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NEW<br />
sa<br />
ARMING THE<br />
NEW! - Guns of the Silver screen - Star Wars: Guns of a new hope<br />
GALACTIC EMPIRE<br />
THE BLASTECH<br />
Products<br />
AMERICAN TACTICAL INTRODUCES<br />
THE FX-H HYBRID 1911<br />
ROGERS HOLSTER<br />
OFFERS NEW<br />
QD MOUNT FOR<br />
TRIJICON MRO SIGHT<br />
THE WALTHER<br />
CCP<br />
E-15<br />
THE LANCER<br />
L30 HM<br />
AMERICAN BUILT ARMS<br />
CLEO<br />
MOD* X<br />
CHASSIS STOCK<br />
MOSSBERG<br />
MVP LC<br />
Display until 3/14/2016<br />
CONCEALED CARRY<br />
HANDBAGS
NEWS FLASH<br />
CLEO<br />
Legally Armed<br />
Legal News from the Nation’s Capital<br />
by Teresa G. Ficaretta, Esq.<br />
Johanna Reeves, Esq.<br />
ATF Publishes Final Rule Requiring<br />
Background Checks for Responsible<br />
Persons<br />
On January 4, 2016, the Attorney General<br />
signed a final rule amending the<br />
regulations issued under the National<br />
Firearms Act (“NFA”) relating to background<br />
checks for people who obtain<br />
firearms through a trust, corporation, or<br />
other legal entity. The final rule, available<br />
on ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/<br />
file/100896/download, will be effective<br />
180 days after publication in the Federal<br />
Register, which we anticipate will be<br />
sometime in early January 2016, making<br />
the effective date early July 2016.<br />
The most significant provisions of the<br />
final rule are the following:<br />
Elimination of the CLEO Certification.<br />
The final rule amends ATF regulations<br />
to eliminate the requirement<br />
that the Form 1 Application to Make and<br />
Register a Firearm and the Form 4 Application<br />
for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration<br />
of Firearm include a certification<br />
from the Chief Law Enforcement Officer<br />
(CLEO) where the maker or transferee<br />
resides. The final rule requires only a<br />
CLEO notification, eliminating what is<br />
frequently an obstacle for firearms owners<br />
to obtain registered NFA firearms.<br />
The CLEO notification is provided by the<br />
applicant forwarding a completed copy<br />
of the Form 1, Form 4, or the new National<br />
Firearms Act Responsible Person<br />
Questionnaire (ATF F 5320.23) to the<br />
CLEO prior to submitting the application<br />
to the National Firearms Act Branch.<br />
Responsible Persons Must Submit<br />
Photos and Fingerprints. The final rule<br />
requires each “responsible person” complete<br />
the new Form 5320.23 with personal<br />
identifying information and attach photographs<br />
and fingerprints when a trust or<br />
legal entity files a Form 1 or Form 4 or is<br />
listed as a transferee on a transfer application.<br />
In the case of trusts, this means<br />
settlors/grantors, and trustees must<br />
submit the form, photographs, and fingerprints.<br />
Beneficiaries are “responsible<br />
persons” only if they have the authority<br />
to receive, possess, ship, transport, deliver,<br />
transfer, or otherwise dispose of a<br />
firearm for or on behalf of the trust. Once<br />
the final rule takes effect, all settlors/<br />
grantors, trustees, and beneficiaries authorized<br />
to possess registered firearms<br />
will be required to submit photographs<br />
and fingerprints so a background check<br />
can be completed.<br />
The new Form 5320.23 is not yet<br />
available. However, the final regulations<br />
indicate the form must include the person’s<br />
full name, position, home address,<br />
date of birth, and country of citizenship<br />
if other than the United States. The final<br />
regulations do not require a law enforcement<br />
certification on the form.<br />
Definition of “Responsible Person.”<br />
The final rule clarifies the definition<br />
is limited to unlicensed entities, including<br />
trusts, partnerships, associations, companies<br />
(including LLC), or corporations.<br />
We note the definition will not apply outside<br />
the area of NFA transfers.<br />
The information contained in this<br />
article is for general informational and<br />
educational purposes only and is not intended<br />
to be construed or used as legal<br />
advice or as legal opinion. You should<br />
not rely or act on any information contained<br />
in this article without first seeking<br />
the advice of an attorney. Receipt of this<br />
article does not establish an attorney-client<br />
relationship.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 4 MARCH 2016
<strong>SAR</strong> STAFF<br />
PUBLISHER<br />
Chipotle Publishing, LLC<br />
50<br />
GENERAL MANAGER<br />
Deborah Shea<br />
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS<br />
Megan Shea<br />
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF<br />
TECHNICAL EDITOR<br />
Dan Shea<br />
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR<br />
John M. Robledo<br />
ART DIRECTOR<br />
Gracie Wingert<br />
GRAPHICS ASSISTANT<br />
Pouya Behdadnia<br />
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR<br />
Jayne Wynes<br />
DISTRIBUTION<br />
Ana Gonzalez<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
John M. Robledo<br />
Megan Shea<br />
702.565.0746<br />
adv@smallarmsreview.com<br />
SMALL ARMSREVIEW.COM<br />
ADMINISTRATOR<br />
Ross Herman<br />
NEW PRODUCTS EDITOR<br />
Chris A. Choat<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
Caroline Schloss<br />
STAFF ARCHIVIST<br />
Donald Thomas<br />
MILITARY AFFAIRS<br />
Robert Bruce<br />
Rob Krott<br />
TECHNICAL ADVISERS<br />
Dr. Philip Dater<br />
Dolf Goldsmith<br />
Dr. J. David Truby<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
“The Usual Suspects”<br />
David Albert<br />
Felix A. Alejos Cutuli<br />
Christopher R. Bartocci<br />
Charles Brown<br />
John Brown<br />
Todd Burgreen<br />
Bob Campbell<br />
Chris A. Choat<br />
Will Dabbs, MD<br />
Teresa G. Ficaretta, Esq.<br />
Robert Hausman<br />
Michael Heidler<br />
Jean Huon<br />
Frank Iannamico<br />
N.R. Jenzen-Jones<br />
Richard Jones<br />
George E. Kontis PE<br />
Jean-Francois Legendre<br />
Julio Montes<br />
Ronaldo Olive<br />
Paolo Ortenzi A.A.I.<br />
David Pazdera<br />
Maxim Popenker<br />
Johanna Reeves, Esq.<br />
Dean Roxby<br />
Jim Schatz<br />
Robert G. Segel<br />
Dan Shea<br />
Gabriele Tansella<br />
Joseph Trevithick<br />
Anthony Wicks<br />
Anthony G. Williams<br />
Jason Wong<br />
68<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 MARCH 2016<br />
6<br />
Small Arms Review (ISSN:1094-995x)<br />
is published monthly except for Jan./Feb. and July/Aug. in print<br />
and weekly online by:<br />
Chipotle Publishing LLC<br />
631 N. Stephanie St. #282, Henderson, NV 89014.<br />
Telephone: 702.565.0746. Fax: 702.567.2425.<br />
E-mail: office@smallarmsreview.com.<br />
Copyright©2016. All material contained in Small Arms Review<br />
is copyrighted, and no portion may be reproduced in any<br />
way without the written permission of the publisher.<br />
US subscriptions are available for $39.95 for 1 year (10<br />
issues) with weekly online and 1 year Foreign Surface $69.95<br />
with weekly online. (All US Funds Only). Subscription prices may<br />
change without notice.<br />
Small Arms Review is not responsible for the misuse of any<br />
information contained in this publication. We do not endorse any<br />
item or practice offered in any ad or article in this publication. The<br />
opinions expressed are those of the individual writers. Small Arms<br />
Review will not accept any ad for any firearm, device, or combination<br />
of parts that would fall under the authority of the Bureau<br />
of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms unless legal and registered,<br />
when necessary. It is up to each individual and dealer to comply<br />
with NFA act rules and all Federal and local laws, and Small Arms<br />
Review accepts no responsibility. For advertising information,<br />
writers guidelines, and bulk sales information call Chipotle Publishing,<br />
LLC at 702.565.0746. Publisher assumes all North American<br />
Rights upon acceptance and payment of all manuscripts. We<br />
are not responsible for lost or damaged manuscripts.<br />
34
CONTENTS<br />
COLUMNS<br />
8 NEW REVIEW<br />
By Chris A. Choat<br />
O n the<br />
COVER:<br />
4, 16 LEGALLY ARMED<br />
By Teresa G. Ficaretta, Esq. & Johanna Reeves, Esq.<br />
20 TECH SPEC<br />
By Rick Vasquez<br />
81 MATERIAL WITNESS:<br />
STEEL SIMPLIFIED<br />
By David Lake<br />
Arming the Galactic Empire<br />
E-15 Imperial Stormtrooper<br />
Heavy Blaster Rifle<br />
Photo By Will Dabbs<br />
90 GUNS OF THE SILVER SCREEN:<br />
STAR WARS: GUNS OF A NEW HOPE<br />
By Kyle Shea<br />
93 CROSSWORD: <strong>SAR</strong>OUND Selection<br />
By Caroline Schloss<br />
97 MG MEMORABILIA<br />
By Robert G. Segel<br />
Breaking News<br />
Scout Sniper<br />
Mount Awarded<br />
To LaRue Tactical<br />
FEATURES<br />
7 Breaking News - Scout Sniper Mount<br />
Awarded to Larue Tactical<br />
-Laure Tactical<br />
22 E-15 Imperial Stormtrooper<br />
Heavy Blaster Rifle<br />
By Will Dabbs<br />
34 American Built Arms Mod X Chassis<br />
Stock & Trijicon's Accupower Scope<br />
By Chris Choat<br />
42 Lancer L30 HM (Heavy Metal)<br />
By Christopher R. Bartocci<br />
50 Mossberg MVP LC High Capacity<br />
Precision Bolt Action<br />
By Todd Burgreen<br />
60 Conceal Carry Handbags<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Staff<br />
62 The AMT Automag III<br />
By Frank Iannamico<br />
68 The Walther CCP<br />
By Will Dabbs<br />
76 The 1920-Mark on German<br />
Military Weapons<br />
By Michael Heidler<br />
87 Czech ZB26 Armour Gunner's Kit<br />
By Robert G. Segel<br />
LaRue Tactical is proud to announce<br />
that their LT840-34 QD<br />
Scope Mount has been selected as<br />
the new USMC Scout Sniper Day<br />
Scope-Improved Mount (SSDS-<br />
IM). Over 2,800 units have been ordered<br />
with the first delivery already<br />
in the Marine’s hands.<br />
The LT840-34 (SSDS-IM) is a<br />
lightweight, ruggedized quick-disconnect<br />
(QD) mount capable of<br />
mounting M8541 and M8541A optics<br />
to the inventory of M110 and<br />
M107 rifles. Like all LaRue QD<br />
Mounts, the mounting attachment<br />
method is adjustable, durable and<br />
repeatable if removed and reinstalled.<br />
The 34mm mount is offered<br />
in two versions; zero-MOA and 20-<br />
MOA bias for different applications.<br />
This award adds to the growing<br />
number of LaRue Tactical mounts<br />
currently being used for virtually<br />
every optic operated by the USMC.<br />
A commercial version of the LT840-<br />
34 will be available in early 2016.<br />
www.larue.com<br />
CONTENTS<br />
7<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
NEW PRODUCTS<br />
by Chris A. Choat<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 MARCH 2016<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 MARCH 2016<br />
8<br />
8
VZ GRIPS ANNOUNCES<br />
NEW KEYMOD GRIPS<br />
VZ Grips®, the original innovator<br />
(and authority) for custom G10 gun<br />
grips is proud to announce its newest<br />
product. The VZ KeyMod grips (KMG).<br />
The KMG’s are attachable grip panels<br />
for your favorite KeyMod platform.<br />
They are precision machined in VZ’s<br />
very sought after proprietary textures<br />
and G10 colors. With innovation and<br />
function as their leading edge, VZ did<br />
not just bring you their best, but partnered<br />
up with gun accessory giant Bravo<br />
Company USA® to bring even more<br />
to the table. All KMG’s feature BCM’s®<br />
new patent pending Inverted KeyMod<br />
screw. Designed by Eric Kincel, BCM’s<br />
Director of Product Development and<br />
designer of the KeyMod system, BCM’s<br />
proprietary nut-less screw is an awesome<br />
feature for the KMG’s as it eliminates<br />
extra hardware and uses a T15<br />
torx head that is already a standard for<br />
many of the VZ grip screws. KMG’s will<br />
be available in 2” and 4” panels, 2 different<br />
contours, 3 different textures (Alien,<br />
RECON, Tac Diamonds), and numerous<br />
color schemes that match their existing<br />
handgun line. Prices start at $24.75 for<br />
the 4” and $22.75 for the 2” model. Best<br />
of all they are made in the USA. You can<br />
learn more at www.VZGrips.com.<br />
NEW REVIEW<br />
9<br />
9<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
ROGERS HOLSTER OFFERS NEW<br />
QD MOUNT FOR TRIJICON MRO SIGHT<br />
After the release of the new Trijicon<br />
MRO, Rogers Holster Company realized<br />
there were few choices for QD (quick<br />
detachment) attachments for that optic.<br />
They have addressed that need by<br />
manufacturing the new QD mount, Rogers<br />
Sight Mount that is completely US<br />
made. The Rogers Sight Mount (RSM)<br />
is a versatile, quick-detach mount for<br />
any Red-Dot optics with a picatinny rail<br />
attachment. The RSM allows the user to<br />
quickly detach and reattach their optic<br />
without the need for cumbersome fasteners<br />
or tools. The RSM is a rock-solid<br />
and precision mount. A user can remove<br />
their RSM mounted optic, reinstall it,<br />
and expect their Red-Dot to be in the<br />
same position. The RSM also allows the<br />
user to co-witness to their iron sights. Included<br />
are 2 shims to allow the user to<br />
easily adjust the height of their optic in<br />
relation to their iron sights. The parallel<br />
clamping members of the Rogers Sight<br />
Mount (RSM) are molded with a slight<br />
bias in the shape of a bow. This allows<br />
the force of the single cross bolt to be<br />
distributed evenly over the entire engagement<br />
of the weapon’s rail. This design<br />
provides an excellent clamp using<br />
less force. The lever operated locking<br />
cam of the RSM locks on top dead center<br />
of the cam. Most designs require the<br />
throw lever to go over center in order to<br />
lock. Locking force is lost by going over<br />
center so conventional mounts must be<br />
adjusted over tight in order to not shoot<br />
loose when the lever goes over center.<br />
The RSM uses an alternative lock system<br />
that allows the lever to lock at the<br />
highest point on the cam. The result is<br />
a better lock up with less force which<br />
reduces wear and tear of the part and<br />
is easier to operate.<br />
The RSM uses a glass filled polymer<br />
similar to modern pistol frames.<br />
The glass filled material has a much<br />
greater coefficient of friction while locking<br />
to a metal rail. It also has the ability<br />
to custom form to any slight imperfections<br />
in the metal rail of the weapon.<br />
The end result is a mount that does<br />
not shoot loose and will repeat zero<br />
when removed and reinstalled as long<br />
as it is returned to the same position<br />
on the weapon rail. Visit them at<br />
www.holsterops.com/sight-mount.com<br />
to order one.<br />
AMERICAN TACTICAL INTRODUCES THE FX-H HYBRID 1911<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 MARCH 2016<br />
10<br />
American Tactical, pioneers of the<br />
Omni Hybrid MAXX Series of products,<br />
is pleased to add the first of its kind<br />
FX-H Hybrid 1911 handgun to the lineup<br />
of quality polymer-based firearms.<br />
The FX-H 1911 is unique in the fact it<br />
has a polymer frame with two metal inserts<br />
at the stress points for premium<br />
quality construction, while keeping the<br />
overall weight of this full frame 1911<br />
down to 1.6 lbs. The FX-H is believed to<br />
be the lightest full size 1911 on the market<br />
today. The FX-H includes features<br />
like a 5” match-grade stainless steel<br />
barrel and a stainless steel slide that accepts<br />
Glock style sight systems and a<br />
removable plate to accommodate RMR<br />
style optics. The FX-H 1911 comes in<br />
.45 ACP with additional calibers coming<br />
soon. All milspec 1911 parts are interchangeable.<br />
They completely designed<br />
and manufactured this product for the<br />
ultimate shooting pleasure while giving<br />
the owner a lightweight solid 1911 platform<br />
like no other. With a retail price of<br />
only $659.95, the FX-H Hybrid is sure to<br />
be one of the most popular firearms of<br />
2016. More information is at www.americantactical.com.
CMMG INTRODUCES<br />
NEW MK47 KRINK MODELS<br />
CMMG has unveiled<br />
the Mk47<br />
line-up featuring a<br />
KRINK-style muzzle<br />
device. Similar<br />
to the original Mk47<br />
MUTANT design,<br />
these new rifles<br />
are built around<br />
the 7.62x39mm<br />
caliber and feature<br />
a shortened AR-10<br />
sized bolt carrier group that is paired with a unique upper and lower<br />
receiver to minimize weight and increase ergonomics. One of the<br />
primary benefits of the Mk47 design is its ability to accept existing<br />
AK magazines and drums. The new Mk47 models come equipped<br />
with the KRINK muzzle device. These new KRINK models include<br />
the Mk47 AKS8 AR Pistol, Mk47 AKS8 SBR (short-barreled rifle)<br />
and Mk47 AKS13 rifle. The KRINK-style muzzle-brake design was<br />
derived from an AK, which they modified to thread on standard AR<br />
threads. It serves as a booster, flash suppressor, blast reducer and<br />
also reduces recoil slightly.<br />
The Mk47 AKS8 SBR (all NFA rules apply) has an 8-inch barrel<br />
with a 9-inch RKM KeyMod Handguard, a Magpul CTR Buttstock<br />
and Magpul MOE Pistol Grip. It comes with a CMMG single-stage<br />
trigger and one Magpul AK PMAG. The full-sized Mk47 AKS13 has<br />
a 13-inch barrel with the KRINK muzzle device pinned and welded<br />
permanently to the end of the barrel to meet the 16” requirement for<br />
Title 1 Firearms. It features a 15-inch RKM KeyMod handguard, a<br />
Magpul CTR Buttstock and MOE Pistol Grip. It comes with a CMMG<br />
single-stage trigger pre-installed and one Magpul AK PMAG. For<br />
more information contact them at www.cmmginc.com.<br />
LIBERTY INTRODUCES THEIR<br />
NEW COSMIC 45 SUPPRESSOR<br />
Liberty Suppressors, makers of top quality firearm<br />
sound suppressors, would like to announce<br />
the release of their latest silencer design, the Cosmic<br />
45 caliber multipurpose silencer. The Cosmic<br />
is the next evolution in pistol silencer design, utilizing<br />
groundbreaking baffle technology along with<br />
the most durable materials. With a core of stainless<br />
steel, a titanium tube, and weighing in at only<br />
9.5 ounces, this silencer is light but built to handle<br />
even the toughest of pistol rounds. The Cosmic<br />
shares the same footprint as their popular Mystic<br />
X silencer. This allows full backwards compatibility<br />
with their legacy mounting solutions for the Mystic<br />
program and opens many new doors at the same<br />
time, without having to increase the footprint of the<br />
silencer. The Cosmic is rated for everything from<br />
22LR up to 454 Casull in pistol calibers plus several<br />
carbine calibers as well. The versatile Cosmic<br />
is priced at just $799 retail. Liberty Suppressors<br />
is a family owned, Georgia based silencer company<br />
that pioneered the concept that a monolithic<br />
silencer can be quiet. Liberty Suppressors offers<br />
a full line of silencers for everything from 22LR up<br />
to 300 Remington Ultra Mag. Check them out at<br />
www.libertycans.com.<br />
NEW REVIEW<br />
11<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 MARCH 2016<br />
12<br />
TACTICAL WALLS ANNOUNCES<br />
NEW TACTICAL LAMP<br />
TacticalWalls has just announced the release of the Tactical<br />
Lamp, a discreet new home storage solution for firearms, everyday<br />
carry items and other valuables. The Tactical Lamp is a<br />
fully functional home lighting appliance that features a hidden<br />
storage compartment inside its wooden body. The hidden compartment<br />
is accessed by removing a detachable side panel from<br />
the base of the lamp. The detachable side panel is kept in place<br />
by magnetized placeholders. Inside the hidden compartment<br />
is a protective layer of loop-sided Velcro to protect valuables<br />
from marring and allow the use of a variety of mounting options.<br />
NO COMMENT:<br />
"Ideas are more powerful than guns.<br />
We would not let our enemies have guns,<br />
why should we let them have ideas."<br />
Behind the loop-sided Velcro, there is also a retention magnet<br />
that makes it possible to secure a firearm, knife or other<br />
metal valuables to the rear of the internal compartment.<br />
The exterior dimensions of the lamp base are 11.5”H x 9”W<br />
x 7.25”D. The interior dimensions of the storage compartment<br />
are 9”H x 6”W x 4”D. The Tactical Lamp is sold with<br />
or without the lampshade and can also be purchased as a<br />
single unit or a set of two. There are different types of finishes<br />
available, including Dutch Walnut, Black and Cherry.<br />
Prices range from $119 to $129 for a single unit and $179 to<br />
$199 for a set of two (depending on whether the lamp shade<br />
is included). Check out their innovative products at www.<br />
tacticalwalls.com.<br />
They make products that are simple to install, easy to<br />
use, and offer discreet storage solutions for every room.<br />
They are also made here in the USA.<br />
- Joseph Stalin
13<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2<br />
NEW REVIEW
y Teresa G. Ficaretta, Esq.<br />
& Johanna Reeves, Esq.<br />
Legal News from the Nation’s Capital<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 MARCH 2016<br />
16<br />
GCA Firearms Restrictions—<br />
Who Is a Prohibited Person?<br />
Part II: 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)-(9)<br />
In Vol. 20, No. 1, we provided readers<br />
with an overview of Federal firearms<br />
disabilities imposed under the Gun<br />
Control Act (GCA), 18 U.S.C. Chapter<br />
44. Because there are 10 categories of<br />
“prohibited persons” under the GCA, we<br />
addressed 5 of the disabilities in Part I<br />
of the article, and this article addresses<br />
the remaining 5 disabilities as Part<br />
II. As stated in Part I, it is essential for<br />
Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) to<br />
have a working knowledge of this area<br />
of the law to avoid transferring firearms<br />
or ammunition to prohibited persons<br />
and aiding and abetting a prohibited<br />
person in unlawfully possessing these<br />
items. Caution must be exercised in<br />
this area not just for potential purchasers<br />
of the FFL’s products, but also for<br />
employees who possess firearms and<br />
ammunition for purposes of carrying out<br />
the FFL’s business.<br />
This article will discuss the prohibited<br />
persons described in 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)<br />
(5)-(9), which includes illegal and nonimmigrant<br />
aliens; persons dishonorably<br />
discharged from the military; renunciants<br />
of U.S. citizenship; persons subject<br />
to domestic violence restraining orders,<br />
and persons convicted of misdemeanor<br />
crimes of domestic violence.<br />
I. GCA Categories of Prohibited Persons<br />
§ 922(g)(5)-(9)<br />
A. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5) – Illegal Aliens<br />
and Nonimmigrant Aliens<br />
Section 922(g)(5) includes two separate<br />
and distinct disabilities. The first<br />
applies to “aliens” who are illegally or<br />
unlawfully in the United States. The<br />
second applies to aliens who have been<br />
admitted to the United States under a<br />
nonimmigrant visa, as that term is defined<br />
in the Immigration and Nationality<br />
Act. We will discuss each of these<br />
disabilities separately.<br />
1. Aliens Illegally or Unlawfully in<br />
the United States--§ 922(g)(5)(A)<br />
This provision has been in the GCA<br />
since enactment in 1968, but was not<br />
defined until ATF issued regulations<br />
implementing the Brady Law in 1997.<br />
The regulations provide that the term<br />
“alien illegally or unlawfully in the United<br />
States” means aliens who are not in<br />
valid immigrant, nonimmigrant or parole<br />
status. The definition in 27 § C.F.R. §<br />
478.11 provides examples of aliens included<br />
in the term, such as persons who<br />
enter the United States without presenting<br />
themselves to an immigration officer,<br />
nonimmigrants whose periods of stay<br />
have expired or who violate the terms of<br />
their entry, and persons under a deportation<br />
or removal order.<br />
Questions often arise about aliens<br />
who have applied for adjustment status<br />
and allowed to stay in the United States<br />
while the application is pending. Federal<br />
courts have held that aliens in this<br />
situation still entered the United States<br />
illegally and cannot lawfully possess a<br />
firearm. There is an exception in one<br />
federal circuit involving a case where<br />
an individual filed for and received Temporary<br />
Protected Status. Under these<br />
circumstances that court held such a<br />
person is not an illegal or unlawful alien<br />
under the GCA because he or she is<br />
allowed to remain in the United States<br />
and work in the same manner as a nonimmigrant<br />
alien. See United States v.<br />
Orellana, 405 F.3d 360, 365 (5th Cir.<br />
2005). The Department of Justice does<br />
not extend the rationale of the case<br />
to other circuits.
2. Aliens Admitted to the United<br />
States under a Nonimmigrant Visa–<br />
§ 922(g)(5)(B)<br />
Congress added the disability for persons<br />
who enter the United States under<br />
a nonimmigrant visa to the GCA in 1998.<br />
The plain language of the statute limits<br />
the prohibition to persons who enter the<br />
United States with a nonimmigrant visa.<br />
However, when ATF issued implementing<br />
regulations in 2002, the agency interpreted<br />
the prohibition to apply to ALL<br />
nonimmigrants, whether or not they entered<br />
the United States with a visa. This<br />
is a significant expansion of the statutory<br />
prohibition, as many foreign visitors are<br />
not required under the Immigration and<br />
Nationality Act to present a visa when<br />
entering the United States. Canadian<br />
citizens are the biggest category, as well<br />
as persons from countries in the Visa<br />
Waiver Program (VWP). Information on<br />
the VWP, including a list of participating<br />
countries, can be found on the Department<br />
of State website.<br />
In 2011, the Department of Justice’s<br />
Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) advised<br />
ATF that the agency’s interpretation of<br />
the nonimmigrant alien prohibition was<br />
overly broad. OLC advised ATF that the<br />
prohibition does not apply to all nonimmigrant<br />
aliens present in the United<br />
States, but only those aliens admitted<br />
to the United States under a nonimmigrant<br />
visa. Subsequently on December<br />
8, 2011, ATF posted an Open Letter to<br />
All Federal Firearms Licensees on its<br />
website advising that, in accordance<br />
with direction from OLC, the agency was<br />
changing its interpretation of the law so<br />
that most Canadian visitors in the United<br />
States and aliens admitted under the<br />
Visa Waiver Program would no longer<br />
be prohibited from possessing firearms<br />
under the GCA. On June 7, 2012 (77 FR<br />
33625), ATF amended its regulations to<br />
reflect this position.<br />
The disability for nonimmigrant aliens<br />
present in the United States pursuant to<br />
a nonimmigrant visa has a number of<br />
statutory exceptions. The exceptions,<br />
listed in 18 U.S.C. § 922(y)(2), include<br />
the following:<br />
• aliens admitted to the United<br />
States for lawful hunting or sporting<br />
purposes (e.g., an organized<br />
shooting competition);<br />
• aliens in possession of a hunting<br />
license or permit lawfully issued in<br />
the United States;<br />
• official representatives of a foreign<br />
government who are accredited to<br />
the United States Government or<br />
the Government’s mission to an<br />
international organization headquartered<br />
in the United States;<br />
• officials of a foreign government<br />
or a distinguished foreign visitor<br />
so designated by the Department<br />
of State; and<br />
• foreign law enforcement officers<br />
of a friendly foreign government<br />
entering the United States on official<br />
law enforcement business.<br />
The easiest exception to satisfy is<br />
the hunting license exception. Any alien<br />
may easily avoid the prohibitions of the<br />
statute by obtaining a hunting license<br />
from any State, and the possession of<br />
firearms or ammunition need not be in<br />
the State where the hunting license was<br />
issued. This exception has been criticized<br />
because of its ease in avoiding the<br />
statutory disability.<br />
The GCA also includes a “waiver”<br />
provision that allows a nonimmigrant<br />
alien to apply for a waiver from the restrictions<br />
of the statute by submitted a<br />
petition to the Attorney General. We<br />
note, however, that neither ATF nor<br />
the Department of Justice have published<br />
regulations or any other guidance<br />
implementing the waiver provisions.<br />
Consequently, it is likely easier and<br />
more expedient to obtain a hunting license<br />
than to submit a petition to the<br />
Department of Justice.<br />
Even if a nonimmigrant alien fits<br />
within an exception listed above, the<br />
alien may not lawfully purchase a firearm<br />
from a Federal firearms licensee<br />
unless he or she (1) has a valid alien admission<br />
number issued by the Department<br />
of Homeland Security (required<br />
on the Form 4473); and (2) is able to<br />
provide documentation that he or she<br />
is a resident of the State where the<br />
FFL is located.<br />
B. Persons Dishonorably Discharged<br />
from the U.S. Armed Forces- 18<br />
U.S.C. § 922(g)(6)<br />
This provision of the GCA has been<br />
in the statute since 1968, but was not<br />
defined in the regulations until 1997.<br />
The term “discharged under dishonorable<br />
conditions” is defined in 27 C.F.R.<br />
§ 478.11 as “Separation from the U.S.<br />
Armed Forces resulting from a dishonorable<br />
discharge or dismissal adjudged<br />
by a general court-martial. The term<br />
does not include any separation from<br />
the Armed Forces resulting from any<br />
other discharge, e.g., a bad conduct discharge.”<br />
ATF also does not consider a<br />
general discharge as one that results in<br />
Federal firearms disabilities.<br />
C. Persons Who Have Renounced U.S.<br />
Citizenship - 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(7)<br />
This is a fairly straight-forward category<br />
of prohibited persons and one that<br />
is rarely encountered. That is because it<br />
is fairly difficult to renounce U.S. citizenship<br />
in a way that satisfies the requirements<br />
under the regulatory definition of<br />
“renounced U.S. citizenship.” The definition<br />
requires that a person renounce his<br />
or her citizenship (1) before a diplomatic<br />
or consular officer of the United States in<br />
a foreign country; OR (2) Before an officer<br />
designated by the Attorney General<br />
when the United States is in a state of<br />
war. The first method, requires completion<br />
of a State Department form before<br />
a U.S. consular officer while in a foreign<br />
country. The second method has been<br />
delegated to the Department of Homeland<br />
Security, although the agency has<br />
not issued regulations implementing the<br />
authority. Renunciations of U.S. citizenship<br />
are permanent and irrevocable, absent<br />
an overturn based on involuntariness<br />
or lack of intent. Individuals who<br />
lose U.S. citizenship must reacquire it<br />
through naturalization.<br />
D. Persons Subject to Domestic Violence<br />
Restraining Orders – 18 U.S.C.<br />
§ 922(g)(8)<br />
Congress enacted Section 922(g)<br />
(8) as part of the Violent Crime Control<br />
and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.<br />
The statute prohibits persons subject<br />
to certain domestic violation restraining<br />
orders from receiving or possessing firearms<br />
and ammunition. The disability is<br />
temporary, lasting only as long as the<br />
restraining order is in effect. It applies to<br />
a significant number of persons at any<br />
given time, as restraining orders that<br />
meet the requirements of the statute are<br />
issued by State courts routinely as part<br />
of divorce proceedings.<br />
Not every domestic violence restraining<br />
order issued by a State or tribal court<br />
results in Federal firearms disabilities.<br />
The statute has specific requirements:<br />
• the order was issued after a hearing<br />
of which the person received<br />
notice and had an opportunity to<br />
participate in the hearing;<br />
• the order restrains the person from<br />
harassing, stalking, or threatening<br />
an intimate partner (e.g., spouse,<br />
former spouse, cohabitant) or<br />
child of the intimate partner or<br />
engaging in conduct that would<br />
place the partner in reasonable<br />
fear of bodily injury; and<br />
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• the order includes a finding that<br />
the person represents a credible<br />
threat to the physical safety of<br />
the intimate partner or child OR<br />
explicitly prohibits the use, attempted<br />
use, or threatened use of<br />
physical force against an intimate<br />
partner or child.<br />
The disability is problematic because<br />
many (if not most) restraining orders<br />
meeting the requirements of the statute<br />
are never reported to NICS and are not<br />
used by the FBI as a basis for denying<br />
a firearms sale. A 1996 amendment to<br />
the Violence Against Women Act requires<br />
states to certify that its judges are<br />
required to provide notification to all domestic<br />
violence offenders of the requirements<br />
of section 922(g)(8) (and 922(g)<br />
(9), discussed below). This requirement<br />
has allowed more Federal prosecutions<br />
of violators for “knowing” violations<br />
of the GCA, but it has not resulted<br />
in more information being provided<br />
to the FBI/NICS.<br />
Section 922(g)(8) was challenged<br />
in Federal court repeatedly after enactment<br />
on the basis of the Second Amendment,<br />
due process, equal protection,<br />
and lack of notice arguments. Courts<br />
have consistently upheld the constitutionality<br />
of the statute, finding that preventing<br />
acts of domestic violence involving<br />
firearms is a reasonable restriction<br />
on firearms possession.<br />
E. Persons Convicted of a Misdemeanor<br />
Crime of Domestic Violence<br />
– 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)<br />
Section 922(g)(9) of the GCA is often<br />
called “the Lautenberg Amendment,”<br />
because Senator Lautenberg of New<br />
Jersey was the sponsor of the legislation.<br />
The amendment was enacted in<br />
1996 as part of the Omnibus Consolidated<br />
Appropriations Act of 1997. This provision<br />
makes it unlawful for any person<br />
convicted of a “misdemeanor crime of<br />
domestic violence” (MCDV) to possess<br />
firearms or ammunition. The term “misdemeanor<br />
crime of domestic violence”<br />
is defined in section 921(a)(33) as an<br />
offense that—<br />
• is a misdemeanor under Federal,<br />
State, or Tribal law; and<br />
• has as an element the use or attempted<br />
use of physical force or<br />
the threatened use of a deadly<br />
weapon committed by a current or<br />
former spouse, parent, someone<br />
who has cohabited with the victim,<br />
or another individual specified in<br />
the statute.<br />
The statutory definition also provides<br />
that, even if the requirements above are<br />
established, a person is not considered<br />
convicted of a MCDV if the person was<br />
not represented by counsel and, if the<br />
person was entitled to a jury trial, he or<br />
she was tried by jury or waived the right<br />
to a jury trial. In addition, the statute has<br />
language similar to that for felony convictions<br />
providing that post-conviction<br />
events may invalidate the MCDV conviction.<br />
If the MCDV is expunged, set<br />
aside, pardoned, or the person has had<br />
civil rights restored, the MCDV will not<br />
be disabling under section 922(g)(9).<br />
ATF’s regulations implementing the<br />
statute interpret the term “misdemeanor”<br />
to include, in States which do not<br />
classify offenses as misdemeanors,<br />
offenses punishable by imprisonment<br />
for a term of one year or less and includes<br />
offenses punishable by only<br />
a fine. Thus, even if a State does not<br />
label a particular offense as a misdemeanor,<br />
it will result in Federal firearms<br />
disabilities if the offense meets the<br />
statutory definition.<br />
Many state misdemeanor statutes for<br />
simple assault and other misdemeanors<br />
that may qualify as MCDVs contain<br />
multiple subparts or clauses within the<br />
subparts only some of which contain the<br />
element of physical force. For example,<br />
assault statutes frequently provide that<br />
a person commits assault either by using<br />
physical force against the person<br />
OR by making verbal threats. Only the<br />
first qualifies as a MCDV. There is a<br />
great deal of case law on the evidence<br />
the government may use to determine<br />
whether a misdemeanor conviction<br />
qualifies as a MCDV. This is a complicated<br />
area of the law, and if you are<br />
unsure whether a particular offense<br />
is disabling, contact your local ATF<br />
office for guidance.<br />
An interesting wrinkle to the Lautenberg<br />
Amendment is that it includes<br />
language that makes this disability applicable<br />
to law enforcement officers and<br />
the military. These categories of persons<br />
are generally exempted from most of<br />
the restrictions of the Federal firearms<br />
laws because of the general government<br />
exemption in 18 U.S.C. § 925(a)<br />
(1). This results in police officers and<br />
other law enforcement officers being<br />
able to acquire firearms from FFLs in interstate<br />
commerce free of the interstate<br />
controls, Form 4473 requirements, and<br />
NICS checks required of other firearms<br />
purchasers. It also means that police<br />
officers who happen to be prohibited<br />
persons (e.g., felons, dishonorable discharges,<br />
etc.) may lawfully possess<br />
firearms and ammunition for purposes<br />
of carrying out their official duties. However,<br />
the Lautenberg Amendment added<br />
language to the GCA to carve out misdemeanor<br />
crimes of domestic violence<br />
from the general exemption. Accordingly,<br />
police officers who have been convicted<br />
of such misdemeanors may not<br />
lawfully possess firearms or ammunition<br />
for any purpose. This provision of the<br />
GCA was challenged by police organizations<br />
and individual police officers<br />
immediately after enactment and was<br />
upheld. See Fraternal Order of Police v.<br />
United States, 173 F.3d 898 (D.C. Cir.<br />
1999). The statute has also survived a<br />
variety of constitutional challenges in<br />
the Federal courts of appeal under the<br />
Sixth Amendment, Commerce Clause,<br />
Second Amendment, Due Process<br />
Clause, and ex post facto clause.<br />
As with domestic violence restraining<br />
orders, not all misdemeanor crimes<br />
of domestic violence are reported to<br />
NICS. Although states routinely report<br />
felony convictions to the FBI, few<br />
have the resources to report misdemeanor<br />
convictions. Accordingly, it is<br />
unlikely that all persons subject to this<br />
disability are prevented from acquiring<br />
firearms from FFLs.<br />
II. Conclusion<br />
The Federal firearms disabilities imposed<br />
by the GCA are numerous and<br />
complex. The overview provided in this<br />
article cannot adequately cover all the<br />
legal issues raised by the lengthy statutory<br />
and regulatory definition. FFLs<br />
and others who have questions about a<br />
particular situation, person, or disability<br />
should contact qualified counsel or ATF<br />
for guidance.<br />
About the authors –<br />
Johanna Reeves is the founding<br />
partner of the law firm Reeves & Dola,<br />
LLP in Washington, DC (www.reevesdola.com).<br />
For more than ten years<br />
she has dedicated her practice to advising<br />
and representing U.S. companies<br />
on compliance matters arising<br />
under the federal firearms laws and<br />
U.S. export controls.<br />
Teresa Ficaretta is one of the country’s<br />
foremost experts on ATF regulations<br />
under the Gun Control Act, the<br />
National Firearms Act, the Arms Export<br />
Control Act and Federal explosives<br />
laws. Before joining Reeves & Dola in<br />
2013, Teresa served as legal counsel to<br />
ATF for 26 years, followed by two years<br />
as Deputy Assistant Director in Enforcement<br />
Programs and Services. They can<br />
be reached at 202-683-4200.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 18 MARCH 2016
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LEGALLY ARMED
FLASH SUPPRESSOR, MUZZLE BRAKES & MUZZLE ATTACHMENTS<br />
AND THE ASSAULT WEAPON BAN<br />
by Rick Vasquez<br />
In October of 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and<br />
Law enforcement Act, what has become known as the semiautomatic<br />
assault weapon ban (SAW) was passed. The Gun<br />
Control Act (GCA) was modified with section 922(v) which prohibited<br />
the possession and manufacturing of certain Assault<br />
Weapons and firearms with certain features. Some of those<br />
prohibited features were flash suppressors and barrels threaded<br />
to accept a flash suppressor.<br />
September 13, 1994: SAW Ban enacted by PL 103-322,<br />
Title IX, Subtitle A, section 110105 The Violent Crime Control<br />
and Law Enforcement Act was enacted on September 13,<br />
1994, and established the definitions of assault weapons firearms<br />
and the features that constitute semiautomatic assault<br />
weapons. If a complete firearm fitting any of these definitions<br />
was in existence on or before the date of enactment of this<br />
Law, then it was “grand fathered.” This means that it would be<br />
lawful to possess or transfer. The law had a sunset provision<br />
in which at the completion of 10 years from the date of enactment<br />
the law could expire or the president could extend it or<br />
make it permanent. As we all know it was allowed to sunset.<br />
However, there are states that began implementing their own<br />
SAW ban. Some states adopted the parameters set by the<br />
original SAW ban but other states have become creative and<br />
have implemented their own interpretation of SAW ban.<br />
One of the areas of study is the state SAW ban laws and to<br />
provide information to persons so they do not get caught up in<br />
a state violation, which is generally a state felony. In communicating<br />
with the states that have restrictions on firearms features<br />
it is obvious the personnel that are administering these<br />
laws to the citizens have little to no idea what they are doing.<br />
This is not true of all of the states but from the numerous calls<br />
I have made to the state firearms experts it is obvious that you<br />
are rolling the dice to a state felony if you do not understand<br />
these laws yourself.<br />
that also function as grenade launchers and bayonet mounts.<br />
While at a trade show in Harrisburg, PA there was a vendor<br />
that was selling H&K rifle copies and AK rifle copies that he<br />
was advertising as “New Jersey compliant.” The only modification<br />
the vendor performed on these weapons was to pin<br />
the military flash suppressor in place on the rifles he was displaying.<br />
Regardless of the lack of gun knowledge the state<br />
administrators have, there are knowledgeable gun people and<br />
sooner than later many of these gun owners will be placed in a<br />
precarious situation. The following photos demonstrate flash<br />
suppressors from 2 different models of firearms:<br />
FLASH SUPPRESSORS,<br />
MUZZLE BRAKES AND<br />
THREADED BARRELS:<br />
What is a flash suppressor and what is a muzzle brake? All<br />
of the gun gurus are saying that is easy; a flash suppressor is<br />
designed to hinder the flash and a muzzle brake is a device<br />
to help with muzzle rise. You get an “A”. But can they be the<br />
same? How much flash must be reduced before it is considered<br />
a flash suppressor and not a muzzle brake? What is the<br />
standard and who performs a flash test? When shipping a rifle<br />
to a state with prohibitions on features, or you are purchasing<br />
a rifle with in a state with prohibitions on features, you need to<br />
know these answers. Additionally, there are flash suppressors<br />
Most NATO firearms have flash suppressors of the same<br />
diameter to accommodate universally sized rifle grenades. If<br />
the flash suppressor is not of the proper diameter of the rifle<br />
grenade such as FALs and M14 rifles with narrow flash suppressors,<br />
then they are equipped with a detachable attachment<br />
that slides over the flash suppressor and the grenade<br />
will slide over the muzzle attachment. When a state prohibits<br />
a grenade launcher it isn’t the M203 grenade launcher or other<br />
rifle mounted grenade launchers, because the likelihood of<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 20 MARCH 2016
someone transferring an M203 on an AR15 is pretty slim. It is<br />
the flash suppressor/grenade launcher identified in the original<br />
assault weapons ban. Yet, when you ask the administrators at<br />
the state level what is a grenade launcher they cannot explain<br />
that the military flash suppressor is a grenade launcher. One<br />
state in particular when asked to explain the features as applied<br />
in his state told me, “that is a legal question and if you<br />
want an answer you need to hire an attorney and appeal for<br />
an answer to the attorney general’s office”. This was from the<br />
lead detective in charge of the office.<br />
Concerning the practice of pinning a muzzle brake in place,<br />
the purpose of pinning the muzzle brake to the barrel is to<br />
mask the threads. A banned feature is a threaded barrel that<br />
is compatible to accept a military flash suppressor. Once a<br />
muzzle brake or thread protector is pinned in place the barrel<br />
is no longer considered threaded. In all of the research of<br />
all of the state laws and speaking to many personnel not one<br />
has been able to give me a standard of what is considered<br />
permanently attached. If a person were to look for a standard<br />
the best practice would be to use what the ATFE has established<br />
for many years. Permanent attached means: “full fusion<br />
weld (stick, tig, mig) brazing, silver solder that has at least an<br />
1100 degree melting point, blind pin or set screw welded over”.<br />
These methods have always given positive results for permanent<br />
attachment.<br />
TESTING OF A FLASH SUPPRESSOR:<br />
With the enactment of the SAW ban ATFE did not have<br />
a test protocol to evaluate the reduction of flash of a muzzle<br />
attachment, when fired. A protocol was not developed until<br />
2002. This protocol was based on the procedure utilized by<br />
the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen<br />
Proving Grounds. The procedure developed was to compare<br />
the flash of a firearm without a flash suppressor, against the<br />
firearm with the flash suppressor, and any submitted muzzle<br />
attachment for a particular model of weapon. This test<br />
procedure is consistent with the procedure utilized by the<br />
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Test Operations<br />
Procedure (TOP) 3-2-045.<br />
The following is the test protocol that was developed:<br />
1. A measurement and description is taken of each muzzle<br />
submitted for evaluation. The outside diameter of the<br />
muzzle attachment must be larger than .865 of an inch,<br />
which is the diameter that will accept a muzzle-mounted<br />
grenade.<br />
2. Photographs will be taken of the muzzle attachment<br />
attached to a firearm while being fired in<br />
complete darkness.<br />
3. A grid, measuring 24 inches by 24 inches and made of<br />
1/4-inch metal rod spaced two inches apart, will be placed<br />
4 inches behind and centered on the muzzle attachment.<br />
4. Take three separate sets of test photographs. Two photographs<br />
of each test process.<br />
• The test weapon will be first photographed without<br />
any muzzle attachment.<br />
• The test weapon will then be photographed with the<br />
submitted muzzle attachment.<br />
• The test weapon will then be photographed with the<br />
military style flash suppressor that is a component of<br />
the test weapon.<br />
• The photographs will be compared, using the grid<br />
as a reference, and a determination will be made<br />
as to whether the item is a flash suppressor or<br />
muzzle brake.<br />
• Measure the size of the flash spread of each test fire<br />
by counting the grid lines.<br />
Document the<br />
Camera utilized:<br />
Lens:<br />
Ammunition:<br />
Exposure length:<br />
Distance from camera<br />
lens to muzzle:<br />
Camera: Nikon D80, digital SLR<br />
18-75mm<br />
Federal (Federal ammunition<br />
has been used in all previous<br />
tests)<br />
bulb<br />
60 inches and level to the<br />
muzzle.<br />
Once the test is complete there is not any standard to say<br />
if the flash spread was reduced by so many inches, the muzzle<br />
device would or would not be a flash suppressor. This is<br />
subjective. However, from personal experience military flash<br />
suppressors reduce the flash of a rifle a considerable amount.<br />
It was an eye opener to see just how well many of these flash<br />
suppressors worked. On the other hand there was never a true<br />
muzzle brake capable of reducing the flash a sufficient amount<br />
to be called a flash suppressor.<br />
Conclusion:<br />
Certain states have implemented a SAW ban in an attempt<br />
at a modified gun control. If you reside in one of these states,<br />
or you provide commerce in firearms in one of these states,<br />
and you intend to own or sell firearms, it is imperative you<br />
understand the firearms laws for your state. Failing to do so<br />
could put you in possession of a physical feature of a sporting<br />
firearm of which you could be convicted of a State felony.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 21 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
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undeniably tried and true weapon system.<br />
Striking a tactical balance between power and<br />
portability, the E-11 armed the Stormtrooper<br />
Legions throughout the Galactic Empire’s<br />
sphere of influence. Whether the area of operations be the<br />
jungles of Kashyyyk, the desert wastes of Tatooine, the frigid<br />
arctic plains of Hoth, Boarding/Search/Seizure missions<br />
aboard captured vessels, or in the vacuum of space itself,<br />
the E-11 has rendered yeoman’s service. However, as is<br />
the case with perhaps every weapon known save the Jedi<br />
Lightsaber, there is always room for improvement.<br />
The popularity of the E-11 arose predominantly from its<br />
portability. At its heart a particle beam projector, the E-11 included<br />
an integral optical sighting array as well as an infinitely<br />
adjustable power setting. When used in areas of limited<br />
visibility and away from the image intensifiers built into the<br />
standard Stormtrooper armor, the optical sight of the E-11 allowed<br />
respectable visibility independent of illumination. The<br />
controls of the E-11 allowed instant fire selection ranging<br />
from stun settings selectable for the physiology of the target<br />
all the way up to full power bolts adequate to burn through up<br />
to 5cm of tempered iridium armor.<br />
The BlasTech E-11 was itself a development of the warhorse<br />
DC-15 Blaster that saw widespread usage during the<br />
Clone Wars. The E-11 was purpose-designed to address the<br />
combat shortcomings intrinsic to this effective but bulky Infantry<br />
combat weapon. While operational DC-15’s still turn<br />
up from time to time in the hands of terrorists, criminals,<br />
warlords, and thugs, this antiquated weapon has been completely<br />
supplanted in the armament stores of the Legions.<br />
While there are countless veteran Stormtroopers now<br />
mustered out of the Legions who would no doubt take issue<br />
with the claim, the E-11 has always suffered from a few serious<br />
deficiencies. Among them, the E-11 had a limited range<br />
due to its abbreviated beam focusing array as well as spotty<br />
accuracy beyond CQB (Close Quarters Battle) distances.<br />
Any Stormtrooper who saw service on Hoth and had to face<br />
Rebel Irregulars armed with their antiquated but powerful Mk<br />
47 Blaster Rifles will recall the range advantage Rebel forces<br />
held during these operations in open terrain.<br />
Now armaments engineers working under the auspices of<br />
the First Order have finally developed an adequate replacement<br />
for the standby E-11. As is well known, the First Order<br />
arose from the chaos that befell the Empire after the untimely<br />
demise of our Emperor, may his dark soul find eternal<br />
peace, at the hands of the renegade traitor Darth Vader. It is<br />
the turmoil that spawned from these sordid events that set<br />
back the development schedule of the new E-15 until now.<br />
BlasTech—A Legacy of Armament Innovation<br />
BlasTech, short for Blaster Technologies, began life as a<br />
consortium of arms manufacturers maintaining its corporate<br />
headquarters on Coruscant. BlasTech’s primary production<br />
facility has always been located on Geonosis for its responsible<br />
and industrious workforce combined with ample raw<br />
materials. When BlasTech production could not keep up with<br />
demand, the E-11 was produced under license by both the<br />
Soru-Suub and Merr-Sonn corporations on their respective<br />
home worlds as well as the Terran concern Anderson Manufacturing.<br />
E-11 Blasters may be found in Legion arms rooms<br />
bearing markings from all four companies. Unsubstantiated<br />
scuttlebutt notwithstanding, subcontracted Blasters are<br />
truly interchangeable with the original BlasTech variants.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 24 MARCH 2016
TOP LEFT: Also an NCStar product, the original E-11 combat optic was not nearly so capable as the ECO sight<br />
on the new E-15. TOP RIGHT: Any directed energy weapon must incorporate some mechanism to vent excess<br />
heat from firing. The familiar cooling fins on the legacy E-11 also allow firm purchase in standard Stormtrooper kit.<br />
ABOVE: Every Stormtrooper who ever donned the armor has a soft spot in his heart for the classic BlasTech E-11<br />
Blaster. The E-11 served ably and well in countless engagements across the Galactic Empire. Without overstating<br />
the subject, the E-11 projected the very Will of the Emperor Himself throughout its time in service.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 25 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20 No. 2
License-produced versions meet the same stringent standards<br />
of quality, reliability, and effectiveness as the original<br />
BlasTechs.<br />
What is not so commonly known is that BlasTech produces<br />
larger caliber weapons as well. BlasTech has filled<br />
contracts for the Turbolaser space defense systems used<br />
on fixed Imperial facilities as well as the fast-firing powerguns<br />
used on both TIE fighter as well as TIE interceptor<br />
platforms. With this established legacy of quality and innovation<br />
in weapons design and production, BlasTech was<br />
uniquely positioned to develop and produce the new E-15<br />
Blaster Rifle that will itself eventually supplant the E-11.<br />
The E-15 Heavy Blaster, the Next Generation in<br />
Stormtrooper Small Arms<br />
E-15 IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER<br />
The first thing any seasoned veteran notices when he<br />
hefts the new E-15 for the first time is that, compared to<br />
the E-11, the E-15 is big. Where previously the E-11 could<br />
be hung from a belt carrier when a Trooper was in garrison<br />
or performing maintenance or administrative tasks, the<br />
new E-15 must be managed on a sling. However, widespread<br />
use of cutting edge polymers and ceramics in its<br />
construction gives the E-15 a paltry weight of 3.1 kilos. Any<br />
Stormtrooper who has force marched with an E-11 will note<br />
with satisfaction that this is actually 10 grams lighter than<br />
the smaller weapon it replaces. While the extra length has<br />
been a cause for concern, particularly among units requiring<br />
operations in tight spaces like built-up areas or airlocks,<br />
the additional capabilities that the E-15 brings to the table<br />
more than offset its size penalty.<br />
The E-15 Heavy Blaster has a markedly more advanced<br />
beam focusing system that allows the Stormtrooper so<br />
equipped to bring lethal and effective fires on target well<br />
beyond what would typically be considered line of sight<br />
limitations. This feature alone results in markedly more effective<br />
applications in areas characterized by mist, dust, or<br />
vegetation that might otherwise disperse the beam of the<br />
less powerful E-11. The maximum effective range of the<br />
E-15 is actually almost twice that of the E-11 with commensurately<br />
better armor-piercing and anti-aircraft/spacecraft<br />
capabilities. The E-15 Heavy Blaster allows the individual<br />
Stormtrooper access to man-portable firepower adequate<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 26 MARCH 2016
TOP LEFT: The Blas-Tech E-15 Heavy Blaster Rifle we reviewed for this article was drawn directly from combat<br />
stores. The Stormtrooper who carries this particular weapon operationally is assigned to 2d Platoon, Alpha Company,<br />
1st Battalion, 501st Legion. The identity patch beneath the unit designation allows rapid scanning for automated<br />
inventory control. TOP CENTER: This E-15 is adorned with the legacy symbol of the Galactic Empire. Newest production<br />
Blasters will have updated insignia. TOP RIGHT: The skeletonized drum magazine from X-Products allows<br />
instant assessment of power remaining. On a full charge the E-15 will run for hours at moderate energy settings on a<br />
single lightweight drum. Flush-mounted, smaller capacity energy magazines are also available. CENTER: While the<br />
E-15 Heavy Blaster is indeed markedly bulkier than the E-11 it replaces; the E-15 is actually 10 grams lighter. As the<br />
E-15 cannot be strapped to a utility belt like the legacy weapon, it includes a dedicated sling system. Stormtroopers<br />
in action feel to a man that the extra power, longer range, and enhanced penetration more than make up for the<br />
added bulk. LEFT: The longer beam focusing array affixed to the muzzle of the E-15 produces a tighter energy pulse<br />
that retains its coherency over much longer ranges than that of the legacy E-11.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 27 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20 No. 2
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 28 MARCH 2016
TOP LEFT: The Enhanced Combat Optic from NCStar does more to enhance<br />
the effectiveness of the E-15 than any other improvement. Incorporating<br />
an enhanced visible spectrum magnification of 4X as well as a<br />
green focused energy target designator and dual-mode visible illumination,<br />
the ECO allows first shot hits out as far as sensors are operational.<br />
TOP CENTER (RIGHT & LEFT): Emergency backup sights are mounted<br />
on the top of the ECO gunsight. These sights may also be mounted to<br />
either 45-degree aspect of the sight housing. TOP RIGHT: The simple<br />
ECO reticle is autostabilized and easy to use in a hurry. LEFT & ABOVE:<br />
Insulated Galadinium plumbing vents excess cooling gases out the front<br />
of the weapon with each shot. The system is fully redundant such that<br />
clogging or damage to one leg of the system does not lead to dangerous<br />
temperatures and potential spontaneous cook-offs.<br />
to down light attack and fighter craft as far as his sensors<br />
might allow detection.<br />
To take advantage of this increased long-range<br />
lethality, BlasTech has partnered with NCStar to produce<br />
an integrated targeting suite for the new Heavy<br />
Blaster Rifle. NCStar has an established reputation for<br />
innovative illumination, sighting, and target designation<br />
systems. Additionally, their reliable combination of effectiveness<br />
and reasonable cost is always appealing<br />
to First Order comptrollers.<br />
The NCStar ECO (Enhanced Combat Optic) sight<br />
combines 4-power visible spectrum magnification with<br />
an onboard focused-beam target designator and dual-mode<br />
visible illumination options. All systems operate<br />
off of a common power supply and there is mounting<br />
space on the top for an additional piggyback CQB<br />
sight for use at bad breath ranges.<br />
The clubfoot polymer stock is the brainchild of Choate<br />
stocks, a Terran company with a long history of<br />
producing rugged Blaster components. Their stocks<br />
and accessories have been used on a variety of combat-proven<br />
weapon systems. The Choate clubfoot<br />
stock provides a reliable cheek weld for accurate fire<br />
as well as a handy gripping surface for applications<br />
wherein the E-15 is employed from fixed emplacements<br />
in the heavy fire support role.<br />
Magazines for the new E-15 come from X-Products.<br />
X-Products produces ammunition feed devices for a<br />
wide array for small arms in both solid and skeletonized<br />
versions. Skeletonized drums allow the Stormtrooper<br />
in contact a quick reference to ammunition remaining<br />
while simultaneously reducing weight. X-Products is at<br />
the very cutting edge of ammunition feed devices for<br />
directed energy weapons.<br />
Integral forend rails, also from NCStar, allow easy<br />
mounting of any standard Imperial accessories ranging<br />
from navigation systems to less-than-lethal attachments.<br />
Inteliscope produces an applique thermal<br />
sighting system for the E-15 that allows tracking and<br />
targeting of homoeothermic targets in any environment<br />
independent of battlefield obscurants. The Stormtroop-<br />
E-15 IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 29 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20 No. 2
E-15 IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER<br />
er so equipped remains markedly more<br />
capable than his forebears.<br />
Controls are simplified over the E-11<br />
to allow faster manipulation while under<br />
stress. The basic E-15 comes in a<br />
white ceramic finish composed of the<br />
same near-indestructible composite that<br />
makes up modern Stormtrooper armor.<br />
For operations in jungle, desert, aquatic,<br />
or space environments the E-15 may be<br />
oversprayed with alternative colors as<br />
necessary.<br />
Range Report<br />
The integral power selection rheostat<br />
allows the BlasTech E-15 Heavy Blaster<br />
Rifle to be configured for available<br />
range facilities. When used by recruits<br />
in the training Legions lockouts prevent<br />
the E-15 from operating at lethal power<br />
levels. In a combat environment the individual<br />
Stormtrooper can manage plasma<br />
levels quickly and easily. Maximum<br />
settings should be reserved solely for<br />
combat. On standard range settings accuracy<br />
and recoil mimic combat power<br />
without so much collateral risk to range<br />
facilities. In our case we ran the E-15<br />
through basic combat protocols for both<br />
accuracy and maneuverability at ranges<br />
from contact out to 1,200 meters using<br />
the ECO image enhancement suite.<br />
For starters the E-15 Heavy Blaster<br />
is indeed a much more stable platform<br />
than the stubby E-11. There is no more<br />
fumbling with collapsible stocks or craning<br />
to utilize the weapon’s sights. The<br />
E-15 lends itself to a repeatable cheek<br />
weld both within the standard Stormtrooper<br />
helmet and without. The E-15<br />
is responsive and maneuverable during<br />
MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain)<br />
scenarios and the new high-capacity<br />
drum magazine will power the weapon<br />
for literally hours on moderate energy<br />
TOP LEFT, TOP CENTER, & ABOVE: The Inteliscope applique thermal sight affixes<br />
readily to the forend rail of the E-15 Heavy Stormtrooper Blaster and handily cuts<br />
through battlefield obscurants. Any homoeothermic target glows brilliantly no matter<br />
the intervening cover or concealment.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 30 MARCH 2016
settings. While the E-15 Heavy Blaster<br />
is an effective and formidable close<br />
range weapon, where it really shines is<br />
against more distant targets.<br />
The Enhanced Combat Optic makes<br />
for first round hits out as far as sensors<br />
can visualize. As the E-15 is a directed<br />
energy weapon it is immune to gravitational<br />
and wind effects. The new smart<br />
technology built into the NCStar ECO<br />
sight allows the Stormtrooper to lock the<br />
E-15 Heavy Blaster onto a target and<br />
clear the weapon for firing. The E-15<br />
then instantly calculates an optimal firing<br />
solution and actually fires a bolt automatically<br />
when the weapon has clear<br />
line of sight to the target. This feature<br />
alone is sufficient to keep an enemy occupied<br />
at distance such that indirect fire<br />
weapons and air support may be employed.<br />
When properly utilized, the E-15<br />
Heavy Blaster eliminates the need for<br />
the close fight, something about which<br />
Stormtroopers of campaigns past could<br />
only dream.<br />
Big Picture<br />
The new BlasTech E-15 Heavy Blaster<br />
Rifle is a true combat multiplier that<br />
allows the contemporary Stormtrooper<br />
to do more with less. Thusly equipped,<br />
modern Stormtroopers are more agile,<br />
more precise, and more lethal than<br />
their predecessors armed with the legacy<br />
E-11. The fall of the Galactic Empire<br />
and the pyrrhic rise of Rebel authority<br />
in so many diverse systems have<br />
made the peacekeeping mission of the<br />
modern Stormtrooper markedly more<br />
complex than was previously the case.<br />
In today’s fluid battlespace, Stormtroopers<br />
must remain flexible and seize the<br />
initiative. With the E-15, modern mobile<br />
Stormtrooper Legions are poised<br />
to do just that.<br />
The Stormtrooper legions are all that<br />
stand between order and chaos. When<br />
properly trained, equipped, and led, this<br />
versatile force can enforce the will of the<br />
government anywhere and anytime in<br />
any environment. More than any other<br />
piece of equipment, a Stormtrooper’s<br />
individual weapon is his constant companion,<br />
his measure of authority, and<br />
the single most critical component of his<br />
survival. Now that the BlasTech E-15<br />
Heavy Blaster Rifle is seeing general<br />
issue, the Stormtrooper Legions are<br />
finally positioned to enforce tranquility<br />
throughout the galaxy.<br />
www.ncstar.com<br />
www.riflestock.com<br />
www.inteliscopes.com<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 31 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20 No. 2
The A*B Arms Modular Weapons System<br />
along with the Trijicon AccuPower 4-16X50<br />
scope can turn your Remington 700 short<br />
action rifle into a 21st Century, highly accurate<br />
lightweight precision tack driver.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 34 MARCH 2016
AMERICAN BUILT ARMS<br />
MOD * X<br />
CHASSIS STOCK<br />
+<br />
TRIJICON’S<br />
ACCUPOWER ®<br />
SCOPE<br />
Bring Your<br />
Remington 700<br />
Into the 21 st Century<br />
BY CHRIS A. CHOAT<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 35 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
The author’s Remington SPS 700 rifle was<br />
used as a test bed for the A*B Arms MOD*X<br />
chassis and Trijicon scope. The only thing<br />
done since it left the factory 20 years ago<br />
was the addition of an optic and bipod. The<br />
barrel was also shortened and threaded<br />
The Remington 700 rifle has been<br />
around for more years than even this<br />
author can remember. If memory serves<br />
the rifle was introduced in the early<br />
1960’s. Since then it has become the<br />
workhorse of bolt actions. The rifle is<br />
available in three different action sizes;<br />
the Short, Standard and the Long<br />
actions. These action sizes are related<br />
to the length of the cartridges that they<br />
fire. This author has owned one of the<br />
first Remington 700 SPS (Special Purpose<br />
Synthetic) tactical rifles ever since<br />
they were introduced. It is chambered in<br />
.308. It came with a very heavy H-S Precision<br />
stock and was marketed heavily<br />
to the military and law enforcement communities<br />
as the perfect sniper or counter<br />
sniper rifle. The rifle also features a<br />
heavy profile barrel. The barrel combined<br />
with the weight of the stock makes<br />
for a rifle that the user sure doesn’t want<br />
to pack around all day. The rifles’ weight<br />
did make it a very pleasant rifle to shoot,<br />
one that wouldn’t beat you up even firing<br />
several boxes of ammo during a range<br />
session. The rifle has an internal 4-shot<br />
magazine with a swing-down floorplate.<br />
Later in the rifle’s evolution Remington<br />
came out with a model that featured a<br />
detachable magazine.<br />
This author’s rifle was and still is one<br />
of the most accurate rifles I have ever<br />
owned. With a good optic installed it is<br />
very capable of 1 MOA with just about<br />
any brand of ammunition. Recently I<br />
was sent a couple of New Products that<br />
proved to make this decades old Remington<br />
an even more accurate rifle as<br />
well as adding tactical features to bring<br />
it up to today’s military or LE standards.<br />
The first product is made by a veteran<br />
formed and veteran owned company<br />
called A*B (American Built) Arms. Their<br />
product is an aluminum chassis called<br />
the MOD*X Modular Rifle System and<br />
is designed and engineered for military,<br />
law enforcement and even hunting<br />
enthusiasts. The A*B Arms MOD*X<br />
Modular Rifle System is a lightweight,<br />
ergonomic, drop-in platform for the<br />
Remington 700 Short Action. It serves<br />
as a modular foundation on which tactical<br />
accessories can be added according<br />
to the user’s needs.<br />
The other product is one of Trijicon’s<br />
newest magnified optic the AccuPower®<br />
4-16X50 riflescope. Trijicon has been<br />
making rugged military grade optics<br />
and sights since the early 1980’s. With<br />
the introduction of their first tritium powered<br />
red dot sight, the Armson OEG,<br />
they have been the company to look to<br />
for any kind of tritium powered red dot,<br />
scope or even iron sights. Their ACOG®<br />
line of optics have been chosen for use<br />
by military units the world over for their<br />
ruggedness. This author owns several<br />
of their optics and has never been let<br />
down by one.<br />
These two new products arrived at<br />
this author’s office around the same time<br />
so they were destined to be combined<br />
into the same article. The Mod*X chassis<br />
system was installed on the author’s<br />
Remington SPS 700 short action .308 rifle.<br />
Installation is very easy and involves<br />
only removing your existing stock, in this<br />
case the heavyweight H-S Precision,<br />
and replacing it with the Mod*X chassis.<br />
The chassis is made from aluminum that<br />
is hard coat anodized to Mil-Spec Type<br />
III. The chassis comes in either black<br />
or flat dark earth. The sample sent for<br />
testing was black. The chassis weighs<br />
only 3 pounds 10 ounces and includes<br />
a 13.5 inch free-floating modular forearm<br />
that will accept even the heaviest<br />
custom contour barrel. The forearm has<br />
Key-Mod slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock<br />
positions as well as conventional slots<br />
at the 11 and 1 o’clock positions. The<br />
author added a short KeyMod to Picatinny<br />
rail adapter to the bottom of the<br />
forearm for installation of a bipod. The<br />
company says that their product is made<br />
to provide “goof proof” installation. This<br />
proved to be exactly the case. Once the<br />
original stock is removed the main chassis<br />
“body” with attached stock mounting<br />
point is attached to the Remington<br />
700 receiver using the supplied socket<br />
head screws. The chassis’ stock mount<br />
consists of a threaded block that will<br />
accept any AR style buffer tube. While<br />
any AR platform stock can be used on<br />
the MOD*X chassis it is shipped with<br />
the excellent LUTH-AR MBA (Modular<br />
Buttstock Assembly)-1 stock. This stock<br />
is fully adjustable for length of pull and<br />
cheek rest height. It weighs just slightly<br />
over 1 pound and can be used on any<br />
.223 or .308 AR platforms. Also included<br />
with the chassis is A*B Arms own P*Grip<br />
pistol grip. Here again, this modular<br />
chassis accepts any AR-15 style grip<br />
so if the user wants they can change<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 36 MARCH 2016
MOD * X + ACCUPOWER ®<br />
it. While the P*Grip is a nice grip and<br />
even includes a storage compartment<br />
it proved to be just too small for this<br />
author's large hands and was replaced<br />
with a standard A2 pistol grip. The other<br />
parts of the MOD*X chassis system are<br />
the railed forearm and Picatinny scope<br />
mount. The forearm has a Picatinny rail<br />
that runs its entire length. The scope<br />
mount interlocks with the forearm with<br />
a steel alignment pin so the entire unit<br />
can be installed together. The forearm is<br />
held in place by two socket head screws<br />
that go through the chassis body and<br />
screw into the forearm itself. This makes<br />
for an extremely rigid setup. With the<br />
forearm installed and the scope mount<br />
installed into the forearm the scope<br />
mount is then attached to the rifle’s receiver<br />
by way of socket head screws<br />
that thread into the receiver’s drilled and<br />
tapped scope mounting holes. When it<br />
is all assembled it appears and feels as<br />
if it had been machined from one solid<br />
block of aluminum.<br />
Did I mention that the MOD*X system<br />
also converts the host rifle to magazine<br />
feed? That’s right; the MOD*X<br />
chassis system allows the use of MDT<br />
and AICS-style magazines. One MDT<br />
10-round polymer magazine comes<br />
with the kit. The magazine release is a<br />
small round button located inside the<br />
front of the trigger guard. The magazine<br />
seated very securely into the magazine<br />
well with no wobble or movement when<br />
locked in place. In fact, the mag needed<br />
a firm slap on its baseplate to lock it in.<br />
The magazine, when empty, dropped<br />
CENTER: The railed forearm attaches to the chassis body by means of two<br />
socket head screws. The forearm attaches only to the chassis body leaving<br />
the barrel completely free-floating.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 37 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 38 MARCH 2016<br />
LEFT TOP: The MOD*X comes complete<br />
with the LUTH-AR MBA fully adjustable<br />
stock. This stock is adjustable for cheek<br />
height as well as length of pull. The<br />
cheekpiece can also be moved forward<br />
and rearward as needed. It has a non-slip<br />
buttpad, sockets for sling mounting and<br />
a hook for the shooters off hand. LEFT<br />
CENTER: The author mounted a short<br />
KeyMod to Picatinny rail adapter to the rifles<br />
forearm for mounting a Harris bipod.<br />
LEFT BOTTOM: One of the best features<br />
of the new MOC*X chassis is its ability to<br />
let the host rifle be magazine fed. It uses<br />
MDT or AICS style magazines and one<br />
MDT 10-round magazine is included with<br />
the chassis. The magazine release is the<br />
small button located inside the front of the<br />
trigger guard.
MOD * X + ACCUPOWER ®<br />
The complete A*B Arms Modular Rifle<br />
System installed on the host rifle. The unit<br />
has KeyMod slots as well as conventional<br />
slots for attaching accessories. It also<br />
comes with the excellent LUTH-AR MBA<br />
stock and converts the host rifle to magazine<br />
feed. The top rail that extends across<br />
the scope mount, as well as the forearm,<br />
has 20 MOA built in to it.<br />
free of the magazine well which is a plus<br />
if a rapid reload is needed.<br />
With the MOD*X installed it was<br />
time to mount the optic. The folks at<br />
Trijicon were nice enough to send a set<br />
of their 30mm steel scope rings along<br />
with the AccuPower scope. They were<br />
the perfect height for the 50mm objective<br />
lens to clear the MOD*X forearm.<br />
The MOD*X forearm and scope mount<br />
have 20 MOA built right into it. The AccuPower<br />
scope was then installed in the<br />
rings and the scopes’ reticle was leveled<br />
and plumbed. With everything tightened<br />
down, the scope was aligned with a laser<br />
bore sight just so it was “on the paper”<br />
at 100 yards.<br />
The Trijicon AccuPower scope was<br />
their flagship 4-16X50 model. The Accu-<br />
Power is a versatile, variable powered<br />
riflescope with an electronic illuminated<br />
reticle and 30mm main tube. Featuring<br />
a high quality lens system with full<br />
multi-layer coatings, the AccuPower<br />
provides an incredibly clear sight picture.<br />
The reticle illumination is powered<br />
by a single CR2032 lithium battery and<br />
has an easy-to-operate brightness adjustment<br />
dial with eleven brightness settings<br />
and an “off” feature between each<br />
setting. The AccuPower features a hard<br />
anodized aluminum body that protects<br />
against corrosion and is waterproof to<br />
ten feet (3m). With a generous adjustment<br />
range for windage and elevation,<br />
precise adjustment increments, and a<br />
re-settable zero, the AccuPower riflescope<br />
delivers the precision required<br />
for pinpoint accuracy. The test scope<br />
featured the Mil-Square reticle with red<br />
illumination. Green illumination is also<br />
available. The MIL-Square reticle was<br />
designed by a former Marine Sniper<br />
to give a shooter refined aiming points<br />
compared to the widely accepted MIL-<br />
Dot. This reticle provides the capability<br />
of determining distance to a target,<br />
determining the size of a target and to<br />
provide visual reference points to be<br />
used to compensate for bullet drop and<br />
provide reference for follow up shot<br />
compensation. Because of the open<br />
square (instead of mil-dot) design the<br />
user can more accurately align the edge<br />
of the MIL-Square with the edge of the<br />
object being measured. Intermediate<br />
tick marks aid in increased accuracy for<br />
ranging or shot placement.<br />
With the chassis and optic mounted<br />
to the rifle it was time to head to the<br />
range. A Harris bipod was mounted to<br />
the short section of rail on the forearms<br />
bottom. All shooting was done either in<br />
the prone position or from a shooting<br />
table. Ammunition used included Gorilla<br />
Ammunition’s .308 WIN 175 grain Sierra<br />
MatchKing©, Federal Premium .308<br />
WIN 180 grain Nosler Partition, Hornady<br />
.308 WIN 168 grain TAP and Beck<br />
Ammunition .308 WIN 168 grain A-Max<br />
Subsonic, for use with a suppressor, but<br />
more on that later.<br />
The author has owned the Remington<br />
700 used in this test for over 20<br />
years and it has proven to be deadly<br />
accurate. In fact, this author didn’t think<br />
that the rifle could be more accurate than<br />
it already was. These two new products<br />
proved me wrong. Instead of a 1 MOA<br />
rifle with the MOD*X installed along with<br />
the Trijicon AccuPower the gun is now a<br />
½ MOA rifle. All groups shot with the rifle<br />
shrank in size. We had several 3-shot<br />
groups, fired at 100 yards, that looked<br />
like small cloverleafs. The ammunition<br />
used in the test was also shot through<br />
the rifle before its “transformation”. Almost<br />
all group sizes dropped by at least<br />
half. Some were even more than that.<br />
The supplied magazine fed all of the<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 39 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
MOD * X + ACCUPOWER ®<br />
ABOVE: The scope used to test the rifle was the Trijicon 4-16X50 AccuPower. This scope<br />
along with Trijicon’s steel 30mm rings proved to be the perfect match for this rifle. RIGHT:<br />
The AccuPower scope features a Mil-Square reticle with 11 positions of red illumination. The<br />
turrets offer very precise 0.1 Mil tactile click adjustments. The turrets are spring loaded and<br />
can be reset to the zero mark by simply raising them up to unlock them and turning them<br />
back to the “0" mark. BELOW: Several types of ammunition were used in the testing. The<br />
rifle fed from the magazine perfectly no matter what type of ammunition was used.<br />
test ammunition perfectly regardless<br />
of bullet style.<br />
Several years ago I had the barrel<br />
of this rifle shortened and threaded for<br />
suppressor use. A Thompson Machine<br />
“Thirty” suppressor was installed and<br />
shot using the Beck Ammunition .308<br />
WIN 208 grain Subsonic ammunition. If<br />
you have a .308 rifle and a suppressor<br />
for it you have to try this ammunition.<br />
It is the ultimate in quiet. You can hear<br />
the bullets impacting the target. Beck<br />
Ammunition also makes a subsonic<br />
load with a 168 grain A-Max bullet<br />
and well as several .223/5.56 subsonic<br />
loads in several bullet weights.<br />
In conclusion, if you have a tired<br />
old Remington 700 or even a brand<br />
new, right out of the box, gun you can<br />
bring it into the 21st Century with the<br />
MOD*X Modular Rifle System. You<br />
get the advantages of a lighter weight<br />
gun that will shoot more accurately as<br />
well as the addition of the KeyMod and<br />
conventional slots for mounting any accessory<br />
that you can think of. With the<br />
addition of a full-length Picatinny rail<br />
you also have plenty of rail real estate<br />
for the mounting of night vision optics<br />
along with your regular magnified optic.<br />
In regard to the AccuPower, this<br />
author has always been a fan of anything<br />
made by Trijicon and this scope<br />
proved to be no exception. It is rugged,<br />
repeatedly accurate and one of<br />
the clearest optics I have ever used.<br />
The Mil-Square reticle coupled with<br />
the illumination proved invaluable in<br />
ranging and usability even in low-light<br />
situations. I may even have to buy<br />
this scope instead of sending it back<br />
after the test. I have become quite<br />
attached to it.<br />
A*B Arms<br />
www.abarms.com<br />
Trijicon<br />
www.trijicon.com<br />
Beck Ammunition<br />
www.beckammunition.com<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 40 MARCH 2016
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 41 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
The Lancer<br />
L30 HM<br />
(Heavy Metal)<br />
& New Product Releases<br />
Christopher R. Bartocci<br />
The rifle supplied to <strong>SAR</strong> for test and evaluation was the<br />
model Heavy Metal, Notice the carbon fiber stock and<br />
handguard which are both manufactured by Lancer. Also<br />
notice the Lancer designed Nitrous muzzle brake.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 42 MARCH 2016
Lancer Systems has grown rapidly in the industry. Starting as an unlikely<br />
small arms company, they worked with Diemaco/Colt Canada in<br />
the early 2000's on the Greene Tweed Project, a new translucent polymer<br />
magazine nicknamed the "green" magazine. After a minor hiccup in<br />
the development process of the magazine, the insert molded metal feed<br />
lips separated from the polymer magazine body when DEET (bug spray)<br />
was applied to the magazine causing crazing and cracking around the<br />
insert: this eventually lead to failed retention of the loaded ammunition.<br />
Colt Defense, who now owned Colt Canada dropped the program. Lancer<br />
knew they had a product they could sell and released the Lancer<br />
L5 magazine in 2007. This magazine was offered in smoke translucent<br />
color. As they got recognized they rose to become one of the most popular<br />
and durable magazines in the industry. This author has followed the<br />
development of the Lancer magazines quite closely from the original<br />
prototype magazines. This author has tested extensively all generations<br />
of the L5 magazine in 2011 with nothing other than excellent results. The<br />
L5 magazine is certainly a major step up from the standard GI aluminum<br />
magazines. To start with, the shot column is a constant curve shape.<br />
This is the natural shape in which the cartridges stack on top of each other<br />
unlike the GI magazine where you have a straight, unnatural shape on<br />
the top of the magazine and then it goes into a curve once the magazine<br />
extends beyond the bottom of the magazine well. This gives more constant<br />
and reliable feeding. Also the polymer material is more lubricious<br />
and causes less friction than the aluminum magazine. The texture of the<br />
magazine is a drastic improvement over the aluminum magazine. The<br />
trademark magazines are translucent allowing the shooter to visibly see<br />
how many rounds are in the magazine. This goes back to the concept<br />
of the original prototype magazine that Lancer worked on with Diemaco/<br />
Colt Canada. What separated the L5 from the normal polymer magazine<br />
was that they used a hybrid design incorporating steel feed lips which<br />
were an insert molded into the polymer. Initially these were separate<br />
tabs. The next upgrade came in the form of the newly released L5 AWM<br />
or Advanced Warfighter Magazine. This is an updated L5 with the major<br />
change being a much larger and more durable feed lip insert. These<br />
have gone on to be one of the finest magazines in the industry. They are<br />
offered in 5, 10, 20 and 30 round capacities.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 43 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
With the surge in modern sporting<br />
rifle sales, Lancer decided to take their<br />
experience in carbon fiber production to<br />
manufacture carbon fiber handguards.<br />
These were an instant success being<br />
purchased and installed by original<br />
equipment manufacturers. In 2012,<br />
Lancer launched into the AR-rifle business.<br />
These are not just assembled<br />
rifles from other company components<br />
but their own take on the rifle. The first<br />
rifle offered was the L15 rifle chambered<br />
in 5.56mm. The lower receiver was really<br />
the heart and soul of the Lancer<br />
rifle. The receiver has removable magazine<br />
well adapters allowing for different<br />
adapters which would include an oversized<br />
magazine well bevel. The lower<br />
receiver also sported an ambidextrous<br />
bolt release above the extended magazine<br />
release button on the right side<br />
of the lower receiver. Several models<br />
were offered. They would include<br />
Lancer Carbon Fiber handguards and<br />
some had stocks made of this material<br />
as well. The rifles were more geared<br />
towards the 3-gun competition market.<br />
The fast handling lightweight rifles<br />
ABOVE: Close view of the right side of the receivers of the rifle. Take note of the lack<br />
of forward assist, ejection port dust cover and fired cartridge case deflector. You can<br />
clearly see the ambidextrous bolt release, 10 round Lancer L7 magazine and the Nightforce<br />
BEAST optic.<br />
ABOVE: The L30, like the L15-Series have removable magazine well adapters. The<br />
adapter is removed by a takedown pin on the rear of the mag well similar to that of the<br />
takedown and pivot pins on the lower receiver. The pin is captured.<br />
really shined in this capacity and pricing<br />
was competitive with other manufactures<br />
in this market but offered out<br />
of the box performance that no other<br />
manufacturer could match.<br />
In 2014, Lancer introduced their<br />
newest member of their lineup of rifles,<br />
the long anticipated L30 family<br />
of weapons. This is their 7.62x51mm<br />
(.308 Win) caliber family of weapons.<br />
Like the L15-Series rifles, these too are<br />
based upon carbon fiber technology.<br />
The rifle sent to <strong>SAR</strong> for review is the<br />
Heavy Metal (L30 HM) version of the<br />
rifle. The L15 family of rifles uses the<br />
legacy direct gas impingement operating<br />
system which has been preferred for<br />
precision rifles. This 9.5 pound rifle will<br />
certainly qualify as a Designated Marksman<br />
Rifle. Both the Lancer upper and<br />
lower receiver are compatible with the<br />
DPMS pattern receivers.<br />
Starting at the rear of the rifle, the<br />
stock is the carbon fiber Lancer LCS<br />
fixed stock. The stock is 10.8 inches<br />
long and weighs just 10.4 ounces. The<br />
materials used in the manufacturing of<br />
the fiber stocks and handguards is Epoxy<br />
/ Carbon fiber 2 X2 Twill. There is<br />
a quick detachment point that works on<br />
either side of the stock as well as standard<br />
soft sling attachment slots. These<br />
can be had in A1 or A2 length. The lower<br />
receiver itself is manufactured from<br />
a billet of 7075 T6 aluminum. This is a<br />
proprietary lower receiver that has all<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 44 MARCH 2016
the advanced features of the L15 rifle.<br />
This includes the ambidextrous bolt release.<br />
Also there is an oversized magazine<br />
release on the right side as well.<br />
Also just like the L15, the L30 has replaceable<br />
magazine well adapters. The<br />
L30 comes with the tactical magwell but<br />
the owner can purchase the other models.<br />
The first magazine well is called the<br />
Competition magwell. This one has a<br />
large bevel which will allow quick inserting<br />
of magazines. This would be very<br />
bulky for a combat rifle but perfect for<br />
the competitor. The next is the Tactical<br />
magwell. This is more of an in-between<br />
a Standard magwell and a Competition<br />
magwell. The third is the standard magwell<br />
which mimics the standard receiver.<br />
The fourth is the L30 LTR which is adaptable<br />
to either right or left hand shooters.<br />
It has a side cut out so larger capacity<br />
magazines can be removed and inserted<br />
in the prone position without the<br />
rifle being taken off target. The pistol<br />
grip on the tested rifle is the ErgoGrip<br />
Tactical Deluxe grip.<br />
Lancer does offer different trigger<br />
options depending upon the model offered.<br />
The Heavy Metal rifle received<br />
has a Geissele SD3G or Super Dynamic<br />
3 Gun trigger group. This trigger has<br />
a very short, light pull and reset. It is<br />
designed specifically for close course<br />
competition where rapid target engagement<br />
and quick follow-up shots are required.<br />
This is a single stage trigger. The<br />
weight is determined by which hammer<br />
spring is used. Either a 3.25 or 4 pound<br />
spring is used for that overall trigger pull<br />
weight. It should be noted this trigger<br />
should not be used for duty use, bench<br />
rest, accuracy work or shooting small<br />
groups. This trigger is not adjustable.<br />
The upper receiver is also manufactured<br />
by Lancer. This also is manufactured<br />
from a billet of 7075 T6 aircraft<br />
grade aluminum. It is unique in the fact<br />
there is no ejection port dust cover and<br />
forward bolt assist. The fired cartridge<br />
ABOVE: Shown are the current three magazine well adapters available for the L30 rifle.<br />
case deflector is built into the octagon<br />
shape of the upper receiver. These<br />
things were eliminated to save weight.<br />
The forward assist was removed as<br />
most precision shooters will not force a<br />
round into the chamber if there is a malfunction.<br />
This type of action by forcing<br />
a cartridge in the chamber often results<br />
in failure to extract. This receiver is also<br />
manufactured of billet 7075 T6 aircraft<br />
aluminum. The handguard is the 15 inch<br />
Lancer Carbone fiber handguard. There<br />
is a Mil-Std-1913 rail segment on the top<br />
end of the handguard for proper align-<br />
BELOW: At the time of the arrival of the Lancer L30,<br />
Nightforce had sent their BEAST long range scope as<br />
well for test and evaluation.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 45 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
ment of a front back up iron sight. The<br />
barrel is completely free floated inside<br />
the lightweight handguard.<br />
The barrel of the Heavy Metal is<br />
a broached cut stainless steel barrel<br />
which is manufactured by White Oak<br />
Armament. Barrels for the MBR rifle are<br />
manufactured by CMMG. The barrel has<br />
a 1 turn in 10 inch right hand twist. The<br />
range of the Heavy Metal is easily 800<br />
yards. Barrel life is dependent on several<br />
factors including rate of fire, cleaning<br />
and type of ammunition. The LTR model<br />
has a 1 turn in 11.5 inch twist 24 inch<br />
Bartlein barrel which will easily reach out<br />
to 1,000 yards. The Heavy metal barrel<br />
is topped off with the Lancer designed<br />
Nitrous muzzle brake. The design of the<br />
Nitrous muzzle brake incorporates a<br />
progressive aperture; getting smaller at<br />
each baffle moving toward the end. This<br />
helps evenly distribute the gas pressure<br />
in the chambers and optimizing recoil<br />
reduction. The compensator also incorporates<br />
and initial chamber with 2 upward<br />
facing thread ports; interchangeable<br />
jets are used to reduce the muzzle<br />
climb. Lancer offers another model of<br />
muzzle brake called the Viper. This was<br />
released in 2014 and uses the same<br />
ABOVE: Shown is the Lancer<br />
Viper muzzle brake.<br />
ABOVE: The newly introduced single<br />
point sling adapter which uses a cable instead<br />
of steel. This makes for quieter and<br />
smoother use.<br />
technology as the Nitrous. The brake<br />
was increased in size and the chamber<br />
is designed to drive more gas pressure<br />
rearward thus providing increase recoil<br />
reduction. In addition the top ports were<br />
rotated off centerline to ensure the user<br />
maintains a clear field of view through<br />
their scope when firing. The Viper has<br />
an MSRP of $169.99 and is offered in<br />
black or stainless steel. It is offered in<br />
6.5 or .308 caliber.<br />
The bolt carrier group is a DPMS<br />
pattern and is manufactured coated in<br />
black nitride by Rubber City Armory. The<br />
quality of the carrier group is very nice<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 46 MARCH 2016
ABOVE TOP: This is the lightweight and more compact L30 MBR (L30-RFL-MBR). Notice<br />
the shorter 16 inch barrel. ABOVE BOTTOM: This is the extreme long range<br />
Lancer LTR (L30-RFL-LTR-308) rifle. Notice the 24 inch barrel and the KFS adjustable<br />
TACMOD stock.<br />
and the carrier key is properly staked.<br />
At the same time the Heavy Metal<br />
arrived it also arrived with some other<br />
new Lancer products. First was the<br />
single point sling adapter. This is a<br />
modified receiver extension end plate.<br />
What makes this unique is that it is<br />
made using a nylon coated wire cable<br />
instead of steel. This has the benefit<br />
due to the nylon coating that noise is reduced.<br />
The cable is also flexible offering<br />
more maneuverability.<br />
The next product was a highly anticipated<br />
product. In 2014 Lancer finally<br />
introduced their L7 SR25/AR10<br />
magazine in 7.62x51mm/.308 Win caliber.<br />
Based on the technology of the<br />
L5 AWM and MPX magazines, The L7<br />
was scaled up for the larger caliber.<br />
The steel insert is much larger and encompasses<br />
the mag catch area. There<br />
is a stainless steel insert or front guard<br />
in the front of the magazine. The front<br />
guard serves several purposes; first it<br />
protects the magazine from damage in<br />
high volume automatic fire (Competitor<br />
sample magazine used in high volume<br />
firing had dimpling or grooves cut into<br />
the magazine). Secondly the front guard<br />
acts as a foundation for the feed lips; after<br />
welding you end up with a full steel<br />
top end which is very stable and robust.<br />
The first magazines offered were the 20<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 47 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
ABOVE TOP: This is the Carbon Fiber stock designed and manufactured by<br />
Lancer, the Lancer LCS is available in both A1 and A2 lengths. ABOVE CEN-<br />
TER: This is the Lancer L7 translucent (Smoke) 20 round 7.62x51mm magazine.<br />
ABOVE: Shown are the Black Lancer L5 magazines (left to right are the 10, 20<br />
and 25 round magazines). This is a first look at the new 25 round magazines<br />
which are scheduled to begin shipping in September of 2015.<br />
and 10 round capacity magazines. They<br />
were offered in the proprietary translucent<br />
material allowing the shooter to see<br />
how many rounds are in the magazine.<br />
These are offered in clear as well as a<br />
smoke color. Also offered are a black,<br />
an olive drab green and a tan opaque<br />
variation manufactured from glass filled<br />
nylon. In 2015 SHOT Show, Lancer introduced<br />
their new 25 round magazine<br />
which was not scheduled to be available<br />
till September of 2015. <strong>SAR</strong> got a first<br />
look at this new magazine. It is manufactured<br />
to the same standards as the<br />
20 round magazine but longer. This is by<br />
far the most robust magazine of the sort<br />
in the industry. The L7AWM are heavier<br />
and bulkier than other magazines in this<br />
class. However compared to steel magazines,<br />
the L7AWM magazines are lighter<br />
in weight. They are on a new level of<br />
durability compared to the rest. Lancer<br />
did not choose to compromise durability<br />
to save weight.<br />
The scope chosen is the Night<br />
Force BEAST. BEAST is an acronym<br />
for Best Example of Advanced Scope<br />
Technology. The BEAST is a 5-25 x 56<br />
F1 with a tube diameter of 34mm/1.34<br />
inches. The objective outer diameter<br />
is 65mm with an exit pupil diameter<br />
of 5x: 8.3mm and 25x at 2.3mm. The<br />
eyepiece outer diameter is 46mm. The<br />
field of view at 100 yards is 5x@18.7 ft<br />
and 25x@ 4.92 feet. Eye relief is 3.35<br />
to 3.54 inches. The internal adjustment<br />
range for elevation is 120 MOA and<br />
windage 80 MOA. Each click is .50 and<br />
.250 MOA. The parallax adjustment is<br />
45 yd-∞. The optics are crystal clear.<br />
This would be a standard of excellence<br />
in long range rifle optics.<br />
The rifle came with both 20 and 10<br />
round Lancer L7 magazines. The rifle<br />
was also tested with other magazines<br />
to determine compatibility. These<br />
magazines included Magpul Gen 2 &<br />
3, CProducts Defense, ASC and D&H<br />
Tactical. There were no malfunctions<br />
of any sort with all of the magazines<br />
used in the rifle.<br />
The rifle was first function tested<br />
with 200 rounds of Federal XM80 147gr<br />
7.62x51mm M80 ball cartridges. There<br />
were no malfunctions of any sort. This<br />
ammunition was not particularly shot<br />
for group size but it always was under<br />
1.50 inches at 100 yards. The rifle was<br />
then placed on a bench rest and loaded<br />
with Black Hills Ammunition 7.62x51mm<br />
175gr OTM ammunition. Black Hills Ammunition<br />
is known for making some of<br />
the most consistent and precision am-<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 48 MARCH 2016
munition in the industry and is the go-to<br />
company for many in the US military and<br />
Special Operations Command when<br />
they need something, let's say different<br />
from the norm. This author has used<br />
Black Hills Ammunition extensively over<br />
the years and finds it to be top tier. The<br />
Lancer Heavy Metal consistently shot<br />
an average of .450 inches at 100 yards.<br />
The recoil was typical but it was clear<br />
the muzzle brake did function as advertised.<br />
Like always with a muzzle brake<br />
you sacrifice noise for muzzle jump and<br />
recoil. The Nitrous muzzle brake was<br />
no different. The benefit of the muzzle<br />
brake was certainly worth the trade off in<br />
noise in this case.<br />
The rifle was lightly lubricated with<br />
G96 CLP. This is the current CLP in use<br />
by the US military and it is referred to as<br />
the Mobile 1 of CLP due to that is all synthetic.<br />
This CLP is in full compliance with<br />
Mil-PRF-63460E and in fact it exceeds<br />
it. So much that during the competition,<br />
the part of the requirement that required<br />
protection from corrosive primers and<br />
propellants could not be matched by<br />
the other producers. Only G96 met that<br />
requirement. It was dropped so the government<br />
could have additional sources<br />
of CLP. However G96 would not downgrade<br />
their formula, it remains with this<br />
additional component. The rifle functioned<br />
flawlessly throughout all testing.<br />
Lancer offers three different variations<br />
in the L30 family of rifles. The<br />
first is the rifle that was sent to <strong>SAR</strong> for<br />
testing, the Heavy Metal (L30-RFL-HM).<br />
This 9.5 pound rifle has an 18-inch, 1<br />
turn in 10 inches White Oak Armament<br />
stainless steel barrel and Nitrous muzzle<br />
brake with a 15 inch Lancer L30 Carbon<br />
Fiber handguard. The rifle has an adjustable<br />
direct gas rifle length gas system<br />
and a Geissele SD3G trigger. This<br />
rifle has an MSRP of $3,344.99 . The<br />
second is the long range L30 LTR (L30-<br />
RFL-LTR-308). This 12.5 pound rifle has<br />
a 24 inch 1 turn in 11.25 Bartlein heavy<br />
profile barrel and Viper muzzle Brake<br />
with a 18 inch Lancer L30 Carbon Fiber<br />
handguard. The rifle has an adjustable<br />
direct gas rifle length gas system and a<br />
Geissele Hi-Speed National Match trigger.<br />
The stock is different on this one,<br />
it is a KFS Adjustable TACMOD. The<br />
MSRP on this rifle is $4,199.99 . The<br />
third model is the L30 MBR (L30-RFL-<br />
MBR). This 9 pound rifle has a 16 inch<br />
mid weight 1 turn in 12 inch twist barrel<br />
and Nitrous muzzle brake with a 12 inch<br />
Lancer L30 Carbon Fiber handguard.<br />
The rifle has a rifle length gas system<br />
and a Mil-Spec trigger. The stock is<br />
a B5 Sopmod Bravo. The MSRP of<br />
this rifle is $2,599.99.<br />
Lancer has been a major player in<br />
the magazine business. Their L5AWM<br />
and L7AWM magazines are used by<br />
original equipment manufacturers such<br />
as LaRue, Wilson Combat, Handl Defense<br />
and Adams Arms to name a few.<br />
Their components such as carbon fiber<br />
stocks and handguards are popular<br />
with match shooters. Now they are in<br />
the complete firearms market. Not just<br />
making the same rifle as everyone else,<br />
but finding their niche in competitive<br />
shooting. Lancer has active product development<br />
and is constantly coming up<br />
with new products. The magazines have<br />
achieved very high status and are trusted<br />
by military and law enforcement. They<br />
offer competitive pricing for their magazines<br />
as well. Their complete rifles are<br />
expensive, but they are far from stock<br />
rifles. They are highly customized rifles<br />
using the most modern manufacturing<br />
techniques. You will not use a Lancer<br />
rifle to shoot cans on the weekend,<br />
but if you are competing in long range<br />
or 3-gun matches, Lancer is a gun to<br />
beat. Lancer rifles have found their way<br />
into the law enforcement market as well.<br />
The commercial market is quite vast in<br />
their applications for the Lancer rifles as<br />
well. Everything from competition, target<br />
shooting, hunting and personal protection<br />
Lancer will have a rifle for you.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 49 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
Mossberg<br />
MVP LC:<br />
HIGH CAPACITY<br />
PRECISION BOLT ACTION<br />
By Todd Burgreen<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 50 MARCH 2016
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 51 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
MVP LC<br />
Generally speaking, firearm manufactures<br />
focus production on specific<br />
categories of weapons. Examples of<br />
category labels consist of sporting arms<br />
(rifles/shotguns), handguns, competition,<br />
tactical and personal defense. This<br />
is often further sub-divided into handguns,<br />
rifles, and shotguns. This specialization<br />
allows for brand recognition<br />
and lends a degree of credibility to their<br />
wares with customers. Most firearms<br />
companies strive to be the single source<br />
for all of their customer’s needs within a<br />
certain product line. This is understandable<br />
as market sectors and customers<br />
are very often distinct in their needs.<br />
This ensures loyal repeat customers,<br />
which are the bedrock to steady sales<br />
performance as a company.<br />
A manufacturer that is developing<br />
into a noteworthy force in the U.S. for<br />
multiple firearm categories i.e. ARs,<br />
shotguns, bolt action rifles is Mossberg.<br />
Some may be late arriving at this reve-<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 52 MARCH 2016
lation; only being exposed to the familiar<br />
with Mossberg shotguns. Mossberg has<br />
established a solid place in the American<br />
gun psyche in terms of American-made<br />
quality and customer service. Many are<br />
having epiphanies due to recent introductions<br />
such as the MVP LC (Light<br />
Chassis) .308 bolt action rifle catching<br />
their eye. This rifle model indicates a<br />
continuing focus on product expansion<br />
at Mossberg.<br />
Though originally named after its<br />
quarry, the Mossberg Varmint Predator<br />
(MVP) rifle line of rifles has now<br />
expanded rapidly to include both hunting<br />
and tactical models with many that<br />
are equally at home in the field or on<br />
the range. The MVP LC rifle expands<br />
on earlier Mossberg MVP series rifles<br />
such as the Varmint, Patrol, Scout, and<br />
LR (Long Range) with its closest cousins<br />
being the Mossberg Patrol and LR<br />
rifles. The Mossberg MVP Patrol and<br />
now the LC is often overlooked when<br />
tactical rifles are discussed. The MVP<br />
Patrol is the center of Mossberg’s law<br />
enforcement series. It is available from<br />
the factory in various calibers with<br />
many notable features including different<br />
stock types, recessed target crown,<br />
Picatinny rail over receiver, and Mossberg’s<br />
industry leading LBA (Lightning<br />
Bolt Action) adjustable trigger. One thing<br />
that sets apart the MVP Patrol series of<br />
rifles, including the LC, functionally and<br />
aesthetically, is the ability to accept AR-<br />
15/AR-10 type magazines.<br />
Misconstrued prejudices abound<br />
when it comes to Mossberg rifles stem-<br />
LEFT: No one should consider themselves<br />
“undergunned” with the Mossberg MVP<br />
LC. The .308 Win. chambering is potent<br />
with the detachable magazine serving to<br />
enhance the platforms potency. ABOVE:<br />
Mossberg has tweaked their 4x4 bolt action<br />
with dual push design to enable it to<br />
handle feeding from detachable magazines.<br />
RIGHT TOP: Magpul CTR AR style<br />
adjustable stock allows for easy length of<br />
pull adjustment. RIGHT CENTER: MDT<br />
chassis is pre-drilled to accept a night vision<br />
hood rail accessory allowing for use<br />
of night vision or tactical lights. RIGHT:<br />
Magpul 7.62 magazines worked without<br />
issue with the MVP LC rifle.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 53 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
MVP LC<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 54 MARCH 2016
ming from misconceptions based on<br />
price and elitist sentiments. Many individuals,<br />
not to mention industry competitors,<br />
want you to believe that the moderately<br />
priced Mossberg must somehow<br />
be deficient when compared to rifles<br />
costing two to three times more. An individual’s<br />
or department’s needs should<br />
be fully analyzed and the Mossberg<br />
MVP LC considered. The Mossberg<br />
MVP LC takes a back seat to no rifle in<br />
terms of precision, repeatable accuracy,<br />
ergonomics, reliability, trigger, capacity<br />
and safety.<br />
The MVP LC evaluated herein<br />
is chambered .308 Win. with a<br />
5.56mm/.223 Rem. model available.<br />
The MVP LC features a modified Mossberg<br />
4x4 bolt action. Overall length is<br />
38 inches with the free-floated medium<br />
profile 18.25 inch barrel equipped with<br />
a threaded on SilencerCo Trifecta muzzle<br />
brake that can be removed to make<br />
room for other muzzle devices or capping<br />
of the 5/8 x 24 threads. Mossberg is<br />
using a MDT LSS (Modular Driven Technologies<br />
Light Sniper System) chassis<br />
with the MVP LC. The integral bedding<br />
block and free floated forend assist in<br />
improving accuracy and ergonomics.<br />
The chassis system is manufactured<br />
out of billet 6061-T6 aluminum, which<br />
is then hard anodized to Mil-Spec type<br />
III for extra strength. With an emphasis<br />
on compactness, the MDT LSS was designed<br />
for collapsible AR-15 buttstocks.<br />
The MDT LSS stock enables the use<br />
of external detachable magazines. The<br />
MDT stock is pre-drilled and threaded<br />
in various locations to accept Picatinny<br />
rails along its sides as well as a night<br />
vision hood in front of a mounted optic.<br />
The 1:10 twist hammer forged barrel<br />
gets the most out of the various wide<br />
ranging .308 loads on the market i.e.<br />
147 grain to 175 grain. The MVP LC<br />
weighs 8.5 pounds empty without an<br />
optic attached. The rifle’s relatively light<br />
weight gives the rifle improved portability<br />
and above average handling characteristics<br />
for a precision tactical bolt<br />
action rifle. Many tactical rifles, while<br />
accurate, resemble boat anchors when<br />
OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT: The MDT LSS<br />
chassis features a low profile forend that<br />
facilitates use of a bipod or other front<br />
end support. A Caldwell bipod comes as<br />
standard equipment with the Mossberg<br />
MVP LC. LEFT TOP: The Mossberg LBA<br />
trigger is crisp, creep free and fully adjustable<br />
between 2 and 7 pounds. From the<br />
box it measured just below a 4 pound pull<br />
weight. LEFT BOTTOM: SilencerCo Trifecta<br />
muzzle brake that can be used with<br />
suppressor or removed to make room for<br />
other muzzle devices or capping off the<br />
5/8 x 24 threads. It proved effective at<br />
taming recoil.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 55 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
it comes to handling due to weight and<br />
stock configuration.<br />
The Mossberg 4x4 bolt is the basis<br />
of all of the MVP’s bolt actions, including<br />
the LC. The MVP’s action is machined<br />
from bar stock and Mossberg has modified<br />
the bottom of the bolt head. This<br />
is done to enable use of AR-15 magazines<br />
with the 5.56mm rifles and AR-10/<br />
M1A magazines with the .308 variants.<br />
The patented MVP 7.62 Dual Push bolt<br />
design is the key to using high capacity<br />
detachable magazines. Mossberg<br />
provides a 10-round Magpul 7.62 magazine<br />
with the MVP LC. Laying cartridges<br />
in the raceway to single feed<br />
rounds did not work smoothly. It was<br />
required to first click the rounds under<br />
the magazine’s feed lips for chambering<br />
to go smoothly.<br />
When the Mossberg MVP series of<br />
rifles first appeared in 2011 there was<br />
some concern expressed that the bolt<br />
modification might prove to be a weak<br />
point in terms of durability. It seems this<br />
concern has died away now that the<br />
MVP has been on the market for awhile<br />
and proving a favorite of varmint hunters.<br />
This is an important distinction as<br />
no group of users fire more ammunition<br />
in such compressed time frames than a<br />
dedicated varminter sitting over a prairie<br />
dog town. Empty magazines were<br />
easy to detach and reinsert loaded ones<br />
via push button release in front of trigger<br />
guard area. The feel of the bolt was<br />
no different than any other bolt experienced<br />
even with stripping rounds from<br />
PMAG 7.62 magazines versus from an<br />
integral box magazine most associated<br />
with bolt action rifles. Credit must<br />
be given to Mossberg for designing<br />
such an inherently simple modification<br />
tweak to the bolt action enabling use<br />
of the ubiquitous AR-10 (LR308/SR-25)<br />
and M1A magazine.<br />
One has to be impressed with<br />
Mossberg’s design work in getting the<br />
MVP series to feed via the popular detachable<br />
magazines i.e. AR-15, AR-10<br />
(LR308/SR-25), and M1A. The MVP<br />
LC is no different. Multiple Magpul 7.62<br />
magazines were used during testing<br />
with no feeding issues encountered.<br />
Reliability is something that can not be<br />
compromised. Another notable feature<br />
found on the MVP LC is an oversized<br />
bolt handle that facilitates rapid and sure<br />
operation of the smooth Mossberg bolt<br />
for follow up shots. The oversize bolt<br />
and smooth passage of the bolt in the<br />
raceway allows for minimal disturbance<br />
of the rifle when the bolt is worked. The<br />
MVP LC’s oversized bolt handle and<br />
detachable magazine are features that<br />
lend themselves to performing in a tactical<br />
environment and serve to maximize<br />
the Mossberg bolt’s potential.<br />
Many will wonder what is the purpose<br />
or niche for the Mossberg MVP<br />
LC. Why not just use a tuned semiautomatic<br />
AR in lieu of the bolt action MVP<br />
LC? The answer lies with individual or<br />
department preference for a bolt action.<br />
This could be based on cost, public perceptions,<br />
or myriad of other reasons.<br />
Mossberg decision to use the MDT LSS<br />
chassis stock is a wise decision with it<br />
being rock solid with design characteristics<br />
making it conducive to accurate<br />
shooting from a variety of positions.<br />
The wider/flatter than normal forend<br />
handles bipods or sandbags with equal<br />
aplomb. In fact, Mossberg equips the<br />
MVP LC with a Caldwell bipod as standard<br />
equipment. However, the MVP LC<br />
is not exclusively designed for shooting<br />
from the supported prone or bench position.<br />
The stock allows for offhand and<br />
other types of supported fire if needed.<br />
Think hood/trunk of a squad car<br />
or other field expedient positions. The<br />
ergonomics of the adjustable length of<br />
pull Magpul CTR buttstock allows for<br />
a comfortable, repeatable cheekweld.<br />
This is combined with a Magpul AR pistol<br />
grip making hand placement conducive<br />
to pulling the Mossberg LBA trigger<br />
smoothly to the rear.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 56 MARCH 2016
MVP LC<br />
Mossberg MVP LC produced 1-1.5 inch accuracy with several brands of ammunition.<br />
The LBA trigger is a huge part of the<br />
phenomenal accuracy to cost ratio factor<br />
derived from the Mossberg MVP LC<br />
for any agency considering it. The LBA<br />
trigger is just as important to accuracy<br />
as the Mossberg bolt action and quality<br />
barrel. A rifle’s trigger is the interface between<br />
shooter and rifle and must be right<br />
or accuracy will suffer. Mossberg’s desire<br />
is to give the shooter an enhanced<br />
trigger that is crisp, creep free and fully<br />
adjustable between 2 and 7 pounds.<br />
From the box it measured just below 4<br />
pound pull weight. Without going into<br />
minutia, the LBA’s distinctive “trigger<br />
blade” release lever in front of the trigger<br />
proper is the secret to maintaining<br />
minimal trigger weight, without creep,<br />
while keeping the system safe. The “trigger<br />
blade” must be activated (i.e. moved<br />
rearward into the trigger) before the sear<br />
will move firing the cartridge. A sudden<br />
drop or impact will not do this, even if the<br />
safety is off. This allows the LBA trigger<br />
to be adjusted by the user without having<br />
to resort to an armorer. The LBA’s<br />
contribution to precise accuracy can not<br />
be overemphasized.<br />
The first requirement of a tactical rifle<br />
is precise accuracy. A Leupold Mark IV<br />
6.5-10x50mm scope with mil dot reticle<br />
was mounted on the one piece Picatinny<br />
rail above the MVP’s receiver via<br />
Leupold Mk IV rings. It has the typical<br />
great Leupold reliability, clarity, and image<br />
quality with a near perfect variable<br />
power range for a precision .308 rifle.<br />
Importantly, Mossberg provides the LC<br />
with an integral Picatinny rail so that optics<br />
can be mated right up to the action<br />
for a solid zero maintaining connection<br />
between rifle and optic. Champion tripod<br />
front rest and sandbags were used to<br />
support the Mossberg LC during bench<br />
testing phase of evaluation in conjunction<br />
with supplied bipod.<br />
Various .308 loadings from Black<br />
Hills Ammunition, Federal, Winchester,<br />
and Hornady provided the basis of accuracy<br />
tests. The Black Hills Match loads<br />
tested consisted of 168 grain Match<br />
bullets. The Federal chambering was<br />
the venerable 168 grain Match load that<br />
still serves as the benchmark for performance.<br />
168 grain TAP from Hornady<br />
along with Winchester 168 grain Match<br />
was also used. The Mossberg LC’s 18.25<br />
inch barrel produced velocity in the low<br />
2,600 feet per second (fps) range with<br />
the 168 grain loads. As to be expected<br />
with quality ammunition, velocity figures<br />
within the different loads deviated very<br />
little from round to round as witnessed<br />
shooting over a RCBS chronograph.<br />
The Mossberg MVP LC produced MOA<br />
groups with several different ammunition<br />
brands – an important logistic consideration.<br />
The accuracy figures are based<br />
on firing five three-round groups and<br />
veraging group sizes.<br />
Steel targets were smacked with<br />
ease out to 310 yards using field expedient<br />
rests at Echo Valley Training<br />
Center’s Range #1 stepped berm. While<br />
by no means rivaling a semiautomatic<br />
for pure fire power, the detachable<br />
magazines were handy to recharge the<br />
Mossberg MVP LC after the last empty<br />
case was flipped out on the ground.<br />
Unlike other bolt actions there was no<br />
initial tightness from the new Mossberg<br />
MVP LC’s bolt action. It was “slick” and<br />
smooth as it emerged from the box.<br />
The Mossberg LC’s 18.25 inch barrel<br />
maximizes portability and handling while<br />
maintaining .308 Win. ballistics and terminal<br />
performance. For those who prefer<br />
a bolt rifle in lieu of a military style<br />
AR weapon, the LC is worthy of consideration.<br />
This is due its power, accuracy,<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 57 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
MVP LC<br />
and multi-mission capability considering<br />
likely engagement distances – even in<br />
terms of precision shooting.<br />
Further tactical modification of the<br />
Mossberg MVP LC is possible. For<br />
example, by adding MDT night vision<br />
hooded rail accessories on the stock’s<br />
forend, one can mount a PS 22 type<br />
night vision device. An example of this<br />
type of device is the American Technologies<br />
Network ATN PS 22 Night Vision<br />
Device. The ATN PS 22 allows for the<br />
day scope to stay constantly zeroed, yet<br />
allows for quick adaptation for night use.<br />
It can be attached or detached with no<br />
impact on the day optic’s point of aim<br />
and parallax is not an issue. Another<br />
benefit of the PS 22 is that a scope’s reticle<br />
does not need to be illuminated or<br />
IR compatible for it to be visible when it<br />
is in use. This differs from NV products<br />
that mount to the rear of the scope.<br />
Even though a bolt action and imminently<br />
qualified to serve as a precision<br />
tactical weapon, the MVP LC should<br />
not be pigeon holed into solely a sniper<br />
rifle role. There are many jurisdictions<br />
that will appreciate its non-assault rifle<br />
persona while maintaining its high<br />
capacity capability even though a bolt<br />
action; think lightweight patrol rifle with<br />
20 round capacity. Concerns related to<br />
over penetration could be addressed<br />
with ammunition selection; the new<br />
Winchester PDX 1 Defender loading<br />
for the .308 Win. featuring the SplitCore<br />
Technology 120 grain bullet immediately<br />
comes to mind. The use of detachable<br />
AR magazines simplifies loading/unloading<br />
procedures compared to fixed<br />
box magazines that require the action to<br />
be manipulated to unload.<br />
While not fair to compare the Mossberg<br />
MVP LC to other rifles costing<br />
thousands more, it is unavoidable. The<br />
MVP LC performed equal or better as<br />
other rifles tested in this format costing<br />
significantly more. Readers are urged,<br />
whether civilian or LE, not to fall into the<br />
trap of thinking that only dollars spent<br />
equate into proficiency. Yes, equipment<br />
is a huge part of the skills equation when<br />
precision marksmanship is sought, but<br />
it is often emphasized in lieu of training<br />
and practice. The Mossberg MVP LC is<br />
not a compromise candidate in terms of<br />
performance; though a user will benefit<br />
from selecting it by having funds left in<br />
the budget for optics, ammunition, and<br />
training.<br />
The Mossberg MVP LC rifle will take<br />
care of most imaginable engagements<br />
from 0-600 yards involving two or four<br />
legged adversaries/quarry. Mossberg is<br />
establishing itself as a “one stop shop”<br />
for all consumers’ needs either sporting<br />
or personal defense with its increasingly<br />
varied product line up. It is rare to find<br />
a company that can provide products<br />
that can serve customer needs so fully.<br />
The Mossberg MVP LC is hard to argue<br />
against in terms of utility for LE or security<br />
conscience civilians.<br />
SITES OF INTEREST<br />
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.<br />
www.mossberg.com<br />
Echo Valley Training Center<br />
www.echovalleytrainingcenter.com<br />
Leupold & Stevens, Inc.<br />
www.leupold.com<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 58 MARCH 2016
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 59 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
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<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 60 MARCH 2016
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WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 61 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
THE AMT<br />
AUTOMAG III<br />
BY FRANK IANNAMICO<br />
ABOVE: A vintage M1 carbine is displayed with an Automag III pistols and a box of 1944 dated Winchester carbine ammo. The loose<br />
rounds in the photo are modern soft-points.<br />
Probably the best promotional advertising<br />
for any firearm is to be featured in<br />
a Hollywood film. An example was when<br />
the Smith & Wesson Model 29 appeared<br />
in several of the Dirty Harry movies beginning<br />
in 1971. The demand, and asking<br />
price, for S&Ws .44 Magnum revolvers<br />
skyrocketed and they soon became<br />
very difficult to find.<br />
The term Auto Mag became part of<br />
the American lexicon in a 1983 sequel<br />
to the Dirty Harry film, Sudden Impact.<br />
In that film Clint Eastwood’s character<br />
inspector Harry Callahan, uses his .44<br />
Auto Mag pistol to take down the bad<br />
guys. In the 1987 film Beverly Hills Cop<br />
II a .44 Auto Mag is used by the bad<br />
guys. However, due in part to a lack<br />
of availability, sales of the Auto Mag<br />
pistol never approached that of Dirty<br />
Harry’s Model 29.<br />
THE AUTO MAG PISTOL<br />
The original Auto Mag pistol was<br />
conceived and designed by Harry<br />
Sanford and Max Gera during the late<br />
1960s. Mr. Sanford established the Auto<br />
Mag Corporation during 1969 in Cali-<br />
fornia. The .44 AMP (Auto Mag Pistol)<br />
cartridge was also conceived by Harry<br />
Sanford. The original cartridge cases<br />
were formed from .308 rifle brass shortened<br />
to a length of 1.298 inches. The<br />
bullet was .429-caliber 240-grain with a<br />
powder charge of 26 grains. The average<br />
velocity was 1450 feet per second<br />
with 1120-ft/lbs of energy.<br />
Production of the Auto Mag pistol<br />
began at a factory located in Pasadena,<br />
California during 1970. The first gun<br />
was shipped to a dealer in August 1971.<br />
After producing only a few thousand<br />
pistols, the Auto Mag Corporation declared<br />
bankruptcy on May 3, 1972. The<br />
Trust Deeds Estates Corporation (TDE)<br />
of El Monte, California purchased the<br />
machinery, unfinished guns and parts.<br />
They also hired Sanford to produce the<br />
guns from the parts. In 1974 after new<br />
financing was acquired, TDE made minor<br />
engineering changes and re-tooled<br />
for complete production. In September<br />
of that year Lee Jurras signed an exclusive<br />
world-wide sales and distribution<br />
agreement for all Auto Mag pistols. Mr.<br />
Jurras not only took over distribution but<br />
also handled warranty and parts supply.<br />
By 1982 the Auto Mag was once<br />
again facing financial difficulties, the assets<br />
changing hands and logos several<br />
times before the Auto Mag pistol passed<br />
into history. In the end there were Auto<br />
Mag pistols produced with Pasadena,<br />
North Hollywood and El Monte, California<br />
addresses.<br />
THE AUTOMAG II<br />
Automag Pistols<br />
During 1987, the .22 magnum Automag<br />
II pistol was introduced, the<br />
Automag name now appearing as one<br />
word. The new pistol was designed by<br />
Harry Grossman and manufactured by<br />
Arcadia Machine and Tool Inc. / AMT of<br />
Covina, California; a company owned<br />
by the same Harry Sanford of the original<br />
Auto Mag Corporation. After the<br />
original AMT encountered financial<br />
problems a new company was formed<br />
in 1989 called Irwindale Arms Inc or<br />
IAI, relocated to Irwindale, California.<br />
At the 1989 SHOT show it was announced<br />
that IAI would be producing the<br />
Automag II and III.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 62 MARCH 2016
ABOVE: At the top of the image is an early production IAI<br />
marked Automag III pistol, displayed with an AMT marked<br />
example. In 1990 the suggested retail price was $674.00<br />
BELOW: Right side of the IAI (Irwindale Arms Inc.) pistol<br />
marked Stainless, made in U.S.A. Later production AMT<br />
pistols included the warning “CAUTION capable of firing<br />
with the magazine removed, read instruction manual before<br />
handling this firearm”.<br />
Automag III<br />
The focus of this article is on the Irwindale<br />
Arms Inc. /Arcadia Machine and<br />
Tool Automag III pistol, chambered for<br />
the .30 caliber M1 carbine cartridge.<br />
The first semi-automatic pistol chambered<br />
for the .30 carbine cartridge was<br />
the Kimball, first advertised in 1955 by<br />
the J. Kimball Arms Company of Detroit,<br />
Michigan. The Kimball was billed as<br />
“The World’s Most Powerful Automatic<br />
Pistol”. The Kimball went into series production<br />
in 1958. However, the delayed<br />
blow-back Kimball quickly developed a<br />
reputation for self-destructing; the carbine<br />
cartridge proved too powerful for<br />
the pistol’s design. Only a few hundred<br />
.30 Kimball pistols were produced before<br />
the company went out of business.<br />
The first known public advertisement<br />
for the .30 caliber Automag III pistol<br />
appeared in the February 1989 issue<br />
of Guns & Ammo magazine. The first<br />
known gun writer’s test was conducted<br />
in July of 1989, and was featured in<br />
the October 1989 issue of Petersen’s<br />
Handguns. Also featured in the article<br />
was the Irwindale Arms Inc. Javelina<br />
in 10mm, which was similar in appearance.<br />
Both pistols were marked with the<br />
IAI logo and Irwindale address. During<br />
1990 the Automag III was placed in<br />
series production.<br />
The Automag III is a single action,<br />
recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol<br />
whose action is based on John Browning’s<br />
tilting barrel locking system, unlocking<br />
is controlled by cam-shaped<br />
slot in the lug below the chamber of the<br />
barrel, which interacts with the slide stop<br />
axis pin. The pistol is made of a 17-4<br />
stainless steel, with the exception of the<br />
barrel, which is 416 stainless, and the<br />
A-2 tool steel sear. The major components<br />
including the slide and frame are<br />
investment castings. The stainless steel<br />
has a bead-blasted matte appearance<br />
with the exception of the sides of the<br />
slide, which are polished. The grips are<br />
made of a black composite material. The<br />
slide mounted safety is a simple rotating<br />
cylinder that blocks the hammer from<br />
contacting the firing pin. The pistol can<br />
be placed on safe even if the hammer<br />
is not cocked, the safety does not lock<br />
the sear or trigger. A cocked hammer<br />
will fall by pulling the trigger when the<br />
safety is applied, but the safety will block<br />
the hammer from striking the firing pin.<br />
The slide stop is on the left side of the<br />
frame, it locks the slide back after the<br />
last shot has been fired from the magazine.<br />
The magazine release button is<br />
located on the left side of the frame just<br />
aft of the trigger. The single-stack, single-feed<br />
magazine holds 8 rounds. The<br />
rear sight is a Millet adjustable; the front<br />
sight is a fixed ramp. The trigger pull<br />
measured 4.5 pounds. The Automag III<br />
is similar in appearance to the classic<br />
1911 pistol, albeit larger in size. The grip<br />
is somewhat wide, measuring 2.25-inches<br />
by 1.25-inches, necessitated by the<br />
length of the .30 carbine round. The<br />
unloaded weight of the Automag III is<br />
45 ounces, overall length is 10.5-inches,<br />
barrel length is 6.5-inches. Field<br />
stripping procedures are very similar to<br />
the 1911 pistol.<br />
An interesting design feature is the<br />
spring-loaded pin assembly that protrudes<br />
out of the rear of the recoil spring<br />
guide rod. The purpose of the pin is to<br />
delay the barrel in order to prevent it<br />
from jamming on the slide as it moves
AMT AUTOMAG III<br />
forward. It should be mentioned that<br />
when field stripping the pistol, special<br />
attention should be paid to the, easily<br />
lost, spring and pin.<br />
There are different configurations of<br />
the Automag III pistol, which was manufactured<br />
under different company logos.<br />
Due to the small number of examples<br />
available to examine it is not possible to<br />
pin point exactly when certain features<br />
appeared or were deleted.<br />
The earliest Automag III pistols in .30<br />
caliber carbine were marked with the IAI<br />
logo of Irwindale Arms Incorporated on<br />
the slide and frame. Known examples<br />
have a locking lug on the barrel and corresponding<br />
locking groove in the slide.<br />
Later Automag pistols were marked<br />
with the AMT logo of Arcadia Machine<br />
and Tool on the slide and frame.<br />
The right side of the slide now included<br />
the warning “CAUTION capable of<br />
firing with the magazine removed, read<br />
instruction manual before handling this<br />
ABOVE: Field stripped Automag III. The field strip procedure is similar to a 1911 pistol.<br />
BELOW RIGHT: Close up of the barrel delay spring and pin. For reference: the barrel<br />
delay pin is .125 x .750. The spring dimensions are: outside diameter .116, inside diameter<br />
.080 length is .5-inch.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 64 MARCH 2016
firearm”. Known examples of this variation<br />
had a small or no locking lug on the<br />
barrel, the barrel hood locked into the<br />
slide. Reportedly this variation will function<br />
without the barrel delay spring and<br />
plunger assembly in the guide rod. Two<br />
other features on the AMT pistols are a<br />
three dot rear sight and the magazine<br />
release button has a slightly different<br />
checkering pattern. The AMT marked<br />
models are more common than the earlier<br />
production IAI marked pistols.<br />
There was also an Automag III model<br />
available in 9mm Winchester Magnum.<br />
However, many of the components differed<br />
in dimensions from the .30 carbine<br />
caliber model and swapping calibers between<br />
the two guns is not practical.<br />
After squeezing the trigger of the .30<br />
carbine caliber Automag III two things<br />
become immediately apparent, a huge<br />
muzzle flash and a loud report. Despite<br />
the flash and bang, recoil is relatively<br />
mild. The average muzzle velocity is<br />
1650 to 1775 feet per second firing GI<br />
surplus ammunition. After one grows<br />
accustomed to the noise and flash, the<br />
pistol is capable of decent accuracy,<br />
shooting groups of 2.5 to 3-inches at a<br />
distance of 25 yards.<br />
Pistols produced under the Automag<br />
name by IAI/AMT included: the Automag<br />
II in .22 WMR, Automag III in .30 Carbine<br />
and 9mm Winchester Magnum,<br />
Automag IV in .45 Winchester Magnum,<br />
Automag V in .50 Action Express and<br />
the Baby Automag in .22 LR.<br />
After AMT went out of business in<br />
the late 1990s the company’s assets<br />
and trademarks were sold to the Galena<br />
Industries of Sturgis, South Dakota, who<br />
continued the AMT line of pistols. Galena’s<br />
assets that included tools and tooling,<br />
sixty pistols and thousands of parts<br />
were offered at auction in July of 2002.<br />
In 2004, the re-established High<br />
Standard Corporation announced that<br />
they would make Automag pistols and<br />
now offers several models under the<br />
AMT banner. To date the company does<br />
not offer a .30 caliber Automag III.<br />
Field stripping the Automag III is<br />
similar to the 1911 pistol.<br />
1. Remove the magazine and visibly<br />
check the chamber to ensure it is<br />
not loaded.<br />
2. Retract the slide far enough to<br />
push out the slide stop, and pull it<br />
out of the frame.<br />
3. Pull the slide/barrel assembly forward<br />
and off of the frame.<br />
4. To remove the barrel from the<br />
slide, depress the recoil rod bushing<br />
and rotate the barrel bushing<br />
until it clears the rod bushing.<br />
CAUTION the recoil rod bushing<br />
is under spring pressure.<br />
5. Remove the recoil rod, being care-<br />
TOP: Top view of the Automag III showing the adjustable Millet rear sight, and fixed front<br />
sight. CENTER: Disassembled magazine. The steel magazine has a plastic follower and<br />
a round spring. BOTTOM: The barrel at the top of the photo is from an early manufacture<br />
pistol featuring a locking lug. The barrel below it lacks a lug using the barrel’s hood to lock<br />
the barrel to the slide, forward of the ejection port.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 65 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
ful to keep the barrel delay spring<br />
and pin from becoming lost.<br />
6. Remove the barrel through the<br />
front of the slide.<br />
7. No further disassembly is needed<br />
or recommended.<br />
Despite being a proprietary cartridge<br />
for a military weapon, those who carried<br />
the M1 carbine became fond of the<br />
handy weapon. Interest was renewed<br />
during the 1960s when surplus carbines<br />
were offered through the NRA for<br />
$17.00. When the original supply of military<br />
issue carbines dried up, there were<br />
several commercial companies that<br />
introduced aftermarket copies. Before<br />
long several hand guns were produced,<br />
further increasing interest in the little .30<br />
caliber round.<br />
During World War II there were four<br />
experimental Smith and Wesson revolvers<br />
made for the round, the cartridges<br />
were loaded on half-moon clips. More<br />
modern handguns include the Ruger<br />
Blackhawk revolver introduced in 1968,<br />
was revised in 1973 as the New Model<br />
Blackhawk, and the Dakota single action<br />
army revolver in .30 carbine made in Italy.<br />
Also available in .30 carbine caliber<br />
was the Thompson/Center single-shot<br />
pistol, which is no longer offered by the<br />
manufacturer. Marlin briefly offered their<br />
.30 carbine caliber Model 62 Levermatic<br />
rifle from 1966 to 1969. All of the aforementioned<br />
firearms helped sustain interest<br />
in the cartridge.<br />
Origins of the .30 Caliber<br />
Carbine Cartridge<br />
The lightweight U.S. caliber .30 carbine<br />
emerged during World War II from<br />
the need to better arm soldiers who<br />
were rear echelon support troops. The<br />
carbine was conceived to provide an offensive<br />
as well as a defensive weapon<br />
that would have far more range than a<br />
pistol. The semi-automatic carbine offered<br />
a 300 yard range and a 15 round<br />
magazine.<br />
Cartridge, Carbine, Caliber .30<br />
Winchester developed a new midrange<br />
cartridge to be used in the new<br />
“light rifle”. The cartridge was designated<br />
as, Cartridge, Carbine, Caliber .30<br />
M1. The early characteristics of the new<br />
cartridge were;<br />
a. Bullet weight: 110 grains.<br />
b. Charge weight: 14.5 grains<br />
of IMR 4227<br />
c. Primer: Winchester No. 116<br />
d. Pressure: 31,000 PSI<br />
e. Muzzle velocity 1,860 feet<br />
per second.<br />
The cartridge was approved as<br />
Standard on 30 September 1941. The<br />
Ordnance Department awarded contracts<br />
to the Western Cartridge Company,<br />
Winchester Repeating Arms,<br />
Remington Arms Company, Lake City<br />
Ordnance Plant and the Kings Mills<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 66 MARCH 2016
AMT AUTOMAG III<br />
OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT: Original owner’s manual. OPPO-<br />
SITE PAGE RIGHT: Parts breakdown from the owner’s manual.<br />
ABOVE: The Automag pistol is rather large with an overall<br />
length of 10.5-inches, and a height of over 5-inches. BELOW<br />
LEFT: View of the firing pin and hammer with the safety in the<br />
OFF position. BELOW RIGHT: View of the firing pin and hammer<br />
with the safety ON. With the safety engaged, the hammer<br />
is blocked from contacting the firing pin. However, the safety<br />
does not secure the pistol’s trigger of sear.<br />
Ordnance Plant. While corrosive primers<br />
were used in WWII 30’06 and .45<br />
ACP caliber U.S. service cartridges, the<br />
.30 caliber carbine rounds all utilized<br />
non-corrosive primers.<br />
The original configuration of the .30<br />
caliber carbine cartridge was changed<br />
early in 1942. The original .30 caliber<br />
110-grain projectile had a cup style<br />
base, which tests had shown was unstable<br />
during firing, and would often leave a<br />
ring of gilding metal in the forward end of<br />
the chamber. A new flat base 110-grain<br />
projectile was designed to eliminate<br />
the problem. The type of powder used<br />
in carbine cartridge was also changed.<br />
The original DuPont powder proved<br />
to be too bulky for the small case. To<br />
achieve a higher projectile velocity a<br />
new DuPont powder was introduced.<br />
The new powder increased the carbine’s<br />
muzzle velocity to 1,970 feet per second<br />
and raised the chamber pressure<br />
to 40,000 PSI.<br />
The new specifications for the improved<br />
carbine cartridge were;<br />
a. Bullet weight; 110 grains<br />
b. Charge: DuPont 4809 or Hercules<br />
3950.8B (alternate)<br />
c. Primer: commercial non-corrosive<br />
d. Pressure: 40,000 PSI<br />
e. Muzzle velocity 1,970 feet per second<br />
In September of 1944, the nomenclature<br />
of the .30 carbine round was<br />
changed to Cartridge, Ball, Carbine,<br />
Caliber .30 M1. The change, adding<br />
the word “ball”, was to avoid confusion<br />
with the newly adopted tracer<br />
and grenade launching cartridges<br />
developed for the carbine.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 67 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 68 MARCH 2016
THE<br />
WALTHER<br />
CCP<br />
Addressing the<br />
Timeless Quandary of<br />
Big Bullets<br />
in Little Guns<br />
by Will Dabbs MD<br />
Photos by Sarah Dabbs<br />
The Walther CCP employs an unconventional application<br />
of fairly conventional firearms technology and<br />
in so doing revolutionizes the concept of concealed<br />
carry handguns. By incorporating a reversed gas piston<br />
to retard recoil forces the engineers at Walther designed<br />
a tiny gun that still manages large cartridges<br />
comfortably.<br />
What would happen if you took the chassis<br />
from a lightweight, polymer-framed Walther<br />
P22, arguably the most popular .22 pistol in the<br />
country, and re-chambered it as a direct blowback<br />
9mm? Dislocated fingers? Broken bones?<br />
The resulting gun might even eventually explode.<br />
Who knows, the local Orthopedist might<br />
finally get his boat paid off.<br />
Well what if you took the gas piston from a<br />
Kalashnikov or FN FAL, miniaturized it, flipped<br />
it around backwards, and then pinned it to the<br />
front of the slide? Now you have a 9mm P22<br />
that fits the human hand just about perfectly,<br />
launches serious bullets, shoots sweet, and in a<br />
pinch rides in the front pocket of a pair of jeans.<br />
In short, it is a truly revolutionary concealed carry<br />
pistol.<br />
Carl Walther was a firearms luminary. His<br />
PP and PPK introduced the world to the single<br />
action/double action trigger system used<br />
in most of the world’s autoloading handguns<br />
in the pre-Glock era. These ground breaking<br />
pocket pistols came of age in the 1930’s and<br />
melded the concealability of an autoloader with<br />
the safety and convenience of a double action<br />
revolver. The subsequent P38 was arguably the<br />
most advanced service pistol of World War II.<br />
In the years since the Second World War,<br />
Walther has been a consistent innovator in<br />
modern firearms design. The Walther MPL and<br />
MPK submachine guns represented the state of<br />
the art in the immediate post-war years and their<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 69 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
combat handguns in the modern era are<br />
as good as they get. While James Bond<br />
is not a real guy, his tastes in firearms<br />
are well-vetted. Whether it is a customized<br />
PPK/S or a tricked out suppressed<br />
P99, 007’s handguns always seem to<br />
have Walther engraved on the slide.<br />
Raising the Bar<br />
It has been my lot to see a fair number<br />
of gunshot wounds up close. While I<br />
have carried quite a few .380 handguns<br />
myself, the argument could be made<br />
that for serious social work nothing less<br />
than a 9mm firing heavy 147-grain bullets<br />
is really consistently up to the task.<br />
The challenge is that, while the 9mm<br />
may seem anemic in an MP40 or an<br />
MP5, in a true pocket pistol this zippy<br />
little round can be punishing.<br />
There are several accepted ways to<br />
ameliorate the recoil forces of a firearm.<br />
The most basic is manifest in the aforementioned<br />
Walther PPK and involves<br />
simply configuring a beefy slide and<br />
firm spring adequate to handle the recoil<br />
forces involved. While this approach<br />
works and it does lend itself to mounting<br />
a sound suppressor, the resulting guns<br />
The secret to the small size of the Walther CCP is<br />
the reversed gas piston method of operation. The<br />
CCP utilizes a gas piston not altogether conceptually<br />
unlike that of the AK47 or FN FAL but reverses it so<br />
that the gas system slows the gun down rather than<br />
speeds it up.<br />
ABOVE: The gas piston on the Walther CCP is pinned to the<br />
front of the slide and faces aft to slow the opening of the gun<br />
during the recoil stroke.<br />
RIGHT: The rear sight on the Walther CCP sports non-luminous<br />
white dots and is drift adjustable for windage. The front<br />
sight has three separate replaceable inserts to adjust elevation.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 70 MARCH 2016
can be heavy and exhibit snappy recoil,<br />
even in modest calibers.<br />
The second broad approach is to<br />
contrive a mechanism that locks the barrel<br />
and slide together at the moment of<br />
firing such that these two major components<br />
recoil briefly as a unit before separating<br />
to enable ejection and feeding<br />
of a subsequent cartridge. While there<br />
are literally dozens of variations on this<br />
theme, most combat handguns in the<br />
world today subscribe to some variation<br />
of this locked-breech recoil mechanism.<br />
It was the inimitable John Moses<br />
Browning who first observed the grass<br />
laying down in front of a firearm being<br />
discharged and had the epiphany that<br />
this wasted energy could be harnessed<br />
to operate a self-loading gun. Anyone<br />
who has ever fired a gas-operated firearm<br />
has tasted his genius. Examples<br />
include the AR15, the AK47, the M1 Garand,<br />
and any other sort of firearm that<br />
incorporates a gas port. The science<br />
behind this concept is well established.<br />
What is most impressive about the Walther<br />
CCP, however, is the way Walther<br />
engineers adapted this conventional<br />
concept in such an unconventional way.<br />
The guys at Walther took this basic<br />
gas piston operating principle, turned it<br />
around backwards, and used it to slow<br />
everything down rather than speed everything<br />
up. The result is mechanical<br />
genius.<br />
Details<br />
The recoil spring on the CCP wraps<br />
around the barrel like its grandfather the<br />
PPK. The barrel itself is fixed, also akin<br />
to that of the PPK. There is, however,<br />
a nifty ancillary gas system mounted<br />
below the barrel that taps off propellant<br />
gases and uses them to impinge upon<br />
the slide indirectly via a piston to retard<br />
the opening of the action. The piston is<br />
ABOVE TOP: The trigger on the striker-fired Walther CCP is a bit longer and creepier than<br />
that of most other striker-fired handguns but is designed intentionally to provide an extra<br />
measure of safety for deep cover carry. The trigger is still light enough to be amenable to<br />
accurate shooting at modest distances. ABOVE CENTER: The manual thumb safety is<br />
mounted on the left side of the gun and strikes a nice balance. The switch is large enough<br />
for easy manipulation without being so big that it catches on things. ABOVE: The external<br />
extractor on the Walther CCP is simple and effective.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 71 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
ABOVE: This representative sample of Walther tactical handguns shows the commonalities<br />
within the family. The PPK introduced the world to single action/double action<br />
autoloading handguns while the subsequent P38 was arguably the most efficient<br />
combat handgun of World War II. The PPX and P99 are state-of-the-art Information<br />
Age combat pistols. The CCP is itself unique in the compact handgun marketplace.<br />
attached to the front of the slide and orients<br />
toward the rear. This delivers several<br />
salient benefits.<br />
First, the Walther CCP is really<br />
small. The CCP actually compares favorably<br />
to many full-figured .380 carry<br />
guns on the commercial market today<br />
and both looks and feels about<br />
like the esteemed .22 LR Walther<br />
P22 in the hand. This compact envelope<br />
equates out to comfortable concealed<br />
carry and easy manipulation for<br />
smaller-statured operators.<br />
Second, the retarded gas system<br />
used in the CCP allows for a weaker<br />
recoil spring. This makes for a softer<br />
shooting gun that is easier to charge. As<br />
women represent an absolutely exploding<br />
slice of the concealed carry handgun<br />
market in America, the ease with<br />
which the gun may be put into action is<br />
a real plus. I’m a pretty average sized<br />
guy with pretty big hands and there are<br />
a few guns in my stable that are hard<br />
to charge when sweaty, rushed, or both.<br />
By contrast the Walther CCP slide is relatively<br />
light and easy to rack.<br />
The Walther CCP has a reversible<br />
button-style thumb-accessible magazine<br />
catch and a pair of drop-free<br />
8-round magazines. The gun itself is<br />
striker-fired for a consistent and predictable<br />
trigger pull shot to shot. The<br />
trigger is long and creepy with a surprising<br />
amount of crunch throughout.<br />
However, keep in mind that this is a<br />
pocket pistol. The argument could be<br />
made that a light target trigger on a gun<br />
that will be carried in deep cover is not<br />
necessarily an asset.<br />
The slide is cut from stainless steel<br />
and is available in both raw silver and<br />
blackened finishes. There is a discreet<br />
manual safety that is easily accessible<br />
with the right thumb. The grip has finger<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 72 MARCH 2016
swells and aggressive stippling molded<br />
in. The trigger guard is squared and undercut<br />
slightly to lower the bore axis.<br />
Comfortable Carry<br />
CrossBreed Holsters has established<br />
as its forte the most comfortable,<br />
accessible, and effective carry<br />
of concealed firearms possible. Their<br />
quality is impeccable and their designs<br />
ingenious. Their products are also very<br />
reasonably priced. Their SuperTuck<br />
CCP holster is fitted perfectly to the gun<br />
and rides discreetly.<br />
The SuperTuck is designed both for<br />
comfort and accessibility. The belt clips<br />
are adjustable for cant and the generous<br />
leather body of the holster spreads<br />
the pressure of the gun out sufficiently to<br />
ensure comfort. The polymer body of the<br />
rig is molded meticulously to the shape<br />
of the gun and is devoid of sharp edges<br />
that might abrade skin or clothing. I carry<br />
the CCP in a SuperTuck underneath<br />
a pair of hospital scrubs 12 to 14 hours<br />
a day and can honestly forget it is there.<br />
CrossBreed produces matching magazine<br />
carriers and top-quality leather gun<br />
belts as well. It seems to me if a holster<br />
lets you carry comfortably in what is in<br />
essence a pair of pajamas it is doing a<br />
pretty good job.<br />
The CCP chassis is designed from<br />
the outset to be carry friendly. That<br />
means no extraneous appendages to<br />
catch on clothing or gouge sensitive<br />
anatomy. The slide tapers towards the<br />
top and the sights are low profile with<br />
the expected three dots. The rear sight<br />
is drift adjustable for windage and the<br />
front sight has three optional inserts to<br />
adjust for elevation.<br />
The safety is mounted on the left<br />
and is small enough to stay out of the<br />
way while remaining large enough for<br />
easy manipulation. The polymer and<br />
stainless construction makes the CCP<br />
about indestructible in the face of sweat<br />
or rough handling. There is a length of<br />
Picatinny rail molded into the dust cover<br />
for accessories if desired.<br />
Concealed carry of a firearm is a<br />
reflection of one’s personality. Some<br />
will want a round in the chamber and a<br />
quick access carry solution so as to be<br />
instantly ready for anything. I personally<br />
balance my desire for protection against<br />
a near-insensate lust for safety. I’m a<br />
physician and I have seen some terrible<br />
firearm accidents. That being said, with<br />
the safety on and the gun in a quality<br />
CrossBreed holster I am comfortable<br />
carrying the Walther CCP with a round in<br />
the chamber. Every cop in America carries<br />
this way and accidental discharges<br />
are thankfully quite rare. However, most<br />
of the armed citizens I met on a recent<br />
trip to Israel carried with the chamber<br />
empty and they do just fine thank you<br />
very much. Different strokes…<br />
Range Report<br />
The Walther CCP really does strike<br />
a nice balance. When stoked with some<br />
high-end Winchester Train and Defend<br />
ammo the gun is comfortable without<br />
being docile. Winchester’s Defend line<br />
of tactical handgun ammunition sports<br />
nickel-plated cases, low flash powders,<br />
and some of the most vicious expanding<br />
bullets in the inventory. Their Train<br />
counterparts push FMJ bullets that are<br />
ballistically matched to their more sinister<br />
counterparts only cheaper. Using this<br />
ammo you can save the good stuff for<br />
serious social work and train on rounds<br />
that run and feel exactly the same only<br />
at a lower cost.<br />
The SuperTuck from Cross-<br />
Breed is the perfect carry solution<br />
for this tidy little heater from<br />
Walther. Both the gun and a<br />
spare magazine may be carried<br />
easily underneath light clothing.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 73 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 74 MARCH 2016<br />
ABOVE: The Walther CCP exhibits superb human engineering. The frame incorporates<br />
finger swells and aggressive stippling for reliable purchase even if rushed.<br />
BELOW: The Walther CCP dropped the first twenty rounds into this tidy grouping<br />
fired off-hand from twenty meters. Despite its small size and intentionally long creepy<br />
trigger, the Walther CCP is no slouch on the range.
Given the compact platform and<br />
creepy trigger I really had not expected<br />
the CCP to be any great shakes on the<br />
range. However, much to my surprise<br />
I dumped the first twenty rounds easily<br />
into a pie plate at 20 meters without<br />
a flyer. The gun shot quite well. Recoil<br />
is remarkably similar to a comparably<br />
framed .380 while the effort required to<br />
jack the slide is a marked improvement<br />
over comparable full-framed heaters.<br />
The gun feels about like my .380 PPK/S<br />
during the recoil stroke while launching<br />
a commensurately spunkier round. We<br />
ran half a dozen brands of ammunition<br />
through the gun without failures. As always,<br />
however, autoloading handguns<br />
are potentially sensitive mechanisms<br />
and deserve regular cleaning and maintenance<br />
if carried daily.<br />
Disassembly of the CCP requires<br />
either an included tool or the tip of a<br />
screwdriver. The gun is a bit tougher<br />
to strip than your Glock but once you<br />
get the hang of it the details are not a<br />
challenge. The pure unfiltered brilliance<br />
of the reversed gas operating system is<br />
simply inspired.<br />
Parting Shots<br />
In a crowded field of self defense<br />
handguns the Walther CCP is a legitimate<br />
mechanical innovation. Combining<br />
most of the commonly-accepted<br />
features we demand of more conventional<br />
defensive iron with its revolutionary<br />
reverse gas piston system, the<br />
CCP is easy to carry, easy to shoot,<br />
and equipped with enough downrange<br />
thump to take the uncertainty out of a<br />
social exchange of gunfire. In addition,<br />
the CCP is also surprisingly reasonably<br />
priced. With the CCP, Walther<br />
has rewritten the book on concealable<br />
handgun design and in so doing taken<br />
pocket pistols to an entirely new<br />
level of performance.<br />
www.waltherarms.com<br />
www.winchester.com<br />
www.crossbreedholsters.com<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 75 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
MEANING of the<br />
1920-MARK<br />
on GERMAN<br />
MILITARY<br />
WEAPONS<br />
BY MICHAEL HEIDLER<br />
The First World War had caused a<br />
major progress in military technology.<br />
Never before had such great evolutionary<br />
advances had been achieved in so<br />
short a time. Still shocked by the merciless<br />
trench warfare with innumerable<br />
casualties, it's no surprise that the victorious<br />
powers had a desire to weaken<br />
the German armed forces for the future.<br />
The development of automatic weapons<br />
was still in its infancy, but the results<br />
achieved at the front showed that these<br />
kinds of weapons will be indispensable<br />
in a modern war.<br />
After the lost war the combined<br />
German Reichswehr (Army) and Kriegsmarine<br />
(Navy) were reduced to a total<br />
of 115,000 men and conscription was<br />
abolished. The victors claimed high<br />
reparations payments and dismantled<br />
German machinery. Famous German<br />
armament companies like Mauser had<br />
to convert their production to consumer<br />
articles, whilst the allies approved the<br />
relatively inexperienced Simson & Co.<br />
company of Suhl as the sole producer<br />
of pistols, rifles and machine guns. The<br />
permitted armament for the Reichswehr<br />
was precisely defined in Article 180 of<br />
the Peace Treaty as, for instance among<br />
small arms, 84,000 rifles (Mauser 98<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 76 MARCH 2016
system), 18,000 carbines (Mauser 98<br />
system) and 1,863 machine guns. Surplus<br />
weapons had to be handed over<br />
to the victors (although they often disappeared)<br />
and new developments were<br />
forbidden. The disarming of the people<br />
was also planned to reduce the danger<br />
of armed revolts provoked from different<br />
political groups.<br />
In midyear of 1920 the general disarming<br />
of the German and Austrian<br />
people was announced by the victorious<br />
powers. At a meeting of the German<br />
general staff on July 11, 1920 General<br />
von Seeckt told the other participants<br />
that about 2,700,000 rifles will have to<br />
be collected. About 600,000 of them are<br />
in the hands of the Einwohnerwehren<br />
(citizens’ militia). He also suggested<br />
they offer rewards for weapons that are<br />
handed over, or for information about<br />
hidden weapons.<br />
No date was fixed yet, but the German<br />
War Office reacted promptly. On<br />
August 4, 1920 the instruction number<br />
959 (with date August 1) “Marking of<br />
hand weapons and machine guns of the<br />
Reichswehr before the general disarming<br />
of the people” was published in the<br />
“Heeres-Verordnungsblatt” (Army Ordinances<br />
Gazette): The impending disarming<br />
makes it necessary for the army<br />
district commands to mark all the weapons<br />
in their possession, including cavalry<br />
units and military schools, with an<br />
unique distinctive identification-symbol.<br />
This ensured that during the collection,<br />
all weapons owned by the Reichswehr<br />
could easily be identified in the cases<br />
that they are found in the hands of unauthorized<br />
persons. The Annex of the<br />
instruction shows in graphics where the<br />
new identification-marking “1920” has<br />
to be placed on rifles, pistols, machine<br />
guns and their mounts, submachine<br />
guns, sabers, bayonets and lances.<br />
At the end of August, a reminder was<br />
published in the Army Ordinances Gazette<br />
to accelerate the marking of the<br />
weapons because the disarming action<br />
“is expected very shortly”.<br />
A more detailed explanation on how<br />
to handle the marking was published in<br />
the Army Ordinances Gazette on September<br />
28, 1920 as instruction number<br />
1123 “Marking of weapons of the Reichswehr<br />
/ Handing over of privately<br />
owned military weapons by disarma-<br />
OPPOSITE PAGE AND ABOVE TOP: Today the German Karabiner 98a<br />
can more often been found on the market with the "1920" marking than<br />
the Gewehr 98. The exact position of the mark on the receiver may vary.<br />
ABOVE CENTER: Bringing tears into collectors eyes: A pile of German<br />
weapons less all wooden parts, waiting for the furnace. Don't think about<br />
the value of this pile on the market today. ABOVE: Freikorps fighting in Berlin<br />
in November 1918. Note the Gewehr 98 and the Mauser Broomhandle.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 77 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
a<br />
b<br />
a. A German submachine gun MP18,I with rare tilted magazine well as used with the<br />
snail drum magazine. Military Museum Prague<br />
b. A Pistole 08 made by DWM in 1918. Two years later it got the "1920" mark. Geoffrey<br />
Sturgess collection & photo<br />
c. Also bayonets had to be marked. Here a Seitengewehr SG 98/05 with "1920" mark.<br />
ment-law”. The reason for this explanation<br />
was the confusion caused by<br />
pistols and revolvers privately owned by<br />
officers, officials and other authorized<br />
members of the Reichswehr. These<br />
weapons must not be marked because<br />
they were not property of the army but<br />
rather acquired by their owners by private<br />
means. Because of this obligation<br />
the weapons did count as official military<br />
weapons and thus reduced the total<br />
contingent of the Reichswehr. Not all of<br />
these pistols and revolvers were affected<br />
by the disarmament-law.<br />
The marking “1920” has to be placed<br />
only on the following hand guns:<br />
• Revolver 79 and 83<br />
• Short and long pistol 08<br />
• 9 mm Mauser pistol with 10 rounds<br />
capacity and removable stock<br />
• Equivalent foreign weapons<br />
No further instructions concerning<br />
the markings and the disarmament<br />
were published in the Army Ordinances<br />
Gazette. It is not known whether this<br />
marking-action was helpful or only a<br />
waste of time and money. Undoubtedly<br />
a large amount of weapons disappeared<br />
in dark channels or hidden storages<br />
of the army. Too many documents of<br />
the past have disappeared and a lot of<br />
the secret activities undertaken to fool<br />
the Inter-Allied Control Commissions<br />
have understandably never been documented<br />
on paper. Nevertheless the<br />
collecting, controlling, recording and<br />
scrapping caused the incredible costs of<br />
200 million Reichsmark.<br />
Today the rare marking “1920” on<br />
a collector’s weapon is clear evidence<br />
that the specific weapon was in official<br />
possession of the German Reichswehr<br />
in August 1920. It should be a matter<br />
of reflection about the disarming of the<br />
people and its consequences in history.<br />
It can be a lesson for all of us.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 78 MARCH 2016
c<br />
d<br />
e<br />
f<br />
g<br />
h<br />
d. The hilt of a Prussian infantry officer's sword marked by the Polizeiwehr Bayern (Bavarian Police) with the inventory number "10"<br />
and the "1920" mark. Geoffrey Sturgess collection & photo<br />
e. Checkpoint Alexanderplatz during the revolution in Berlin 1919. The disarming of the people did not avoid armed unrest.<br />
f. Mauser model 1914 self-loading pistol with "1920" mark on the left side of the slide.<br />
g. The Stosstrupp Hitler (raiding party Hitler) arrested town councils during the putsch in November 1923. The armament mainly came<br />
from secret depots containing "lost" military weapons.<br />
h. Freikorps during the Spartacist uprise in January 1919.<br />
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<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 80 MARCH 2016
MATERIAL<br />
WITNESS<br />
BY DAVE LAKE<br />
Steel,<br />
SIMPLIFIED.<br />
Steel is the stuff of which the modern world is made. It is pervasive in<br />
history and its presence and application mirrors the rise and fall of man and<br />
his kingdoms as well as his proliferation around the globe. Scientists and engineers<br />
of the past century have been largely unsuccessful at creating its<br />
replacement. Barring the limitations imposed by the basic laws of physics,<br />
there are not many problems that cannot be solved by the judicious application<br />
of steel in one of its many forms. There is perhaps no better example of<br />
Mankind’s technological triumph than when he used steel to create the gun.<br />
The oldest known “gun” by todays definition was developed in China<br />
(agree most anthropologists and archaeologists). The first guns created by<br />
the ancient Chinese were likely bamboo- or other hollowed out wooden tubes,<br />
which may not have been used to fire a projectile. There is some conjecture<br />
that these guns were first implemented as “shock and awe” technique- firing<br />
off bursts of flame and smoke to intimidate and confound a battlefield foe. It<br />
is unclear when exactly the gun would be used to fire a projectile- which was<br />
likely an accident the first time it happened. Man’s inherent need and ability to<br />
fix and improve things around him would ultimately adapt the simple pyrotechnic<br />
display into an implement crafted from steel, and intended to fire a projectile.<br />
The rest of the story of the gun follows man through the middle Ages,<br />
the time of exploration and conquest, and ultimately the industrialization and<br />
modernization of manufacturing and the globalization of commerce. There are<br />
marked times, usually times of war that spawned the great advancements<br />
in the science of the gun. Mounted cavalry, siege weapons, personal body<br />
armor, cannon and naval warfare all demanded that the gun become more<br />
potent and precise. Distance and accuracy and power would become requisite<br />
qualifications of the gun. Sometime in the last 500 years, the science of<br />
the gun seems to have reached a plateau, relatively speaking. Every shooter<br />
from a matchlock pistol to a shore gun battery would be made of steel (as they<br />
still are). Steel could provide the strength to exploit the power required to inflict<br />
the ranged effect we associate with the modern firearm.<br />
The meter of the modern small arm often and deservedly defers to the “mil<br />
spec.” This is an established code of standardization. It envelops a set of rules<br />
and requirements for anything claiming to be up to par. It is not necessarily<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 81 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
a qualifier of excellence or superiority- unless superiority<br />
can indeed be found in uniformity and consistency. The<br />
term “mil-spec” has become a generic descriptor, and is<br />
often applied to any of the wares and materials purveyed<br />
by today’s arms makers. And it is not entirely incorrect to<br />
refer to a steel alloy applied or used per an established<br />
mil-spec as “ordnance steel.” It is widely agreed that ordnance,<br />
or mil-spec steel refers to a specific family of steel<br />
alloy; chrome-moly, such as 4140. The enforcement of<br />
standards and uniformity is absolutely necessary to ensure<br />
any amount of quality and reliability in any system.<br />
Today all metal alloys are given a title or numerical designation<br />
from one of the authorities on metallurgy and engineering,<br />
the SAE, and AISI. These material names and<br />
designations describe a recipe or physical and chemical<br />
properties. So a steel may be described by what it actually<br />
is, as is the case with 4140CM steel, the 4 digit label<br />
indicates general type of alloy, and the precise levels of<br />
other additive elements to make the steel.<br />
In actual terms, depending on the manufacturer of a<br />
gun or its components, the terms Mil spec and Ordnance<br />
Steel may be used to describe any of the following (but<br />
not limited to); 4130, 4140, 4145, 4150, 4320, or 4340<br />
chrome moly alloys. The truth of the fact is that ANY steel<br />
may fall into the category of being “mil-Spec” provided<br />
that it satisfies the criteria set forth in the military standard<br />
for operating and yield strength for a specific application.<br />
There is a tendency for gun manufacturers to use misleading<br />
descriptions of their steel and its capabilities in<br />
order to promote sales. All steels are not created equal.<br />
This sales tactic can put the gun and its user at risk. All<br />
steels are not created equal; beware of the fly-by-night<br />
startup gun company that professes tactical supremacy<br />
but omits the metallurgical details of their operation. That<br />
said, modern firearms components from reputable sources<br />
(as are most things engineered) are designed with a<br />
“safety factor” in mind. Any gun barrel today should be<br />
designed with a minimum 1.5 safety factor- which means<br />
that barrel is designed to endure 1.5 times its intended<br />
operating load before failure or fatigue. The “mil-spec” for<br />
a steel structure usually demands a factor of only 1.5.<br />
Commercial engineering often requires a safety factor<br />
of 2.0 or higher. One should also be wary of the claim<br />
of “aerospace” in firearms design. The tolerance, safety<br />
factor and quality assurance by aerospace standards all<br />
become prohibitively expensive and ultimately restrictive<br />
to the end user. Aerospace grade demands a total detailed<br />
and documented control and trace of material from<br />
creation through use and operation. Nothing about your<br />
rifle is aerospace grade.<br />
On to the specifics of the steel that may be encountered<br />
in the modern small-arm. There are only 4 general<br />
types of steel; carbon, tool, alloy, and stainless. All material<br />
that can be described as steel is one of these. The<br />
creators of steel add various trace elements to iron to<br />
achieve desired properties. All steel contains between<br />
.25% and 2.5% carbon, which allows the base iron to be<br />
chemically or thermally manipulated with or without the<br />
addition of other alloying elements. To earn the rank of<br />
stainless, the recipe of that steel must contain at least<br />
11% chromium. Chrome moly alloy steel does contain<br />
chromium, but not enough to be stainless. And all stainless<br />
steel is not totally rust resistant. Some stainless is<br />
highly magnetic. It is doubtful that one will encounter a<br />
low carbon or plain carbon steel on a gun today; industry<br />
lawyers and a general concern for safety have well<br />
established a minimum for safety standards. Tool steel<br />
is capable of being very hard and tough, but is more difficult<br />
to craft. It may be used on guns in small amounts<br />
to form items like trigger parts or lock components. One<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 82 MARCH 2016
should expect to find all (non-stainless) gun barrels and<br />
receivers to be made of an alloy steel; nickel-steel, nickel-chrome,<br />
or chrome-moly steel. These types of steel<br />
contain trace amounts- usually only up to 3% by mass<br />
of these other elements. The presence of nickel imparts<br />
extra strength and tremendous resistance to temperature<br />
and mechanical stresses. It is interesting to note that iron<br />
meteorites are usually an iron-nickel alloy- containing up<br />
to 25% nickel. That high nickel content is responsible<br />
for the meteorite’s ability to survive entry. The presence<br />
of chrome and molybdenum in steel alloy will increase<br />
hardness and resilience. Plain carbon steel is too weak<br />
and brittle or soft for firearms application. Chrome moly<br />
steels are not resistant to oxidation and other surface<br />
reactions to include rust and corrosion. Gun parts commercially<br />
produced from chrome moly steel are always<br />
encountered with a coating or treatment to inhibit surface<br />
corrosion. The most common are blueing and parkerizing<br />
which form protective oxide barriers on the steel. Chrome<br />
moly steel may be coated, clad, or plated in other metals<br />
like electroless nickel, hard chrome or newer high performance<br />
metal/polymer matrix coatings.<br />
Chrome moly steel is indeed the first choice of the<br />
professional market. It is tough. It maintains strength and<br />
stability over a wide temperature range. It resists fatigue<br />
and failure caused by abrasion, wear and heat. Even in<br />
hostile maritime environments, today’s material science<br />
offers a host of treatments and coatings to protect the<br />
steel from surface attack. Chrome moly used in ordnance<br />
is not a “free machining alloy”, that is, it is difficult to machine<br />
and form. However, chrome moly does lend itself<br />
well to the application of these aforementioned coatings<br />
and surface treatments. We are all familiar with “chromelined”<br />
barrels. Most all gun barrels in general circulation<br />
with our armed forces- pistol and rifle alike are chrome<br />
lined (M-16 rifle, M9 sidearm). Adding a layer of abrasion<br />
and heat resistant hard chrome to the interior surface<br />
of a barrel adds longevity. In the case of the M16 or<br />
AR-15, if it is respected and not abused, a chrome-lined,<br />
chrome-moly steel barrel can expect to serve its owner<br />
with good function and acceptable accuracy up to or beyond<br />
twenty thousand rounds.<br />
Stainless steel is rapidly becoming the default material<br />
used by barrel manufacturers. The most common alloy<br />
used in the gun market is known as 416R. This stainless<br />
steel makes an attractive barrel to be sure. It’s bright and<br />
shiny, and is known for being easy to machine. 416R is a<br />
“free machining alloy” which implies that it is created with<br />
a molecular structure that makes the material easy to cut.<br />
Free machining alloys employ trace amounts of lead and<br />
sulfur to improve machinability. While making this steel<br />
cost effective to manufacturers, and visually attractive<br />
to the consumer, the mechanical properties of free-machining<br />
alloy may also make it less desirable to the<br />
well-informed. 416R is not nearly as abrasion resistant<br />
as chrome-moly steel. And it can only claim 65,000 psi<br />
tensile strength (4140CM boasts 98,000psi). 416R does<br />
not resist fatigue and erosion from exposure to high heat.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 83 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
At high heat levels- those commonly encountered<br />
in military applications, 416<br />
can distort, lose its heat treated state,<br />
and even de-alloy—a condition where<br />
the additive materials lose their microscopic<br />
bonds to the iron/carbon structure.<br />
So this material, while in use, could<br />
become unsuitable or even unsafe. Not<br />
to worry—416R comes with a reliable<br />
programmed response to imminent failure.<br />
It will split like a banana peel before<br />
it fragments. This splitting action<br />
is resultant of the “stringers” as they’re<br />
called, the areas of sulfur that co-mingle<br />
in-between the regions of martensite<br />
(crystalline structures) in the metal alloy.<br />
There are other grades of stainless one<br />
might encounter in barrel making. 410,<br />
420 and 17-4 are less common, though<br />
they are found in use. 17-4 is renowned<br />
as a super alloy. It is fabled to get stronger<br />
from heat exposure. It has been said<br />
that it possesses mystical powers to<br />
“self-heal” micro fractures and surface<br />
defects. Few have ventured to deepdrill<br />
and cut rifling into a chunk of 17-4.<br />
Many have failed. The name Noveske<br />
will forever be remembered as one that<br />
succeeded. 17-4 is mainly used in pistol<br />
and revolver frames, muzzle devices,<br />
or small parts and even receivers and<br />
bolts of custom high-end high-power rifles.<br />
The last stainless worth mentioning<br />
here is 410 alloy. It is the underachiever<br />
of the bunch. The yield of this material is<br />
actually less than its intended operating<br />
threshold- a fact that some in the industry<br />
will argue. 30,000 PSI is where 410 can<br />
undergo “plastic deformation,” that is, be<br />
stressed past its ability to bounce back.<br />
Barrel makers still use this stuff knowing<br />
that a 5.56 NATO cartridge reaches<br />
over 60,000 psi just after ignition. Is this<br />
cause for alarm? Not really. Stress is<br />
calculated as a constant applied force.<br />
The pressure curve inside a gun barrel<br />
in not contained for any period of time,<br />
nor at a static load, but rather a burst<br />
that reaches a peak pressure. The pressure<br />
is not contained long enough or focused<br />
at a singular point where it could<br />
cause damage to the barrel. The barrel<br />
is saved by the fact that high pressure<br />
gas acts with equal force on all sides<br />
of its container (in this case the barrel)-<br />
and one side of the container (the bullet)<br />
is moving away from this applied force.<br />
So the bullet is effectively a valve that<br />
allows the pressure to escape. 410 alloy<br />
is said to be tougher and more abrasion<br />
resistant than 416. It is used by some<br />
manufactures to make gun barrels to<br />
save cost as it is imminently easy to<br />
machine. The more common stainless,<br />
416R does deliver on some promises.<br />
Many custom rifle builders who work<br />
for the competition market trust 416R.<br />
Countless benchrest, palma and F-class<br />
records have been claimed by guns fitted<br />
with barrels made from 416R. This<br />
material does in fact make for a perfect<br />
surface finish during machining. This<br />
perfect surface lends itself to superb accuracy.<br />
A barrel properly ‘smithed from<br />
416R will perform supremely, though<br />
not indefinitely. A match-grade stainless<br />
barrel fit to a high-powered competition<br />
rifle may be expected to have<br />
a good service life of 3000 rounds,<br />
more or less, depending somewhat on<br />
the caliber of the rifle, and largely on<br />
how it is cared for.<br />
Steel of any alloy may be encountered<br />
in a number of “states.” This refers<br />
to the condition of heat treatment it may<br />
have received. Annealed steel has been<br />
softened. This condition does not imply<br />
that the steel is mild- only that it has been<br />
reduced to a softer state to make it more<br />
workable. Hardened steel generally refers<br />
to a surface hardening to improve<br />
that steel’s wear resistance or reduce<br />
its frictional coefficient. This condition<br />
may also be called “case” hardened.<br />
Heat treated steel is generally hardened<br />
throughout, also known as “core” hard.<br />
Core hard is a condition commonly employed<br />
on high wear or high load components.<br />
Certain alloys are better suited<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 84 MARCH 2016
to be case hardened. Others are tailored for<br />
use in core hard applications. For example,<br />
the bolt carrier group in an AR-15 is made<br />
of several steel alloys- each selected for it<br />
properties as they fulfill the requirements<br />
of the BCG’s operation. The bolt itself may<br />
be made of something called Carpenter<br />
158 that has been heat treated to a desired<br />
surface hardness to resist wear while maintaining<br />
internal elasticity, and resistance to<br />
fracture of the locking lugs. The bolt carrier<br />
body is commonly made of core hard<br />
8620- a nickel-chrome-moly steel used for<br />
its superior resistance to heat induced fatigue<br />
and mechanical shock. The carrier<br />
houses a high-temp expansion chamber<br />
that is usually hard chrome plated. The gas<br />
key might be made of 4130CM, and specially<br />
coated to resist high temperature and<br />
impart lubricity so as not to cause abrasion<br />
to interacting surfaces. The cam pin receives<br />
tremendous abuse, and is formed<br />
from a core-hard piece of 4340CM—very<br />
high in nickel and chrome. The cam pin<br />
will endure severe abuse- repetitive compressive<br />
and shear forces and high heat<br />
imparted by the M-16’s operating system.<br />
These parts are often protected by a hard<br />
metal plating or clad in a metal/polymer matrix.<br />
Both, designed to kill friction and resist<br />
heat’s damaging effects.<br />
So we can conclude that there is no<br />
“best” steel for your gun. Lesser materials<br />
may be used to great result provided proper<br />
engineering and quality assurance to back<br />
them up. Super alloys can lose all their attraction<br />
when cost and gained advantage<br />
are brought into proportion. Long past are<br />
the days of Damascus steel when one<br />
could be killed by his own gun if the bi-metal<br />
structure were to give way. The quality and<br />
consistency of steel used in the industry today<br />
exceeds the quality of manufacture implemented<br />
by the gun makers themselves.<br />
Our modern steel industry is nearly flawless.<br />
Good steel makes us better.<br />
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<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 86 MARCH 2016
LEFT: Czech ZB26<br />
light machine gun.<br />
People<br />
Czech ZB26<br />
Gunner’s Kit<br />
BY ROBERT G. SEGEL<br />
in the general populace<br />
don’t think of Czechoslovakia<br />
as an international arms<br />
maker of high quality products<br />
with a long history of innovation.<br />
But those familiar with<br />
the world of firearms know that<br />
Czechoslovakia has a wellearned<br />
reputation of not only<br />
producing quality weapons,<br />
but researching, developing<br />
and pioneering new systems.<br />
One such system was the<br />
ZB26. This weapon proved to<br />
be of such a step forward for<br />
a man-portable, full automatic<br />
weapon, that the British, upon<br />
testing, were so impressed<br />
that they licensed the manufacture<br />
of the weapon that was<br />
then known as the Bren gun; a<br />
weapon that served the British<br />
and their Commonwealth nations<br />
for decades.<br />
The Czech ZB26 gunner’s<br />
kit is made of canvas with<br />
leather straps that folds in on itself<br />
for carrying measuring approximately<br />
11 inches long x 7<br />
inches wide x 1.5 inches thick.<br />
Once fully unfolded, leather<br />
pockets hold all of the various<br />
tools needed to maintain the<br />
weapon in proper working order.<br />
On one end is a pocket<br />
that contains spare parts for<br />
the weapon that may wear or<br />
break and are easily replaceable<br />
by the gunner.<br />
ABOVE: Front of folded canvas gunner’s kit for carrying with single leather closing strap.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 87 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
Czech ZB26<br />
17<br />
TOP: First opening and unfolding of canvas kit. Sides are held in place by two leather straps.<br />
CENTER: Further opening of kit shows inner compartment that holds the tools and spare parts.<br />
BOTTOM: Final unfolding of kit showing partitions and slots for the contents of the gunner’s kit.<br />
Note that there is a further canvas pocket on the far left with a flap secured by a simple leather<br />
strap that contains small spare parts.<br />
CONTENTS OF<br />
THE CZECH<br />
ZB26<br />
GUNNER’S KIT:<br />
1. Canvas and leather gunner’s kit<br />
2. Chamber brush<br />
3. Bore brush<br />
4. Punch 2mm<br />
5. Brass drift<br />
6. Steel pin/drift<br />
7. Brass slotted cleaning rod tip<br />
8. Brass jag-type cleaning rod tip<br />
9. Cleaning rod handle section<br />
10. Cleaning rod extensions (two)<br />
11. Oil can<br />
12. Solvent can<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 88 MARCH 2016
1<br />
9<br />
10<br />
13<br />
11<br />
12<br />
14<br />
15<br />
16<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5 6 7 8<br />
13. Combination tool (complete)<br />
with universal wrench,<br />
flash hider wrench, small<br />
screwdriver, large screwdriver,<br />
screwdriver for barrel<br />
handle nut, screwdriver for<br />
shoulder piece nut, and<br />
copper hammer head.<br />
14. Ruptured case extractor<br />
15. Scraper/reamer (complete)<br />
with body, blade<br />
and handle<br />
16. Blank firing attachment<br />
(cylinder type)<br />
17. Pocket attached to main<br />
body of canvas carrier that<br />
contains small spare parts.<br />
Items 18 through 26 are<br />
carried in this pocket<br />
18. Firing pin<br />
19. Firing pin spring<br />
20. Ejector<br />
21. Extractor stay<br />
22. Extractor stay spring<br />
23. Extractor<br />
24. Piston post spring<br />
25. Trigger spring<br />
26. Sear spring<br />
18<br />
19<br />
20<br />
21<br />
2223<br />
25<br />
24<br />
26<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 89 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
GUNS<br />
BY KYLE SHEA<br />
of the<br />
SILVER SCREEN<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 90 MARCH 2016
Star Wars:<br />
GUNS OF A NEW HOPE<br />
On Wednesday, May 25, 1977, film and science fiction<br />
history was made. A film came out about a space opera<br />
in a galaxy far away. It was the story about a young farm<br />
boy going on an adventure to save a princess from an evil<br />
empire and its terrible enforcer. It became a huge financial<br />
success and eventually had an even better sequel about<br />
the empire striking back. It was loved by critics and fans<br />
alike, to the point where even today thousands of fans<br />
dress up as the characters of the movie.<br />
The film was called Star Wars.<br />
It’s probable there are few people in the world that<br />
have not seen Star Wars and its characters. Characters<br />
like Chewbacca, R2-D2, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess<br />
Leia, and, of course, Darth Vader, have all become<br />
household names. Every bookstore is filled with tie-in<br />
books about the characters, and every toy store carries<br />
the toy versions of the weapons.<br />
Speaking of the weapons, the original blasters of the<br />
film were actually guns that were remodeled for the film.<br />
They were chosen for some futuristic appearance even<br />
though they were from the past- WWII German MG34<br />
Light Machine Guns, British Lewis Machine Guns with<br />
their fat radiator jacket and pan feed, as well as the<br />
Broomhandle Mauser that was Han Solo’s pistol. The best<br />
example is the Sterling L2A3 submachine guns (or Mk 4)<br />
that are used by the Stormtroopers, as well as many of<br />
the main characters. Called the BlasTech E-11 Blaster Rifle<br />
in the film, it was the standard issue weapon for the<br />
Stormtroopers. They were seen in all three films of the<br />
original trilogy, especially Return of the Jedi, where some<br />
of the Ewoks are shown using them. Bapty Ltd of London<br />
supplied the firearms for these movies, and Tony Watts<br />
allowed us to photograph them for this issue.<br />
The Sterling submachine gun was designed by George<br />
William Patchett, the Chief designer at the Sterling Armaments<br />
Company of Dagenham. The British Army was<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 91 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20 No. 2
MOVIE GUNS<br />
looking for a new submachine gun in WWII and liked the design<br />
of Patchett’s gun. Although only 120 were built for the war,<br />
they were used in a number of battles, including Operation<br />
Market Garden.<br />
In 1956, the Mark 4 (L2A3) came into service. It was used<br />
in a number of countries, including Argentina, Singapore, and<br />
Iraq. It weighs about 6 pounds without the magazine full of<br />
ammo. The magazine is loaded from the left side and it shoots<br />
9x19mm ammunition. The buttstock folds under the gun, making<br />
it easy to carry when not in use. The firing pin is fixed into<br />
the face of the bolt, making it impossible to remove and it is<br />
open bolt firing. The bolt itself has helical grooves cut into it to<br />
keep dirt out of the inside of the receiver.<br />
The Sterling Mark 4 was in other films like The Wild Geese,<br />
The Spy Who Loved Me, Robocop, and You Only Live Twice,<br />
as well as many TV Shows and Video Games. However, it is<br />
most recognized by movie goers as the Blaster of choice for<br />
the dreaded Stormtoopers, though they don’t hit much with it<br />
other than set decorations. Both are part of a story loved by<br />
millions, if not billions, of fans. A story about a battle between<br />
good and evil, in a galaxy far, far away.<br />
May the Force be with you. Always.<br />
Serial number - Obscured. Most of the original BlasTech<br />
E-11 (Sterlings) were deactivated and sold as European style<br />
“Deacs” and were quite popular with the collectors. They<br />
seldom come up for sale. The receivers of those are not destroyed,<br />
so they cannot legally come to the United States unless<br />
imported as Post-1986 dealer samples.<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 92 MARCH 2016
S ARound Answer<br />
Key on page 96
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 94 MARCH 2016
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 95 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2
CROSSWORD<br />
ANSWER KEY<br />
ADVERTISER’S<br />
INDEX<br />
Americansnipers.org 33<br />
Battle Arms Development, Inc. 2<br />
Black Hills Ammunition 49<br />
Chipotle Publishing, LLC 75<br />
Chipotle Publishing, LLC 55<br />
Chipotle Publishing, LLC 19<br />
Dealernfa, Inc 56<br />
Dillon Precision Products, Inc. 57<br />
Elite Survival Systems 84<br />
FNH USA 5<br />
Gun Mountain, LLC 80<br />
James D. Julia, Inc. 15<br />
K-9 Cop Magazine 86<br />
KNS Precision, Inc. 37<br />
Langlotz Patent Works, Inc. 72<br />
Lewis Machine & Tool Co. 99<br />
Liberty Ammunition 92<br />
Nightforce USA 47<br />
NRA 85<br />
Ohio Ordnance Works 3<br />
POF USA 100<br />
Police K-9 Magazine 94<br />
Poulin Antiques and Auctions, Inc. 83<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> EAST 13<br />
Schmidt & Bender GmbH & Co. KG 14<br />
Small Arms Defense Journal 95<br />
Small Arms Review 96<br />
Spyderco, Inc. 31<br />
SSK Industries 64<br />
Trijicon, Inc. 58<br />
Vegas.com 59<br />
Wise Food Company 32<br />
www.smallarmsreview.com 98<br />
<strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2 96 MARCH 2016
EMMAGEEMAN’S CORNER<br />
MACHINE GUN MEMORABILIA<br />
BY ROBERT G. SEGEL<br />
Royal Bulgarian military shooting badge<br />
“For Masterly Shooting” that appears on<br />
the front of the badge. The monogram of<br />
King Boris III (1918-1944) is to the center<br />
with crossed rifles, crossed machine guns<br />
(one Schwarzlose and one Maxim) and a<br />
stick grenade below with the royal crown<br />
at the top. Screw back.<br />
Czechoslovakia 1st Republic Machine<br />
Gun Specialist sleeve badge. Grey wool<br />
cloth with central silver bullion image of II<br />
over 1 over a design representation of the<br />
Schwarzlose M07/12 machine gun within<br />
a silver bullion border.<br />
World War I German death card. Four sided; the front has a photo image of the fallen<br />
soldier. Note the machine gun marksmanship badge on his sleeve. The rear has his<br />
name and details of his death. Inside has a picture of Christ and prayers. Translation of<br />
the German text reads; “As a pious remembrance in prayer of the virtuous young man<br />
Matthias Bruckmoser Sergeant in the 16th Bavarian Infantry Regiment Machine Gun<br />
Company No. 1, holder of the Iron Cross 2nd Class, nominated for the Military Service<br />
Cross 3rd Class, who died the hero’s death for the Fatherland on July 5, 1918 at the age<br />
of 22 years as the result of a shot to his head after 32 months of most faithful performance<br />
of his duty. R.I.P.”<br />
World War I trench art hat made from a 4.5 inch Howitzer shell.<br />
Affixed to the front is a New Zealand Machine Gun Corps brass<br />
cap badge. Above the visor is a copper driving band. There are<br />
full ordnance markings on the shell top including the date of 1915.<br />
Italian colonial interwar high relief bronze 30mm medal. The obverse<br />
shows an Italian machine gun crew wearing sun helmets firing a<br />
Schwarzlose M07/12 in the North African desert with sand and palm<br />
trees present. The reverse is marked: LXIII Battaglione Mitraglieri Motoizzato<br />
“Cirene” (the 63rd Motorized Machine Gun Battalion Cirene<br />
– Cirene is the area where the unit was based in Libya). The red and<br />
white enameled bar is the collar insignia of a machine gun unit.<br />
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 97 <strong>SAR</strong> Vol. 20, No. 2