Nick Steadman – Small Arms Review

Small Arms Data by Wire (SADW): May 1998

Nick Steadman — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:40:56 +0000

By Nick Steadman

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.

NEW WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT

DENEL BOLT-ACTION RIFLES

Now that the US/South African arms import/export spat is finally resolved, expect to see initial batches of Denel-manufactured Musgrave-style bolt-action sporting rifles appearing in the U.S.A. We’re told the barrels are particularly good.

H-S PRECISION M700 REM DETACHABLE MAGAZINES & NEW PISTOLS:

H-S Precision in South Dakota has finally introduced its long-awaited detachable magazine and trigger guard housing for Remington M700 rifles. The units are all-stainless and come in four-round short-action (.308” etc) and three-round long-action (Magnum case) versions. Retail price is $145. The company has also launched two Pro-Series 2000P single-shot bolt-action pistols, in Varmint (wide forearm) and Silhouette variants, both based on an H-S Precision stainless receiver, 15” fluted stainless H-S barrel, titanium firing pin and a composite H-S stock (also available separately) which retains the company’s integral bedding bar system employed in the US army’s M24 sniper rifle and Remington M700 Police & Varmint Synthetic rifles. Barrels & receivers are both Teflon coated.

Calibres are .17 Rem, 6mm PPC, .223, .35 Rem, .308, 7mm-08 and 7mm BR. Pistol price is $1,250 (stocks only $245). Tel +1(605) 341-3006, Fax +1(605) 342-8964)

FEDERAL AMMO INTRODUCTIONS

New 1998 ammunition lines from Federal Cartridge include:-
— reduced-recoil 12g & 20g Personal Defense shotgun cartridges (2.75”) with No 2 pellet load.
— reduced-recoil 12g (2.75”) Tactical 000 eight-ball copper-plated buckshot (1,140fps)
— reduced-recoil Tactical 12g (2.75”) Hydra-Shok one-ounce Slug (1,300fps) (also offered on civil market as the Premium low-recoil slug load)
— Premium Tungsten Iron No 4 shot 12g turkey loading (3”) (1,300fps). 1 3/8 ounce
— new Premium Barnes Expander Sabot Slug loads in 12g (2.75”) – slug is copper-plated HP, one ounce. Designed for rifled tubes. MV 1,450fps. Groups to 2.5” at 100 yds
— .223/5.56mm BallistiClean loads with non-toxic priming & lead-free zinc-core bullets. 40gr soft-point & stranded core versions offered, both suitable for police (& military!) training

.22RF KIT for SIG-SAUER P226

Deutsches Waffen-Journal (DWJ) profiled a prototype model of a new .22 rimfire training conversion kit for the 9mm SIG-Sauer P226 pistol and its German police P6 variant, developed by Schuetzenbedarf & Waffen in Offenbach, Germany. Projected price is DM 1,165. The kit comprises a new blowback Lothar Walther barrel, slide, recoil spring and 10-shot magazine, though our German sources said (at mid-Jan 98) the magazines were not yet available in production quantities. The front underlug of the slide forms part of the barrel in this kit, clearly a measure to boost felt recoil effects. IWM’s tester reported malfunction-free performance in all circumstances, except with some very weakly-loaded indoor practice cartridges (Zimmerpatronen), and recoil with high-velocity .22LR ammunition was not dissimilar to that of 9x19mm. 25 metre rested groups were under 50mm.

(Schuetzenbedarf & Waffen (Oliver Pfeiffer), Siemensstrasse 9, 63071 Offenbach, Germany)

.222 SSS RIMFIRE SYSTEM (MEXICO)

Industrias Tecnos in Mexico, producers of Aguila ammunition, have developed a new .222 SSS rimfire cartridge. One application (there may well be more) is for sniping out to 200 metres. The cartridge comprises a .22 Short case loaded with a long 60gr unplated solid lead roundnose bullet (not hollow-pointed) which brings the overall length of the round to that of the .22 Long Rifle. For sniping, the new round is intended for use in a suppressed .22 precision rifle with 30mm diameter 8x56mm scope. The .22 SSS will apparently penetrate 10-12” of pine wood at 200 metres.

This is not the first time we have seen suppressed .22 rimfire rifles proposed for short-range sniping, though they would not be most people’s first choice. Selection of a 60gr bullet is presumably a device to gain the maximum downrange energy within the limitations of subsonic operation. We guess a high-energy propellant is used to get the necessary results from the diminutive .22 Short case.

BARRETT LIGHTWEIGHT .50 MACHINE GUN

Having toyed with this idea for some years, Ronnie Barrett of Barrett Firearms has finally confirmed it is his aim to start cutting metal on a new lightweight, belt-fed .50 machine gun design of his own, weighing about 35 pounds, by Christmas 1998.

CZECH-MADE M6 SCOUT RIFLE

In West Virginia we briefly examined one of the Springfield Armory M6 Scout rifles nowadays made for the US supplier by CZ Strakonice in the Czech Republic. These are reportedly rather hard to come by just now. The M6 is a rather agricultural-looking weapon, a break-barrel, over & under design with (in our case) the upper barrel in .22 Hornet calibre and the lower in .410 shot. A .22LR/.410 version also exists. Upper or lower barrels are selected by respectively pulling out or retracting a round-headed catch above the external hammer. Spare ammunition is stored under a soft plastic cover in the buttstock. Sights comprise a rear aperture and a blade foresight. The trigger is a horizontal bar underneath the small of the butt, and trigger pull is pretty bad, but recoil is modest, bearing in mind the minimal weight of the gun. The M6 was not tested for accuracy, mainly since it was pitch black outside at the time!

Overall, despite its appearance, the M6 is clearly a useful tool for its intended purpose, and works well. It would be a valuable item to have in the emergency kit of any vehicle, boat or plane. Our hosts had removed the trigger guard on this Scout to allow the gun to be folded to a more compact package, as earlier versions could be. However, the long trigger bar is then in such an exposed position that should the external hammer be cocked before closing the gun there is a chance it could be fired when gripping the butt to close the action. We therefore caution at all times against cocking this weapon until the breech is firmly closed.

CHINESE LIGHTWEIGHT 12.7mm MACHINE GUN

Details have been received regarding the Chinese QJZ89 12.7mm machine gun, which is the result of a lightening exercise apparently earlier applied also to the Chinese Type 77 & Type 85 guns in the same calibre. This QJZ89, a short recoil design, is equipped as standard with day and low light (night vision) optical sights and customarily fires AP and APIT ammunition. New ammunition natures include AP-Fragmentation and saboted AP. Total weight of the system is 26.5kg, which is claimed to be 47% lighter than the Type 77 gun and 27% lighter than the Type 85. It is primarily a ground-to-ground weapon but is also intended for use against helicopters.

SILVA’s FIGHTING KITE

Soldier magazine reveals that military compass suppliers Silva (UK) Ltd have come up with a new survival gizmo – the 2 square metre Skystreme inflatable kite, made from metallised fabric which is radar-reflective. It can also be illuminated using a Cyalume Light Stick, and comes with a 50m cord. When not required in its primary role, the kite can be worn as a thermal vest or inflated to act as a splint. It compresses into a pocket-sized package when not in use. All in all, it sounds as if Silva has come up with a winner here. But perhaps they should have made it edible too? Silva (UK) Ltd, Tel (01784) 471721. US Distributor is BE Meyers (1-800-327-5648). Manufacturer is Skystreme – http://www/skystreme.uk.net/

INDUSTRY & FOREIGN NEWS

UK LARGE-CALIBRE RIFLE TRIALS MOVE TO AUSTRALIA

Soldier magazine in the UK carried an item about the British army trials of .338 and .50 Browning weapons in pursuance of the UK’s Long-Range Large Calibre Rifle (LRLCR) programme. It showed the .338 and (for the first time) .50 rifles from Accuracy International, the .50 PGM Hecate II from France and the .50 Barrett M82A1 semi-automatic, all in snow and temperatures of -30 degs Celsius during Alaskan trials, courtesy of the US army’s Cold Region Test Center.

The report said the weapons (which strike us as a very limited selection) had already been tested in Kuwait, Brunei and the UK; they would now be going to Australia for final trials. We assume these are all locations to which RAF transports already fly at no extra cost. Likely role for the LRLCR, destined to equip the UK’s Joint Rapid Deployment Force, was described as ‘defensive’ – it was most likely to be used in circumstances where indiscriminate fire was out of the question……which sounds like a roundabout definition of a long-range countersniper weapon.

Clearly, since the army already uses smaller-calibre Accuracy International sniper rifles, there will be a product-loyalty thing going in respect of that producer’s new .50, though if rapid repeat-fire capability is required, the Barrett semi-auto would seem the only answer. But for pure portability the Barrett M95 bullpup would be even better.

BOZ .224 UPDATE

Further to our initial report on Civil Defence Supply’s BOZ .224 cartridge, based on a 10mm case necked down to 5.56mm, we understand that the company’s supply of Carl Gustaf 5.56mm AP bullets is now assured, so CDS will not need to produce its own. The Glock pistol is no longer being pursued as a host for this cartridge, because of difficulties ensuring satisfactory functioning, even with a light alloy slide. The recoil spring also has to be weakened, plus the striker spring, and this produces unreliable ignition. Instead, CDS is going for what it describes as a wide-frame M1911-style pistol frame allied with a linkless camming barrel and SIG-style lockup at the ejection cutout. Jungle wisdom actually suggests the name Tanfoglio. This pistol will be hammer-fired, with DA/SA trigger and decocker. Prototypes are now being made.

Fast rifle powder is still being used in the BOZ round; this provides the precise firing characteristics CDS is after, and faster-burning (pistol) powders would generate excessive backthrust. As at end-Jan 98, Heckler & Koch had yet to provide MP5/10 SMGs for BOZ conversion, but Bar-Sto in the USA will be making the .224 barrels. The testbed weapon for the BOZ conversion of the Colt Commando/SMG has already been seen – it has a gas block relocated nearer the breech plus a new magazine. Both the new pistols and the SMGs are also still to be chambered for .40 S&W. And CDS is still tinkering with a .40-based BOZ cartridge which would have wide applicability, but this is clearly a second priority.

DUAL STANDARDS

UK Prime Minister Blair is convinced of the efficacy of the UK handgun ban in making the nation a safer place. Or is he? An item in the Police Guardian reportedly states that a special team of 28 armed police bodyguards, issued with all the latest weaponry and day/night sighting systems, has been formed to protect Blair plus his home back in his Durham constituency 24 hours a day. By our reckoning that’s a whole platoon in army terms. The guy must be really popular.

BROLIN ACQUIRES MITCHELL ARMS ASSETS

In answer to the frequent question at the 1988 SHOT Show “Where is Mitchell Arms?”, New Gun Week says that Brolin Arms acquired the Mitchell Arms assets and is to offer Mitchell products itself, with Don Mitchell acting as a consultant.

UK MINE DISPOSAL TO BE ACCELERATED

At the end of Jan 98 the UK Defence Secretary announced an accelerated programme to destroy British stocks of one million anti-personnel mines, which will leave the UK forces with just 4,000 samples, to be used in EOD training. The minister, George Robertson said (and note our italics):

“Getting rid of these evil weapons is one of our main priorities. The Convention allows us four years to destroy them, but I am determined to show our commitment by reaching the target in less than half that time; two years from now. Our action today demonstrates how the UK has set its face against the use of these evil weapons which continue to cause suffering and distress to thousands of people around the world.”

Funny how what were formerly regarded as essential components of the army inventory are suddenly, in politico-speak ‘these evil weapons’, once there’s an international ban in place. Could it be a ‘holier than thou’ contest is upon us?

WHITE BOX 9MM MISFIRES

A professional trainer running shooting courses out West in the USA reports an unexpectedly high misfire quotient with current Federal ‘white box’ 9mm military ball ammunition used in Glock pistols, both new and well-used weapons.

UK SUPPORT WEAPON REQUIREMENT ANNOUNCED

The UK MOD has formally announced its requirement for replacement or enhancement of its 7.62mm NATO GPMG inventory in the Sustained Fire (SF) role, and is now seeking expressions of interest’ from industry by no later than 11 Mar 98. As we have reported before, the MOD is presently looking at MMGs, HMGs, lightweight cannon and automatic grenade launchers, but also welcomes additional ideas. It will require mounts, sights, ammunition and tools with any purchase. Something like 1,000 weapons are planned, to be in service by 2004.

(Contact Contracts Branch CB/ELWS2c, Tel (0117) 913-1375)

AUSTRIAN ARMY TO SHRINK BY 50%

Jane’s News Briefs noted that the coalition partners in the Austrian government had agreed that by the year 2000 the size of the Austrian army would be halved. Presumably this will throw up sizeable surpluses of AUGs.

THE FULL ULSTER TOLL

Gleaned from the Royal Ulster Constabulary statistics for deaths & injuries stemming from ‘The Troubles’, 1969-97

Killed – 3,234 (including 654 Army/UDR/RIR* and 2,279 civilians)
Injured – 40,652 (including 5,983 Army/UDR/RIR* and 26,144 civilians) (from 1968)
Shootings – 35,458
Bombs exploded or defuzed – 15,003
Armed robberies – 20,199 (from 1971 only)
Persons charged with terrorist offences – 17,802 (from mid-1972 only)
Firearms recovered – 11,395
Explosives recovered (kg) – 114,544
(Road deaths 1969-97) – 6,658
(Road injuries 1969-97) – 263,153

*(nb: UDR/RIR – Ulster Defence Regiment/Royal Irish Regiment)

The figures may help demonstrate to non-UK readers why Britain tends to look at the terrorist question in a rather different light from the rest of Europe – and particularly the USA – where those few domestic attacks that do occur are taken as a national affront and generate major public panic. However, the Ulster traffic accident data does help put even The Troubles in perspective.

30mm AGS-17 BARRETT ADAPTATION

Ronnie Barrett mentioned recently that he had in the past considered adapting his .50 M82A1 semi-automatic rifle, or something very similar, to fire the Russian 30mm AGS-17 grenade-launcher cartridge, but had not proceeded with the idea.

INDONESIAN INSTABILITY THREATENS AUSTRALIA

Asian Age ran an AFP report which said that Australian defence chiefs were considering changes to their regional strategy to take into account the possibility of Indonesia’s President Suharto being deposed in a popular uprising. Hitherto Indonesia had been seen by Australia, its closest neighbour, as a bastion of regional security, but the growing political unrest, levels of violence and the ongoing effects of the Asian financial crisis on the economy there could not be ignored.

EURO ARMS CURBS ATTACKED

Radio & press reports, including an AFP item run by The Asian Age, cited reactions to initial European Union discussions on the Anglo-French draft uniform code for approving arms exports. A key provision is the clause seeking to ensure that no EU country approves exports to a destination declined by another without first consulting the other state, but this is diluted by other terms which allow countries to do pretty much what they like in their own political or economic interests. Also, though the code seeks to deny arms exports to recipients who might use them for ‘internal repression’, there is another letout allowing sales of kit to protect security forces – a pretty wide definition.

Some human rights organisations would prefer there to be a presumption that goods will not be exported, with sellers having to make a persuasive case to prove why this presumption should be overridden, however this seems unlikely ever to fly. Press reports noted that the USA, unlike the UK, has since 1994 denied supplies of small arms and riot control equipment to Indonesia, and that loose European policies were at odds with US efforts to bolster controls.

M16s KILLED TURKISH GALIL DEAL?

Jane’s Foreign Report said that Israel lost the chance of selling the IMI Galil rifle to re-equip Turkish forces when visiting military staff from Turkey spotted that Israeli troops they met all still had US-made 5.56mm M16s.

THANKS FOR THE GUNS, BOSS

An AP item run by The Asian Age said that 243 prisoners at a jail in Honduras escaped, armed with stolen Kalashnikovs, after rioting and overpowering their guards. Sounds like a very good argument for not storing large quantities of firearms in prisons.

SINGLE 30mm GUN MOUNTING REPAIR CONTRACT

The UK MOD is to invite tenders for the repair of spares & sub-assemblies for the Single 30mm Gun Mounting. Dates still to be advised. Contact phone number (UK) is (0117) 913-9611.

FMS ON THE WANE

Defense News produced statistics to show that the US DoD’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme was shrinking steadily as more and more countries were resorting to direct purchasing instead.

CALCUTTA – POLICE WEAPONS UNSERVICEABLE

The Asian Age said that police in Calcutta have such a poor choice of weapons that they are vulnerable to terrorists active in this Indian city. The police were described as equipped largely with WW2 ‘muskets’, most of which are ‘beyond repair’ and a danger to the users. There are also a few rifles in each police station, plus Webley and S&W revolvers. Officers visit the range just once a year.

COLOMBIAN BODY ARMOUR BOOM

In a previous issue we highlighted the £8.6m set aside by Colombian politicos for 1998 to provide themselves with ballistic vests, armoured vehicles & bodyguards. Business Week has since profiled the ballistic protection business in Colombia, where violent deaths are running at 30,000 a year and there are thousands of kidnappings. One firm, Miguel Caballero Ltd, specialises in stylish armoured fashion clothing with concealed ballistic panels. It designs and armours all its own garments, which come complete with holsters, if required.

Caballero’s products are composite-armoured, using Kevlar & Twaron combined with Spectra to achieve weight savings of up to 50%. Prices range up to $1,000 for rifle-level protection. They also do minefield boots and apparently even had a query concerning armour to wear under a monk’s habit (is nothing sacred?). The company’s sales reportedly rose from $90,000 four years ago to $440,000 in 1996, and could hit $1m in 1997. Exports have boomed, with garments going to the USA, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Russia & South Korea.

FIRE FROM COVER WITH CLAWS

Jane’s Defence Weekly spotlighted the Compact Lightweight Armoured Weapon Station (CLAWS) developed by Kollmorgen and ordered by Turkey for trials on amphibious APCs. The system allows top-mounted weapons to be fired remotely via a CCTV monitor, with the operator remaining under cover. The report says CLAWS can be used to mount the .50 M2HB HMG, the 7.62mm NATO M60 GPMG, the 40mm Mk19 automatic grenade launcher and other weapons, including cannon. A photo was shown of a 40mm Mk19 with CLAWS on a Turkish APC. If required, the mount can also be stabilised independently of vehicle movement.

BULGARIANS MAKING DRAGUNOV

Our east bloc advisers tell us that Kazanlac Arsenal in Bulgaria is now making the Dragunov SVD sniper rifle, only in the original 7.62x54mm calibre.

NAGAS HAVE CATHOLIC SELECTION OF ARMS

A photo from India run by The Asian Age showed members of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) forces toting an RPG, an AK, M16A1s, an M1 Carbine, an unidentified belt-fed GPMG plus an SMG bearing quite a close resemblance to the 9mm Uzi.

NO PISTOL TRAINING FOR MARINES

A letter in the US Navy Times from a USMC captain complained that Marines are not taught anything about the 9mm pistol either in boot camp or during combat training. He guesses this might have some bearing on the high incidence of negligent discharges, wounding and deaths from mishandling of pistols. We guess he’s probably right.

ASIAN SLUMP WILL HIT ARMS SUPPLIERS

The Observer reported that Western arms manufacturers were getting worried at the implications of the widespread Asian slump, which was already reflecting in cuts to defense budgets in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines & Thailand. Clearly this is a major potential blow to those arms-producing countries who have been relentlessly pursuing Asian customers to make up for the Cold War ‘peace dividend’ and the reduction in Middle East business. Maybe they should have been equally attentive to their clients’ long-term ability to pay?

SOUTH AFRICAN NTW-20 FIRES 40mm GRENADES TOO

A simple single-shot conversion now allows the South African NTW-20 anti-materiel rifle to fire the 40x53mm high-velocity grenades used in the Mk19 automatic grenade launcher. Recoil is said to be similar to that of the 20x82mm cartridge round which the rifle was designed. The full list of calibres the NTW-20 can fire is now 20x82mm, 14.5x114mm, 12.7x99mm, 12.7x108mm and 40x53mm. The conversions reportedly take less than 30 seconds to effect.

NANKOU (CHINA) SHOOTING RANGE COMPLEX

Foreign press reports focussed on the various delights offered by the China North International Shooting Range, an ex-army facility an hour outside Peking. Here, during the last ten years, 80,000+ visitors – both Chinese and foreign – have been able to hire and fire weapons in all calibres from pistols, rifles (they have M16s too, as well as AKs) & SMGs through to GPMGs & heavy machine guns. Prices for using all but the ‘exotics’ are said to be very modest. Additional attractions include anti-aircraft and anti-armour launchers. The reports said there are plans to open a laser combat range and to allow visitors to fire weapons from armoured vehicles and aircraft. Whatever the Putonghua expression is for “Take Cover!”, we guess it’d be an idea to memorise it before going, once those trigger-happy turistas get airborne. You can just see the headlines now – ‘Salt Lake senior Wilbur (78) levels Forbidden City’.

USMC OFFICER ARGUES FOR RIFLE CHANGES

Writing in the Marine Corps Gazette, one Capt. Robert Gibbs argues that the time has come to consider some changes to the design of the combat rifle. Using the M16A2 as his case study, he singles out for criticism its iron aperture sights, mechanical trigger mechanism and overall dimensions.

Gibbs, listed as a competitive shooter and match coach, describes the aperture & post aiming procedure as ‘contrary to human nature’ and suggests optical devices such as the Aimpoint, Ultradot and the screen-based Bushnell Holosight would be preferable, the last having the added benefit of eliminating the tunnel vision aspect of squinting down a scope tube. As to triggers, Gibbs suggests an electronic triggering mechanism might be a way round the problem of poor trigger control, which he says is responsible for missed shots. To overcome potential electrical problems he considers there might still be a backup mechanical trigger.

Talking about weapon size, Gibbs says the M16 is excessively long, and points to the Steyr AUG bullpup as a better all-round solution. This apart, he suggests that novel rifling profiles and faster-burning powders could give better performance from shorter barrels even in conventionally configured rifles. Gibbs highlights the acceptance of a need for change already embodied in the ongoing CQB (compact) Weapon and Modular Weapon projects in the Marine Corps, both involving the addition of extra facilities for ‘bolt-on goodies’. He suggests that the simplest solution is for improved triggers and provision for optics to be absorbed into existing programmes such as these.

In fact, it would appear that most of Capt. Gibbs’ points are already being addressed. Flat-topped, short M4A1 carbines already exist with US SOCOM, designed specifically for use with scopes & reflex sights. As to triggers, we are not persuaded that electronics would make very much difference in combat shooting, where shots will inevitably be snatched anyway, and much firing is in short bursts, with ‘accuracy’ in bullseye-shooting terms a consideration well secondary to just hitting the target – with something.

M240Bs to 82nd AIRBORNE

Army magazine in the USA reported that the 7.62mm NATO M240B (a locally-made variant of the FN MAG 58 GPMG), which is the US army’s official replacement for the Saco M60, had been issued to infantry battalions (on a scale of 18 guns each) of the 82nd Airborne Div at Ft Bragg. The item said that whilst the complete M240B equipment with tripod weighed ten pounds more than the M60 with similar accessories, the M240B tripod has a recoil-absorbing gun mount and a universal sight rail. Barrel changes are also claimed to be easier.

As will be evident from the limited scale per battalion, the M240B is intended to be employed in what the UK calls the Sustained Fire role (US – Medium Machine Gun), i.e. as a true machine gun. US infantry squad automatic fire support requirements are the role of the 5.56mm Minimi (M249 SAW). The same source said that the 30mm M230 cannon already mounted on the Apache is to be fitted to some of the US army’s 160 Special Ops Aviation Regiment MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. A new Black Hawk M230 mount has been developed by Picatinny Arsenal’s ARDEC research centre.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V1N8 (May 1998)

SMALL ARMS DATA BY WIRE (SADW): NOVEMBER 2002

SAR Staff — Fri, 01 Nov 2002 02:13:59 +0000

By Nick Steadman

Issue No 62- July 2002
An Electronic Publication from:
NICK STEADMAN FEATURES
Tel : 01273-773362
International +44-1273-773362
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ISRAELI SNIPER-DETECTION PROGRAMME: Defense News (15-21 Jul 02) reported that the Israeli army is conducting operational trials in the West Bank of several sniper locating systems developed for the Israeli MOD under the so-called Believer programme. A Rafael prototype is apparently the favoured option, but production funding has yet to be approved. The cost could be around $2m apiece. Rafael’s system, which is vehicle-mounted, is based on thermal detection and reportedly takes under a third of a second to trace the origin of a shot, when – if desired – fire can then be returned automatically. Alternatively, locational data can simply be passed to field units. The thermal tracking technology employed is said to be very similar to that developed a decade ago by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the USA and demonstrated at that time to the Israelis, though most US sniper detection efforts since then have focussed on acoustics, which are apparently inferior for use in urban areas. It’s been suggested that Israel should perhaps be encouraged to pair up with the USMC on a joint programme to integrate both technologies.

PHILIPPINES MINIMI BUY: the Philippines armed forces have signed a contract for Qty 436 5.56mm FN Minimi LMGs worth $2.3 million, as part of the first major new infantry weapon re-equipment buy in the Philippines for 40 years – since the Vietnam War, in fact, when the US provided M16A1s and M60 GPMGs. This is the first tranche of an eventual multi-year requirement for 4,000 Minimis, and includes three years’ spares plus the necessary tools & gauges to equip a repair workshop to service the new weapons. The Minimis will go to the army and marines, and deliveries should start by the end of next January.

Malaya newspaper (6 Jul 02) said that the Minimis, which will be filling the Squad Automatic role, are intended to ‘enhance the base of fire capability during combat operations at the level of the smallest tactical units’. The Republic of the Philippines is reportedly the 47th nation to adopt this popular weapon. The Minimi deal with FN also includes a counter-trade provision for the Philippines Government Arsenal at Bataan (which already makes M193 ammunition) to manufacture 5.56mm SS109 ammunition locally for use in the new LMGs, though it’s not expected that this will come on line for several years.

CALCUTTA GUN TRADE ‘FACES EXTINCTION’: despite the recent launch of the Indian Ordnance Factories’ .22 rimfire personal protection revolver, The Asian Age reported on 8 Jul 02 that retail firearms & ammunition outlets in Calcutta, features of the city for at least 150 years, are facing extinction, forced out since the 1980s by increasingly stringent gun laws, sales tax and ‘the disappearance of the aristocracy’. What few shops remain – just six – are said to ‘on the verge of closure’.

West Bengal sales taxes on firearms are 20% and excise duty is another 32%, so a weapon leaving the ordnance factory at only Rupees 25,000 ends up on the gunstore shelf at Rupees 40,000. Business in Calcutta has reportedly dropped by as much as two-thirds over the past 20 years, though taxes in other Indian states are said to be lower, so things there are presumably not quite as bad.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE GO FOR TASERS: ‘An elite NSW police unit has been issued with…..Taser stun guns. The force started trialling two 50,000-volt guns three months ago, and they have been handed to the State Protection Group’s tactical operations unit. The unit used one of the Tasers on a man who resisted arrest in May.’ (The Australian 23 Jun 02)

MAUSER SCOUT RIFLE: if you have an ancient Mauser M98 bolt-action rifle in the cupboard and would like it to look just like a Steyr Scout, surf on over to Advanced Technology Inc http://www.atigunstocks.com, where you will find just the thing, complete with integral scope rail. It looks very swish. We asked Advanced Technology whether they also provided the stocks for Steyr-Mannlicher, but they say they have no connection with the Austrian company. Certain types of original Mauser bolt handle may require a replacement, which ATI can also supply.

HELP GUNSITE GET RID OF ITS SURPLUS STOCK: the Gunsite Smithy in Paulden (Arizona) is having a yard sale of excess stock of weapons, parts & accessories. Surf on over to http://www.gunsite.com to see what’s on offer.

.223 SIERRAS AGAINST AFGHANS?: you’ll remember we carried in an earlier issue some notes allegedly originating from someone in a US (Marine, we believe) infantry unit in Afghanistan who was scathing about the ‘stopping power’ of the 62gr US M855 5.56mm cartridge, particularly fired in the M4 carbine, and said troops were switching to the 77gr Sierra MatchKing Black Hills load when this could be obtained, since it penetrated cover rather better (the M855 was said to be defeated even by light barriers), though it was not much better on enemy troops. With the M855 it was claimed multiple solid hits were required to bring someone down.

The same source (yet to be authenticated) also complained that the Beretta M9 pistols were ‘breaking’ in Afghan conditions, and that the issue 9mm ball load was ineffective even at close range, as a result of which some troops were being reissued with M1911s, though ammunition & spare magazines for the .45 pistols were hard to find.

Discussion of these complaints on the MILINET web forum elicited a number of suggestions, including adoption of the Sierra .223 GameKing instead of the ‘open tip’ MatchKing, and reverting to the original, barely stable Colt 1:14 twist for the M4 barrel, in order to maximise wound effects. The US could, of course, issue the expensive Carl Gustaf 5.56mm AP round if it chose to, but while this would defeat cover more easily, it would not be much of a man-stopper.

As to pistols, somebody even suggested picking up some extra M1911s from the Darra Adam Khel backstreet gunsmiths. But someone else claimed that the 123gr 9mm ball round was a 70% ‘one-shot stopper’, by comparison with 62% for the 230gr .45 FMJ, while another questioned whether the complaints about poor M855 stopping power from the M4 carbine might not be something to do with deteriorating standards of marksmanship, which strikes as a highly pertinent observation. Yet another suggested the 7.62mm AR-10 would be a better bet all round…..if you could find any, chum!

However, we liked the comment that enemy targets are only 150-pound mammals, and if Fish & Game Departments throughout the US won’t allow .223 rifles to be used on white-tail deer, which are of similar weight, why are weapons of this calibre issued for killing people? It’s a thought we’ve often had here, since the .223 is also outlawed for deer stalking in England & Wales.

Yet one thing worries us about the various references to 5.56mm ammunition. It’s illegal under international law to deliberately design small arms which are excessively lethal or inflict gratuitous injury beyond what is strictly necessary to incapacitate, and any official move to destabilise M4 bullets by reversion to a slower rifling twist would certainly fail. On a cold day in a 14” twist the projectiles would in fact be unstable, which is why 1:12” was eventually adopted for the 55gr M193 bullet.

Furthermore, has DJAG cleared the Sierra MatchKing in 5.56mm (the 7.62mm Sierra is already permitted for sniping) for combat use? Mind you, provided you get close enough, there is a simple way to improve 5.56mm killing power – just use a 12” twist M16A1 with M855 or SS109 ammunition, and check out those atrocious 6-9” yaw-enhanced groups at 100 metres.

It seems the 5.56mm versus 7.62mm argument is unlikely to go away anytime soon, and it’s inevitably been exacerbated by the steady reversion to the bigger calibre for the machine gun role. Issue of a lighter 5.56mm rifle, with two or three times the amount of ammunition troops used to carry, was intended to substantially increase the soldier’s effectiveness, but now troops are claiming they need several rounds of 5.56mm to do the job of one well-placed 7.62mm bullet.

It’s actually quite an old refrain (it also cropped up in the Falklands, for example), and so common when anybody shoots someone for real that there must be something to it. Nor is it any longer a matter of old sweats rueing the day someone came and took away their trusty FAL or M14 – young troops who’ve never used a 7.62x51mm assault rifle are also saying 5.56x45mm doesn’t cut it as a battle round.

So if it’s true, and they’re not just a bunch of lousy shots, maybe we need to stop and reassess infantry calibres yet again, before we descend to the ridiculous realms of the totally ineffective but nice & light 2.2x20mm – 5,000fps MV, near-zero recoil, 10,000 rounds per man and a barrel life of 8.6 minutes.

Ironically, the answer is probably staring us all in the face – 7.62x39mm, a cartridge which has undoubtedly put more folks below ground since 1947 than any other assault rifle loading.

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. Here is a small sampling of a few of the July 2002 SADW articles. You can contact Nick at the email above, and make arrangements with him to obtain the full service sent directly to your email address. In order to receive SADW your e-mail system must be capable of receiving attached files, and the e-mail software system or settings do not reject files as large as 400kb. Each issue is full of insight and information for those with an interest in Small Arms, as well as his observations on world travel.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V6N2 (November 2002)

SMALL ARMS DATA BY WIRE (SADW): JULY 2002

SAR Staff — Mon, 01 Jul 2002 01:27:05 +0000

By Nick Steadman

Issue No 58- March 2002
An Electronic Publication from:
NICK STEADMAN FEATURES
Tel : 01273-773362,
International +44-1273-773362
Fax: 01273-822078,
International +44-1273-822078
SADW@compuserve.com

LEUPOLD MARK 4 CQ/T OPTICAL SIGHT: chief among Leupold’s 2002 introductions http://www.leupold.com is the Mk 4 CQ/T 1-3x14mm optical sight, designed for use with tactical long guns such as the M16 (both flat-top and carrying-handle variants). It features a ring reticle with a centred dot and variable power from 1x to 3x. It can be illuminated in red or used ‘as is’, but there are ten brightness settings when the reticle illumination is employed.

At unity power the centre dot subtends 9 minutes of angle, and three minutes at 3x magnification. The ring subtends 18” at 25 yards or six feet at 100 yards (3x magnification), so can be used for range estimation, but we consider these figures for the ring element are way too high.

The sight, which Leupold says was developed in co-operation with military and police agencies around the world, will mount to Picatinny rails, and – for those with a yen for the Christmas Tree look, there are additional left, right and top Milspec mounting rails incorporated into its housing, It is 8.75” long and weighs 17.5 ounces without battery or mount.

Eye relief (optimized for the M16 series) is in the range 2.0” to 2.8”, depending on magnification, and the windage & elevation drums offer half-minute click adjustments. Eyepiece focus can also be adjusted. The CQ/T is claimed to be submersible to a depth of 66 feet. Other features include low-intensity reticle settings for use with night vision devices. Battery life from one AA cell at maximum illumination is seven hours. No price was stated.

This is an interesting new product, but we fear Leupold has missed an opportunity with its reticle design. A ring which subtends six feet at 100 yards means it is almost irrelevant – only the centre dot is really of any value, making this scope (when all’s said and done) just another ‘dot sight’. A much better choice might have been something more along the lines of the smaller, thicker AUG ring reticle, with (if you like) a dot centred in it.

We say ‘if you like’, since the mere presence a dot within the AUG ring (police AUGs are supplied with a central dot or crosshairs) virtually compels the brain to take a more precise aim, wasting valuable time, whereas for normal infantry purposes aiming and delivery of effective fire has been shown to be faster with the AUG ring alone – in fact, military field tests have shown it’s second to nothing but iron sights for rapid engagement.

On the other hand, if the CQ/T is to be used in the police role, where greater precision may be needed, the dot might be the better option.

Be that as it may, from personal experience we can vouch that the self-centring principle of the AUG scope used with the standard plain ring reticle provides sufficient accuracy to hit man-sized targets every time at ranges to beyond 300 metres, even in a blizzard with very poor visibility, and regardless of barrel length. Just don’t breathe on the eyepiece though!

PETER LABBETT IS NO MORE, BUT HIS WORK LIVES ON: we’re sorry to have to report that British small arms ammunition expert Peter Labbett (73), author of all those very useful, meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated ammunition guides most recently advertised in SADW, died suddenly on 18 February 2002 after giving a presentation at the Imperial War Museum.

Peter was a long-time subscriber to SADW and we have conveyed our sympathies to his son Paul, who wishes readers to know that Peter’s books & pamphlets are still available – see the listing at:

http://www.users.waitrose.com/~paullabbett/

All these publications are available from Michael Labbett (m.labbett@virgin.net) except in the USA and Canada, where they are only available from Vic Engel (vicengel@chilitech.net). Prices available on application.

Paul Labbett says his father’s lifelong interest in small arms & ammunition stemmed from being on the wrong end of them as a child besieged in Malta during WW2.

MOD PATTERN ROOM UPDATE: on 22 Feb 2002 the UK Defence Procurement Agency was one party to a ceremony held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds to mark the transfer there of the UK MOD Pattern Room collection of 14,000 fully-functional military firearms. Legally it transpires that the collection has been ‘gifted’, with Parliamentary approval, to the Armouries, which are part-privately funded, but in practice it is simpler to understand this as a ‘hosting’ arrangement, with the Pattern Room an embedded MOD unit.

Most of the MOD staff formerly at the Nottingham Pattern Room location have transferred to Leeds, along with the Pattern Room library of weapons documentation, and the arrangements which have applied in the past for private viewings by weapon experts and other professionals will continue. It’s also hoped to eventually display under glass even some of the modern weapons from the MOD collection, and the joint Armouries/Pattern Room inventory will hopefully become a new ‘national firearms collection’.

Local police are content with the security arrangements at Leeds, and the Royal Armouries also have their own security staff to look after the transferred weapons. However, there are a couple of hitches which mean that things will not be back to normal for some time.

Currently there is no room for all the Pattern Room guns, and only a portion have so far gone to Leeds. The rest are back in military depots awaiting the construction of a substantial new building at the Leeds location to house them. This is pencilled in for completion in 2005, when the ‘gifting’ process will be completed.

The Pattern Room collection was begun in 1850, but can trace its origins back to the Modelling Room at the Tower of London, which was also home to the Royal Armouries. It moved from the Tower in the early 19th century. As most readers know, it moved again from the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) at Enfield to Nottingham when Royal Ordnance, under intensive cost pressure on the SA80 contract, closed RSAF and transferred its small arms production to Nottingham, which is now itself about to close.

At that point, the UK will have no national military small arms plant at all. Currently Heckler & Koch, a Royal Ordnance subsidiary, is being relied upon exclusively by the UK MOD for SA80 upgrading, but H&K is also up for sale. When it eventually comes to replacing SA80, the MOD will either have to buy a foreign weapon off the shelf or a brand new small arms supplier will have to be specially established in the UK, as Diemaco was in Canada to provide that country’s new 5.56mm weapons family.

Even if a good portion of the Pattern Room collection eventually goes on display, we’re unconvinced that this will greatly increase the number of visitors Leeds receives. The original wheeze of establishing a new Royal Armouries base in Leeds was to relieve pressure on the Tower of London, where only a small part of the historic weaponry could be shown.

However, Leeds is well off the beaten track for foreign tourists, an expensive train ride north from London and has – unsurprisingly – attracted only about a quarter of the numbers originally forecast.

The government probably thought it was doing regional tourism a big favour, but with hindsight it would have been a much better idea to build a new Armouries facility somewhere in the London area. That way it would have caught a lot of overseas visitors whose itineraries are centred on the capital

(nb: we were apparently in error in reporting (see previous issues) that the previous custodian of the collection at Nottingham, though now retired, had been retained as a consultant to scope out new acquisitions-Nick)

(Dan’s Note: I have a major article coming up on the closing of the MOD Pattern Room at Nottingham. The Pattern Room has been invaluable to the small arms community, and in a trickle down effect, to all users of small arms who benefit from the research done there. The SAR Expeditionary Forces have already visited the Royal Armories at Leeds, and will bring that information to the readers as soon as we can)

CIA & KGB GEAR NOW ON SHOW AT REAGAN LIBRARY: ‘For the first time, the public is getting a large scale view of the CIA’s and KGB’s real-life James Bond gadgets, from a replica of the Russians’ deadly poison-dart umbrella to some of the Amercians’ most ingeniously concealed cameras. The US exhibit includes dozens of items borrowed from a CIA collection in Langley, Virginia, many of them never before shown to the public. They can now be seen at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.’ (AP, 18 Feb 02).

Exhibits cover the period from as far back as the War of Independence. The exhibition runs till 14 Jul 2002. No contact data was given, but try: http://www.reagan.utexas.edu

NEPAL TO TAKE G36 RIFLE – MAYBE: according to JDW (20 Feb 02) the Nepalese army plans to buy around 65,000 Heckler & Koch 5.56mm G36 rifles for its 45,000 troops (another 10,000 men are planned), with the first 5,000 weapons scheduled for delivery in Feb 2002, the rest over 10 years, mostly at the front end of that period. The Nepalese rifles will reportedly have 1.5x optical sights.

Weapons to be replaced are AK47s, FN FALs, 7.62mm Galils and some older kit. However, it is not clear, JDW said, whether the sale can actually proceed under German export laws, since Nepal is in the middle of a war of attrition with Maoist rebels. A literal interpretation of the weapons-of-war law would appear to preclude it.

NO BELTED AMMO DEPLOYED WITH MINIMI FOR AFGHANISTAN: ‘British paratroops sent to Afghanistan were left without ammunition for their most powerful weapon thanks to a bureaucratic cock-up. The soldiers were deprived of the firepower from their machine guns for at least three days. The soldiers from 2 Para, who were sent as the lead elements in the International Security Assistance Force, had to patrol the streets of Kabul with sidearms. The paras are furious that the bungle left them without the use of their Minimi machine guns.’ (Sunday Express, London, 24 Feb 02)

The Paras had apparently opted to take 5.56mm Minimis to Afghanistan rather than the 7.62mm MAG-58, which was reportedly considered too ‘aggressive’, but the belted ammo – which is little used by UK forces – didn’t arrive with them. The comment about sidearms is a little pessimistic though, since patrols still had their SA80s. But the question we really should be asking is how come the wildly-hyped SA80A2 ‘improved’ Light Support Weapon has been sidelined by the Minimi?

We guess you already know the answer to that one – it’s a better weapon for the intended job, and doesn’t come with any of the confidence baggage still trailing in SA80’s wake.

Though we would not wish to use any 5.56mm machine gun for very long in the classic sustained-fire role, due to the rapid barrel wear with this calibre, the Minimi is a very good choice for the ‘machine rifle’ task, and has been used this way a lot by US forces in recent years, with above-average numbers of men in infantry patrols carrying these guns on past overseas missions.vThe British policy which is now evolving, apparently established as a result of experience in Kosovo, seems to be “give the Minimi to those who might be called upon to do some real soldiering and everyone else can have the LSW.” They are reportedly being issued on the exact same scale as the LSW, ie one per infantry fire team (two per squad).

As increasing evidence of this trend we note that the 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regiment, which is relieving 2 Para in Kabul this month has also acquired Minimis, which troops were zeroing at their Pirbright (Surrey) camp on 7 March. They are the first British line infantry to have this weapon, which hitherto had been issued only to special forces and the Paras, particularly their pathfinder platoon.

While the official reason for issuing Minimi is to compensate for the shortcomings of the magazine-fed LSW in providing ‘suppressive fire’, this is not a very convincing justification. Magazine-fed LMGs have been used for the past 60 years or more, and were never considered lacking in that department before.

More VCs have been won by British & Commonwealth troops armed with heavy, slow-firing .303” Bren Guns (with 28-round magazines) than with probably any other weapon. Rapid fire in three to five-round bursts is quite adequate for the job (anything more is ‘sustained fire’, a role for which the Falklands War demonstrated that even the 7.62mm MAG 58 is not sturdy enough).

The absence of an interchangeable barrel on the SA80 LSW is an obvious downside, but though the Minimi (like the Bren gun) is issued with a second barrel, the empirical evidence suggests that Minimi barrels are rarely changed in practice, so the ‘spare’ simply becomes an added burden for the gunner.

The irony, of course, is that a Minimi without belted ammo rapidly becomes a magazine-fed weapon just like SA80, but is usually less reliable, since using magazines tends to make the weapon over-function (the reciprocating parts cycle back and forward faster than rounds can be fed), causing feedway jams.

So, at the bottom line, all the lyrical hype about SA80A2 boils down to is – well, not a helluva lot. The shift to the Minimi for any serious work frankly says it all. Unfortunately, no-one at the UK MOD has ever had the moral fibre to admit SA80 was a lousy investment and kill the darned thing off for once and for all.

Instead, what we’ve seen over the years is gradual ‘customer creep’, as first the SAS then others opted for better alternatives, then the 7.62mm L7A1 GPMG was ‘rediscovered’ as a squad LMG in place of the grossly unreliable A1 version of LSW, and now there’s the Minimi – and an official MOD requirement to purchase a further quantity of belt-fed 5.56mm guns for operational infantry (see other news). Nuff said?

Royal Ordnance does make 5.56mm belted ammo to special order, but since Minimi ammunition is also packed in special 200-round plastic boxes to hang on the guns, we wonder whether the present stocks might not in fact be coming from abroad. Maybe we need to enquire.

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. Here is a small sampling of a few of the July 2002 SADW articles. You can contact Nick at the email above, and make arrangements with him to obtain the full service sent directly to your email address. In order to receive SADW your e-mail system must be capable of receiving attached files, and the e-mail software system or settings do not reject files as large as 400kb. Each issue is full of insight and information for those with an interest in Small Arms, as well as his observations on world travel.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V5N10 (July 2002)

SMALL ARMS DATA BY WIRE (SADW): JUNE 2002

SAR Staff — Sat, 01 Jun 2002 01:17:57 +0000

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V5N9 (June 2002)

SMALL ARMS DATA BY WIRE (SADW): MAY 2002

SAR Staff — Wed, 01 May 2002 01:05:04 +0000

By Nick Steadman

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. Here is a small sampling of a few of the July 2002 SADW articles. You can contact Nick at the email above, and make arrangements with him to obtain the full service sent directly to your email address. In order to receive SADW your e-mail system must be capable of receiving attached files, and the e-mail software system or settings do not reject files as large as 400kb. Each issue is full of insight and information for those with an interest in Small Arms, as well as his observations on world travel.

SA80A1 LSW SCREWS UP IN AUSTRALIA: RAF News (4 Jan 2002) said that the Royal Air Force Regiment shooting team at the Australian Skill-at-Arms Meeting in Brisbane had to withdraw from the machine gun matches since the 5.56mm SA80A1 Light Support Weapon ‘was not performing well in the heat’ (up to 40 degrees Celsius at the firing point) and burst dispersion was poor, such that ‘keeping even a few of the rounds on target (was) far from easy’. Other teams, using 7.62mm GPMGs, were apparently not afflicted with such problems.

However, the LSW’s optical sight and lighter weight was said to be an advantage in the falling plates match, which also involved a 100-metre sprint. The RAF team came third in this event. No detailed word, however, on performance of the SA80A1 Individual Weapon, so we assume they were spared the usual busted firing pins & suchlike.

SA80A2 EXCELS IN AUSTRALIA: Soldier magazine (Jan 2002) said the British army combat shooting team, equipped (unlike the Royal Air Force Regiment’s team) with the upgraded 5.56mm SA80A2, won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at the Australian army Skill-at-Arms meeting in Brisbane, as in 1999, and that their weapons fired in excess of 21,000 rounds over nine days with no stoppages.

Incidentally, the UK Foreign Office confirmed on 14 Jan 2002 that all British troops deployed to Afghanistan so far as part of the new peacekeeping force had already received the SA80A2, and it was hoped that the pace of the H&K upgrade programme would enable all troops there (other than support units) to have the improved weapons.

SWISS 5.6MM AMMO REDESIGN: in common with a few other countries, notably Germany, parts of Scandinavia and now the US, the Swiss have embraced measures to reduce the amount of toxic emissions from their military small arms ammunition.

RUAG Munition (fomerly SM Ammunition, and before that the Swiss Army’s Thun Arsenal) tell us that since 1998 they have been assembling the Swiss army-issue 5.6mm GP90 cartridges with a new gilding metal-plated mild steel bullet jacket to reduce bore fouling and a new base seal to prevent lead vaporisation from the core.

Prior to this change the Swiss 5.56mm bullet jackets were mild steel with cupro-nickel plating, but – as all past users of pre-1950 .303” ammunition will know – cupro-nickel is notorious for fouling rifle bores. Using gilding metal should reduce the cleaning requirement and improve accuracy at sustained rates of fire.

The 5.6mm cartridge itself was adopted in 1987, replacing the 7.5mm Swiss as the front-line calibre. For the present the Swiss 5.6mm primers and propellants are still conventional, but it’s planned this year to go over to non-toxic priming, and an entirely lead-free 5.6mm bullet is also in development.

The US in particular has also identified changes which could be made to the chemistry of small arms propellants to reduce environmental pollution from harmful solvents. RUAG’s website says that a change of 5.6mm propellant is also foreseen, replacing imported powders which have been exclusively used in the past, and that stocks of Swiss-made powder from Nitrochemie Wimmis AG were to be trialled some while ago (in 1998/99), though RUAG did not mention propellants in its situation report to us, so we’re not sure whether the Swiss powder actually has any special ‘green’ characteristics.

This is all part of what’s officially designated in Switzerland as the GP90 Future Ammunition project. Ironically, RUAG’s new ammunition with base-sealed bullets is still not yet in general use by the Swiss army, since the defence ministry has substantial stocks of older ammunition batches to work through first. http://www.ruag.com

(footnote: for those who may be slightly confused by now, the 5.6mm Swiss is actually the 5.56mm NATO cartridge case with an all-lead cored bullet and no NATO-style penetrator. A different rifling twist is also needed. The special Swiss designation is largely political, to avoid any perceived association with NATO. Various unsuccessful attempts were however made in Switzerland to find a ‘better’ calibre alternative to the 5.56mm before the ‘5.6mm’ compromise was finally settled upon)

WHERE ALL THOSE AK74s ARE COMING FROM: a short in Defence News & Analysis (Jan 02) said that the recent fighting in Afghanistan had seen an increase in the number of 5.45mm AK74 rifles spotted on the ground, and suggested that this was due to Russian small arms support for the Northern Alliance. They may however have been unaware that the US government has also been quietly supplying the same fighters with AK74s – and a lot of other equipment, including some of the spookier Spetznaz-type silent weapons.

SNC .50 MK263 AMMUNITION: SNC in Canada confirms that the US Navy has adopted a special derivative of its match-grade .50 AP ammunition with hard steel core (Rockwell 60) as the Mk263, which is used in mixed belts with the Mk211 (Raufoss Multipurpose or MP) cartridge for special Navy applications, engaging targets out to 1,000 metres, where MP provides the AP-Incendiary effects, and the Mk263 the enhanced armour defeat.

Accuracy of the SNC match-grade .50 family, which comprises TP, TP-Spotter, API and AP natures and is designed to function in all long-range sniper weapons, is about 0.65 MOA at 1,000m. Special match-grade cartridge cases are used in this application, whereas the Mk263 apparently uses a standard case.

BERETTA’S MYSTERY SUBGUN: students of recent Beretta ads may have noticed a new weapon has appeared in them; it looks like a streamlined, very ‘modern’ 9mm SMG. We queried this with Beretta USA, wondering if it was the elusive 9mm police carbine, a concept which Beretta (like Glock) toyed with for several years but eventually shelved, fearing inadequate market interest.

Beretta USA did not confirm or deny our suspicion that this was the gun concerned, but did say ‘That is nothing more than a prototype. No plans at this time to be introduced.’ Ermm…so why include it in the ads, guys? We’re just bound to ask about it.

RADWAY GREEN HITS YEAR ZERO – GIMME A CLUE!: we noticed that the date headstamp on Royal Ordnance Radway Green’s 7.62mm NATO 155gr Competition ammo made in 2000 is simply ‘00’, which struck us as potentially a tad confusing for amateur archaeologists of the distant future, scrambling over the remains of ancient British rifle ranges, nuclear-powered metal detectors at the ready. The cases are also still berdan-primed, which is pretty drole.

NOTTINGHAM PATTERN ROOM, REQUIESCAT IN PACE: the UK MOD Pattern Room, formerly at the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, and most recently located inside the Royal Ordnance/Heckler & Koch (UK) secure compound at Nottingham, has finally closed, with the entire contents transferred to the financially-troubled Royal Armories at Leeds where – for the present at least – it’s intended the collection should remain.

The former Curator of the Pattern Room at Nottingham (Herb Woodend) has now retired, but has reportedly been retained by the UK MOD as a consultant to spy out likely new additions to the collection, while his former deputy (Richard Jones) is apparently moving to Leeds with the weapons. Presumably the extensive small arms library at the Pattern Room has accompanied the guns.

We gather the plan is to offer at Leeds the same sort of research service for small arms professionals which was previously available (by prior arrangement) at Nottingham and Enfield, and a new building to house the additional weapons at Leeds is said to be on the cards. The Nottingham Pattern Room already had little room to spare for extra long guns and heavy weapons, though it could still have accommodated a lot more handguns.

While earlier it was expected that the modern weapons from the Pattern Room might be sent to another secure MOD establishment (the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS) at Shrivenham was front-runner), it is apparently now planned to keep everything at Leeds, which – given today’s security paranoia – and the presence of lots of fully-functional, military selective-fire weapons – could, we anticipate, cause some new problems for the MOD. We don’t believe the Royal Armories could offer the high level of physical security which was available at Enfield or Nottingham, and we can’t imagine that the functioning modern guns will ever be put on public display.

All of this locational disruption might seem rather unnecessary at first sight when one considers that the initial threat to the Pattern Room at Nottingham was merely a rent dispute between the UK MOD and Royal Ordnance, its landlords there, but the problem was then exacerbated by the Royal Ordnance decision to close its entire Nottingham site (which includes its dormant H&K (UK) small arms plant) by the end of 2001, so it became clear that the Pattern Room would inevitably have to relocate somewhere else, and very soon.

We have some concerns about the choice of Leeds as a final resting place for the Pattern Room weapons, since the Royal Armories themselves have had a rocky time of late, and never achieved the visitor figures essential to the viability of the government/commercial financing deal on which the Armories project was first established. The UK government is currently propping Leeds up with additional cash, but – given the current official & public indifference towards anything to do with guns – how long this largesse may continue remains to be seen.

This situation seems just too uncertain in the longer term, so we suspect, therefore, that at least the modern Pattern Room guns will eventually end up back with the MOD, since they constitute an irreplaceable technical intelligence asset of the defence ministry, and one to which relatively easy access is required. There are also times when some of them may need to be fired, and Shrivenham (or maybe the School of Infantry at Warminster, which also – like RMCS – has its own collection) would be a much better bet for this.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V5N8 (May 2002)

SMALL ARMS DATA BY WIRE (SADW): MARCH 2002

SAR Staff — Fri, 01 Mar 2002 00:33:14 +0000

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V5N6 (March 2002)

SMALL ARMS DATA BY WIRE (SADW): FEBRUARY 2002

SAR Staff — Fri, 01 Feb 2002 00:21:24 +0000

By Nick Steadman

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. Here is a small sampling of a few of the July 2002 SADW articles. You can contact Nick at the email above, and make arrangements with him to obtain the full service sent directly to your email address. In order to receive SADW your e-mail system must be capable of receiving attached files, and the e-mail software system or settings do not reject files as large as 400kb. Each issue is full of insight and information for those with an interest in Small Arms, as well as his observations on world travel.

Issue No 54 – November 2001
An Electronic Publication from:
NICK STEADMAN FEATURES
Tel : 01273-773362,
International +44-1273-773362
Fax: 01273-822078,
International +44-1273-822078
SADW@compuserve.com

UK PRESS HAIL 22 SAS ‘WUNDERWAFFEN’: British newspapers went bonkers in October about the new ‘ultimate weapon’ carried by SAS troopers, but readers will be disappointed to learn that all they’d seen were the Regiment’s Diemaco C-series rifles with optical sights, laser aiming pointers and 40mm M203 grenade launchers, which have replaced their older M16s. However, the price quoted per system was indeed quite exciting – £5,500, which – if correct – strikes us as pretty darned expensive.

McBROS HAS NEW US NAVY .50 EVALUATION CONTRACT: the McBros .50 semi-automatic rifle (designed by Ralf Dieckmann), an initial run of about five of which is now to be produced, has also attracted the eye of the US Navy procurement boys at Crane, who are to receive a sample for evaluation early in 2002. The design is much as per our earlier coverage in SADW, but for the Navy gun McBros will be switching to stainless steel for many of the components and making every effort to reduce the weight.

The Navy is believed to be looking for as compact and light a design as possible, and while the McBros rifle could technically, its claimed, be bullpupped without any major changes to the operating mechanism, this would inevitably delay things, so the weapon the Navy is to test will, in the first instance, be conventionally configured.

BERETTA VERTEC PISTOL: the following is the 27 Oct 2001 press release issued by Beretta USA Inc on its Vertec pistol launch:

‘The Vertec (which was called the “Evolution” internally during development) began at a Beretta Law Enforcement division meeting late in 2000. At that time, an unofficial committee was formed to produce the specifications for a new version of the Beretta 90-series pistol which would address the evolving needs of American law enforcement and military personnel. The group determined that certain features of the now famous Beretta Elite-series pistols, along with innovative new changes to the existing design, would best meet those needs without a significant change in manufacturing cost (and thus price).

The group identified two specific areas which needed to be addressed as priorities:

Trigger reach. With the increasing number of small-handed police officers, military personnel, and private firearms enthusiasts, the long trigger reach on the Beretta pistol was seen as a hindrance. In response, Beretta’s Production department created a prototype pistol with a completely straight (“vertical”) backstrap. With the addition of a short-reach trigger and innovative grip, this prototype pistol was tested by people of all hand sizes. Experienced Beretta shooters such as Ernest Langdon and Todd Louis Green tested the modified backstrap to guarantee that the natural pointing characteristics of the pistol would not be affected adversely.

Accessory rail. A common request of both law enforcement and military operators, the Beretta Vertec uses a newly engineered frame design complete with integral accessory rails. These allow the user to attach a wide variety of popular white-, IR-, and laser-light modules to the gun. Rather than create a new proprietary mounting system, the Beretta Vertec uses the same rail dimensions as the popular “Glock” handguns and is therefore compatible with the same flashlight and laser attachments from such companies as SureFire and Insight Technology.

In addition to these two major modifications, the Beretta Vertec also offers these features:

Removable front sight. Using the standard 90-series slide, Beretta USA has redesigned the front sight area to allow a drift-adjustable, removable front sight. This will allow end users to replace the factory configuration sight with any number of tritium “night sights” and other specialty devices.

Flush-fitting stainless barrel. Decreasing the overall length of the pistol and providing a cleaner look, the Vertec follows the tradition of the Elite-series pistols by using a 4.7” flush-fitting stainless steel barrel. Standard Vertec pistols will come with a black (Bruniton coated) stainless barrel, while Inox versions of the pistol will of course be produced without the black coating.

Beveled magazine well. First seen on the Beretta Elite, this feature will now be standard for all Vertec pistols. The beveled magazine well allows operators to perform faster, smoother reloads under stress.

No lanyard loop. The standard Vertec pistol will not have a lanyard loop. However, special limited runs of the pistol may be produced with lanyard loops to accommodate specific mission profiles of military and law enforcement units.

Dual-textured thin polymer grips. Designed by a team of experienced pistol shooters, the innovative new grip panels on the Beretta Vertec have two different style gripping surfaces. Checkered at maximum friction points and pebbled exactly in those places where you need some freedom of movement, this revolutionary design improves both controllability and comfort.

The 92FS and 96F versions of the Vertec are expected to be available within 30-60 days (as well as ‘D’ and ‘G’ configuration pistols for law enforcement and military customers). Inox versions will follow in 2002. Pricing has not been set as of yet, but is not expected to be considerably greater than current 92FS and 96F base model pistols.’

BARRETT .50 DEVELOPMENTS: Barrett says that last year the USMC turned in all its .50 M82A1A semi-automatic rifles, which date back to Desert Storm, in exchange for the Barrett M82A3, which is an update of the M82A1A with high, full-length Picatinny scope rail, a redesigned buttstock affording a better grip to the left hand, spiked bipod feet, a detachable muzzle brake and a butt-spike, which is useful for keeping the weapon roughly aligned between engagements, while allowing the user to do other things such as topping up his magazines.

The A3 rifle is several pounds heavier, mainly due to the long rail, but the Marines are evidently quite happy with this, since it allows them a wider range of sighting options.

Readers will also remember that the US army has still to finalize its main .50 rifle procurement, which – we recall – was planned to be on a scale of one per 7.62mm M24 SWS. This XM107 project initially focused on Barrett’s M95M, a militarized version of the company’s bolt-action M95 bullpup, but after experimenting with this model for some time, the army decided that – while they liked the modest weight and handiness of the bullpup, as well as its accuracy, it did not offer the repeat-shot capability the military needed – in particular the recoil meant the shooter would not be able to stay on target while manipulating the bolt.

Feedback from specialist army units had shown that, due to battlefield variables and the long ranges involved, first round hits might often not be possible, and they needed the ability to make quick adjustments to the aim and to get second or third shots off as quickly as possible. Furthermore, they wanted to take advantage of the dynamic terminal effects of .50 ammunition by using a weapon which could rapidly place multiple rounds on target. A semi-automatic was thus the only real choice.

With all these points in mind, the army has now decided, instead of the M95M, to take the Barrett M82A1M self-loader, which has a long Picatinny scope rail like the USMC’s M82A3, but not as high, plus the other modifications adopted by the Marines (see above), but is a good deal lighter. The army procurement is proceeding, and after adoption Barrett will remain ready to respond to any additional product improvement requests, which could include further weight reduction, though one has to say there are limits to how far one can take this with a cartridge as powerful as the .50 Browning.

However, as we’ve said before in these pages, though the big .50 rifles may seem rather heavy to cart around all day by comparison with the pipsqueak M16A2, in fact they’re no heavier than a typical 7.62mm GPMG with basic ammunition load, which is considered a one-man carry in every army of the world, including the US.

It could be that troops today are simply getting weedier – the Israelis already ditched the MAG-58 for foot patrols in favour of the 5.56mm Negev, though if you stick to our personal rule of thumb, the more pain involved in humping the thing, the more grief you’ll most likely be able to inflict on the target when you finally pull that trigger. There’s no such thing as a free lunch – you can pepper that strongpoint all day with 5.56mm and merely frighten the pigeons, but go up a calibre or two and you’ll really start to see the chips fly.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V5N5 (February 2002)

Small Arms Data by Wire (SADW): December 2001

SAR Staff — Sat, 01 Dec 2001 02:33:39 +0000

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V5N3 (December 2001)

Small Arms Data by Wire (SADW): August 2001

SAR Staff — Wed, 01 Aug 2001 01:32:16 +0000

By Nick Steadman

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.

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. Here is a small sampling of a few of the May 2001 SADW articles. You can contact Nick at the email above, and make arrangements with him to obtain the full service sent directly to your email address. In order to receive SADW your e-mail system must be capable of receiving attached files, and the e-mail software system or settings do not reject files as large as 400kb. Each issue is full of insight and information for those with an interest in Small Arms, as well as his observations on world travel.

NEOSTEAD SHOTGUN UPDATE: the first batch of Neostead bullpup shotguns (see previous issues) will hopefully be ready in Oct 2001. Meanwhile Neostead has added a third member of staff – Alex du Plessis, the ADP pistol designer, who will be advising on manufacturing aspects. Negotiations are also under way with Truvelo, which manufactures the ADP, to assemble the Neostead guns, possibly using Truvelo barrels (which are the controlled items of firearms under South African law). Du Plessis reportedly also has some new ideas for sniper rifle designs, which could also become part of the new working relationship with Neostead.

As far as the US market is concerned, Neostead has asked BATF for guidance on whether the shotgun could be sold in the USA (to civil and/or police markets), either complete or imported as parts. A reply is still awaited. If a parts kit was the chosen route, the receiver would be unfinished, in order to comply with US controls, and the barrels would be sourced in the USA. We gather at least one US manufacturer may now be interested in making the Neostead guns from scratch or importing the parts for assembly, and that this relationship could also be a springboard for some of Du Plessis’ rifle designs.

Despite a lot of superficial interest, Neostead had no luck in the past putting together any concrete deals with US manufacturers, but we always anticipated the tune might change once production guns were imminent. And indeed, so it now seems. Retail price of the Neostead shotgun will still be rather steep at about US$1,000, but it’s worth pointing out that this is a complex gun to make, and the cost of production in South Africa is already around $650, so – taking distributors’ & dealers’ markups into account – the margins are by no means unreasonable. Furthermore, the $1,000 retail price point still compares quite favourably with that of other speciality shotguns, such as the USAS-12, and anyway – if you’d be perfectly happy with a budget-priced Mossberg, Remington or Winchester, you probably don’t need a Neostead.

Du Plessis is also, by the way, the designer of the ambidextrous magazine-fed Truvelo ‘Mega Sniper’ bolt-action .50 Browning rifle currently shown in Jane’s Infantry Weapons, though Truvelo also offers a single-shot bolt-action .50, reminiscent of the McMillan, which was shown at this year’s IWA exhibition in Nuremberg. The locking mechanisms apparently differ, the repeater having two rear locking lugs in addition to the pair at the front of the bolt.

LAND WARRIOR SAVED BY FUEL CELLS?: a late Apr 2001 item in the Guardian suggests that help for the black box freaks of the US army’s Land Warrior programme is now at hand, in the form of a sub-two pound fuel cell the size of a paperback novel developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington, and said to be able to provide 25 watts of power for a week. If so, this would represent a quantum leap ahead of all the current battery options, which require replacement every 12 to 24 hours, ruling out extended patrols without daily resupply. The fuel cell will use aviation spirit or diesel to produce hydrogen which is combined with oxygen to generate the power. 2003 could see it available for testing, by which time the Land Warrior bill to US taxpayers is expected to have risen to $2,000,000,000.00. Enjoy!

.408 CHEYENNE TACTICAL LONG-RANGE TESTS: Dr John Taylor’s .408 Cheyenne Tactical (CheyTac) Intervention rifle (see previous issues) has recently undergone long-range test-firing at Arco (Idaho) (elevation 5,300 feet) to validate the ammunition design. A Leupold Mark 4 16x40mm Mil-dot scope sight was used.

Some notes from these .408 tests follow:-

a. 17 Apr 01 – using the 419gr projectile at an MV ‘in the low 2900s’, sub-MOA groups were obtained out to 1,500 yards in strong gusty wind. Both 1:12” and 1:13” twist barrels were tested, the 1:13” being preferred on account of the MV, which is 150fps higher.

b. April 18, 2001:-

– at 1,900 yards – 3-shot group of 19 inches with 2 of the 3 shots 4 inches apart.

– at 2,100 yards – 3-shot group of 30 inches with 2 of the 3 shots 10 inches apart. Mirage starting to build up.

– at 2,200 yards – mirage too intense to see target.

c. April 19, 2001 – the 419gr projectile appears still to be supersonic at 3,000 yards, as opposed to 1,900 to 2,300 yards for the .50 BMG; however problems were experienced shooting decent groups beyond 2,300 yards due to uneven downrange wind conditions, and Taylor had resolved (after the tests recorded in this report) to redesign the chamber to advance the bullet in the lede and increase the MV to 3,000 fps, hopefully improving the wind-bucking capability as well as inherent accuracy.

d. April 20, 2001 – 39-inch groups were obtained at 2,300 yards, in gusty winds, with near-perfect elevation and only lateral (wind) dispersion.

e. April 22, 2001 – elevation was claimed to be perfect out to 3,000 yards, but with horizontal dispersion still a problem.

f. April 23, 2001 – Taylor established that the bullet goes transonic between 3,300 and 3,400 yards. This and other ballistic characteristics are to be verified later at Yuma Proving Ground using doppler radar instrumentation.

Taylor also has plans to try to reduce the weight of the Intervention rifle (currently 23 pounds without scope) by up to four pounds, and to improve stability by moving the bipod to 12 to 14” ahead of the receiver (it’s currently located at the front of the receiver). http://www.cheyennetactical.com

SANDIA’s WARP-SPEED ACCELERATOR COULD HAVE GUN POTENTIAL: A Daily Telegraph item in late Feb 2001 gave details of Sandia National Laboratory’s Z Accelerator, christened ‘the fastest gun in the West’, which the paper said uses 20,000 amps of electrical power to accelerate small metal discs to 45,000 mph. Sandia’s website adds that the Z accelerator is the world’s most powerful X-ray machine, part of the Department of Energy’s research programme to design an accelerator fast enough to simulate nuclear fusion, avoiding the need for underground testing of the real thing. Substitute materials such as titanium & copper were reportedly needed to stop the aluminium projectiles liquifying under the severe forces involved.

Apparently another possible application of this technology could be to fire spacecraft out of the Earth’s gravitational field. The performance so far (albeit with a tiny projectile at a range of only a few feet) is already three times what that mission would require, though one assumes that – when suitably scaled-up – the launch system would be a monster, consuming horrendous amounts of electricity. Other roles could, it’s claimed, include hypervelocity battlefield guns. It’s also being used to assess the likely damage to space exploration vehicles from ‘space junk’ impact, and for studying how materials behave under extreme conditions.

APOBS FOR SURVIVABLE BANGALORE OPS: OK, so now you’ve all seen ‘Saving Private Ryan’ at least twice, and watched all that nasty barbed wire being blown up, you all know what a Bangalore Torpedo is, right? Defense News said that the old WW2-era M182 Bangalore was, amazingly, still in US Marine Corps service, but would be supplemented from Autumn 2001 by APOBS, aka the Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System. As you’ll know from the movies, the chief problem with the Bangalore is finding some poor schmuck (well, a whole team of ‘em, in fact) to rush out under withering fire, connect and ram ever more 13-pound sections of the thing towards the obstacle and then light it, most of ‘em dying in the process. It’s an ideal job for someone who’s thoroughly tired of life. We recommend platoon commanders first use up any of their troops who’ve received ‘Dear John’ letters in the past 24 hours.

However, with APOBS, a rocket drags a line charge with a six-second delay fuze over the obstacle and is finally braked by a parachute, whereupon it detonates, reportedly clearing a safe path two feet wide and about 50 yards long. Furthermore, APOBS can also be remotely fired by cable. Only one major downside – the darned thing apparently weighs 130 pounds and needs two men to cart it around, which is likely to make it rather unpopular. Also, Defence News noted that because APOBS detonates on the surface of the obstacle rather than (as with a Bangalore) beneath or inside it, results may be less reliable. This, people, is the price you pay for casualty avoidance, which is obviously one of the aims. At the risk of repeating ourselves, no pain, no gain.

IRANIAN AMMUNITION OPTIONS: Miltech in Germany listed the lines offered by the Ammunition Industries Group (AMIG) of the Iranian Defence Industries Organisation (IDO), including:-

5.56x45mm
9x19mm
.38
.40 (presumably .40 S&W)
.45
7.62x51mm
7.62x39mm
7.62x54mm rimmed
12.7mm (NATO or Russian not stated)
1” signal cartridges
1.5” anti-riot cartridges
Commercial shotgun & rifle ammunition
Primers, cases & other components

AMIG has reportedly been in the ammunition business for over 60 years, and is claimed to manufacture to international standards of quality assurance. As some readers may know, Iran already does a fair job cloning MP5 and MP5K SMGs, plus Webley-Schermuly riot guns, though we don’t expect the Pentagon to be listed among its loyal customers anytime soon.

POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVING 40MM GRENADE LAUNCHER EFFECTIVENESS: a paper by Royal Ordnance boffins embedded at the Royal Military College of Science (RMCS Shrivenham) claimed that while the range of low-velocity 40mm grenade launchers is around 400 metres, in practice, due to the limitations of existing sighting systems, this was reduced to no more than 150 metres. This is well below the 300-600 metre engagement bracket for rifles, LMGs and anti-armour launchers, with obvious implications for their tactical usefulness.

In particular, poor range estimation was identified as a major culprit in targeting errors with 40mm systems, an aspect not helped by the very low (nominally 75 m/s) MV and rainbow-like trajectory of the grenades. It suggested that, to reduce this mismatch and extend 40mm launcher effectiveness, a number of improvements would help. These could include laser-assisted rangefinding, higher velocity, recoil elimination, airburst & other advanced fuzing, maybe even guided projectiles. At Shrivenham the boffins set up their own ‘synthetic environment’ in their offices, using simulated area (trench) & window targets at ranges to 300 metres, in order to test some of their theories, with a laser rangefinder & magnifying optical sight on the weapon and a head-mounted display worn by the firer.

The host weapon was a modified SA80 fitted with a 40mm H&K underbarrel launcher and control buttons on the handguard, and the whole outfit was integrated with the prototype FIST equipment (UK version of Land Warrior). The tests required the firer to aim using the weapon sight, then lase the target for range data. Eyeballing the target through his head-mounted display he then had to simply align two icons just above his line of sight before finally firing. This technique should theoretically produce 1st round hits.

Claimed results suggested 1st round accuracy improvements of ‘an order of magnitude’ better than for firers using standard equipment and visually estimating the target’s range, but some operators found it took far too long to aim (up to ten seconds) using all this new fire control equipment, nor were all of them happy with the ergonomics.

(nb: this time aspect reinforces our own lingering concerns about the complexity of all Land Warrior systems and procedures detracting from users’ concentration on the urgent tasks in hand – delivering fast, effective fire and (just as important, if not more so) avoiding that of the other guys)

The modified system performed almost as well as the theoretical expectation against the area target out to 200 yards, though – despite marked improvements – the window target results still fell short of the boffins’ aspirations. While vertical round-to-round miss errors with the prototype equipment were only slightly worse than if the range was known in advance and a simpler red dot sight was used, horizontal round-to-round dispersion errors were noticeably greater. Furthermore, firers also found it difficult and slow to accurately lase man-sized targets beyond 250-300 metres. Just don’t ask why, having had the opportunity more than a decade ago to adopt a 40mm underbarrel launcher for use with SA80, the British army chose instead to adopt the much less flexible muzzle-launched rifle grenade, and even then essentially only for Desert Storm.

Despite their obvious advantages, only UK special forces plus some Paras and Pathfinders currently have M203 launchers, used only on M16-series rifles.

UK POLICE ALERTED TO THREAT OF ‘DISGUISED FIREARMS’: Police Review reported in mid-Apr 2001 that the firearms tracing unit of the UK’s National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) had alerted police in Britain to the existence of ‘disguised firearms’ such as mobile phone guns (see previous issues) and said that this class of weapon was already in circulation in the UK. NCIS says most of these guns, which can also be disguised as flashlights, cigarette lighters or screwdrivers (and don’t forget pen guns!) are being made in Eastern Europe and are very ingeniously designed.

As we commented in a previous issue, some of these ‘guns’ (for example the mobile phones and the twin-barreled Bulgarian Osa pistols) are not actually built as lethal weapons, being intended to fire gas or blank ammunition, but there are clearly backstreet workshops somewhere which are converting them to fire live ammunition, typically .22 rimfire. It was thought some of the mobile phone guns could well be in Britain at this time, and NCIS warned officers to be wary of phones being held in odd ways and, if possible, to check their weight, in case they might actually be firearms.

As we’ve said before, phone guns present a particularly serious security problem, for example at airports, as virtually everyone has a mobile nowadays, and few people ever give them a second thought. The chances of an armed police squad taking out an innocent phone user who may be acting oddly are clearly somewhat greater now, though hopefully not as high as in the US, where (as far as we know) they haven’t even woken up to phone guns yet. Over there, anything in a suspect’s hand tends to prompt a vigorous and often fatal response.

The NCIS firearms tracing system has been set up to hopefully enable the origins of all guns recovered by British police to be identified. It’s hoped this intelligence will also provide clues to the structure of the illegal firearms trade and allow effective action to be taken to tackle the problem.

Footnote: pen guns are another dangerous area, since some of them are extremely well-disguised. One manufacturer we’ve spoken to said he’d been told of at least one instance of his pen guns going through US airport controls entirely unchallenged, though, in fairness, the weapon involved on the occasion described was apparently a non-functional sample. Problem is, in the US passengers usually have the option of emptying their pockets before going through metal detectors. In our experience very little attention is paid to what goes in the little plastic tray along with the keys and change.

On the other hand, if someone is compelled to carry a weapon through controls and then triggers an alarm, we’re sure anything found during the subsequent patdown or manual scan is likely to be scrutinised much more carefully. Separately, we noted from the Charlotte Observer that a man was apprehended in Mecklenberg, North Carolina, in early May 2001 trying to enter the local courthouse armed with a loaded .25 pen gun and a knife. He initially set off the metal detectors and when questioned pulled out the knife, ammunition and the pen, telling the officers it was a gun – which deputies at the security checkpoint had already figured out. He was apparently only there to pay a traffic ticket, but now he’s facing weapons charges too!

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V4N11 (August 2001)

Small Arms Data by Wire (SADW): July 2001

SAR Staff — Sun, 01 Jul 2001 01:20:09 +0000

By Nick Steadman

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.

NTW RIFLES SOLD TO INDIA: South African sources tell us that Mechem sold 100 of its 20x82mm NTW-20 anti-materiel rifles (the Tony Neophytou design) to India, complete with 14.5mm conversion kits, but that there were reportedly some problems with the bolts when firing 14.5mm ammunition, requiring rectification back in South Africa. All is apparently now well. Due to further defence industry reorganisation, the NTW meanwhile became the responsibility of Denel, whose LIW division also hopes to sell its well-known 155mm G6 artillery systems to India.

MCBROS JANUARY 2001 PHOENIX VISIT REPORT: when we visited McBros again in Phoenix after the 2001 SHOT Show we found the company had been extremely busy since Jan 2000 finalising its new Tubb 2000 target rifle, developed in co-operation with leading match shooter David Tubb, which was shortly to go on sale. This weapon (see previous issues), which is a bolt-action design inspired by the Knight’s Armament SR-25, and uses that rifle’s ten or 20-round magazines, is – as far as we can figure – the first really ‘high-tech’ target centrefire to emerge so far in the USA. It’s the kind of thing one’s more used to seeing from German .22 match rifle designers.

Whilst there are, we’re told, probably only about 200 serious top-league High-Power rifle competitors in the US, it’s expected that the biggest market for the Tubb 2000 will possibly be American gun enthusiasts who like the ‘techie’ look and advanced features.

However, law enforcement and the military will probably also be a fertile market; SOCOM (we assume Navy SEALs) already want several for testing, in a special configuration which includes the Knight Rail Interface System (RIS), shortened barrels (with maybe 1:14” twist) and muzzle suppressors, capable of being taken down (just remove the barrel) and carried in compact containers. The basic rifle is a 12-pound, pistol grip design with stainless receiver, tubular slotted handguard, free-floating 25” stainless Schneider match barrel, conventional turnbolt, Anschutz adjustable two-stage match trigger, pistol grip and skeletonised, fully-adjustable buttstock. A bipod can be attached to the handguard, and iron sights or scopes are mounted on a Picatinny rail. Barrels are readily removable using an action wrench, and customers can, if desired, simply buy a basic rifle plus alternative barrels in different calibres to obtain a complete family system.

Aluminium parts, which include not only the handguard but the magazine housing, trigger guard and buttstock assembly, can also be supplied anodized in a choice of colours: black, red, green, blue, turquoise, violet or bronze. Target shooters, especially the youngsters, tend to like this kind of thing. Personally, we can tolerate any colour on a firearm, provided it’s black. There’s even a cant indicator available for those who insist on tilting their weapons to shoot, and the sight mount itself can also be offset at five or ten degrees from the vertical, though when we learnt to handle our first .303”, back in the late 1950s, that would have earnt you a sharp cuss and an even sharper rap over the knuckles from the nearest NCO.

Likewise we’re leary of all those cute Estonian, Clodsockian or Slobbovian cocked-leg prone positions which are so popular nowadays. We guess we’re just backdated, which explains why we’ve never been remotely considered for the Olympic team!

Both competition and tactical versions of the Tubb 2000 are offered, the former with a single-round magazine cutoff to comply with NRA High-Power Rifle rules. A left-hander’s version is to follow. Recommended retail price (according to calibre) runs from $2,650 (.308 tactical version) to $2,950 (competition models). Spare barrels (complete with wrench) are $475.

Apart from .308, calibre options include .243, .260 Rem, 6mmX (a shortened .243) and 7mm-08; last year McBros also mentioned 6.5mm/.284, 7mm International and 6.5mm/.308.

There’s also interest in the Tubb rifle chambered for Winchester’s new .300 WSM short magnum cartridge, and McBros is now developing a version of the same weapon in .338 Lapua Magnum; this will require a new receiver and magazine. The US military had previously expressed interest in the relatively recent McBros bolt-action .338 Lapua Magnum weapons, but the basic military preference is still for detachable magazines, as provided on the Tubb rifle. Ammunition supply for the .338 is continuously improving; Black Hills is now making this calibre in the US, using 300gr Sierra Match bullets, and Federal is thought to be looking at offering its own .338 Lapua Mag loading in its Gold Medal line.

McBros also advised that Lapua itself is now offering four types of .338 – both tracer & (we believe) blank, in addition to the ball & AP loadings we tested in Finland some while ago.

Just like Robar, McBros has also seen demand for its .50 weapons increase substantially since Jan 2000, with production of .50 receivers more than doubled to around 500. And the company has sold a lot of .50 actions and barrels to the US navy for production of their own M88 rifles – the same US Navy-style .50 stock with detachable butt was also sold to UK special forces. However, this .50 workload, plus the Tubb developments, has meant that nothing more has yet been done with the interesting McBros .50/20mm Fat Mac system (Oops! Last year we see we called it the Big Mac!), based on a cut-down 20mm Vulcan cartridge necked down to .50.

The titanium rifle actions we saw earlier at McBros have not been very heavily promoted in the intervening year, but have nevertheless become a steady business.

7.62mm Minigun parts production for Dillon has also increased considerably in the past year, and if the rumoured DoD Minigun replacement programme were to proceed, this could be a very substantial bonus to both Dillon and McBros. We again spoke both to designer Ralf Dieckmann and Rock McMillan about the .50 semi-auto rifle Dieckmann has been developing for McBros over the past few years. At the time, some 75% of the production drawings had been completed, with the rest due by Spring this year, and it was hoped to build the production guns later in 2001.

The new trigger mechanism adopted last year has been successfully tested, and the prototype is said to shoot inside a minute at 1,000 yards, but it is still on the hefty side at 35 pounds; the target is to get this down to around 28 pounds. One lingering concern at McBros is a perceived need to find a muzzle brake design which will permit .50 SLAP ammunition to be fired without disruption of sabot separation at the muzzle. Clearly such a beast must exist, since SLAP has been used with other .50 rifles, though another possibility is that McBros could simply poach the buttstock buffering system it’s already used in the Tubb rifle, which features an elastomer cylinder in place of a buffer spring, and dispense with a muzzle brake altogether.

On the other hand, we hear very little about the military use of .50 SLAP; all the reports we’ve seen suggest that .50 MP is almost always preferred, because of the visual impact signature, absent when SLAP (which has only a small .30 calibre tungsten penetrator and no explosive charge) is fired. Pricewise, the goal for the .50 semi-automatic is around $5,000.

We should also mention that McBros is now located in an entirely new, modern facility north of Deer Valley Airport, on the extreme northern edge of Phoenix. A walk around the plant revealed (in addition to the EDM machines McBros uses to make its rifle receivers) virtually 100% CNC equipment. The quality of fit and finish obtainable with all this automated equipment is mighty impressive. We examined some barrels with what – at first glance – appeared to be integral multi-ported muzzle brakes, wondering how on earth they’d managed such a trick. However, despite absolutely no evidence of a join, the brakes actually turned out to be screwed on. The only other time we’ve ever seen fitting work like that was years ago on the old Mauser 66 assembly line in Oberndorf. http://www.mcmfamily.com, e-mail: mcbros@mcmfamily.com

SHOULDER-STOCKED ‘SMITH & WESSON’: Kettners in Germany are advertising a Smith & Wesson CO2 ‘revolver rifle’ comprising a pellet-firing Model 586 revolver clone equipped with a shoulder-stock, which appears to have an adjustable buttpad and cheekpiece. We wonder if they also do this accessory for the real thing? Just the trick for those of us reluctantly shuffling beyond our Jesse James heyday.

http://www.kettner.com/

IWA 2001 HEADS-UP: our sources on the floor at the IWA firearms expo in Nuremberg this year report that among the highlights were a clip-on shoulder stock for Glock pistols, new penetrator shotgun slugs from FIER in France, a Blaser-like Zastava straight-pull rifle, a TWM Smart Gun based on the Walther P99 pistol, a Kepplinger .338 Lapua Mag sniper rifle from Austria and a new semi-caseless ammunition concept from Voere, another Austrian exhibitor. The Glock shoulder stock reportedly hails from Wilhelm Bubits, who also developed a similar stock for Steyr’s new M-series pistols (which he designed), complete with internal compartments for two spare magazines in the butt. No tools are required for fitting. Our sources suggest the Glock 18 machine-pistol might logically be an early candidate for Bubits’ new stock, and we wholeheartedly agree! (Dan’s Note: Denny’s Guns is the US Distributor of this new Glock Stock. Contact at (816) 221-9117 ext 11)

Voere’s semi-caseless cartridges reportedly utilise a brass stub case and conventional primer for improved obturation, like the short cases seen on combustible 120mm tank gun charges.

However, we really don’t know why Voere is bothering, since semi-caseless systems permit none of the design advantages possible from dispensing with the case entirely, and they still require one to retain conventional feed and extraction mechanisms. There’s some saving in metal cost for the cartridge cases, but not a lot.

Voere’s earlier all-caseless .223 sporting rifles, though stylish, do not appear to have gone very far beyond the curiosity market, and we’re not convinced the future of a semi-caseless solution is any more rosy.

Remington’s pricey electronic sporters with their electrically-primed (but otherwise conventional) cartridges are about the biggest leap of faith the market might reasonably accept just now, and even this is still a major gamble. Unless new types of ammunition are available just about everywhere, they’re unlikely to catch on. Though Remington is now to supply electric primers for reloaders, the same reasoning applies, and anyway, not all hunters reload – and match shooters may not be allowed to.

LARGE-CALIBRE RIFLE SPOTTED WITH MACEDONIAN FORCES: a photo run by the Financial Times on 23 Mar 01 showed two alleged members of the Macedonian ‘police special forces’ in Tetovo, one taking aim with a large-calibre scoped rifle of a type we can’t recall seeing before. It looks like a .50, but could equally be an east-bloc 12.7mm. Styling is modern, with a magazine of probably five rounds and a bipod suspended centrally from the top of the relatively short handguard. The muzzle brake is a flat, ‘hammerhead’ design. It’s almost certainly a bolt-action weapon, but the bolt handle was not visible due to the angle of the photograph. It’s reminiscent of the PGM Hecate II, but definitely isn’t that French rifle. Another photo in the same timescale showed ‘Macedonian’ troops in Fritz-style helmets, but since these were identical to those seen earlier on Serb troops (see other news) we suspect the captioning was incorrect. Furthermore, the helmets worn by the Macedonian police with the large-calibre rifle were quite different. Big rifles are popping up everywhere nowadays – the other night we spotted footage of Russian troops in WW2 (at Stalingrad, we recall) rapid-firing with a 14.5mm PTRS semi-auto rifle, which must have been quite an experience for the shooter, if not the recipient, undoubtedly qualifying his shoulder as a potential Hero of the Soviet Union.

WORLD OF BERETTA AT THE NRA: if you want to see some classic guns from the 475-year history of Beretta, get on up to the NRA of America’s National Firearms Museum in Virginia, where 100 or so key weapons and other items from Beretta’s factory collection are now on display till the end of the year in a special new exhibit. There’s no admission charge. (National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA, http://www.nra.org/)

HODGDON 2001 RELOADING MANUAL IS ONLINE: save yourself the cost of a stamp and view Hodgdon Powder Co’s 2001 Basic Reloaders Manual on the Web at http://www.hodgdon.com/. The 74-page manual (paper copies free on request) includes new data for the .338 Remington Ultra, .338-378 Weatherby, .450 Marlin, .376 Steyr (thank goodness!) plus reloading tables for Longshot and Titegroup powders.

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V4N10 (July 2001)