The Truvelo Counter-Measure Sniper rifles (CMS) fulfill all the demands of the professional marksman in the roles of anti-personnel and anti-materiel interdiction. These rifles can be had in any of 6 available calibers; .308 (7.62 NATO), 338 Lapua Magnum, 50 BMG (12.7×99), 14.5×114 soviet, 20x82mm, and 20x110mm. Assuredly, most any stationary target at an identifiable distance can be successfully engaged with one of these weapons. The 7.62 can be used to good effect on soft targets and unarmored combatants out to 800 yards. At the other extreme, the 20×110 fires a 2000 grain projectile at 2800 fps and generates 35,000 ft/lb of energy on target. This rifle can be expected to hit, penetrate and destroy hardened and armored targets at 2500 yards. The 20mm projectile is large enough to carry a significant payload, which can offer “enhanced effect” on target- to include high-explosive, armor-piercing incendiary, and the indiscriminate all-inclusive SAPHEI (semi armor-piercing high explosive incendiary).

The rifles displayed herein represent the 3 smallest offerings- the 7.62×51, .338 LM, and .50 BMG. We assume these will be the most commonly demanded, thus most commonly encountered by the armed professional and well-informed sportsman. At first encounter, the Truvelo rifles are intimidating. They’re heavy and thick. The lines and contours are abrupt and totally utilitarian. But at close inspection and in operation, we found these rifles to be refined- much care was given to the details. The machining and final finish on all metal parts is perfect and smooth. The fit of all components is tight and seamless. There’s no rattle or wobble in these rifles. The bolt opens with a solid, barely audible crack- then glides through the receiver smoothly. The bolt does not ride in broach-cut races, as most bolt actions do- it runs through a perfectly smooth cylindrical bore cut through the receiver. The round bolt body is fully supported around its circumference so it cannot not bind or tilt during operation. The bolt is helically fluted- this extra machine operation lets the bolt make less contact with the receiver bore, for reduced friction, while providing an escape path for debris and particulate matter that may settle in the receiver. The bolt’s lugs are cut into the diameter of the bolt body (rather than protruding from it). This configuration allows for the simple cylindrical receiver bore. There are 4 locking lugs- so the bolt handle only requires a 40 degree rotation for operation. It’s strong, positive and fast. The extractor and ejector are larger than they need to be- in support of the design ideas behind these somewhat over-built rifles.

CMS762 / 26”barrel, 1:11 twist / 46” long (36” folded) / 13.2 pounds.

The receiver-mounted Picatinny scope rails are machined from steel and include a third degree forward tilt (20 MOA) for long-range zeroing capabilities. Also being over-engineered, the scope mount rails are held on by 6mm socket screws (equivalent to SAE 1/4×28). This mounting should allow the scope to endure triple the shear forces that more “domestic” rifles could never expect to survive. In both design and dimension, the scope mount is overbuilt with performance in mind. It’s longer than most commercially available mounting options. This extra real-estate makes it versatile and adaptable. The extra mass makes it strong and reliable. It’s also worth noting, that a few years ago there had been some change to the standard Picatinny rail interface- the critical dimensional criteria and tolerances were revised- to allow better clamping consistency and capability, while ensuring reverse compatibility with any accessory designed to the old dimensional standard. This new rail interface has been labeled the NAR, or NATO Accessory Rail. What’s important here is that the Truvelo CMS rifles feature scope rails fit this new standard.

The trigger mechanism is what we would expect on a professional-grade rifle such as this. The trigger pull offers good feel and feedback- without being overly sensitive. The pull weight approaches 4 pounds and the take-up is longer than most “match grade rifles” would exhibit. At the same time the trigger is not handicapped by any sort of roughness or inconsistency. This kind of trigger pull expects the operator to be committed and in tune to his task and deliberate in his choice of action. It’s the right piece of hardware on rifles such as these. There are three adjustments possible on the trigger.

The safety lever is located just ahead of the trigger blade inside the trigger guard. The way it’s situated makes it almost impossible to forget to deactivate the safety before taking a shot. The thoughtful design of the safety basically lets the operator keep the gun on safe, until his finger approaches the trigger to fire. By doing so, the safety is automatically bumped into the “fire” position by the trigger finger. It’s a very positive safety with fast passive control. The control lever for the detachable magazine is integrated into the profile of the trigger guard- so the “shooting” hand can drop the mag while the free hand is retrieving or replacing the magazine. The magazine release lever does take considerable effort to operate. This protects against accidental mag drop during handling.

CMS338 / 26” barrel, 1:10 twist / 50” long (40” folded) / 15.5 pounds.

The stock of the CMS is not totally unique- it’s just good technology- and probably derived as a common conclusion by most designers and users of precision rifles. It consists of an alloy substructure that houses and connects the barreled action, trigger-guard and detachable magazine box, furniture panels, and folding mechanism for the stock. The substructure protrudes from the front end of the plastic enclosure to present a 3 rail accessory boom and a spigot for a quick-detach swiveling Gibbs bipod. The grip is borrowed from the AK-47 pattern. Any AK type grip may be used.

The folding and adjustable stock is standard style for all Truvelo CMS rifles. The locking mechanism is very solid- as stated before, there’s no wobble anywhere. The button is easy to actuate to unlock from the open position. As long as the bolt handle is lifted, the stock will lock into its forward folded position. The requirement to lift the bolt handle ensures that a loaded rifle is not placed in storage or transport. The action of deploying the stock from the stowed position is not as quick- the user must lift up on the butt assembly then swing it out and back- opening the stock takes a bit more strength than folding it. The cheek rest is not infinitely adjustable- it can be locked into a number of mechanical notches- spaced about ¼” apart. Though the user may not be able to access just that perfect height, this arrangement is very solid- and cannot slip out of location. That is a welcome compromise. The buttpad is adjustable vertically by means of a rotating locking lever. It can be adjusted (with the free hand, in firing position) approximately 1” up and 1” down from its central location. This aspect does indeed allow a user to match the rifle to his unique body geometry- the proportion of the head, neck, and shoulder. The stock features an accessory rail at the ventral edge for affixing a rear monopod.

We tried firing the CMS 7.62 off-hand and found it somewhat cumbersome and labored. There’s just no good place for the forward hand to maintain control and balance. These rifles definitely favor a rested firing position. Save the 7.62 version, these rifles are too heavy to fire free-handed anyway. So again, we gladly accept this compromise. Truvelo does tell us that there are forearm options in the works- such as extra panels that can be attached over the picatinny accessory boom to form a more conventional forearm. We’re looking forward to that but not certain it’s needed.

CMS50 / 30” barrel, 1:15 twist / 57” long (47” folded) / 31 pounds

Truvelo Armory cut its teeth making rifle barrels- from .22 up to 40mm. They are a premier OEM supplier to many other arms manufacturers worldwide. Of course, the CMS rifles all come outfitted with the best Truvelo can muster. Their own rifles however, get an extra dose of “special.” All CMS barrels are fluted- heavily. The 8 groove pattern is aggressive in pursuit of material removal. That’s what is required to make fluting worthwhile. Most gun manufacturers put fluting there for looks, while Truvelo gets after it and makes the grooves deeper than they are wide.

Let’s kill the misconception-fluting does not make a barrel stiffer (than unfluted). The process of removing longitudinal sections of barrel steel is used as a means to affect some weight savings while maintaining most of the original rigidity. So comparatively, a fluted barrel is stiffer than a non-fluted barrel of the same weight and length. That said- these rifles are no still lightweights. Truvelo barrel contours exceed what American brands might call a bull barrel. The “root” of the barrel- the section that meets the receiver is about 25% larger than some mainstream American brands. So even with the weight loss from the deep fluting, these barrels are still heavier- and thus stiffer than any mass produced big brand rifle on the shelf today. Extra metal may be considered by some to be the caveman approach to making an accurate rifle, but it works. The extra surface area does aid in heat radiation
and reduction.

The 7.62 is the only CMS that is not born with a muzzle brake. The muzzle is threaded to accept a suppressor. The 7.62 has moderate recoil, and lends itself well to dedicated suppressed use with full-power or short range subsonic ammunition. The muzzle brakes on the .338 and .50 are good designs that boast 60% reduction in felt recoil. Without access to an appropriate laboratory and equipment to prove that claim, we were content to just shoot the rifles. All we can confirm is that the muzzle brakes are more than adequate; the recoil forces produced by these rifles are very manageable. The .338 produced no more felt impulse than the 7.62 rifle. The felt recoil of the .50 was less than that of a 12 gauge shotgun.

Shows the relative location of the safety and magazine release lever.

The included Gibbs bipod is of the famed Parker-Hale design. These bipods may look old fashioned to some, but don’t be fooled by that. The Parker-Hale design allows for the user to freely swivel, tilt and pan his rifle (within a narrow field) without being tasked with loosening and tightening locking levers and knobs. The free motion of the Gibbs pod allows a shooter to easily match and track the motion of a moving target or pan and scan a target area. Once presented with a target and firing solution, the sniper need only apply a little bit of forward pressure to the rifle; the joints of the bipod bind up and become quite solid. The legs of the Gibbs bipod are extendable and may be folded forward or backward when stowed.

Putting the Truvelo rifles to work was a special opportunity. As staff of Small Arms Defense Journal, we get to field test many types of weaponry. Truvelo Armoury stands out among other precision rifles we’ve spent time with. The heft and quality feel of these rifles seems to instill the operator with an added boost of confidence. Our test rifles were given premium ammunition to demonstrate their accuracy potential. The .308 fired Black Hills Match with a 168 grain Match King. The .338 was also fired with Black Hills Match ammo- with the 300 grain Match King bullet. Hornady Match with the 750 grain A-Max pill was fed to the big .50 cal. We only used our best judgment for bullet weight selection, and relied on the reputation for quality from these 2 ammo manufacturers. All three rifles were fitted with the Nightforce BEAST scope for testing. Considering that the scope is the only connection the rifle and target share- a rifle’s potential for excellence can only be viewed through perfect glass. The Nightforce is unmatched and would allow us to exploit
the Truvelo’s talent.

We had assumed that at this level of expected quality, the Truvelo would “just shoot” and not exhibit a tendency to favor a certain ammunition type (which is usually the case among small arms manufacturers). Our range day would take us into the vast open of the southern Utah desert on the day after a storm. The sky was still overcast, so no mirage to deal with and the wind had died out the day before- so these were perfect conditions. Given such a perfect day, the “Truvelo Trio” performed famously. All returned sub MOA accuracy on a paper target at 300 yards. We engaged a hanging 12”x18” steel plate at 600 yards; all three rifles found this test too easy. At 850 yards the .308 gave up 30% of its hits to waning bullet stability. With the .338 and .50 we were able to continue to ring the 12×18” at 1200 yards. The .50 asked for more, so we took him to task on that same steel at 1600 yards. At this kind of distance- a city block shy of a mile- a successful shot owes much to the shooter. But indeed, the shooter owes much to his rifle and scope. Without embellishment, we connected with that 12”x18” plate at 1600 yards on the fourth attempt. At that range the sound of an impact cannot be heard- but the energy of the 750 A-Max made its effect on target visibly obvious.

The accessory “boom” and Gibbs bipod as seen on the CMS338.

Truvelo rifles are among the best we’ve fired. They’re certainly not “groundbreaking game-changing new technology with next-level capability,” as is so often claimed for mediocre improvements on some other competitive products, but the Truvelo’s are indeed at the top of their game- hitting far-off targets. It is becoming obvious that there are too many “sniper” rifles made for the masses that just miss the mark when it comes to the why and the how of the engineering and final manufacture. The market has become diluted with hobby-level hardware and mediocre quality – all disguised as the next “game-changer” or even marketed as a fashion trend.

Truvelo gives us hope that some firms have not lost sight of real purpose behind their craft. Truvelo makes a well-designed, perfectly simple, rock solid utilitarian long-range weapon that can support the demands and abilities of even the best shooter.

(Note from Dan Shea – I’ve been over the Truvelo CMS series rifles, and find them to be among the finest sniper rifles I’ve fired. They retain enough of the core fundamentals of accurate shooting while not over-complicating the sniper’s job. I would have to say that these rifles shoot better than I can, they’re truly a top-quality rifle that will enhance the ability of any shooter looking for top accuracy).

The magazines are built to last. Note the welds and rivets.

Patriot Ordnance Factory took its foothold during the first half of the last decade-2004. Americans were still feeling the sting of the events of 9-11. We were actively “up in arms” so to speak. Consumer interest and demand for firearms was on a steady climb. And so was the resultant manufacture and sale of guns. Many new startups would appear on the scene purveying the AR-15 in countless trims and patterns. The black rifle would soon secure itself as the most popular and widely sold rifle in America. It is accurate to say that tens of thousands of Americans became employed in, on, around or otherwise involved in the manufacture and sale of black, semi-automatic rifles. POF would emerge as the first American firm offering a (successful) piston-driven AR-15 variant. The company presented itself with the ideals and imagery and theme of a patriotic American arms maker.

Like most things new, POF may have been misunderstood, or even just overlooked by some of us ten years ago. The company’s logo and marketing certainly appealed to our hearts, but the rifles may have been hard to love for some. They appear humpbacked- the picatinny that spans the receiver and forearm is raised significantly; assumed to accommodate the gas block and piston assembly. POF rifles all come with an audible rattle when the rifle was manipulated or shaken, caused by the floating op-rod. These rifles even lack some of the standard kit of parts, so the manual of arms to the basic AR-15 no longer applies. The POF rifle even includes some new parts- not recognizable by trained armorers of the day. And to make matters worse, it can be demonstrated that many gunsmiths, and armorers, and consumers alike carry misconceptions about the true function and process of the AR-15. These incorrect doctrines fall even farther off-base when applied to the misinterpretation of the POF and its function. The “direct impingement purists” will preach slanderous tales about the “piston” and its alleged shortcomings.

The left side of the receiver shows the improved bolt catch lever with a wide paddle at the base. Also note the magazine release, the serrated paddle above the trigger.

It is best now to seek a fresh understanding and accept that POF does not make an AR-15 with a piston inside. POF manufactures rifles that do indeed incorporate some of the AR’s design cues and interchangeable wear and accessory items. This is just good practice in industry- to design wares that are identifiable and serviceable by the layman. POF has reexamined the purpose and intent of the AR-15, and taken a different and updated approach to the same goal. The gun was designed to exploit modern industrial capabilities. Advanced manufacturing techniques and high performance materials and surface treatments guided the design and process. At the same time, some inherent weaknesses and points of potential failure in the classic AR-15 were revised and redesigned; or even omitted. Some parts of POF rifles are cut on a wire EDM, which was new and scary technology in the 1960s. The receivers are CNC machined from solid blocks of alloy on a multi-axis trunion to ensure perfect dimensional consistency. This process was prohibitively slow and expensive in the period surrounding the advent of the AR-15. All operational surfaces and sacrificial parts in POF rifles are treated with wear and corrosion resistant coatings or surface conversions. POF uses a coating called NP3 to protect the receivers and the parts within. It is a nickel/teflon matrix- superlative in its ability to simultaneously offer supreme lubricity and eliminate the onset of surface corrosion. A surface conversion differs from a coating in that it is not applied to a part- instead a very thin layer of that material is chemically manipulated to impart desirable qualities. A nitride heat treat and conversion process is performed on the barrel, gas block, gas regulator, piston and muzzle brake. This treatment leaves the parts nearly as hard as glass, as corrosion resistant as stainless steel, and to everything but tungsten carbide and diamond they are totally abrasion-proof.

There is a long list of mechanical improvements over the classic AR-15 pattern and operation. These upgrades are made with intention to combat heat, wear, and resultant catastrophic system failure. POF’s rifles incorporate a massive heat sink made of extruded aluminum fins into the barrel nut. This heat sink presents an enormous surface area to conduct and radiate heat away from its source, the chamber. This prevents the aluminum forearm from soaking up heat and prevents any heat from building up in the receiver. The whole of the operating system is housed within the barrel, gas block, and forearm. The gas block provides the expansion chamber that acts against the piston, then vents the gas quickly after it has done its work so little heat is absorbed. The piston is simple. It’s a reversible cylinder that seals the cylinder in the gas block and acts against an op rod that acts against the bolt group. The gas regulator has multiple settings, for normal fire and suppressed fire. The gun is designed to operate at minimal energy level- to prolong service life and inhibit heat buildup. The gas regulator allows gas to flow at a prescribed rate onto the piston. The gas block’s exhaust port vents excess pressure into the forearm enclosure. As this pressure is relieved into the atmosphere, it does indeed increase sound levels. This is one of the two negative side effects of piston operation. And if you’ve got a suppressor affixed to your barrel, the suppressor’s effect will be reduced, as the suppressor cannot affect the release of energy leaving the gas block vent. In exchange for slightly elevated noise levels, the POF rifle gets rid of heat’s side effects and gains perfect and perpetual operation. Fair trade.

The long paddle above the KNS anti-rotation pin capture rod is the bolt release. The structure protruding into the trigger guard at the front is the bolt catch button. The trigger finger pushes up on this surface while the left hand opens the action to lock the bolt open. And there are few things more comforting than that third option on the selector dial.

Steps have been taken to mitigate the effects of wear and the impending degradation and failure it causes. The bolt carrier cam pin has been replaced by a roller bearing. The receiver extension has been improved by extending the ventral surface to combat carrier tilt. Carrier tilt is the other negative side effect of piston operation as it can cause irregular wear on a receiver (if unchecked). The op rod floats in the forearm while the bolt is locked at battery so there is no pressure on the barrel at the moment of ignition. The chamber of the POF rifle now features a fluted section to reduce case adhesion to the chamber wall. This fluting utilizes gas pressure to assist and ease extraction. And of course, to repeat, everything in and on the rifle is either coated with a protective film or treated by a high performance surface conversion.

The controls of the POF have been updated and optimized from the old design. Operation and control of the POF rifle is fully ambidextrous. The bolt catch is activated from within the trigger guard, by the trigger finger. The right side bolt release can be tripped by bumping a paddle located just above the magazine release, which is still found where it belongs. The conventional bolt catch lever is still located left side, mid-receiver for those from the old school. The left side magazine release is located just above the trigger guard opening and can be accessed with the thumb of the forward hand or the index finger of a left-handed shooter. Besides bringing ambi control to the rifle, POF has greatly improved the fire control mechanism is the form of a cassette-type trigger pack. It’s a unitized drop-in unit that is available in several variations of pull weight, and trigger blade style. There is even a POF full-auto trigger pack available on the accessory market, for use in any existing M-16. These trigger units are truly excellent even among competitors’ more expensive offerings. The receiver is not the only mounting pad for optics. The forearm provides uninterrupted rail stem-to-stern. The rear portion of the rail section interfaces with the receiver. This is the real reason the top rail is located higher than normal. This design feature strengthens the overall assembly and improves accuracy by not allowing any shift or misalignment between the mounting surface of the receiver, and that of the forearm. Optics and sights can be mounted anywhere on the top rail without limitation. The taller rail should not be seen as an obstacle when mounting optics. One can just use lower mounting hardware to achieve correct head alignment while maintaining a proper cheek-weld. The newest generation of POF makes room for large objective scopes by featuring removable rail sections atop the forearm structure. Every conceivable argument in contra of the POF rifle and its design or features can be explained away with sound logic and reason. Nothing on this gun is arbitrary. Every little detail has been considered and built to a purpose.

The Full-Auto bolt is indicated by the bullet pictogram.

In practice and application, the POF distinguishes itself from other rifles that share similar heritage. It is professional grade. It’s heavy duty. The POF is more robust, and is designed and built to operate reliably in conditions far outside the comfort zone of the original AR-15. The rifle’s failure threshold has yet to be firmly established. The results and proof of the company’s adherence to its established goals and values can be reviewed on the internet. One need only search “POF Torture test.” There is one particular government agency that abandoned its “test to failure” only for budget concerns. The rifle in contention had burned over 60,000 rounds of .308 with only some minor part swaps (extractor, various springs, etc). That rifle never even showed an appreciable loss in accuracy. That department simply ran out of ammo and the funding to buy more. There are many examples of this same result. The only failures belong to the people who have set out, in vain, to wear down a POF rifle. Much ammunition and money could be saved by the broad acceptance of this suggestion: That POF builds a superior rifle. Few companies will ever own their motto like POF owns its motto of “Relentless Reliability”

Now to address the question of a full auto 7.62x51mm NATO rifle. Here again, many have tried, and most have failed. The 7.62 (.308) is a powerful cartridge. The last 60 years have shown select fire .308 rifles frequently to be impractical and uncontrollable. Compromises have been made on the part of government and military bodies. Assault rifles have been created in anemic calibers to facilitate improved user control. Situations that call for a more powerful weapon have been left with high-powered semi-automatic rifles. Full-auto .308 capable platforms are large, heavy, and are commonly crew-served or hard mounted to vehicles. No longer is this the case. The P308 FA has hit the scene and has been dropping jaws and opening eyes. Contrary to our expectations and even our understanding, the P308FA is imminently controllable. It is perfectly reliable. This rifle has the portability and agility of the M4 rifle. This capable package comes with no compromise to the .308’s potential and power. In action, on full-automatic, the P308 gives its user (in the short term) the power and presence of an M60, and (long term) the handling and utility of the basic M4. Making no exaggeration- with the P308FA, firing 7.62x51mm 147 grain ball ammo in our tests, we were able to match the accuracy and hit the percentages of an M-16 chambered in 5.56. The POF trigger unit allows for precise and deliberate first shot hits and the superbly balanced operating system facilitates the continued and focused engagement of a target. Decisive discrimination is this rifles qualifying skill.

Patriot Ordnance Factory came online in 2004. The P308FA was announced in 2010 (on POF website, video menu, select teasers and select the bottom one that shows a close-up of the receiver. It’s quite compelling).The gun only started seeing daylight in 2013. Why did take so long for POF’s engineers to release a select-fire rifle? The best explanation we got is that it’s not as easy as simply installing the appropriate full-auto parts. Sure, the P308 would have worked with only the haphazard installation of the required bits. But it would not have worked so well. POF’s engineers applied some technical finesse to reach this level of refinement. After much scrutiny, their experts were able to identify the nature of these small tweaks. The details of these minute improvements and adjustments may go unnoticed but the gross effect of POF’s efforts is significant.

Gas regulator and POF’s proprietary muzzle brake. Also, the top and bottom short rails sections are machined right into the forearm and are intended for iron sight and flashlight or bipod.. The rife allows for modular rails to be affixed along the sides in the 3 and 9 o’clock positions.

There exists a set of unique rules and theories that address the physics as they apply to the fully-automatic weapon. In fully automatic fire, recoil impulse at high rates effectively becomes thrust. Operating pressures become residual. Forces generated by the cyclic function of the weapon tend to “carry over” and can retard or otherwise interfere with the proceeding stages of normal operation. Repetitive motion generates incredible heat and wear. Metals can “de-alloy” from concentrated heat and repeated heating and cooling cycles. Coatings and surface treatments can lose their binding properties. Heat can transform lubricant into an abrasive or even an adhesive. Springs can lose their force constant and go limp. Metal parts can expand and bind. As a barrel heats, it grows and offers less friction on the bullet which can lower peak operating pressures and delay timing. There is indeed more to a full auto than drilling a new pinhole for an auto-sear. And there is a world of understanding that must be firmly grasped to make full-auto operation really advantageous. POF, by luck, skill, or maybe only by the grace of the gun-gods, has balanced the system. Contrary to what is known and understood in the industry, POF has done it. Our writers and experts are industry experts and have authoritative experience with all things guns. We never saw this thing coming.

The P308FA has no place in the civilian market due to current laws. It’s only and always going to be a military and law-enforcement firearm. A relative new-comer like POF would expectedly encounter some resistance from the Military and Law Enforcement market, which has generally been served by only 2 or 3 big brands- brands that have been making exotic small arms suited for military and law-enforcement for many decades now. But the P308FA has found a secure position among domestic departments due to its well-earned fame as an indestructible force multiplier. This rifle can and will make America’s streets safer; or any other country’s streets or jungles or deserts. It is match grade machine gunnery incarnate.

POF has cracked the code on how to design, create, prepare and protect a rifle for use and abuse. Pressure, wear, heat, abrasion, adhesion, erosion, friction, and oxidation are non-issues. These potential causes of failure need no further consideration. Recoil, handling, reliability, and accuracy have been tuned and tamed to near perfection. POF has solved the mystery and quelled the mystique of the piston gun. Make no mistake- the modernization of the AR-15’s design concept is not an affront to the classic rifle. The AR-15 and its contribution to America’s identity is not at risk nor in question. POF pays humble and deserved homage to the AR-15 and its roots. But there can be no advancement in the profession of arms if we cannot accept that old technology must yield to the new. The P308FA is a preeminent example of the next generation of the American gun.

The Bolt Carrier Group. The roller cam is visible. Also of note, the carrier is machined from a solid block of steel. The key, where the op rod impinges, is not added to the carrier. It is part of the carrier for ultimate strength. The platinum color comes from the nickel-teflon coating.

The gas regulator, piston, and op-rod. These are the only moving parts exposed to hot gas and fouling from the barrel. They are easily removed and cleaned. POF recommends cleaning only with a scotch-brite pad. The system requires no solvent and no lubrication.

The Nordic Ammunition Company, or Nammo, is a familiar name in the defense industry, and their products are well known to the insiders- but might be unfamiliar to some end users. Try to recall the name of any air-to-air missile you’ve seen in the field or heard named in a movie and the common answers are the likes of “Sidewinder” or “AMRAAM.” Nammo is behind those – they make the propulsion systems. Ever hear of the M72 LAW? Nammo makes that. Nammo makes top secret hyper-velocity rocket propulsion systems and orbital launch vehicles for satellite delivery. Nammo makes large caliber ammunition for military applications, from the .50 BMG up to the 120mm tank gun and even artillery shells larger than that. Nammo knows ammunition.

It should be our privilege then to have Nammo’s expertise and skill made available to the “smaller” market. Nammo has long been invested in the manufacture of small arms ammunition. Their offering to the market includes ammunition for the industry professional as well as the citizen and sportsman.

.22 Long rifle, 9mm luger, .222 Remington, 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39, 7.62x54R, 7.62×51 NATO, .30-06, 6mm BR, 6.5×55 Swedish, 6.5×47 Lapua, and .338 Lapua Magnum are basic offering from Nammo. Newly announced this year are the .300 Blackout, 7mm-08 and 8×57 Mauser. All calibers are available in numerous variations in bullet weight, type, and application. The most recent, and of most interest to us here at SADJ is the new .338 PS.

The PS stands for “Precision Sniper.” This cartridge is built on a drawn and annealed Lapua shell casing. Any serious competitor or professional will agree, Lapua brass is among the best there is. The bullet seated atop the casing is also from Lapua: the Scenar. The myth and legend of the Scenar projectile is transcendent. Anyone who has hand loaded ammunition from Lapua components will attest to a certain “magic” that comes from using the absolute best. Lapua components make a shooter better. There is empirical science behind Lapua’s success, but many still choose to believe in the magic. Many of the records earned while using Lapua ammo were, and are still thought to have been impossible. This is what is expected of Lapua: unabashed over-the-top perfection. The final assembly of Lapua brass and Scenar bullet is perfect. There are no burrs, no scratches, no marks or scars anywhere. It’s hard to believe this ammunition comes from an automated machine.

This ammunition is loaded with the 250 grain Scenar OTM, up to a velocity of 2,885 feet per second. Lapua makes a 300 grain Scenar bullet, but it sacrifices velocity, distance, and trajectory for only slight gains in energy delivery. The 250 grain OTM bullet is optimal. For our testing and evaluation, we need not make demonstration of the lethality or on-target effect of the Lapua Magnum. It is enough to say the power and effect of the .338 is sufficient. But indeed, we had to prove the accuracy and precision of this ammunition.

Our test rifle is an expertly crafted custom rifle built on a Stiller Action with a Schneider barrel. The trigger is a Timney Calvin Elite. The stock is the McRee’s G5 chassis. The suppressor comes from Elite Iron and the optic is a Nightforce. For our field test we located some steel targets spread out between 200 and 1,000 yards, just up the hill from Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada. Once we had made a slight adjustment to the Nightforce to compensate for zero with this new ammunition, we set off to ring the steel. This was entirely uneventful. Our test rifle connected on every shot: 40 rounds fired from 600 to 1,000 yards, and 40 hits. We set up a paper target to capture a shot group at 300 yards. Nammo advertises that this ammo will maintain at least 1 minute-of-angle accuracy so we would expect a 3-inch group. We would have been thrilled with a 2-inch group but we were shown just how good Lapua ammo can be by the 3/4-inch group we produced. 10 rounds were fired from a hot barrel, and maintained one quarter of a minute precision. We had ideal conditions while shooting; no wind and cloud cover to minimize mirage.

This impressive group was recorded at 300 yards from the rifle described herein. This demonstrates 1/4 MOA accuracy.

Without further embellishment or spin, we can say authoritatively that this ammunition is superb and flawless. If a shooter and his rifle are prepared and willing, Nammo ammunition will support any effort with superlative performance and reliability.

Nammo Tactical Ammunition Co LLC
PO Box 22807
Mesa, AZ 85215 USA
(480) 626-4634
www.nammo.com

The new Kestrel DROP offers a suite of information that will prove valuable to the long range shooter. The DROP will detect and present temperature, humidity, dew point temp, heat index, altitude, and barometric trend – and all this information is transmitted wirelessly to your smart phone so you’re not tasked with implementing yet another device; the DROP is turned on and forgotten. It does its work without continued input from the user. Then consider that you’ve probably got a ballistic computing app installed on your phone. All atmospheric and geographic conditions pertinent to plotting a ballistic flight path are accessible on the same device.

Kestrel does indeed incorporate the full package of ballistic and the atmospheric and environmental capability featured in the DROP, into a few other handheld devices (costing from $400 to $600). If your endeavor is only about precise long range shooting, these might be more suited to your needs. If you may find yourself stalking mountain goats or elk in the high country, or even just camping or backpacking, or if you’ve already got a simple wind meter, the DROP gives you the information you’ve been missing. This device should be considered necessary kit for anyone spending time outdoors. The advantages for a military marksman are obvious on integrating this into the kit.

The DROP is waterproof, shockproof, runs for years on a battery, weighs just an ounce and the device carries a 5 year warranty. The DROP can be had for less than $200.

Kestrel (a division of Nielsen-Kellerman)

21 Creek Circle

Boothwyn, PA 19061

info@nkhome.com

Website:

kestrelmeters.com

(800) 784-4221

By and large the shotgun has been traditionally regarded as something of a brute and a blunt instrument. It lacks finesse and precision, and even if that shotgun is put to task by a skilled expert, it’s still just a shotgun. It is incapable distance or impressive accuracy. The shotgun is essentially a “ballistic hammer” used for delivering clumsy, albeit crushing blows at close range. Many were ready to give up on the shotgun as a viable law enforcement tool or effective instrument of combat for the military. It would be fair to say that outside the sporting industry, most held little hope that the lowly shotgun could ever learn a new trick, so to speak. Fortunately, it just happens that some folks in Idaho are teaching the shotgun a few new tricks. The shotgun featured here is a 12 gauge machine gun called the MLE. The ingenious magazine holds… a lot of ammo. And the MLE can fire all that ammo very quickly. In general terms, any shotgun can be described as powerful. But one must fully grasp the meaning of the word. “Power” alludes to capability, capacity, and the potential to exert force or influence. Indeed then, the MLE is powerful.

SRM Arms of Meridian, Idaho is not a newcomer to the game of small arms design and manufacture. Collectively, SRM’s team of engineers and machinists share more than a century of experience and expertise and are forward thinking problem solvers. SRM is known and respected by military and law enforcement bodies around the world. In 2010, the U.S. Marine Corps contracted SRM to diagnose and troubleshoot a serious problem with an existing design, and was tasked to improve the reliability and safety of the shotgun currently fielded by the USMC. There is no other organization in the world, military or otherwise, that can bring the kind of overwhelming force to bear than the USMC. As such, they require rock-solid and reliable weaponry to get the job done. SRM fulfilled their contract to the complete satisfaction the Marines.

The magazine index lever is located on both sides of the gun. The magazine may be rotated in either direction.

In addition to boasting top-tier proficiency and capability while consulting on research design for our military, SRM also manufactures their own combat shotgun. The first working prototype came to life around 2001. It was semiautomatic, fed by a detachable rotary magazine, and used an HK derived roller-locked delayed blowback mechanism. That design was refined, improved and perfected until it went up for sale in 2009. The first semiautomatic model made available to the public was called the SRM 1216 (12 gauge and 16-round capacity). It measures 32 inches long with an 18-inch barrel and weighs 7.25 pounds. The select-fire (full-auto variant) of the shotgun is known as the MLE (Military & Law Enforcement). The core of the MLE’s design was based on the values of simplicity, functionality and strength.

The most obvious and innovative feature of the MLE shotgun is the magazine. The mag body is a cluster of 4 individual tubes, each holding up to 4 rounds of 12 gauge ammunition for a total of 16 rounds. The gun feeds and fires from one tube until the ammo supply in that tube is exhausted. When the indexed magazine tube runs dry, the bolt locks rearward and the user then rotates the magazine over to the next tube. Thereafter the bolt automatically returns to battery, ready to fire, and the shooter may resume firing. So on until the magazine needs to be refilled or replaced. This configuration is so ideal in that the ammunition feeding device does not protrude outward from the gun. It lies flat against the barrel’s ventral surface, and behaves like the forearm assembly on any other shotgun. Thus, the operator’s hand is always wrapped around the magazine; there’s never a need to shift the hands about in order to initiate a magazine change. The automatic return-to-battery feature frees up the shooter’s focus and attention to the task downrange. And of course, The MLE conceals 16 rounds inside a space no larger than an average shotgun’s forearm.

The magazine release lever is oriented such that it cannot be actuated accidentally.

The controls to operate the magazine are found affixed to a trunnion attached to the forward portion of the barrel. The “paddles” used to rotate the mag are accessible with the thumb of the forward hand. The magazine release lever is on the front of that trunnion, below the barrel, and faces away from the shooter. The index finger of the forward hand can easily reach and actuate the release lever. When released, the front end of the mag will drop away from the gun then the rear end rolls out of a pocket located at the face of the receiver. With some familiarization, mag changes can be performed in only a few seconds. The act of indexing the mag to the next tube only takes fractions of a second. Reloading the magazine requires no trick or talent as 12 gauge cartridges are simply stuffed into the tube. The operator only needs to be able to count to four and avoid inserting the cartridges backwards.

The MLE’s design does not compromise comfort or ergonomics to achieve its mechanical prowess. The MLE can be set by the user to any of 4 ambidextrous configurations. The charge handle location and the ejection port and ejection function can be switched to either side with simple tools. So the gun is ideally suited to any discipline “gun hand” or “support hand” operation, and right or left handed. The MLE’s geometry has been tailored to enhance control and handling. The barrel and bolt are below the cheek weld. This arrangement ensures that recoil forces are delivered straight back into the operator’s shoulder; instead of up and over. Any muzzle rise would negate any advantage of a fully-automatic shotgun. The bull-pup layout of the MLE helps with the weight distribution of the gun. The heavy bits – receiver, bolt, and recoil system – are all housed above the pistol grip in the back half of the gun and all within the butt stock. The front end remains light; this becomes important once an additional 2 pounds of ammunition is loaded into the magazine. The balance of the MLE in the hands is exceptional as the mass of the gun is shared equally by the operator’s hands.

The easy open receiver for quick cleaning only requires manipulating a single captive pin to open the receiver.

SRM has lately released their shotguns in a “Gen 2” revision. It should be noted that the Gen 1 guns never required a recall or demonstrated a general tendency to fail. The Gen 2 upgrades were not in response to some mechanical shortcoming nor were they compelled by a lawyer to “fix” a problem. Gen 2 came about to ensure that those things would never happen. The man in charge at SRM told us plainly, “We saw a way to make the gun better, so we did it.” On the previous generation, the receiver and internals were investment cast and now they are machined from billet ordnance steel. The barrels are hammer forged and the chamber was fluted to improve feeding under inclement conditions and to promote positive extraction. The polymer used in the magazine and stock was upgraded to be more durable.

The select fire MLE came about in 2012, when SRM was challenged by a foreign government agency to turn their semi-auto 1216 into a fully automatic weapon. That’s not as easy a task as it may sound. Increased wear and battery of moving parts, and excessive heating, are some negative effects of high fire rate. During full-auto fire, residual operating forces known as “carryover” tend to disrupt normal function and timing. And there’s no need to mention the effect of recoil as when compounded can effectively become thrust. This is uncomfortable in the least and can be outright dangerous at its worst. So, a tall order, yes. Unless you’re SRM arms; then it’s not a problem at all. You just add the required full-auto features to your existing platform, and voila: You’ve got a machine shotgun. The fact is that the semi-auto 1216 was so well designed and thought out, the negative effects of full-auto fire never manifested. The timing of the carrier or ejection did not need fine-tuning for full-auto function. The shape and delay of the locking shoulder and rollers did not require refitting. No extra attention was given to recoil attenuation or to control the cyclic rate. It’s as if SRM arms had been planning the full-auto version all along. The only modification to the original gun came as a size option offering a smaller and lighter MLE. The 1216 held 16 rounds. There now exists a 1212 (12 round mag- 4 rows of 3), and a 1208 (8 round mag- 4 rows of 2). The barrels on these have also been abbreviated to 13 inches on the 1212, and 10 inches on the 1208. The barrels are no longer than safety requires as the muzzle ends just past the magazine latch. How does the MLE compare to the other machine-shotguns of today? It’s lighter and more compact than most. It’s got a higher fire rate than most. It’s easier to control under fire than most, which means more rounds on target, in less time. And it costs substantially less than all the others with its low 4 figure price tag while some of the others approach $20,000 USD.

The magazine’s four individual feed tubes.

How practical can a 12 gauge machine gun be? Consider the purpose the shotgun plays in its professional role. Military, law enforcement and security personnel use shotguns predominately in urban, close-quarter environments. A shotgun can be used in aggressive response to an active threat. A shotgun can be used to
deter aggression. A shotgun can be used for less-lethal riot control. A shotgun can be used to disable vehicles, and equipment, and even open doors. There is a growing point of focus among arms designers and battle strategists. It is referred to as a “force multiplier.” It describes a certain weapon, or presentation, or mode of employ of the two that produces enhanced effect; where the overall result exceeds the direct result of the components involved. The “force multiplier” may appeal to the emotional responses of an enemy combatant; to induce fear, panic, and hopelessness. The force multiplier may give a single man the battlefield effect of many men. The idea is to break the will of the enemy without making direct engagement. The psychological effect of the sound and presence of the MLE cannot be overstated and the actual effect on target of its power and lethality also cannot be overstated. From a statistical approach, increased fire rate and improved control increases the probability of successful hits on target. In skilled hands, the MLE can expel 144 pellets of 00 buckshot in 3 seconds. At distance, the effect is not unlike an aircraft making a strafing pass. At medium ranges, 100-150 yards, the MLE makes for effective indirect area denial. Consider the combined pattern density of a “volley” fired from the MLE at a single target: four ounces of buckshot, a total of thirty six .33 caliber lead balls, fired in half a second. In an engagement of a single fixed target, a car for instance, the percussive effect of full-auto shotgun fire can achieve penetration through what would normally be impenetrable cover. Inside 75 yards the MLE is in charge. The man wielding the MLE decides who stays and who goes. If supreme lethality and battlefield dominance exceeds your needs, the MLE can be configured to fire less lethal munitions. With the quick swap of the bolt and magazine, the gun can continue its role as a select fire less-lethal launcher. The less lethal componentry (or even the entire gun for dedicated use) is identified by a safety orange surface finish. The less-lethal operating system is strictly blowback as it omits the roller locked delayed blowback system. In the case of bean bags or sting balls, the “area effect” and pattern density of burst fire allows the operator greater standoff distance from assailants while still achieving effect on target. Imagine how quickly a rioting prison yard could be quelled with a few MLEs firing salvos of rubber buck into the crowd.

The opportunity to field the MLE was approached with respect and trepidation. The MLE fires 450 rounds per minute. That’s a 50% increase over the well-known AA12. And make that fire rate; the MLE does not incorporate the slow, soft “constant recoil” design of the AA12. So at first consideration, we expected that the MLE would be violent and uncontrollable under recoil. The MLE is not violent, nor uncontrollable. To the contrary, we could not have been more wrong about it. It is outstanding in burst fire – recoil is flat and predictable. It’s possibly the best handling and most forgiving shotgun we’ve tested. With a little practice we were able to completely destroy stationary targets at 50 yards. Destroy meaning even the wood stakes that once held the target were decimated. At a distance of 100 yards, entire groups of cardboard silhouettes were properly shredded by a 4 round burst of 00 buck. At 40 yards we could put 4 slugs into a silhouette target in full-auto. That’s overkill to be sure. What kind of target would ever need to be hit by 4 ounces of shotgun slug? We will never know as that target is not talking. Besides the shock and the awe, the MLE was perfectly reliable during range evaluation. Four kinds of ammunition were fired, for a total of 225 rounds. Full power slug, low recoil 00 buck, #4 heavy field loads and #8 economy game loads all ran through the MLE. All functioned without a single foul or failure.

The extractor and bolt release can all relocate to either side independently.

Where a semi-auto or pump is satisfactory, the full-auto shotgun is superlative. If we ever realize its full potential, the MLE will exceed every intent and expectation of the combat shotgun. The MLE will write the new codus on shotgun tactics. The MLE is more than just another automatic shotgun. It’s a paradigm shift in the design and direction of the shotgun’s development. In terms of reliability, balance, handling, versatility, power and presence; it’s perfect. We can’t imagine a way to make it better. The MLE could very well be among the top 10 most devastating and impressive small arms ever created.

The ejection port cover and charge handle can all relocate to either side independently.

The MLE is no larger than a common pump shotgun, and doubles the ammunition capacity.

The MLE bears the same “footprint” as the M4 carbine; so it’s convenient for storage and transport in cases and vehicles.

Rheinmetall adds a new offering to its line of electro-optical equipment: the Vario-Ray (LLM-VR). It’s designed to be used on small arms as a primary gun sight, laser sight, and area illuminator. It attaches to any small arm that is equipped with a standard mounting fixture (Picatinny, STANAG, KeyMod, etc.). The mounting fixture can be attached to the Vario-Ray via two torx head screws. Our model came furnished with a quick-detach clamp designed to interface with M1913 Mil-Spec rail. The primary gunsight mounted atop our unit is the Trijicon RMR. All of the Vario-Ray’s functions can be selected to operate in the visual or IR spectrum for covert operation.

The Vario-Ray is more than another laser aiming module or flashlight. It offers a solution to growing problem. Current “night vision” operates using the “near infra-red” (NIR) light spectrum. NIR is a band width of light energy just below our visible range. The lasers, illuminators, and optical devices (NVGs, PVS-14, for examples) emit and detect that NIR radiation. This technology offers an advantage to those who possess it and puts those without it at a distinct disadvantage. More and more, our enemies have come into possession of NIR night-vision technology. Our soldiers have lost that in-field advantage. The Vario-Ray is one of the first weapon-mounted units to offer laser and illumination in the SWIR (Short Wave Infra-Red) spectrum. SWIR devices emit and detect a different band or light energy than older NIR devices. Light energy in the SWIR spectrum cannot be detected by older NIR devices and SWIR lasers and SWIR lights are only visible to SWIR optics. Now, equipped with these devices, soldiers will have a restored tactical advantage during covert operation. Another advantage of using SWIR light band is due to enhanced clarity. SWIR is not absorbed by material like NIR radiation; it is instead reflected by normal objects. So objects illuminated by and viewed through SWIR optics are seen in extreme detail and clarity. NIR devices require digital enhancement and clarification to achieve any utility. SWIR equipment can also operate with lower power requirements than NIR. So the illuminators and lasers maintain greater distance and effect with the same or less power requirement. In some cases, SWIR equipment can actually see through some materials. It is currently being used in limited capacity for visual inspection of objects and materials where X-ray is not available or recommended.

The British Ministry of Defense has recently contracted Rheinmetall for many thousand Vario-Ray modules. The broad adoption of such a device among the MOD’s ranks is part of a trend there to drive her Majesty’s soldiers to the forefront of battlefield superiority through the incorporation of advanced technology. The Vario-Ray enables soldiers to effect operations around the clock, and to do so covertly.

The Vario-Ray is compact and solid. It weighs 8 ounces and measures 4.25 inches long, 2.5 inches wide, and 1.7 inches tall (without the RMR attached). The illuminator and laser devices are contained within a single molded polymer housing. The gun sight and the mounting fixture remain modular and interchangeable for versatility. The controls of the Vario-Ray are located on the housing, and consist of a rotary switch and 3 constant on button switches. The unit can interface with 2 remote pressure switches for momentary control on the grip of forearm of the weapon. The Vario-Ray’s laser aiming module can be adjusted to create unique point-pattern for distinction among multiple operators with the same unit. The illuminators are all adjustable for brightness and focus. The visible and IR lasers are constructed to remain in fixed co-axial relation, so adjusting the visible laser simultaneously adjusts
the IR laser.

Contact:

Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH · Bodenseeallee 3 · 78333 Stockach · Germany. Phone +49 77 71 81-251 · Fax +49 77 71 81-396 · info-rse@Rheinmetalll.com · www.Rheinmetalll-defence.com

SIG Sauer means quality and performance. Their level of engineering and execution has never really been challenged. Their reputation was earned on merit having secured their prestige based on performance and result. For the individual or agency in search of a premium firearm for defense and duty, there is a short list of choices and SIG Sauer is on that list.

It is impossible to predict where and how a sidearm will be employed. The potential “Area of Operation” can range from a harsh desert to the complexity of a metropolitan city to the confined and treacherous space of a home. A job may require a covert subcompact, or may allow for the presence and power of an exposed full-sized pistol. As such, there is likely no “best” classification for a fighting sidearm so one must use caution when assigning such an absolute title as “best” to a handgun. Considering that, these are carefully chosen words: in this author’s opinion, the P320 could prove to be the best sidearm SIG has ever made. It’s convertible, adaptable, modular, and upgradeable. It’s engineered to be safe, yet instantly ready in any situation. It’s a departure from the classics – new operation and new lines – and no hammer. SIG Sauer has not changed its goals; just followed a new path to achieve the same goal of creating the most rugged, reliable, and capable pistol on the market.

Here you can make out the area where the hammer used to be. Keep in mind the grip module of the P320 must also work with the P250. Also note the right side slide catch and the cutaway areas for forced magazine removal.

SIG’s “bread and butter” lineup of pistols that includes the P220, P226, P228, etc., will be a hard act to follow. They have literally “saved the day” too many times to ever be proven outdated or insufficient. No, they will never be fully eclipsed by the P320. Law-enforcement, military, and civilians alike know and trust these “two-hundred” series guns. These are the guns that put SIG Sauer on the map. They represent sound concept, solid engineering, and flawless manufacturing. These “classics” have been offered in seven calibers, and beyond the basic model designations, they have been offered in well over one hundred different variations and trim levels to suit most any role. The basic design of all the “two hundred” guns (except the P210 and the Colt clones) features the simple double action/single action operation, with a hammer de-cock lever (no safety). This fire control configuration ensures that the pistol can be carried in a completely safe condition, until such time that the gun be deployed to fulfill its role. The act of firing the gun requires no special maneuver or preparation: just a trigger pull. SIG Sauer has maintained that “instant readiness” and is a distinct tactical advantage. SIG pistols are always safe and always ready (including the P320). SIG has lately released single action only (SAO) variants of the P220 and P226 models, presumably for competition and target shooting. These offer supreme trigger control in the SIG lineup.

Nothing is perfect and there are advantages some other brands can claim over the old SIG Sauer pistol. One is an internal working mechanism; that is, no exposed hammer. Another may be advanced ergonomics by offering user customizable size and fit in the form of snap-on grip panels. Other brands may claim superiority by utilizing advanced materials and processes in their construction. These claims are all legitimate. The old SIG was crafted entirely of metal and was heavier and more expensive than the competitors’ offerings (a P226 weighs about 32 ounces). The old SIG could never brag of its advanced ergonomics as the frames had to be cut from a solid block of aluminum or steel and used a conventional exposed hammer; a centuries old means of ignition. It is effective, but demonstrably inefficient in terms of its size, weight, and the energy required to move the hammer. It also creates a potential entry point for debris. The old SIG could certainly never claim to be convertible and adaptable and completely serviceable without tools. The improved ergonomics afforded by a molded frame, and the cost advantages of such construction suggest that this method is the way forward in design and manufacturing.

In the first step in disassembly the slide is locked rearward, the magazine removed and the takedown lever is swung clockwise.

In the early days of “plastic guns” there were skeptics of the technology. The doubts have been quelled and today we see healthy commercial and professional demand for a half-plastic pistol. SIG’s first stab was the SIGPRO series, introduced in the late 1990s. The “Pro” featured a plastic frame with a magazine release that could be flopped over for left-handed use. The operation was conventional SIG: SA/DA with a decock lever. The SIGPRO carried a bargain price tag and could be had for under $400 dollars. The gun was accepted in the U.S., but was not an overwhelming success. It met heavy competition from other makers; some U.S. domestic firms, but mostly from SIG’s European neighbors. In the world market however, the SIGPRO continues to enjoy real success among military and law-enforcement departments. SIG has produced something in the ballpark of a quarter million of these pistols on a single contract with the French. And the SIGPRO is good enough for the U.S. Army’s tank crews. TACOM keeps 5,000 SIGPROs on hand. The latest revision is called the SP2022. It’s still available at retail for $500.

The 250 was SIG’s next step into the polymer frame market. In 2007, SIG engineers took a new approach to their formula. The P250 is an economical gun; half its parts are either injection molded or formed sheet metal. The genius behind it is its modular arrangement. The actual serialized “firearm” component is nothing more than a trigger-pack that can be removed from the plastic frame for service, repair, or to be fitted into a different grip frame. The gun can be configured as a compact carry piece, or a full sized duty piece. The frames can be had with differing girth as well. To support true convertibility, SIG has offered accessory slides and barrels as caliber conversions, and the components are cheap enough to justify this program. The only thing missing for any die-hard fan of a SIG pistol is the decock lever. The P250 has a hammer, but it is spurless and rests concealed within the slide. It fires in double action only. The hammer is always down, thus, always ready to fire. The pistol features an internal “passive safety” that prevents against accidental ignition until the trigger is pulled. This action requires 5 1/2 pounds of force, and a long, deliberate stroke of the index finger to pull the trigger through its motion.

The slide assembly is removed from the distal end of the grip module without pulling the trigger. The barrel, guide rod and slide are arranged in a familiar fashion.

Six more years would pass before SIG would drop the hammer from the P250 recipe to create the P320. The P320’s design and construction are founded on the P250; this time with an internal striker to do the job of the hammer. An enclosed ignition system promises ultimate reliability as there is less chance for particulate and fouling to get into the works. Also, the striker is a very light structure so much less force is required to move it at the necessary speed to ignite a primer. A striker system does away with the elaborate links, levers, struts and springs found on a hammered gun. There are fewer bits, and less motion to impart. The positive side effect is illustrated as a very light, short, and crisp trigger break. When compared to other striker-fired pistols of today, the trigger of the P320 is unmatched.

The P320’s external form has been streamlined when compared to the P250. The slide lacks the lines of the classic SIG Sauer pistol. Instead, the slide has been given facets on the sides and corners, but retains the familiar round top. The slide features aggressive front and rear cocking serrations – a feature previously reserved for premium trim packages on the “200” guns. In their wisdom, SIG’s designers have maintained reverse compatibility with aftermarket and OEM sight options as all aftermarket sights made for the P226 will fit the P320. Furthermore, this pistol includes a decent “SIGTac” holster in the package. If the included rig were unsuitable for concealment or duty purposes, any holster meant for the P250 or the other “200” series pistol of the “R” variety will fit the P320.

The takedown lever is forced out the side, allowing the frame to slip out of the grip module.

The frame of this pistol comes with an integral Picatinny style accessory rail to accept most weapon light or laser devices. The magazine latch can be reversed for left-handed operation. The slide catch mechanism is also fully ambidextrous. And it’s not just ambidextrous control as the slide stop is mirrored on each side of the gun as the stop engages notches in both sides of the slide. The only control surface that is not available to left and right-handed shooters is the takedown lever. The P320 does revive one feature that should never have been forgotten: the base of the grip is cut away to allow positive access to the magazine’s floorplate. The manual of arms for clearing a feed-related jam requires the magazine to be forcibly removed as a jam of this sort may “lock” the magazine into the gun. All the attention to enhanced reliability and rugged simplicity fails to account for a single bad ammunition cartridge that can render a pistol useless. So it’s there if it’s ever needed. The basic numbers of the full sized P320 are: 4.7 inch barrel, weighs 29 ounces, holds 17 rounds of 9mm and includes two magazines. It can be purchased for under $600.

The gun is easily broken down into its major subassemblies: the slide, barrel, and frame, by conventional means. The slide is locked rearward, the magazine removed, and the takedown lever is rotated clockwise. The slide can then be removed without the necessity to pull the trigger. This is an added safety measure created at the request of law enforcement. The frame can then be disassembled further to facilitate maintenance or to effect a frame swap. The plastic outer shell that is the grip, trigger guard and accessory rail is referred to as the “grip module. The frame is actually the internal subassembly that houses the fire control group and bears the weapon’s serial number. The takedown lever is pushed through and out the side of the grip module to free up the internal frame. The frame is lifted straight up as the tail end unhooks from a socket at the rear of the grip module. This is the extent of disassembly required to effect a thorough cleaning or grip or caliber conversion.

This is the heart of the P320 and is the serialized firearm component.

The P320’s ergonomics and balance leave little to be desired. The design of this gun has forced SIG to be efficient with their use of material; the polymer grip modules only weigh around 3.5 ounces, and the frame comes in about 4.5 ounces. The full-sized P320 weighs 5 ounces less than a comparable P226. The feel and natural point of the P320 is superior to most others on the current market. The grip’s shape, angle, and location relative to the gun’s balance point contribute to instinctive hold and pointability. The contour of the grip and web encourage a high and snug hold on the gun to enhance control. The grip module can be replaced to match various slide lengths: full size, compact, and sub compact. The grip size can also be selected – small medium or large to fit different shooters’ hands. In the case of a standard caliber P320 (not .45 auto) the user can adapt a single frame assembly to seven different grip modules, and nine slide and caliber combinations. Barring incompatibilities with differing slide and grip module lengths, there are – by all calculations – many possible combinations. The P320 is nothing if not full of potential. Cross your fingers for a competition module with a high-sweep beavertail and an integral flared magazine well. Or even an ultra slim single stack grip module.

In action, the P320 is beyond expectation considering the role it was created to play. Recoil and muzzle flip are slightly greater than a comparable yet heavier P226. Proper form, technique and stance are all that’s required to fix that. Accuracy has improved based solely on the short, consistent trigger pull compared to the P226. When we compared the accuracy, handling, and performance of some other striker-fired service pistols, we awarded yet higher marks to the P320. One common negative characteristic of any pistol incorporating lightweight plastic and striker ignition is that it can feel like what it is: a plastic gun with a spring loaded striker inside. Common reasoning from opponents of guns like these usually includes some reference to how the gun “feels” cheap, or that the trigger “feels” like a toy gun trigger. It’s evident that SIG heard the cries and cured the condition. This pistol feels like a solid tool-of-the-trade – it feels like a SIG Sauer. It’s fast on target, it points naturally; operation is instinctive, the trigger is responsive, and reliability is perfect.

The P320 will have its fans and its detractors. It’s expected that the professional market will readily assimilate the P320 for its capability and durability. Others who prefer a match-grade single action may not share the enthusiasm. And there are still those who think polymer on a gun is complete hokum. However, if you can subscribe to the notion that you need a workhorse pistol that is on-the-job and always ready, you can appreciate where SIG has gone with this one. It’s the product of years of development by some of the world’s brightest firearms engineers, and built on feedback from the world’s top gun-toting professionals. It has got everything a sidearm needs and fills that bill without compromise. This pistol could be a big “period” to end the current discussion on combat handgun design and development.

The war machine of the Soviet Union has always been a source of intrigue to those interested in the development and proliferation of arms. The cold war era is full of truly incredible if not seemingly impossible military developments by the Soviets; the submarines, rockets, armored vehicles, aircraft, nuclear powered, and small arms from the period could easily be mistaken for today’s science fiction. Their secret military programs are indeed often the subject of Hollywood films; but sometimes reality is stranger than fiction. This is the AN-94; the Avtomat Nikonova-94. To keep it short, the Nikonov, or Abakan. Most gun enthusiasts have never heard of it. Few have ever seen it. And you could count on one hand the number of Americans who have fired it. This rifle is a paradigm of military small arms innovation in the last 50 years.

Through the 60s and 70s, most of the world’s major powers had adopted small caliber, high velocity cartridges to replace the .30 calibers of the past decades. In 1974, the 7.62mm AK-47 was replaced by the AK-74, essentially the same rifle, but now chambered in a new 5.45mm cartridge. The 5.45 offered lighter recoil, better control and accuracy in automatic fire, and a soldier could carry more ammunition on his person. But in action, the AK-74 was not on par with other modern rifles on the battlefield. Control and inherent accuracy in automatic fire were found to be unacceptable, despite the promises of the new cartridge. By 1981, the Soviet Union was looking to advance its small arms program yet again. The USSR Council of Ministers issued the call for new trials to begin; to create a better battle rifle. This endeavor became known as Project Abakan, or the Abakan Trials. The requirements set forth for the new rifle were very ambitious. The new rifle would be expected to improve on all aspects of the AK-74; accuracy (in full-auto and slow aimed fire), fire rate, weight, reliability, and mission capability and adaptability. For almost 15 years, twelve teams of Russia’s top engineers and weapons designers worked toward this goal. One of these engineers, Gennady Nikonov, created and built over 20 prototype rifles to prove principles of operation and demonstrate mechanical function. The exact details of Project Abakan may never be known publicly, so all we can conclude with any certainty is the outcome. By 1994, One of the rifles created by Nikonov had won the Abakan trials. But the Cold War was over and Russia’s engagement in Afghanistan was finished. The arrival of this game-changing rifle from the future was over 4 years overdue. The AN-94 would not adopted as a general replacement for the AK-74, however it was put into production and reserved as a special purpose weapon for the Spetznaz.

These parts are unique to the Nikonov – the feed shuttle and cable, cartridge carrier, and the pulley.

To see the Nikonov in person is an experience in itself. The gun is so far-out and unexpected you find yourself searching for an answer or explanation. You can guess from the visual clues that it’s Russian. The gun is totally utilitarian; its external shape is simply what happened when they covered up the machine that hides within. The AN-94 has no aesthetically pleasing lines – it’s disproportionate and bulky. Any exposed steel surfaces are simply painted black. All surfaces inside and out are crude. There is no polishing and there are no high-performance surface coatings. The weapon is roughly machined steel and plastic casting. The majority of the exterior is heavy polymer molded around a steel skeleton. There are areas inside and out where the skeleton protrudes from the polymer to serve as guide rails and other working surfaces. The construction is similar to the ubiquitous polymer-framed pistol of today. The receiver and forearm are molded as a single unit for simplicity and strength. The Nikonov’s shape does however resemble an AK. The molded top cover is shaped like the AK’s stamped sheet metal top cover. The magazine latch is nearly identical to the AK. The grip’s shape is similar to the AK, but is nearly vertical as the trigger pulls slightly downward rather than swinging up and rearward. The charge handle’s location is where you’d find that of the AK. The side folding stock is basic; made of hollow plastic with a compartment for a cleaning kit. The stock is notably longer than a typical AK stock, so the rifle is a better fit for a larger shooter. The stock folds and locks to the right side of the gun so it does not interfere with the optics mount, but does interfere with operation of the bolt and trigger. The Nikonov will use any magazine intended for the AK-74. One point of interest is the orientation of the magazine; it’s positioned approximately 10 degrees away from vertical, hanging off to the right side of the rifle. The magazine’s unusual position is required to allow for the unique internal workings. The front sight is a post protected by a “TV view” window with night sight ears protruding from the top of the protective hoop. The rear sight is a 5 position rotary aperture, calibrated for 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 hundred meters. The sight is mounted at the 2 o’clock position atop the rifle towards the rear of the receiver just above the trigger, allowing quick range adjustments with the thumb or index finger of the trigger hand. The rifle is equipped with the standard soviet side plate optics mount; which is an integral part of the internal steel skeleton. This quick detach mounting system has been featured on almost every battle rifle built by the Russians since the mid-1950s, so the Nikonov offers reverse-compatibility with most Russian optics. The muzzle is fitted with a strange looking brake. It has only 3 ports; a single small port at the 1 o’clock position of the first chamber and two small cuts just at the muzzle. The gas system that is visible atop the AK’s barrel is missing; though the Nikonov does indeed function with a long stroke piston. The piston structure is shorter and thinner than that of the AK and is concealed within the forearm. There is another tubular structure hanging below the barrel. This tube conceals the recoil spring for the reciprocating receiver. This structure serves as a mounting point for a grenade launcher, and bears the guide rail upon which the reciprocating barrel assembly rides. The crossbolt style safety is just ahead of the trigger guard, and is easy to access with the trigger finger. The safety effectively locks the carrier forward. The Nikonov offers no mechanical means of locking the bolt to the rear. While the rifle is set to “safe,” the bolt cannot be moved. The selector operates in a track and moves fore and aft. It is on the left side of the grip, within easy reach of the thumb. Internally, the only feature shared by the AK and the AN-94 is the shape of the bolt and how it interfaces with the carrier. However, the Nikonov’s bolt and carrier are much smaller – maybe half the scale of the AK’s comparable parts.

The left side of the receiver shows the integral scope mount, the selector switch just above the grip, and the push button safety at the front of the trigger guard. Also visible is the lack of attention to finish quality.

The Nikonov offers three modes of fire; semiautomatic, two-shot burst, and fully automatic. The burst mode is what really sets this rifle apart. In burst mode, it can send out a pair of projectiles at an effective 1,800 rounds per minute. That’s 33 thousandths of a second apart (.033 second); two and one half times the rate of the M4. Among all modern military arms, the Nikonov owns the honor of the highest rate of fire for any shoulder fired small arm in service. In actual fact it currently owns the highest fire rate for any single barrel. Heckler and Koch experimented for 20 years to create a rifle that could have exceeded the fire rate of the AN-94. But this project, known as the G11, never made its way to field service. The other close contender to the title was another rifle designed by Gennady Nikonov. This was a twin barrel shoulder fired 5.45×39 light machine gun that would have delivered a completely mad 3,000 rounds per minute in sustained fire.

The AN-94 consists of a barreled receiver that reciprocates within an outer shell, or how it’s translated from Russian, and referred to herein as, “the envelope.” The receiver assembly carries the barrel, bolt, carrier and piston, sliding hammer, and a cartridge shuttle. The envelope is composed of the stock, grip, trigger mechanism, magazine well, and a cartridge carrier. The bolt and carrier and hammer travel within the receiver, and the receiver assembly and barrel, travel within the envelope. Due to the major differences in recoiling mass, the receiver and bolt assembly travel at very different rates during fire. The masses of the major moving parts are carefully balanced to manipulate cycle times for the receiver and bolt carrier. This balance of mass and force plays a key role in achieving the high rate of fire. This reciprocating function also serves to dissipate felt recoil. The interface between the receiver and envelope is not unlike the soft mount used for modern heavy automatic weapons. The result is that very little recoil energy is transferred to the shooter. Under the effect of recoil, the receiver can move almost one and one half inch rearward within the envelope. The method of function is referred to as “blowback shifted pulse.” The locking bolt is gas operated, yes, but the receiver is set in motion by recoil, or blowback. And the “pulse” refers to the impulse or energy created by a fired round. The reciprocating mechanism delays or “shifts” the energy pulse to a later moment in time.

The sliding hammer. At left, disengaged. At right, note the lug at the rear in locked position with the carrier. The hammer is in contact with the bolt and firing pin. When in this locked configuration, the Nikonov will slam fire.

In semiautomatic fire, the Nikonov operates similarly to any other semi-auto rifle. At each shot, gasses diverted from the barrel act against a piston connected to the bolt carrier. The carrier then forces the bolt to unlock from the breach. The sliding hammer is forced rearward by the bolt until it is engaged by the sear. This is where the Nikonov begins to differ from other guns. Normally, a trigger will disconnect from the sear by way of mechanical input from the bolt or carrier. In the Nikonov, the trigger disconnect is actuated by the recoiling receiver itself. The bolt can then return to battery as the receiver returns to its forward location. The sliding hammer is maintained at the rear of the receiver in a cocked state; ready for the next trigger pull.

Before we get further into the cyclic function, it should be understood how the Nikonov gets ammunition from the magazine into the chamber. The Nikonov incorporates a “pre-feed” system, whereby rounds are stripped forward from the magazine by a shuttle that delivers them into a carrier that serves to raise the cartridge up and into the path of the bolt as it closes. The shuttle is connected to the bolt carrier by means of a steel cable routed around a pulley. By this arrangement, as the bolt travels rearward to eject a spent case, the shuttle travels forward to strip a round from the magazine. The Nikonov is a multi-tasker – it ejects a spent case and feeds a new cartridge simultaneously. The carrier that elevates the cartridge also facilitates reliable feeding from any location as the receiver moves within the envelope. In semi and full auto modes of fire, the bolt must close on the chamber while the receiver is nearing its forward battery position. In burst fire mode, the bolt is required to close while the receiver is traveling rearward and then again while the receiver is at its rearmost position. So the bolt must be able to feed a fresh cartridge from any position within the receiver’s range of motion. The recoil spring resides under the receiver and acts against the feed shuttle forcing it rearward. The feed shuttle and bolt carrier are connected by the cable. As the shuttle travels to the rear under the influence of the recoil spring, the bolt is pulled forward into battery. The ventral location of the recoil spring is the reason for the magazine’s odd orientation.

The business end. The Nikonov can be fit with a bayonet and grenade launcher at the same time. The bayonet lug is on the side of the sight base. The grenade launcher uses the lug just behind the guide rail, below the barrel.

The workings of the Nikonov are extremely nuanced. Many have attempted to realize and rationalize its internal operation; and have given up, failed, or just guessed. This weapon can fire, eject, reload, fire, eject and reload, with perfect reliability, while almost totally eliminating recoil, in less time than the human eye can blink. Quite literally, the Nikonov fires two rounds just 33 milliseconds apart. Your eye blinks in 150 milliseconds. So you can imagine that an attempt to break down this mechanical function; so compressed in time can be a tedious task. So bear with us, we shall now expound on the internal function step by step, starting from a closed, loaded chamber, with the selector set to burst mode.

The trigger is pulled, and through a series of linkages (which will be explained later), lets the sliding hammer loose. The sliding hammer travels down its guide rails in the receiver to strike the firing pin, at the rear of the locked bolt. The sliding hammer is allowed to shift sideways in its rails, and lock into place, becoming a fixed part of the carrier assembly. The cartridge is ignited, projectile begins moving, and rearward recoil begins acting on the entire locked receiver. This recoil energy overcomes the receiver’s inertia, and the receiver begins to travel rearward, at a comparatively slow rate. As the bullet passes the gas port, energy acts on the piston, just above the barrel. The relatively lightweight piston and carrier assembly is forced rearward, unlocking the bolt from the breech. As the bolt travels to the rear, it acts on the cable and pulley, which activate the cartridge shuttle. The shuttle travels forward to strip a fresh cartridge from the magazine and presents that new cartridge into the cartridge carrier, just ahead of and above the magazine. The spent case has ejected; the bolt and carrier begin their return to battery; the barrel and receiver are still traveling rearward. As the bolt travels forward to meet the barrel, and the barrel travels aft to meet the bolt, the cartridge carrier raises and presents the round between the barrel and bolt. When the bolt and barrel meet and lock with a fresh cartridge chambered, the hammer, still fixed to the carrier, ignites the cartridge immediately upon locking. A second recoil impulse transfers more recoil energy to the reciprocating receiver. The receiver finally reaches its rearmost position within the envelope. As the bolt completes the second ejection cycle, and reaches its rearmost position within the receiver, it delivers a rearward blow to the receiver, delaying its return forward, but allowing enough time for the cartridge carrier to present another fresh round. The bolt, carrier and barrel can now return to forward battery, with a live round chambered, ready for the next burst. And the shooter has only felt a single recoil impulse – seemingly the result of only the second shot fired. The end result on target is two very closely placed shots. In the full automatic setting, the first two rounds always fire at the burst rate of 1,800 rpm, and continued fire resumes at the normal rate of 600rpm. As the user fires in full-automatic, the sliding hammer does not travel with the carrier; it is only released at the moment that the bolt and receiver return to forward battery. Semi-and full-auto modes of fire utilize the reciprocating sub-receiver to attenuate recoil and improve accuracy and time of follow-up shots. The burst function makes use of the extended time interval during the receiver’s rearward travel.

The AN-94 broken down to the major assemblies. The user need only swing two levers to strip the Nikonov to this state.

Perhaps the most overlooked achievement of the Nikonov is the fire control, or trigger pack. It does not function like any other trigger mechanism on the planet. The trigger pack only houses the trigger, selector and safety. The selector switch slides in a track just above the pistol grip. The complexity and genius of the selector lies in its gross simplicity. As the selector moves fore and aft, a series of ramped edges along a hook are relocated in any of three positions beneath the receiver. The trigger simply pulls down on the selector hook. The sear itself hangs from beneath the receiver. The sear contains a horizontally oriented plunger that serves as the disconnector. The selector hook pulls down on the disconnector to release the hammer and fire the gun. The sear disconnects from the selector hooks when the receiver travels far enough rearward to clear the hooks completely. The sear is operated to fire the gun in two ways; when the disconnector travels into one of the ramped surfaces on the selector hook or when the selector hook receives direct input from the trigger, to pull down on the sear. The different fire rates are controlled by where the disconnector is activated in the receiver’s field of motion. In semi-auto, the selector shelf is farthest forward, resulting in disconnect immediately following ignition. The hammer is captured by the sear each time the bolt carrier makes cycles. In full auto, the selector hook is at its rearmost location. The disconnector is allowed to escape from under the selector hook so that the sear may capture the hammer. As the receiver returns to forward battery, the disconnector encounters a ramped surface that pulls down on the sear, releasing the hammer just as the bolt carrier closes on the breech. In burst mode, the first shot functions like a closed bolt striker fired system except the sear does not disconnect following the first shot. The sliding hammer is not caught by the sear but instead remains locked into the bolt carrier. The bolt and hammer are allowed to return to battery as the receiver is still traveling rearward. This results in a second shot being ignited immediately as the breech closes; as if it were an open bolt firing mechanism. The recoil stroke from the second shot forces the receiver into a position relative to the selector hook where the disconnector can now escape, and the sear can capture the hammer as the bolt and receiver both return to forward battery, ready for the next shot.

Here is a simplified review of the operation. In burst mode, the sliding hammer locks itself to the bolt carrier after the first shot. The sear will not disconnect until after the second shot, thus will not capture the hammer yet. The second shot is fired from an “open bolt” condition as the sliding hammer is locked against the carrier and firing pin. This way, all which is required to fire the second shot is that the bolt close on a live cartridge. And to expedite things, the barrel is moving rearward to meet the bolt half way. Nearby, the feed shuttle strips a round from the magazine and pushes it into the cartridge carrier which lifts it into the bolt’s path just before the bolt and barrel come together around the cartridge. In normal full-auto fire, after the second shot, the mechanism operates step-by-step; not dissimilar to any conventional automatic rifle. The bolt returns to battery, closing on a fresh cartridge, as the receiver reaches forward battery. As the receiver comes to rest, the selector hook activates the sear to release the sliding hammer to begin its trip forward to contact the firing pin to ignite the chambered round. The difference in fire rate between full-auto and burst fire is attributable to mechanical lock time; the time it takes for the receiver, bolt, and hammer to travel back and forth, and where the sear is allowed to disconnect. The muzzle brake is worth mentioning again. Muzzle brakes are designed to mitigate recoil, but for a gun that uses recoil in its proper function, this would be counterproductive. We were interested to discover that the gun would not function at the burst fire rate without the brake affixed. The gun only fired at 600 rpm, in burst and auto setting. The hypothesis we came up with suggests that the closed internal volume of the brake does not dissipate or redirect recoil but instead captures the expanding gasses that cause recoil and retains these gasses as potential energy. The compressed gas is allowed to escape the brake’s chambers over time, in a controlled “flow” to extend the duration of recoil effect.

The simple engineering of the trigger mechanism. The hook to the top right is the functional end of the trigger blade. The structure on the top left is the selector hook.

The AN-94 boasts an incredible fire rate to be sure, but some promoters make impossible claims to the gun’s effect. It has been said that a burst from the Nikonov can place both rounds in a single hole at 100 meters. It has been said that the burst effect can defeat armor. These are simply not true. The rounds fired in burst do impact close together, but do not coincide, as our test targets demonstrate. It would be safe to assume that the intention of Gennady Nikonov in building this burst feature was not to put two rounds into the same hole. More practically, his intention was to increase a shooter’s chance of making a hit on target, and increase the lethality of those hits. Fire rate has never been a guarantee of a rifle’s effect. The success or failure of any weapon system is due entirely to the training and expertise of its operator. This is no secret to the world’s armed forces. Every country has its elite or special forces; these special units often use the same standard issue small arms as the regular soldiers. These special units can put those arms to greater effect only by inherent skill and exhaustive practice. With that in mind, and considering the expense, complexity, and capability of the AN-94, Russia has reserved this weapon for its special operations unit; the Spetsnaz. Is the AN-94 really “better” than the AK-74 or AK-12 or any of the AK-100 series of variants? It would only be fair to call the Nikonov “alternatively capable.”

To say that the AN-94 is scarce in the western hemisphere is a gross understatement. Make no mistake; there are not many of these floating around outside the Soviet Union. So we did not hesitate at the chance to field test one of the world’s most rare and advanced battle rifles. The Nikonov would be tested in the Nevada desert, 30 minutes from Hoover Dam. First, just to get a feel for the “Nik,” we fired it off hand short range, in semi, full and burst. The reciprocating mechanism is very effective at dissipating recoil force. In semi-auto, the recoil felt was on par with a tuned match rifle. In burst mode, we noticed an increased recoil impulse compared to semi-auto, as the single perceived push is the result of 2 rounds fired. In full-auto, the gun is very controllable. The burst mode gets the hype, but full auto fire with the Nikonov is remarkable. We shot targets at 50 yards in burst and full. The burst rounds did not impact together. The best results we could manage showed groups averaging 2 inches spread vertically. In full auto fire, it was easy to maintain 8” groups from strings of 10 rounds. This shows that the rifle can maintain impressive control during automatic fire – better than any other battle rifle we’ve tested.

Detail of the receiver. You can make out the position of the hammer locked into the carrier and you can see the recoil spring below, impinging on the shuttle, and the cable that connects the two. The spring on top is the mainspring, which act against the hammer. The small structure hanging from the receiver, in front of the shuttle, is the sear and disconnector.

Is the Nikonov an innovative weapon? No. it’s beyond that. Most anything mechanical is formed after a preexisting idea, or can trace its development to another device. The AN-94 comes from… nowhere. It’s as great a quantum leap in small arms design as any of the original Browning guns. What spark of inspiration could have sent Gennady Nikonov to his desk to invent this rifle from thin air? Some have suggested a possible connection to some UFO activity in 1989 in Voronezh, Russia. Could the Nikonov be a piece of reverse engineered alien technology? We would love to think so; because there’s just no other logical explanation for this “Blackest” of black rifles.

SchleTek, a German chemical company operating throughout Europe, has recently offered a line of premium gun care products. Our evaluation of this product was taken on with a degree of enthusiasm – as most things German are expected to be outstanding – and we were not disappointed with the outcome. We only tested four of the nine products offered to get a feel for the performance of these chemicals. We were impressed with the four products we tested and assume that the others we did not test will be equally impressive.

Carbon Cleaner
The Carbon Cleaner is offered in aerosol and pump. It’s a clear liquid with a very faint methanol odor. It was tested first on a very dirty AR-15 bolt group & a heavily stained revolver. In order to only demonstrate the efficacy of the product, we used the product here with no heavy scrubbing or soaking – only a quick wipe down with a cotton patch though the manufacturer suggests a 15 minute exposure for heavily carbonized parts. We then gave it a harder task: suppressor baffles from a well used, fully automatic 5.7×28. The results are conclusive. It’s possibly the best carbon cleaner we’ve ever used. It’s fast, less toxic than the competitors’ products & works very, very well.

The “gold” bolt was used for visibility. This result was achieved with a spray and a quick wipe with a paper towel. The heavily “baked-on” carbon toward the head of the firing pin & tail of the bolt will require more effort.

2 in 1 Gun-Tuning
2 in 1 Gun-Tuning is lubricant and surface treatment that comes in aerosol or a dropper bottle. It has a very light consistency that creeps and wicks all over a mechanism by itself. It has better lubricating qualities than we expected… in fact better lubrication than most heavy grease. One test we performed was on an AR-15 fire control mechanism – a JP Original trigger – an exceptional trigger by any standard. The trigger was lubricated with various oils and greases, including SchleTek 2-1. The receiver was oriented vertically in a bench vise, and remained in that state throughout our tests. The trigger was checked for pull using a “dead weight” system. Each lubricant was tested for the average of 3 pulls and then cleaned thoroughly after each product. The result: trigger pull with SchleTek 2-1 was 3 oz less than the next best product (which was a high-load grease marketed specifically for triggers). It must be noted that the load on a trigger’s sear is very high and good performance here is indicative of good performance everywhere. As reported, 2-1 is a very thin oil, so when dispersed it leaves an unnoticeable film behind. This film will resist carbon buildup and copper & plastic wad fouling, corrosion and oxidation.

The SchleTek products we tested. Gun Polish, 2-1 Tuning, Carbon Cleaner and Optic Cleaner. They also offer a non-ammonia foaming bore cleaner, thread locking compounds, and even epoxy bedding compounds.

Optic Cleaner
The SchleTek Optic Cleaner was evaluated on eye glasses, an Aimpoint, and a large high powered riflescope. The foaming action is immediate, aggressive, & effectively lifted particulate and oil away from the lenses. We gave the lens a spray, a quick wipe around the glass, followed by a dry cloth to polish out the residual film. This left no streaks or spots behind. The product leaves a remnant film designed to reduce fogging, and dust attraction on lenses. This anti-fog and dust-repellant property was noted to last several days. The foaming action gave our evaluators extra confidence over the competitor’s liquid spray that leaves particulate on the lens when you’re wiping the glass off.

Rust-X and Gun Polish
The Gun Polish Box contains two jars of compound and two microfiber cloths. The Rust-X gel is noticeably abrasive and has a slight odor of Kerosene. The abrasive appears to be softer than steel, as it effectively removes surface oxides and tarnish without abrading the steel substrate. It seems ideal as a lapping compound, for rifle bores or a final step in fitting a pistol slide to a frame. This could be compared to JB paste; Rust-X is more fluid and uniform in consistency than JB paste, thus can flow and disperse better. The Gun Polish is milder than Rust-X and has no abrasive feel to the touch. It will polish gun and tool steel to a mirror surface, and was even used to great effect to remove scratches from plastic safety glasses. Gun Polish could be compared to Flitz or Gunbrite. Gun Polish remains in a working liquid state longer than the competitors and is easier to clean off. Both of these SchleTek products are excellent for general cleaning and fouling removal. The Rust-X is suited for stainless guns or internal surfaces. Gun Polish is ideal for blued or plated guns where a harsher compound could damage the finish.

SchleTek Deutschland is currently making a move to enter their products into the United States market, and are looking for distributors.

SchleTek Deutschland
Inh. Industriegebiet West
Boschstr. 4
47574 Goch, Germany
Tel: +49 2823 975 97 80
Fax: +49 2823 975 97 82
Web: www.schletek.de
Email: info@SchleTek.de