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Russia’s RPK-74 LMG: A Faithful Servant Since 1974

September 19, 2017, 6:00 am
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When I was in Russia a little over 12 years ago, I had quite a few contacts with former Desantniks (paratroopers) and Spetsnaz operators and made it a point to ask them about the weapons they had used and their opinions of them. Since most had seen combat in Afghanistan or Chechnya, their views of weapons were often very practical. One of the weapons that I discussed with these veterans was the RPK-74, which basically functioned as a squad automatic weapon.

Full-Auto Firestorm

Just as the 7.62x39mm RPK (Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova) had been based on the AKM rifle, the 5.45x39mm RPK-74 was based on the AK-74 rifle. The primary differences between the RPK and the AKM were a heavier and longer barrel that wouldn’t heat up as quickly during full-auto fire; longer-range sights; a threaded barrel to take various muzzle devices; and a sturdier trunnion and receiver cover. The wooden forend and clubfoot buttstock provided for more effective prone use. RPKs were also fitted with bipods. These same features were incorporated into the RPK-74, which, as its designation indicates, was adopted in 1974 and produced by Izhmash. Another change was the reinforced magazine well, and the RPK-74 uses a different guide rod and spring than the AK-74.

Although the RPK accepted 75-round drum magazines, the RPK-74 did not. Well, let me modify that by saying that polymer, 100-round drum magazines were developed, but they weren’t not normally issued because of reliability problems. Instead, 45-round box magazines were issued. This is the extended magazine often seen in photos of ex-Russian paratroopers most often commented on this type of magazine. They liked the fact that the RPK-74 was light enough that it could be carried and fired during an assault, but for defending a position, they wished that it had a quick-detach barrel and a drum or belt-feed system.

Of course, this is the typical tradeoff with a light machine gun, which must be very portable but still have more sustained fire and range than a standard rifle. Note that because the RPK-74 lacks a quick-change barrel, the gunner must limit his fire to less than 100 rounds per minute to prevent overheating and damaging the barrel. This limits the RPK-74’s effective fire to about two 45-round magazines per minute, though in heavy combat a gunner could put as many rounds downrange as fast as possible.

Another soldier I spoke with did not like the fact that the bipod wasn’t adjustable; he felt there were times he would have liked to use lower cover in Chechnya since the high silhouette of RPK-74 gunners often made them targets. Of course, Russian weapons tend to be designed for practicality and to be soldier-proof. The taller bipod is necessary because of the long, 45-round magazine.

The typical RPK-74 gunner carries quite a bit of firepower since standard-issue equipment with the weapon is eight magazines and six stripper clips that hold 15 rounds each (thus allowing two fast reloads of a magazine), a speed-loader guide, a cleaning rod, a cleaning kit, an oil bottle, a sling and magazine pouches. Assuming each magazine is fully loaded with 45 rounds, and with the six stripper clips loaded, an RPK-74 gunner has 450 rounds available to him. And since the RPK-74 can use standard AK-74 magazines, operators can sustain fire with magazines from other members of the squad. If I remember correctly, airborne squads and motorized infantry squads typically have one RPK-74 per squad. Additionally, a squad also has a PKM gunner to give more range and volume of fire.

For airborne and other special operations uses, the RPKS-74 is available with a wooden folding stock. This stock actually adds a few ounces of weight to the RPKS-74 over the standard RPK-74. Versions with side-mounted rails for optics or the NXP-3, NSPU or NSPUM night-vision optics are designated differently. To be more specific, the RPK-74N1 features the NSPU 1PN34 sight, the RPK-74N2 uses the NSPUM 1PN58 sight and the RPK-74N3 is fitted with the NSPU-3 1PN51 sight. The night-vision equipment does add quite a bit of weight. For example, the RPK-74N1 with the NSPU sight weighs just under 17 pounds. I’m not sure if that weight is with or without a loaded magazine. The RPK-74M version is identifiable by its black polymer stock and magazines.

There is also an export version chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO designated as the RPK-201. It is meant to be a companion weapon to the AK-101 assault rifle, which is also chambered in 5.56mm NATO for export. I don’t know of any countries that have adopted either weapon.

Russian tactical doctrine for the RPK-74 seems to be that it should be carried by the gunner during an advance in support of his comrades by adding to the volume of fire to overwhelm an enemy position. In a defensive role, the RPK-74 functions as an area-fire weapon. The heavier PKM in 7.62x54R is the primary squad defensive machine gun, but the portability of the RPK-74 allows it to be quickly moved to another position to counter heavy enemy fire.

As with other Kalashnikov-based wea-pons, the RPK-74 has developed a reputation for excellent reliability. However, the lack of a gas regulator can cause functioning problems if the weapon is extremely dirty, especially in very cold conditions.

RPK-74 In The Field

RPK-74 rifle test

The RPK-74’s effective range is usually given as 300 meters against a point target on full-auto and 400 meters on semi-auto. The maximum range is normally given as 1,000 meters on a point target with the maximum lethal range being 1,500 meters. When initially zeroing the RPK-74 the same type of front sight tool used on other AK-type rifles is needed. However, one benefit that helps the RPK-74 shoot out to longer distances than the AK-74 is a knob on the rear sight that allows shooters to quickly adjust for windage.

I have talked with former Russian paratroopers who feel the RPK-74 is more accurate than the AK-74. I have also noticed that I can shoot more accurately at longer range with an RPK-74 on semi-auto than with an AK-74 on semi-auto. Of course, the fact that I was generally shooting the RPK-74 prone may have helped. I have also seen speculation that the longer RPK-74 barrel more thoroughly burns the gases of the 5.45x39mm round, which improves accuracy. I also have found that the U-notch on the RPK-74’s rear sight helps me shoot it more accurately.

Your ammunition choice can affect the system’s accuracy as well. Ammunition available for the RPK-74 includes steel-core 7N6 ball rounds, 7T3 tracer rounds, upgraded 7T3M tracer rounds, armor-piercing rounds (including the 7N10 with an enhanced penetration bullet) and 7Kh3 blank rounds.

I have found the RPK-74 to be relatively accurate when fired in bursts. I set up multiple targets at 50 and 100 yards and tried engaging them from prone, firing short bursts at each one. As long as the targets were positioned relatively close to each other, it is fairly easy to score multiple hits with each burst. I have actually fired a standard RPK in 7.62x39mm more than the RPK-74 overseas, with longer bursts on targets at 50 and 100 meters. It was easy to keep the bursts on the targets, though there was some vertical stringing in the hits as the bursts progressed. Firing bursts with the RPK-74 does not entail as much noticeable recoil or muzzle rise.

I’ve also tested the portability of the RPK-74 by firing a few rounds, then picking it up, moving to a new position and firing some more, then repeating the process again. The RPK-74 is much more portable than I am, but young Russian paratroopers or infantrymen with better knees than mine should have no problem using it readily in an advance. I’ve also tried firing the RPK-74 off-hand and found it surprisingly handy and well-balanced. I could normally hold it well enough to place shots on a plate at 50 yards.

Still Fighting Strong

RPK-74 soldier carrying

A Russian soldier advances with an RPK-74, ready to drop into a prone firing position.

The Russians have kept the RPK-74 in their arsenal now for over 40 years, so they must see tactical value in it. Since it can be fired during an advance, it is a weapon that encourages aggressiveness. It is also handy enough to be used by airborne or airmobile troops as well as motorized and naval infantrymen. Aesthetically, I like the look of the RPK-74. Its distinctive stock and 45-round magazine make it an interesting-looking weapon. It does still have the disadvantage of limited sustained fire. The equivalent U.S. weapon is the M249 SAW, which is belt-fed and has a quick-change barrel. At 22 pounds loaded, the M249 remains relatively portable, but not as portable as the RPK-74. Admittedly, each Russian squad also has a PKM, which is belt-fed and fires the more powerful 7.62x54R. Still, the RPK-74 seems to fit Russian infantry tactics and remains a viable frontline weapon.

Some former Soviet republics, such as Georgia, Belarus and Ukraine, continue to use the RPK-74, as do some Third World countries. It is also popular with various guerrilla and jihadist movements where its portability and increased firepower make it very useful in ambushes and other hit-and-run-style attacks.

Caliber: 5.45x39mm

Barrel: 23.2 inches

Weight: 10 pounds (empty)

OA Length: 33.3-41.7 inches

Stock: Laminated wood

Sights: Front post, adjustable rear

Action: Select-fire

Finish: Black

Capacity: 45+1

MSRP: N/A

This article was originally published in ‘AK47 & Soviet Weapons’ 2017. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Russia’s RPK-74 LMG: A Faithful Servant Since 1974 appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Gun Review: The Hungarian AMD-65 Spec Ops Carbine

October 10, 2017, 6:00 am
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I have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (Automata Módosított Deszant) 65. Based on the AKM-63, the AMD-65 is a short-barreled weapon designed for Hungarian airborne and motorized infantry units. In fact, the “D” stands for Deszant, which indicates paratrooper usage. As the designation indicates, the AMD-65 was developed in 1965, though it did not enter mass production until 1967.

AMD-65 Design

AMD-65 carbine right profile

While the AMD-65 has many unusual components, including a ventilated steel handguard, a two-chamber muzzle brake, a polymer foregrip and a T-shaped folding stock, the carbine is still an AK at heart, with standard sights and controls, such as the paddle-style magazine release lever.

Design specs for the AMD-65 indicated that it should be smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the AKM-63. It had to be in the same chambering (7.62x39mm) as the AKM-63 and have the same operating characteristics. It had to be suitable for officers and airborne troops (and later, armored troops) with a muzzle brake/compensator to counter muzzle rise, use a 20-round magazine but also be capable of taking 30-rounders and have a folding stock that, when folded, did not prevent the carbine from being fired.

Since I recently completed a book on the Sten gun and a couple of articles on the U.S. M3 submachine gun, both weapons made from stampings and of all-metal construction, I think it is noteworthy that unlike most versions of the AKM, the AMD-65 is mostly made of steel with a bit of polymer. What makes this particularly interesting is that Hungarian versions of the AKM are usually known for their attractive light-colored wooden furniture. Instead of the usual wooden handguard, the AMD-65 uses one made of perforated steel. Both the pistol grip and vertical foregrip of the AMD-65 are of grey polymer. On a short select-fire weapon such as the AMD-65, the vertical foregrip is a boon for control. Unlike the short-barreled Romanian PM md. 90, which uses the standard Romanian foregrip—one that is known for impeding magazine changes with 30-round magazines—the AMD-65’s vertical foregrip is canted forward for easier reloading.

In a move to ease production and parts supply, the rear pistol grip is the same, but it’s reversed to cant rearward. I think that is quite clever.

Although the AMD-65 works fairly well with 30- or even 40-round magazines, it’s still easiest to reload with 20-round magazines, as the vertical foregrip can still interfere when doing a quick change on the fly. The magazine release is the standard AKM paddle, which is easy to operate with the support hand.

The front and rear sights are standard for AKM-type rifles and carbines. The front sight post is protected by rounded wings. The rear sight’s V-shaped notch is adjustable for elevation out to 800 meters. Two special features of the AMD-65 are the side folding “T” stock and the muzzle brake, which has two good-sized openings on each side. To release the stock when folded, you must depress a button under the receiver. This might get easier with practice, but at the range I found that I had to flip the AMD-65 over so I could apply thumb pressure to the release while applying palm pressure to the stock strut when folding or unfolding it. Since the muzzle brake is fitted, the AMD-65 does not have a bayonet lug.

There were some complaints from troops who were issued the AMD-65. Some felt that it wasn’t accurate at longer ranges due to the short barrel and shortened sight radius (4 inches less than with the AKM-63). Based on shooting the AMD-65, I think there is a greater culprit affecting the carbine’s accuracy. The “T” stock is not very comfortable against the shoulder, especially in full-auto fire. But, even worse, it’s impossible to get a good cheekweld when firing using this stock. It is even worse than typical AKM under-folding stocks. However, since it was primarily intended for use by assault troops such as paratroopers and armored infantrymen who would have more need for short-range firepower, this was not considered a major issue. In fact, I understand that armored infantrymen trained to shoot it with the stock folded through firing ports. Using the AMD-65 a lot on full-auto during an assault would create another problem, however. The metal handguard was known to heat up quickly. The short barrel and muzzle brake also were known to make it very noisy.

Present-Day Usage

AMD-65 carbine afghan police firing

A member of a special Afghan Police unit takes aim with a modified AMD-65. Note the rails, M4-style vertical foregrip and holographic sight.

It is my understanding that the AMD-65 was used by Hungarian troops from 1967 to 2006. However, the AMD-65 is still widely encountered in the world’s trouble spots, as it was sold in places such as Angola, Georgia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Laos, Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Zimbabwe, among others. It is widely used by the Afghan National Police and has been used by many private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Many of the AMD-65s supplied to the Afghan Police are likely ex-Hungarian military arms, as the Afghans started receiving them around 2006, when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen figures to the effect that the Hungarians “donated” 39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000 more for the Afghan Police. There have been quite a few complaints from Afghans issued the AMD-65. One is that the shorter barrel/sight radius affects its range and accuracy. Given that the AK design is not inherently accurate, this complaint is not a surprise. Even well-trained users of the AK do not find it to be a tack-driver. I’ve wondered if the complaints might arise because some of the Afghan Police would prefer that they had weapons mounting optics. I have seen photos of weapons with Picatinny rails added to the AMD-65 steel handguard/receiver. For the police mission, the shorter barreled AMD-65 would seem to be a good choice since its operating system is the same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans would be familiar.

Running Hot

AMD-65 carbine marine firing

A U.S. Marine fires an AMD-65 during a demonstration in Afghanistan.

Another complaint is the overheating of handguard, which is valid. On the other hand, the Afghans are not known for fire discipline; instead, they seem to like firing off full magazines on full-auto, often into the air. Don’t forget at least a few “friendly fire” incidents in Afghanistan resulted from “rejoicing” Afghans spraying tracer rounds into the air around U.S. aircraft who assumed they were being fired at. Also, with the front pistol grip, it is fairly easy to avoid touching the handguard when firing on full-auto. From photos and videos I’ve seen taken of Afghan Police training, however, it appears many do not use the vertical foregrip, but instead use the magazine as a foregrip. Not only does this shorten the area between the firing and support hands, but it can also affect reliability by exerting pressure on the magazine.

This may explain some Afghan Police complaints about the AMD-65’s reliability. Generally, reliability is not a problem with AKM-based designs. The AK design is intended to keep running under very harsh conditions without much in terms of maintanence or cleaning. That has normally been my experience. I also don’t remember reading of reliability problems with the AMD-65 among Hungarian troops. Of course, they weren’t in constant combat against the Taliban. My own experience with the AMD-65 is limited. However, I have not had reliability problems the few times I have fired the weapon.

As the U.S. is arming members of the Afghan National Army with 5.56x45mm NATO weapons, some of their AKs are being issued to the Afghan Police as replacements for the AMD-65s. In fact, I cruised some U.S. military sites and most photos showing the Afghan Police being trained over the last couple of years show them with full-sized AKs. I have friends who have trained the Afghan Police, and I don’t remember any of them offering criticisms of the AMD-65, but most were there a few years ago. I don’t know how valid criticisms of the reliability of the AMD-65 are; it may just result from the typical feeling among some troops that the “other guy” has better weapons.

Quite a few parts kits for the AMD-65 were imported into the U.S., with most built with U.S. receivers, compliance parts and barrel extensions to meet the 16-inch requirement. Some were also registered as short-barrel rifles (SBRs) and retained the 12.5-inch barrel, but these were still required to be built as semi-autos. Although I have not seen one, I understand that some kits were built as pistols, thus retaining the 12.5-inch barrel but eliminating the folding stock.

My own experience with the AMD-65 is not extensive, though I have fired the weapon a few times. I did not find any reliability problems but did see justification in most of the other criticisms. I especially find the stock uncomfortable and, as I mentioned before, hard to attain a good cheekweld with. Yes, the metal handguard does heat up, but I noticed another problem with it (and the polymer pistol grip and foregrip). I was firing the AMD-65 on one cold day—below freezing with some wind chill—and found that the handguard and foregrip remained extremely cold without gloves. I guess the shortened sight radius may have affected my accuracy to some extent, but to be honest, I never have shot AKs that accurately with the exception of one semi-auto Polytech I own that shoots really well. I’ve shot the AMD-65 on plates at 50 and 100 yards and found the accuracy acceptable. And it was very loud due to the brake!

I have to admit a lot of my interest in the AMD-65 stems from the fact it is so widely used in “interesting” places. I don’t work in those places as I used to sometimes, but I still feel the need to be familiar with weapons I might encounter there—call it refusal to admit I’m getting older. That’s as good an excuse as any to shoot the AMD-65 if given the chance. But, really, who needs an excuse?

Caliber: 7.62x39mm

Barrel: 12.5 inches

Weight: 7.1 pounds (empty)

OA Length: 27-34.4 inches

Stock: Wire folding

Sights: Front post, adjustable rear

Action: Piston-operated

Finish: Matte black

Capacity: 30+1

MSRP: N/A

This article was originally published in ‘AK47 & Soviet Weapons’ 2017. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Review: The Hungarian AMD-65 Spec Ops Carbine appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Gun Review: The Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun

October 31, 2017, 6:00 am
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Generally, I don’t think of Russian weapons as being elegant, but for some reason, the PPSh-41 has always struck me so while being utilitarian. Conversely, I consider its replacement, the PPS-43, one of the ugliest weapons I’ve ever used. It’s very functional but still ugly.

For me, the most vivid image of the Soviet PPSh-41 is of it in the hands of tank riders, the Soviet infantry who went into battle riding T-34s. Many other Soviet troops also used the PPSh-41. Entire infantry units were equipped with the weapon, and by some estimates, 5 to 6 million PPSh-41s were produced during World War II. Many troops were likely equipped with the gun. At a distance, having a PPSh-41 was a disadvantage, but during an assault at closer range, it could deliver a withering hail of fire.

PPSh stands for “pistolet-pulemyot Shpagina,” or “Shpagin’s machine pistol.” Georgi Shpagin designed it. The 41 was derived from the year (1941) the PPSh-41 was developed and put into production. To some extent, the PPSh-41 owes its development to the Finnish Suomi, which was used effectively against Russian troops during the Winter War. Designed for fast, inexpensive production by semi-skilled workers, the PPSh-41 had only 87 component parts and could be produced by using relatively simple tooling in smaller shops. Stampings were used for the receiver and barrel shroud, and the barrels were often taken from M1891 Mosin-Nagant rifles before being cut in half and chambered for the 7.62x25mm Tokarev round. It took approximately 7.3 machining hours to produce a single PPSh-41.

How It Works

The Soviet PPSh-41 is a blowback-opertated weapon that fires from an open bolt. A striker is permanently attached to the bolt face. To cushion recoil on full-auto, a fiber buffer is affixed to the return-spring guide rod. The safety and selector are, in my opinion, of much better design than those on many other mass-produced World War II submachine guns. The safety is incorporated into the cocking handle, and pushing a slider on top of the cocking handle inward locks the bolt to the rear or forward. The selector is a switch inside the triggerguard, just in front of the trigger.

For ease of maintenance, the receiver is hinged and can be rotated upward for cleaning. The barrels were also chromed, which countered the effects of the corrosive ammunition used. Another interesting feature is the barrel shroud, which incorporates a crude muzzle brake that extends at an angle in front of the barrel. The muzzle brake helps dampen muzzle climb to some extent but also increases noise and muzzle flash. The wooden stock is more comfortable than many skeletonized steel stocks on other WWII designs. The rear sight uses flip-up apertures for 100 and 200 meters.

The paddle-style magazine release is located behind the magazine well. The Soviet PPSh-41 looks best with the 71-round drum magazine (based on the Suomi’s), but many users prefer the 35-round stick magazine. The 71-round drum takes quite a bit of time to load, however. As with AK drums, you remove the cover, wind the rotor and insert the cartridges. Also, for the best reliability, only about 65 rounds should be loaded. Still, a PPSh-41 doesn’t look right to me without the drum. Soviet infantrymen often carried a drum in the PPSh-41 and spare stick magazines in pouches or pockets. A PPSh-41 with a fully loaded drum weighed 12 pounds, so although it was relatively short and handy, it was heavy. A sling is also important when carrying the PPSh-41. Soviet troops often carried them slung across their chests.

The PPSh-41’s cyclic rate is fairly high—900 rounds per minute—but the weight and rudimentary muzzle brake helped keep the muzzle on target. Many Soviet conscript infantrymen were not especially well trained when thrown into combat, and they likely emptied their drums in one or two bursts until they gained combat experience. At that point, some might have flipped the selector switch to the rear for semi-auto fire at longer ranges.

Beyond Russia

Although many submachine gun aficionados are especially fond of the German MP38 and MP40, German troops on the Eastern Front liked the Soviet PPSh-41 and often used captured ones in combat. Obtaining ammo wasn’t a problem, as the 7.63x25mm round used in the Mauser 1896 Broomhandle was almost the same as the 7.62x25mm Tokarev round. Captured PPSh-41s were given the German designation MP717(r), with the “r” standing for Russian.

Some captured PPSh-41s were converted to 9x19mm and designated as the MP41(r). Whether in the hands of Soviets or Germans, the PPSh-41 was probably especially useful during the Russian winter, as the high-speed 7.62x25mm Tokarev—particularly the armor-piercing (AP) load—could punch through heavy winter clothing.

After WWII, the Soviets supplied many PPSh-41s to the North Koreans and Red Chinese, who used them in human-wave assaults against United Nations positions during the Korean War. North Korea and China also produced their own versions of the weapon—the Type 49 and Type 50, respectively.

During the Korean War, U.S. GIs called PPSh-41s “burp guns” because of their distinctive sound on full-auto. Appreciating the PPSh-41’s lethality at close quarters, they used their M1 Garands, M2 Carbines and Browning machine guns to try to keep the Chinese and North Koreans at a distance. Various other Soviet allies—including Hungary, Poland and Yugoslavia—produced versions of the PPSh-41, and a dozen other countries used it.

Hands-On Experience

When I did my first foreign weapons training, I was disappointed: We used a PPS-43, not a PPSh-41. However, I eventually got a chance to do lots of shooting with the weapon, once in Finland with a PPSh-41 captured during WWII. I was glad to get the chance to shoot the weapon again for this article. I felt a little guilty about one thing, though. My friend who owns the PPSh-41, which is registered, had loaded the magazines, and I shot them dry, dodging a tedious task. I owe him big time.

One interesting aspect of shooting the PPSh-41 is how you place your support hand. I’ve seen WWII photos of Soviet troops firing it with their support hand in front of the triggerguard and behind the magazine, or with the support hand just in front of the drum, grasping the receiver in front of the magazine well or slightly forward of that, with the barrel shroud resting on the front of the palm. I’ve typically used the latter method, as I find it gives me the best control of the weapon on full-auto. Occasionally, I’ve seen photos of the PPSh-41 being fired with the drum magazine resting on the palm of the support hand. I wouldn’t think that would offer much control on full-auto unless the shooter gripped the magazine tightly, which could pull it and increase the likelihood of a malfunction.

My experience has been that, with good (not overloaded) drum magazines or stick magazines, the PPSh-41 is very reliable. Original drum magazines were, I believe, serial-numbered to the gun, and those worked most reliably. I did all of my shooting at plates from 50 yards, mostly reacquainting myself with the weapon’s operation.

I used the safety whenever I stopped shooting and found it was easy to push in, but switching to “fire” usually required using my shooting-hand thumb. The paddle-style magazine release was a little small and, given that Soviet troops were often fighting during the Russian winter, would not have been too mitten-friendly. The selector switch was easy to pull back into the semi-auto position or nudge forward into full-auto with my trigger finger. As advertised, the slanted front of the barrel shroud helped dampen muzzle flip, but there was a lot of noise and flash. At 50 yards, the sights were usable, and on semi-auto, I hit the plates frequently.

As I had learned earlier, although though the drums look cool, it’s easier to shoot the PPSh-41 with the stick magazines, which are significantly lighter. With a loaded 35-round stick magazine, the PPSh-41 weighs about 9.5 pounds, which is substantially less than with a loaded drum. Overall, the submachine gun handled more easily with the stick magazine, though the drum lets you go prone more readily.

It had been a few years since I shot a Soviet PPSh-41, and it remains one of my favorite World War II submachine guns. As much as I like the PPSh-41, however, I don’t think I would’ve wanted to carry one while precariously clinging to a T-34 tank, especially when there would be other poorly trained conscripts clinging to it, too, their hands and bodies possibly cold—which they might have attempted to warm with vodka. At times, I imagine, we’d have bounced along with the bolt open on our weapons; ones loaded with highly penetrative .30-caliber ammunitation. I like the weapon and picturing the tank riders, but I wouldn’t want to be one, even if I got to carry a Soviet PPSh-41.

Soviet PPSh-41 Specs

Caliber: 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Barrel: 10.6 inches

OA Length: 33.2 inches

Weight: 8 pounds (empty)

Stock: Wood

Sights: Hooded front, flip-up aperture rear

Action: Blowback-operated, select-fire

Finish: Matte black

Capacity: 35+1 (box), 71+1 (drum)

This article was originally published in “Military Surplus” 2018. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Review: The Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Guns of the Elite: Portugal’s Spec-Ops Warrios

June 19, 2015, 6:00 am
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Portugal SWJA15 CTOE Portugal SWJA15 DAE Portugal SWJA15 Franchi Portugal SWJA15 helicopter Portugal SWJA15 HK416 Portugal SWJA15 FN Minimi MK3 Portugal SWJA15 HK MP5 Portugal SWJA15 FN P90 Portugal SWJA15 Sig Sauer P226

Portugal is a relatively small country of 35,603 square miles and a population of about 10.4 million. However, in the past, Portugal had a large colonial empire that required well-trained troops to maintain. Portugal is also a member of NATO. Though the colonial empire is gone, some of the elite units formed for service in the colonies remain as important parts of the Portuguese armed forces.

The best known of these units is probably the Portuguese Army Commandos, which was originally formed in 1962 to perform special operations in Portuguese colonies. Army Commandos were best known for counterinsurgency operations in Africa. Portuguese Commandos proved very effective during the fighting in Mozambique and Angola, but after the end of the colonial conflicts, the Commandos were merged with the Portuguese airborne force.

However, the Commandos were reactivated in 2002 as an independent Commando Battalion with two Commando Companies and a Training Company. In 2005, Commandos were deployed to Afghanistan. An additional Commando Company was also authorized.

As with many elite units, Commando training emphasizes psychological as well as physical toughness, namely the ability to keep going despite hardships. Only about 20 percent of trainees pass the selection course. Once again, as with many elite training courses, the Commandos are kept unsure of what they will be required to do next. This is intended to develop their ability to quickly adjust to unforeseen circumstances in combat. Among the primary missions of the Commandos today are long-range surveillance and intelligence gathering, though they are also trained for direct-action missions and counterinsurgency. Commandos wear red berets.

Rapid Reaction Brigade

The Commandos are part of the Portuguese Brigada de Reaccao Rapida (Rapid Reaction Brigade). Also part of this brigade are the Portuguese Airborne battalions, though they retain the designations of former regiments—the 3rd Cavalry Regiment (Recon), and 10th and 15th Parachute Infantry Regiments. The 15th Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest units in the Portuguese Army, having been established in 1641. The 15th Airborne Infantry acts as the cadre at the Portuguese Parachute Troops School. Prior to 1993, Portuguese paratroopers had been part of the Air Force and had seen a lot of action in colonial wars in Africa as Paratrooper Hunter Battalions. Since the current airborne forces are structured more as a heavier airborne force than when with the Air Force, the unit has added some specialist battalions incorporating an anti-tank company, a heavy mortar company, a services and support group, a field artillery group, an engineering company, an anti-aircraft artillery battery and a helicopter support group. There is also a War Dogs Center and a Pathfinder Company. Paratroopers wear green berets.

“Though the colonial empire is gone, some of the elite units formed for service in the colonies remain as important parts of the Portuguese armed forces.”

The Pathfinder Company is considered an elite within the parachute forces. In addition to carrying out reconnaissance of landing zones, the Pathfinders can also set up combat air control in forward locations. Though not their primary mission, the Pathfinders are also trained to carry out limited direct-action or recon missions.

Also part of the Rapid Reaction Brigade are members of the Portuguese CTOE (Special Operations Troop Center). The CTOE has the mission of training Portuguese troops in counterterrorism and unconventional warfare. Part of the CTOE is a special operations unit designated the DOE, which has the missions of long-range recon, raids against enemy command and control, destruction of enemy air defenses and radar stations, and prisoner-recovery missions. The DOE is trained for airborne, heliborne, small boat and other types of insertions. The unit is often equated with the U.S. Army Rangers. Elements of the CTOE have been deployed to Bosnia, East Timor, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Among specialized training offered by the CTOE are sniping, psychological warfare, mountaineering and various others. Members of the CTOE can also attend other courses, including combat diving, forward air controller, combat medic, combat communications, demolitions, NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical), intelligence gathering, static line and free-fall parachuting, and small boat handling. Members of the CTOE also attend foreign courses in the U.S., UK, Germany, Spain, Norway and Brazil. These include the German LRRP School, Norwegian cold weather training and Brazilian jungle warfare training.

Navy & Airborne

Within the Portuguese Navy is a small special warfare unit—the DAE (Destacamento de Acoes Especials). Its missions include beach recon, combat search and rescue (CSAR), maritime anti-terrorism (MAT), demolitions against enemy ships and installations, raids across the beach, and other special operations. Those undergoing selection for the DAE first complete combat diving and underwater demolition training. After successful completion of that phase, they receive training in escape and evasion, high-speed driving, mountaineering, small-unit tactics and parachuting. They also learn English if they do not already speak it. The unit has a strength of approximately 60 and comprises a command unit along with four 10-man combat teams. Among units with which the DAE trains are the U.S. Navy DEVGRU, British SBS, French Commandos Marine, Spanish UOE and Brazilian GRUMEC. The DAE unit has been deployed to Angola, Zaire, Guinea-Bissau, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.

Though airborne forces are no longer part of the Portuguese Air Force, the Air Force does retain a small special operations unit—the UPF (Unidade de Protecao da Forca). Its missions include protection of Portuguese air bases, VIP protection and CSAR. For the latter mission, members of the UPF have trained with U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen.

More Elite Units

The Portuguese Marines, the Corpo de Fuzileiros, have a long and distinguished history as an elite unit; the unit can trace its history to 1618. The Fuzileiros
have the missions of amphibious warfare, coastal reconnaissance and raiding, guerrilla and unconventional warfare, maritime interdiction and combat boarding. In most countries the training of Marines is rigorous, but that of the Fuzileiros is among the world’s toughest, lasting 42 weeks with an average of only 25 percent completing the training and earning the dark blue beret. They march long distances, complete tough obstacle courses, learn to rappel and free climb, train with small boats and learn demolitions. They also spend a lot of time training for close-combat situations with weapons, blades and hand-to-hand. The
Fuzileiros consist of two Marine Battalions as well as a Fire Support Company, a Transport Support Company and a Naval Police Unit. The DAE special operations unit is considered part of the Marine Corps. Among units with which the Fuzileiros train are the U.S. Marine Corps and the British Royal Marines.

One other unit that should be mentioned is Portugal’s national counterterrorist unit—the GOE (Grupo de Operacoes Especials). Part of the Public Security Police, the GOE has principal responsibility for counterterrorist operations within Portugal and is also deployed for VIP protection, including motorcades and VIP countersniper missions, as well as raids on dangerous criminal organizations. The GOE is organized into a command element, a support unit, three Intervention Operational Groups, each with a strength of 20 to 25 operators, and one Technical Operational Group responsible for training, explosive ordnance disposal, working dogs and use of technical surveillance devices.

Guns & Gear

As can be expected with so many units, a diverse group of weapons are used. The mostly widely used rifle is the HK G36, in “K,” “KE” and “C”configurations. Other rifles that have seen some use are the HK G3 and HK416 (5.56mm)/HK417 (7.62mm), and the Sig SG543. Portuguese Marines have used M4 Carbines with M203 grenade launchers. Among the sniper rifles used by the various units are the 5.56mm Sig SG550 Sniper, the 7.62mm HK PSG1/MSG90A1, Accuracy International AW rifles in .338 Lapua, 7.62mm and .50 BMG, and the .50-caliber Barrett M82 and M95.

Principal submachine guns include the HK MP5 and MP5SD, the FN P90, the HK UMP and the Uzi. Shotguns include the Franchi SPAS-12 and SPAS-15, the Benelli M3 and M4, the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 590. Primary handguns used include the Sig Sauer P226, P228 and P2022, the Glock 17 and Glock 19, and the HK USP. Heavier weapons include the 5.56mm FN Minimi, the 7.62mm HK21E, the 7.62mm Rheinmetall M3 and the 5.56mm HK MG4.

As a long-standing member of NATO and a country with a proud military tradition, Portugal has retained an array of units that can carry out special missions at home or abroad. Portugal has also developed close military ties with other nations that allow its special operations units to get world-class training. Portugal’s spec-ops warriors stand ready to serve and defend.

The post Guns of the Elite: Portugal’s Spec-Ops Warrios appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Gun Review: Sig Sauer’s M11-A1 9mm Handgun

August 20, 2015, 10:00 am
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Sig Sauer M11-A1 Tactical Weapons lead Sig Sauer M11-A1 9mm round Tactical Weapons training Sig Sauer M11-A1 Tactical Weapons Rosario Dawson Sig Sauer M11-A1 Tactical Weapons solo

When the Beretta M9 was adopted in 1985, it was intended to replace a wide range of pistols and revolvers used by the U.S. armed forces.  It did a good job of it, too, except that there remained a need for a more compact pistol to be carried by investigators from the Army CID, Navy NCIS and Air Force OSI, as well as some pilots and intelligence officers. Previously, most investigators had been armed with snub-nosed Colt or Smith & Wesson revolvers. A replacement would need to be in the now-standard 9x19mm NATO chambering and be more readily concealed than the M9. At least some consideration was given to adopting a more compact version of the Beretta 92 upon which the M9 is based, but instead the Sig Sauer P228 was adopted as the M11.

Although the M9 and M11 are considered the two standard U.S. military pistols, they are not the only ones that have been in service over the last two decades. U.S. Navy SEALs have used the P226 Navy model and more recently the MK25 version of the P226. The SEALs and other special operations units have also used the HK MK23 Mod 0 “Offensive” handgun. The MK23 retains the .45 ACP chambering of the Colt 1911, as do some 1911-type pistols adopted for the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC) personnel. Currently, Colt is producing the M45 CQBP (Close Quarter Battle Pistol) for Marine special operators. Special Forces operators have used an array of weapons, including Glock pistols.

Military M11s

That’s some history, but let’s get back to the M11. Investigators, military intelligence personnel and pilots all have a sound reason for needing a more compact pistol than the M9; hence, some aircrew are issued the M11. Aircrew are especially weight conscious, since they are limited to what they can carry on a survival vest. Since an M11 with one loaded magazines weighs 28.8 ounces while an M9 with one loaded magazine weighs 41.6 ounces, there is a real advantage for aircrew. Still, some aircrew are issued the M9 rather than the M11.

There also seems to be a certain status in being issued an M11. My military contacts tell me that some higher-ranking officers want an M11. Some female MPs with small hands and some female officers also seem to be authorized the M11 instead of the M9. SEALs and other special operators also use the M11 sometimes when they want a more concealable pistol. As of March 2003, various military investigative agencies had 5,317 in their armories, with at least some possibly being Sig Sauer P228s acquired before the deliveries of the M11 began.

Since the NCIS is a civilian investigative agency unlike the CID and OSI, they are not as wedded to military-issue weapons. As a result, in 2008 Sig Sauer announced that the NCIS would be acquiring .40-caliber P229s and P239s to replace their M11s. The U.S. Coast Guard also uses .40 P229s.

“As with every Sig Sauer pistol I can remember testing, its reliability has been excellent—100 percent so far without any cleaning.”

Contacts tell me that at least some units have ordered holsters for the M11 from various makers. However, the standard holster appears to be the GI M14 holster (NSN: 1095-01-338-4770). This is a forward-canted concealment holster with a retention snap. Flight crew survival vests have a built-in holster that will take an M9 or an M11. Generally, though, U.S. pilots are only issued a sidearm when flying in  or near a combat zone.

The M11 is loaded with the same M882 ball ammo with 124-grain bullets as the M9. Although you will find differing sources on specifications for the M882 round, normally it is considered to be loaded at +P pressures and provides muzzle velocities between 1,150 and 1,200 fps.

The Everyman’s M11

Now Sig Sauer offers the M11-A1, a civilian version of the military’s M11. In simple terms the M11-A1 is an improved version of the original GI M11 that theoretically meets the basic “Technical Data Package” for the M11; however, I understand that as this is written M11-A1s are not being delivered to the armed forces. For the civilian shooter, though, the M11-A1 offers a chance to own a pistol that shares many features with the military-issued M11.

There are a lot of features to like on the M11-A1. For example, it has corrosion-resistant internal parts, as do the pistols Sig makes for the U.S. Navy SEALs. The slide also has Sig’s Nitron finish, which I have found holds up quite well on the P226 I have carried quite a bit. As I understand it, Nitron is similar to what is known as a diamond-like carbon (DLC) finish. This is applied through PVD (Physical Vapor Disposition) and/or PA-CVD (Plasma Assisted Chemcial Vapor Dispostion), a process that increases wear resistance. The frame is hardcoat anodized. Another feature is the Short Reset Trigger, which makes it easier to engage multiple targets quickly.

I use the Double Action Kellerman (DAK) trigger system on a lot of my Sig Sauer pistols, but I have also used the conventional double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger system for years, so I don’t mind that the M11-A1 uses this system, though it does make for a significant difference in the first-round DA pull and SA pull for subsequent rounds. I also like the SIGLITE night sights, as I use night sights on most of my pistols and am used to acquiring my targets in low light. The one problem with night sights in general, including the SIGLITEs, is that if they are off in elevation, it is necessary to track down the proper front sight post, which can be mastered with practice. I usually try to adjust by trying different loads until I find one that shoots to the point of impact.

An interesting feature present on the military M11s and retained on the M11-A1 is the military-standard unique identification (UID) label on the pistol’s frame. It carries the manufacturer’s code, weapon identification and serial number. Since I don’t scan my weapons in and out of my armory, I find it an interesting cosmetic feature that gives the pistol more of a GI aura rather than a practical feature.

The M11-A1 has a lanyard ring. This is always a useful feature on a military pistol and would be especially so on a pistol used by aircrew or naval personnel, where retention could be an issue. More recently, the U.S. armed forces have been acquiring the M9A1, which has an accessory rail. The M11 does not have an accessory rail, nor does the M11-A1. This makes sense, as the M11 is intended as a concealment pistol rather than a “tactical” pistol.

One thing that should be borne in mind when evaluating the M11 pistol is that members of the OSI and CID have the dignitary protection mission with generals and Department of Defense officials. The M11 offers a good compromise between compactness, magazine capacity and performance. Just as a side note, other federal agents with protective missions, such as the Department of State Security (DSS) and Secret Service, carry similar Sig Sauer pistols, though Secret Service P229s are chambered in .357 SIG.

Test Fire

I’ve taken the M11-A1 to the range a couple of times now. I used mostly GI overrun 124-grain Winchester and Federal ammo, but also fired some CorBon rounds for groups because I normally find it especially accurate. At 25 yards, using CorBon 90-grain JHP loads, the M11-A1 shot a 49 out of 50 on a bullseye target with a group around 2 inches. I’ve now taken the M11-A1 to the range twice and put 200 rounds of 124-grain NATO-spec ammo and 50 rounds of CorBon 90-grain JHP ammo through it. Next session I want to try the M11-A1 with CorBon 115- and 125-grain JHPs and Black Hills 115-grain JHPs.

Overall, it has performed well. As with every Sig Sauer pistol I can remember testing, its reliability has been excellent—100 percent so far without any cleaning. The DA trigger pull is a bit heavy—10 pounds by factory specs—but it is smooth. According to the factory, the SA pull weight on the M11-A1 is 4.4 pounds, which allows for good accuracy downrange.

I’m a big fan of the entire Sig Sauer line of P220-based pistols, and the M11-A1 is no exception. And it allows civilian shooters to own a pistol close to the military’s M11. It’s a good, interesting, combat-ready pistol.

For more information on the M11-A1, visit sigsauer.com or call 603-610-3000.

The post Gun Review: Sig Sauer’s M11-A1 9mm Handgun appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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MPL & MPK: Walther’s Cold War MP Subguns

October 6, 2015, 6:00 am
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In the history of European submachine guns, it is easy to overlook the Walther MP series—but that would be a mistake. While the Heckler & Koch MP5 has become such an iconic submachine gun (SMG), it is easy to forget that initially in Germany it was outpaced by another SMG that had been developed by Walther a few years earlier. Offered in two primary versions, made up of the MPL (Maschinenpistole Lang) and the MPK (Maschinen­pistole Kurz)—“Lang” for long or “Kurz” for short—the weapon began production in 1963 and remained in production until 1985. However, actual development of what would become the MPL and MPK began much earlier, during the 1950s.

The Walther fires from an open bolt and is of an interesting design. It is the shape of a “Lazy L,” as they would say if it were a cattle brand, as the “L” appears to be on its side. Much of the bolt’s weight is located above the bolt face. The operating spring guide rod extends through the bolt from the rear of the receiver and helps guide the bolt within the receiver. This guide rod is critical to the operation of the MP as it also guides the main spring. Cuts on the bolt keep dust or debris from clogging the action. The bolt is not captive to the cocking handle, so it remains in the forward position while the bolt is cycling.

Full-Auto Force

The MPL/MPK safety lever is ambidextrous and, when in the “S” position, locks the bolt either forward or to the rear. Thomas B. Nelson’s The World’s Submachine Guns explains that the MP SMG is full-auto-only so there are only two selector positions, “S” and “F.” However, the MPLs and MPKs I have handled and fired have had a “semi-auto” setting as well. Nelson was writing about early prototypes of the MP SMGs, which may have initially only featured the two settings.

According to Nelson, the MPL/MPK’s stock could be folded to either the right or left side of the weapon. However, all of the production guns that I have encountered have a stock that folds only to the right. The ability to fold to either side would have been quite useful for security details, as the team leader, normally seated in the right front seat, could have the stock folded to the left, allowing him to quickly deploy it with his support hand (assuming he were right-handed) while exiting the vehicle. Other operators would also find the ability to deploy the stock from the left a bit faster. However, since the MPL/MPK, as produced, folded to the right, users adapted. I found it fastest for me to slap the stock with my shooting hand.

During World War II, the Germans had substantial experience in producing SMGs and assault rifles from stampings. This experience is carried over to the MP, which uses a stamping with an integral magazine housing for the receiver. The magazine is based on the proven Carl Gustaf design (Swedish K), which has a reputation for durability and reliability.

The Right Tools

The MPL/MPK did not achieve wide success, though there were some military and law enforcement sales. There were even a few sales of the MPL to the U.S. Armed Forces. The SEALs used some suppressed MPs in Vietnam. I have also read that some MPs were used on the Son Tay Raid. Originally, the Delta Force used the M3 Grease Gun, but after encountering the HK MP5 with Germany’s GSG9 antiterrorist unit it adopted that weapon instead. The GSG9 had adopted the MP5 because it was the standard SMG in use with the West German Border Patrol—not the MPL/MPK. Reportedly, though, the Delta Force acquired some MPLs and MPKs during a transitional period between the M3 and the MP5.

Other government sales included those to German law enforcement agencies. Within Germany, the Navy adopted the MPL while various police forces adopted the MPL or MPK. The most well-known use of the Walther MP by German police was probably during the Munich Olympic hostage crisis. Members of the Munich police, armed with the MPL, attempted to infiltrate the scene of the hostage taking at the Olympic Village. Unfortunately, the area had not been cleared of news cameramen so the assault was televised and watched by the terrorists! It failed, but the MPL was prominently featured.

I served as the tactical adviser for National Geographic Channel’s Seconds From Disaster on the Munich incident a few years ago. As part of the process I had a chance to talk with one of the German Polizei who had been part of the assault. In passing, we discussed the MPL. He informed me that they had felt outgunned since the terrorists had AK-47s. I mentioned that my experience has been that very few of the terrorists/insurgents/freedom fighters I’ve encountered actually had zeroed their AK-47s or practiced with them extensively; hence, at the ranges involved, I feel the assault team should have been able to engage effectively.

His reply was that they had qualified with the MPLs but rarely practiced with them. Basically, they were trained as patrol cops, not as a SWAT team. Because of the overall poor response to the terrorist attack, Germany formed its elite antiterrorist unit, the GSG9, the next year. The GSG9 adopted the HK MP5 and introduced it to many other antiterrorist units, thus helping it surpass the MPL/MPK within a few years.

Most of the other countries that adopted the MP chose the MPK version for its compactness. Among these were Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. The Mexican and Portuguese navies adopted the MPL and used the SMG for many years. In fact, as of about 10 to 15 years ago, the Portuguese Marine Corps was still using the MPL. The South African Police used the MPL/MPK, but it is no longer a first-line weapon. Zimbabwe also had MPLs at one point, likely acquired from South Africa. However, Zimbabwe uses mostly AKs and other ComBloc weapons these days.

Other official and semi-official units around the world have used the MPK. I had contact with various Middle Eastern close-protection teams during the 1970s and 1980s that had MPKs. In that part of the world, Germans SMGs have always been popular.

Hands On

It’s unclear how many MPLs and MPKs were produced. Based on my own experience, there seem to have been more MPKs, but that may just be those that I’ve encountered have been with agencies that want their SMGs as concealable as possible. I would estimate that I’ve fired the MPK at least three or four more times than the MPL. My estimate is that I’ve put about 600 to 750 rounds through the MPK and a couple of hundred through the MPL.

I have shot these Walthers enough to make some comments about their use. One positive comes after shooting the MPK, as the barrel and other parts may be quickly removed for easy cleaning. I have found the pistol grip comfortable, but the selector switch is hard to operate with fingers that aren’t long. The selector operates with “safe” in the top position, “full auto” in the middle and “semi-auto” almost 180 degrees from safe. The latter requires a long push from full auto to semi, usually requiring the shooter to shift their grip on the shooting hand or using the support hand. Actually, though, the relatively low cyclic rate of the MPK allows firing of single shots or double-taps through trigger control after becoming familiar with the weapon.

I especially like the MPK’s sights. I find the peep quite useful at 100 yards. An interesting aspect of the MPK’s sights is that the open sight is atop the peep sight and allows the head to be up for scanning an area while allowing quick engagement. The front post is narrow enough to allow good acquisition with either the open sight or the peep. The triggerguard is open enough to allow shooters to wear tactical or other light gloves.

I like the durability of the MPK’s steel construction and shrouded sights; whether it’s in the hands while exiting a vehicle or slung while moving through a building, the Walther submachine gun is likely to take some knocks. On the other hand, the steel stampings get very cold or very hot depending on the weather. The latter is also the case when the gun is fired on full auto. As a result, the MPK can be uncomfortable to use outdoors in some cases.

The MPK’s wire skeleton stock has the usual problems with such stocks. It is not comfortable against the shoulder or the cheek, though the fact that the MPK fires the 9mm round makes it less uncomfortable than it would be if firing a more powerful round. When firing on full auto, the MPK is definitely uncomfortable and hard to control. Firing bursts helps a lot. Holding the MPK steady during full-auto fire is made more difficult by the necessity to grip the front of the magazine well with the support hand. Folding the stock takes some effort and the shooter must beware that he or she doesn’t catch a finger. On the positive side, the MPK has two latches to keep the stock solidly folded.

The magazine housing is not beveled to speed up loading in combat; this would be a desirable feature, especially at night. The magazine well is forward of the triggerguard as on other German SMGs. Given that the MPK began production after the Uzi was already on the market, this was a marketing disadvantage and a tactical disadvantage, as the ability to find the magazine well in the grip on the Uzi—using the hand-finds-hand system—makes the Uzi quick for combat reloads.

In fact, Germany produced the Uzi as the MP2 on license, one other reason why there were no major German military contracts for the MP. I don’t consider the forward mag well a major disadvantage, as most of the SMGs I used during the 1970s and 1980s have them in the same position. The magazine release was usable but not especially ergonomic.

Evaluating the MPK has been a trip down memory lane for me. It’s been a reminder of the days when my hair was still brown, my waist was 32 inches, I carried a Browning Hi-Power and I could work 12-hour shifts and still spend an hour or two working out in the gym. There is a tendency to compare the Walther MPK to the HK MP5, but I think that a more apt comparison is with other SMGs of the time, including the Uzi, the Beretta M12 and the Sterling, for example.

Despite the relative disadvantages of the MPK I’ve mentioned, when I was using it or training teams that used it, I was satisfied with it. I felt that if I had to bring it into action it would respond. It always proved reliable, which was a confidence builder.

I have to admit, too, that I always liked the MPK because it was a Walther. In fact, I carried a PPK as my backup gun during the years when I would have used the MPK. The MPK is rarely encountered today, but I would recommend that if the chance should arise to shoot one, take it. This design offers an interesting look at a very rare and intriguing German SMG.

For more information, please visit Waltherarms.com.

The post MPL & MPK: Walther’s Cold War MP Subguns appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Forgotten Warrior: Stevens’ Model 77E Shotgun

October 8, 2015, 6:00 am
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Stevens 77E Shotgun lead Stevens 77E Shotgun sling Stevens 77E Shotgun stock Stevens 77E Shotgun trigger Stevens 77E Shotgun pump Stevens 77E Shotgun buckshot Stevens 77E Shotgun AbmBS Stevens 77E Shotgun Vietnam

The Vietnam War was the first jungle conflict fought by the U.S. armed forces since World War II in the Pacific. As a result, there had been little acquisition of new shotguns during the intervening 20 years.

The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps entered the Vietnam conflict with the same shotguns that had seen service in World War II—the Winchester Model 12, the Winchester Model 97, the Stevens 520-30 and the Stevens 620A trench and riot guns. Many had been arsenal refurbished after World War II. Most popular was the Model 12 Winchester, especially with the Marines. Some other riot guns were acquired for issuance to the Vietnamese, including the Ithaca Model 37. Additionally, some Ithaca Model 37 riot guns and a few trench models were acquired by the U.S. Navy for use by riverine forces and SEALs.

Battlefield 12 Gauge

Early in the Vietnam War, the Stevens Arms Company received orders for military Model 77E riot guns. They saw wide usage in Vietnam, especially among MPs, though with infantry and other units as well. Some also went to the Vietnamese. Reportedly, 60,920 Model 77E riot guns were delivered to the U.S. Armed Forces or allies beginning in 1963. According to U.S. military shotgun collector Jeff Moeller, factory records indicate 77E production ended in early 1964, rather than later as is sometimes cited. The first delivery of the initial contract took place on May 24, 1963 and the last on December 31, 1963 for a total of 58,940. A supplemental contact resulted in the delivery of 1,980 on February 14, 1964.

Four companies bid for the contract, with Savage Stevens being the lowest at $31.50 per shotgun, followed by High Standard at $33.25, Ithaca at $38.11 and Remington at $55.43. Stevens was actually overbid on the shotguns, as their actual charge to the government was $33.51 each. The contract also included a cleaning rod to be supplied with each shotgun. To illustrate how closely Stevens watched their costs, the rubber recoil pads were produced by Ohio Rubber Company and have distinctive “T” cutouts, as this saved one cent per recoil pad over a solid rubber pad.

One advantage of the 77E was that it was inexpensive. Because the original intent was to provide the 77E for Vietnamese forces, the stocks were reduced by about 0.62 inches, making length of pull 13 inches. Fortuitously, this allowed U.S. troops to use them readily while wearing flak jackets, but, in general, U.S. troops did not like the shorter stock. Unlike most U.S. GI shotguns, the 77E was fitted with a thick recoil pad. This was in deference to the smaller Vietnamese as well. In combat, the stock proved the weakest part of the 77E, especially if used to butt-stroke an enemy. As a result, armorers often had to replace stocks. This problem also resulted in a large number of spare stocks being produced with recoil pads.

Some of these replacement stocks were longer than the originals, probably because repairs were being made for U.S. units with U.S.-sized troops. For years after the Vietnam War ended, these stocks were common on the surplus market, but they have gotten much scarcer now, as I learned when I was searching recently for one for my 77E. Another problem mentioned by armorers occurred with the triggerguard, which was made of alloy and often broke. Apparently, however, there were no replacement triggerguards available in the supply system. Overall, compared to the Model 12 Winchester or the Ithaca Model 37, the 77E was not considered as sturdy for combat, though it saw quite a bit.

Into The Action

Martial 77E shotguns are readily identifiable by the Parkerized receiver and barrel; the “U.S.” stamped on the right side of the receiver just behind the barrel; the “P” proof marks on top of the receiver and barrel; a 20-inch, cylinder-bored barrel with a bead sight; a black, stained stock and forearm; a rubber recoil pad; and sling swivels. Often, Vietnam 77Es will be encountered with most of the black stain worn off of the stock and forearm. Note also that there were two types of front sling swivels—either attached to a barrel band (earlier type) or attached to the magazine plug platform. Reportedly, a few 77Es were fitted experimentally with bayonet adaptors, though it does not appear any were actually issued to troops. There may have been some 77Es that had bayonet lugs added by the Vietnamese.

The 77E riot guns had a trigger disconnect, which meant that unlike the Ithaca 37s in use by the SEALs, the trigger could not be held back while the slide action was cycled to fire rounds quickly. Still, the 77E could be fired very quickly, and users learned to feed additional shells whenever there was a lull in the fighting. In fact, one study showed that the shotgun had a higher kill ratio than the M16. Arguably, the fact that the shotgun was normally used at closer range may have contributed to this. The 77E had a cross-bolt safety at the rear of the triggerguard and a slide/bolt release on the left side in front of the triggerguard. This location was actually more ergonomic than the location of the slide/bolt release on many other combat shotguns.

Though originally intended primarily for the Vietnamese, the need for shotguns by U.S. troops resulted in thousands being issued. As mentioned earlier, the 77E saw a lot of service with U.S. Army MPs. Those assigned to convoy duty often carried the Stevens, as did those assigned to guard communist prisoners, HQs or other installations. Some patrol MPs in Saigon and elsewhere also carried the 77E.

During the Tet Offensive, the 77E and other shotguns would have been invaluable in clearing VC from buildings. At least some Army and USMC infantrymen assigned to point duty carried the 77E, and the 77E and other shotguns were used for clearing VC bunkers or tunnels, though most tunnels were so constricted that only handguns could be used. Both MPs and other dog handlers used the 77E as an alternative to the M16 or, later, the XM177. The 77E or other shotguns would have been most useful on convoy duty when moving through villages or other areas where an attack might be launched at close range.

Combat Loads

Early in the Vietnam conflict, M19 brass 00 buckshot loads left over from World War II were still in use, but as these ran out, two types were acquired: XM162 00 buckshot and XM257 #4 buckshot. The XM162 load was the most widely used. Both types were packed in cardboard boxes holding 10 rounds then wrapped in foil wrappers to inhibit moisture. Both the cardboard boxes and the wrappers were marked with the designation of the shells—“10 CTGS, 12 Gage SHOTGUN PLASTIC CASE NO. 00 BUCSHOT XM162”—and a lot number. XM257 boxes and wrappers were similarly marked but with the XM257 designation and #4 buckshot. Model 77Es would have likely been used at some point to fire the flechette rounds that were tested in Vietnam during 1967 and 1968. These aerodynamic projectiles offered longer range but less lethality than buckshot.

Rare Collectible

Though the 77E undoubtedly saw combat, I cannot remember reading any narratives of its use. In his excellent Complete Guide To United States Military Shotguns, Bruce Canfield mentions that U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. John Bobo used a 77E in winning his Congressional Medal of Honor on March 30, 1967, in Quang Tri Province. Although the Stevens shotgun is not mentioned in Bobo’s CMH citation, it is worth quoting anyway:

“Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Company 1 was establishing night ambush sites when the command group was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese company supported by heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire. Second Lt. Bobo immediately organized a hasty defense and moved from position to position encouraging the outnumbered Marines despite the murderous enemy fire. Recovering a rocket launcher from among the friendly casualties, he organized a new launcher team and directed its fire into the enemy machine gun positions. When an exploding enemy mortar round severed 2nd Lt. Bobo’s right leg below the knee, he refused to be evacuated and insisted upon being placed in a firing position to cover the movement of the command group to a better location. With a web belt around his leg serving as a tourniquet and with his leg jammed into the dirt to curtain (sic) the bleeding, he remained in this position and delivered devastating fire into the ranks of the enemy attempting to overrun the Marines. Second Lt. Bobo was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the main point of the enemy attack but his valiant spirit inspired his men to heroic efforts, and his tenacious stand enabled the command group to gain a protective position where it repulsed the enemy onslaught. Second Lt. Bobo’s superb leadership, dauntless courage, and bold initiative reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

It can be deduced that Bobo used the shotgun effectively in firing into the enemy attempting to overrun the position, as the shotgun would have been very effective at close range against a mass attack.

Despite the fact that the Stevens 77E was one of the more widely used shotguns of the Vietnam War, it is little known outside the ranks of U.S. shotgun collectors or weapons historians. It isn’t as “sexy” as the trench guns that still saw action, nor as well known as the Ithaca Model 37s used by the SEALs or the Winchester Model 12s used by the Marines. The Stevens Model 77E is also one of the toughest U.S. military shotguns to find.

When the United Stated pulled out of Vietnam, most Model 77Es were left behind. Some did remain in the U.S. or return with troops redeploying, but unlike earlier martial shotguns they weren’t sold off as surplus.

Most of those that do turn up were supplied by the Department of Defense to police departments, which later sold or traded them. These weapons make great Vietnam collectibles or additions to U.S. shotgun collections, but count on paying up to 60 times what they originally cost the U.S. government if one happens to turn up.

For more information, visit SavageArms.com.

The post Forgotten Warrior: Stevens’ Model 77E Shotgun appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Winter War Fighter: The Mosin-Nagant M/28-30

October 23, 2015, 6:00 am
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Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 lead Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 safety Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 stamp Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 Spitz dog ears Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 field Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 rear sight

During the Winter War of 1939/1940, Finland heroically fought the forces of the Soviet Union in a David-versus-Goliath struggle that lasted about 100 days. Though the Finns eventually lost about 11 percent of their territory to the Soviet Union, they inflicted 323,000 casualties on the Soviets while suffering only 70,000 casualties themselves. Of course, for a small country that was a lot of casualties. As a result of Finland’s tenacity and courage during the Winter War, the reputation of the Finns around the world was enhanced, while the Soviet’s poor performance in combat may have contributed to Hitler’s decision to invade the Soviet Union less than a year and a half later.

Finland’s greatest asset during the Winter War was a large cadre of citizen soldiers who combined their skills as skiers, woodsmen and riflemen to ambush and carry out hit-and-run attacks on the Soviets. The principal weapons for the Finnish raiders were the Suomi submachine gun and the Finnish versions of the Mosin-Nagant rifle, chambered for the Finnish 7.62x53R round, which is virtually identical to the Russian 7.62x54R round used in their version of the Mosin-Nagant.

Originally, Finland had a large number of Soviet Mosin-Nagant M/91 rifles, which were in military arms depots when they achieved their independence from Russia in December 1917. Within a few years, however, the Finns would begin producing Mosin-Nagant rifles at SAKO, Tikka and Valmet, three arms producers that remain famous today for high-quality rifles.

The first large-scale upgrade of Finnish Mosin-Nagant rifles was the M/24 rifle for the Finnish Civil Guard. The Finnish Civil Guard (the Suojeluskunta) fulfilled a function similar to the U.S. National Guard. It was composed of volunteers, many of whom were outdoorsmen, hunters and shooters. They were separate from the Finnish Army, which was composed primarily of conscripts. Civil Guard members trained frequently and realistically. So much stress was put on marksmanship that the Civil Guard actually owned the Sako gun works. Most who have studied the Winter War believe that the Civil Guard was the most important element early in the conflict to slow the Russian advance. Their M/24 rifles used German barrels from Venus Arms, or barrels purchased from SIG in Switzerland. These rifles are often referred to as the “Lotta Rifle” after Lotta Svard, the women’s auxiliary of the Civil Guard, which helped raise the money for the rifle upgrades.

Next, the Finns reworked the M1891 Mosin-Nagant by retaining the receiver and magazine, but using a shorter, heavier barrel, improved sights, an improved bolt and new barrel bands, among other changes. After problems arose with the stock breaking when using the bayonet, the stocks were also modified. An interesting point is that many Finn soldiers didn’t like the bayonet, but preferred to use their traditional puukko knives for close combat. The current bayonet for the Valmet M/76 rifle is actually a knife bayonet of traditional style. A shortened cavalry version, the M/27rv, was also produced in limited numbers. Very similar to the M/27 was the M/28, which had a different barrel band and improved trigger. Initially, M/28 barrels were purchased from SIG, but later they were produced by Tikka and SAKO. All of the rifles, however, were assembled at SAKO. The major criticism of the M/28 was that it retained the Russian “Konovalov” rear sight, which Finnish troops did not like. This is one of the primary reasons for the development of the M/28-30.

Rifle Details

The M/28-30 is generally considered the best of the Finnish Mosin-Nagants and the rifle focused on in this article. Known for its accuracy, the M/28-30 had an improved rear sight, a front sight adjustable for windage, a coiled trigger spring to minimize pre-travel, and magazines designed to prevent jamming due to the rimmed cartridges interlocking. The new front sight retained the protective ears used on the M/28, which resulted in Finnish troops referring to them as “Pystykorva” rifles; this translates as “Spitz dog ears” as they thought the ears resembled those of the Spitz dogs, which were popular in Finland. This front sight did not require a special tool for adjustment as it used standard screws. Another aid to accuracy was the addition of an aluminum sleeve in the forend of the handguard to act as a heat shield. This sleeve also made contact between barrel and stock more consistent and eliminated some of the adverse affects on the rifle’s harmonics. Basically, it enhanced the performance for greater accuracy.By the time production of the M/28-30 rifles began, Finland was producing its own quality steel for barrels from the Lokomo steel works. Stocks were of Arctic birch, which was not susceptible to warping in the extreme cold encountered during the Finnish winter. The first M/28-30 rifles incorporating new materials and improvements came off the SAKO assembly line in April 1934.

Competition Use

Prior to the Winter War, the M/28-30 was a popular competition rifle with the Civil Guard, and it was also used by famed Finnish sniper Simo Hayha, without a scope, for many of his 505 confirmed kills during the Winter War. However, the M/28-30 was used as the basis for a Civil Guard sniping rifle, the M/33, which mounted the German Bush Visar 4.5x Dr. Zf104 scope. The Civil Guard developed a special curved stripper clip that bent around the scope to allow rapid magazine loading. The M/28-30 was deemed accurate enough that 440 of them were manufactured by SAKO for use in the 1937 World Shooting Championships in Helsinki, in which the Finns won the most medals. The last pre-World War II competition was held in Lucerne (with a couple of events held in Germany) and was won by Germany. After World War II, however, the Finns once again proved their marksmanship, winning the 1948 competition in Buenos Aires. Note that traditionally the service rifle of the host country was used for these competitions. Some of the specially selected M/28-30 rifles, which were not used in the actual World Shooting Championships, were later awarded to members of the Civil Guard as shooting prizes and saw action in the Winter War. Unlike many military rifles at that time, the rear sight of the M/28-30 was known to be accurate throughout its range of adjustments.

Design Variations

There were other Finnish versions of the Mosin-Nagant produced prior to World War II, most notably the M/39, which was similar to the M/28-30, though with a pistol grip stock. The Finnish Army had chosen not to adopt the M/28-30 used by the Civil Guard as they felt it was too heavy and that its sights were too complicated. Although it may seem a minor point, some Finnish soldiers found the change in the M/39’s rear sight, which incorporated the battle sight setting of 150 meters as opposed to 200 meters originally used on the M/28-30, an aid to precision shooting at closer ranges. Very few M/39s were produced before the end of the Winter War, but 96,800 were produced and used during the Continuation War, in which the Finns continued to fight the Soviet Union as allies of the Germans between June 1941 and September 1944. M/39 rifles had a reputation for accuracy, reportedly being required to place three out of five shots into 33mm (about 1.3 inches) at 100 meters to be accepted. Adapting to the soldier’s likes, the bayonet for the M/39 was shorter and of puukko style.

During 1943 and 1944, a model designated the M/30 was produced using barrels and parts from weapons captured during the Winter War or from rifles captured by the Germans on the Eastern Front. The Finns continued to re-manufacture Mosin-Nagant rifles into the 1980s; some actions were even used as the basis for the 7.62 Tkiv 85 sniping rifle used by Finnish Defense Forces from the mid-1980s on.

It was the M/28-30 rifle, however, that was the most popular front-line weapon during the Winter War and the Continuation War, though estimates put production between 1934 and 1941 at only about 40,000, far less than the later M/39. This figure is misleading, however, as it denotes the number of rifles produced as M/28-30s. Actually, a large number of earlier M/28 rifles had also been upgraded to M/28-30 specs. Other earlier versions of M1891 Mosin-Nagant served as well, as Finland attempted to equip as many troops as possible. Although the M/28-30 rifle was highly prized for its accuracy among the members of the Civil Guard, for whom it had been designed, many examples ended up in use by the Finnish Army, a separate fighting force during the Winter War. Although the rifle’s accuracy was appreciated, the Army found that it had a tighter chamber, which made it more difficult to fire captured Soviet 7.62x54R ammunition in it. Also, the standard round used by the Finnish Army was the D166 service cartridge, while the M/28-30 had been designed for best accuracy with the lighter D46 and D47 rounds. Still, the M/28-30 served well during the Winter War and Continuation War, though almost half were declared unserviceable by 1951, when only about 22,100 of them remained serviceable.

Additional Features

The sling mounting points are not swivels but channels in the stock through which the sling strap may be passed. Although this method limits the manner in which the rifle may be carried slung, it makes a lot of sense for the Civil Guard’s mission in launching stealthy attacks amid the Finnish forests, as this method is much quieter than the use of sling swivels. The safety was also hard to apply. It requires pulling the knob at the rear of the bolt back while rotating it to move the safety into position at the left of the receiver. But I would speculate that most Finnish Civil Guards carried the rifles empty and chambered a round when needed, though with practice they probably achieved some facility with the safety.

As time has passed, appreciation for the M/28-30 has grown in Finland and elsewhere, and the rifle is now a sought-after collectible.

The post Winter War Fighter: The Mosin-Nagant M/28-30 appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Classic Blaster: The Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun

July 18, 2016, 6:00 am
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Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun lead Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun ammo Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun safety Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun sling Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun stock

The Ithaca Model 37 riot gun was never as popular for police use as the Remington 870, but it did have some notable users. It was the standard shotgun of the LAPD for many years in what is usually referred to as the “LAPD Configuration.” These Ithacas had 18- or 20-inch barrels, though I’ve been told at least some for detectives had 14- or 16-inch barrels. Generally, LAPD 37s did not have the full-length, eight-round magazine tube but the shorter four-round magazine. LAPD Model 37s also had rifle sights.

Based on the few conversations I’ve had with LAPD officers who used the Model 37, they always liked the shotgun, though they emphasized that it could not be carried in the patrol car with a round chambered. Of course, this really applies to any shotgun carried in a patrol car. I’ve also been told that as recently as 10 years ago LAPD and/or LA County sheriffs were still using some Model 37s. Both the Chicago PD and NYPD also used Ithaca Model 37s at one time.

The Model 37 shotgun, in both riot and trench gun formats, also saw substantial U.S. military usage, especially with the U.S. Navy SEALs in Vietnam. Note that the term “trench gun” normally indicates the weapon was fitted with a ventilated handguard and bayonet lug. The first military orders for the Ithaca Model 37 were during World War II, when longer-barreled guns for training in aerial gunnery (to teach lead on targets) as well as riot and trench models were ordered. Only 1,422 Ithaca trench guns were actually delivered during World War II, plus about 5,000 riot guns (most of which had 22-inch rather than 20-inch barrels) and longer-barreled training shotguns. This was because the government had asked Ithaca to concentrate on producing Model 1911A1 pistols for the military instead.

Vietnam Scatterguns

Use of the Ithaca Model 37 in combat was much more prevalent during the Vietnam War. One 1962 contract for 22,000 Model 37 riot guns with 20-inch barrels was for South Vietnamese troops. U.S. military advisors to South Vietnamese forces used at least a few of these shotguns. Additional Model 37 riot guns were manufactured for U.S. forces and marked with the “U.S.” designation. A substantial number of these Model 37s went to the U.S. Navy SEALs. In 1963, a very small number of Model 37 trench guns with bayonets—a little over 200—were supplied to the USAF. Another contract for Model 37 trench guns went to the U.S. Navy.

One of the features that made the Model 37 especially appealing to the SEALs and U.S. Army Special Forces in Vietnam was a feature it shared with the long-serving Winchester Model 97 and Model 12 riot and trench guns. The Model 37 did not have a trigger disconnect and, hence, it could be fired very quickly by just holding back the trigger and operating the slide action. Riot or trench guns were often carried by the point man of a patrol and used to quickly clear a trail if an enemy was suddenly encountered. Experienced users would push the Model 37 towards the target with their support hand while holding the trigger back and just cycling the slide. It was faster than most automatic shotguns. I say “most” because I never put a stopwatch on a Model 37 against a Benelli. Although this feature would not be as applicable for law enforcement usage, at least some LE users were well aware of the feature should they have to deal with multiple criminals quickly! I used to have an older Model 37 riot gun with a full-length, seven-round magazine and what some call the “slam fire” feature, which I carried in my vehicle for some years. As I remember, it was an ex-Illinois State Prison gun, which I stupidly sold.

Hands-On Defense

Recently, though, I had a chance to test Ithaca’s Model 37 Defense Gun, the current version of the classic M37 riot gun. The Defense Gun is available with either an 18.5- or 20-inch barrel and a four- or seven-shot magazine. It is also available with a wooden stock and forearm or synthetic furniture. I chose the wooden version with a black Parkerized finish, as it reminds me of the Model 37s I used back in the day. My test gun had the 20-inch barrel and seven-shot magazine.

Like the original, the Ithaca Model 37 Defense Gun ejects downward, which allows for easy use from either shoulder, and when you’re shooting close to walls you don’t have to worry about spent shells coming back at your face. A question that may arise for some is whether the downward ejection makes it difficult to shoot the Model 37 while prone or using low cover. Based on my experience, the answer is that it does not as long as there are a couple of inches of clearance. In simple terms, don’t press the ejection port against the ground or directly against a surface.

Studs for sling swivels at the front of the magazine and towards the rear of the stock make it easy to use a sling on the Defense Gun. Speaking of the stock, it is fitted with a nice, thick recoil pad—a feature I appreciated when shooting 3-inch magnum loads while testing the gun. The forearm is grooved and offers a good gripping surface for fast operation.

Performance

I tested the Ithaca Model 37 Defense Gun with Winchester 3-inch magnum #1 buckshot, 2¾-inch Federal Tactical 00 and #4 buckshot, and Winchester 2¾-inch light-recoil 00 buckshot loads. Patterns were good at 10 and 15 yards. At 10 yards, all 24 of the #1 pellets impacted into the chest area on an IPSC-type target. At 15 yards, patterns opened up some more, with all the Federal 00 buckshot staying on the target, and almost all buckshot from the other loads on it as well.

The Ithaca was comfortable to shoot and handled well, though it wasn’t as fast as the old classic Model 37, since the ability to hold the trigger back and just “slam fire” was eliminated sometime in the 1970s. It is still a good fighting shotgun—light and handy yet easy to shoot and quite reliable. It offers a definite option for anyone desiring a home-defense shotgun with a bit of history.

For more information on the Ithaca Model 37, visit ithacagun.com or call 877-648-4222.

The post Classic Blaster: The Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Ithaca Gun Company’s Elite Pistol, Rifle Combo

August 8, 2016, 6:00 am
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Ithaca Gun Company precision rifles Ithaca Gun Company Carry 1911 pistol

While Ithaca Gun Company is primarily known for its shotguns, the company is no stranger to pistols and rifles. In fact, between 1942 and 1945, Ithaca made 382,000 Model 1911A1 pistols for the U.S. military.

In 2010, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the John Browning design, Ithaca introduced its modern version of the venerable 1911.

CARRY 1911

Based on the success of its full-sized 1911s, Ithaca is now offering a Carry version. This pistol comes standard with a full-sized grip frame and a 4.25-inch barrel.

These pistols feature Series 70 trigger systems; billet steel slides with lowered and flared ejection ports; billet steel frames; match-grade barrels and bushings; tool-steel hammers, sears and disconnectors; lightened aluminum triggers; checkered steel mainspring housings; wooden grips and seven-round magazines. And Ithaca’s custom shop offers various finish, grip and sight options.

PRECISION RIFLES

Ithaca’s also developing precision rifles in conjunction with a world-record-holding marksman.

Each rifle features a chrome-moly steel billet receiver, a 4140 bolt, and match-grade barrels and triggers. Every action is CNC-machined in-house, and the rifles are assembled by hand for 0.5-MOA.

For more information on the firearms mentioned above and other products from Ithaca Gun Company, please visit IthacaGun.com.

The post Ithaca Gun Company’s Elite Pistol, Rifle Combo appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Russia’s RPK-74 LMG: A Faithful Servant Since 1974

September 19, 2017, 6:00 am
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When I was in Russia a little over 12 years ago, I had quite a few contacts with former Desantniks (paratroopers) and Spetsnaz operators and made it a point to ask them about the weapons they had used and their opinions of them. Since most had seen combat in Afghanistan or Chechnya, their views of weapons were often very practical. One of the weapons that I discussed with these veterans was the RPK-74, which basically functioned as a squad automatic weapon.

Full-Auto Firestorm

Just as the 7.62x39mm RPK (Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova) had been based on the AKM rifle, the 5.45x39mm RPK-74 was based on the AK-74 rifle. The primary differences between the RPK and the AKM were a heavier and longer barrel that wouldn’t heat up as quickly during full-auto fire; longer-range sights; a threaded barrel to take various muzzle devices; and a sturdier trunnion and receiver cover. The wooden forend and clubfoot buttstock provided for more effective prone use. RPKs were also fitted with bipods. These same features were incorporated into the RPK-74, which, as its designation indicates, was adopted in 1974 and produced by Izhmash. Another change was the reinforced magazine well, and the RPK-74 uses a different guide rod and spring than the AK-74.

Although the RPK accepted 75-round drum magazines, the RPK-74 did not. Well, let me modify that by saying that polymer, 100-round drum magazines were developed, but they weren’t not normally issued because of reliability problems. Instead, 45-round box magazines were issued. This is the extended magazine often seen in photos of ex-Russian paratroopers most often commented on this type of magazine. They liked the fact that the RPK-74 was light enough that it could be carried and fired during an assault, but for defending a position, they wished that it had a quick-detach barrel and a drum or belt-feed system.

Of course, this is the typical tradeoff with a light machine gun, which must be very portable but still have more sustained fire and range than a standard rifle. Note that because the RPK-74 lacks a quick-change barrel, the gunner must limit his fire to less than 100 rounds per minute to prevent overheating and damaging the barrel. This limits the RPK-74’s effective fire to about two 45-round magazines per minute, though in heavy combat a gunner could put as many rounds downrange as fast as possible.

Another soldier I spoke with did not like the fact that the bipod wasn’t adjustable; he felt there were times he would have liked to use lower cover in Chechnya since the high silhouette of RPK-74 gunners often made them targets. Of course, Russian weapons tend to be designed for practicality and to be soldier-proof. The taller bipod is necessary because of the long, 45-round magazine.

The typical RPK-74 gunner carries quite a bit of firepower since standard-issue equipment with the weapon is eight magazines and six stripper clips that hold 15 rounds each (thus allowing two fast reloads of a magazine), a speed-loader guide, a cleaning rod, a cleaning kit, an oil bottle, a sling and magazine pouches. Assuming each magazine is fully loaded with 45 rounds, and with the six stripper clips loaded, an RPK-74 gunner has 450 rounds available to him. And since the RPK-74 can use standard AK-74 magazines, operators can sustain fire with magazines from other members of the squad. If I remember correctly, airborne squads and motorized infantry squads typically have one RPK-74 per squad. Additionally, a squad also has a PKM gunner to give more range and volume of fire.

For airborne and other special operations uses, the RPKS-74 is available with a wooden folding stock. This stock actually adds a few ounces of weight to the RPKS-74 over the standard RPK-74. Versions with side-mounted rails for optics or the NXP-3, NSPU or NSPUM night-vision optics are designated differently. To be more specific, the RPK-74N1 features the NSPU 1PN34 sight, the RPK-74N2 uses the NSPUM 1PN58 sight and the RPK-74N3 is fitted with the NSPU-3 1PN51 sight. The night-vision equipment does add quite a bit of weight. For example, the RPK-74N1 with the NSPU sight weighs just under 17 pounds. I’m not sure if that weight is with or without a loaded magazine. The RPK-74M version is identifiable by its black polymer stock and magazines.

There is also an export version chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO designated as the RPK-201. It is meant to be a companion weapon to the AK-101 assault rifle, which is also chambered in 5.56mm NATO for export. I don’t know of any countries that have adopted either weapon.

Russian tactical doctrine for the RPK-74 seems to be that it should be carried by the gunner during an advance in support of his comrades by adding to the volume of fire to overwhelm an enemy position. In a defensive role, the RPK-74 functions as an area-fire weapon. The heavier PKM in 7.62x54R is the primary squad defensive machine gun, but the portability of the RPK-74 allows it to be quickly moved to another position to counter heavy enemy fire.

As with other Kalashnikov-based wea-pons, the RPK-74 has developed a reputation for excellent reliability. However, the lack of a gas regulator can cause functioning problems if the weapon is extremely dirty, especially in very cold conditions.

RPK-74 In The Field

RPK-74 rifle test

The RPK-74’s effective range is usually given as 300 meters against a point target on full-auto and 400 meters on semi-auto. The maximum range is normally given as 1,000 meters on a point target with the maximum lethal range being 1,500 meters. When initially zeroing the RPK-74 the same type of front sight tool used on other AK-type rifles is needed. However, one benefit that helps the RPK-74 shoot out to longer distances than the AK-74 is a knob on the rear sight that allows shooters to quickly adjust for windage.

I have talked with former Russian paratroopers who feel the RPK-74 is more accurate than the AK-74. I have also noticed that I can shoot more accurately at longer range with an RPK-74 on semi-auto than with an AK-74 on semi-auto. Of course, the fact that I was generally shooting the RPK-74 prone may have helped. I have also seen speculation that the longer RPK-74 barrel more thoroughly burns the gases of the 5.45x39mm round, which improves accuracy. I also have found that the U-notch on the RPK-74’s rear sight helps me shoot it more accurately.

Your ammunition choice can affect the system’s accuracy as well. Ammunition available for the RPK-74 includes steel-core 7N6 ball rounds, 7T3 tracer rounds, upgraded 7T3M tracer rounds, armor-piercing rounds (including the 7N10 with an enhanced penetration bullet) and 7Kh3 blank rounds.

I have found the RPK-74 to be relatively accurate when fired in bursts. I set up multiple targets at 50 and 100 yards and tried engaging them from prone, firing short bursts at each one. As long as the targets were positioned relatively close to each other, it is fairly easy to score multiple hits with each burst. I have actually fired a standard RPK in 7.62x39mm more than the RPK-74 overseas, with longer bursts on targets at 50 and 100 meters. It was easy to keep the bursts on the targets, though there was some vertical stringing in the hits as the bursts progressed. Firing bursts with the RPK-74 does not entail as much noticeable recoil or muzzle rise.

I’ve also tested the portability of the RPK-74 by firing a few rounds, then picking it up, moving to a new position and firing some more, then repeating the process again. The RPK-74 is much more portable than I am, but young Russian paratroopers or infantrymen with better knees than mine should have no problem using it readily in an advance. I’ve also tried firing the RPK-74 off-hand and found it surprisingly handy and well-balanced. I could normally hold it well enough to place shots on a plate at 50 yards.

Still Fighting Strong

RPK-74 soldier carrying
A Russian soldier advances with an RPK-74, ready to drop into a prone firing position.

The Russians have kept the RPK-74 in their arsenal now for over 40 years, so they must see tactical value in it. Since it can be fired during an advance, it is a weapon that encourages aggressiveness. It is also handy enough to be used by airborne or airmobile troops as well as motorized and naval infantrymen. Aesthetically, I like the look of the RPK-74. Its distinctive stock and 45-round magazine make it an interesting-looking weapon. It does still have the disadvantage of limited sustained fire. The equivalent U.S. weapon is the M249 SAW, which is belt-fed and has a quick-change barrel. At 22 pounds loaded, the M249 remains relatively portable, but not as portable as the RPK-74. Admittedly, each Russian squad also has a PKM, which is belt-fed and fires the more powerful 7.62x54R. Still, the RPK-74 seems to fit Russian infantry tactics and remains a viable frontline weapon.

Some former Soviet republics, such as Georgia, Belarus and Ukraine, continue to use the RPK-74, as do some Third World countries. It is also popular with various guerrilla and jihadist movements where its portability and increased firepower make it very useful in ambushes and other hit-and-run-style attacks.

Caliber: 5.45x39mm

Barrel: 23.2 inches

Weight: 10 pounds (empty)

OA Length: 33.3-41.7 inches

Stock: Laminated wood

Sights: Front post, adjustable rear

Action: Select-fire

Finish: Black

Capacity: 45+1

MSRP: N/A

This article was originally published in ‘AK47 & Soviet Weapons’ 2017. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Russia’s RPK-74 LMG: A Faithful Servant Since 1974 appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Gun Review: The Hungarian AMD-65 Spec Ops Carbine

October 10, 2017, 6:00 am
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AMD-65 carbine AMD-65 carbine muzzle brake AMD-65 carbine grips AMD-65 carbine foregrip AMD-65 carbine stock hinge AMD-65 carbine folding stock AMD-65 carbine right profile AMD-65 carbine sight radius AMD-65 carbine marine firing AMD-65 carbine afghan police AMD-65 carbine afghan police firing AMD-65 carbine closeup AMD-65 carbine test fire

I have always thought highly of the Russian AKSU since I first fired one over 20 years ago. However, it is chambered for the 5.45x39mm, and I always felt a compact 7.62x39mm carbine would be even better. As a result, I was happy to learn that some of the former Warsaw Pact countries had developed their own compact weapons in this chambering. The one with which I am most familiar is the AMD (Automata Módosított Deszant) 65. Based on the AKM-63, the AMD-65 is a short-barreled weapon designed for Hungarian airborne and motorized infantry units. In fact, the “D” stands for Deszant, which indicates paratrooper usage. As the designation indicates, the AMD-65 was developed in 1965, though it did not enter mass production until 1967.

AMD-65 Design

AMD-65 carbine right profile
While the AMD-65 has many unusual components, including a ventilated steel handguard, a two-chamber muzzle brake, a polymer foregrip and a T-shaped folding stock, the carbine is still an AK at heart, with standard sights and controls, such as the paddle-style magazine release lever.

Design specs for the AMD-65 indicated that it should be smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the AKM-63. It had to be in the same chambering (7.62x39mm) as the AKM-63 and have the same operating characteristics. It had to be suitable for officers and airborne troops (and later, armored troops) with a muzzle brake/compensator to counter muzzle rise, use a 20-round magazine but also be capable of taking 30-rounders and have a folding stock that, when folded, did not prevent the carbine from being fired.

Since I recently completed a book on the Sten gun and a couple of articles on the U.S. M3 submachine gun, both weapons made from stampings and of all-metal construction, I think it is noteworthy that unlike most versions of the AKM, the AMD-65 is mostly made of steel with a bit of polymer. What makes this particularly interesting is that Hungarian versions of the AKM are usually known for their attractive light-colored wooden furniture. Instead of the usual wooden handguard, the AMD-65 uses one made of perforated steel. Both the pistol grip and vertical foregrip of the AMD-65 are of grey polymer. On a short select-fire weapon such as the AMD-65, the vertical foregrip is a boon for control. Unlike the short-barreled Romanian PM md. 90, which uses the standard Romanian foregrip—one that is known for impeding magazine changes with 30-round magazines—the AMD-65’s vertical foregrip is canted forward for easier reloading.

In a move to ease production and parts supply, the rear pistol grip is the same, but it’s reversed to cant rearward. I think that is quite clever.

Although the AMD-65 works fairly well with 30- or even 40-round magazines, it’s still easiest to reload with 20-round magazines, as the vertical foregrip can still interfere when doing a quick change on the fly. The magazine release is the standard AKM paddle, which is easy to operate with the support hand.

The front and rear sights are standard for AKM-type rifles and carbines. The front sight post is protected by rounded wings. The rear sight’s V-shaped notch is adjustable for elevation out to 800 meters. Two special features of the AMD-65 are the side folding “T” stock and the muzzle brake, which has two good-sized openings on each side. To release the stock when folded, you must depress a button under the receiver. This might get easier with practice, but at the range I found that I had to flip the AMD-65 over so I could apply thumb pressure to the release while applying palm pressure to the stock strut when folding or unfolding it. Since the muzzle brake is fitted, the AMD-65 does not have a bayonet lug.

There were some complaints from troops who were issued the AMD-65. Some felt that it wasn’t accurate at longer ranges due to the short barrel and shortened sight radius (4 inches less than with the AKM-63). Based on shooting the AMD-65, I think there is a greater culprit affecting the carbine’s accuracy. The “T” stock is not very comfortable against the shoulder, especially in full-auto fire. But, even worse, it’s impossible to get a good cheekweld when firing using this stock. It is even worse than typical AKM under-folding stocks. However, since it was primarily intended for use by assault troops such as paratroopers and armored infantrymen who would have more need for short-range firepower, this was not considered a major issue. In fact, I understand that armored infantrymen trained to shoot it with the stock folded through firing ports. Using the AMD-65 a lot on full-auto during an assault would create another problem, however. The metal handguard was known to heat up quickly. The short barrel and muzzle brake also were known to make it very noisy.

Present-Day Usage

AMD-65 carbine afghan police firing
A member of a special Afghan Police unit takes aim with a modified AMD-65. Note the rails, M4-style vertical foregrip and holographic sight.

It is my understanding that the AMD-65 was used by Hungarian troops from 1967 to 2006. However, the AMD-65 is still widely encountered in the world’s trouble spots, as it was sold in places such as Angola, Georgia, Mozambique, Lebanon, Laos, Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Zimbabwe, among others. It is widely used by the Afghan National Police and has been used by many private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Many of the AMD-65s supplied to the Afghan Police are likely ex-Hungarian military arms, as the Afghans started receiving them around 2006, when they went out of Hungarian service. I have seen figures to the effect that the Hungarians “donated” 39,000 AMD-65s and the U.S. purchased 45,000 more for the Afghan Police. There have been quite a few complaints from Afghans issued the AMD-65. One is that the shorter barrel/sight radius affects its range and accuracy. Given that the AK design is not inherently accurate, this complaint is not a surprise. Even well-trained users of the AK do not find it to be a tack-driver. I’ve wondered if the complaints might arise because some of the Afghan Police would prefer that they had weapons mounting optics. I have seen photos of weapons with Picatinny rails added to the AMD-65 steel handguard/receiver. For the police mission, the shorter barreled AMD-65 would seem to be a good choice since its operating system is the same as other AKs, a design with which the Afghans would be familiar.

Running Hot

AMD-65 carbine marine firing
A U.S. Marine fires an AMD-65 during a demonstration in Afghanistan.

Another complaint is the overheating of handguard, which is valid. On the other hand, the Afghans are not known for fire discipline; instead, they seem to like firing off full magazines on full-auto, often into the air. Don’t forget at least a few “friendly fire” incidents in Afghanistan resulted from “rejoicing” Afghans spraying tracer rounds into the air around U.S. aircraft who assumed they were being fired at. Also, with the front pistol grip, it is fairly easy to avoid touching the handguard when firing on full-auto. From photos and videos I’ve seen taken of Afghan Police training, however, it appears many do not use the vertical foregrip, but instead use the magazine as a foregrip. Not only does this shorten the area between the firing and support hands, but it can also affect reliability by exerting pressure on the magazine.

This may explain some Afghan Police complaints about the AMD-65’s reliability. Generally, reliability is not a problem with AKM-based designs. The AK design is intended to keep running under very harsh conditions without much in terms of maintanence or cleaning. That has normally been my experience. I also don’t remember reading of reliability problems with the AMD-65 among Hungarian troops. Of course, they weren’t in constant combat against the Taliban. My own experience with the AMD-65 is limited. However, I have not had reliability problems the few times I have fired the weapon.

As the U.S. is arming members of the Afghan National Army with 5.56x45mm NATO weapons, some of their AKs are being issued to the Afghan Police as replacements for the AMD-65s. In fact, I cruised some U.S. military sites and most photos showing the Afghan Police being trained over the last couple of years show them with full-sized AKs. I have friends who have trained the Afghan Police, and I don’t remember any of them offering criticisms of the AMD-65, but most were there a few years ago. I don’t know how valid criticisms of the reliability of the AMD-65 are; it may just result from the typical feeling among some troops that the “other guy” has better weapons.

Quite a few parts kits for the AMD-65 were imported into the U.S., with most built with U.S. receivers, compliance parts and barrel extensions to meet the 16-inch requirement. Some were also registered as short-barrel rifles (SBRs) and retained the 12.5-inch barrel, but these were still required to be built as semi-autos. Although I have not seen one, I understand that some kits were built as pistols, thus retaining the 12.5-inch barrel but eliminating the folding stock.

My own experience with the AMD-65 is not extensive, though I have fired the weapon a few times. I did not find any reliability problems but did see justification in most of the other criticisms. I especially find the stock uncomfortable and, as I mentioned before, hard to attain a good cheekweld with. Yes, the metal handguard does heat up, but I noticed another problem with it (and the polymer pistol grip and foregrip). I was firing the AMD-65 on one cold day—below freezing with some wind chill—and found that the handguard and foregrip remained extremely cold without gloves. I guess the shortened sight radius may have affected my accuracy to some extent, but to be honest, I never have shot AKs that accurately with the exception of one semi-auto Polytech I own that shoots really well. I’ve shot the AMD-65 on plates at 50 and 100 yards and found the accuracy acceptable. And it was very loud due to the brake!

I have to admit a lot of my interest in the AMD-65 stems from the fact it is so widely used in “interesting” places. I don’t work in those places as I used to sometimes, but I still feel the need to be familiar with weapons I might encounter there—call it refusal to admit I’m getting older. That’s as good an excuse as any to shoot the AMD-65 if given the chance. But, really, who needs an excuse?

Caliber: 7.62x39mm

Barrel: 12.5 inches

Weight: 7.1 pounds (empty)

OA Length: 27-34.4 inches

Stock: Wire folding

Sights: Front post, adjustable rear

Action: Piston-operated

Finish: Matte black

Capacity: 30+1

MSRP: N/A

This article was originally published in ‘AK47 & Soviet Weapons’ 2017. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Review: The Hungarian AMD-65 Spec Ops Carbine appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Gun Review: The Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun

October 31, 2017, 6:00 am
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Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun barrel Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun safety Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun stock Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun drum magazine Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun testing Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun right angle Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun sights Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun historical photo

Generally, I don’t think of Russian weapons as being elegant, but for some reason, the PPSh-41 has always struck me so while being utilitarian. Conversely, I consider its replacement, the PPS-43, one of the ugliest weapons I’ve ever used. It’s very functional but still ugly.

For me, the most vivid image of the Soviet PPSh-41 is of it in the hands of tank riders, the Soviet infantry who went into battle riding T-34s. Many other Soviet troops also used the PPSh-41. Entire infantry units were equipped with the weapon, and by some estimates, 5 to 6 million PPSh-41s were produced during World War II. Many troops were likely equipped with the gun. At a distance, having a PPSh-41 was a disadvantage, but during an assault at closer range, it could deliver a withering hail of fire.

PPSh stands for “pistolet-pulemyot Shpagina,” or “Shpagin’s machine pistol.” Georgi Shpagin designed it. The 41 was derived from the year (1941) the PPSh-41 was developed and put into production. To some extent, the PPSh-41 owes its development to the Finnish Suomi, which was used effectively against Russian troops during the Winter War. Designed for fast, inexpensive production by semi-skilled workers, the PPSh-41 had only 87 component parts and could be produced by using relatively simple tooling in smaller shops. Stampings were used for the receiver and barrel shroud, and the barrels were often taken from M1891 Mosin-Nagant rifles before being cut in half and chambered for the 7.62x25mm Tokarev round. It took approximately 7.3 machining hours to produce a single PPSh-41.

How It Works

The Soviet PPSh-41 is a blowback-opertated weapon that fires from an open bolt. A striker is permanently attached to the bolt face. To cushion recoil on full-auto, a fiber buffer is affixed to the return-spring guide rod. The safety and selector are, in my opinion, of much better design than those on many other mass-produced World War II submachine guns. The safety is incorporated into the cocking handle, and pushing a slider on top of the cocking handle inward locks the bolt to the rear or forward. The selector is a switch inside the triggerguard, just in front of the trigger.

For ease of maintenance, the receiver is hinged and can be rotated upward for cleaning. The barrels were also chromed, which countered the effects of the corrosive ammunition used. Another interesting feature is the barrel shroud, which incorporates a crude muzzle brake that extends at an angle in front of the barrel. The muzzle brake helps dampen muzzle climb to some extent but also increases noise and muzzle flash. The wooden stock is more comfortable than many skeletonized steel stocks on other WWII designs. The rear sight uses flip-up apertures for 100 and 200 meters.

The paddle-style magazine release is located behind the magazine well. The Soviet PPSh-41 looks best with the 71-round drum magazine (based on the Suomi’s), but many users prefer the 35-round stick magazine. The 71-round drum takes quite a bit of time to load, however. As with AK drums, you remove the cover, wind the rotor and insert the cartridges. Also, for the best reliability, only about 65 rounds should be loaded. Still, a PPSh-41 doesn’t look right to me without the drum. Soviet infantrymen often carried a drum in the PPSh-41 and spare stick magazines in pouches or pockets. A PPSh-41 with a fully loaded drum weighed 12 pounds, so although it was relatively short and handy, it was heavy. A sling is also important when carrying the PPSh-41. Soviet troops often carried them slung across their chests.

The PPSh-41’s cyclic rate is fairly high—900 rounds per minute—but the weight and rudimentary muzzle brake helped keep the muzzle on target. Many Soviet conscript infantrymen were not especially well trained when thrown into combat, and they likely emptied their drums in one or two bursts until they gained combat experience. At that point, some might have flipped the selector switch to the rear for semi-auto fire at longer ranges.

Beyond Russia

Although many submachine gun aficionados are especially fond of the German MP38 and MP40, German troops on the Eastern Front liked the Soviet PPSh-41 and often used captured ones in combat. Obtaining ammo wasn’t a problem, as the 7.63x25mm round used in the Mauser 1896 Broomhandle was almost the same as the 7.62x25mm Tokarev round. Captured PPSh-41s were given the German designation MP717(r), with the “r” standing for Russian.

Some captured PPSh-41s were converted to 9x19mm and designated as the MP41(r). Whether in the hands of Soviets or Germans, the PPSh-41 was probably especially useful during the Russian winter, as the high-speed 7.62x25mm Tokarev—particularly the armor-piercing (AP) load—could punch through heavy winter clothing.

After WWII, the Soviets supplied many PPSh-41s to the North Koreans and Red Chinese, who used them in human-wave assaults against United Nations positions during the Korean War. North Korea and China also produced their own versions of the weapon—the Type 49 and Type 50, respectively.

During the Korean War, U.S. GIs called PPSh-41s “burp guns” because of their distinctive sound on full-auto. Appreciating the PPSh-41’s lethality at close quarters, they used their M1 Garands, M2 Carbines and Browning machine guns to try to keep the Chinese and North Koreans at a distance. Various other Soviet allies—including Hungary, Poland and Yugoslavia—produced versions of the PPSh-41, and a dozen other countries used it.

Hands-On Experience

When I did my first foreign weapons training, I was disappointed: We used a PPS-43, not a PPSh-41. However, I eventually got a chance to do lots of shooting with the weapon, once in Finland with a PPSh-41 captured during WWII. I was glad to get the chance to shoot the weapon again for this article. I felt a little guilty about one thing, though. My friend who owns the PPSh-41, which is registered, had loaded the magazines, and I shot them dry, dodging a tedious task. I owe him big time.

One interesting aspect of shooting the PPSh-41 is how you place your support hand. I’ve seen WWII photos of Soviet troops firing it with their support hand in front of the triggerguard and behind the magazine, or with the support hand just in front of the drum, grasping the receiver in front of the magazine well or slightly forward of that, with the barrel shroud resting on the front of the palm. I’ve typically used the latter method, as I find it gives me the best control of the weapon on full-auto. Occasionally, I’ve seen photos of the PPSh-41 being fired with the drum magazine resting on the palm of the support hand. I wouldn’t think that would offer much control on full-auto unless the shooter gripped the magazine tightly, which could pull it and increase the likelihood of a malfunction.

My experience has been that, with good (not overloaded) drum magazines or stick magazines, the PPSh-41 is very reliable. Original drum magazines were, I believe, serial-numbered to the gun, and those worked most reliably. I did all of my shooting at plates from 50 yards, mostly reacquainting myself with the weapon’s operation.

I used the safety whenever I stopped shooting and found it was easy to push in, but switching to “fire” usually required using my shooting-hand thumb. The paddle-style magazine release was a little small and, given that Soviet troops were often fighting during the Russian winter, would not have been too mitten-friendly. The selector switch was easy to pull back into the semi-auto position or nudge forward into full-auto with my trigger finger. As advertised, the slanted front of the barrel shroud helped dampen muzzle flip, but there was a lot of noise and flash. At 50 yards, the sights were usable, and on semi-auto, I hit the plates frequently.

As I had learned earlier, although though the drums look cool, it’s easier to shoot the PPSh-41 with the stick magazines, which are significantly lighter. With a loaded 35-round stick magazine, the PPSh-41 weighs about 9.5 pounds, which is substantially less than with a loaded drum. Overall, the submachine gun handled more easily with the stick magazine, though the drum lets you go prone more readily.

It had been a few years since I shot a Soviet PPSh-41, and it remains one of my favorite World War II submachine guns. As much as I like the PPSh-41, however, I don’t think I would’ve wanted to carry one while precariously clinging to a T-34 tank, especially when there would be other poorly trained conscripts clinging to it, too, their hands and bodies possibly cold—which they might have attempted to warm with vodka. At times, I imagine, we’d have bounced along with the bolt open on our weapons; ones loaded with highly penetrative .30-caliber ammunitation. I like the weapon and picturing the tank riders, but I wouldn’t want to be one, even if I got to carry a Soviet PPSh-41.

Soviet PPSh-41 Specs

Caliber: 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Barrel: 10.6 inches

OA Length: 33.2 inches

Weight: 8 pounds (empty)

Stock: Wood

Sights: Hooded front, flip-up aperture rear

Action: Blowback-operated, select-fire

Finish: Matte black

Capacity: 35+1 (box), 71+1 (drum)

This article was originally published in “Military Surplus” 2018. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Review: The Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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The Winding, Myth-Filled Story of Japanese Battle Rifles

January 3, 2018, 6:00 am
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japanese battle rifles disassembled japanese battle rifles type 99 japanese battle rifles type 99 sights japanese battle rifles type 99 top cover japanese battle rifles top 99 markings japanese battle rifles type 38 japanese battle rifles type 44 carbine japanese battle rifles type 44 carbine safety knob japanese battle rifles type 44 rifle japanese battle rifles type 44 bayonet japanese battle rifles world war ii

Years ago, I’d seen Japanese battle rifles at gun shows and in the closet of my good friend Dexter Thunder, whose father boasted a captured “Jap 31.”

In the spring of 1963, I had two American high-powered rifles and an interest in World War II history. Then I got the call from my brother. I was to be a consultant, properties master, acquisitions manager and weapons guy on an amateur WWII film project beginning the next year. Uh oh. I had to learn more. So I read every word I could find. Fortunately, my next-door neighbor, Bill Flanagan, had a large collection of those rifles and knew a lot about them and their unique qualities.

I quickly discovered Masami Tokoi of Tokyo and several others. The venture set a course that leads here. The story of Japanese battle rifles from 1905 to 1945 is brilliant and tangled. Inhibited by a chronic lack of automatic weapons, especially submachine guns, Japanese soldiers tried to accomplish a lot that proved impossible. From 1906 to 1945, Japanese factories produced about 6.4 million rifles. It’s worth noting that Japanese bolt-action rifles are often discussed as one entity, which they aren’t. And to some Japanese contacts, only the Type 38, the earlier of the contemporary rifles, is truly an “Arisaka.”

Japanese model designations are based on the reign of emperors and the establishment of royal lines. After about 1930, the last two digits of the Japanese calendar year were used. Our 1939 was Japanese year 2599, and therefore, the new 7.7mm rifle became the Type 99. The earlier system used the anniversary of the reigning monarch, so the old Type 38 marked the 38th year of the Meiji era (or 1905 to the West).

Into The Next Century 

Japan had been a feudal state well into the 19th century. But by 1897, Japan’s military societies understood the need to upgrade to the standards of Europeans, and they adopted a Mauser derivative repeating rifle called the Type 30, which was designed by Col. Nariakira Arisaka’s Ordnance Research Commission.

Mauser’s Gewehr 98 appeared almost immediately thereafter, and Japanese studies quickly recommended adopting the new safety and strength features of the upgraded German system. The overwhelming concern of the new setup was the security of the receiver in case cartridges failed catastrophically.

The Type 38 (made in 1905) forms its receiver from a robust, round steel forging of continuous diameter. No collar is used in the receiver proper, instead forming this surface as part of the breech end of the barrel, which comprises a massive shroud for the nose of the bolt.

Steyr MP34 submachine gun
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Locking shoulders at the rear of the receiver ring are beveled on their forward corners, so closing the bolt draws that mechanism forcibly forward. The left receiver wall remains high, unperforated and extremely sturdy. As with standard Mausers, the bolt is substantial, one piece and bored from the rear, placing a solid face against the cartridge. The bolt and receiver are relieved in unique ways.

Rather than a separate safety, Arisakas use a huge cup-like striker cap, activated (with the safety off) by pressing firmly forward and turning it about clockwise.

Because of wood weaknesses, with stocks tending to break at the wrist near the pistol grip, the forward portion wraps around the pistol grip, holding the second slab of the buttstock heel together. Despite porous woods, they experienced little breakage in that area. The venting of bolt areas and holes in the receivers of Japanese bolt-action rifles minimizes the chance of damage due to a catastrophic failure.

Some have suggested these vents make the rifles unsafe. That’s not true. Japanese bolt actions are the strongest turnbolt weapons ever devised. P.O. Ackley and others used them to experiment with high-pressure loads that would have reduced other rifles to shrapnel. A great deal of flash was produced and barrels unscrewed, but the rifles tested—even late 99s—were never seriously compromised.

In Bolt Action Rifles, Frank de Haas wrote about a Type 38 that was re-chambered to .30-06. It was a 6.5mm with a .256-inch-diameter bore, and the 0.308-inch bullet, under pressures into six digits, had to be squeezed down the bore. The cases were intact, and the rifle never developed mechanical flaws. Its recoil was outrageous, and the report cannon-like. Its owner killed a deer with it. Impressed, the National Rifle Association ran more tests on this particular Type 38.

De Haas ran similar torture tests on rather rough late-issue Type 99 rifles, which also made for fascinating reading. Back then, those rifles were about $10 apiece and seemed to be everywhere, so such experimentation was common. I encountered a hunter shooting heavy 200-grain .35 Remington rounds out of another Type 38 rifle..

The Type 38 was in ways over-engineered, but it was far and away the safest military bolt-action rifle ever produced. De Haas also noted that their general metallurgy and production quality was very high.

The Japanese 6.5x50mm cartridge was superb. Several veterans reiterated hearing the cartridge dismissed in training as “.25 Jap—not much worse than a pin prick.” Apparently, someone confused the round with the .25 ACP, the notorious Saturday Night Special pipsqueak popular with armed robbers and gamblers. Statistics maintain that the Japanese 1897 cartridge is firmly in the upper-range power category of the .30-30, regarded as a first-class deer cartridge, which is still handy in a lever-action rifle. And that is a long way from any pistol cartridge.

The Type 38 branched into two carbines: the folding-bayonet 44 for cavalry and the 38 Carbine, which accepted the standard bayonet. All of Japan’s WWII rifles were configured to accept a sheet-metal cover that reciprocated with the bolt. Many writers claim these were regularly tossed by troops, but Japanese testimony contradicts that. Most captured weapons lack those covers, suggesting they were regularly lost or misplaced after being captured. Noisy if not properly fitted, it’s possible they were dampened by the insertion of oiled strings in combat zones, but many fit securely and make no noise, even when the rifle is intentionally shaken. Also, my Japanese sources mentioned that discarding the emperor’s property was punishable by court martial.

Early Type 38s—the rifle was produced continuously for 40 years—exhibit beautiful craftsmanship. Late in the 38’s career, 1937, a sniper version with a 3X telescopic sight was introduced under the new naming system as the Type 97. This scope boasted excellent optical quality but was essentially fixed with range striations so the shooter could estimate range but not move the optic.

The dust cover was retained through the later Type 99 rifles, and chrome plating of the bores and the chambers was introduced as a standard anti-corrosion measure that also sped up cleaning. More than anyone else, the Japanese knew
that primer salts caused metal to decay.

The Type 38 saw action in World War I when the Japanese quickly snapped up German possessions in the Pacific—many reclaimed later by Americans at a much higher price in blood.

Another War, Another Rifle 

In 1931, the Japanese army invaded Manchuria, commencing World War II earlier than anywhere else. The attack upon the Chinese province seemed easy, but tactical reports suggested that new firearms were necessary. Provincial troops fielded Mausers in the potent 7.92x57mm cartridge, the German standard, and infantrymen took casualties before their rifles were in range. The overwhelming Japanese advantage in artillery and machine guns more than made up for that, however.

A new machine gun, the Type 92, was quickly designed and in service by mid-1932, using a semi-rimmed cartridge based on the German 7.92x57mm service standard. Almost immediately, a further streamlined, slightly downloaded rimless version of the 7.7mm round began to be bandied about, and competition for a shorter, upgraded weapon built for it began.

Prototype tests at the Futsu Proving Grounds selected the Nagoya Arsenal version, or “Plan One” rifle, using straightforward modifications. This rifle, called the Type 99 (made in 1939), used a theoretically weaker action for a considerably more potent loading, meaning the safety margin was reduced. However, it far exceeded the worldwide pressure relief parameters.

Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun
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The 99 action uses a larger ejector slot, slightly reducing pressure tolerances in case failures. And the overall mass of the action is reduced in critical areas. There were also a few carbines, but no official documentation exists in English or Japanese. These might have been field-modified weapons.

The Type 99 rifle included a complex anti-aircraft sight, the instructions of which constituted several pages. The fold-down “ears” of this mechanism were to tabulate lead based on estimated speed and the angle of attack, and the shooter then had to calculate range. By then, the airplane would likely have been gone. These sights were deleted swiftly.

Also included on early 99s was a wire monopod with no positive lock, mainly useless as a shooting rest, but for which inventive soldiers found other uses.

By 1941, the Japanese introduced the most practical takedown rifle of the war, giving their airborne personnel access to a full-featured, full-length rifle that, using an interrupted-thread detachment screw, could be broken into two easily reassembled halves. Superbly trained and apparently fearless, Japanese army parachutists saw considerable combat but were never actually deployed in an actual combat drop. No one knows if the navy paratroopers in the Celebes campaign even had access to the Type 00 (99 variant) takedown rifles.

No Japanese sources I contacted could explain the Type 99 long rifles. They primarily went to the navy, which had also used vz. 24s (German 8mms) and the Italian-produced Carcano Type I rifles with a Mauser-style magazine but chambered in 6.5x50mm.

The new cartridge enjoyed success in China. Ironically, against Americans in the Pacific, ranges were shorter, and the older cartridge would have served as well—maybe even better.

Sniper versions of the Type 99 are very rare, using a similar family of optics to the 6.5mm Type 97 sharpshooter’s versions. Most Type 99s respond positively to having their barrel channels free-floated and their action bedding firmed up with slow epoxy applications internally. Many early Type 38s use more stable hardwood stocks and will shoot close to 1 MOA with the best ammunition. Sierra’s 174-grain MatchKing bullet or Hornady’s similar No. 3131, topping off 4064 or Varget powder loads, have made this possible.

Exceptional Builds

Sometimes criticized for their relatively long trigger pulls and “cock-on-closing” actions, which might negatively affect the lock time and, therefore, accuracy, Japanese battle rifles are at least the shooting equal of any other five-round bolt action to see military service—and they’re far safer than most.

Ostracized by some pundits who never tested the machinery, the legends and myths of Japanese battle rifles are tied up with kamikaze, Shinto, bushido, emperor worship, ancestor-centered prayer and the fatalistic and militaristic glorifications of courage, which might explain Japanese military tactics but does not account for the excellence of the rifles.

Japanese battle rifles surrendered to Allied authorities in August 1945 show defaced imperial chrysanthemums. Those captured in battle weren’t mutilated. What tales those with unblemished markings might say, if they could, cannot be known, but they are stories of defeat in the face of a hopeless war, begun with a ridiculous excess of optimism by leaders foolish enough to dream that Americans would not fight back.

Type 38 Arisaka Specs

Caliber: 6.5x50mmSR
Barrel: 31.4 inches
OA Length: 34.2-50.2 inches
Weight: 7.3-9.25 pounds (empty)
Stock: Wood
Sights: Barleycorn front, adjustable leaf rear
Action: Bolt
Finish: Blued
Capacity: 5+1
MSRP: N/A

Type 99 Specs

Caliber: 7.7×58 Japanese
Barrel: 25.8-31.4 inches
OA Length: 43.9-50 inches
Weight: 8.6-9.1 pounds (empty)
Stock: Wood
Sights: Barleycorn front, adjustable leaf rear
Action: Bolt
Finish: Blued
Capacity: 5+1
MSRP: N/A

The post The Winding, Myth-Filled Story of Japanese Battle Rifles appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Romanian Fighter: The Short-Barreled PM md 90 AK Variant

January 9, 2018, 6:00 am
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PM md 90 rifle right profile PM md 90 rifle barrel PM md 90 rifle controls PM md 90 rifle flash suppressor PM md 90 rifle rear sight PM md 90 rifle sight PM md 90 rifle stock PM md 90 rifle front sight PM md 90 rifle stock release latch PM md 90 rifle stock folded right profile PM md 90 rifle stock folded left profile PM md 90 rifle shooting

Romanian versions of the AKM have long been among my favorite variants in the AK world.

The foregrips are a real aid to shooting full-auto models, and they help control the semi-auto Romanian rifles better in rapid-fire, too.

The original Romanian AKs were the Pistol Mitraliera model 1963 (PM md. 63), with a fixed stock, and the PM md. 65 with an under-folding stock. Operating the PM md. 63 and PM md. 65 is basically the same as using an AKM. But the PM md. 63 and PM md. 65 differ subtly: The foregrip slants forward on the PM md. 63 but rearward on the PM md. 65 to allow the folding stock to full collapse. Another distinctive feature of these rifles is the lack of a muzzle brake, though the muzzle is threaded and usually has a muzzle nut. Always an important feature for rifles chambered in 7.62x39mm, the bore, chamber, gas piston and gas cylinder’s interiors are chrome plated. Though non-corrosive 7.62x39mm ammunition is readily available nowadays, remaining stocks of corrosive ammo are large and turn up on the surplus market. PM md. 63 and PM md. 65 rifles often came with 20-round magazines to make it easier to reload with the foregrip in place. This was especially true with the PM md. 65.

ak stocks and grips
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Many parts kits for the PM md. 63 and PM md. 65 have been imported into the United States. Many of those were from the version of the rifle produced for Romania’s Patriotic Guards, who were issued semi-autos. Reportedly, those rifles were produced after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, when the Patriotic Guards were formed in case the Soviets turned their attention to Romania. The rifles were designed to give the paramilitary force a weapon without a select-fire capability. They were identifiable by the black band around the buttstock and a large “G” on the sight block.

The first short-barreled Romanian version of the AKM was the PM md. 80 (also called the AIMR), which has a shorter gas block that’s combined with the front sight post to keep the weapon’s overall length down. It also uses a side-folding stock that folds to the left side of the receiver. Romanian side-folding stocks normally come straight back, curve downward and then curve around to form the butt in roughly triangular form. These are similar to those used in East Germany. PM md. 80s typically have a cone-shaped or cylindrical flash suppressor.

After the Soviet Union adopted the 5.45x39mm AK-74, Romania followed suit more than a decade later with the 5.45x39mm Pusca Automata model 1986 (PA md. 86). Rather than being a copy of the AK-74, the PA md. 86 retains some elements of the AKM. However, beginning in 1990, the Romanians also produced a similar rifle in 7.62x39mm caliber—the PM md 90. It uses a side-folding wire stock and has a slant flash suppressor/muzzle brake similar to the early Russian type.

A carbine version of the PM md 90, designated the PM md 90 cu teava scurta (short-barreled), was also introduced. It uses the PM md. 90’s standard wire stock, which folds to the right side of the receiver and incorporates many of the modifications used on the PM md. 80. Rather than being compared to the Russian AKSU (aka the Krinkov), the PM md. 90 is more comparable to the Russian AK-104, which is also a 7.62x39mm carbine. You’ll typically see its threaded barrel with either conical or birdcage-type flash suppressors. Some examples also just had a muzzle nut. You might also see PM md. 90s with or without a vertical foregrip. The handguards are typically made of wood. I’ve seen references to the PM md 90 having been produced in 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm NATO as well as 7.62x39mm, but I’ve only encountered them in the latter chambering.

Short-Barreled AK

It’s rare to encounter a short-barreled PM md 90 variant here in the U.S. I’ve not had a chance to handle or fire one of the few that were legally imported, but a friend of mine who collects Warsaw Pact weapons purchased a short-barreled PM md. 90 kit and assembled it on a U.S. receiver with U.S.-compliant parts. Other than being a semi-auto, this is a fairly accurate reproduction, and I recently got my hands on it for this article. Because I have fired select-fire Romanian PM md. 63s and PM md. 65s, I have some idea of how this platform would perform in full-auto, too.

My friend had his short-barreled PM md 90 configured with a vertical foregrip and birdcage-style flash suppressor. I have mixed feelings about the vertical foregrip on this weapon. Because the stock folds to the side, the foregrip’s position isn’t an issue. It allows you to comfortably fire the short-barreled PM md 90 rapidly in semi-auto. I’m sure I would have appreciated it even more on a select-fire gun. On the other hand, I think the foregrip affects the handiness of a carbine intended to be maneuverable in more confined spaces. The short-barreled PM md 90 was originally intended for airborne troops or armored crews. When the carbine is handled with just the strong hand on the pistol grip and the stock tucked against the shoulder while moving through brush or other growth, the foregrip can hang up on vines and other obstructions. When gripped by the support hand, as it would be when carried at the ready, this is less of a problem. I think it probably comes down to personal preference. To be honest, I think the carbine with the foregrip looks more “high speed.”

I’ve had a chance to shoot my friend’s short-barreled PM md 90 a few times and always find it an interesting AK variant to fire. The safety and magazine release are standard AK, so those come naturally to anyone who’s done a reasonable amount of shooting with AK-type weapons. The release button for the folding stock can be operated easily. It’s located beneath the hinged portion of the stock and must be depressed as the stock is folded open or closed. Unlike some folding stocks that can be manipulated with one hand, I find this one requires both. The rear sight on the short-barreled PM md 90 is only calibrated from 100 to 500 meters, as opposed the 100 to 1,000 meters on the standard PM md 90. Although the short-barreled PM md 90 I shot is fairly accurate, for me, 500 meters is  optimistic. The takedown process is similar to that of other AK-47s.

Range Time

To evaluate the short-barreled PM md 90 for this article, I used Red Army Standard 123-grain FMJs and Golden Tiger 124-grain FMJs. Although it’s easier to use and reload with 20-round magazines due to the foregrip, I’ve used 30-rounders in the gun before and believed that because I wasn’t going to be in a firefight, I could change those fast enough for hitting hanging plates. I didn’t shoot paper targets or measure groups because I was more interested in reacquainting myself with the handling characteristics of this PM md. 90 variant.

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I fired about 100 rounds through the short-barreled PM md 90 at hanging plates at 25, 50 and 100 yards. In some cases, I fired a double- or triple-tap at 25 yards, then at 50 and then at 100. I guess you might say I was training for the scenario of taking out the closest first, depending on how they were armed (that is, if the guy at 25 yards had a club and the guy at 100 a heavy machine gun—you get it). The foregrip helped a lot with this drill, as my hand did not slip at all on the forearm as I changed the point of aim. The 7.62x39mm round doesn’t have that much recoil, but the foregrip helped me keep the sights on target for fast follow-up shots.

The sights were typical of the AK platform—adequate at best. Operating the safety was less than ergonomic. In fact, when I carried AKs that might be needed quickly, I often carried them with the safety off and the chamber empty, as I’ve found I can operate the bolt faster to chamber a round than the safety with a round chambered. That’s just my experience. I did well on the 25- and 50-yard hanging plates and not bad on the 100-yard plates—“not bad” meaning I got hits about half the time. At best, though, I found the butt portion of the folding stock usable but certainly not comfortable. With a heavier-recoiling round, it would have been hard to keep the butt pressed against my shoulder.

I like the Romanian series of AK variants, and I like compact and handy carbines. Based on my college logic class, that should lead to the conclusion that I like the short-barreled PM md 90. Scarcity also gives it added appeal.

PM md 90 Short Barrel Specs

Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Barrel: 11.9 inches
OA Length: 23.8-31.7 inches
Weight: 6.8 pounds (empty)
Stock: Wire folding
Sights: Front post, adjustable rear
Action: Piston-operated
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 20+1, 30+1
MSRP: N/A

This article was originally published in ‘AK47 & Soviet Weapons’ 2017. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Romanian Fighter: The Short-Barreled PM md 90 AK Variant appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Testing a Gator-Choke-Equipped Rem 870 Express Tactical Shotgun

May 1, 2018, 6:00 am
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remington 870 express tactical shotgun right angle remington 870 express tactical shotgun gator choke remington 870 express tactical shotgun paradigm srp gator remington 870 express tactical shotgun follower remington 870 express tactical shotgun sights remington 870 express tactical shotgun pump handle remington 870 express tactical shotgun stock remington 870 express tactical shotgun front sight remington 870 express tactical shotgun receiver remington 870 express tactical shotgun gator spreader remington 870 express tactical shotgun gator spreader dimples

The shotgun has never been considered a precision combat weapon. Part of its deadliness is that it throws a pattern of shot over an area that increases the likelihood of hits. Typically, combat shotguns have a cylinder bore, which makes them most effective at 20 yards or less. The cylinder-bore style is chosen because it is felt that chokes can deform buckshot, thus causing a poor pattern. From a cylinder-bore shotgun, the pattern spreads in a somewhat circular manner. For the typical law enforcement, military or home-defense mission, the cylinder-bore combat shotgun performs its task well. Especially if the user patterns it to determine what load performs optimally.

tactical shotgun training
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However, for certain military applications, a more specialized choke may be required. As a result, the “duckbill” or spreader choke was developed to give the buckshot pattern a more horizontal spread. This increases the effect against multiple attackers. As I understand it, the first U.S. military requirement for a spreader choke came from the USAF Security Police (though this may have been early enough that they were still known as the “Air Police”). They wanted to give personnel guarding flight lines or nuclear storage facilities a better chance to take down multiple intruders quickly.

Jungle Combat

As it transpired, however, it was the U.S. Navy SEALs that realized the potential of the duckbill choke in Vietnam, as they named it for its appearance. Used by a point man on patrol, a duckbill-equipped shotgun could quickly clear a trail if enemy troops were encountered. SEALs also found the duckbill deadly for ambushes along waterways or trails. Duckbill chokes also worked well for clearing a deck during a boarding operation. During the Vietnam era, duckbill-choked shotguns were even more effective because SEALs used Ithaca Model 37 riot guns. These guns lacked trigger disconnects. Hence, the SEAL could just pump the shotgun while holding the trigger back.

When the U.S. military was testing spreader chokes, it experimented with chokes that gave a 2-to-1 or a 4-to-1 ratio of width to height of the pattern. Among the lessons learned in Vietnam was that #4 buckshot worked better in a spreader choke, as it provided more pellets to cover the area, and that the duckbill chokes as issued had a tendency to fracture after quite a bit of use. After Vietnam, the duckbill choke was mostly forgotten, though the book “Point Man” by Chief James Watson, in which he talks about his use of the duckbill-choke-equipped Ithaca Model 37 in Vietnam, made readers aware of this special-purpose shotgun. As a result, a few Duckbill shotguns were made on a custom basis over the years.

Enter Paradigm SRP

Recently, though, the spreader choke is back in production with Paradigm SRP for use by contemporary special operators. This is a completely redesigned Duckbill that has been beefed up substantially so that it will not fracture with extensive use. Original U.S. military Duckbill chokes were normally soldered onto the shotgun, which meant that the shotgun was really only designed for effective use in limited tactical situations. The new Gator, as it’s called, on the other hand, is designed as a screw-in choke, which may be installed for situations where its horizontal spread offers an advantage or removed to allow another choke to be installed for more general use.

The Gator is available for several choke systems, including the Rem Choke, Winchoke Invector, Winchester Invector, Benelli Mobil, Benelli Optima Plus, Benelli Crio Plus, Beretta Optima and Beretta Crio. A version is also available for the Saiga shotgun. Since I use Remington 870 tactical shotguns much of the time, I chose to install the Rem Choke model on an 870 Express Tactical.

Gator Bait

Although I own a couple of 870s, I did not have one with the Rem Choke system, so it seemed a good excuse to acquire an 870 Express Tactical. This shotgun is an excellent value, whether for law enforcement or personal-defense usage. It is chambered for both 2¾- and 3-inch shells and will take six rounds of either in its extended magazine. The barrel length is 18.5 inches, and it comes with an extended, ported Remington choke. An XS Sight Systems Ghost Ring sight rail is mounted on the receiver, with the ghost ring combining with the front post for fast sight acquisitions but also more precise shooting when desired. The ghost ring is adjustable for windage and elevation. The Picatinny rail allows you to mount a range of optical sights, though it is a relatively short rail, so an optic with a short base will be needed.

Other features include a tactical-style forend and an orange follower so you can be quickly determine if there are shells in the magazine. Swivels are included for mounting a sling. The shotgun’s a bargain, too, as the price at larger retailers tends to be around $500. Whether you intend to install a special choke such as the Gator or not, this is an excellent chose for a combat shotgun.

Installation

The first thing I noticed about the Gator was its quality of manufacture. The machining and finish are of very high quality, as is the design. Even uninstalled, the Gator looks aggressive and deadly. Very importantly, as well, it comes with clear instructions for installation. In my case, first I had to unscrew the ported Rem Choke that came on the 870.

After that, all that was necessary was to screw in the Briley Rem cylinder that came with the Gator. Once it was screwed in, I painted the threads on the front of the choke with Loctite and screwed on the Gator. Once it was screwed in tightly, it was necessary to back it off so that it was correctly positioned using two depressions on its top as a guide. After that, I left it for the Loctite to set. At this point, the Gator was ready to go. And it could be unscrewed and replaced with another choke if so desired.

First Hits

I decided to initially try the Gator using Federal 2¾-inch #4 buckshot for the simple reason that it was the only #4 buckshot I had. Using two humanoid targets positioned next to each other at 10 yards and aiming between the two targets, the pellets spread well between the two. At 25 yards, still using the 2¾-inch shells, which throw 27 #4 pellets, the pattern was 31 inches wide and 18 inches high. I had hoped for a better horizontal spread.

By the next time I took the Gator the range I had acquired some Federal 3-inch #4 buckshot, which throws 41 pellets. I hoped for better results with the heavier loads and definitely got them. I set up three 18-by-30-inch IPSC targets next to each other at 15 yards for the test. The 3-inch #4 buckshot loads are absolutely the way to go to maximize the Gator. All 41 pellets impacted the targets. I had aimed at the center target, which took 25 hits. But the left target took 7 hits and the right target took 9 hits. The pattern was about 51 inches wide by 16 inches high. That’s over a 3-to-1 ratio of horizontal to vertical.

More Testing

I did some shooting at hanging plates between 15 and 35 yards away, mostly using 2¾-inch shells. I wanted to be able to handle the Remington more quickly to check my sight acquisition with the ghost-ring sights. What I found was the Express Tactical was very light and handy. I tried a few rounds of 3-inch #4 buckshot on hanging plates, mostly to see how many I could hit with each shot. I didn’t measure the distance between the plates, but I found that I was hitting two of them with the spread of the 3-inch shells when I aimed in the middle between them. When using the 2¾-inch shells, if I got my aiming point just right, I was hitting both, but not every time.

Remington Model 870 Tac-14 aiming
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By the way, other sizes of buckshot may be used, but buckshot larger than #4 does not perform as well. And I do not recommend shooting slugs with the spreader installed!

Special Purposes

It must be emphasized that a shotgun with a spreader choke is a very specialized weapon designed primarily for military use in ambushes or for clearing a ship’s deck. The wide horizontal pattern would endanger bystanders if used in normal law enforcement scenarios. However, in cases of extreme societal breakdown when the law officer or the civilian homeowner might be facing an armed crowd, it would prove an excellent equalizer. I should note, too, that although the Gator is designed to deal with multiple attackers through its horizontal pattern, if it is necessary to target one hostile individual, the shotgun may be turned on its side to fire a large vertical pattern on its target.

I write books on combat shotguns and do a lot of articles on the topic, so I certainly looked forward to testing the Gator. It performed as expected, especially when using 3-inch #4 buckshot. In addition, I was also very happy with the Remington 870 Express Tactical. I didn’t think I needed another 870 combat shotgun, but it convinced me that I did. I wasn’t that hard to convince! The MSRP for the Gator is $199, which, given the quality of manufacture, is very reasonable.

Remington 870 Express Tactical Specs

Gauge: 12; 3-inch chamber
Barrel: 21.25 inches (w/Gator installed)
OA Length: 41.25 inches (w/Gator installed)
Weight: 7.5 pounds (empty)
Stock: Synthetic
Sights: XS blade front, XS Ghost Ring rear
Action: Pump
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $800 ($601 for base shotgun)

For More Information

Paradigm SRP
paradigmsrp.com

Remington
remington.com

This article was originally published in “The Complete Book of Guns” 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Testing a Gator-Choke-Equipped Rem 870 Express Tactical Shotgun appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Grease Gun: Examining the M3/M3A1 Submachine Gun

May 27, 2018, 6:00 am
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Compared to most U.S. infantry weapons of World War II, the M3 submachine gun is not especially well known. This is even more remarkable given that it is the longest-serving SMG in U.S. military history, having been used from 1942 to 1992.

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The M3’s resemblance to the tool used to lubricate automobiles resulted in its nickname, the “Grease Gun.” Many of those who do recognize the M3 may know it more by that title than its official designation. The M3 has been portrayed onscreen a few times, including the film “The Dirty Dozen” and in HBO’s “Band of Brothers.”

A New Direction

Development of the M3 began in 1941 when the U.S. Army Ordnance Board became interested in an inexpensive, mass-produced submachine gun akin to the British Sten Gun. This in itself was quite a turnaround as, unlike many European armies, the U.S. Army had never really been especially enamored with SMGs. At the time, the U.S. submachine gun was the Thompson, which had been adopted to a large extent because it was available and already in production at the start of the war.

The Thompson was effective but heavy and expensive. Based on a list of requirements submitted by the Army, specs were developed for an all-metal weapon, chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge, capable of either semi- or full-auto fire, having a low cyclic rate and capable of being inexpensively mass produced. The original specifications had offered .30 Carbine as an alternative to .45 ACP, but the pistol caliber was chosen. To save costs, the capability of firing on semi-auto was eliminated, so the M3 could only be fired on full-auto.

Working with engineers from the Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors, the Ordnance Department developed what was designated the T-15. Specifications of October 8, 1942, included a stipulation that the T-15 could be easily altered to fire the 9mm round, thus allowing captured ammo to be used and M3s to be supplied to allies or Resistance fighters.Another stipulation was that the capability of firing semi-auto be eliminated to make production easier and less expensive. Because the M3 had such a low cyclic rate, it would be much easier to fire one or two shots through trigger control.

T-20

The version incorporating these changes was designated the T-20. Five prototypes of the T-20, along with five 9mm conversion units, were built by General Motors for testing. In accuracy testing on a 6-by-6-foot target at 50 yards, the T-20 scored 97 hits out of 100. For comparison, a Thompson SMG used as a control scored 93. During a reliability test of 5,000 brass-cased .45 ACP rounds, there were only two failures to feed, both attributed to defective magazine followers. An additional test of 500 rounds of steel-cased .45 ACP had three failures to eject and one to feed. Additional reliability tests included those in mud and dust. The T-20 proved more reliable than other SMGs that were tested. Tests of the T-20 were also carried out by the U.S. Army Airborne Command, the Amphibious Warfare Board, the U.S. Army Infantry Board and the U.S. Armored Forces Board. All recommended its adoption.

An Ordnance Committee memo from December 23, 1942, recommended its adoption as “US Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3.” Its production was approved in January 1943, and production began in May 1943. An initial contract for 300,000 Grease Guns was awarded to the Guide Lamp Division of General Motors because of this division’s expertise in the use of stampings in production.

Devil’s In The Details 

Other than the barrel, the bolt and a few other smaller parts, the M3 was produced entirely of stampings at a cost of around $18.36 per unit, plus $2.58 for the bolt assembly, which was subcontracted. The cost of the M3 was about half that of the M1A1 Thompson, and the production time required was about half as well. Many of the production shortcuts used by the British in making the Sten Gun were used in making the M3. For example, as with the Sten, M3 barrels were cold swaged. By the end of 1943, Guide Lamp had produced 85,130 M3s, with production in 1944 rising to 343,372. A final 162,723 M3s were produced in 1945.

Prodlems arose in 1944 with issued M3s, including cocking handle assembly failures and fragile rear sights, among others. These problems were fixed in later M3 production.

In May 1944, the Tank Destroyer Board requested a fix to magazines being inadvertently released, resulting in a guard being added around the magazine release. To fix tankers damaging the bolt face and chamber by using the stock as a cleaning rod, a stop plate was added between the stock rods.

Simplification

In April 1944, the Ordnance Department and Guide Lamp began work on simplifying the M3 even more. Not all suggested changes were implemented, but among those that were was the elimination of the cocking handle/crank. Instead, the bolt was designed to incorporate a recess, which allowed the finger to be used to pull back and cock the bolt. Among other changes was the incorporation of a loading tool into the buttstock, incorporating a longer ejection port and ejection port cover/safety flap, and strengthening the rear sight. On February 22, 1945, the new design was adopted as the “Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1.” The M3A1 was slightly lighter than the M3 by a couple of ounces. Before the end of the war, only 15,469 M3A1’s had been produced.

Called To Duty

The ejection port cover/safety flap is one of the more interesting cost-cutting features of the M3/M3A1. Rather than using a conventional selector or safety, the M3’s safety consists of a stud on a hinged ejection port cover. When the bolt is forward, the cover may be closed over the bolt, with the stud engaging a recess in the bolt. This prevents the bolt from being jarred rearward, thus cocking the weapon on a loaded magazine. When the bolt is to the rear, the stud engages a notch atop the bolt, preventing the bolt from going forward. Since the M3/M3A1 fires from an open bolt, securing the bolt in position is very important for safety.

As troops got used to the M3, they found it easy to carry with good stopping power. They also grew to appreciate the low cyclic rate, as it allowed greater control. Although it had initially been issued to paratroopers and Rangers on a limited evaluation basis, it did achieve wider use among members of the 17th Airborne Division during Operation Varsity. Tank crewmen and armored infantrymen were also among the early troops to receive the M3. MPs found the M3 a very useful weapon for guarding installations or controlling prisoners. Although intended as a replacement for the Thompson SMG, both continued to be used until the end of World War II, at which point most Thompsons were pulled from service.

Suppressed Variant

A suppressed version of the M3 had been developed for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). A barrel with an integral suppressor could be easily installed on the M3 by screwing off the standard barrel and screwing on the suppressed one. Since the .45 ACP round is subsonic, standard ammunition could be used, and the heavy 230-grain bullet retained substantial stopping power even when fired from a suppressed weapon. A total of 1,000 suppressed barrels were produced for the OSS contract. Suppressed M3s are notably heavier by more than a 1.5 pounds and are longer than the standard model M3.

During the Korean War, the principal U.S. SMG was the M3A1. Due to the cold weather, care had to be taken not to over-lubricate the M3A1, and troops found that cocking the bolt with their fingers was difficult.

Modern Combat

In 1953, Ithaca Gun Company was given a contract to manufacture over 90,000 new M3 bolts to replace those that had become too worn for continued use. Later in the 1950s, Ithaca was given a contract for 70,000 new M3A1 SMGs to fill estimated future needs. Production took place during 1955 to 1956, but only 33,227 Ithaca M3A1s were produced before the contract was cancelled. This additional production allowed the Thompson to be taken out of service in March 1957.

During the Vietnam War, the M3/M3A1 saw use with U.S. Special Forces, Vietnamese forces and Marine Recons among others. When Delta Force was formed in late 1977, it used the M3A1.  Suppressed M3A1s also went along on the Iranian hostage-rescue mission.

After Vietnam, U.S. armored crews were still issued the M3 to carry in their tanks, and tankers in Europe facing the threat of a Warsaw Pact attack had M3s. Armored vehicles in the first Gulf War also carried M3s.

Range Report

I have fired the M3, M3A1 and suppressed versions. As with most skeleton stocks, that on the M3 is not especially comfortable, but it is better than some, such as the AK underfolder. The stock design is such that it channels recoil straight back, which helps to control the SMG during full-auto fire. I like the low cyclic rate as it allows good accuracy in bursts without undue climb. It also allows me to fire single shots through trigger control fairly easily and two-shot bursts easily.

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When firing, I place my support hand against the magazine well and pull the weapon back against my shoulder. The crank handle on the M3 allows better leverage for cocking the weapon but sticks out; using the finger on the M3A1 requires more effort but there is no protruding crank to catch on gear.

The M3’s ejection port cover is what it is. It has to be flipped up before firing with the support hand and flipped down to render the weapon safe. I find the location of the magazine-release button allows me to hit the release with my support-side thumb while pulling the magazine free. The fixed sights are adequate out to 50 yards.

Final Thoughts

For a World War II Class III collector, the M3 is extremely interesting. It is also a very usable working SMG, especially since it packs the power of the .45 ACP. It was issued to paratroopers in WWII, and I wonder whether I would have traded in my M1A1 for the M3. If I had a choice, I probably would not have. The M1A1 offered longer range and better accuracy. However, for clearing cities during the drive on Germany, the close-range power of the M3’s .45 ACP round might have convinced me.

All in all, I would say the M3/M3A1 Grease Gun has definitely proven its worth over the years!

U.S. M3 Submachine Gun Specs

Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 8 inches
OA Length: 22.8-29.8 inches
Weight: 8.15 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: Front post, fixed rear peep
Action: Full-auto, blowback
Finish: Parkerized
Capacity: 30+1

This article was originally published in the 2016 issue of “Military Surplus.” To grab the latest copy of this magazine, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Grease Gun: Examining the M3/M3A1 Submachine Gun appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Guerrilla Fighter: Examining the Chinese Type 53 Carbine

July 5, 2018, 6:00 am
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Chinese Type 53 Carbine beauty Chinese Type 53 Carbine bayonet Chinese Type 53 Carbine markings Chinese Type 53 Carbine right profile Chinese Type 53 Carbine magazine Chinese Type 53 Carbine magazine floorplate Chinese Type 53 Carbine rear sight Chinese Type 53 Carbine front sight Chinese Type 53 Carbine bolt Chinese Type 53 Carbine stock Chinese Type 53 Carbine marking Chinese Type 53 Carbine knurled knob

The Chinese Type 53 Rifle has a unique history. A license-built version of the Soviet M1944 Mosin-Nagant carbine for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), it only saw Chinese service for a few years as it had already been superseded by the SKS and AK-47 when it was introduced. By the time it entered service in 1953, the Korean War was over so it probably saw little, if any, combat with the PLA, though some Type 44 carbines supplied by the Soviets were used. Then, by the early 1960s, it was being replaced by either the Chinese Type 56 version of the SKS or the Type 56 version of the AK-47.

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For the next 20 years, the Type 53 was used to arm the Chinese People’s Militia. It was eventually replaced in 1982. It was in the hands of Chinese surrogates, especially the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) or Viet Cong, that the Type 53 saw most of its combat. Type 53s have turned up in the hands of other insurgents as well, especially in Africa and Latin America.

Because of the “human wave” tactics used by the Chinese in Korea, which were part of their infantry doctrine, the integral cruciform bayonet of the M1944 was considered a great advantage for the Type 53. Reportedly, Soviet machinery was sent to China to build the Type 53. Production of the Type 53, along with the production of weapons with tooling captured from the Nationalist Chinese, was the beginning of today’s powerful Chinese arms industry.

Hazy History

As is often the case with Chinese-produced weapons, there are some questions about the Type 53. For example, I have never seen a figure for how many were produced. There is also some discussion among collectors and arms historians about when production ceased. The years 1960 or 1961 are sometimes cited as the last years during which Type 53s were produced. Captured rifles from Vietnam are known that were produced in 1961, but it is possible that some rifles were produced after that year. Initially, Type 53 rifles were marked in Chinese characters that indicated its designation as “53 Year Type” and production at the “State Factory at Chongqing,” but later rifles lack these markings. Whether these were removed in an attempt to hide the origin of rifles for guerrilla groups or for another reason is not known.

The Soviet Model 1944 Carbine, upon which the Type 53 is based, was itself based on the earlier Mosin-Nagant Model 1938 Carbine. They are very similar except that the Model 1944 incorporates a folding bayonet. Hinged so that it could be unfolded and locked into position, this bayonet offered an excellent compromise that allowed overall length of the carbine to be kept down while still having a bayonet instantly available. Just pulling the bayonet slightly unlocks it and allows it to be folded into position.

Soviet Allegiance

Another interesting aspect of the Model 1944 is the hole in the top of the sight’s hood. This hole was retained on later Soviet rifles and allowed for the use of an AK-47 tool to adjust the elevation of the front sight. On the Model 1944 and the Type 53, the hole allows light to reach the front post. In addition to the Chinese Type 53, M44 Carbines were also produced in Poland, Hungary and Romania. M44s were provided by the Soviets to other allied states, including East Germany. There are also some M44s that were captured by the Finns during the Continuation War and issued. There is enough variation in the M44 that some collectors specialize just in the variations of this carbine.

Mosin-Nagant Influences

The Model 1944, as well as the Type 53, must be viewed in the historical context of the Mosin-Nagant rifle. I have seen the Mosin-Nagant called the longest serving and most widely used bolt-action rifle of all time; I can see no evidence to dispute this claim. The Mosin-Nagant entered service in 1891 and is still being used in conflicts, such as the Syrian Civil War, today. At least 37 million were produced just in Russia and the Soviet Union, not to mention more elsewhere. The basic Mosin-Nagant design proved reliable and durable and was carried over into later models such as the Type 53. Type 53s have turned up recently in use by groups in the former Yugoslavia and by the Shining Path in Peru, among others.

Among the characteristics of the typical Mosin-Nagant were the straight bolt handle and the safety. It was engaged by pulling the cocking piece to the rear and rotating it to the left. This allowed it to hook over the rear of the receiver. Unlike the Mauser, which was the standard by which most rifles were judged at the turn of the 20th century, the Mosin-Nagant had a somewhat complex bolt design as compared to the Masuer. The Mosin-Nagant’s recessed bolt uses a spring-loaded extractor that snaps over the cartridge head as the bolt closes. Once again this differed from the Mauser-type, in which the cartridge head slides under the extractor as a cartridge is fed from the magazine.

Another noteworthy aspect of the Mosin-Nagant’s bolt is that the bolt handle must be turned 90 degrees to open or close it, as is the case with the Mauser. The Lee-Enfield, on the other hand, only required turning the bolt 60 degrees to operate, thus speeding up the reload.

Additional Details

One interesting aspect of the earliest Mosin-Nagant sights was that they were graduated in “arshins” (paces) and were equal to about 0.7 meters. Later sights were graduated in meters when the Red Army started producing the Model 1891/30 version of the Mosin-Nagant. The hooded front sight was added to this version as well. This rifle was produced through the end of World War II, with a total production of almost 17.5 million.

In 1938, a carbine version, the Model 1938, which did not take a bayonet, was introduced. This carbine had proven so much handier and more popular with troops that, in 1944, the M1944 Carbine, upon which the Type 53 was based, entered service.

Another distinctive feature of Mosin-Nagant rifles present in the Type 53 is the use of slots in the stock, rather than sling swivels, for sling attachment. This eases manufacture but also is useful tactically as it eliminates the sound a sling swivel can make when the soldier is moving. The folding bayonet locks in place well and does not rattle, either. The Type 53 does well on a jump test.

Differences between the Type 53 and the Model 1944 upon which it was based are very minor and include a cleaning rod that was 0.5 inches shorter than on the Type 53 and that also screwed in differently. Type 53s generally had stocks produced of a Chinese wood called “chu” that fared well in humid jungle climates. This stock was finished with a heavy varnish or shellac. This wood was also used on Chinese AK-47s.

Shooting Impressions

Century Arms has imported a group of Type 53 carbines that are available as I write this. [Editor’s Note: Century Arms is no longer importing these rifles.] Most show quite a bit of use and Century is not stating from whence they came, but the couple I’ve examined seem to be solid and in good working order.

Among the noteworthy shooting characteristics of the Type 53 is its muzzle heaviness due to the folding bayonet, which gives it a tendency to drop off target if held off-hand for too long. Another noticeable impairment to good shooting is the small U-shaped rear sight notch. The typical Mosin-Nagant safety, which is difficult to apply or remove quickly, would be better left off in combat as it is almost faster to operate the bolt to chamber a round than to remove the safety, though operating the safety is quieter. Its operation would get surer with use; I would imagine a lot of troops in combat carried the Type 53 with a round chambered and the safety off, an invitation to negligent discharges.

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Having trained quite a few Third World troops over the years, I’ve seen many rifles carried set on full auto with the safety off; carrying the Type 53 with the safety off and a round ready to go would not be a great surprise to me. I just always tried not to walk point!

Recoil

One pleasant surprise I’ve found with the Type 53 is that recoil with its 7.62x54R round is not as onerous as I might have expected and seems to come straight back. I certainly wouldn’t rate recoil as any more noticeable than that of one of my 1903 Springfields. I should note, however, that Type 53 recoil seems to be more noticeable than that of the Model 91/30, and I wouldn’t want to shoot too many rounds off of a bench. Speaking of shooting the Type 53, corrosive ammunition is relatively inexpensive; I would recommend some of the Wolf or other non-corrosive ammunition. On a positive note, even though the Century Arms Type 53 Carbines show a lot of use, the bolts operate very smoothly. Type 53s have been somewhat difficult to find for a while, so those at Century offer some collector appeal.

Fueling The Revolution

This article allowed me to get reacquainted with the Type 53. I’ve had it next to my desk while writing. I’ve also handled it dozens of times to remind me of its features. I’ve always found Mosin-Nagants among the more interesting bolt-action military rifles; the Model 1944 and Type 53 Carbines have always been among my favorites. I think I find the Type 53 especially interesting as a reminder of the sometimes tenuous relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union as well as the weapons supplied to Communist insurgents in various proxy wars.

Think about it: China wanted to produce its own military rifle, but the Soviets supplied them with older technology. As a result, the Chinese began producing what was already an obsolescent design in 1953. After only a few years, they replaced it with the Type 56 Rifle and Type 56 Carbine. The Type 53, then, became available to supply insurgents in Southeast Asia and around the world. It is still supplying some insurgents today.

Chinese Type 53 Carbine Specs

Caliber: 7.62x54R
Barrel: 19.5 inches
OA Length: 40.25 inches
Weight: 9 pounds (empty)
Stock: Wood
Sights:Rear notch, front hooded post
Action: Bolt
Finish: Blued
Capacity: 5+1

This article was originally published in “Military Surplus.” To order a copy of that magazine, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Guerrilla Fighter: Examining the Chinese Type 53 Carbine appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Mapping the Course of Canada’s Inglis Hi-Power Pistols

July 20, 2018, 6:00 am
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Inglis Hi-Power pistol variants Inglis Hi-Power pistol right profile Inglis Hi-Power no 2 mk 1 pistol Inglis Hi-Power pistol rear sight Inglis Hi-Power pistol barrel Inglis Hi-Power pistol slide release Inglis Hi-Power pistol lanyard rings Inglis Hi-Power pistol stock Inglis Hi-Power pistol aiming

For my first 20 years of owning handguns, I thought of the Browning Hi-Power as a useful tool. When working on close-protection teams or training counterinsurgency troops, it was the weapon I carried because it was reliable, had a high magazine capacity when most other semi-autos didn’t, was chambered for the readily available 9mm round and was generally available in places I was working if I couldn’t take my own weapon. During that period, I did have one custom Hi-Power built, but it was just a more efficient tool.

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But somewhere along the line, I sort of became a Hi-Power collector. A number of alloy-framed Hi-Powers that Fabrique Nationale (FN) had made for Belgian motorcycle cops were imported. I thought those were pretty cool, so I ordered one, well, really two. Without thinking, I had started a Hi-Power collection. I had a chance to buy a pre-World War II Belgian model with a tangent sight, and it now lives in my safe. As I got older and nostalgia kicked in, I also decided to acquire examples of the more exotic Hi-Powers I had carried back in the day. I have an Indian one, and I’m looking for an Indonesian one. I should probably pick up an Argentinian one as well since, on one job, I carried one that had come back with many twins in a duffel bag from the Falklands War.

And I bought an Inglis Hi-Power. I had carried a Canadian Inglis model a couple of times and found it most noteworthy that its magazine would take 14 instead of 13 rounds, and it had marginally better sights than FN Hi-Powers at the time. In some of the locales, I was working against goblins of various insurgent flavors, and that extra round seemed useful. More recently, I became especially interested in the Inglis as a historical artifact, partially because I had done a book on WWII British airborne troops who were armed with the Inglis for the logical reason that it took the same 9mm round as their Sten guns. Also, Collector Grade Publications published Clive M. Law’s excellent book, “Inglis Diamond: The Canadian High-Power Pistol.” After reading it, my interest in the Inglis Hi-Power deepened.

Intriguing History

The story of the Inglis Hi-Power is quite interesting. John Inglis and Company had been around since the mid-19th century but didn’t get into weapons manufacturing until World War I. During the Depression, the company went into receivership but was purchased by a group of investors with the intent of producing various products, including armaments. Inglis re-entered arms production when it was awarded a contract in 1938 to produce machine guns. By the beginning of WWII, the ordnance division of John Inglis and Company was tooled up and producing Bren light machine guns, eventually delivering more than 100,000 by the end of the war.

How the Hi-Power came to Canada and Inglis is an interesting tale of wartime intrigue and resistance. After Belgium fell to Germany in May of 1940, FN became a subsidiary of the Germany’s DWM, producing weapons for the Wehrmacht. However, the director of FN and his deputy were in England when Belgium fell and did not return.

More importantly, small-arms designer Dieudonné Saive, who had perfected John Browning’s Hi-Power concept, escaped to England in the summer of 1941, bringing with him the drawings for a new self-loading rifle that would eventually become the FN49 as well as his knowledge of the Hi-Power. Although the British had purchased a substantial number of Colt 1911A1 pistols from the U.S., they were interested in producing the Browning Hi-Power and tasked Saive with reproducing from memory a set of manufacturing drawings for it, initially with the intent of producing it at Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) Enfield. In fact, Enfield produced prototypes by the end of 1943, although the pistol never went into production there.

China’s Request

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic in Canada, there was interest in producing the Hi-Power for China. In April of 1943, China requested 180,000 Hi-Powers with wooden shoulder stocks/holsters through the Mutual Aid Plan with Canada. John Inglis and Company would make the pistols; however, various problems had to be overcome. Licensing of the design subsequently was undertaken with representatives of FN and Browning.

Production drawings were also necessary, and their acquisition was progressing on various fronts. The British offered the drawings produced by Saive at no charge. Also, an original set of Belgian drawings was supposed to be sent from southern France. Inglis engineers also had six examples of pistols from the pre-war Chinese contract, which they were reverse engineering. It was still considered important to recruit two Belgian engineers, Saive and Rene Laloux, who had worked on the final production of FN pistols before the war. In August of 1943, an agreement was reached to pay FN a royalty of 25 cents for each of the 180,000 pistols, plus 15 cents on pistols over that number, but to not produce more than 250,000 total.

As Inglis neared production of the Hi-Power, more interest in the pistols came from the Canadian armed forces and the British Special Operations Executive, or SOE, which had a clandestine, behind-the-lines mission similar to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) of the U.S. The SOE wanted 50,000 Inglis Hi-Powers, but not with the Chinese wooden stocks/holsters or tangent sights.

Contract Suspended

By January of 1944, prototypes of the Chinese Inglis Hi-Power were being tested, and production began in February. The Chinese had specified that the pistols come with holster stocks largely because of the popularity of similarly stocked Mauser C96 “Broomhandles” in that country. Inglis produced the metal parts for the holster stocks themselves but subcontracted the wooden parts to Small Arms Limited (SAL) in Long Branch, Ontario. The contract called for SAL to make 140,000 holster stocks and 40,000 canvas holsters.

But as the initial 4,000 Inglis Hi-Powers delivered to the Chinese were sitting in warehouses in India rather than fighting the Japanese, the Canadian Government Mutual Aid Board suspended the contract. Only these 4,000, plus an additional 14,487 awaiting shipment, had been produced. Even these 14,487 pistols did not make it to China. In addition, orders that had materialized from the Canadian and British armed forces, as well as the SOE, would absorb these “No. 1” Chinese contract pistols, plus later production.

The story of the Chinese Inglis Hi-Powers was not over, however, as an additional 39,760 pistols were delivered to China between June and November of 1945 under a new contract. China asked for more aid, but it was denied, as the Communists appeared almost certain to defeat the Nationalist Chinese. In fact, Communists later captured and used many of the Hi-Powers that were delivered to the Nationalist government.

Stock

However, before we leave the Chinese pistols, a bit more should be said about the holster stocks. For the various Chinese contracts, SAL had manufactured 29,038 holster stocks. However, as of September 7, 1945, when the final contract was cancelled, there were 1,053 surplus stocks on hand. This became a boon to collectors who could acquire some of these stocks in virtually new condition over the years.

And I want to make an important point about these shoulder stocks. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BAFTE) has ruled that an original Inglis Hi-Power with the letter “C” in the serial number, indicating pistols produced as part of the Chinese contracts—even if they did not go to China—are legal with an original SAL-produced shoulder stock. Note, however, that despite a large number of reproduction stocks being sold, joining them with an Inglis Hi-Power technically creates a short-barreled rifle, which requires special registration under the National Firearms Act.

After The War

To meet demand, Inglis developed the “No. 2” version, which eliminated the tangent sight and stock lug. During testing, some changes were suggested to the barrel lug, slide, ejector and extractor, resulting in the No. 2 Mk1* Inglis. This pistol was produced for the SOE, which also received some of the leftover Chinese No. 1 pistols. British and Canadian armed forces also tested it. In September of 1944, the Canadian Army adopted the Inglis No. 2 Mk1* with some of their first deliveries also coming from the leftover Chinese No. 1 models. Production of the No. 2 Mk1* accelerated. By January of 1945, the Canadian armed forces had ordered 25,400 pistols. In addition, by May that same year, the Canadian army had received a total of 8,479 No. 1 pistols and 50,648 No. 2 Mk1* pistols.

Meanwhile, the British army continued testing and evaluating the No. 2 Mk1*. Late in 1944, a decision was made to adopt the No. 2 Mk1* for British airborne forces. Military leaders issued an initial requirement of 20,000 pistols on November 26, 1944, with 18,343 of those diverted from the SOE. On January 10, 1945, the British ordered another 15,000 pistols for its airborne forces and some other “non-traditional” combat units. However, the British military did not adopt the Inglish Hi-Power for its other branches.

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American Flirtation

In 1947, in an attempt to standardize a 9mm pistol for NATO conformity, the U.S. expressed interest in a lightweight version of the Inglis Hi-Power. Two lightweight versions were sent to Springfield Armory for trials in August of 1948, but there appears to have been no impetus to adopt this pistol. Note that the Colt Commander and S&W Model 39 were also both developed during the late 1940s as a result of this interest in a lightweight 9mm pistol for possible adoption by the U.S. military. There was also experimentation with a double-action Inglis Hi-Power that did not progress past the prototype stage.

Continued Production

The Canadian armed forces, however, kept using Inglis Hi-Powers for decades. In fact, in the 1980s, Diemaco, which produced the Canadian versions of the M16 and M4, was given a contract to overhaul all of the military’s Inglis Hi-Powers.

By October of 1945, the British had received 48,721 Inglis Hi-Powers, including 17,008 No. 1 variants. With the war over, 10,200 of the Inglis pistols that had been produced for the British were still sitting in a Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps depot awaiting delivery instructions. Until the mid-1950s, the Hi-Power remained the standard-issue pistol for British airborne troops. In 1954, the army decided to replace its .38-caliber revolvers with Browning Hi-Power pistols. However, there were not enough Inglis pistols to fill the need. Those in service were kept running via refurbishment at RSAF Enfield. But by the end of the 1950s, the supply of spare parts from Canada was depleted. As a result, in 1964 the British began buying FN Hi-Powers from Belgium, which were adopted as the L9A1. Some of these are still in use today, though they’re being replaced by the Glock 17.

End Of The Line

By the 1980s, the Inglis Hi-Power had been regulated to reserve status in the British armed forces and, in 1993, it was also officially declared obsolete and sold off, mostly in the United States. Lucky us! When Inglis Hi-Powers first came to the U.S., I bought at least a half dozen and kept one of each type. I think many other collectors snatched them up as well, though I do still see them for sale online and at gun shows. To be honest, for a Hi-Power, the prices still aren’t bad for a historic—but very shootable— pistol. The Inglis certainly ranks among my favorite WWII pistols.

Inglis Hi-Power Specs

Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.4 inches
OA Length: 7.7 inches
Weight: 34 ounces (empty)
Grips: Plastic
Sights: Front post, tangent or notch rear
Action: DA/SA
Finish: Parkerized
Capacity: 14+1

The post Mapping the Course of Canada’s Inglis Hi-Power Pistols appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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Why the .338 Lapua Still Dominates in the Long-Range Shooting World

July 23, 2018, 6:00 am
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338 lapua magnum dutch marines sniper 338 lapua magnum kuwaiti snipers 338 lapua magnum swiss aad10 operator sako tag 42 338 lapua magnum accuracy international awsm rifle 338 lapua magnum armalite ar-30a1 rifle 338 lapua magnum barret model 98b rifle 338 lapua magnum ammo 338 lapua magnum cinder block target 338 lapua magnum barret optical ranging system

Some military snipers view the .338 Lapua Magnum almost as the “death ray” of the Global War on Terror. As good as the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge is, however, it’s not a death ray. Its trajectory is so flat that some observers have called it laser-like, but it’s still not a death ray. And yet the .338 Lapua Magnum is very effective for long-range precision.

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.338 Lapua Magnum Origins

The .338 Lapua Magnum differs from other widely used sniper cartridges because it was specifically developed for sniping. It originated from a U.S. Marine Corps request for a long-range sniping round that could penetrate body armor at 1,000 meters. Research Armament Industries (RAI) started the initial development of the cartridge in 1983. In 1984, however, RAI contacted Lapua to produce the case for the cartridge. Soon afterward, RAI dropped out of the project.

By the end of the 1980s, the .338 Lapua Magnum had become a joint venture between Finnish firms Lapua and SAKO, and the UK’s Accuracy International. Without going into metallurgy details, staffers developed a case that could handle the high pressure of the .338 Lapua Magnum. Initially, it was developed using a 250-grain bullet, which is still the standard.

An important aspect of the .338 Lapua’s design is that it headspaces on the shoulder instead of on a belt, as with some other high-power cartridges, making it easier to mass-produce military- contract machine-loaded ammo.

Continuing Development

Although the .300 Winchester Magnum let rifles previously chambered in 7.62mm NATO reach out another 300 meters or farther, there was still a gap between .30-caliber and .50-caliber sniping rifles. Sniper rifles chambered in .50 Browning Machine Gun (BMG) were originally developed for anti-material use but had proven effective for long-range anti-personnel use, too. However, there were some disadvantages to .50 BMG rifles like the Barrett M107A1 and McMillan TAC-50. These guns are long and heavy, and the .50 BMG generates substantial recoil and causes considerable barrel wear.

The .338 Lapua Magnum could reach out almost as far as a .50 BMG sniper rifle yet was more portable. In addition, it did not wear out barrels as rapidly. The latter is important for a military sniping rifle; trainees must fire many rounds to develop the skills necessary to use these rifles at maximum range.

Two companies involved in developing the .338 Lapua Magnum were also among the first to offer rifles chambered for the round. SAKO offered the TRG 42, and Accuracy International introduced the AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum). The latter was adopted by British armed forces in 2007 as the L115A3 standard sniper rifle.

In The Field

Although the .338 Lapua Magnum was initially developed to penetrate body armor at 1,000 meters, it has been used effectively to 1,500 meters and beyond. And while 250-grain bullets are considered standard for the .338 Lapua, 300-grain loads are normally considered most effective for extreme long-range shooting.

Until it was surpassed in May of 2017 by a Canadian Joint Task Force 2 sniper firing a McMillan TAC-50 to take out an ISIS fighter at 3,540 meters—about 2.2 miles—the record for the longest kill had been accomplished with a .338 Lapua Magnum. In November of 2009, Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison scored a 2,475-meter kill with his L115A3. But there are other noteworthy shots. In August of 2008, U.S. Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle used a McMillan TAC-338 to kill an insurgent at 1,920 meters in Iraq, and in Afghanistan, Corporal Christopher Reynolds of the Scottish Black Watch used an L115A3 to kill a Taliban member at 1,853 meters.

Although intended for anti-personnel use, the .338 Lapua Magnum can also be used in anti-material roles against lighter vehicles and sensitive equipment, such as radars, computers or communications. In an anti-personnel mission, the .338 Lapua Magnum will punch through barriers like concrete blocks or other cover to take out an enemy.

Spec-Ops Preference

Though some countries like the United Kingdom have adopted the .338 Lapua Magnum for their standard sniper rifles, it has proven especially popular with spec-ops units. Members of these units might be inserted into areas of operation (AOs) by parachute, helicopter, small boat, off-road vehicle or on foot. As a result, the rifle’s weight and overall length for stowage are important. For example, the British L115A3 rifle weighs 15.1 pounds with a bipod and an empty magazine, and has an overall length of 48.4 inches. The AXMC version incorporates a folding stock that reduces the overall length to 41 inches while retaining a 27-inch barrel. This version is also designed for use with a suppressor. Also very versatile, the AXMC allows a quick change to .300 Win Mag or 7.62mm NATO.

Remington’s Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR) offers the same basic features. It was developed to meet bid specs for the U.S. Special Operations Command Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) program. Remington was eventually awarded a contract for 5,150 rifles with suppressors.

To enhance the usefulness of the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge at extreme distances against high-value personnel, USSOCOM has also expressed interest in the development of a .338 Lapua round to defeat heavy body armor.

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Maximum Accuracy

Of course, for all of its other advantages, the greatest appeal of the .338 Lapua Magnum remains its accuracy at longer ranges. That accuracy is a result of the care with which most .338 Lapua Magnum sniping rifles are built, combined with excellent optics from companies like Nightforce, Leupold, Schmidt & Bender and Valdada. In addition, these scopes must have excellent optical quality and be able to stand up to the pounding of a cartridge with heavy recoil.

Because of the longer ranges at which .338 Lapua Magnum rifles are used, a ballistic calculator—such as Barrett’s Optical Ranging System—is invaluable. Systems that use a smartphone or tablet, such as the GeoBallistics WeatherMeter and BallisticsARC app, also enhance the caliber’s long-range accuracy. For example, I was involved with training a hostage-rescue unit in a foreign country some time ago. In doing surveys of the capital city, we located shooting positions and then downloaded a map on which we could click various possible targets and immediately get ballistic drop information. Using the WeatherMeter, we also acquired information to adjust for windage. Although skilled snipers can “dope” long shots (and should be able to do so without extra gear) the technology really aided our mission. Laser rangefinders are also very helpful. At ranges of 1,000 meters or farther, using range-finding tools within a mil-dot reticle, for example, requires great skill.

Longer barrels—27 inches on the Accuracy International AWSM and SAKO TRG 42—help maximize the .338 Lapua’s effectiveness but also make transporting the rifle more difficult. In addition, rifles like the Barrett MRAD can be had with 20-inch barrels and folding stocks for a minimum folded length of only 31.75 inches. Highly portable for special operators, the MRAD also sacrifices range, which is the greatest advantage of the .338 Lapua.

Into The Future

Although U.S. armed forces use the .338 Lapua Magnum, the U.S. Army and other branches have expressed increased interest in the .300 Winchester Magnum. The Mk 248 Mod 1 was developed to use 190-grain Sierra MatchKing bullets at 2,950 fps, allowing the .300 Win Mag projectile to remain supersonic at 1,350 yards. Loads using a 220-grain bullet let the .300 Win Mag stay supersonic out to 1,500 yards. This performance comes close to the .338 Lapua, but in lighter rifles originally designed for the 7.62mm NATO. And the ammunition is more affordable.

Continued development of high- performance .300 Win Mag loads will likely limit the .338 Lapua to specialized uses within the armed forces. And rifles like the Remington MSR can be quickly adapted to fire either the .300 Win Mag or .338 Lapua, so one rifle can be used for general-purpose sniping in .300 Win Mag, then configured for specialized missions in .338 Lapua.

Currently, at least 30 countries use .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles, and more than a dozen manufacturers produce guns, in multiple configurations, in this caliber. The greatest advantage of a .338 Lapua sniper rifle is that it can do the job of a 7.62mm or .300 Win Mag rifle, but at longer ranges. And it can also perform many of the missions assigned to .50 BMG sniper rifles, though not as well against hard targets.

So, why the .338 Lapua Magnum? The short answer: versatility.

This article is from the May/June 2018 issue of “Tactical Life” magazine. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Why the .338 Lapua Still Dominates in the Long-Range Shooting World appeared first on Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews.

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