WARRIOR TALK NEWS

Beretta Storm - Part Four

Part Four

I’ve discussed the Beretta CX4 Storm at length here, here and here.  I want to finish up this series with a discussion on upgrades and accessories. The Storm is a great performer out of the box but there are few things that will make it even better. 

Accessories

I wouldn't presume to tell anyone how they should set up their gun...but it wouldn't be much of an article if I didn't share my opinion on it.     

What you do to the gun depends on how you intend to run it.  Rails are easily added that let you mount all manner of lights, lasers, forward grips, and tactical bottle openers.  If adding stuff helps you be the best fighter you can possibly be, go for it.  Options are a great thing.

However, in my opinion: the defining qualities of the Storm are its light weight, its balance, its small size/length, and its snag-free, "aerodynamic" body.  The last article was about how the gun handles; to me that's what differentiates it from other weapons.  A minimalist approach here will capitalize on the gun's attributes, keeping it light weight and low drag. 

These are my opinions guys, based on how I would run the gun.  How you run it and what you want will be up to you; I hope these ideas are helpful to you.

 

Leave it off

Lasers - To me, lasers make sense as a training tool.  There’s a place for them in proactive situations, such as lying in wait for an intruder coming up the hall (setting an ambush).  However, I think red dot optics are more useful over a wider variety of situations; to me a laser is just one more thing to keep off the gun. 

I would only consider adding a laser if it was a good quality laser/light combo that's light weight and simple as possible. 

Pressure switches are convenient, and probably not so bad in a house gun.  But for my purposes, cables hanging off the gun are a negative.

Personally I think a better investment is one of Roger Phillips' Point Shooting classes.  We should get the best equipment we can, but I always prioritize skill development over gadgets.

 

 

Extra rails and VFGs - Unless you have it SBR'd or find that it really enhances the handling for you, I'd leave off the forward grips and the extra rails.  No, they're not a lot of weight, but more stuff is more stuff, and they add points to snag.  This gun is very svelte. I’d keep it that way.

My opinion - no VFG necessary on a Storm.  If you use one though, it should be as short as possible.

 

Spacers - If your name is Gigantor and your arms can reach into the next county, you may need the spacer in the butt stock to shoot it well.  But if not, consider removing it.  Experiment so you know what works best for you. 

In my opinion, for this gun’s niche it should be as short as possible.  

The gun to the right has three spacers...that guy must have orangutan arms!

 

This gun actually had the stock shortened...  More effort/expense but if that's what it takes to make it work for your needs it's worth it.

Flash hider  - For a pistol caliber?  Why?

 

Barrel shroud - Exactly what purpose does this serve?  Makes it longer and a little more barrel heavy…how does that improve the handling? 

There's something to be said for a gun that looks cool, but I just can't see adding stuff that doesn't enhance its function. 

 I’d rather SBR it, thread the barrel, and get a real can.  Or have a custom made integral suppressor…now that would be cool.

 

I guess if you want to add it just because it ticks off "the shoulder thing that goes up" lady, okay, I respect that.   

Just my opinion but there's too much stuff on this gun.  However, some very nice work has been done on it.  The silly thumb-hole strap thing (STHST) has been cut off, as have the stock sights and sight covers.  A customized top rail extending the length of the gun has been added, and topped off with back-up folding irons.  Not too shabby.

 

Stick it on

Top rail and optic - Primary fighting weapons should have an optic (backup and/or pocket pistols being the exception). 

A quality red dot such as a Trijicon RMR facilitates amazing things if your marksmanship skills are up to it.  Eyeball shots at room distance?  Consistently fast and easy body shots at 100 yards? 

We do that in class with RMR'd Glocks. 

Imagine an RMR'd Storm. 

 

 

 

One side rail and a light - A close quarter fighting gun should have a light.  One side rail instead of the whole tri-rail set up would be sufficient.  The retractable rail is an option, though it seems a little flimsy to me.  A flashlight in a VLTOR mount on the top rail might also be a good option.

The gun to the right is kept very simple.  One side rail for a light, and an optic.  Done.

 

Mag pouch - For the home defense role, consider a mag pouch attached to the gun.  I prefer leaving stuff off, but in the home you may not always have the time/ability to grab your fighting bag with the extra mags.  Unless you keep a mag pouch on your tactical pajamas, keeping an extra mag or two onboard the gun is a reasonable compromise. 

Sling (maybe) - A long gun should almost always have a sling.  However, as a niche weapon to be used in the home or particularly in a vehicle, I would rather not have one.  I'm usually opposed to quick detach slings because they can come loose when you least want them to, but for the intended purpose here it might be a good compromise.

 

Pistol - Maybe the best accessory for a Storm is a pistol with matching magazines.  Because you needed an excuse to get another pistol.

 Modifications

Ahhh...922r and the joy of Federal regulations.  The short story - if you start doing certain things to the gun, you will want to keep the thing compliant with 922r.  Much of the information I found on the Storm was conflicting, and BATFE hasn't responded to me yet.  The best information I found indicates that BATFE considers the Storm to have ten (the legal limit) of the relevant 922r parts.  Depending how you define it, I think it actually has more than that, but the gun was approved for importation into this country "for sporting use," so it seems they pegged it at ten parts. 

I would have liked to add definitive information regarding 922r compliance, but a.) I'm not a lawyer, b.) this article is too long already, and c.) write your own damn letter to the BATFE.  Based on my research, the modifications below will comply...but it doesn't matter what I tell you, it's what they tell you that matters. 

So with that disclaimer, here is what I would consider.

• Absolutely: Add the Sierra Papa trigger/hammer upgrade.  This will give you a crisper trigger pull, allowing better marksmanship at longer ranges.  The steel hammer and aluminum trigger also count towards compliance with 922r, bringing the number of applicable parts down to eight.  This is an absolute necessity if you decide to make some of the modifications below (assuming you care about 922r, and I think it's smartest to do so).

 

The Sierra Papa parts are well-made. The folks there are friendly and very helpful.  

•  If you can: SBR it if that is legal in your state.  Some folks think getting the tax stamp eliminates the need to comply with 922r, but this is not the case (at least based on some of the BATFE letters I have seen). You're still responsible for compliance.

 I think this one is just about perfect: red dot, SBR, short as possible, quick detach sling. An SBR should retain a short, simple VFG.

• Nice to have: Install a charging handle on both sides.  We must be able to run the gun ambidextrously regardless of which side the charging handle is on.  But with the Storm it's such an easy upgrade, at such low cost, so why not do it?  Enhanced functionality...and if you don't like it that way you can always remove it and have a spare.

 

• It depends: Add the Sierra Papa steel guide rod and buffer upgrade.  The polymer guide rod is plenty strong enough for shooting, so if your Storm is simply a dedicated home defense gun then I wouldn't say it's necessary.  However, there is the possibility of the guide rod breaking during disassembly/reassembly (an uncocked hammer can potentially catch this piece and snap it - this is why the gun should be cocked prior to disassembly).  For those who would consider discretely carrying this gun disassembled, you can imagine the circumstances of reassembly would be stressful.  This upgrade is good insurance, and you never have to worry about breaking it while cleaning. 

 

•  Do it but be aware of 922r: Cut off the silly thumb-hole strap thing (STHST).  It's there for 922r compliance reasons and makes some manipulations a little more difficult than they need to be.  This should take your 922r count back up to nine.

 

Some of the guys I've spoken to don't mind the STHST, and some even like it.  If that's you, great.  It's one less compliance issue you need to worry about.  Me, I think the handling benefits make the effort worthwhile...and if some folks consider a pistol grip an evil feature, well hey that's enough for me just on principle.

 

• Do it but be aware of 922r: The barrel should be threaded for a suppressor.  Assuming you have added the hammer/trigger upgrade and cut off the STHST, threading the barrel should bring you back up to the ten parts for 922r. 

 

If you want to ensure compliance, I suggest that you write the BATFE (you might want to use less sarcasm than I do).  If you noticed the weasel word "should" above, that's on purpose.  The parts count/legality depends on the judgment of the BATFE agent that writes the response to your letter, and I have seen conflicting information on this point. 

 

More important than how you set it up is how good you become with it.  Run it through its paces so that you know for certain what works for you, and what does not.  Practice, and become an expert with it...no matter how you set it up. 

 

That was a lot of words on the Beretta CX4 Storm.  Given today's political climate, perhaps a few short words would have been better: get one while you still can.

Right and Wrong…obsolete right-wing concepts?

Dr John Meade

Director of Tactical Medicine

Suarez International

I have been contemplating the fact that one half of our society seems to approach things very differently than the other half. This is a deep divide, and worth considering.

It seems that the liberals (or progressives, or leftists, or Democrats, or socialists, or whatever you want to call them) view the US Constitution as a “living, breathing document”, rather than something that must be followed as written. They sometimes propose laws or regulations that promote their point of view, but are confronted with the fact that the proposal is unconstitutional. Rather than accepting this, they just argue harder that regardless of the conflict with the Constitution, we should do it anyway.  Conservatives, on the other hand, view the Constitution as a Divinely-inspired document that has lit the lamp of freedom throughout the world, and should be changed only with the greatest deliberation.

When someone commits mass murder, the liberals say the person is sick, and the instrument used (or society) is to blame. Conservatives simply call the murderer evil. Liberals tend to believe that criminals are pushed into a life of crime because of bad childhoods, and often convicted wrongly. They tend to feel cops are Neanderthals and corrupt, but expect these same cops to come running instantly to protect the liberal from whatever might be happening.

Liberals tend to view all religions as equivalent, and all are to be tolerated to the same extent. However, they also believe that everyone would be better served if they simply avoided serious religious commitment, and focused on being “a good person”. They feel depending on God is foolish, but depending on government is smart.  In fact, they believe that the answer to most problems lies in more government action, regulation and control.

According to liberals, right and wrong are relative terms, rather than absolutes. This moral relativism leads to a lack of strong steering, of course. There was a time when everyone in the USA agreed on the definitions of Right and Wrong. Newspapers and movies did not glorify wrongdoers, but told stories as morality tales. Jack Webb always caught the criminals. Rational people agreed these were miscreants, rather than misunderstood.  Perhaps this is why Western Civilization is foundering, while Islamic Culture is growing stronger daily. Regardless of your opinion of their beliefs, they have strong adherence to a set of rules. They view the world quite rigidly, and see clear division between what they view as right and wrong. This makes them strong.

So what can we do? Must we roll over and give up? Should we bury all our guns and hide? Or go live “off the grid” in the woods? Would this save our way of life?

I recommend have a two-pronged approach to dealing with the shifting of our society to the left. First, help move it back toward the right. Teach your children well. Introduce shooting and self-reliance to those who didn’t grow up with these concepts. Work within your local political system to get right-leaning people into positions of influence, such as the school board, city council and sheriff’s office. If you can write good opinion pieces for the local newspapers, do so.  You might just influence someone to our way of thinking.

The other portion of this two-pronged approach is developing an attitude that you are not dependent on government, nor are you beholden to them. You figure out ways to thrive, regardless of what silly intrusive regulations are enacted. Some call it “walking between the raindrops”.  You look for opportunities in what others view as oppression. If for some reason backyard gazebos are required, sell lumber. Improve your skills and education to make yourself a more desirable commodity in the market. Look for ways to maximize your income in ways that keep more in your pocket, rather than handing it all over to the tax man. If you are living in a state with bad laws or economy, move to a better state!

Don’t give up and accept defeat. Your values are legitimate and worthy. Hold tight to those values, and look for ways to live them to the fullest, regardless of the political environment.

Dr. John Meade is Director of Tactical Medicine for Suarez International , and a board-certified Emergency Physician. He is a reserve police officer on a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team, an EMS medical director and an NRA certified instructor. He may be contacted on WarriorTalk, or his website at www.statdoc.com .

Individual Movement Techniques for Rural Patrolling

By JD Lester – Suarez International Staff Instructor

"I’m Up, He Sees Me, I’m Down!”

This phrase has been used in military training to drive home the relevance of exposure time during the practical application of moving under direct fire.  Where this phrase becomes applicable to us is its use as “reminder dialogue” in training, which can also carry over to the fight.  It is very similar to talking yourself through an After Action Assessment after the gunfight. 
 With the widespread use of low powered variable optics and red dot optics which allow for quick target acquisition, limiting our exposure time has become very important.  Having an optic on a gun reduces the OODA loop of the bad guy due to the reflexive nature of their use: no sight alignment is required in the shooting solution which results in less time to acquire, sight and fire.  I think over time the cadence of the phrase has changed to reflect technology. If this phrase was being used during the revolutionary war and civil war era’s fighting, the soldier probably could cover a bit more distance than today.

Individual Movement Techniques (IMT)

3-5 Second Rush – The Rush is a full-on sprint to close as much distance to a piece of suitable cover in the least amount of exposure time. It is usually used in an open area that provides little or no cover or for covering short distances between scattered pieces of cover.  The distance covered will vary due to several things, physical ability, fighting load, effects of the bad guy’s fire, and terrain to mention a few. Rushing with the rifle at "High Noon" lends itself to fighting using the underarm assault position to engage an unexpected threat. It also allows for a natural arm swing while running with the arm not holding the rifle. This is where the phrase "I’m Up, He Sees Me, I’m Down" comes into play most often. It gives you that measurement in your brain for about how long you have been exposed. 

 
                                                                                                            

High Crawl – The High Crawl starts from the prone. The rifle is cradled in the arms and you use the knees and elbows to power the body. This technique is not as fast as the rush, however, it keeps you lower to the ground and helps you displace from where the bad guy last had sight of you after your last bound. This technique, used in conjunction with micro terrain, can get you the rest of the way to good cover. The High Crawl is also relatively easy to fight from.   

  
Low Crawl – The Low Crawl also starts from the prone. The rifle is grasped by the sling and sling attachment point with the forend lying on your forearm. This technique is best suited for when none of the above techniques will work due to terrain, lack of cover, or effectiveness and volume of fire. The head is turned to the side, the arms are used to pull and the feet and legs to push the body. Basically you use your head to dig a trench for the body. Not required but a ballistic helmet could be considered a good piece of kit (comfort item) for this technique. This technique is the slowest which provides the lowest silhouette and is the hardest to defend due to the head being turned to one side. This can be modified for our use by not turning the head to the side since we probably won’t have a ballistic helmet we can scan and have better situational awareness.
 

Note: Personal protective gear such as quality elbow and knee pads are not necessary to accomplish any of the individual movement techniques however, those items are highly reccomended. The uniform I am wearing in the photos has pockets designed to hold a thin foam pad for each knee and elbow.   

Factors that affect IMT

Volume and Effectiveness of Enemy Fire – The effectiveness of the bad guy’s fire will factor heavily on the IMT that you use.  An example of this is when the enemy fire is sporadic and not effective, a series of rushes might be all that is needed to get you to cover or allow you to disengage from the contact. 

Terrain - Terrain affects everything from rate of march to the different types of equipment that it takes to operate effectively. Be prepared to deal with what is in your area or any area you might end up in.

Micro Terrain - Know how to identify Micro Terrain and use it to your advantage. That small depression or washout in a field might provide you with adequate cover or at least occlude you from the view of the bad guy.

Fighting Load - This is dictated by your mission. If you are living out of your rucksack, you need to drop ruck and fight. Having all your kit with you when you die from lack of mobility doesn’t do you any good. This is where 1st 2nd and 3rd line kit becomes very important. Peel it off as necessary to fight and win.

Points to Consider

Route Selection - We select routes to take us to and from our objective usually based on a map reconnaissance.  Don’t be a slave to your map. The terrain on the ground usually is not as it is depicted on the map unless you have some really good mapping assets.  Adjust your route to provide you the best cover and concealment and keep your patrol safe.

Speed vs Security During Movement - Sacrificing security for speed sometimes may be necessary to make a hard time or exfiltrate an area and put some distance between you and the bad guys. However, doing the hard thing right over the easy thing wrong is usually the best course of action. Getting on a trail or road because you are wet, cold, tired, and hungry could be a bad decision.  “Bad decisions lead to last decisions.” 

Cover - As you are moving through an area you should be selecting points of cover that you can move to should you become engaged right now.  This is applicable to everyday movement as well as actively patrolling an area. Knowing what is good cover and what is not should be high on the list of good things to know. If you are able to conduct some weapons effects testing it behooves you to know what your ammo and the potential bad guy’s ammo will and will not punch through. 

Lastly, get out and train with the kit that you plan on using. It will let you know what needs changing and what works well.

 

 

THE ZURICH WEDGE

THE SIG 556 ZURICH WEDGE (Patent Pending)

The SIG 550 Series of rifles is a blending of modern western manufacturing and engineering with the old world simplicity of Kalashnikov's design. The SIG retains the reliability that the AK-47 is famous for, but offers refinement and accuracy standards only seen in Western European weapons.

That notwithstanding, many of our students and customers have noted a looseness in the upper and lower receivers. While it is known that such tolerances are there to enhance reliability, it would be welcome if there was a way to increase the tightness between the receiver halves without affecting reliability. Some notable designers have postulated that such a uniform tension would increase accuracy.

That practice is common in the M4 world where worn receivers will the tightened up with polymer or rubber wedges. The only issue with these is that under adverse conditions they have been known
to break apart, possibily malfunctioning the weapon. Enter the Zurich Wedge.

The Zurich Wedge was designed for friends of ours who are members of a European Special Unit using the SIG rifles in a CT role. The Zurich Wedge is manufactured from heat treated spring steel
and when installed, will create a uniform tension between upper and lower receivers, providing a rock solid rattle free stability without affecting reliability in any way. The Zurich Wedge is installed under the Pistol Grip screw with the "T" to the rear. When in place, and the rear pivot pin is pressed
into place, the receiver halves will be locked up tighter than a swiss safe.

As far as accuracy enhancement, that has as much to do with the ammo and the shooter, but in our test rifles, both SIG 556Rs, we noted a reduction in group size by .15" in one rifle and .25" in another. If you are running a SIG 556, the Zurich Wedge is an essential addition.

BUY IT HERE

 

Snow Storm - Part Three

Part Three

In Part One, I discussed the rationale for the PCC, and started a conversation on why the Beretta CX4 Storm is an excellent choice.

In Part Two, I shared some impressions about the gun, some noteworthy features, and briefly discussed shooting it.

Let's turn to what I think is the most interesting aspect of the Storm: how it handles. 

 

Lighter and easier to use one handed than the Uzi

 

Lightweight and Well-Balanced - I've already mentioned the weight; lower weight means easier handling in general.  The weight and short overall length make this gun very handy in a vehicle.   Ditching the VFG and SBRing the barrel would help even more.

 

Perhaps even more important than weight is balance.  I have an AK74 that is very light, but its balance makes it difficult for me to run to my maximum ability.  My FS2000 is heavier, but its balance allows me to do almost everything easier.  The Storm is lightweight and balanced.  These attributes alone make it a winner in my book.

 

 

Intuitive - Every weapon has a learning curve, but the Storm is very natural and easy to learn and use.  The faster you learn how to use it, the faster you can become fight-focused rather than weapon-focused. 

 

The controls are laid out well, very similar to where they are on a pistol.  The pull of the charging handle is easy, a real benefit to family members.  It's not as satisfying as yanking on the charging handle of an AK, but it's an improvement over the Uzi in my opinion.

 Virtually all the controls can be reversed, allowing you to customize the gun to you.  This is a handling advantage.  No matter how you set the gun up, you still need to train with it and make those skills second nature...but the more natural it is from the start, the better you'll be with it.

 

 Moving and Shooting - Some guns are easier to use while moving and shooting, particularly with challenging footing such as the snow we shot these pictures in.  The Storm just goes where your hands go, very easily, and allows you to focus on keeping your footing and hitting your target.

  My variation of the takeoff (the "Japanese Takeoff" - an article and video is on the way) allows good footing in slick conditions.  Easy to do in the snow with a Storm.

 

Mag Changes - Another handling advantage is that mag changes are almost identical to your pistol.  However, as with any weapon, you need to practice this skill A LOT, and some of the mags are easier than others.  The standard 15 rounder of the 92 for example, and the 8 round 45 pictured here, are shorter than the pistol grip, making it more difficult to handle.  The longer mags for the .40 and 9mm are easier, but you'll need additional practice with them as well because they're longer than your standard pistol mag.  Still, for most people I think this is probably easier than mag changes with an AK.

 

Streamlined -  Look at this photo:

 See any rough edges on it?  Neither do I. 

As much as I love the Uzi, it's almost all rough edges.  Look, I'm an AK guy, so I can appreciate a gun that leaves a few love marks (Seriously Honey!  These are from my AK!!).  But it's refreshing to see a gun that was obviously designed to not snag anything.  For the niche this gun is likely to be employed - close-quarters, indoors, vehicle operations, pulling out of a sneaky bag in response to an active shooter event - aerodynamic is a handling advantage.

 

Completely ambidextrous - Even without changing any of the controls, this is a very easy gun to run on both sides.  One skill I practice a lot is shoulder transfers, changing the gun from right side to left and back again.  The way I had Dad's Storm set up it was THE easiest and fastest carbine I've ever practiced transfers with. 

 

The gun I handled started out with long Vertical Forward Grip (VFG).  We didn't get any pictures of it, but later we removed the grip and front rails, and I found that transfers were even easier without the VFG.  Transfer the butt stock to the left shoulder, maintain backward pressure with your left hand...and just slide it back into the firing grip as your right hand grabs the fore-end.  It is much easier to use this "sliding" method with the Storm than with other guns such as the Uzi.  (Try the same thing with an FS2000 vs. an AK or AR.)   

  

Going to the left shoulder is easy even in a vehicle. 

 

Yes, preferably you'd be stepping on the gas instead of shooting if you can help it...

 

 

 

Or step on the gas while you shoot. 

 

You're not going to hit anything this way but the Storm easily allows the option for suppressive fire as you get away.

 

 

 

 

I prefer the Storm without a VFG, but if it improves your handling of the gun then go for it.  If the gun is SBR'd like the one above, it becomes a safety issue and I'd recommend a very short VFG.  No sense shooting your support hand.

 

Different from a "Rifle" - Although the Storm isn't a bullpup, its balance and light weight make it handle like one.  In some ways it's like a scaled down FS2000.  There are some movement patterns and shooting positions where you can treat it like a big pistol.

The Storm is less bulky, but it's longer than the FS2000.  Handling is similar.

 
Some angles in a vehicle are more like using a pistol.

 

 

Transition to the left shoulder is even easier if you handle it like a pistol.

 

In the WT after-action discussion on the recent SMG class in Prescott, SI Instructor Greg Nichols commented:

"I believe the Uzi to be faster in operation than the HK (MP5) and easier to one hand shoot. I believe that having the mag and well at the balance point of the HK makes it slightly easier to [shoulder] transfer than the Uzi."

 Comparing the Storm to the Uzi - even with a full-length barrel the Storm is easier to shoot one-handed than an SBR'd Uzi, and it's certainly easier to transfer shoulders.  As to which is faster in operation, I think it's something of a toss-up, and really depends on which platform you are more comfortable with. 

   

The Storm is an excellent tool at bad breath distance...

 

It handles like a pistol, allowing for easy one-handed manipulation and allows the other hand freedom to block and strike.

 

 

Getting off the X in the 5 o'clock direction. 

Once again, the Storm's design allows you to handle it like a pistol. 

A better example for pictures  would have been to go to the 7 o'clock. 

Going to the 7 o'clock with a rifle like an AK or an AR requires a transfer to the left shoulder, as well as moving the left hand to the pistol grip.  With the Storm, simply transfer the gun to the left shoulder but leave your right hand on the pistol grip...much faster and easier than with a traditional rifle set up.

 

I'd rather shoot with it, but it makes a decent impact weapon.

 

Dropping to Spetsnaz Prone doesn't make as much sense in an open field like this...unless it's slick and you can't get off the X quickly.  Dropping straight down, fast, out of the bad guy's sight may be your only option.

 

Sometimes the gun is empty and there's no time for anything else.  Hit the b*stard. 

I intended to write one simple article on this gun...and it grew into four (really, that's it, no more!)  Next time I will talk about accessories and potential upgrades. 

Snow Storm Part Two

Part Two

In Part One I shared some ideas about the niche and benefits of Pistol Caliber Carbines and began discussing how the Beretta CX4 Storm is a solid choice for that role.  Here's Part Two...

The Storm has been around since 2003, so I won't go into all the gun details.  However, here are a few items I find noteworthy…

Caliber and Magazines

The 9mm and 40 S&W CX4 models are designed to be compatible with magazines for several Beretta pistol models - the 92/96, the PX4 Storm, and the 8000/8040 Cougar.

In other words, a 9mm or 40 S&W gun will accept multiple mag types; all that's required is changing a magazine insert and a mag release button (they’re reasonably cheap when in stock).  The inserts are conveniently stamped to tell you which mag type they accept.

The table below displays the part numbers needed for a given mag type, as well as the available mag capacities. Just buy the appropriate insert and release button, and you can switch mags.

 

Beretta offered a nice variety of 9mm mag options with the 92 and PX4 styles.  Perhaps there's a good reason they don’t offer more than 17 rounds of 40 S&W, though it seems to me it wouldn't have been such a stretch to cook up a 20ish round mag.  And they didn't even bother with more options for the 8000/8040 Cougar.

 As for the 45 ACP...8 rounds?  That's it?? 

The 45 CX4 Storm takes the 8 round magazine of the immensely popular 8045 Cougar pistol (that's sarcasm for those who don't speak it). 

I guess we can't fault Beretta too much for the lack of foresight on this one, but with the 8 round Cougar/CX4 45 mag, Berreta managed to make a magazine that is useless both in New York and everywhere else.  (More sarcasm.)

The least Beretta could have done was offer an insert option for the PX4 45...it IS called the PX4 Storm after all (CX4 is for Carbine, PX4 is for Pistol). That would have at least allowed a 9 and 10 round option.  Maybe they just got tired at that point. I certainly got tired just writing this section.

Sierra Papa has an aftermarket solution to this problem that looks promising.  It's a little spendy, and there's effort required to modify the factory magazine.  But if you like 45 ACP, and like even better the sound of 16 rounds in the magazine, maybe that's just the ticket for you. 

The version I shot was a 45, and since this gun seems destined to stay in the family I ordered two of the mag conversion kits.  I haven't had the opportunity to convert the mags yet, but the parts look very solid and the quality looks excellent.  Plus, the folks at Sierra Papa are very friendly, helpful, and informative.

Left to right: Glock 21 mag (for comparison), Sierra Papa 45 mag extension, Beretta 92 20 round mag, Beretta 92 30 round mag.  The Sierra Papa looks like a solid piece of kit. 

 

Except for the cut outs in the grip, the factory 45 mags are actually shorter than the mag well.  This is yet another reason it's silly there isn't an extended 45 magazine (though I'm sure the compatibility is a driving feature for the hoards of Beretta 8045 users out there). 

I found the best way to get these to seat was a hard palm strike: hit it with the heel of the hand lined up with the grip cut-outs. 

 

Somebody offers a 10 round extension for the 45, but at this point I'm sick of researching magazine options.

 

 Disassembly

 It’s easy. 

1. Remove the mag.  Hopefully you don't need to be reminded of that step.

2. Cock the hammer by pulling back the charging handle (necessary because the polymer spring guide rod and buffer can be broken during disassembly…this is an argument for purchasing the steel guide rod). 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Push out the "Disassembly Latch;" it can be pushed out from either side. 

 

 

4. Slide the upper from the lower.

 

 

5. Pull the bolt assembly back until the charging handle is lined up with the round area just in front of the ejection port.  Remove the charging handle.

 

 

6. Pull out the bolt.  I didn't have time to disassemble it further but this much is adequate for most cleaning.

 It's not quite as easy as an AK, but it's close.

 

 

The Bolt

 While we've got it apart, let's discuss the bolt.  Warrior Talk member Goodspeed(TPF) shared a good deal of information on the Storm with me.  (At one point he owned six of them!  Two each of 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.  I have Storm envy.)  He describes this better than I can:

 Many people may not realize just how heavy the slide mass is in the Storm, especially compared to other similar carbines. This aids in a few areas.

 First, it allows the recoil springs to be lighter which makes the bolt easier to cock enabling those of weaker stature to still easily charge the weapon.

Secondly it helps to soften felt recoil as a heavier slower moving mass is easier to control than a much faster, lighter one.  Enabling much faster follow up shots. It also helps to lengthen the service life of parts compared to other PCCs. One example would be a Marlin Camp Carbine, which will beat its stock to death if not properly maintained.

And finally it aids in proper safe and reliable function with the use of +p or +p+ ammunition. I am a big lover of faster moving bullets for certain purposes and I have to say the Beretta Storm has never let me down. I have fired high pressure 9mm from many other Carbines and experienced not only bulged cases but also case ruptures, and that was with standard pressure ammunition. When you introduce +p, +p+ and NATO pressure ammunition to some other PCCs they fail miserably and even become dangerous to the shooter. I have never experienced this type of failure (or any failure for that matter) with either my 9mm Storms, or my .45 Storm when shooting higher pressure ammunition (no +p is available for the .40).

   

This bolt is set up for right side ejection.  This is the left side of the bolt, the ejection port cover can be moved to the other side for left handed shooters.

 

 

The right side of the bolt with the empty ejection port. 

 

 

Another view of the bolt, this time in comparison to the bolt of a Marlin Camp Carbine.

 

A view from the top this time, also next to the Camp Carbine bolt.  Besides giving you a good idea of the mass in the Storm's bolt, this also givea a good view of the spring guide rod.  This piece is polymer, offers a weight savings over steel, and is plenty strong enough during operation of the gun.  However, it can be broken during disassembly if the gun is not cocked prior to starting the breakdown process.  Aftermarket steel guide rods are available.

 

Weight

Beretta's website says the gun weighs 5.75 pounds unloaded (most of that weight is the bolt).  When comparing to an Uzi, which I think is surprisingly handy and quick on target, the Storm is a featherweight.  If weight is an issue - often the case for family members - the Storm is a better choice hands down.

 

Reversible Controls

 The Storm is the perfect lefty gun: with the exception of the bolt release, EVERYTHING is reversible.  I didn't have time to mess with changing the extraction, mag release, or safety.  As a right hander, things are laid out pretty much where they should be (it's sort of a pistol/rifle hybrid), so personally I probably wouldn't change anything.  For righties, shooting left will just require some practice to access all the controls fluidly.  (Though I intend on running the gun with a lefty set up before posting Part 3...)

 

 Charging Handle

 One thing I did experiment with was switching the charging handle.  It's simple and takes seconds:

1. Follow steps 1-5 for disassembly as noted above.

2. After you pull it out, stick it in the other side.  (Don't take that step out of context.)

3. Reverse the disassembly steps to reassemble.  You can do all this faster than it takes to read these instructions.

I would keep the handle on the left, though as an AK guy I don’t mind it on the right side at all.  I've seen a few guys who have modified their AKs for charging handles on both sides; I always thought this looked like fun but it's not something I'd spend the money on.  With the Storm I'd do it in a heartbeat.  The hardest part is going to Beretta's website and ordering one.  I found it on their site without even looking for it (they call it a cocking handle by the way, and as of this writing it's only $19).  While you're at it, you can ask them why they don't offer higher capacity .45 magazines...I'm sure they've never seen that comment before.

  

 

 

 

 

Double charging handles - looks kinda funny but it gives you options.

 

Reassembly

Reassembly is easy and fast.  With practice I think it could be done quick enough to make the Storm a viable concealed carry option for response to an active shooter event.

I rarely carry an Uzi, but when I do I remove the barrel and stow it in a laptop bag (SBRs are illegal in WA, so I must retain the 16 inch barrel).  Retrieving the gun from the bag, reinstalling the barrel, and tightening down the barrel nut can be done very quickly.  Particularly with TSD’s RMR UZI top cover, you have a much better weapon platform than a pistol and it can be in service almost by the time you've gotten behind cover. 

  Suarez International Instructor John Chambers demonstrates deploying the Uzi from a laptop bag.

 

Is reassembling the Storm as easy as screwing in the barrel of an Uzi?  No, it takes a bit more dexterity than that.  Under stress, especially on the move, it would be easy to drop and misplace the disassembly latch.  In terms of fast and easy reassembly, the Uzi wins without contest.

But in terms of actually carrying it around all day…at roughly three pounds lighter than the Uzi…there's no question I’d rather carry the Storm.  Three pounds may not sound like a lot, but that strap on the laptop bag does start to wear on your shoulder after awhile.

 

Lighter than the Uzi and fits in a briefcase.  Awesome.

The Storm above has obviously had the barrel cut.  Less obvious is that the stock has also been shortened. The upper is roughly 16", the lower is 17.5", assembled it is 23.5" long. With the accessories it is just over 6 lbs.  The barrel is 11.25".  Chronograph tests revealed a roughly 20% decrease in velocity after being chopped, but still much higher than the average 4" pistol barrel.

The Storm's overall length is 29.7" (without the buttstock spacer).  A 30 inch rifle is a little big to pack around in a non-descript way.  (The Storm is actually just a shade longer than the FS2000, though lighter and less bulky.)

 

Broken apart, the upper and lower of the Storm are almost 21 and 19 inches respectively.  Unless they're modified that's too long to fit in a laptop bag, but with proper foam packing they could certainly work in a small gym bag.  Slide the halves together, insert the disassembly latch, load the mag, and run the charging handle...BANG.  You're in business. 

 

Responding to an active shooter event falls into two categories, reactive or proactive.  In a reactive scenario, the problem is up close and personal, and you have little or no time to think.  You either run for cover, or you draw quickly from concealment and deal with the problem as best you can.  A proactive scenario scenario means you have time, at least a few seconds, to decide how you should respond...run away, sit there like a fecklessly wondering WHY...or take out the b*stard who is shooting people.  (If given the opportunity, I know which choice I will make.)  

In the proactive scenario, the Storm will give you a better tool than a pistol.  If it is carried broken down, it will require fast assembly.    The concern here is the potential to lose the disassembly latch.  It would be easy to drop and lose this piece while assembling under stress.  Keeping an extra on hand, perhaps even attached to the gun in some fashion, is good insurance.

 

Here's another look at the disassembly latch.  Ridiculous 8 round 45 magazine looking forlorn in the corner. 

 

Rail options

Beretta offers a top rail for optics, a removable tri-rail allowing for attachments on both sides and the bottom, and a retractable rail under the barrel.  To extend this rail you simply push in the sling attachment and pull out the rail.  I like the retractable rail option, and though I doubt it would take a lot of punishment I would probably use it to attach a light.

Personally I'm not a fan of hanging lots of stuff on my guns; I like to keep it as light and snag-free as possible.  But if you like rail options, the Storm has easy buttons.

 This gun came with a Burris SpeedDot.  It is...okay.  There are much better options. I would go with an RMR instead.

 

Shooting it

We went to an outdoor range the day after Christmas.  It was cold, really cold, but it was clear and bright.  Good for what we intended.  We didn’t have long and just came out to function check it and make sure the thing was zeroed.

Dad took his first shot, aiming at a small black bullseye at 25 yards.  Neither of us could tell where the bullet hit…until I looked through the spotting scope.  Dead center of the bullseye, we just couldn’t see it.  Yep, it was zeroed. 

We did some more shooting. Nothing technical and no measurements so I can’t tell you what the spread was, but it was plenty accurate enough and very consistent. 

Sights

I’ve seen some complaints about the plastic peep sights on the Storm.  I’d prefer steel but honestly I didn’t have a problem with them.  (At least on a bright clear day.  I need to run the Storm in less light.)  I shot mostly using the wider aperture (labeled “SR” for “short range”…you can guess the smaller aperture was labeled “LR”) and found they were decent and worked well enough at the ranges we shot at.  They fold down for use with the red dot, a nice feature.

The Burris SpeedDot was okay. It was certainly faster than acquiring the sight picture with the “irons."  And while we could certainly hit the target with decent accuracy, we didn't get the same consistency as with the peep sight.  I zeroed them to the point they were “close enough” but I didn’t get them to a point I was happy with.  The adjustment knobs felt cheap and did not inspire any confidence.  Does it work?  Yes.  But for the kind of consistent accuracy and confidence I want in this weapon -- you should be able to hit eyeballs with a dot at room distance -- I wouldn’t count on this optic.  The Storm is plenty accurate, and it needs a dot that's up to the task.  I would choose a Trijicon RMR.

 

Trigger

The trigger could be better.  The trigger and hammer are both polymer, and while time has proven that they are durable, it's definitely not a satisfying trigger to run.  The gun itself is clearly accurate and a better trigger would help the shooter take advantage of that.  I’m told the Sierra Papa trigger/hammer upgrade is a worthwhile investment and plan on trying it.  The SP trigger is aluminum and the hammer is steel, and I'm certain they give a much crisper feel. 

 

Mag Changes and Malfunction Clearing

The range didn’t allow for any movement drills, so all our shooting was stationary.  I did some snap shots, shooting more for speed than accuracy.  No problem at 25 yards.  The Storm almost points itself.

I also did some speed shooting with mag changes.  This wasn't so easy thanks to the short 45 mags, and the fact that my fingers were really cold by that time didn’t help.  If this were my gun I would spend a lot more time working mag changes.

Dad also had some old, crappy 45 ammo…I actually regret that we put that stuff through the gun at all.  However, it provided a great opportunity to clear malfunctions, because much of it wouldn’t fire.  Running that bolt to get a fresh round in couldn’t be easier.  We only ran it with charging handle on the left side…I wish I’d thought to change it over to the right.

Recoil

Given that Goodspeed(TPF) has experience will all calibers of the Storm, I’ll quote him on recoil:

I have to say that the 9mm Storm shoots the softest followed by the .45 which "pushes" more than it "hits" you. I think I enjoy shooting the .45 the most just because of how it recoils. The .40 has the snappiest recoil of the 3, especially when shooting loads such as the Cor-Bon 135gr loading (which works very well on Deer). Now keep in mind, this is relatively speaking, of course. Compared to a 30-30, the .40 is a pussycat.

Overall Impressions

Comparing the Storm and the Uzi - I still enjoy shooting the Uzi more, both for fast shots as well as more carefully aimed shots.  Part of that may be the caliber difference; the heavy Uzi soaks up all the 9mm recoil, and while the 45 Storm has very tame recoil, it does jump a bit.  Mostly I think it's the trigger.  The Uzi trigger won’t win any prizes but still feels better to me than the Storm.  I will say this, however: shooting in the temperatures we were, the polymer stock and rubber cheek piece of the Beretta Storm is much more comfortable than the cold steel of the Uzi’s folding stock.  That may be an important consideration in your area of operations.

My overall impression is that Storm is very accurate and easy to shoot.  It’s very handy, quick on target, and easy to clear malfunctions.  I would have liked to shoot it more, but didn’t want to shoot up all of Dad’s ammo.  Besides, I was cold and feeling soft right after Christmas.

What I find most interesting about the Storm is how it handles.  I’ll discuss that in Part Three.   

Active Shooters - Final Solution

Since the killings in Connecticut, we have heard all manner of proposed solutions to these problems. Most of the solutions proposed smack of stupidity and cowardice…and a few other things. In this article I will state why I think these events occur, and how to best stop them.

I begin with the assumption that man is evil and selfish – and dark. If left in the wilds, to his own devices,to live as an animal, man becomes a predator with nothing to curtail the drives to eat, rest, and procreate...by force. It is only civilization, and with it, morality, or the sense of right and wrong, that elevates man from a self-serving animal, to the status of human being. 

In our western civilization, right and wrong is defined in the book that has defined our culture from the first century – the Bible. If we remove the Bible, and its Author, from our society, we immediately lose the authority to define what is right and what is wrong. And in modern America’s idiotic desire to “never offend anyone”, we have sacrificed the definition of what is right and what is wrong, for some sense of approval by those who are wrong. Americans do not care if they are called, but do not call them intolerant. God is who defines good and evil, and right and wrong.  But Americans don’t want to hear about that…it might offend someone.

The problem is that without the light of good that our biblical culture brings, there is nothing holding back the darkness. And when nothing holds that back, the forces of evil grow stronger, and you see them flex their muscles in Columbine, Aurora, and in Connecticut. Want to stop that from happening again? Really stop it? Invite the light of good back, and the Source of that light and see how society changes.

Now that will not happen overnight, and it will never happen in the most left-leaning regions of
America.

So what to do in the interim?

The socialists in America from their fearless leader on down to the socialist dog catcher that voted for him want to remove guns from society. Good luck I say. They cannot even tame illiterate goat herders in Afghanistan with their “give peace a chance” nation-building policies.

The NRA wants security guards at every soft target.

Nice idea but who is going to pay for that. After all, even the noblest, self-sacrificing Lancelot needs to pay the rent. Retired cops? Really? Please let us not assume that every man or woman that has worn a badge is the sort that will attack the gunman. Not every retired police officer was a SWAT cop. The retired, 300 pound, nice-old-guy with heart problems may make the soccer moms feel good but sorry, he will not be much help when Freddie Kruger shows up with a Deputy’s stolen rifle and a handful of psychiatrist-issued feel-good pills.

No disrespect…just plain cold and ugly reality. 

“So what the hell do we do?” you ask. 

The answer is right there. But it is not an answer that is "on the payroll", or answers to anyone in
Washington, or requires any Senate subcommittee. Let me tell you what the answer is…answers are. 

The role of “Protector” cannot be assigned. You cannot order a Pekinese to turn into a Pitbull. It is a self selected action.  

The mother that protects the students from the killer has self-selected as protector.  

The father that runs into the burning building to save the child self-selects as protector.

What parent would not die for their child if that was the choice? But wait…we are on to something. Death is not required. What parent would not "risk their life" for their child? I know I would in a second without a second thought. And by extension, what parent would not "kill for their child"?

Let that hang in the air for a moment. 

Two points and two points only. We do not need any blithering rants from Biden nor any of his familiars. The solution is as plain as day. Who will protect the innocents? The families of the innocents themselves will protect them…as it has been since the days of Christ.

1). Abolish all “gun free” zones. Not that any bad guy with a gun actually observes those limits anyway. Case in point, from Aurora to Columbine and from Connecticutt to San Ysidro…it did not
stop the killers did it?

But it did in fact stop the self-selected protectors that might have taken their weapon with them, save their inherent desire to obey the rules. Had good guys with guns been there and killed the killers, how many lives would have been spared?  

Who is guilty for those murders as much as the devil that pulled the trigger? The architects of the gun free zones.

2). Arm the fathers and mothers. At schools, search through the parents list. How many of them fit the role of self-selected protector? I will bet in those ranks you find combat veterans, working cops, retired cops, and martial artists, that if empowered by the forces they respect (the local Sheriff…or the school) would volunteer two, maybe three hours per week to stand in the gap, armed and ready, to protect their children...and the children of others with their will, skill, and courage.

There is no greater motivated fighter, than a man fighting for his home, his brothers, or his family. No badges, or grants, or approval from Washington, or the NRA is needed. What father would not have given his life to be there in Connecticut with a pistol to kill the killer before those children were sacrificed on the altar of politically correct, egalitarian, gun-free America?

The solution to these horrific events is simple and clear to any that want to find them. Most of America, however, specially its leadership, does not really want a solution, only to use these events as opportunities. They are far too busy using the dead children as a stepping stone to gain support for their agendas from the ignorant and the cowardly.  

Gabe Suarez 

Snow Storm (The Beretta CX4)

Part One

I had planned on driving, despite the winter road conditions.  I like driving through wintry mountain passes, even if it isn't the wisest thing to do...it provides a little bit of adventure, and I enjoy the solitude.  Plus, I wanted to do some vehicle training with my FS2000, and this is more easily accomplished where I was headed. 

As it happened, nature didn't agree to my plan.  All the mountain passes were closed, so I bought a last minute ticket from Seattle to Boise and counted myself lucky that I got to see my family for Christmas.  Long story (and flight, by way of Oakland) short, I made it home. 

Unfortunately it was more trouble than it was worth for me to fly with the FS2000...but I got to do a bit of training with something new (for me anyway).  My brother got Dad a Beretta CX4 Storm for Christmas…

Guns like the Storm, Uzi, MP5, pretty much any Pistol Caliber Carbine/Submachine Gun (PCC/SMG - I'll use the term PCC because it's more descriptive) never aroused much interest for me.  Sure, I had shot them and thought they were fun, but it was just not a platform that I thought I had a use for.  I never was and never will be on a SWAT team, kicking down doors and clearing houses.  Between my pistols, rifles, and shotguns, I figured I pretty much had every likely situation covered.

At some point however, I began to see wisdom in the use of a PCC – carrying/using in a vehicle, concealed in a lap top bag to respond to active shooter events, and most particularly for home defense. 

Much has been written about the benefits of PCCs. Here is a quick summary of why the PCC excels for close contact fighting indoors, and why in my opinion, it’s the best overall weapon for home defense:

• Muzzle blast - Whether you stick with the stock configuration of a 16 inch barrel, or shorten the barrel length after getting your SBR approval (which you should do if your state allows that), the muzzle blast from a PCC just doesn’t compare to a rifle/shotgun.  "Tame" is an understatement.  I'll trade the devastation of a shotgun blast for retaining my  night vision in the fight.

 

• Noise - It's inconvenient to lose your hearing during a fight.  Firing a rifle/shotgun indoors is something best avoided if you can help it.  If your hearing isn't important, so be it...but the ability for you and your family to hear and communicate over the roar of shotgun fire might come in handy.  If you don't have the opportunity to compare the sound of shotgun/rifle/PCC/pistols indoors, shoot them side-by-side outdoors.  It's not at all the same but it will give you some idea.  In class I've found that PCCs seem tame even next to suppressed AKs. 

• Ease of use - In my opinion, a PCC is easier to shoot than any other platform, pistols included.  This is especially true for other family members.  The Storm in particular is a very light weapon.  It's handy and compact, soft shooting and very gentle to handle.  As much as I appreciate the therapeutic properties of the rough edges of an AK, not everyone in my family does.  Easier on the hands and body is a shooting and fighting benefit for most people.  I would not hand my mom a Remington 870 if I could help it.  But a Berretta Storm?  You bet.  I'd give it to her, get a beer, and watch the fun.

• Recoil - Virtually non-existent when compared to shotguns and many rifles.  Easier to get multiple rounds on target.  Low recoil also helps with...

• Accuracy - The low recoil in conjunction with the additional points of contact on the stock make the PCC a very accurate platform.  In terms of accuracy, anything you can do with a pistol, you can do easier with a PCC.  The strength of the pistol is its small size and concealability, which is not an issue with a bedside gun.  Accuracy indoors is also easier than a rifle in my opinion, given the points mentioned above.

• Fun - This is a serious consideration in my opinion.  Something that's fun to shoot will get more training time, and more training time equals more proficiency.  Maybe you prefer shooting a 12 gauge 870 to a PCC...but does your wife?  Your kids? 

This reasoning led me to start researching PCCs.  I had fired a Beretta Storm in the past, and I did like it, but it wasn’t a platform I took very seriously.  It seemed to me to be something of a novelty – a nice gun, but not something to put a lot of confidence in. 

I decided instead to purchase and train with the Uzi, and when I saw that Suarez International offered an SMG class, I signed up immediately.  (And I’m very happy I did, it was a groundbreaking event!)

The Uzi didn’t agree with me at first.  The controls are laid out well, and while the gun is very intuitive to some, handling the Uzi just didn’t come naturally to me.  There was a short period when I actually regretted buying it, but I was determined to learn a new platform and just kept practicing, a little every day.  Then one day everything seemed to change.  What at first seemed like a very heavy gun suddenly felt very lively in my hands.  Handy, quick on target, murderously easy to point shoot.  Mag changes that seemed awkward were now as smooth as with other platforms.  Shoulder transfers, transitions to pistol…no problem.  Going into the December 2012 SMG class, I was confident with the weapon and had a grand time shooting it.  It was a pleasure watching some of the other instructors who were vastly more experienced with it, and learning and sharing ideas with different instructors and students was one of the highlights of the training year.

After learning and becoming confident with the weapon, I came to really love the Uzi.  It’s solid, tough, reliable, and easy to shoot.  It’s also easy to shoot A LOT - I found that in some drills I fired almost double the number of rounds that I would with an AK.  I had brought extra ammo for the class, but found I had used well over half my total round count after day one! 

Coming home, the Uzi was promoted to my bedside gun.

 

But this article was supposed to be about the Beretta CX4 Storm…

Having come to deeply appreciate the Uzi, when I learned that Dad had a Storm on the way, I was excited to pick it up again and give it another try.  Only having a few days with the family, I picked it up and handled it at every opportunity. 

One thing that quickly became apparent was that the Storm seemed much more intuitive than the Uzi.  Weapons are individual things, so perhaps this is only my experience, but in my opinion the Storm is an easier, more approachable and user-friendly gun than the Uzi (and I say that as a big fan of the Israeli 9mm!)

I will share more detailed impressions in Part 2, but in short I was very impressed with the weapon.  Light, handy, and much tougher than I originally gave it credit for.

The Storm’s size and weight make it an excellent vehicle weapon.  This one would be even better with a shorter Vertical Forward Grip (VFG), or better yet, in my opinion, no VFG at all.

The barrel goes outside the window just a bit holding it in the normal shouldered position.  SBR this thing and you could probably keep the whole thing inside the cab.

Modifying to a pistol grip, even a full length barrel doesn’t go outside the truck cab.  This technique can be used in any situation where retention is an issue.

Light weight and easy handling aren’t just for vehicles and indoors.

The Beretta CX4 Storm is an excellent example of a gun that combines all the qualities one is looking for in a PCC.  In Part Two I will discuss some of the notable features of this fine weapon.

UZI sight-in distances: point blank range analysis

By Alex Nieuwland and JD Lester – Suarez International Staff Instructors

As you can see, the UZI is basically a big pistol. Thanks to its stock, however, even moderately trained personnel can easily push its useful distance out beyond “normal” pistol range, and we therefore need to look at it more like a rifle than a pistol. One of the questions that came up in class recently was: “Alex, what is the best sight-in distance for my UZI?” That is a good question, because a poor choice of zero can have adverse consequences at longer ranges, as we’ll see later in this article.

To answer this question intelligently, we can use a concept that comes to us from rifle ballistics called Point Blank Range Analysis. To determine our point blank range, we must decide what the smallest target is that we are trying to hit, and what ammunition we are going to use. We plug that into a ballistics calculator and calculate at what distance the curved flight path of the bullet will cause us to hit the top and the bottom of the target, while we aim straight at the target.

 

I chose 4” for the height of the target, because the height of the sights over the bore of the barrel of my UZI is 1.8”, so I will be almost 2” off somewhere along the trajectory. I chose to use Winchester 124 gr 9 mm NATO, because that is the ammunition used by NATO in its UZIs. The Winchester site lists the ballistic coefficient (basically, how aerodynamic the bullet is) of their 124 gr bullet as 0.166. I did not have a chronograph yet, so for my calculation I chose the velocity found by Ballistics by the Inch for a 124 grain 9 mm Luger bullet out of a 16” barrel: 1243 fps.

Plugging those numbers into my NightForce Exbal ballistics calculator yielded a zero point of 92 yards, with hits at the top and bottom of the target at 54 yards and 105 yards, respectively. This shows that, with a careful choice of zero point, I should be able to hold dead-on out to 105 yards, and still hit a 4” high target. Choosing 6.5” (the size of the dot in my RMR at 100 yards) as the target size yielded a zero point of 109 yards, good out to 127 yards. That’s exactly 100 meters, the zero point suggested by the original UZI manufacturer (IMI).

These zero points, however, are all the second intercept of the bullet with the line of sight. I prefer sighting in rifles using the first intercept, before going out to longer distances to verify the zero, because it’s just a whole lot easier. To find the first intercept, I plotted this solution using the ballistics calculator at handloads.com and Microsoft Excel. You can see the calculation for the first solution below. The bullet starts at 1.8” below the line of sight, crosses the line of sight at 15 yards (1st intercept), climbs to about 2” above the line of sight at 55 yards, and then starts to drop, crossing the line of sight again around 92 yards (2nd intercept). Around 106 yards, it is 2” below the line of sight, but by 150 yards, it is already 12” below the line of sight.

 

I verified this solution at the range. I carefully zeroed my UZI at 15 yards using the RMR, then moved to 50 yards (the maximum possible at this range). At 50 yards, my hits were 2.5” high. Close enough for me.

I also tried 158 gr 9 mm subsonic ammunition with this zero. The slower 158 gr bullets take longer to get to the target, and should therefore drop more at the same range. They did: at 50 yards, the hits were 3” below the point of aim, for a total drop of 5” compared to 124 gr 9 mm NATO.

115 gr 9 mm Luger is a lot more common than 124 gr 9 mm NATO, so I also used Exbal to calculate the point blank range for 115 gr 9 mm Luger with a 0.142 ballistic coefficient at 1295 fps. The calculated zero point was 93 yards, maximum at 55 yards, minimum at 107 yards. For this, a first intercept at 15.5 yards worked better than a first intercept at 15 yards. 

 

For the suppressor-inclined, here is the solution for 147 gr 9 mm Luger with a 0.2 ballistic coefficient at 1073 fps: 83 yard zero point, maximum at 48 and minimum at 95 yards. Note that it was zeroed at 13.5 yards, and note the drop at 150 yards: almost 17”.

 

The graph below shows what happens if a zero point of 7 yards is chosen with the 124 gr 9 mm NATO load (btw, the zero point distance should be measured from the muzzle, not from where you are standing). The point blank range of this zero point is only about 15 yards. Beyond 15 yards, it is too high according to the 4” target height specifications set earlier. I’d say that this zero is too close, and better results can be obtained by moving it out further.

One issue that has come up while I was doing this, is the difference between UZI iron sights, and RMR sights. There are two kinds of iron sights for UZIs: Model A and Model B. The pictures below shows my Model A sights, and JD Lester’s Model B sights.

 

The Model A front sight consists of a threaded drum topped by with an off-center front sight post that is screwed into a hole in the receiver. A nut and a lock washer keep the front sight from unscrewing under recoil. The front sight is used for both elevation and windage adjustments. Model B sights have the elevation adjustment in the front sight, and the windage adjustment in the rear sight. The Model B front sight has a detent to keep it from unscrewing under recoil. Each model comes with two flip-up apertures: 100 meter and 200 meter. Each model sight requires a different sight adjustment tool. You can buy the one for the Model A sights here.

JD’s (Model B) front sight is almost bottomed out. My (Model A) front sight is cranked up as high as I can get it without having it pop out of the hole in the receiver, and I was barely able to get a 10 yard zero. A more distant zero would require a longer front sight post. The UZIs currently shipping from Vector Arms are all equipped with Model A sights from Israeli-made UZI parts kits, so we can be reasonably sure that these sights used to work for a 100 meter zero. I’m guessing the difference is caused by the 16 inch “Pinocchio” barrels that Vector has to install to comply with Federal law. If you run into this issue as well, there are a couple of ways out of it: find a longer Model A front sight post (which I have been unable to do), SBR your UZI, or relegate your iron sights to the role of backup sights and install a Trijicon RMR sight.

I went with the last solution. My RMR sight is installed on a TSD top cover and co-witnessed (more or less) with the iron sights. I have filed off the top half of the 200 meter aperture to have a better view of the dot. Be aware that parallax error (how high the dot appears to be in the RMR) can affect things as you are sighting in the gun. I use the lower half of the aperture to minimize this source of variability. Eventually, I will blacken the exposed metal to lessen the glare of sunlight reflected into my RMR sight.

So, the complete answer to the question at the start of this article is: “That depends on your ammunition, the maximum difference between the point of aim and point of impact that you find acceptable, and your sights.”

The easy solution, in my opinion, is to go with 124 gr 9 mm NATO, a TSD top cover with RMR (whenever they become available again) and a 15 yard zero.

Care to comment? You can do so in this thread on WarriorTalk.

How to stop a threat.....or when bullets really matter

By Brian Brzowski, MD, FACS.  Suarez International Tactical Medicine Instructor

 

Guys (and gals), with all the discussion on magazine capacity and the lethality of assault rifles, we need to revisit the fact that shot placement is one of the most critical elements of ending a violent encounter.  While a firm believer that all American citizens have a Constitutional Right to magazines of whatever capacity they choose and to calibers and firearm construction of their liking, we may soon see a time when we are permitted fewer rounds of a lower ballistic effect.  It becomes paramount that we understand where our bullets need to go in order to have their intended effect.

First, we need to recall that it is well-established that the body has enormous capacity (albeit with great individual variability) to function after sustaining tremendous damage.  Reference my comments in these WT forums and previous documentation on the Miami FBI Firefight involving determined criminals and how long one can continue to fight despite receiving lethal, center of mass hits.  Likewise, it is understood that there are fight-ending anatomic areas in the body that we can target with our shots.  Our techniques need to be designed to direct fire into these regions, especially if we find ourselves forced to use smaller capacity magazines. 

I am intentionally excluding the harder to hit areas such as the hands/forearms/etc that can render an adversary functionally incapable of operating a weapon, and the less-motivated attacker who may voluntarily call off the fight from a painful or frightening injury to the genitals/face/etc.  For our purposes, we're only going to consider the body parts that shut off the electrical control of the body (nervous system) or rapidly and nearly instantly deprive the muscular and nervous systems of sufficient oxygen to operate (major blood vessels and heart).

Most are familiar with Central Nervous System shots that are popular with snipers.  The area targeted is the brainstem: 

 

Relatively speaking, this a small target, but it is literally the “light switch” of the body.  Significant damage to the brainstem will most reliably immediately end all purposeful actions on the part of the bad guy.  This area does meet our criteria to target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Injury to other areas of the central nervous system such as the larger cerebrum does not consistently end the attack and shouldn’t be one of our primary targets.  The thicker skull in this area does a good job of protecting the brain, and there are many reports of bullets simply bouncing off the bone and causing no significant injury. 

 

      

 

 Interestingly, I personally cared for a gentleman who was stabbed in the head with a large fixed blade knife.  We removed the knife in the OR and discharged him home the following day with no permanent deficit whatsoever.  His xray closely resembled this one:

 

 

The spinal column outside the skull is vulnerable to injury from gunshots but represents a narrow target that does receive some protection from a boney cage.  Furthermore, disruption of the spinal cord will only affect the function of body parts at and below the level of injury making targeting this region ineffective as an immediate fight-stopper.

Pelvic shots as man-stoppers are controversial in many circles, and understandably the pelvis does not qualify as an area we should primarily target for reasons discussed elsewhere.  A BG wearing body armor is the exception.

This leaves us with the anatomic area that presents the largest target and has a high degree of immediate impact on our adversary to target with our shots:  the heart and great vessels.

 

 

The heart is a pump that circulates blood through the great vessels.  The great vessels are those large conduits carrying blood to and away from the heart and are comprised of the aorta, the vena cava, and the pulmonary artery and veins (see the blue and red structures in the illustration).  Oxygenated blood flows from the heart through the great vessels and supplies the body with the circulation needed to maintain function. Our central nervous system is exceedingly dependent on this oxygen-rich blood and can only work for precious seconds without it.  Interruption of this process by damaging the pump (heart) or disconnecting the pipes (great vessels) is a fight-ender and worthy of making our primary target. 

 

 

 

 

However, it is important to recognize where these important structures are, so let’s look at the surface anatomy.  

 

As one can see, the heart and great vessels are located rather high in the chest.  In fact, contrary to popular understanding, the traditionally taught “center of mass” does NOT include the heart and great vessels. 

 

 

 

 

 

If one compares the surface anatomy image above to the traditional target below, you can see that the center 10x ring only includes the lower portion of the heart at the very apex of the ring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For these reasons mentioned, I have transitioned to more anatomically-appropriate targets in my Tactical Medicine classes.  If you come train with me, you will see targets such as these sold by LE Targets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, presently I use high-capacity  magazines.  From point shooting distances, I will continue to “zipper” the BG.  From greater distances, the RMR sitting atop the slide will help me direct my shots into the high chest and cranio-ocular region, leaving the pelvis available as another option if the situation dictates such a tactic. 

As always, we must remember that shots on the BG are bad for him and good for you.  However, when we have precious few rounds to expend, as with a pocket pistol or with future legislation possibly limiting the capacity of our magazines, keep in mind the priorities for targeting.

The Active Shooter Problem

by Jack Rumbaugh

Suarez International Director of Training

It has been a little more than two weeks since the December 14, 2012 school shooting in Newtown Connecticut and I am still  trying to wrap my head around the events of the day.  One way to help us understand what happened is to look back on history to understand the psychopathology of the active shooter.  We will examine six cases from 1949 to the present.

One of the earliest incidents to be considered an active shooter event was in 1949 in Camden, New Jersey.  On September 6th, Howard Barton Unruh killed 13 people and wounded three more.  Prior to his trial he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and found to be insane, and therefore immune from prosecution. He was committed to the New Jersey Hospital for the insane.  His last public words were “I’d have killed a thousand if I had enough bullets”.  He died in 1988, never having left the mental hospital.

On August 1, 1966,  Charles Joseph Whitman climbed to the 20th floor of the University of Texas at Austin administrative building and proceeded to shoot 48 people. Whitman killed 16 people including his wife and mother, and injured 32 more. Even though Whitman was shot and killed by police, he left several notes giving us clues to his mindset.  After he killed his wife he left a note stating “I imagine it appears that I have brutally killed both of my loved ones.  I was only trying to do a quick thorough job. If my Life Insurance policy is valid please pay off my debts. Donate the rest anonymously to a mental health foundation.  Maybe research can prevent further tragedies of this type.” Clearly, Whitman knew something was wrong.  After his death, an autopsy discovered a glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor.  Whitman would have been dead before Christmas of 1966.  Shortly after the shootings, Texas Governor John Connally commissioned a task force of professionals to examine the autopsy findings and materials related to Whitman’s actions.  They found that the tumor most likely had an effect on his behavior and conceivably could be responsible for his actions.

The Columbine High School massacre occurred on April 20, 1999 in Columbine, Colorado. Two seniors, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, shot and killed a total of 13 people and injured an additional 21. The Columbine massacre was not a spur of the moment decision. It was the culmination of over a year of planning, firearms acquisition, and bomb building. Several theories exist as to why Harris and Klebold plotted and carried out the massacre. Both boys were considered on the fringes of school society. They were part of the Goth culture and were avid gamers. They were also the victims of bullying while at school. It was also found that Eric Harris was diagnosed as a clinical psychopath and Dylan Klebold suffered from depression. Forensic psychiatrists believed that Harris was the mastermind having a messianic level superiority complex and hoped to demonstrate his superiority to the world. Eric Harris had been prescribed Zoloft and had been switched to Luvox just prior to the massacre.

On April 16, 2007, Seung-Hui Cho shot and killed 32 people and wounded 17 others in two separate attacks on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg Virginia. Cho had a history of mental issues and was diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder as a young teenager. In 2005, Cho had been accused of stalking two female students. After an investigation, Cho was declared mentally ill and ordered to attend treatment. It was also reported by his professors that his classroom behavior was disturbing as were some of his writing assignments. Cho also left a number of videos and an 1,800 word manifesto that spoke to his mental status.

On July 20, 2012 James Holmes killed 12 people and injured 58 others at the Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. As this is an ongoing case, a great deal of information regarding his mental state has not been released. It is claimed he was a psychiatric patient and there is evidence that he met with at least three mental health professionals prior to the shooting. Some of his acquaintances suspected that he suffered from mental illness and could be dangerous. Two weeks before the shooting he had sent a text message to a fellow graduate student asking if they had heard of the psychiatric disorder dysphoric mania. At the time of the shooting, Holmes was apparently under the influence of the prescription painkiller Vicodin. It is speculated that he had ingested up to 100 mgs of hydrocodone just hours prior to the shooting.

This brings us to December 14th of this year. Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 children and six adult staff members and wounded two more at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Again this is an ongoing investigation, so more information may be available at a later date. It is believed that Lanza suffers from a personality disorder and has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. It is not known at this time if Lanza was on any antipsychotic or psychoactive medication. I am sure more details will be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

I want to make some conclusions based on the information above but before I do that, I need to explain my frame of reference. Like Bill Nye, I am a science guy. I have a background in chemistry and physics. I worked as a chemist for a number of years. I currently have a career in information security. I take the data, examine it, and come to a conclusion based on the data. I do not “feel”, I think. Cause-and-effect, one plus one equals two, gravity works… You get the idea.


Based on the information above, we cannot ignore two facts: the perpetrators were diagnosed with or were troubled by undiagnosed mental issues prior to the shootings and there were drugs involved in most cases. In the case of Charles Whitman, his altered mental status was due to a brain tumor. In all cases, the perpetrators would not have been described as "normal" prior to or at the time of the shootings.

The fact that firearms were used in all six cases is not relevant. If the firearms had been unavailable, it is my opinion that some other method would have been used. There are historical precedents to show that the use of homemade explosives or  an accelerant such as gasoline could easily be used instead of a firearm. In 1927, Andrew Kehoe set up a major explosion in the Bath Consolidated School, killing 38 elementary school students and six adults. In 1990, Julio Gonzales doused the Happy Land nightclub with gasoline, set it on fire, and ultimately killed 87 people. Harris and Klebold were planning on using homemade explosives at Columbine. In this day and age, we are all too familiar with the terms homicide bomber and improvised explosive device, both extremely effective at killing large numbers of people. In fact, one of the largest losses of life was ultimately caused not by guns or explosives, but by box cutters. I am, of course, referring to the events of September 11, 2001.

Another factor is many of the recent active shooter events occurred in gun free zones. Without the threat of armed resistance the perpetrators were able to go about their evil business without the threat of armed resistance. In the case of the 1966 University of Texas shooting, non-law enforcement personnel, just regular people, retrieved their rifles and helped keep Whitman occupied while the police made their way to the observation deck. Just two days after the Sandy Hook shootings, an off-duty police officer working security at a movie theater in San Antonio, Texas, shot Jesus Garcia multiple times, avoiding another active shooter event. Time and time again we have seen that immediate action from an armed individual stops active shooter events very early on. Many times when active shooter encounters armed resistance, they stop what they are doing and take their own lives. This played out recently in the Clackamas Town Center shooting on December 11th 2012. Jacob Roberts opened fire the mall killing two and seriously injuring another. Nick Meli confronted Roberts as Roberts was attempting to clear a malfunction with his rifle. Meli drew his Glock 22 and covered Roberts. Roberts spotted Meli and immediately took his own life.

The bottom line is this. Evil exists in the world. Even if all the guns on the planet were magically transported to the moon, these events would still occur. Disturbed individuals would still find a way to accomplish their evil deeds. Restricting the ability of law-abiding citizens to legally carry anywhere they desire creates areas where criminals can ply their trade with impunity. It is my assertion that had there been an armed individual at Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, or Sandy Hook, the outcomes in all four cases would be very different. It would be my hope that just the thought of meeting armed resistance would have stopped the perpetrators from ever carrying out their plans. Considering their mental status, that might not be very likely. But I do know that the expeditious delivery of a full magazine of Cor-Bon DPX would have radically altered the outcome in every case.

An Open Reply To Jeanne Assam

Ms. Assam,

First off I want to point out to you that you would get a stronger following, and maybe even customers, from the Armed Citizen Community, whereas I suspect the Police Community would not likely give you the time of day, much less any business.

I too have a very strong police background including SWAT, Gangs, Crime Impact Teams, Narcotics both "Drug Raid" and UC, as well as street patrol. I will say this with no reservations at all. The police community is not and has never been the bastion of skill-at-arms that it is thought to be. The gunfighter cop is a rare exception rather than the perceived norm. I suspect there are plenty of LEOs here that will agree with that.

The NRA means well, but they go a bit overboard at times...in being politically correct.

But on to your points -

1). Arm teachers? Isn’t that a bit irresponsible? I thought the same thing when they wanted to arm pilots. Let teachers be teachers, let pilots be pilots, and let the police be the police.

Actually not at all. Not all pilots are armed and not all teachers will be either. The role of protector is a self-selected one. One that not even all of those with uniforms accept by the way. As I recall, there were several police within spitting distance of the Virginia Tech event, and yet their presence did not stop Cho. And letting police be police will not change anything now. The wise preventive measure is allow those who self select as protectors of the weak to do as they have been called, rather than hinder them with asinine laws intended to do nothing but control the masses.

2). Folks, there is a reason police officers have to go through so much specialized training to carry a firearm.

And yet so many rounds that they fire miss the target altogether. I would pit the skills of any private sector trained civilian against a police officer, with an equal number of hours. The "specialized training" focused on today deals more with liability avoidance than with stopping a killer. And let's not forget that even the most skilled and aggressive HRT unit will still have to get there, whereas the intended victim is already there.

3). The NRA acts as if anyone who carries a gun will automatically know what to do should they encounter an active shooter. Are you kidding? I find that incredibly naive, but also very disrespectful to the law enforcement profession of which I was a part of for over 15 years.

And yet you assume that anyone that has a badge would. You know in your heart that such is simply not true. I find that presumption to be arrogant. Which will stop the killer best?  Armed Irreverence or Marginally Skilled Arrogance?

4). I know private citizens who want to carry a concealed weapon have nothing but good intentions. Let me please make that clear. But to assume that the extensive training cops receive will automatically “download” into the brain of a an untrained civilian at the touch of their gun is ridiculous and foolish, and that belief could get a good person who means well, killed.

You are assuming that "Police Training" is automatically superior to anything a lowly civilian would get. I am here to vehemently disagree with you on that. Now if you are comparing some low rent CCW class done on a Saturday afternoon by some 300 pound chain smoker to a police academy class, you are right. But by the same token, one cannot compare a tier one training program specifically designed for the "on scene" armed civilian with anything short of a full on SWAT school.

5). I don’t want anyone associating me with the NRA. No offense, but I don’t. I can’t tell you how many times men from gun rights organizations have contacted me, asking me to join their public speaking circuit or asking me to be their spokesperson to represent the cause for the “private citizen to bear arms”.

Actually I don't really care for the NRA either, but they seem to have the right people by the ba...necks so as to keep stupid laws from becoming a reality. To me they seem not extreme enough but there it is.

6). When I told these men that I was not a civilian, but a well-trained police officer, they all insisted it would be better if I not say that I was a police officer so they could use me to further their cause. Sorry, but I don’t compromise the truth for anyone or anything. I was a very well-trained police officer from an excellent and very aggressive police department. And the reason I successfully (successfully, meaning I didn’t get killed nor did anyone else) shot and killed the gunman at New Life Church is because of that very reason.

Jeanne, with all due respect, I have read a full debrief of the New Life Church event from an insider, and there was absolutely nothing that you did that could not have been done by someone else whom God placed on that spot. The bad guy finished himself off after your shots...or so I am told.

Gallant, courageous, accurate? Absolutely. But something only a highly trained cop could have done? No...sorry.

7). No, I never once had active shooter training, but my other training taught me that neither did I need to wait for SWAT. God bless SWAT, but don’t wait for them because more people could die if you do.

And yet you ask men, women, and yes...children now, to wait for the highly trained officer (and one that will run to the fight rather than away) to magically appear on scene in some tactical deux et machina? Nope...you are asking for two standards and your argument does not hold water.

8). And I don’t believe private citizens need assault rifles. Think about it. Do you really need an assault rifle? For what reason? For dove hunting? Deer hunting? No. You don’t need one. Let them be used only by the police and military.

I think you need to re-examine some of that police training you wave about...specially that first part where you swore something about the Constitution. Grab up that document...I would be happy to send off a copy if you like. Then scroll down to the amendments. Pay particular note to the second one.

I don’t need an assault rifle, even though I own several dozen. But I do want them. It is nobody’s business, including yours, what I need or do not need. That “need” thing is a hallmark of the communist’s argument. I suggest some further study. I will tell you what we really do not need...a socialist government in the USA telling anyone what to do...or its enablers.

9). The emotion and anger from some of the gun rights guys at the thought of them not being able to buy assault rifles anymore kind of reminds me of someone taking a baby rattle out of a baby’s hand. The baby doesn’t need it. It doesn’t really serve a purpose other than for the idea of ownership, but since it was taken, the baby throws a fit. I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I’m just saying what comes to mind when I see the emotional reactions of some regarding the very thought of having this particular kind of weapon taken off the shelves. These are obviously the weapons of choice for the cowardly, psychotic mass shooters. Keep them off the streets and take them off the shelves of gun stores.

Wow. You discuss emotion and anger being a point of the gun community arguement, yet your argument is filled with anger and unreasonable - almost hysterical - emotion. “These are obviously the weapons of choice for the cowardly, psychotic mass shooters.”

So our soldiers fighting for ungrateful people in Iraq and Afghanistan, the SWAT guys you so kindly ask God to bless, and even people like me and my students are “cowardly, psychotic mass shooters”? Really?

No Ms. Assam, you are wrong on so many points. What I see is a poor woman who was given a chance at redemption by God now siding with the ranks of Mordor in the push to move America to the left. No thank you.

Gabe Suarez

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