Welcome to “Cookin’ with Dillon”, an SAR feature where we took the time to visit with Mike Dillon, king of the progressive reloaders, a man who has taken hopper feeding his machine guns that one more step by trying to manufacture the ammunition fast enough to feed the guns…. We caught Mike back in the kitchen, working on some of his favorites:

THOMPSON TURNOVERS

For Thompsons, Reisings and Greaseguns, This simple formula can’t be beat. Properly inspect the brass as in the 9mm loads. Use 230 grain FMJ bullets with 5.0 grains of W231. This should ensure safe, economical full auto fun.

308 WHILE-YOU-WAIT BOULLIABASE

One of the reasons I dislike the M60 is that one almost put my eye out. The other reason is I couldn’t reload for the damn thing, it would always separate cases, and I would make the headspace so long that the gun would have to crush up the cartridge to get it into the chamber and I would still get case head separation on it, and it’s not like a Browning, where when you get a case head separation, it’s not big deal, the trash drops out of the bottom of the gun, through the open ejection port in the bottom of the receiver. With the Browning, you just stick a broken case extractor on the front of the bolt and yank out the separated case. Then you’re shooting again. With the M60 you’re there trying to turn the damned thing upside down and dump the broken pieces out, meanwhile the top cover is flapping back and forth hitting your hands. I mean, I don’t like the gun, I can’t, I could never figure out why it would separate case as bad as it did. I truly regard the M60 as being a factory ammunition gun.

While I am definitely not a fan of the M60 GPMG, the following load for 7.62 x 51mm ammunition should work in the ’60 as well as the FAL, M14, or other .308 machine guns. Properly inspect and treat your brass. Use 147-150 Grain .308 FMJ bullets, and 48 Grains W748.

COLT CONCOCTION:

The main thing about loading 223 is that you use a case gauge. Use a Wilson case gauge, use a Dillon case gauge, I don’t care what kind of case gauge you use, but use a case gauge, and make sure you are sizing the cartridge so that the headspace is correct. Now headspace was one those terms that drove me nuts trying to explain to people. What it really refers to, I think, regardless of who’s definition we look at, is that once you put the cartridge in the chamber, if the cartridge moves all the way forward in the chamber to the limits of whatever stops it going in, that you should have some separation between the base of the cartridge and the face of the bolt. Now to me is what headspace is. How you arrive at it, is an entirely different matter. In other words there has to be room in the chamber for the cartridge to go in and yet not be sloppy. When talking about headspace, that’s what I am talking about. So you need to push the shoulder back, in order to gauge it right. I thought all cartridges headspaced on the mouth of the cartridge like a 45 did, I didn’t grasp that most of the shoulder cartridges headspace on the shoulder, not on the mouth of the case. I was abysmally ignorant when I started this.

Those who like to shoot AR15/M16 series rifles will enjoy the following quick recipe. It works just as well in any 5.56mm rifle or machine gun. Don’t let the 55 grain bullet fool you, this is a nice, even shooting accurate load. Properly inspect your brass. Use 5.56mm (.223) 55 Grain FMJ bullet, with 23 Grains of H322.

BROWNING SURPRISE

Those who know me are aware that the Browning 30’s and 50’s are my favorites (Other than Miniguns, of course). I like the 30’s in the original caliber, and load in the following manner: properly inspect and treat the brass then use 147-150 Grain FMJ bullets, with 55.5 Grains W760.

Consistent bullet seating is important, as is proper case trimming. Semi and fully automatic firearms rely on certain consistency in the feeding process, and deviations in length can interfere with the process.

9mm SUBGUN GUMBO

9mm Subguns are the mainstay of shooting. Inexpensive to feed, and even more so if you are reloading for them. Reloading, properly done, not only saves you money, but provides top quality ammunition for your pet Subgun. For this recipe, first we take 1000 used 9x 19mm brass cases, inspect and clean them. Look for any imperfections in the brass. Hopefully you are tracking your brass usage, but if this is a “Mongrel” pile that is all right as long as you do a good inspection. Lube the cases with Dillon’s Spray Lube case lubricant, then put them in the hopper. Fill the primer tube, bullet reservoir, and powder reservoir with W231 powder. Adjust the powder according to the projectile weight.

Commence loading. These should properly,

9mm – 115 Grain FMJ bullet, 4.7 Grains W231
9mm – 125 Grain FMJ bullet, 4.4 Grains W231

CHEF MIKE CLEANS AND LUBES THE CASES….

Lubricate the cartridges so that they are all lubricated about the same, and the magic lubricant is hydro-lanolin. This stuff works absolutely fantastic. It’s the oil out of sheep’s wool. We used to buy this stuff, it went for about 3 bucks a pound at drug stores. It’s a thick white cream. You figure a way to get it on your cartridge. I’d stick them in a tumbler and put the hydro-lanolin on my hands and just stick my hands in the tumbling media, and let it take it off my hands. Now this process is a lot easier- all you need to do is use Dillon’s Spray Lube. It’s hydrous lanolin in a quick drying solvent. The best way to clean brass for the commercial loaders, (that’s who I dealt with in the beginning were commercial loaders), is citric acid and TSP Tri Sodium Phosphate . Tri Sodium Phosphate is garage floor cleaner. You can get a pound box for a couple of bucks, It’s as cheap literally as a box of dirt. This stuff is almost free and it’s the best cleaner there is, it’s a grease cutter and you mix that with a little citric acid. You might say “Acid, Mike? That’s dangerous!” Well, you can take 1/2 teaspoon of the citric acid, put it into a glass of water and add a little sugar and you’ve got lemonade, cause that’s what it is. So two of the cheapest and safest things in the world can be used to do a fantastic job of wet cleaning large quantities of brass. Smaller batches of brass (Up to 500 cases) can be cleaned an polished using a small vibratory “Tumbler”. In my kitchen, I of course recommend the Dillon tumblers and ground corn cob. Add a small amount of case polish and run for an hour.

When you are “Wet cleaning”, you’re putting this mixture of TSP and Citric acid in water- just a little bit of each into a bucket of water. Dump it over the brass, and let it soak overnight. When you are ready, just pour the water off and throw the dry brass into dry corn cob and tumble a few minutes. Just as bright and shiny as can be. Then you examine the brass, size and trim, then tumble with the hydro-lanolin, and the brass is ready to go!

The time is now, the place is here, and there will never be a better time or place than here and now.

All intrepid readers of SAR, dwellers of the land of Raffica, should be aware that we have some movement in the bushes. Ladies and Gentlemen, Lock and Load. I mean, we have MOVEMENT!

The movement is… 1934 GROUP, Inc. This is a new not-for-profit corporation that was expressly started for the purpose of legally going after the CLEO signature requirement on Forms 1, 4, and 5. There were so many people pledging funds or to be plaintiffs in the challenge, that lawyers Stephen Halbrook and Jim Jeffries responded to the call, as did Kel Whelan and many others. Halbrook and Jeffries are not part of the corporation, they are being retained by it.

These esteemed attorneys have devised a simple series of events designed to challenge the requirement for a signature on the Forms- a requirement that is being abused by many localities to prevent law abiding American citizens from owning NFA firearms. ATF says “No CLEO signature, no transfer”. The 1934 Group, Inc, says, “Where does the requirement for a signature come from? It’s unconstitutional on many levels, and being misused as a gun ban implement. It has to go!”

SAR doesn’t balk at a little rabble rousing from time to time, and this is one issue where we won’t back off. My own opinion is that ATF would be wise to quickly supply relief from this situation- if you can’t get a signature because the locals just plain refuse to sign, then there ought to be another way to satisfy the requirements. Whether they will or not is another matter, and the grounds that 1934 GROUP Inc, has been discussing are pretty sound. I am impressed.

I am living up to my personal $500 pledge to this not-for-profit group. As of January 24, 1999, there was another $12,400 pledged to the fund. They need to raise about $40,000 to do the job. Any amount of donation will help- figure the ammo bill on one afternoon’s shooting, and pledge that. (I would LOVE to see Kent Lomont’s ammo bill!) There is talk of a raffle- maybe someone will donate a real unique prize. If you live in a locality where you can’t get a signature, then this immediately affects you. However, if you are a Form 4 purchaser- this could affect you anywhere in the United States! All it takes is a change of Police Chief and you won’t be able to get your sign-offs! If you are a dealer, then consider how your customer base might expand.

But, all in all, consider that this is being abused in many areas of the country, and we need to right this wrong. SAR is not affiliated with this organization, but we are a cheerleader. You can get more information directly from 1934 GROUP Inc, and count on the fact that SAR will be there reporting on this!

It’s not tax deductible, but that makes no difference to me. I want to see this fixed. Who else is willing to step up to the plate?

1934 GROUP

A Not-For-Profit Corporation incorporated to research and implement legal and practical developments related to NFA laws and items.

Chairman: Kel Whelan Treasurer: TBA

Donations in personal or company check, or money order (please make a notation on ‘memo’ field of your check if you prefer to stay anonymous to the CL3 community) can be sent to:
1934 Group, 12701 NE 9th PL Suite #D312
Bellevue, WA 98005

Dear SAR,

As a subscriber to the former Machine Gun News, and a charter subscriber to Small Arms Review, I am an ardent supporter. Therefore, I believe it necessary to correct one point in J. David Truby’s “The Welrod Suppressed Pistol” in the January issue of Small Arms Review.

In the text (page 34) and beneath the caption of the photograph on page 38 the Welrod (and the Hand Firing device) are referred to as “assassination” weapons. This description is incorrect.

Assassination is an act of murder for political purposes. In contrast, killing enemy military personnel in war is lawful. If the target is legitimate, the means is irrelevant. Killing an enemy solider with a suppressed weapon such as the Welrod is as lawful as killing a soldier at close quarters with a knife or garrote, shooting him at longer range with a rifle, or dropping a 2,000 pound laser guided bomb on him. A suppressor permits silenced killing, which may be necessary to maintain the element of surprise. Surprise also is essential to an effective ambush, using small arms fire, Claymores and hand grenades. Noise – or lack thereof – does not determine legality of the weapon or the act. Any weapon can be used to commit murder, but that makes the act, not the weapon, illegal. The fact that a weapon is equipped with a suppressor does not make it an “assassination” weapon.

This is a point that often confuses, perhaps due to works in fiction and Hollywood portrayals. In February 1991, as U.S. forces were about to commence the ground offensive to liberate Kuwait, I received a telephone call from a colleague in the Persian Gulf. A Marine brigadier general had ordered the Marine reconnaissance personnel and Navy SEALS going ashore to exchange their Heckler & Koch MP-5SDs for unsuppressed weapons for the same erroneous reason. I was able to correct the situation and the SEALs and Marines went ashore as equipped.

This distinction should be important to Small Arms Review and its readers. Perpetuation of the misperception that a suppressed weapon equals assassination suggests that suppressed weapons are used only for illegal purposes. I will leave to your respective imaginations the suggestion that offers to persons not as knowledgeable of or as supportive of the lawful ownership and use of firearms (and suppressors) as you and your readership. Misuse of words potentially can do as much harm as illegal use.

W. Hays Parks, Special Assistant to the Judge Advocate General of the Army

The correction has been noted, and passed on to the readers. SAR is grateful for the input of all the RKI (Reasonably Knowledgeable Individuals) in our midst, and we look forward to listening to Hays Parks’ paper on disarmament at the June National Defense Preparedness Association (NDIA) meeting in New Jersey.

Dear SAR,

I greatly enjoyed seeing the spread about the Mac Waffle project in SAR. In all fairness, however, there were many people who made our winning entry possible. First off, I’d like to thank Phil LaBudde for the actual welding work. I’d also like to thank Dr. Ed (IIRC) for coming up with the idea, Dan Shea for making the contest a reality, Geoffrey Herring for providing transport, Tom Bowers for providing the flats, and Mark Serbu for making sure I found out where the contest was going to be this time around. Also, I’d like to thank Jay “Lottaguns” for two things, his entry, and more importantly, his super homebrew. I’m looking forward to seeing y’all again this April, and competing in the “open” class!

Thanks, Dave Wigand

The MacWaffle contest was a fun event. We enjoyed every delicious part of this fiasco/festival, especially the buildup to it. The joking, teasing, puns, challenges, and camaraderie were outstanding. Glad to see you giving credit where it’s due. Hope you enjoyed the ribs at Mark’s Feed Store!

Dear SAR,

I can’t handle CA anymore (yet, it’s the gun restrictions and prohibitions that are driving me zonkers). Would you please let me know how Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas compare as far as being machinegun and suppressor friendly? (I realize it will be your opinion based on what you’ve heard and I’m not expecting any perfect knowledge of the entire state and all the details, etc). However, just on your feeling, are these machinegun friendly states? Is one of them better than the others? Any info you would share with me would be greatly appreciated!

Michael W.

I wish you hadn’t included Texas in your list…if we don’t declare Texas the best, we’ll probably get a lot of letters, emails, and phone calls from the Great State of Texas, explaining all about how they are actually the only state that was a country before becoming a state, and guns are bigger there, bullets are bigger there, and most assuredly, the women are better looking there. I don’t want to get in any hassles with the Texas division, even though I am from the NorthEast and my personal recipe for Chili is the best in the States…

To try to answer your question is more complex that throwing out a few jocular dualing words. All three of these states are free states in regards to NFA firearms. You can exercise your right to keep and bear arms in all three. Unfortunately, there are unfriendly sections of each. In Texas, Houston is not a good place to try and get a CLEO signature. In Pennsylvania, forget it if you want a CLEO signoff. Any where you go has problems, but where you are coming from is bound to be the most noxious of all. California now has a Democratic governor with the Democrat controlled legislature. You can expect more hassles on an almost daily basis. I would recommend you bail out to friendlier turf if you expect to own Class 3. Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, all are firearms friendly although they do have some encroachments. Texas has a wonderful bunch of shooters, you can meet them at the Dallas Arms Collectors shows. Tennessee has a good group of shooters, as does Pennsylvania.

States to avoid for Class 3 shooting? California, Washington, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware, South Carolina to name a few. Good luck to you- take a trip to Knob Creek or one of the other shoots to get a taste of what civilian Class 3 ownership is like.

Apologies to AWC Systems Technology:

In the November 1998 issue of SAR, author Doug Olson erroneously stated that the Nexus suppressor only achieved an 18dB reduction “Wet”. When I read this, it seemed low, so I asked Doug if he was sure of the data from the six-year-old testing he was referring to. He replied that he was, and we went with the data.

It turns out that was incorrect. The testing that Doug was referring to was part of the Offensive Handgun Weapon System suppressor program. The Navy had called for a 30 dB reduction “Dry”, which proved to be unachievable. From Doug’s letter to me:

“I went through all the old records that I had and was fortunate enough to find the test data and a report that we (Knight’s Armament Company) made to Colt involving the Nexus and another AWC Systems Technology prototype. To summarize the data, the Nexus did 16.2 dB reduction dry, and 28 dB reduction wet. Sorry, I was in error in what I wrote in the article. The other unit, a prototype, did 18.6 dB dry, and 19.2 reduction wet. Enclosed are copies of the reports. I was obviously confused as to the “Wet vs Dry” readings and apologize to Lynn McWilliams for the oversight. Another item of note is that the “Wet” environment in the testing was water as this was the only acceptable medium for the Navy requirements. These tests were in January of 1992.”

SAR also apologizes to Lynn for the mistake, and we hope that the readers will understand how this happened. I did not have time to send the article on the birth of the Offensive Handgun Suppressor to our Suppressor Technology Editor, Al Paulson. He probably would have caught the mistake, especially since he has the correct data in his excellent book on suppressors.

It is our hope that when SAR publishes information, that the data is technically correct. We allow writers leeway on their opinions, but we try to get the facts nailed down. I take full responsibility for this error, for not chasing this down further or sending it to Al Paulson or AWC for review.

Dan Shea

Worldwide Market For Military Arms Shrinking Dramatically

Arms sales to the developing world have been shrinking dramatically through the decade, according to a new report by the Congressional Research Service. Weapons deals dropped dramatically in 1997 to $24 billion, the lowest level since the Gulf War sales boom of 1990.

The United States remained as the top arms supplier, with about $5.3 billion, or 22 percent of defense related contracts. The figure is a significant drop from the $8.5 billion in new arms agreements reached in 1996. The second largest arms seller in 1997 was the United Kingdom with just under a 21 percent share of the total, followed by Russia with slightly over 18 percent and France’s total in excess of 10 percent.

Much of the loss comes from the developing world, where the financial crisis in Asia and low oil prices are making it hard to sell to heretofore steady buyers such as Japan, Taiwan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. America signed just $2.3 billion in sales to developing countries in 1997, down from $5.3 billion in 1996. The U.S. share of deals with developing countries dropped from 29.3 percent in 1996 to 13.3 percent in 1997. Persian Gulf countries remain the biggest buyers of U..S. arms worldwide.

In total arms deals, France came in at a close second in 1997 at $5.1 billion, a sharp increase over the $3 billion in arms deals it signed in 1996. Much of the gain came from developing nations. In fact, France ranks number one in deals with developing nations, with $4.6 billion, much of it in the Persian Gulf, where France offered financial incentives.

Russia ranks third, but is falling behind. Potential customers are “not likely” to buy unfamiliar Russian arms, “when newer versions of existing equipment are readily available from traditional suppliers,” such as the United States and France, the report notes. Russian arms export agreements dropped somewhat in 1997 to about $4.1 billion, from $4.7 billion in 1996. Deals with developing nations totaled $3.3 billion, a drop from the $4.1 billion achieved in 1997.

A large amount of America’s sales activity rests on the aftermath of past deals. “Much of the value of U.S. arms transfers to developing nations in 1997 reflects either the continuation of established defensive support arrangements, such as weapon systems upgrades, training and support services or the sale of generally less costly systems, ammunition and spare parts,” the report details.

While the relative peace between the world’s major powers has not helped the arms trade, unrest in certain spots around the world stills fuels activities in the arms bazaars. “The developing world continues to be the primary focus of foreign arms sales activity by conventional weapons suppliers,” the report concluded as it noted there is little indication the trend will change anytime soon.

Company News

Moving closer to home, CZ-USA, the new U.S. affiliate of Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ), has established headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas to support CZ firearms in the U.S. market. Sales and warranty departments have been established to assist dealers and distributors and a certified gunsmith has been hired. “CZ-USA is looking forward to establishing itself as a leader in the US by increasing awareness of these incredibly accurate and easy-to-shoot firearms,” said Josef Jares, CZ-USA’s director.

CZ has been a leader in firearms manufacturing since its creation in 1936 in Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic. The company’s use of state-of-the-art technology combined with European craftsmanship has gained them worldwide recognition for their lines of pistols, centerfire and rimfire rifles, over/under shotguns, and airguns.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., one of the nation’s largest producers of firearms, has reported 1998 third quarter net sales of $43.4 million, compared to $47.2 million in the third quarter of 1997. Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, totaled $2.5 million or nine cents per share versus $4.8 million or eighteen cents per share in the comparable quarter of 1997.

For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, net sales were $161.9 million and net income was $18 million or sixty-seven cents per share. For the corresponding period in 1997, net sales were $156.8 million and net income was $20.2 million or seventy-five cents per share.

Commenting on the quarter, Chairman William B. Ruger noted his disappointment at the quarter’s profitability, caused in large part by significant start-up costs associated with new customers and products in the golf club market. “Satisfactory resolution of our customers’ concerns is our highest priority,” he said. The adverse impact on current earnings is an investment that we must make for the benefit of our future in the golf club market.” These additional costs are expected to continue for the remainder of 1998.

Encouraged by the second consecutive quarter in which firearms segment sales grew from the prior year, Ruger added, “The increase in firearms shipments and our continued success in defending product liability litigation exemplify our leadership in the firearms industry.”

Sturm, Ruger was founded in 1949. Since 1950, it has never failed to show an annual profit and has never required financing from outside sources. The company’s business segments are engaged in the manufacture of the Ruger brand of sporting and law enforcement firearms and titanium, ferrous, and aluminum investment castings for a wide variety of customers and end uses. Plants are located in Newport and Manchester, New Hampshire, and Prescott, Arizona. Corporate headquarters are situated in Southport, Connecticut.

With the acquisition of a plethora of M1 Carbine parts, Gun Parts Corp. of West Hurley, New York has put together a complete kit consisting of all parts needed to build an M1, except the receiver. The chrome-lined barrels include a bayonet lug. The wood is refinished walnut.

Sten Mark II parts kits are also available from Gun Parts Corp. Originally the basic submachine gun of England during World War Two, it has been favored by many armies as well as some partisan and guerrilla groups. All parts less the receiver are supplied in the kit, including a 20-round magazine.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. of Beaverton, Oregon is introducing a new tactical scope geared towards military and law enforcement applications. The new Vari-X III 4.5-14x50mm long-range tactical scope has a side focus feature and features 1/4 minute click target style adjustments. The 30mm maintube provides as much as 80-minutes of elevation travel to adequately compensate for bullet drop in long range shooting situations.

The scope’s side focus mechanism uses a parallax adjustment dial positioned on the left side of the scope turret housing. This ergonomically designed feature allows the shooter to eliminate parallax while remaining in the shooting position. The larger exit pupil facilitated by the 50mm objective makes this scope especially good for low light conditions at higher powers. The scope is available in three reticle styles-duplex, 3/4 mil-dot, and target dot.

Sierra Bullets of Sedalia, Missouri has combined the accuracy of its MatchKing bullets with the explosive characteristics of their acetal resin bullet tip technology to create what it says are the world’s deadliest and most accurate varmint bullets. The new green-tipped BlitzKing bullets are constructed with MatchKing jackets and held to tight tolerances. With their match jacket design and construction, BlitzKing bullets are made to withstand even the high velocities of the .22-250 and .220 Swift, and are wildcat friendly.
Offerings include a .22 caliber, 55 grain BlitzKing, a .22 cal. 50 grain bullet, and a .22 cal. 40 grain projectile.

Firearms Training Systems, Inc. (FATS) of Suwanee, Georgia has been selected as the preferred tenderer by the Australian Army to supply its Weapons Training Simulation Systems and Indirect Fire Observer Trainers. “This selection further reinforces FATS’ business strategy to offer multiple training capabilities using a single platform. Customers may now consolidate procurements for gunnery training,” said Peter A. Marino, FATS’ CEO and President.

FATS is a leading worldwide producer of interactive simulation systems designed to provide training in the handling and use of small and supporting arms. Output also include air defense, anti-armor, and armored vehicle training products designed and manufactured by its Canadian subsidiary, Simtran Technologies, Inc. Commercial versions of FATS products supporting the sports shooting industry and professional hunter are designed and manufactured by its Colorado-based subsidiary, Dart International, Inc.

National News

Existing systems to distinguish friendly aircraft-or tanks, soldiers or anything else on a battlefield- from those of an enemy, rely on active transmissions which can give away a location to anyone with the proper listening equipment. Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico have developed an identification system allowing “friends” to recognize each other while giving nothing away to others.

The system, called synchronous identification of friendly targets, uses a method of frequency locking to identify a weak signal buried in the normal radiant energy emitted by an airplane, tank, or person. The device, for which a patent was recently awarded, is portable and reliable, and can be easily modified to prevent an enemy from determining its operating characteristics.

Also in New Mexico, following the death of Airman Marcus R. Zaharko by previously unexploded ordnance on the White Sands Missile Range, the U.S. Army has canceled all oryx and deer hunts at the site until it completes a safety evaluation. The Army is assigning additional ordnance experts to the range to expedite the investigation.

Pentagon officials are reported as developing plans to train National Guard and Reserve units as terrorist response teams, due to a perceived increased terrorist threat within the United States. National Guard and Reserve units are already trained to respond to natural disasters, and to threats or use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. The view that terrorist response training is necessary is based on recent testimony given before the Senate Judiciary Terrorism Subcommittee from Secret Service, FBI, and Immigration and Naturalization Service officials.

A federal grand jury has handed down a fourteen-count indictment of Curtis Lynn Debord and a thirteen-count indictment of Peter Tran in a multi-million dollar conspiracy involving the smuggling of machine guns, conventional firearms, and gun parts from Vietnam. In a joint investigation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the U.S. Customs Service, undercover agents infiltrated an illegal arms distribution network that lead them across the Pacific Northwest and Oklahoma, Vietnam, Singapore, Mexico, Costa Rica and Germany.

The joint ATF/Customs investigation exposed Debord and Tran’s alleged intricate plot to import about $5 million worth of weapons, weapon parts, and other munitions from Vietnam, a country from which federal law prohibits arms importation. The indictment further charges Debord with witness tampering, a charge by itself that carries a possible ten year federal prison sentence.

This case is the latest indictment stemming from the ATF/Customs investigation entitled, “Operation Dragon Fire” wherein, over a dozen individuals, both U.S. citizens and Chinese nationals were indicted. The agents seized over 2000 AK-47’s in the case, the largest machine gun seizure in U.S. history.
SAR

The ambiguous British Sten machine carbine (submachine gun) of WWII fame has been one of the most copied firearms in all of military history. Although unrefined and often described as crude and even ugly. The Sten offered a cost effective solution to any country that was in need of inexpensive small arms. The real beauty of the Sten lies in its simple design that could be easily manufactured, even by undeveloped nations with few manufacturing resources. Although crude, it is as effective as the most expensive Thompson when in the hands of determined, well trained troops.

The British Sten was made in several models or “marks”. The British manufactured over two million of the most common Mark II model. The Mark II was also the most copied version. The Sten’s of various marks were issued by the British up until 1953. The British eventually replaced the Sten with the similar, but more refined Sterling submachine gun.

The Sten was designed and built by the British as an expedient weapon as they were bracing for a planned German land invasion of their country in 1940. The British had previously relied on Lend Lease small arms from the United States. The German U-boats patrolling the sea lanes in the North Atlantic hampered the shipments of war supplies from the U.S. to England. This prompted the British to rely more own their own resources for weapons. After the United States entered the war in 1941, most of the US arms production was needed to arm the rapidly growing US Army.

The Sten was copied by many countries both during and after World War II. During the war, Russia and Germany both made copies of the Sten Mark II. The United States, after testing several submachine guns, even considered adopting the Sten. But eventually developed the M3 submachine gun commonly known as the “grease gun” instead. In the days of WWII, Americans were too proud to adopt a foreign weapon for their army.

The subject of this article is the Sten variations produced and used by Nazi Germany during WWII.

The German produced not one, but several versions of the Sten. The first one they produced was an exact duplicate of the British model, including all the markings and proofs! This Sten clone was called the Gerät Potsdam. The German duplicates are hard to tell from the original British produced Stens. These guns were manufactured by Mauser and were very expensive to produce. The expense was high because of the limited number ordered, and the high cost of tooling up for the project. It is believed that these exact Sten copies were intended for use in clandestine operations that wanted to conceal the origin of the weapons in the event any were captured by the Allies.

The Gerät Potsdam Stens were destined to arm German partisans operating behind Allied lines. It is commonly believed that few were ever issued for their intended purpose. It is a mystery as to where all these Stens went. (although they are so similar to the British models it would be difficult to tell if they were German or British manufactured). It is thought that most were issued to the Volksstrum to defend Berlin in the final days of the war in Europe.

One other German variation of the Sten was made in limited numbers. The designation of this Sten was the MP 3008, project number V.71083. The MP prefix is for Maschinenpistole, the German term for submachine gun. The 3008 number originates from the equipment number assigned to the weapon on the official Wehrmacht equipment list. This Sten copy was assigned Gerätenummer (equipment number) 3008. It was also known as the Neumünster Device, and the Volks MP. It is reported that approximately 10,000 were hastily manufactured in 1945.

The MP3008 Sten prototypes were made by Mauser and incorporated several design changes by the Germans. The most noticeable change is the fixed vertical magazine housing. There is also a loop on the front portion of the magazine housing for attachment of a sling. The weapon used the common German MP40 maschinenpistole, 32 round double stack, single feed magazine. The use of the MP40 magazine itself was a big improvement in the Sten design. The original British Sten magazines were the source of many feeding malfunctions. Some of the Nazi Stens were parkerized others were simply painted in a variety of colors. Another difference was the front sight configuration.

The front sight is part of a simple ring that is located just behind the barrel. The rear sight is similar to the British models. The fixed sights are calibrated for 100 meters. The recoil spring differs somewhat, it has a thicker seating ring located on the forward end. The ring aids in retaining the cocking handle. The rear spring retainer cap is made in two pieces and are held together by a swaged rivet.

The MP3008 bolt appears almost identical to its British counterpart, although the relationship of the cocking handle to the bottom of the bolt is different because of the MP3008’s vertical magazine housing. The German bolt design varied somewhat between manufacturers. The trigger assembly is permanently attached to the trigger housing, and is not easily removed as in the British models.

The cocking handle is located on the right side of the weapon, the same as the British version. The cocking handle itself is slightly different than the British model, it is one of the few machined parts on the weapon. Some of the early manufactured cocking handles were knurled.

The magazine release is located on the weapons left side. The left side release button enables the operator to change the magazine without breaking his strong hand (trigger finger) from the weapon.

The MP3008 barrel is unique. It features eight grooves, and it appears completely different than a standard British Sten barrel when looking down the bore. The barrels all have a right hand twist. All the German Sten clones were chambered in the common 9mm Parabellum pistol/submachine gun round used by both the British and German forces during the war.

The MP3008 is field stripped exactly like the British Sten. The MP3008 also handles and shoots much like its British cousin. The cyclic rate is virtually the same at 500 rounds per minute in full auto. The T or loop configuration stock copied from the British Sten is used, although they vary in construction slightly between manufacturers. A few wood stocked MP 3008’s were used as well. The wooden stocks were “flat board” type construction. The fire mode selector works and appears exactly like the British Sten, except the selector knob is marked D for Dauerfeuer or full automatic and E for Einzelfeuer or semi automatic fire.

The German MP3008 was manufactured by six companies who all used a large number of widely dispersed subcontractors (like the British did). This allowed manufacture to continue even under the consistent, heavy Allied bombing of Germany. The basic design and parts configuration varied slightly from company to company. Some earlier MP3008’s have a smaller ejection port than later versions, and some are equipped with a 6 groove barrel rather than the more common 8 groove.

As with all other German weapons of World War II there are a large amount of Waffenamts stamped all over the gun. Waffenamts are German proof marks, consisting of a stylized eagle over a number. The number identifies the inspector that examined the parts or assemblies. Many of the Waffenamts on the subject MP 3008 were an eagle/77. Similar Waffenamts are also seen on Polish Radom pistols manufactured under German supervision during the war.

While the outside appearance of the German MP 3008 may resemble a British Sten at first glance, dimensionally it is quite different. No parts are interchangeable. The British Sten was manufactured using the English standard of measure, inches, while the German MP 3008 was manufactured using the metric system.

British Stens may appear crude to the unaccustomed eye, but the German MP 3008 is even cruder. The welds and fitting of the parts aren’t even up to the British standard. This is unusual for the Germans, who generally are quite meticulous about most things, especially weapons. Of course the MP 3008 Sten clone was a war time expedient project as Germany was about to be invaded, as the British situation had been just four years earlier.

Some manufacturers codes noted on MP3008’s are;

fxo… Haenel A.G.
byf…Mauser
tjk…unknown
nea…Walter Steiner Co. Suhl
rde…unknown

The Germans like the British five years earlier, built the Sten under desperate circumstances. The Germans situation however, ended in the ultimate defeat of the once powerful and feared Wehrmacht.

To field strip…

Remove magazine, be certain weapon is unloaded.

Locate spring retainer cap at the rear of the receiver tube. Press inward on the retainer cap, while pulling buttstock downward, completely removing buttstock from the weapon.

Turn retainer ring counter clockwise, to disengage it from the receiver. The retainer cap, retainer ring, and recoil spring can now be removed from the rear of the receiver tube. CAUTION, when fully assembled this unit is under spring tension.

Pull the cocking handle back to the safety notch in the receiver. Position the handle so it can be pulled out of the bolt. Once the cocking handle is removed the bolt can be withdrawn from the rear of the receiver tube.

Weapon is now field stripped for cleaning.

Reverse procedure to reassemble.

To read more about the Sten submachine gun series, there is a new book entitled “The British Sten Manual for Shooters and Collectors”. The book is available from Moose Lake Publishing. To order call 207-683-2959.

SADW is a monthly electronic publication from Nick Steadman Features. Nick, intrepid world traveling reporter for much of the arms industry, files this 40,000 to 50,000 word report once a month to his loyal subscribers. Those lucky ones pay a mere $50 (US) £32.50 (UK) per year for the privilege of getting the hot tips and insights from one of the industry’s insiders. Nick’s unique perspective is globally based, as is his wit. Each issue is full of insight and information for those with an interest in Small Arms, as well as his observations on world travel.

1. NEW WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT

H&K SL8 – CIVILIAN VARIANT OF G36: Heckler & Koch is introducing for civilian sales a rather curious-looking semi-automatic SL8 derivative of the Bundeswehr’s new 5.56mm gas-operated G36 assault rifle from the same stable. Like the G36, it has a polymer receiver. We received the H&K data on the SL8, which was also recently reviewed by Visier magazine in Germany.

It has a heavy target barrel plus all the usual curious ‘politically correct’ bells & whistles prompted by German firearms legislation, such as a thumbhole stock with cheekrest, no bayonet or flash-hider fittings and a ten-round translucent polymer magazine which does not protrude conspicuously from the (detachable) magazine well. It is not interchangeable with the G36 magazine. Our sources consider that, since the magazine housing is a separate component, there may possibly be provision somewhere down the line for changing the housing to accommodate other magazine types.

Oddest aspect, other than the plastic-cased, steel-faced hammer and the ruler-straight front edge of the open-based pistol grip, is the sighting rib, incorporating the ‘iron sights’ and a full-length scope mounting rail which will also accommodate the polymer-bodied 3x G36 day scope, offered as an optional accessory. Sighting radius for the iron sights is 51cm. The detachable rib is essentially displaced about 1.5” above the four-part polymer stock/receiver (and maybe three inches above the barrel), and attached only at two points, rear and centre. It floats entirely free for the full length of the handguard. Presumably this is a device to reduce mirage from barrel heating.

Stock colour is a very light grey, almost dirty white, in our view a totally inappropriate colour scheme for a rifle – unless maybe you’re going to become a permanent resident at the North Pole – since it will show every speck of dirt it collects. We’re told none of this is any fault of H&K – apparently the final colour was actually stipulated by the police in Bavaria in order to make the SL8 look less ‘threatening’ – originally it was to be a charcoal grey.

We would love to spend a beery evening around the Stammtisch with the Bayern Kripo vigorously demolishing their ‘gun colour/threat theory’, but life’s too short, so just thank God the SL8’s not shocking pink.

A traditional-style ring-hooded front sight blade is mated with a fully-adjustable & detachable black plastic rearsight with 100m and 300m flipover aperture leaves. The ambidextrous cocking handle is situated between the receiver and the sighting rib. The SL8 has a last-round hold-open catch, unlike the G3 and HK33 designs, and a conventional, thumb-operated H&K two-position fire selector/safety catch each side of the weapon.

Though ejection is clearly non-reversible, from a right-hand port in the polymer receiver, we note there is an integral case deflector nub like that on the M16A2, and the literature confirms the rifle is also suitable for left-handers. We know from personal experience that the M16A2 deflector works very well when firing from the left shoulder.

The stock is equipped with sling attachment points. Length of pull can be adjusted by 5cm in total, by dint of a separate padded butt-plate which can be pulled out of the butt housing and secured in one of five positions by a crossbolt through the butt. And there are also adjustment shims to alter the height of the cheekpiece. The tool set, another accessory, looks suspiciously like the M16A2 kit, though packaged in a black wallet with H&K logo. There’s also a soft black gun bag. Both of these are apparently to follow the rifle onto the market.

Empty weight of the SL8 without magazine is 4.2kg and overall length 98-103cm, with a 51cm barrel. Trigger pull is approx 20 Newtons (Visier said it weighed in at just over 1800g) and reportedly pretty crisp.

When Visier tested an SL8 prototype at 100 metres, best five-shot groups were pretty good, just 15mm with Federal’s 55gr American Eagle .223 FMJ budget ammunition (not normally, in our experience, a particularly accurate loading) and 18mm with Federal 69gr Gold Medal Match, though most groups shot were in the 22-35mm bracket – several other brands were tested, with similar results.

No malfunctions were experienced, though the testers were not very keen on the ergonomics of the pistol grip, which follows a strict design apparently also determined by the German authorities. They also said it was essential to keep the SL8 very firmly in the shoulder or shots would string vertically upwards. It’s hard to precisely classify the SL8 – it’s clearly not a hunting weapon, nor we guess what would in the UK ever be properly termed a target rifle. The German designation of ‘Sportgewehr’ is, in any event, a delightfully vague expression.

In the UK, if semi-auto centrefires had not already been banned many moons ago, it would probably be considered primarily a ‘practical rifle’ or maybe just a knockabout ‘fun gun’, which is how we imagine it would also be categorised in the USA. We expect it will probably appear on the H&K Inc SHOT Show 99 booth, though we would not anticipate any huge market for the SL8 outside Europe. However, Visier said a .222 Rem version was already being considered for French & Italian customers. Price is listed at DM 2,898.

GERMAN DEPLOYMENT OF G22 SNIPER RIFLE: Soldat und Technik (the Bundeswehr magazine) reported that equipping of the quite recently constituted German KSK special forces with the Accuracy International AW sniper rifle in .300 Win Mag (metric 7.62x67mm), aka the G22, has now begun. The KSK are also receiving the 5.56mm G36 and H&K P8 (USP) pistol. Issues of all three new weapons to the German Rapid Reaction Forces are also under way. German four-wheeled recce vehicles are planned to be mounted with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher (obviously the new Heckler & Koch launcher) starting in 2001.

CHINESE ‘ITHACA’ SHOTGUN FROM BROLIN: a Firearms Business (FB) report from the 1998 NASGW wholesalers’ exhibition in Florida said that Brolin Arms is introducing a ‘redesigned’ Chinese copy of the Ithaca pump gun at a dealer price as low as $149. What the impact will be on the recently-reconstituted Ithaca Gun company’s products remains to be seen. Cheap guns like the Mavericks and Chinese clones were a major factor in Ithaca’s earlier demise.

NORINCO OFFERING 5.56MM BULLPUP: presumably citing datasheet information, JDW reported in Oct 98 that NORINCO in China now had a 5.56x45mm export version of the 5.8mm bullpup rifle that’s been deployed with PLA units in Hong Kong since mid-1997 (see previous issues).

A later JDW report said that the 5.8mm system, which has since been wheeled out for PLA open days in Hong Kong, is now designated the QBZ (Qing Buqiang Zu or ‘light rifle family’) Type 95, but mass production is still awaited. The export version, which we understand is designated Type 97, would be offered with 1:7” or 1:12” rifling twist, according to which type of 5.56mm ammunition purchasers wished to use, though we have to say it would be much easier for all 5.56mm rifle producers simply to go with 1:9”, which will handle pretty much everything. The squad automatic/LSW version of the 5.8mm rifle with 75-round drum magazine will apparently also be available in the NATO calibre. The NORINCO photo accompanying the report suggests that to effect the calibre change the manufacturer has simply used an insert on the 5.8mm weapon to adapt the magazine well for what appears to be an M16-pattern magazine.

A JDW source was also quoted as saying that the change lever (fire selector) was right at the back end of the butt on the left side, a location we guess has been copied from the British SA80, with all the same implications, namely that this is ergonomically so awkward, requiring the rifle to be thrust forward well out of the shoulder & rotated, that once automatic fire has been selected the weapon is likely to be left on this setting.

JDW said that the export weapons were still being tested but will probably sell for between $362 and $483, which it said was in excess of twice what they cost NORINCO to make. Also, a ‘sniper version’ was still in the works.

At the end of the day, one still has to question why (apart from reasons of national pride) China has gone to all the trouble of developing a new 5.8mm cartridge when it could more easily have used the 5.45x39mm case or even 5.56mm NATO. The differences between 5.8mm and 5.56mm performance are not great.

Immediate reaction of a dealer colleague, when we told him about this development, was that even if the NORINCO bullpup does look rather snappier and more modern than China’s earlier offerings, it was probably only adding to the present world glut of new & used assault rifles. He may well be right. On the other hand, the price is very competitive.

We also remain dubious about China’s alleged intention to re-equip the entire PLA with the 5.8mm bulllpup, since even at (say) $150 a pop this would be a horrendously expensive move, with minimal operational payback for the massive Chinese force structure. Incidentally, anyone jetting over to Peking should look out for data on the new Chinese small arms at the nearest corner bookstall – Asian Age ran an AFP photo showing a magazine poster of the 5.8mm LSW on a Peking street.

And the Liberation Army Daily in China has confirmed that other weapons with the PLA forces in Hong Kong include the 35mm QLZ87 automatic grenade launcher (not be confused with the Type W87 launcher in the same calibre) and the 12.7mm QJZ89 heavy machine gun, a lighter version of the Type 85, weighing 26.5kg.

The grenade launcher, a uniquely Chinese design, is produced in two versions, heavy (20kg) & light (12kg); the difference is merely the tripod used in the heavy configuration in place of the bipod. Both have six and 15-round drum magazine options. Rate of fire is 500 rpm and maximum range 1,750 metres.

Both HE and HE Armour-Piercing grenades are fired; each type has an MV of 200m/s and incorporates a self-destruct fuze. Iron sights cater only for ranges to 600m, so optics are the order of the day – and night, using ‘luminescent diodes’ for illumination. Mechanism appears to be blowback, with an unspecified self-regulating capability to cope with adverse operating conditions.

Personally, we’ve never been able to see the point in six-round drums on this type of weapon – while there are technical advantages over belt-feed in being able to simply top up a magazine, six rounds are quite inadequate for any likely role, particularly at 500rpm. So is any drum, most likely.

Note also that the drum on the QLZ87 is underneath the receiver, whereas on the W87 it is located on the right-hand side.

However, we know the designers of the QLZ87 took the R&D task very seriously, ‘cos they’ve told us so – take this verbatim quote for example: ‘Scientific research personnel developed the spirit of a hard and united struggle in order to widen their trains of thought and boldly blaze new trails’. No doubt about it.

30MM AGS-17 UPGRADE: an updated version of the 30mm Russian AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher has been shown by Asian Military Review. The upgrade has reportedly been effected primarily to suit the AGS-17 (or Plamya) for vehicle mounting. It is fitted with an eyesafe laser rangefinder/ballistic computer designated EG-LFR and has two ammunition feed systems, 145 rounds for pintle-mounted launchers and 290 rounds when installed on a ring mount. Drum magazines or what appear to be free-hanging belts can be used. We imagine the upgrade may be a response to similar improvements in sighting and fire control capabilities on Western 40mm AGLs such as the Mk19 and the new Saco Striker.

DTL 9MM IDW ARRIVES IN UK: we received information confirming that prototypes of the DTL (formerly Bushman) 9mm Individual Defence Weapon (IDW) have finally arrived with Parker-Hale in the UK, where the IDW is to be produced under licence. We understand the design software has also arrived and that (at early Jan 99) some frames were already being cut. The IDW, you’ll remember, is an exceedingly compact mini-SMG with hydraulic cyclic rate controller, offering a very high degree of control in automatic fire.

This is a very important project from a UK viewpoint, since it represents a rare increase in the ambit of military small arms manufacturing in Britain, reversing the rapid downward trend of recent years, so it’s kind of vital for the industry that it succeeds. The Bushman (as was) started out a decade or so ago as a British project and at one time was to be produced under licence by BMARC, later absorbed by Royal Ordnance. That didn’t happen, and a further plan, to have it manufactured by Saco Defense, also foundered for lack of finance. After some time in the doldrums the project was taken in hand again by DTL in the USA. However, they didn’t get it into production either, and now it’s licensed back to Parker-Hale.

Whilst at first reading this sounds a bit like a catalogue of failures, it is not by any means untypical of many new, inventor-launched small arms projects, which often require re-financing several times during their extended development cycles. And funding the expensive final step from pre-production prototyping to series production often proves an insuperable hurdle for small companies, at which point projects are often sold on, with someone else assuming the costs.

At the last count, the plan was to make a first UK batch of 200 IDWs, and Parker-Hale was also interested in doing some in .224 BOZ calibre (a 10mm Auto pistol case necked down to fire 5.56mm rifle bullets – see previous issues). Other variants were also envisaged, with different barrel lengths and maybe additional calibres too.

2. INDUSTRY & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ROYAL AIR FORCE PILOT KIT: the Times helpfully listed the contents of the survival vests worn by RAF Tornado pilots & navigators on the recent raids on Iraq. They reportedly include ten gold krugerrands valued at £180 each (for bribes), notes requesting help & offering rewards in 12 languages, a radio, a strobe light, a GPS and a Walther PPK pistol with two full magazines. UK special forces are also known to carry gold coins when on operations behind the lines. We kind of feel a 9mm mini subgun might be more useful than the Walther pistol – the DTL 9mm IDW (nee Bushman) for example (see Section 1 above).

MORE NEGEVS FOR IDF: Defense News said that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) were to procure another ‘several hundred’ 5.56mm Negev LMGs from IMI. The report also said that a number of modifications were in train, including the replacement of the bipod by a forward grip. Reportedly the gun is also being tested by IDF special forces. It is set to replace the 7.62mm NATO MAG 58 – which is considered too heavy for extended IDF foot patrols – as the standard infantry LMG, though we assume the 7.62mm guns will be retained, as in other armies, for sustained MG fire support and on vehicles.

The Israelis have a long history of selecting dual-purpose small arms, and the Negev is designed to be configured as anything from a heavy-duty assault rifle up to a full-spec LMG using different barrels and feed systems. However, the choice of a forward grip in lieu of the bipod suggests primary employment in the ‘machine rifle’ role (comparable to the old Browning BAR) which has been seen before with the 5.56mm Minimi SAW used by US forces in certain operations such as Panama, where the proportion of Minimis to rifles appeared much higher than normal. Likewise for SAS operations in Desert Storm. It’s a ‘weight of fire thing’!

EUROPEAN SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION MARKET: we’re advised by a major military ammunition producer that the annual market in Europe for military SAA is approx 650m rounds. The collective French, German, Italian & British share (consumption) is about half the total. Collective consumption by Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Sweden & Finland account for the rest. If Austria & Switzerland are also included, we’re advised the annual European market should probably be increased by about 70m making a total of 720 million rounds. The UK MOD market alone is about 100m rounds.

FLAT-PACK ARMS FACTORY FOR BURMA: JDW reported that Burma has recommenced small arms production in a new modular facility supplied back in Feb 98 in pre-fabricated form by Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) with the help of Israelis linked to IMI. The report says the intended product range will extend up to 37mm, and the design of the new plant, which is under MOD control, will allow for expansion as required. Initial output is thought to be the indigenous 5.56mm EMER K-1 bullpup, numbers of which have reportedly appeared already with the Burmese military. This design, with pressed-metal receiver and M16-pattern magazine, in both rifle & LSW variants, is conceivably inspired by the new 5.8mm Chinese bullpup currently fielded by the PLA solely in Hong Kong (see previous issues).

Burma hasn’t officially confirmed it has a new plant, but JDW appears to have gleaned details from shipping papers. About seven years ago it looked as if the Burmese were planning to produce domestic variants of Chinese 7.62x39mm Kalashnikov derivatives, but this venture evidently never took off.

More recently it emerged that Burma was keen to make Kalashnikov weapons in 5.56mm instead, and it is thought to have tried to make or assemble these with Chinese help, but the K-1 bullpup design, originally prototoyped some years ago, is a new direction for manufacturers there. In all probability however it is merely a Kalashnikov mechanism repackaged in bullpup configuration, like some comparable designs. Past reports suggest that China, Israel and Singapore have all provided assistance to the Burmese small arms industry over the last decade.

In the past Germany was the main source of assistance, with Fritz Werner (then owned by the German government) having been responsible for the establishment of several Burmese arms plants, including the facility built with Heckler & Koch in 1957 for G3 rifle production, plus a small arms ammunition factory. The range of outside sources which have successively become involved in the Burmese arsenal-building plans suggests a typical Third World pattern of neglected facilities which ultimately cannot do the job, necessitating another new start with more outside help.

As far as we know, Burma still manufactures solely for its domestic forces and has not so far planned to export any of its small arms. Since it is now making 5.56mm weapons, we must assume the necessary ammunition is also being made. Also that the K-1 is now the official Burmese replacement for the 7.62x51mm G3, which is a bit on the large side for Asian troops. Reportedly Burma has been working towards its supersession for a decade or more.

Ever since Western supplies began to dry up in the late-80s, following criticism of the ruling SLORC regime’s rather quaint ideas on human rights, it’s clear Burma has been working towards complete self-sufficiency in light weapons, first with licenced production, now with some indigenous designs.

We would not expect the Chinese to have any qualms about equipping Burma, but the reported involvement by Singapore & Israel reflects badly on both suppliers and suggest a classic pattern of dwindling defence export opportunities progressively lowering resistance to outfitting regimes that most countries have now boycotted.

NATO IGNORING NGOs ON LIGHT WEAPONS: according to Defense News, NATO is resisting pressure from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to support their moves to enhance ‘transparency’ and controls in respect of transfers of light weapons (aka small arms). Human Rights Watch in the USA wrote to NATO urging the alliance to adopt appropriate policies, but there are apparently no plans to introduce any new NATO rules.

Could it be that the NGOs – which have so far rather had it their own way with the UN and certain national governments (such as New Labour in the UK) – have finally overestimated their importance in the wider order of things?

Reportedly Human Rights Watch is keen that NATO should do something in connection with its peacekeeping missions to prevent weapons proliferation, though it’s not easy to see exactly what this might be. Sources have suggested the NGOs’ concerns are not a priority at NATO Headquarters. Presumably the NGOs would like peacekeepers to be sure to collect up any bootleg weapons they find, though most combatants nowadays seem to have little problem replenishing their stocks, and if necessary (as in Croatia) may even manufacture their own. But with all the other international, regional (eg EU) and national moves on small arms controls, external supplies will of course completely dry up any time now. Well, won’t they?

FLINTLOCK MUSKET HP: we were talking to an apparently very knowledgeable re-enactor in Canada recently about practical hit probability (HP), (ie in combat conditions) with the smoothbored flintlock musket of circa 1810. He reckoned the practical HP at 100 yards in those days was about 4%, the vast amount of smoke from black powder fusillades being a major hindrance factor.

Whilst this sounds very low, try computing the average 100 metre HP of all rounds from any of the current range of 5.56mm personal weapons fired in combat conditions, and we’d bet it isn’t that huge, not least because of the indiscriminate use of burstfire, producing a high percentage of ‘sky hits’ and not much else.

We remember reading somewhere that the British shot/kill ratio (with .450 Martinis, we recall) at the siege of Rorke’s Drift in South Africa was around 60:1, based on Zulu bodies versus cartridge cases retrieved, so things obviously hadn’t improved much since 1810.

AUSTRALIAN GUN TRADE HIT HARD: press reports from Australia in Oct 98 suggested that the gun trade over there had been seriously damaged by the ban on semi-automatic long guns. In Queensland, the Brisbane Courier mail reported that at least a third of all gunshops had either closed or were considering it, and turnover was said to be off by a half, with new gun sales down a whopping 80%. Illicit trade prompted by the new laws was claimed to be largely to blame. The same paper said that armed robbery in Australia had risen last year by 39% and armed assault by 28%.

MODERATOR GAS TUBE FOR “SHORTY” AR-PISTOLS & SMG’S

John J. Baumann, holder of several highly innovative product patents has done it again. At the request of several motion picture productions, law enforcement agencies and owners of AR-pistols, John has solved the problems of hard extraction and fast cyclic rate in extra short 7 1/2 inch barreled AR-Pistols and Submachine Guns. Since the “shorty” upper pistol kits first hit the market, buyers have complained that the guns would not extract or destroyed the brass. Most complained that their guns would not fire more than 2 or 3 shots before the base of a case would be torn off, jamming the gun. Enter the MODERATOR. John has come up with another innovative product. The design principle of the Moderator was simple. Convince the 7.5-inch gun that it has a 20-inch barrel on it. The hard part was the convincing. After several hundred hours of high-speed computer time involving volumetric capacities and virtual modeling, along with several dozen failed prototypes, John has solved the problem. The Moderator appears to be a “shorty” gas tube with an “expansion chamber” in its middle. Details on exactly how it works are not available, but work it does. Now “shorty” shooters can have the reliability of full size guns in their mini flamethrowers. For more information contact; Movie Gun Services Company, a division of Applied Tactical Technologies, Inc., Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 268, Babylon Village, NY 11702. Phone: 1-800-223-1204. Fax: 1-516-847-0171. Their web site is located at:
www.moviegunservices.com.

BERETTA AR-70 MAG ADAPTER

There is now a new product that is certain to put a smile on Beretta AR-70 owners faces. The new product is called the AR-1570 and allows for “legal” magazines for the AR-15/M-16 to fit the Beretta AR-70. The new adapter does not modify either the magazine or the weapon. It is a sheet metal sleeve that slips on to any aluminum AR-15 type magazines and locks firmly in place. The “AR-1570” is made from 1020 cold rolled steel in 4 operations. The lug in the back, for the mag latch, is formed from high strength low alloy steel used in the auto industry for door latches. The front is seam welded with a “tig” weld, as is the lug on the back. The adapters feature a blued finish that matches the AR-70 finish very well. The adapters are designed to stay with the magazine for the life of the mag. They can be removed but it is neither quick nor easy as these are designed to fit very securely. The price for the new adapters will be about $10.00 each, plus shipping. With prices on AR-70 magazines in the $100.00 + range this will allow the Beretta AR-70 owner to save about $80.00 each on their magazines! For more information or to place an order contact; Gary Schmitz at Schmitz Corp., Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 18, Fowler, MI 48835. Phone: 1-517-593-2827. You can also e-mail him at gschmitz@voyager.net.

NEWS FROM DPMS

DPMS/Panther Arms is pleased to announce the addition of Matt Moxness to the DPMS/Panther Arms team! Matt will occupy the position of sales manager with an emphasis on marketing. Duties will include sales efforts and promotions, organizing marketing plans, promoting new sales, trade shows, working directly with DPMS manufacturing representatives and distributors, catalog updates/pricing and imports/exports. Previous to DPMS, Matt worked for Federal Cartridge Company as a territory account manager.

DPMS Inc. is now offering Green Magazine Followers to replace your existing followers on AR-15 style 30-round magazines. This improved follower will increase magazine reliability. These followers are currently used on all new U.S. Military contracts. Retail price for these new followers is a mere $1.99 each. These will not fit Colt 20-round magazines or fixed/blocked mags. For more information on these followers or other products, which includes just about any AR-15/M-16 part or accessory you could want, contact, DPMS, Dept. SAR, 13983 Industry Avenue, Becker, MN 55308. Phone: 1-612-261-5600. Fax: 1-612-261-5599. On the web at www.dpmsinc.com.

EXTENDED SAFETY/SELECTOR LEVER FOR H&K’S

Heckler & Koch, Inc. now has a new Extended Safety/Selector Lever (ESSL) for the H&K ambidextrous trigger groups. This new lever is made by HK GmbH and is available for the “Navy”, burst or single fire trigger groups. The use of the ESSL allows for easy actuation of the safety/selector lever from the “safe” position into any of the “fire” positions without rotation of the firing grip while in a firing position. The ESSL is available for use in all ambidextrous trigger groups with “Pictogram” (colored bullet) markings. This includes those for the MP-5 submachine gun, HK 53/33K/33, HK G3/G3K rifles and carbines and the HK 21E/11E and HK 23E/13E machine guns. The ESSL is a factory produced optional accessory comprised of an extended and contoured plastic safety/selector lever (left side only) with a machined steel safety axle. This lever is available as an option on newly purchased HK weapons or can be added to already fielded weapons by the operator. The ESSL is available through your local HK Class III dealer or directly from H&K. For more information contact; Heckler & Koch, Inc., Dept. SAR, 21480 Pacific Boulevard, Sterling, VA 20166-8903. Phone: 1-703-450-1900. Fax: 1-703-450-8160.

L&R MANUFACTURING’S ULTRASONIC BRASS CLEANER

L&R Manufacturing Company, of Kearny, New Jersey, has announced the introduction of their Ultrasonic Cartridge Case Cleaner Concentrate, which conveniently and economically removes crud, light rust, powder, carbon, dirt and other carbonaceous materials from cartridge casings. Developed for use in Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems, the new product thoroughly cleans the inside and outside of the casings. Reused casings that are thoroughly cleaned function better in a tight-fitting weapon. The new concentrated cleaner is a non-ammoniated formula; ammoniated products can cause brass to become brittle. Available in one gallon containers, it’s concentrated (one gallon makes up to 8 gallons of ready-to-use solution) to maximize economy, and is environmentally safe and biodegradable. L&R’s Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems provide the most thorough cleaning possible of cartridge cases, as well as firearms. In Ultrasonic Cleaning, high frequency sound waves produce more than 40,000 alternating high and low pressure waves per second. As these waves travel through L&R’s specially-formulated cleaning solutions, millions of microscopic vacuum bubbles form and implode. This process, known as “cavitation” creates a vacuum action that safely lifts combustible residue from every outer and inner surface up to 16 times more effectively and more safely than hand cleaning, without damage and with virtually no possibility for hidden contaminants to remain. All this adds up to the cleanest possible firearm or shell casing. For more information contact, L&R Manufacturing Company, Dept. SAR, 577 Elm Street, P.O. Box 607, Kearny, New Jersey 07032-0607. Phone: 1-201-991-5330.

H&K RECOIL BUFFER

Buffer Technologies has added a new recoil buffer to their already existing line of these great little inventions. As many of our readers already know, these economically priced little devices really work and now you can have one for your H&K 91/93 series of firearms. The buffers are made from polyurethane and are injection molded to fit each particular gun. Not only do the buffers help to lessen felt recoil they also increase the life of the firearm by eliminating metal to metal contact when the bolt cycles inside the receiver. Another side benefit is that by eliminating the metal to metal contact of the cycling bolt these buffers actually help to eliminate some of the bolt noise in suppressed weapons. In the H&K guns the buffer simply replaces the existing buffer. This can be accomplished easily and within a few minutes with nothing more than a screwdriver. These nearly indestructible buffers are inexpensive, last for many years and come with a 100% money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. For more information or to place an order contact Buffer Technologies, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 104903, Jefferson City, MO 65110. Phone: 1-573-634-8529. Fax: 1-573-634-8522. Web Sight: www.buffertech.com.

I was standing with Oyay Deng Ajak to the left front of a 12.7mm (.51 caliber) DsHk heavy machinegun, mounted atop the highest boulder on the hilltop. I’d already snapped a photo of the weapon and was digging out my notebook to jot down the arsenal info when: Ka Bam! From the enemy position opposite us an incoming round from another 12.7mm HMG streaked over my head. Fortunately, the gun had jammed, sending only one solitary round my way. I jumped down behind the rocks and we all had a nervous little laugh. The Government of Sudan (GoS) Army had once again taken a pot shot at me.

That happened during my first visit with the SPLA (Sudanese People’s Liberation Army) in 1994, a six month sojourn in various guerrilla camps throughout the southern Sudan, where I had an opportunity to observe SPLA combat operations. I recently returned for another visit (April 1998) hoping to see my old friend, Commander Ajak, now the SPLA assistant chief-of-staff. The war in Sudan is between the predominantly Muslim, Arabic-speaking north and Christian and animist black Africans in the south. The southern population is about 3 million (minus those killed off in combat and by famine) and provides the base of support for the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army. There has been a “Civil war” since independence over 38 years ago. The SPLA is just the latest (and most successful) guerrilla movement since Sudan gained independence, January 1, 1956.

A wide range of small arms have been pressed into service by the southern Sudanese guerrillas, who I consider to be very well equipped insurgents. I don’t know whether to call them the rag-tag conventional army of “New Sudan” or a well organized, well equipped guerrilla force with heavy weapons support. The workhorse of that heavy weapons support is the 12.7mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machinegun. The Degtyarev 12.7mm boasts performance similar to the Browning .50 caliber HMG. A versatile weapon, it has been used throughout the world by the Soviets, their allies and third world guerrillas in a variety of roles: anti-aircraft, ground support, crew-served infantry, vehicle mounted, and co-axial armored vehicle armament. The DShK 12.7mm can be operated from its wheeled mount or its AA tripod. A simple weapon to operate, it loads and fires the same as an RP-46 7.62mm machinegun.

At one SPLA 12.7mm HMG position I was given the honor of loading belts as the gunner opened up on a combined attack by Sudanese Army troops and National Islamic Front (NIF) mujahideen. The replying 12.7mm and 14.5mm machinegun fire and some distinctive ripping from a dozen or so “obsolete” Soviet RPD 7.62mm light machine guns from the enemy derogatively known as jellaba (slavers) was intense.

Another 12.7mm heavy which I witnessed in action was the PRC Type W-85, the only one I’ve ever physically seen. The Type W-85 has a long legged tripod convertible to ground support or anti-aircraft roles, weighs only 40.78 pounds, and fires a left hand fed 60 round belt. The example I saw was missing its optical sight, but the skeletal shoulder stock was in place.

The 14.5mm KPV anti-aircraft machinegun mounted as a single (ZPU-1) barreled ground support weapon is formidable. Several of these were lugged up the rock-strewn Sendiru Hills and used against the mujahideen’s human wave attacks. I also observed both ZPU-2 and ZPU-4 weapons in action.

The Goryunov’s SGMB 7.62x54Rmm (one if six versions of Pytor Maximovich Goryunov’s design) was seen throughout the south Sudan emplaced on its wheeled mount. The Goryunov, largely replaced by the PK series in most arsenals, is easily identified even at a distance by its longitudinally fluted barrel. While the 7.62×54 rimmed cartridge dates back to 1891, making it the world’s oldest standard military cartridge, its rimmed case often causes some problems with feeding in modern automatic weapons. It was favored by many of the famous Russian designers and it has been in use so long by the Russians that it would probably be a costly and massive re-tooling effort to switch production to another .30 caliber machinegun cartridge. The Russians have produced improved versions of the cartridge: the high-penetration 7N13 is used in machineguns. An armor piercing round, it will penetrate 10mm steel plate at 400 meters. The 7N14 is a sniper cartridge built for the SVD rifle and manufactured to higher standards for accuracy.

Kalashnikov The Genius

Of course the most commonly used SPLA infantry weapon is the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifle or one of its many variations – a good weapon for guerrilla troops, easy to operate, easy to maintain, and reliable under harsh field conditions. Many of the SPLA troops are relatively young, some barely 12 or 13 years old. Pre-teen and adolescent boys comprise a large number of the SPLA forces and an even larger percentage of their trained, but unarmed reserves. Given its relatively short length (34.25”), the Kalashnikov is well suited for troops that are small in stature. I discussed this with an SPLA caption. Our conversation went something like this;

Captain – “Yes, even our twelve year old boys can carry an AK-47. This man, Kalashnikov, he was a genius”.

Krott – “Not was… is.”

Captain – “What?”

Krott – “I mean he’s still alive.”

Captain – “No!”

Krott – “Yes, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, the weapons designer and inventor of the AK-47 is still alive. I know someone who met him a few years ago.”

Captain – “No. Are you sure, Rob?”

Krott – “Positive. He’s still alive. He was a young sergeant at the end of WWII, so he’s probably in his seventies now.”

Captain – “A genius, the man is a genius.”

The captain walked away, marveling that his hero, Kalashnikov, was still alive.

Hand-carved Stocks

I had the opportunity to carry a Kalashnikov at times. Though the German in me prefers an MpiKS72 with its side folding wire stock, the weapon I usually carried was a Hungarian AMD, the short barreled variation of the AKM, easily identified by its large muzzle brake, plastic foregrip, and ventilated metal forend. I like the AMD, even though the muzzle flash is a little high profile. I carried three different AMDs, one of which was missing the original flash suppressor. Guerrilla weapons are quite commonly chopped up and cobbled together. It’s not uncommon to see hand carved stocks and forends replacing damaged furniture, duct tape and wire holding forends or stocks to barrels, and sheet metal, rivets, and wire mending broken wood stocks. Though in the southern Sudan weapons in a poor state of repair are usually carried by local tribesman rather than front-line fighters. The guerrilla war here has resulted in the local tribesmen obtaining modern firearms. In some instances, their rifle is the most technologically advanced possession these primitive herders own. One Kalashnikov I saw was carried by a Taposa tribesman. His only other piece of kit was a blanket draped casually about his shoulders as he wandered about nude.

While I normally wore a bit more in the way of clothing, on one occasion I grabbed “my Kalasshnikov”, borrowed from Oyay and moved forward with two guerrillas for a look-see at some nearby NIF positions. As I came down from the SPLA outpost something caught my eye. Glinting in the harsh African sun I found some 7.62mm NATO rounds with Arabic headstamps lying in piles by the remains of dead mjuahideen. Probably left over after pockets were emptied and equipment and uniforms stripped from the bodies – most SPLA guerrillas wear “captured” uniforms (well laundered and with the bullet holes patched)) – but, the G-3 rounds were not scavenged by the guerrillas. I surmised they must have ample supplies of 7.62 x 51mm/.308 NATO for their few captured G-3s. Still, good insurgency logistics would insure everything of value, even a few loose rounds, was salvaged from the battlefield. During Mengistu’s regime in Ethiopia, the SPLA was well supplied with weapons and munitions including IMI (Israeli Military Industries) UZI 9mm sub-machineguns (a few of which I observed in the hands of SPLA reconnaissance troops). With Menigistu’s ouster other “friendly African nations” have stepped in to fill the void. I encountered a trash pit full of cases of discarded 7.62x54R ammunition. Discarded because it was all blank training ammunition. I guess some one screwed up when they were loading the trucks.

As for the captured G-3s fielded by the SPLA, upon inspection they all bore Islamic arsenal markings leading me to believe their origin was probably Saudi Arabian licensed production, though it’s possible they were Turkish, Pakistani, or Iranian. Most of the G-3s I saw were carried by local tribesmen or “militia”, the SPLA preferring to standardize their rifle ammunition solely to 7.62x39mm. At the time I wished dearly for a tactical sniping scope, mount, bipod, and box of Lake City .308 match rounds. The G-3s have a lineage stretching back through the Spanish CETME to the SIG 45 (M) which first introduced the delayed blowback with roller bearings, punches out these 7.62 NATO rounds at 2625 fps. While not my first choice for a tactical medium range sniping weapon due to its heavy, slack filled trigger-pull and many other flaws as a battle rifle, in the accuracy department it was head and shoulders above any other rifle I encountered save for a few rusting WWII era bolt guns. Tuned up in the field to resemble a G3-STG/1 police sniper with bipod, set trigger, and something approximating the Schmidt and Bender scope, it would do a good job.

Various Machineguns

While visiting the guerrilla base at Chukudum in Eastern Equatoria, Commander Pieng Deng Cual allowed me to troop the line under the watchful eye of 1Lt Alier Riek Jok. I noted some interesting weapons: 1Lt Jok carried a Hungarian AKM and I saw a few Czech model 58 assault rifles which the troops call a “She”- pronouncing the Czech factory stamp on the receiver. There were few heavy machineguns, just the odd 12.7mm Russian Dshk on a vehicle mount. Light machineguns were mostly RPKs, RPDs, a few PKMs and the odd MG3 GPMG courtesy of Saudi Arabia (probably, as the arsenal stamp was a wreathed lion with sword) via the Sudanese Army. The Rheinmettal MG3, the updated MG42 chambered for 7.62 NATO, is one of the finest machineguns in the world. Since my first visit to the Sudan, I had the opportunity to see many of them in action in Bosnia. It’s also a popular weapon with both the Turk and Iranian armies which may account for the Islamic regime in Khartoum having significant numbers of them.

A weapon I couldn’t readily identify at the time, a battered light machinegun sporting a Bren type top feed magazine with an overly long Kalashnikov type selector switch. I’ve discussed with Peter Kokalis and we surmise it must be a rare Czechoslovak Model 52/57 LMG chambered for the M43 7.62x39mm cartridge (the Model 52 LMG was originally chambered for the arcane Czechoslovak 7.62mm Model 52 /7.62x45mm cartridge).

One of the most interesting small arms I inspected was an old WWII era Soviet RP-46 7.62x54Rmm light machinegun. The RP-46 is basically a Degtyarev DPM modernized by Shilin, Polyakov, and Dubinin to fire from a belt feed. The RP-46 uses a 250 round metallic belt (the same used with the 7.62mm Goryunov heavy machinegun) or a Degtyarev flat drum after the top cover is changed. Called the “company machinegun” by the Soviets it was considered, at nearly 28 pounds, a medium machinegun.

The two light machineguns I encountered most frequently were RPDs and PKMs. The RPD (Rushnoi Pulemet Degtyarev), though now considered obsolete, can still be found fielded throughout the third world, especially in Africa. A dependable and combat proven weapon (in the past it was used with great affect – and admiration – by SEALs in Vietnam and Selous Scouts in Rhodesia) it still remains a fixture in many special operations unit armories worldwide. The RPD loads two fifty round metal belts (of 7.62x39mm ammo) which are snapped together before loading into the RPD’s metal drum magazine. It’s an easy weapon to operate though it necessitates a special wrench for proper adjustment of the gas cylinder. The RPK (Rushnoi Pulemet Kalashnikova), a heavy barreled bipod equipped AKM, replaced the RPD as the Soviet squad automatic weapon . Something I’ve never agreed with as the RPK, while streamlining ammunition and parts logistics at the small unit level and simplifying weapons training, is less than auspicious as a squad or platoon level weapon. It lacks a quick-change barrel and can not be used for sustained automatic fire. It must also be fired using pre-loaded 75 round drums, making ammunition re-supply in the heat of battle problematic.

The PKM, a medium or general purpose machinegun, is chambered for the workhorse 7.62x54R cartridge. The introduction of another caliber infantry weapon into any military organization complicates ammunition logistics, but more so in a guerrilla army which may have extreme difficulties in procuring adequate stocks of ammunition. The PKMs I saw with the SPLA rarely had an extra box of ammo available. The PK (Pulemet Kalashnikova) replaced the RP-46 “company machinegun” (numbers of which are still fielded by the SPLA) and the 7.62 SGM battalion-level machinegun in the Soviet Army. Kalashnikov not only mimics his AK operating system in the PK (the PKM is an improved, lightened version), he literally turned it upside down and added an innovative feed mechanism. The weapon incorporates Kalashnikov’s rotating bolt, the Czech Vz52 belt drive, Goryunov’s quick-change barrel and cartridge feed mechanism, and the DP trigger. At nearly twenty pounds the PK is technically a GPMG, but is commonly utilized as a light machinegun. I briefly carried a PKM on patrol in the Sudan in 1994 and grew to appreciate its many features, least of which was that it weighed about five pounds less than the M60 I carried as an 18-year-old infantry PFC.

Bolt Guns

While in Chukudum a truckload of “militia” loaded up for a trip north. I refer to them as militia as they obviously weren’t rank and file SPLA but were armed. Dressed mostly in civilian clothes, they were armed with a motley collection of bolt action and semi-automatic rifles with the odd battered Kalashnikov thrown in. Immediately recognizable was a .303in Rifle, Short Magazine, Lee-Enfield Mark III. The SMLE, in the hands of trained rifleman, is one helluva weapon and is considered by some to be the finest bolt-action combat rifle ever fielded (though I’m sure many an Old-Breed Marine would disagree…). In many parts of the southern Sudan such a weapon could be put to good use as a tactical sniping weapon – solely with its open sights. The simple blade foresight combined with the rear sight leaf graduated to 2,000 meters would allow a good shot to engage targets well in excess of a Kalashnikov’s maximum effective range. Another bolt-action carried by these militia, the Mosin-Nagant 7.62mm M1944 carbine was an archaic weapon even in WWII. Basically the same rifle as the 1938 type except with the addition of the folding cruciform bayonet, I also saw Chinese models (copied by them in 1953) of the Mosin-Nagant M38 and M44 Carbine (7.62x54R). Seeing widespread use in a variety of climes and conflicts since its introduction during WWII despite being based on an 1891 design (obsolete since the First World War) these carbines are still dependable man-stoppers with 7.62 x 54 rimmed cartridge. A definite improvement over the Russian M91 rifle of which I also saw a few examples. I’d have preferred to hunt eland for the soup pot, but I shot at several baboons with an M44. Some of the militia were also armed with SKS carbines, a weapon I often saw in the hands of local herdsmen.

I kept my eye out for American weapons, hoping to see an M-1 Garand or an M-2 carbine, and really wishing for an M-16 (yeah, I know maybe not the best battle rifle ever, but I’m comfortable with it ) but to no avail. Not in this part of Africa. What I was really looking for was an AR-10, the Armalite .308 NATO rifle, as a small lot of these weapons was sold to Sudan by Interarms. No such luck.

In 1944 Oyay Deng Ajak’s light infantry – heavily equipped with RPD light machineguns, a few RPG-7s, and at least one venerable 106mm recoilless rifle – along with Oyay’s only armor, two captured T-55 tanks, held a blocking position south of Juba in Sendiru Hills. With the tides of war four years later there was another blocking position nearby at Mile Forty (forty miles from Yei on the way to Juba) just the other side of the Nile. This was commanded by one of Oyay’s subordinate commanders, Assistant Commander Abraham Wana Yoane, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Region, who told me that Iraq is supplying weapons to Khartoum. This was obvious by the markings on much of the captured ammunition. Last year (9 March 1997) the SPLA unleashed “Operation Thunderbolt,” its big southern offensive, capturing several key towns and capturing thousands of small arms including a hundred or more light and medium machineguns from GoS forces. More importantly, large quantities of equipment – several T-55 tanks, anti-aircraft guns, artillery – and large stocks of North Korean, Chinese and Iraqi ammunition for 12.7mm DShk machineguns, 14.5mm ZPU anti-aircraft guns, 107mm multiple rocket launchers (MRL), PKM machineguns and RPD machineguns fell in the bag. Despite this, any weapon which will still launch bullets, no matter how old or how arcane, is still pressed into service. One of my escorts on the road to Mile Forty was armed with a well-maintained Sterling MK II 9mm sub-machinegun (the “Patchett”). The Sterling was also fielded as a semi-automatic, the Police Carbine Mark 4. The Sterling probably ended up in East Africa as part of a police equipment package. The Sudan was a British colony until 1955 so it’s quite possible the weapon had belonged to some British constable.

Commander Yoane’s heavy weapons included truck mounted 107mm multiple rocket launchers, T-55 tanks, several ZSU 23-2 23mm anti-aircraft guns (in the infantry support direct fire role), a couple of B-10 82mm and B-11 106mm recoiless rifles, and a 37mm AA gun which nearly sent me diving for cover when it cut loose during my inspection tour. Additionally there was a generous distribution of RPD light machineguns, PKM machineguns, the ubiquitous RPGs carried by anyone who didn’t mind the extra weight, and various mortars, including 60mm hand-held tubes.

Weapons Employment and Basic Load

A good example of how the SPLA fields its weapons and equips its troops is the defense of Bunio in 1992. During the dry season (winter) of 1992 the GoS army launched its offensive on Pibor. From Pibor the GoS Army was able to move several battalions of infantry and over a hundred vehicles south, attacking and capturing Kapoeta, the regional capital. GoS army forces, bled out by their assault on Kapoeta, were unable to continue offensive operations until a month later when they attacked Bunio, a small abandoned bush village. Bunio’s defenders, the SPLA’s Eastern Equatoria Military Command’s 1st Battalion withdrew in disarray and without orders. The brigade commander, Commander Salva, ordered the battalion back to Bunio. GoS Army forces had withdrawn, abandoning the jungle outpost, to consolidate and strengthen their hold on Kapoeta. On 15 August Salva ordered his 2d Battalion commanded by Assistant Commander (Major) Peter Panyang Daniel, 37, to Bunio to replace the unreliable 1st Battalion. Daniel’s battalion occupied a perimeter defense at Bunio. He deployed four companies of light infantry (actually very lightly equipped guerrillas, many without shoes and uniforms) and a headquarters and weapons company. His “battalion” numbered on 412 men.

Armed with Kalashnikovs each infantryman carried a basic load of 120 rounds. Grenades were in limited supply and consisted mostly of Russian RGD-5 and Chinese stick type grenades captured from GoS Army troops during the fighting in Kapoeta. There were nineteen light machineguns on the perimeter, several RPDs, PKMs, and solitary Bren gun and a Degtyarev RP-46. There was one Goryunov SG43 7.62mm heavy machinegun dismounted from an armor vehicle. RPD gunners were issued 800 rounds each. Basic loads for the other light machineguns differed though none had more than 800 rounds available. Daniel’s battalion, later reinforced by additional heavy weapons makeshift-mounted on Toyota’s, prevailed against a much larger force of attacking GoS Army supported by tanks and artillery.

Weapons aren’t everything, especially in the southern Sudan- where a weapon may be anything.

The Air Force Armament Museum located adjacent to Eglin Air Force Base, near the city of Fort Walton Beach, Florida includes a 28,000 square foot building and five acres of outside displays. The museum was opened in November 1985, and it is the only museum in the world dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of Air Force Armament and associated platforms of delivery. The weapons vault houses a collection of small arms from the United States and throughout the world.

Four aircraft are exhibited inside the museum building including the P-51 Mustang and the P-47 Thunderbolt from World War II, and the F80C Shooting Star of the Korean War period. Each plane is armed with several .50 caliber aircraft machine guns. An F-105 Thunderchief from the Vietnam War era is also on display inside with its M61 20mm Vulcan and sixteen 750 pound bombs. Outside aircraft exhibits include the SR-71 Blackbird, Mig-21, A-10, B-17, B-25, T-33, F-4, F-15, F-16, F-84, F-86, F-89, F-100, F-101, F-104, F-111, RB-47, RF-4, O-2, C-131, B-52, and B-57.

Of special interest to SAR readers are the AC-47 and AC-130 aircraft on display at the museum. The AC-47 Spooky is the gunship version of the commercial DC-3 Gooney Bird (AC stands for Attack Cargo). The AC-47 is armed with three 7.62 mm Gatling guns which can fire sustained bursts on a target with reasonable accuracy, as the aircraft circles overhead. The AC-47 aircraft first arrived in South Vietnam in December 1964 and were assigned to the Air Commando Squadron. These aircraft were nicknamed Puff the Magic Dragon and many readers will remember a scene from the movie “The Green Berets” where an AC-47 was used in combat in Vietnam. The AC-47 Spookys were eventually supplemented and then replaced by the AC-130 Spectre. The AC-130 is the gunship version of the commercial C-130 and its increased armament includes two 40mm cannons, two 20mm Gatling guns, and sometimes a 105 mm cannon. Accuracy was improved on the AC-130 through the use of advanced infared detection equipment. These aircraft were used in Operations Just Cause and Desert Storm and are still in service today.

Armament on display in the museum include many bombs, missiles, and rockets such as the AMRAAM, Bomarc, Hound Dog, Mace, Falcon, Paveway, HARM, Genie, Sparrow, Sidewinder, JDAM, JSOW, 2.75 inch and 5 inch rockets, Combined Effects Munition, GBU-28 Bunker Buster and several submunition dispensers. Bombs range in size from two pounds to the 44,000 pound T-12 Bomb. Several gun pods are on display which contain gun systems like the Vulcan M61 20mm with 1200 rounds of ammuntion.

The weapons display vault is located inside the museum building and houses a wide variety of small arms. Several large glass cases and floor displays are in the vault. The first cases contain the Robert F. Sikes gun collection which is on loan from the family of the long-time Florida Congressman and museum sponsor. The Sikes Collection has over 180 pistols, including flintlock dueling pistols, western six-shooters, Civil War pistols and a wide variety of early military weapons. Many U.S. military small arms are in the next set of cases. These weapons include the M-1, M-2, and M-3 carbines, a Bushmaster 5.56 automatic pistol, Winchester M1897 and M1912 twelve gauge shotguns, Colt M-16, Armalite AR-18, Thompson 1928A1 Submachine gun, M60D, M3 Greasegun, XM-148 grenade launcher, Reising Model 50, M1918A2 BAR, M1 Garand, M14, and the Springfield Model 1903A1. Small arms in the foreign case include a Chinese Type 56 assault rifle and LMG, Czech VZ58P assault rifle, Czech ZB26 LMG, French MAS 38 and MAT 49. The next case contains a variety of small arms including a Japanese Type 89 7.7mm aircraft machinegun, German Maxim (Spandau) LMG 08/15, Lewis Model 1918 .30 caliber aircraft machinegun, Stoner 63 5.56mm fixed mount helicopter machinegun, Chinese Type 57 7.62 heavy machinegun, Marlin (Colt-Browning Potato Digger), M1914 machinegun, Vickers model 1918 aircraft machinegun, Austro-Hungarian Schwarzlose model 07/12 8mm aircraft machinegun, experimental USAF 7.62mm in-line minigun and a GE model MXU-470/A 7.62 aircraft minigun with ammunition module. Floor displays including a 40mm cannon from an AC-130 Gunship, several 20mm and 30mm Gatling guns, a rare .50 caliber minigun, a KPV heavy machinegun (which was Russian designed, Chinese made and captured in Iraq) and a Finnish Lahti 20mm cannon with sled mount.

The Air Force Armament Museum with its many exhibits is well worth a visit. Group tours can be arranged by calling (850) 882-4063. A theater with a 32 minute movie Arming the Air Force and a gift shop are also in the museum. The museum is open every day of the week from 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. central time and admission is free. The museum is located on Highway 85 near the west gate of Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

Place: Washington, D.C.; Senate Intelligence Committee Hearings.
Time: September 16, 1975

Former Director of Central Intelligence William Colby is testifying before the committee as to the purpose of the 11 grams of shellfish toxin recently discovered in a little used store room at Langley, as well as that of the several types of dartguns found…

The Chairman (Senator Frank Church of Idaho): “Have you brought with you some of those devices, which would have enabled the CIA to use this poison for killing people?”

Mr. Colby: “We have, indeed.” (With somewhat of a flourish, he produces the pistol).

The Chairman: “Does this pistol fire the dart?”

Mr. Colby: “Yes, it does, Mr. Chairman. The round thing at the top is obviously the sight, the rest of it is what is practically a normal .45, although it is special. However, it works by electricity. There is a battery in the handle, and it fires a small dart.”

The Chairman: “So that when it fires, it fires silently?”

Mr. Colby: “Almost silently; yes.”

The Chairman: “What range does it have?”

Mr. Colby: “One hundred meters, I believe; about 100 yards, 100 meters.”

The Chairman: “About 100 meters range?”

Mr. Colby: “Yes.”

The Chairman: “And the dart itself, when it strikes the target, does the target know it has been hit and is about to die?”

Mr. Colby: “That depends, Mr. Chairman, on the particular dart used. There are different kinds of these flechettes that were used in various weapons systems, and a special one was developed which potentially would be able to enter the target without perception.”

The Chairman: “And did you find such darts in the laboratory?”

Mr. Colby: “We did.”

The Chairman: “Is it not true, too, that the effort not only involved designing a gun that could strike at a human target without knowledge of the person who had been struck, but also the toxin itself would not appear in the autopsy?”

Mr. Colby: “Well there was an attempt—”

The Chairman: “Or the dart.”

Mr. Colby: “Yes; so there was no way of perceiving that the target was hit.”

The Chairman: “As a murder instrument, that is about as efficient as you can get, is it not?”

Mr. Colby: “It is a weapon, a very serious weapon.”

And so, the legend was born. And as with many legends, it has grown to near mythic proportions as the “CIA Dartgun”, firing hair sized darts, which entered their targets painlessly and dissolved, leaving no trace. In the twenty odd years since DCI Colby unveiled it at the hearings, no additional information has surfaced on this unique system, a fact that is somewhat unusual in this field. All that has existed is the testimony presented at the hearing and a few photos taken at the time. The types of mechanisms speculated upon over the years have ranged from an electromagnetic coil, which launched the dart by magnetic repulsion (a rumor which personally caused me several years of fruitless research), to subminiature rockets (which are an interesting story in their own right). As with most legends, the fact is somewhat removed from the fantasy. In this article I will attempt to remove some of the mystery surrounding this unique piece of hardware, though I will admit that I am only near the beginning of the search for all the answers on this project. Even this modest amount of progress has taken almost five years, chasing leads and rumors, and dozens of official (and some not quite so official) inquiries.

The MML (micro missile launcher) as it was officially known, was not an Agency product, but rather was developed for the U.S. Army’s Special Operations Division at Fort Detrick, Maryland. At the time, Fort Detrick was the Army’s center for biological warfare R&D, and SOD was tasked with coming up with new and interesting toys for the Special Forces. MB Associates conducted the primary development of the MML, a private company better known for the production of the Gyrojet rocket pistol and Stunbag crowd control munitions. The inventor was MBA’s resident genius in the field (they had several, in as many disciplines), Robert Mawhinney, who also invented the Stunbag concept. A patent was issued in 1967 covering the salient features of the guns and their cartridges. Much to the chagrin of everybody involved in the project, it was immediately published in the Patent Office’s Gazette. They all held their collective breath for awhile, but apparently no one took any notice of it. The guns themselves were built under great secrecy in late 1967 and 1968 at MBA’s San Ramon, California facility. The exact number produced is as yet unknown. Investigation using the DOD contract number they were produced under revealed an interesting fact – the Army has no record of such a number ever being issued, even though it was taken from the cover of the instruction manual for the weapon!

While the CIA did have at least two MMLs in their possession, one in DCI Colby’s safe and one in a little used storage room, their main concern was with the development of a variation for use on guard dogs. The stated mission of this weapon was to enable an operator to disable the guard dogs on duty at the premises targeted, enter the building and “take care of business”, and then allow the dog to revive, none the worse for wear and without any outward signs that it had been disabled. This variant, the “Dog Tranquilizer Dart Gun”, was built at SOD exclusively for the CIA, and apparently used extensively during the period. It utilized larger darts than the MML (exact caliber unknown) to carry a load of EA-4640, an animal tranquilizer developed at Edgewood Arsenal. The amount of drug carried on the dart was three milligrams. When the senate committee noted that this amount was considered a fatal dose for humans, their fears of nefarious use were put to rest by SOD engineer Charles Senseney. He stated in his testimony “You may as well shoot a man (with a conventional firearm) if you are going to use something the size that they were using there”. This gun was a single shot, pengun-like affair with an optional barrel extension, first described by John Minnery in his book “Fingertip Firepower”. His coverage of the actual dart gun is dead-on correct, with the exception of their projectiles. Two other types of dartguns were discovered in the laboratory storage room at Langley that have yet to be positively identified, but one is believed to be a modified Armalite AR-7 survival rifle. The AR-7 was used as a test bed in early development, due to its easily removable barrel.

A number of other weapons using this technology were also built at SOD, at least as prototypes. These included a walking stick, a fountain pen, an umbrella, and a butane cigarette lighter. A declassified CIA memo dated October 1967 notes the following “Among the many delivery systems held in readiness at the present (my emphasis) are silent electrical launchers, mechanical launchers, rounds for loading into the launchers, ammunition concealment rounds which fit into carbines and rifles.” The true beauty of the system was that it could be incorporated into almost anything. There was apparently a limited production run of the item mentioned in the memo as “Ammunition Concealment Rounds”. These were special dart launchers, the same size and shape as a conventional rifle cartridge. They chambered in the rifle in the normal manner, and fired using a conventional small arms primer. They were remarkably similar in construction to the shell shrinkers, now available commercially, but outwardly resembled a normal hollow-point cartridge. The report of the rounds has been described as being like that of a cap pistol. At least three calibers of concealment round have been identified: a .223, a .30 carbine, and a .30-06. 38 of the .30-06 rounds were discovered in the storage room at CIA Headquarters. These carried a 3-milligram load of EA-4640, the same as the previously mentioned “Dog Tranquilizer Dart Gun”. The accuracy of these rounds could not have been very good at even moderate ranges, given that the cartridge itself comprised the entire barrel of the launcher, but were probably adequate for close range work.

Basically, the MML itself was an electrically ignited, powder fired dart launcher. The pistol was fabricated from die cast aluminum alloy while the barrel was actually made from a length of hypodermic tubing with a bore size of .033”. A battery and capacitor circuit housed in the grip portion of the weapon ignited the cartridge containing the dart. Built into the front portion was a simple baffle-type silencer. Though of conventional, even archaic design by today’s standards, the silencer achieved its excellent performance (one aspect of the legend which was most definitely not an exaggeration) by virtue of its massive volume in relation to the bore size of the MML. By way of comparison, a similar silencer on a .32 caliber pistol would be four and one half inches in diameter and thirty inches long! A 1.3 power Bushnell Phantom II pistol scope was standard equipment on the MML, with a set of conventional iron sights as back up. A removable metal strut-type stock of ingenious design was also supplied. It was purposely made to outwardly resemble a standard GI .45, so as to be able to ride in the standard GI holster without notice.

All in all, the MML itself was not much more than an electrically ignited single-shot pistol. The truly sophisticated part of the system was the dart cartridge. This was a slim, cylindrical tube, about the size of a .22 Magnum cartridge, with a truncated cone shaped nose. It was initiated by an electrical bridgewire, similar to that used in an electric blasting cap, but requiring more voltage. The powder charge used was miniscule, about 1/10 of a grain, and propelled a bimetallic, mass stabilized dart to a velocity of about 750 feet per second. This dart had a forward nose portion made from tungsten, and a rear tail portion made of magnesium. It measured 0.03 inches in diameter, was about 0.800 inches long, and weighed, fully loaded with toxin, about one grain. The toxin was applied to the dart, using a technique that I would rather not go into. When firing this type of dart, the MML had an effective range of about 250 feet. Though several types of toxin were experimented with in this program, the one finally settled on was saxitoxin. This toxin is produced by a tiny dinoflaggelate organism living in seawater. When clams, mussels, or other mollusks feed on this organism, they concentrate it in their organs and become very toxic. If a person eats the contaminated mollusk, they contract what is known as “Paralytic shell fish poisoning”. In its purified form, saxitoxin is extremely quick and deadly in a very low dosage, routinely less than one milligram. The CIA used it to coat their suicide needles, such as was carried by Francis Gary Powers on his ill-fated U-2 flight over the Soviet Union in 1960. Upon being struck by the dart, the person would after a few seconds, experience a tingling sensation over their body and then lose consciousness and die within one minute. The pain experienced by the actual impact of the dart varied with the individual and circumstances, and could range from being completely unnoticed to that of a bee sting.

A smaller version of the dart was developed, the A-1 model, which measured 0.015 in diameter and about 0.40 inches long, exactly half the size of the regular dart. The carrying capacity of this dart was rated at 0.5 milligrams. There were some differences in the construction of this variant, but based on the limited data released thus far, I can’t honestly tell you what it was. The possibility exists that it may be the legendary “dissolving dart” mentioned in the patent. The impact of this dart was described as being like a mosquito bit. It had an effective range of about 50 feet.

The MML was simple to operate. The safety switch was first pushed to the rear test position to check the battery charge. It was then returned to safe position. The end cap was then unscrewed and a cartridge inserted into the chamber. The cap was then screwed back into place. The safety switch was then pushed forward to the fire position. After a brief wait of about four seconds to allow the capacitor to charge, the weapon was ready to fire. Upon pressing the trigger, the electrical charge stored in the capacitor discharged across the bridgewire in the cartridge and the weapon fired. The noise upon discharge was described as being somewhat akin to that of an air pistol, though appreciably quieter. It was noted that under some circumstances the click of the trigger switch could also be heard.

Probably the most intriguing question about the MML was whether or not it ever saw combat in Vietnam. The official answer is no, it was not “in the logistical pipeline fast enough”. I have learned from two separate sources, however, that it did see some limited use, primarily field-testing. Since the Army had the MML for at least a year and a half before all toxin weapons were outlawed, it would seem likely that this was the case. Many unique types of weapons and techniques were given limited testing during the war, and since a weapon of this type would allow an ambush unit to quickly and silently neutralize the point man on a patrol, or an assault force to eliminate any guards prior to an attack, it would have been ideal for use by Special Forces in Vietnam.

Unfortunately, politics intervened to deprive the American military of possibly the most effective weapon of its type yet developed. In November of 1969, President Nixon signed an Executive Order disavowing all American use of biological weapons, and ordering any weapons of this type destroyed. In February 1970, he expanded this order to include weapons using toxins of biological origin, such as the saxitoxin used in the MML. This sounded its death knell and all the weapons and their ammunition were destroyed at Fort Detrick by the end of the year. A problem with political decisions such as President Nixon’s was that sometimes they are based on faulty data. This later proved to be the case. In early 1969, FBI counterintelligence received information from one of their most reliable sources, a Soviet mole, code named “Pandora”, that the Soviets were seriously lagging behind the U.S. in the development of biological warfare agents and weapons. In view of “alarming” work contemplating a massive “catch up” program. To avoid this possibility, as well as to score a “moral victory” on the Soviets, Nixon wrote and signed his order. There was only one catch-Pandora later proved to be a double agent. But that, my friends, is most definitely another story.