Monthly Archives: June 2015

The Maxim via China

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Hiram Maxim’s machine gun was the standard that all others were stacked up to in the late 19th and early 20th Century. They were adopted in Germany (Spandau and DWM Maschinengewehr), Russia (Pulemyot-Maxima PM1910), Britain (Vickers) the U.S. (Model of 1904) and others, remaining in use through WWII.

One gun that saw even more use is the Chinese Type 24, which in itself is a direct copy of Maxim’s Commercial 1909 model.

chinese type 24 maxim
The Type 24 was perhaps the favorite Chinese heavy machine gun (not in caliber, its just heavy!) throughout WWII and the Korean conflict. It was then given away as military aid extensively and appeared throughout Southeast Asia in the 1960s and 70s and Africa in the 80s, 90s and even today.

Here’s one up close from the guys at AZ Guns and its really neat-o

Kel Tec’s RFB: The big bore bull pup with style

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Back in the 1990s before George Kelgren founded Kel Tec CNC in Cocoa, Florida in 1995, he ran a similar company Grendel Firearms, which had a short but interesting seven year run in nearby Rockledge. With that being said, you shouldn’t be surprised that GK, with his brand new company, chose to use off-the-shelf Sako L579 A-II (A2) actions, a refined design that was introduced in 1985, to build his new rifles from. After all, why reinvent the wheel when you know a great wheel maker.

Chambered in either .308 Winchester, .22-250, .358 Winchester, or .243, this bolt-action rifle used a non-detachable 9-round box magazine that gave it a 10-round capacity with a cartridge in the chamber. With the A-2 action (to include a trigger that could be adjusted down to 2.5-pounds) married up to a Douglas fluted match barrel threaded with single-baffle compensator, the gun was a tack driver. Marketed at the law enforcement market, the gun weighed just 6.7-pounds due to its polymer stock that had an integral bipod base that accepted a M16 style clip-on and …(wait for it)… folded.

The Grendel SRT

The short-lived Grendel SRT

Yup, it folded. In 1987. When folded the 20-inch barrel version rifle was only 30-inches long overall, capable of being carried in a backpack case without being disassembled. The rifle was always meant to be used with optics, and thus came with no sights from the factory. Instead, it had a dovetailed receiver and an all-over matte finish to keep down on the glare. The barrel came in three lengths, 16, 20, and 24-inches with the model numbers running SRT-16F (folding stock, weighs just 6-pounds) SRT-20L (non-folding stock) SRT-20F (folding), and SRT-24. Retail started at $525 and moved up from there for these, essentially being custom built. In production for three years, this novel rifle paved the way in many senses for the…

RFB

Introduced in 2007, the .308 Winchester chambered RFB is a semi-auto bull pup design did everything the earlier SRT tried to but could not– produce a 31-inch long .30 caliber rifle that could still make effective hits while providing a follow-up shot without having to work the action.

KEL TEC BULLPUP RFB18 308 WIN

Read the rest in my column at the KTOG

Phantoms Phorever

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Last year Japan announced they had a record number of air intercepts of foreign warplanes approaching their airspace.

From Janes:

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) launched 533 interceptions in the first half of fiscal year 2014 (FY 2014), compared with 308 in the first six months of FY 2013 (April-September 2013). The total number of interceptions in FY 2013 was 810, itself an increase compared with 567 in FY 2012 and 425 in FY 2011.

The six-month total is the largest since the Japanese Ministry of Defense began releasing such data in 2003, a Joint Staff Office (JSO) statement said.

The majority of intercepted aircraft were Russian: 324 aircraft compared with 136 in the same period in the previous year. The number of Chinese military aircraft intercepted while approaching or flying near Japanese airspace also increased from 149 to 207.

While Japan wants the F-22 but Washington won’t give them up and they are waiting on the F-35, most intercepts are done with what they have, which are 199 F-15s and (wait for it) 71 1970s-era Mitsubishi built F/EF/RF-4EJ Phantoms.

japanese f4 phantom

The JASDF Phantom drivers are experts at what they do and, even while their airframes date back to the Vietnam war era, their electronics have received continuous upgrades and are capable of firing advanced air to air missiles.

jsdf f-4 phantom

japanese f4 phantom 2

japanese f4 phantom 912

The Japanese have so much faith in them that when the F-15s are grounded (which has happened several times) they have dropped the entire load of air defense over the Home Islands on the big smokey Phantoms.

japanese f4 phantom

Why number and mark your mags?

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One of the most common problems encountered with those who own semi-auto firearms is keeping up with all of your magazines and keeping them working for you.

As a certified firearms instructor for a decade for law enforcement, force protection, and concealed carry users, I’ve seen it literally a thousand times– the inevitable lost and found magazines left over after a practice or qualification session. You see, if you train as you fight on a dynamic range where you are moving and shooting, or falling back/advancing to your target, you are dropping mags in the reload process. In the excitement of finishing the course or stage, when given an opportunity to pick up anything that was dropped, often mags are left behind only to be found at the end of the shoot when everyone is policing up brass.

“Whose mag is this? Anyone missing a mag?” comes the cry as everyone starts patting down their chest gear, mag pouches, and peer into their range bag to make sure they have theirs squared away.

If there was somehow your mag is marked in some way to distinguish it from the others, you are in business.

number mags

Read the rest in my column at Firearms Talk

Ten years ago this week

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1110043394SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y.
Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, Calif.
Machinist Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder City, Nev.
Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, N.H.
Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2, Virginia Beach, Va.

Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny P. Dietz, 25, of Littleton, Colo.

SEAL Team 10, Virginia Beach, Va.

Chief Fire Controlman (SEAL) Jacques J. Fontan, 36, of New Orleans, La.
Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Erik S. Kristensen, 33, of San Diego, Calif.
Electronics Technician 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffery A. Lucas, 33, of Corbett, Ore.
Lt. (SEAL) Michael M. McGreevy Jr., 30, of Portville, N.Y.
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffrey S. Taylor, 30, of Midway, W.Va.

Army Night Stalkers
3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Air Field, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, 29, of Danville, Ohio.
Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 35, of Clarks Grove, Minn.
Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 21, of Pompano Beach, Fla.
Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 33, of Shelbyville, Ind.
Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 34, of Washington Depot, Conn.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 31, of Stafford, Va.
Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 40, of Jacksonville, Fla.

HQ Company, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III, 36, of Franklin, Tenn

F-14s were huge…

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Take a close look at the two dozen Grumman F-14 Tomcats arrayed on the 1,092-foot long flight deck of the Roosevelt below.

Atlantic Ocean (March 10, 2006) – F-14D Tomcats are staged in launch position for their departure from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) to their home port of Naval Air Station Oceana. VF-213 and VF-31 are completing their final deployment flying the F-14 Tomcat. For the past 30 years, the F-14 Tomcat has assured U.S. air superiority, playing a key role in ensuring victory and preserving peace around the world. The F-14 Tomcat will be removed from service and officially stricken from the inventory in September of 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Chris Thamann

Atlantic Ocean (March 10, 2006) – F-14D Tomcats are staged in launch position for their departure from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) to their home port of Naval Air Station Oceana. VF-213 and VF-31 are completing their final deployment flying the F-14 Tomcat. For the past 30 years, the F-14 Tomcat has assured U.S. air superiority, playing a key role in ensuring victory and preserving peace around the world. The F-14 Tomcat will be removed from service and officially stricken from the inventory in September of 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Chris Thamann

And on the elevator of the Conny…

030413-N-0295M-004 Arabian Gulf (Apr. 13, 2003) -- Hanger Deck Crew move a F-14D Tomcat assigned to the ÒBounty HuntersÓ of Fighter Squadron Two (VF-2) onto one of four aircraft elevators aboard USS Constellation (CV 64). Constellation and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain. (RELEASED)

030413-N-0295M-004 Arabian Gulf (Apr. 13, 2003) — Hanger Deck Crew move a F-14D Tomcat assigned to the Bounty Hunters of Fighter Squadron Two (VF-2) onto one of four aircraft elevators aboard USS Constellation (CV 64). Constellation and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain. (RELEASED)

Inside the Vault

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From deep inside Battlefield Vegas’s gun vault. They have some 400~ Title II weapons up for rent. How many can you identify?

Dig the Thompsons in both M1923 and M1 variants

Dig the Thompsons in both M1923 and M1 variants slumming it with some UZIs, M3 grease guns and TMPs

Can you say AK? Also note the Vz's and the Walther SMG cameo near the ceiling

Can you say AK? Also note the Vz’s and the Walther SMG cameo near the ceiling

Something watercooled along with an Israeli FN MAG, some M240s and a stack of M1919s with pintel mounts. The latter are for BV's extensive armored vehicle collection

Something watercooled along with a  Zb.26, M1918 BAR, an Israeli FN MAG, some M240s and a stack of M1919s with pintel mounts. The latter are for BV’s extensive armored vehicle collection

FAL goodness

FAL goodness

MP40s, Swedish K guns (or SW 76s) and PPS subguns

MP40s, Swedish K guns (or SW 76s) and PPS subguns

And of course the AR variants

And of course the AR variants

The classic Swiss K31 straight pull rifle

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The industrious hard-working people of Switzerland are known for cuckoo clocks, great chocolates, bank accounts on the low low, and high-end watches. What they are also known for are precisely engineered firearms constructed with close tolerances, old world practices, and elegant lines. One of the best of these was the K.31 rifle, which is available in quantities here in the U.S.

Why the K31?

Even though they are a small country, with a population the size of the state of New Jersey, the Swiss put a well-trained 500,000-man army in the field to stay free and independent during WWII. While some older reservists showed up for duty with the guns they served with…

swiss reservist practices his marksmanship in May, 1940. The large box magazine would indicate he is armed with a rather aged Schmidt-Rubin 1889 96
(For instance– this hardy vet is seen in 1940 using a Infanteriegewehr 89/96 rifle, which was easily a few decades old when this image was taken)

…By and large most of the men in uniform and under 30 during that conflict carried the Karabiner Model 1931 (K31). These guns, designed in the early 1930s to replace the dated Karabiner 11 (K.11) that served the Swiss Army in their strict armed neutrality during World War I, were the bee’s knees when designed.

The K.31 in detail

This breech-loading military rifle used an interesting straight-pull bolt action over a 6-shot detachable magazine. The same general action was used on the earlier K.11 and, as some 185,000 of those guns were still in service in 1931, it was decided that the improved K.31 use the same 7.5×55 (GP11) cartridge. It was, however, an overall upgrade as the action was simpler, the rifle easier to mass produce, and in the end was more of a brush -gun when compared to its WWI-era predecessor.

Author's 1940-made K.31 purchased in 2006 as surplus for $99 +S&H. Note the Swiss Army crest and abbreviated straight-pull bolt handle.

Author’s 1940-made K.31 purchased in 2006 as surplus for $99 +S&H. Note the Swiss Army crest and abbreviated straight-pull bolt handle.

 

Equipped with a heavy wood stock and a milled action, the rifle tipped the scales at a hefty 8.9-pounds unloaded, which put it on par with the German Mauser, British Enfield, and Russian Mosin and about a pound lighter than the older K.11. Nevertheless, barrel length, at just under 24-inches, made the K.31 a tad more compact when compared to many of its rivals with its overall length of just 43.5-inches. For reference, the Enfield is an inch longer, the Karabiner 98 Kurz a half-inch, and the K.31 almost a half-foot shorter than the Soviet M91/30.

The K.31 in marching order circa 1939. Note these rigs are still used in waffenlauf races today.

The K.31 in marching order circa 1939. Note these rigs are still used in waffenlauf races today.

Read the rest in my column at Firearms Talk

Its a fish hook, its a gun.

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fishhook gun 4mm

The fish hook gun– Basically the trigger is located inside the eye of the hook.  The user would string the hook, and load a 4mm cartridge into the breech.  When a fish bit the hook, the user would yank on the line, which would pull the trigger as well as setting the hook, thus shooting and killing the fish.

H/T Lock, Stock, History

Ultimate Marlin brush gun: The Model 62 Levermatic

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For a brief time in the 1960s, Marlin recast its vintage cowboy action rifle line into something a little more responsive and, using state of the art chamberings, was on the cutting edge of lever gun technology. Sadly, it wasn’t to last.

The Levermatic family

Marlin firearms engineering guru Tom Robinson was issued patent number 2,823,480 Feb 18, 1956 for the Levermatic receiver, a system that he developed several years before from the Kessler Arms Company’s “Lever-Matic” shotgun. What was neat about the design was that it used a 25-degree stroke (as opposed to a 90-degree) stroke of the lever to cycle the action. This meant that just moving the lever downwards about two inches would open the breech, remove a spent shell casing from the barrel, and load a fresh round from the magazine. This pattern, a lever action that worked faster than a turn bolt and nearly as fast as a semi-auto, was dubbed the Levermatic by Marlin and soon the ads started flying.

Levermatics

It was first introduced in the Model 56 rifle and continued in production over the nearly two decades as both the 56 and the 57 (with a tubular magazine).

Besides the action, the guns all shared a solid top receiver with side ejection so that center to the bore top-mounted optics could be fitted. As such, each rifle shipped drilled and tapped for Lyman and other receiver sights as well as a Weaver Tip-Off Mount. One-piece Monte Carlo-style black walnut stocks, gold triggers, finger safeties, and Micro-Groove barrels (a concept that Robinson had also invented) came standard. The Micro-Groove used 16 shallow grooves instead of the standard 6 deep grooves seen in Ballard type rifling and was advertised as reducing bullet distortion with picking up an increase in accuracy.

The thing is these guns were all rimfire, being offered in .22S, .22L, .22LR, and .22WMR. What the gun needed to be really effective was a nice shooting centerfire chambering.

Enter the hard hitting…Model 62

The 62 came in .30 Carbine and the very spicy .256 Win Mag among others. A short throw, 7-pound overall weight and detachable magazines in 1963...what more could you ask for?

The 62 came in .30 Carbine and the very spicy .256 Win Mag among others. A short throw lever, 7-pound overall weight and detachable magazines in 1963…what more could you ask for?

Read the rest in my column at Marlin Forum

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