Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol (Germany)

Heckler Koch HK P11 underwater pistol (Germany)

Heckler-Koch HK P11 underwater pistol, left side

Front view on the five-shot barrel cluster of the HK P11 underwater pistol. Note that all barrels are fired and seals penetrated.

Type	Single Action multi-barrel
Caliber(s)	7.62mm underwater
Weight unloaded	about 1200 g
Length	200 mm
Barrel length	n/a
Magazine capacity	5 rounds in disposable barrel cluster

The HK P11 is one of the least known weapons to emerge from the Heckler & Koch factory. Developed during the early 1970s to arm frogmen (combat divers), this weapon is apparently in use with the Navies of Germany, Italy, France, Norway, the UK and the USA. This highly unusual weapon is probably the only serious rival to the Soviet underwater pistol, which appeared in late 1960s. The P11 and its ammunition is somewhat bulkier than its Soviet counterparts (the SPP-1M), but, on the other hand, the P11 has one round more capacity and a larger caliber, probably resulting in better lethality.

The HK P11 pistol is mainly unusual in the fact that it is not self-loading. Instead, it uses a quick-detachable cluster of five barrels, each factory-loaded with a powder charge and long, needle-like, drag-stabilized projectile. The pistol is reloaded by the replacement of an entire barrel cluster. In combat, the empty clusters are discarded, in training these are collected and later sent back to factory for reloading. Loaded barrels are protected from salt water by thin diaphragms, which are destroyed by the fired bullet at the instant of firing. Powder charges in each barrel are ignited using electricity, provided by two 9-Volt batteries, stored in a sealed container in the grip of the pistol. The effective range underwater depends on the depth, and is about 15 metres near to the surface. Above the water, the effective range is quoted as being around 30 metres, and while long and relatively heavy bullets can be lethal at longer ranges, the chances of hitting any target beyond the given range is minimal. This is because the barrels are not rifled, and bullets are not stabilized in the air, thus tumbling and yawing in flight through the air.
Heckler-Koch HK P11 underwater pistol, left side

Front view on the five-shot barrel cluster of the HK P11 underwater pistol. Note that all barrels are fired and seals penetrated.

Type	Single Action multi-barrel
Caliber(s)	7.62mm underwater
Weight unloaded	about 1200 g
Length	200 mm
Barrel length	n/a
Magazine capacity	5 rounds in disposable barrel cluster

The HK P11 is one of the least known weapons to emerge from the Heckler & Koch factory. Developed during the early 1970s to arm frogmen (combat divers), this weapon is apparently in use with the Navies of Germany, Italy, France, Norway, the UK and the USA. This highly unusual weapon is probably the only serious rival to the Soviet underwater pistol, which appeared in late 1960s. The P11 and its ammunition is somewhat bulkier than its Soviet counterparts (the SPP-1M), but, on the other hand, the P11 has one round more capacity and a larger caliber, probably resulting in better lethality.

The HK P11 pistol is mainly unusual in the fact that it is not self-loading. Instead, it uses a quick-detachable cluster of five barrels, each factory-loaded with a powder charge and long, needle-like, drag-stabilized projectile. The pistol is reloaded by the replacement of an entire barrel cluster. In combat, the empty clusters are discarded, in training these are collected and later sent back to factory for reloading. Loaded barrels are protected from salt water by thin diaphragms, which are destroyed by the fired bullet at the instant of firing. Powder charges in each barrel are ignited using electricity, provided by two 9-Volt batteries, stored in a sealed container in the grip of the pistol. The effective range underwater depends on the depth, and is about 15 metres near to the surface. Above the water, the effective range is quoted as being around 30 metres, and while long and relatively heavy bullets can be lethal at longer ranges, the chances of hitting any target beyond the given range is minimal. This is because the barrels are not rifled, and bullets are not stabilized in the air, thus tumbling and yawing in flight through the air.

Steyr GB (Austria)

Steyr GB


Steyr GB - cut-out drawing

Type: Double Action
Chamber: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum
Weight: 845 g empty; 1285 g loaed
Length: 216 mm
Barrel length: 136 mm
Capacity: 18 rounds

The development of the GB pistol was started by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG (now Steyr-Mannliher AG), Austria, in the early 1970s, when the Austrian army announced its plans to replace aging P38s and High Powers with the new pistol. Original design, labelled as PI-18, was developed in 1974, and final version, called GB, entered production in 1981. The production of the GB was ceased circa 1988, after some 15.000 to 20.000 pistols had been produced.

The GB is a blowback-operated, gas-retarded blowback semi auto pistol. It uses some of the hot powder gases, feed from the barrel into the front part of the slide, to slow down the retraction of the slide before the bullet leave the barrel. This scheme was developed by German engineer Barnitzke at the end of the WW2. The gas brake is formed by the barrel, its bushing and the slide.
The trigger of the GB is of double action design, with the slide mounted decocker lever. GB also featured firing pin block that unlocks the firing pin only when the trigger is completely depressed.
The frame and the slide is made from carbon steel with special high-strenght finish. Barrel has polygonal rifling and is chrome lined, and solidly attached to the frame.
The sights are fixed and featured white-dot inserts (one in the front sight blade and two - around the rear sights notch).
Some early GBs were manufactured with steel grip panels, with all the rest manufactured with plastic checkered grips.

Thanks to its gas-retarded blowback design and solid weight, that resulted in low felt recoil, and to the barrel with polygonal rifling, that toesn't move when firing, the Steyr GB displayed wery good accuracy. The reliability is also adequate, at least. While the GB failed at the Austrian and USA Army pistol trials (won respectively by Glock 17 and Beretta 92FS-B), it was used by some Law Enforcement and Special Operations forces, and also was sold to civilians in Europe and USA.

Device "D" noiseless grenade launcher / pistol less accessories

Device "D" noiseless grenade launcher / pistol with muzzle launcher cup for grenades and a detachable shoulder stock / holster

Device "D" noiseless grenade launcher / pistol complete with muzzle launcher cup for grenades, detachable shoulder stock / holster and a bipod

9mm PFAM noiseless cartridge, loaded with armor piercing bullet

9mm PMAM noiseless blank cartridge, which is used to propel 30mm BMYa-31 grenade (shown above the cartridge)

Caliber: 9mm / 30mm
Type: single-shot muzzle-loading launcher (with optional 9mm noiseless bullet-firing capability)
Overall length: ~ 400 mm less holster / stock and launcher cup
Weight: ~2.8 kg unloaded, 4.5 kg complete with shoulder stock / holster, launcher cup and bipod
Effective range: up to 300 m
Armor penetration: ~10 mm

The Device "D" (Изделие Д in Russian nomenclature) noiseless grenade launcher / handgun is an unique weapon, which was developed during 1960s or early 1970s for Soviet Spetsnaz forces. One of the main goals of the Spetsnaz at the time (in the case of the outbreak of the 'hot' war in Europe) was to attack and disable / destroy key NATO facilities such as C&C posts, ammunition and fuel storage depots, radar facilities, parked tactical aircrafts, and most important, tactical / medium range ballistic missile launchers. All these targets were relatively 'soft-skinned', so it was estimated that a 30mm projectile could carry enough explosives to penetrate the skin of the vehicle or equipment container and cause enough damage to disable it (i.e. ignite the fuel in the storage tank or make Pershing ballistic missile or fighter-bomber aircraft inoperable). To provide the Spetsnaz operators with maximum stealth, it was decided to make noiseless / flash-less launcher for such projectile, as this would help to hide actual firing position and thus improve chances of getaway. To provide more flexibility for the operators, it was decided to make the weapon dual purpose - it can fire 30mm explosive or incendiary grenades against material targets (aircrafts, fuel tanks, missiles etc) at ranges of up to 300 meters, or 9mm AP bullets against enemy personnel at ranges of up to 200 meters. Designated Device "D" (Изделие Д), this weapon was issued to certain units of Soviet Spetsnaz since ninety seventies, and apparently is still in limited use by elite Russian military Spetsnaz and FSB (former KGB) anti-terrorist units.

The heart of the Device "D" (Изделие Д) weapon complex is the 9mm (9x93) noiseless cartridge, designed along the lines of the smaller 7.62mm (7.62x63) PZ "Zmeya" cartridge. The heavy steel cartridge case holds small powder charge and a piston, which can move inside the case to violently push the projectile out of the case and then jam itself at the case mouth, capturing powder gases (prime source f the gun shot sound and flash) inside the case. There are two types of cartridges intended for use in Device D - the 9mm PFAM "Falanga" cartridge, loaded with AP bullet, and 9mm PMAM "Mundshtuck" cartridge, loaded with pusher rod which transfers the energy of the piston to the separately loaded grenade. The "Falanga" bullet is made of hardened steel with brass driving band at the front. The bullet weight is about 28 gram (432 grains) and the muzzle velocity is about 250 m/s (820 fps). According to available information, PFAM bullet can penetrate 5mm of mild steel at 100 meters. The 30mm grenade, which is used along with 9mm PMAM cartridge, is designated BMYa-31 "Yascheritsa" (Lizard). This projectile is loaded with unspecified amount of explosive or incendiary composition, and can penetrate up to 10mm of steel and then ignite fuel stored inside. BMYa-31 grenade weights about 130 gram (~4.5 oz) and PMAM cartridge propels it out of the muzzle cup launcher with muzzle velocity of about 110 m/s (360 fps). BMYa-31 projectile features pre-engraved rifling and a pusher rod at the rear, which comes into the contact with the piston of the propelling cartridge when gun is fully loaded. Inert grenade projectiles also are available for live fire practice.
The Device D itself is a large, single-shot, bolt action pistol. It is loaded with single cartridge through the opening at the top when bolt is retracted. Once cartridge is placed in the gun, the bolt is pushed forward and then rotated to lock. To provide necessary accuracy when firing a heavy weapon, it can be fitted with detachable shoulder stock / holster and a detachable adjustable bipod. To launch grenades, gun must be fitted with detachable muzzle cup launcher and an additional grenade sight, which is attached to the left side of the gun. Launcher PMAM cartridges are loaded same way as bullet-firing PFAM cartridges, and grenades are loaded into the muzzle cup from the front until locked inside by the spring retainer. Cup launcher is equipped with special manual extractor necessary for unloading of unfired grenades.

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M15A4 C.Q.B Compact Seal (Classic Army)

Price: Rp 5.775.000
Weight: 0

Rail System Flip-Up Rear Sight Real ARMALITE Logo Modified Wiring Switch Individual Serial Number Hi Cap Magazine (300 Rd) Steel Detachable Front Sight Easy Disassembly Metal Body 7mm Bearing Metal & New Design Gear Box Bearing Spring Guide and Piston Head Reinforced Parts (Gear Set and Sealed Cylinder) Battery and charger are not included

Browning M1921 M2 M2HB M2B-QCB heavy machine gun (USA)

John Browning testing his prototype .50 caliber heavy machine gun, circa 1919

Twin AA mount with Browning M2 water-cooled machine guns in action

Browning M2HB air-cooled machine gun on M3 tripod

Browning M2HB-QCB air-cooled machine gun of current manufacture with quick-change barrel, on M3 tripod

Caliber: .50BMG (12,7x99mm)
Weight: 38 kg MG, 58 kg complete with M3 tripod
Length: 1650 mm
Length of barrel: 1140 mm
Feeding: belt
Rate of fire: 450-600 rounds/min

The development of a large-caliber heavy machine gun in USA was initiated in 1918, at the direct request of General Pershing, the commander of the US expeditionary corps in Europe. He requested a heavy gun capable of destroying military aircraft and ground targets such as tanks and armored cars. The task of developing such a gun and ammunition was passed to John Browning (then based at Colt’s factory) and the Winchester Arms Co. respectively. The basic pattern of the new heavy machine gun was sealed in 1921. Officially adopted in 1923 as “machine gun, .50 calibre, M1921”, this water cooled, belt fed gun became the prime AA weapon for the infantry and the navy.
In the year 1930 US Army adopted a slightly modified .50 caliber M1921A1 machine gun, and further work on this gun concentrated on the development of a universal weapon suitable for most roles. The key design changes were made by Dr. Samuel G. Green, who redesigned the basic receiver so it could be used in conjunction with either water-cooled or air-cooled barrels, encased in a water jacket or short perforated sleeve respectively. He also developed a switchable left or right side belt-feeding unit. The US Army adopted the new, improved fifty-caliber machine gun as the M2, in a water-cooled anti-aircraft version, an air-cooled ground mount version and as an aircraft weapon. Since the original air-cooled barrels were too light to provide any degree of sustained fire in ground applications, heavier barrels were soon introduced for the ground-mounted guns, so this weapon became the “M2 Heavy Barrel” or M2HB for short. In 1938 the barrel of the M2HB was lengthened to provide more striking energy and longer range, and in this form the M2HB was made in great numbers during the Second World War. US arms factories turned out a little less than 2 million M2 guns in all versions between 1941 and 1945, of which over 400,000 were made in M2HB configuration for ground use.
After the WW2, .50-caliber Browning guns found a wide acceptance across the world, and today are still widely used as ground and vehicle guns in most of NATO countries and many others. Production of new M2HB guns is continued in USA and Belgium.

Browning M2HB machine gun is belt-fed, air-cooled machine weapon capable of semi-automatic and automatic fire. The M2HB fires from a closed bolt at all times, and uses a short-recoil operated action with a vertically sliding locking block, which rises up to lock the bolt to the barrel extension, and drops down on recoil to unlock the bolt from the barrel. It also has a bolt accelerator, made in the form of a lever located at the bottom of the receiver. Upon recoil, once the barrel is unlocked from the bolt, it strikes the accelerator, so the kinetic energy of the recoiling barrel is quickly transmitted to the bolt, improving the reliability of the weapon. Barrels are screwed into the barrel extension and are not quick-detachable on standard M2HB weapons; furthermore, once the barrel is installed in the weapon, the headspace must be adjusted prior to firing, or the weapon may fail to fire or produce a serious jam. However, quick change barrel (QCB) kits were developed by several companies during the 1970s and 1980s, and every M2HB weapon can be converted to a QCB version with the replacement of only a few parts, including the barrel. The rear part of the barrel is enclosed in a short, tubular, barrel jacket with cooling slots. The back of the receiver houses a bolt buffer, and additional buffer is used to soften the movement of the heavy barrel. On infantry guns, the cocking handle was invariably installed on the right side of the weapon, but slots were made on both sides of the receiver for tank installations which may require a left-side cocking handle.
Browning M2HB machine guns use a disintegrating steel belt, with the feed switchable from one side to the other through the re-installation of certain parts in the feed unit. The belt feed is of the two stage type – every cartridge is first withdrawn from the belt toward the rear by the pivoting extractor lever, attached to the bolt. Once the cartridge is clear of the belt, it is lowered into a T-slot cut into the bolt face, and pushed forward into the barrel. Spent cartridge cases are forced down the T-slot and out of the weapon through an opening at the bottom of the receiver by the following cartridges, or by the pivoting belt extractor lever (for the last cartridge case). A rotary switch is used to select the track for left or right side feed.
Since the gun fires from a closed bolt, it has a separate firing pin, powered by its own spring, and hosted inside the bolt along with the sear and cocking lever. Upon the recoil stroke of the bolt, the cocking lever pulls the firing pin back until it is engaged by the sear. Once the bolt is fully in battery (locked closed), a pull on the trigger raises the trigger bar so it acts on the sear and releases the firing pin. The standard firing controls consist of a push-type thumb trigger and sear release buttons located between the dual spade grips. Alternatively, an electric solenoid trigger can be installed for mounted vehicle applications. The M2HB has an unusual method of providing semi-automatic fire (probably added to the basic design as an afterthought) – it has a bolt latch, which locks the bolt to the bolt buffer in the open position after each shot. Therefore, if gun is fired in semi-automatic mode (single shots), for each shot the operator must first release the bolt forward by pressing the bolt latch release, located next to the thumb trigger (as the gun fires from a closed bolt). After the bolt is released and the gun is loaded, the operator may push the trigger to fire a single bullet. If the automatic mode is desired, the bolt latch must be turned off and locked by turning its lock to the left. In this position it will not engage the bolt and the gun will fire continuously as long as the trigger is pressed. It must be noted that original M2HB guns had no manual safeties; however, the recent M2E2 upgrade, developed by General Dynamics, includes, among other items, an additional manual safety located next to the trigger.
Standard sights consist of a folding blade front and frame-type rear. The rear sight is mounted on the receiver, the front sight is located at the front of the receiver and protected by an arc-shaped sight protector. Additionally, various types of telescopic and night sights can be installed using appropriate mountings.

XM307 ACSW Advanced Crew-Served Weapon / automatic grenade launcher (USA)

XM307 ACSW grenade launcher, front view Image: GDATP XM307 ACSW grenade launcher, rear view Image: PEO Soldier, US Army XM307 ACSW grenade launcher on field trials Image: PEO Soldier, US Army Caliber: 25x59mm Type: gas operated, belt fed automatic grenade launcher Overall length: 1328 mm Weight: 22.7 kg complete with tripod mount and sight / fire control unit Effective range: up to 2000 m against point targets, 3600 m maximum Rate of fire: 250 rounds per minute The origins of the XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon (ACSW), also known as XM307 25mm Airbursting Weapon System, lie in the several military documents, published in USA during late 1980s. These documents stated that current small arms have reached its peak in development, and the only currently possible way to increase combat effectiveness and single-shot lethality of such weapons is do develop new guns that will fire air-bursting munitions with programmable fuses. Following these conclusions, US Army initiated development of several so-called Objective weapons; two most famous of these were XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) and XM307 Objective Crew-Served Weapon (OCSW), currently renamed to Advanced Crew-Served Weapon (ACSW). After much development, the prime contractor for ACSW program was selected as General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP). The development team for ACSW also includes General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (air-bursting ammunition), Kaman Dayron Inc (programmable fuze) and Raytheon (computerized fire control system). First demonstrated in around 1999 as 25mm OCSW, at the present time (early 2006) the XM307 ACSW is on advanced stages of development, with several prototypes already tested with live ammunition, including air-bursting rounds. Initial plans called for first US Army units to be equipped with 25mm M307 ACSW weapons by 2008; M307 shall replace in service the older weapons like Mk.19 Mod.3 40mm grenade launchers and .50 caliber M2HB machine guns. For added versatility, XM307 can be easily converted to fire .50 caliber machinegun ammunition (12.7x99) with replacement of just 5 parts. The key to greatly increased combat effectiveness of ACSW system is programmable air-bursting ammunition, which will be used in conjunction with electronic fire control unit. This ammunition will allow to precisely engage enemy personnel in open or in defilade, without the need for direct impact in the target area. Other types of ammunition proposed for XM307 ACSW are HEAT (with required armor penetration up to 5cm / 2in), less-lethal (with tear gas for peace-keeping applications) and training rounds with dummy warheads. It is obvious that by the year 2008 the XM307 will enter into strong competition with several 40mm air-bursting weapons such as Mk.47 Striker 40, and the outcome of this competition is hardly predictable, as either system has its own merits and downsizes. ACSW is certainly lighter, fires lighter ammunition (allowing to carry more ammo in the same weight), and has longer range. 40mm weapons fire bigger warheads and can use huge stocks of already existing and well developed NATO-standard ammunition of various types, including point-detonating FRAG, HEDP, AP, less-lethal and many others. XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon is gas operated, rotating bolt locked weapon that uses differential recoil system for decreased peak recoil. XM307 is belt fed weapon that fires from open bolt. The differential recoil system means that barrel and bolt group are allowed to recoil within the receiver casing together, against the recoil springs. When weapon is cocked for first shot, bolt is locked open and the entire barrel/bolt group is carried rearwards and also locked there. Upon the pull of the trigger both barrel group and the bolt inside it are released, and the bolt loads the round and locks it in chamber while barrel still moves forward; firing pin is then released immediately, and the recoil from the discharge first has to arrest the forward movement of the barrel group, and then throws it backward with less force than it would in the traditional system with fixed barrel. The belt feed and bolt cycling are operated by conventional gas action. The fire control unit includes zoomable day and night vision channels that output the sight picture to the small display at the rear of the sight. Integral laser range-finder allows for precise range measurement, necessary for automatic point of aim correction and for programming of the air-bursting fuzes. XM307 weapon is fitted with dual, ergonomically shaped spade grips with triggers and fire and sight control buttons. Additional buttons are located at the rear of the sight / fire control unit, below the eyepiece. In standard applications, XM307 can be used either on lightweight infantry tripod, or on vehicle mounts, manually or remotely controlled. For vehicular applications, GDATP will develop the dual feed option, which will allow to select the type of ammunition (anti-personnel HEAB or armour-piercing) at the instant before firing. --

GD LW50MG lightweight .50 caliber machine gun (USA)

Caliber	.50 BMG / 12.7x99
Weight	18 kg (40 lbs) gun + 10 kg (~22lbs) tripod
Length	1562 mm (61.5")
Barrel length	n/a
Feed	belt
Rate of fire	260 rounds per minute

The LW50MG (Lightweight .50 caliber Machine Gun) is the new product of the Armament and Technical products branch of the US-based General Dynamics corporation. This weapon is a direct offspring of the marginally successful XM-307 ACSW / XM-312 program, and current plans are to field first production units of the LW50MG in around 2011. The first US military units to get this highly mobile infantry support weapon are Airborne, Mountain and Special Operations (SOCOM) troops. The primary role of the LW50MG is to augment venerable but overly heavy .50 caliber Browning M2HB machine guns in mobile units. The LW50Mg can provide effective means to combat vehicles (including lightly armored ones), enemy snipers, infantry behind typical urban covers etc.

The design of the LW50MG is based on the recoil-reducing action, developed for 25mm XM-307 ACSW grenade launcher. The barrel is locked by the conventional rotating bolt, which, in turn, is operated by more or less conventional gas system. The bolt group moves within the barrel extension, which, along with the barrel and gas system, can recoil inside the gun housing. The LW50MG fires from the open bolt, and at the moment of fire the recoiling group (barrel, barrel extension, gas system and gas drive) is in its rearmost position, resting against the spring. When trigger is pulled to fire the gun, the barrel group first is released to slam forward. as soon as its acceleration results in sufficient kinetic energy / inertia build-up, the sear is released and the cartridge is fired while barrel/bolt group is still moving forward. Therefore the recoil of the discharge first had to overcome the inertia of the recoiling group, and only then group began to recoil back, compressing the return spring. At the same time gas drive unlocks the bolt, and retracts it within the barrel extension, extracting and ejecting a fired case. This somewhat complicated design results in significantly reduced peak recoil, which allows to lighten both the gun and the mount. The price of this reduction in recoil is complicated (and expensive) construction and low cyclic rate of fire. The feed is using standard .50 caliber metallic belts, from left side only. Current prototypes of LW50MG are fitted with dual spade grips with thumb trigger in between, and installed on special lightweight tripods. Guns are fitted with Picatinny rails on the housing to permit installation of the various sighting and target illuminating / pointing devices and equipment.