BLACK RIFLE Vol 2

This volume is a sequel to "The Black Rifle: M16 Retrospective". Comparatively little information was available about the M16A2 when "The Black Rifle" was first published, and so "Black Rifle Volume 2" begins with a chapter titled The Third Generation M16. There follows a detailed examination of all six entries which originally participated in the futuristic Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) Programme, wherein Colt's was one of the four finalists. Then an account of Colt's "new family" of modular and versatile "flat-top" M4 and M4A1 Carbines, whose integral receiver rails accept any of the numerous optical sighting systems and other accessories which have been developed to meet the challenges of changing battlefield conditions. This is followed by an inside look at the Mark 12 series of special-purpose rifles developed by the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), as well as the improved 5.56x45 mm Mk262 cartridges they fire. Then a chapter on the blowback Colt 9 mm Submachine Gun, a design which takes full advantage of the ergonomics of the combat-proven AR-15/M16. Models are available for military, civilian and law enforcement users. Next some astonishing recent advancements in a chapter titled The Fourth-Generation M16, covering the US Navy's M16A3 (an M16A2 with the controversial BURST feature replaced with AUTO), and the current-issue US Army and Marine Corps' M16A4 General Purpose Rifle, which also features the flat-top upper receiver and integral rail. This chapter includes the histories to date of the Colt 5.56x30 mm Mini Assault Rifle (MARS); Colt's two four-way fire-control groups; the 12.7x44mm LW15, a.499-calibre rifle designed and built on the M16 platform for US Coast Guard use; the new Special Forces 6.8x43 mm Remington SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) and the modified M16-based carbines and rifles which fire this promising new round; and finally the brand-new "HKM4", an entry from an unlikely source - the German arms makers Heckler and Koch! The chapter The Rebirth of the AR-10 then presents development and production details of two gilt-edge sniper rifles - the Knight's Armament SR-25, recently adopted by the US Navy SEALs and Army Rangers as the Mk 11, and Mark Westrom's own new take on the AR-10 for ArmaLite. A full chapter is then devoted to the Colt AR-15 Semi-Automatic-Only Family of civilian and law enforcement firearms, right from the first pilot model sent to the BATF for approval in 1963 through to today's many Sporter and Match Target models, plus Colt's numerous conversion kit offerings, in 5.56 mm, 9 mm and 7.62x39 mm. A final four chapter Reference Compendium will be worth the price of the entire book for many. After a brief history of the Colt companies, a Colt Model Reference Guide charts numerous features of the nearly 160 military rifle, carbine and submachine gun models which have been produced by Colt for US and offshore government sale, plus 67 commercial and law enforcement models. A Component Guide provides photographic and descriptive identification of all military and commercial variations of rifle, carbine and submachine gun barrels, receivers, bolts, bolt carriers, hammers, triggers, disconnections, auto sears, selector levers, and buffers. The final chapter provides an Ammunition Guide, covering all US military issue versions of the 5.56x45 mm cartridge.