By Jean Huon 

Via a message dated January 6, 2020, the French Ministry of Defence announced the choice for the replacement of the Model 1950 pistol and the FR F2 sniper rifle. Other pieces of combat equipment will also be replaced: battle dress, helmets (25,000) and body armour (96,800).

THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL

Designated “PANG” (Pistolet Automatique de Nouvelle Génération or New Generation Automatic Pistol), the program started with a call for tenders on March 19, 2019. The DGA (Armament Head Office) sought to purchase 74,596 pistols, some of them with accessories (night shooting devices, silencers) and 51 million 9mm cartridges. Training devices, holsters, carrying cases and cleaning kits will be joined to the procurement.

The need was 80% for the Army, 12% for the Air Force and 8% for the Navy. The registration of weapons candidates was closed on April 12, 2019, and the winner is to deliver the order in less than 48 months.

The weapons were to be furnished with repair kits, spare parts, training material and technical manuals. The winner was to be the manufacturer proposing the lowest price, after the pistols passed the tests and met the technical features.

Professional references were needed for all candidates, which also had to show a turnover of more than 50 million euros continuously over the last 3 years. They also had to be settled in the European community (except for any electronic night sights).

This excluded any French manufacturer. Years ago, French politicians voted to close the state-owned arsenals and additional anti-gun laws had the same results on private factories.

Tests of the new pistols were completed between April and December 2019 with models presented by CZ, GLOCK and HS Produkt. Other companies such as Beretta, FN Herstal, Heckler & Koch (HK), Steyr and SIG SAUER did not compete.

The technical features requested were very strict: 17-round magazine, or more; technical commitment for a long-lasting service; short period of delivery, with penalties if overtaken; ambidextrous bolt stop; and a low price, for example.

Finally, a competition took place between CZ with its P-10 C, HS Produkt with its SF19 and the GLOCK 17 Gen5, the latter being selected for adoption. This result was contested by the dealer of the Croatian pistol, HS Produkt, who didn’t agree with the results of a magazine speed loading test by a female soldier. A plea before the administrative court was rejected.

GLOCK Gen5

The GLOCK pistol will be made in Austria at the GLOCK factory in Deutsch-Wagram, 10 miles Northeast of Vienna. Created by Gaston Glock in 1973, the factory produced combat knives and shovels made of steel and plastic. He entered the family of handgun makers in 1980 by creating with Wilhelm Bubits a powerful pistol, the conception of which was revolutionary.

Adopted by the Austrian Army in 1982, the pistol has many variations in various calibres and a worldwide  distribution. More than five million were made, and a factory was built in the United States in Smyrna, Georgia.

In France, some GLOCK pistols were already used by several units, such as police, Gendarmerie, Air Force security and Special Forces.

The GLOCK 17 Gen5 has a polymer frame with metal inserted parts. The trigger guard is square with a serrated front. The grip is grainy on its front and sides; its back can receive interchangeable back straps to accommodate users’ hand sizes. In front of the trigger guard, a rail can  mount various light or sight designators.

The barrel is completely housed in the slide. The recoil spring is made of flat coils with a plastic guide. The slide has a square shape, with an ejection port at the top right and serrations at the rear and the front. A safety is integrated on the trigger. It has an ambidextrous bolt stop, located on both sides at the top of the grip. The rear sights are “U”-shaped, and the front sight is square. The polymer magazine with a thin metal insertion is located in the grip. The magazine lock is on each side, near the lower part of trigger. The magazine well is flared. The pistol works by short-barrel recoil. The barrel is cylindrical with a cubic rear part which locks into the ejection port. The firing pin is cocked before bolt closing.

The price of the  entire sale (gun, ammunition and accessories) is 44 million euros. GLOCK will furnish the pistol and the night sighting devices; ammunition will be made by Sellier & Bellot in the Czech Republic to include:

• 45 million ball cartridges 9mm NATO;
• 4 million training cartridges; and
• 2 million subsonic loads.

Also to be furnished are:

• Blackhawk T-Series L3D holsters, magazine pouches and accessories;
• 25,000 special carrying cases;
• 15,000 night-sighting devices;
• 9,000 sound suppressors furnished by B&T in Switzerland;
• 7,000 UTM training kits;
• 800 laser devices for sighting adjustment; and
• Repair parts and maintenance tools.

THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC SNIPER RIFLE

The replacement of the French forces’ sniper rifle followed the same procedure, with a call for tenders opened on August 16, 2019, and registration of weapons candidates closed on October 5, 2019. There was a short delay, and the candidates had to present proposals to meet the following requirements:

• 2,620 semi-automatic 7.62mm NATO rifles and accessories;
• 1,800 night-vision scopes;
• 1,000 infrared devices; and
• 15 million 7.62mm NATO ball cartridges and the same amount of armour-piercing rounds.

Conditions for candidates were the same as for the pistol competition for location of subscribers and for turnover. But some manufacturers did not compete. For example:

• PGM could not, due to its low turnover, and it had no semi-automatic rifle to propose;
• Heckler & Koch was the favourite with the HK 417 but rejected the proposal—the offer being too fastidious for a small quantity of rifles and the expected price being only 20% of the global market; and
• Beretta did not present the ARX200 because it did not have enough time to find partners.

Subscribers were the following grouping companies:

• Safran Electronics, FN Herstal with Schmidt & Bender day scope;
• OIP, FN Herstal with Schmidt & Bender day scope;
• Thales and CZ with a rifle derived from the 7.62×51 Bren 2 and Scrom scope and
• Verney-Carron Defense with a rifle derived from the AR-10, Schmidt & Bender day scope and night vision.

Only Safran and OIP were selected. OIP won because the price was lower.

The German-Belgium partnership specially organised for the French offer is:

• FN Herstal SCAR-H rifle in 7.62mm, FN silencer, bipod, cover, repair kit and Schmidt & Bender day scope;
• OIP-Sensor Systems and Telefunken-Racoms for night scope; and
• MEN for the ammunition.

Note that FN was present in the two proposals.

 FN SCAR-H Rifle

The SCAR, or Special Operation Forces Combat Assault Rifle, was developed for American Special Forces as a modular system to replace other materials. It was developed in two versions: 5.56mm (L) and 7.62mm (H). Research began in 2001, and the first specimens were delivered at the end of 2007 for testing and an adoption in 2010.

The French Army selected a rifle with a rigid stock and adjustable in length. The FN SCAR-H’s frame is made of light alloy, has a right or left cocking lever and an ejection port on the right. The pistol grip is organized like the FN FNC assault rifle.

The handguard has four Picatinny rails and  can utilize a front grip. The bolt and the 20-inch barrel are made of steel. The frame is made of light alloy, and the pistol grip of polymer. It has a black or tan finish. The rear sights are aperture-type (100m-600m); the front sight has a tunnel. Both can be folded. The Picatinny rails can accommodate any sighting device.

The vertical magazine is locked in position by an ambidextrous push-button. The rifle works with a short-stroke gas action. The gas port has two positions. The bolt is locked by a rotating head with several locks.

The first rifle was delivered beginning of 2020, and all the 2,620 will follow until 2022. The market price is 100 million euros.

Many thanks to: FN Herstal (Anne Devroye); GLOCK (Elisabeth Triebel); and MEN.

GLOCK 17 Gen5

Calibre: 9mm

Ammunition: 9×19

Overall length: 202mm (7.95in)

Weight with magazine loaded: 911g (32.13oz)

Capacity: 17 rounds

FN SCAR-H Rifle

Calibre: 7.62mm

Ammunition: 7.62×51

Length with stock extended: 1,083mm (42.64in)

Length with stock retracted: 1,019mm (40.11in)

Barrel length: 508mm (20in)

Weight: 6.750kg (14.88lb)

Capacity: 10-20 rounds

The Latest Innovations in Homeland Security

Milipol, the 21st Worldwide Exhibition on Internal Security, was held in Paris from November 19 to 22, 2019,  at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre with more than 1,000 exhibitors coming from all over the world. Here are some of the highlights from the exhibition.

LOCATION

Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, Paris, France

WEBSITE en.milipol.com

CONTACT 

NEXT SHOW

Milipol Paris 2021, October 19-22

FOCUS OF SHOW

Milipol Paris is the leading event dedicated to homeland security and safety. The event is organized under the auspices of the French Ministry of Interior in partnership with several governmental bodies. The show focuses on homeland security topics such as data protection-information and communication systems, economic and industrial intelligence, systems integration, risk analysis and management, CBRN, civil defence, law enforcement and forensic science services just to name a few.

STATISTICS

In 2019, the 4-day event welcomed 1,089 exhibitors, 31,185 visitors from 156 countries and 167 official delegations participated in Milipol Paris. 68% of exhibitors and 48% of visitors come from abroad.

DRESS

Business “informal,” meaning jacket and tie, or business casual depending on how you desire to present your company.

HOTEL HINTS

There are many hotels around the exhibition center. Consult travel websites such as expedia.com and tripadvisor.com for suggestions.

POWER & PLUG TYPES

230v 50Hz cycle, 3-prong plugs; may use 220V-240V.

COUNTRY WARNINGS

France is currently Level 2: Exercise increased caution: demonstrations in Paris and other major cities continue in France and are expected to continue in the coming weeks. Property damage, including looting and arson, in populated tourist areas has occurred with reckless disregard for public safety. There are currently travel restrictions due to the coronavirus, COVID-19. Consult the CDC before booking travel.

CULTURAL HINTS

In French culture, it is very important to greet people properly. It’s polite to say “bonjour” or “bonsoir” (good morning/good evening) when encountering someone, even if it’s a stranger. People are generally expected to behave discreetly, although public displays of affection aren’t uncommon. You’re also expected to speak in quiet tones, particularly in restaurants.

TIPPING

Tipping is unnecessary unless you feel you received excellent service; in this case, 10% is appropriate. Be aware that a 15% service charge is added automatically to your bill. Overtipping a server is considered to be somewhat vulgar and showy.

GETTING AROUND

The best way to get around Paris is on foot and by metro. Paris is very large, so you should take the efficient metro to travel long distances. The Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens or RATP system, which runs the metro, also offers several bus routes around the city. Those traveling to Paris by plane can arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), about 22 miles northeast of the city center, or Paris Orly Airport (ORY), about 11 miles south of the city.

MILITARY MUSEUMS

The Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum) is a national military museum located at Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. The Musée de L’Armée was established in 1905 by merging the Artillery Museum and the Historical Army Museum. It contains 500,000 objects, including weapons, armour, artillery, uniforms, emblems and paintings. It houses the Napoleon’s tomb.

TOURISM

There is no shortage of landmarks to visit in Paris. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Arc de Triomphe along with the numerous cafes and restaurants should keep one busy.

NOTE: All information subject to change. Go to en.milipol.com for up-to-date information.

For a long time, Serbia was a part of the Ottoman Empire; it became self-governed in 1830 but obtained independence only in 1878. Several wars engulfed the country and other Balkan countries: Bulgaria in 1885, Turkey in 1912 and Bulgaria again in 1913. The assassination of Austrian Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo is credited as initiating the start of WWI.

In 1915, Germany, Austria and Bulgaria attacked Serbia and after some success, Serbian troops retreated. Recovered by the French Orient Army, under general Franchey d’Esperay’s command, the Serbian Army regained the offensive and marched to Belgrade and Vienna.

At the end of WWI, South Slavic countries joined Serbia to become the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The country became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929.

Neutral at the beginning of WWII, the country was occupied by Germany and Italy but recovered independence after the war. Under Marshal Tito, Yugoslavia became a communist republic, but he veered from Moscow and joined the Neutral countries.

After his death in 1980, the relationship between the Yugoslavian areas became more and more damaged, and a civil war occurred between them in 1991 and 1995. All former Yugoslavian countries became independent; however, the situation declined, and NATO intervened by air bombing Serbia in 1999. In 2003, the last of the former Yugoslavia became Serbia-Montenegro, but they separated in two in 2008.

Zastava Arms Tour

We recently visited the Zastava Arms factory in Kragujevac, Serbia (60 miles Southeast from Belgrade), a leading producer of firearms and artillery. We met the managers, and after a presentation of the company, we examined all the small arms produced, shot with them and visited the former cannon foundry museum.

Cannon Foundry

Since 1836, a small arms factory existed in Zastava. Between 1851 and 1853, German factory owners built a cannon foundry in Kragujevac. Some years later it was destroyed by flooding. It was rebuilt in another location by a French engineer under agreement of Imperator Napoleon III.

After 1860, the factory built rifles and small caliber small arms. The factory won six medals at the international exhibition in Paris in 1889. It also built other items for industry, farming, tools, ironmongery, bells, musical instruments, electrical materials, and so on.

After independence of the country a military board decided to choose a new rifle.

The president of the board was Major Kosta “Koka” Milovanovic who developed a variation of the Mauser Model 1871. The ammunition used was different, and the barrel grooves were progressive; the rear of the frame had a rail to guide the bolt when opening. The cleaning rod was longer, and the rings were different; 120,000 rifles were made, including cavalry and artillery carbines.

Later a repeating rifle with magazine in a tube under the barrel was made: the M1880-87. Another model, the M1880-07 that shoots the 7mm Mauser cartridge in a vertical magazine was also created.

In 1899, Serbia adopted a Chilean-style Mauser (in 7×57) and in 1910 a new type Mauser 98 rifle in the same caliber.

The Kragujevac small arms factory also repaired and converted old muzzle loading rifles for Serbia and other countries at the end of the 19th century.

During WWI after the retirement of the Serbian Army, many Kragujevac factory workers came to France and worked at the Saint-Etienne arsenal or Le Creusot Schneider factory. After WWI, Serbia received 1,500 rail trucks with various small arms from France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Russia, but the Army did not utilize this disparate materiel; after considering adopting French small arms, they finally retained the Czech Mauser Vz 1898/22. In fact, they adopted the Belgian FN Mauser 1924 sold by Fabrique Nationale Herstal. In 1939, more than one million were made.

The Kragujevac factory also converted old Turkish or Austrian rifles to the 7.92x57mm (8mm Mauser) cartridge, and the 1915 Chauchat light machine gun was also converted.

Since 1937, the factory produced the ZB 26 under license (5,000 were made). In 1939, 12,000 people worked at the Kragujevac factory.

After 1946, the factory, though damaged during WWII, was reactivated, and old German, Czech or Yugoslavian rifles could be repaired.

In 1948, a new line for production of the Mauser 98k was installed, but it had a shorter action (0.1 inch) and the forend was longer.

Two variations of the 98k exist:

• M48A, produced from 1953 to 1956; all parts are forged, lathe turned and milled (+ 300,000 rifles);
• M48B, produced from 1958 to 1968, with stamped parts such as trigger guard and buttplate (+ 430,000 rifles).

An M53 Mauser rifle exists with a wide indentation on the left side of the frame, a flash hider and a bayonet lug set up on the barrel with a collar. An M60 model has a grenade launcher.

These rifles were used by many countries: Yugoslavia, Burma, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Syria and many revolutionists such as the FLN in Algeria. On January 18, 1956, the French Navy examined the Yugoslavian vessel Ljubljana in the Mediterranean see with 148 metric tons of military material for the Algerian rebels.

The Zastava factory also produced:

• M49 submachine gun, a synthesis of PPSh 41 and Beretta 38;
• M56, very close in appearance to the German MP40;
• M84, local copy of the VZ61 Skorpion;
• M97, similar to the Mini UZI;
• And a copy of the belt-fed MG 42: the Sarac, called the M53.

Since the 1960s, Yugoslavia produced improved models of Russian weapons.

Zastava also built licensed 20x110mm Hispano-Suiza HS 804 20mm automatic guns.

Since the 1950s the company made various small arms, but also metallurgic items from pans to tanks, including cars and trucks.

After the NATO bombing, small arms production was preserved, and car production was sold to Fiat.

Zavodi Crvena Zastava

Handguns

Present-day small arms production is various:

• Both Colt and Smith & Wesson revolver variants;
• M57 pistol (Tokarev) and M57A with manual safety;
• M70 pistol (.32 ACP);
• M70A pistol the same as M57 in 9mm Luger;
• M88 and M88A pistols (9mm Luger);
• CZ99, similar to the SIG SAUER P226 (9mm Luger);
• CZ999 with SA/DA or DAO trigger (9mm Luger);
• EZ9 and EZ9 Compact, with de-cocking lever and Picatinny rail (9mm Luger);
• EZ40 and EZ40 Compact (.40 S&W).

Military Small Arms

• M59 carbine, domestic production of SKS rifle in 7.62×39;
• M59/66 carbine, domestic production of SKS with grenade launcher;
• M64, M65, M70 assault rifle, AK-47 Kalashnikov (7.62×39);
• M70 B, M70 B1, M70 AB2 and short barrel M92, AKM assault rifle (7.62×39);
• M71, M71 A, M77, M77 BX, assault rifle (7.62×51);
• M65 LMG, similar to RPK;
• M72 LMG, same as RPK-M and M72A (RPKS);
• Semi-automatic sniper rifle M76 (7.92×57);
• M77 B1 LMG (7.62×51);
• M82 LMG (5.56×45);
• M85, M90, M90 A, M95, M95A assault rifle (5.56×45);
• M99 assault rifle (7.62×39 or 5.56×45);
• M21, M21 A, M21 S, M21 BS assault rifle (5.56×45), with an ambidextrous selector, folding stock and Picatinny rail;
• M05 E1, M05 E2, M05 E3 assault rifle, similar as above but in 7.62×39;
• M05 N1, M05 N2, M05 N3, M05 N1 FS assault rifles (7.62mm NATO);
• Semi-automatic sniper rifle M91, similar to M76 with a stock like the Dragunov (7.92×57 and 7.62×54 R);
• Semi-automatic sniper rifle M91 N (7.62mm NATO);
• Sniper rifle M07, with bolt action, magazine loaded and folding stock (7.62mm Mosin or 7.62mm NATO);
• Heavy sniper rifle M93 and M12, bolt action (12.7×108 or .50 Browning);
• M84 infantry machine gun, same as PKM and tank machine gun M86 similar to PKT (7.62x54mmR);
• M87 machine gun, similar to NSV; made for 12.7×108 Russian cartridge or 12.7×99 (.50 BMG), but in this case Russian links have to be used. Other models using improved tripods are designated as M02 Coyote and M07;
• Automatic grenade launcher M93, same as AGS 17 (30×29 B);
• Single shot under-barrel grenade launcher BGP (40mm VOG-25 series).

Hunting and Shooting Carbines

The Shotgun Shop was destroyed during the NATO bombing in 1999 and was not restored. The company produces today a large selection of hunting and shooting carbines:

• M70, Mauser bolt action with a wide variety of caliber and stocks;
• M720 carbine, same as above made with Inox steel and fiberglass stocks;
• M808 carbine, same as M70 with detachable magazine;
• M07 shooting carbine, same as the sniper rifle (7.62mm Mosin, 7.62mm NATO, 6.5×55 and .300 Winchester Magnum);
• M85, bolt action carbine for .22 Hornet, .222 Remington, .222 Remington Magnum, .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington and 7.62×39 cartridges;
• MP 22 and MP 17, bolt action carbine (.22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnum, .17 HMR);
• PAP M2010, semi-automatic carbine (7.62×39, .222 Remington, .223 Remington, 7.62×51, .243 Winchester) for the U.S. market.

All the parts of small arms are made by Zastava except the optics.

Bibliography

Serbian and Yugoslavian Mauser Rifles, Branko Bogdanovič, North Cape Publications (2005).

Пешалијско Аутоматско Оружје Другог Светског Рата (World War Two Infantry Automatic Weapons), Dejan Milivojevič & Vuk Obradoivič – Odbrana (2012).

Војни Мчэеј Ъеоград (Military Museum Belgrade), Predrag Lazevič & Andeliza Radovič – Odbrana (2013).

Encyclopédie de l’Armement Mondial (Vol. 7), Jean Huon, Grancher (2015).

A guide through Old Foundry Museum, Zastava Arms (2018).

Eurosatory 2014, the Defence and Security Exhibition was held in Paris Nord Villepinte (near Charles de Gaulle airport) from June 16 to 20, 2014. It remains the largest global meeting for land and air-land defense. During this edition, the exhibition also confirmed it’s now-established in the areas of homeland security, civil security and safety of companies.

Some figures confirm the success of Eurosatory 2014, with 1,504 exhibitors from 58 countries, 55,770 visitors, 707 journalists, 172 Official Delegations from 88 countries and 3 International Organizations.

Regarding the reduction of many military budgets in the world, few new small arms could be observed. Nevertheless, we can still present a large overall review of some of the exhibited materials.

Main door of Eurosatory 2014 exhibition. (Jean Huon)

Austria

Glock: New pistols from Glock are: the Glock 30 S – the same as the Glock 36 but in .45 ACP with a 96 mm (3.78 inch) barrel; the Glock 39 in .45 ACP with a 87 mm (3.42 inch) barrel; the Glock 41 in .45 ACP with a 135 mm (5.31 inch) barrel; and the Glock 42 in .380 ACP with a 82 mm (3.22 inch) barrel.

Kepplinger: Engineer Hannes Kepplinger has developed 9mm and .45 cal. SMGs as well as small bore assault rifles. He now proposes a bolt action sniper rifle named the SSG 08. It has a folding stock, a Picatinny rail fitted over the barrel and the magazine housing is behind a large size forearm. This rifle also has a bipod and a silencer which is also used as a flash hider. Chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum, it has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds, has an overall length of 1,240 m (48.8 inches), length with stock folded of 970 m (38.1 inches), barrel length of 720 m (28.34 inches) and weighs 6.5 kg (14.34 lbs.).

Steyr Mannlicher: Pistols, SSG assault rifle and sniper rifles. The Austrian company has also a new assault rifle: the STM 556. It comes from the M16 family with an upper and lower receiver made of aircraft quality light alloy. The selector is ambidextrous, and the rifle is fed from a STANAG 4179 M16 magazine. The rifle has a quick-change barrel system and uses a short-stroke gas piston operating system. It is adjustable with four positions for normal, over (clogged gun) – and under-gassed (for suppressor) settings as well as shut off (grenade launching). The rifle has a telescopic stock, several Picatinny rails, and an anatomic pistol grip (with three sizes) and receives a black Mannox finish.

Belgium

FN Herstal: The Belgium company showed all of its pistols, assault rifles and machine guns. It also presented the new FN TASAM (Target Acquisition & Situation Awareness Module). It uses interoperability of all components of the weapon to provide a number of advanced combat and C4i capabilities – in day and night conditions: situational awareness of both soldier and platoon (using the GPS), target acquisition (using a laser range finder and a camera), and data transfer within the platoon or to higher levels of command (using the FN SmartCore shot counter and communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless or 3G).

The FN HUD (Head Up Display) is a state-of-the-art sighting solution specifically designed for enhanced firing accuracy in combat using axial armaments, combined with reduced pilot workload and reduced target acquisition time. Easy to integrate on new or in-service helicopter platforms, the FN HUD incorporates the latest advances in digital electronics and electro-optical systems and is able to communicate with the existing avionics systems aboard the carrier.

Bulgaria

Arsenal: had a large choice of modern automatic weapons, most of the rifle type derivate from the Kalashnikov.

Canada

Some Colt Canada rifles. (Jean Huon)

Colt: Formerly Diemaco prior to 2005, Colt Canada manufactures a large family of AR-15 assault rifles, having the similar design of the M16A3, with the heavy barrel of the M16A2 that includes 25 models in 5.56x45mm; 2 models in 7.62×51; 1 model in 7.62×39; and two 9mm submachine guns. These guns are used by standard or special forces of Afghanistan, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, Iceland, Netherland and Norway.

Defence Technologies: Another Canadian company proposes several bolt action sniper rifles with fiberglass stock, stainless steel frame, titanium bolt and cold forged steel barrel. The bolt has two lugs on the head and a third at rear. The Coyote is available in .308 NATO, the Timberwolf in .338 Lapua Magnum and the LRT-3-50 in .50 cal. Browning.

China

Norinco. The Peoples Republic of China booth only had a pictured representation of their small arms production, as well as some videos played on screen. Included were the new grenade launchers in 35mm.

Croatia

HS 9 pistols from Croatia. (Jean Huon)

Agencia Alan: This company represents all the Croatian small arms production: HS pistols, available in 9x19mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP – three variations of each exist (Combat, Sub-Compact and Tactical); ERO submachine guns (Uzi and Micro-Uzi types); VHS assault rifles; several sniper rifles in .300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, .50 Browning and 20×110; and the RBG 6, a repeating 40mm grenade launcher (MGL Mk I type).

Czech Republic

Ceska Zbrojovka: Many small arms were exhibited at the booth of the Uhersky Brod factory: CZ pistols CZ; Scorpion EVO 3 A1 SMG; CA 805 Bren A1 and A2 assault rifles; CZ 750 S1 M1 sniper rifles; and CZ 805 G 1 40mm grenade launcher.

Emirates

Caracal CC 10 carbine. (Jean Huon)

Caracal: Caracal pistols are: CP 660, CP 661, CP 662, 9x19mm polymer frame, short recoil and double action lock and trigger safety; CP 663, 9×19, .40 S&W or 9x21mm, fitted with a rotating barrel lock, single and double action lock; with an 18-round magazine. The CP 664 is a smaller pistol with double action only, a rotating bolt and an 18-round magazine. The CAR 816 assault rifles are a high quality local production of the M4 carbine with a gas operated piston system. Various sniper rifles are also proposed as the CS 308, CH 300, CS 338 and CS 50. A new 9mm semiautomatic carbine was also exhibited that uses a 9.25 inch or 16.14 inch barrel and uses the Caracal pistol magazine.

France

VirTra pistol is obtained from any service gun. (Jean Huon)

Humbert: The Humbert Company offers all of the Beretta group products and a new training device named VirTra. It permits training of police and military personnel in a virtual space with video projection where enemies appear with computer control. The shooter uses their current gun, with special conversion or “recoil kits. The replacement barrel fires a laser at each shot and a CO2 cartridge located in the magazine well allows emulating the slide recoil. The device already exists for Colt, Glock, Beretta 92, S&W M&P, Taurus, SIG-Sauer pistols, MP5 SMGs and M4 carbine.

Rivolier: Rivolier is the French distributor of Remington, SIG Sauer, Ruger and small arms societies.

Verney-Carron: Single shot or over/under Flash-Ball launchers (less than lethal); 44mm smooth bore rubber bullets; and 40mm rifled barrel for various 40×46 grenades.

Germany

Heckler & Koch: We could see the new double-action VP9 pistol, with trigger safety and safe dismounting device. It holds a left and right bolt stop and the magazine is the same as the P30. It is furnished in a box with several grips. Currently available in the USA, it will be delivered in Europe at the end of 2014. HK also exhibited many pistols, submachine guns, rifles and machine guns, including the HK MG5 7.62x51mm belt fed.

Liemke: Liemke GmbH, is located in Bielefeld (Germany), and has made an agreement with the American company Noreen Firearms LLC from Belgrade (Montana). They will both build or sell the same line of several semiautomatic or automatic rifles to include: BN 223, similar to the M16, with gas action on the bolt (5.56×45); BN 36, .30-06, .270 Winchester and .25-06 Remington; BN 308, 7.62×51; BN 300, .300 Winchester Magnum; BN 338, .338 Lapua Magnum; and BN 408, .408 Chey Tac, gas action with rod. Two other sniper rifles exist: the ULR with telescopic stock and ULR Extreme with side folding stock.

MG 14 Z is made from two MG 3s. (Jean Huon)

Tactic Groups: This new company is located in Frankfurt. It proposes new solutions developed from materials available on the market: MP 18i is a submachine gun built from a Steyr G pistol with silencer and front grip and the MG 14 Z is a twin machine gun in .308 NATO made from two MG 3s mounted on a single frame with one grip and trigger mechanism. Each can fire separately or with the other. Feeding is also independent with one fed from the left and the other from the right. MG 14 Z can use various sights or aiming accessories;

MP 18i submachine gun. (Jean Huon)

Israel

Israeli sniper with DAN rifle. (IWI)

IWI: The Israeli company had a large choice of small arms that included Jericho pistols; Uzi Pro and Micro-Tavor SMGs; ACE and Tavor assault rifles; and Negev machine guns including the NG7 in 7.62x51mm.

DAN rifle. (IWI)

A new sniper rifle called the “DAN” in .338 Lapua Magnum was also presented. It has a folding stock with adjustable shoulder rest, cheek rest and rear monopod. The light alloy frame houses a cylindrical bolt with three lugs at the front. The fluted forearm has several Picatinny rails. The box magazine has a ten-round capacity and the barrel can be fitted with a suppressor. Many accessories can be fitted on the DAN: scope, aiming sights, bipod, etc.

Pakistan

Pakistani small arms. (POF)

Pakistan Ordnance Factory: Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) was founded in 1951 with the primary objective of producing arms and ammunition for the armed forces of Pakistan. POF is the first defense production industry in Pakistan, which produces a wide range of conventional small arms and ammunition that include the PK 9 (Beretta 92 type), ST 9 and B 8 pistols, with assistance from Turkish Sarsilmaz company); PK 1, PK 2 and PK 3, which are variations of the MP 5 SMG; G 3 assault rifles; PSR 90 sniper rifle; PK 7, 7.62×39 assault rifle (Pakistani HK 32); PK 8. 5.56×45 variation of HK 33; MG 3, .308 W machine gun: Type 54, 12.7×108 machine gun, Chinese sub-variation of Russian DShK 1938/46; etc.

Poland

Zaklady Metalowe Lucznik: This is the largest producer of Polish small arms and included various pistols, including the Walther 99 made under license; Glauberyt PM 84, PM 98 and PM 06 SMG; Beryl wz 96 and wz 04, 5.56x45mm assault rifles; Aleks BOR (.308 W and .338 LM) and TOR (.50 Browning) sniper rifles; UKM 2000 machine guns, an improvement of the PKM in .308 W, developed but to be industrialized and the Negev, 5.56×45 light machine gun, built under license.

Zaklady Metalowe Dezamet: The company produces a 40mm grenade launcher and various 40×46 grenades.

Mesko: Mesko is a Polish ammunition factory making 9mm Makarov, 5.56×45, .50 Browning, etc.

Russia

Russian Tsniitochmash exhibition. (Jean Huon)

Most Russian manufacturers: KBP, Tsniitochmash and Tula TOZ were at the Paris exhibition, with many small arms, but no new models could be discerned this year.

Slovenia

Arex: Arex produces blank or training ammunitions, links, machine gun feeders, barrels and gun parts. The latest development is a pistol designated Rex 01. It works with an updated Browning design. The frame is made of aircraft light alloy, with a squared trigger guard as well as a Picatinny rail to fit accessories. The frame receives separate plastic grips. The recoil spring is under the barrel. The slide has a squared shape, the ejection port is located at the top and the front and rear large serrated grooves are milled. The pistol receives black or Olive Green finish or both. It has also several safeties: a manual safety located on each side at the rear of the slide; trigger safety; left and right bolt stop, also used as hammer decocking levers, located just above the grips. The magazine catch can also be actuated on each side.

Rex pistol from Slovenia. (Jean Huon)

The pistol works with a barrel short-recoil device. The barrel is round with a square part at the rear for locking and feeding. The single or double action trigger actuates a hammer. Three variations of the Rex 01 are offered: Standard, Combat and Compact. A small laser can be mounted in the recoil spring guide.

South Africa

Less Lethal ammunition from South Africa. (Jean Huon)

Less Lethal Africa: Production of cartridges loaded with rubber or plastic bullets, used for riot control in 9mm Luger; 5.56×45; 7.62×51; 7.62×39 and 12 Gauge. Projectiles are of a soft material, which slightly flattens on impact, without penetration of shot from 20 meters or over. If the user wishes to use the cartridge with semi-auto or full auto guns, a special bolt is required.

Switzerland

SIG Sauer: An association of German and Swiss companies, SIG Sauer proposes a large choice of small arms for military and police organizations to include .380 ACP, 9mm Luger, .357 SIG, .40 S&W and .45 ACP pistols; 9mm Luger, .357 SIG or .40 S&W SMGs; 5.56×45, .308 W and 7.62×39 assault rifles; 5.56×45, .308 W and .50 Browning sniper rifles; 40mm grenade launcher; .380 ACP, 9mm Luger 17, .357 SIG, .40 S&W and .45 ACP law enforcement cartridges, etc.

Ruag: The group produces various cartridges in a large variety of calibers. It also provides special loads for training, snipers, short range, suppressor, etc.

Turkey

Turkish .308 MPT 76 rifle. (MKE)

Turkish exhibitor’s companies were among the few to presents new products.

MKE: State owned company Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi or MKE, is the main supplier of the Turkish Army and proposes also small arms for export that include the MP 5 submachine gun; G3 and HK 33 assault rifles; MSG 90 sniper rifle; MG3 machine gun, etc.

In addition, the Turkish Army has just adopted a new machine rifle: the MPT 76 in .308 NATO using a 20-round magazine with a cyclic rate of 700 rpm. It is a derivative of the AR-10 with a telescopic stock. The upper Picatinny rail receives the rear sight and transport grip. A light alloy forearm also has several rails. The selector can be actuated from both sides. Magazines are made of polycarbonate and magazine lock or right and left. The rifle works by gas action with a small push rod. It receives a Bowie type bayonet, with saw blade and wire cutter.

SAR 109 T submachine gun. (Sarsilmaz)

Sarsilmaz: The company produces various pistols, assault rifles, shotguns and a new submachine gun derived from the SAR 223: the SAR 109 C, upper grip and plastic forearms like the M4 carbine and the SAR 109 T, polygonal light alloy forearm with Picatinny rails, both with a 20-30-round magazine in 9mm Luger with a cyclic rate of 900-1,000 rpm.

The SAR 223, like the SAR 109 SMG is derived from the M4 carbine in 5.56mm. It works with direct gas action and is proposed in classic configuration or Tactical.

Tisas: The company produces various semiautomatic pistols for domestic
use or export.

United States

Barrett: Large choice of repeating or semiautomatic sniper rifles, .30 to .50 caliber. Barrett was discussing their new very light weight variant of the M240 machine gun, using a clamshell type receiver.

General Dynamics: Produces several automatic guns to include the M2 machine gun; 40mm automatic grenade launcher; .338 Norma Magnum LWMMG machine gun.

Kel-Tec: During the exhibition, the German dealer of Kel-Tec announced that the French Custom Office uses the KSG shogun. It is a single barrel riot gun, with two tubular magazines and a selective feeder, which permits the use of the cartridge from one or the other, with various loads (buck shot, bullets, less lethal, armor piercing, etc).

LMT: Lewis Machine Tool presented several M16/M4 and AR-10 rifles, with direct gas action on the bolt. Six variations exist in 5.56×45 and .308 W, as well as the British “Sharpshooter” rifle.

Mac Ammo: This company is located in New Orleans and it produces metal/plastic ammunition cases, with: brass head and polymer body (Mk 223 Mod O); light alloy/steel head and polymer body (Mk 223 Design Max) – existing in 5.56×45, .308 W, .30-06 and .50 Browning. Weight reduction is very important, particularly with the .50 Browning cartridges: for a load of 50 kg (110 lbs), it is possible to obtain 402 standard cartridges with M33 bullet and brass case; 493 cartridges with brass/polymer cases; or 540 cartridges with light alloy/steel/polymer cases. Composite cases have insulating qualities – barrel heat is lower and life of the tube is longer. The quick change barrel is easier and no headspace adjustment is necessary. Supply is also improved because no rust appears on links.

Lightened HCAR rifle. (Jean Huon)

Ohio Ordnance: OOW’s new BAR production, designated the HCAR, has a lightened frame and a new buffer. Caliber is still .30-06 and it is fed by a new, proprietary 30-round magazine.

Rade Technology Corp.: This company proposes a cartridge counter device designated the Radetec. It is a small digital screen located in a polyamide grip, associated with a small button battery. After adjustment it can indicate how many cartridges are still in the magazine. The device currently exists for Colt, Beretta 92, S&W M&P, Ruger Mk III pistols and
M16/M4 rifles.

U.S. Ordnance: Machine gun manufacturer of M60 (E6 and D) and MK 43 in (.308 W); M 240 B, C or D (.308 W); M2 HB, QCB or M48 (.50 Browning). US Ordnance recently announced the purchase of their new M60E6 by the Danish military, and there was a lot of interest in this 7.62x51mm light weight, modernized belt fed machine gun.

Next exhibition Eurosatory 2016 will be from June 13-17, 2016.

A People’s Republic of Romania was established in 1947 and the country became a Socialist Republic in 1965. Romania was a member of the Warsaw Pact but did not participate in the invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. In 1989, a revolution brought democracy to the country. Romania has been member of NATO since 2004 and entered in the European Community in 2007.

Copsa Mica Cugir in 1928. (Fabrica de Arme Cugir)

History
In 1764, the Austrian Empress Maria-Theresa organised military units to guard the Romanian borders. In 1799, a metallurgy factory was built in Cugir, a small city located in a valley in the South of Transylvania. It had two coke kilns, two power hammers and two laminating mills.

Around 1850, the workrooms were enlarged and the equipment was modernised. In 1880, two steam engines were installed. The city became an important centre for the production of steel, railways, artillery and civil engineering equipment. Their main customers were the Austrian Empire and Far East Asian countries. On February 1, 1907, railways reached Cugir.

Military Police woman with Md 2000 and Mini-Uzi at BSDA exhibition in Bucharest in May 2012. (Jean Huon)

In 1920, the Austrian company Österreichissche Statts Eisenbahn Gesellschaft received a contract from the Romanian government to install a modern metallurgy plant in Resita, in the West of the country in the state of Banat.

On March 21, 1925, a new company was founded in Paris: Copsa Mica Cugir, which combined the association of the Romanian government, the British Vickers Armstrong Ltd. and the Austrian UDR Company. New plants in Cugir were installed in 1928 and the CMC Company had a capital of 600 million of lei (Romanian money).

An agreement with Ceska Zbrojovka in 1928 permitted the factory to build the ZB 30 light machine gun under licence and CZ gained access to the capital of CMC. The ZB 30 was adopted by the Romanian Army in 1935 and CMC received an order for 5,000 guns, followed in 1937 by 90 million 7.92mm cartridges. In 1939, the Czech stocks were seized by the Germans. The first Romanian submachine gun was the Orita, manufactured in 1941.

Orita 1941 submachine gun. (Jean Huon – Collection Fabrica de Arme Cugir)

Orita 1941
Calibre: 9mm
Ammunition: 9mm Luger
Overall length: .885 m (35.19”)
Barrel length: .278 m (10.95”)
Weight: 3.45 kg (7.61 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 32 shots
Cyclic rate: 600 rpm

In 1945, the Soviets prohibited weapons production in Romania. This rule was softened in 1950 and the Cugir plant made the TT 33 pistol (a special model with a safety), PPSh 41 smg, Mosin-Nagant 1944 carbines and SKS carbines. In 1963, guns of the Kalashnikov family were produced. After 1989, the armament plants were reorganized and they produced new weapons and diversified their production.

In 2004, the guns and military equipment factories (including tanks, planes, rockets, etc.) were combined in a company named Cugir S.A.; it is a state owned organisation with fifteen subsidiaries, two of them producing small arms: Societa Comerciala Fabrica de Arme Cugir S.A.; and Societa Comerciala Uzina Mecanica Cugir S.A.

Fabrica de Arme Cugir
Fabrica de Arme Cugir (FAC) is located on the border of the city of Cugir and its workshops produce small arms. The machine tools are traditional and some of them were manufactured by the factory, but recently it received new computer driven machines. It also uses cold hammering machine tools to produce barrels. Many models are offered:

Pistols
FAC makes the Carpati Md 74 pistol, which is a .32 ACP copy of the Walther PP, with a light alloy frame. It is still used by city police. A .380 ACP Carpati Md 95 with steel frame was also produced.

Carpati Md 74

Carpati Md 74
Calibre: 7.65mm
Ammunition: .32 ACP
Overall length: 168 mm (6.61”)
Barrel length: 91 mm (3.58”)
Weight: 500 g (1.10 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 8 shots

Carpati Md 90

Carpati Md 90
Calibre: 9mm
Ammunition: .380 ACP
Overall length: 168 mm (6.61”)
Barrel length: 91 mm (3.58”)
Weight: 670 g (1.48 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 7 shots

Assault Rifles
The Kalashnikov assault rifle has been produced in Romania since 1963. The AKM variation was designated PM63 and it received a typical front grip. It is still produced but with a conventional forearm. The AKMS (PM65) with folding stock has been manufactured since 1965, with a rear curved grip to permit the stock to be folded. This variation is still produced without the front grip (Md 65). In 1990, a new AKMS with crutch side folded stock is also made; a short barrel variation was also produced.

Md 90 Compact
Calibre: 7.62mm
Ammunition: 7.62×39
Overall length: .805 m (31.69”)
Length, stock folded: .605m (21.83”)
Barrel length: .305 m (12”)
Weight: 3.1 kg (6.84 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 30 shots
Cyclic rate: 600 rpm

The 5.45×39 AK74 was produced since 1986 in Romania, with fixed or folding stock (Md 86). Later a short barrel variation with folding stock was also made.

Md 86

Md 86
Calibre: 5.45mm
Ammunition: 5.45×39
Overall length: .805 m (31.69”)
Length, stock folded: .605m (21.83”)
Barrel length: .305 m (12”)
Weight: 3.1 kg (6.84 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 30 shots
Cyclic rate: 600 rpm

In 1987, a new rifle was designed. It looks like the Md 86, but it uses the 5.56×45 cartridge. Stock, forearm and handguard are made of polymer and a Picatinny rail is located under the forearm. It can mount a 40mm grenade launcher. Another variation has a folding stock and a short barrel.

Sniper Rifles
Fabrica de Arme Cugir also made sniper rifles using a Mauser type bolt and receiver. Two variations exist: the PL 54 (7.62x54R) with a Dragunov steel magazine; and the PL 51 (7.62mm NATO) with a translucent polycarbonate magazine. Both had a laminated wooded stock, a commercial scope and a bipod.

PL 54

PL 54
Calibre: 7.62mm
Ammunition: 7.62x54R
Overall length: 1.25 m (49.21”)
Barrel length: .650 m (25.59”)
Weight: 4.5 kg (9.93 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 10 shots

PL 51
Calibre: 7.62mm
Ammunition: 7.62mm NATO
Overall length: 1.25 m (49.21”)
Barrel length: .650 m (25.59”)
Weight: 4.5 kg (9.93 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 10 shots

They are now replaced by the semiautomatic rifle Md 74, whose design combines the Degtyarev and Kalashnikov. The frame is made of stamped steel, the stock has a built-in cheek rest and the muzzle brake has lateral holes. The scope is a 4-6 PSO-1, which permits shooting from 100 to 1,300 m. Two variations exist: the PSL 54 (7.62x54R) available in United States; and the PSL 51n (7.62mm NATO).

PSL 54

PSL 54
Calibre: 7.62mm
Ammunition: 7.62x54R
Overall length: 1.15 m (45.27”)
Barrel length: .620 m (24.40”)
Weight: 4.1 kg (9.05 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 10 shots

PSL 51

PSL 51
Calibre: 7.62mm
Ammunition: 7.62mm NATO
Overall length: 1.15 m (45.27”)
Barrel length: .620 m (24.40”)
Weight: 4.1 kg (9.05 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 10 shots

The 7.62×39 RPK was produced in Cugir as the Md 64. Later in 1993, the 5.45×39 Md 93 arrived. It is fitted with a transport grip that is not found on the original Russian model. A folding stock variation was also produced. Both are still in production, with curved 30- or 40-round magazines or 75-round drum magazines.

The PKM 7.62x54R machine gun was offered as the Md 66. Recently a short barrel variation & side folding stock was proposed as the “Commando” model.

Commando

Commando
Calibre: 7.62mm
Ammunition: 7.62x54R
Overall length: 1.1 m (43.30”)
Length, stock folded: .810m (31.89”)
Barrel length: .510 m (20.08”)
Weight: 8.25 kg (18.21 lbs)
Cyclic rate: 700 rpm

Commercial Guns
Fabrica de Arme Cugir produces many commercial variations, mainly to be sold in United States: the Draco pistol, a short barrel Kalashnikov without stock (7.62×39; 5.45×39; and 5.56×45 calibers); semiautomatic 7.62×39 carbine derived from old Md 63 with full auto capacity eliminated and fitted with a new stock; semiautomatic Md 63 or Md 86 (7.62×39; 5.45×39; and 5.56×45 calibers); repeating rifles same as above but a pump action mechanism; variations of the Md 74, available in 7.62x54R, 7.62×51, 5.45×39 or 5.56×45 calibers; and semiautomatic .22 Long Rifle carbines.

Uzina Mecanica Cugir
The Uzina Mecanica Cugir (UMC) factory is located in the south of the City in a spacious area with several shooting ranges. The factory produces small and medium calibre guns where conventional production lines (lathing and milling forged steel parts) are used beside computer driven machines. Barrels are rifled by milling. Like the other Cugir plant, all the parts of guns are locally made, including the springs. Only the wooden or plastic parts are made outside.

Pistol
The Md 2000 pistol is a combat hand gun with a steel frame. It is very similar to the Jericho 941 and is used by the Romanian Army.

Md 2000

Md 2000
Calibre: 9mm
Ammunition: 9mm Luger
Overall length: 206 mm (8.11”)
Barrel length: 112 mm (4.41”)
Weight: 900 g (1.98 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 15 shots

Submachine Gun
The Md 96 looks like the Kalashnikov, but is blow back in operation. The frame has a right side ejection port, which can be closed by a flap. The stock is telescopic and can be folded to the side. The rears sight has two V notches (50 – 100 m) on a folding square protected by two ears. The front sight is in a tunnel.

Md 96
Calibre: 9mm
Ammunition: 9mm Luger
Overall length: .650 m (25.59”)
Length, stock folded: .427m (16.81”)
Barrel length: .180 m (7.08”)
Weight: 2.75 kg (6.07 lbs)
Magazine capacity: 30 shots
Cyclic rate: 800-900 rpm

Automatic Weapons
UMC still produce the DShK 1938/46 machine gun in its original 12.7×108 version with finned barrel and large muzzle brake. It is offered with various mounts (tripod with or without armoured plate or wheels, vehicle mounts, etc.).
Another development is offered in Cal. .50 Browning. The barrel has no fins and the gun can be mounted on a M3 tripod or similar with an adaptor. The muzzle brake is of the harmonica type. Both are operated with a bolt locked by two side locks.

DShK 1938/46

DShK 1938/46
Calibre: 12.7mm
Ammunition: 12.7×108
Overall length: 1.59 m (62.60”)
Barrel length: 1.003 m (39.49”)
Weight: 33 kg (72.85 lbs)
Cyclic rate: 520-600 rpm

DShK

DShK
Calibre: 12.7mm
Ammunition: .50 Browning
Overall length: 1.63 m (64.17”)
Barrel length: 1.003 m (39.49”)
Weight: 32.5 kg (71.74 lbs)
Cyclic rate: 520-600

The KPV and KPVT are also made in Cugir, with all their mounts. They are recoil operated; the bolt has a rotating head and is locked by interrupted lugs. Feed is from the right or the left.

KPV

KPV
Calibre: 14.5mm
Ammunition: 14.5×114
Overall length: 1.98 m (77.95”)
Barrel length: 1.342 m (52.83”)
Weight: 50.2 kg (110.81 lbs)
Cyclic rate: 450-600 rpm

The GSh 23 aircraft gun is also produced by Uzina Mecanica Cugir. It is a twin barrel gun, each has its own bolt, but the frame is common. It works like the German Gast 1918 aircraft machine gun.

GSh 23

GSh 23
Calibre: 23mm
Ammunition: 23×115
Overall length: 1.387 m (54.60”)
Barrel length: 1.00 m (39.37”)
Weight: 49.2 kg (108.6 lbs)
Cyclic rate: 3,000-3,400 rpm

GSh 23 L
Calibre: 23mm
Ammunition: 23×115
Overall length: 1.537 m (60.51”)
Barrel length: 1.00 m (45.27”)
Weight: 50 kg (110.37 lbs)
Cyclic rate: 3,000-3,400 rpm

The LG 40 grenade launcher is an automatic gun similar to the American XM 74. It uses the Russian 40×47 grenades or the American 40×46. Grenades are contained in a drum magazine and the gun is fired from a tripod.

LG 40

LG 40
Calibre: 40mm
Ammunition: 40×47 or 40×46
Overall length: 1.46 m (57.48”)
Weight: 23 kg (50.77 lbs)
Cyclic rate: 300 rpm

Magazines and Links
UMC produces magazines for pistols, submachine guns and all the Kalashnikov rifles. The company specializes in the production of various links for Russian or other cartridges that include: 100, 200 or 250-round non disintegrating links for 7.62x54R cartridges; 10-round B 108 non-disintegrating links for 12.7×108 cartridges; 10-round XZ 8 non-disintegrating links for .50 Browning cartridges; disintegrating links for .50 Browning cartridges; 10-round non-disintegrating links for 14.5×114 cartridges; and disintegrating links for 23×115 cartridges.

Fabrica de Arme Cugir in May 2013. (Jean Huon)

Ammunition
Small and medium calibre cartridges are produced that include: 5.56×45 (ball SS109) brass case; 7.62mm NATO (ball M80) brass case; .50 Browning (ball M33 and others) brass or lacquered steel case; 12.7×108 (ball B106, AP, AP/T, AP/I, AP/IT, blank); and 14.5×114 (ball, AP, AP/T, tracer, AP/I, AP/IT, blank).

Various
Other items include 12.7×108 cartridge boxes & manual loading machines for 12.7×108, 14.5×114 & 23×115.

Uzina Mecanica Cugir in May 2013. (Jean Huon)

Barrett
Manufacturer of accurate rifles, Barrett exhibited their new MRAD rifle. It is an evolution of the M98 Bravo model, now fitted with a folding stock. It is a bolt-action repeating rifle designed by Chris Barrett, the son of the company’s founder Ronnie Barrett. It has a light alloy polygonal frame and an extension with four Picattiny rails. The bolt is cylindrical and the barrel receives a muzzle brake. It can receive a black or tan finish and a 20-, 24- or 26-inch, fluted or heavy barrel fitted with a “user changeable system.”

BARRETT MRAD RIFLE (BARRETT)

MRAD
Ammunition: 338 Lapua Magnum
Overall length: 42.4 to 48.23 inches (1.077 – 1.255 m)
Length with stock folded: 35.39 to 42.40 inches (0.899 – 1.077 m)
Barrel length: 20-, 24- or 26-inches (0.510; 0.620 or 0.690 m)
Weight: 13.25 to 15.30 lbs (6.300 – 6.930 kg)
Magazine capacity: 10 rounds

Barrett also presented various accessories including sights, silencers & a new M240 Light Weight machine gun. In its presentation the manufacturer stated; “The MAG is made with 61 riveted parts, such as the Tour Eiffel or the Titanic.” The MAG LW frame is made of two symmetrically milled parts welded together in the vertical plane, thus avoiding the use of rivets or overlapping steel plates. Barrel & other parts are therefore lightened, which allow the overall weight to be reduced by about 5.5 pounds.

M240 LW
Ammunition: 7.62 mm NATO
Overall length: 48.58 inches (1.234 m)
Barrel length: 24.69 inches (0.627 m)
Weight: 21.08 lbs (9.550 kg)

Brügger & Thomet
The Swiss Brügger & Thomet (B&T) Company was founded in May 1991, and is located in the city of Thun in the Bern canton. Initially building suppressors for the Swiss market, the company later sold various small arms and now is offering new models of their own design.

B&T APC 9 submachine gun. (Jean Huon)

APC 9
Advanced Police Carbine. Designed by Karl Brügger, it is a modular weapon conceived like the HK UMP, Taurus MT9 G2 and CZ Skorpion EVO3A1. The stock is triangular or tubular and can be folded to the right side. The frame is flat side shaped and made of anodized light alloy. The ejection port is located on the right side. The barrel is inside a forearm with four Picattiny rails. The cocking handle is fully reversible on the upper side of the frame. The pistol grip, the magazine well and the trigger mechanism are built to be a single polymer unit. The gun can receive a black, tan or a khaki finish. The safety is operated by an ambidextrous rotating lever additionally serving as the firing selector located over the pistol grip. The front sight is protected by ears and the rear sight has an aperture to shoot up to 250 m. A Picatinny rail on the top permits the fitting of various optic sights. The magazine housing is located under the gun, and receives MP 9 (former TMP now made by B&T). The APC 9 is blowback operated and has a hydraulic buffer. Various accessories can be mounted on the rails and a suppressor can be fitted. Variations include a short range for Simunition (blue frame) and a dummy for practice (red frame).

Amunition: 9mm Luger
Overall length: 23.5 inches (0.597 m)
Length w/ stock folded: 14.92” (0,379m)
Barrel length: 6.89 inches (0.175 m)
Weight: 5.52 lbs. (2.5 kg)
Magazine capacity: 15, 20, 25, 30 rds
Cyclic rate: 1,080 rpm

APC 45
Police carbine or submachine gun firing the .45 ACP using 12-, 17- or 25-round magazines.

Amunition: .45 ACP
Overall length: 23.5 inches (0.597 m)
Length w/ stock folded: 14.92” (0.379m)
Barrel length: 6.89 inches (0.175 m)
Weight: 5.74 lbs. (2.6 kg)
Magazine capacity: 12, 17, 25 rds
Cyclic rate: 1,000 rpm

APC 223
Assault rifle (or semiautomatic carbine). Design and manufacture same as the APC 9. But it is gas operated with a conventional piston rod and a rotating bolt head with several locking lugs. Magazine is of the STANAG 4179 type.

B&T APC 300 assault rifle. (Jean Huon)

APC 300
Full auto or semi-auto rifle, also designed from the APC 9. It receives an optical sight, and a silencer. It works like the APC 223 and shoots the .300 Whisper round.

FN-Herstal
FN-Herstal proposes new versions of the MINIMI machine guns designated as the MK 3. They are available both in 5.56mm and 7.62mm calibres and receive a new stock adjustable in length with five positions, a cheek rest, an articulated shoulder rest and an hydraulic buffer; a new forearm with three Picatinny rails and a three positions articulated bipod; a ventilated handguard; a new cocking lever; a feeding device with a belt retainer; and it is easy to convert a 7.62mm MINIMI in the 5.56mm configuration.

MINIMI Mark 3 Tactical machine gun. (FN-Herstal)

Three variations are available: 5.56mm MINIMI MK 3 Tactical with short barrel; 7.62mm MINIMI MK 3 Tactical with standard barrel; and 7.62mm MINIMI MK 3 Tactical with long barrel.

Heckler & Koch
The HK 416 and HK 417 receive new improvements as the HK 416 A5 and HK 417 A2 with a new stock; new ergonomic pistol grip; large trigger housing to shoot with gloves; magazine retainer and bolt catch that are fully ambidextrous, enlarged, and with a protective barrier to avoid any accidental handling operation; two position gas valve for allowing the slide to be operated with a mounted suppressor; and available in black or tan finish.

HK MG5 machine gun. (Heckler & Koch)

MG5 is the new machine gun adopted by the German Army. It is an evolution of the MG121 that appeared in 2012. It looks like an oversized MG4. The devices to install the gun on a tripod or other mounts are the same as the MG3. A folding stock with a shoulder rest is located at the rear of the frame. The frame contains the bolt and carrier, the folding cocking lever is located on the right side and the ejection port is under. Feeding device is at the top. The gas cylinder is under the barrel, which can be easily replaced and it is fitted with a handle grip. A short forearm is under the gas cylinder and the barrel is covered with a ventilated hand guard. The frame is made of steel mold parts and the trigger housing is of stamped metal. The barrel is cold hammer forged and the bolt and carrier bolt are milled steel. Stock, pistol grip and forearm are all made of polymer. The MG5 receives a tan or black finish. The safety is a lever mounted on each side above the pistol grip. There is no selector. Sights are tangential rear sight with aperture (200-1,000 m) and a folding front sight with ears protection and an optical sight can be mounted on a Picatinny rail. This gun is fed with a disintegrating link from the left. A 50 cartridge box is available as an accessory. It works by gas action with a regulator and the bolt is locked by a rotating head. A chamber loading indicator is also installed. Various accessories can be mounted on three Picatinny rails on both sides and under the gas cylinder. The MG5 can be mounted on a bipod and any tripod or mount used with the MG3. Variations include the MG5 for infantry; MG5A1 for tank (with no stock); MG5A2 with a shorter barrel; and MG5S for helicopter with the stock replaced by two rear grips.

AKM with Vortex suppressor from RDS. (Jean Huon)

RDS Industrie
Another French company coming from Britain specialized in the development of silencers for the Glock 17, FAMAS, AR-10, M16, machine guns and recently the Kalashnikov. These accessories are used or tested by several units of the French Special Forces, police and gendarmerie. RDS also builds a variation of the M4 carbine in .300 Whisper caliber, with a silencer.

PGM
PGM is a French manufacturer of sniper rifles, which produced this year the Mini-Hecate 2 that is a “reduced” version of the Hecate.

PGM Mini Hécate 2 sniper rifle. (Jean Huon)

It is built around a solid steel frame and receives a bolt locked by three lugs at its head. The safety lever in high position allows shooting and handling of the bolt head while in the low position it blocks the firing pin and the unlocking of bolt head. The trigger is Match grade and is specially configured for precision shooting. The folding stock is fitted with adjustable shoulder rests, cheek rests and a rear folding monopod adjustable in height. A Picattiny rail is also provided in the upper part of the frame to receive an optical sight. The “two positions bipod” can also be removed. The handguard can also receive various accessories. The barrel ends with a special flow reverser muzzle brake.

Mini Hécate 2
Ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum
Overall length: 45.8” to 45.82”
(1.150 – 1.240 m)
Barrel length: 23.62” or 27.17”
(0.600 or 0.690 m)
Weight: 14.79 – 15.23 lbs (6.7 – 6.9 kg)
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds

The Ludis carbine is single shot with a rigid stock and has an adjustable shoulder rest and a cheek rest. It receives a bipod. The barrel can be cylindrical, fluted or with fins. Length is between 39.37 and 48.43 inches and many calibres are available.

SIG MPX-SD (SIG SAUER)

SIG Sauer
MPX
Modular submachine gun design. It has an M16 style frame, with a ventilated hand guard with four Picatinny rails. The stock is telescopic or folding. Bolt and barrel are made of steel and the frame is in light alloy. The selector has a lever on each side and is combined with the safety. Mechanical or optical sights are mounted on the upper rail. Feeding is made by a curved box magazine located under the frame. The gun works with short stroke pushrod gas system associated with a rotating bolt head. Variations include the MPX basic model; MPX-K compact model; MPX-SD fitted with an integrated suppressor; MPX-C with long barrel and muzzle brake; and MPX-P pistol with no stock.

Assault Rifles
SIG-Sauer presented several families of assault rifles: SIG 551, 553, 556 and 751.

SIG 516 CARBINE (SIG SAUER)

The SIG 516 is built like an M16/AR-15. It has a telescopic stock and its bolt is actuated by a piston rod (also called a short stroke pushrod gas system). It receives an upper Picattiny rail with mechanical or optical sights. It is available in 5.56×45 or 7.62×39. Variations include a PDW 7.68” barrel; CQB 10.59” barrel; Carbine 14.57” barrel; and Patrol 16.06” barrel. Accessories include the 40mm SIG GL 5140 grenade launcher.

SIG 716 DMR (SIG SAUER)

The SIG 716 is a clone of the AR-10, similar to the SG 516, but it chambered for the 7.62mm NATO. Variations include the CQB 12.48” barrel; Carbine 14.5” barrel; Patrol 16” barrel; and DMR, semi-auto. The SIG M400 is similar to the SIG 516, but instead works with gas action. Variations include the CQB SWAT 7.68” barrel; Carbine SWAT 14.5 barrel; and Patrol SWAT 16” barrel. Both are also available in 7.62x39mm.

Tara Aerospace
Tara Aerospace and Defense Products A.D. is a new manufacturer and it comes from Modjovak in Montenegro. It proposes products like pyrocartridges, blasting caps, rocket engines, fuzes and small arms production.

Tara TM 9 pistol (Tara)

Tara TM 9
This pistol has a mechanism very close to the Glock and it can be disassembled like the P225. The grip has an interchangeable back plate and an accessory housing behind the magazine. The bolt and barrel are made of Inox steel. The barrel has six right conventional rifling. The frame is made of polymer and can receive a black, tan or khaki finish. The pistol does not have a safety lever, just a slide lever on the right side of the frame. Sights are a square front sight and a U rear sight with luminescent points. The pistol is fed with a box magazine in the grip. The TM 9 works with short recoil and a double action trigger.

Ammunition: 9mm Para
Overall length: 7.36” (187mm)
Barrel length: 4.45” (113 mm)
Weight: 1.66 lbs (750 g)
Magazine capacity: 17 shots

TARA TM 4 RIFLE (TARA)

Tara TM 4
Assault rifle derived from the M16, but it has a polymer lower receiver with steel internal reinforcements and a short stroke gas action. Selector and magazine release are located on each side. Ventilated hand guard has four Picatinny rails. A short barrel version is designed TM 4 C Commando.

44x83 cartridge loaded with a small tennis bullet. (Verney-Carron)

Verney-Carron
This company, which is the oldest small arms manufacturer in France, exhibited the Flash Ball, a less lethal gun used for many years by the French Police Nationale. It is a single shot or over-under smooth bore 44mm pistol; and single shot or over-under rifled 40mm grenade launcher. The company now proposes a single shot 57mm launcher for tear gas grenades or less lethal ammunition similar to Alsetex or others. A new loading for the 44mm Flash Ball was also presented. It shoots a miniature tennis ball bullet with an energy of 150 joules at ten meters.

Voere
The Austrian Voere company from Kufsen in Tyrol, exhibited two modular sniper rifles. The LBW M2, has a folding stock with a shoulder rest, a cheek rest and an adjustable rear monopod. The safety can be operated from both sides and the grip can be standard or ergonomic. The steel frame receives a manually operated bolt with reduced movement for opening. It has three lugs on the head and a manually operated firing pin. The barrel, fluted or not, is made of conventional steel, Inox steel or carbon fibre. It can receive a muzzle brake or a suppressor. The frame and ventilated forearms are of light alloy; they have several Picatinny rails to install scope, bipod or other accessories. Feeding is from a box magazine.

TOP: VOERE LBW M2 (VOERE). BOTTOM: VOERE X3 (VOERE).

The LBW M2 is available in five different calibers and is easy to change from one to another by replacing the barrel and the bolt head. This rifle can have a black, tan or khaki finish. Similar to this rifle is the X3, a strengthened variation, which permits shooting cartridges from cal. 12mm to powerful calibres. It has a folding stock.

5.56mm is the ammunition of the infantrymen who have used it for the combat at short distance since the war in Vietnam.  Its current range for battlefield use is approximately 440 yards (400 m) and its performance improved with the introduction of the 5.56mm NATO whose SS 109 bullet made it possible to engage up to 650 yards (600 m).  For shooting up to 1,100 yards (1,000 m), sniper rifles and machine-guns in 7.62mm NATO are used.  This ammunition, temporarily forgotten, is again found to be useful because of the increase in ranges, particularly in Afghanistan.

LWMMG machine gun (left).

When it is necessary to engage the enemy at longer distances up to 2,200 yards (2,000 m), .50 caliber sniper rifles or machine guns are the best, so many 12.7×99 rifles have now become available.  But if a high volume of fire is needed, it is necessary to use the .50 caliber M2HB machine gun.  Because of its weight, more than 90 pounds (50 kg), it cannot be easily carried by infantry and is generally mounted on a vehicle or helicopter.  Thus, the idea of an intermediate weapon, with a power between 7.62mm NATO and 12.7mm was born.  First .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum were used for snipers and recently a new calibre was developed into the system, the .338 Norma Magnum.

.338 Norma Magnum
This cartridge was initially a wildcat developed by Jimmy Sloan, an American shooter.  The case is slightly larger than the .338 Lapua Magnum, but shortened to 63.5mm (2.5 inches).  The concept was developed by Norma, which in collaboration with Ruag, developed an ammunition that followed an American Army program of June 2008 for a new sniper rifle cartridge intended to replace the 7.62×51(.308 Win), .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum for snipers.

With a shorter case than its competitors, the .338 Norma Magnum could be used in many models of existing weapons without it being necessary to develop special mechanisms.  The diameter of the body of the case is slightly greater than that of the .338 Lapua Magnum, which eliminates any confusion between the two rounds.  The basic loading uses a 300 grain (19.44 g) bullet, with a muzzle velocity of 2,648 fps (805 m/s).  The .338 Norma Magnum cartridge is C.I.P. approved and has been adopted by the American Army since February 2009.  Already several shooting or hunting carbines are available for this round including McMillan, Remington 700 and Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle).

.338 Norma Magnum head.

LWMMG
To accompany Special Forces and to enable them to engage the enemy at long range, they reviewed machine guns firing the .338  Magnum levels of ammunition.  The LWMMG (Light Weight Medium Machine Gun) using the .338 Norma Magnum makes this possible.  The weapon was first shown on May 15, 2012 at the NDIA Joint Armaments Conference at Seattle and was also presented at the Eurosatory Show in Paris in June 2012.  It was developed by General Dynamics in Charlotte (North Carolina).  With a weight less than 25 pounds (11 kg), it can engage the enemy on any ground up to 1,860 yards (1,700 m) with a maximum range greater than 6,000 yards (5,600 m).

General organization of the gun is similar the MAG.  The telescopic stock is assembled to the back around a tube containing the shock absorber.  The frame is U-shaped.  The stamping is reinforced with machined steel elements assembled by rivets.  The cocking lever is positioned on the right.  The feeding mechanism is placed on the top with a cover that opens and closes for loading.  Cartridges are linked similar to the U.S. M13 link, but slightly larger.  They are introduced from the left side and the fired cases and the links are ejected on the right.

The interchangeable barrel is provided with a handle for handling and the muzzle has a flash hider.  The gas cylinder is located under the barrel.  A short handguard, provided with three Picatinny rails, surrounds the rear of the barrel and the gas cylinder and the mechanical or optical sights are mounted on Picatinny rail.  The ambidextrous safety is positioned in the top of the grip.  There is no selector.  This weapon works by gas, the bolt is locked by a rotating head.  It can be mounted on a bipod or an M192 tripod.

Cartridges on links in the feedway.

Characteristics: LWMMG
Caliber: .338 (8.6mm)
Ammunition:  .338 Norma Magnum (8.6×63)
Overall length:  75.98 inches (1.93 m)
Barrel length:  37 inches (0.940 m)
Weight:  24 lbs (10.870 kg)
Cyclic rate:  500 rpm

American Special Forces could have at their disposal a suitable increase in firepower, but which requires a new type of ammunition, whose cost is probably very high.

Remembering other “9mm”
It is possible that the designers of the new ammunition and weapon probably think that they have created a new and innovative weapon and ammunition.  But the “9mm” machine gun is not an innovation.

In 1930s, France launched a program for a general-purpose machine-gun (infantry, tanks, anti-aircraft and aircraft) in various calibres (8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 13.5mm and 14mm).  Several cartridges were developed, some of them only as drawings, but two of them were produced: the 9×66 and the 11×78.  Several machine guns for these cartridges were made by Chatellerault (MAC) and Saint-Etienne (MAS) small arms factories.

LWMMG machine-gun (right).

The 9×66 in particular catches our attention.  It looks like an enlarged version of the 7.5mm M1929 C cartridge.  At the beginning of its development, it had a case whose head diameter was .55 inch (14.20 mm), later changed to .61 inch (15.62 mm).  The bottlenecked case is made of brass and receives a Berdan type primer.  The Spitzer bullet has a lead core with a cupro-nickel covered steel jacket.  Weight is around 312 grains (20 g) and velocity is 2,565 fps in a 35.4 inch (0.90 m) barrel.

• Other variations were also developed:
• “Gerlich” type bullet for taper bore barrel (test)
• Armor piercing boat-tail Spitzer bullet with steel core and gilding metal jacket
• Armor piercing, flat nose, same as above
• Incendiary, gilding metal jacket with vents
• Spotting cartridge w/ explosive bullet
• Dummy

The “9mm” machine gun program was just about ready for tests when World War II began and it went no further.

Already, other manufacturers have announced new weapons in .338 Norma Magnum, particularly Castle Arms, Inc., which showed a general-purpose weapon called an MMGT, which seems to be a variation on an enlarged M60.

It is a light box (1.23 lbs) which contains:

• Laser range finder,
• Ballistic computer,
• Sensors for angle of elevation,
• Aiming display (MRD – Moving Red Dot),
• I.R. laser designator,
• Visible laser designator.
• Power is insured by two CR batteries.

The FCS can:

• measure range,
• calculate and set the reticule for exact angle of launch: can hold up to 50 firing tables for different munitions, it measures and takes into account difference in elevation between target and shooter, measures and adjusts for temperature,
• warns the shooter if the weapon is canted,
• shooter can manually adjust range setting,
• memorizes last range measurement allowing pre-registering or follow up shots,
• can act as a visible laser aiming device,
• can act as an IR laser device.  This also allows range finding/aiming of the launcher at night using night vision goggles.

It is easy to operate:

1 – Press the remote trigger to set the reticule to aim the laser.
2 – Aim and release the remote trigger to activate the range finder.
3 – The reticule immediately moves to the correct firing angle.
4 – Align the reticule on the target.
5 – Fire.

The results obtained during the tests gave a result of more than 99% of shots on the target, which will limit considerably the number of grenades used during an engagement and makes it possible to consider a reduction in the number of grenade launchers in the combat group.