By Thomas T. Hoel, historical and technical editing by Dan Shea, Photos by Dan Shea

The operating system group is considered to be the heart of the M60 machinegun’s basic design, and it is here that the potential for the most common and expensive wear and damage within the whole weapon can occur. The operating system group consists of the operating rod, bolt group and the recoil/counter recoil parts. If problems with these parts, or improper operation of this group, are allowed to occur they can also greatly affect several other attendant systems within the weapon, primarily the barrel and the feed system and it’s components.

The kinetic motion of the weapon centers on the reciprocating movement of the operating rod, and the rotational action of the bolt assembly as it is driven forward and backward by the operating rod throughout the operational cycle. The bolt and operating rod are involved in a seemingly very simplistic relationship. But it is the inherently violent momentum of their interdependent movements that result in a host of wear-related problems that must be dealt with for continued reliable and safe operation.

Both the bolt and the operating rod are manufactured from high-grade ordnance steels, close-tolerance machined, stress-relieved and heat-treated to provide exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and resistance to wear and failure. Despite this, both parts will evidence clearly visible wear and deformation almost from the first time they are put into use. While it’s always unsettling for a new operator to discover these wear patterns, this is a natural occurrence and while it cannot be avoided, it can most certainly be mitigated. However, the fact that the gun quite normally “wears-in” new parts in this group, does not mean these parts should be ignored. If left unattended, these areas of galling and peening can produce dangerous stress concentrations, possibly leading to premature failure. As a consequence, all of the military manuals covering both operational field use and normal maintenance delve into this topic in great detail.

There are known locations within this system that generate wear. Together, the cam cut on the bolt body underside for the operating rod, the bolt locking lugs, and the cam ways in the barrel extension are designed to force the bolt body to rotate, both in locking and unlocking actions. The points of contact along these two camming surfaces are subject to greatly localized stresses, and will seek to spread this stress over a greater surface area. This action is what produces the visible areas of galling or peening visible on the bolt lugs, barrel extension cam ways (rare), and operating rod yoke (or yoke tower). This phenomenon was recognized early on, and several steps were taken to help alleviate the problem. The most noticeable modification was the addition of a roller bearing on the operating rod yoke, though more subtle changes were made in the angular diversion of the cam paths used, and a generalized increase in the contact areas of the individual components. If the formation, even if small in surface area, of galled or peened edges is observed, immediate corrective action is required to prevent continuing damage. Any evidence of galling or peened edges must be removed to restore the normal passage of lines of stress. There are three main locations within the system where this type of wear is observed.

First, examine the yoke tower of the operating rod along its frontal face, receiver guide ways, and the firing pin bearing channel. These surfaces essentially serve as forward and rearward travel limit stops for the bolt body at the end of its camming slot travel.

Conversely, the large mating surface area of the bolt camming groove located along the bolt body underside effectively spreads out any stresses within the bolt body there, and wearing of the sharp edges on this camming cut is unusual. Normally, a smoothly polished interior travel surface will be seen, with occasional evidence of slight surface deformation(s). In accordance with service publications such as TM 9-1005-224-23&P (or -24), visible surface burrs, gouges, or galling on the yoke tower and attendant firing pin bearing channel and receiver guide ways do not render the operating rod unserviceable, provided the damage is corrected by returning the surface(s) to a smoothly contoured area.

Experience has shown that on the yoke, the rear edges of the firing pin channel will evidence the most burring, directly above the firing pin roller bearing. (Note that the right-hand top edge, as viewed from the rear, is manufactured with a forward raked cut to the top edge; this is normal and reduces wear at this corner)

Use of the proper method for disassembly the bolt body from the operating rod yoke will greatly reduce operator induced wear during maintenance at the firing pin channel location, a major cause of premature wear here.

To correctly disassemble, invert the operating rod and bolt group, grasping the inverted top of the bolt body in the left palm, rear end facing away. While grasping the shank of the operating rod forward of the sear notch, apply pressure rearward against your left palm compressing the firing pin spring. Apply this pressure straight back until the yoke just starts to rotate…do not allow yoke to rotate. While holding the yoke firmly against rotation and firing pin spring tension, lift the forward end of the operating rod gently upward, carefully allowing the front edge of the firing pin channel to come up out of the bolt camming slot, and then slowly ease the firing pin forward to clear until it stops. Do not allow firing pin to snap forward. Done properly, neither the yoke tower or bolt body will slip out under pressure of the firing pin spring, which often times will cause gouges or burrs to form if allowed to happen. Reassembly is performed by reversal of these steps.

The second area to observe is the bolt head, and its locking lugs (and cartridge feed lug). These areas, in conjunction with the cam ways in the barrel extension, are the most stressed in the group as they bear the full intensity of the firing pressures of the cartridge. These areas encounter the brunt of the horizontal and rotational shock during bolt locking and unlocking actions as contact along these points is what starts and stops the violent rotation, and subsequent linear movement, of the bolt assembly in each direction of travel. These lugs will usually show more signs of wear than the corresponding cam ways in the barrel extension, and will be where the most attention must be directed in terms of preventative maintenance actions taken by careful removal of burrs or peening. Even more so than with the operating rod yoke, extreme care must be taken here when correcting any wear to make absolutely sure no lug contours are changed or excess material removed as safety of the locking action can be compromised. The top locking lug also forms the cartridge feed lug (cartridge stripping lug), and as such has significantly less material to start with than the lower locking lug. The top lug should always be given the closest scrutiny for any possibility that the incurred damages might not be removable by normal corrective action(s), without altering the underlying strength of the lug. The common wear pattern observed on the lugs is for the frontal surfaces to evince galling or slight burring around the sharp edges of the lug(s) where they travel in the cam ways of the barrel extension. Again, in accordance with service publications such as TM 9-1005-224-23&P (or -24) these minor deformations of the frontal surfaces of a particular lug are not cause for rejection of the bolt body as long as these areas are returned to a smooth contour.

The most severe damage that can occur to either the bolt lugs or barrel extension cam ways is in the form of cracking or chipping. Heavy gouging or deep indentations formed in this area will almost always lead to incipient cracking, and evidence of this type of damage is cause for an immediate inspection for integrity and subsequent rejection of the component. The equivalent problem may be observed along the exterior edges of the barrel extension cam ways. If any evidence of cracks, incipient cracking, or chipping, is determined to exist on the surfaces of the cam ways, a full inspection of the barrel extension (cam ways) is also immediately indicated. The only safe method for proper determination of any cracking suspected in the above areas is to subject the area to a fluorescent dye-penetrant test (with equivalency to MIL-I-25135), or MagnaFlux(r). (Virtually all aircraft service and repair shops will be able to offer these inspection procedures). If such an inspection procedure is unavailable, the only safe recourse is to replace the suspect part.

For all other cases of correctable repair, the proper remedial action is to carefully restore to a smooth surface the sharp edges of any galled, burred, or peened area by stoning with a fine grit polishing stone, without altering the basic underlying contour of the area. When using this technique great care must be taken not to alter or remove any of the underlying material, but merely to smooth out and remove the tiny displacements. (Never use a coarse grit stone or highly abrasive compound. 800 grit is an ideal basic) A final polishing of the affected area is recommended. Once these initial wear-in displacements are corrected, additional stoning is usually not required. However, if any of these components are changed, were-in problems may again arise. This may also occur if the firing pin or operating rod roller bearing are replaced. In rare instances, the spools of the firing pin may exhibit wear, which is, in turn, indicative of excessive wear of the firing pin channel edges. A damaged yoke roller bearing will cause excessive wear patterns on the inside surface of the bolt camming cut in the bolt body. It is therefore prudent to monitor these areas as well for additional signs of galling, burring, or peening, if any of the component parts of the operating system are exchanged.

The operating rod both retains the bolt and helps to cause it to rotate by a camming action as it is driven back and forth. The bolt is also supported and guided in its reciprocating movement by the feed-cam actuating roller, which is supported by the two bolt guide rails that form an integral part of the receiver. The gas tube, lower receiver operating rod supporting rail, and the bolt guide rails are the primary vertical support members for the operating rod and bolt assembly. Smooth and unbinding free movement along these paths of support is critical for correct functioning of the bolt and operating rod. It is always recommended to inspect these areas first, if wear begins to appear on either the operating rod tower or the bolt lugs. A simple lack of proper lubrication can cause excess drag along these supporting areas, which may lead to sluggish operation of the weapon in general, or failure even to fire a chambered cartridge. Lubrication of the operating group and its supporting components is critically important.

For virtually the entire military operational use of the M60, there have only been two normally approved MIL-SPEC lubricants, LSA and CLP. LSA (Lubricating oil, Semi-fluid, Automatic weapons, MIL-L-46000B) is a medium weight lubricating fluid, actually an emulsified mixture of multi-grade lubricants designed to provide effective lubrication protection over a wide range of atmospheric and temperature extremes. LSA was approved for field use in virtually all small arms in inventory and is a substantially effective general weapons lubricant when used in areas appropriate for its composition and formulation. Due to its chemical composition, LSA stocks that have been allowed to sit idle for any length of time will drop out of emulsion; to restore the lubricant to its full specification the mixture must be vigorously shaken, by mechanical means preferably. (To restore small quantities, individual containers can be heated in boiling water for a short period, or placed in a microwave oven set on Low for several seconds, and then shaken by hand.)

Standard M60 GPMG gas cylinder. This one is particularly nasty and came from a very old barrel that hadn’t been cleaned since the Stratford Hollow shoots, left in the back of a travel box. Note the scale and carbon build up, that made it necessary to drive the piston from the system with a rod and hammer. This is a prime example of a piston that would not slide when the barrel was tilted. It is not, however, beyond saving. Some good old fashioned cleaning solvent and scrubbing, and it will be usable again.

CLP (Cleaner, Lubricant, Preservative, MIL-L-CLP) was adopted to address what were considered to be shortcomings when maintaining weapons with the previous standard combination of LSA and RBC (rifle bore cleaner, MIL-C-372B or C). CLP is a complex formulation of cleaners (powder solvents), synthetic and natural lubricants, and anti-rusting and anti-corrosive (anti-acidic) compounds. While touted as a miracle formulation, CLP in general and widespread use has proven to be less than satisfactory for any of its intended uses. Its primary value as a weapons lubricant is dependent upon micro-grannular deposition of DuPont™ Teflon® (a fluoropolymerized lubricant) particles carried in suspension. When proper deposition of these minute particles occurs in the grain structure of a treated metal surface, the resulting lubrication properties are phenomenal. The main problem has been that successful Teflon® deposition rarely occurs and the remaining petroleum-based carrier fluid is not an effective lubricant, leaving much of the weapon unprotected from accelerated wear. It is mandatory that bulk concentrations of CLP be thoroughly agitated before use to efficiently distribute the Teflon® particulates in uniform suspension. For maximum Teflon(r) adhesion and deposition, the area(s) to be treated must be cleaned down to the bare metal surface with no trace of prior lubricants or preservatives remaining. Additionally, CLP does not achieve its’ maximum potential lubricity without numerous, long-term, continued applications.

Both LSA and CLP have their places and can be used effectively, although LSA is a far better choice for general lubrication of small parts if thorough cleaning and complete re-lubrication cannot be accomplished after every shooting session.

Neither LSA nor CLP are the best lubricants for several locations on the M60. On small parts, with small surface contact areas and low operating contact pressures, they are sufficient, but for large contact areas under heavy pressures another lubricant type is preferred for civilian use of the weapon.

Just as was found with long term experience with the .30 M1 Garand, .30 M1 Carbine, and M14 rifles, the use of any lubricant other than a heavy weight, high viscosity, grease for the bolt and operating rod contact areas led to immediate and disastrous problems. These critical parts often “froze” when used with lightweight lubricating fluids, even in ideal atmospheric conditions. The similarity of the operating components of these weapons to the operating system in the M60 suggest the same lubricant choice in certain highly stressed areas such as the operating rod yoke, bolt camming cut surfaces, bolt locking lugs, barrel extension cam ways, bolt and operating rod guide rail slots, feed cam actuator roller, and feed cam lever. The benefit of using such a high viscosity, extreme pressure, type of lubricant on these areas is that even under extreme operating conditions the lubricant will tend to stay where it is needed, continuing to provide vital lubricity.

The military standard for such applications is the unsurprisingly named MIL-SPEC lubricant, Rifle Grease (Grease, Rifle, MIL-G-46003 (ORD) Amend. 2). GI Rifle Grease is a high-grade, high-viscosity, temperature-stabilized, all-petroleum base lubricant with exceptional qualities for extreme pressure use and is formulated with anti-rust and anti-oxidant properties. While no longer a MIL standard lubricant, it is widely available as surplus stock. If GI Rifle Grease cannot be found in sufficient quantity for cost-effective use, it is also acceptable to use a more modern substitute. These products should conform to NLGI No. 2 multi-purpose applications, and will usually be found as a lithium-12 hydroxide base, molybdenum disulfide bearing, and extreme-pressure grease, such as generic automotive “wheel bearing grease.”

Liberal, but careful, application of this type of high-viscosity lubricant will provide long-term benefits significantly greater than if the weapon is maintained solely with CLP, LSA or other lightweight lubricants. Synthetic weapons lubricants such as MilCom TW-25B, and other such purpose-designed lubricants, are excellent for general use on the components of the M60, for those weapons in military use. However, civilians are not bound to consider all the same operational considerations as a military user, and use of the high-viscosity greases are more beneficial on certain components.

The last area of the operating system we need to consider is that part of the operating rod group that interacts with the fire control mechanism and counter recoil components.

The firing mechanism of the M60 is a relatively basic and straight forward design employing a simple spring loaded, single form sear which acts in combination with another simple machined cut on the underside of the operating rod. The sear is pulled into or out of engagement with the sear-cut on the operating rod by mechanical action with the movement of the trigger and its spring, and the sear spring. At least, that was the intention of the design. In use, however, the firing mechanism has two idiosyncrasies that must be understood and examined. The following applies to any variant of the basic design, and although with the M60D aircraft weapon variant the trigger is replaced with a linkage and trigger bars, the actions involved are exactly the same as in the ground guns.

The sear engagement surface cut on the operating rod underside is neither overly large, nor particularly aggressive, in its engagement with the sear. This has led to a reasonably accurate branding of the weapon as being prone to experiencing “run-away” operation. While the inherent design does indeed play into it, there are a few things the operator can do to prevent the situation from happening. As a relationship of the way the sear is forced to engage and hold the operating rod to cease firing, the operating rod sear engagement cut is placed under considerable impact loading which can over time cause the face angle to distort, lessening the available engagement contact area. This may continue to the point that the mere impact of the operating rod hitting the sear nose will cause the face on the rod to simply jump over the sear nose allowing the gun to fire additional rounds. The successful engagement of the sear with the rod face is dependant upon the nearly perpendicular mating of the two surfaces, any proclivity for either face to lessen that angle of contact through damaged contours, may be enough to prevent the trigger mechanism from holding fast the operating rod. While a certain amount of this distortion is unavoidable, the greater part of this wear is unnecessary. The most important thing any operator can do to prevent wear of these surfaces is to control the trigger mechanism in such a way as to prevent the two surfaces from experiencing “casual contact” as the gun operates. “Casual contact” occurs when the operating rod sear notch comes into partial contact at any point with the sear nose. This will inevitably cause frictional wear and low-level impact loading, forming galling or peening of the top edges of these surfaces, and greatly increasing the tendency for a run-away. For the sear nose and operating rod to function with the least amount of contact wear, they must never be allowed to contact each other, except when placed into sudden, full and complete engagement. Too often operators will not fully activate the trigger, allowing a small portion of the sear nose to continue projecting into the path of operating rod as it cycles. The gun will fire in this condition, but accelerated wear of the firing control parts is guaranteed also. The give-away is to view the underside of the operating rod and see if there is a polished track along its bottom edge. There should only be evidence of contact at the sear engagement notch, and nowhere else. If a polished track is present, the sear nose, via the trigger action, was not being pulled down out of the way. Again the correct remedial action is to restore these surface faces and remove the damage, without altering the underlying angular relationships of the base contours. Past a certain wear point, this may not be possible and replacement of the component may be required.

On the other end of the firing control spectrum is another problem that may result in a run-away gun. The sear must rise forcibly into the path of the operating rod in order to engage and hold the rod to stop firing. The sear is under spring pressure to provide upward vertical travel of the sear nose. In order for the trigger pressure to be within acceptable limits (trigger pull should be tested to be within a 6.0 lbs minimum, 11.5 lbs maximum), this spring cannot be overly powerful. When a run-away gun is encountered, the first item to check is the sear spring. Examine the sear spring to be sure it is not broken, or damaged. Additionally, serious problems can arise if the sear spring has taken a set over time. It can progress to the point where the operating rod is able to over-ride the sear nose if it is not being pushed far enough upward. Sear springs are an often-overlooked maintenance item, but should be routinely replaced with a progressive maintenance policy every 3,000 rounds at least. It is also acceptable to replace the stock spring with a custom spring with a higher spring rating. The compression length must remain the same to prevent jamming of the mechanism. Proper trigger manipulation combined with a higher rate custom sear spring will greatly increase the useful life span of sears and operating rods as they will encourage proper, full face surface, engagement of the two parts.

Finally, the recoil spring should be inspected. There are two variants of recoil springs currently available, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The gun was originally fitted with a multi-strand spring to combat the well-known tendency for single wire coil springs to potentially lose some of their strength rating due to spring wrap. The use of a multi-strand spring is exceedingly effective in the M60. However, with use it can become damaged as the spring itself is in nearly full contact with the inside surface of the operating rod tube and over time this will cause wear to occur in the form of flat spots There is nothing that can be done to totally prevent this from happening, it is inherent in the design of the recoil system. In order to allow the spring to deliver its greatest possible useful life, the coils should be checked often for flat spots, and the spring wire itself should be rotated to a different indexing each time the gun is disassembled so that wear is spread around the full exterior of the wire rope coils as much as possible. It a flat spot has completely worn through one strand, or is close to doing so, the spring should be replaced. The newest single strand coil spring introduced with the E3/E4 variants is intended to help eliminate the flat spotting associated with the wire-rope type spring. While the new spring design is also quite efficient, the single strand spring also requires the use of its own dedicated guide rod as the coil wire diameter is different than the older version spring. The new style spring can also be prone to wear, and is more susceptible to spring-wrap damages if strained. If this occurs, it can jam inside the operating rod spring tube, and become difficult to disassemble.

Although either version of main recoil spring is serviceable in the civilian realm, the surplus older style wire-rope springs are much less expensive and no new guide rod is needed. For use of either type recoil assembly, the spring guide rod should be smooth and free of any nicks or burrs that may catch a wire strand. Polishing of the spring guide rod to eliminate as much friction as possible is beneficial. Also, liberal use of lubricant inside the operating rod tube, the spring, and along the spring guide rod is recommended to enhance spring life, as long as this excess lubricant is thoroughly cleaned after each shooting session to preclude accumulation of abrasive material.

The recoil buffer unit and its retention yoke must also be inspected. The buffers in use since the mid-1960s and currently still issued are sealed hydraulic spring type, and essentially are maintenance-free except for periodic inspection for damage, including leaks. If the buffer starts to fail, often the first sign will be marked increase in pounding felt at the shoulder stock by the operator, The buffer retainer yoke will also begin to deform in a backward direction. If left unattended, the yoke may cause damages to the receiver channel and guide rails, along with the butt stock eventually. If the rear face of the butt stock appears dented or deformed outward, immediately inspect the buffer assembly and buffer retainer yoke. If any obvious signs of fluid leakage from the buffer body are present, replace the entire buffer unit.

The buttstock itself is supplied as a manufactured assembly, and cannot for all practical purposes, ever be disassembled or repaired beyond minor touchup of the finish. Individual spare parts are simply unavailable for this assembly, unless from a salvaged unit that has been broken down.

This brings us to the last and final area of consideration on the M60, which we will cover in Part 5 next month. It is an area that results in the most common problems and the costliest repairs for the civilian owner, yet virtually all of these problems are avoidable.

(c)Text & Photos by Jeff W. Zimba

Just like the very unique look of the Thompson, or the distinctive style of the M16, the M3 “Grease Gun” has a few immediately recognizable features not easily forgotten by those who once carried it in a theatre of operation. The pullout wire stock, combined with its tubular receiver, immediately gives it away even to those only remotely familiar with it.

There are only a handful of firearms that are instantly recognizable by the general public. This is most likely due to their exposure to Hollywood. Everything else seems to be lumped together and referred to by names that sound familiar. If I had a nickel for every time I was handling an M10 or a Sten in the past only to be asked, “Is that an Uzi?” I could have retired years ago. The Grease Gun is certainly not one of these “generic” submachine guns of the silver screen.

While operating a retail gun shop in years past, it was always obvious when someone who spent time in the armed services from the latter years of World War II to the early years of Vietnam would stop by the store. They would always gravitate to either a BAR or a Grease Gun, smile, and tell anyone within ear shot that they used to carry one of those. They would always ask what the price was, and more often than not, after explaining the process of legally obtaining a machine gun, most would leave with only the memories they arrived with. If the prices would not have been driven so far out of sight by the 1986-manufacturing ban, or if the registration requirements were not so costly and intimidating, many of these fellow brothers-in-arms would have purchased one for their collection.

Enter the Valkyrie Arms M3A1 Semiautomatic Carbine. After years of development Valerie Johnson has began manufacturing her semiautomatic-only version of the famous Grease Gun. Just like its namesake, it is chambered for the .45ACP cartridge and utilizes a standard, unmodified 30-round M3 magazine. While there are several changes in the firing mechanism and the overall design, few are apparent by just looking at the firearm.

Several criteria had to be met in order to allow the carbine to remain a Title I firearm and therefore not be subject to the National Firearms Act. The most obvious is the mandatory 16-inch barrel. While looking somewhat awkward it is necessary to keep the barrel length at or above 16 inches so it is not considered a “short-barreled rifle.” Secondly, in order to comply with the “Assault Weapons Ban” of 1994 (The ban that this writer hopes will be allowed to sunset in 2004 like originally intended), the wire stock is permanently fixed in the extended position so it does not collapse like the original. In my conversations with Valerie, she has indicated that in the future she will make original length barrel assemblies available to anyone who may wish to register their carbine as a “short-barreled rifle” to keep the aesthetics a little closer to the SMG. For an additional $25.00 Valkyrie will be shortening, crowning and refinishing the originally supplied barrel if the customer desires. They may also manufacture a suppressed barrel assembly at some point depending upon the sunset of the current “1994 Assault Weapons Ban”. For the time being, a short, non-functional display barrel is currently available with no additional registration requirements for the additional price of $60.00. A dummy OSS look-alike suppressor is also available for an additional $65.00. In the near future Valkyrie Arms will be offering an 8-inch, blank firing barrel as well.

While the overall look and feel are very similar, the vast majority of the parts used in manufacturing the Valkyrie carbine are proprietary and will not interchange with original M3 or M3A1 parts.

At a hefty unloaded weight of 8 pounds, the feel of the carbine is extremely close to the original submachine gun. (The unloaded weight of the M3 was 8.15 pounds while that of the M3A1 was reduced to 7.95 pounds.) This heavy carbine is relatively unaffected by the recoil of the .45ACP. Muzzle rise is minimal and multiple, rapid-fire rounds can be easily placed on target at 50 yards.

Fit and finish on the particular carbine we tested for this article were absolutely immaculate. The finish is a dark gray Parkerizing and is uniform from the muzzle to the stock. The dust cover is lined with felt on the inside so it does not wear the finish of the receiver while closed. The dust cover hinge is tight, as is every moving part on our test example and nothing rattles during normal or even heavy handling. The bolt is cocked with the forefinger via a slot in the bolt under the dust cover similar to the original M3A1. The design is of a closed-bolt style and the recoil spring is extremely heavy

Range time with the Valkyrie M3A1 Carbine was always enjoyable. The gun is extremely controllable and pleasant to shoot. The function with a standard 30-round magazine was flawless, regardless of ammunition type, and we never experienced any malfunctions at all. In an effort to distinguish any particular type of “favorite” ammunition, we loaded and fired several magazines with ball, hollow point and even semi-wadcutter match rounds with no failures to feed or fire. The trigger is very smooth. Trigger travel is over 1/2 inch but the break is quick and other than a steady spring tension there is no feeling of resistance at all. The magazine release is located on the left side of the magazine well and depressing the release will allow an unloaded magazine to drop free without having to pull it out.

All in all, I would highly recommend this carbine as a unique addition to any firearms collection. While this is a great alternative to an original grease gun for people who live in non-class III states, it is also an attractive and extremely functional piece sure to add to any collection. I live in one of the great free states where machine guns are no problem and found this gun fit to add to my own collection anyway.

Valkyrie Arms

Valerie Johnson founded Valkyrie Arms in 1993. The company concept began with an idea that formed out of the frustration of living in Washington, a state that banned fully automatic firearms. Valkyrie Arms has since evolved into a business that designs ATF approved, semiautomatic-only versions of classic military automatic arms. Some classic military firearms that Valkyrie Arms has designed in their new semiautomatic-only mode include the .50 BMG M2HB, M60, Browning 1919, Browning 1917, 1918 BAR and several others. They are also currently manufacturing and offering their own version of the very rare, suppressed, DeLisle Carbine. Valerie Johnson is a licensed pilot residing in Washington with a passion for firearms and is very active in the preservation of the Second Amendment.

Text & Photos by Jeff W. Zimba

As I am writing this, I have just returned from the Fall 2003 Knob Creek and am in the process of laying up this January 2004 issue. This is extremely late in the game for adding anything to an issue but we felt that there were so many new products there you should know about that we would make a major exception.

Vector Arms (of the famous Group Industries Uzi project) was in attendance with their new V53 project. The V53 is a semi-auto version of the HK53 machine gun. These rifles are offered in a legal 16-inch barrel length or as a registered short-barreled rifle with the original barrel length. They also had their new V93 rifle on display. The V93 is their version of the HK93 rifle. The pieces we looked at had a plastic trigger housing, paddle magazine release and were of excellent quality. Keeping in the Vector Arms tradition we have become used to, these guns looked nicer than any of the other HK clones this writer has had the opportunity to handle to date. Vector Arms, Inc., Dept. SAR, 270 West 500 North, North Salt Lake Utah, 84054. Tel: (801) 295-1917, Fax: (801) 295-9316. Website: www.vectorarms.com.

Valkyrie Arms had one of their latest innovations at the show on display. They are now manufacturing a semiautomatic version of the Sten. They are making plans to offer the MKII, the MKIII and even the MK V at a later date. The model they had on display looked as nice as their new M3A1 Semiautomatic Carbine (see feature on page 19 in this issue) as far as aesthetics. I am pleased to report that there will be many other new projects by Valkyrie Arms coming to light in the near future. Valkyrie Arms, Dept. SAR, 120 State Avenue, N.E. No. 381, Olympia Washington, 98501. Tel: (360)4824036. Website: www.valkyriearms.com

Doublestar Corporation unveiled their latest project at the Creek. They are now manufacturing their own Colt 1911 style receivers. These will be “tricked out” before they are shipped to set them apart from some of the other manufacturers. The details are still being hashed out at this time but they will be making their formal announcements about these very soon. Doublestar Corporation, Dept. SAR, Box 4671, Winchester, Kentucky 40391. Tel: 859-745-1757. Fax: 859-745-4638. Website: www.star15.com

JT Distributing is now offering a long awaited rail interface system for the M60 and its variants. It utilizes three military standard 1913 rails, one on each side and one on the bottom. These rails will accept many of several accessories available. JT Distributing, Dept. SAR, Box 430, Winchester, Kentucky 40391. Tel: 859-745-1757. Fax: 859-745-4638. Website: www.jtdistributing.com

The LULA magazine loader/ unloader line has been expanded to include the AK-47/ Galil series of magazines. One loader fits all, and the sales people said that the only problem encountered was one obscure East German manufactured magazine not in use in the US. This is quite an accomplishment considering the variety of AK and Galil magazines out there in calibers 7.62×39 and 5.56. GTS LLC, 2001 Clay Street, North Kansas City, MO, 64116. Tel 816-221-9117 Ext 11. Website: www.globaltactical.com LULA mag loaders are also available at www.longmountain.com.

A new Glock folding foregrip was showcased at Knob Creek by Todd A. Brueckmann. This new, lightweight system requires two 3/32 inch holes to be drilled into the polymer frame of the Glock. Use on a Glock 18 machine pistol would not change status, however the installation on any of the semi automatic Glock pistols would require registration with the ATF as an “Any Other Weapon”. TBA Suppressors, Tel: (804) 550-3159. Email: tbasuppressors@erols.com

For all you who like the big guns, there were three of the latest .50BMG designs there.

Cobb Manufacturing had their Cobb FA-50 at the show. This is their new straight-pull, magazine fed bolt-action rifle. It utilized the proven Armalite AR50 muzzle brake and their lack of felt recoil was popular with many of the shooters in attendance. This rifle uses a 10-round detachable magazine and boasts bolt-action accuracy with follow up shots much faster than traditional bolt-action designs. Cobb Manufacturing, Inc. Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 2344, Kennesaw, Georgia, 30156. Tel: 770-590-0044. Fax: 770-590-0081. Website: www.cobb50.com.

Walter with Safety Harbor Firearms had his usual tables with Serbu Firearms in the back of the pole barn and had a few variations of his innovative Ultramag 50 AR-15 upper receiver with him. His design is a replacement upper receiver in .50BMG. The thing that separates his design apart from some of the other upper receiver caliber conversions is that his utilizes a 3-round detachable magazine. With a 22-inch barrel it weighs approximately 12 pounds. Safety Harbor Firearms, Inc. Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 563, Safety Harbor, Florida, 34695. Tel: 727-725-4700. Fax: 727-724-1872. Website: www.ultramag50.com.

The .50 caliber Viper single-shot bolt-action was on display in the vendor’s tent area. This interesting bullpup design utilizes a 29″ barrel yet has an overall length of only 52.5 inches. The most interesting feature to this writer was the ability to completely disassemble the rifle with absolutely no tools necessary. Another unique feature is the built-in safety mechanism that sets the action to “safe” every time the action is cycled. It also has an interlocking mechanism that prohibits it from being disassembled with the bolt locked into battery.

Bluegrass Armory
Dept. SAR
P.O. Box 57
Richmond, Kentucky, 40475
Tel & Fax: 859-625-0874
Website: www.bluegrassarmory.com.

by Dan Shea

As General Manager of Small Arms Review, I am exercising my prerogative to take a little space, to say a few words about a friend. Herb Woodend was a friend to many of us.

I really can’t say how long a period of time I knew Herb, it seems that as long as I can remember his name lingers in the background. Back at the old Machine Gun News, Herb would contact me and go on and on about the “Mystery Photo of the Month”, and he always knew what it was. He frequently chastised me if I couldn’t identify the correct screw for a trench gun scope mount, or name some bizarre Madsen LMG magazine. Once I called a 1931 Darne a “Darné”, Herb glared at me and said with that light Irish lilt to his voice “And, Daniel, I thought you spoke French. Do you see an accent over that letter?” Today, I know that it is a “Darn”, not a “Darn-ay”. All of us who knew Herb have countless things we now know, due to his seemingly depthless knowledge.

In the many visits that we took to the UK, at War and Peace, at Nottingham, on trips with other members of the “SAR Expeditionary Force”, we spent many an hour with Herb pouring over arcane manuals and strange weapons. He was amazing. It is impossible to explain to anyone else just how deep his knowledge of weaponry was, it spanned many centuries and countless weapon systems. He knew all the accessories and was never happier than when he found some ancient magazine pouch or bayonet sheath for some obscure firearm, unless it was the magical glow he had when he found a rare belt or link. Strange fetish, that, and even stranger the variation of an Irish Jig he would dance when he tied together two bits of firearms trivia. Herb once told me that in the entire world there were five or six belt and link collectors as obsessed with the subject as he was, and they were all in competition to find certain links. He then handed over a non disintegrating metallic belt for 9mm Parabellum ammunition that the Germans had made for a tank gun they had only made a few prototypes of. It seems that belt had been in Sam Cumming’s desk drawer, he couldn’t identify it but knew it was special. When Herb came along, Sam gave it to Herb, who then told him what it was, and left with the belt.

I am a little unclear as to whether Sam was cognizant that the belt was headed out the door or not. Friends of Herb will understand.

Herb will be missed by many. His daughters Sarah and Arlene, and their many children, were on Herb’s mind constantly, and were a frequent subject of discussion. His many friends will remember him fondly.

In this issue of SAR, we are bringing you a glimpse of Herb, and the Pattern Room as it was. I hope you enjoy this, and that is sparks a certain something, a desire to learn about small arms, the collector’s bug, the gun tinker’s trade, and perhaps a passion for the military history represented there. Human history is never as deep or as rich as in how we have faced our challenges, and more often than not, these are represented in the weapons we used. Herb could sit and tell a story of a people, of a struggle they were in, of the designs the men made to overcome their opponents; all inspired by picking up a piece of metal and wood, and seeing the history behind it. I know that I will miss him terribly; he was a wonderful mentor, and a great friend.

–Dan Shea

by Robert M. Hausman

Contrary to the common assumption that Europeans are virtually unarmed, an estimated 84 million firearms are legally held in the 15-member states of the European Union. Of these, 80% or 67 million guns, are in civilian hands, according to a new research report by the Small Arms Survey of Geneva.

Citizens of most European countries are more heavily armed than they realize, with an average of 17.4 guns per 100 people in the 15 EU countries alone,” says Aaron Karp, coauthor of the Small Arms Survey report. The United Kingdom has 10 firearms per 100 people. “Many, but not all countries of Europe already have a strong gun culture.”

The Survey’s report details that:

• Gun laws are tightest in the U.K., the Netherlands and Poland in per capita terms. Germans buy almost as many firearms as Americans.
• France has more lawfully held handguns than the Czech Republic, Denmark, England and Wales, Poland, Scotland and Sweden combined.
• Across Europe, officials agree that illegal guns greatly outnumber known legal firearms.

Global Small Arms Production

Another chapter in the Survey’s report focuses on global small arms production trends. The global small industry is becoming simultaneously more concentrated and more dispersed, the report says. Consolidation is accelerating, reflecting broader trends in the larger defense industry. At the same time, the global small arms market appears to be fragmenting as more and more companies develop the capacity to produce small arms. The result is the creation of an increasingly chaotic global market, with more suppliers, and more products, chasing fewer buyers.

Currently 1,134 companies in at least 98 countries are involved in some aspect of small arms production, an increase over previous estimates. At least 30 countries are regarded as significant producers, with the United States and the Russian Federation dominating the global market. Between them, these two countries account for more than 70% of total worldwide production of civilian firearms. Although the civilian market is the largest part of the global small arms business, accounting for more than 80% of annual production, it is innovation in the military market that generally defines the cutting-edge of small arms technology.

The global small arms industry faces an unclear technological future, according to the authors of the report. With its core technology stuck on a plateau for the last 50 years and almost certain to stay there for many years to come, it has no obvious possibilities for dramatic growth by developing new markets. While some individual firms are prospering, the industry as a whole seems to be restructuring downwards, the report states. Instead of a single pattern, there are numerous and contradictory trends. Though overall sales are down, the number of firms is up. Companies are consolidating while the market becomes more fragmented, expanding while their markets are shrinking, developing new products while most of their technology stands still. Thus, the report concludes, that the global small arms industry has only postponed a more fundamental reckoning.

At least 18 countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), excluding the Russian Federation, have the capacity to produce small arms and/or ammunition. Since the end of the Cold War, this region’s defense industry has undergone a dramatic downsizing, restructuring, consolidation, and privatization, with output and employment shrinking by 90% in some countries. Those firms that survive either rely heavily on state contracts and subsidies, or now aggressively pursue export markets.

The Small Arms Survey organization, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a research project funded by 12 governments. Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied is its third annual global analysis of small arms issues, published by Oxford University Press.

Eduard Kettner Under New Ownership

Some of the assets of financially troubled German retailer and wholesaler Eduard Kettner have been acquired by a combination of owners.

Some of the retail shops inside Germany and abroad, the wholesale operation and a travel agency specializing in arranging hunting trips formerly belonging to Kettner, were sold on July 9th. The new owners are Michael Luke and Thomas Ortmeier, the same two who two years ago bought the companies in the group composed of Blaser (a producer of rifles), Sauer & Sohn, Haemmerli, and Mauser rifles. Various other investors have been negotiating for several weeks with the insolvency administrator, Hans-Gerd Jauch, who commented, “The sale of the companies group to the new owners was the best economic solution for Kettner’s creditors. The new management disposes of sufficient energy and knowledge to lead Kettner into a successful future.”

Frankonia Jagd, Germany Expanding

The noted retailer Frankonia Jagd has also bought part of Kettner’s business. By taking over three retail sales shops formerly operated by Kettner, Frankonia Jagd, Wuerzburg is increasing their number of sales shops situated in Germany.

The new shops in Cologne, Dortmund and Bexbachh (close to Saarbruecken) are offering more than 2,500-square-meters of sales space. The manager, Thomas Gigl, stated, “This is one of the first steps we are going to realize while we keep on expanding as the German market leader of the outdoor branch.”

Managing Constructor of Zastava Gun Factory Dies On May 28th, the managing constructor of Zastava, the Yugoslav gun factory, Rudoljub Matkovic, died at the age of 69. Matkovic was much involved in technical gun development as well as new products in the fields of hunting and sporting guns.

It was Matkovic who designed the first Zastava revolver as well as a Mauser rifle system reduced by 30% to be used in carbines. During the 1990 S.H.O.T. Show, he introduced the CZ99 double-action pistol from Zastava’s production. He continued to represent his company through the ensuing years and made his last appearance before the trade at the 2003 IWA fair in Nurenberg, Germany.

Matkovic was also a member of the International Commission for Standardization of Guns and Ammo (CIP) for more than 20 years. He looked forward to and participated in planning the 150th anniversary celebration of his company in Kragujevac, shortly before he died.

Ferlach Technical School Now 125 Years Old

The technical establishment of secondary education situated in Ferlach/Kaernten, Austria, is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

The head of the government of the province of Kaerten, Dr. Joerg Haider, welcomed to the celebration ceremony two of the most successful German students of that school, namely, Edgar Budischowsky, once the owner of Korriphila Praezisionstechnik in Heidelberg, and Wulf-Heinz Pflaumer, manager of Carl Walther Sportwaffen in Arnsberg. Both of them graduated from the school 40 years ago.

New Address for Haemmerli, Switzerland

Haemmerli, the Swiss producer of handguns has moved from its place of foundation in Lenzburg after 140 successful years. The company was founded in 1863 by Johann Ulrich Haemmerli very quickly found international success. First starting with the production of rifle barrels for the Swiss army, the company nowadays produces a wide range of sporting guns that are the result of years of investment and the realization of innovative ideas.

Haemmerli can now be found under the address of the well-known SIG Arms company (today Swiss Arms AG) in Neuhausen, Switzerland. The joining of the two gunmakers yields tremendous potential for the future and a lot of advantages such as common know-how and workflow.

The manager of Haemmerli and Swiss Arms AG, Dieter Wyss, notes that the existing structure of Swiss Arms production plays an important part in the combined company’s overall strategy. The firms are specialized in the production, assembly and quality control of sporting guns. Both of the companies will take advantage out of this joining and be able to increase the output as well as achieve faster new product development, Wyss reveals.

Minox-Camera Designer Dies at 97

In July, Dr. Walter Zapp, designer of the legendary Minox miniature camera series, died in Switzerland. He was born in Riga, Latvia in 1905.

Zapp never attended high school nor had a professional education. His excellent technical talent supported him to develop the smallest still camera in the world still being in serial production. After World War II, a quantity of 17,000 examples were produced in Riga. From 1984 until 1995, the camera was produced in Heuchelheim, Germany. In 1996, economic difficulties led to the take over of the company by Leica Camera AG. Zapp acted from this time in an advisory capacity and assisted in new product development. Almost one million Minox cameras have been sold worldwide.

.N. to Move Annan’s Submachine Guns

The United Nations has agreed to move a supply of submachine guns out of its New York City headquarters. Under pressure from the Bush Administration, the U.N. agreed to move the H&K MP5s to its peacekeeping operations overseas.

U.N. security chief Michael McCann purchased the arms in 1998 for the personal protection of Secretary-General Kofi Annan during his travels through the city. The arms were often visible in the support van of Annan’s motorcade as it moved through the city.

The State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) said it was unclear why Annan’s bodyguards need such arms. The DSS, under an agreement with the U.N., is in charge of Annan’s protection when he is in the US. The U.N. security force does not have “law-enforcement status,” said a source at the US mission in New York. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives originally denied the U.N. permission to purchase the guns. Key factors in the decision were the U.N. security department’s lack of formal status as a law enforcement agency and the risk of non-US citizens gaining access to the arms, State Department sources said.

However, the U.N., aided by senior officials in the Clinton Administration, persuaded BATF to grant permission. In February 2002, the Bush Administration ordered a review of the U.N. security officers’ use of the arms. Shortly after the 2002 BATF examination, U.N. security officials told The Washington Times the MP5s were removed from Annan’s security detail and locked up.

State Dept. sources said the U.N. and BATF never reached an accommodation that would have allowed the rifles back on the streets of New York. The U.N. agreed to transfer the arms outside the U.S. It was not clear when the guns were to be moved. “We were told the guns are headed to U.N. peacekeeping operations,” said one US diplomat.

Importer Adds US Distributors

SGS Importers International, Inc. of Wanamassa, New Jersey, and USA has appointed Bonitz Bros. as an additional Firestorm distributor for Pennsylvania. Now there are four JSC locations Jerry’s Sport Center, Outdoor Sports Headquarters, Simmons Gun Specialties and Bonitz Bros. that sell Industria Argentina-made Firestorm handguns in the states of Pennsylvania, W. Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and North and South Dakota.

New German Gun Law Decree

A decree added to the new German weapon law published on March 30, 2003, bans ownership to ordinary citizens of all firearms formerly owned by a police, security or military institution. Exempted are single-shot long-barrel guns. Firearms with a barrel length under 3 inches are now also banned.

The government has also tried to ban shooting from the prone position as done in such disciplines as IPSC, due to safety concerns. The various German shooting associations have filed a petition against this move and the matter has not yet been finalized on whether or not this prohibition will take effect.

Sweden Bans Lead Ammo

The government of Sweden has imposed a ban on lead-based hunting ammunition that will take effect in the year 2007.

Lapua, the Finish ammunition producer, reacted quickly by developing its new “Naturalis” ammunition line that is already on the market. Naturalis cartridges consist of a copper alloy hollow-point bullet containing a plastic valve. The valve is said to cause controlled expansion of the bullet to approximately 2.1 times of the original caliber diameter.

Sales prices for the already introduced cartridges in 6.5x55mm, .308, .30-06 and 9.3x62mm range from 40 to 52 Euro. Cartridges in 7x64mm and .300 WinMag. are to be introduced shortly.

Robert M. Hausman is the publisher of the small arms industry’s two most widely read trade publications, The New Firearms Business and The International Firearms Trade. A subscription to the domestic Firearms Business costs $112 for one-year (22-issues), while a one-year subscription to the monthly International Firearms Trade is just $72. To order a subscription, send a check to: P.O. Box 98, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 USA.

by Chris Choat

TWO NEW PRODUCTS FROM BARRETT FIREARMS

Barrett Firearms has just announced two new products. The first is their new Barrett Brand ammunition. The initial offering is designated Barrett M33 Ball and is manufactured exclusively for Barrett by Israel Military Industries, Ltd. This ammunition is built with all milspec components using the latest technology in military ammunition manufacturing. The ammunition is packed in 10-round plastic field packs and then in 80-round fiberboard cases. The ammunition carries the new Barrett headstamp “Barrett .50”. Barrett ball ammunition brings to the shooter high quality ammunition at a reasonable price. Those interested should visit the Barrett web page or contact their local FFL dealer for pricing and availability. Manufactured to milspec, the new ammunition features a 661-grain FMJ projectile loaded to 2,910 fps using 233 grains of WC860. Barrett has also just released a new knife that will be added to their accessory line. The new knife is called the Barrett M50 and is a custom and proprietary design by Ernest Emerson made especially for Barrett. The knife reflects the Barrett rifles strength, quality, durability and commitment to excellence. This knife will provide owners with a hard-use cutting edge that will last a lifetime. The Barrett M50 features a straightedge black blade with the Barrett and Emerson logo. The M50 retails for $195 plus shipping and handling. The first 250 knives will be their “Signature Edition” designated the “M50 SE” and signed by Ronnie Barrett. These signature edition knives will be serial numbered 1 to 250 and will only be available directly from Barrett via their web page. This highly collectable knife is priced at $275 plus S&H. All of the Barrett M50 series knives have a black straightedge blade and side pocket clip. The new knife is 4.9 inches closed, 8.5 inches open and weighs just 4.65 ounces. The blade is made from 154CM High Carbon Stainless Steel and the scales are made from G-10 Epoxy Resin Laminate. For more information contact Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc., Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 1077, Murfreesboro, TN 37133; phone: 1-615-896-2938; fax: 1-615-896-7313; website: www.barrettrifles.com.

2004 SHOOTER’S BIBLE® NOW AVAILABLE

Stoeger Publishing is pleased to announce the availability of the 2004 Shooter’s Bible. This reference guide has served North American sportsmen since 1924, providing them with the most comprehensive reference guide detailing new products, specifications of firearms, optics and ammunition as well as up-to-date prices on firearms and related equipment. The 576-page reference guide continues the tradition of providing technical information on not only the newest products to hit the market, but also on those that have been around for years. In addition to the technical specification, The 2004 Shooter’s Bible includes feature stories from renowned historians and gun authorities. Wayne van Zwoll, nationally known gun writer has complied and edited the technical section of the book as well as included two feature stories in this valuable reference guide. Other noted outdoorsmen and writers such as Keith Sutton, Stan Warren, Kenneth Smith-Christmas, John Taylor, Jim Casada, Gene Gangarosa and Bob Campbell share their knowledge with feature stories in this 95th edition of the Shooter’s Bible. Available this year in both a soft cover and a Limited Edition hardcover, 2004 Shooter’s Bible is a must-have for anyone with an interest in shooting. The 2004 Shooter’s Bible hard cover (ISBN 0-88317-274-7) has a suggested retail price of $39.95. The soft cover version (ISBN 0-88317-244-5) has a suggested retail price of $23.95. Both versions are available at local Benelli and Stoeger firearms dealers nationwide, you favorite neighborhood bookstore or online at www.StoegerPublishing.com. For more information contact Stoeger Publishing, Dept. SAR, 17603 Indian Head Highway, Suite 200, Accokeek, Maryland 20607-2501; phone 1-877-GUNBOOK.

GAUGE-MATE, INC INTRODUCES NEW SHELL ADAPTER

Gauge-Mate, a leader in the gun accessories market, has launched a new line of shotgun gauge adapters. These adapters add versatility, convenience and ease of shooting to your favorite gun, eliminating the need to purchase additional guns, and transforming a single gun into an all-in-one firing powerhouse! Available in eleven sizes from 10 to .410 gauge, Gauge-Mate’s patent-pending, gauge adapter tubes allow you to shoot a smaller gauge shell without impacting performance. Use them to lessen the loud, intimidating kick of a larger gauge shells, making your gun ideal for more effective target shooting, for training bird dogs and gun novices, or for teaching gun safety courses. Skeet and trap shoot shooters love them! These unique adapters feature Patent pending Extractor-Grip™ technology that permits quick and expedient spent shell removal. Gauge-Mate’s adapters are manufactured from corrosion-resistant stainless steel rather than less durable aluminum or carbon steel that similar products are made from. As a result, these durable adapters are the only ones that handle any size field or target loads as well as environmentally friendly steel shot. Even with these wide-ranging features and benefits, Gauge-Mate adapters are reasonably priced. They can be purchased by calling (800) 709-9910, online at www.gaugemate.com or through various outdoor mail-order catalogs. For more information contact Gauge-Mate, Inc., Dept. SAR, 4952 Windplay Drive #C, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762; phone: 1-800-709-9910; fax: 1-916-941-9368.

FOBUS USA INTRODUCES NEW HOLSTER FOR WALTHER P22

Fobus USA has just announced a new holster for the Walther P22 pistol called the Model WP22. The Walther P22 holster will utilize their unique passive retention system that secures the pistol while allowing instant presentation without the need to disengage mechanical securing devices. The new holster is impervious to hot or cold conditions and is less than half the weight of other holsters at only 1.8 ounces. The WP22 is covered by a lifetime warranty for wear. The new WP22 holster is available in a right-hand paddle configuration. Owners of suppressed P22’s also take note. The new holster is open at the muzzle allowing P22’s with threaded muzzle adapters to also fit. For more information contact Fobus USA, Dept. SAR, 1300 Industrial Highway, Suite B-3, Southampton, PA 18966; phone: 1-215-355-2621; fax: 1-215-322-9223; website: www.fobusholster.com

NEW “ULTRAVID” BINOCULARS FROM LEICA

Just introduced from Leica is a new line of binoculars that promises to meet or exceed the legendary qualities of all others in the Leica line but in a more compact and lighter weight configuration. The new Leica ULTRAVID binoculars not only out-perform the competition, but set a new benchmark in design and function. They are said to be lighter, brighter, faster and stronger than any other binocular on the market. The new binocular starts with a housing made from light high-grade magnesium. The wall thickness is almost twice that of other binoculars on the market using magnesium, making the Leica stronger and more durable. Each ULTRAVID binocular features enhanced optics with greater contrast and higher brightness by virtue of Leica’s High Lux System (HLS) and stray light elimination. Each model of the new binocular is nitrogen filled and waterproof to a depth of 16.5 feet. They also have an extreme operating range from -13º to +131º F. They are also fog proof as well as impervious to the elements. ULTRAVID Binoculars are available in both 42 mm and 50 mm models. The 42mm models are offered in magnifications of 7, 8 or 10 power and the 50mm models in 8, 10 and 12 power. Both models are available in either green or black rubber armor coating. For more information on these as well as the entire line of Leica Optics please contact Leica Camera, Inc., Dept. SAR, 156 Ludlow Ave., Northvale, NJ 07647; phone: 1-201-767-7500; fax: 1-201-767-8666; website: www.leica-camera.com.

by J. David Truby

You’ve seen them on all of the Vietnam War movies and TV shows, on the combat/terrorism/SWAT/peace-keeping news footage on CNN, non-firing replicas are sold to collectors. But, look closely and you might just see a few turn up on your local gun club firing range as collectors discover the M203 40mm grenade launcher.

Originally designed to mate with the M16 for tactical military and police use, the initial M203s were built in limited numbers for the civilian collector and esoteric sport shooter market by Jonathan Arthur Ciener, and, more lately by Randall Shivak.

“BATF classifies the M203 as a destructive device and they are completely legal to own under the classification. With signal and other recreational loads they are totally safe and nondestructive,” Randy Shivak says.

Ciener, an innovative Florida ordnance engineer who is no longer in the M203 business, adds, “That good old M203 is just the thing for the imaginative gun buff who wants to go to the next level of collector’s stratosphere. It’s the adult boy’s ultimate expensive and totally fun toy!”

The standard M203 unit is a breech loading, pump action, single-shot 40mm projectile launcher that is mounted under the barrel of a rifle. It’s 15.52 inches long, and adds just a little over 3 pounds to its host AR15 or M16, 3.6 pounds when you include the standard 40mm round. Maximum range is 500 meters, although its most effective results are within 300 to 350 meters.

One of my fellow advisers to some Central American military units in the 1980s said of the M203, “It’s like having your own brass knuckles in a barroom brawl.”

The 781 40mm practice round is easily reloadable for long term continued use. A variety of signal and pyrotechnic loads are available to the civilian shooter. Credit: J. David Truby

Five standard types of ammunition are produced for the M203: The M406 HE (High Explosive) round, M433 HE armor-piercing, M576 buckshot antipersonnel round, and the M407 and M781, which are practice rounds. In addition there are also tear gas and various signal loadings readily available to military and law enforcement users. According to Randy Shivak, there is no operational 40mm ordnance available to the civilian market, both for legal and liability reasons.

The velocity using the M406 HE cartridge is 245 fps. This is the most common military round used, an antipersonnel load with a lethal radius of 5 meters. The M433 round will penetrate 2 inches of steel armor plate before showering its lethal fragments.

Attaching the M203 to your own M16 is not quite the happy task that the Colt sales literature promotes, although it is hardly a major challenge to the average user. It’s basically a matter of a couple of mounting screws and the military manuals are very easy to follow in this regard.

You load the M203 by depressing the barrel release and pushing the barrel forward. This opens the breech and automatically cocks the unit. However, an automatic safety sear also activates at this point to prevent an accidental discharge. Insert the round carefully. Aim, fire, observe and repeat.

The M203 entered US Army service in 1970, to replace the M79, the fabled Blooper that looked essentially like a short, fat, single barreled shotgun that fired 40mm grenades.

The major problem with the M79 was that the user generally didn’t also carry a rifle and certainly couldn’t use both weapons at the same time if he did. By replacing the old Blooper with the M203, the grenadier once more became a rifleman. Although R&D and initial contract cost numbers are unavailable, a 1978 commercial production contract let to Colt by the DoD listed each M203 at $231.88. In addition to American use, the early units were also issued to South Vietnamese troops, plus hundreds were sold to Australia, New Zealand and to the United Kingdom during the Vietnam years. Later, the Pentagon sold and gave thousands of M203s to our allies as military and law enforcement assistance.

The M203 was developed by AAI Corporation at the direction of the US Army Weapons Command to replace to the M79, which had its beginnings in the early 1950s at Aberdeen and Springfield.

The original design, though, had come from Colt in 1964 with the development of their CGL-4, which the Army called the XM148. Nearly 1,800 XM148 units were field tested in Vietnam in 1967. Although well liked by some troops, the units officially “failed” the field-testing and were withdrawn.

Ironically, in 1972, while representing Interarms in Vietnam, the late Dr. Edward Ezell said that he saw a battered XM148 recovered from a VC unit that “was probably happy to have this wonderful firepower that the Americans didn’t want.”

Despite that history, R&D began on a replacement in the Fall of 1967 and AAI won the competition with its M203 design. By April of 1969, 500 XM203 units were sent to Vietnam for field-testing. One of the many, many glowing testimonials to the XM203 was the number of units that attempted to replace their M79s with the new test weapon. The XM203 won enthusiastic endorsement.

Because AAI was a small company and the military needed massive amounts of M203 units, manufacture was undertaken by Colt in 1971 on a license purchasing agreement. Obviously, by that time supplies of everything to those American forces that were still in country were slowing down, although the new launcher did make it into combat. Most accounts estimate that Colt has produced between 500,000 and 800,000 units for US and friendly foreign governments.

At the 1992 meeting of the American Defense Preparedness Association (ADPA) meeting, Colt showed its M203H, which is essentially a standard M203 with a fixed pistol grip and butt stock. It also uses a 250-meter ladder sight. The M203H is stand-alone weapon.

According to Ciener, back in the mid 1990s, there was new interest in the M203 from some US-friendly middle eastern nations that want to add this relatively inexpensive and useful bit of ordnance to their national defense and law enforcement systems.

“I was approached by some folks in our government to build several hundred M203s for one our allied nations in that region,” Ciener says. “But, that really did not work out.”

As serious users will attest, Ciener’s version of the old bloop tube is rugged. Each unit’s receiver is constructed of high strength, forged aluminum. Although it is almost always attached to an M16, it can be operated independently.

Randy Shivak moved into the M203 community in 1994. The year before he was a roofing contractor with a great business as well as a self-taught machinist who found he enjoyed that better than his day job.

“I got bitten by the Class III bug in 1993, loved machining, had an M16, and wanted to go for more, “ he says.

He studied federal and state law, talked with some friends, bought some more machining equipment, then got his manufacturer’s Type 10 license and began to produce M203s and M79s.

What had been a hobby quickly grew to a business. He was using GI parts and building his own receivers. As demand quickly grew, he added more machining equipment, and realized this new business was outdistancing his day job.

“In 1998, I went out of the roofing business and began devoting my full time to my fully functional 40mm weapons and accessories. I now have a very active website, too, and have expanded offerings again, selling real M79s, real M203s, parts, all sorts of practice rounds, repair facilities and I am doing some contract work as well.”

Randy said there is a very loosely organized “users club” of 40mm collectors and hobbyists who are trying to get a 40mm competition included at Knob Creek. His customers come from all walks, trades and professions, including one federal officer who lives in a very gun-unfriendly state.

. Rather than give you today’s BATF drill for legally owning an M203, which may change tomorrow, my advice is to personally contact Randy Shivak or Dan Shea, the two experts in this matter, as noted at the end of this article.

In the meantime, enjoy the civilian side, where the emphasis is clearly on sport, fun and recreation. The late USMC Gunnery Sergeant Donald Steffey, who knew the M203 well from firsthand Vietnam experience, championed the sport value of the civilian collector’s use, saying, “These bozos that say that military equipment has no sporting or recreational use are simply ignorant of the truth, or lying.

“Private collectors who own M203s use them safely, carefully and totally within the law, simply as outdoor recreation, to send an inert (non-explosive) or flare round harmlessly up in the air.

“There is a literal analogy with firecrackers, rockets and the 4th of July…recreational use of explosives. I guess it’s tough for some of the anti-gun paranoiacs to see that when they have their heads wedged so far up where they do,” Don added.

Dr Tom McCoy is a civilian who owns one of Jonathan Ciener’s classic M203s, and has been enjoying this hobby for some years now.

Tom brings his M203-laden M16A1 up to the firing line amid the time-honored cry of “Let the games begin.” Thus, on a nearby field and quarry area, Dr. McCoy and friends enjoy afternoons of blooper-style competitive sport and entertaining pyrotechnics.

Military and civilian prices for the old and remade M203s ran about $700 for the entire unit. By 1998, prices for civilian-manufacture M203 receivers were about $950. Today, receivers for the M203 cost nearly $2,000, while those for the M79 run around $1,700. Within the past year I have seen ads for a used Ciener unit for $3,000, two of Shivak’s units at $3,200 and $2,900, respectively, and an original Colt M203 in mint condition for $4,300. Of course, there are still bargains to be found out there.

Sources of Equipment, Parts, Accessories

Mr 40mm
Randall R Shivak
Elyria, Ohio
(440) 284-1044
www.mr40mm.com

Long Mountain Outfitters
Dan Shea
631 N. Stephanie St. #560
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 564-0948
www.longmountain.com

by J.M. Ramos

Fourteen years ago, I attended the Columbus gun show in Ohio, touted as the Mecca of military gun buffs and enthusiasts in North America. The early 1970s up to the late 1980s can be considered the decades of exotic guns in America. The weapon covered in this article is a rare find, probably the only one in existence. From the hundreds of very interesting weaponry I have seen at the show, this particular piece really caught my curiosity and interest. I convinced the owner to permit me to conduct a test and evaluation on the piece. I bought 500 rounds of hot CCI Stinger ammo in anticipation of the live-fire evaluation.

When we arrived at the test site, the owner already had a table set up for photography as well as targets at the side of an old barn. After I finished taking exterior photos of the gun, the owner removed the top cover of the gun to show me the internal mechanism. This is where my excitement begun. I have examined and tested many exotic rimfire weapons in the past 25 years but this little bullpup machinegun really caught my attention. Let’s take a close look at what makes this rimfire contender a cut above the rest.

FUTURISTIC BULLPUP CONFIGURATION

This radical .22 was made by Armi Jager, the Italian gunmaker famous for its rimfire look-alikes most notably it’s AR-15 and AK-47 clones. The AR-15 look-alikes (AP-74) are imported into the USA by EMF Company, while the AK-22 (AP-80) and Galil-22 (AP-84) were imported by Mitchell Arms. Both companies were based in Southern California. Mitchell Arms has since gone out of business in the mid 90’s while EMF is still in operation. The Jager rimfire AKs are also available in calibre .22 Magnum boasting a 15-shot capacity. The model 85 bullpup is the last look-alike produced by Jager introduced in 1985. When I first saw the gun at the show, I thought it was just an ordinary AP-85 having seen samples in the stores prior to the Columbus show. The Bullpup .22 is what really caught my attention among the many fabulous items Bill had on display on his table. After noticing what appears to be a three position fire selector above the pistol grip, something different from what I saw on the regular semi-auto variant before. This prototype gun will be appreciated by those who share my enthusiasm that rimfire class battle weapons with selective fire capability are the ultimate all purpose close-quarter combat arm. It can deliver as many projectiles as a 12-gauge shotgun with its 1,500 rpm cyclic rate. In addition, its easy-to-control, extremely light and portable and can be effectively employed by users ranging from 7 to 70 years old with a minimum of training and shooting experience. Above all, ammunition is cheap and readily available everywhere with dozens of brands and power levels to choose from.

There is no question that bullpup type weapons are the wave of the future. The Jager AP-85 shares the same basic characteristics found on these futuristic full-bore military counterparts. It’s compact, perfectly balanced and easy to deploy in both confined and open spaces. As a close-quarter battle gun, the rimfire bullpup has a few advantages over larger caliber versions. The exterior configuration of the AP-85 is reminiscent of the FAMAS assault rifle. There is a .22 rimfire French-made version of the military-issue caliber 5.56x45mm FAMAS called the F-11. This clone is made by Manufacture D’Armes Des Pyrenees. The F-11 was imported into the US by Beeman Precision Arms of San Rafael, California. The cost of this gun was double that of the Jager version. The outer shell of the F-11 is mainly plastic just like its military brother, while the Jager AP-85 is a combination of cast alloy for the actual receiver, enclosed by a stamped sheet metal pressing to form its bullpup configuration. A wooden buttstock is mounted at the rear of the gun secured by two long cross bolt screws and doubled as connectors for the rear sling attachment. The matching wooden pistol grip and foregrip are the same as those used in the AK-22 version.

The sighting system is definitely borrowed from the FAMAS design. It is in the form of a long plane that rides over the top of the gun. It doubles as a carrying handle. Both rear and front sights are mounted inside the sighting plane’s channel. The rear sight is a flip-up-type and can be set from 50 to 100 meters. It is windage adjustable. The front sight is post type and is elevation adjustable. A combination tool to adjust both sights is included in the package. The gun comes complete with a scope base. It locks over the sighting channel tightened into position by a large screw that connects through a hole underneath the channel. The scope mount is machined from solid steel and has a built-in groove allowing the shooter to be able to use the regular iron sights without removing the mount itself. To complement its military styling, the AP-85 comes complete with an attractive flash suppressor. As we clearly see at this point, the Jager gun is really a Hybrid between the AK and FAMAS configuration combining the use of steel and wood rather than all-plastic exterior. It’s a nice blend and solidly built throughout.

THE TRIGGER LOCKWORK

The original AP-85 fired semiautomatic-only utilizing a pivoting hammer design; the same system employed basically in the earlier AR-15, AK-22 and Galil 22 look-alikes with small variations to fit each model’s external configurations. Wood or plastic furniture patterns also differ slightly on these models following closely to the original battle weapon they emulate. Internally, the full-auto prototype is completely different from the semiautomatic-only model. The former fires from the open-bolt position utilizing a fixed firing pin. The cocking handle is a non-reciprocating type like that of the Uzi SMG. It’s an excellent feature that eliminates distraction while shooting the gun. Undoubtedly, some will question the advantage of the open-bolt system employed in this gun versus a close-bolt one for accurate shooting. Open-bolt SMGs have been criticized for the heavy slamming action of the bolt, which affects accurate aimed fire in semiautomatic fire. Large-caliber SMGs that operate on the blowback principle require massive heavy bolts to overcome the resistance generated by the power of the cartridge when fired. Rimfire guns have lighter recoil springs, smaller bolts and very short recoil. As a consequence, there is little movement generated by the counter-recoil stroke. In addition, .22-rimfire open-bolt SMGs minimize the chance of “cook-offs,” as the chamber cools faster between shooting intervals. Rimfire shells are much thinner than their center-fire counterparts and definitely more susceptible to blowing itself up when loaded to a very hot chamber.

The prototype gun employed a modular trigger arrangement. The module contained the complete trigger mechanism minus the actual trigger, which is mounted at the front of the gun. The trigger bar is in the form of a long rod mounted at the right side of the internal alloy receiver. It connects the trigger to the trip arm inside the module. Pre-assembled in the module are the massive sear, the trip arm that contained the tripper and disconnector assembly. The recoil spring assembly is captive with a built-in buffer system in the form of a large coil spring added at the rear.

CYCLIC RATE RETARDER

Among the many interesting features of the gun is its cyclic rate retarder. Rimfire machineguns normally fire with an average cyclic rate of 1,500 rpm or higher. The early Spanish Broomhandle machine pistols, Czech Skorpion and Star 1911 machine pistols as well as various submachine guns in World War II were equipped with cyclic rate retarders to slow down the rate of fire primarily to conserve ammo and allow better control of the weapon in full auto. Retarders fitted to these weapons were usually complicated and/or fragile. Modern submachine guns and assault rifles incorporate burst control devices instead of a retarder mechanism to get the same effect.

While this is not the first time I have examined such a device employed in a full-auto gun, the retarder in this bullpup is no doubt the simplest I have ever seen. The arrangement is so clever, yet so simple and workable. The mechanism consisted of a large hook mounted at the left side of the sear. It pivots along with the trip arm. A light spring is mounted at the rear of the module to keep the hook down when not activated. The rear of the bolt has a thick plate mounted unto it. On the left side of the plate was a large plunger powered by a strong spring. As the bolt nears the end of the recoil, the plunger head will butt against the rear bent of the hook forcing the part to rotate rearward which in turn causes the hook to pivot upward locking up against the underside shoulder of the bolt rear plate. As the plunger’s powerful spring compresses, the pressure increases and evenly distributed against the bolt to the front and to the vertical bent of the hook to the rear. This action delays the forward recoil of the bolt until it is finally overcome with the help of the recoil spring also. Only a small Allen wrench is required to remove the large captive plunger at the rear of the bolt that activates the retarder hook. It takes just over a minute to remove this component. Since the hook is always kept on its downward position by the its own return spring, it remains inactive during battery until the large plunger that activates it is connected to the bolt. This is an excellent feature that gives the operator the option to select the cyclic rate required for any given circumstances.

THE FIRE SELECTOR

The fire selector is mounted on the left side of the gun just above the pistol grip. It has three-position indexing. The middle (vertical) position is SAFE – blocking the movement of the trigger. With lever pointing to the rear it delivers SEMIAUTOMATIC. In this mode, the trigger pull is restricted only halfway – just enough for the sear to release the bolt forward. The disconnector head remains level with the rear underside of the bolt allowing it to push the disconnector head rearward as the bolt reaches the end of recoil causing the disconnection between the sear and tripper hook. To fire the next round, the trigger must be released to allow sear and trip hook re-engagement. On full forward position, the gun fires FULL-AUTO. In this sequence, the deep notch of the selector pivot pin allows longer pull, that in turn causes the trip hook to pull the sear further downward. With it, the disconnector head (top part of the tripper) also move down deeper away from bolt reach precluding the usual disengagement between the sear and the tripper hook resulting in full-auto fire. The fire selector can be made ambidextrous.

LIVE FIRE TEST

Firing a rimfire full-auto is a pure delight. These types of guns are truly unique when compared to their full-bore counterparts. The gun balanced so perfectly that aligning its sights came naturally. I also liked its very compact configuration and styling. The quality of workmanship is superb. There are no shortcuts in the making of this prototype inside and out.

Targets were set up at 25 yards. Thirty- and 15-round magazines were used alternately during the test using only CCI Stingers. I wanted to test the durability of the gun. Many guns I have tested, suffered receiver cracks and broke small parts within just a few hundred rounds. The gun was fired first without the cyclic rate retarder. On semiautomatic, it printed a decent group of 2-3 inches with 30 rounds as fast as I could manipulate the trigger. I set the selector to full-auto and emptied the 30-round magazine. Group dispersion was reduced to less than 2 inches, with bullets tearing a nice hole in the middle of the target. The gun was noticeably loud, but with very little recoil or muzzle climb in this long burst. With a fully loaded 30-round magazine, I fired the gun and quickly released the pull to get the shortest burst possible without the retarder in place. I could only manage 3-4 pauses on the trigger and the 30-shot magazine was empty. No malfunctions occurred with 230 rounds fired so far.

The cyclic rate retarder was re-installed for comparison purposes. Starting again in the semiautomatic mode, I now felt more familiar with the gun and my groups improved considerably. After firing 60 rounds in this mode, it was time to check the effectiveness of the retarder. With the selector set at full-auto and using the same technique of quick trigger pull release to attain a short burst, I managed to get off 2 to 3 rounds with each pull of the trigger. I was shooting at two targets, alternately firing short burst as quickly as I could and the rounds printed exactly where I wanted them. I fired 120 rounds in this mode with the last 30 shots in one full-auto burst. The rattle is definitely slower than without the retarder in place. Good group, no malfunction but now I started to feel the heat of the stamped receiver cover in my cheek as I aimed the gun onto the target. I paused for 15 minutes as the gun already consumed over 400 rounds. This is a drawback of the design that can be easily corrected by incorporating a polymer liner over the sheet metal cover to protect the shooter’s face from heat build-up. The gun worked flawlessly from start to finish without any cleaning whatsoever. After field stripping, I examined all the parts – no breakage, just black residue all over. What I saw and tested that day is truly among the finest in its class. This prototype rimfire submachine gun is possibly the last contender in its class that evolved from generations of proven designs.

by Timothy Kast

How can you improve a gun that is already the favorite sidearm of the military and law enforcement? You can upgrade the sights to tritium night sights or a laser system. Fit different grips or maybe use a custom guide rod. All of those things affect the overall accuracy, but how do you truly make a good gun better?

Bar-Sto Precision Machine has been around for over thirty years and in that time-span they have been making barrels for a substantial number of classic handguns. The M1911 Government Model, the Browning High-Power, Glocks and the SIG P226 have all been transformed by the addition of Bar-Sto barrels. Distinguished by their CNC-engraved name on the side of the chamber, Bar-Sto barrels have been used exclusively by the US Marine Corps Marksman Unit since 1977. They have also been in nearly every winner’s gun at the Masters, the Steel Challenge, the U.S.P.S.A. Nationals, and the Camp Perry Bullseye Nationals.

The caliber 9x19mm Parabellum SIG P226 carries an impressive list of credentials as well. US Navy SEALs shot 30,000 rounds each through five pistols in the JSSOC trials before it became their standard duty pistol. Acceptance was approved shortly afterward and the Teams received their first guns the 20th of January 1989. Several Federal agencies have also adopted the P226 due to its accuracy and reliability. The SIG is comparatively an expensive gun, but administrators are apparently willing to pay more to equip their personnel with the P226. SIG pays exceptional attention to the perfection of their barrels, reaming out each individual barrel if they display any tendencies to ammunition sensitivity. Fitting a Bar-Sto barrel to a SIG P226 would be a true test of Bar-Sto’s performance capabilities.

Bar-Sto manufactures drop-in barrels and these work well and produce 13/4- to 2-inch groups using match-grade ammunition at 25 yards. However, I wanted to evaluate the “fitted-barrel” option that Bar-Sto offers as they claim 11/2-inch groups or better for this option.

On the range the first test I performed was a corroded ammo assessment. I chose approximately one hundred rounds of assorted aged and corroded ammunition. This would be apart from the regular ammunition used in the test. The Bar-Sto barrel digested all but two rounds.

When I had received the SIG back from Bar-Sto, I had noticed the action was very tight and crisp upon retracting the slide. This snugness began to wear in gradually the more I shot it. Bar-Sto fits these very barrels in just such a fashion so as to provide the utmost in accuracy for their customers. Bar-Sto barrels are machined from solid 416 stainless steel bar stock that has been previously heat treated to 180,000 pounds tensile strength. All of Bar-Sto barrels are machined, bored, and rifled on site. The rate of twist is specified at right-hand with one turn in 16 inches.

The corresponding testing was done using mostly military-grade ball ammo and jacketed hollow point, as well as frangible. A wide range of these types of ammunition was evaluated.

The ammunition used in SAR’s test and evaluation was as follows:

• Famae 9mm Parabellum (Chilean)
• China Sports 124-grain FMJ 9mm Parabellum (Chinese)
• Olin Corp. 9mm Ball NATO M882 (US military-issue)
• Winchester 9mm Luger 115-grain FMJ (commercial)
• Denel PMP 9mm Luger 115-grain FMJ (South African)
• International Cartridge Corp. (Frangible) 9mm Luger 100-grain FP
• Geco 124 grain full metal case (FMJ) 9mm Luger (German)
• Impact 9mm 147-grain JHP Subsonic (Specialty)
• Lazer Ammo 9mm Luger 115-grain FMJ (Match)

The ambient temperature was 36( F with a moderate 12-mile per hour wind, and no visible precipitation. The distance was 25 yards.

Military ball ammo presented no problem in cycling, sliding effortlessly up the polished ramp into the chamber, as did the frangible cartridges. The jacketed hollow point ammunition likewise functioned perfectly.

The barrel at this point was becoming more seated as the testing progressed – the slide, barrel, and frame working together in harmony throughout each magazine load. This part of the evaluation was the most enlightening; making one of the finest duty guns ever function even more flawlessly. Saving the best ammunition for last, I proceeded to shoot consistent 11/4-inch groups. Accuracy is a legitimate challenge for the armed professional seeking to perfect his or her duty sidearm.

The SIG P226 has been adopted by more agencies than any other pistol since the 1911A1 or the Browning High-Power. Those individuals wishing to hone the accuracy of this fine sidearm even closer now have an option. Whether you choose a Bar-Sto drop-in or opt for the hand-fitted barrel, you will find you have taken your piece to a higher level of excellence by doing so.

Bar-Sto Precision Machine
Dept. SAR
P.O. Box 1838
73377 Sullivan Road
Twentynine Palms,
California 92277
Phone: 760-367-2747
Fax: 760-367-2407
Email: barsto@eee.org
www.barsto.com

by Dan Shea

The Pattern Room has undergone a variety of forms, mostly related to what British agency they were governed by. The Pattern Room at Enfield Lock was technically called the DGDQA Pattern Room, for the managing group at the time; the Directorate General of Defence Quality Assurance for the Master General of Ordnance. The collection is also referred to by some as the R.S.A.F. Pattern Room Collection, for the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield. The Pattern Room was moved in the mid Nineteen Eighties to Nottingham. In Nottingham and presently at Leeds, the collection is referred to as the M.O.D. Pattern Room, for the British Ministry of Defence.

The Pattern Room itself has undergone metamorphosis many times over the years, and the roots of the collection stretch back into the Sixteen Hundreds. SAR has covered this history extensively in the past (Volume 1 Number 6 by Virginia Ezell). When Britain would call for arms, a Sealed Pattern was finalized of each weapon or accessory. These “Patterns” were referred to by all manufacturers and craftsmen, as the original to work from. It was in the Nineteenth century that the collection was moved to the R.S.A.F. Enfield facility, after a fire at the Tower of London- the previous repository of the Patterns. The Tower still has an amazing collection of arms, and wonderful displays, but that is the subject for another time.

In other parts of this article, there are descriptions of the work that Herb Woodend did to build the Pattern Room into what it was at the time of the closing of the Nottingham facility. At the end of this article, we describe where it has gone from there- the Pattern Room is most decidedly not gone, it is still an active, living collection.

The basic structure of the MOD Pattern Room was a two story building, with the lower section housing firearms over one half inch, or tripod mounted pieces. All of the wheeled Gatlings, Maxims, etc were there, as were the fifty calibers, 20mm and higher guns. Walls with shoulder fired rocket launchers and grenade launchers sat above the small mortar section.

At the closing of the Nottingham facility, anything over one half inch, other than the shoulder fired units and small mortars, was sent to the Royal Armouries facility at Fort Nelson in the South. Fort Nelson is the cannon museum, and they have a new section designed to showcase the Pattern Room additions. If you want to examine Polstens, Oerlikons, Vulcans, etc, then it is to the South you must travel, and, interspersed with a wide variety of early breech loaders you will find these gems. Fort Nelson boasts one of the world’s largest mortars, as well as a cannon from the Fourteen Hundreds. A fascinating collection on its own, the addition of the Pattern Room pieces has rounded out the upper displays. It is hoped that many of these items will return home to the MOD Pattern Room at Leeds in the future, but for now, they are in good hands.

On the upper floor of the Nottingham facility, there were three basic rooms. First, to the right, was the library, where an incredible amount of information and documentation was cataloged and stored. Every modern book on firearms was fair game to be collected and the library itself included thousands of pieces from the procurement and testing of firearms over the last few centuries. Then, the main area had one side as tables with bipod mounted light machine guns, and on the right side, approximately three thousand rifles in racks. Walking down the racks, one might find a rare seventeenth century Pattern rifle, then, the original Delisle suppressed rifles, onward to the entire FAL series, and the SA80 program in full.

Further back, the “Pistol Room” was actually pistols and submachine guns. From the Villar Perosa onward, the Pattern Room was one of the most complete collections ever assembled regarding modern small arms.

The MOD Pattern Room was professionally packed and shipped in full to the facility in Leeds. The building was demolished almost immediately thereafter, and the rubble cleared along with the memories. The rumor is that the area will be paved and a Sainsbury’s SuperStore will be on the location, thus, they paved paradise, and put in a parking lot. – Dan

The Pattern Room at Nottingham

Many, many people have wanted to visit the Pattern Room but were unable to do so. For Americans, it was a long, expensive journey, and where does one start to get an invitation, anyway? Those who made the trip and had the connections have many fond memories, and it is a subject that will always come up for those who had been there.

So many of our readers have expressed an interest in the Pattern Room, that now that it is gone and security requirements have been relaxed regarding the old site, we decided to bring you on a “Walking Tour”. Security regulations were always high there, so special permission was sought to do this type of photography, and in the closing days, it was granted. Herewith is our effort to memorialize the experience for all of our readers

The Walking Tour: (Photos by Dan Shea, courtesy MOD Pattern Room)

Herbert J. Woodend, MBE died on 29 July, 2003.

Herb, “The HERB”, or Herbie, as he was known to all his friends, had fought a 12 month battle against cancer. For the last 30 or so years, Herb had been the Custodian of the Pattern Room at Enfield, and latterly of the Ministry of Defence Pattern Room at Nottingham. Herb retired in 2002 after it had been decided to move the collection to the Royal Armouries in Leeds. Herb had re-created the Pattern Room from a collection of small British-only items, to weapons, ancillary equipment, manuals, and books of all countries. It has now become renowned for being the best and most comprehensive small arms collection in the world. It was for this utter dedication that he was awarded the MBE and it was presented to him by the Queen in 1995. Other official recognition came as the Freedom of the City of London; Election to the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers in 1999. Herb was made an Honorary member and Vice President of the Historical Breechloading Small Arms Association in 2000 ,and then awarded a Medal of the Arms and Armour Society.

Herb, to all those who knew him, was a complex person. He was generous, sly, devious, fastidious, paranoid, cantankerous, loveable, witty and fun to be with. He was always late, with no sense of time or urgency for planes or ferries, much to the exasperation of those who he was with. He was a very private person who shunned publicity but loved his daughters and family.

He was born in Northern Ireland at Kilrea, Londonderry on 28 April, 1943. He was educated locally at Coleraine Academy. His father Bertie and Uncle Tommy had the local garage, but it was Tommy that started “the HERB” going. Tommy repaired guns as a side line, so Herb was taught to repair and to shoot guns. Herb was a quick learner, and spent his early days sketching detailed drawings of odd guns, initiating the collecting bug. Very soon the house started to fill with guns, cartridges, and militaria. As he grew up, his desire became to work with guns and definitely not in the family garage. So in 1963 he came over to London to attain his dream, with his then girlfriend Evelyn. They married in August of 1964, but sadly divorced 20 years later.

One of Herbs first ports of call in London was to the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, and then onward to the Imperial War Museum to try to find a job. As there were no immediate vacancies, he worked in garages to make ends meet. He visited the R.S.A.F. regularly, to remind them that they needed to employ him. Eventually in 1964 they offered him a job in the office– a starter. That led to the post of Assistant to the Custodian of the Pattern Room. Herb’s regular badgering of people got results. In 1967 Herb took over the job as Custodian of the Pattern Room. As the Custodian/Curator Herb was outstanding. He gathered together all the arms that were in the early collection- but had been dispersed due to wartime conditions. He actively sourced more articles with the limited funds that were made available to him. Weapons were gathered from all over the world, out of other museums, private collections, from dealers, friends, and police amnesties. Over time he transformed it into a collection that comprehensively covered the world’s production of military and civilian small arms and machine guns spanning the last 150 years or so. The Pattern Room stock was available for military weapon designers, police, forensic science services, researchers and historians alike. Herb also had a vast knowledge on all the accessories that were necessary to service the weapons, ancillary equipment, sights, mounts, feed systems, belts, manuals and the cartridges; their loads and uses.

Herb also worked to build the library collection, amounting to tens of thousands of documents, manuals and books. It has now received recognition as a National Archive. There are very few new books on arms and ammunition published over the last twenty years that have not had grateful acknowledgements to the R.S.A.F Pattern Room and Herb Woodend. Many would not have been written but for his accurate research and documentation.

During the various amnesties on firearms in the UK, Herb was reticent about advising other museums on scarcity and rarity values, in order to ensure that the Pattern Room ended up with the “goodies”, thereby increasing the R.S.A.F. collection. He would then later take great delight in ensuring that “the opposition” knew what they had missed out on to the Pattern Room.

In the later years, Herb frequently traveled abroad in his quest for new items. He had access to most places all over the world: it is said that there was scarcely a place that had not been “pilfered” by him for the R.S.A.F. collection. As an example of his meticulousness, while in the U.S.A. at a machine gun shoot, he sorted through 2500 Russian Maxim ammunition boxes, looking at the markings on the cloth belts. He was triumphant at the end with 12 fresh examples he had not seen before. What fun!! Wherever Herb traveled around the world there was always a house and bed for him to stay, guns to be inspected, magazines and belts to be appraised, ammunition to be discovered and friends revisited. Herb, with his dry Irish wit, was always a pleasure to spend time with. He had an incredible memory and encyclopedic knowledge on a vast range of subjects, much to the chagrin of other contestants on pub quiz nights. Most of all, he was a true friend to a large amount of people. Those who knew him were enriched by his company, his friendship and his willingness to share his knowledge. He will be sorely missed by all.

Written in fond memory by Herb’s friend, Martin Golland

The early days of Herb Woodend and the Rise of the Pattern Room

When Herb Woodend was born on April 28, 1943, the Second World War was still raging at its most furious high. Many years later, Herb would be reluctant to talk about his exact background for reasons of British politics. He was born in Northern Ireland in what he referred to as “the noisy part”. Herb’s uncle was in the military or in the police, and Herb cut his teeth on Bren guns and Sten guns at an early age. He would also play with his uncle’s service revolver, and on one occasion he caught some trouble for leaving the revolver cocked & loaded in the holster, something that was not discovered until some time later. Upon discovering that he had walked around with the revolver in this unsafe condition, the uncle was of course furious at young Herbert.

Besides firearms, American popular music of the 50’s and Country Music were among Herb’s fancies while growing up. One anecdote involves Herb signing up for guitar lessons from a local in the village, only to discover at the first lesson that it was Hawaiian steel guitar he had signed up for, and not the acoustic guitar of his hero Elvis Presley.

As happened with many youngsters, Herb and a girl from what he later called “the other tribe” fell in love, which was not a popular thing in the politically contested part of Northern Ireland they grew up in. To avoid punishment, they fled to London and began looking for work. At this point, Herb was a big small arms buff and he read everything available about the development of military arms. He also took the occasional trip to the Enfield rifle factory in Northern London to “hang out and see the sites”, as he said. In conversation with one of the guards, he learned one Sunday that there were finally some job openings and that there would be interviews for them the following Monday. Herb showed up and in the interview, he corrected the official on some technical detail, which he believed is what landed him the job. The detail in question was the correct caliber of the Carl Gustaf Swedish anti tank recoilless cannon. 84mm, of course.

To work at the rifle factory was nice, but “shuffling papers” was a job that quickly became boring for Herb. He found some comfort in discovering the “Pattern Room”, which was held at the Enfield Rifle factory. At this time (mid 1960’s) the Pattern Room held about 3,000 guns and it was manned by two elderly gentlemen and a secretary. The two men were not really interested in aquiring pieces for the collection, and only added into it what was brought to them by the official channels, ie; the British Army and the rifle factory itself. To fill their day, they repaired lawn movers and similar equipment for the locals.

Not long after Herb started working at Enfield, one of the gentlemen of the Pattern Room either retired or died, and Herb was more than happy to take over the position. Shortly thereafter, the other gentleman left Enfield as well, and Herb was a young curator in charge of what was to become his life’s accomplishment.

When Herb retired, the collection had grown to 13,000 guns and was housed in a purpose built building at the Royal Ordnance factory in Nottingham. Herb administered the Pattern Room collection and traded, bought and aquired as gifts the majority of the items that were added to the collection in the approximately 35 years he worked there. Dolf Goldsmith recalls that Herb flew to Hong Kong on a military flight to pick up a rare machine gun once, stayed a couple days and flew back to England with the new aqusition. Most gun collectors would love to have that kind of adventure for their hunting trips!

The decision to bring the collection to Leeds to be part of the Royal Armouries was a heavy blow to Herb, and those of us who knew him well could see that he was hurt deeply by the fact that he had to retire and leave the collection at the same time as it was being moved further away from him.

Although he never wrote his own book, Herb’s name is included in the acknowledgement pages of most modern firearms books and his contributions have been not only the information he has passed out, but also the fact that he knew every major source of information, as well as most of the minor ones, and he could point the researchers in the correct direction for what they were seeking.

Written by Herb’s friend Folke Myrvang

MOD Pattern Room Moves to Royal Armouries at Leeds

By Dan Shea

The industrial city of Leeds is in The North of England. Fly into Manchester and drive over, or go anti clockwise on the London Orbital (M25) from Heathrow or Gatwick, then go north on the M1 for about two hours. Or five hours, depending on traffic.

SAR has a special planned on the Royal Armouries at Leeds collection, so I won’t go into too much detail here. Suffice it to say that the living history, the jousts, the gunsmithing shop, and the four wonderful levels of the museum are a major tourist attraction, that never fails to fill a day’s visit.

An added bonus to visiting the Royal Armouries is the current location on-site of the MOD Pattern Room which relocated at short notice from Nottingham to Leeds in 2001. Currently in temporary accommodation the Pattern Room collection will be gifted to the Royal Armouries on completion of a new facility (expected by mid-’05). Together the 2 supported by the Pattern Room library in the form of the Small Arms Technical Information Centre (SATIC) The SATIC librarian can be contacted on www.robert.sharrock@armouries.org.uk

Now that the Gatlings, Maxims, Diggers, Nordenfelts etc, have been placed on display in the Armouries, it is easy for the casual visitor to gain access and see them. You can walk around one gallery and see Hiram Maxim’s “Forerunner”, and Enfield Number 1. If you have a visit to the UK planned, you should make it a point to go to Leeds. You can get more information on the facility there, and the other locations including Fort Nelson at the website: http://www.armouries.org.uk/

Richard Jones was the Assistant Custodian of the MOD Pattern Room for seven years. With the move to Leeds and the retirement of Herb Woodend, Richard was chosen for the job of Custodian. He brings many, many years of experience with small arms to the job, and an incredible amount of knowledge as well. Richard’s specialties are in the more modern arms, and he is able to piece together the stories of the Kalashnikovs, the FALs, and the PKMs as well as many others. His technical analysis of firearms has proved invaluable to many agencies and researchers around the world, and he has devoted much of his time to the furthering of the MOD Pattern Room collection, scoring many interesting additions.

Richard has been a resource to many authors, and is in the process of writing some articles for Small Arms Review, in particular a section on the PKM machine guns. He can be contacted by government agencies in need of forensic information, and qualified researchers who may request information or a visit to the MOD Pattern Room Collection.

Richard D Jones
Custodian
MOD Pattern Room
richard.jones@armouries.org.uk

Royal Armouries in the United States?

Yes. Through a joint venture, the Armouries will be putting some exhibits into Louisville Kentucky with the new Owsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum. This new museum is set to open in May of 2004. We will bring more information on this to you as we get it. It will be located at the Doerhoefer Building, 831 W. Main St, Louisville, KY, which is the corner of Ninth and Main streets in downtown Louisville. Their website is at: http://www.frazierarmsmuseum.org

Moving there to be close to the collection?

There has been quite a bit of discussion regarding the Clarence Dock project in Leeds. This project virtually surrounds the five level Royal Armouries museum, and in fact, some of the new project will include the new MOD Pattern Room at an undisclosed, high security location. Many interested small arms students have mentioned purchasing a condo style unit there, to be close to studying. With that in mind, here is the relevant information to start you on your quest. Phase one is already sold out, so it seems to be a very popular location. There will be 600 “Luxury Apartments” which are like Condos in the US- you own it, 500,000 square feet of leisure area, and 200,000 square feet of commercial space. All enquiries regarding the Clarence Dock project should be directed to (From US) 011-44- (0)113 244 4455 Website : www.clarencedock.com