Articles – Page 27 – Silah Report

Pakistani SSG’s Rifles Function as “Prayer Barrier”

March 22, 2018 by Miles

Recent photographs of Pakistan’s Special Service Group have surfaced in which members of the group are conducting mountain warfare training in the snow. Of particular interest is of the group conducting their Salat, or daily prayers. The prayers themselves aren’t so much as interesting as is what the soldiers are doing with their weapons. The M4s and in another picture, Kalashnikov patterned self-loading rifles are stuck into the snow in front of the soldiers praying, butt first.

Although not really utilized today throughout the Islamic world, the practice dates back to the early Islamic period where one would place an object in front of them so other people would know not to walk in front of them during their salat. Specifically, it is called a Sutrah, or سترة in Arabic, meaning screen, or cover. There are some Hadiths on the topic but again it isn’t in wide use today.

Wikipedia lists two Hadiths in particular–

Sahl ibn Abu Hathmah narrated: إذا صلى أحدكم إلى سترة فليدن منها لا يقطع الشيطان عليه صلاته The Prophet said: When one of you prays facing a sutrah he should keep close to it, and not let the devil interrupt his prayer.

The Messenger of Allah said: لا تصل إلا إلى سترة، ولا تدع أحداً يمر بين يديك، فإن أبى فلتقاتله؛ فإن معه القرين Pray facing a sutrah, and let no one cross in front of you while praying. If he insists, then prevent him by force because he is accompanied by shaitan.

Another resource on the topic is listed here for those fluent in Arabic.

70 Firearms Stolen from Kabul Police Station

March 20, 2018 by Miles

A report on Television One has revealed that 70 firearms and a number of cameras capable of operating at night (possibly meaning infrared capabilities) have been stolen from a central Police armory in Kabul. The article inferred that the firearms were possibly being smuggled to Pakistan but this isn’t known as of yet.

From Television One–

منابع خبرداده اند که هفتاد میل جنگ افزار از یک ذخیرگاه مهمات پولیس در کابل دزدی شده است.

منابع امنیتی که نخواستند نام شان فاش شود از دزدی شدن هفتاد میل جنگ افزار و سه دوربین در ذخیرگاه های مهمات پولیس در کابل خبر داده اند.

این جنگ افزارها شامل تفنگچه ها و دوربین های شب بین بوده که از یک بخش حمایوی پولیس در کابل دزدی شده است.

بر بنیاد گفته های منابع، چندین تن از سوی وزارت داخله در پیوند به این رویداد بازداشت شده اند.

با وجود تلاش های زیاد وزارت امور داخله نخواست در این باره ابراز نظر کند، اما یک مقام وزارت داخله به تلویزیون یک این موضوع را تایید کرده گفت، بررسی ها درباره این موضوع جریان دارد.

Firearms being stolen from a central police repository is somewhat alarming, especially that observing that it has happened the day before Now-Ruz, or the Persian New Year. There is the possibility that maybe the theft was to supply a possible attack in the upcoming festivities but this is most likely not the case as the firearms stolen were mostly handguns. This is most likely a case of lax regulations right before the holiday and an insider taking advantage of them. Similar to many other attacks and thefts within the Afghan government, this was most likely an inside job possibly helped by a corrupt official.

Firearms and Ammunition Designed by Santay Zhetesov

March 19, 2018 by Hrachya H

Santay Zhetesov (Сантай Жетесов) is an inventor and scientist from Karaganda, Kazakhstan. Among a number of other inventions, he has also developed a couple of firearms and caseless ammunition. In this article, we’ll take a look at Zhetesov’s firearm prototypes and ammunition patents.

PPZh-05 Caseless Submachine Gun

PPZh-05 is an abbreviation which stands for Zhetesov submachine gun (Пистолет-Пулемет Жетесожа; Pistolet Pulemyot Zhetesova). The number 05 in the designation means that it was made in 2005.

This SMG feeds from a detachable box magazine. The magazine well is a rather long one which is probably designed so to allow using it as a front grip without applying pressure to the magazine itself. The gun shoots from an open bolt. It is a fairly compact weapon.

Firearms of Santay Zhetesov (2) — PPZh-05 compared to an AK-74

This SMG uses a type of caseless ammunition where the bullet itself contains the powder charge and the priming compound and there is no cartridge case per se. The experiments with this kind of ammunition have been conducted throughout the history of firearms development. Similar ammunition was used in the Volcanic pistol, the Gerasimenko VAG-73 pistol, Benelli CB-M2 etc.

Firearms of Santay Zhetesov (13) — Cartridges of the PPZh-05 SMG

Here are a couple of videos showing the test firing of PPZh-05 SMG:

Caseless Ammunition

Santay Zhetesov’s caseless ammunition designs are described in the Kazakh patent #29642. The ammunition used in PPZh-05 SMG should be constructed similarly.

In the mentioned patent, it describes caseless ammunition which has a striker and primer built into the projectile/cartridge. Unfortunately, it is not specified how the cartridge will be aligned in the chamber to expose that built-in striker to the hammer. Possibly for this kind of ammunition, an annular primer could be a better idea.

There are two versions of these cartridges described in the patent. One of them has rifling-style flutes on the ogive of the bullet (see the above image) which is said to impart spin to the projectile. The second one (see the image below) has identical grooves inside the powder charge cavity. I assume these flutes are supposed to spin stabilize the projectiles when shot in smoothbore firearms because the inventor states in the patent text that this ammunition can be used both in rifled and smoothbore barrels. There should not be a need to have that flutes if the cartridges are fired in rifled barrels.

According to Zhetesov, such cartridges of 5.47mm, 7.62mm, 9mm and 10.2mm calibers have been tested and showed “promising results”.

SPZh-06 Grenade Launcher

The model designation of this firearm stands for Zhetesov Soldier Cannon (Солдатская Пушка Жетесова; Soldatskaya Pushka Zhetesova). The “06” means that the gun is designed in 2006.

Firearms of Santay Zhetesov (1) — SPZh-06 and PPZh-05

This is a bolt action single shot grenade launcher. Its effective range is said to be 500 meters. Basically, this weapon is a standalone caseless grenade launcher.

The unusual stock configuration (separate pistol grip with a hunting rifle stock) is probably there because this is a prototype weapon and they just temporarily attached whatever stock they had.

Both of these guns are made in single samples. Reportedly, they have been introduced to the military officials of Kazakhstan, but have been rejected.

As soon as there is new information concerning these firearms, we will report to our readers.

Sources:

https://www.ktk.kz/ru/news/video/2009/04/06/3666

http://kzpatents.com

http://military-kz.ucoz.org/index/kazakhstanskie_izobretateli/0-43

Не в дружбу, но в службу. Отечеству

http://www.dogswar.ru/oryjeinaia-ekzotika/strelkovoe-oryjie/783-opytnyi-pistolet-pyl.htm

http://kelisim.kz/ru/news-region/id/307

Glock 17 Copy Made in Pakistan

March 17, 2018March 17, 2018 by Nauman A

Glock pistols have had a cult following in Pakistan from the day they landed on our shores. Watch any english movie and you will definitely see a cop sporting one. When the Army bought Glocks in some numbers, Glocks were unofficially declared as the world’s best handguns, in Pakistan. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that no pistol has had a loyal following in Pakistan like the Glock and that Glocks have been highly overrated in Pakistan. That alone explains why a Glock 17 or 19 for instance which costs no more than $ 600 in the United States would sell for $ 2500 to $ 3500 depending on the demand and supply. And I have seen them selling for even more depending on the level of impatience of the buyer. And at one time I have also seen an original Glock 17 (gold plated) on sale for $ 5000 only.

Guest Post: Iraqi Contract Sterling MK 4 in Syria

March 13, 2018 by Miles

Mathew Moss comes to us as a highly esteemed writer from The Firearm Blog, but he also founded his own fascinating historical small arms research source, The Armourers Bench, in addition to runs his Twitter feed at Historical Firearms. This is his first work for Silah Report, and we hope it won’t be the last!

On the 10^th March, Broń. Milmag, the Polish defense magazine, posted an intriguing photograph on their facebook page. The photograph had the short caption, which once translated, reads: “Syria Ad2018. 9-MM MACHINE GUN STERLING MK 4 / l2a3 used by a government soldier.”

Plenty of surplus World War Two weapons including the StG-44, MG42, Mosin-Nagant, K98ks and even French MAS-36s have been sighted in Iraq and Syria during the regions current multi-sided conflict. Sightings of the Cold War era- Sterling submachine gun, however, have been few and far between.

The Sterling submachine gun was developed by George Patchett at the Sterling Arms Company during the latter half of World War Two. Following extensive testing in the late 1940s and early 1950s the British Army adopted Patchett’s submachine gun to replace the Sten gun. It entered British service as the L2A1 in 1953, evolving quickly to its final form the L2A3. The L2A3 was produced commercially by Sterling at their plant in Dagenham, UK from 1956 until 1988 with an estimated 211,000 produced.

The Sterling was subsequently sold commercially and licensed for overseas production in both Canada (leading to the C1 Submachine Gun) and India (leading to the 1A Machine Carbine). Sterling successfully marketed the commercial version of the L2A3, the Mk4, to over a dozen countries around the world from Malaysia, to Libya, to Iraq.

The weapon featured in the photograph appears to be in remarkably good condition. Following some digging I was able to find what I believe to be the original posting of the photograph online. Posted on Twitter by @Edward_Sn0wden on the 9^th March. The twitter post includes a second photograph showing the Sterling’s magazine housing and markings. The photographs are credited to Alexander Kharchenko but sadly no location is mentioned. The caption suggests that the weapon might be a captured trophy.

From the available photographs the weapon appears to have a matte, rather than crackle paint, finish – this is either an original contract choice or a later armory refurbishment. The weapon is also fitted with an original Sterling produced commercial production 34-round curved double stack, double feed magazine – one of the most reliable submachine gun magazines ever developed.

We are lucky enough to have a second photograph showing the weapon’s markings in full: ‘STERLING SMG 9m/m MK4 (L2A3) KR15368’. The serial number, beginning with ‘KR’ dates the gun as a pre-1972 Sterling and refers to Kenton Redgrave, the Sterling company’s long-time director. The serial number dates the weapon, according to the serial number ranges, listed in The Guns of Dagenham (1996) by Peter Laidler, to 1957. This date would fit with the 1956-63 Iraqi contract which supplied 13,241 Mk4s to Iraq, first to King Faisal II’s military, and then to the Iraqi Republic, following a coup that deposed Faisal in 1958. The Iraqi Sterlings later saw action during the Iran-Iraq War and to a limited degree during both the Gulf War and during the 2003 Iraq War.

While rare the Sterling has been spotted in the region before, three years ago CJ Chivers, the New York Times investigative conflict journalist and author of The Gun, shared a photograph of a Mk4 with a straight Sten magazine in use by the Mahdi Army in Sadr City, Iraq.

While investigating the photograph above, an Iraqi fighter came forward and told me about his ‘heirloom’ Sterling Mk4 which had belonged to his father, an Iraqi soldier killed during the Iran-Iraq war. Interestingly, this Iraqi heirloom Mk4 dated from June 1964, suggesting that the Iraq contract may have extended beyond the 1963 end date indicated by Laidler.

The Iraqi gentleman also advised that the Sterling was known to him, and possibly regionally as the ‘غداره مصريه’, which translates to ‘Egyptian Contract’ or Egyptian Submachine Gun. It seems that the Sterling has come to be confused with, or at least associated with an Egyptian submachine gun. While the Egyptian Army did purchase a number of commercial Mk3 Sterlings in 1954-5, Egypt never produced a copy of the Sterling, instead opting to copy the Carl Gustav m/45 to create to the Port Said, produced by Al Maadi.

How a Syrian government soldier might have come into possession of what is likely an Iraqi Sterling submachine gun is one of war’s intriguing mysteries. Regardless of how he acquired it appears to be in excellent condition for a 50 year old weapon.

Images:

Milmag post:

https://www.facebook.com/TheMilMag2/photos/a.871586039536290.1073741828.871547992873428/1980952581932958/?type=3&theater

Possible original source on twitter:

https://twitter.com/Edward_Sn0wden/status/972075403971055616

Rock Island Auctions photo of commercial Mk4 Sterling for Reference:

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/70/2504/sterling-mk-4l2a3-full-auto-sales-sample-smg-with-bayonet#detail

Taliban Raid on Afghan Militia Post Reveals Modern Small Arms Inventory

March 12, 2018 by Miles

Recently disclosed photographs supplied to Silah Report have suggested that the local GoIRA supported militias are armed with more than the standard Kalashnikov self-loading rifles often seen throughout the country. One example of these forces is the Afghan Local Police, or ALP. Although these forces are seen as cost-effective, many local Afghans compare them to the days of the War Lords that roamed the country in the Civil War.

The photograph below depicts five 5.56x45mm NATO M4-patterned carbines in configurations that are identical to that of the ANA Commandos. This includes the AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL mounted at the 12 o’clock position on the Picatinny rail, the Trijicon 4x RCO day optic, the MaTech BUIS, and even the spray painted rifle in the center. Also present is a 40x46mm NATO M203 UBGL mounted to the carbine at the bottom. Notice on the painted carbine the coupled STANAG magazine inverted from a usual “rounds up” position.

As indicated by this photograph, a small arms inventory such as this is consistent with what the ANSF Commandos are generally issued.

This photograph was provided by the same source and features a similar magazine coupling technique as illustrated above. What appear to be UTG rail covers and what is most likely a Harris bipod copy appear to be third party modifications from the standard issue. Myna Bird perched on the 6-inch barrel comes unissued.

MaTech BUIS as in use.

However in this angle present are Streamlight TLR Picatinny mounted weapon lights, in addition to Kalashnikov patterned rifles, which are rarely in use by ANSF Commandos, if at all. Although rare, there are some TLRs that have been spotted among the group.

Although contextual information about the photographs are scare, a source has suggested that the militia checkpoints are perhaps funded by a shadow entity with a large supply budget. Such as the “Kandahar Strike Force” that was indeed set up by the CIA. In Afghanistan, this is immediately assumed to be the “CIA”, but until we have further information, we cannot venture more into the origins of these carbines.

Weapons and Ammunition Seized in Ghouta by the Syrian Army

March 13, 2018March 11, 2018 by Hrachya H

Weapons and Ammunition Seized by Syrian Army (6)

Recently, a number of news agencies reported that Syrian Army has seized a truck carrying a variety of weapons and ammunition addressed to one of the forces opposing the Syrian government. Reportedly, the truck was heading from eastern Qalamoun to East Ghouta. Let’s take a look at the photos of the seized weapons and see what types of small arms we can spot there.

In the image below you can clearly see two PKM machine guns, a number of AK rifles and what looks to be a DShK heavy machine gun. Interestingly, there are two suppressed pistols one of which has a bright nickel colored suppressor. It should simply lack a finish which may indicate that it is a “homemade” suppressor. Arguably the most interesting piece in this picture is the scoped anti-materiel rifle. It is extremely similar to Steyr HS-50. It is also possible that this rifle is an Iranian copy of HS-50 called Sayyad or Palestinian copy called Ghoul. The Ghoul rifle is chambered in a larger caliber – 14.5x114mm. The Firearm Blog has recently published an article telling about the Ghoul anti-materiel rifle.

Weapons and Ammunition Seized by Syrian Army Ghoul — Palestinian Ghoul anti-materiel rifle

In another picture taken at a different angle, we see the silhouette of what looks to be a Czech ZB vz. 26 or ZB vz. 30 or Vz. 52 (Vz. 52/57) light machine gun.

Weapons and Ammunition Seized by Syrian Army ZB-26 — ZB vz. 26

Weapons and Ammunition Seized by Syrian Army ZB-30 — ZB vz. 30

In the next image, there are several AR-15 pattern rifles among the more common (for the region) AK rifles. Judging by the stock shape, existence of a forward assist and carry handle, and by the distinctive triangular handguard, at least the closest one must be an M16A1.

Weapons and Ammunition Seized by Syrian Army М16А1 — M16A1

Here is also a video published by the Russian Federal News Agency showing other types of seized weapons and munitions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A-4pZWyxzs

Sources:

“Syrian Army foils rebel attempt to smuggle heavy weapons into East Ghouta (video)”. (2018, February 28). Al-Masdar News. Retrieved from: https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-foils-rebel-attempt-smuggle-heavy-weapons-east-ghouta-video/

Images from: www.almasdarnews.com. www.modernfirearms.net, www.thefirearmblog.com

OSV-96 Anti-Materiel Rifle Seen in Syria

March 4, 2018 by Hrachya H

According to several Russian sources, the OSV-96 anti-materiel rifle was spotted again in Syria (see the above image). It is used by the special forces of the Syrian army. It’s been spotted in Syria starting from the very beginning of the Syrian war. Back in 2012, The Firearm Blog reported about this rifle in Syria.

OSV-96 Anti-Materiel Rifle Seen in Syria (1) — The 12.7x108mm cartridge of the OSV-96 rifle

The scope on the rifle is most likely a Russian POS 12×50 (ПОС 12х50). This scope is frequently seen with the OSV-96 rifles.

OSV-96 Anti-Materiel Rifle Seen in Syria (5) — POS 12×50 (ПОС 12х50) scope

In 2012, the rifle was also seen in the hands of forces fighting the Syrian army (see the video below).

———————————————————————————–

OSV-96 is designed and manufactured by a Russian arms company called TsKIB SOO. It is a magazine fed semi-auto anti-materiel rifle chambered in 12.7x108mm. It has a huge one-meter barrel (39.4″). However, its barrel folds 180 degrees to the right side of the rifle making its folded length comparable in size with the SVD rifle.

OSV-96 Anti-Materiel Rifle Seen in Syria (3) — OSV-96 with folded barrel

OSV-96 Anti-Materiel Rifle Seen in Syria (2) — The silhouettes of OSV-96 (folded) and SVD rifles. Image by modernfirearms.net

Here is also a video telling about this rifle.

And an animation of the rifle’s action by Noble Empire.

You can download the user manuals (in Russian) of the OSV-96 rifle and POS 12×50 scope by clicking HERE and HERE respectively.

A website called Warbook.info has also two posters (large jpg files) of this rifle, which you can download by clicking here and here.

AJWA Arms Company of Darra Adam Khel

February 24, 2018 by Hrachya H

As you may know, Darra Adam Khel is a town in Pakistan, which is known for domestic arms manufacturing. Information concerning the firearms made in this region is normally very scarce. However, there is a tendency of local shops to start using the internet as a tool for promotion. When doing a research for another article, I came across a facebook page of a Darra Adam Khel Company company called AJWA Arms Company.

Among many firearms posted on their page, there are several quite interesting ones which we’ll take a look at in this article.

The gun shown in the top image of this article is a Russian PPSh-41 with a stock adapter made to accept a pistol grip and a side folding stock borrowed from an AK rifle. AKs with such stocks have been made in Romania, Poland and East Germany. Another pistol grip is attached to the barrel jacket slots of the PPSh-41.

Below are more images from AJWA Arms Company Facebook page depicting some of their most interesting firearms (in no particular order).

AJWA Arms Company of Darra Adam Khel (2) — Many firearms seen in this region are built using parts from different other guns and sometimes even in a different caliber. For example, the far right rifle has a milled AK receiver, AKM/AK-74 style handguard and the shape and size of the magazine make me think this rifle is chambered either in a full-size rifle caliber or it is a shotgun.

AJWA Arms Company of Darra Adam Khel (4) — Another Darra AK chambered in a pistol caliber and featuring a top carry handle.

AJWA Arms Company of Darra Adam Khel (6) — This pistol has a red dot sight and a folding forward grip. The markings on the slide say “MADE IN CHINA. 4 GENERATION BY CHINA …”. The last word of the slide markings is illegible. Note also how similar their logo looks to a Glock logo.

AJWA Arms Company of Darra Adam Khel (5) — The same pistol shown from the reverse side.

We’ll keep following these companies and in case if they publish something interesting from the small arms perspective, we’ll report it to our readers.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan

February 17, 2018 by Hrachya H

Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan regularly publishes news on their official website. We collected photos from various winter exercises and drills and depicting small arms in the hands of Kazakh soldiers. The units in the photos represent various branches of this country’s military.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (18) — PKMs “at work”.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (17) — Note that these soldiers use skis. That should tremendously increase their mobility. Of course, it requires some knowledge and skills to manipulate the weapons and transition between different shooting positions (kneeling, prone etc.) with skis on.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (13) — Note the Picatinny (1913) rails on the handguard, top cover and the gas tube of the AKS-74 of this recon unit soldier. It is most likely a Russian Zenit B-33 set of rails shown in the image below. The rifle is also equipped with a FAB Defense PTK angled forward grip. Surprisingly, there are no optics on the rifle.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (8) — Most of the soldiers in this recon exercises have the Zenit rail system. Most, but not all of them. Note the soldier in the center of the image aiming a standard AK-74 with a side rail to top Picatinny rail conversion mount.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (7) — A good example of how easy (relatively) it is to effectively blend with the surroundings in winter by merely wearing white clothes and having the guns wrapped in white fabric.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (6) — This soldier is using a special device to sight in the RPG-7 grenade launcher.

RPG sighting device — Images of that sighting device from an RPG-7 manual.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (4) — Female personnel holding AKS-74 and SVD rifles.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (3) — Vehicle mounted PKM machine gun

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2) — Note the AKS-74U rifles and the Multicam uniform.

Winter Drills of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (1) — The rifle of this soldier is equipped with an underbarrel grenade launcher (GP-25 or GP-30) and a rubber buttpad to mitigate the recoil when firing the grenade launcher.

I hope you enjoyed this set of photos. Let us know in the comments section what interesting piece of gear have you noticed.