The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made. It requires troublesome work to undertake the alternation of old beliefs. Self-conceit often regards it as a sign of weakness to admit that belief to which we have once committed ourselves is wrong. We get so identified with an idea that it is literally a “pet” notion and we rise to its defense and stop our eyes and ears to anything different. – John Dewey

The anti Second Amendment fanatics are out there right now, trying to legislate some local bans on the ownership of so-called Assault Weapons. It is amazing how focused on non-issues they can be. Statistically, we are safer now that the stupid AW Ban expired over a year ago, but it remains to be seen if there is any connection at all between statistics and reality. So called “Assault Weapons” were a minor problem to begin with.

There have been a lot of Freudian accusations about why firearms owners have firearms – the most common being that we are “compensating” for something missing or inadequate. My opinion of most of the firearms collectors that I know is based on watching what interests them, and the collecting of firearms seems more related to a techno-geek type of thing. Most of the people I know are highly interested in history, technology, the science of ballistics, the amazing diversity of accessories or models, or just plain fun at the range. There might be a few who have some “compensation” thing going on, but the majority seem pretty stable, just focused on their interest or hobby. I can’t say the same for the anti-Second Amendment crowd. A very interesting observation that I have experienced over and over again, is the reaction of many anti-firearms ownership people who happen to be in a place where there are military type firearms. When talking with them, politely, I hand them a machine gun, or a rifle, and they look electrified and frightened and say, “I couldn’t have one of these – I might kill somebody.” Seriously, dear readers, I have heard this too many times to ignore.

This makes me think that the firm belief in the Second Amendment comes down to some fundamental beliefs about personal responsibility. With few exceptions, the firearms community has a strong thread of Teddy Roosevelt’s ‘Rugged Individualism” in it. Most of us are taught by our fathers, uncles, drill sergeants, hunting instructors, or other significant adults, that we are responsible for what we do with a weapon, and it is never pointed somewhere you don’t want a bullet to go. We are taught restraint. We are taught responsibility. Those who desire to disarm the others seem to lack that trait. In reading Dewey’s commentary, the above struck me as a concise paragraph on why the anti firearms ownership crowd doesn’t “get it” when they are obviously wrong. Dewey can also remind us to reassess our own beliefs and stands on issues, so that we can not make the same mistakes we are confronted with.

Off the pulpit, on to the questions….

Q-I was at a gun show, and saw a magazine on a table that said it was for fifty caliber. It seemed sort of short for a fifty but was quite large. I bought it for twenty bucks and brought it home, and sure enough it was too short. Any idea what it is?

A- There are so many unusual magazines out there it would be tough to say what it is simply from your description. I suspect, however, that it is the standard .50 caliber spotter magazine for the US M8C spotter rifle that mounts to the M40 series 106mm recoilless rifle. These do show up at gun shows fairly frequently, and there is a longer version as well. Twenty bucks is a good price for one as generally they are between forty and seventy-five dollars. Since you have ruled out it being one of the actual .50 BMG magazines due to the length of a cartridge that would fit, the Spotter magazine is the prime suspect. Other possibilities would be the magazines for the double sized military training rifles for the BAR, M14, M16, and M1 Carbine. These show up on the tables very rarely, are difficult to identify due to their oversize and are not a real weapon status. Please sell these oversized trainer magazines to me, as these are part of my personal fetish for oversize trainers. I suppose some might think I am “compensating.”

The M40 series of 106mm Recoilless Rifles are still in use in many countries around the world, and the US still has them in the inventory, although not generally active today. The M8C spotting rifle is mounted onto the main tube of the M40, sighted in, and the tracer/marking .50 caliber projectiles it fires duplicates the trajectory of the 106mm round. The M8C is semiautomatic, reloading itself from the magazine I suspect you have found. This is handy for the operator, because the 106mm is a breech loaded weapon, and having the next spotting round ready automatically cuts out one more operation in getting a second round ready to fire. The spotter rounds allow for an increased hit probability with the gun. Once the weapon is ready, the spotter round is fired. It won’t move the firing platform off of its aim and once the operator sees he has the target nailed touches off the main gun. Great for stationary targets, not quite so functional on laterally moving ones.

There are not too many M8C spotter rifles in private hands, but there are a few. The owners I am aware of have plenty of magazines for their guns, so this isn’t really a hot commodity; it is more of a collectable curiosity. The fifty caliber shooting community prizes spotter ammunition because many people pull the projectiles and reload them into .50 BMG cartridges, to achieve that very visible trace and target marking hit. However, these projectiles are very sensitive, especially to feeding, and much care should be taken with that process.

Q-I recently purchased a pre-86 dealer sample AR-10 machine gun. The seller called it a “Sudanese” model, and he had no other information on these. In the process of collecting the right parts to complete the weapon display board, I bought an” AR-10″ bayonet on E-Bay. When it came in, it didn’t fit on my AR-10. The seller insists it is an AR-10 bayonet and won’t refund my money. Who’s right on this?

A- As to whom is “right” that is a tough call. There was more than one type of AR-10 bayonet during the original production of these guns, and if he sold you an “AR-10 bayonet” and it is one – just not the right one for your gun. You are kind of stuck with it. I don’t think you will have too much trouble selling it as there are a lot of bayonet collectors out there. The basic models of original AR-10s are the very rare “Hollywood” guns, some of which could use a modified Carcano bayonet. The “Sudanese” models, which are Dutch, have a very special Mauser style bayonet. The “Portuguese” models, also Dutch, also use a Mauser styled bayonet which is cruder than the intricate and interesting Sudanese style bayonet. Since the production of the Sudanese style AR-10 rifles was limited to less than 4,000 pieces, it seems obvious that these are very rare bayonets. The Sudan contract was for 2,500 rifles, and there was another run of approximately 600 of this model with minor variations sold to Guatemala. If your gun says “Armex” on it, then odds are it is actually the Guatemalan contract gun.

This is actually a subject near and dear to me. I have always thought the Sudanese AR-10 bayonet was pretty tricked out, so let’s take a bit of time and look it over. This should help you in your search for the ultimate Sudanese AR-10 accessory. -Dan

Q-I enjoyed the picture of the VZ58 found by an SAR reader in Iraq, but you mentioned that it is not unusual for there to be “special” models made for guards in the Mid-East. I have not found reference to these models in other print references. Can you elaborate?

A- Yes, this is not an uncommon practice. In the small arms community it is not unusual to take the standard rifles or machine guns and make special presentation models or “dress” models out of them. These usually do not have a special designation. Frank James’ book on the HK MP5 series “Project 64”, includes pictures of the dressed up MP5s, and the official HK book has pictures as well. Since we were talking about Iraq, we should mention that SAR Contributing Editor Bob Bishop is a Colonel in the US Army Special Forces and he noted gold plated AK47 and RPG7s in the factories they captured. We are looking forward to getting more info later on these. As another example of this type of special run of submachine gun, I submit the following three photographs. This is a Sterling MK4 (L2A3) submachine gun that has been gold and chrome plated for the Saudi Royal Guards. On the white pistol grip is part of the symbol of the House of Saud, the Palm Tree and crossed swords. The complete symbol would have a wreath around it and a crown at the top, but for markings on a weapon this is accepted. There is no special model designation that would be recorded at the factory on these; they are simply MK4 submachine guns. I hope this helps convince you that the factories around the world do, indeed, produce the special runs of weapons for Dress Duty. (Photos by Dan Shea, Courtesy MOD Pattern Room)

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Raffica
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Brief History

So called “Sniper” rifles have of course been around for a long time, in fact since rifles have been used in combat they have been used for sniping when necessary or when the opportunity presents itself.

Scope sighted rifles didn’t really come to the fore until WWI though they had been used as early as the Civil War. World War II saw the use of 1903A1 and 1903A4 Springfield rifles as well as Ml Garands as sniper rifles. These fine rifles served well in the Korean conflict and even into Vietnam but the Marines saw the need for a standard issue Sniper rifle of new design rather than just modifying existing service rifles which while effective were becoming obsolete.

During the early years of the Vietnam War the Marines had been using scope sighted Winchester Model 70 rifles that had been in supply for hunting and competition purposes for some time. However, the Corps wanted a new rifle built to their specs and chambered for the newer caliber 7.62 NATO or .308 Win, which was the standard service rifle cartridge of the time, instead of the .30/06 of the M70.

Marines Choice

Therefore in 1966 after evaluating entries by several rifle and scope makers the Marines signed a contract with the Remington Arms Co. to supply 700 Model 700 rifles with the Redfield 3x-9x Rangefinder scope.

Designated the M40 by the Marines, the rifle was in simplest terms a Model 700 with sporter style non checkered walnut stock and a heavy barrel in .308 Win. Where it differed from the commercial version of the ADL model was in the addition of a magazine floorplate like the BDL. The stock style though sans checkering was pure sporter, including the monte carlo comb and cheek piece popular at the time.

The barrel was 24” long and measured .830” at the muzzle thus making a fairly heavy barrel by sporter standards though no heavier than a varmit barrel.

My first bolt action hunting rifle bought in Alaska in 1968 was in fact a 700 ADL in .308 that served me well for many years.

Only a limited number of these rifles were ever made, less than a thousand total for the contract, and a number of them were damaged or destroyed in battle or modified to the newer M40A1. There are so few still in existence outside of the military that the chances of seeing one, say on the used gun market, are essentially nonexistent.

While reading the excellent and comprehensive book, The One Round War by Peter Senich, it occurred to me that one could, with the proper components and a bit of work, have one’s own M40.

Looking for a Few Good Parts

The first thing to do then would be to collect all of the necessary parts for this project. A 1960’s vintage 700 rifle would have to be found.

A Model 700 with a 5-digit serial number was found at a gun show for a reasonable price, and though the Marine contract rifles were of the 6-digit serial number range, the action is the proper style with the short bolt shroud. The gun was itself chambered in .308 Win. as well though it didn’t have to be as long, it was a short action with the proper size bolt face. Also of note, the action has the clip charger slot cut into the rear bridge, a feature that was dropped in 1964 on commercial rifles but was present on all Marine contract rifles, though it is styled a little different. But it was not my intent to build an exact duplicate to pass off as an original later on, rather to build a reasonable facsimile of a fine shooting rifle. In other words, the building of this rifle is meant to be more of a tribute to the rifle itself and its users than for any gain other than personal use and satisfaction.

Stock Work

With an acceptable action and stock in hand the work begins. The 700 stock of this era, early 60’s, had what many consider something of an abomination, machine impressed checkering. Here the diamonds are pressed into the wood rather than being against the hand like cut checkering. While the design is attractive enough, its utility as a grip enhancement is almost useless. For the M40 the “checkering” would have to be removed. This may seem a little daunting at first but requires not much more than a lot of patience and elbow grease. After stripping the finish off with a chemical stripper I began by giving the stock a thorough scrubbing with cleansers and bleach to remove oils and stains. Lots of hot water is used to rinse with and it actually helps to back out the diamonds from the grip and forearm. Then after drying out a bit, scrapers and chisels are used to scrape away the “checkering” pattern. Care is called for here so as not to put deep scratches in the wood as they can create a lot of unnecessary work. Eventually if all goes well the alleged “checkering” is gone with maybe only a trace of the old outline showing if one looks really close. But if you can see it you’re too close!

The stock is then sanded down in the normal way and either stained and oiled or maybe just oiled. I chose to stain this stock for personal preference. This is followed up with many coats of boiled linseed oil to achieve what the Marines refer to a “dull oil finish”. The rifle as acquired had the proper aluminum buttplate called for so no problem there.

The M40 has a hinged magazine floorplate for its box magazine as on a BDL but the ADL stock has no mortise for one so one will have to be let in. This is a fair bit of work and would take too much ink to describe in detail here, so suffice to say that much care must be taken or the results may be less than gratifying.

The BDL floorplate assembly was purchased new from Brownells Inc., that great supplier of gunsmithing equipment, gun parts and accessories. It comes with a paint-like matte black finish which is suitable for the purpose and is made of aluminum per spec. Also acquired from Brownells were military style 1 1/4” non-detachable sling swivels to replace the detachable studs the rifle came with.

The Barrel

The Marines called for a 24” heavy barrel with 1 in 10 twist to shoot the M118 Match ammunition, which used a 173-grain full metal jacketed bullet. To build this rifle a barrel was purchased again from Brownells that was very close to spec. As cut to 24” it is right at the proper .830” muzzle diameter.

The chrome moly barrel, made by Shilen was pre-threaded and short chambered.

At this point the gun must be handed over to the gunsmith to have its existing 20” carbine barrel removed and the new heavy barrel installed and headspaced and then off to get the proper finish, in this case parkerizing. The M40 action and barrel had a greenish color common to many U.S. service rifles seen, but the bolt assembly was given a flat black finish.

The barreled action must now be bedded to the stock. This is done in the normal way with Brownells Acraglass Gel. The M40 rifles left the factory unbedded by glass but instead were referred to as “hand bedded” by Remington. Subsequently many if not most of the rifles were glass bedded by armourers to help prevent impact shift caused by the shrinking and swelling of the stock in climate changes. Also the barrel channel had to be kept open by any means possible to keep the barrel fully free floating.

The Scope

The scope chosen by the Marines to meet their specs was the Redfield 3x-9x Accu-Range that was already in use by the public and had a good reputation and seemed to best fit the needs of the Corps.

This unique scope uses what Redfield referred to as the “special fine crosshair” reticle and the so called “tombstone” system that employs on the right hand side of the view circle a range finder marked in 50 yard increments out to 600 yards. As the power ring is increased from 3 to 9 power the “tombstone” begins to slide out of sight until only the top portion is seen. It also utilizes a 2-wire grid near the top of the view circle that represents 18”. The method being that the viewer places the two stadia wires on a man sized target and increases the power until the two lines are spaced about equal to a mans torso from chin to belt, then reads the range on the “tombstone” on the right. The viewer must then make the necessary calculations for hold, over or under, to make the shot for that range. The M40 was usually sighted in for a dead on hold at 600 yards.

Such a scope was found and purchased from a used sight and scope dealer for this project and then sent to ABO/USA for cleaning and adjustment. ABO/USA is the authorized repair facility for Redfield products since Redfield is unfortunately no longer in business. Cleaning and adjustment was done for only a shipping and handling fee. These scopes are a bit scarce also and it was a real break to find one rather easily. This specimen has the gloss black finish of the commercial model whereas the M40 scope was anodized green to match the barreled action of the gun. Some later M4Os were furnished with a scope that was finished in matte black, and were called 2nd Generation scopes.

The scope is mounted on a Redfield Jr. one piece base in one-inch split rings, all of matte finished blued steel just like the original. The base and rings have changed a little since the 60s but it’s basically the same rig

Carrying Case

M40 rifles were issued to the Scout-Sniper teams in a hard plastic carrying case made by Protecto Plastics of Pennsylvania. The case used had a center mounted two pc. handle and three evenly spaced lockable latches. The interior was lined with foam on both halves and the case measured 3.5” deep by 9” wide by 46” long, just large enough for one rifle, cleaning kit and a few accessories.

What’s most interesting about this case is that it is still available today under the Hoppes brand name, still being made by Protecto Plastics. The only difference that’s at all evident is the color of the case is now black where it was brown as issued, and the interior foam is of a different configuration.

Final Assembly

Now with all of the various components together and properly finished it’s time to assemble the rifle and scope and see what it will do.

Putting the rifle together is no trick of course but a problem was encountered when trying to mount the scope. It was found that there was a noticeable difference in the height of the front and rear rings. So to rectify this I turned to a scope lapping kit purchased from Midway/USA. After running the lapping bar through the lightly snugged rings a number of times and checking the work often the proper height was attained wherein there was no difference in height between the two rings. If this is not done it is possible to bend the scope when the rings are tightened down thereby damaging the scope.

Satisfied with that task the rest of the package is put together in the usual way.

Shooting the Marine Rifle

Original Marine Corps specs called for a minimum capability of 5 shots in 1 inch at 100 yards, or one minute of angle, with the M118 Match load. This shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish with today’s ammo and components. The M118 load was replaced in the 80s with the M852 load that uses the 168-grain bullet instead of the 173 grain original.

Since the amount of available components for .308 is almost endless the quest will be to approximate the original round, therefore it is hoped that the 175 grain Sierra Match bullet will work out well.

Before getting serious with the best components and trying to shoot for groups the barrel must be carefully broken in using the shoot and clean method. You know the method, shoot a little and clean a lot. For the first 5-10 rounds the barrel is cleaned of powder fouling between each shot and then followed up with a copper solvent to remove all traces of jacket fouling. This method is used for the first 60 rounds or so while never allowing the barrel to get very hot as this will cause problems rather quickly. Plain old Hoppes #9 is as good as any for getting out the powder residue, but to get the copper jacket fouling I turn to Sweets 7.62 solvent. This stuff removes copper as good or better than anything. Instructions must be followed, and it’s nasty smelling stuff, but it do work!

The first range session is always filled with a little apprehension with a new rifle and this was no different. I began to relax a little when the first two rounds landed on the target just 1/2-inch apart at 100 yards, and almost in target center after only a visual bore sighting. This initial shoot-in was performed by the way, with the Rem./UMC 150-grain ball load that I have a lot of on hand. The last three shots taken that first day were with a proven handload that seems to work well in almost any rifle including bolt gun and M14 style guns. That load is 42.0 grains of 1MR4895 in W/W cases lit by a Fed. 210 Match primer. Those three shots went under an inch. Not spectacular to be sure but barrels seem to get better as they go if they are treated right.

The rifle has been to the range a number of times now and does better every time if the shooter does his part. I was happy to see the Federal Match 175-grain load do well. Two groups of five were shot on the second trip to the range and both went under one inch. While it’s true that factory ammo is much better now than ever before it is still a thrill to see it shoot that well. Six rounds from the handload mentioned before went into five-eights of an inch, on the same day, not bad.

A single box of M118 Match was found at a local gun show and was soon run through the rifle. Results sad to say were not that great as groups were hard to achieve and the primers were all cratered possibly indicating slightly elevated pressures, but as it is hard to come by anyway and the gun seems to shoot so many other loads so well that it really wont matter if it doesn’t like that particular lot of ammo or not. In other words, who cares?

As is the case with my Rem. PSS.308, Hodgdons Varget powder is showing great potential. Loads with 43 and 45 grs. are grouping under an inch for five rounds at 100 yards. 1MR4064 has worked well for a couple of loads but is not as consistent as either 1MR4895 or Varget. Every gun is a law unto itself so it always pays to try various powders.

All group testing was done from the bench at 100 yards. My local range has targets up to 300 yards and I will shoot the gun at that range but there is not much point in putting it here as groups always open up at that range. If the shooter is not up to snuff that day it will definitely show on the target while not being the fault of the rifle.

The idea here was to more or less replicate what would otherwise be an unobtainable rifle, and make it shoot to the specs laid out by the Marines back in 1966. I think I have accomplished this as it shoots very well, and perhaps most fun of all is when someone at the rifle range asks what I’m shooting, I can tell them I’m shooting the Marines M40 Sniper Rifle.

Remington Model 700

Introduced in 1962 the Model 700 was an updated and modernized version of the 720 series of rifles that had been the mainstay of the Remington line for many years. It was designed to go head to head with Winchesters Model 70 but be less expensive to build.

It succeeded very well and has gone on to be one of the most successful bolt action designs ever and is still being made in many different versions and calibers today.

It is a very strong action and Remington made much of its “three rings of steel” claim. Its detractors claim that the small extractor in the head of the bolt is too small and unreliable but this writer’s opinion has never been proven to be the case. Indeed many tests were run to determine if it would be strong enough to compare favorably to other more accepted designs such as the 98 Mauser and others. It held its own with the best of them and failures are almost unheard of. Another claim that many will back up is that of excellent out of the box accuracy. If there is truth to this claim I believe it has more to do with the quality of the barrel than anything else. Every model 700 I have ever owned showed the potential to be a great shooter but not all would do so without a good bedding job. This is a common problem with just about all mass produced rifles however.

The M4Os were built using Remingtons own barrels and served well. The later M40A1 is built with a barrel from Atkinson. The Rem. 700 is of course also the base rifle for most of this country’s police department sniper teams.

Quite a legacy for a model of rifle introduced almost 40 years ago, but then if we look at the fact that the 98 Mauser action that is over 100 now and still going strong, I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised. If it’s good, it stays on.

Cartridge History

The 7.62×51 NATO that the M40 was chambered in was a development of the Army Ordnance department known early on as the T-65. It began as an attempt to get the ballistics of the 30/06 in a shorter case that would permit the use of lighter shorter and more efficient gun mechanisms.

The military did not officially adopt the T-65 until 1954, but Winchester brought out its own commercial version in 1952 and called it the .308 Winchester.

The U.S. military didn’t have any weapons for it until 1957 when it became the official service rifle cartridge for which the M14 rifle was chambered.

The .308 has been hugely successful for a good many years now and is still the one to beat in match competitions around the country, though it is not the only accurate round out there. It is still however the standard round for military sniper rifles. Besides being the M40s cartridge, the 7.62 continued on into the M40A1 and the new current M40A3. Also the Army uses the 7.62 in its own M24 Sniper rifle also based on the Remington 700.

It was recently announced that the Dept. of Defense has adopted a brand new loading for all long-range sniper shooting. This loading will feature the l75gr. Boat-Tail bullet propelled by Alliant Powders Reloder 15. It will be designated the M118 Special Ball Long Range Sniper Round. It will become the standard issue sniper round to be used by all military service branches.

This cartridge is hard to beat in many ways and looks to be with us for some time to come.

References

Inside the Crosshairs- A Snipers Vietnam – Michael Lee Manning

Dead Center – Ed Kugler

Sniper – Adrian Gilbert

The One Round War-Scout-Snipers in Vietnam – Peter Senich

U.S. Marine Corps Scout-Snipers WWII and Korea-Peter Senich

Marine Sniper – Charles Henderson

One Shot One Kill – Charles Sasser and Craig Roberts

Bolt Action Rifles – Frank de Haas, Chap. 39, Ideal Snipers Rifle Rev. Ed. 1984

THE M151 MUTT

Due to this versatile employment, it is not surprising that the Central Americans use gunjeeps in considerable quantities. Armed light utility vehicles are pressed to provide convoy and perimeter security, in addition to the main task of liaison. In large armies with strong armored formations, the duties of perimeter response, antitank, reconnaissance, and liaison duties are entrusted to light armored vehicles. In Central America, this role falls on anti-tank and recce armed utility vehicles instead. Their use also include delaying action in withdrawal, acting as flank guards and for anti-airborne and/or anti-heliborne operations.

The first Central American CJ-3 gunjeeps, which arrived soon after WWII, were equipped with a single machine gun pedestal in the bed. Some were equipped with either a heavy 12.7mm M2HB machine gun, or a lighter .30” M1919. In Salvadoran and Honduran service, one of the most common matches consisted of single or double mounts of the Madsen Model 1950. The CJ-3 served until replaced by either the M38, the CJ-8 or the M151.

The US delivered considerable quantities of M151s in all its variants to Honduras and El Salvador starting in the mid-1970s; however, few remain in service due to the lack of spare parts. In the weapon carrier configuration (better known as gunjeep), the M151 utility vehicles are used for roadblocks, retaining the capacity to respond with high mobility and firepower. They are used for route and area reconnaissance, mobile patrolling, and security on the move convoys. They are also useful for immediate tactical response.

In 1998, Salvadorian Colonel1 Gustavo Perdomo Hernandez found five M151A2 abandoned at the Special Forces Command base. Perdomo and his mechanics worked overtime to recover all five vehicles. By doing so, Perdomo proved the feasibility and necessity to establish a line to recover this type of equipment.

The rebuilt Salvadorian M151A2s were baptized “Centaurs”. The Salvadorian Special Forces now operate these rebuilt vehicles. They have had their beds extended to accommodate additional radio equipment. One variant is used as command post. There is another variant configured to FAV standards with a M2HB and a M249 SAW; and a third variant sports an M60MG and an M249 SAW. One more variant has been equipped with a 60mm mortar and ammunition boxes. A fifth variant has been equipped with a GE 7.62 mm Mini-gun.

The Nicaraguan National Guard pressed Spanish made CJ-3 and M151 gunjeeps into service during the first revolutionary war of 1977-1979. These sported either a MAG-58 or an M1919 machine gun in the bed. They proved extremely vulnerable during ambushes by the guerrillas, and most were destroyed during the war.

Guatemala was the first Central American recipient of the new M151A1 in the late 1960s, and continuing with M151A2 models after 1970. Guatemala continues to be the largest user of the US-made M151 Jeep in the region. The Chapin2 Army does not use any other type of light utility vehicle, and has avoided purchasing the more common M38/CJ type, or clones. So pleased is the Army with the little utility tactical vehicle, that has even established a “production” line to rebuild them. The Guatemalan Material War Service has rebuilt and delivered fifty of 70 rebuilt M151s to the newly established National Civilian Police in 1999. There are 200 bare chassis waiting for the budget to go through the process, and the Army would like to purchase some additional 300 chassis.

When this author visited the production line, there were some 20 M151 in various stages of recovery, and two models were ready for “redelivery.” The vehicles are stripped down to the bare chassis, and then put back together using new, remanufactured, or overhauled parts.

The most powerful M151 gunjeep type deployed in Central America is the M825 variant (M151 jeeps equipped with M40A1 RCL) for antitank and support roles. The M40A1 RCLs in use in Central America come from the US, Israel or Spain.

THE M38A1 AND ITS MANY CLONES

The other widely used “Jeep” in the region is the M38 light utility vehicle. American Motors Corporation (AMC) produced the M38 and M38A1 soon after WWII. The M38 was adopted by the US Army in the 1950s, and was widely distributed to Central American armies. There were also “civilian” variants-the CJ5 and CJ7-that entered service with the various regional armies. The M38 was, in fact, a larger Jeep Willys.

The CJ-5 sported an AMC 4-121 4-cylinder petrol engine, developing 80bhp. The CJ-7 came with a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder petrol engine and the usual manual 4F1R transmission, but there were some models that mounted a more powerful 4.2 liter 6-cylinder engine. By far the most popular version deployed by the Honduran and Salvadoran armies was the CJ-8 Jeep, equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine (4.2 Ltr). The Salvadoran models are said to have come from commercial sources, through mediation by an American Colonel, and paid by US aid funds.

There have been numbers of CJ8 Jeep clones that have been delivered to the Hondurans, Salvadoran and Nicaraguan armies.

Honduras received the Ford U-50, a variant of the CJ-5 built by the Brazilian Ford. These models sported a 4-cylinder OHC petrol engine, developing 91bhp, matched to a 4F1R transmission. In Honduran service, the Brazilian made U-50 were supplemented with Brazilian-made Toyota LAND CRUISERS. These mounted a 6-cylinder petrol engine, developing 145bhp.

In the 1980s, Nicaragua received numbers of UAZ-469 4×4 light vehicles. The UAZ-469 vehicles mount the ZMZ 451M 2.445 liter 4-cylinder petrol engine, developing 75hp. However, these Soviet utility vehicles are nothing like the CJ Jeep series. Therefore, the Nicaraguan Popular Army (EPS) acquired several KOREANDO Jeeps in 1990. The KOREANDO built by South Korea resembles the CJ-8, and it is the civilian version of the KEOHWA M-5 & M7 series, equipped with an AMC 6-cylinder petrol engine developing 114bhp. The KOREANDO did not prove to be satisfactory in service, so the Nissan PATROL-made in Spain-were purchased starting in 1996. These Spanish made Nissans are equipped with a P-40 6-cylinder, developing 130bhp.

In El Salvador, the M151 gunjeeps were usually equipped with either a 7.62mm Madsen SAETTER or an M1919 machine gun on a pedestal in the bed. The CJ-8 gunjeeps sported either an M1919 or an M60D. These gunjeeps were used for security convoy and rapid response, and therefore, received serious losses in battle. By 1985, the Maestranza (Armed Forces National Workshop) had developed an armored CJ-8 Jeep variant. This carried armored plates around the cab and bed, and a turret equipped with an M2HB machine gun. The suspension was reinforced, and double tires were placed in the rear. The experiment failed since the CJ-8 engine, the AMC 4.2 liter 6 cylinder diesel engine, developing 115hp, overheated due to the excessive weight. The armored CJ-8 project was abandoned and the prototype was relegated to base security at the Military Detachment 1, Chalatenango, where it survived the war, and it was dismantled in 1992.

Very few “civilian” Jeep Wranglers have been deployed in Central America. Nevertheless, the “look and power” of the Wrangler pickup appear to be preferred by the military. The American YJ-L Wrangler pickups are fitted with a Cummins B3.9 diesel engine, developing 105hp, matched to a Chrysler A727 3-speed automatic transmission and New Process M231 2-speed transfer box. The similar (less powerful) CJ8 long bed was a favorite of the Salvadorans, since it was common to use the Jeeps as transport, cramming as many as five soldiers in the bed, plus two crewmen.

All the M40A1s in Salvadoran service were fitted to the long bed (LB) variants of the M38/CJ8 during the civil-war of 1979-1992. These vehicles were deployed as close support, a role proper for an armored vehicle. Therefore, many CJ-8 LB/M40A1 vehicles were equipped with a front armored shield. The Infantry also used their M38 LB/M40A1 in a similar fashion to self-propelled artillery, firing salvoes at the guerrillas and then changing positions before firing again.

The matching of the M40A1 to a long bed jeep has continued with the latest CJ Jeep clones acquired by the Salvadorans. In 1990, the Salvadoran Army took delivery of 36 M240 Storm antitank vehicles (with the M40A1 RCL) and two M-240 reconnaissance and command variants. The M240 MMV series (Multi Mission Vehicles) were designed by Automotive Industries Limited of Nazareth Illit (Israel). The M240s are produced in two frame lengths. The Salvadorans chose the long bed variant (4.5 m) (the other length option is 4.15 m). The M240 is an Israeli near copy of the US-made CJ-8. As designed, the M242 series are equipped with the same CJ-8 engine, a DANA 300 2-speed transfer box and a TREMEC T-176 4F1R transmission. The Salvadorans opted for the more powerful M240 AMC 4L V-6 diesel engine, developing 180 hp, and matched to an AISIN AX-15 5F1R transmission and a NP231 2-speed transfer box. A couple of variants were delivered: Armed (Reconnaissance & antitank/support) and utility (control & communications).

The Reconnaissance variant is the typical armed variant, with an adjustable pedestal in the bed for either a heavy machine gun (12.7mm M2HB) or an automatic grenade launcher. The front passenger door mounts a second 7.62mm machine gun (a M60D in Salvadorian service). The antitank/support variant carries the M40A1 RCL. Surprisingly, the AT/Support variant lacks the light machine gun for the use of the front mounted passenger3.

THE HUMMER

The Honduran Army has taken delivery of several M998 HUMMER transports to operate as light pickup trucks for the three Infantry Brigades and to operate alongside the Saladins of the 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment (RECABLIN). These are the most modern light utility vehicles deployed by any Central American army or police force. The high mobility performance and payload capacity makes the HUMMERs particularly powerful weapon platforms. Therefore, all the Honduran M998s have been equipped with a central mount for a single 12.7mm M2HB in the bed. A second 7.62mm MAG-58 machine gun can be mounted at the front passenger side.

The Honduran HUMMERs have also replaced the M825 utility cars (M151A2 jeeps with 106mm RCL). The HUMMER is ideally suited as a platform of the powerful M40A1, able to carry comfortably a crew of four, in addition to some five times the ammunition carried by a M825. The Honduran Army also distributed some M1069 Prime Mover variants to the RECABLIN, which tow the four M102 howitzers and four M55A2 systems assigned to the Regiment.

THE RBY & CASHUAT

The American experiments with the “dune buggie” as part of the Fast Attack Vehicle program of the early 1980s, inspired a number of experiments around the world.

THE RABBI

Perhaps one of the most interesting “gunjeeps” deployed by the Central Americans is the RBY-Mk1 supplied by Israel. The Israelis determined that the idea of the Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) needed refinement. The FAV concept was sound, providing for speed, mobility and great firepower, but it lacked protection.

The Israelis developed their own version of the FAV. The RBY is not strictly speaking a Jeep or a light utility vehicle. In general, the RBY is based on a concept of the legendary LRDG patrols developed by the SAS during WWII, but providing better speed and improved protection to the crew. The crew can raid the enemy with a large array of light and heavy weapons.

The Honduran Army uses the RBYs in the context developed by the Israelis, much like gunjeeps. The RBYs are organized in a reconnaissance squadron, comprising 4 sections each equipped with two Recce RBYs and 2 Tank Hunter RBYs in addition to four M38 gunjeeps. The RBYs and armed utility M38 vehicles were used in their classical supporting role.

Colonel Emilio David Rodriguez Alvarado, of the Honduran Armored Cavalry Regiment, explained to us that he participated as a young lieutenant in the battle of the Amatillo Bridge in 1984. At the time, Salvadoran FMLN guerrillas overran the local police outpost on the El Salvador side, and prepared to blow up the bridge. The RBYs arrived in time to receive a baptism of fire, pushing back the rebels until Salvadoran troops arrived late the following day to take control of the bridge. One vehicle of this reconnaissance section was sufficient in 1984, to provide enough firepower to beat back the Salvadoran guerrillas who had just wiped out a complete Salvadoran National Police company.

The Honduran 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment (RECABLIN) Commander, Colonel Jorge Andino Andrade, assured that 13 RBYs are operational; however, they denied access to the units’ motor pool to verify this-most likely due to the Salvadoran background of this author. His second in command indicated that Nicaragua is no longer considered a potential enemy, but war with El Salvador is only a matter of time. Ironically, at that particular time, Honduras coast guard units were raiding Nicaraguan fishing boats around Lempira in the North and Fonseca in the South.

The officers also complained of the tight budget to keep the machines running, imposed by the civilian administration. However, with the reluctance of the Armed Forces to open-up to civilian authority, and with some trigger-happy officers still calling for a war with El Salvador, it is only sensible that the civilian authorities retain certain reservations over the military.

The Guatemalan Army considers the RBYs to be light armored vehicles, and they are deployed accordingly. Due to the broken Guatemalan terrain, and the characteristics of the RBYs, they were relegated to operations in the coastal regions and around Jutiapa.

CASHUAT VAL (VEHICULO DE ASALTO LIGERO)

In 1985, the US made available $3 millions to upgrade and re-equip the Salvadoran Cavalry Regiment. Cavalry officers were invited to the 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington, to observe and test the Fast Attack Vehicle being developed by the Special Forces in those days. According to then Cavalry Regiment S3, Captain Miguel Castillo4 the Fast Attack Vehicle was rejected by the Salvadorians because it was too expensive, lacked armored protection and did not provide for a light armored transport variant. The Salvadoran terrain is broken, presenting only a few open areas; therefore, operations of motorized equipment are restricted to paved and dirt roads. The Cavalry Regiment had been tasked with keeping the roads open to transit, so a light armored vehicle for convoy escort and road patrol was needed.

Based on the concept of the Fast Attack Vehicle presented to them in Fort Lewis, the Salvadoran Cavalry Regiment officers requested the Light Assault Vehicle (VAL-Vehículo de Asalto Ligero) from the local National Workshops (Maestranza). The Cavalry provided a Tactical Group and Maestranza a Technical Group to study the production of a locally-made armored pickup truck.

The M37B1 4×4 Dodge pickup chassis was selected to mount a mild steel shell for trials. After all details and problems were resolved, a line was established at the Maestranza HQ, San Salvador. The US Tank Automotive Command supplied 66 kits to ensemble the new armored cars in El Salvador. The Army collected 100 M37B1 chassis from Army barracks nationwide, and more were offered from the Military Assistance Program. The Salvadorian hoped to build 100 armored pickups.

The Army had found that troops riding on the enclosed armored trucks would go to sleep due to the intense heat inside the armored vehicles. Therefore, an open-topped design was selected for the new Light Assault Vehicle to provide some sense of insecurity so troops would keep awake and alert. The Maestranza produced 66 armored pickups denominated Cashuats (“Horse” in Nahuat Amerindian language). They were built in two variants: light armored transport and weapons carrier. As designed-a light armored road patrol vehicle-the Cashuat was a complete success. The VAL program called for a light armored vehicle for roles typically assigned to gunjeeps; in reality, they only supplemented the smaller utility cousins. The M151 and M38 continued to be used by the Cavalry Regiment in reconnaissance sections of 5 gunjeeps. Furthermore, the Salvadorans deployed the Cashuats for counter-insurgency tasks as armored close support of infantry, fire support, and armored troop transports. The Cashuat had not been designed for these roles as they can be considered “light armored long wheelbase gunjeeps.” It lacked the firepower of the Panhard AML-H90 and the mobility of the UR-416. In this supporting role the Cahsuat VAL was considered to be a complete failure.

BLEAK FUTURE

Modernization programs of older vehicles are good investments. The recovery of the M35A2 truck to the A3 standard is one example. The “new” M35A3 consists of an old M35A2 modified with a Cummins 478-ci engine developing 170hp, new 4-speed automatic transmission, 2-speed transfer box, and new axles with super single radial tires. The changes include a new cooling system, split air/hydraulic breaks, new power assisted steering, and central tire inflation system.

Ideally, the M151A2 chassis would go through a similar transformation to a M151A3. This would include an overhauled manual or a new automatic transmission, a Perkins Prima 80T turbocharged 80hp diesel engine (or similar), power steering, improved suspension, wide tires and central tire pressure. As a light strike vehicle, a modernized M151 can be modified Israeli-style, with wire-cutter front post, roll bars, storage boxes, additional radios, a MAG-58 forward over the dashboard for the use passenger side crew, and either an M1919 or MAG-58 in the bed facing rearguard. In fact, the USMC used something similar until 1997. The Guatemalan Army in their M151 “production” line could easily incorporate these suggested modifications.

Guatemala is happy with the M151, and the Hondurans have opted for the HUMMER. The Salvadoran Army is left behind having a number of different light utility vehicles, but without enough of them to make a difference. El Salvador has a requirement for some 300 to 500 modernized M151, and between 300 and 500 modernized M35 trucks in all variants. Salvadoran sources indicate that all US material military assistance has stopped. The only assistance being received is in training. This leaves considerable US-made material relegated to warehouses or the junk yard. The Army lacks even trucks for mobility. The Salvadorans are also to blame since they have been unable to establish a reliable logistic branch and those making military arms and parts purchases appear to be either inept or highly corrupt.

Notes

1 Now General, Special Military Security Brigade Commander.
2 Chapin: Accepted regional nickname, applied to Guatemalans (not a diminutive name).
3 This author considers that the investment on the Storm was unwise. A better investment for the Salvadoran Army would have consisted in acquiring second-hand M113 vehicles, refurbished to A3 standards, or the establishing a recovery line for M151A2s.
4 Today Brigadier General, Salvadorian Army General Inspector.