The bi-annual Big Sandy Machine Gun Shoot, this year held on March 25-27, 2010, celebrated the 80th birthday of one of the crown jewels in machine gun information and knowledge: Robert W. “Bob” Faris. Bob has spent his life working with firearms and has amassed a knowledge base that is almost incomprehensible. His collection of weapons and his enormous library of manuals, reports, tests and photographs is a reference source that is almost unequaled anywhere in the world.

Born in 1930, and raised on a family farm outside Perkasie, Pennsylvania, Bob’s interest in guns began as far back as he can remember. Collecting and repairing .22s as a child, by the time World War II ended in 1945, at the age of 15, he had accumulated several functional .22 caliber rifles as well as a few old military rifles.

Although Bob had great mechanical ability, he had little aptitude for mathematics, which put a damper on a hoped-for career in engineering. In 1949 he attended a two-year junior college course in gunsmithing in Trinidad, Colorado that was mainly oriented towards commercial gun repair and custom work. P.O. Ackley was the chief instructor and Bob learned a lot about small arms principles that served him well in later years.

In the summer of 1950 when the Korean War broke out, Bob was working in a machine shop in Perkasie to help pay for his schooling. He was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, which altered his draft status. He went back to Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) determined to finish his two-year course resolving to try and become an armorer or small arms repairman when his time came for Army service and then find a career in the military research and development field. During his second year at TSJC, he learned of an opening for a civilian “gunner” at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Prior to graduation he applied for, and got, the job that consisted of setting up and firing standard and experimental U.S. and foreign automatic weapons, testing barrels for ammunition, proof acceptance of gun barrels and weapon systems.

Nine months later, deciding to fulfill his military obligations, he joined up hoping to be sent back to Aberdeen for basic and small arms repairman training. The Army, it its wisdom, instead sent him to Fort Knox, Kentucky for tank driver training. However, they did assign him as a Small Arms Repairman to G4 Small Arms, H.Q., 3rd Armored Division at Fort Knox because of his work as a civilian at Aberdeen Proving Ground where he learned the basics of Army inspection, gauging, and repair of the standard weapons used by the training units. A short time later, he received orders for Korea. After off-loading at Inchon, as replacements for the 7th Infantry Division, he went to the Division replacement depot. On arrival, the Commanding General ordered that the first 30 days for replacements were to be spent in their combat MOS, regardless of any other specialty MOS. As a tank driver, Bob was sent to the 73rd Heavy Tank Battalion. The next day along with nine others at the headquarters tent being interviewed and records perused, when asked, he called out him name and Small Arms Repairman 3903. From another nearby tent a man called out, “I want that man!” A Major, a battalion maintenance officer, needed someone. The small arms in the battalion were in bad shape, needing a lot of repair and care. This was not technically authorized, so with no tools other than some scrounged files, a pair of pliers and couple of screwdrivers, Bob went to work. Mainly by cannibalization, he got most them to work in just a few days. After completing his work on the accumulated unserviceable weapons, Bob was assigned to go out to the 73rd tank companies on the main line of resistance to inspect and repair individual weapons and tank machine guns, in both .30 and .50 calibers. After his 30 days, Bob reported to “B” Company, 707th Ordnance Battalion as a bona fide Small Arms Repairman, 3903 where he serviced and repaired just about every type of weapon being used and abused in all types of environments from extreme cold to extreme heat, broken and worn out parts and barrels, loose rivets, everything.

Captured weapons also found their way through Bob and he found it very educational to retain examples for examination, study and firing. At one time or another, among others, Bob had a British Mk I Bren in .303, Canadian-made Chinese Mk II Bren in 7.92mm, Soviet PPSh 41 submachine gun, Chinese T-50 submachine gun, Soviet PSSS 43 submachine gun, Chinese T-24 Maxim, Soviet M1910 Maxim, and a Soviet M43 Goryunov medium machine gun.

After Korea, returning home in June 1954, Bob went back to Aberdeen Proving Ground and got his old civilian gunner’s job back. Bob worked his way up to the top gunner’s job and in 1956 applied for a position as a test director primarily conducting tests on new 20mm aircraft automatic weapons and ammunition. From 1959 through 1963, Bob was involved in Engineering and Product Improvement tests, which were part of the M73 tank machine gun program. By 1960, was deeply involved in the .50 cal. T175 tank machine gun development program. Other gun programs Bob participated in included the 20mm M39 aircraft gun, the 20mm M61 Vulcan, the TRW 25mm Bushmaster Rapid Fire Weapon System, the 5.56mm Stoner 63 weapons systems, and the Rheinmetall HS 820 20mm Interim Rapid Fire Weapon System.

In 1970, the U.S. Army decided to move its Aircraft Armament Testing Mission from Aberdeen Proving ground in Maryland to Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona. Bob volunteered to go with it and relocated in the summer of 1971. Bob continued his work at Yuma working on a number of projects where he advanced to G12 in the early 1980s and kept him busy until his retirement in December, 1985.

What better venue than the spring Big Sandy Shoot to honor and celebrate Bob Faris’ milestone birthday. Thanks. To Kenton Tucker and Ed Hope of MG Shooters, LLC, the operators of the Big Sandy Shoot, they came up with the idea of incorporating their shoot at Wikieup with honoring Bob, who is a regular at their shoots, and always brings a fine array of rare weaponry from his collection to shoot. To cap off the day, a large birthday cake was on hand at the BBQ dinner complete with candles, an image of Bob firing a Maxim and a salutation saying: “The Big Sandy Shoot wishes Bob Faris a 21 Gun Salute on his 80th Birthday. Congratulations.”

Many of the Who’s Who in the machine gun world attended this event just for the opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to Bob. Bob is a quiet and reserved gentleman and seemed a bit embarrassed at times at all the attention he was receiving, but he happily took it all in stride and allowed us to honor him.

The location of The Big Sandy Shoot is a perfect place for the long range machine gun shoot. Wikieup is located in a small unincorporated community on US Route 93 in the western part of Arizona. Just north of Wikieup is the home of the bi-annual Big Sandy Shoot put on by MG Shooters, LLC, billed as “The Largest Machine Gun Shoot in the U.S.”

Wikieup is the place to shoot whatever you may have, or may want to shoot or see. From suppressed pistols to artillery, antique to modern and just about everything imaginable in between, it can be found on the quarter-mile long firing line. The Big Sandy shoot typically has around 200 registered shooters on 103 ten-foot line positions, with some two million rounds being expended. The spring shoot used 1,300 pounds of Tannerite, 15 cases of “reactive” targets representing over 1,500 targets set up for the shooters to test their skill at varying ranges and, on the Saturday night shoot, new this year, included 16-inch fireworks mortars attached to some of the reactive targets. Additionally, due to the remote location, radio-controlled aerial targets are provided and present an exciting, different and difficult challenge to the shooters. Shooters, vendors and guests all get to experience the event up-close and enjoy the camaraderie of the event.

The night shoot is truly something to behold. Tracers, star shells, reactive targets, fireworks and RC airplanes with lights on their wings produce an awesome light show extravaganza that is second to none.

The Big Sandy not only hosts a large machine gun shoot but they have many specialty events held simultaneously that test the skills of shooters in specific categories. This year the M1 Garand event was won by Joe Brennan; the Assault/Battle Rifle event was won by Philip Nielson; the Shotgun event was won by Ed Fallon; the subgun/Thompson event was won by Del Maslen and the Military Bolt-Action event was won by Matt Brennan. The Top Gun for the events was Scott Cornelius.

In the spirit of civic mindedness and their place within the Wikieup community, they hold a raffle at the shoot. So far, over $10,000 has been donated to the local district.

Under the watchful eyes of Ed Hope and Kenton Tucker, the Big Sandy Shoot in Wikieup is a safe and professionally managed range to see and shoot Class 3 and Destructive Device weapons out to 1,000 yards, particularly for those people living in the western half of the U.S. They have 30 people on staff for the MG shoots that includes 10 range safety personnel who also set the reactive targets as well as six firefighters. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be had serviced by the local 4-H. Young Marines and active military in uniform are allowed in free. Improvements to the facility include a range tower, water well and they are constantly grading the roads up to the event. They are constantly trying to upgrade and improve the facilities. Their main objective is to provide a safe and comfortable shooting opportunity promoting machine gun history and ownership. Whether you are a shooter or spectator, Wikieup is the place to be.

The autumn 2010 Big Sandy Shoot will be held on October 22-24. Call them or check their website to confirm dates and details.

MG Shooters, LLC
P.O. Box 5672
Scottsdale AZ 85261
(602) 327-7933
www.mgshooters.com

Wikieup is an Indian term for shelter. It is also a place, located in a small unincorporated community located on US Route 93 in the western part of Arizona. Just north of Wikieup is the home of the bi-annual Big Sandy Shoot put on by MG Shooters, LLC, billed as “The Largest Machine Gun Shoot in the U.S.”

Wikieup is the place to shoot whatever you may have, or may want to shoot or see. From suppressed pistols to artillery, antique to modern and just about everything imaginable in between, it can be found on the quarter-mile long firing line. The Big Sandy shoot typically has around 200 registered shooters with some two million rounds being expended. Shooters, vendors and guests all get to experience the camaraderie of the event.

The Big Sandy not only hosts a large machine gun shoot but they have many specialty events held simultaneously that include Thompsons and other submachine guns, BARs, Service pistols, and Garand competitions, as well as “bloop gun” (40mm) and belt fed exercises and a long range artillery shoot.

Due to the remote location, radio-controlled aerial targets are provided and present an exciting and different challenge to the shooters. Additionally, over 1,500 reactive targets are set up for the shooters to test their skill on at varying ranges.

The night shoot is truly something to behold. Tracers, star shells, reactive targets and RC airplanes with lights on their wings produce an awesome light show extravaganza that is second to none.

In the spirit of civic mindedness, they hold a raffle at the shoot with half the pot going to and benefiting the local Owens Whitney School in Wikieup.

New this year is the First Annual Cannon Shoot and Swap Meet. Scheduled for September 29-30, it is sure to be a hit with cannon lovers and owners with new artillery, old artillery and odd artillery and everyone will be sure to have a “booming” good time. Competitions will be held for muzzle loaders and modern cartridge guns. Awards will be given for the oldest gun present and the most unusual.

The autumn 2007 Big Sandy Shoot will be held on October 19-21. Call them or check their website to confirm dates and details.

Under the watchful eyes of Ed Hope and Kenton Tucker, Wikieup is a safe and professionally managed range to see and shoot Class 3 and DD weapons, particularly for those people living in the western half of the US. Whether you are a shooter or spectator, Wikieup is the place to be.

MG Shooters, LLC
P.O. Box 5672
Scottsdale AZ 85261
(602) 327-7933
www.mgshooters.com

The shooting line hosted 193 registered shooters and stretched almost a quarter mile long. Two million rounds were expended. The array of arms was staggering ranging from a one-half scale Tippmann Browning machine gun up to a 90mm T-8 field artillery piece, with just about everything imaginable in between. World War I classic guns such as Vickers, Maxims, Lewis and Browning were in abundance as were World War II MG34s, MG42s, SG-43s, M2HBs, BARs, Thompsons, Stens and MP40s. Modern weapons were also well represented with MAG 58s, M240s AKs and all their variants, AR-15/M16s and Miniguns.

There were nine anti-tank/artillery pieces on the line this year providing an exciting and different sound to the cacophony of the automatic fire. These included four US M3 and M3A1 37mm anti-tank guns, two Swedish 37mm Bofors anti-tank guns, two 57mm M1A anti-tank guns and an extremely impressive US 90mm T-8.

One of the trademark features of this shoot is the large number of radio controlled aircraft available for that ever-so-difficult anti-aircraft fire. 37 aircraft made their appearance this shoot and all were repaired at least once for further missions. The gunners are definitely getting better as most of the airplanes only made it through about four passes before being blown out of the sky. Another trademark feature of this shoot is the number of reactive targets set up; this year totaling 1,500.

Ma Deuce Certified Armorer Dan Shea was puzzled as to why his M3-AC-Basic wasn’t working when he put it up on the Vinghog mount. Several people pointed out that he had forgotten to switch the shuttle from right hand to left hand feed resulting in hours of good natured ribbing over this ultra senior moment. Someone said, “You won’t see THAT mentioned in SAR.” Yes, you will. – Robert Segel

Ed Hope displays a 37mm round for his Model 1878 Hotchkiss Revolving Canon mounted on a wheeled field carriage.

The weather was perfect during the shoot and the only disappointment was the prohibition of tracer and incendiary fire. There has been an unusual amount of rain in this region this past year and what is normally a dry, dusty and barren environment, enabled the growth of an abnormal amount of underbrush that when dry becomes extremely flammable. At the risk of literally setting the hills on fire, the decision was made to prevent the use of tracer and incendiary rounds. Though this caused great disappointment, everyone understood that a large fire in this remote location would be a disaster for all and, in true MG camaraderie, nobody complained. In the meantime, MG Shooters, LLC is actively trying to burn off all the undergrowth in preparation of the next scheduled shoot in March.

No stranger to machine guns, Lauren Word pops reactive targets with ease with her father’s Vickers.

Two of the great machine gun minds of our time meet for the first time: Bill Vallerand and Bob Faris. The wealth of machine gun knowledge these two men possess could fill volumes. And they are more than happy to help and share that knowledge with anyone who asks.

There were a number of side events that included a long range artillery shoot, M1 Garand match (Brandon Bymoen), 40mm match (Dan Dolan M-79), Belt fed match (Michael Milburn), Thompson match (Dave White M-1), Subgun match (Tony Dee 38-A), Service pistol match (Mickey Thompson – 1911) and a BAR match (Rocky Buttshw – 1918).

A shooter/pilot arrived in his helicopter with 20 boxes of hot Krispy Kreme donuts that he freely distributed among all the shooters and during the down time when the reactive targets were being reset, he would give free helicopter rides to anyone who asked. A raffle was held for the benefit of the Owen Whitney school in Wikieup and has to date received $1,900 in donations.

MG Shooters, LLC holds a number of shoots throughout the year at this location and the next scheduled shoot is March 24-26, 2006. To confirm dates and details for future events, contact them directly.

MG Shooters, LLC
P.O. Box 5672
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
(602) 327-7933
www.mgshooters.com