Dear SAR,

It was with some interest that I read of the M 60’s being replaced by the M 240’s in the 82’d Airborne Division.

I served in the 82’d from 1985 as an 11B in the 2/508 ABN INF Bn, which became the 3/504 PIR when we went regimental in 1986. Shortly after I was assigned to the Second of the o’eight I passed the selection for the battalion scout platoon. What does this have to do with machine guns you ask? Well in 1985 a 21 man Scout platoon bristled with weapons. The most potent of which were our six, yes six, M60 machine guns. We were allocated two per six man squad.

I can’t say I loved my 60 but you couldn’t pry it from my hands. Before moving to the “Light Infantry” concept when we lost all of our firepower save one M 203 per Squad. I was able to do quite a lot with this “unreliable” and “inferior” piece of machinery.

I’ve never shot, nor even laid hands on an FN MAG, let alone the Army’s M 240. Maybe it is better. I leave that to the people who’s butts are truly on the line.

Being a FAG (Former Action Guy), and maybe an RKI, I note the change with a twinge of nostalgia, and reminisce of the twenty-three pounds of pleasure I toted through North Carolina and points South all those years ago.

Chuck

Dear Chuck,

The M-60 versus ______ (you fill in the blank) is going to be as everlasting a battle as the familiar Ford vs Chevy or 9mm Vs 45acp debates. There are many good points on all sides and it is doubtful that there will ever be a true victor. Thanks for a little insight.

Ed

Dear SAR,

I happened to be watching AMC the other day, and tuned into a movie I had not seen in many years “Black Scorpion”, which was produced in 1957 by the special effects master of the original “King Kong” in 1933. The film is set in Mexico.

Something of interest to Rafficarians in the movie, is the Mexican police official in the film ( a central character) who fights off the giant scorpions with what appears to be a Mendoza C-1934 or RM-1 light machine gun (albeit in the semi-auto mode only, possibly for budget reasons?) Though this might be of interest to you.

Bob

Dear Bob,

Thanks for the heads up. The movies certainly do provide everyone with a different perspective depending upon their particular interest. You can always pick out the gun guys in the movie theatre because every time someone plants a 9mm round into a car and it causes it to explode, there is always a groan and an “as if.” I always thought it was limited to those of us in the gun culture until a buddy of mine went to see a movie with a trucker. Every time a truck came on to the screen, he would whisper “Oh please…as if a ‘72 Mack will roll at 104Mph, and they never used that transmission in that year anyway.”

Ed

Dear SAR,

In reference to the feature on the BATF Form 1 – July 1998, I am most interested in item 4 (1) State why you intend to make firearm. Since the author Jeff W. Zimba did not cover this item perhaps the folks at SAR can offer some advice on what to fill in on item 4 (I) as I could see a slip of the pen could cause you a lot of grief!

Also might I suggest that people who shoot the belt fed water cooled guns can add a can of automotive “water pump lubricant” to the water jacket as this is the same as water soluble cutting oil used by machine shops.

Ed R.

Dear Ed R,

The most common answer to that question in the authors opinion is; “For my private collection”. Were glad to pass along your tip on the lubricant.

Ed

Details Of Treasury Department Study Shows the Reasoning Behind the recent Import Gun Ban

How the federal government justified its April 6 import ban on some 58 different firearm models is contained within the report, “Department Of The Treasury Study On The Sporting Suitability Of Modified Semiautomatic Assault Rifles” issued by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (BATF).

On November 14, 1997, President Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Rubin ordered a review of the importation of certain modified versions of various firearms (which were modified to comply with U.S. import regulations) then being imported into the U.S. The decision to conduct the review stemmed from concerns that the rifles being imported were essentially the same as so-called semiautomatic “assault rifles” previously determined to be non-importable in a 1989 decision by the BATF and the Bush Administration. As part of President Clinton’s action, all pending and future applications for importation of the affected rifles were suspended until completion of the review.

Under 18 U.S. Code section 925(d)(3), import applications can only be approved for firearms generally recognized as “particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.” When BATF conducted its review in 1989, it found certain rifles, while not machine-guns, still had a military configuration that was designed for killing and disabling the enemy which distinguished them from traditional sporting rifles. This distinctively military configuration served as the basis for BATF’s finding that the rifles under review were not considered sporting firearms under the statute.

The military configuration identified by BATF incorporated eight physical features: ability to accept a detachable magazine, folding/telescoping stocks, separate pistol grips, the ability to accept a bayonet, flash suppressor, bipod, grenade launcher, and night sights. In 1989, BATF took the position that any of these military configuration features, other than the ability to accept a detachable magazine, would make a semiautomatic rifle not importable.
Subsequent to the 1989 decision, certain rifles that failed the 1989 “Sporting purposes” test were modified to remove all of the military configuration features other than the ability to accept a detachable magazine. Significantly, most of these modified rifles not only still had the ability to accept a detachable magazine but, more specifically, still had the ability to accept a detachable large capacity magazine that was originally designed and produced for the military assault rifles from which they were derived. Only one study rifle, the VEPR Caliber .308 (although an AK variant) was found to meet the sporting purposes test as it accepts only proprietary five and 10-round magazines. Like the rifles banned in 1989, the study rifles were semiautomatic firearms based on the AK47, FN-FAL, HK91 and 93, Uzi, and SIG SG550 military rifles.

A review was conducted on the use and suitability of “large-capacity military magazine” rifles in the civilian sector by BATF. The results found that while such rifles are sometimes used for hunting, their actual use is limited. Similarly, although such rifles are sometimes used for organized competitive target shooting, there are some restrictions and prohibitions on their use within target shooting organizations. Furthermore, it was said that these types of firearms are attractive to certain criminals, including “a rapid and continuing increase in crime gun trace requests after 1991 and a rapid time to crime” (meaning the length of time elapsed between the gun’s retail purchase and the time it is traced to involvement in a crime), the report notes.

In implementing laws, the federal government looks to the intent of Congress in a law’s drafting. During debates on the bill, which later became the Gun Control Act of 1968 the measure that first established the “sporting test” criteria for imported firearms, the bill’s sponsor, the late Senator Thomas Dodd of Connecticut, stated: “I would have to say that if a military weapon is used in a special sporting event, it does not become a sporting weapon. It is a military weapon used in a special sporting event… As I said previously, the language says no firearms will be admitted into this country unless they are genuine sporting weapons.” It should be noted that the major American firearms manufacturers largely supported the Gun Control Act of 1968 as it worked to stifle their competition from abroad.

1984 Analysis

Although the 1968 law established an import criteria for handguns, there was no criteria developed for evaluating the “sporting purposes” of rifles and shotguns, other than to impose a ban on surplus military firearms. The first time the BATF took a meaningful analysis of long guns under the “sporting purposes” test was in 1984. At that time, a “new breed” of imported shotgun had emerged on the market, and the agency felt the historical assumption that all shotguns were sporting was no longer viable.

Specifically, the BATF was directed to determine if the Striker-12 shotgun-a military/law enforcement gun initially designed and manufactured in South Africa for riot control- was suitable for sporting purposes. When the importer was asked to submit evidence of the shotgun’s sporting purposes, it provided information that the arm was suitable for police/combat-style competitions. BATF determined that this type of competition did not constitute a sporting purpose under the statute, and that the shotgun was not suitable for the traditional shotgun sports of hunting, and trap and skeet shooting.

1986 Interpretation

In 1986, BATF again had to determine whether a shotgun met the sporting purposes test, when the Gilbert Equipment Company requested that the USAS-12 shotgun be classified as a sporting firearm under federal law. After examining and testing the arm, BATF determined its weight, size, bulk, designed magazine capacity, configuration, and other factors prevented it from being classified as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to traditional shotgun sports and its importation was denied.

When this decision was challenged in federal court, BATF argued that large magazine capacity and rapid reloading ability are military features. The court accepted this argument, finding “the overall appearance and design of the weapon (especially the detachable box magazine…) is that of a combat weapon and not a sporting weapon. In reaching this decision, the court was not persuaded by the importer’s argument that box magazines can be lengthened or shortened depending on desired shell capacity. The court also agreed with BATF’s conclusion that police/combat-style competitions were not considered sporting purposes.

1989 Examination

In 1989, after five children were killed in a California school yard by a gunman with a semiautomatic copy of an AK47, BATF decided to re-examine whether certain semiautomatic “assault-style rifles” met the sporting purposes test. In March and April 1989, BATF announced it was suspending the importation of certain “assault-style rifles.” The rifles involved met the following criteria: military appearance; large magazine capacity; and, being a semiautomatic version of a machinegun. A BATF working group was established to reevaluate the importability of these rifles. On July 6, 1989, the group issued its report.

In the 1989 report, the working group discussed whether the rifles under review fell within a “type” of firearm for the purposes of U.S. law. The group concluded that most of the “assault-type” rifles under review represented “a distinctive type of rifle (which it called the “semiautomatic assault rifle”) distinguished by certain general characteristics common to the modern military assault rifle. The working group explained that the modern military assault rifle is a weapon designed for killing or disabling the enemy and has characteristics designed to accomplish this purpose. Moreover, it found that these characteristics distinguish modern military assault rifles from traditional sporting rifles.

The working group identified the modern military assault rifle as having the following characteristics: military configuration (which included: ability to accept a detachable magazine, folding/telescoping stock, separate pistol grip, ability to accept a bayonet, flash suppressor, bipod, grenade launcher, and night sights); ability to fire automatically (i.e. as a machinegun); and, chambered to accept a centerfire cartridge case having a length of 2.25 inches or less.

In regard to the ability to accept a detachable magazine, the working group said, “virtually all modern military firearms are designed to accept large, detachable magazines. This provides the soldier with a fairly large ammunition supply and the ability to rapidly reload. Thus, large capacity magazines are indicative of military firearms. While detachable magazines are not limited to military firearms, most traditional semiautomatic sporting firearms, designed to accommodate a detachable magazine, have a relatively small magazine capacity.”

The rifles then under review were found to share all of the designated military assault rifle characteristics with the exception of being machineguns. In looking at the meaning of “sporting purposes” within the law, the working group found that its meaning was intended to stand in contrast to military and law enforcement applications and consequently determined police/combat-type competitions should not be treated as sporting activities.

The working group then evaluated whether the semiautomatic assault rifle type of firearm is generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to traditional sporting applications. Taken into account were technical and marketing data, expert opinions, and information on the recommended and actual uses for which the arms were employed in this country. Criminal use, however, was not considered in the analysis. The group concluded semiautomatic “assault rifles” are not generally recognized for sporting purposes use and thus, should not be imported.

However, some of the rifles under review (the Valmet Hunter and .22 rimfire rifles), did not fall within the semiautomatic assault rifle type. In the case of the Valmet Hunter, the working group found that although it was based on the operating mechanism of the AK47 assault rifle, it had been substantially changed so that it was similar to a traditional sporting rifle. Specifically, it did not have any of the military configuration features identified by the working group except for the ability to accept a detachable magazine.

Following the 1989 ban, BATF took the position that a semiautomatic rifle with any of the eight military configuration features identified in the 1989 report, often than the ability to accept a detachable magazine, failed the sporting purposes test and, therefore, was not importable.

1997 Ban Analysis

One of the most interesting aspects of the 1997 import ban is that the government is taking a very narrow view of the “sporting purposes” test to refer solely to the traditional sports of hunting and organized competitive target shooting. Self-defense uses of the firearms in question are not considered, nor is informal target shooting or the activity of shooting at randomly selected bottles and cans known as “plinking.”

Following the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968, the Secretary of the Treasury established a council (known as the Firearms Evaluation Panel, or FEP) to provide guidance in implementing the sporting purposes test. This panel was composed of representatives from the military, the law enforcement sector, and the firearms industry.

The FEP addressed the activity of “plinking” and determined it was not a legitimate sporting purpose under the statute. The panel found, according to the report, that, “while many persons participate in this type of activity and much ammunition was expended in such endeavors, it was primarily a pastime and could not be considered a sport for the purposes of importation since any firearm that could expel a projectile could be used for this purpose without having any characteristics generally associated with target guns.”

On another point, although the 1989 study did not consider the criminal use of firearms in its importability analysis, such information was included in the latest study. Noted anti-gun advocate Garen J. Wintemute, MD, M.P.H. director of the Violence Prevention Research program, University of California, Davis, was among those retained to provide assistance with crime-related information.

While in the 1989 review the ability of a firearm to accept a detachable large capacity magazine, in the absence of other military configuration features, was not viewed as disqualifying in the “Sporting purposes” test, this view was changed in 1997. Giving impetus to this decision was the 1994 Congressionally passed ban on manufacture (for the civilian sector) of large capacity magazines. In passing the 1994 law, Congress found magazine capacity to be such an important factor that semiautomatic rifles that cannot accept a detachable magazine holding more than five rounds were not found to be banned, even if the rifle contained all five of the “assault weapon” features listed in the law.

“If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a small chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than live as slaves.” – Sir Winston Churchill (attr.)

Astute Rafficarians may quickly catch up with me on one of the photos in this edition of Raffica. Here is why; for many years I have been asked the difference between a metric FAL magazine and an inch FAL magazine, and I thought I finally had the photos for you. Well, sort of. It just seemed like I never was in the right place at the right time to have both magazines in hand, and a camera as well.

At a recent visit to Reed Knight’s reference collection, I thought I would snap a shot of the two in between other projects. I grabbed a metric mag out of a gun, then looked and found an “Inch Pattern” gun and took it’s magazine, then did the photo comparison of the main difference- the front lugs. Upon returning the magazines to the rightful places, I discovered that the “Inch Pattern” FAL was in fact a “T-48”. Reed is always full of surprises, no exceptions this time.

The question from assorted readers has basically been- “How do I tell the difference between the two magazines?”

There are differences in each run of magazines that were made- from the originals, to the UK variants, the Canadians, and others. If you want the best information on FAL’s that is in print, Collector Grade Publications has the “Classic Edition” which contains all three of their books. I don’t want to get into all of the variations, but between the metric and the inch, the easiest way to tell is on the front of the top of the magazine, where the lug is.

On the metric magazines, this is a small dimple in the sheet metal of the magazine body. The dimple is raised to the outside of the magazine. On inch magazines, there is a lug welded to the front. The T-48 is very similar, if not identical, to the inch magazine lug, so I will let this picture suffice to illustrate it. Hope this gives you a quick clue to what the differences are.

Q2- I have one of the PIAT projectors that I want to set up for my WWII display. Are there dummy projectiles available for these?

A2- When the British PIATs (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank) were first brought into the US, there were some practice projectiles with them. I would characterize the PIAT as one great big firing pin and spring surrounded by a single tube of steel. The firing pin is about an inch in diameter! SAR will be covering these at length in the future, but I did manage to find a display version to photograph. It is at the US Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia. You should be able to get an idea of shape and scale from this photo.

Q3- I have an SR-25 rifle, and am always looking for magazines. I have been told that the original AR-10 magazines fit as well as the Knight Armament Company ones. While at a show recently, I looked at an SR-25 that had a different magazine entirely. Can I use any magazine that is called an SR-25?

A3- In Eugene Stoner’s original design, the magazine used was a slightly altered AR-10 waffle sided magazine. The alteration is one cut in the mag release slot, done with a mill, that extends the cut to fit the SR-25 release. (See photos). Once the surplus AR-10 magazines ran out, KAC started using the newly manufactured magazines that you have been seeing on other guns. Either magazine will fit your gun. If there is some question as to reliability of the magazine (If you are experiencing a feed problem) then check for the circled mark showing that KAC worked on the magazine. This is the quality control mark.

The modern Armalite Corporation, who manufacture the new AR-10 rifle series, utilizes a modified M14 magazine. These magazines do not interchange with the SR-25 series rifles. In the near future, SAR will be presenting ID guides to both the SR-25 and the AR-10 series guns.

Questions to: Dan Shea c/o SAR

ON TARGET SOFTWARE

Sight-In Systems, Inc. has just introduced their new ON TARGET software. The new program is loaded with features for every type of shooter; big game hunters, bench rest shooters, varmint hunters and tactical shooters. The program allows the user to set it up for his particular rifle and load! With ON TARGET the shooter can print targets, take them to the range and sight in, then enter the shot group along with chrono readings, rifle type and ammo loading and Presto. The program gives the shooter all the information he or she needs for perfect shot placement at all ranges out to 1000 yards. You can choose from more than 600 cartridges in the database or define your own (great for reloaders).

Other features include effects of wind, lead for moving targets, effects of shooting up and down hill and how temperature and barometric pressure affect scope settings. Two versions of the program are available; the Standard and the Marksman. The Marksman has several more features than the Standard version. Annual updates to cartridge and chamber databases are free for registered users via their website or for a nominal fee on diskette. Using a point and click interface, ON TARGET is available in either a 16-bit version for Windows 3.1/95 or a 32-bit version for Windows 95. This is one of the most detailed and helpful shooting programs I have seen. For more information contact; Sight-In Systems, Inc., Dept. SAR, 7529 Ravens Nest Ct., Columbus, OH 43235. Phone: 1-614-846-3090. Fax: 1-614-785-0366. You can also contact them via the web at www.Sightin.com.

M-11/9MM, M-10/9MM AND COLT M-16/AR-15 9MM MAGAZINES

C&S METALL-WERKES LTD., is now offering 32-round high capacity magazines for the M-11/9, M-10/9 and the Colt M-16/AR-15 9mm guns. The magazines are from existing brand new Madsen 32 round mags. These are single feed double column magazines. The mags are redone and then finished in a baked-on black moly-resin coating. The resulting magazine is very robust and is guaranteed 100% reliable. The
three styles are available now with conversions for other guns in the near future. For more information or to place an order contact C&S METALL-WERKES, LTD., Dept. SAR, 4025-O Old Highway 94 South, St. Charles, MO 63304. Phone: 1-314-928-1511. Fax: 1-314-922-9004. Their web site is www.csmetall-werkes.com

HIGH-RIDER FLAT TOP AR UPPER AND LEATHERWOOD SCOPE MOUNT

A new high ride flat top upper receiver for the Ar-15/M-16 series of rifles is now available from DPMS. The new upper is made to their exacting standards with a finish that matches the dark black AR’s perfectly. The high ride upper has a built-in Weaver type rail to accept virtually all optics. The high ride design aligns the shooters eye to the scope without added risers or super high rings. It is available either with or without rings. This new design does not feature a forward assist or an ejection port cover. Another new item from DPMS is their Leatherwood Lever Lock Scope Mount. This new scope mount will fit most weaver type rails. It features a steel locking lever and an aluminum rail body. There are no screws or clamps to deal with using this mount. The mount can be instantly attached or removed by simply throwing a swing lever on the side. The mount will return to zero time after time. It also has built-in ring windage adjustments. The mount comes with 1 inch rings but can also be ordered with 30mm rings. For more information or to order their fact-filled catalog contact DPMS, Dept. SAR, 13983 Industry Avenue, Becker, MN 55308. Phone: 1-612-261-5600. Fax: 1-612-261-5599. They’re on the web at www.dpmsinc.com.

ULTIMATE GUN CLEANING SYSTEM

Sporting Goods dealers and other shooters and enthusiasts can now thoroughly clean their firearms thanks to an eight-step procedure available from L&R Manufacturing Company. Used in conjunction with L&R’s Quantrex Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems, the procedure cleans 16 times more effectively than manual cleaning, even in areas that are impossible to reach by hand. Available in a variety of sizes, L&R’s Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems can readily accommodate from one handgun to multiple guns at once, including shotguns and other long guns. Used with L&R’s biodegradable and solvent-free Ultrasonic Weapon Cleaning Solution Concentrate, the systems remove crud, light rust, loose lead, powder build-up and copper residue effortlessly. Following cleaning, L&R’s Ultrasonic Weapon Lubricating Solution displaces all traces of water and leaves the gun with a uniform dry lubrication. The result is a gun that looks and feels “factory new”. To receive a copy of the step-by-step procedure chart, or for more information contact L&R Manufacturing Company, Dept. SAR, 557 Elm Street, PO Box 607, Kearny, NJ 07032-0607. Phone: 1-201-991-5330.

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

MORE ON SCOUT RIFLE FIXES: our US sources indicate that Steyr plans to produce new Scout Rifle firing pin assemblies which allow five different positions (instead of the current three) for the spring tensioning circlip. This should assist users to find a degree of spring compression which better suits the range of ammunition they may fire in the weapon. However, the alternative fix using two adjusting nuts still may not reliably fire INDEP Portuguese ball.

OLIN .50 Mk 211 (MP) AMMUNITION: Olin/Winchester told us in mid-Jun 98 that they were only then beginning production of a US-made version of the impressive .50 Multi-Purpose APHEI round, under license from Raufoss in Norway, using Norwegian bullets. We got the impression that Olin’s experience with the .50 WALAP round, an HE-enhanced variation along MP lines which was abandoned in prototype phase, had convinced it that buying in the Raufoss MP bullets was a simpler move than making its own.

7.62MM NATO DEPLETED URANIUM AP AMMO: a UK gunsmith writing on the Cybershooters list said that in the late 1980s he worked on a project to develop a 7.62mm NATO subsonic AP projectile from copper-plated depleted uranium (DU). We guess this was a special forces requirement. Anyway, apparently the material was very difficult to machine, requiring huge amounts of lubrication in order to suppress the dangerous swarf, and the only practical alternative, to cast or sinter the projectiles, presented other problems such as toxic fumes & high tooling costs. In any event, the cost of the DU bullets would evidently still have been around £10 a pop, and it’s thought the idea was eventually dropped.

M118 LR EARLY TEMPERATURE PROBLEMS: we recently saw papers suggesting that back in 1996 the new US military 7.62mm NATO M118LR (Long Range) cartridge with 175gr Sierra bullet achieved a chamber pressure of more that 64,350 psi when conditioned at 120 degrees F. At that time it was recommended by the USMC test facility that the M118LR should not replace the M852, nor should it be used in the M14 self-loader in summer conditions. Interestingly, three reports from the M118LR USMC tests confirm that groups with the 168gr Sierra opened up beyond 600 yards, with one referring to bullets exhibiting yaw when striking the targets at 1000 yards. We note the latest detailed specifications for the M118LR, dated 3 Mar 98, now prescribe a maximum pressure at 125 degrees of 57,200 psi. Manufacture of the first production M118LR ammunition has now started at Olin/Winchester, using a new propellant which meets this revised pressure specification. By the by, having now seen the dimensions of the M118LR, we would not consider it a VLD design (though this is how it was initially described), since it does not appear to have a particularly long ogive. This view is confirmed by discussion with other sources.

INDUSTRY & FOREIGN NEWS

HARD EXTRACTION WITH RG-HEADSTAMPED 7.62MM NATO AMMUNITION: back in Oct 98 we mentioned instances of hard extraction with Boxer-primed 7.62mm L2A2 NATO ammunition headstamped RG 90 (for Royal Ordnance, Radway Green) but with a red primer annulus. Ammunition expert Peter Labbett maintains this is subcontracted ammunition of Hirtenberg (Austrian) origin, despite the headstamps, but says that – as as far he can ascertain – it was rejected for UK MOD use and disposed of to rifle clubs. He also notes that all his samples of earlier Hirtenberg production for Radway Green are Berdan, not Boxer-primed.

PROZAC A FACTOR IN SPRINGFIELD SHOOTINGS?: for what it’s worth, a Jun 98 report in the Vigo Examiner said that Kip Kinkel, the teenager held for the Springfield (Oregon) school shootings, was on the drug Prozac. The paper noted that Prozac had been linked to most of the homicidal mass shootings of the last decade and said that its manufacturer Eli Lilly had recently been sued in this connection.

LATVIA & NICARAGUA GET M16A2s FROM USA: despite the Latvian authorities’ unfortunate attitude towards their significant Russian minority, we hear that the US government has nevertheless gifted 10,000 5.56mm M16A2 rifles to that country. We also understand that Nicaragua has received another 40,000 of these weapons from the US. Dealers separately trying to effect commercial sales of small arms to these countries which are receiving official US aid tell us they are appropriately miffed.
One wouldn’t, of course, want to be so bold as to ask how the US and other Western governments square their current, well-orchestrated ‘horror’ at the worldwide ‘proliferation’ of small arms with their continuing readiness to provide bulk supplies of military weapons as an instrument of foreign policy. Perish the thought!

‘YEAR 2000’ PROBLEM FOR FN 7.62MM M240: sources very close to the problem have pointed out to us that in the year 2000 the FN M240/MAG 58 machine gun will no longer be protected as a proprietary design, the Technical Data Package will theoretically be available to all, and other gunmakers (such as Colt, maybe) will then be able to bid on US DoD contracts for this weapon. And as it happens, 2000 will also be the peak year for US forces M240B orders.

PRIMEX ST MARKS MILITARY POWDERS: the Primex Technologies (formerly Olin Ordnance) St Marks Powder plant in Florida lists its military Ball Powder propellants in descending order of burning rate. The small arms natures (with applicability) are given for interest below:

WC 440S – .50 Blank M1A1
WC 814 – 5.56mm Blank M200
WC 818 – 7.62mm Blank M82
WPR 260 – 5.56mm SRTA M862 (short- range training)
WPR 270 – 9mm NATO HPT (proof round)
WPR 289 – 9mm NATO M882
WPR 293 – 9mm Subsonic
WC 687 – 7.62x39mm Ball
WC 827 – 7.62mm SLAP M948, SLAP- Tracer M959
WC 844 – 5.56mm Ball M193 & M855, Tracer M196
WC 844T – 5.56mm Tracer M856
WCR 845 – 5.56mm Ball M855, Tracer M856
WC 846 – 7.62mm Ball M80, Tracer M62
WC 846S – 7.62mm Ball M80, Tracer M62
WC 846 + CaCO3 – 7.62mm Ball M80
WC 750 – 7.62mm Match M118 & M852
WC 856 – .50 SLAP M903, SLAP-Tracer M962
WC 857 – .50 Tracer M17
WC 860 – .50 Ball M33
WC 860 + CaCO3 – .50 Ball M33

AUSTRALIAN .50 REQUIREMENT BEING RE-WRITTEN: we were surprised (see earlier issues) when the Australian forces failed to select any of the .50 Browning long-range rifles they’d been testing; these included the Barrett M82A1 and the PGM Hecate. Apparently none met the military’s requirement. Well, as often happens, we now hear from Australia that the requirement is actually being re-written, and thereafter a request for a further round of testing is expected.

MISSING WEAPONS RECOVERED (BULGARIA): back in April, Bulgarian sources confirm that eight Kalashnikov rifles and ammunition which had been reported missing by the Arsenal company (formerly Kazanlac Arsenal) were among a haul of illegal weapons recovered by police in Kazanlac during a raid in which 11 people were also detained.

FUTURE WEAPON SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY

IF THE OICW BATTERIES SIGH & DIE: an item in Army magazine quoted a Picatinny Arsenal official from the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) team as saying that if the combination system’s high-tech fire control system loses power, the 20mm smart-fuzed HE ammunition will only provide impact detonation. Which would, we guess, make the grenade-launcher component rather less effective than existing 40mm systems – though you could obviously bang off more rounds, and faster. Indeed, you might well need to.

MINE DETECTION BY SHOCKWAVE: Battlespace newsletter in the UK drew readers’ attention to a new technology under development at the University Buffalo, which may be able to detect mines, of whatever material they are made, using weak shock waves which are reflected off buried items. The method works by reacting to the different densities of material the shock waves encounter But so far only simulations have been carried out.

RUSSIAN ELECTRON ACCELERATOR: according to Jane’s News Briefs, US sources say an ‘electron accelerator’ has been developed in Russia that could be used to zap electronic circuits in bombs and stop vehicles.

EVENTS, PLACES TO VISIT

1999 NDIA (ADPA) SMALL ARMS SYSTEMS DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING: 21-23 Jun 99, at the Doubletree Hotel, Somerset, New Jersey, with firing at Fort Dix. (Tel(703)522-1820, Fax(703)522-1885, WWW – http://www.ndia.org/)

The Grassroots division of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action offers programs specially designed for legislative and political action. The following excerpts are from the NRA GRASSFIRE! Newsletter, June 1998. For more information call 1-800-392-8683.

RECREATIONAL SHOOTING ON FEDERAL LANDS

There have been growing concerns over the last few years regarding shooting areas and ranges located on federal lands. You may recall that there have been difficulties experienced by certain ranges and shooting areas, particularly as they related to the Tucson Rod & Gun Club (Inside NRA, May 1998). In response to these problems, NRA is gathering information from around the country on shooting areas or shooting ranges that have been closed by federal officials in the past five years. Information is also needed from clubs, associations, or individuals who have requested that an area of federal land be opened to recreational shooting or proposed the building of a shooting range and have been turned down. We hope to be able to use this information to help to ensure that public lands are managed and used efficiently, effectively, and safely to meet public shooting sports needs. For any firsthand information you can share concerning such closures or denials on federal lands, please send it to NRA-ILA’s Conservation, Wildlife and Natural Resources Division at 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. You may also fax information to 703-267-1543.

GRASSROOTS TIP

How many times have you attended a gun show, club meeting, or even an NRA event and noticed how few of today’s youth were actively involved in the cause of protecting our freedoms? While NRA has a myriad of programs geared toward our diverse membership, the Second Amendment of tomorrow can be safeguarded if we involve the youth of today. The NRA-ILA College Program is aimed at college and high school students, and this outreach program attempts to identify and work with pro-gun students to reach the next generation with our message. Our goal is to provide today’s students with the tools and information they’ll need to effectively bring the debate over our rights to campuses across the nation. Whether forming pro-Second Amendment student groups, hosting debates, rallies, forums, or utilizing school newspapers, today’s student can become and can influence tomorrow’s leaders on this most important issue. If you’re a student, or if you’re a parent with a college or high school-age son or daughter, and would like more information on this program, contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, and inquire about our College Program.

F.A.I.R. TRADE GROUP

Trade Group President Decries Schumer Maneuver As “Pure Political Grandstanding”

Charles E. Steen III – president of the FAIR Trade Group, a trade association of firearm importers – today decried Rep. Charles Schumer’s effort to strip “in-transit relief” from the FY-1999 Treasury Appropriations bill as “pure political grandstanding.”

“Schumer’s point-of-order reflects only his growing desperation about his dismal failure thus far in the Democratic primary in New York, “Steen continued. “He’s spent obscene amount of money on political ads to introduce himself and his policies to the voters of New York. All he’s gotten in response is a big yawn. Now he’s trying to make headlines on the backs of small businesses whose property was appropriated by the federal government.

Steen explained the background of the “in-transit relief” provision. “On April 8 of this year, Bill Clinton announced a dramatic revision of import criteria for firearms. The immediate impact of this announcement was felt by several small businesses that were in the midst of lawfully importing products into the country. The Administration essentially took the property of these law-abiding importers, who had acted on approved import permits, only to find that their product had arbitrarily been declared contraband by the time it arrived. This Clinton announcement made a mockery of their property rights – and this provision merely compensates them for their losses”.

Steen noted a precedent for the provision, and pointed to the provision’s broad bipartisan support, emphasizing that even the Administration agrees with the provision. We’ve been down this road before. Congress has passed, and Bill Clinton has signed, relief for other importers who were caught in this situation. Now, the House and Senate Appropriations committees have voted in support of this provision, and once again the White House and Treasury Department have signed on. They appear to understand the simple concept of fairness in government – that citizens and legitimate businesses should be compensated for losses suffered as a direct result of government action. Ask Schumer if he would protest compensating his constituents if their houses were condemned for a highway.”

“This isn’t about the principle of the matter,” Steen concluded. “This is about a desperate politician trying to salvage a failed bid for higher office. And if Chuck Schumer thinks that the voters of upstate New York will be impressed by his endless parade of gun control demagoguery, then let me be the first to wish him success in whatever career he chooses after losing the primary.”

FIREARM AND AMMUNITION IMPORTER’S ROUND TABLE TRADE GROUP
No. 5 St. Matthews Court –
Washington, D.C. 20036
Voice: 202/296-2537
Fax 202/296-2675

Ignore Criminals & Blame Honest Gun Owners: Clinton Endorses a Misguided Anti-Crime Proposal

(FALLS CHURCH, Va., July 8, 1998) “President Clinton’s latest anti-crime endorsement targets parents and ignores criminals,” said James J. Fotis, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) an association of 65,000 members and supporters comprised of police officers, crime victims, and concerned citizens.

“Clinton’s endorsement of the Durbin/Chafee measure, which imposes harsh punishments on firearm-owning adults whose guns are illegally taken by teenagers, is a clear indication that the President’s anti-crime efforts continue to focus on responsible gun owners instead of recidivist criminals,” said Fotis, a retired, highly decorated Long Island (NY) police officer.
“The Durbin/Chafee measure is a trap for honest gun owners. It is a useless proposal that will not reduce violent crime. The only purpose of the measure is to threaten law-abiding gun owners with stiff punishments if their firearms are taken illegally by teenagers. The measure ignores criminals and predisposes blame onto honest gun owners,” said Fotis,

“Clinton’s endorsement of the Durbin/Chafee amounts to federal law redundancy. Every state in America already has criminal negligence laws on the books that punish irresponsible individuals who allow guns to fall into the wrong hands. If those laws are broken then the violators should be prosecuted. Americans do not need new laws when existing law does the job. Americans need tough prosecutors and judges who will enforce those existing laws,” said Fotis.

With over 65,000 members and supporters, the Law Enforcement Alliance of America is the nation’s largest coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims, and concerned citizens dedicated to making America safer.

While tramping the aisles of the 1998 SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas this year, I came across a very nice looking AK style hunting rifle. The metal finish was almost “pretty” and it had very nice looking walnut furniture. I was at the ZDF Import/Export Inc. booth and upon closer inspection I discovered, lo and behold, the gun was chambered in .308! Welllll, there was something new and different at the SHOT SHOW. After a verbal rundown of the gun from the guys at ZDF and some quick photos, I arranged for a test and evaluation as soon as the rifles were ready to be shipped. A few months later I received a call from ZDF President Alex Robinson telling me the rifles were indeed ready to ship and that I should have mine in a few days. Several days later the U.P.S. truck delivered one of the first VEPR .308 rifles to my door.

A little background is in order here. The VEPR .308 Hunter is an AK style rifle manufactured in Russia by the Vyatskie Polyany Machine Building. The word “VEPR” is a type of Russian wild bore. The VEPR .308 rifle was designed from the magazine up as a hunting rifle, not a so-called assault rifle that was glossed over to look like a hunting rifle. It was also designed with accuracy in mind, but more on that later. In fact, the VEPR is even legal for Russian civilians to own. There is no full-auto version of this gun. The VEPR was the only one of the 59 rifles on the temporary import ban list that was not affected by the permanent import ban. Unless the powers that be (read that Clinton, by executive order) change their minds, the VEPR can still be obtained.

As I said before, the rifle is a nice looking gun. While it still shows its Avtomat Kalashnikova lineage, the fit and finish is nothing like your typical AK. All metal surfaces in the gun have a satin black oxide finish. It is non-reflecting but still exhibits a slight gloss. The rifles wooden forearm and thumbhole buttstock are made from Turkish Walnut. The wood does not have a lot of figure but is still a lot nicer looking that other AK type furniture. The monte-carlo style buttstock sports a medium density black rubber recoil pad. Wood to metal fit is very well done. Both the forearm and the pistol grip feature hand-cut checkering. The bottom of the grip sports a black grip cap. Sling swivels are installed front and rear. A black leather sling is included as part of the package. While on the subject of looks, one thing you notice when you first look at this rifle is the lack of visible spot welds. ZDF worked closely with the Russian manufacturer to assure that the rifle looks top notch and doesn’t show weld or machine marks. While the rifle does utilize a stamped steel receiver, the finish is nice enough that it resembles a milled receiver. Overall the gun sort of reminds me of the M-76 sniper rifle except it has a thumbhole buttstock.

The gun’s sights consist of an adjustable front post that is protected by ears typical of most AK style sights. It is set into a post that is pinned to the barrel about 1/2 inch back from the muzzle. The rather broad post is adjustable for elevation by screwing it up or down. the post rides in a cylinder that can be punch drifted side to side for windage. The rear sight is the same one that is found on most of the RPK’s. It is not only elevation adjustable but can also be adjusted for windage. The only difference is that the RPK sight is adjustable to 1000 meters and the VEPR only has markings out to 300 meters. Both windage and elevation adjustments on the rear sight can be done without tools and lock in place after they are set. Surprisingly, I found that the open sights work pretty well at distances out to about 150 yards.

The VEPR also features a scope mount rail that is riveted to the left side of the receiver. The milled rail mates very nicely to the scope mount that is included with the rifle. The mount is quick detachable by means of a throw lever that actuates a cam that locks the mount to the rifle’s rail. Rings are included with the mount and are 26mm with 1 inch inserts for U.S. scopes. In my tests I found that the mount held zero after being removed and re-attached.

Internally the rifles parts resemble your standard AK parts but will not interchange. This requirement was per ATF regulations. Internal springs are all the braided kind including the bolt’s recoil spring. The VEPR operates in the standard AK fashion, it is gas operated and magazine fed. Gas is bled from a port in the barrel into a gas tube positioned above the barrel. The gas impinges in a piston connected to the guns bolt carrier driving it rearward. As it moves to the rear the bolt rotates and unlocks from the barrel extension. The bolt then continues rearward extracting the spent shell casing. The bolts recoil spring slows the bolt and then returns to battery picking up a loaded round on the way.

As said before, the rifle is magazine fed. The magazines were made especially for this gun and will not interchange with other guns. Also the rifle will not accept magazines from other guns. This was also a specification of the ATF regulations allowing the rifle into the country. The magazines used in the VEPR are made from a fiberglass reinforced composite. They are black and their finish texture and color matches the rifle. They have removable floorplates to allow disassembly and cleaning. The magazines are available in either 5-round or 10-round capacities. One of each size is included with each gun. The magazine release is standard AK and magazines are inserted and removed in the same way.

As the rifle was designed for hunting and improved accuracy, I headed to the range with great expectations. I took along an assortment of hunting loads as well as some military ammo and some match loadings. On my first range visit I fired the gun using the open sights as I didn’t have a scope mounted and bore sighted and it was late in the day. Firing from the excellent Midway Deluxe Front Rest I started with some Winchester 180 grain Silvertips. Firing a five shot string produced a “group” of about 10 inches on the target. Needless to say, I was not impressed with this. But, the broad front sight post covered about half of the target at 100 yards. More five shot strings produced about equal results. I knew that a scope was in order. A few days later with a Leupold 3X9 Vari-X II mounted to the rifle I again headed for the range. The VEPR features a hammered forged chrome-lined barrel. I figured this alone should make the gun shoot well. This time with the scope mounted and a clear view of my target I again repeated the five shot groups.

The scope helped but I still wasn’t getting any groups to brag about. I then switched to some 175 grain Sierra Boat Tail Hollow point Match reloads. This load will produce 5-shot one hole, 100 yard groups out of my Remington PSS Police bolt action rifle. Shots with this load yielded groups in the 3 inch range. I also tried some of the excellent 168 grain BTHP Match loaded by Lex Bush at Rafter Seven Ammunition Company. This too produced groups similar to the Sierra loads. I realized that this is not a bolt-action heavy barrel match rifle but I still thought that it should shoot better than that.

Then the light came on. It seemed that the loads with the lighter bullets were producing tighter groups. Digging through my ammo I found some Norinco 147 grain FMJ. Yes, the copper washed stuff that you used to buy for about $5.00 a box. More targets were hung and more shots fired. Groups shrank to 1.89 inches for 5 shots. I later fired my best group with this same ammo. It measured .950 center to center for 5 shots. Not bad for an AK style gun. A call to ZDF confirmed that the twist rate in the ZEPR’s barrel was 1 in 12 instead of 1 in 10 as are most of the barrels in U.S. made .308’s. This is the only thing that I can come up with as to why the VEPR shoots the lighter 147 grain military loading far better that it shoots the heavier Match ammo.

The VEPR is a pleasant shooting rifle. Recoil is stiff but not unpleasant. This can be attributed to its 8.5 lb. weight, good recoil pad and stock design. The trigger is like most military triggers. It has a long take-up but breaks clean and crisp with hardly any overtravel. Trigger pull on my test rifle broke right at 4 lbs. The gun is typical of the AK design in that function is absolutely flawless. In all my testing, which included several hundred rounds of various types of ammo, it fed, ejected and otherwise functioned without a hitch. Ejection is positive with empty cases being thrown forward and to the right about 10 feet. The guns 23.5 inch barrel produced velocities of 2503 with the match ammo. The VEPR comes in two versions; the rifle with a 23.5 inch barrel and a carbine with 20.5 inch tube.

The VEPR is no tack-driving rifle, but it was not designed to be. It was designed to be a very reliable, durable hunting rifle. To this end it fills all requirements. Its accuracy is good enough for most hunting applications and you would be hard pressed to find a semi-auto .308 with the reliability of this rifle. The gun is not cheap. It will retail for around the $850.00 mark. But when you take into consideration that the rifle comes complete with 2-magazines, scope mount, sling and cleaning kit, it’s a bargain. Not to mention it looks great and it may be the last of this type of gun to come to our shores. Try one, I think you’ll be pleased.

Imported exclusively by:

ZDF Import/Export, Inc.
2975 South 300 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
Phone: 1-801-485-1012
Fax: 1-801-484-4383

Rafter Seven Ammunition Company
Lex Bush
62 South Highway 23
Dighton, KS 67839
Phone: 1-316-397-2519
Fax: 1-316-397-2559

In Part I of this article(SAR Volume 1 Number 12), the author followed the early development of the USP pistol series. In this final edition, he presents the present tactical forms, as in the USP Tactical pistol and the OHG, or Offensive HandGun.

The Mark 23 Mod 0 USSOCOM Offensive Handgun

As we have already mentioned, the USP was already under development when the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) issued its requirement for an offensive handgun, at the time designated the Offensive Handgun Weapon System (OHWS). While the OHWS designation was used throughout the development of the pistol the OHWS became MK 23 Mod 0 USSOCOM Pistol when the pistol was officially adopted and type classified. Pistols for civilian sale are designated Mark 23 and so marked on the slide rather than “MK23 USSOCOM.” We will use the designation Mark 23 to avoid confusion and to maintain continuity.

Before entering into the history of the Mark 23, we should examine the term “offensive handgun” or “offensive pistol,” which to many is an oxymoron. The handgun has traditionally been the weapon of last resort or a backup to one’s primary weapon, and hence not truly a weapon of preference, at least in military terms. The handgun is traditionally a defensive weapon, used in the military by officers as a backup and by others such as machine gun crewmen as a secondary weapon. While the pistol may be the law enforcement officer’s primary weapon, it is still considered essentially a defensive weapon.

Nonetheless, the handgun has been used offensively by the military. The first notable instance of this was the LeMat revolver used by Confederate cavalry in the War Between the States. This large 40-caliber revolver held nine shots, and its cylinder revolved around a 16-gauge shotgun barrel. All in all, the LeMat was a formidable weapon for its time. Confederate cavalrymen preferred to carry two of these big revolvers and used them for close combat in lieu of their sabers. A more recent offensive use of the handgun was in Vietnam by “tunnel rats” who searched Viet Cong tunnels armed with only a handgun and a flashlight. The essence of both operational uses of the pistol was the fact that it was used to carry the battle to the enemy rather than to defend against him. This single characteristic defines the essential difference between the offensive and defensive use of the handgun. While almost any handgun may be used offensively, few are specifically designed for that purpose. The ultimate determining factor between the offensive or defensive use of the handgun is the nature of the mission and as such no pistol can truly be said to be solely intended for offensive or defensive uses. However, the Mark 23 is intended to be used by special operations personnel to carry the battle to the enemy and kill him, not to drive him away, hence its “offensive handgun” designation. As such, a few of its essential required characteristics are worth noting.

The first of these is lethality. The .45 ACP has proven to be more lethal than any other military pistol cartridge in the world. Large magazine capacity is another salient characteristic of the Mark 23, with its 12-round (10 round civilian) magazine capacity. One-handed operation is another desirable offensive handgun characteristic because the operator will more than likely be using his other hand for some other purpose. This summary is not intended to be a comprehensive discussion of the characteristics of the offensive handgun concept or design, but to give the reader an idea of the thinking behind the requirements that eventually became the Mark 23.

The history of the current offensive handgun concept dates to 1987 when the naval special warfare community became dissatisfied with the M9 pistol. The Navy adopted the SIG-Sauer P226 in 1989 as an interim special operations weapon until a fully satisfactory pistol could be developed. In June, the Navy approved a requirement for an improved 9mm handgun. Later in 1989, the Navy and USSOCOM joined forces to develop a new pistol for special operations. The Army and Air Force both expressed interest in the program, but the Navy took the lead under their improved 9mm pistol requirement with the program office established at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane (Indiana), (NSWC, Crane) in December 1989. In February 1990, the USSOCOM Joint Service Operational Requirement (JSOR) for an offensive handgun was issued. The stated purpose of the JSOR was,

“To provide special operations forces (SOF) an offensive handgun for close-quarter battle and sentry incapacitation during target-site infiltration firing a family of .45 cal ACP munitions. This handgun will provide SOF a handgun with extended service life, greater reliability, increased environmental soundness and greater one-shot incapacitation than current service pistols.”

The requirement went on to specify four components of the offensive handgun system: The pistol itself, a laser aiming module, a suppressor and a new .45 caliber +P+ rated cartridge. The new cartridge was dropped from the requirement when no ammunition manufacturer could be found to produce it. The new.45 Super round which was mentioned earlier is similar to the original USSOCOM requirement and is now being tested for certification in both the Mark 23 and the USP45. Requirements for the pistol were stringent and definitive. The pistol was required to have a service life of 30,000 rounds of +P ammunition with minimal parts breakage before requiring depot level maintenance. It should be recalled that modified M1911A1 pistols currently used by some special operations units must be rebuilt to maintain accuracy after only about 12,000 rounds. The JSOR went on to require that the pistol demonstrate another 30,000 rounds service life on the frame and slide after depot level maintenance. Pistol reliability was set at 2,000 mean rounds between stoppages. Accuracy was required to be 2.5 inches average extreme spread for nine out of ten five-round shot groups fired at 25 meters. This constitutes near match accuracy from a service pistol and some at the time believed that the accuracy and reliability requirements were mutually exclusive. Subsequent events have proven that they were not.

Environmental requirements were that the pistol still function after having been immersed in 66 feet of sea water for two hours, after having been exposed to sand and dust for 96 hours, after continuous exposure to mud for 96 hours and after two hours exposure in surf and then 96 hours in a humidity chamber.

The initial suppressor requirement was for noise reduction of 24 dB dry and 33dB wet using M1911 ball ammunition, a 75 per cent flash reduction, less than two inches change in point of impact at 25 meters and a service life of 5,000 rounds. It should be noted that M1911 ball ammunition is subsonic and thus will not produce a “crack” as the bullet breaks the sound barrier upon exiting the muzzle of the suppressor. .45 ACP +P ammunition is not subsonic and a suppressor is therefore less effective when used with this type of cartridge.

Two competing contracts were issued in 1991 for development of the Mark 23. One, of course, was to H&K; the other went to Colt’s Manufacturing. By 1993 it was clear to all who had the opportunity to fire both pistols that the Heckler & Koch candidate was superior and would probably be selected. Colt’s candidate appeared to be based on the hapless All-American 2000 and the prototype that the author fired in 1993 was clearly inferior to the H&K pistol in terms of ergonomics and overall handling. Each competitor completed 30 pistols, suppressors and laser modules for Phase I of the development program. At the end of Phase I, Heckler & Koch’s candidate pistol was selected. Laser module selection was delayed. For Phase II, the refinement phase of the pistol’s development, H&K and Knight’s Armament Company teamed to provide 30 additional pistols and suppressors which were further evaluated prior to final production and fielding in Phase III.

The Mark 23 was a success in that it met or exceeded all of the rigorous demands placed upon it by USSOCOM. The fact that the Mark 23 exceeded most of the requirements, rather than simply meeting them is a tribute to the overall excellence of the basic design. For example, the Mark 23 was required to have a mean time between stoppages of 2,000 rounds when in fact, it exceeded the norm three times over! Accuracy was far better than the requirement, with group size averaging only 1.56 inches for all Mark 23’s tested. Service life also far exceeded the requirement. Mark 23 pistols tested showed no signs of accuracy degradation after having been fired 30,000 times with +P ammunition. This remarkable level of accuracy and durability is due to an ingeniously simple, but “high-tech” solution to the problem of achieving consistent “lock-up” of the barrel to the slide of the pistol. Heckler & Koch engineers placed a high-temperature rubber O-ring at the forward end of the barrel to seal it to the slide until the pistol unlocks. This rubber O-ring has a tested service life of over 20,000 rounds and can be replaced by the user without tools in a matter of seconds.

All told, though, the Mark 23’s design success has been tempered by the fact that not all of the US special operations commands purchased it. In fact, only the Navy currently uses the Mark 23 in quantity. As we have previously seen, this is not because of any qualitative faults with the pistol. Part of the reason may be the size of the Mark 23. A glance at the specifications table will reveal that it is a very large pistol, although it is not particularly heavy when compared to other contemporary military handguns. It is only marginally heavier than the M9 when empty. In fact, the Mark 23 weighs less unloaded than a M1911A1! Another problem may be the Mark 23’s price. At the time of the Mark 23’s initial operational capability in 1995, each pistol with three magazines cost the government $1186.

As we have already mentioned, Heckler & Koch has addressed potential shortfalls of the Mark 23 with its USP45 Tactical Model, which combines the best features of both the Mark 23 and the USP into a somewhat smaller, but highly accurate and reliable package with definite military potential. The cost to the military will be approximately $600. Given these facts, one is tempted to ask why H&K didn’t produce the USP45 Tactical Model as the Mark 23 in the first place. For one reason, the USP45 didn’t exist when the Mark 23 was in development; the USP45 owes much of its life to the parallel development of the Mark 23. Moreover, the USP45 was not what USSOCOM asked for; the Mark 23 precisely met or exceeded the USSOCOM requirement in every way. In point of fact, there are as many differences as similarities between the USP45 Tactical and the Mark 23, as a quick glance at Table 2 (SAR Vol. 1 No. 12) will reveal. For the immediate future, however, both pistols will be available to customers whose mission or personal needs require high-quality pistols of different size which offer slightly different capabilities.

The Wright Museum of American Enterprise located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire divides its focus between civilian and military life during the war years of 1939-1945. The military side is based on founder David M. Wright’s collection of about 40 U.S. military vehicles. The civilian focus is on Home Front activities taking place in support of the armed forces during the war.

“Our intention is to preserve that period of time when the U.S. industrial output was at its peak. Everyone pulled together during the war years and we not only attained victory, but also produced some very good industrial and military products. The whole idea behind this museum is to preserve that period when American-produced goods were tops in the world. We also present a slice of what daily life was like during the war years,” Wright says.

The museum showcases Americans’ enterprising spirit as the populace set aside their differences and answered the calls to arms of World War Two. The exhibits comprise an historically accurate collection of memorabilia, small arms, vehicles, period films and other artifacts intended to demonstrate the efforts the American people brought to this time of crisis. How daily civilian life changed, such as the entrance of women into the workforce and the migration of farmers to cities to work in factories, is portrayed through lectures, plays and motion pictures.

The museum site comprises six acres of land and contains about 32,000 square-feet of exhibit space within two buildings. The front building contains an arresting display of an American World War Two-era tank seemingly bursting through a brick sidewall onto the street. Inside, Big Band and other period music plays in the background as the visitor walks through the exhibits. Vegetables grown in an on-site Victory Garden are donated to a local foodbank.

Former members of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) are honored by what Wright calls “the largest WASP exhibit in the country.” WASPs were not allowed to fly in combat but served by delivering fighter aircraft from factories to military bases, and helping to train male combat pilots.

Another exhibit honors the late René Gagnon, a New Hampshire Marine and Medal of Honor winner depicted in the famous wartime photograph and later sculpture of the World War Two Iowa Jima flag-raising.

Girl-power on the Home Front became America’s wartime strength, the museum exhibits detail. By 1944, there were 18.7 million more people at work in the U.S. than in 1939 and they were producing 40% of the world’s armaments. By July of 1945, the U.S. had built close to 300,000 aircraft, 71,000 Navy ships, 600,000 Jeeps, and 102,000 tanks.

With raw materials badly needed for the fabrication of arms, Americans formed the largest scrap drives in history. Tons of tires, toothpaste tubes, aluminum pots and tin cans piled into armament plants. For example, one old automobile radiator was said to provide the raw material for the production of seventeen .30 caliber rifles. One shovel could be converted into four hand grenades and 12 gas masks could be made from one old rubber tire. Rationing spread through the nation making shoes, food, liquor, cigarettes and especially gasoline, available only through a point system.

In keeping with the World War Two-era practice of volunteerism, a network of about 60 volunteers help to keep the institution running. Operational vehicles within the collection appear in local parades. The centerpiece of the collection is a T-26 Pershing tank which was among the first 20 such armored vehicles sent to Europe as part of the “Zebra” mission in February 1945. The detail, which was composed of the Ninth and Third Armored Divisions, each received 10 tanks. The museum’s specimen had been assigned to Company A, 14th Tank Battalion of the Ninth Armored Division and was one of the only known surviving tanks which crossed the Rhine River.

Open seven days a week during the summer, the museum opens its doors on weekends only during the winter months. Lake Winnipesaukee, a popular summer resort, is just a short distance away. For more information call (603) 569-1212.

Mark is known to many in the class 3 community, not only for his frequent calls from the island, (apparently due to Rock Fever and a combination of too many Macadamia nuts and somewhat over-ripe mangos), but because he has been carrying the torch for military-type firearm shooters in Hawaii for quite a few years. We thought this essay on his journey in search of fulfillment might kindle a spark in the minds of those who live in similarly restrictive states, and perhaps give a glimpse into what living under onerous firearms laws is like. – Dan

Living in the Peoples Republic of Hawaii kept me from my dream of belt/fed full automatic ownership for many years. I’ve always had an eye for the exotic, and have been shooting semi-automatic military style small arms on Maui since the 1970’s. AK’s, Uzi’s, AR-15’s, Mac’s, Valmets, M14, AR18, Galils, FAL’s, the list goes on. But they just weren’t belt fed, and I felt a void in my life.

In 1982 I was travelling to the great free state of Arizona, and J. Curtis Earl came immediately to mind. He was one of the first Class 3 Dealers. I had seen his machine gun and cannon ads in everything from Boy’s Life to Popular Science back when I was a kid, and still clearly remembered the thrill of looking at his ads over and over again. Better than the Sears Lingerie section! I called Mr. Earl when I got to Phoenix, and asked if I could stop by and take some photographs of his collection. To make a long story short, I got bitten by the belt fed bug. This was an amazing experience, one that I could never forget. Unfortunately, while I had seen an extremely interesting collection, I still couldn’t own belt-feds on Maui.

There then appeared a light at the end of the tunnel. Rock Island Armory under the watchful hand of Dave Reese, was marketing a semi-auto belt fed M-60. After several phone conversations and a timely refinance of my home mortgage, I placed my order- to include all the extras I thought I would need; starting with five thousand links, of course. There was a pause on the other end of the phone, then came a disturbing question. “Uh, Sir, Do you plan to shoot this a lot?”

Right then and there I knew I was in deep kim chee.

After months of trying to address the design shortcomings, the 60 was regulated to the spot in my vault called “This here’s the Only Game In Town”.

By this time, I had belt fed fever real bad, and my next project just had to be water-cooled. I rapidly came to the conclusion there are not many companies out there building water cooled guns, let alone semi-auto ones. I put my money down on a 1917A1 Browning, manufactured by DLO in Arcadia, Florida. Eleven months later I got to shoot a lot of rounds through it- these custom semi-autos took as long as their full auto cousins.

I bought everything I could find for it, my special 1917, but there was still something missing; it was too slow.

I was reborn when I received my first issue of the now defunct Machine Gun News and was brought into the light through one of the ads I found. Valkyrie Arms, LTD in Olympia, Washington, made a 1919A6 with some special trigger work. After much conversation with Valerie Johnson (the gun’s designer) I gave the coveted Visa number for a 1919A6 Browning and settled down to wait the customary six months to a year for delivery. What attracted me to this design is the use of AR15 parts incorporated into the 1919 trigger lock group. This made for real smooth, real fast semi-automatic shooting, with only one minor problem in the twelve thousand rounds I have personally fired through this gun. The fact is, I was so impressed with the trigger I had one installed on my 1917A1 gun. It now has about seven thousand rounds through it.

There was still something missing. I needed a really “light” belt-fed gun. All these other ones got really heavy and with my back and all, I knew that getting a lighter gun was a medical necessity. I am sure that many of the physicians out there have filled out prescriptions for lighter belt-feds, in the course of caring for their patients who happen to be “Firearms enthusiasts”.

So, I fired up the old fax machine to everyone who counted for H&K 21’s. One year later Volmer Mfg. of Bloomington, Illinois shipped one to me. This was about to become my second experience with German engineering. The first was my 1965 356 Porsche super coupe (where is the number one cylinder when one is facing the rear of the car? And more importantly, why does a German starter cost eight hundred and fifty bucks, when a Ford starter is sixty-six and change?)

Allow me to pass on this knowledge from painful experience; H&K 21’s do not readily digest MG/34/42 belts, they like M/60 belts upside down. Do not break the belt feeding insertion unit, you will have to give up your first born child, then increase your limit on all your credit cards and apply for new ones. Watch for the skin that used to be on your elbow looking like a Harley road rash, and that huge yellowish greenish purplish bruise on your shoulder- you will get used to it. One other major side effect is that your left biceps will benefit from the cocking spring.

Where does a guy go from here?

He sets his sights on the Mecca and endures the pilgrimage and the pain to be among the holiest gathering of the tribes that this planet has ever seen or heard. Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot, in Bullet County, Kentucky where the gurus of the class three world come to interpret the tea leaves, read the ashes and above all commune profusely with their like minded brethren.

After having watched “Creek” video tapes from 1988 to the present, I thought I was well prepared for my first trip to the Creek. NOT! I was totally overwhelmed by the second day. The blue fog of cordite, the heart stopping short barreled 50’s and 30’s, the constant roar of the dynamite wanting to suck the very air from your lungs, the good company. (Then there was the splitting headache, the mud, the rain, the cold, this was definitely not Maui). I loved every second of it. Knob Creek was a magical experience- after being there, you feel renewed with faith in America and the people who live here.

Today, here I am, back on Maui, the island paradise… I have my Knob Creek videos, my belt feds, and the Small Arms Review. All is right with the universe and I just wanted to pass that on…