Red, white, and polished blue steel. The 4th of July is a celebration of freedom, and America’s freedom was forged through courage and gunpowder. We’re looking back at the top 25 American guns of all time, and the competition is fierce. Most of the featured firearms are offered in Rock Island Auction Company’s upcoming August Premier Auction, along with a few examples from past events.

Iconic American arms from every era will be featured in Rock Island Auction Company’s August Premier.

The Kentucky Rifle

One of the first truly iconic arms of America was pioneered by German and Swiss gunsmiths who immigrated to the Colonies in the 18th century. Popularly known as the Kentucky Rifle or Pennsylvania Rifle, the American Long Rifle allowed accurate shooting up to 200 yards or more, a decisive advantage to backwoodsmen while hunting in the western wilderness or sniping Red Coats during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.

A John Armstrong Maryland Golden Age flintlock American Long Rifle, an extraordinary example of one of America’s best guns of all time. Available this August.

Colt Model 1851 Navy

A personal favorite of Samuel Colt, the Model 1851 Navy was one of the most prevalent sidearms on both sides of the American Civil War, even serving as the basis for numerous Confederate produced brass-frame revolver styles like the Griswold & Gunnison Revolver and the Leech & Rigdon revolvers. The sturdy sixgun’s impressive production numbers, widespread use on the American frontier, and status as the favored revolver for Western legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, and countless early gunslingers elevate the 1851 Navy to one of best American guns of all time.

An exemplary cased, early factory engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver with extremely scarce gold plated grip straps. The Navy set the standard for countless black powder revolvers, earning a clear spot on any list of iconic arms of America. Available this August.

The Sharps Rifle and Carbine

The various models of Sharps rifles and carbines earned a reputation as iconic arms of America in the Civil War, the Old West, and in popular culture thanks to films like ‘Quigley Down Under’ and ‘True Grit.’  Produced from the Antebellum Era through the late-19th century and noted for their exceptional accuracy and reliability, the Sharps filled a key role during the Civil War when the Union purchased approximately 80,000 Sharps carbines and almost 10,000 rifles. Specially ordered Sharps rifles were famously fielded by the 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooter Regiments (the Berdan’s Sharpshooters) to great effect.

A historic Sharps Model Model 1853 “John Brown Sharps/Beecher’s Bible” slant breech percussion carbine documented as shipped to abolitionist General Samuel C. Pomeroy in Kansas during the Bleeding Kansas period. For its role in revolutionizing sniping tactics, the Sharps rifle platform wins a nod as one of America’s best guns of all time. Available this August.

The Springfield Model 1861 Rifle-Musket

The Springfield Model 1861 rifle-musket became one of the most prolific Northern rifles issued during the Civil War, taking the field in quantity from 1862 onward, from Shiloh to Appomattox. With over 1 million being produced during the conflict by Springfield Armory and two dozen other firearm producers, the dependable .58 caliber rifle improved precision over infantry traditional musket. This percussion powerhouse finds a worthy spot on our list of America’s best guns of all time thanks to its role in winning the Civil War, protecting workers on the Transcontinental Railroad, and serving as the material platform for a line of Springfield breechloading rifles that would culminate with the 1873 Trapdoor.

An outstanding Civil War U.S. Springfield Model 1863 Type II/1864 percussion rifle-musket, the final iteration of one of the most iconic arms of America. Available this August.

Remington Rolling Block

Developed from the Remington “Split Breech” carbine, a Civil War gun designed to fire the same cartridges as the Spencer repeater, the Remington Rolling Block family became not just one of the most iconic arms of America but a popular longarm around the world. As the most widely used single shot military breechloader of the 19th century, the Remington Rolling Block’s service record is expansive. The gun was produced in a variety of calibers, both rimfire and centerfire, and its action was sturdy enough to easily accommodate the increased pressure of new smokeless powders hitting the market in the late 1890s.

An impressive example of one of the best frontier guns of all time, this Remington No. 1 Rolling Block long-range target rifle sold for $8,050 in RIAC’s May 2021 Premier Auction.

The Colt Single Action Army

The Colt Single Action Army revolver is a no-brainer inclusion for any best guns of all time list. Possibly the most famous firearm ever made, “Judge Colt and His Jury of Six” was first adopted by the U.S. Army in July 1873 and went on to serve as the choice sidearm for countless lawmen, cowboys, homesteaders, and desperados who came to define the American frontier. For 150 years, the Colt SAA has prominently appeared in dime novels, radio shows, film, and television, and today continues to represent the enduring spirit of the American West.

An Ainsworth inspected Lot Five U.S. Cavalry Colt Single Action Army revolver with a Kopec Gold Seal letter, a stunning early example of one of the most iconic arms of America. Available this August.

The Winchester 1873

A well-armed frontiersman carried a Colt on his hip and a Winchester over his shoulder. As the successor to the Henry rifle and the 1866 Yellowboy, the Model 1873 put the name Winchester on the map and went on to conquer the open range. Dubbed “the Gun that Won the West”, the Winchester ’73 became a symbol of freedom and self-determination on the American frontier. From movie sets to modern-day cowboy action shooting competitions, these iconic arms of America have stood the test of time.

An exceptional example of one of the best guns of all time, a special order deluxe Winchester Model 1873 rifle. Available this August.

Winchester Model 94

The Winchester Model 1894 hit the scene too late to see the height of the American Wild West, but the rifle certainly kept Winchester’s frontier legacy alive. The Winchester 94’s balance and slim profile made it a favorite walking gun for hunters, ranchers, and law enforcement who appreciated the power and reliability of Winchester’s .30-30 WCF smokeless cartridge. The classic lever gun’s accuracy, simplicity, and rugged resilience earned it a place in millions of gun racks across America. In terms of tried-and-tested hunting arms, the Winchester Model 94 is hands down one of the best guns of all time.

A pre-64 Winchester Model 94 carbine with its original box, an outstanding example of one of the most iconic arms of America. Available this August.

Smith & Wesson Military and Police and Model 10

What qualities should a model have to be considered one of the best guns of all time? Production numbers? Versatility? Fame? The Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police series checks all those boxes and more, remaining in continuous production for over a century and becoming the overwhelming favorite sidearm of countless police forces and militaries around the world. Later renamed the Model 10, this iconic revolver became the most produced wheel gun platform of the 20th century and a mainstay of nearly every police department around the country well into the 1980s. Now that’s an American success story.

As iconic arms of America go, it doesn’t get much better than a classic Smith & Wesson. This factory engraved .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 Fourth Change revolver sold for $4,025 in December of 2020.

Marlin Model 39A

The first lever action chambered in .22 LR, this classic Marlin went through a number of name changes over the last 132 years. Releasing as the Marlin Model 1891, the gun was redubbed “Bicycle Rifle” in 1897, then again renamed to Model 39 in 1922 before finally embracing its most famous iteration in 1939 in the Marlin 1939A.  As the longest continuously produced rifle in the world and the lever action Annie Oakley made famous, the Marlin Model 39A and its predecessors are undeniably iconic arms of America.

A scarce Marlin 90th anniversary Model Golden 39A rifle sold for $4,313 in December of 2021. As .22 rifles go, one of the best guns of all time.

Winchester Model 1897 Shotgun

One of the best guns of all time in terms of military shotguns, the Winchester Model 1897 shotgun was popularized as a sporting arm before finding a role during the Philippine-American War. In WW1, the Model 1897 was officially adopted as the U.S. “Model of 1917 Trench Shotgun” and modified with a bayonet lug, a heat shield, and a shorter barrel for maneuverability in the trenches of Western Europe. The shotgun and its slam fire heroics proved effective enough to earn a diplomatic protest from the Germans, who claimed that America’s use of trench guns caused “unnecessary suffering.”

The Winchester Model 1897 slide action trench shotgun earned a larger-than-life reputation in WW1 and has become one of the most iconic arms of America. Available this August.

1903 Springfield Rifle

Not all iconic arms of America were born in the Land of Stars and Stripes. Based on the German Mauser bolt action, America took the design and made it their own with the Springfield Model 1903 rifle. Initially chambered in .30-03, the rifle suffered from poor trajectory and excessive barrel wear. However, by chambering a lighter, spitzer bullet and a cooler burning propellant, a legend was born in the .30-06 cartridge, and battlefield and deer stand would soon feel the wrath of the mighty Springfield Model 1903.

One of the best guns of all time by sheer production numbers, the U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rifle is still widely fielded by shooters and hunters today. This rare example is equipped with the innovative 1918 Mark I Pedersen Device.

The Colt 1911

As the longest-serving military sidearm in American history, the legendary Colt 1911 pistol is going to find itself in any best guns of all time discussion. The brainchild of John Moses Browning, this .45-caliber magazine-fed semi-automatic pistol set a new design standard that helped the United States become back to back World War champs and continues to be carried by numerous American officers to this day. The M1911 design has been widely emulated, with few major changes made to the pistol’s internals over the decades, a testament to the gun’s exemplary performance record.

A scarce 1937 production Colt U.S. Navy contract Model 1911/1911A1 transitional semi-pistol. The 1911 pistol is easily one of the most recognizable and iconic arms of America. Available this August.

Browning Auto-5

John Browning was said to consider the Auto-5 his greatest achievement, a bold statement from the prolific gun inventor and more than enough to earn the famous “Humpback” a solid ranking among the most iconic arms of America. Browning’s 1903 recoil-operated design was a versatile workhorse for all types of fowling and target shooting. This sturdy scattergun continues to be fielded by the modern sportsman today and holds the title of second-best autoloading shotty of all time.

As the first successful semi-automatic shotgun, the Auto-5 should be considered one of the best guns of all time. The fantastic example below is a double signed, engraved and gold inlaid Belgium Browning Gold Classic Auto-5 with its original box. Available this August.

The Thompson Submachine Gun

In terms of cultural impact and a notable service record in WW2, Hollywood’s favorite gangster weapon merits consideration as one of the best guns of all time. Designed by John Thompson, the fully automatic Tommy Gun was completed too late to fill its intended role as a WW1 trench sweeper. The inventor subsequently marketed the weapon to everyone from law enforcement to ranchers, but the deadly submachinegun found an unexpected niche with organized crime. On the eve of WW2, the Thompson submachine gun was adopted by the U.S. military and employed by the British as well, with over 1.5 million of the new military-issued M1928A1 and M1A1 produced. This earned the weapon international recognition through German and Japanese propaganda posters that portrayed the U.S. and her allies as Tommy-toting gangsters.

From mafia to military to Hollywood, the Thompson became one of the most iconic arms of America. This fantastic example is a police documented Colt Thompson Model 1921 that includes a case and extra magazines. Available this August.

The M2 Machine Gun

A good portion of John Browning’s inventions have become iconic arms of American history, including the famous M2 Heavy Machine Gun. Affectionately dubbed “Ma Deuce” and “The Mother of All Machine Guns” by the troops who continue to rely on its .50 caliber firepower, this air-cooled, belt-fed behemoth has stood the test of time like few other firearms. As a U.S. military mainstay since the 1930s, the M2 has touched the battlefield in every major American conflict from WW2 onward.

One of the best guns of all time, this M2 machine gun lived up to its iconic reputation and sold for a stunning $94,000 in RIAC’s May Premier.

Ithaca 37

Hailed by many hunters as one of the best guns of all time, the Ithaca 37 shotgun is a legendary platform inspired by the ideas of John Moses Browning and John Douglas Pedersen. This pump action icon quickly found a market after its 1937 release and never looked back, becoming the longest continuously-produced shotgun in American history and earning a reputation as a versatile autoloader that was well suited for field, police, and military duty alike.

One of the most iconic arms of America in terms of longevity and adaptability, this USSF marked Ithaca Model 37 Special Forces trench-style shotgun highlights the platforms role as a military weapon. Available this August.

The M1 Garand

In the list of iconic arms of America during WW2, the M1 Garand might be number one. Fielded by millions of American GIs, General George Patton once hailed the rifle as, “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” The .30-caliber M1 Garand served as the standard U.S. infantry rifle from 1936 to 1959 and it continued to see use as late as the Vietnam War. From Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers to the Call of Duty video game series, few weapons can symbolize America’s valor in WW2 better than John Garand’s iconic rifle.

An exceptional WW2 U.S. Winchester “WIN-13” M1 Garand. For its role as WW2s most successful semi-automatic infantry rifle, the M1 Garand can be hailed one of the best guns of all time. Available this August.

The M1 Carbine

Another red-blooded American gun that complimented the M1 Garand’s high-volume fire, the M1 Carbine offered an effective firearm sized somewhere between a rifle and a pistol that was ideal for units like paratroopers, drivers, weapon crews, intelligence officers, and communications personnel who required a lighter burden. One of the best guns of all time thanks to its spectacular service history, the M1 carbine helped lead the United States to victory in Europe and the Pacific theater then went on to become widely owned and fielded after the war thanks to an abundance of WW2 surplus.

Winchester Model 70

If you’re widely known as the superlative bolt action rifle, chances are you’re going to make America’s best guns of all time list. Enter the Winchester Model 70. Widely dubbed “the rifleman’s rifle,” the Model 70 has gone through numerous changes and iterations over its nearly nine decades of production and is chambered to take everything from white-tailed deer to African dangerous game. The gun served the United States Marines as their precision rifle during the Vietnam War, famously fielded by Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, who used the mighty Model 70 during most of his 93 confirmed kills. Today, the Winchester Model 70 continues to find favor with shooters and collectors, the latter preferring the desirable “Pre-64” production model.

One of the most iconic arms of America, the Winchester Model 70 is instantly recognizable to nearly every sporting gun enthusiast. This rare documented U.S. property marked Winchester Model 70 “Van Orden Sniper” rifle includes an 8x Unertl U.S.M.C. sniper scope and case and a CMP Certificate of Authenticity. Available this August.

Smith & Wesson Model 29

Elmer Keith and Clint Eastwood helped elevate the .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 29 into one of the iconic arms of America. Elmer Keith had long been advocating for a more powerful version of the .44 Special cartridge. In 1955, Remington Arms introduced the .44 Remington Magnum cartridge, while Smith & Wesson delivered a revolver to chamber the beast. The S&W Model 29 found niche success with handgun hunters, law enforcement, and revolver lovers before launching into the stratosphere thanks to 1971’s ‘Dirty Harry.’ While this powerhouse pistol has been since surpassed by monsters like the .500 S&W Magnum, for a time Dirty Harry’s revolver truly was the most powerful handgun in the world.  

A Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 29-5 revolver from the Hank Williams Jr. Collection sold for $10,350 at RIAC in September 2021. For it’s power, aesthetic, and cultural appeal, the Model 29 family earns a nod as one of America’s best guns of all time.

Remington Model 870

With over 12 million in circulation and counting, the Remington Model 870 should be considered a candidate for any top 25 best guns of all time list. A shotgun known for its rugged reliability, the Model 870 has lent itself perfectly to every need over the last seven decades. Game wardens, duck hunters, police officers, and Vietnam Navy Seals have all shouldered the Model 870, and the gun is featured in nearly every modern film and TV show involving law enforcement, zombies, or action of any sort. One would be pressed not to find an example of this robust shotty in every town across the United States, and it continues to sell as the recently introduced Remington 870 Fieldmaster.

This example of a Remington Wingmaster 870 realized an astounding $38,188 in RIAC’s December 2021 Premier Auction, an impressive example of one of the most iconic arms of America.

The M60 Machine Gun

First issued in 1959, the M60 machine gun was an attempt to combine the firepower of the M1919 Browning with the relative mobility of the BAR. What resulted was one of the most iconic arms of America, a 23-pound belt-fed beast that could eat a ton of  7.62mm ammo and chew through anything down range. The M60 often found itself in the mud and muck during combat, and its relatively slow cyclic rate made this heavy hitter sound akin to a grunting boar. The Pig humped, sailed, and soared through Vietnam, Operation Just Cause, and the Persian Gulf War and continues to see service in specialized roles today.

Inspired by the German FG42 and MG42, the M60 became one of America’s best guns of all time. Available this August.

Marlin Model 60

For years, Marlin billed the Model 60 as “the most popular 22 in the world.” Whether that’s enough to also call this prolific semi-auto one of the best guns of all time is up for debate, but it certainly ranks as an American essential. Introduced in 1960, Marlin’s semi-auto .22 LR tack driver remained in production for six decades and was carried by generations of Americans who fell in love with its resiliency and ease of use. For target shooting, plinking, and small game hunting, the Marlin Model 60 is a true American classic.

Caleb Savant from Brownells shows off the Marlin Model 60, one of the most iconic arms of America.

The M16

Adapted from the famous ArmaLite AR-15 platform, the M16 offered an all-in-one battle rifle that could excel at both distance combat and close-quarter fighting. Though the refinement of the M16 was not without its hurdles, the rifle’s updates and successors soon stepped up to the challenges of modern warfare and became the longest-serving infantry long arm in U.S. military history, a contemporary defender of Lady Liberty, and one of the indisputably iconic arms of America.

Who doesn’t need a Colt M16A1 selective fire rifle in the 9 million serial range? Available this August.

Iconic Arms of America

While our top 25 list includes some undeniable American icons, there are countless gun models that could be considered legends in their field. For their historic influence, market success, or cultural impact, a few honorable mentions include the Colt Walker, the Hawken rifle, the Derringer, the Gatling Gun, the Winchester Model 1895, the Colt Detective Special, and the Winchester Model 21 shotgun, and examples of all these gun collecting cornerstones can be found at Rock Island Auction Company.

Perhaps the most influential non-firearm weapon in American history, the Bowie Knife carries a fascinating story in its own right. This rare Tillotson Sheffield patriotic “Gold Hunters Knife” Bowie knife is available this available this August.

By Kyle Shea

Brannigan’s Diamondback

I doubt there is a single person in the world who does not know who John Wayne was. He starred in over 140 films, including in a number of Westerns. Some of these include: “True Grit,” “Sands of Iwo Jima,” “The Longest Day,” “The Searchers,” “Island in the Sky,” the 1960s version of “The Alamo” and “The Cowboys.” His last performance was in “The Shootist,” although he did voice a character (Garindan) in “Star Wars: A New Hope.” He died in 1979—missed but never forgotten.

In 1975, John Wayne starred in “Brannigan,” a film about Chicago Police Detective Jim Brannigan who goes to London to bring a notorious crime boss back to America. Upon arriving in the English capital, the crime boss is kidnapped, and a ransom is demanded for his release. So Brannigan must join forces with local law enforcement to find the crime boss, rescue him and bring him back to the United States to face justice for his crime.

John Wayne plays the main character Jim Brannigan. Judy Geeson plays a police officer who escorts Brannigan around London. The leading police officer in London is played by Richard Attenborough, and the crime boss is played by John Vernon. One especially good performance in the movie is by Daniel Pilon. He plays a hitman targeting Brannigan, and there were a few scenes where it almost looked like he was going to succeed.

In the movie, Jim Brannigan carries a double-action .38 Colt Diamondback as a side arm. First produced in 1966, it was popular with civilians and law enforcement. It has a four-inch long barrel and carries six .38 special rounds through a cylinder system. Other Colt Diamondback models shoot .22 Long Rifle ammunition.

The opening credit scene of the movie has the camera scanning the .38 Colt diamondback up and down, with some close ups as well. One scene where Brannigan uses the .38 Colt Diamondback is when he is confronted by a bad guy in a car. He dodges the car a few times before he shoots the villain through the windshield with his revolver. Throughout the movie, Richard Attenborough’s character gives Brannigan a hard time for having the gun and the two square off a few times over it.

Other guns in the movie include a Colt Detective Special used by Richard Attenborough’s character, Sir Charles Swann. Daniel Pilon’s character uses a Mauser M712—the select-fire “Schnellfeuer.” Some mobsters are seen using an M1911 (not an “A1”) and a Walther P38K (The shorty P38 pistol). In one scene, a trap set for Jim Brannigan involves a double-barreled shotgun, which is tied to a string attached to a door.

“Brannigan” isn’t a great movie by any means, but it is still enjoyable to watch. John Wayne is great, of course, but the other actors are good as well. The setting in London is nice, and the action scenes are well done, including a fun car chase. John Vernon and Daniel Pilon both play villains very well, and Richard Attenborough does a nice job as a British police chief. In general, “Brannigan” is a gem to add to your John Wayne collection.

MEOPTA

Optika5 Riflescopes

Meopta USA Sport Optics introduced the 1-inch, Optika5 series of premium riflescopes. This newest Meopta riflescope line features a 5x zoom, zero-reset turrets and advanced MeoBright lens coatings that deliver edge-to-edge clarity and exceptionally bright, sharp images. Available in 2-10×42 RF (rimfire), 2-10×42, 3-15×44, 4-20×44, 4-20×50 and 4-20×50 RD models, the Optika5 riflescopes are available with reticles in the second focal plane. All come with capped hunting turrets made of rubber-armored metal for the perfect combination of durability and functionality. The rear-facing magnification display allows for easy viewing of the power setting from behind the scope, and the zoom ring comes with a multiposition throw lever for quick adjustment of the power setting in the field. Windage and elevation adjustments are ¼ MOA. All Meopta Optika5 riflescopes are made of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. meoptasportsoptics.com

FOXFURY LIGHTING SOLUTIONS

D3060 Drone Light

Foxfury Lighting Solutions announced the arrival of the D3060, the newest addition to its family of drone lights. The D3060 is a small format drone and utility light. Dual LEDs give the D3060 360-degree lighting. There is 30-degree light on the front and a 60-degree light on the top of the unit. Each one has three modes: low, high and strobe. These lights can operate independently or simultaneously depending on the user’s needs. The D3060 weighs 1.3 ounces, so it has a minimal impact on flight time. The D3060 comes with dual lock fasteners as well as a strap insert in the base plate, so you can mount it to most drones in addition to wearing on helmets, clothing, bags, etc. Various mounting options can make the D3060 into a utility, anti-collision or navigation light. The strobe mode meets FAA and global regulations for UAV night flight and anti-collision drone lighting. The D3060’s base plate swivels 360-degrees, allowing it to point in any direction necessary. foxfury.com 

AIMPOINT 

CompM5b Sight 

The Aimpoint CompM5b is a ballistic compensating red dot optic in the CompM5 series of sights. The sight allows the user to quickly adjust the position of the 2 MOA red dot based on target distance and wind conditions. The CompM5b comes with interchangeable turrets that adjust the point of aim for different calibers of ammunition. While shooting, the user can switch between longer and shorter distances without having to compensate ballistic drop or re-zero the sight. Wind compensation can be adjusted on 3 levels: mild, moderate and severe. The CompM5b is an enclosed system and fully submersible up to 150 feet. It is compatible with all generations of night vision devices, as well as Aimpoint’s 3X-C, 3XMag-1 and 6XMag-1 magnifiers. aimpoint.us 

TRIPLE F FIREARMS 

AR-Style Shotgun Stock Adaptor 

Triple F Firearms makes stock adaptors for a variety of AR-style shotgun platforms. These adaptors allow the installation of collapsible or folding stocks on AR shotguns such as the MKA 1919, the BR-99 and the AR-12 to name a few. These adaptors are made of aluminum and are hard-coat anodized. They fit the contour of the shotgun’s polymer stock. gunindustrymarketplace.com 

STREAMLIGHT INC. 

TLR-9 Rail Mounted Tactical Light 

Streamlight Inc. recently introduced the TLR-9 rail mounted tactical light, designed for use with full-frame handguns. Featuring a slim, compact design, the new light offers ergonomic rear switches with either a low or high position to match users’ shooting styles, while providing 1,000 lumens for a variety of tactical and home defense uses. The light’s strobe mode offers 3 continuous hours of run time. Securely fitting to a broad range of weapons, the TLR-9 features a one-handed, snap-on-and-tighten interface that keeps hands away from gun muzzles when attaching or detaching it. The light also includes a Safe Off feature, locking it to prevent accidental activation. A key kit is included to securely fit the light to a broad array of handguns. streamlight.com 

HIPERFIRE 

PDI Drop-In Triggers 

Many aftermarket drop-ins are notorious for light primer strikes (LPS). Not so with the new PDI line of triggers. These drop-ins pull at around 2 pounds and sport HIPERFIRE’s unique HIPERSHOE that now mounts onto a curved bow, not just straight. The hammer strikes surpass SAAMI’s copper crusher spec and hit harder than MIL-SPEC M4/16 hammers. The four PDI versions feature a hammer collision bumper. hiperfire.com 

COLT 

Python .357 Magnum 

Colt has released a refined and upgraded Colt Python. The legendary double-action revolver, which originally debuted in 1955, returns in stainless steel in 4.25-inch and 6-inch barrel lengths. Numerous improvements were made to reinforce the revolver, including the use of stronger stainless steel alloys and a re-designed rear sight which allows for a 30% increase in the cross-sectional area of the top strap, meaning more steel beneath the rear adjustable target sight, for a stronger revolver and more robust shooting experience. Finally, Colt built on the modern Snake Gun legacy by adding features such as a recessed target crown, user-interchangeable front sight and an updated walnut grip to make this the most user-friendly Python ever. The DA revolver is chambered in .357 Magnum and also accommodates .38 Special cartridges. colt.com 

LYMAN / MARK 7 RELOADING 

Mark 7 Reloading Autodrives 

Lyman® Products Mark 7 reloading autodrives are designed to work with Dillon presses, incorporating the latest digital technologies to increase efficiency, performance and accuracy while increasing the round rate per hour. The Dillon 650/750 Pro automates the 650/750 series of progressive presses (Dillon machine is not included) and allows users an impressive cycle rate of 900 to 1800 rounds/ hour. It is compatible with Mr. Bulletfeeder (by Double-Alpha) and is upgradeable with Mark 7’s patented sensors. The autodrive comes pre-assembled and ready to bolt to the Dillon press. All Mark 7 autodrives include a 10-inch, high-resolution tablet and heavy-duty tablet holder. All the features are monitored by the tablet and software downloads are available free for life. lymanproducts.com / markvii-loading.com 

Despite Its High Cost, Millions Were Made for the U.S. and the Allies in WWII

The Thompson submachine gun was conceived by U.S. Army General John Thompson as a weapon to assault and clear out enemy trenches during World War I. Thompson formed the Auto-Ordnance Corporation to develop his submachine gun. World War I ended before the weapon went into production. After the post-war design was finalized, Auto-Ordnance, which had no facilities for mass production, subcontracted with Colt to manufacture the Thompson submachine gun. A total of 15,000 Thompson submachine guns were produced by Colt from 1921 to 1922. Sales were very disappointing; for all intents and purposes the concept was a failure though criminals of the day recognized the Thompson’s value. Police departments began to purchase Thompsons just so they would not be outgunned by gangsters. Many gangland shootings made the headlines in all the newspapers; the Thompson submachine gun was getting a very tainted reputation.

By early 1939 when it appeared World War II was imminent, the Thompson submachine gun was nearly 20 years old. An entrepreneur by the name of Russell Maguire sensed that there would be a need for weapons when war came. Through some dubious tactics, Mr. Maguire was able to gain controlling interest in the floundering Auto-Ordnance Corporation.

World War II was a more fluid conflict than World War I had been. It would be a war where the submachine gun would play a significant role. Despite the design being over 20 years old, it was the only proven weapon that could be fielded quickly. However, once again Auto-Ordnance had no manufacturing capabilities. A forward-thinking Russell Maguire contracted with the Savage Arms Company to manufacture the Thompson for Auto-Ordnance. The first Thompsons made by Savage were similar to those made by Colt. Savage delivered the first completed guns to Auto-Ordnance in April 1940. Savage also manufactured many parts to supply Auto-Ordnance’s own factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut, that began manufacturing the M1928A1 model in August 1941.

The British Army, despite their resistance to what they referred to as “gangster guns,” was one of the first customers to order Thompsons. At this point, the United States had not yet entered the war. The United States was forced to enter World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The U.S. Army began quickly growing, and weapons were needed to arm soldiers and Marines.

The U.S. government had on several occasions voiced concern over the .45 caliber submachine gun’s high price, which was costing the government the same as a Browning belt-fed machine gun. Savage and Auto-Ordnance were both aware that the Ordnance Department was seeking a less expensive submachine gun to replace the Thompson.

In November 1941, the engineering staff at Savage began conducting a study of how the M1928A1 model Thompson could be simplified. The engineers were looking for ways to decrease cost and increase production. Consuming much of the manufacturing effort was the receiver, more specifically, the rails inside of the receiver that the bronze Blish lock traveled on. The three-piece bolt/lock/actuator of the 1928 model was also labor intensive to manufacture. The engineers at Savage doubted that the locking device was necessary.

A Less Complex Submachine Gun

In late February 1942, a “simplified” prototype Thompson submachine gun conceived by Savage was ready to be submitted to the Ordnance Department for testing. The bolt assembly was a very simple rectangular block of steel. This allowed the receiver to be redesigned for easier manufacture and its width reduced. The inside of the receiver simply had a rectangular channel milled into it to accommodate the bolt. The bolt had been redesigned with two sear notches. This allowed the weapon’s safety lever to be engaged when the bolt was in the forward position on an empty chamber. Since drum-type magazines had proven unsuitable for military use, the new receivers eliminated the lateral slots on the sides of the magazine well for accommodating them.

Savage shipped the new weapon to Russell Maguire at the Auto-Ordnance Corporation headquarters. The Savage Corporation told Auto-Ordnance that it was submitting the redesigned Thompson, “Without any claims for compensation, reimbursement, royalty or patent interest.” The Auto-Ordnance engineering staff examined the new design and then submitted it to the Ordnance Department in March 1942. The new Thompson was sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground for testing and evaluation. After a few government recommended alterations to the prototype were made, the new Thompson was recommended for adoption as “Submachine Gun, Caliber .45 M1” on March 24, 1942.

The pilot rod for the recoil spring was simplified for easier manufacture and was held in place by a new type buffer. The M1’s pilot rod was made longer than those for the 1928 design to completely contain the spring. The M1’s pilot rod and buffer lessened the possibility of damaging the recoil spring during assembly and disassembly; a problem often encountered with the 1928 models.

The M1 featured a smooth barrel without the radial cooling fins or a threaded muzzle for a compensator. The rear sight installed on early production M1 Thompsons was the same simple unprotected “L” type. This design proved to be easily damaged and was replaced by a similar sight but with protective side “ears.”

By July 1942, Savage began delivery of the first new Thompson model, now designated as the M1 Submachine Gun. The Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport and Savage Arms factories both began production of the Thompson M1 model in July 1942. However, due to many technical problems experienced by the Bridgeport factory with the change over from the M1928A1 model, the actual manufacture of their M1s was delayed by several months.

While in July 1942, Savage had turned out 48,000 guns, Auto-Ordnance was struggling to meet its scheduled production mark. Contributing to the production delays were problems in deliveries of materials, equipment and tooling authorized by the government for M1 production.

After the M1 production finally commenced at Auto-Ordnance’s Bridgeport plant, more problems were encountered. The Springfield Ordnance District refused to accept any of the Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport-manufactured M1s because of the increase in their full-auto cyclic rate over the M1928A1 model. Officials from Washington, the district ordnance office and Auto-Ordnance engineers conducted studies and tests, all failing to provide a correction for the condition. Finally, on December 9, 1942, official notice from the Ordnance Department in Washington gave the district permission to waive the rate-of-fire requirement and accept the Bridgeport M1 guns. In the interim, the M1 Thompsons being produced at Savage were being accepted in large quantities by the Rochester Ordnance District without any problems.

The M1A1 Model

The Savage Arms Company continued attempts to further simplify the design by experimenting with a fixed firing pin model. The prototype was originally fitted with an M1 type bolt with a firing pin fixed in an extended or “in battery” position. The firing pin, spring, hammer and hammer pin were omitted. Later the “fixed” separate firing pin was eliminated and replaced by a fixed “firing pin” machined onto the bolt face.

The Springfield Ordnance District was notified that manufacture of a fixed firing pin bolt for use in the M1 submachine gun was authorized. In order to distinguish between submachine guns equipped with separate firing pins and fixed firing pins, the submachine guns fitted with the fixed firing pin would be designated as “Gun, Submachine, Caliber .45, Thompson M1A1” (A1= Alteration 1).

By the time the Springfield Ordnance District began accepting the M1s made at the Bridgeport plant, the new Thompson M1A1 model had replaced the M1. Most of Auto-Ordnance M1 Thompsons were then upgraded to the M1A1 configuration and the A1 designation added by hand stamping “A1” on the receiver.

On earlier models, the forward motion of the bolt was stopped by the front of the bolt cavity in the receiver, a major factor in determining the length of the chamber. To increase reliability the cylindrical protrusion at the front of the M1A1 bolt was increased by .028-inch. With the longer front shank, the bolt’s forward motion was stopped by the cartridge seated in the barrel’s chamber unless the chamber was empty. The redesign ensured that the fixed firing pin would strike the primer with greater force, reducing misfires. However, the downside to the fixed firing pin design was that it increased the chance of an out of battery discharge of a cartridge.

The cost for Savage to manufacture an M1 was $23.44. On February 24, 1942, Savage agreed to a contract to manufacture the M1 model for Auto-Ordnance at the cost of $36.37 per unit, providing Savage with a profit of $12.93 per gun. Auto-Ordnance then charged the U.S. government $43.00 for an M1 model and $42.94 for the M1A1 version, although the prices and profits varied slightly from contract to contract.

Serial Numbers

Unlike the 1928 Thompsons, the manufacturer’s initials, “AO” or “S,” were not used as a serial number prefix on the M1 series. To identify who made a particular M1 or M1A1 Thompson, the manufacturer stamped their code letters on the bottom of the receiver where the front grip mount is fitted. The letters used were “S,” which indicated Savage manufacture, or “A.O.C.” for weapons made at the Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport plant. As on the previous M1928A1 model, the Auto-Ordnance Corporation name and Bridgeport address are present on the receiver’s right side, regardless of who manufactured the weapon. Another change noted in the M1/M1A1 Thompson was the spelling of the word “caliber” on the receiver. The word was changed from the early spelling of “CALIBRE” to the U.S.-recognized spelling, “CALIBER.”

Savage-manufactured M1 and M1A1s were stamped with the Army Inspector of Ordnance’s initials of the Rochester, NY, Ordnance District. AIOs of the Rochester District were Lt. Colonel Ray L. Bowlin, using stamp “RLB,” and Colonel Frank J. Atwood, using stamp “FJA.” The Bowlin RLB marking is found only on the early M1 Thompsons. All Savage M1 and M1A1 submachine gun receivers and frames were also marked with the encircled “GEG” acceptance stamp of Auto-Ordnance’s civilian inspector at Savage’s factory, George E. Goll.

M1 and M1A1 Thompsons produced at the Auto-Ordnance plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, would have the acceptance stamp of the Army Inspector of Ordnance of the Springfield District. Very early M1s would be marked with the stamp “WB”—Colonel Waldemar Broberg. Later production would be marked with the “GHD” stamp—Colonel Guy H. Drewery.

There have been many M1A1 trigger frames documented that do not have serial numbers. During repairs and rebuilds, the frames and receivers were often mismatched. This caused a lot of confusion when the weapons were stored in racks, and the frame number was mistakenly recorded instead of the receiver serial number. U.S. Ordnance specification AXS-725, dated January 7, 1943, called for a serial number to be marked, “Only on the receiver.” Subsequently, M1A1 frames manufactured after that date had no serial numbers applied. Arsenals were instructed to obliterate or remove serial numbers from the frames of the M1/M1A1 Thompsons. Due to the depth of the markings, the practice was soon discontinued.

M1’s and M1A1’s Final Days

In January 1943, the Ordnance Department announced to the Auto-Ordnance Corporation that the Thompson was going to be replaced by the newly developed U.S. M3 submachine gun. After the Ordnance Department’s official adoption of the M3 submachine gun, Thompson production was scheduled to be concluded in July 1943. Plans were made to begin tapering off production of the weapon. In April 1943, 62,948 M1A1 guns were manufactured; this was reduced to 55,000 in May and 51,667 in June. This left only 5,000 guns remaining to be manufactured in July 1943 from existing contracts. Authority was then received from the Ordnance Department in June to procure an additional 60,000 weapons by the end of August. Before the end of August, more orders for the Thompson gun were received from Washington. A total of approximately 119,091 additional Thompson M1A1 models were to be manufactured, providing continuance of production through December 1943. At the end of December, there were enough parts remaining to assemble approximately 4,500 additional guns. In January 1944 authorization was granted to complete the remaining guns by February 15, 1944. Production briefly resumed in February, completing a total of 4,092 additional guns. On February 15, 1944, the very last M1A1 Thompson submachine gun was accepted by the government via contract W-478-ORD-1949.

The Savage Arms Corporation manufactured an estimated total of 464,800 M1 and M1A1 model Thompsons, while the Auto-Ordnance Bridgeport plant turned out an estimated 249,555 M1s and M1A1s. A presentation-grade M1A1 Thompson was made by Savage. The serial number represented the total number of 1928 and M1/M1A1 Thompson submachine guns made by Savage: 1,244,194 from April 1940 until February 15, 1944. The number does not include the Thompsons made by Auto-Ordnance’s Bridgeport factory.

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Article excerpted from the book American Thunder III, available from Chipotle Publishing LLC.

Special thanks to Curator Alex MacKenzie and the entire staff at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site.
Springfield Armory National Historic Site
Springfield, MA
413-271-3976
www.nps.gov/spar

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.

There are several famous firearms that we have all looked at, read about or simply heard of that we would like to claim personal ownership of. No matter the style or discipline of interest, such a famous or personally important gun exists. For those of us who take fondly to the black rifles, the most famous of all may arguably be the Colt ArmaLite AR-15 Serial Number 000106, also known as “The Coconut Rifle.” This particular gun is credited for the adoption of this weapon system eventually becoming the primary service weapon of the United States Military for almost 50 years.

The mystique of this special rifle begins its journey from Hartford, Connecticut to Baltimore, Maryland on February 17, 1960 and ends up in Fairfield, Maine in 2011 after traveling around the globe more than two times.

According to the research of David Norman, and later confirmed by Mr. William Mullen, Vice President of Cooper Macdonald Corp., it is believed that in December of 1959 Colt manufactured 20 of their new Colt ArmaLite AR-15 automatic rifles and it is documented through Colt that rifle #00106 was shipped to Cooper Macdonald Corp. on February 17, 1960. Cooper Macdonald Corp. was contracted to market this firearm.

It was in a July 15, 1992 meeting where many of the former suspicions were realized as factual. When Mr. Mullen was asked if #000106 was indeed the rifle that traveled around the world on two occasions and the rifle involved in the famous July 4, 1960 “Watermelon Demonstration” he replied, “Absolutely.”

When asked to recount the demonstration that would eventually lead to the adoption of this weapon system Mr. Mullen recounted the day. He stated the event was actually a yearly gathering at the Macdonald’s farm, usually for recreation: in his words, “a cookout and beer-bust.” A few days before the date he was asked to bring the rifle along because there would be “…some brass there.” Little did he know that the guests that day would include General Curtis LeMay, the United States Air Force Chief of Staff.

When it came time in the day to shoot this new rifle some watermelons were placed at approximately 50, 75 and 100 yards. General LeMay fired at and destroyed two of the watermelons. The General was very impressed with the results and noted there was one target remaining. When he was asked if he wanted to shoot the last watermelon or just go down and eat it, General LeMay sighted in on the lone melon and replied, “Let’s eat the son of a bitch!” It was in the middle of a field, eating watermelon where the discussion arose about an 8,500-unit order for the Air Force. It was at that point that Colt ArmaLite #106 became the rifle that made the M16 weapon system happen.

Another piece of information that seems to follow this rifle and its history is that it was fired by President Kennedy from the deck of his grandfather’s yacht, the Honey Fitz. Though this writer to date has uncovered no official documentation, this claim has been personally seen in an ad in Shotgun News dated November 15, 1977 and more recently in several Internet sites and blogs. Though very far from irrefutable proof, it is just another bit of lore that follows this legendary rifle.

The coconut part of the rifle’s adopted nickname came from its sales trips where it traveled to South Vietnam and several other “tropical” places. Coconuts were often used as targets to demonstrate the lethality of the rifle, hence the nickname. Other targets were also used in these demonstrations but due to the number of countries it traveled to and the newness of the weapon system it was quickly associated with the most common target engaged with this new, tiny projectile from a completely different type of rifle and the nickname “coconut rifle” stuck like glue.

Being a perpetual student of the black rifle, it has been an honor to actually handle this historical firearm and share its exciting role in the direction of the United States weapon procurement process with the readers of Small Arms Review. Fortunately for all of us, and especially for one extremely lucky individual, this story does not end here. Like we have all joked about when a pitchman on late night infomercials barks, “But wait, there’s more!” it applies to what you will read next. This rifle is not just something of lore that can never be seen, but it will actually be offered for sale October 4th of this year. The famous Colt ArmaLite #106 will be sold to the highest bidder at the James D. Julia Auction Company in the 2011 Fall Firearms Auction. Even though it is far above my pay grade you can bet I will be there to view and photograph this exciting piece of American history. Maybe I will see you there…

For more information:

James D. Julia, Inc.
203 Skowhegan Rd.
Fairfield, Maine 04937
Tel: (207) 453-7125
Fax:(207) 453-2502
Email: info@jamesdjulia.com
Website: www.JamesDJulia.com

It’s said that Abraham Lincoln may have freed all men, but Sam Colt made them equal. Founded in 1836, the Colt name has long been associated with innovative and advance firearm designs. Colt Manufacturing (and later Colt Defense) first started producing the Stoner and Sullivan designed AR-15 in 1960. The basic foundation continues today as the M4 Carbine. Recently, individuals within the industry and in the press have been critical of the M4 Carbine as a legacy weapon, in need of modernization and improvement. Several representatives of Small Arms Review recently had an opportunity to discuss innovations and improvements to the AR-15 and M4 design with MG Jim Battaglini, (USMC, Retired), Chief Operating Officer; Mr. Jeff MacLeod, General Manager, and Mr. Kevin Brown, Vice President of Military Programs.

At the outset, MG Battaglini explained that despite recent tests conduced at the request of Congress, the U.S. military remains satisfied with the M4 carbine, and has not requested any major changes to the basic design. The M4 carbine performs as requested and meets current military needs. Nevertheless, Colt decided to take a proactive position and recently displayed nine new variants of the M4 carbine, demonstrating a mix of new designs and prior technology. Not all variants that were displayed will be produced. Rather, the variants are intended to demonstrate what features are available, should the U.S. military seek to upgrade the M4 carbine at a future date. Although the following upgrades have been built into specific models, MG Battaglini pointed out that all of the developments can be built into a complete system in response to the needs of the military.

The APC: Advanced Piston Carbine

Recently, it seems as though nearly every AR-15 manufacturer has introduced a piston-based recoil system to their catalog. While the benefits of a piston upper are numerous, not all manufacturers have executed a successful design. Is the APC just another piston carbine? Not at all. Outfitted with a 14.5 inch barrel, the APC weighs 6.2 pounds (empty), measures 33.5 inches in length with the stock collapsed, and features a piston recoil operating system.

Built with a monolithic upper receiver, the barrel is free floating for increased accuracy, despite the short barrel length. With nothing restraining the barrel, the barrel is free to flex during the firing sequence. Viewed under high speed photography, the barrel can be observed flexing in a wave pattern. When constrained by a gas tube or piston operating rod, the natural harmonics of the barrel are interrupted, resulting in decreased accuracy.

How did Colt respond to the issue? The APC features an articulating operating rod that flexes with the barrel during firing, rather than impeding the barrel or disturbing the rifle’s accuracy. The result: increased accuracy from a shortened weapon platform, with a stable rate of fire. Kevin Brown, Colt’s vice-president of Military Programs, pointed out that even after firing 18,000 rounds through the weapon, there was no significant increase in the rate of fire. With a traditional gas recoil system, barrel wear would result in an increased rate of fire, rapidly exceeding the original rate of fire specifications. As a testament to the effectiveness of the piston system, the rate of fire for the Advanced Piston Carbine was within 50 rounds per minute of the original specification after firing 18,000 rounds.

The AHC: Alternative Hybrid Carbine

Similar to the APC, the AHC is outfitted with a 14.5 inch barrel, weighs 6.2 pounds (empty), measures 33.5 inches in length (with the stock collapsed,) and features a piston recoil operating system. Unlike the APC, the AHC utilizes a mid-length, direct impingement, gas operated piston. Why did Colt develop two outwardly similar rifles with differing types of recoil systems? Recall that the purpose of the recent developments was to showcase and highlight the available technologies available. There are multiple methods of making an AR-15 or M4 operate effectively in semi and fully automatic mode. Rather than focusing on a single type of piston recoil system, Colt presented an alternative that allows drop in retro fitting to existing M4 carbines.

Designed as a short-stroke system, the mid-length piston is designed to eliminate accuracy issues inherent in the traditional full length piston design discussed above. As a short-stroke system, the piston is still reliant upon a short gas tube. Unlike the traditional gas recoil system, the mid-length piston system does not release combustion gas into the upper receiver of the weapon. Rather, the gas is released under the hand guard, and directed forward and away from the shooter.

The SCW and SCW-P: Subcompact Weapon (Piston)

By outward appearances, the SCW harks back to the M231 Firing Port Weapon designed for use within the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Designed to be used from within the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the M231 had a high rate of fire, was only capable of fully-automatic fire, was difficult to control, and was only intended for use from within the vehicle. Understandably, the M231 was not the most effective weapon, and added one more piece of equipment in the already confined space of an armored personnel carrier.

By all accounts, the SCW is a response to similar requirements. Designed as a personal defense weapon available as either a gas or piston operated system, the SCW can be used by soldiers to engage targets from within an armored vehicle. This is where the similarities between the SCW and M231 end. Outfitted with a 10.3-inch barrel and designed with a dual collapsible/folding stock, the weapon can be made extremely compact – just 23 inches in overall length with the stock fully collapsed.

In the event that the soldier is required to exit the vehicle to engage the enemy, the SCW stock can be extended to provide a stable firing platform that exceeds the capabilities of the M231 wire stock. Combined with a Lasermax front grip, the SCW is capable of engaging targets to 200 meters and beyond. Unlike the M231, the SCW is designed to be the soldier’s primary weapon – not a weapon to augment the M4 carbine. While the shortened maximum effective range may seem limiting when compared to the capabilities of an M4 carbine, bear in mind that the majority of military engagements take place within the 200 meter effective range of the SCW. Due to its small size, increased accuracy, and upgraded operating system, the SCW has potential to become a highly effective weapon for cavalry and mechanized infantry troops.

The ERC: Extended Range Carbines

Recent infantry doctrine has called for the inclusion of a designated marksman, allowing a designated infantry soldier the ability to engage targets beyond the limitations of the M4 carbine. Currently, the U.S. military trains soldiers and sailors to use the M4 at 300 meters. The M16 has a maximum effective range of 600 meters, while the M4 carbine is effective to 550 meters. Clearly, the platform is not being utilized to the fullest potential. Enter the ERC-16 and ERC-20. As an enhanced rifle system, the rifle uses either a 16-inch or 20-inch barrel that allows the designated marksman to engage targets to 600 meters. While outwardly similar to the legacy M4 systems, the EHC is a highly accurate platform that provides the user with the familiarity of the M-4 system.

Use of a .30 caliber rifle by the designated marksman presents several issues. Parts commonality and different ammunition can be problematic on the battle field. Engagement of targets is often within the 600 meters. More importantly, use of a different weapon immediately identifies the designated marksman as a valuable target. By using the same ammunition, using the same major parts, and using a similar weapon profile with the M4 system, the ERC is effectively integrated into an infantry platoon, while also providing the designated marksman a highly accurate weapon.

Relocation of the Charging Handle within the M4 System

The original AR-15 is an excellent design, as demonstrated by its longevity and ability to be modernized and updated as needed. One may recall that the original charging handle was located at the top of the upper receiver, and within the carrying handle of the weapon. In terms of marksmanship training, the original location of the charging handle allowed the shooter to maintain a good sight picture while reloading the weapon. The current AR-15 requires the shooter to break the sight picture and lift his head from the butt stock when operating the weapon’s charging handle. Recent developments and innovations may change the manner of operation for future iterations of the AR-15 design.

By utilizing a piston recoil system, the charging handle is no longer constrained to the traditional location on the upper receiver. By engaging the piston, the newly relocated charging handle is tasked with double duty. First, the handle is used to operate the bolt when charging and clearing the weapon. Designed with ambidextrous use in mind, the newly designed charging handle can be extended to the opposite side of the receiver, allowing for ambidextrous use of the charging handle. Second, the charging handle can now be used to engage the piston to push the bolt home into the chamber, augmenting or replacing the forward assist when trying to close the bolt.

By relocating the charging handle to the hand guard, the new design allows the ability to shoot with better technique, allows ambidextrous operation of the charging handle, and allows replacement (or elimination) of the traditional forward assist. In return, the shooter potentially loses the ability to use a small portion of the Picatinny rail. Is the exchange worthwhile? The exchange may be worthwhile, if the new design allows the shooter to more accurately engage the target. The U.S. military will ultimately decide whether the new system is worthwhile to implement. In the meantime, the new design is an excellent example of thinking outside of standard parameters to improve an otherwise proven product.

Other design innovations included the introduction of a built in suppressor, the elimination of the traditional dust cover, and self-lubricating internals. Only time will tell whether these innovations will prove effective, and whether they will be implemented into future designs of the M4 family.

As indicated earlier, the designs displayed by Colt were intended to demonstrate the combination of new designs and prior technology. Most of the variants will never be made as production models. MG Battaglini pointed out that the models were not designed for commercial, international, or law enforcement sales, nor are the models intended as a replacement for the M4. Rather, the models were built solely to demonstrate what technologies are available should the U.S. military decide to upgrade the existing specifications at a future date. Based upon the designs presented, it appears as though Colt is well equipped to modernize and update the M4 well into the 21st century.

By Christopher R. Bartocci

Last month we looked at Type’s A and B of Colt’s SCAR (Special operations forces Combat Assault Rifle) program. Both used the traditional gas impingement system as found in the M16/M4 family of weapons and fared very well in the trials. However, there was an unwritten requirement that SOCOM wanted a conventional piston operated weapon. They felt it would be more clean and reliable under the extreme circumstances that they operated under.

Colt set out to develop their own piston driven mechanism. Piston systems were nothing new to Colt as they had experimented with it many years ago. In the late 1960s to early 1970s, experimentation was going on at Colt, Rock Island and Winchester to develop a standard piston mechanism to deal with the problems the early rifles had with the switch-over to ball powder. This also was as a response to the publicity of the reliability of the AK47. In the end, a report in 1968 stated that the 10 prototype weapons performed about equal to the current M16A1 rifles. Colt developed the model 703 as a piston driven operating system. Although totally unlike the current SCAR design, it indicates that Colt had investigated this in the past. The 703 was a full-length rifle with a piston rod that was attached to the bolt carrier, much like the AK-type piston. By the time Colt had concluded the development of the 703, all the changes made to the M16A1 and ammunition made a piston-operated mechanism unnecessary.

The Colt 703 rifle when fired, the bullet would propel down the barrel, and gas was bled from the barrel into the gas cylinder created between the end of the piston rod and the front sight base. The piston rod, being attached to the bolt carrier group, would move rearward extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case. When the bolt carrier group reaches it’s furthest rearward motion the buffer/buffer spring would drive the bolt carrier group forward stripping a round from the magazine, chambering it, and the bolt would lock into battery ready for the next shot.

Colt SCAR Type C

SOCOM’s unwritten requirement for a piston operated rifle was based upon their belief that this system kept the gun cleaner due to hot gasses not being blown into the bolt carrier causing fouling. This is especially true when being fired with a suppressor.

Colt began work to design their own piston system. With the requirement for a free-floated barrel, Colt opted to use their newly designed one-piece upper receiver. Keeping the legacy M4 platform was important as it was very user friendly. Once the shooter grasps the pistol grip, all manipulations of the selector and magazine catch can be made without manipulation of the shooters hand. The left hand will insert the loaded magazine a hit the bolt catch to reload. Due to the magazine dropping free and the bolt holding open on the last shot, reloading can be accomplished is seconds. An added benefit to keeping this platform was taking advantage of the existing familiarity of the operators’ use with the M4A1 carbine.

The SCAR Type C Upper Receiver

The upper receiver chosen was the Colt proprietary one-piece upper receiver. This allowed the barrel to be mounted to the receiver and permitted to free float; increasing accuracy as well as assist in cooling. The upper receiver utilizes a forward assist assembly, fired cartridge case deflector and an ejection port dust cover. There is a continuous Mil-Std 1913 rail that goes from the top of the charging handle area to the front sight base. This will allow the mounting of multiple optics including night vision, reflex sight as well as a laser. The side rails allow the operator to mount flashlights or other accessories. The bottom portion of the rail is removable allowing the mounting of a grenade launcher. When the standard cover with the rail is on, a vertical pistol grip may be installed. During testing, the newly designed Grip Pod Systems vertical pistol grip was used. This vertical pistol grip/bipod is made of 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum, the same as the Colt SCAR receivers. The bottom of the grip turns into a spring-loaded bipod with a push of a button. When the operator drops to the prone position and engages the bipod, the carbine has a stable base for aimed firing. When the bipod is engaged and the weapon shouldered, the magazine will not snag on the ground.

The carbine utilizes the same BUIS (Back Up Iron Sight) as the Colt Type A. The rear sight is a modified Colt carrying handle rear sight. Colt took a standard carrying handle and removed the handle just leaving a lightweight rear sight. There are no sharp edges to snag. It is adjustable for elevation out to 600 meters and has two sight apertures. A 0 to 200-meter close and a long-range aperture. However, any BUIS can be used whether it be an ARMS #40 L or a Knight Armament BUIS.

The front sight is a Colt designed foldable front sight assembly attached to the gas block. This same front sight assembly was used on all three of Colt’s entries and was activated and locked by a button on the left side. This utilized a square 4-notch front sight post and is adjustable for elevation only.

The Colt Piston Operating System

The piston system is very simple and very reliable. In firearms design there are two basic piston systems. The first is where the piston/operating rod is directly attached to the bolt carrier such as the AK47/AKM. The second is the short-stroke tappet where the operating rod strikes the face of the bolt carrier driving the carrier rearward while the piston rod reciprocates back to its rested position in front of the firearm such as the AR18, SKS and FN FAL.

The system chosen by Colt is the latter. By going with the two-piece operating rod the weight may be decreased. Colt has been working on their piston systems for a couple of years in their model shop. In 2003, a prototype was made showing an early attempt of their system. Over the next couple years their design would be modified and perfected to the final system they chose for their SCAR candidate

The final system begins with their proprietary one-piece upper receiver. The barrel is secured to the inside of the receiver and the barrel left free-floating. The system consists of the op rod and return spring. The front of the system consists of the gas cylinder and the mechanism is locked into the weapon by a large pin in the front sight/gas block. There is a gas relief vent in front of the gas cylinder that vents through the front of the front sight assembly. Colt has tested this operating mechanism with over 18,000 rounds without cleaning and without failure. This piston system does not require routine maintenance during cleaning.

As the bullet travels down the barrel upon firing, the bullet passes the gas port and gas is directed into the gas expansion chamber, driving the piston rearward. The rear of the piston impacts a modified carrier key on the bolt carrier group driving the carrier group rearward. While the carrier group continues rearward, the piston rod returns to its forward resting position. On the bolt carrier group’s rearward travel the bolt unlocks, extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case from the carbine. Then the compressed heavy buffer and spring return the carrier group forward stripping an unfired cartridge from the magazine, feeding it into the chamber, and then the bolt locks into the barrel extension. The carbine is ready for the next shot to be fired. Another benefit of the piston-operated system is the ability to set the cyclic rate of the weapon. Colt chose to make the SCAR Type C fire at 800 rounds per minute comparable to that of the M4A1 with Mk 262 Mod 1 ammunition.

The Bolt Carrier

The bolt carrier group looks very similar to the standard M16/M4 family of firearms but with one major change: a new bolt carrier key. Also, there are no gas rings on the bolt due to the expansion chamber being in the front sight assembly instead of the back of the bolt carrier group. Another innovation that Colt has done is to change the finish of the bolt and carrier. It has a proprietary UCT Defense UltraChem (nickel boron) finish to eliminate the need for any lubricant whatsoever. This slippery finish needs merely a wipe with a rag to clean. This coating also improves corrosion resistance. The extractor utilizes the improved gold extractor spring with the stronger black extractor buffer.

The Barrel

As per specifications, the barrels come in two different lengths. The standard carbine barrel length is 14.5 inches and the CQC (Close Quarter Combat) barrel is 10.5 inches. Both barrels are heavy barrels to insure they can take the required heavy firing schedule demanded by SOCOM. The barrel utilizes the standard 1 turn in 7 inch rifling twist that is required to stabilize the Mk 262 Mod 1 ammunition currently in use by SOCOM. Additionally, as per requirements, a Knight’s Armament Quick Detach flash suppressor is installed for use with the silencer. The front sight base has a bayonet lug for mounting a bayonet on both barrels even though one cannot be mounted on the 10.5 inch barrel.

The chamber has been modified to comply with the “Over the Beach” requirement specified for the SEALS.

The Lower Receiver

The lower receiver is identical to the ones used on Type A and B. It is a standard M4A1 lower receiver with the modified selector lever. As per requirement, this ambidextrous selector operates over 90 degrees of travel (as opposed to the Colt standard of 180 degrees). After testing was completed, this change was not well received. The reasoning in unclear as to whether they were just too used to the standard or if it did not manipulate as fast as the original.

The magazine release is the patented Norgon ambidextrous version. The stock is the VLTOR stock with dual battery compartments for the optics. This is a standard four-position Colt buffer extension with a H2 buffer. Due to the carbine utilizing a heavy barrel, the buffer with 2 tungsten weights and 1 steel weight was necessary to prevent light strikes from bolt carrier bounce. Improved hammer/trigger pins are used that are manufactured of stainless steel. This increases service life especially with heavy volume of fire required of the SCAR weapon. The finish is done in the required flat earth finish (coyote brown) done by Kal-Guard.

Conclusions

The opportunity arose to test fire Colt’s Type C SCAR in their engineering range in the basement of the factory. There was little difference in the feel between the direct gas and the piston driven carbines and their cyclic rate was about the same. The carbine fired was quite worn and neglected from the SCAR trials. However, the carbine functioned flawlessly; firing nearly 500 rounds in 15 minutes. The bolt carrier group was completely dry without lubricant.

There seems to be little doubt that the next generations of M16/M4 carbines will be piston driven mechanisms. Colt plans to introduce a piston driven law enforcement carbine in early 2006.

With the SCAR program moving forward with procurement from FN Mfg. Inc., only time will tell how the new weapons will stack up compared to the M4A1 carbines currently in use. The SCAR trials were without a doubt the most grueling small arms testing in the world since the original Armalite AR-15 was pitted against the government designed M14. Lessons learned in this weapons development program will influence further research and development of further upgrades or new weapons designs of the future.

Small Arms Review gets an exclusive first look at Colt Defense’s three entries into the United States Special Operations Commands SCAR (Special operation forces Combat Assault Rifle) Program.

In Small Arms Review Vol. 8 No. 10, July 2005, SAR readers got the first in-depth look at the United States Special Operations Command new SCAR (Special operation forces Combat Assault Rifle) that is manufactured by FN Herstal, Belgium and soon to be produced in their Columbia, South Carolina facility. This weapon was but one of many that was tested in the competition. Some never made it through the minimum requirements and were eliminated prior to the first cartridge being fired.

The M4 has been, and remains to this day, the standard issue weapon for SOCOM. Complaints about the M4 surfaced within SOCOM and SOCOM conceded that they were using their M4s beyond the intent of the mil-standard, especially through extensive firing and lack of maintenance. Clearly these carbines were not meant to serve as a light machine gun or to have countless thousands of rounds fired through them without replacement of bolts and barrels. To complicate things further, the configuration of the M4A1 is controlled by the Army and not by SOCOM. This compromised the ability of Colt to make modifications to deal with SOCOM concerns due to the fact that the Army would have to authorize the changes. The Army was happy with the weapons and saw no need for changes. SOCOM clearly needed their own weapon where they were the customer and could modify and improve it at will at their own accord.

Solutions to the issues surrounding the alleged lack of lethality of the 5.56mm round include a heavier 5.56mm round or a new caliber. Whether in the M4A1 or SCAR (both have 14-1/2 inch barrels), the performance of the 5.56mm rounds will be the same. Reports indicate that the MK262 round is a significant improvement in accuracy and lethality over the M855 round, and, if adopted, would be a relatively easy fix and will function the same in either weapon.

As stated in the earlier article, SOCOM wanted an operator-envisioned weapon that would address these concerns. In September of 2003, an Operations Requirement Document was issued and the request was open to any contractor. In November the performance specifications were released by SOCOM. These called for two weapons. The first being the SCAR L (Light), a 5.56x45mm NATO caliber weapon and a SCAR H (Heavy), a 7.62x51mm weapon. Both models would have “future enhanced calibers” which would allow them to be adaptable to calibers such as 5.45x39mm, 7.62x39mm and possibly the 6.8 SPC, to just name a few.

Three of the finalists were submissions by Colt Defense. Information indicates that these weapons came in 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the competition. The reason(s) why one was picked over the others is unknown at this point due to SOCOM not publicly discussing other contractors’ weapons. SAR had the opportunity to visit Colt Defense and get a first hand look at their entries. The weapons observed were not museum grade weapons but the actual weapons used in testing. Traces of salt were visible from the salt water testing and the barrels were clearly worn. This in-depth look will be conducted in a two-part series. This first installment is on types A and B, Colt’s traditional direct gas impingement weapons. Part 2 will introduce Colt’s first piston driven weapon, the Type C.

Type A

The Type A SCAR rifle submitted by Colt utilized the traditional M16/M4 direct gas impingement operating system. Although it was pretty clear SOCOM was looking for a piston driven system, the combat proven direct gas system was a viable and reliable system for consideration.

The gas is tapped from the barrel under the front sight base and is bled off into a gas tube that runs back into the upper receiver directly into the bolt carrier. The expansion chamber is located in the rear of the bolt carrier between the rear of the bolt and the front of the inside of the carrier. This creates a hammer-like blow that drives the carrier rearward unlocking the bolt, extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case. The spring loaded buffer is compressed on its rearward movement and then drives the bolt carrier group forward stripping a cartridge off the top of the magazine, feeding, chambering and finally locking the bolt into the barrel extension. This system lightens the weapon due to no heavy gas piston as well as increases the accuracy of the weapon by not impeding on the natural vibrations/harmonics of the barrel during firing. With the addition of a free-floating hand guard, the M16/M4 weapon systems are capable of match grade accuracy.

The Upper Receiver

The Type A rifle utilizes a Colt designed one-piece upper receiver. The Mil-Std 1913 rail runs from the rear of the receiver up to the front sight assembly. Additionally, rails run at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock on the hand guard. The barrel is left free floating to increase accuracy but, more importantly, to aid in cooling of the weapon. Accuracy is greatly improved due to nothing impeding on the barrel’s natural vibrations. During extensive fully automatic firing, the barrel is kept cooler longer and the use of vertical pistol grips and SOPMOD accessories such as optics will not put stress on the barrel causing it to droop or bend under extreme firing conditions. This one piece upper decreases the weight as well from using tradition rail systems such as the ARMS SIR system or the Knight Armament Company RAS systems and is also less bulky. The Colt upper receiver has a removable 6 o’clock rail for the installation of a grenade launcher and cleaning under the front of the upper receiver.

Both upper and lower receivers utilized a Kal-Guard finish in a “flat earth” or coyote brown finish as required in the specifications. The upper receiver utilizes the standard fired cartridge case deflector of the M16A2 and M4 family of weapons as well as the forward assist assembly. Also, the traditional ejection port dust cover is used to prevent unwanted dust and debris from entering the weapon.

The Backup Iron Sight

A universal component for Types A and C is the backup iron sight. This originally came from the M4 detachable carrying handle. The carrying handle is removed leaving only the rear sight. This sight looks similar to the Lewis Machine and Tool backup sight but is leaner and has less bulk. The backup iron sight has both windage and elevation adjustments. The elevation is adjustable from 3 to 600 meters. The flip-up “L” shaped aperture has two sights. One is for 0-200 meters and the other is for longer ranges.

The Folding Front Sight

The folding front sight assembly is mounted to the front sight base. This front sight assembly is universal on the Type A and B. Type C will utilize the same sight but a much different front sight base. The front sight is locked in place with a button on the left hand side. The front sight post is the standard square front sight that is adjustable for elevation only.

The Barrel

As per specification, two barrel lengths were required by SOCOM. The first is the standard 14-1/2 inch barrel and then a 10-1/2 inch CQC (Close Quarter Combat) barrel. Types A, B and C all came in two different barrel lengths. Due to the simplicity and cost, the Colt system changed barrels by simply popping open the rear and front takedown pins, pulling the complete upper receiver off and the replacing it with the other. This change is completed in seconds.

The barrels are both the mil-spec 1 turn in 7 inch twist button-rifled barrels. As per SCAR specs, the barrels all must be proof tested and then magnetic particle inspected for stress fractures and then marked accordingly on the barrel (C MP 5.56 NATO 1/7). Both barrels are heavy barrels all the way through. This was necessary to achieve the sustained fire rates requested by SOCOM and are very similar to the Rock Island designed M4A1 heavy barrel. The flash suppressor, as required by specification, is the Knight’s Armament Company Quick Detach compensator for the silencer. The barrels all have chrome lined bore and chambers. During the development stages, many barrel configurations were considered including stainless steel and hammer forged barrels. The barrels are finished in the same color as the receivers.

Modifications were made to the chamber to deal with the Over-The-Beach requirement. These were modifications that were proposed to the XM4 in the developing stages but not wanted by Rock Island Arsenal.

The Lower Receiver

The lower receiver assembly is the one component that is universal on Types A, B and C. There is no difference. The lower receiver, stock and buffer extension are painted in the required Flat Earth finish.

The chosen stock is manufactured by VLTOR and has two compartments, one on each side of the top of the stock that can hold batteries for optical sights. The standard buffer extension is used which allows four positions for the stock to extend. A sling mount plate is inserted between the buffer extension locking ring and the lower receiver, which allows a sling to be mounted to either the left or right side. The buffer utilized is Colt’s H2 buffer. This buffer contains one steel weight along with two tungsten weights. This was necessary due to the use of heavy barrels. This was a lesson learned when Rock Island Arsenal developed the heavy barrel for SOCOM and implemented the change without trial. The M4A1 carbines began malfunctioning in the field with light strikes caused by bolt carrier bounce. The change in the barrel affected the carbine’s dynamics and the solution was the replacement of one steel weight with one tungsten weight.

One of the most interesting changes to the lower receiver is the newly designed selector lever. Unlike the standard lever in which Safe is at 9 o’clock, Semi at 12 o’clock and Auto at 3 o’clock, the lever has been changed to where the Safe is at 5 o’clock, Semi at 3 o’clock and Auto at 1 o’clock. This was a change based on SOCOM’s requirement for the selector to operate over 90 degrees of travel (as opposed to the Colt standard of 180 degrees). In the end, this change was not liked. The selector lever is ambidextrous as per SOCOM specifications

The fire control selector is not the only ambidextrous part. The magazine release is the patented Norgon ambidextrous magazine release. Ambidextrous controls were required in the specifications. The charging handle in its original design is ambidextrous. The bolt catch remains on the left side only. Additional enhancement was that the hammer/trigger pins are made from stainless steel to increase service life.

The Bolt Carrier Group

The bolt carrier group on Type A and B are the same as the standard M4A1. As per SOCOM specification, the bolts were test fired with a 70,000 psi proof load and then magnetic particle inspected for stress fractures. The carriers are manganese phosphate finished and utilize the heavy extractor spring and buffer.

Type B

The Type B differs from Type A in two major ways. First, it uses a standard M4 upper receiver rather than the newly developed one-piece upper receiver. Second, is the addition of the ARMS, Inc. SIR (Selected Integrated Rail) system. The SIR system used was their #58-MOD.

The SIR system is a free-floating hand guard that attaches both to the barrel nut as well as the rail on top of the upper receiver. In essence, there is a protective sleeve that goes nearly all the way across the rail on the upper receiver. With nothing mounting to the barrel, the barrel is left to free float having the same effect in accuracy and heat control as the one-piece upper of Type A. This system provides a constant full-length rail from the rear of the receiver to the rear of the front sight assembly. Accessory rails may be mounted in various lengths to the left, right and bottom of the SIR system. The bottom grip of the SIR system may be removed for installation of a grenade launcher.

At the rear of the receiver is the ARMS, Inc. #40L back up sight which folds and has both long and short-range apertures. The sight is spring loaded and held closed by a lever. To engage the rear sight, one only need to pull rearward on the lever and the sight pops up and engages and immediately you are looking through the long-range sight. By flipping down the rear aperture, the larger short range aperture is engaged.

Due to the additional weight of the SIR system, the weight is slightly heavier on the Type B weighing in at 7.66 pounds in the carbine variation and 6.48 pounds in the CQC configuration.

Mechanical specifications are the same for Type A and B. The only departure was the use of the SIR system rather than a one-piece upper receiver. The only advantage to Type B is the ability to change out rail systems at will and parts commonality with the M4A1. The same front sight system is used as well as lower receiver and bolt group.

Conclusions

After careful inspection of both models in Colt’s model shop, Colt Product Development Engineer Art Daigle took me down to the engineering test range at Colt. Then he brought out a very large bin of loaded 30-round magazines. More than 500 rounds were fired between both models with no malfunctions of any sort encountered. The guns that were examined were guns that were actually tested by SOCOM during the trials. They were somewhat beat up and the remnants from the salt water testing was present. The rifling was quite worn and the guns were not clean nor was there any lubrication on them, due to Colt’s use of UCT Defense Ultra Chem. The ammunition used was Black Hills commercial 77-grain open tip match bullet; the commercial equivalent to the Mk262 MOD1 ammunition.

Coming up next month in Part 2 of the Colt SCAR program is Type C version. This is Colt’s submission of their own designed piston operated carbine. We will look closely at what might possibly become the next generation M4 carbine.

Since the introduction of the Colt Commando and XM177-series carbines, the U.S. military has had a need for a compact version of the M16, the longest serving small arm in U.S. history. Even though never officially adopted, these carbines saw extensive use in every theater of operations the U.S. and her allies were in.

In 1985, U.S. Government contract DAAA21-85-C-0192 was awarded to Colt for the development of the XM4 carbine, the first general-purpose carbine since World War 2. The contract had very specific wording in regards to parts commonality with the newly adopted M16A2 rifle. Particular effort was made to keep as high of a number of parts compatible with the M16A2 as possible. As first envisioned, the XM4 was to be used for troops who could not carry a rifle but needed more firepower than a handgun. It was to fill the same role as that of the M1 Carbine.

Parts Commonality as Defined by DAAA21-85-C-0192

Specifically stated in the requirements was that the carbine would utilize the newly adopted M855 ball cartridge as well as be functional with existing M193 ball ammunition. The barrel will have the same 1 turn in 7 inch rifling twist as the M16A2 and be 14.5 inches in length. The barrel must be made to accept the current MILES shooting simulation equipment as well as utilize the M16A2 compensator. The carbine must have the 3-round burst limiter of the M16A2. The polymer furniture must be made of the same high impact material as the stock, pistol grip and hand guards of the M16A2. The upper and lower receivers are to be the same as the M16A2 amongst many others.

The parts commonality requirement was troublesome to Colt engineers but they understood the government’s position. With over 7 million M16-family of weapons in service at the time, they did not want to make any dramatic changes to an already proven design. Owing to the different operating characteristics of the carbine, Colt felt there should be some changes. Due to the gas port being so much closer to the bolt, higher pressures existed in effect, significantly increasing the cyclic rate of fire. This caused issues with bolts breaking, bolt carrier bounce, failures to extract as well as feed. However, the government was very much stuck on interchangeability over durability/reliability. Colt engineers felt that a redesign of the bolt and barrel extension would significantly enhance the carbine’s performance but this would have been a major violation of the interchangeability requirement.

During the development phase, Colt engineers found certain changes that must be made for the carbine to function reliably. One of the first improvements made to the XM4 was to correct failure to feed. Due to the shape of the M855 bullet and the higher cyclic rate, the cartridge would stall where the barrel extension met the upper receiver. To correct this, both feed ramps were extended on the barrel extension as well as the upper receiver. After much experimenting with buffer designs, a new buffer was implemented to combat the bolt carrier bounce issues during burst fire. Because of the higher cyclic rate, as the bolt carrier moved forward, the bolt would lock releasing the automatic sear in turn releasing the hammer to strike the firing pin. But at that moment when the carrier struck the barrel extension it would bounce back just enough to disallow the firing pin enough clearance to strike the primer. Thus, a new buffer was adopted for use in the XM4. This new buffer (H) would remove one of the steel weights and replace it with a weight made of tungsten weighing nearly twice that of the standard steel weight. This extra mass slowed down the cyclic rate on the closing stroke eliminating the problem.

Another requirement was to have an increase in the carbine’s ability to dissipate heat, keeping the shooters hand cooler during firing/handling under normal conditions. To answer, Colt’s Henry Tatro developed a hand guard (U.S. Patent No. 4,663,875) with double heat shields.

Several other parts were modified to increase reliability such as the burst cam, stock and ejection port dust cover. The first production M4 carbines were delivered with standard M16A2 fully adjustable rear sights. This was soon to be replaced with the Mil-Std-1913 flat top upper receiver. The M4A1 carbine would only be issued with the flat top upper.

The true “heart and soul” of the M4 carbine is the Mil-Std-1913 flat top upper receiver. The Colt/ARMS, Inc. designed flat top upper receiver and dovetail is the modularity of the carbine. This enabled the use of an entire new generation of advanced optics including reflex sights, thermal sights, optical sights as well as night vision. The dovetail enabled optics to be mounted at a comfortable eye level rather than the awkward mounting of an optic on top of the carrying handle of the standard A1 and A2 sights.

The Adoption of the M4 and M4A1 carbines

On August 15, 1994 the U.S. military adopted the M4 and M4A1 carbines. The only difference between the two is the M4 has a “burst” setting and the M4A1 has an “auto” setting. The vast majority of M4A1 carbines would be manufactured for the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

The military specifications were drafted for the carbines including the inspections to be performed by Colt personnel as well as the on-site government inspector. The specifications state the endurance tests and allowable malfunctions per lot. The mil-specs have also written the processes of proof testing and magnetic particle inspecting of all barrels and bolts.

As of this writing, Colt has provided the U.S. military with an excess of 340,000 M4/M4A1 mil-spec carbines with tens-of-thousands more on order. This does not include foreign or law enforcement sales.

The Finalized M4 Carbine

The M4 carbine is a lightweight (5.9 pounds unloaded), gas operated, air cooled carbine capable of semi-automatic and burst fire (auto for the M4A1). Nearly 25% of the components of the M4 are not interchangeable with the M16A2, M16A3 and M16A4 rifles. With the telescopic stock fully extended, the carbine is 33 inches long and with the stock closed, 29.8 inches. The carbine uses the direct gas or gas impingement system utilizing an “exhaust pipe” that goes from the front sight assembly (where the gas port is located) back to the bolt carrier. The expansion chamber is located in the rear of the bolt carrier between the rear of the bolt and the front of the inside of the carrier. This creates a hammer-like blow that drives the carrier rearward unlocking the bolt, extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case. The spring loaded buffer is compressed on its rearward motion and then drives the bolt carrier group forward stripping a cartridge off the top of the magazine, feeding, chambering and finally locking the bolt into the barrel extension. The benefit of this system is lightweight and accuracy. The barrel does not have some heavy piston attached to it preventing the natural barrel harmonics affecting accuracy. The drawback is that it directs fouling into the bolt carrier. This requires more frequent maintenance with extended use and is cleaned with normal cleaning solvent and brushes. Millions of rounds have been fired through the XM4 and M4 carbines in test conditions and this carbine is the preferred weapon by U.S. Forces.

Government Procurement

Once adopted by the military and the TDP finalized, the M4 went into production in 1994. Once in production, modifications or improvements would be extremely difficult for Colt to make. Any change would have to be authorized by Rock Island Arsenal and if the military in general were pleased with the performance they would not authorize any changes, particularly ones that add new parts to the inventory or create interchangeability problems with current weapons.

Popular belief is that the M4 carbine has not been improved by Colt since its adoption. Throughout the M4 design and procurement, Colt has proposed changes and updates for the M4 only to be overruled. An excellent example is the belated adoption of the “M4 Extractor Spring” which is identified by its gold color. Colt had redesigned the spring to give significant more strength, which is a major reliability enhancement in the carbines. Rather than adopt a new spring, which Colt was installing in all of their rifles and carbines except the one being delivered to the U.S. Department of Defense, the military put M231 Port Firing Weapon extractor springs in the M4s, just so as not to add a new part to the inventory. It was not until mid 2003 that this important reliability enhancement was authorized by Rock Island Arsenal and implemented into production. During the development phase of the XM4, Colt engineers proposed modifications to the bolt and barrel extension that would make the carbine handle better when being fired with water in the barrel. This idea was rejected by the government for reasons such as a violation of parts commonality and that they could not justify the cost/benefit of the change. They felt that the number of occasions that the weapon would be called upon to fire under such conditions was minute. Colt was overruled. Colt would not revisit this reliability enhancement until the development of their SCAR entries, which had “Over the Beach” requirement.

Without the direction or request from Colt’s customer, the U.S. Government, to make changes and improvement, Colt would not invest large amounts of resources into improvements if their largest customer would not accept them. Colt had proposed changes to the Army for a redesign of the bolt and related components to increase durability and reliability. Colt estimated the two year project would cost between one-half and two million dollars. Due to lack of funding as well as lack of government interest, the project never commenced.

There are two very different types of troops using the M4 family of carbines. The U.S. forces at large are very happy with the M4 carbine and prefer it to any other available weapon. The Special Operations Forces operators have been displeased but use them in a very different way from the rest. This situation makes it difficult for Colt to address SOCOM’s needs and make modifications. The M4, coming from an existing family of weapons, caused and still causes great difficulty to design the carbine to function to it’s potential with the requirements for interchangeability and the current attitude towards making changes within the government. On March 1, 2000, the Project Manager at Rock Island Arsenal stated, “The M4A1 carbine is already 3 times as reliable as called for in the specifications.”

SOCOM Taking the M4 to the limits and beyond.

As previously stated, the M4 was to be a lightweight carbine that was to be used by people who could not carry a rifle but needed more firepower than a pistol. However, once the M4A1 got into circulation within the special operations community the compactness, modularity, ease of operation and performance was immediately seen and they adopted the M4A1 as their main weapon. They would admittedly push the carbine well beyond its design intent.

SOCOM began reporting durability issues with their M4A1 carbines including blown barrels, broken bolts, failures to extract and over heating. None of which the regular Army units nor anyone else in the U.S. military were experiencing. Investigations immediately began by Rock Island Arsenal to determine if these problems were in fact problems with the design or manufacturing process of the carbine, or if the carbine was being used beyond its design intent. At this point, Colt was not able to make any changes to the firearm without this determination. The M4A1 is procured by the U.S. Army and subjected to the TDP. Any changes or improvements requests/requirements would have to be made by the U.S. Army, not SOCOM. This is the major difference between SOCOM employing a standard issue weapon versus them procuring their own weapon. By procuring their own weapon they are the customer and can make changes as they see fit. This is the case of the SCAR but not with the M4A1.

The first major investigation found the issue regarding blown barrels was clearly due to excessive operation beyond what the carbine was designed. The M4A1 was being used as a light machine gun or a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) laying down large amounts of cover fire. The barrels would reach their transformation temperature that is between 1,100 and 1,375 degrees. At these temperatures the barrel becomes soft and loses its heat-treating. Structural failure is just a matter of time. According to Rock Island’s testing, to get the barrel to this temperature you would have to fire 540 to 596 rounds within 3 to 3-1/2 minutes. The average infantry soldier does not carry this much ammunition as his combat load – the average being 210 rounds. This was clearly beyond the capabilities of a lightweight carbine and Rock Island Arsenal felt that this was not a deficiency in the design or manufacture of the weapon. Due to this type of use, Colt now provides all M4A1 carbines with a heavy barrel designed by Rock Island Arsenal and improved buffer to cope with this type of use. Recent interest has been given to the superiority of cold hammer forged barrels such as that used by H&K, IMI and Glock. The question has been asked, “Why does the M4 not have a hammer forged barrel?” The answer is very simple. Colt has offered them to the government and been rebuffed. Diemaco in Canada, now owned by Colt, has made them for the Canadian military since 1983.

Many SOCOM groups have problems with maintenance of the weapons, in particular replacing worn out components. One SEAL team said they did not keep track of malfunctions during missions to report back to an armorer to have the weapons fixed. Additionally, the training weapons that these operators use are the same ones they take into combat. The barrels and bolts have an unknown number of rounds through them. SOCOM operators fire an average of 24,000 rounds per year in training alone. Most all of the criticisms regarding this weapon system have come from a small element within the SOCOM community.

This weapon system has been in use with the British Special Forces for quite sometime. The SAS use the SFW (Special Forces Weapon) manufactured by Diemaco (now Colt Canada). These specialized carbines beat out Heckler & Koch G36 (identical operating mechanism to the HK416 and the XM8) and the SIG 500 series rifles and have seen action in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Unconfirmed reports say that the British Special Forces spent more money on the test and evaluation of these weapons than they did on the weapons they procured when the award was given to Diemaco. In addition, Diemaco (Colt Canada) has been asked to quote on weapons to replace the “perfected” L85A2.

The M4 is the preferred weapon for American forces overseas and the biggest problem they have with it is that there are simply not enough to go around. Clearly SOCOM needed their own weapon that would be suited for their requirements and that did not materialize until recently with the issuance of the SCAR developmental contract. Many people in the community speculate that the SCAR competition was conducted purely to keep the Program Executive Officer Soldier from forcing the XM8 on SOCOM.

Further Advancements at Colt

Colt has now split off into two companies. Colt Defense LLC is committed to military and law enforcement sales and Colt’s Manufacturing Company focus is the commercial market.

Colt Defense LLC is dedicated to providing military small arms throughout the world to the United States military and allies as they have done for nearly 170 years. Colt Defense has been diligently working on many military programs such as the SCAR program in which they submitted three entries. The SCAR (Special operations Combat Assault Rifle) program was, without a doubt, the most grueling firearms test ever conducted anywhere in the world. It was unwritten but clear that SOCOM wanted a piston driven mechanism. Colt developed a rifle with a piston mechanism as well as two direct gas rifles. The contract was awarded to FN Herstal of Belgium. Colt’s entries came in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. These are some of the most advanced military small arms in the world. Currently, Colt is working on a submission for the OICW and has plans to introduce a piston-operated Law Enforcement Carbine in early 2006.

In May of 2005, Colt purchased Diemaco from Heroux Devtek in Canada. Now called Colt Canada, Diemaco has been a supplier of parts to Colt for several years due to Diemaco manufactured mil-spec components from the Colt TDP. With the acquisition of Diemaco, Colt will take advantage of their excellent research and development team as well as their state of the art manufacturing facility.

Some sources would lead you to believe that the future of Colt and the M4 is on uncertain ground. The reality is, however; the U.S. government has recently placed a $55,000,000 order for M4s, to be delivered within 12 months, in addition to other large quantities of M4s for delivery in 2005 and 2006. With the U.S. military looking at a replacement weapon for the M16 and M4 family of weapons, their days could be numbered. However, if history has shown us anything in the last 40 years is that the military has tried to replace this family of weapons before. The ACR or Advanced Combat Rifle program of the mid 1980s for example. This was a trial of truly advanced weapons involving new types of ammunition including caseless, duplex and flechettes. The baseline rifle was the Colt M16A2. In the end, nothing achieved better combat performance than the baseline M16A2. The M16A2 has gone on to evolve into the M16A4 and the M4 carbine and, if given the opportunity, has much life left in it. This is why this family of weapons has been around for so many years because it evolved to the changing modern combat conditions. It would be far better for the U.S. military to improve the M4 and to keep the combat proven family of weapons than to invest in a new weapon that is not compatible with any of the current optics, mounts, magazines and SOPMOD components.

Now what of the future? The XM8 is not new or advanced but based off another Stoner designed weapon from the early 1960s; the AR18. Another unanswered question is why the government is spending money on a foreign weapon development without even the rights to the design. This was an issue that Colt dealt with during the Vietnam War. The decision was made in 1968 to sell/license the government the rights for the M16/M16A1 so if need be there could be other suppliers in case of a national emergency to procure needed small arms to equip our soldiers. Will there be enough of advancement in technology to justify the change to a new weapon? It hardly makes sense since the same ammunition is used so no difference in lethality or range. The U.S. military’s current weapon systems have been combat proven in every theater in the world. The M16/M4 families of weapons have long proven themselves the hard way: on the battlefield.