AR-15 Barrels 101

 

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by Jerry Kraus
    

One of the biggest differences in cheap versus high-end AR-15s is the quality of the barrels. We are going to cover the pros and cons of Mil-Spec chrome molly steel chrome-lined barrels versus match-grade stainless steel, non chrome-lined barrels and help you make an educated decision on which is right for the intended purpose of your next AR-15.

Although it is unlikely that most of us will ever “shoot out” a barrel; chrome-lined barrels handle extensive shooting and adverse weather much better.

Most AR barrels fall into one of two categories: either they are made of chrome molly steel with a chrome-lined bore and chamber, or they are made of stainless steel, which typically does not have chrome lining in the bore or chamber.

First, let me say that if the bore (barrel) is chrome-lined, the chamber will be as well and likewise, if the bore is not chrome lined, the chamber will not be either. Chrome molly steel is harder than stainless steel but our main focus is going to be on the chrome lining vs. non-chrome lining aspects because that is what will have more effect on AR-15 shooters.

The Pros and Cons of Chrome Molly Steel Barrels

M16/M4 Mil-Spec barrels are made of chrome molly steel with chrome lined bores (and chambers). So let’s detail the pros of chrome molly steel barrels that have chrome lined bores and chambers first.

The Pros of Chrome-Lined Barrels

The military loves chrome-lined barrels because of:

1. Corrosion Resistance.This is especially important in wet and saltwater environments. When the military issues M16s to our troops in Vietnam, it was initially issued without a chrome lined chamber, or chrome lined barrel, and without a cleaning kit. This, combined with a very corrosive powder and the wet jungle environment of Vietnam, caused countless deaths to our own troops mainly because of failures to extract the spent round in the chamber during combat. The only way to clear a failure to extract is to run a rod down the barrel and knock the spent round back out. According to the article “Defense Under Fire” in Time magazine dated 9 June 1967; “We left with 72 men in our platoon and came back with 19. Believe it or not, you know what killed most of us? Our own rifle. Practically every one of our dead was found with his [M16] torn down next to him where he had been trying to fix it.” —Marine Corps Rifleman, Vietnam. Though eventually remedied, it illustrates the value of chrome-lined barrels and chambers.
2. Extended Barrel Life.This is the biggest reason the military uses chrome-lined barrels. Every round down range creates heat in the barrel from the hot gasses that the powder creates and the friction of the round, both of which result in barrel erosion over time. The higher the velocity of the round, the hotter the barrel gets resulting in even more barrel erosion. The faster the rounds fire in succession, such as on full auto in the military, the hotter the barrel gets and stays hotter, longer, all resulting in drastically more barrel erosion thus substantially shortening the barrel’s life, commonly referred to as “shooting out” the barrel. An AR-15 with a Mil-Spec barrel identical to the Mil-Spec barrel of the M16 will last roughly twice that of the M16 barrel. This is largely due to the fact full auto rates of fire are exponentially detrimental on barrel life. Non chrome-lined barrels wear out even faster with full auto fire, this is the biggest reason the military uses chrome-lined barrels. Most people, however, will not be able to “shoot out” a chrome-lined AR-15 barrel in their lifetime, and if you do, you should consider yourself very fortunate to be able to shoot this much! “Shooting out,” or wearing out the barrel, will become evident when you can visibly see your chrome disappearing in your bore and your groups keep getting bigger and bigger.
3. Ease of Cleaning.This is a definite side benefit of chrome-lined barrels and chambers. Some people think this is only slightly easier to clean, however my experience is that it is substantially easier and faster to clean. So, in short, chrome-lined barrels protect you from erosion and corrosion and easier cleaning is a bonus!

The Cons of Chrome-Lined Barrels

The biggest disadvantage of chrome-lined barrels is long-range accuracy. When a barrel is chrome lined, even with the best technology available today, it is not perfectly even. Because it is not perfectly even on the inside of the barrel, there are very slight high points that obviously will negatively affect the accuracy of the bullet. However, this is only noticeable at long ranges. There are plenty of chrome-lined barrels out there that will give you sub-MOA accuracy, which means a three-round group in less than one-inch at 100 yards.

People will disagree as to the ranges it becomes noticeable, but it is the author’s opinion that it is beyond 300 yards—beyond three football fields. Just to be very clear, the average soldier or civilian with some training should be able to hit a man-sized silhouette target at 300 yards with an AR-15/M16 that has chrome-lined barrel.

Even with a chrome-lined barrel, the biggest factor holding back the shooter’s accuracy beyond 300 yards is going to be shooter error, lack of training, or practice for probably 90 percent of the shooters out there.

The Pros and Cons of Stainless Steel (Match Grade) Barrels

Match grade barrels offer few advantages at ranges below about 300 yards, but at that distance and especially beyond, the accuracy difference becomes obvious. This makes stainless steel, match grade barrels and absolute must for long-range target shooters.

The second major category for AR barrels are stainless steel barrels, which are typically not chrome lined in the bore or chamber, and these are known as “Match Grade” barrels.

The Pros of Stainless Steel Barrels

Extreme benchrest shooters, NRA High Power Long Range shooters and Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) shooters all demand “match grade” barrels—meaning barrels made of stainless steel that are NOT chrome lined. “Match grade” barrels are more accurate and the longer the range, the more apparent this becomes.

The Cons of Stainless Steel Barrels

The cons of match-grade barrels are that they wear out faster, they are harder to clean and they don’t resist corrosion as well as a chrome-lined barrel. Again, let’s clarify that most shooters will not wear out even a match grade barrel in their lifetime. As far as cleaning goes, if the barrel is broken in or “shot in” correctly, the barrel will have a burnishing that minimizes fouling and subsequently makes the barrel much easier to clean; however, still not as easy to clean as a chrome-lined barrel.

Which Barrel is Right for You?

So you’re probably wondering which is right for you, right? An AR-15 rifle is merely a tool, a tool for doing a job. Which job do you want your AR to do?

The Ideal Barrel for defense or Plinking-to-Medium Range Target Shooting

If you are like most people you are you picking out a tool that would be ideal for you to defend your family, your ranch or your home with and maybe do some plinking to medium-range target shooting.

On the other hand,  maybe you want an AR for the commie invasion of the USA or the total collapse of society? Or even, as my younger friends ask me, “What AR do I want for the zombie apocalypse?”

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then I would choose an AR-15 with a chrome-lined barrel and chamber. These are very common and is the same barrel configuration the military uses. I wouldn’t care if it was cold hammer forged or not, and if so, that would be a bonus.

The good news is ARs with these features are very affordable. There are two I like for under $900 from www.CheaperThanDirt.com – Armalite M15A4 and the Bushmaster Optics Ready Carbine (OBC).

I would also encourage you to get one for your wife or girlfriend when you can afford it as well. If the unimaginable happens, you will wish she had one and knew how to use it.

The Ideal Barrel for Extremely Long Distance Shooting or CMP Matches

Let’s face it fluted barrels just look cool. More importantly, the fluting reduces weight and dissipates heat at a much quicker rate than straight stock barrels.

I know what you are thinking, “What if I want a gun that can shoot accurately at extreme distances because maybe I am thinking about participating in state or national CMP matches?”
What you want is an AR with a stainless steel non chrome-lined match-grade barrel, cold hammer forged would be a bonus. In this category, www.CheaperThanDirt.com offers an AR I like for under $1300 – the Rock River Arms (RRA) LAR-15 National Match A4. Rock River Arms is a high quality manufacturer and they won the contract to supply the DEA with AR-15s.

Now you have a better understanding of AR barrels and chrome lining and what will work for your needs. Next we will cover .223 chambers versus 5.56mm chambers and more!

Until then, shoot safely and shoot often!

LaRue Tactical Optimized Battle Rifle (OBR)

 

The LaRue Tactical OBR features the same rugged construction we’ve grown to expect from the company, and the performance to match.

By Steve Adelmann              

Austin Precision Products is not exactly a household name in the shooting industry. However the company’s more-familiar brand—LaRue Tactical—is well known in military, law enforcement, competition and basement-commando circles. Wear a LaRue hat for a few days, and you’ll be surprised at the diverse group of folks familiar with the name. I’ve had store clerks, doctors, teachers and even a Baptist minister recognize the LaRue brand. Over the past few years, shooters have come to expect three things from the capable and patriotic folks headquartered near Austin, TX: ingenuity, quality and products that are backed to the ends of the Earth.
 Like many military snipers, I became familiar with Mark LaRue’s work in the mid 1990s through his company’s Upchuck self-resetting targets. They made the cumbersome task of setting up steel for unknown-distance field shooting worth the pain of the inevitably bruised shins and smashed fingers.  Few shooters will complain about watching a hunk of freshly shot steel drop like a rock, then slowly rise, ready for more copper-jacketed lead thrashings.

                          

Several years ago, the U.S. Department of Defense became aware of lightweight, durable, tactical riflescope rings made by LaRue. Previously, only steel rings had been made to stand up to the rigors of combat while remaining reasonably sized. Steel is heavy. Heavy sucks when you live on your feet and survive by remaining mobile. The lucky recipients of LaRue’s rings were impressed with their sleek profile, high strength and requisite light weight. Several years and untold combat operations later, LaRue Tactical is a permanent fixture on the armaments map, with products ranging from simple mounting bases to complete rifles.

Though it looks like a mildly tacticalized AR-10 on the outside, the OBR sports a host of upgrades designed for the most demanding shooters.

When I heard LaRue was gearing up to build a 7.62 NATO sniper-grade rifle based on its 5.56 NATO platform, I began laying the groundwork to test one. Many firearm manufacturers hold back sample rifles from first production runs to ensure writers get to evaluate them. True to the company’s very dedicated missions to get a product right before releasing for sale and to ensure military and LE needs are taken care of first, LaRue’s new Optimized Battle Rifle (OBR) didn’t exactly jump into writers’ hands overnight. That was OK with me—I’ll wait as long as need be to ensure the folks laying their lives on the line get what they need before I ever see a sample.

My test rifle finally arrived in June 2010 in a padded hard case, complete with two of LaRue’s excellent 20-round magazines. I’ve already written about the high quality and reliability of these mags, and they continue to have an excellent track record with all .308 Win. ARs into which I feed them. One unique OBR mag feature is a nifty (and patent-pending) modification that aids in feeding.

Anyone who has unloaded high-capacity rifle magazines by hand knows it’s a pain and the larger the cartridge, the bigger the pain. AR .308 Win. mags have a nasty habit of grabbing cartridge rims in several places along the way as rounds are pushed forward, such as when feeding or stripping by hand. As near as I can tell, this is caused by the vertical ribs stamped into the magazine body.

Where a numbskull like me considers this a nuisance, a smart guy like LaRue knew this also somewhat retards cartridge feeding. His solution is a horizontal bridge between the two rearmost ribs at the top of the magazine, and the result is a much smoother feed and strip.

Part of the rifle light weight is attributed to the SureFire FH762 flash hider/suppressor adapter.

My sample gun wore an 18-inch barrel, although 16.1- and 20-inch variants are available. LaRue offers many OBR furniture options, mostly from Magpul. Mine arrived with a standard A2 stock and grip. Shooters familiar with LaRue products know it doesn’t build anything with light duty in mind.

The OBR remains true to this mindset—robust, rugged and yet very comfortable in hand. The free-floated fore-end is bolted to the company’s proprietary upper receiver, creating an ultra-rigid mounting platform that includes a continuous top rail running the length of the handguard. The rail has 20 MOA of slope built in to preserve enough adjustment to allow dialing in long ranges when using optics with limited internal elevation movement. The tube’s gripping surfaces are sleek and smooth. So smooth, the non-railed area refused to accept an adhesive hook-and-loop fastener when I tried to mount an ATPIAL tape switch. It wasn’t my rifle, so the usual blob of contact cement wasn’t an option.

Unlike most free-floated barrels, side rails are limited to a 3-inch section, located toward the front at the 3- and 9-o’clock positions. This makes sense to me, as most lights and lasers tend to be mounted forward, but some shooters may find it limits their options. Threaded holes along the bottom allow add-on modular rails with a 3-inch rail coming standard at the 6-o’clock position. The upper receiver has an ejection-port cover and integral brass deflector, but does not have a forward-assist assembly.

The gas block incorporates LaRue’s Port Selector Technology; using an easily adjustable, two-position regulator that allows normal gas flow for unsuppressed firing and a restricted setting for suppressor use. I’m a big believer in adjustable gas regulators. LaRue’s rifle uses an ingenious system to adjust gas flow. Instead of the usual method of opening or closing the gas pathway by impeding it with a screw or plug, the OBR has two gas ports. Setting the regulator to the left position opens both ports for unsuppressed firing while the right position closes one of the ports.

A very stout PRI M84 Gas Buster charging handle ensured easy manipulation of the chrome-plated bolt-carrier group, while directing some of the receiver gasses away from my face. The OBR’s stainless steel firing pin incorporates a captive spring, preventing firing pin/primer contact when a round is chambered or in the event of a hard impact at the muzzle.

PRI’s M84 Gas Buster charging handle eases operation of the bolt and directs gasses away from the shooter’s face.

Both receivers are CNC machined from 7075-T6 billet; the latter incorporating an integral trigger guard large enough to permit the use of gloves. Both the bolt and magazine releases are semi-shrouded to prevent inadvertent activation. The magazine well accepts Knight’s Armament, DPMS, Remington, Magpul, C Products and Brownells standard .308 Win. AR magazines.

I have never fired, tested, built or come into contact with an AR that has the OBR’s tight tolerances. The upper receiver tang doesn’t just fit into the lower’s rear tang slot, it mates with it. The rifle’s halves were harder to get apart than a pair of barnyard goats. In the gun world, that sort of fit is a good thing, on the farm…not so much.

Range Work

My initial firing impression of the OBR was it was a bit jumpy on the front end when fired prone. I attribute this partially to its light-for-caliber overall weight, as well as the SureFire FH762 flash hider/suppressor adapter. SureFire’s muzzle device tames flash effectively and helps manage recoil to a small degree. But it really shines in terms of both flash and recoil control when mated to a suppressor. For non-tactical shooters who prefer better
braking, but do not want the hassle of more ATF paperwork, the 5⁄8-24 threads of the OBR’s muzzle permit mounting a dedicated muzzle brake. I mounted a SureFire Scout light with a KM2 IR lens and an M93 throw-lever mount with an Insight Technology ATPIAL IR aiming laser on the front rails before assuming a good bipod-supported prone position. The Geissele Automatics Super Semi-Automatic, two-stage match trigger measured in at 2.5 pounds for the first stage and 2 pounds for the second stage, allowing a smooth pull and clean break for each shot.

Once I settled into the gun, the shooting session went very smoothly. The rifling’s slower rate of twist preferred lighter projectiles in the 150- to 168-grain range. The test target that accompanied my rifle showed a .735-inch five-shot group using Federal 168-grain ammo. My results largely mirrored this target, with averages slightly higher, but tighter groups with three out of the four loads tested. LaRue guarantees the OBR will shoot less than 1 MOA, and my test sample certainly exceeded that goal.

Overall, I put 205 rounds through the rifle with no hiccups. The machined, free-float tube remained cool throughout the test, in spite of the Carolina heat.

A chrome-plated bolt-carrier group enhances reliability by minimizing the effects of fouling.

LaRue Tactical has turned out a well-engineered, finely crafted implement. The OBR will fit into several categories, depending on barrel and stock configuration. Whether intended as a carbine-length battle rifle, a designated marksman platform, a hunting partner or a long-range tool, LaRue’s .308 ought to hold up its end of the bargain in terms of accuracy and reliability. Knowing the quality of this company’s work, I feel safe in predicting anyone in possession of an OBR can count on handing it down for generations.

For a look at the OBR in action, click here.

Manufacturer: LaRue Tactical; (512) 259-1585
Caliber: 7.62 NATO
Action Type: Semi-automatic, direct-gas-impingement system
Capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
Barrel: 16.1 inches, 18 inches (tested) and 20 inches; LW50 blackened steel
Sights: None; continuous Picatinny rail for mounting optics
Rifling: 4 grooves; 1:11.25-inch RH twist
Stock: A2-style buttstock and pistol grip (tested), numerous other options
Trigger Pull: Two-stage; 2.5 pounds first stage; 2 pounds second stage
Overall Length: 37.5 inches
Weight: 9 pounds, 11 ounces
Accessories: Two, 20-round magazines, hard case
MSRP: $2,995 (with A2 flash hider)

Remington Debuts 2020 Digital Scope

 

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by CTD Woody
    

Looking for a new rifle optic that immediately improves your accuracy? The Remington 2020 Digital Optic System may be your answer. This system bundles numerous devices and technologies together in a single device allowing you to accurately fire in any conditions at distances of up to 500 yards.

Looking through the Remington 2020 Digital Optic System, you see a Heads-Up Display (HUD) over your field of view. The HUD visualizes system information as well as variables effecting accuracy.

 

Created in collaboration between Remington Arms and TrackingPoint, an applied technology company in Austin, Texas, the Remington 2020 Digital Optic System revolutionizes long-range accuracy by combining digital optics and target tracking technology into a seamlessly integrated shooting system.

The Remington 2020 Digital Optic System allows you to designate the location of a shot and have an internal ballistic calculator generate a firing solution that accounts for range, ammunition, and all environmental and system factors. You can then adjusts your point of aim to bring the reticle on target. This is accomplished through a shooting sequence referred to as Tag, Track and React (TTR).

 

The sequence begins by aligning the dot in the HUD with the target and pressing the “Tag” button located atop the scope, which locks a digital tag on the target up to 500 yards away.

 

The ballistic computer calculates a firing solution—Tracks—for all the factors effecting that shot and the blue reticle instantaneously offsets to indicate actual point-of-impact for that shot. This firing solution is updated 54 times per second, which allows accuracy even on moving targets.

 

When the blue reticle is aligned with the tag, it will turn red, indicating the point of aim is on-target. The shooter can now make the shot, or React.

 

 

 

From the moment the “Tag” is placed until a preset time after the shot is taken, the 2020 records both audio and video, through a built-in microphone, to internal memory. This generates an mp4 file, which can be downloaded via Wi-Fi to any Apple iOS and Android tablet and smartphone.

 

The system’s integrated Wi-Fi server that allows for streaming of the HUD to any Apple iOS and Android tablet and smartphone. This provides opportunities for spotters to guide, teach, coach or simply see what the shooter is seeing and doing.

The firing solution accounts for a number of inputs and an unprecedented number of factors affecting the bullet’s flight and eliminates the need to adjust turrets, estimate holdover for range, wind, or lead on moving targets.

 

The 2020’s hardware houses a number of elements that automate the process. The only information that is manually input by the shooter is wind.

 

Toggle controls allow adjustments to zoom, focus and move from advanced mode to traditional mode if that is preferred. There are two batteries providing up to three hours of continuous use that can be changed without powering down the unit.

 

The Remington 2020 Digital Optic System is currently available in 30-06 SPRG, 308 WIN, 223 Remington.

Para Bellum - Preparing For the Worst

                                              

 

Are you prepared, gun-wise, for a societal breakdown?

By Steve Adelmann     

Have you seen the movie “Something Wicked This Way Comes?” Unfortunately, I have, but aside from bad acting, ’80s clothing, a weak plot, terrible special effects and the 94 minutes it sucked out of my life, the movie had one thing going for it: a catchy title.

 

That phrase is on my mind more and more these days, except it is not an evil (and cheesy) carnival owner who threatens us, it is genuine trouble on a global scale.                               

                                                     

A quick scan of news headlines, market trends or simply paying attention to the nearest protest yields multiple red flags. Attitudes and conversations with just about anyone tell me I am not alone in my thoughts. I have no idea how the country will be doing when this column is printed, but I am positive things will not be any better than they are as I write it. Actually, they may be much worse.

 

So what should you do about it? Prepare. In this case I am talking about preparing your firearm game plan for a sustained societal breakdown—imagine a violent mob or gang is within a half-mile of your residence, intent on taking whatever or hurting whomever they want, and then plan accordingly.

 

Like most other folks, a handgun is my go-to choice for dealing with an immediate threat in the home or at close range on the street. But, I will choose the rifle’s ability to keep bad things as far away as possible if I see them heading my way. If trouble is inevitable, make use of any warning to be as well armed as possible. Get your go-to gun out of mothball storage and have it within arm’s reach at all times. Deployed troops learn to live with rifles strapped to their bodies, always. The practice is now taught in Basic Training, which makes a lot more sense than some of the idiotic parade stuff we did a quarter-century ago. There is no handier place for your primary fighting tool than across your body or in your hands. Plop down $40 for a decent tactical sling and get used to it. Consider that gun an extension of your arms and don’t get caught without it when the heat is on.

Fodder
 

The U.S. military’s switch to the new “green” ammunition has resulted in excellent prices on surplus 5.56 NATO M855 ball ammo. M80 ball overruns have pushed more surplus 7.62 NATO FMJ ammo to the market, too. Both are good general-purpose rounds to keep on hand in case the premium stuff becomes scarce. AK ammo—particularly in 7.62×39 mm—is very cheap and still available in sealed tins. The 40 rounds of .308 Win. my local hardware store keeps in stock will be scarfed up during the first 5 minutes of a crisis, so I know better than to rely on purchasing ammo around here.

 

Several retail outlets offer bulk deals on ammunition in the most common rifle chamberings, so stock up—now—on what your rifle will digest. Be sure to store ammo in a location that is temperature and humidity controlled. Old ammo cans with intact rubber seals make good containers, but place desiccant packs inside each one, and avoid leaving them in extreme heat or cold. Buy as much spare ammo as you can afford and store safely. Some is better than none, and a lot is better than a little.

 

Properly cared for ammo will last for many years, so if things get all rosy again, have fun with it at the range or will it to your heirs. Ammunition has real value, unlike the dollar, so it will be useful for barter, too.

 

You may not convince your neighbors to have gun or caliber commonality, but consider doing so within your family. Logistics will be much simpler if your family firearms are the same—anyone will be able to pick up another’s rifle or spare ammo in a pinch. Remember to plan for spare magazines, including extras to replace those lost or damaged during a protracted emergency. Think months, not days.

 

During a protracted and potentially violent crisis, your primary arm cannot be too close. A simple, inexpensive and effective combat sling like this B-Sling from Sheriff of Baghdad will be indispensable.

 

Gun Gear

A wide variety of equipment is available to carry extra ammunition and/or magazines. Find something comfortable enough to wear for at least a few hours at a time, handy enough to get on quickly and able to carry extra personal gear like medication, a light, knife, etc. If you have never had to live in, run with or go prone while wearing a military-style assault vest, borrow one, fill it up and try these tasks before you spend a week’s pay on the latest “rack” system. Many models were designed by people who meant well, but never fought while wearing a full vest. Less bulk and greater simplicity equal more agility, comfort and the ability to wear for longer periods.

 

A spare parts kit is also a good idea. At a minimum, extra faster-wearing parts like extractors, firing pins and springs are good to have around. Maintain a set of critical parts for each rifle you plan to have in someone’s hands during a crisis. I recommend at least one spare bolt for each rifle type, too.

It will never expire, so if the worst never happens, you have a part that will be useful down the road.

 

Think about a backup plan for optics, too: iron sights, a backup scope—something that allows you to aim the rifle if your primary sighting system is damaged when there is no way to get a replacement.

 

Training

The best rifle is not worth a lick if you cannot use it fluently under stress. Practice practical shooting.

 

Shoot at partially exposed targets at or beyond the distances your house/yard/property may present. Shoot in hasty, uncomfortable positions and in low light, if possible. Learn to shoot from cover and understand the ballistic differences between cover and concealment. Ensure someone else in your family is able to implement the home-defense plan without you present—you may not be there when trouble strikes, or you may need help.

 

The concept of a zombie apocalypse used to get a passing laugh. It is no longer a joke. Such talk is now thinly veiled code for a violent, man-made catastrophe. Do not be complacent with your approach to defending your family when—not if—things turn nasty. The rifle in your hands may well become the great equalizer you need to keep bad people away from you and yours. I truly hope I am wrong about where we are headed, but I will be ready if I am right. I hope you will be, too.

Law Tactical Gen 2 AR Folding Stock Adapter

 

A folding stock on a direct-gas AR? Yup. And it works.

By Steve Adelmann                     
                        

Innovation is cool, but when it caters to my particular wants or needs, it rocks. AR enthusiasts have long lamented side-folding stocks do not get along with the traditional direct-gas-impingement (DGI) operating system due to the need for bolt carriers and buffers to operate behind their receivers. Over the years, a small number of specialty manufacturers have developed work-arounds to the problem, but they have fallen short of offering a drop-in aftermarket option to convert existing DGI ARs to side-folders—until now.
The Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter is a 90-percent solution to the problem. The only thing stopping it from being a full-on conversion unit is the fact that it is not designed to allow firing with the stock folded. I carried folding-stock carbines and submachine guns during my Army days, and the circumstances where I needed to be able to fire them without first deploying the stock were limited to a handful of times involving extreme environments or circumstances. Even on my wildest day my civilian life is a bit tamer, so I can handle this limitation to the stock’s utility.

All that is needed to convert your existing AR to the Law Tactical system is the ability and tooling to remove the buttstock and buffer assemblies. Tutorials abound with step-by-step instructions for this procedure, so I won’t go into it here. The process will be smooth if you apply proper tools and attention to detail. Once the stock and recoil assemblies are removed, the included instructions clearly explain the process of installing Law Tactical’s hardware. The removal and installation procedures only used up 20 minutes of my day.
 

Simple tools and good instructions are all you need to add the folding stock adapter to your direct-gas AR.

After installation of the Law Tactical kit, the stock retains its original fixed or collapsible nature, but also folds to the left side with the press of a conveniently-located and protected spring-loaded button.

The stock does not lock in the folded position, but hinge tension is easily adjusted with a hex key to keep it folded. It is easily deployed/extended by simply unfolding until it locks open. The latch is stout, and there is no doubt when it locks to full extension. Time to deploy the stock is faster than to extend a stock that has been collapsed to its shortest length for storage. A collapsible stock’s original endplate and castle nut are retained for use with the Law Tactical system, so any sling attachment points located either on the endplate or the stock remain usable. The kit will work on mil-spec and commercial receiver extensions, A1 or A2 fixed stocks and on both 5.56 NATO- and .308 Win.-sized AR platforms.

If there is a glitch in this system, it is in the way the designers have tackled the problem of filling in the inch-plus space between the rear of the bolt carrier and the front of the recoil buffer once the folding system is installed. The adapter creates a gap between the rear of bolt carrier and the buffer’s front. An included bolt-carrier extension must be attached to the rear of the carrier to fill this space and maintain contact with the buffer. This is easily accomplished with a flathead screwdriver and wrench, effectively making the bolt carrier longer to fill the gap. Without the extension in place, the bolt carrier would damage the gun and cause it to malfunction while reciprocating.

As it currently exists, however, the carrier extension must be removed in order to separate the upper and lower receivers for maintenance or repair. While I never plan to remove my bolt carrier in the heat of a gunfight, there are some serious malfunctions that do require opening the rear takedown pin—with the Law Tactical setup in place, tools are required to make that happen. If I were to change one thing on this kit it would be to make the bolt-carrier extension removable without use of tools.

With the adapter installed to permit folding, the author’s AR had its storage length reduced by 6.5 inches, making stowing his emergency carbine easier than ever. Stock deployment can be accomplished in the blink of an eye.

The included manual clearly states this system should never be fired with the stock folded. The intent of this kit is to provide a more compact means of storing your AR, not firing it from the hip. A spring-loaded finger locks into the bolt-carrier extension when the stock is folded, preventing it from moving rearward should the gun be fired in this configuration. Law Tactical has tested both 5.56 NATO and .308 Win. ARs with this system to verify they could withstand being fired with the stock folded, and in both cases the bolt carriers were effectively retained, but the Law Tactical hardware was damaged and unsuitable for further use.

I added the Gen 2 AR Folding Stick Adapter to my 5.5-pound Hoplite, bringing weight up to 6.25 pounds and stretching overall length by 1.25 inches. The biggest change can be seen in terms of storage space needed for the little gun. My carbine measured 32.5 inches long with the stock collapsed in the original configuration. After installation, overall length with the stock folded was shortened to just 26 inches.

I fired 150 rounds of 55-grain FMJ and surplus 62-grain M855 “green tip” through my gun with the Law Tactical adapter installed. Function was flawless, and though my length of pull was longer, the collapsible stock allowed me to easily remedy that problem out for a normal eye-to-sight distance. I checked the screw affixing the bolt carrier extension after every 10 rounds for the first 60 shots to see if it would loosen, then I fired the rest of the ammunition and checked again to ensure it stayed tight. The carrier extension was properly aligned and the screw was as tight as when first installed each time I inspected it.

We live in an age of utility through modularity. Selling for $199 (web) to $219 (MSRP), the Law Tactical Gen 2 AR Folding Stock Adapter adds yet another page to the practicality chapter in the book of America’s favorite rifle.

Advances in U.S. Sniping Ammunition: From Vietnam to Afghanistan

	The long-range capability of American military snipers has saved the lives of many service personnel on the battlefield. Developments in rifles and optics are only part of the story. There has also been a revolution in the accuracy and performance of the ammunition they use. By John L. Plaster (RSS) September 12, 2013

If you served as a U.S. sniper in the Vietnam War, no doubt you had high regard for that era’s sniping load: 7.62x51 mm, M118 Special Ball. Incorporating a purpose-designed, 173-gr. bullet, it offered snipers superior accuracy and lethality compared to the standard 7.62x51 mm NATO ball, which had a 147-gr. projectile.

The M118 round, however, was not the most accurate 7.62 mm load then available. That distinction went to civilian ammunition with match-grade bullets, especially the .30-cal., 168-gr. Sierra MatchKing. That open-tip bullet—labeled a “hollow point”—was thought to violate the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 because such projectiles “expand and flatten easily,” causing “unnecessary suffering.” Despite superior accuracy, the open-tip match bullet could not be employed by military snipers.

The M118 cartridge remained the standard U.S. military sniping load long after Vietnam until, in 1985, the Defense Department’s Chief Judge Advocate General for International Law, U.S. Marine Col. W. Hays Parks, took a closer look at match-grade projectiles. An accomplished shooter and handloader, Col. Parks understood that despite its open tip, a match bullet is not a true “hollow point,” which mushrooms upon impact. Actually, as his studies demonstrated, the bullet’s “hollow point” results from the manufacturing process and it impacts much like ordinary ball bullets. Further, he found, the match bullet’s superior precision significantly reduces collateral danger to non-combatants, a fundamental goal of the Hague Conventions. Col. Parks’ findings became U.S. Navy policy, authorizing the combat employment of Federal’s 168-gr. Gold Medal Match round, officially designated the M852 Open Tip Match (OTM) cartridge. Hardly noticed at the time, this was the first step in the remarkable evolution of U.S. sniping ammunition.

Five years later, during Operation Desert Storm, despite the U.S. Army having also authorized the open-tipped M852, few JAG officers knew of Col. Park’s findings. Erring on the side of caution, they forbade its use in combat, citing International Law.

Within a few years, the M852’s legality finally was recognized across the Armed Forces. The more this bullet was fired, however, the more its shortcomings became apparent. Originally designed for 300-meter Olympic competition, the 168-gr. Sierra MatchKing projectile goes subsonic at around 800 meters, degrading its accuracy—a major issue, given the likelihood of future long-range sniping in the Middle East’s deserts. Working together, the Marine Corps, the Army’s Picatinny Arsenal, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant and Sierra Bullets developed a new 7.62 mm load. Designated the M118 Long Range (M118LR) to distinguish it from the earlier sniper load, its 175-gr. streamlined MatchKing bullet—7 grs. heavier than the M852—boosted the ballistic coefficient to .500, which means the round was better able to overcome air resistance, thus retaining velocity and energy at longer ranges.

Other refinements included a match-grade primer, modified case taper and more precise forming and loading procedures. The new M118LR cartridge proved especially accurate, and when fired from the Marine Corps’ M40A3 rifle and the Army’s M24 Sniper Weapon System, grouped one minute-of-angle (m.o.a.) or less—or no more than 10 inches at 1,000 meters. In 1997, Col. Parks’ JAG office reviewed the new cartridge and soon afterward it was approved for combat throughout the U.S. military.

Match Loads Go To War

By the time U.S. forces invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, the M118LR cartridge and its 175-gr. bullet had become the standard sniper round. Praised for its accuracy, the M118LR set new records for 7.62 mm long-range kills in Iraq, with U.S. Army sniper Jim Gilliland taking out a terrorist sniper at a documented 1,375 yds. and close behind, U.S. Marine Corps sniper Matt Orth killing an insurgent at 1,256 yds.

Their shots proved quite exceptional, however, and reports soon emerged of the M118LR suffering from decreased accuracy. Extensively testing the 175-gr. load, the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind.,found “inconsistencies” between lots. One industry authority attributed it to accelerated wartime production and hurried quality inspections—a claim I could not confirm.

Part of the fix was tightening inspection standards, but that also proved an opportunity to re-examine the entire load. Enter Jeff Hoffman, president of Black Hills Ammunition who’s also a seasoned SWAT sniper. Having previously worked alongside the Navy Surface Warfare Center and aware of the need to improve the M118LR round, Hoffman initiated his own research at no cost to the government. One area for improvement, he believed, was the propellant’s temperature sensitivity.

The searing heat of Middle Eastern deserts and bitter cold of Afghanistan’s mountains had to affect burn rates, causing wide variances in muzzle velocity, which would skew ballistic tables and trajectory-synchronized bullet drop compensators.

Firing cartridges heated to 165 degrees, and others cooled to 25 below zero, his ballistics lab found a muzzle velocity variance of 227 f.p.s.; each degree of temperature change caused a 11/2-f.p.s. change of muzzle velocity. At 800 meters that meant a trajectory variance of 58 inches. Hoffman and the Navy evaluated more than 20 propellants and blends to find a temperature-stabilized propellant that varied only 21 f.p.s. between those temperature extremes. In addition, calcium carbonate was added to reduce muzzle flash. When Federal Cartridge began producing the updated 175-gr. load—now called the Mk 316 Mod 0 due to being a Navy development—the Crane Center test-fired five lots at 300 yds.; they grouped an impressive 1.75 inches, or 0.58 m.o.a.

Enter The Magnums

American 7.62 mm sniping ammunition reached a new zenith with the Mk 316 Mod 0 cartridge—but it still wasn’t enough. In mountainous Afghanistan, the Taliban rarely engaged at conventional small arms range, safely firing from more than 1,000 meters and withdrawing before air support could arrive. As expressed by G.I.’s in Afghanistan, U.S. snipers needed “ridge-to-ridge” capability—which meant a longer-range round than the Mk 316 Mod 0.

Both U.S. Army Special Forces and Navy Special Warfare units already had a decade’s experience with a 190-gr., .300 Win. Mag. round, developed by the Navy Surface Warfare Center. Designated the Mk 248 Mod 0, the load increased useful range to 1,200 yds.; however, the U.S. Army’s new requirement called for a round effective to 1,500 yds. to replace the M118LR. The Army planned to mate the cartridge with a new sniper rifle, then in development.

Initial focus was on the .338 Lapua Mag., a robust cartridge widely respected for its long-range performance. In Rapid City, S.D., however, Hoffman was taking another look at the .300 Win. Mag. cartridge. In November 2006, he sent a letter to the Navy’s Crane Center, offering at his own expense to examine how it might be improved. “If we were to load a Sierra 220-gr. projectile at 2800 feet-per-second,” Hoffman theorized, “the supersonic range would be increased to about 1,500 yards.”

Further, he suggested, a different propellant could offer temperature stability as demonstrated on the updated M118LR. As well, an additive could reduce muzzle flash.

He acquired a variety of propellants for testing. His Head Ballistician, Glen Hoffman, tested them at temperature extremes of minus 40 to 160° F. Eventually, Hoffman and his Black Hills staff found the right combination of propellant and additives to push a 220-gr. Sierra MatchKing bullet to a muzzle velocity of 2850 f.p.s. with impressive accuracy.

After government testing, that load—the Mk 248 Mod 1—became the new Army sniping round. And true to Hoffman’s estimate, the new round is supersonic to 1,500 yds., where it impacts with 712 ft.-lbs. of energy, just 25 ft.-lbs. less than the .338 Lapua Mag. 250-gr. bullet. The bottom line: the new 220-gr., .300 Win. Mag. load delivers more than double the energy of the M118LR and boosts a sniper’s maximum effective range by 50 percent.

Of significance to the Army, the .300 Win. Mag. load offers “significant cost savings” over the .338 Lapua Mag., while the cartridge is compatible with existing long-action, bolt guns. Thus, the Army’s XM2010 sniper rifle could incorporate the Remington Model 700 action, as it had for the M24 Sniper Weapon System.

Obtaining a batch of Black Hills prototype 220-gr. cartridges, I was able to test this load extensively.

Using a Savage 110BA rifle—which offers the same 1:10-inch rate-of-twist and barrel length as the Army’s XM2010—I fired five-round groups at distances of 700, 800 and 900 yds. It performed consistently and impressively. All groups were sub-minute-of-angle, with a 900-yd., five-round vertical spread of just 5.2 inches.

Federal Cartridge won the competitive bid to produce the Mk 248 Mod 1 round and, despite some requests, Black Hills is not planning to offer this load commercially because it exceeds SAAMI standards for overall length and maximum chamber pressure. The first Remington XM2010 sniper rifles and Mk 248 Mod 1 cartridges were delivered to U.S. forces in Afghanistan in January 2011. Thus far, feedback has been excellent.

.338 Lapua Mag. Sniping Ammunition

The .338 Lapua Mag. has seen limited service with U.S. Special Operations snipers since 1993, and was adopted by the British Army in 2007 for its new L115A1 sniper rifle. British sniper Craig Harrison used this combination of rifle and cartridge for his world record sniper kill in 2009, taking out several Taliban at 2,707 yds. in Afghanistan. Typically weighing about 20 lbs., .338 Lapua Mag.-chambered rifles offer less weight and bulk than those in .50 BMG, but still pack considerable terminal energy, especially against materiel targets and barriers. The U.S. Army’s new 220-gr., .300 Win. Mag. load performs nearly as effectively as the .338 Lapua Mag.’s 250-gr. round.

Because there is no “standard” U.S. or NATO .338 Lapua Mag. load, I test-fired a variety of American and European ammunition for accuracy and terminal effect, which included: Finnish Lapua 250-gr. and 300-gr. Match; Swiss RUAG 250-gr. ball, and 250- and 300-gr. Match loads, along with a glass-penetrating cartridge and 260-gr. armor-piercing round; U.S.-made Black Hills 250-gr. and 300-gr. Match loads; and Hornady 250-gr. and 278-gr. ammunition.

All of the 250-gr. loads consistently printed five-shot groups of less than one m.o.a. when fired in my Savage 110BA rifle, with its 1:9-inch rate-of-twist; the 300-gr. groups opened noticeably, suggesting they prefer a different twist-rate. Of particular note, I fired all five RUAG loads at one target as individual shots; except for the ball round, they grouped less than one m.o.a., meaning a single zero could serve these four different loads.

Testing for barrier penetration, all 11 loads breached a sandbag wall at 400 yds. Reflecting their tremendous kinetic energy, when fired at 90 degrees all of the 250-gr. match bullets—which are open-tipped lead-alloy-core projectiles—punctured 0.4 inches of soft steel at 300 yds. And the RUAG AP round’s tungsten-carbide core readily punched through a 1.4-inch steel plate at 100 yds.
Whether fired for accuracy or for terminal effect, the .338 Lapua Mag. rounds performed impressively; although not destined to be the U.S. Army’s new sniper cartridge, it was this 250-gr. load that set the standard for the .300 Win. Mag, Mk 248 Mod 1 load. With the U.S. Marine Corps looking for a new sniper rifle of its own, the .300 Win. Mag. quite likely is in their snipers’ future, too.

Heckler & Koch MP5 A5 .22 LR

	The HK MP5 is a hardcore submachine gun for operators. The MP5 A5 is just as rugged in its exterior, but since it’s  semi-auto and chambered in .22 LR, shooters can actually afford to pull the trigger.   By Guy Saggi

 Looks can be deceiving, and the wisdom of that motherly advice is underscored by the commando-tough appearance of the Heckler & Koch-licensed MP5 A5 .22 LR. Manufactured in Germany and distributed by Walther Arms, beneath its flat-black and rugged exterior beats the gentler, kinder heart of a budget-conscious blowback rimfire.

Sure, lots of lawful citizens have neutralized criminal threats with a .22 LR-chambered firearm, but this version has some intimidating cosmetics that do a good job making you think it’s a genuine 9 mm submachine gun. The fake suppressor, for example, caught my grandson off guard. He thought the non-functioning “can,” which is 7 7/8 inches long and 1.38 inches in diameter, was real. It cannot be removed, so the integral unit makes the overall barrel length officially 16.2 inches (so no federal stamp is required to take the gun home), although the rifling runs for only 13.78 inches.

The sights are equally convincing. A rotating diopter rear sight offers four different-size apertures, from a geezer-friendly .23-inch-diameter opening, to the more tack-driving .10. It’s both windage and elevation adjustable with the provided Allen wrench, and the metal construction makes it rugged enough for abuse. Rotate far enough in either direction and this sight will top or bottom out, so don’t be surprised if it happens. During testing the unit held zero, and adjustment was quick and easy. A protective metal circle with an interior diameter of .70 inch surrounds the front post sight. Its walls are .11-inches thick, so don’t expect them to succumb to daily abuse anytime soon. The setup makes finding the front sight an effortless and fast affair, even during fast-firing drills. The post itself is .067-inch wide and the MP5 A5 .22 LR ships with an identical-width replacement that is .056 inch taller. Both posts are also made of metal to survive the rigorous use for which this rig begs, and swap-out is simple by loosening the post with the Allen wrench, backing it out of its dovetail and reversing to install the new version.

If you’re an AR-15 fan and haven’t handled a gun like this, the stock may seem a bit clunky. This design is a product of the mid 1960s, when the real MP5 came off the drawing board and fell into the hands of operators across the globe. So there are two positions, collapsed and extended. That’s it.

Fully extended, the overall length of the gun is 32.5 inches. Collapsed, it’s a more transportable 26.5. The “stock” itself is composed of two, stout metal ribs that slide along both sides of the receiver.

When locked in the collapsed position, it’s solid and there is no rattle. Fully extended and locked there’s a slight bit of vertical movement—it’s annoying at first, but bear in mind this is, after all, a .22 LR lookalike, not a crisis-intervention tool. Besides, most of the originals had the same nuance. To alter stock position, a large knob (with a generous paddle that is 3/4 inches long to give you plenty of leverage) at the back and bottom of the receiver is rotated clockwise to unlock the mechanism. Push or pull the stock to deploy or collapse and once the paddle is released lockup is solid.

There isn’t a ton of polymer on this gun, but the stock’s butt is one such item. It’s shaped nicely to fit your shoulder, has texturing to ensure it stays put once shooting begins, and the hard, non-sticky injection-molded piece looks stout enough to take a beating.

Adding to the MP5 realism is an H&K logo and “MP5” stamped into the left side of the cast-aluminum receiver. That’s somewhat mitigated on the right side, where markings indicate the firearm was imported for Umarex and the mag well states the gun was manufactured by Carl Walther in Germany. That’s the ejection side anyway, so it’s doubtful anyone will see it when you’re on the firing line.

The non-reciprocating charging handle is on the left side of the receiver, further forward than most .22 LRs (above the fore-end). Its shape and texturing made it a breeze to use at the range, and it can be locked back (by pushing up at its full rearward travel) to show clear at the range. That also means you can perform that “Hollywood cool” reload, where you toss in a fresh mag, slam the charging handle with the heel of your hand and get back into the fight. The fact that my grandson was particularly fond of that maneuver proves he’s watched too many action movies.

Drift out a non-captive pin and the fore-end comes off easily. Disassembly is similarly effortless at the back end of the receiver, although bolt removal for a full scrubbing was a bit cumbersome. With familiarity it will become routine and fast. The Navy-style pistol grip, fore-end and charging handle are all polymer. Metal sling-attachment points are found up front (on the left side of the barrel, at the bottom of the front-sight assembly) and at the back end of the receiver (also on the left). These are old-school versions, so don’t expect to rig up quickly with your QD gear.

Perhaps the only complaint I have with the Heckler & Koch MP5 A5 .22 LR is the trigger. It’s a blowback-operated .22 LR, so my hopes weren’t high. Let-off weight averaged 6 3/4  pounds, which is acceptable for a gun whose primary mission is plinking, but there’s enough take-up that I considered homesteading somewhere along the line. It measured .14 inch at the bottom of the trigger, which doesn’t seem like a lot until you’re behind it and considering all the mineral rights you’re passing by. Yes, it’s not a bad safety thing since young shooters will flock to this gun and its economy, but then there’s the creep. It’s all survivable, and easy to get accustomed to, but after looking at the rest of the gun’s features it took me by surprise.

The fit and finish of this gun are very nice. It has an ambidextrous manual safety, and although the single, push-button magazine release is on the right side, a paddle behind the mag well performs the same function with equal aplomb from both sides. Reloads were a breeze on the polymer magazine.

The test rifle shipped with a 25-round version, although 10-round mags are available.

How does it shoot? It’s a .22 LR, so the real question is how fun is it to shoot? Let’s put it this way, I thought my 16-year-old grandson was going to run my rimfire supply dry. Were it not for the intervention of an unexpected downpour, I would be out of .22 LR. And even then, he didn’t surrender the firearm until after 30 minutes of drenching rain. I waited until he and the storm left, then I went back to shooting. It’s that fun.

Using three different test loads, there were no stoppages or malfunctions of any kind. Not too many new rimfire semi-automatics can make the same claim. At 50 yards (from a sandbagged rest), Remington’s 40-grain Target load had a five consecutive, five-shot group average of 1.718 inches.

The best group was 1.463 inches, and with the relatively short sight radius and thick front post, that’s decent accuracy. It only gets better. CCI’s 40-grain Mini-Mag HV averaged 1.612 inches and Norma’s 40-grain .22 LR Match load came in at 1.345 inches. One Norma group printed .809 inch. That’s not MOA accuracy at 50 yards, but awfully impressive for a rimfire made to look like, shoot like and feel like a submachine gun.

No, it probably won’t free hostages, support the toppling of a communist regime or storm beaches, but it will make you smile without breaking the bank. And that, alone, makes the Umarex Heckler & Koch MP5 A5 .22 LR worth a close look.

Manufacturer: Walther Arms, hk22rimfire.com
Model: Heckler & Koch MP5 A5 .22 LR
Caliber: .22 LR
Finish: Anodized black
Action: Blowback
Receiver: Cast aluminum
Rifling: Six grooves, 1:13.75” twist
Barrel: 16.2”
Magazine: 25 round (10-round version also available)
Sights: Variable diopter rear adjustable for windage and elevation, windage adjustable front blade
Trigger: Single stage, 6 3/4 lb. let-off weight
Weight: 6 lbs., 2.5 ozs. with empty magazine
Accessories: Owner’s manual, cable lock, disassembly tool, Allen wrench for rear sight adjustment, extra front sight blade
Suggested Retail Price: $475

Truck Guns

Keeping a rifle on hand in your vehicle for emergencies is a good idea.                         

By Steve Adelmann
                      

We live in times that generate a lot of interesting gun talk. It seems every contingency-based subject is covered in blogs, articles, over gun shop counters, on shooting ranges and even around dinner tables. I hear a lot of talk these days about “truck guns.” The concept of an emergency firearm kept in a vehicle is nothing new, but frequently hearing it from the mouths of a healthy cross section of our citizenry is—to me anyway.
 A common theme when discussing this utilitarian class of guns goes something like this: “I don’t need to drive nails with this thing. It’s my truck gun and I just want it to be handy and to work when I need it.” Technically speaking, a truck gun can be any firearm legally stored in a vehicle and on-hand in case of an emergency. You don’t have to own a truck or even an SUV, and only you can determine which type of firearm will work best for your situation. Said crisis could be anything from the benign task of putting down a road-injured animal to the extreme situation of fighting your way home if the seams of society suddenly come undone. While city folk may laugh at such notions, those living outside suburban America know these are among the many scenarios where a traveling gun may come in handy. I’ll focus specifically on long arms here, because in the worst-case scenarios we want to avoid getting into a protracted fight armed only with our concealed handgun.                               

                          

A truck gun should be lightweight, portable and able to serve various purposes in a pinch. It must be reliable, use common ammunition and be capable of keeping multiple threats well beyond arm’s length. The right gun will depend on many factors: budget, vehicle type, location, familiarity, etc. I decided on a rifle and used my own “what-if” analysis to determine the best solution. If I were on the road—somewhere more than a couple hours from home—and suddenly had to deal with any threat preventing me from getting back, I would want a fighting rifle in my hands. For my purposes that turned out to be an AR, but a lever-action .30-30 Win., an old surplus Mauser or even a fourth-generation, single-shot rifle will serve well in a variety of circumstances—certainly better than a tire iron and a can of pepper spray.

I drive a 3/4-ton truck, so finding a place to keep a rifle of any size is easy. However, if your prime mover is a two-seater with a matchbox-sized trunk, then compactness will be the order of the day. A carbine with a folding or collapsible stock and little in the way of attachments may make good sense in that case. I decided my truck gun should be configured as trim and light as possible, and since my existing ARs were anything but streamlined, I built one for just this purpose. I used the lightest components I could find, including a carbon-fiber free-float tube, three-prong A1-style flash hider, pencil-thin barrel and the smaller, four-position collapsible CAR stock. The result was a very slick carbine weighing in at just over 5 pounds, unloaded. I added Trijicon’s RX01 reflex sight, an old nylon sling and a SureFire X300 light to round out the package. In doing so, I departed from my normal compulsion—to make every rifle I build shoot as accurately as possible—in favor of portability. It prints 2-inch groups with good surplus 5.56 NATO “green tip” ammo and 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards with match loads. This is a get-out-of-trouble gun, not a sniper rifle.

Several considerations need addressing when deciding to carry a long gun in your vehicle. Foremost is safety. Since this is a gun that won’t be on your body or in your immediate control, it should be unloaded. Even if retained in a rack or case, it will likely be oriented sideways at folks driving alongside or passing you in either direction. Having a round chambered in any firearm not directly in your control is simply a recipe for disaster. You must also ensure you don’t violate any federal, state or local laws by having a firearm in certain locations. Places like schools and some government property either prohibit outright or heavily restrict the transportation and possession of firearms.

Learn the law and abide by it so you don’t lose the right to possess a gun. Another concern is how to best carry and store a rifle or shotgun. A soft case behind the seat of a pickup or in the trunk usually works well. However SUVs, vans and other vehicles without hidden storage space will require less-conspicuous packaging.

Remember: in extremely hot and cold environments, your truck gun will experience temperature and humidity swings as you cool or heat the passenger area. Keep any parts that are likely to rust—especially blued and Parkerized surfaces—well oiled or use a rust-inhibiting storage container.

Check your rifle every so often to ensure it remains functional. Lastly, consider the best means to carry extra ammunition in the event you’re forced to go on foot. A purpose-built ammo satchel, surplus load-bearing vest or small pack will do the trick, and be sure to leave room for other survival essentials. Some soft rifle cases can be configured as a backpack, allowing you to carry the rifle, ammunition and other small items in a somewhat concealed fashion.

Not everyone needs a special firearm in their vehicle, and those who do may not carry one all the time. But, for long road trips or if venturing out when things are looking bleak, a truck gun may be the extra insurance needed to provide you with peace of mind, and more.

FNH USA A5 M Special Police Rifle

 

When I first picked up FNH USA’s FN A5 M Special Police Rifle (SPR), my mind flashed back to the last time I went to the gym, which was a long time ago.

By Ed Friedman                    

Weighing in at close to 12 pounds without a scope, this is not a rifle I’d want to hump up a mountain. But, as its name implies, this rifle was designed for law enforcement use, which means elevators or short trips up a few flights of stairs rather than extended hikes through rough terrain. And for that—or any use where the rifle won’t be carried for long periods—it excels in both form and function. (For more detailed photos of the FNH USA A5 M Special Police Rifle, go here.)
 Part of FNH USA’s SPR family, which includes four platforms in a variety of finishes, barrel lengths and chamberings, the A5 M SPR is the most tricked out of the bunch. It has a McMillan matte-black fiberglass stock with an adjustable cheekpiece, an almost vertical grip profile, extreme texturing on the gripping surfaces and a wide, tapered fore-end with a flat underside for easy shooting off a rest. If range bags or benchrests aren’t in your plans, there is a steel bipod-mounting stud that looks like a traditional sling swivel stud—it isn’t. Well, it is, but the stock has four flush-mounted sling attachment points (two on each side of the buttstock and fore-end). This is quite simply the finest precision-style stock I have come across, which is hardly surprising given the source.

 

The A5 M’s action is based on the pre-1964 Winchester Model 70. If you’re not into hunting rifles, that is the equivalent of a song based on pre-Sammy Hagar Van Halen. In other words, it’s based on what many consider the finest bolt-action ever designed prior to the company’s fateful decision to alter it for the worse by bringing in a guy known primarily for his solo work and singing about speed limits. Perhaps I’m mixing metaphors, but the pre-’64 Model 70 is a fine thing upon which to base a bolt gun. Among the kept pre-’64 features are a claw extractor and controlled-round feeding. Blade ejection allows the shooter to control where his spent brass lands, which is great for reloaders.

Made from forged steel, the receiver has a flat surface on the bottom, which provides added surface area for bedding and increased rigidity. A mil-std 1913 rail with a built-in 20-MOA cant is mounted on top for mounting optics. Since the A5 M is available in .308 Win. and .300 WSM, the receiver and action are short-magnum-length models. A very Model 70-esque three-position safety is located where it would be on…a Model 70. The trigger is a two-stage, adjustable variant—my .308 Win. test rifle had a pull-weight of just more than 5 pounds, so I didn’t see any reason for adjustment.

The rifle’s fire controls are very easy to operate.

The rifle feeds via a detachable, four-, five- or 10-round box magazine in .308 Win. and a hinged-floorplate magazine holding three rounds in .300 WSM. The five- and 10-round variants are known as the Tactical Box Magazine (TBM) and will not fit in the four-round (DBM) model’s bottom metal assembly owing to a different latching mechanism. I found the TBM magazine difficult to load at first, but it got easier after a few tries.

Running the bolt is effortless, thanks to fine craftsmanship and a knurled bolt knob which was easy to grab, even with sweaty hands induced by high temperatures when I tested the SPR. FNH USA is offering the A5 M with either a 20- or 24-inch hammer-forged, fluted, free-floated barrel with a recessed muzzle crown and hard-chromed bore.

You may be noticing a pattern in the features described above. Everything on this rifle was included and designed with one thing in mind: accuracy. The law enforcement sniper may not need to take out an RPG-wielding jihadist from several kilometers, but failing to precisely place a shot could very easily cost innocent lives—perhaps more so than for a military marksman. Therefore, FNH USA’s attention to detail on the SPR is vital for the rifle’s ability to fulfill its mission.

The author found loading the TBM magazine a bit difficult at first, but it became easier with practice.

And the A5 M SPR did not disappoint. I took the rifle to the range with loads from DoubleTap, Hornady and Nosler Custom. The 24-inch barrel seemed to prefer heavier weight bullets, turning in its best averages with 168-grain offerings. Lightweight Hornady TAP bullets shot—for the most part—sub-MOA groups and achieved extremely fast velocities.

No matter the tested load, the rifle performed better than the shooter on a blistering, humid day.

For a role where accuracy is everything, the SPR is supremely able. Matched with a quality scope and a well-trained marksman, it will easily deliver groups beyond what most shooters—myself included—are capable of replicating. Such precision comes at a price, however, with the A5 M running from $2,895 in the DBM configuration, to $3,049 for a 20-inch-barreled TBM model to $3,149 for a TMB with a 24-inch barrel. While that is certainly a chunk of change for a bolt gun, it is actually on the low end for high-quality sniper-style rifles. My one complaint is the $154 price difference between the DBM and TBM models and the $100 difference between the two TBM offerings. That seems like a lot of money for one to six rounds and four inches of barrel, respectively.

My advice would be to splurge on the DBM model and recognize that you won’t need a 10-round mag because your target will fall on the first shot from this hyper-accurate rifle.



Manufacturer: FNH USA; (703) 288-1292
Action Type: Bolt-action
Caliber: .308 Win. (tested), .300 WSM
Capacity: Four, five (tested) or 10 rounds
Barrel: 20 or 24 inches (tested); fluted, free-floating; hard-chromed bore
Rifling: 4 grooves; 1:12-inch RH twist
Finish: Matte black
Stock: McMillan A5 with adjustable cheekpiece, and vertical pistol grip
Trigger Pull Weight: 5 pounds, 3 ounces
Length: 40 inches (20-inch barrel); 43.5 to 45 inches (24-inch barrel)
Weight: 11 pounds, 5 ounces (20-inch barrel); 11 pounds, 13 ounces (24-inch barrel)
Accessories: One magazine, manual, safety lock, record book
MSRP: $2,895 (DBM), $3,049 (TBM and 20-inch barrel), $3,149 (TBM and 24-inch barrel; tested)

Moving with a Carbine

 

Moving is part of fighting, and should be done with practiced care.

By Jim Wilson

    2/1/2013

Movement should be a critical part of any defensive plan. However, some serious thought should go into the techniques used when moving and shooting a carbine or, in fact, any defensive firearm. The problem is that we train on a square range, which is usually nice and flat and devoid of any obstacles that can trip us up. In the real world, we have to deal with uneven ground surfaces that can be strewn with all sorts of objects that can get in our way. For this reason, some thought should be devoted as to how we can move effectively and quickly.
Another concern regarding movement is that improper movement can spoil our aim. Since it is often a good idea to lay down a covering fire as you move to new, or better, cover, accurate fire is critical. Conventional walking, or running, can really cause the gun sights to dance around. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize this.


When moving forward, we often suggest that the shooter use the “Groucho method.” Unfortunately, many younger shooters don't have a clue who Groucho Marx was, let alone have ever seen one of his old movies and his distinctive style of walking. So let me explain the technique as it applies to the defensive shooter.

The shooter stands in the modern defensive posture, with the body leaning slightly forward, knees bent just a bit and feet about a body-width apart. To move forward, one simply maintains this athletic posture and steps out with the heel contacting the ground first, followed by the toe of the foot. Heel and toe, heel and toe, is the way to proceed and keep the sights on the target. Keeping the knees slightly bent is an important part of this maneuver.

To move to the side, one maintains the defensive posture and takes a regular step to the side with the lead foot (the foot closest to the direction of intended travel), while the other foot takes about a half step in the same direction. Using this method, a defensive posture is always maintained and one avoids the mistake of allowing the feet to ever be close together. With the feet close together, it is much easier to lose your balance and/or be knocked down. It also keeps you from crossing your legs, which is a good way to get tripped up. As you move to the side, the thought should be “Big Step, Little Step.”

If at all possible, moving backward should be avoided. The more you move backward, with eyes on the threat, the greater the chance of ending up flat on your back. Still, backward movement may sometimes be necessary.

To move backward effectively, the stepping technique is reversed from that of the forward movement. We step back with the toe of our foot and then bring the heel down. This movement should be accomplished as slowly and easily as possible, allowing the toe of your foot time to detect any objects that might be in the way. It is also important to know if the ground behind you is about to fall away, or rise.

A good way to practice this movement technique is to start on a square range with an unloaded carbine. In fact, an unloaded carbine is critically important until one gets the movements down.

The drill is simply to move in a square while keeping the carbine sights on a target. As you move forward, it's heel and toe. Moving backwards, it is toe and heel. Moving sideways, the method is big step—little step. And always remember to keep the body in the defensive posture, leaning slightly forward with the knees slightly bent.

Once you have practiced this method with an unloaded carbine and feel comfortable with it, it is time to try the exercise with live fire. Just remember to move slowly, think about what you are trying to accomplish and keep safety foremost in your mind.

After this drill feels comfortable to you, it is time to try it in the confines of your home. Again, your wife and family will appreciate the fact that your carbine is empty during practice. Maneuver around the rooms of your house. See what it's like to have to deal with furniture, the kids’ toys, rugs, the family pet and whatever other obstacles that present themselves. You will probably quickly realize that moving with your carbine is not as easy as you might think.
Practice will help you get the techniques down. And, obviously, the same techniques work just fine for the times that you might be armed with a pistol or shotgun.
In the real world, we may have to move forward to the aid of a family member, or back up to create distance from the threat. And we may have to move to one side or the other to take advantage of protective cover. Keeping our sights and eyes on the threat, while moving safely and effectively is the goal. It just takes a little practice.