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Sal Palma

Strikemark’s Digital Camera Picatinny Rail Mount

Strikemark based in beautiful Virginia Beach, VA.; home of the Brass Bell Steakhouse & Lounge, a.k.a. the mother ship for many of my buds, is a living and breathing example of what can happen when creative people are allowed to combine imagination with perspiration. This is a young company that started out designing and manufacturing reactive steel targets because they had the vision to see that shooting paper is not the way to train.

Today, they’ve expanded to some interesting niche products that can be summarized as mounting technologies for a variety of digital cameras.

 Increasingly more people and/or organizations are integrating video capture technologies with a weapon system to help them meet increasing legal requirements, in the case of law enforcement, or for the military to enhance command and control capabilities.

Strikemark recognized that need and has developed an assortment of mounting solutions for some specific technologies like Go Pro and Contour.

Recently, they’ve also introduced a Digital Camera Picatinny Rail Mount that allows the operator to mount a generic digital point and shoot camera to your weapon’s Pictainny rail system.

The mount slides over the desired rail and can be tightened down on the rail system using a hex nut.

 The camera is then attached to the Strikemark mount, using any one of five holes provided, then secured to the mount using a ¼ x 20 bolt and wingnut. The Strikemark mount is compatible with virtually all compact digital cameras with a ¼ x 20 tripod attachment point.

It’s a great little doodad that for $34.95 will let you capture the moment!

By:Sal Palma

  Manufacturer Specifications

  • Mounts to any camera with a 1/4 x 20 Thread.
  • Comes in black powder coat finish.
  • CNC machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum.
  • Includes nylon-tipped set screw and is ready to use.
  • No extra tools required: Comes with 3/32 Hex Key.
  • Works on all standard picatinny rails.
  • Lifetime warranty.
  • Ships via USPS first class mail with Delivery Confirmation.
  • Patent Pending.

Price: $34.95

Benchmade’s Gorgeous Harley Davidson Ti-Fender™ Monolock

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I’ve been around motorcycles of every description for a long time and nothing, other than the Indian, will ever replace the love I have in my heart for the Harley Davidson motorcycle. It screams American in a way no other bike can. On a few trips to Paris, France, I was surprised at the number of Harleys cruising around the country side; it was great! So, when I laid eyes on Benchmade’s H-D Ti-Fender™ Monolock it was love at first sight. This is a gorgeous knife!

 I remember commenting how it reminds me of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural designs. Wright is known for his use of straight lines and very soft sweeping curves; looking at the Ti-Fender was as esthetically pleasing as looking at one of Wright’s architectural wonders, striking!

The “Ti” in its name stems from a beautifully designed all titanium handle. The brushed finish gives this knife a sleek and superbly elegant look, which belies the utilitarian inclinations of its country of origin, China. However, looks alone won’t carry the day and the Ti-Fender brings a great deal to the table in both value and features.

This folder sits comfortably in the hand. There are degrees of comfort but the Ti-Fender is one of the more comfortable designs that I’ve come across in quite some time; conforming to the hand in a way that is difficult to explain and has to be experienced. The rolling curves sculpted into the handle remove all pressure points with a conformity that speaks volumes. The drilled out plugs incorporated in the handle’s design enhance both grip and reduce the overall weight of the knife, which comes in at a meager 4.88 oz. Amazing, given its overall length of 8.59 inches.

I found the handle’s length of 4.84 inches, along with its rolling finger coils, superbly functional with any gripping technique including the icepick.

Benchmade provided a pocket clip that is also titanium, which I thought was a very nice touch; other manufacturers would have used a spring steel to cut cost, not Benchmade. That’s class!

Since the handle is finely polished on both halves, you can safely carry the Ti-Fender while wearing your best dress slacks. The pocket clip will not tear or snag your pocket, or pocket lining. The clip is also reversible for tip up right side or left side carry and allows the knife to sit deeply into the pocket, and barely visible.

Benchmade refers to its knife’s locking mechanism as Monolock rather than the familiar frame lock. I’m not sure that a distinction exists, and the Ti-Fender is clearly a frame lock design.

Blade lock up is solid with no detectable up and down, or side to side movement at the axis, and any play at the axis is adjustable using the axis point screws.

The knife’s handle is an open pillar design; therefore, the blade is visible from the top and bottom as you look through the halves. It has been my observation that with some production open pillar knives the blade does not center very well in the frame, not the case with the Ti-Fender. Its 3.75 inch spear point blade tucks nicely and sits perfectly centered in the handle. Benchmade thoughtfully included a lanyard attachment point; although, I’m not sure that I would add a lanyard to this eye-catching knife.

Benchmade elected to use 9CR13 stainless steel, for the blade material, which is a high-carbon Chinese steel that has extra Cobalt added to help with edge retention. It performs very much like a 440C in regards to ease of sharpening and hardness; however corrosion resistance may be somewhat lower than a domestic 440C or Japanese AUS8.

Benchmade claims a blade hardness of 58 – 60 HRC, which compares favorably with many of the heavy duty tactical folders or fixed blade designs but clearly this is not a tactical folder.

If you’ve been reading my knife reviews, you already know that I am a Tanto devotee; however, fixation is never good and a properly implemented spear point “floats my boat” equally well. The Ti-Fender Monolock falls squarely into that box.

The blade tip is exactly at the center of the blade and extends rearward through the knife handle axis, so the puncturing ability of this knife, although not quite up to par with a combat folder, is considerable. That charisma is further enhanced by a faux double edge that could easily be sharpened – keeping in mind state and local laws as well as your own personal safety.

The blade thickness is .120 inches, with a shallow hollow grind; making the knife an excellent slicer.  Benchmade knives ship with a razor sharp edge, the Ti-Fender is no exception.

Gimping, gimping and more gimping – folks you are going to love what Benchmade has done with the Ti-Fender. They have provided an abundance of gimping along the spine that extends all the way to the start of the swedge. I love it.

Deploying the blade is a manual process and easily accomplished via the flipper or a combination of flipper and thumb studs. While I’m on the flipper, I would like to see the fine folks at Benchmade apply a slight bevel along the edges of the flipper with shallow gimping to top it all off -not an indictment, simply an expression of personal preference!

Conclusion

Benchmade has knocked the ball out of the park with the H-D Ti-Fender Monolock.  Everything on the knife, from its etchings to the finish is superbly implemented. You couldn’t ask for a more elegant and modern look that is at home in a briefcase as it is in a pair of jeans or a saddlebag. Had the knife been made in the United States, it is doubtful that the quality would have been better. At the M.S.R.P. of $125 for the 13900BK it is quite the bargain. You’ll definitely want to add Benchmade’s H-D Ti-Fender™ Monolock to your collection and be sure to pick up a real Harley to match. It’s a great combination!

 

-SP

 

 

Manufacturer’s Specifications

  • Blade Length: 3.75″
  • Blade Thickness: 0.120″
  • Handle Thickness: 0.500″
  • Blade Material: 9CR13 Stainless Steel
  • Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
  • Blade Style: Spear-Point
  • Weight: 4.88oz.          
  • Pocket Clip: Tip-Down, Reversible
  • Lock Mechanism: Monolock
  • Overall Length: 8.59″
  • Closed Length: 4.84″
  • Sheath Material: Sold Separately
  • WebSite: https://www.benchmade.com/products/13900

 

A Look at the Avtomat Kalashnikova

By: Sal Palma

When combat assault rifles are a topic of discussion, the Avtomat Kalashnikova emerges supreme and the most successful combat rifle in the history of modern warfare. No other shoulder fired weapon stirs emotions like the AK47.

Although nothing more than wood and steel, the AK47 retains a character, a certain romanticism, only found in the literary works of Russian poets like Alexander Pushkin; often described as evil and vicious by ardent, well intentioned, individuals lacking the capacity to reason that it is not the tool that makes the craftsman. Yet, it is fait accompli, the gates of heaven have welcomed countless innocents from its encounter. As true as the later is, the AK47 has earned global admiration for its robustness and simplicity of design, and a young Russian Sargent by the name of Mikhail Kalashnikov was author of its story.

Sixty-five years after its design, the AK47 remains the weapon of choice for many, if not all, of the developing nations around the world. Kalashnikov’s design also influenced homegrown small arms like the Israeli Galil. Like the Pax Romana, which gave Christianity a fertile period that assured its growth, the AK47’s accelerated distribution was the product of Soviet Russia and the Cold War. It’s estimated that over 50 million AK47s and derivatives have been produced since 1949, when it was first adopted by the Soviet Army.

Design and development of the AK47 was heavily influenced by the Russia experience during WWII. Faced by Germany’s mechanized assaults it became more important to deliver mass short-range area fire than continue the use of full power ammunition designed to engage point targets at 600 – 800 meters. Russia’s response was to develop the 7.62x 39 round and Simonov's SKS rifle. Although the SKS was a poor response to Germany’s MP44 (StG44) it moved the Russian army closer to an assault rifle concept.

In 1947, Mikhail Kalashnikov, developed the AK47 – a selective fire 7.62 x 39 assault rifle. There’s been considerable discussion on just how much influence the German StG44 had on the development of the AK47, with some suggesting the AK47 mimics the StG44, an allegation that Mikhail Kalashnikov vehemently denies. Yet, interesting similarities surface with a side-by-side comparison of the two. For example, the short sight radius and rear sight block, the bolt carrier and gas piston assembly and possibly the combined use of stamped and milled parts.












The trigger, bolt assembly and unlocking raceways bear similarity to the M1 Garand, and the safety mechanism was clearly influenced by a John Browning’s design found on the Remington Model 8.




Before it was modernized and morphed into the AKM, the AK47 was produced in three different types (Type I, Type II and Type III) each type incorporated a number of design changes that I’ll mention briefly.

The Type I to Type II transition involved a change from a stamped receiver to a milled receiver and the addition of a receiver block for mounting the stock to the rifle.


Type I

Type II

The Type II to Type III transition saw the elimination of the receiver block for mounting the stock, the magazines were reinforced with the addition of ribs, the selector went from one finger tab in the Type II to two in the Type III. The gas piston in Type I and Type II designs was thicker and fluted. In the Type III design, the gas piston was completely smooth and thinner. There were other cosmetic changes that are inconsequential

Type III

After its introduction in 1959, the AKM or Modernized AK47 was the “de facto” standard and further improvements to its design were not made. Telling the difference between the AK47 and its modernized version, the AKM, is straight forward. The AK47 will have a milled receiver, lacks a muzzle brake, has a smooth receiver cover and the gas vents are aligned horizontally along the longitudinal axis of the gas cylinder.

The AKM will have a stamped receiver, ridged receiver cover (usually three ridges), a slant muzzle brake and the gas vents are aligned in a radial pattern along the interface of the gas cylinder with the gas block. Additional designations of N and P refer to the presence of luminescent element in the sights (P) or the presence of a rail along the side of the receiver, for day and night optics (N). AK’s with folding stocks were designated with the letter (S)- regardless of orientation.


Soviet AKM

It would be 1974 before a major change in direction occurred, and that was the production of the AK74. Although the design of the AK74 was identical to the AK47, the AK74 was chambered for the 5.45 x 39 round rather than 7.62 x 39, and featured a redesigned muzzle brake. The AK74 replaced the AK47 as the standard issue carbine of the Soviet Army.

  • AK47’s may not be imported into the United States because it does not meet the “sporting use” definition as specified in law. As a result, all AK47’s imported into the United States are configured in sporting configurations, meaning the offensive parts are replaced with acceptable parts prior to entering the country. Once the rifle arrives, the acceptable parts are removed and replaced with U.S. made parts to make the rifle 922r compliant. The process destroys the authenticity of the carbine so it is impossible to acquire a genuine AK47, AKM, AK74 and a slew of other models and firearms. It’s a law that stands as a monument to our stupidity and I hope that the “sporting use” language and/ or the import band are repealed.

With over 50 million AK47’s used and/or produced in 55 countries around the world it is unlikely that Kalashnikov’s brain child will fade away into oblivion, but times change and the need for a more advance weapon systems demands a facelift.

So, just what is wrong with the AK47? Depending on who you ask, AK47s are either loved or dismissed as cheap pieces of junk. In the United States, they’ve taken on a cult status very much like driving a SAAB. Interesting comments like: “it’s a stamped receiver that does not hold up” fascinate me since Heckler and Koch have been integrating stamped parts with milled parts for years, and across a large family of carbines that everyone likes. I suppose if you’re influenced by appearances, the Kalashnikov rifles are the ugly duckling of the genre; however, it’s only when you look beyond its physical appearance that you can gain an appreciation for the design. Don’t get me wrong, I recognize there are limitations, but given it is now 65 years old even its harshest critic must admit that it was quite an accomplishment.

Notwithstanding its outward appearance, it is highly probable that were you to dig one out of the ground and load it, it would still fire. That level of reliability is an excellent reason to carry one. It’s often been said that as long as there is a round in the magazine the AK will go “BANG”; the reason is the simplicity of its design. With a total of 8 moving parts, the AK47 or AKM family of carbines have the least moving parts of any assault rifle fielded, which when combined with looser machining tolerances makes the AK47 impervious to debris or heat related stoppages even without lubrication. The AK47 was designed to quickly outfit and train an army of conscripts. Other than the geopolitical climate of the Cold War reliability and simplicity are the overwhelming reasons why the AK47 became the weapon of choice in many developing nations.

Operations like field stripping and maintenance can be taught easily and in a matter of minutes to combatants who are illiterate and poorly trained.

If you examine the selector of an AK47 you’ll note that the first position coming off “SAFE” is FULL AUTO. This is an indicator supporting its design objective, which was to deliver mass fire on an area target. Secondly, the sight radius on the AK47 rifle is quite short when compared to the M16, M4, HK G3, M14 and M1 Garand. The rifle was not intended to provide accurate point target fire at longer ranges. Soldiers would most likely use the front sight to make the shot. Finally, the 7.62 x 39 round, originally developed for the Simonov SKS rifle produces a strong recoil impulse when fired in the AK47. When all of these factors are placed in play, it’s reasonable to expect that the AK47 is not a tack driver. Making the “pray and spray” perception ill-informed. In reality, when fired in semi-automatic mode, using proper trigger reset and advanced optics like the M68 weapon sight the AK47 is capable of 2 MOA throughout its effective range. Making the AK47 more accurate would involve improving the sights and tightening operating tolerances, and changing tolerances would adversely impact the weapon’s reliability.

Magazine length has always been an issue with its critics. The AK47 magazine extends beyond the weapons grip so it hinders firing from the prone position.

So far, we are left with some interesting observations about the AK47. First, they can be built quickly and inexpensively. Second, they are easy to operate and maintain; reducing training times and cost of operation. Finally, there is a high percentage of parts commonality, few moving parts and high degree of reliability. It sounds like a strong business case to me!

Before moving on to current modernization efforts underway, I want to share one observation. The relationship between machining tolerances, accuracy and reliability is not a linear function. A one unit tightening of tolerances does not yield a one unit increase in accuracy, or on the down side a one unit decrease in reliability. Given current assault or combat loads, a soldier engaged in MOUT operations is physically incapable of holding 1 minute of angle accuracy so it is far more important, in my view, to provide him or her with a weapon capable of delivering large volumes of fire with utter reliability. This is the criteria that reigns supreme in my mind; however, there is no doubt that the AK47 and AKM are in need of a facelift.

Is the AK47 obsolete in concept or form factor? I happen to think it’s the latter. With a modest face lift, it can brought into the 21st century yet keeping its timeless qualities.

A modernized AK47 would reflect an improved stock and grip for greater function and durability, it would include a quad rail system to support a variety of enhanced aiming devices that include red dot sights and laser aiming modules, IR illumination and IR laser aiming modules. It would include support for a vertical fore grip and a variety of other accessories that are Picatinny compatible devices. New receiver covers are entering the market that extend the rail system so the sighting optic can be brought closer to the shooter’s eye. The Kalashnikov picture above is capable of supporting any of the existing technologies currently in use the the M4 or M16. Although we’ve added minimally to its weight we’ve retained its reliability and enhanced its accuracy.

The same improvement made by the owner of this AK47 ca

n be readily made to the AK74 due to its similarity of design. At a retail cost of just over $200, the owner of this AK47 has a rifle that is as capable, if not more so, than many of the carbines available in today’s market. Other improvements are on the way and these include magazine designs and recoil mitigating devices ( in the meantime use a telescoping Bulgarian recoil spring).


Heading out to the range to see just how well this “pray and spray” AK 47 does!


Companies actively involved with AK47 enhancements:

  1. U.S. Palm
  2. Midwest Industries
  3. Parabellum Armament
  4. Brugger and Thomet
  5. ACE Ltd USA
  6. DPH Arms
  7. Samson Manufacturing
  8. TAPCO
  9. Texas Weapon Systems
  10. ULTIMAK
  11. MEPROLIGHT
  12. AmeriGlo
  13. The MAKO Group

Video Link: Field Stripping AK47

Video Link:Parts Commonality Demo

Barrel Profile of A Kalashnikov

I had an interesting question from one of my readers. It was well thought out and it expressed a concerned about the thin profile barrels used on the Kalasnikov rifles.

My response is somewhat lengthy and at times technical but I think it captures the essence of what I was trying to communicate to the gentleman. I'd  like to hear your thoughts.

Text:

A discussion of one of several, perceived, weaknesses in the Kalashnikov design – the “pencil” barrel – needs to take place because it’s paid a ton of lip service without any real substance or objective discussion.
In designing barrel profiles, we need to consider a number of factors: pressure, temperature, length needed to stabilize the round, weight and sustained rate of fire. All of these contribute to the designers thought process. Other noteworthy considerations are heat conductivity and axial sheer, which is imparted to the barrel from the effects of rifling on the projectile as it moves along the bore. I’ll begin with heat conductivity because it is normally acknowledged that heat has a deleterious effect on performance.
Heat is transferred from the bore to the outside of the barrel. The faster it conducts to the outer surface of the barrel, the cooler the bore temperature.

Cooler temperatures mean that bore imperfections and rifling will have less of an impact on the bullet as it travels through the barrel, and accuracy should benefit.
It follows that faster heat transfer is desirable in order to keep the bore temperatures down.

q=(kA?T)/L

The equation above is derived from Fourier’s law of heat conduction and succinctly describes the elements involved in determining heat transfer rates.
q = heat transfer rate
L = wall thickness of the heat conductor – in this case the barrel.
k = the heat conductivity constant of the material used (more on this lat*er in the article)
A = the cross-sectional area of the conductor.
?T=The temperature gradient
(difference between Temperature IN and Temperature Out)
Without running elaborate measurements and calculations, simple evaluation of the equation tells us that a smaller L (wall thickness) gives us a higher q (heat transfer rate). Therefore, a thin barrel, all things being equal, will transfer heat faster.
Heat transfer problems occur when we encounter conductivity barriers – for example steel to air heat transfers. On a rifle barrel, the problem occurs on the outside surface – going from steel to the surrounding atmosphere.
Because carbon steel has a heat conductivity constant of 43 and air’s is .024, it takes a much longer time for heat to conduct to air, irrespective of barrel wall thickness. The end result is ?T becomes smaller and the barrel’s heat transfer rate slows. When ?T is zero, heat transfer bore to outside surface stops. This is a situation that must be prevented.
Fluting or dimples reduce barrel wall thickness and increase exterior surface area acting like cooling fins. They’re a highly effective way of dealing with the heat transfer problem, especially in applications where a sustained high rate of fire is anticipated.
To summarize, the take-away from this discussion is that thin barrels are not a bad thing – especially true if you are humping the Hindu Kush with 100+ pounds of other stuff.
The other component of barrel profile that I want to touch on is structural, and has to do with axil sheers.
A chambered round with a locked bolt is a closed system. When powder ignites, gases of sufficient magnitude and pressure are produced to push the bullet through the bore. The bullet forms a gas seal with the rifling so little or no gas leaks around the bullet’s circumference.
Bore pressures will vary with caliber and ammunition but they are extremely high and range from 50,000+ psi to 20,000 psi. This sudden and forceful impulse acts along the length of the barrel. Furthermore, as the riffling applies a spin on the projectile, axial forces are exerted along the length of the barrel. Here, heavy barrel profiles can help to reduce, but not eliminate barrel harmonics that may or may not detract from accuracy. This is of concern with precision rifles, for example snipe platforms, not rifles or carbines intended for sustained high rates of fire – with some exceptions like a light machine gun (LMG)
The last two pages are what writers refer to as support, but the idea I’m presenting is that the common barrel profiles found on the Kalashnikov rifles are not poor limiting designs, but rather a balance struck that takes a number of factors into consideration.

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