full auto

Full-Auto vesus Semi-Auto

I grew up in a family full of Veterans and one of my favorite memories was heading to coffee with my Grandpa Jim and all the other WW2 Vets in town. Hearing the way they bullshitted with each other left a strong impression. Deja Vu set in once I joined the Army, as hearing a group of Rangers (or when near my brother, Marines) bullshit in the modern era doesn’t sound much different at all. Ditto to the few Vietnam Veterans I’ve had the pleasure of hearing stories from. While “shooters preference” may be a common term in training, it leads to the very best of arguments outside of the range.

Such is the nature of the argument of “Full-Auto” versus “Semi-Auto”. There are no brainless politicians in my perfect world, so we’re not mentioning “Fully Semi-Auto”. While every combat Vet I’ve talked with has agreed full-auto has an appropriate time and place for it’s use, there’s a bit of gray area as to just when you’ll want to use it, and as to how much training you’ll need ahead of time to be effective while using it.

Below are two videos covering the old “Full versus Semi” argument. The first if by YouTube user Hickok45 and demonstrates the M4/AR platform at close range, against menacing water jugs. The second video is by the legend Larry Vickers on his YouTube channel Vickers Tactical, where the Delta Force Vet and famous trainer demonstrates the AK platform against three paper targets.

Enjoy and discuss!

-Rex Nanorum

@Rexnanorum

Hardened Arms: Crucible and Linear Muzzle Compensator

TESTED: Hardened Arms SMC

The Hardened Arms SMC is a new muzzle device from Hardened Arms developed with the intent of eliminating muzzle rise on short-barreled and full-auto applications. Below is the description taken directly from the product page:

“Dedicated to innovation Hardened Arms is pleased to bring the HD SMC to the shooting public. Using SMC muzzle redirection technology this muzzle device delivers flat shooting and a linear recoil impulse. Ideal for short barreled and pistol ARs it helps direct the noise down range from the shooter while providing the control only found in traditional two or three chamber muzzle brakes. Available in 1/2-28 and 5/8-24 for your next build its the perfect muzzle device to tame your next short AR build.”

Does it work? Watch the video and tells us what you think!

Grease Gun: Examining the M3/M3A1 Submachine Gun

Compared to most U.S. infantry weapons of World War II, the M3 submachine gun is not especially well known. This is even more remarkable given that it is the longest-serving SMG in U.S. military history, having been used from 1942 to 1992.

The M3’s resemblance to the tool used to lubricate automobiles resulted in its nickname, the “Grease Gun.” Many of those who do recognize the M3 may know it more by that title than its official designation. The M3 has been portrayed onscreen a few times, including the film “The Dirty Dozen” and in HBO’s “Band of Brothers.”

A New Direction

Development of the M3 began in 1941 when the U.S. Army Ordnance Board became interested in an inexpensive, mass-produced submachine gun akin to the British Sten Gun. This in itself was quite a turnaround as, unlike many European armies, the U.S. Army had never really been especially enamored with SMGs. At the time, the U.S. submachine gun was the Thompson, which had been adopted to a large extent because it was available and already in production at the start of the war.

The Thompson was effective but heavy and expensive. Based on a list of requirements submitted by the Army, specs were developed for an all-metal weapon, chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge, capable of either semi- or full-auto fire, having a low cyclic rate and capable of being inexpensively mass produced. The original specifications had offered .30 Carbine as an alternative to .45 ACP, but the pistol caliber was chosen. To save costs, the capability of firing on semi-auto was eliminated, so the M3 could only be fired on full-auto.

Continue reading on Tactical-Life

*Photo courtesy of Tactical-Life/Ken MacSwan

Watch: Full-auto versus Semi-auto accuracy

For those familiar with big names in either modern firearms training or modern Special Operations history, Larry Vickers is well known. Having retired from 1st SFOD- Delta after a long and storied career, Larry has continued to build upon his legacy as both an equipment developer (Hk416, Vickers sling and others) and as a top-flight trainer of shooters. Bottom line, Larry has spent the vast majority of his life around firearms and is extremely proficient.

In this video, our expert takes on the common Hollywood perception that “loud, scary” full-auto fire is exclusively what the pro’s use. This misconception flies in the face of all available military training data and experience. While full-auto does have a (limited) functional role outside the realm of dedicated light and heavy machine guns (such as the M249 SAW and M240); that role is limited and effectiveness is decreased significantly when used outside of it.

Larry takes us through a 15 yard, three target drill with an AK in semi auto, “burst mode” (short bursts of full-auto) and with a full auto mag dump. Check out the results:

Rex Nanorum

@rexnanorum

US Army Releases RFI for New Sub Compact Weapons

Project Manager Soldier Weapons (PM SW) recently issued a RFI through U.S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ) looking for industry feedback on what it calls “Sub Compact Weapons (SCW).”

Details are scant, but according to the RFI, the Army is looking for a weapon chambered in 9x19mm. In addition, the system is described as “full/semi-automatic selectable” with a MIL-STD 1913 rail (Picatinny rail). The service doesn’t just want the weapon itself, either. It’s also looking for magazines, cleaning kits, suppressors, specialized tool kits (if required), spare parts, slings, carrying cases and manuals.

The RFI then outlines a series of questions to which it wants industry to respond.

Continue reading on Tactical-Life

*Photo courtesy of Sig Sauer

Testing the automatic Glock 18 for the CIA

The Glock has long been a favorite pistol brand of mine. I carried the Glock 17 and 19 in the CIA. While I was in South America, the agency asked me to test fire the Glock 18 to determine its suitability for our operating environment. For those who don’t know, the Glock 18 and Glock 17 look similar to the untrained eye. The Glock 18, however, is a full-auto pistol that fires a 9x19mm round.

Before firing my first round through the Glock 18, I was already skeptical of the pistol. I correctly predicted that I wouldn’t maintain a tight shot group while sustaining the 1,200-rounds-per-minute rate of fire. Setting up 10 yards from my target, I inserted a 33-round magazine. I squeezed the trigger back and the pistol hummed.

After the first round, it was useless to try to acquire an accurate sight picture through the rear aperture of the weapon. A few rounds downrange, I hastily adjusted to the point of aim, point of impact tactic just to keep rounds on target. I blew through the high-capacity magazine in mere seconds. My target had about seven rounds that pierced it.

The Glock 18 did not meet one requirement for our area of operations. In my opinion, the only thing that pistol is suited for is making Hollywood movies. I have seen this weapon in other places I deployed and received the same feedback from other operators. The Glock brand is great for me, just not the Glock 18.

Tech Specs: Glock 18 semi-automatic / full-automatic pistol

Country of origin: Austria
Manufacturer: Glock AG – Austria
Initial year of service: 1985Overall length: 186 mm (7.32 in)
Barrel length: 116.00 mm (4.57 in)
Weight (empty): 1.41 lb. (0.64 kg)
Caliber: 9x19mm
Action: Short recoil, select-fire
Feed: 10-, 17-, 19- or 33-round magazine
Muzzle velocity: 1,230 ft. /sec (375 m/sec)
Rate of fire: 1,200 rounds per minute
Range: 165 ft. (50 m; 55 yds.)
Sights: Iron front and rear

Originally published on SOFREP and written by DREW DWYER

*Photo courtesy of MoreFPSRussia Youtube channel