This review looks at two books from different authors that cover one subject—the legendary German MP40 submachine gun, as well as the earlier MP38 and other early German subguns.

• The Schmeisser Myth – German Submachine Guns Through Two World Wars by Martin Helebrant, from Collector Grade Publications (2016)
• Blitzkrieg: The MP40 Machinenpistole of World War II by Frank Iannamico, published by Chipotle Publishing, LLC (2016)

A quick note on the name “Schmeisser.” While German weapons designer Hugo Schmeisser did invent the first German Machine Pistol (the MP18,I), he did not design the MP38 or MP40. Apparently, upon capturing an MP38 early in World War II, the British described it as “being of the Schmeisser principle.” The U.S. military also made the same error, resulting in the MP40 becoming (incorrectly) known as the “Schmeisser” ever since.

The Schmeisser Myth – German Submachine Guns Through Two World Wars 

• Author: Martin Helebrant   
• ISBN: 0-88935-587-8
• Copyright Date: 2016
• ePub or PDF Download? No
• Binding: Hardcover, with dustjacket
• Size: 8.5x11in
• Pages: 432 pages
• Color/B&W Photos: 507 illustrations, in both color and B&W
• Publisher Address: Collector Grade Publications, P.O. Box 1046, Cobourg, Ontario, Canada K9A 4W5
• Website: collectorgrade.com
• Available Through: Publisher or Chipotle Publishing’s website
• Cover Price: USD $89.95

This book is another fine quality reference book from Collector Grade. It examines the history, development and heritage of the iconic MP38 and MP40 German submachine guns. These two guns are commonly grouped together due to the MP40 being essentially a simplified variant of the earlier MP38. The MP38 was made by old-world machining methods, while the MP40 used sheet steel stampings for the receiver tube. From a distance they look the same, but with a closer look the differences are obvious.

Starting with a look back to the days of trench warfare during World War I, author Martin Helebrant explains the rationale for a small, portable, quick-firing gun for use when storming Allied trenches. The first gun purpose-built to be a light, portable submachine gun was the MP18,I. Designed by Hugo Schmeisser and built by Bergmann, the MP18,I is a simple blowback design and uses an unlocked breech, firing from an open bolt rather than a more complex locked breech approach. This is possible with a low powered pistol round.

In late 1917, the German Army ordered 50,000 Bergmann MP18,I guns. These were first given to the elite Sturmtruppen (“storm troopers”) units. It soon got the nickname Kugelspritze—literally “bullet sprayer.”

Part II, Chapter Three looks at several other prototype guns from the postwar era, as does Chapter Four, “A New Era Begins.” This covers the 1925 and 1926 trials at Kummersdorf, south of Berlin. The purpose was to choose a new submachine gun to re-arm Germany. Neither the 1925 or 1926 trials produced a clear winner. Various designs from German arms firms Haenel, Rheinmetall and Vollmer were submitted. The Haenel MP28,II was designed by Hugo Schmeisser, and was an improved version of his earlier design.

Chapter Five, “The Final Forerunners,” looks at the ERMA EMP 36 and the Schmeisser-designed, Haenel-built MK36,II. The Haenel MK36,II seems to be a step backwards as it has a nearly full length wood stock, comparable to a K98k rifle. The ERMA EMP 36, by contrast, is what an SMG should look like. In fact, it looks very much like an MP40. It has the same style underfolding stock and a freestanding pistol grip. Minor differences are the main part of the stock is wood (the MP38 and MP40 use bakelite, the first plastic) and the magazine well extends at an odd angle from the receiver. There are only two surviving examples of the EMP 36 known to exist. The one featured here is from a museum in Prague, Czech Republic. The other one is privately owned by a U.S. collector.

Part III is where we first meet the guns so famously linked to Nazi Germany. This section details the adoption of the MP38 in the early days of the war, primarily feeding problems with the magazine. The issue was resolved by pressing ribs into the sidewalls of the mag to reduce drag on the rounds.

Part IV, “The Technical Aspects,” covers topics such as production numbers by month, and by the three factories that built them. The five major variants of MP40 are also described and pictured. Speaking of photos, many are in color. Primarily, these are the studio quality photos of guns from museums and private collections. The majority of Collector Grade titles are entirely black & white, so these color photos are a welcome addition. Naturally, the photos from World War II are all in black & white, as expected. Chapter 14, “A Technical Description,” includes numerous section drawings and disassembly photos. Detailed close-up photos of receiver markings show off the many numbers, letters and symbols typically found on German military guns.

Part V, “Accessories and Ancillaries” examines all the bits and pieces that make collecting military arms so interesting. Magazines, mag pouches, sling, and manuals are the natural, expected items, but this book also includes magazine loading tools, special rectangular brushes for cleaning the inside of the magazines, early flip-up steel muzzle caps, later rubber shoot-thru muzzle caps, a special winter trigger for use with heavy mittens and several types of firing pin protrusion gauges. Guest author Arnt Ove Nedrebø explains all there is to know about MP40 magazines in Chapter 16, while guest author Alex Cruiming covers the many types of mag pouches in Chapter 17. He also covered various manuals in Chapter 18. Many of the items shown here are from the personal collections of Michael Heidler, Alex Cruiming, Arnt Ove Nedrebø and Folke Myrvang.

Part VI, “Finale,” looks at the postwar use of the MP38 and MP40. Following the end of World War II, many countries put captured German equipment into service in their own military and police forces. These countries include Austria, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Israel, Norway and others.

As we have come to expect from Collector Grade, this book is well researched, detailed and nicely presented. Highly recommended.

Blitzkrieg: The MP40 Machinenpistole of World War II     

• Author: Frank Iannamico   
• ISBN-10: 0-9701954-9-4
• ISBN-13: 978-0-9701954-9-4
• Copyright Date: 2003, Second Edition
• ePub or PDF Download? No
• Binding: Softcover
• Size: 8.5x11in
• Pages: 279 pages
• Color/B&W Photos: Many B&W images
• Website:  chipotlepublishing.com
• Available Through: Chipotle Publishing’s website
• Cover Price: USD $29.95

This title, from prolific military author Frank Iannamico, covers not only the history and development of the MP38 and MP40, but it also deals with the civilian care and use of these iconic arms.

It starts out a bit differently from other weapon books by stating, “This book differs somewhat in that it not only covers a history and development of the weapons, but also describes the weapons as they relate to today’s shooters and collectors.”

Chapter 1, “Introduction,” then gives a brief rundown on how to purchase a full auto firearm in the U.S.A. This is followed by a short history lesson, “Germany 1918-1939 A Brief History of Events.” Looking back to the end of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, the ruin of many German arms firms, the rise of Adolf Hitler and the re-arming of Nazi Germany are discussed.

Chapter 2 covers the evolution of pistol cartridge carbines from merely a smaller gun with shorter wood stock, such as the MP28.II, to the folding metal stock design. The ultra rare “missing link” EMP 36 is covered here. It is interesting to note that there are only two known examples of the ERMA EMP 36, as noted in my The Schmeisser Myth review. That one is serial number 001, and is at a military museum in Prague, Czech Republic. The one featured in Blitzkrieg is the other survivor, and is serial number 014. It is quite intriguing to be able to see the only two left. Author Iannamico wrote a more detailed article for SAR on this very gun. It originally belonged to Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring himself! See smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=3451 for article.

Chapter 3 is titled “The MP38, Stepping Stone to the MP40.” It gives the history of the ERMA-designed MP38. Several clear close-up photos of the heavy, machined receiver are shown. The machined flutes running parallel on the receiver are the easiest way to tell the MP38 and MP40 apart. These are clearly depicted. Besides the current close-ups, a nice selection of World War II-era photos is included.

Chapter 4 is the longest chapter at just over 100 pages. It gives detailed views of the receiver, magazine housing, internal parts, etc. It also covers topics like Waffenamt marks, different minor variations, the three prime contractors (Erma, Steyr Daimler Puch and C.G. Haenel.), as well as the provenance of one particular gun captured in August of 1944. The chapter ends with a reprint of an English language (U.S. military) manual.

Chapter 5 looks at various accessories for the MP38 and MP40 guns. Items range from mag pouches and original manuals, to mag loading tools and the extremely rare blank firing attachment, among other items. Many of the guns and accessories shown in Chapters 4 and 5 are from the personal collections of Michael Free and the late Lou Pacilla.

Chapter 9, “Firing the Weapons,” compares and contrasts various submachine guns. It is noted that the folding stock design of the MP38 and MP40 has a lot of looseness or “play” that allows for a lot of vibration while firing. The older, wood stocked German submachine guns do not exhibit this. The firing rate is also noted, with the German guns being somewhat slower than the U.S. Thompson, and the Russian PPD-40 and PPSh-41 being much faster.

While this book is not as detailed as the Collector Grade book The Schmeisser Myth, it is a lot of book for one-third of the cost. If you can do without monthly production charts and reprints of German language correspondence, etc., this book is well worth considering.

The optical sighting device industry is heading toward replacing traditional ground lens see-through glass optics with optoelectronic sighting devices. This evolution is made even more potent through the integration of optoelectronics and artificial intelligence (AI). Like high definition multi-spectral cameras and viewing screens that offer reliable performance under all light extremes and environmental conditions, sophisticated technology is slowly becoming the norm. For example, the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical seeks single-channel data radios that can “support and integrate” with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). The IVAS program, led by the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team, provides soldiers with artificial intelligence—enhanced goggles that assist with navigation, targeting and advanced night and thermal vision (more on this later). Will this technology transition to the sporting firearms market? Absolutely! It already is.

Perhaps a quick review of the technology may be helpful. Optoelectronics is the science and application of electronic devices that source, detect and control light. Many consider it a sub-field of photonics (the science of radiant energy). In this context, light includes visible light and invisible forms of radiation such as gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet and infrared. Photonic devices are electrical-to-optical or optical-to-electrical transducers (devices that convert forms of energy) or instruments that use such tools in their operation. Electro-optics is often erroneously used as a synonym for optoelectronics. While related, “electro-optics” encompasses a much broader physics branch that includes all interactions between light and electric fields, whether or not they form part of a particular electronic device.

Remarkably, optoelectronics is not a new technology. It can be traced back to 1907 when Englishman Henry Round (remember this name) discovered electroluminescence using silicon carbide and a cat whisker while experimenting with a turn-of-the-century crystal radio set.Uniquely, this straightforward radio receiver’s only source of power comes solely from the power of radio waves received via its long-wire antenna. It gets its name from its most crucial component known as a crystal detector, originally made from a piece of crystalline mineral such as galena.

Galena is the naturally occurring ore of lead. Galena crystals act as a semiconductor with a small bandgap of about 0.4 eV. In solid-state physics, a bandgap (also called an energy gap) defines an energy range in a solid where no electron states can exist. In graphs of the electronic band structure of solids, the bandgap refers to the energy difference (in electron volts, expressed as eV) between the top of the valence band and the bottom of the conduction band in insulators and semiconductors. Valence refers to an electron of an atom, located in the outermost shell (valence shell) of the atom, that can be transferred to, or shared with, another atom. Therefore, the bandgap is a significant factor determining the electrical conductivity of a solid. Substances with large bandgaps are generally insulators; those with smaller band gaps are semiconductors, while conductors have very small bandgaps (or nearly none at all) because the valence and conduction bands overlap.

First crystal radio sets used galena crystal as a point-contact diode capable of rectifying alternating voltages and current and detecting radio signals. The crystal was “tuned” with a sharp-pointed wire, known as a “cat’s whisker.” The radio’s operation required that the point of the wire in contact with the galena crystal be shifted about the crystal’s faceted surfaces to find a part of the crystal that acted as a rectifying diode. Today the crystal and cat whisker has been eliminated, and this component is called a diode. Diodes are manufactured with specific purpose-intended semi-conductance values. Semiconductors are the foundation of all modern electronics because anything that’s computerized, like AI or optoelectronics, relies on semiconductors.

Understanding the properties of a semiconductor relies on quantum mechanics to explain electrons’ movement through holes in a crystal lattice.The development of the first transistor in 1947 was made possible by Albert Einstein’s development of quantum mechanics theory. Yet, the path from Einstein’s ingenious quantum mechanics theory to the first manufactured transistor involved thousands of science and engineering hours, numerous failed attempts and billions of dollars. In other words, it was neither easy nor cheap.

Today’s semiconductors are made from material with an electrical conductivity value falling between a conductor, like copper, and an insulator, such as silicon (glass). Therefore, something in-between qualifies as a semiconductor. Semiconducting material exists in two types: elemental materials (pure metals: e.g., gold, silver, copper, etc.) and compound materials (alloys). Using compound materials provides a means to “tweak” the metal’s semiconductive properties (band gap) to achieve a particular component’s purpose. Semiconductors are at the heart of microprocessor chips, as well as transistors.

In the 1920s, Russian physicist Oleg Losev further advanced Henry Round’s electroluminescence research. Losev studied the distinctive properties of light-emitting diodes (LED) in radio sets and published several detailed scientific papers that quantified and documented his findings. Even though one might assume World War II’s wartime necessity would have furthered Losev’s research, it was largely overlooked until the late 1950s. Remarkably, history can’t provide a reason. Whether the scientific community simply didn’t realize the potential or whether LEDs were misunderstood remains a mystery.

In early 1961 while creating a laser diode, Bob Biard and Gary Pittman accidentally discovered the infrared light-emitting diode (LED) at Texas Instruments. In 1962, General Electric’s Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr. developed the first visible red light LED. This development led the future discoveries of multi-colored LEDs, liquid crystal diodes (LCDs), organic LEDs (OLED) and made possible the expansion of optoelectronics. Applied variations of these diodes are incorporated in every optoelectronic device made today. From smartphone cameras, computers of all kinds and sizes, visible and IR spotting and ranging lasers, low light imaging devices, starlight-magnifying devices, passive and active infrared sighting and imaging devices, to HD digital multi-spectral micro-imaging, flat-screen monitors, high-intensity visible light LED light bulbs, flashlights, headlights, marker lights—the optoelectronic device list goes on and on.

The future for optoelectronics is bright (no pun intended). We are witnessing the exponential advancement of the computing power necessary to enable the marriage of artificial intelligence and optoelectronics. This makes possible the incorporation of features like instantaneous imaging analysis, navigation, ranging, all-weather day/night and spotting capabilities, a user heads-up display (goggles or visor), an encrypted data recording capability, an encrypted data-in-motion link to any smartphone for real-time social media-like or other communications connectivity and the uploading/downloading of updates and data, to name a few.

We are witnessing the exponential advancement of the computing power necessary to enable the marriage of artificial intelligence and optoelectronics.

AI-augmented optoelectronic devices include real-time image identification capabilities, target acquisition and classification, electronic picture stabilization, clutter reduction and/or elimination and a host of other effectiveness options that instantly manipulate, integrate and interoperate image data, target I.D. and firing solution and present it in an understandable intuitive, user-friendly format. At some point these devices will be cheaper to manufacture than traditional glass optics, smaller and lighter to carry, more rugged with a longer life expectancy and provide downloadable, upgradeable, fully-programmable capability with apps all in one AI-augmented optoelectronic multipurpose sight. Remarkably, this technology currently exists. It’s a matter of functionally combining it in a cost-effective package.

So why aren’t manufacturers offering the ultimate gun sight that includes some or all of this technology? The answer is simple. It is available, but it’s expensive. Manufacturers are slowly adding optoelectronic capabilities to their product lines. However, with the addition of sophisticated technology comes the inherent problem of user interface, training and familiarity. The analogy is similar to problems designers faced when teaching pilots to fly a drone. The engineers quickly realized that it was easier to train a computer game player to fly a drone using a game-like hand paddle and joystick than by using something that simulated an aircraft cockpit. The reason was user familiarity (muscle memory).

Most of today’s generation grew up playing computer games and they are at home with the gaming controls that all operate similarly. So, the transition to drone piloting using similar functioning game-like controls is logically straightforward. That is precisely the challenge optoelectronic device design engineers now face. They must design sophisticated devices with controls that closely mimic something that the users are already familiar with and know how to use. Like the drone controllers, the optoelectronic gun sight controls must look, work and feel much the same no matter what brand they carry. AI can help with this by operating most of the technically sophisticated tasks involved without the user even realizing it’s being done for him or her. But there is another concern that goes hand-in-hand with sophisticated AI operations—and that is one of user trust.

So why aren’t manufacturers offering the ultimate gun sight that includes some or all of this technology? The answer is simple. It is available, but it’s expensive.

Trust is necessary when AI is involved in the decision process. For example, things like AI target ID followed by instantaneous engagement requires user trust. Even more so if the AI is autonomously empowered to engage the target without human permission. The problem faced in this scenario is that AI operates at light speed and humans do not. If human permission is required in the AI decision loop (lacking full trust in AI making the correct decision), it will serve to severely slow the process, if not confound it. If a target image has to be transmitted for a human to look at it (evaluate) and then decide to push the “fire” button, that is an eternity at the speed AI operates at. The resulting lag seriously jeopardizes winning the fight. So it logically follows that an AI that has to get human approval to shoot will always be beaten to the draw by an AI that doesn’t. The good news is this problem can be overcome with sufficient AI-human trust. The bad news is the manufacturers aren’t yet working toward a common trust-based operating baseline.

There is always a downside to most things that appear almost too good to be true. In this case the penalty involves the Law of Physics consisting of two major obstacles, thermal fluctuations and random quantum fluctuations—a barrier known as the standard quantum limit. As AI-augmented optoelectronic devices become more powerful, so does the requirement for power and power equates to entropy. Additionally, the standard quantum limit for the noise of an optoelectronic device refers to the minimum level of quantum noise which can be obtained without the use of squeezed states of light (very pure vacuum-enhanced states of light with minimal noise). This translates to unavoidable noise distortion in optical amplifiers resulting from the spontaneous emission of excited atoms or ions. It’s somewhat analogous to the static one hears when a powerful amplifier is turned up to its maximum amplitude. It’s a problem that DARPA has been working on for a number of years and may never fully resolve.

DARPA is also working on the ability to automate the processing, exploitation and dissemination of massive amounts of full-motion optoelectronic imagery (“big data”) collected by U.S. and allied intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets in operational areas around the globe, using AI as a discriminator. The sheer volume of this raw imagery intelligence is impossible for human analysts to sort through, much less analyze and correlate, making AI analysis a necessity.

Following the 2011 U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, the Department of Defense (DoD) set its sights to adapt its warfighting tools and strategy for the next decade. Designated Project Maven, the DoD’s central focus is the employment of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the global fight against terrorism. Machine learning relies on the statistic that, in any large set of data, there will emerge clusters of data points that correspond to things in the real world and this data volume requires AI “deep learning.”

We mostly understand what AI and machine learning is, but what is deep learning (DL)? As the company FLIR explains it:

… deep learning is a form of machine learning that uses neural networks with many “deep” layers between the input and output nodes. By training a network on a large data set, a model is created that can be used to make accurate predictions based on input data. In neural networks used for deep learning, each layer’s output is fed forward to the input of the next layer. The model is optimized iteratively by changing the weights (values) of the connections between layers. On each cycle, feedback on the accuracy of the model’s predictions is used to guide changes in the connection weighting.

Traditional smart cameras combine a machine vision (optoelectronic) camera and a single-board computer running rules-based image processing software. This provides a great solution for simple problems like barcode reading or answering questions like “On this part, is the hole where it’s supposed to be?” Inference cameras excel at more complex or subjective questions like “Is this an export-grade peach?” When trained using known good (reference) images, inference cameras can easily identify unexpected defects that would not be recognized by rules-based inspection systems, making them far more tolerant to variability.

Inference cameras can be used to augment existing applications with rich, descriptive metadata. For example, these cameras can use inference to tag images which are passed to a host that carries out traditional rules-based image processing. In this way, users can quickly expand the capabilities of their existing [optoelectronic] vision systems.

This hybrid system architecture can also be used to trigger a traditional vision system for human viewing.

The combination of AI-augmented optoelectronics and ML running specialized DL algorithms designed to search for, identify, correlate and categorize specific items (even people) of interest in massive volumes of data is the future. Project Maven’s initial results in successfully exploiting “big data” by operationalizing AI/ML indicates DoD is transitioning from its historic hardware-centric organization to one that is AI/ML data-driven.

Another underway example (mentioned earlier) is the U.S. Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). IVAS consists of an optoelectronic Heads-Up Display (HUD) helmet-worn visor that will allow soldiers to experience AI-augmented reality. The IVAS includes an optoelectronic HUD, a body-worn computer and networked real-time communications and AI-capable data connectivity. The IVAS uses various optoelectronic imaging sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide a fully integrated day/night combat capability at the forward edge of the battlefield. It will be fully integrated into combined combat operations to increase lethality, mobility and soldier situational awareness. It will also enable soldiers to train in synthetic environments with the same equipment they use in combat.

Like high definition multi-spectral cameras and viewing screens that offer reliable performance under all light extremes and environmental conditions, sophisticated technology is slowly becoming the norm.

Another similar program along the lines of IVAS (but on steroids) is an AI/optoelectronic  upgrade to the M1 Abrams tank’s sensor suite, target display, tracking and fire control systems, and ability to provide and receive real-time targeting data to and from other tanks, and target designating sources like drones, spotter aircraft, ground units, etc. This system relies on optoelectronic eyes and AI targeting analysis and target prioritization. It’s no less than brilliant.

As this technology proliferates, one might imagine it will transition, at some point, to sighting devices tailored for the sporting firearms market. These devices could very well operate much like IVAS providing the hunter visor-worn real-time all-weather day/night information on terrain, range, bearing, target identification, target validation and firing solution. It could even be augmented with safety information that would alert a hunter of no fire safety zone vectors or other humans within his field of fire. It could also provide a synthetic training environment that a hunter could use for practice, hunt rehearsal or hunt replay. Consider this feature for competition shooters.

AI-augmented optoelectronic gun sights for sporting purposes may never have mobile phones’ commodity status, so recovering development investments always results in expensive end cost products. Nonetheless, history reflects the profit impact of most technology evolution is still far greater than anticipated, mainly resulting from the related spinoff technology. As we proceed further into this decade, AI-augmented optoelectronics is becoming the mainstay of all space exploration and operations. Semi-autonomous robots already see with optoelectronic eyes and think using AI/DL. Spacecraft rely on this technology to navigate, image, analyze and classify physical surroundings. Fully autonomous robots will soon conduct specific tasks like site selection and then build human habitats in advance of humans on the Moon and Mars. We will likewise see them conducting fully autonomous mining of asteroids for precious minerals. We live in exciting times. Space (we used to say “the sky”) is the limit for the future of AI-augmented optoelectronics—imagine the possibilities.

Rifle scopes, spotting scopes and binoculars share a similar purpose. The optics are designed to magnify the image of an object that you are looking at. They accomplish this task in a specific manner, gathering and transmitting the light (photons). Lenses are designed to focus or concentrate a large amount of light into a narrow beam of light through the center of the lenses so that upon exiting, it will match the size of your pupil. This is why the shape of the lenses and proper eye relief (the distance from the ocular lens to your pupil) are so very important. If the beam of light is larger or smaller than your pupil, you will reduce the field of view or lose your sight picture altogether. The lenses must be precisely placed in proper array or the centrally-focused beam of light will not be produced. Likewise, the “milliradian” or “minute of angle” reticle must also be properly positioned within the erector tube assembly or it will be out of calibration. Clarity, exactness and accuracy must exist.

When light interfaces with a medium such as glass or water, it follows the nature of light. There are mathematical models utilized to describe this “nature of light” that are based on a set of principles. One of these principles is “Snell’s Law of Refraction,” which describes what the light does when it penetrates the surface.

Think about what occurs when a spoon is placed in a glass of water. The deeper the spoon travels into the water the larger the linear offset, or the larger the spoon appears to bend even though the angle of the spoon is constant.

Due to Snell’s Law, the photons bend at different angles when encountering each individual lens because the lenses are designed with different indexes of refraction. The shape and purposes of the multiple lenses are an attempt to correct for the negative effects by constraining and/or guiding the path of the photons. A convex shaped lens will cause the light to be focused inward toward the center, producing an accurate exiting “focal point,” or where the light’s path meets. In contrast a concave lens, which is hollowed or rounded inward like a bowl, will cause the light to spread, bending outward and away from the lens’ center.

If the shooter moves his or her eye away from the constrained or guided beam of light, they are countering the optical design of the optics. When you move your eye away from the optical center (center of the reticle), you are changing all of the incident and refractive angles of every single lens in the stack; everything that the scope has been designed to accomplish has been corrupted. These negative results of accuracy are caused in part by the optical effects of “coma aberration” and are why the optics manufacturer Hensoldt builds their rifle scopes true to science with small, perfectly calibrated milliradian (Mil-Dot) reticles. Hensoldt’s reticles occupy less than one third of the optical center of the viewing portion of the lens. See Image 4.

The image that you are looking at in Image 5 is a milliradian reticle that is being aimed at a tall ladder paper target. The tall ladder target is utilized to calibrate your scope, assuring that its click adjustments are accurate. However, if you look closely at the reticle, you will notice that the third mil mark, left, right, and down, does not line up with the mil marks on the target. As you move lower, or right and left, you will notice that the additional mil marks of the reticle progressively move farther and farther away from the mil marks on the target. This is due to Snell’s Law of Refraction and it’s why you must never use the hold over method of aiming when aiming outside one third of the optical center of the viewing portion of the center of the lens.

If you refer to the book Principles of Optics by Max Born and Emil Wolf, they discuss optical errors and a class of aberrations called “Seidel Aberrations,” of which there are five. These five “Seidel Aberrations” are as follows: spherical, coma, astigmatism, curvature of field and distortion.

It is the coma aberration, due to Snell’s Law of Refraction, that states that when your eye or pupil is moved off of the center of the viewing axis by more than one third of the visual field of view of the lens, that the image becomes distorted and appears to be displaced. This is why you will encounter a high vertical miss as well as an off-center horizontal miss when utilizing the holdover method of aiming. The error/miss will be significantly magnified when aiming up or down on angles because the lenses will be positioned at a greater obtuse or acute angle. This produces an increased incidence of light onto the lenses that will cause the light to bend at a steeper downward angle on the back side of the lenses. This in turn causes the distorted image to be greatly magnified. Again, for these reasons, it is imperative that you keep your eye in the optical center of the viewing portion of the lens and use your turrets.

Some people have tried to excuse away the use of turrets, suggesting that the click value isn’t precise. The solution, which has been used for years, is to simply calibrate your scope. As with all precision machines, mills, lathes and screws, the further into the adjustment, the more backlash may be encountered. Backlash is caused by the pitch angle of the screw’s threads and the gap in between them. There is a simple remedy for backlash. Simply adjust your turret(s) four clicks beyond where you want to be, and then return to the correct setting.

Correctly shaped lenses (a combination of convex, concave and others) will produce a small beam of light that is colinear with the centerline of the optical stack. Upon exiting, the beam of light will theoretically be parallel and match the size of your pupil.

Obviously, there is much more here than “meets the eye,” as the optic(s) creates a clear, non-chromatic aberration (to focus all colors to the same point).

Eyes are an extension of the brain. Each eye has approximately one hundred and twenty million (120,000,000) photoreceptive rods, cones and ganglion cells. (A ganglion cell is a mass of nerve tissue containing cell bodies of neurons). However, to put this in layman’s terms, these photoreceptive cells (rods and cones) are what receives the light/image(s) and transfers them to the brain. Interestingly enough, men’s and women’s eyes are uniquely different.

A potential Mountain Shooting Center student once asked if he and his wife could attend a course and share the same rifle. I said that they could attend the course, although could not share the same rifle. This was a deal breaker for me because the husband did not want to spend additional funds to set up a second rifle. So, what’s the difference?

Women have more photoreceptive cells then men do. The reason for this is that men’s and women’s eyes are designed for different tasks and purposes.

Men’s eyes are designed to see fine movement at long distances. Women’s eyes are designed to be able to see many, many more colors and shades of colors than men can see and to excel at close distances. In fact, when a man looks at a bouquet of red roses, he sees only one color—red. However, when a woman looks at a bouquet of red roses, every rose is a different shade of red. She sees an entirely different spectrum of colors!

When it comes to men, their pupils can dilate to an average of about 6 millimeters during low light conditions. Women’s pupils can dilate to eight—or even nine—millimeters during low light conditions. In fact, women’s pupils are dilated larger than men’s are most all of the time, which is why they may often contract headaches (and wearing sunglasses is a must).

Objective Lenses and Eye Relief

Rifle scope objective size is not designed by happenstance. Based upon a factor of six, (for men), which is the average pupil size of a young man in low or reduced light conditions (6mm pupil size). The objective size of the rifle scope or other optics determines the maximum magnification setting that can be utilized to promote maximum light transmission. This is because the exiting light size or “exit pupil” diameter emitted from the ocular lens of the scope must match the size of your pupil.

To accomplish this, the relationship is as follows: objective size / pupil size = maximum magnification setting for maximum light transmission.

For example, based upon a 6mm pupil size, a 40mm objective can transmit maximum light in a low light condition when the magnification is set to 6.6 power. A 44mm objective can transmit maximum light in a low light condition when the magnification is set to 7.3 power. A 50mm objective transmits maximum light in a low light condition when the magnification is set at 8.3 power and a 56mm objective can transmit maximum light in a low light condition when magnification is set to 9.3 power.

These numbers change for women’s eyes. For example, based upon an 8mm pupil size, a 40mm objective can transmit maximum light in a low light condition when the magnification is set to 5 power. A 44mm objective can transmit maximum light in a low light condition when the magnification is set to 5.5 power. A 50mm objective transmits maximum light in a low light condition when the magnification is set at 6.25 power and a 56mm objective can transmit maximum light in a low light condition when the magnification is set to 7 power.

When setting up your scope, it is imperative to set the eye relief specifically for either a man or a woman. Eye relief is how far the exit pupil floats behind the ocular lens. The eye relief for a man will be farther away from the ocular lens than for a woman. This situation of eye relief distance also brings to light the topic of length of pull into consideration and again, this is why men and women should not share the same rifle scope setup.

So that’s a little bit of the science behind the shooting.

General Motor’s Hydra-Matic Division

The United States’ direct military involvement in Vietnam ended in 1973. During most of the war, the standard “A” infantry weapon of U.S. troops was the 5.56mm M16 rifle.

Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Company was the manufacturer of the M16 and held the exclusive rights to the design. As the Vietnam War was escalating, more rifles were needed and the U.S. government wanted to establish a second source for the weapons. However, Colt resisted the idea of relinquishing the manufacturing rights and the M16 Technical Data Package to the government—despite paying Armalite only $325,000 for the right to manufacture and market the AR-15. Colt’s position was that they took a chance on the AR-15. At the time they bought the rights to the weapon in 1959, it had already been rejected by the Army.

Finally, on June 30, 1967, a contract was signed for the manufacturing rights and the Technical Data Package for the M16, M16A1 and XM-177 rifles, thus allowing the U.S. government to start the bidding for a second source to produce the weapons. Colt received a payment of $4,500,000 and a 5.5% royalty on all future weapons and parts procured by the government. During November of 1969, the XM-177 rifles were deleted from the contract agreement.

Initially there were 26 firms interested in a government contract to produce M16A1 rifles, but only 12 firms made bid deposits. After obtaining the Technical Data Package for review, only 8 remained interested in bidding. After intensive negotiations with the interested parties, GM’s Hydra-Matic Division and Harrington & Richardson (H&R) were awarded contracts. The decision immediately came under fire from members of Congress. The decision to use H&R was in question because of their marginal performance during their M14 rifle contracts. Hydra-Matic had manufactured the M39 20mm cannons, but had no experience with small arms. Bidders with successful small arms manufacturing experience like Saco-Lowell (who produced the M60 machine gun) and Cadillac Gage (who manufactured the Stoner weapon systems) were not chosen. The 65-member Source Selection Board making the decision felt that GM and H&R were positioned to get the urgently needed rifles in production the fastest.   

General Motors

During World War II, General Motors, better known as GM, had a long history of manufacturing military hardware by its many divisions. The hardware included, but was not limited to, ordnance, tanks, vehicles, machine guns, carbines and submachine guns.

The Hydra-Matic Division

General Motors’ Hydra-Matic Division was founded in May 1939 as the Detroit Transmission Division. It was created to continue the developmental work begun by Cadillac engineering and to manufacture the newly developed Hydra-Matic automatic automobile transmission. In 1962, the Division officially changed its name to the Hydra-Matic Division.

After the government procured the manufacturing rights for the M16A1 rifle, then Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, approved the Department of Defense’s plan to expand M16 production in March of 1968. Estimated ceiling prices with non-reoccurring startup costs were: first year production of 60,000 rifles at a cost of $316 each, second-year production 180,000 rifles at $105 each. The learning curve in the small arms industry was estimated to be 98%. The establishment of multiple sources for M16 production was not considered to be economically justified unless GM was at least 60% below the established ceiling price. Colt was producing M16A1 rifles at a cost of approximately $104 each.

Hydra-Matic received a sole source, one-year contract, number DAAF03-68-C-0048, dated April 19, 1968, for 240,000 M16A1 rifles. Cost per rifle for the first contract was established at $151.54, well below the estimated ceiling price. The contract prices did not include the reoccurring cost of $8.68 for seven magazines or the $4,500,000 and 5.5% royalty paid to Colt for the rights to establish a second source production.

A GM plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan was chosen as the location for the manufacture of the M16A1 with the first deliveries to be during January of 1969. Production was to level off at 25,000 rifles per month. GM shipped the 100,000th M16A1 rifle to the Army two months ahead of the required schedule. It became apparent that GM/Hydra-Matic was proving capable of quality production ahead of schedule, while H&R was struggling with production and quality issues.

A year later, the company had delivered another 140,000 rifles. On July 18, 1969, Hydra-Matic was awarded a second contract, DAAF03-70-C-002, for an additional 229,217 M16A1 rifles at a cost of $99.74 each. All the GM-produced M16A1 rifles were serial numbered in the 3,000,000 range.

Original GM/Hydra-Matic M16A1 rifles, manufactured over 50 years ago, are quite rare. There are not many original transferable U.S. Property marked Colt, GM or H&R M16 rifles in the NFA registry. Occasionally when they are offered for sale, the asking price is in the mid to high five-figure range. Buyer Beware: There are some M16 rifles in the NFA registry that were destroyed by the government and welded back together and registered prior to the cut-off date of May 19, 1986. An M16 with a receiver that was cut and welded back together would be priced considerably less than an original uncut one. An article describing the receiver welding process appeared in an old FIREPOWER magazine dated July of 1986, ironically published two months after the ban of the new registration of transferable machine guns.

The AR-15/M16 rifle has come a long way since it first appeared in the jungles of Vietnam. After a controversial and troublesome start, the rifle is now one of the most popular civilian semiautomatic firearms in the U.S. Currently, there are hundreds of companies offering numerous configurations of the AR-type rifle. Many younger AR aficionados don’t recognize the rifle in its original configuration. When seeing an original M16, they are often confused by its appearance and ask, “What is that; a carry handle?” With the widespread use of modern optics, the carry handle was removed from the design and replaced with a rail. High-tech optical devices also became a standard issue item in the U.S. military. There was a period where no commercial manufacturer offered an AR model with a carry handle, and soon the existence of the handle was unknown or forgotten.

Replica Retro Rifles

There has been growing enthusiast interest in AR/M16 rifles in their original as-issued Vietnam War guise fitted with the carry handle upper receivers, thin “pencil” barrels and triangle handguards. Many formerly obsolete original parts are sought after by individuals and many of the parts bring premium prices. Some of the rarest and difficult to find are those used in the M16A1 rifles made by GM’s Hydra-Matic Division and Harrington & Richardson, last manufactured in the early 1970s. Most of the M16A1 rifles from that era were given away as military aid or scrapped, making the parts difficult to find.

The assembly of a “correct” GM/Hydra-Matic replica rifle can be quite expensive. When building a Vietnam-era copy the quest for an all-original clone usually ends at the lower receiver; most must settle for using a modern replica semiautomatic receiver. There are a few companies that will duplicate the GM/Hydra-Matic and U.S. Property markings by laser engraving, or roll-marked like the originals were. Most of the available receivers found today are the later reinforced M16A2 design—to be “correct” an M16A1 style lower receiver should be used.

A less expensive alternative to using hard-to-find, expensive original parts for a retro build are reproduction parts from companies like Brownells, NoDak Spud, AR15sport.com and JSEsurplus.com, to name a few.

Identifying GM/Hydra-Matic Parts

Original GM/Hydra-Matic and H&R M16A1 parts occasionally surface, knowing how to identify them is key. During the research for this article there were four original GM/Hydra-Matic M16A1 rifles studied, and several internet resources, used as an attempt at identifying parts used in the assembly of GM/Hydra-Matic M16A1 rifles.  

There are certain features that are common to most Hydra-Matic manufactured M16A1 rifles; with the small fraction of the weapons available for examination it is not possible to make statements using the word “all.” The attrition rate of 50-year-old Vietnam era M16 rifles, arsenal rebuilding and repair of weapons in the field by armorers, and the large number of subcontractors suppling parts make definitive identification impossible. That said, observations made by the authors and others have concluded the following are common characteristics of M16A1 rifles made by GM/Hydra-Matic.

It is quite likely that many subcontractors were used by GM during the production of their M16A1 rifles. Some of the similar markings on some parts common to GM and H&R rifles suggest that they may have used some of the same subcontractors.

There are several ways to ID GM/Hydra-Matic parts from those from H&R and the far more common Colt parts. Many GM parts are marked with a number, most likely to identify the subcontractor who made the part.

Lower Receiver

The finish color on GM/Hydra-Matic rifles varies, many are darker in color than the 1960s era Colt’s gray. Hydra-Matic Div., G.M. Corp. U.S.A. Property U.S. Govt marked on the left side of the magazine well. On the right side there is a full “fence” around the magazine release, and often a white 1-inch DoD eagle acceptance stamp that is larger than those found on Colt and H&R rifles.

Bolt Stop

GM contract bolt stops have a subcontractor ID number on the bottom. Numbers 1 through 7 have been noted. Bolt stops marked with a number “3” are common.

Upper Receiver

There are variations of the upper receivers documented, one common sign is the lack of markings in the concave area on the right side under the rear sight. Colt contract upper receivers made after 1970 will have two letters in that area. GM upper receivers will generally have a forging flash, or “seam,” on the rear of the carry handle. The front lug is recessed on the left side. The forward assist will have a number on the back side of the teardrop handle. The ejection port door with have a small pad with rounded corners. Any wear of the anodized finish will reveal a yellow-gold color. H&R uppers typically have a forging flash on the front and rear of the carry handle and the rear sight direction arrow is usually different. They often have the same style ejection cover door.

Notes:

• Rifle 3018041 upper receiver no forge seams
• Rifle 3027458 upper receiver no forge seams
• Rifle 3136345 upper receiver forge seam on rear only
• Rifle 3245701 upper receiver no forge seams

Charging Handle

GM contract charging handles will have six punch marks, or dots, across the back of the handle and have a slightly thinner profile.

Fire Control Group

The fire control components, hammer, trigger and fire selector lever will have a stylized letter “G” with a number inside. The disconnector was not marked. The mode of fire selector levers were marked on the rear surface. Keep in mind that using M16A1 fire control group parts in a semiautomatic AR rifle can cause legal problems. It is strongly suggested that any M16 internal parts be altered to a semiautomatic configuration.

Barrel

The GM barrels with have the letters “MP” on the rightside between the legs of the front sight base. There will be a letter “C” on the top of the barrels indicating chrome chamber. Barrels are the .625-inch outside diameter “pencil” type with a 1:12 twist, and a “birdcage” flash hider. Original barrels are probably the most difficult component to find, many M16 rifles had to be re-barreled due to excessive use and / or corrosion of the bores. Original barrels, front sight blocks and flash hiders typically have a rougher finish machining than those found on Colts. Colt and other contractors made thousands of replacement barrels during the Vietnam War. During 1967, there was a projected demand of 11,800 barrels per month. Note: one of the GM rifles examined, serial number 3018041, had the “MP” mark on top of the barrel under the front sight base.

Front Sight Base

There are several front sight base variations. Some have forging flash on the front and/or rear, and on the bayonet lug. Some bases observed had a forging code letter or number on the sides and on the lug for the bayonet. Some are not marked with any codes. None of the rifles examined had any visible markings on the front sight base.  

Furniture

Most were fitted with “type D” buttstocks, without trapdoors, a rubber buttplate and a moveable sling swivel. The furniture often has an aged “mottled” appearance. The “fat” pistols grips have a slightly larger circumference than those fitted on Colt M16 rifles. GM pistol grips, handguards and buttstocks will have a raised cross symbol on them, letters and numbers have been observed in various locations. Buttplate screws have a drain hole drilled through the center. Triangle handguards secured with a flat slip ring.  

Bolt Carrier and Bolt

GM/Hydra-Matic bolt carriers do not have any manufacturer’s markings; the finish machining appears rougher than on most Colt bolt carriers. The GM bolts were marked “MP” to indicate that they were magnetic particle inspected. The marking is very similar to Colt’s, but the “MP” letters are connected on the GM.

Buffer

The buffer will usually have a dimple on the front and an orange or maroon color pad (possibly discolored with age).

Sling

The sling issued during the Vietnam War was the mildew-resistant nylon sling with cadmium plated hardware. Front and rear sling swivels on all GM/Hydra-Matic rifles were secured with roll pins.

GM/Hydra-Matic Rifles Used for Study

Courtesy of ATF’s Firearms Technical Division. Serial numbers: 3245701, 3018041, 3136345, 3027458. Special thanks to Eve Eisenbise, Anthony Ciravolo and Jeff Bodell (ATF FATD).

Resources

Government Documents (Declassified)

• Procurement, Production and Distribution of the AR15, M16 and M16A1 Weapon System (1 June 1968)
• Procurement History and Analysis of the M16 Rifle (Printed 2 Aug 71)
• M16A1 Initial Production and Comparison Test; GM. H&R, Colt. (9 Jan 69)
• M16A1 Rifles, Hydra-Matic- collection of Amendments to the original contract and correspondence 1968-1971, on the General Motors Corporation Hydra-Matic Division M16A1 contracts. English Language. (Courtesy Dan Shea, Small Arms Review Reference Library)

Books

• The Black Rifle: M16 Retrospective R. Blake Stevens and Edward C. Ezell
• The Great Rifle Controversy Edward Clinton Ezell  

VIRIDIAN WEAPON TECHNOLOGIES

Viridian Essential Red and Green Laser Sights for Ruger MAX-9

Viridian Weapon Technologies announced new green and red E-Series laser sights for the new Ruger MAX-9. Ruger’s new subcompact 9mm handgun is great for everyday carry and the new E-Series lasers add to the MAX-9’s functionality by speeding up target acquisition.

“Viridian is pleased to work with Ruger to bring these new lasers to those who want to add to the MAX-9’s functionality,” said Viridian President and CEO Brian Hedeen. “The E-Series lasers are available in both red and green providing a full range of options for those who rely on the speed of a laser to cut down time-to-target. The MAX-9 is a dynamic new pistol, and Viridian’s E-Series laser is the perfect addition.”

Viridian, one of the world’s largest independent providers of weapon-mounted technology, specializes in versatile gun-specific lasers. The E-Series green and red laser sights for the Ruger MAX-9 are the most recent additions to a deep line of Ruger pairings. The red E-Series laser is perfect for low-light shooting. The green E-Series laser is visible at up to 100 yards in daylight and at over two miles at night.  

The E-Series laser sights mount to the trigger guard and feature an ambidextrous on/off button with a 5-minute auto shut off to preserve battery life. MSRP $132 (Red, SKU# 912-0044) and $149 (Green, SKU# 912-0045).

viridianweapontech.com

STREAMLIGHT

Pocket Mate USB

Streamlight, Inc. launched the ultra-compact Pocket Mate USB, a weather-resistant, USB rechargeable personal light that delivers 325 lumens and features convenient hands-free options.

Small enough to carry in a pocket, the Pocket Mate features an anodized spring clip that attaches to zippers or key chains, and clips onto hats, visors and clothing for hands-free use.

“Versatility, brightness and USB rechargeability make the Pocket Mate the perfect easy-to-carry light for any situation—hands-free, in your pocket or attached to your person,” said Streamlight Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Michael F. Dineen. “The Pocket Mate produces incredible lumens and beam distance for a light this size.”

The Pocket Mate is powered by a bright white LED that offers high and low modes. On high, the Pocket Mate delivers 325 lumens, a 76-meter beam and a 20-minute run time; on low, it provides 45 lumens, a 28-meter beam and a run time of 1 hour. Both modes run for several hours of intermittent use.

Featuring a lithium polymer battery, the light charges from any USB power source and includes a charge status indicator. The light’s multi-function pushbutton switch is recessed to prevent accidental turn-on.

The new light is constructed from an impact-resistant polycarbonate and a machined aluminum frame. Measuring 2.0 inches long and weighing 0.5 ounces, the Pocket Mate is rated IPX4 for weather-resistant operation and is impact-resistance tested to 1 meter.

Available in silver, red, blue and pink, the Pocket Mate has an MSRP of $35.00, and includes a two-year warranty.

streamlight.com

FIREFIELD

BattleTek Subcompact Laser Sights

Firefield’s BattleTek Subcompact Laser Sight (available in Red or Green) is a convenient and powerful 5mW laser sight that delivers quick-target acquisition for short- and medium-range engagements, such as tactical engagements or self-defense. Built for compact and subcompact handguns, the highly-durable BattleTek Subcompact boasts a maximum caliber recoil of .45 ACP, and it is IP55 water-resistant, shockproof and operates in temperatures from -4F to 113F.

BattleTek Subcompact Green Laser Sight

• 600-yard nighttime visibility
• 50-yard daytime visibility
• Internal rechargeable battery with up to 2 hours of battery life
• Ambidextrous digital switch
• Windage and elevation adjustable
• 5mW green laser
• Attaches via Weaver Mount
• MSRP: USD $119.99

BattleTek Subcompact Red Laser Sight

• 300-yard nighttime visibility
• 30-yard daytime visibility
• Internal rechargeable battery with up to 6 hours of battery life
• Ambidextrous digital switch
• 5mW red laser
• Windage and elevation adjustable
• Quick target acquisition
• Attaches via Weaver Mount
• MSRP: USD $95.99

fire-field.com

VERTX

Go Pack

Vertx announced the launch of the Go Pack. A lightweight addition to the current Vertx line, the Go Pack has been optimized for an active lifestyle. The Go Pack is now available online at vertx.com and in-store. Customers can find their nearest dealer using the Vertx store locator at vertx.com/store-locator.   

“The Go Pack is everything our customers expect in a Vertx bag in a light and packable package,” said Denny Bogard, GM/VP of Vertx. “While it’s slimmer than other packs in the line, it’s still feature-rich and EDC ready.”

Although the Go Pack may look like the everyday drawstring bag, it has been upgraded with tactical features that make it perfect for the gym, travel and day-to-day. The pack features a spring-loaded, quick-release closure system for situations where fast access to gear is a necessity. Inside, the pack is loop-lined and compatible with hook and loop accessories like Tactigami holsters and storage pouches. The Go Pack also features a discreet shove-it pouch for towels and laundry that doubles a way to prevent printing from gear stored in the main compartment. And when you’re on the go, the Go Pack can be rolled up and stowed until you need it.

The Go Pack is available in “It’s Black,” “Reef/Smoke Grey” and “Canopy Green/Smoke Grey” and retails for an MSRP of USD $55.99.  

vertx.com

TANGODOWN INC.

Vickers Tactical Floor Plates for the SIG Sauer P320 and HK VP9/VP40

TangoDown Inc. announced two new items to their Vickers Tactical collection: the Vickers Tactical HK VP9/VP40 Magazine Floor Plates and the Vickers Tactical SIG Sauer P320 9mm/.40/.357 SIG Magazine Floor Plates. Both products feature the same standout design as the existing VT/TD floor plates. The floor plates offer the flared finger scallops that allow for easy manipulation, even while wearing gloves. The bottom of the floor plate provides molded dimples for easy marking of training magazines and/or spare magazines. If you have used the VT/TD floor plates on your other handgun models, you will love these on your P320 and/or VP9.

Available in Black or Tan for the SIG Sauer P320, MSRP USD $19.25 for a pack of 5. Available in Black for the HK VP9/VP40, MSRP USD $19.25 for a pack of 5.

tangodown.com

BLASER

R8 Bolt Action Rifle in 6.5 PRC

Blaser now offers its R8 Bolt Action Rifle in 6.5 PRC. Known for its accuracy and long-range performance, the 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge is essentially a magnum version of the 6.5 Creedmoor with a flatter trajectory and higher impact velocity, making it a favorite of long-range hunters.

The straight-pull R8 bolt action rifle, renowned for its reliability, repeatability, speed and precision, offers hunters a vast number of configurations to meet their needs in the field. Options include a wide array of stock options, a recoil reduction system, adjustable comb, adjustable length of pull, and numerous barrels and bolt heads to facilitate quick conversions to different calibers, depending on the type of game one is hunting.

“If you combine all the different standard options on an R8, you can build over 47 million unique rifles and that does not even include custom shop options,” said Jason Evans, CEO, Blaser Group. “The interchangeability makes it incredibly easy to convert your rifle from one caliber to another by simply switching out the barrel and bolt head. This can be done in less than a minute. The engineering and craftsmanship is so extraordinary, after any barrel change, the rifle will shoot to within 1/2 MOA every time.”

The compact overall length and modularity of the Blaser R8 offer distinct advantages to hunters who travel frequently, allowing them to carry one rifle with several different barrels instead of transporting multiple guns around the world. The Blaser Saddle Mount system allows for easy and precise mounting of a riflescope by allowing the one-piece base of the mount to fit into notches machined into the top of the free-floating barrel. The barrel and saddle mount become one accurate unit, ensuring absolute repeatability once the scope has been zeroed, regardless of how many times the scope is removed from the barrel. The R8’s concentric locking lugs with 14 locking surfaces provide 360-degree enagagement, further enhancing accuracy. The R8 is available in numerous calibers from .204 Ruger to .500 Jeffrey.

blaser-usa.com

Eliminator 4

The Eliminator LaserScope is the most innovative and effective riflescope in the world. With the push of a button, the Eliminator ranges and displays the distance to the target (factoring in angle). It instantly calculates and displays the exact aiming point and wind data all inside the scope for complete situational awareness. No need for wasting time with separate rangefinders, apps or smartphones.

MSRP: $2,039

burrisoptics.com

Burris Optics

TMPR – Prism Sight/Red Dot/Laser

The T.M.P.R. SYSTEM is a modular system of purpose-specific optics that can be used individually or in combination to create the ultimate sight for any situation. Each T.M.P.R. System component has its own battery. When connected to a T.M.P.R. prism sight, they can be powered by the prism sight’s high-capacity CR123 battery.

MSRP: $1,259

burrisoptics.com

EOTECH

HHS V

The Holographic Hybrid Sight V (HHS V), featuring the EXPS3-4 and the G45, 5X magnifier, allows for longer range target identification and engagement. Instant transition is achieved through a Switch-To-Side (STS) mount that offers a simple and quick disengagement of the magnifier. This durable night vision-compatible system offers wide field optical performance for visibility in extreme low-light conditions.

MSRP: $1299

eotechinc.com

EOTECH

Vudu 1-6×24 FFP

This is an optic that feels at home on the AR platform or on a bolt action rifle. The EOTECH Speed Ring reticle allows for fast target engagement at low power, but at higher power provides the resolution and accuracy required to tackle longer shots. The Vudu 1-6X is the perfect solution for short- to medium-range applications.

MSRP: $1399

eotechinc.com

Meprolight

Mepro Foresight

• Innovative Augmented Red-Dot Optic
• Interactive App
• Bluetooth compatible to  Android/I-Phone smartphone
• Automatic digital zeroing with Double Shoot App
• Choose and store five reticles from database of 25.
• Store up to ten different weapon profiles and ballistic data
• Sight leveler
• Digital compass
• Integrated light sensor which automatically adjusts reticle brightness
• Data is projected onto glass same as a fighter jet cockpit
• Wide Field-Of-View enhances situational awareness
• Frequent firmware and feature updates
• User friendly

MSRP: $769.99

shop.meprolight.com

Meprolight

RDS Pro V2

• Innovative Augmented Red-Dot Optic
• 16 levels of reticle brightness
• Choice of red or green reticle
• 2” MOA Dot, 2.2” MOA Bullseye, and 300 Blackout reticle patterns
• Large display window for greater FOV and rapid target acquisition
• Advanced LED technology
• 1000’s of hours on single AA battery
• Low battery indicator
• Advance auto shut-off sensor for additional energy savings
• Compatible with standard NVGs & Magnifying Scopes
• MIL-SPEC
• Battle tested. Battle proven.
• Used by militaries and LE agencies world-wide

MSRP: $599.99

shop.meprolight.com

Riton Optics

1 Tactix ARD

The 1 Tactix ARD is one of Riton’s most versatile red dots, whether you’re mounting it to an AR, AK, a shotgun, or a pistol. Featuring the Riton 2 MOA ultra-precise red dot, it comes with a lower 1/3 co-witness QD mount and a flush mount for the perfect mounting height no matter the platform.

MSRP: $199.99

ritonoptics.com

Schmidt & Bender

3-20×50 PMII Ultra Short

The 3-20×50 PMII Ultra Short is in use by military, police and competition shooters around the world. The extremely compact and powerful 6.7x zoom scope is rugged and lightweight and therefore especially ideal for compact weapon systems. Low profile turrets with an outstanding elevation adjustment of 35 MIL/84 MOA make this riflescope a true compact powerhouse which doesn’t compromise a millimeter on mechanical reliability or optical performance.

MSRP: $3495

schmidtundbender.de

Schmidt & Bender

5-45×56 PMII High Power

The 5-45×56 PMII High Power has an outstanding optical performance over the entire magnification range which ideal for identifying even small targets or spotting your results. Due to solid construction and use of best optics it is designed to cope with the toughest conditions. It is available with Double Turn (DT) with 0.1 MRAD click value or Multi Turn II (MT II) with fine 0.5 cm/100 m click value for precise zeroing and more accurate shooting.

MSRP: $4995

schmidtundbender.de

SIG SAUER Inc

ECHO3 Thermal Reflex Optic

The most innovative, direct view thermal sight in the world. The ECHO3 uses SIG SAUER BDX technology and can record both video and images in 8 different color palettes.

FEATURES:

• Compact Thermal Reflex Style Sight (Don’t get Stuck “Behind” a Scope)
• BDX Enabled WiFi/Bluetooth, Allowing Active Reticles that Change with KILO Rangefinder Input
• Customizable Fixed Reticles that are Configured from the BDX Mobile Application
• Uncooled 320×240 12µ VOx LWIR Core Operating at 30Hz (ITAR Controlled)
• LevelPlex Anti-Cant System with Scope Cant Sensitivity down to 0.5°
• MOTAC (Motion Activated Display) Powers up when it Senses Motion
• Video and Image Recording (including recoil activation) with 8 Color Palettes
• Greater than 6 Hours of Run Time with Heavy Use
• Easy to Adjust Lens with Optional Throw Lever Attachment
• Optional Quick Disconnect Mount
• Designed and Assembled in the U.S.A. to Withstand IPX-6 Conditions
• Aspheric Lens (10° FOV) with up to 6X Digital Magnification
• Designed for Predator and Hog hunters
• Improved Situational Awareness

MSRP: $3299.99 – $4399.99

SIGSAUER.com

SIG SAUER Inc

SIERRA3 and SIERRA6 BDX Riflescopes and KILO Rangefinders with BDX Technology

When used together KILO BDX rangefinders and SIERRA BDX riflescopes combine to create the most advanced optics system available on the market today. Simply configure your ballistics profile in the BDX app, pair your KILO BDX rangefinder with the app, and then bond it to your SIERRA BDX riflescope. When you range your target the KILO BDX rangefinder automatically sends your specific holdover data to your SIERRA BDX riflescope giving you an illuminated holdover dot. It’s simple and fast. BDX 2.0 allows users to quickly and easily bond their laser rangefinders to their BDX sights using the QUICKbond feature. 8 preloaded ballistic groups are already loaded on the rangefinder for the user to be able to use the product right out of the box. BDX combo kits now come pre-bonded from the factory. Combining this with the new ballistic groups preloaded on the KILO rangefinders allows users to quickly and easily begin using their BDX products.

MSRP: $329.99 – $1429.99

SIGSAUER.com

Steiner Optics

CQT – Close Quarter Thermal

The Close Quarters thermal is the first ever red dot with thermal overlay.  This Clear View Thermal technology give you a direct and clear view of the real world! Designed for soldiers to use in close quarters combat, the CQT with CVT is like nothing your ever seen. thermal to identify; red dot to target. The rugged anodized housing can withstand any kind of hunt in all weather conditions.

MSRP: $9,999

steiner-optics.com

Steiner Optics

IFS Riflescope – Integrated Firing Solution

The Intelligent Firing Solution with integrated customizable display always provides all the important information in real time to the operator. The built in Ballistic Calculator and Sensor Suite determines the bullet point of impact in real time (temperature, air pressure, inclination, wind drift). Just turn the turrets until the distance and wind correction in the display matches the information provided by the spotter and you will be on target.

The display provides information about leveling and the current turret setting. Display and user interface can be customized to user needs. All information can be arranged, or deactivated as needed via smartphone app (Bluetooth connection).

MSRP: $6,784

steiner-optics.com

The mind of a collector. It’s a strange and curious thing. I would like to be specific and declare that I am not talking about somebody who acquires things; many of us do just that. I am talking about somebody who enlists a deliberate process—a theme, if you will— that adds extra elements to the pursuit. A collector “has it bad.” I admit that I often occupy both modes in my life, even in terms of NFA weapons. Allow me to elaborate.

I’ve been what many would call an HK “fan boi” for many decades. It started off innocently enough. If it had the HK brand and I had the money in my pocket … I would buy it. No particular rhyme or reason. It said “HK” and I had to have it. From my nearly 60 years of perspective, that doesn’t really qualify as collecting. There’s no deliberation or theme. It’s just building a war chest. And then I managed to pick up an HK USP Compact factory cutaway with a translucent frame in a charity auction. Fascinating piece. I loved being told by George Schultz of Heckler and Koch that the item was a fully functioning firearm and that it absolutely would fire. Once. (Safety concern duly noted!) And then I had an opportunity to pick up another factory cutaway of a different model. Guess who has become a collector?

Sure, it’s a subtle difference. A gentle line in the sand, if you will. But it’s there and I suspect that many of you know exactly what I am talking about. I find that mindset is key in the whole drama of selecting an item to add to the collection. I’ve added a few pieces to my machine gun collection over the years. Yes, there’s a plethora of HKs that are representing the brand quite nicely. It’s the other pieces that presented a problem. How to choose? The “others” started out with me wanting to celebrate the intellect and wisdom of John Moses Browning. So, I added an M1919A4 (two, actually) and then a Ma Deuce. I found myself in acquisition mode, not collector mode. And that wasn’t nearly as satisfying as I had hoped. Sure, the guns ran great! Something was missing.

I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with a lot of great people at gun shows. I’d like to think that I used a lot of that time to soak up some knowledge and passion. Several years ago, I was chatting with a long-time vendor at Knob Creek. He and I always managed to chew the fat and swap stories and lore. He had almost always had an FN MINIMI on his table with a large price tag on it. I had never paid it much attention, but the last time we were chatting I asked him why the gun had never sold—it seemed to be a great piece, in great shape. He told me that it was one of his favorite guns and that he loved to shoot it. Under the pretense of running a business he had it for sale, but at a price that was too high to actually induce anyone to buy it. He then looked me in the eyes and asked me if I was interested. “Of course! I’ve always wanted a SAW and had never found the right one at the right time.” “Well, tell me how much you want to pay for it.” We got to a number and shook hands. A check was passed, paperwork was executed. The machine gun arrived a few weeks later in a giant box that was filled with the gun, spare barrels, parts, manuals, product catalogs … the whole shebang. I figured out my collecting mode. I want to acquire weapons that brought joy to my friends. Guns that made people happy. It’s not a bad way to go! I have managed to pick up a few more machine guns that fit this description. And I am in the process of adding one more as I write this article. The NFATCA understands the mind of the collector. We’re not just about righting the wrongs of onerous regulation and oversight. It’s also about something that brings so much happiness to so many of us. I am happy to say it again—for almost 20 years we have aimed to represent the interests of the whole NFA community in ways that benefit everyone, fairly. To make more NFA opportunities available to more people, more often and more equitably. We have accomplished many great achievements. We know that there is more work to do, though. We welcome your help and support; please consider joining or renewing today. nfatca.org / info@nfatca.org