2012年04月15日
Norwegian Kommandos
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Special operations units with tenacity rivaling that of their Viking ancestors!
This Kommando secures an LZ with his C8 carbine, featuring an Aimpont optical sight.
During the Cold War, Norway was the northern flank of NATO, vulnerable to an invasion by the Soviet Union. If the Soviets came south, Norwegian troops, especially the special forces troops, would have attempted to delay the advance until NATO reinforcements in the persons of British Royal Marine Commandos, Dutch Marines, and U.S. Marines arrived. With the end of the Cold War, Norwegian special ops troops retained varied missions including countering terrorism. Currently, Norwegian special operations capability rests with four units.
Norwegian Kommandos come ashore ready for action, sporting HK G36 rifles and an AG36 grenade launcher in winter camo paint.
The Haerens Jegerkommando, generally known as the HJK, in one form or another has been in existence since 1962. In addition to having certain troops assigned to units within the HJK, it also serves as the Army Special Forces Command and the training cadre for other Norwegian special ops units. Based at Elverumn in southeast Norway, HJK has a headquarters unit, a parachute unit — which is assigned both airborne missions and training duties for all of the Norwegian armed forces — and a Spesialjegere (commando) unit. Within the parachute unit is a pathfinder platoon which functions as a reconnaissance unit and also trains other recon troops.
Deployed to protect the frigid fjords that make up Norway’s coastline, a Norwegian Coastal Ranger takes aim with his HK G36 as his boat speeds towards the shore.
Closely related to the HJK are the Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK), to the extent that Norwegian special forces are often referred to as FSK/HJK. However, FSK has a distinct counter-terrorist mission to protect Norway’s offshore oil platforms, counter hijackings, and carry out hostage rescue operations. FSK has worked closely with U.S. Delta Force and the British SAS, including missions in Afghanistan. On certain barricade or hostage incidents, the Norwegian police will call in FSK.
By Leroy Thompson, Images by Forsvaret Photos
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2012年04月15日
Rockriver Arms PDS 5.56mm
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Piston-Driven Systems in pistol and carbine form taking the battlefields by storm!
Rock River Arms has developed a carbine and pistol chambered for 5.56mm using their proprietary Piston-Driven System (PDS). Several items make the PDS unique, such as the matte black, hard polymer handguards and the full-length Mil-Std-1913 rail running from where the gas block traditionally would be back to the rear of the upper receiver. It is underneath this rail that the operating system is housed.
Gas piston versus direct gas-impingement is a topic currently dominating the AR world. Some are embracing the new piston guns while others view it as an answer to an unasked question. Whichever side you take, the fact remains that there are high-quality rifles in both camps.
The majority of AR platform manufacturers have taken the “op rod/piston” route replacing the gas tube assembly and carrier key on the bolt carrier. These carbine-sized guns on the outside are virtually identical to their gas-impingement counterparts. The lower receivers are unmodified with the same buffer tube assembly being used.
When Rock River Arms (RRA) decided to throw their hat in the gas piston ring they didn’t want to simply copy something that was already out there. They wanted their piston system to be unique. I believe they have accomplished that mission.
The absence of the traditional operating system means that no buffer assembly is required, allowing the addition of a side-folding stock on the carbine.
Two new firearms chambered for 5.56mm have been released with RRA’s Piston-Driven System (PDS) — a carbine and pistol. Several items make the PDS unique; the first thing that most shooters will notice are the handguards. These matte black, hard polymer grips are specially designed to mate with the new operating system.
The next item of note is the full-length Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny rail running from where the gas block traditionally would be back to the rear of the upper receiver. It is underneath this rail that the operating system is housed.
To work the bolt you will use an ambidextrous charging handle located out in front, above the forward portion of the handguard. The charging handle folds against the side of the gun when not in use and is “non-reciprocating.” It is not affixed to the operating rod so it does not run back and forth when the gun cycles. Out front on the right side of the gun is a two-stage, adjustable gas regulator. You can adjust it with the tip of a round and a coin or flat-head screwdriver.
Inside the rail you’ll find the operating rod and recoil spring. The bolt and bolt carrier are not interchangeable with a standard AR. The absence of the tradition operating system means that no buffer assembly is required. For the PDS pistol this mean a clean, pistol-like profile without that odd looking, naked buffer tube sticking out the back. On the carbine this allows the addition of a side-folding stock.
The PDS Carbine’s two-position adjustable regulator is found on the right side of the regulator housing and features a Picatinny rail for attaching any number of accessories.
Of course there are many similarities to the modern AR rifle. The lower receiver accepts all M16/AR-15 magazines. The controls: manual safety lever, bolt catch, magazine release button and trigger are all stock AR. Speaking of triggers, RRA has installed their excellent two-stage trigger, one of the finest factory versions you can get.
The retractable stock on the carbine model is a normal M4 variety. For pistol grips, RRA has installed the comfortable Hogue finger groove model. Out front at the business end you’ll find the familiar A2 flash suppressor. Both the pistol and carbine have takedown and pivot pins identical to your standard AR, connecting the upper and lower receivers.
Carbine Details
The PDS Carbine’s matte black, hard polymer handguards are specially designed to mate with the new operating system and ribbed for a comfortable grip.
Let’s take a second to address the specifics of the carbine version. First of all RRA has installed a 16-inch chrome moly barrel with a 1-in-9-inch twist. The overall length of the gun with the stock folded is only 26 inches. with the stock extended it is 37.5 inches.
By Paul Markel, Images by Steve Woods
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2012年04月15日
Halo Arms Maximus .50 BMG
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Ultimate hybrid system, competition accuracy with military ruggedness, bringing down hardened targets!
A .50 BMG rifle is an essential law enforcement tool, and the Halo Maximus has some unique features that set it apart from most other .50 BMG rifles. The Maximus is manufactured almost entirely of aluminum alloy and steel, which comprises the barrel, receiver, bolt, fire control components and a few other elements.
When police special tactical units are evaluated by the Department of Homeland Security, the presence or absence of a .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) caliber precision rifle is a critical rating factor. While a .50 BMG caliber rifle may seem to be overkill in an urban or even rural environment, there are scenarios in both environments when nothing else will do. Subjects barricaded behind barriers that are impervious to smaller caliber firearms can be defeated with a .50 caliber rifle. For instance, situations where terrorists have taken over the cockpit of an airliner can be alleviated only by using a .50 caliber rifle, since the windscreens of commercial jet aircraft are designed to resist impacts much like those of smaller caliber rifle bullets. In facilities where bullet-resistant glass is present, such as banks, only a .50 BMG caliber rifle can eliminate threats.
Thus, while some might consider a .50 BMG rifle unnecessary in law enforcement, the opposite is true. A .50 BMG rifle is an essential law enforcement tool. Although situations calling for a .50 BMG caliber rifle are relatively rare, when a situation occurs where a .50 BMG caliber rifle is necessary, it is too late to have a SWAT team precision tactical marksman qualified in the use of the big rifle. Unlike the famous LA Shootout where officers borrowed semi-automatic small caliber rifles from sporting goods stores, .50 BMG rifles aren’t very common, even in gun stores. In addition, if a situation arises where a .50 BMG rifle is to be employed, the responsible team member must be thoroughly qualified to use it and must maintain his proficiency so that when the worst happens, the team .50 BMG rifle can be employed without fear of legal repercussions due to training or proficiency issues.
The Halo Maximus uses a BAT Machine receiver and locks via two massive lugs at the front, spaced opposite from each other. The bolt handle can be considered as safety lug, and the Maximus’ bolt operation was butter-smooth right from the box.
Because a firearm without ammunition is no more than a very expensive club, this is another factor in the use of a .50 BMG rifle since ammunition of various types has decidedly different characteristics. All .50 BMG ammunition is capable of defeating targets that would withstand even the most potent bullets of smaller calibers, but the team leader must choose his ammunition with just as much care as he did the team rifle. Commonly available .50 BMG ammunition includes M2 and M33 ball, M2 armor-piercing (AP), M8 armor-piercing incendiary (API), armor-piercing match from Anthena and plain commercial match ammunition. Mark 211 API is also available to law enforcement, but this most potent API has behind target incendiary effects that probably aren’t desirable for law enforcement purposes.
Of commercially available US military ammo, M8 API is generally considered to be the most accurate, although if used operationally, the incendiary effect must be taken into consideration. The Army has begun purchasing a match-grade round for its M107 rifles. This round is currently designated the XM1022 and is made by Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. The design is similar of the Anthena armor piercing ammunition tested herein, but without the armor-piercing penetrator. I recommend match-grade ammunition that will defeat hard targets. For tough targets, Anthena AP match ammunition imported by Drake Associates probably represents the best balance of accuracy and terminal effects, although it is expensive. I have fired Anthena AP Match bullets against inch-thick armor steel at 300 meters distance and not only did every round penetrate with enough behind armor effect to be lethal, the three-round groups we fired could be covered with the palm of our hand. In one group, two rounds were actually touching. The Anthena AP has been ordered in large quantities (over 5,000 rounds) by a major U.S. police department for harbor protection and is in use by several federal law enforcement agencies.
The Halo Maximus’ weight is one factor that contributes to the lack of felt recoil, but more important is the rifle’s aggressive muzzle brake, which counters recoil by essentially pulling the rifle forward as the bullet leaves the muzzle.
When it comes to rifles suitable for law enforcement use against hard targets, the selection is limited. One of these is the Halo Arms Maximus, which is a large rifle—but when dealing with a cartridge that launches a half-inch diameter bullet weighing as much as 750 grains at nearly 3,000 feet per second (fps), the rifle that shoots it is also going to be big—and heavy. The Maximus is nearly 5 feet in length with a standard 30-inch chrome molybdenum steel barrel. A carbine version with 22-inch barrel is also available.
By Charlie Cutshaw, Images by Doug Richardson
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