Compared with their French counterparts enjoying generous arms airdrops from Britain, Polish resistance fighters were poorly armed.  Airdropped weapons were scarce and scant prior to the autumn of 1943, when airfields gained in Italy enabled a (slight at best, judging by French standards) surge in the airdropping campaign.  Submachine guns were virtually non-existent in the Polish Army prior to the war.  After the defeat in the 1939 September Campaign, a resistance movement called the Home Army (Armia Krajowa, or AK) was created as early as October 1939; at first under the name of the Union For Armed Struggle (Zwiazek Walki Zbrojnej, ZWZ), with the aim of preparation for the general national uprising to win the independence in front of the Allied troops, rather than idly waiting for them to come and liberate Poland.  The submachine gun soon proved to be a very useful guerilla weapon, and with an agenda like that, the AK simply had to devise some source of SMG supply more dependable than incidental disarming of German patrols, usually provoking bloody retributions.

Let’s Roll Our Own
In September 1942, Wacław Zawrotny and Seweryn Wielanier, two mechanical engineers with no prior small arms designing experience, proposed to the Home Army’s Warsaw Area Command an idea of designing and manufacturing a 9mm submachine gun of their own.  They studied foreign models, the MP 40 and the Sten, and found both unsuitable for copying.  Although the Sten was simple enough to manufacture under the most difficult conditions (later on to be amply confirmed by a conservative estimation of 2,000 Sten copies and look-alikes made in Poland during the war), but awkward to handle and hardly concealable with its fixed stock and side-sticking magazine.  On the other hand, the MP 40 handled like a dream, and was highly concealable with the folding stock, but the manufacturing technology (making extensive use of die-stamping and spot-welding methods) was far too complicated to replicate with what little machinery and tools were available for the job.

The designers agreed that the new submachine gun should combine the best features of the two, while keeping the manufacturing technology as low-tech as possible.  They decided to use plumbing micro-groove threads and machine screws for most of the joints – bayonet couplings and latches of the factory-made weapons were far too advanced to replicate with the available hardware.

An almost non-existent undersized front sight of the Blyskawica is barely visible even from the side on top of the barrel plug knurled ring.

Gradually, by April 1943 the Blyskawica took shape and prototype drawings were being prepared.  After the design work was done, it was a time to find subcontractors and organize an underground manufacturing network, supplying the parts to the clandestine assembly shop.  In the harsh conditions of German-occupied Warsaw, with tight control held over all machine shops’ activity, shortages and rationing of the cutting tools, with all suitable materials put on the ‘restricted supplies’ list and sold only with a permit from the German administration, this was a very hard task, indeed.  Nevertheless, bribing and stealing their way, working in Wielanier’s private flat, by September 1943 they managed to manufacture and assemble the first working model minus a barrel and a magazine – which they chose to borrow from the British Sten to overcome the unsurpassable production bottlenecks.

Official Acceptance
The gun was submitted for approval to the Home Army Ordnance Command, for test-firing in the woods around Warsaw’s suburb of Zielonka, and approval.  Formal acceptance into the inventory of the clandestine army meant, among others, that the designers would be refunded their private money spent so far on the gun.  The acceptance test was the first opportunity for the Blyskawica to really shoot after a Sten barrel and magazine borrowed for the occasion were installed.  Problems were therefore inevitable.  At first the prototype refused to fire at all, and then suffered numerous malfunctions.  But Wielanier was able to rectify the situation with what simple tools were available – and jams decreased.  Finally, the gun fired an entire magazine in a single burst, and the project was given a green light to start.

The Home Army HQ Diversionary Directorate’s commander, Colonel Emil ‘Nil’ Fieldorf (a brave and intelligent man, a pre-war career officer parachuted to Poland as early as 1940; after the war murdered in a courthouse farce by the Soviet-backed Polish Communist regime), was briefed of the new invention and demanded an additional live-firing demonstration.  This was held in the most daring – if a little cavalier – way.  At high noon on September 27, 1943, right on the painful fourth anniversary of Warsaw’s surrender in 1939, right smack in the middle of the enemy-occupied city, a party of three raincoat-clad men stepped out to the center of the crowded Theatrical Square, in front of the Warsaw City Hall.  One of them reached under his coat, raised a shiny silvery prototype submachine gun and performed a classic ‘magazine dump’ into the air, to the delight of the cheering crowd around and to the horror of the two bodyguards flanking the Colonel; himself grinning like a child on a Christmas morning.

Rear peep sight on top of the upper receiver rear plug retaining post with rear plug bolt screwed thru. The bolt eyelet served as a rear sling attachment.

After going through all the trials with flying colors, the gun was accepted for serial production, which meant that the designers had to prepare a complete set of drawings for the gun.  These were ready in October, 1943.  While en route to the Home Army Command with this complete set of drawings in his briefcase, Mr. Zawodny narrowly avoided being arrested in one of the frequent German Police raids, when a section of the street was cordoned-off, and all people rounded-up to be later sorted out by the Gestapo.  Most of the people caught up in these manhunts were then deported to Auschwitz even if they weren’t suspected of anything – just to spread terror to the others.  One can only imagine what would happen if he was caught with a briefcase full of clandestine submachine gun blueprints.

The name Blyskawica (Lightning) came from the three lightning bolts carved in the aluminum butt-plate.  These were designed to prevent slipping of the plate but also served as a camouflage – the butt-plate’s blueprints were labeled ‘electric oven handles’ and the three lightning bolts were a trademark of the Electrite brand.  The name was made official in November, when a first pilot batch of five was accepted by the Home Army Ordnance Command.  To mark the unusual occasion, key personnel connected with the design and manufacturing of the first batch were presented with petrol lighters – which Wielanier was making as a business before he turned to gun manufacturing.  Each lighter was engraved with two legends: ‘Polish Industry, November 1943’ on one side and ‘Christening of Blyskawica on the other.

A Lightning for the Failed Tempest
In order to avoid compromising the entire program should the Germans discover one manufacturing plant, and to speed up the delivery, parts were contracted from over twenty various manufacturers scattered throughout the entire city.  A chicken-wire factory, Franciszek Makowiecki & Co., located at 20 Grzybowski Square in Warsaw, was tasked with the final assembly and test-firing of the submachine guns.  The clandestine SMG plant was situated under the workshop, in the cellars of a nearby Roman-Catholic Church of All Saints.  An additional concrete-lined tunnel acted as an underground shooting range for functioning tests.  The walls of the tunnel were doubled, with space left between the two layers of concrete walls to suppress the report of the firing guns, and a sandpit was installed behind a wall of wooden railway ties as a bullet stop.  Five people were assembling and test-firing the guns: the testing being performed strictly during the rush hours to use the street noise as means of additional sound camouflage.  All through this time where people were present in the clandestine plant, there was a special look-out on duty in the official workshop tasked with switching the warning light to alarm the assembly workers if anything suspicious was going on topside.  The facilities were mined with explosive charges to blow the workshop up should Gestapo raid the premises and find the camouflaged entrance.

SADJ has been invited to participate in prototype testing of the new SIG rifles soon.  A more in depth look into the new op rod SIGs will appear in a future issue of SADJ.  For the moment let us explore the significance of yet again another gas-operated M16/M4-style assault rifle, this one from the German/Swiss/U.S. small arms company SIG Sauer.

While there are more than 30 different M16/M4-style AR’s available on the market today, few have been designed as a family of weapons in multiple calibers and with modular features.  Even fewer have truly novel features included in their design configuration.  The new SIG516 in caliber 5.56mm/.223 Rem., and its bigger 7.62x51mm/.308 Win. brother, the SIG517, look fairly conventional from a distance.  Both are gas-operated Stoner pattern rifles employing the common multi-lug rotating bolt head seen for many decades throughout a wide range of select-fire rifles.  Common features include machined aircraft-grade 7076-TG receiver forgings, chrome lined barrels, free floating Mil-Std 1913 quad rail systems and various barrel lengths in multiple models.  The free-floating receiver mounted rail system encompasses a user removable piston rod-style gas system that is removable from the gas block positioned just forward of the rail system.  An assortment of commonly available retractable and fixed stock options, pistol grip accessories and after market trigger packs and gadgets fit the SIG rifles.  The SIG516 upper and lower receivers are fully interchangeable with M16 and M4 receivers. Both full auto and commercial semiautomatic models will work with all NATO-type M16/M4 magazines.  Ambidextrous safety/selector levers are standard as are back-up mechanical sights.  Barrel length options include 7, 10, 14.5, and Match-grade 16 and 20 inch barrels will be standard options for the SIG516.  12.5, 16 and Match-grade 16 and 20 inch barrels are planned in 7.62x51mm for the SIG517.

Where the new SIGs step forward slightly from the pack is by the addition of the well known and durable, long lasting and forgiving SIG cold hammer forged barrels and a 3 or 4 position adjustable gas regulator that is adjustable without tools for optimum function when suppressed or when using special-purpose low or high impulse ammunition, such as training or subsonic rounds.  Where the true leap forward happens is not even apparent on the basic tier-two models shown at AUSA, Modern Day Marine and UK DSEi 09 expos earlier in 2009.  What sets the SIG516 and 517 apart from the competition is what is planned for the system in first tier “Combined Spaces Carbine” models in both calibers, to be publically debuted at the 2010 SHOT Show in January in Las Vegas that will allow for modularity of the butt stock by the operator without tools.

Compact 5.56mm assault rifles have been all the rage in U.S. units for CQB and special roles since the terminal performance demise for general combat purposes in the 1990s of the pistol-caliber MP5 submachine gun.  Short barreled, highly portable and concealable 5.56mm compact carbines like the 5.56mm U.S. MK18 CQBR and 10-inch HK416 have replaced the MP5 in those confined spaces roles.  Original user requirements for Combined Spaces Carbines usually demanded the reliability of the full size carbine combined with a desire for minimal overall size and weight – two competing demands in conventional direct impingement gas-operated ARs.  The conventional Stoner-type AR design with its protruding six and a half inch buffer tube generally prohibits the maximum length reduction of the weapon to just a few inches (3.25 inches to be exact – not much of a reduction).  Attempts to build side-folding stocks around a shortened buffer tube (a la U.S. M231 Port Firing Weapon) have never been popular with shooters.  They do not greatly lessen the length of the weapon and all but destroy shooter comfort and cheek weld.  Side folding stocks have to be extended before effective firing can commence.  Conventional M4-style retractable or collapsible stocks allow the weapon to be instantly fired with the stock in any one of their many multiple positions but extend 6-7 inches or more from the rear of the receiver.

A modular stock system wherein any number of various stock modules can be fitted to the receiver by the operator and without tools in seconds, similar to the U.S. XM8 or MP5, has been strongly desired by many in the user community for decades.  A fixed stock, MP5-style retractable stock, a side-folding stock or sniper stock, even a butt cap are all modular opportunities in such a configuration.  The problem with the presence of the buffer tube and return spring usually has sidelined that appreciable system upgrade.  Not the case in the new SIG516 and SIG517.  SIG has found a proprietary way to eliminate the buffer tube and still keep the upper receivers interchangeable with standard M16/M4 lowers, and most importantly preserve the superior functional reliability that the modern op rod ARs bring to the users tactical tool box.  More about just how this is accomplished will be covered in the full future SADJ write-up.

So it seems that SIG is on track to elevate the already brilliant Stoner AR platform to new heights for the war fighter.  Their timing could not be better, and clearly not a coincidence, as the release of the U.S. Army’s new “Individual Carbine” draft solicitation is expected out in early 2010.  A long standing U.S. Army requirement for a Sub Compact Weapon (SCW) in 5.56mm sharing common modularity with the new carbine is also under development at the Infantry Center at Fort Benning.  The new SIG516, to be produced in America by Americans in Exeter, New Hampshire, may place SIG near the head of the pack in what can be expected to be a very full field of competing systems in the first full and open commercial U.S. carbine competition since the M1 Carbine was adopted in 1941.  We at SADJ are watching this one very closely.

Without getting too much into the controversy, there was certainly enough smoke stirred up to get people to look at both operating systems.  Detractors of the direct gas system will state that the piston operated weapons will run cooler and cleaner requiring less maintenance and therefore last longer.  The main difference between the two systems is where the gas is taken to operate the bolt.  The direct gas mechanism creates an expansion chamber between the back of the bolt and carrier thus putting hot propellant gases into the action of the weapon.  The piston operated weapon keeps the gas in or around the gas block, therefore not introducing the gas into the action.  All points are arguable but this decision is best left to the user.

The SR-556
The SR-556 is chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge and equipped with a 16.12 inch cold hammer forged 41V45 Chrome-Moly-Vanadium steel barrel.  The barrel is chrome lined and has a 1-turn-in-9 inch twist rate.  The barrel is equipped with a proprietary Ruger AC-556 flash suppressor.  The SR-556 utilizes the Troy Industries 10-inch quad handguard that is pinned to the upper receiver.  This particular handguard was designed and sold only to Ruger for their new rifle.  Along with the rail came three Troy Industry rail protectors.  A Troy Industries folding front sight was attached to the front of the top rail of the handguard.  The profile is similar to that of an AK with the much larger “rabbit ears” that protect the front sight post.

The rifle is gas operated and fires by the short stroke tapped method of operation.  The regulator and piston are held into the front sight base by the captive regulator pin.  The regulator has four positions: Position 0 allows for single shot only by shutting off the gas port causing the weapon to be manually cycled.  Position 1 is the smallest of the settings.  Position 2 is the optimum setting for most commercially available ammunition.  Position 3 is the largest for under powered ammunition or if the weapon is extremely dirty.  Ruger recommends the regulator should be set to the smallest setting that will effectively cycle the weapon.  Leaving the regulator on the largest setting will “over gas” the rifle and degrade the service life of the weapon.  The SR-556 is one of the few piston operated AR-platform weapons to use an adjustable regulator.  During testing of the rifle, position 2 was used and the rifle reliably fired all ammunition that it was fed.  The most curious thing discovered in the examination of the SR-556 was the inability to remove the operating rod and spring for cleaning and maintenance.  In order to do so, the flash suppressor would have to be removed, the taper pins removed and front sight base removed from the barrel.  According to Ruger, there is no need to access the operating rod for cleaning or lubrication.  The operating rod is nickel-Teflon coated for both lubricity and rust resistance.  The operating rod spring is made from stainless steel.  When the action cycles, the operating rod is self cleaning.

The upper receiver is the standard M4-type with a flat top Mil-Std 1913 rail.  The upper has the forward bolt assist as well as the fired cartridge case deflector.  A Troy back-up sight is attached to the rear of the upper receiver.

The bolt carrier group is rather unique.  The chrome plating of the bolt and carrier are similar to the finish on the original model 01 AR-15 rifles, M16 and XM16E1 rifles.  This boasts ease in cleaning.  The carrier is one solid piece with the carrier key machined into the bolt carrier which strengthens the key from the impact of the piston.  The rear of the carrier is flared out to lessen the bolt carrier tilt which is caused by the off center impact of the operating rod tipping the bottom rear edge of the carrier into the receiver extension and damaging it.  The carrier has forward assist notches on the right side as well.  The bolt has the gas key area turned down and the extractor uses a rubber o-ring around the extractor spring.  The carrier is a semiautomatic only carrier.

The lower receiver is similar to any other AR-type lower receiver.  The pistol grip monogrip manufactured for Ruger by Hogue is extremely comfortable and is more comfortable than the standard A2-style pistol grip.  The stock is a standard GI-type sliding buttstock with the enhancement of a receiver extension allowing 6 adjustable positions.  This is most beneficial to those wearing tactical vests or body armor.  The buffer used is a standard carbine buffer with three steel weights.  The trigger was the standard combat trigger but it was unusually smooth and had a crisp break for this type of a trigger.

To my most pleasant surprise were the magazines which the SR-556 comes standard: the Magpul PMag.  Three of these magazines accompanied the rifle.  Perhaps the most reliable and durable magazine ever put out for this weapon system, the PMag will boost the reliability of any Black Rifle.  The constant curve technology combined with an indestructible polymer makes this the perfect mate for any new high speed weapon system.  These magazines have been previously tested and the reliability is unsurpassed.

Overall impressions of the new rifle were impressive.  The rifle is extremely well made and the fit and finish was top rate as one would expect to see from Ruger.  The rifle came equipped with everything you needed including rail covers and back-up front and rear sights.  The barrel suppressor and gas system give the SR-556 its own unique look.  All high end accessories were put on the rifle making it ready to mount up an optic and tactical light and put in a squad car.  Clearly, the SR-556 is not configured to fire selectively based on its current design and, according to Ruger, there are no current plans to offer the rifle in a select fire variation.

The optic chosen to test the SR-556 was the Trijicon ACOG (TA31RCO-A4CP) Marine Corps scope.  The scope provided both tritium as well as fiber optic power to light the red chevron reticle.  The test ammunition was manufactured by Silver State Armory and Black Hills.  Function testing was conducted with Silver State Armory 5.56mm 55gr. FMJ ammunition.  Some 300 rounds were fired with no malfunctions of any sort.  Accuracy testing was done off of a bench at 100 yards.  Silver State Armory 77gr. OTM and Black Hills MK262 MOD1 77gr. OTM ammunition was used.  Retired Marine Sniper Sergeant Major Chris Gagliano was able to fire at nearly 1-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards with the 4×20 power ACOG.  This is very respectable groups for any tactical rifle.  With a higher power accuracy it is reasonable to expect the group sizes would have decreased even further.

Silver State Armory, LLC of Pahrump, Nevada provided the test ammunition for this article.  This was the first time this author had used this ammunition.  Upon examination of the ammunition, SSA (Silver State Armory) manufactures their own brass for most of their ammunition.  The brass is match grade quality and they do sell it to reloaders.  Most of the ammunition made in 5.56mm is tactical ammunition, not necessarily target ammunition but they do have a 5.56mm M193-equivalent which was used for function testing.  Group size was very respectable at approximately 1-3/4 to 2 inches off of a bench at 100 meters.  Silver State Armory manufactures match as well as duty grade ammunition in 6.8 SPC, 7.62x51mm NATO and .499 LWRC calibers.  SSA also manufactures armor piercing cartridges for military and law enforcement.

The regulator has four positions. Position 0 allows no gas into the system making the rifle single shot and thus having to be manually loaded. Position 1 is used for very light powered ammunition. Position 2 is used for most standard commercial ammunition. Position 3 is if the rifle is severely dirty as it lets in the most gas. All ammunition tested was shot reliably on position 2.

The SR-556 will undoubtedly find its fans in the United States.  This legendary arms maker has entered into the black rifle market and put their own spin on it giving a uniquely different product to the consumer.  Ruger offers this as a commercial as well as a military rifle.  The acceptance with law enforcement is way too early to tell.  The impingement versus piston saga will most certainly continue with each having their supporters.  This is just another way to accomplish the same job.  The accuracy was superb and no malfunctions were encountered in shooting this new weapon.  I expect the SR-556 to be a contender with any person or agency who wants a piston operated black rifle.

At its base function, the MARS is a reflex weapon sight that utilizes a solid prism instead of a holograph.  By using the solid prism, optical distortion is eliminated from the sight.  As a sight, the MARS projects a circular 0.3 mrad reticle parallel to the host weapon’s line of fire that can be adjusted automatically over a wide dynamic range.  In addition, the MARS also provides the user with a red laser system.  Both the optical sight and the laser are daylight compatible and can be observed with both eyes open while the weapon is being fired.

The reflex sight is like most other reflex sights on the market – it imposes a red 2 MOA dot on a screen and directs the shooter where to aim the rifle.  Unlike other reflex sights on the market, the size of the MARS sight is relatively small – a diminutive 25mm, compared to 30mm diameter viewing screen on other sights.  Does the smaller size pose an issue?  In actual use, perhaps not; the smaller size certainly allows the MARS screen to be more rugged and less prone to breakage than competitors’ screens that are much larger in size.

The combination of a reflex sight with an aiming laser allows soldiers and recreational shooters the opportunity to open valuable real estate on the host weapon’s M1913 Picatinny rails.  By replacing the AN/PEQ-4C laser module, soldiers are no longer forced to carry multiple sized batteries into the field, are relieved from the additional weight of two systems, and can easily replace the batteries without removing the sight from the host weapon.  The aiming dot of the reflex sight is undetectable with night-vision devices from the front of the weapon.

Israeli designed, but made in the United States by Fraser-Volpe, the MARS utilizes a single AA-sized battery.  Like all compromises, the single battery concept has advantages and disadvantages; AA-sized batteries can be found anywhere in the world.  On the other hand, the single battery is being used to power the reflex sight and laser system.  To extend battery life, the system will go into ‘sleep’ mode if the weapon is not physically moved for a period of five to ten minutes.  Movement of the weapon (and by default, the MARS sight) will prevent the system from automatically shutting off.  Claimed battery life was 200 hours of continuous use with the reflex sight alone.

Outfitted with four settings, the lowest setting was reported as being NV-compatible.  When tested in actual darkness, the lowest setting was easily observed with the naked eye.  When tested with a mil-spec AN/PVS-14, the lowest setting proved to be quite bright, and easily observable with the NV device.

Two versions of the MARS are available – one version features a visible red laser, while the other version features an IR laser.  In concept, both versions should work the same, however reportedly the IR laser will co-witness with the red dot sight, due on part to the laser being invisible to the naked eye.  An IR version of the MARS sight was not available, and this feature could not be verified.

Finally, because the sight was developed and intended for the Tavor rifle, the sight appears to sit unusually high on an M16 host weapon.  Based in part to the height of the MARS sight, a co-witness back-up iron sight cannot be used with the unit.  The unit as tested did not have any secondary sight options and there were no built in back up sights within the MARS housing.

Overall, the unit is rugged and well built.  It is simple to use, and features many good attributes.  Battery consumption may be an issue, but given the ubiquitous nature of AA-sized batteries around the world, battery availability should not be an issue.

Additional information on the MARS sight may be found online at the Fraser-Volpe website: www.fraser-volpe.com/Products/mars.pdf.

There is one absolute “Must-See” military museum in the Jakarta area in regard to small arms.  It has amazing dioramas on the first floor, but once you find the basement full of small arms, and the back yard full of cannon, mortar, recoilless, vehicles and aircraft, it will be worth the trip.  The upper floor of carefully made dioramas showing important events in Indonesian military history is carefully displayed and well crafted.  The downstairs held a lot of surprises in that hundreds of small arms were on display.  We found examples of most of the common small arms of the pre- and World War II era, but there were many treasures of local origin or adaptation that have never been shown outside of Indonesia.  Heading back outside, there is a large cannon display with many historic pieces, and an aviation display as well.  If you are in Jakarta, it’s definitely worth a side trip to spend time in this museum.  The next IndoDefence Jakarta is scheduled for 10-13 November, 2010.  We at SADJ urge you to take some extra time and visit the museum.

Museum Satria Mandala 
(Armed Forces Museum)

14-16 Jalan Gatot Subroto
Kuningan Timur Village
Jakarta Pusat, 12710
Phone: +62 21 522 7949

A good photo review of this museum can be found at: www.aroengbinang.blogspot.com/2007/02/satria-mandala-museum.html.

In the basement of the museum were several rooms full of firearms. In this room, the tripod and wheel mounted 20mm and larger weapons were displayed. Note the Oerlikon 20mm on naval mount and the B-10 82mm recoilless in the center of the photo.

Part of the “assault rifle” section, left to right: Indonesian SP-2 in 7.62x51mm, HK G3 (Model 58 with collapsible stock) called a Popor Lipat, HK G3 (Model 58 with fixed stock) called a Popor Kayu, U.S. Model of 1918A2 BAR (no bipod) made by NE Small Arms, serial number 563945.

A Russian DShK 38/46 on wheeled mount with the armor sits next to a Yugoslav M55AB3 triple 20mm Hispano setup.

Russian DShK 38 on AA tripod in high position, showing the “humped” receiver top indicating the rotary drum feed. This is not the later DShK 38/46 or DShK M with the side-to-side feed shuttle action, and it uses a much earlier non-disintegrating metallic belt for feeding. The early twin circle sight, a crude yet very effective “computer” that allowed the assistant gunner to keep the gunner’s aim leading the target, is center.

Soviet era B-11 107mm recoilless rifle. This is the big brother to the more common B-10 82mm recoilless.

Very rare Italian Scotti .50 caliber machine gun on even rarer ground tripod.

Left to right: U.S. Model of 1928A1 Thompson submachine gun in .45 ACP, Australian Owen MK2 in 9x19mm with shortened solid wood buttstock, Australian Austen MK2 in 9x19mm with modified foregrip, U.S. Reising Model 50 submachine gun in .45 ACP.

Type 100 Japanese Aircraft twin barreled 7.7mm machine gun from 1940 series. (Could be in 7.92x57 – 8mm.)

Several vintage airplanes are exhibited outside the museum, including this well-armed B-25 medium bomber.

Until recently, the field of 40mm grenade launchers was almost exclusively dominated by the M203.  With the recent adoption of the Heckler and Koch M320 by the U.S. Army, a look back at Heckler and Koch’s legacy 40mm systems is in order.  First designed in the late 1950’s, the 40mm grenade system was a stop gap system to bridge the distance between grenades thrown by hand, and the employment of light mortars.  Hand grenades are limited by the distance the infantryman can throw the grenade, typically about 25 meters.  A mortar is capable of dropping rounds as close as 60 meters from the firing position, but the weight of the system and ammunition present logistical and load bearing issues for light infantry.  Clearly, a smaller and lighter weapon system was needed to bridge the gap.  Enter the 40mm grenade.

The HK69: the Original H&K Grenade Launcher
The HK69 grenade launcher is a stand alone, single-shot, shoulder-fired, breech-loaded weapon.  The receiver incorporates the barrel assembly, firing system, and trigger mechanism.  Configured with a rifled barrel, the barrel is hinged at the front of the receiver and rotates upward and away from the receiver, much like an over/under shotgun.  Like a shotgun, the oversized latch to the rear of the receiver (and what appears to be the weapon’s hammer) is actually the barrel release mechanism.  By pushing the barrel release latch to the rear, the barrel is unlocked from the receiver, and springs open under spring tension.   The system lacks an ejector because one is not needed; the additional engineering and weight was deemed unnecessary for a single shot weapon.  Instead, the barrel breech is cut to allow the user to pull the spent cartridge from the breech of the barrel.  This design element has continued throughout the HK 40mm system design, and can still be seen within the current M320 design.

Weighing in at 5.75 pounds, the HK69 distinguished itself from the XM148 and the M203 in that it utilized a break action, similar to a shotgun.  This design proved fruitful, and has lived on as one of the most useful designs in 40mm systems.  The M203 was limited to a round approximately 5.25 inches in length – if the round was any longer in length, the M203 receiver interferes with the loading of the 40mm round in the M203 barrel.  Unlike the M203, the HK69 has no issue accepting oversized 40mm rounds.  Because the barrel swings upwards and away from the receiver, the barrel is not obstructed by the receiver.  This design element has also continued to the present, and can be seen with slight variation within the Heckler and Koch M320 weapon platform.

The safety mechanism on the HK69 is a lever system, on the left side of the receiver, with large markings to show whether the weapon is rendered safe, or ready to fire.  The safety blocks the trigger bar from releasing the hammer; in this manner, the weapon may be safely carried loaded, hammer cocked, with the safety on.  Not one to trust mechanical safeties, potential users may consider carrying the weapon in Condition 2 (hammer down on a loaded chamber) as a better alternative.

The HK M320 mounted on an HK 417 rifle. The HK M320 is interchangeable between rifles without special mounts or hardware. (Photo courtesy of Heckler and Koch.)

The hammer on the HK69 is external to the receiver and is exposed for manual manipulation.  When needed, the hammer can be quickly cocked, rendering the weapon ready to fire.  In the event of a misfire, the weapon can be quickly re-cocked by engaging the hammer.  The trigger on the HK69 is surprisingly light.  Given the design as a single action trigger, perhaps the responsive trigger should not be surprising.  When shooting the family of Heckler and Koch 40mm weapons, the HK69 had the best trigger system, far exceeding the double action only triggers found on later Heckler and Koch systems.

The HK69 utilizes a polymer pistol grip, and a lightweight tubular telescoping metal stock.  Sling swivels are available for use with a sling.  The system is strictly a stand-alone unit, and cannot be mounted to a host weapon in the same manner as the HK79 weapon system, or other future HK 40mm systems.

Operation of the HK69
Loading and unloading the HK69 is intuitive and easy.  To open the barrel, grasp and rotate the oversized barrel release mechanism to the rear.  The barrel opens under spring tension.  Loading the weapon is as easy as dropping the desired 40mm round into the breech of the barrel.  Unloading the weapon is equally easy by utilizing the semi-circle relief cuts within the breech to grasp the cartridge base.

The weapon is cocked by retracting the hammer at the rear of the weapon.  The manual safety on the left side of the receiver should be pushed to the “fire” position.  The weapon is now ready to fire.

Two sight systems are employed on the HK69.  The first system utilizes a small, fold down blade sight capable to engaging targets at 50 to 100 meters.  For longer range accuracy, a folding ladder sight allows the user to engage targets out to 350 meters.  With a little practice and experience, it is possible to engage targets beyond the listed maximum range.

Final Analysis
Potential downsides of the HK69 included the all metal interface – the weapon seemed significantly heavier than any other 40mm grenade system, save for perhaps the HK79, when mounted to a G3 rifle.  The steel receiver has a tendency to get extraordinarily hot when exposed to desert firing conditions.  Presumably, the steel receiver would be equally cold if exposed to sub-freezing temperatures.  The same issues were not observed when test firing other systems.  Other downsides included the single-action only trigger.  Although the single action trigger was extraordinarily crisp when compared to other 40mm systems, the weapon has no provision to fire as a double action.  In the event the shooter forgets to cock the weapon, the weapon will not fire – the trigger simply releases the hammer – the trigger will not cock the hammer if the hammer is down.  Adopted by the German army in 1974, the HK69 was popular within the European community, but saw limited commercial success in the United States.  As a first generation 40mm weapon system, the HK69 is highly effective, easy to use, with the fire control mechanisms intuitive to most shooters.

The author test firing the HK 79 grenade launcher.

The H&K HK79: Competitor to the American M203
Partially based upon the HK69 design, the HK79, together with the XM148 and M203, brought significant firepower to the individual infantryman.  No longer limited to the engagement distance of hand thrown grenades, the individual infantryman could use his rifle as a mobile platform for indirect fire.  Similar to rifle grenades of World War II, the 40x46mm grenade system offered a larger payload and more advanced safety systems.  More importantly, rifle grenades of World War II relied upon blanked ammunition to launch grenades down range.  With the advent of the 40x46mm grenade systems, the individual infantry soldier could engage the enemy with a 40mm grenade with follow on fire from his rifle.  There was no longer a need for the soldier to carry ball and grenade launching rifle ammunition.

The HK79 was the German response to the M203.  Designed to be attached to German battle rifles, the HK79 was most commonly seen mounted to the G3 and HK33 model rifles, but could be adapted for mounting to most European designed rifles.  Because the system was based upon the design attributes of the HK69, there are design commonalities between the two systems.  Most notably, the HK79 is made primarily of steel, resulting in a heavy addition to any battle rifle.

The HK79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, breech-loaded weapon.  Like that HK69, the receiver incorporates the barrel assembly, firing system, and an unusual trigger mechanism.  Configured with a rifled barrel, the barrel is hinged at the front of the receiver.  Unlike the HK69, the HK79 barrel rotates downward and away from the receiver.  The practical effect however is the same – the barrel extends away from the any obstruction created by the receiver, allowing extra length 40mm rounds to be easily chambered.  Similar to the HK69, the barrel is released via an oversized latch on the left side of the receiver.  By pulling the barrel release latch to the rear, the barrel is unlocked from the receiver, and allows the barrel to open under spring tension.  Like the HK69 (and all HK 40mm systems) the system lacks an ejector – the barrel breech is cut to allow the user to pull the spent cartridge from the breech of the barrel.

Operation of the safety is achieved via a cross-bolt manual safety catch, a traditional round push through switch installed on the receiver, forward of the cocking mechanism.  The “safe” and “fire” positions are marked with red and white rings respectively; the weapon can be loaded and cocked with the safety set at either position.  Unlike the HK69, the fire control mechanisms on the HK79 are entirely different from any previous or subsequent 40mm grenade launcher.

Replacing the external hammer of the HK69 is the Hk79’s horizontal T-grip, at the rear of the receiver.  Similar in size and shape to the charging handle on an M16 rifle, the HK79 hammer is set by retracting the charging handle to the rear.  The charging handle also has the effect of resetting the trigger.  Like the HK69, the system can be re-cocked without unlocking the breech, in the unlikely event of a misfire.  In this respect, the HK79 is similar to the failed American XM148, which also used an external handle to charge the weapon.  However, the HK79 system is much more refined than the XM148 system as would be expected from German engineering.

I sat quietly taking notes as the Purchase Description was being reviewed, making sure I would capture the important points.  The development of a new rifle for the U.S. Military is not an everyday occurrence and I wanted to make sure I understood all of the requirements clearly.  The Government speaker went quickly over the next point.  He knew that this one rarely enlisted any questions: “The rifle shall be compatible with the multi-purpose Bayonet and attach securely at the bayonet mounting points.”  No eyebrows were raised, no questions asked.  And why should there be?  It was a foregone conclusion that every service rifle would be configured to accept the standard bayonet.

What does this mean to a designer of weapons?  For one thing, whatever had been envisioned or planned for the muzzle area of the weapon was now complicated by design constraints.  Any muzzle device, no matter how effective in its current configuration, would now have a 0.86 diameter so that the bayonet ring could pass over and ride securely.  The fit would have to be loose enough for a quick deployment yet tight enough so there was no rattle.  At a prescribed position aft of the muzzle, the gas block or other appendage would need the special T-configuration for securing the bayonet.  This would require chamfered corners for a smooth and rapid connection.  The rifle would have to be rugged in the muzzle area as well.  When the M14 was in development, testing showed that thrusts with the bayonet resulted in damage to the weapon prompting a redesign.  There were but few words in the Purchase Description where the bayonet was mandated, yet in an instant, the freedom of design was greatly restricted.

SA80 bayonet locked onto the sheath end for wire cutting action. The upper surface of the bayonet is canted to add shear angle. (Photo by Dan Shea courtesy LMO Working Reference Collection)

Why in the world do we need a bayonet anyway, I asked myself?  During the break I considered other devices that might be better suited to the end of the barrel.  How about a stun gun or a Taser?  Maybe a pyrotechnic wire cutter or a laser would be better; something, anything that was more “21st Century.”  Surely there must exist some new technology that might carry us beyond these design constraints from which we seem to be forever encumbered?  I needed to give this more thought and also made a mental note to check how we got to the point of a never-ending bayonet requirement.

Weeks later, while searching my files and other reference sources, I learned that the first bayonet use was recorded in the 17th century.  Riflemen wielding a matchlock rifle were protected by a soldier carrying a pike, whose job it was to keep the enemy at bay long enough for the rifleman to reload.  When they closed in on the enemy, the rifleman jammed a special “plug bayonet” in the end of the barrel so he could join the pikesmen in combat when there simply wasn’t time to reload.

Two other jobs taken on by the combat sheath are blade sharpening on the replaceable sharpening stone on the upper right surface, and cutting with the saw blade. It’s a good thing the stone is replaceable, while it is a good sharpener, the adhesive on many stones has not held up to service and needed replacing- which is easy to do with the proper hex wrench. The sawblade itself is also replaceable, and if used for minor tasks is quite handy. It is important to remember that this is not intended to replace a chainsaw, it is a convenience and if used too hard will quickly break. (Photo by Dan Shea courtesy LMO Working Reference Collection)

In the years that followed, bayonet designs were never very innovative but there was one that is remembered for out of the box thinking.  Early rifles needed a ramrod and later ones a cleaning rod, so one designer sold the U.S. on a ramrod bayonet combination design.  In 1905 this bayonet received some high level attention when president, Theodore Roosevelt wrote a letter to the Secretary of War telling him, “I must say that I think that ramrod bayonet is about as poor an invention as I ever saw.  As you observed, it broke short off as soon as hit with even moderate violence.  It would have no moral effect and mighty little physical effect.”  He questioned the need for a bayonet and went on to ask that further studies be undertaken by officers seeing combat in the Philippines and from military attachés who were sent as observers to the Russo-Japanese war.  Two American Colonels from the office of the Surgeon General were assigned to accompany the Russian Army in combat in order to study the wounds caused by weapons of modern warfare.  Observations on the use of the bayonet would be part of their mission.

The Russian and Japanese armies faced off on three different fronts in battle lines that extended 10 miles, 60 miles, and 80 miles.  Nocturnal engagements were frequent and much use of the bayonet was made on both sides, yet the actual number of casualties attributed to the bayonet was a mere 0.3%.  In their report, the Colonels concluded: “The experience of the Boer War and that of the present Russo-Japanese war has shown that the bayonet is not yet an obsolete weapon and that we still must reckon with it.”

For the collectors out there: L-R: British SA80 Bayonet, Combat Sheath, Green nylon combat frog, L3A1 white buff leather parade sheath, White buff leather parade sheath with brass, Black patent leather sheath for Regiment Parade. SA80 bayonets have a somewhat brittle tip and many examples will be seen broken off from hard use. This is not a problem limited to SA80 bayonets, hard use will cause failure in many bayonet tips. (Photo by Dan Shea courtesy LMO Working Reference Collection)

Reckon with it we did, from the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War right up until the 1950s when the M14 rifle was being developed to replace the M1 rifle, Browning Automatic Rifle, M2 Carbine and M3 Grease Gun.  The bayonet used with the M1 rifle did not fit the M14, which got the Army thinking about the requirement for a bayonet.  Mr. Amos Bonkemeyer, who was then head of the Light Weapons Section of the Army’s Infantry and Aircraft weapons section, stated the Army “… is considering not using a bayonet with the M14.”  This came as a result of a recommendation from Fort Monroe where they reported, “The bayonet is rarely used in combat.”  These observations led to seriously consider arming the soldier and Marine with a K-bar knife with no means of attachment to the rifle.  This concept met resistance from the troops and eventually the bayonet was accommodated on the M14.  The front end of the weapon was redesigned and the stock reinforced to a point where the M14 was tested and determined to be as good as the M1 for bayonet fighting.  The M16 that followed met the same requirement.

Resigned to be forever burdened with a bayonet, the Army funded a project to make the bayonet more useful.  The soldier needed a saw, a wire cutter, or an all purpose knife far more frequently than those combat situations that required him to affix a bayonet to the end of his rifle.  In 1973 a project was funded to develop a multi-purpose Knife-Cutter Bayonet that would perform multiple tasks and also be effective as a fighting tool.  A contract was awarded, designs were conceived, and a number of prototypes were built for field trials.  Just as the multi-purpose M14 rifle that preceded it, the Knife-Cutter Bayonet proved once again that a product that makes design compromises in order to do multiple jobs ends up doing none of them very well.  Their overweight designs were not able to cut double strand barbed wire and were too cumbersome for most practical uses.  At the time these studies were undertaken, men had already been sent to the moon, yet these developers were overwhelmed by the challenge to develop a multi-functional bayonet, their final report stating: “Development was terminated when it was concluded that it was beyond the state of the art to develop a single item encompassing all the features stated as essential.”

Design #4 Knife-Cutter Bayonet. (U.S Army Land Warfare Laboratory, Report LWL-CR-06S72)

Only one year after the first “new rifle for the military” meeting, I found myself in a carbon copy of the first meeting.  It was another new requirement, this time for a carbine that would also require the accommodation of a bayonet at the muzzle.  When they reached the point in the purchase description that would cover the bayonet I thought once again about Teddy Roosevelt, the Russo-Japanese War, Stun guns, Tasers, and Lasers.  I turned to a combat veteran next to me and whispered, “Why are we doing this again?  Do you guys really need a bayonet?”  The answer was short and profound.  “George, when the soldier’s weapon no longer works for whatever reason, the bayonet is his last remaining means of defense.”  Gee, I never thought about it like that.  I don’t feel so bad though.  Teddy Roosevelt didn’t get it the first time either.

Brügger & Thomet Police Day is held every two years in June in Thun, Switzerland at the Guntelsey Range.  What started as a friendly get-together with customers and vendors has turned into an impressive show of state-of-the-art weapons and gear for tactical and military users.  One must be invited by B&T or a vendor, or accepted after registration on-line.  Filling in the form is no guarantee of acceptance as they need to know who you are and why you would be at this show.  Thus, acceptance to display at this show is discreetly sought, and getting in front of the Swiss military and law enforcement can be of great value to a company.  To display, B&T’s business partners are accepted, others must apply.  This year’s show had close to fifty companies displaying with over 580 visitors; some of whom brought guests from around the world.

The range setup allows for the vendors to have live fire of their weapons on the range, as well as long ranges for trying optics, thermals, NV, etc.

At times there are seminars.  One year, Dr. Philip H. Dater, the eminent sound suppressor designer, presented.  This is an area that SADJ would encourage Mr. Brügger to expand on.  With his resources and knowledge, he could bring much more information to the end users.

Pelican recently purchased Hardigg cases with their roto-molding program, and the European distribution was set up with nice examples of the RALS, Remote Area Lighting System, and several other smaller units that are self-contained, including a rolling pack with battery system inside. There were several examples of mobile armorer tool and work chests that seal up tight and all of your tools and parts are kept in well-numbered drawers. Shown on the ground is the 1780W 12-weapon transport chest, which holds twelve M16s. Next to it is the single field desk which folds up and has six drawers in a chest. On the counter is the 9430 Remote Area Lighting system. On the ground, the double light head unit is the 9460 in black. (www.peli.com)

The Bushnell Group includes Uncle Mike’s, Butler Creek, Hoppe’s, M-Pro 7 and Stoney Point Products. They were featuring some of their law enforcement gear, but also the BoreSnake was being introduced in some of the European arenas. Bushnell also has a new 42mm Law Enforcement scope, 2-5 x 16 power as well as a 4.5 x 30 with a 50 mm objective. (www.bushnell.com)

SIG Sauer presented their 40x46mm grenade launcher with a B&T ring mount, set up with an Aimpoint Comp M24MOA, with the remote trigger system on it. The 40mm GL has a side-folding stock, and iron sights graduated from 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 meters.

The SIG Caspar 751 is a 7.62x51 NATO upgrade of the SIG 550 series rifle design. It features a side-folding stock, trigger guard that folds out of the way for use with gloves, a forward located recoil assembly, and uses a proprietary magazine. As displayed at the show, it has a Leupold Mark 4 3-10x tactical scope using B&T scope rings, and emergency BUIS. The 751 features single, three-round burst and fully automatic selection, and a cold-hammer forged six groove barrel. The example shown uses a B&T Rotex-III 7.62-caliber suppressor and a Versa-Pod bipod on the lower rail. (www.sig-sauer.de)

The SIG Sauer offering of the 553-2 series is their newest version of a short entry 5.56mm carbine, which was of prime interest to many attendees. “553” is the short carbine as shown, “-2” means a barrel twist of one in seven inches. “-1” would mean a twist of one in ten inches. The barrel has a 22mm flash hider that accepts NATO standard rifle grenades. Of course, the B&T rail forend for the SIG Commando Series is utilized, and there is a DBAL-A2 visible and non-visible laser attached. The recoil system on the 553 series has been moved away from the somewhat problematic rear-opening system on the 552 series, to a more standard-type SIG, front mounted that’s inside the hand guard area. The charging handle has been re-designed to address concerns on the 552 series. The optic is an ACOG standard with desert finish, with a DOCTER micro reflex sight on top for fast target acquisition.

Rheinmetall Defence presented the very lightweight LLM-PI laser light module pistol. The operator needs to choose whether he wants one utilizing visible or non-visible laser. It has an LED operation that supplies a luminous flow of about 100-120 lumens. The unit is very lightweight, weighing in at less than 100 grams and is waterproof to a depth of 30 meters. The operator can adjust the flashlight beam down to about half normal power and the laser is adjustable as well. The system utilizes Mil-Std 1913 or Picatinny rails with various mountings available. It has a five-level rotary switch, a rocker switch for left- or right-handed users and button switch operation. This provides the user with many options depending on the mission. The battery is a CR17345, Duracell number DL123A. (www.rheinmetall-defence.com)

Oerlikon Contraves has made a new fire-control unit for putting on a battle rifle that utilizes a 40x46mm module for firing grenades. The system includes visible and non-visible lasers, with a range-finding laser as well. It is very quick to use, with a menu on the back, as well as selectable languages; English, German, French were in the system at the show. The system mounts on your side rail, and standard optics mount on the top rail. The unit weights 700 grams. The operator pre-programs what ammunition will be used and once aim is taken, the target distance is lased, and the unit automatically adjusts on a 0-14 scale to bring the aim directly onto target. Oerlikon Contraves is a division of Rheinmetall Defence.

From the Vectronix line, SADJ was focused on two units. First is the Tarsius 16 miniature night vision monocular. This can be placed on a helmet mount and switched from right or left side as a single mount, or it can used as a dual mount so eyes are working NV. The same Tarsius 16 can be set up in tandem, as shown, on an M16 top rail, with an Aimpoint Comp 2. The LRF pocket laser range finder is a very lightweight unit. It can be ordered with or without either an internal compass; the “C” in the name indicates “compass.” The 905 wavelength is occasionally visible to night vision. The 1500 series gains an extra 500 meters of range finding, up to 3,000 meters, but also is non-visible.

NightSearcher is a British company, presenting the Solaris lines of LED portable lighting systems. Pictured on the left is the Solaris Light, which has a dual-lumen set of 3,000 on high or 1,500 on low. If it’s on low power, it will run 15 hours; high power is six hours. Recharge time is about five hours. The center is the Solaris Quattro, which has a charge time of 10 hours. When running all four heads, there are 12,000 lumens on high for three and a half hours, 6,000 on low at eight hours. Operators can utilize one, two, three or four heads. The Solaris Solo (16 kg) on the right has a charge time of seven hours, and the running time with a single head on it is eight hours on high power, 20 hours on lower power. High is 3,000 lumen, low 1,500 lumen. (www.nightsearcher.co.uk)

Over 5,500 trade visitors from 55 countries and 45 delegations from 36 countries filled the 10,000 sq. meter building.  This was also the first year that the U.S. set up a Country Pavilion, and there were nine Country Pavilions in total.

As noted, small arms were not in evidence in the displays.  However, concurrent with the exhibition were conferences and seminars and number of them were quite timely and relevant to our small arms defense related readers.  These included:

• Global Piracy and Armed Robbery Trends: Role of ReCAAP
• The Malacca Straits Patrol
• Border Protection in Australia
• The South China Sea: from Politics to Collaboration

SADJ Recommendation: if you have interest in the Naval side of things, this is a good show to attend and set up at. If not, then there are more small arms oriented shows in the area- Defense Services Asia in Kuala Lumpur, IndoDefence in Jakarta, Defense & Security Thailand, and BRIDEX  in Brunei to name a few.

IMDEX VISITOR PROFILE

Defence Ministers
Chiefs of Navy
Chiefs of Coast Guard
Secretaries of Defence
Senior Members of Defence Research Establishments and Government Agencies
Official VIP Delegations
Senior Naval, Air Force and Procurement Officers
Senior Officers from Coastguards, Police, Customs and Immigration services
Officials from major maritime-related organizations
Defence Contractors & Suppliers

IMDEX EXHIBITOR PROFILE

Manufacturers and suppliers of:

Command and Control System
Communication & Data Links
Data & Intelligence Systems
Decoy Systems
Diving Equipment
Electronic Warfare Systems
Helicopters
Integrated Combat Systems
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Missiles
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