by Dan Shea

Christmas is coming as I write this. We have just finished the Small Arms Review 2003 show in Phoenix, our fourth and most successful show to date. With the move to the new, large building, we consolidated all of the Class 3 dealers into one place. The aisles were wide, giving an illusion at times that we weren’t totally full- and we weren’t- it was a huge building. However, all of the people who came into our building were there for the Class 3 items. This was a true gun show, filled to the brim with interesting items.

Normally at a gun show, I take one walk through and see the various parts, pieces, guns, etc that interest me, and mentally mark the location in the show. Then, when someone asks me “Have you seen any S&W 76 parts here”, I can say either “No”, or “Yes, two aisles over at such-and-such table”. I was totally bewildered at the SAR 2003 show, because there was just so much good stuff there that I could barely remember what I had seen. That is a good sign for any show.

Our part of the December Phoenix show is about the same size as Knob Creek’s table section, but Knob Creek is a Machine Gun Show and Shoot, it is a different kind of event. We had requests to pipe in the noise of machine gun fire and explosives, because people could actually hear each other talking and found the missing cacophony disconcerting. A lot of people requested that we put on a shoot concurrent with our show, but that is not feasible, and it is not what we are doing. The only other major machine gunner’s event around is the Dry Creek Machine Gun shoot in Flagstaff, which has the largest firing line and longest range, as well as very interesting reactive and arial targets. So, that is also a different kind of thing from the SAR show. If you add in the 1200-1300 other tables at the rest of the December Phoenix Crossroads of the West Gun Show, we are now the largest gun show west of the Great Plains.

We have plans next year to take this up a few notches. There will be more national advertising. There are plans for bands, re-enactor’s encampments, and a much larger military vehicle display group. Our dealer’s have almost filled the area we had this year, and we believe that we will fill the entire building. The lane to our building will be opened by another twenty-five feet, and there will be outdoor vendors along that lane. Between Crossroads of the West Gun Shows and the SAR 2004 show, we hope to go after the title of the “Largest True Gun Show in the US”. Perhaps the legend of the Great Western will pass its crown to SAR.

I would like to thank all involved in preparing and running this show, and everyone who came. You made this happen, and we are proud to be part of the group.

Onward- The National Rifle Association will be sending out the ballots for members of the board. I wanted to pass on the names of those who we know to be Class 3 friendly. It is important for us as a community to ensure that our voices are heard. Please pass the word on this. The C3 supportive people who I know of on this ballot are:

Michael A. Lee- Denmark, Maine
Ted Nugent – Jackson, Michigan
Sandra S. Froman – Tucson, Arizona
James W. Porter II – Birmingham, Alabama
If you are a Life Member or have been an annual member for at least 5 consecutive years, you have voting rights and will automatically receive a ballot in your American Hunter or American Rifleman magazine in January or February.

– Dan

by Robert Hausman

The recent announcement that Senate minority leader Tom Daschle, the Democratic senator from South Dakota, who usually votes against pro-gun legislation, has voiced his support for Senate bill S.659, entitled the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act,” has led many industry figures to believe passage of the measure (which would end the frivolous lawsuits masterminded by anti-gun groups) seems certain.

In addition, the Democratic whip in the Senate, Harry Reid of Nevada, another politician who usually votes for gun control, has thrown his support behind S.659 as well.

In announcing his support for the bill, Daschle said, “The vast majority of gun owners, manufacturers and sellers are honest and law-abiding. It is wrong – and it is a misuse of the civil justice system – to try to punish honest, law-abiding people for illegal acts committed by others without their knowledge or involvement. That’s not the way we do things in America. We don’t hold innocent people responsible for acts they are not involved in and over which they have no control.”

The wave of politically-motivated lawsuits which began in earnest in 1989, while not successful in the courts, have aided the cause of anti-gun groups by having the effect of keeping new products off the US market as a consequence of fears by firearms manufacturers and marketers, situated both domestically and abroad, of being sued by municipalities and injured plaintiffs, aided by such highly-organized and well-funded groups as the Legal Action Project of the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence. The high cost of product liability insurance resulting from the suits has also caused the withdrawal of many firearm designs from the market, or kept foreign produced firearms from being imported into the US.

The bill, S.659, would not hinder suits where negligence, defective products or criminal acts are involved. President Bush has indicated he would sign the legislation if it reaches his desk. The US House of Representatives passed the measure in April by a 285-to-140 vote. More than 30 states have already enacted similar legislation, but the industry believes federal legislation is needed to ensure an end to the suits nation-wide. State laws are more subject to change than are federal regulations. For example, the state of California, a major firearm market, which had a state law prohibiting such “junk lawsuits” against the industry for many years, recently repealed its measure.

It should be noted Daschle’s support for S.659 is conditional upon passage of an amendment to allow future claims arising from defective products or when illegal sales of firearms are made (such as instances in which a retailer transfers a firearm to a prohibited purchaser, such as a convicted felon). “The broad coalition supporting this bill does not intend the legislation to provide blanket immunity to ‘bad actors,’” Daschle commented.

Despite Daschle’s support, a group of hard-core anti-gun Democrats have pledged to filibuster the bill. A successful filibuster would block the bill from being brought to a final vote. One of these, Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, denounced the bill as “shameful.”

Daschle will offer the amendment addressing his concerns with the solidly pro-gun Republican Senator from Idaho, Larry Craig, and with the “sometime friend” of the industry and gun owners (depending on which way the political winds are blowing) Sen. Max Baucus, the Democrat from Montana.

While Senate passage of S.659 seems certain, the bill’s future will largely depend on how many votes the bill’s opponents can muster to mount a filibuster.

US Handgun Importation Rising

Despite the problems handgun marketers have faced in recent years with municipal and special interest group litigation and the growing high cost of product liability insurance, a five-year analysis of US handgun importation statistics shows handgun imports are on the rise. In point of fact, during the five-year period from 1998 to 2002, handgun imports rose from a reported total of 572,487 units in 1998 to 971,562 in 2002, according to US federal government statistics.

US handgun imports stood at 572,487 units in 1998 carrying a customs value of $114,473,372. In 1999, the total number of imported handguns rose to 666,491 worth $123,942,778. The following year, some 712,662 handguns were imported into the US with a declared value of $130,877,100.

In 2001, the total handguns imported remained flat as 712,005 units were brought in with a value of $119,788,821. The year 2002 saw another dramatic rise, as the total units imported rose to 971,562, carrying a total value as reported to US Customs of $149,720,720.

In reviewing the numbers of guns brought in from individual countries, firearm imports from Canada grew significantly during the last five years.

In 1998, just 11,098 handguns were imported into the US from Canada. In 1999, this figure climbed to 14,041 and to 15,151 in the year 2000. In 2001, the total jumped to 23,458 and in 2002 the total skyrocketed to 43,374. The total for 2002 was nearly four times the amount brought in during 1998, and was nearly double the figure for 2001.

Imports from Brazil stood at 133,270 handguns in 1998. The total grew to 154,542 in 1999 and inched up to 160,548 in the year 2000. In 2001, the total declined to 135,267 but shot up to 229,528 in 2002.

Handgun imports from Germany totaled 107,232 in 1998 and declined to a 99,297 units in 1999. The total rose in 2000 to 114,876, but declined again in 2001 to 93,418. During 2002, however, German handgun imports came on strong with a total of 139,126, the highest in the last five years.

The total number of handguns imported from Austria to the US in 1998 was 170,240. The following year the total moved up to 210,996. In 2000, the total climbed to 245,869. In 2001, Austrian handgun importation dropped to 234,330 but rose back up to 257,255 in 2002. The total number of handguns brought in from Austria in each of the years 2000 and 2002 were nearly double that of 1998’s total.

Handgun imports from the Czech Republic have risen and fallen and risen again over the last five years. In 1998, 28,393 units came to the US In 1999, the total dropped to 11,498 but rose in 2000 to 19,006 units. In 2001, the total grew to 27,874, but fell back to 21,010 in 2002.

US importation of handguns from Italy stood at 41,071 units for 1998. In 1999, the figure dipped to 37,002, but rose to 41,325 in 2000. In 2001, the total climbed to 58,564 but fell back to 49,870 in 2002.

More Information Available

For those readers seeking more information on imports as well as exports, The International Firearms Trade, the monthly business journal for the global firearms marketer, regularly publishes statistical information on US firearm and ammunition imports and exports. In addition to the 12-page IFT newsletter, a statistical import and export research report subscription service is available providing highly detailed monthly reports on where US firearms and ammunition imports are arriving in the US, as well as their ports of origin. The US export report service provides monthly details on the destination countries for various US firearms, ammunition and related goods. A 1-year subscription to IFT is just $72. FAX your subscription request to 802-751-8268. Or e-mail to: INTLFT@AOL.COM Credit cards accepted.

Ruger Continues 30-Year Legal Winning Streak

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has achieved another defense verdict in its favor in a product liability case, marking the latest in a unanimous series of jury verdicts finding no product defects.

This latest triumph came on October 6th, when an Alaska jury unanimously found that the design of the Ruger M77 bolt-action rifle was reasonably safe and contained no design or manufacturing defects. The case was Whaley v. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. 3AN-97-03022CI and 3AN-98-8716CI , in the Superior Court for the State of Alaska, Third Judicial District at Anchorage. This verdict continues Sturm, Ruger’s winning product liability trial record. The company has won each and every product liability case involving products it has manufactured during the last thirty years.

“This latest jury verdict reinforces our strong commitment to the design and manufacture of safe, quality firearms,” said Sturm, Ruger president, Stephen L. Sanetti. “Our unblemished record in court is due in no small part to our many ongoing product safety measures. To those who falsely claim otherwise, I would ask them to look at what jurors across the country have found. This company cares deeply about the safety of our customers and produces firearms which are safe for reasonably intended uses.”

This latest defense verdict involved a gunshot wound to the hand of a hunter who was wiping down his loaded rifle with one hand placed over the muzzle, directly contrary to common-sense firearms safety rules. The rifle’s safety was in the “fire” position at the time the gun discharged. Testimony showed that the plaintiff was wiping off the area around the trigger immediately prior to his unfortunate shooting.

“While we, of course, feel tremendous sympathy toward the plaintiff, we cannot condone such egregious violations of basic firearms safety. A firearm cannot think; if a shooter presses the trigger with the safety ‘off,’ the gun will fire. Only the shooter can control what the firearm is pointed at. The jury wisely recognized this basic truth,” Sanetti added.

Firearms accidents nationwide are at an all-time low, according to the National Safety Council’s recently released report, Injury Facts-2003. Ruger’s experience mirrors this trend. Out of over 20 million firearms manufactured by Sturm, Ruger, only four product liability lawsuits are currently pending. This is the lowest number in the history of the company since product liability cases began in the early 1970’s.

Business Notes

ATF Form 4473 Error

ATF announces a printing error has occurred on ATF Form 4473 Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over-The-Counter, which is used by buyers when purchasing firearms from licensed dealers. On some of these 4473 forms, the form number; date of release(month/year); and the language, “previous editions are obsolete,” were inadvertently left off by the printer. ATF is advising retailers that the forms cannot be used. To order replacement forms, contact the ATF Distribution Center either by telephone at 703-455-7801; placing an order on-line via the ATF web site at www.atf.gov; or by submitting an ATF F 1370.2, Requisition For Firearms/Explosives Forms.

Gun Store Burglars Caught

The persons believed responsible for committing a string of five gun store burglaries in the Houston and Harris County, Texas areas, which netted at least 119 firearms, worth an estimated $100,000 have been caught. Bill Carter, principal of Carter’s Country, one of the area’s largest retailers, was one of those hit and lost about $30,000 worth of guns.

Dissatisfied with the progress being made in the investigation by police, Carter got in touch with his local chapter of CrimeStoppers, which posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators and got the crimes and the reward offer publicized on local television stations. Carter put up an additional $5,000, raising the reward to $10,000. Within days, tips came in resulting in the capture of the suspects.

Ruger, Davidson’s Team for NRA

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. has joined with Davidson’s to help permanently endow the National Rifle Association’s Basic Marksmanship Training and Instructor Certification programs. Their goal is to raise $250,000 through the sale of William B. Ruger Endowment Special NRA Edition Mark II .22 caliber pistols. Some $25 from each pistol’s sale will go to The NRA Foundation William B. Ruger Endowment. These NRA edition pistols are available exclusively through Davidson’s Gallery of Guns web site.

Distributors Join Campaign Distributors Camfour, RSR Group and Sports South have added the “Save Our Industry” logo to their web sites. to give incentive to customers to write their US Senators in support of Senate bill S.659, which would end the frivolous lawsuits against the industry.

FBI May Get Priority in Explosives Cases

In the latest chapter in the turf war between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Justice Dept., overseer of both agencies, is considering giving the FBI control of all cases involving explosives.

by Chris Choat

NEW “FAT BOY” SOUND SUPPRESSED PISTOL FROM SOUND TECH

Sound Tech, a manufacturer of quality sound suppressors for several years, now has a new heavy-duty suppressed pistol. Dubbed the “Fat Boy”, the new suppressed pistol was designed to fill a number of requests that the company had received from police tactical units, training officers and animal control personnel for a robust sound suppressor permanently mounted on a heavy-barreled, Ruger 22/45 pistol. The 22/45 was chosen because of its overall strength and reliability-combined with a grip handle and controls similar to those of the M1911 Government Model pistol. In addition, the 22/45’s trigger reacts differently after the last shot – providing the shooter with a tactile warning that the weapon’s magazine is empty. Most officers wanted a short, thick, powerful can welded in place to reduce the backpressure and action fouling so common with slim-line, integral suppressors.. Bullet velocity with common, generic, garden-variety .22 LR high-speed ammo was to be set at just under 1,000 fps. Special subsonic ammunition would not be needed in the new suppressor. Accuracy, weapon strength and durability, workable silence, handling, overall length and cycling reliability were all of paramount importance. Out of these requirements the new “Fat Boy” was born. Velocity out of the new pistol is 950-980 fps, which is faster than most integral pistols, but slow enough to remain subsonic. Because of the larger internal design of the suppressor the action stays much cleaner. Also the phenomenon commonly known as “first-round-pop” is virtually eliminated. The “Fat Boy” weighs 43 ounces and is 11 3/4 inches long, overall. Sound rating with hi-speed ammunition is 122dB. This makes the “Fat Boy” 4 ounces lighter, 2 inches shorter, 7 dB quieter, 100 fps faster and far more robust than the old High Standard HDMS silenced pistol of World War II fame, which has remained an industry standard for more than 60 years. For more information on this new suppressed pistol contact Sound Tech, Dept. SAR, 120 Weatherly Way, Pelham, AL 35124; phone: 1-205-664-5860.

ALL WEATHER HIGH TECH GUN GREASE FROM SHOOTERS CHOICE

A new high-tech weapons lubricant is now available from Shooter’s Choice. The unique qualities of Shooter’s Choice All-Weather High Tech Gun Grease assure peak performance in both lubrication and protection under virtually any application and weather condition you’ll ever encounter. The All-Weather High Tech Gun Grease provides outstanding high and low temperature performance (range of -65°. to +350° F) with no sluggish action under extreme cold or melting under extreme heat. Gun Grease is specially formulated to provide maximum protection against rust, pitting and other forms of corrosion while also exhibiting superb adhesion characteristics and water resistance. For more information contact Shooters Choice-Ventco, Inc., Dept. SAR, 15050 Berkshire Ind. Parkway, Middlefield, OH 44062; phone: 1-440-834-8888; fax: 1-440-834-3388; website: www.shooters-choice.com.

AK47 KNIVES AND WRISTWATCHES FROM BOKER USA AND KALASHNIKOV

World renown weapons designer and father of the legendary AK47, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has joined forces exclusively with Boker Tree brand knives of Solingen, Germany to offer knife collectors a tactical knife worthy of its namesake heritage. These limited edition knives, debuted at the SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida, also share the spotlight with the first-ever Kalashnikov wristwatch. In fact, Kalashnikov himself was on hand to personally unveil these instant classics at the Boker booth. Designed by famed designer Dietmar Pohl, the AK47 and AK47 LTD Limited Edition knives are state-of-the-art testimony to Boker’s uncompromising craftsmanship and Kalashnikov’s vision of the ultimate tactical knife. The 6061-T6 aluminum handles are designed for an effortlessly secure grip thanks to the precision CNC machine work. The AK47 offers handle inlays of durable G-10 material for added functionality. The handles of the AK47 LTD Limited Edition version feature stunning Snakewood inlays. The blades of these two knives are also different. Inspired by the bayonet of the original AK47, the AK47 knife offers a 4-inch, partially serrated 440C stainless steel blade with a satin finish. While the AK47 LTD Limited Edition knives feature the same specifications but with a non-serrated mirror-polished blade and with a serial number signifying its place in a limited run of 2003 pieces worldwide. Additionally, each knife comes carefully packed in its own presentation box. Each model of these dramatic knives has a belt/pocket clip and boasts an overall open length of 91/2 inches and weighs just 6 ounces. Boker expects the AK47 to retail for $220 and the AK-47 LTD Limited Edition to be offered at $350. To properly represent this prolific inventor, Boker’s Kalashnikov line hasn’t been limited just to precision weapons. They’ve taken his vision and created an extremely functional timepiece appropriate for any situation. The AK47 Kalashnikov Precision Wrist Watch employs a high-quality Swiss quartz chronograph movement (ETA 251.262, chronograph with 1/10 second stop and date). The substantial 44mm diameter case stands at 11.5 mm high. The rotating bezel shows strong hour markers with a polished surface, while the screw down crown displays a star symbol, and the Kalashnikov logo is laser etched on the back of the watchcase. The AK47 Kalashnikov Precision Wrist Watch is available in two versions: one with a stainless steel bracelet and the other with a striking black leather strap and stainless steel buckle. Both are limited to just 1,000 pieces each worldwide. Boker expects these serialized, highly collectable timepieces to retail for $495 for the stainless steel bracelet AK47 and $450 for the leather strap version. For more information contact Boker USA, Inc., Dept. SAR, 1550 Balsam Street, Lakewood, CO 80214-5917; phone: 1-303-462-0662; fax: 1-303-462-0668; website: www.bokerusa.com.

MINOX ADDS NEW BINOCULAR TO THEIR LINE

Introduction of the new 10X32 binoculars by MINOX Sports Optics provides greater magnification with the same quality features that have made their 8X32 model so popular. Known for maximum optical performance and precision German engineering, MINOX binoculars deliver extremely high contrast and edge-to-edge sharpness by means of their aspherical lens technology. This superior lens system – fully multi-coated – also produces more brilliant color rendition, finely detailed images and higher light transmission. Even with greater magnification, these new binoculars, with a 32mm optic lens, have close-focus distance of about 21/2 feet; and a field-of-view of 315 feet at 1,000 yards. With a generous 3.2 exit pupil dimension, this new MINOX model allows more light to enter, for greater low-light capabilities. A combination of special nitrogen filling and the water-tightness of a rubber-armored aluminum body prevents internal fogging under any weather conditions. MINOX products are famous for their compact dimensions, offering the highest optical qualities with significantly less weight and size. Ergonomic design makes them fit comfortably in your hands, and efficient screw-in/screw-out eyecups assure easy use for those who wear glasses. A comfortable neoprene strap and genuine leather carrying case complete the package that makes the new MINOX 10X32 binocular a winner. For more information please contact MINOX Sport Optics, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 530866, Henderson, NV 89053-0866; phone: 1-702-614-4038; website: www.minox.com.

D&L SPORTS INTRODUCES CQB REAR SIGHT FOR AR-15/M16 FLAT TOPS

The new D&L CQB rear sight was designed by Dave Lauck to survive the rigors of police and military use, as well as serious civilian competition shooting. This sight is an excellent choice for CQB, patrol duties, speed shooting, entry teams, low-light encounters, home defense and as a back-up for optics. The sight is fully adjustable and lockable with a series of 17 locking screws. It is designed for use on A-3 flat top AR-15/M16 firearms with standard height front sight posts or standard height flip-up front sights. Dave also has designed a blade front sight to be compatible with this heavy-duty rear sight. The blade replaces the post front sight commonly found in AR-15/M16 front sight posts. The blade front sight is designed to be very durable and allow for night sight insert installation. The forward mounted notch style CQB rear sight functions very well as a pre-mounted and zeroed back-up iron sight for optical devices such as the ACOG, Aimpoint, and Trijicon(tm) Tripower sights. D&L Sports, Inc., produces a heavy-duty ring mount which positions the Aimpoint or Tripower sights properly for high-speed optic use with this CQB iron sight in place. The new rear sight allows for three interchangeable sights; an open top notch, an open top notch with night inserts and a ghost ring aperture. For more information on this rugged new sight contact D&L Sports, Inc., Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 651, Gillette, WY 82717; phone:1-307-686-4008; website: www.dlsports.com.

by James L. Ballou

The 1960s and 1970s were turbulent times in South Africa. The policy of Apartheid led to a complete arms embargo, resulting in an indigenous arms industry that produced several interesting variations of familiar weapons. One of these is the Kommando LDP. While South African farmers dubbed it the “Land’s Defense Pistol,” “LDP” actually stands for LaCoste Engineering (the manufacturer), DuPless (the designer) and Ponter (the financier).

There existed, during that time frame, a strong need for a personal defense weapon (PDW) for civilian use. The requirements were for a simple, rugged, semiautomatic firearm that could be handled by almost everyone.

In 1976 LaCoste Engineering, Pvt. LTD, a South African firm, developed a prototype to meet these parameters. Designed around the Uzi magazine and similar in configuration to the Uzi, it was a third generation, open-bolt submachine gun. Originally designed in Rhodesia and called the “Rhuzi,” it was, in reality, closer to the Czechoslovakian Model 25 than the Uzi. The LDP was given the name “Kommando,” for no apparent reason but for marketing and only produced in a semiautomatic version for civilian sale. Most interesting was the lower receiver, which was fabricated from a plastic molding. The “Kommando” logo was molded into the grip frame. This predates the Glock polymer receiver by at least 10 years. There is even a “passive” trigger safety, similar to the Glock’s.

The following information was obtained from a letter by Peter LaCoste for the exclusive use of Small Arms Review. LaCoste Engineering, a family-owned die casting company, was approached by a gun enthusiast who requested that a pistol be made to his design. The original concept was not very successful nor was it designed for mass production. Unfamiliar with firearms, the company was presented with a steep learning curve. Ten months was required to redesign the weapon. The pre-production prototype was tested in November 1976 in Salisbury, Rhodesia.

With limited availability of raw materials, special equipment had to be designed for the production of the LDP. The barrels were made from solid barstock of mild steel. A 9-inch-long true hole was drilled with a standard drill bit .The barrel was reamed to give an acceptable bore. Broaching was done one groove at a time, five grooves in all. The components of the trigger unit were cyanide-hardened to give a hardwearing surface. Unfortunately, drill and barrel reamer bits could only be purchased as standard length, so they all had to be extended with a silver steel shank. All the springs were made in-house, and the winding was done a half turn at a time. The original stock was two units molded together, but later versions were of one-piece design.

Each weapon was factory tested with three proof rounds. To prove that a barrel made from mild steel was safe, one barrel was tested with 2,000 rounds without any signs of distortion. There were five different versions of the LDP/Kommando. Version 1 is shown in the enclosed exploded diagram. Version 5 was the only version made in semiautomatic-only. In 1978 they were producing 600 units per month of the fifth version. The weapon was considered very successful, with very few reports of operational problems. The majority was due to the improper loading of the magazines.

The Kommando migrated to the United States by way of Thomas D. Griggs of Marex International Corporation. He purchased the production rights prior to the 1986 machine gun ban, and planned to produce this weapon along with the Viking submachine gun.

I was hired to field-test the semiautomatic-only Kommando. One thousand, one hundred and ten rounds of miscellaneous 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition was fired through the test specimens. The test was a disaster. I couldn’t get one full magazine to fire without stoppages. The sear lost contact with the bolt, resulting in a cocked weapon, and the bolt would not go forward. It fired in bursts of two to three rounds only (so much for the semiautomatic mode.) Fortunately, it was imported as a submachine gun not a semiautomatic-only weapon.

In the early 1980s, Mr. Griggs imported crates of parts to complete 500 units of the Kommando. The soft machine gun market, along with the plethora of surplus submachine guns doomed this venture from the start. It is understood that Mr. Griggs voluntarily turned the entire contents of his warehouse over to the BATF.

CATCo. of Reno, Nevada , has recently imported part sets for the Kommando LDP. When they ran out of barrels they went to the trouble to manufacture new barrels to complete some of the sets. They also supplied diagrams and photos used in this article.

Parts kits:
CATCO
316 California Ave. #341
Reno, NV 89509
Phone: 707-253-8338
FAX: 707-253-7149
E-mail: jdcatco@pacbell.net

Receivers:
Keller Enterprises
P.O. Box 563
Safety Harbor, FL 34695-0563

Stenparts.com
E-mail: tokarev@earthlink.net
Phone: 727-725-4700

Jeff’s Shooter Supply
P.O. Box 1054
Trussville, AL 35173
Phone: 205-833-3705
FAX: 205-836-0778
Email: jeffshooter@mindspring.com

by J.M. Ramos

As noted in part one of this article, the Bingham PPS-50 had a very serious trigger lockwork design flaw which would otherwise make this little rifle the finest hi-capacity self-loading .22 rimfire ever made. With barely a year since its introduction, the manufacturer issued a recall relating to the faulty mechanism with the gun having the tendency to fire accidental doubles or bursts, along with misfires that made it unsafe to use. The gun the author tested worked well for about 500 rounds. After that, the gun started doubling with misfires in between. There were also reports that some guns did fire full-auto due to the sear not engaging the hammer fully. As the bolt slams forward, the hammer is accidentally tripped with just a fraction of the sear’s tip engaging the hammer notch, tripping the hammer and firing it automatically. These customer complaints prompted the manufacturer to issue a recall of early production models up until the late 1980’s urging the purchasers to return the guns to their dealers or directly to importers who would then undertake the necessary repairs to correct the problem. The initial importer of these clones was Bingham Ltd. based in Atlanta, Georgia and the last one up until the mid 90’s was Mitchell Arms in California.

It is my understanding that the company did re-design the original trigger lockwork of the PPS-50 to replace the faulty mechanisms. I have not seen the replacement parts but it is very likely that the new parts were exact duplicates of the AR-7 Explorer which eliminated the separate sear found in the original PPS-50 design. The AR-7 trigger lockwork is well proven, but it is heavy and very inconsistent, not to mention the trigger kick that is felt each time the hammer is forced by the bolt to re-engage the secondary sear (top hook of the trigger) during recoil. The makers of the PPS-50 incorporated a separate sear with the intention of lightening the trigger pull and eliminating the irritating trigger kick felt on the AR-7 but their idea simply did not fare well. The trigger-mounted sear is the heart of the problem in the PPS-50 design. The combined rocking motion and fore-and-aft movement of the sear did not prove compatible since the primary sear tends to miss the hammer as soon as the secondary sear releases the hammer during the usual connection and disconnection sequence. This flaw resulted in double fire and misfires as the hammer follows the bolt due to disconnector malfunction. The problem is so serious that no quick fix is applicable in this case except a complete re-design of the mechanism. Instead of returning the gun back to the dealer, the author opted instead to improve the design and came up with the ideal trigger mechanism. The revised trigger group have met or surpassed the goals of the PPS-50 inventors. This is accomplished with minimum modifications to the original components.

Undoubtedly, the Bingham PPS-50 is one of the best looking, best built look-alikes in the heyday of submachine gun era. It was made of first class materials throughout with many machine-finished components, typical of Italian gun making tradition. Its rugged 50-round steel drum magazine rivals the legendary Thompson SMG in reliability. Externally, the PPS-50 is purely awesome. Backed by its formidable firepower and intimidating look, the PPS-50 is as pure as any submachine gun clone can ever be made – until its roar turns out to be a howl. While designed to surpass the AR-7 in all respect, the trigger pull on this PPsH41 clone, remained heavy and inconsistent.

THE REVISED TRIGGER ASSEMBLY.

In redesigning the original PPS-50 trigger lockwork primary consideration was given to the following criteria: (1) retain the simplicity of the working mechanism, (2) utilize as many of the original components as possible to reduce labour costs and keep additional parts to bare minimum, (3) the re-designed lockwork must provide lighter and more consistent trigger pull with minimum over-travel. In the SPR design, all of the above criteria were met. With the exception of the separate sear, all original factory components were utilized. Here are the details on how the revised lockwork was put together.

The trigger on the PPS-50 has a groove at the top to which the separate sear was assembled. The top front end of the groove has a solid ceiling (loop)that acts as a level control for the upward movement of the sear that, in turn, permits a rocking action via the oblong slots cut in both the sear and the trigger. The oblong slots on these two major parts caused the unnecessary fore-and-aft movement of the sear. The latter proved be the major flaw of the original factory design. The tolerance of the twin slots in relation to the pins that assembled through them are enough to allow the sear to move slightly backward when the hammer notch engages the front end of the sear. As the sear engages the hammer notch while the hammer is on cocking motion, it is slightly pushed backward which resulted in a increased distance of reach between the two parts thereby causiîg the hammer to trip or miss the connection altogether and causing an accidental discharge. This only happens after a shot was fired and trigger pull is released. This malfunction is automatically followed by a misfire on the third round since the hammer simply followed the bolt as it returns to battery. In the SPR design, the factory sear is omitted altogether in favour of a new arrangement that is well-proven, being incorporated into two famous battle rifles namely the .30 M1 Carbine and Belgian FN FAL. In the accompanying colour illustration you will note that the new trigger assembly has a far better set-up than the original. To adopt the simplified M1 Carbine/FAL type sear mechanism in the PPS-50’s original trigger, an insert (part #10) was utilized and mounted at the rear of the trigger (Part #18). A step was cut at the front top portion of the insert to act as a platform for the rear tail of the sear while the hammer is cocked. The insert is secured permanently to the trigger by two rivets (part #12). To attain uniform trigger pull and eliminate trigger overtravel, a trigger stop (part #11) was added on the lower prong of the insert. In order to allow the assembly of the new sear (part #1A) at the top front of the trigger, the solid part of the loop where the original sear is normally inserted at the front is opened up.

THE NEW SEAR DESIGN

As mentioned earlier, the new sear is patterned after the .30 M1 Carbine/FN FAL rifle design. To disconnect, the sear will move forward via the oblong slot each time the hammer (part #5) is on fired position. When the hammer is on the cocked position, the sear will be forced to move backward and its rear tail will rest over the top front step of the insert. (Note that the upper notch of the hammer that normally engages with the secondary sear of the original part is no longer functional in this new arrangement). Notice that the new sear has a shallow cocking step (approx ..050-inch) to engage the hammer notch. This new set-up allows for a very short trigger pull like that of the 1911 pistol. The short pull is further refined by the addition of a trigger stop that allows faster and more accurate follow-up shots. This is as good as it gets.

HAMMER SPRING MODIFICATION

In keeping up with the original simplicity of the PPS-50’s internal components, the original hammer/sear return spring is retained. Note that in the front end of the new sear, a roller (part #16) was mounted. To power the required forward and upward movement of the sear, the right leg of the hammer spring is re-configured. The modified leg of the spring now looped forward with the front bent hooking the roller upward and forward. The left leg of the spring stays the same and rests over the pin (part #9) seen at the top rear of the trigger insert. It now acts as a return spring for the trigger. In the PPS-50 design, the twin leg of the hammer spring only powers the sear. A separate return spring is assembled at the left side of the trigger. This small spring can be omitted in the SPR design for even lighter trigger pull if desired. This simple procedure completes the SPR transformation to correct the fault and improve the factory’s problematic trigger lockwork. The overall simplicity of the SPR design rivals that of the original AR-7 design from which the Italian made clone had evolved. The PPS-50 has long been out of production. As it came out of the box, it did not meet my expectation and almost ended up as a wall hanger. As a final test for the revised mechanism, the author fired 3,000 rounds of assorted brands of ammo without a single malfunction. The improved SPR lockwork met the desired mechanical refinements from which both the AR-7 and PPS-50 failed to achieve.

PPS-50 SUBMACHINE GUN

Although it is quite possible that the makers of the PPS-50 may have planned to eventually produce a selective-fire version of their rimfire clone for military or police market, this assumption remained unconfirmed to this date. It is, however, quite likely that few Class II manufacturers in the US may have experimented with a full-auto PPS-50 in one way or another. When we take into consideration that a Class-II-modified Ruger 10/22 sells as much as $5,000 or more just imagine how much a well-designed PPS-50 SMG would fetch. Back in the late 1980s while I was busy doing research on my book on rimfire battle guns, I had many invitations from manufacturers and private inventors to test their latest wares in the exotic gun market. Many of these were look-alikes in both rimfire and centerfire calibers including selective fire models as well as experimental ones. I have seen and tested many of these guns but its the rimfire versions that fascinated me the most. Some of the most amazing rimfire submachine guns I have seen and tested in the US were those worked on by foremost gun inventor Max Atchisson. In the Philippines, I was impressed by the hand-built prototypes of noted gunsmith Simeon Cortez, a full-auto specialist during the Marcos era. His 10/22 machine pistol modifications and handmade full-auto shotguns are simply phenomenal. Cortez’ selective-fire conversion on the PPS-50 is another remarkable addition to his long line of credits. Sadly, the old master passed away in 1990.

A full-auto PPS-50 could have had a special role for both military and law enforcement operations. A pistol version of the PPS-50 SMG, such as those modified by Cortez were used effectively by undercover agents as an entry gun along with locally made chopped down Armscor pump-action shotguns when raiding illegal gambling and drug houses. The awesome firepower and controllability in full-auto of this rimfire clone is an unbeatable combination that is very much adaptable to an urban environment, wherein large bore autos can easily penetrate dwellings and injure innocent people. A full-auto PPS-50 is also a cheaper alternative to the very expensive American 180-M2 submachine gun that was adopted by numerous US penal institutions back in the 1980s. For military use, a silenced PPS-50 with a folding stock would be a great equipment for dispatching sentries, guard dogs and clearing up perimeter lights of the target area. For clandestine work, a takedown-type PPS-50 SMG would be unbeatable. It possesses plenty of firepower, cheap easily accessible ammunition and would be outright simple to operate with negligible recoil in automatic fire. Regretfully, just like the rest of the marvellous import clones that took America by storm back then, the Bingham PPS-50 is now simply a thing of the past. If we could only turn back the clock and once again enjoy these magnificent rimfire clones, it would be magic.

by Robert G. Segel

HISTORY

2004 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Maxim Machine Gun, Caliber .30, Model of 1904. This was the first rifle-caliber heavy machine gun approved for use as the standard service type by the United States Army.

The army was interested in the new Maxim gun as early as 1887 and procured examples of the “World Standard” Maxim machine gun Model 1889 and Model 1900 for testing purposes. It took another seven years of sporadic testing with fits and starts before the Chief of Ordnance finally gave approval for adoption in 1904. An agreement was reached with Vickers, Sons & Maxim, Ltd. (VS&M) and an initial order was placed for 50 guns and tripods to be produced at the VS&M Erith Works facility in England in the U.S. caliber .30-03.

The Ordnance Department, wanting the gun to be made in the United States, enlisted the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Company to make the gun but problems arose concerning the drawings and seemingly arbitrary changing of engineering specifications and tolerances by U.S. Ordnance personnel that caused a several year delay before Colt could start production. Eventually, the design specifications reverted back to the original VS&M drawings. In the meantime, the Ordnance Department placed another order for 40 guns with VS&M. When Colt finally began production in 1908 they continued with the serial number sequence for the model type. The first Colt produced Maxim Model 1904 gun had serial number 91. Additionally, by 1908, the service cartridge had changed to the .30-06. The 90 VS&M guns were retrofitted to accept the new .30-06 cartridge while Colt manufactured all their guns in .30-06. In all, there were 287 Model 1904 Maxim’s produced. The first 90 guns (serial number 1-90) were made by Vickers, Sons & Maxim in England and the remaining 197 guns (serial number 91-287) were made by Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company.

The Colt company had no desire to produce tripods or wheeled mounts for the Maxim and all of the tripods produced for the ’04 Maxim were produced in England by VS&M. All of the wheeled carriage mounts were produced by Rock Island Arsenal (RIA). Tripods and wheeled mounts were ordered and purchased separately from the guns and, though serial numbered, they were not numbered to a specific gun

The last order of guns was placed in 1908 and in 1909 the U.S. adopted the Benet-Mercie Machine Rifle Model of 1909. That was superceded in 1915 by the adoption of the Colt Vickers Model of 1915 and then in 1917 by the Browning Model 1917.

Accessories included a tin-lined wooden water box denoted by a 1-inch white stripe painted longitudinally around the box, a wood tool and spare parts box denoted by a light blue stripe and a wood belt filling machine box denoted by a red stripe. All these boxes were of the same size and dimensions as the wood ammunition box with sides and ends dovetailed together and the bottom secured by screws. All parts of the boxes are recessed so as to be flush with the surface. Model ’04 Maxim boxes all had a fold-down metal carrying handle as opposed to the later same size and color-coded wood boxes of the Colt Vickers Model of 1915 which had leather handles. The ammunition box contained one 250-round belt made of a composition of linen and flax. The pockets being formed by brass strips securely riveted to the web portion of the belt. Ordered accessories included a total of 6,434 ammo boxes, 1,344 water boxes and 7,144 ammo belts. The one-piece brass and steel cleaning rod was mounted under the trailing leg of the tripod. Originally, there was no steam condensing hose for the gun as it had not yet been determined that a large white steam plume from the water jacket would be a problem in combat situations. By 1913 that need was recognized and a rubber tube devise was developed that was held to the water jacket by means of a supporting leather band. The tubing is connected to the band by a chain and holder. A nozzle at one end of the rubber hose fit into the steam escape hole in the water jacket cap. Seldom used, this devise can be seen in a few rare photos.

The ’04 Maxim was issued to U.S. infantry companies and to cavalry troops. Each machine gun company or troop was issued four guns including tripods, ammunition, spare parts, tools and accessories, together with the necessary packs. Mules were the primary means of transport for the guns and equipment and each company or troop was issued twenty mules being made up of four sections of five mules each. The ’04 Maxim was a well made weapon; reliable and dependable as Maxim guns were noted for. But, the gun was not popular with the men in the field. The ’04 Maxim had the distinction of being the heaviest Maxim ever produced weighing in at a total of 145 pounds (gun with water – 65 pounds, tripod field mount – 80 pounds). It took specially trained troops to set up, operate, clear, repair, take down, pack and unpack for transport on animals that carried the equipment. Nevertheless, the ’04 Maxim was widely used and saw service in such distant outposts as the Philippines, Hawaii, Mexico, Central and South America. Yet, it never really saw combat service, being relegated to training purposes. The gun was not used overseas in World War I but remained in the United States as a training weapon.

With about ten U.S. ’04 Maxims being transferable on an ATF Form 4 surviving today, and a few more in museums, it is generally considered to be the rarest and most desirable classic U.S. machine gun on the collectors market and, surprisingly, the ’04 tripod is even rarer than the gun. This weapon is certainly a prized centerpiece of any classic machine gun collection.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Maxim automatic machine gun, caliber .30, Model of 1904, belongs to that class of automatic guns in which the force of recoil is utilized to operate it. After the first shot the gun is self-operating, until the ammunition in the cartridge belt is exhausted or until the trigger is released. The force of the recoil opens the breech, extracts the empty case, and inserts and fires the next cartridge. In firing, the action of the mechanism is as follows: The barrel and lock (bolt) move to the rear a short distance. At the end of this recoil the lock is drawn back from the chamber, thus opening the breech and at the same time drawing a loaded cartridge from the belt and extracting the empty case from the chamber. During the last part of the motion of the lock, the empty case and the loaded cartridge are lowered until the latter is in line with the chamber and the former with the ejection opening. Under tension of the recoil spring, which the movement has extended, the lock then travels forward, the fresh cartridge is pushed into the chamber, the empty case is pushed into the ejector opening, the belt is fed forward one round, and the carrier and barrel finally returned to the firing position. During the recoil cycle, the firing pin is cocked, and unless the trigger has been released the sear is struck at the conclusion of the movement described above, and the gun is again fired.

The gun consists of the following principal parts groups. The barrel, trunion block, water jacket, water-jacket cap, filling valve, casing, handle block, recoil mechanism, lock mechanism, firing mechanism, feed box, nozzle, barrel disk and sights. The tripod consists of the following principal parts: Front legs, trail, seat and seat bracket, pintle, traversing arm, top carriage, traversing mechanism, elevating mechanism, traversing clamp and elevating clamp.

FIELD STRIPPING THE GUN

(From No. 1770 Handbook of the Maxim Automatic Machine Gun, Caliber .30, Model of 1904, Tripod, Model of 1904, Wheeled Mount, Model of 1905, Pack Outfits and Accessories. June 15, 1906.)The gun can be best disassembled when in position on the tripod.

• 1) Raise the cover. – By pressing the cover latch to the front the cover may be raised upward and to the front.
• 2) Remove the spring box. – To do this, take it firmly by both hands, the right hand near the rear and the left near the front of the box. Push the box forward until the three hooks are clear of the fastening studs. Then gradually allow the box to come to the rear thus relieving tension of the recoil spring. Turn the box slightly with the left hand until the fingers of the right hand can reach the fusee links and release the recoil spring from the securing pin.
• 3) Remove the lock. – Push the roller handle as far forward as possible with the right hand. Grasp the carrier and lock frame with the left hand. Rotate the handle slowly to the rear with the right hand and at the same time lift the lock frame upward and to the rear until the face of the carrier is at an angle of 45° to the horizontal. Continue to revolve the handle to the rear and lift the carrier and lock frame upward and forward until free from the casing. Rotate the lock frame about 60°, thus opening the bayonet joint connecting it with the crosshead. The lock can then be lifted free.
• 4) Remove the feed box. – Insert the fingers of both hands in the belt openings of the box and lift the feed box vertically out of the outside plates.
• 5) Remove the handle block. – Withdraw the handle block pin by pulling it sharply to the right. Then the block can be lifted vertically out of the casing.
• 6) Remove the trigger bar. – Draw it to the rear as far as possible, and then by pressing down on it the bar is lifted up and freed from the trigger-bar guide stud. The trigger bar can then be withdrawn to the rear.
• 7) Remove right and left crank slot filler pieces. – Draw them straight to the rear.
• 8) Remove the nozzle. – Remove the nozzle locking split pin by a sharp pull. Unscrew the nozzle by turning it 90° to the left. This will bring the threaded sections of the nozzle opposite the slotted sections of the water-jacket cap. The nozzle can then be withdrawn straight to the front. For ordinary cleaning of the gun no more dismounting is necessary. – As the recoil spring has been released, the barrel and parts connected with it may be pushed forward and back a slight amount, sufficient for cleaning and oiling. Care must be taken to keep the end of the crosshead away from the bottom plate in moving the barrel back and forth, for otherwise the lower end of the crosshead, hanging down, will jam in the cross slot at the bottom plate lying immediately below the crank.
• 9) Remove the barrel and recoil plates and parts connected with them. – Unscrew the barrel-disk locking pin with the wrench provided for that purpose. The barrel disk can then be unscrewed from the barrel. This leaves the barrel, recoil plates, roller handle, crank, crosshead, etc., free to be drawn straight to the rear and removed from the casing. Care must be observed in the withdrawal or insertion of the barrel while the muzzle end is passing through the sliding seats and packing.
• 10) Remove the recoil plates from the barrel. – With the barrel and recoil plates removed from the casing, remove the fusee and the right and left recoil plates are then free to be removed from the trunions of the barrel. The right recoil plate, crank, and roller handle should not be taken apart except at an armory or by skilled workmen with the proper tools.

The water jacket, trunion block, water-jacket cap, outside plates, bottom plate, front sight, steam-escape system, front plug, and set screw are not to be separated.

ASSEMBLING THE GUN

• 1) Assemble the barrel and recoil plates and bind them together by inserting and locking the fusee to the crank
• 2) Insert the barrel and recoil plates in the casing. Push forward slowly until the muzzle end of the barrel is seen approaching the water-jacket cap. If the top of the left-hand recoil plate is kept level with the bottom of the feed box cavity in the casing, the barrel will enter its bearing in the water-jacket cap without trouble. Push the barrel as far to the front as it will go.
• 3) Screw on the barrel disk and secure it by tightening the barrel disk locking pin.
• 4) Insert the nozzle, revolve 90° to the right, and secure with the split pin.
• 5) Insert the right and left crank-slot fillers.
• 6) Insert the trigger bar.
• 7) Insert the feed box.
• 8) Insert the handle block and lock it with the handle-block pin.
• 9) Hook the recoil spring to the fusee links and replace the spring box.
• 10) Insert the lock frame.
• 11) Close the cover.
• 12) Throw the roller handle forward a couple of times and allow it to snap back, to be sure that all is properly together. Also test the trigger action.

SPECIFICATIONS U.S. MAXIM AUTOMATIC MACHINE GUN, MODEL OF 1904

Weight of gun (without water): 57.5 pounds
Capacity of water jacket: 9.5 pints
Weight of water in jacket: 7.8 pounds
Weight of tripod: 80 pounds
Length of gun: 44 inches
Length of barrel: 28.5 inches
Caliber: .30-06 U.S.
Rate of fire: 450 to 600 rounds per minute
Feed: 250-round fabric belt
Cooled: Water
Operation: Recoil and muzzle gas assist
Sights: Graduated to 2,600 yards

Official records are a bit sketchy and sometimes contradictory, but the following is a brief chronological order history of purchases.

January 1904: Initial order of 50 guns and tripods from VS&M.

June 1904: Second order of 40 guns placed with VS&M.

June 1904: First tripods to be numbered 1-50 by VS&M.

June 1904: Order for 30 wheeled mounts from RIA.
May 1905: Orders for 36 guns from Colt.

October 1905: Orders 85 guns from Colt and 30 tripods from VS&M.

October 1905: Orders for 25 wheeled mounts from RIA.

November 1905: Orders for 36 wheeled mounts from RIA.

January 1906: Orders for 16 guns from Colt.

January 1906: Orders for 16 wheeled mounts from RIA.

May 1907: Orders for 10 guns from Colt.

January 1908: Orders for 107 tripods.

July 1908: Orders for 50 guns from Colt and 50 tripods from VS&M.

May 1911: 21 tripods dismantled for spares.

June 1911: 3 additional wheeled mounts mfg. by RIA.

In all there were 287 guns purchased (the first 90 produced by VS&M and the remaining 197 guns manufactured by Colt), 197 tripods (minus 21 tripods dismantled for spare parts for a total of 176 usable tripods all made by VS&M) and 111 wheeled carriages made by RIA.

Besides the interesting prices quoted by VS&M to the Chief of Ordnance, U.S. Army in a letter dated January 14, 1904 for the first 50 guns ordered, is the actual content listing, by item, of the tool and spare parts box and the belt filling machine box. This has never been published before.

“In compliance with your letter of November 30, 1903, No. 25537-718, enclosing instructions to bidders and specifications governing the manufacture and inspection of Maxim Rifle Caliber Automatic Guns and Equipments therefore, we now beg to submit the following bid:

Vickers-Maxim R.C. Automatic Gun. (Of Special Type for U.S. Army.)

1 Gun, complete with Lock and sights-$1226.35
1 Tripod, complete, with elevating and training gear; cleaning rod -190.77
1 Box, Special Pattern Tool and Spare Parts, (outside dimensions to correspond with those of regular ammunition boxes)-5.00

Containing:
1 lock, spare-109.01
4 springs, gib @ .25 -1.00
2 springs, main @ 1.50 -3.00
2 springs, extractor @ 1.25 -2.50
1 spring, recoil with fittings – 7.50
1 spring, ejection tube -.37
1 spring, feed box, top pawl – .12
1 spring, feed box, bottom pawl-.12
1 spring, safety catch-.08
1 spring, trigger lever -.12
1 spring, safety sear – .25
1 spring, rear sight pawl – .37
1 spring, rear sight – .12
4 pins, axis, tumbler and hand sear @ .37 – 1.48
2 pins, with sleeve, side lever @ 1.87 -3.74
1 pin, safety sear axis-.37
1 gib -1.25
1 combined spanner, connecting rod and muzzle attachment-7.50
1 monkey wrench, hammer head-1.25
2 punches, steel @ .37-.74
2 punches, brass @ .37- .74
1 oil can, pint- .37
1 spring balance-.37
2 plugs, cork, with fittings; steam outlet @ .37- .74
2 sets asbestos packing @ .03-.09
3 washers, .005”, connecting rod @ .03-.09
3 washers, .003”, connecting rod @ .03 -.09
1 screw driver, small -.31
1 safety sear- 1.88
Total for Tool Box- $158.14

1 Box, Special Pattern, (outside dimensions to correspond
with those of regular ammunition boxes)-$5.00Containing:

1 belt filling machine -75.00
1 set of springs for above – .59
1 D. E. clearing tool- .37
1 belt repairing tool -1.50
1 pair of cutting pliers – .56
1 file- .37
1 screw driver-.31
1 oil can, pint -.37
1 tin box for strips and eyelets- .25
24 brass strips – long @ .001/2 – .12
24 brass strips – short @ .001/2 -.12
100 eyelets-.05
1 brass water vessel with handle and valve (carried outside)- 2.75
Total for Belt Filling Machine Box-$87.35
Total for 1 equipment, complete, comprising gun, tripod,
Tool box and belt filling machine box- $1662.61
Total for 50 Equipments, as above-$83,130.50
1,750 Ammunition belts, 250 pockets @ 3.36 -$5,880.00
1,400 Ammunition Boxes @ 3.30 -$4,620.00
300 Water Boxes, Special type @ 6.00- $1,800.00

By Dan Shea

In the early to mid 1960s the AK4 rifle was adopted by Sweden, and that nationalized version of the German HK G3 design replaced the venerable old Swedish M96 Mauser in service. In the Swedish tradition of a “Home Guard,” the time-honored citizen-soldier tradition, these bolt-action Mausers were issued to the men of Sweden and kept in their homes. The Swedes had kept a full-sized battle rifle cartridge as their issue choice, the 7.62x51mm NATO round. Original production of the AK4 was at the Husqvarna Vapenfabrik AB.

Many years later, as the winds of change to the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge swept forward in most of the world’s armies, the Swedish Defense Force changed over to another foreign design, the Belgian FNC. The Swedish manufactured version of the FNC is the AK5 and it is in service today.

The question was, what to do with all of those AK4s? These selective-fire weapons were issued to the Home Guard in exchange for the old Mauser M96 bolt-action rifles, and the Swedish countryside was then armed to the nines with a full-sized selective-fire battle rifle.

The Swedish Home Guard requires that the soldier keep his AK4 in a disassembled state, with the trigger group locked up separately, and a special lock placed inside the barrel. Only the soldier has the key, there are no master keys made. This means if the key is lost, the only way to fix the situation is to return the AK4 to the factory to be re-barreled. Security and safety are paramount in this country full of martial tradition. Interestingly, even the Swedish hunter is required to have a gun safe if he owns firearms.

Many of the AK4s were arsenal refinished or at least examined in the mid to late 1970s, and they bear those date markings. After a recent inspection of the weapons in the hands of the Home Guard, it was decided that the entire inventory should be remanufactured as the AK4-B, without fixed sights, using only an optical sight on a MIL-STD-1913-style rail.

This required an intense logistical effort. Saab Bofors Dynamic AB was chosen as the contractor to do the work; they have the machinery, the technicians and the experience with small arms. They are located in the town of Eskilstuna. The Swedish Defense Force gathered up the AK4s and recorded them with a system of bar codes. The bar code follows the AK4 receiver on each step of its journey to become the new AK4-B.

The journey begins in the disassembly area at the factory. Crated rifles come in, are cleared to ensure they do not have a live round, entered into the database, and then they are disassembled. Each removable part is separated from the receiver and subjected to a thorough inspection. The results are recorded into the database, and if the parts meet specification, they are put into parts bins for further work. Small springs and pins are completely replaced and these used components are discarded. The barreled receiver is now the only part tracked with the bar code.

That receiver leaves the four-station disassembly and inspection area, and proceeds to the CNC milling station where the front and rear sight bases are milled off with great precision. The receivers then proceed to a welding station where the MIL-STD-1913-style rail is fitted and welded in place. At this point, a very precise measurement is taken to ensure that the rail is on target with the line of the bore (see the accompanying pictures for more on that process).

After another inspection, the receiver joins the rest of the parts for sandblasting, and a manganese phosphate finish (some parts receive black oxide treatment) is applied. The new AK4-B is assembled, inspected again, and then test fired. After test firing the results are recorded, there is another inspection, then cleaning, and a dip in ZMX preservative oil. The rifles are drip dried, then the final notes are made in the computer and the rifles are re-packed in their crates, ready to return to the Swedish Defense Force for re-issue or storage.

SAR‘s take: In this age of the newer, smaller cartridge and rifle, these large battle rifles may seem almost prehistoric. I consider that attitude to be a mistake. The AK4-B rifle will be a very positive rifle for the Swedes to use as a back up to their regular army. The G3 system is tried and true, the Swedish manufactured AK4 variant was good to go in the beginning, and the process that the team at Saab Bofors Dynamics AB has set up is thorough and effective. The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge has a lot of years left in it, it is effective and hard hitting, it is accurate, and the ammunition supplied by the Swedish company of Nammo is some of the best in the world. Adding in modern optical sighting is perhaps the best thing the Swedes could have done for this rifle, complete inspection and refinishing. I have only two problems with the G3 system, and those are controllability in the full-auto mode, and that the sights not really reaching as far as the weapon’s effective range. Controllability is a training issue, and adding the new optics should solve the range issues, as well as add target identification certainty. – Dan

SAR would like the following people from Saab Bofors Dynamics AB for all of their help in tracing history and technology of this project: Åke Eckström, Director, Head of Small Arms Production Jan Arvidsson, Team Leader of Small Arms Assembly Department Special thanks to Mart Pella from Nammo for helping to facilitate this visit. Saab Bofors Dynamic AB is available for other rebuild or new manufacture small arms products.

Saab Bofors Dynamics AB
Box 613
SE-631 08
Eskiltuna, Sweden