire concentrated upon him, Rifleman Ganju Lama succeeded in bringing his gun into action within thirty yards of the enemy tanks and knocked out first one and then another, the third tank being destroyed by an anti-tank gun. In spite of his serious wounds, he then moved forward and engaged with grenades the tank crews, who now attempted to escape. Not until he had killed or wounded them all, thus enabling his company to push forward, did he allow himself to be taken back to the Regimental Aid Post to have his wounds dressed. Throughout this action Rifleman Ganju Lama, although very seriously wounded, showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety, outstanding devotion to duty and a determination to destroy the enemy which was an example and an inspiration to all ranks. It was solely due to his prompt action and brave conduct that a most critical situation was averted, all positions regained and very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy.

Major Robert Henry Cain

During the Battle of Arnhem in September, 1944, with a German Tiger tank advancing on his company’s position, a PIAT was used by Major Robert Henry Cain to disable the tank. In a later assault by three German Panzer IV tanks, Major Cain again effectively used the PIAT causing the tanks to retreat. The account is taken up from a supplement of The London Gazette, 31 October 1944: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: Captain (temporary Major) Robert Henry Cain (129484), The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, (attd. The South Staffordshire Regiment) (I Airborne Division) (Salcombe, Devon). In Holland on 19th September, 1944, Major Cain was commanding a rifle company of the South Staffordshire Regiment during the battle of Arnhem when his company was cut off from the rest of the battalion and during the next six days was closely engaged with enemy tanks, self-propelled guns and infantry. The Germans made repeated attempts to break into the company position by infiltration and had they succeeded in doing so the whole situation of the Airborne Troops would have been jeopardized. Major Cain, by his outstanding devotion to duty and remarkable powers of leadership, was to a large extent personally responsible for saving a vital sector from falling into the hands of the enemy. On 20th September a Tiger tank approached the area held by his company and Major Cain went out alone to deal with it armed with a PIAT. Taking up a position he held his fire until the tank was only 20 yards away when he opened up. The tank immediately halted and turned its guns on him, shooting away a corner of the house near where this officer was lying. Although wounded by machine gun bullets and falling masonry, Major Cain continued firing until he had scored several direct hits, immobilized the tank and supervised the bringing up of a 75mm howitzer which completely destroyed it. Only then would he consent to have his wounds dressed. The next morning this officer drove off three more tanks by the fearless use of his PIAT, on each occasion leaving cover and taking up position in open ground with complete disregard for his personal safety. During the following days, Major Cain was everywhere where danger threatened, moving amongst his men and encouraging them by his fearless example to hold out. He refused rest and medical attention in spite of the fact that his hearing had been seriously impaired because of a perforated eardrum and he was suffering from multiple wounds. On the 25th September the enemy made a concerted attack on Major Cain’s position, using self-propelled guns, flame throwers and infantry. By this time the last PIAT had been put out of action and Major Cain was armed with only a light 2” mortar. However, by a skillful use of this weapon and his daring leadership of the few men still under his command, he completely demoralized the enemy who, after an engagement lasting more than three hours, withdrew in disorder. Throughout the whole course of the Battle of Arnhem, Major Cain showed superb gallantry. His powers of endurance and leadership were the admiration of all his fellow officers and stories of his valour were being constantly exchanged amongst the troops. His coolness and courage under incessant fire could not be surpassed.

Private Ernest Alvia (“Smokey”) Smith

In action that helped secure a bridgehead on the Savio River in Italy the night of October 21-22, 1944, Canadian Army Private Ernest Alvia (“Smokey”) Smith destroyed a German Mark V Panther tank using a PIAT and assisted in disabling two self-propelled guns that were attacking his small group and then, using a Thompson submachine gun, killed or repelled attacks by about 30 enemy infantry support troops. The account is taken up from a supplement of The London Gazette, 19 December 1944: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: No. K 52880 Private Ernest Alvia Smith, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. In Italy on the night of 21st/22nd October, 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objectives in spite of strong opposition from the enemy. Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river, no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies. As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared almost hopeless. Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his PIAT Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the PIAT could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion, and obtained another PIAT. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith’s comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the PIAT and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out onto the road and with his Tommy gun at point blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith’s position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder. One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack. No further immediate attack developed and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the eventual capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River. Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later.

(Technical information taken from the British manuals Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank Mk. 1; Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank Mk. 1, Supplement No. 1, 1944; and Small Arms Training Volume 1, Pamphlet No. 24, Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT) 1943 (Provisional). (Courtesy Royal Armouries, Leeds and private collection)

In the fall of 1941, an adaptation of the Winchester Model 94 rifle in .30-30 Winchester caliber was considered. 2-300 rifles were available in England already and could be easily equipped with Cochrane Barnett night sights and Parker Hale would be called upon to produce Maxim silencers for the lever action rifles. Handloaded ammunition would be necessary to achieve subsonic velocities. Shortly thereafter it was suggested to equip a number of Martini Henry carbines in .577/450 caliber with silencers and smokeless powdered ammunition. A small number of Luger pistols were equipped with Parker Hale-type silencers, and while some examples are extant, it is not known today whether they were issued or not.

Silenced submachine guns became a demand from both the SOE and the regular army. With the introduction of the Mark II Sten with its easily detachable barrel and shroud, it was inevitable that a silencing unit would be developed for it. The first tests were held during the summer of 1942 when a number of silenced Sten guns and Thompsons were tested. The tests were rather optimistic and involved the reduction of sound and flash signatures, precision at 200 meters and penetration at 300 meters. The Sten silencers were made by Enfield, while the Thompson units were made by J. Armstrong & Co.

The silenced submachine guns were designated Special Sten and Special Thompson and the Sten was most favorably received. Both of the Thompson silencers used in the test burst during firing while the Sten silencers were still operable after the test was finished. The nomenclature “Special Sten” was decided on for official use.

Unfortunately, we have no photographs showing the various prototypes of the Sten silencers except for a couple of surviving examples in the former MOD Pattern Room collection, which is now part of the National Firearms Centre in Leeds, UK. The surviving prototypes have silencers that are 22 inches long and would make the weapons clumsy for handling in combat. They feature a lightened bolt that was necessary in order to make them function as their ventilated barrels would reduce the power of the ammunition. It is likely that this silencing unit is the one reported to have been designed by the Polish lieutenant Kulikowski for the SOE. A surviving Thompson with silencer also resides in the same collection.

It is apparent that the SOE distributed small series of silenced Sten guns to the agents and resistance forces while the testing was still going on in England and no model had been approved for official use. In September 1942, a batch of 110 silenced Stens were delivered to the SOE. The distinctive rattling sound of the bolt of the silenced Sten was a concern for the British and several steps were taken to try to muffle this sound without any success. The bronze bolt has been rumored to have been introduced for the purpose of eliminating the steel “clank” of the bolt in the silenced Sten. It must be noted that the bronze bolts had nothing to do with the silencers. Bronze was simply an available material that could be used to make bolts in quantity with reduced machining costs.

More than one organization was involved in designing silenced versions of the Sten. The regular army had its eyes on this project as well and The Small Arms Group of the Ministry of Supply Armaments Design Corporation was responsible for designing what became the Sten MkII(S). The SOE were in more of a hurry than the army and a number of silencers were tested during the development.

Further tests were carried out in October and November of 1942 with silencers designed by the C.S.A.D. (Chief Superintendent of Armament Design), who appears to have been the one developing the silencing units for the army, and C.I.S.A. (Chief Inspector Small Arms) design department who appears to have developed the SOE silencing units. A host of various silencers were tested, but again there are no surviving illustrations explaining the differences or showing the various models that we have been able to find so far. At this point it was decided to abandon all tests with silencers for Thompsons and go further with only the Sten gun silencers. It was also decided to try to make one Sten gun silencer that would combine the best features of the prototypes and would be easy to manufacture. This turned out to not be the final result.

In Norway a number of silenced Sten Mk.II have been observed with what appears to be a shorter version of the 22-inch long prototype mentioned above. As several reports refer to shortened Kulikowski silencing units, it is possible that this silencing unit, described below as the first production model, is indeed a “shortened Kulikowski.” Most of the silencing units in Norway appear to have their origin from the resistance forces and the SOE.

In January 1943 yet another batch of silencers were completed. Hand guards made of webbing material to protect the operators hands from getting burned were also ordered to place around the asbestos string wrapped around the silencers. During the same time tests were carried out with the short and compact Welgun and Sten Mk.IV submachine guns, some of which were also silenced. It was quickly decided that it would be desirable to stay away from adopting new designs into the service if it could be avoided and only a few specimens were produced of these models.

Throughout 1943 the testing continued and small batches of silenced “Special” Stens were also shipped off and used in various operations in Europe. It appears that a model from C.E.A.D. (Chief Engineer Armament Design) was chosen as the official Sten silencer for the British army. Experiments with lighter bolts and shortened recoil springs had been undertaken.

On January 31, 1944, the designation Sten 9mm Machine Carbine Mk.II(S) was used for the first time. At the same time it was decided to stop using the nomenclature Special Sten and refer to the weapons as Mk.II(S) instead.

In July 1944, a letter was sent from the Director of Infantry to the Director of Artillery, Small Arms regarding the use of two similar silencing units for Sten guns and the fact that “Attachment no.6, Sten Machine Carbine, Mark 1, design E.S.6(W.D.)” was not approved for use by the British army, but still found in army stores. The E.S.6(W.D.), (Experimental Station 6, (War Department)) silencing unit was made for use by the SOE agents and E.S.6(W.D.) was a cover name for SOE Station XII.

No reason has been found for the SOE procurement of different silencing units than the one adopted by the army. SOE participated in the developments and it seems strange that they would make their own models, but all three models exist in numbers. The only reason was, as mentioned above, that the SOE were in such a hurry that they were not prepared to wait for the final decision by the army. The use of the army silencing unit was discontinued in March 1945 and all further manufacture would be of the E.S.6(W.D.) model.

One of the challenges found with silencing the Sten guns was the recurring double taps or even runaway guns because the silencing units reduced the power of the ammunition so much that the bolt did not go far enough to the rear to get caught by the sear. This was also a problem with the regular Sten guns.

The British 9mm ammunition was the Mk.Iz, adopted in December 1941, using a 115 grain bullet at 1,200 fps. This ammunition turned out to be a little weak for the Sten gun, so a new cartridge was adopted in September 1943, the Mk.IIz, which used the same 115 grain bullet and a muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps. The introduction of the Mk.IIz loading cured some of the reliability issues, but made silencing more difficult. The silenced Sten guns were never intended for automatic fire, only for single shots. The guns retained their fully automatic capability to be saved for instances where it was necessary to use full auto fire to save lives or to secure the task at hand, but it was stressed that this would quickly ruin the silencing capability.

In design, the Sten gun is intended to have the primer set off by the firing pin when the cartridge stops against the chamber shoulder, but before the bolt stops its movement forward. In this design, some of the chamber pressure is used to stop the forward motion of the bolt. With the ventilated barrels of the early silenced versions, a lightened bolt and recoil spring had to be used in order to make the guns work. The E.S.6(W.D.) SOE design utilized a deeper chamber where the bolt would make contact with the breech end of the barrel before the cartridge was fired, so the chamber pressure in full could be used to work the bolt to the rear. This design allowed the use of a standard bolt and recoil spring in the silenced Sten and a theoretical use of the silencing unit in any Sten Mk.II available. In practice the SOE silencing units also had reliability issues.

Three main types of Special Sten/Sten Mk.II(S) have been observed in quantity as follows:

First production model silencing units are found on B.S.A. manufactured guns with B prefix in serial number series B 341000, B 360000 and B 363000. The silencing units are two inches in diameter and are not equipped with any web handguards. The insulation is integrated in the silencer between the inner and outer tubes of the silencer. All the weapons observed have had the letter “S” stamped on the bottom of the magazine housing. These Sten guns are typically marked STFN instead of STEN, indicating a worn die used for marking the guns.

The silencer has a number of metal discs in front of the 7.2 inch barrel, which is ventilated with 6 bleed holes. A thick rubber disc is placed at the muzzle of the silencing unit to stop the powder gases from escaping. The effect of the silencing unit decreases as the rubber disc wears out. A number of silencing units have been observed with light bullet strikes at the muzzle, possibly caused by firing in recent times after the rubber had hardened thus diverting the bullets.

The silencing units are serial numbered and observations have been made in a range from 1-3400. It is not possible to say if as many as 3,400 were made but the observed numbers from 1-1500 have been so many that it’s quite possible that this range was filled. A number of these weapons were also equipped with night sights. Guns with night sights had the silencing unit permanently attached to the submachine gun. Most of the observed silencing units with night sights were in the 1-350 serial number range with one exception around serial number 3400. This model appears to have only been used by SOE agents. As mentioned above, these silencing units are possibly the shortened Kulikowski silencing units mentioned in the reports.

Second production model silencing units are found on guns with Serial numbers with TF prefix and a one and a half inch diameter silencing unit with asbestos string as insulation covered by a web handguard. These silencing units have a large threaded front cap in the muzzle that may be unscrewed for disassembly and cleaning. Instead of the metal discs, this silencing unit used a series of baffles stacked in front of the barrel and held in place by the muzzle cap. A felt disc was positioned inside the muzzle cap to help in sealing off the gases inside the silencing unit. The barrel is 3.62 inches long and has 10 bleed holes. The guns and silencing units are numbered to each other and the bolts appear to have been lightened on all the specimens observed. The guns are marked STEN MkIIS and are textbook examples of the official British army Sten MkII(S) as described in books and manuals.

Third production model silencing units are found on Fazakerley manufactured guns with FP prefix on the serial numbers. This silencing unit also has a one and a half inch diameter tube but it is quite different from the previous model. The silencing unit has a collar about one third from the rear where it can be taken apart. Internally it has the same disc pattern as the first production model mentioned above, but it has a number of thin mesh discs in each end of the set of discs. The length of the barrel is 4.75 inches and it has 6 bleed holes. These silencing units were developed by E.S.6(W.D.) and used by the SOE. It appears that this silencing unit is a direct successor of the two inch diameter type. The guns and silencing units are numbered to each other and the serial number on the silencing unit will be found on the side of the tube in front of the web handguard. The insulation is provided by asbestos string, but on this silencer it is covered by insulating tape. The Sten guns do not have any special markings on the magazine housing. As mentioned above, the silencing units are visually very close to the Army Sten Mk.II(S) type and were named “Attachment no.6, Sten Machine Carbine, Mark 1, design E.S.6(W.D.).”

Although far from identical, all the known variations of the Sten gun silencing units have been made on a similar pattern. The silencing unit has a total length of 13-14 inches and a diameter of 1.5 to 2 inches. The barrel is fixed to the silencing unit, which replaces the barrel and shroud of a regular Sten Mk II. The silencing units of the first and second production model were specifically mated to their Sten guns and were not intended to be used on other guns. The third production model was also numbered to the guns but the intention was that it could be used on any Sten Mk.II.

The quantities made of the various models of the Sten gun silencing units are very difficult to make estimates on. As mentioned, the first production model will be found with numbers between 1-3400, but it’s quite possible that only blocks of serial numbers were used. The second production model, the textbook STEN MkII(S), is reported to have been made in quantities of 2,500-6,000. The third production model is just as vague as neither the first nor the third model are often encountered outside Norway where they were sent by the SOE. It is probably safe to assume that the total number of silenced Mk.II Sten guns lie somewhere between five and ten thousand guns total.

During the research for this article more than one hundred silencing units were examined. Many of them were specimens that had been separated from their original weapon, but quite a few matching sets were also found. As the silencing unit easily disassembles from its Sten host, many of them have become lost souls over the years.

The barrels are short and ventilated to reduce the muzzle velocity to approximately the speed of sound to make the sound reduction more successful. Silenced Sten guns may not be as quiet as today’s MP5SD and other special weapons but they offered a significant reduction in sound signature and did away with the muzzle flash. Norwegian Resistance fighters used silenced Stens with great success in several documented killings of Nazi collaborators.

In Norway, the author’s native country, the textbook Sten Mk.II(S) by far the scarcest of the three main models and is very seldom encountered. This indicates that most of the silenced Sten guns in Norway were delivered by the SOE and not through the British Army.

A small number of Sten Mk.V submachine guns were also equipped with silencing units for trials. Silencing the Mk.V was complicated by the fact that it had the front sight on the barrel. A special clamp with a front sight was made for the Mk.V(S). The Mk.V(S) used the Mk.II(S) silencer and lightened bolt, but was not adopted. Instead it was decided to use the E.S.6(W.D.) units described above with the Sten Mk. V. A total of 50 guns were used in trials equipped with this silencer and the SOE method of deepened chamber appeared to work.

The last official Sten gun was the Sten Mk.VI, which was the Sten Mk.V with an E.S.6(W.D.) silencing unit attached and a front sight similar to the one on the Mk.II Sten. The Sten Mk.VI was first mentioned in a letter dated January 1945. It seems likely that this silencing unit is the “Attachment no.6, Sten Machine Carbine, Mark 2, design E.S.6(W.D.).” The silencing unit for the Sten Mk.VI is very close to the E.S.6(W.D.) unit for the Sten Mk.II except for minor details, the barrel is easily removable on the Mk.VI silencing unit. The serial number markings are found on the front end of silencing unit for the Sten Mk.VI, and match the guns they were issued with.

The Mark V and VI Sten guns had the sear positioned a bit further to the front than the Mk.II, so the problem of double taps or runaway guns was theoretically eliminated. In spite of this, these faults remained also with the Mk.VI. The Winchester ammunition had primers that were more sensitive than the ones used with the Mk.IIz ammunition. This resulted in the primer being ignited earlier and the weapon worked the same as any other Sten, with the recoiling case spending its energy to stop the bolt from going forward.

A large number of Sten Mk.VI appears to have been made, possibly as many as 25,000 guns according to some sources, but it seems that the production was stopped at 14,300 as the weapon proved unsatisfactory. 80% of the guns were issued to the SOE and 20% to the army.

Correspondence dated June 1945 indicates that the Mk.VI Sten was not successful and that most of them were never issued to the troops. Troubleshooting and altering of the bleed holes had been tried but the results were still not satisfactory. As the war was coming to an end it appears that the British army decided it would make do with the Sten Mk.II(S) guns that were already in stock.

The Sten Mk.VI was declared obsolete as early as January 1946. Most of the Mk VI Sten guns were first decided to be converted back to Mk V configuration due to a lack of Sten guns in the British army in late 1945. It appears that the end of the war made this work unnecessary and it also appears that there was some reluctance to get into a work operation that could warrant another “mark” of Stens. Some silenced Stens of both MkII and Mk.VI types remained in use and were finally replaced by the Sterling L34A1. It is unknown today whether the Mk VI were scrapped for parts or supplied to unknown users, but it is a weapon that is seldom encountered.

After World War Two a number of “Stay Behind” organizations were formed in many European countries. These organizations were part of the countries’ secret service operations and were not known to the general public. The Stay Behind units were small but had access to a number of weapons and equipment that could be brought into service in the case of an attack from the Soviets. After the Cold War most of the units were disbanded and the equipment turned over to the military authorities that had supplied them. In Norway, the Stay Behind units had silenced Sten guns in their stores, mostly Mk.VI guns but also a good supply of locally made silencing units. The silencing units were made by Stay Behind armorer Bjørn Grøtting, and were rather crude in their appearance although quite effective. The Stay Behind silencing units were not made to be disassembled.

(Thank you: Askild Antonsen, Gjermund Fjeld, The Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, Oslo, Norway. Royal Armouries, Leeds, Dutch Army Museum, Delft, Hallvard Aasdalen, Morten Støen and a special thank you to Per Ove Bø, Richard D. Jones, Ian Patrick, all of whom greatly assisted in the research of this article.)