Firearms and ammunition

The SW 76 shown with its stock in the extended position.

Nearly twenty years have passed since former President Ronald Reagan signed the infamous McClure-Volkmer Act into law. Although this piece of legislation had a few pro-gun clauses, a last minute amendment was added that banned all future manufacture of machine guns for private ownership. The law took effect on May 19, 1986.

This piece of legislation forever fixed the number of transferable machine guns in the system. Since that day prices have steadily increased as the supply of transferable guns
has steadily decreased. Today the cost of a transferable machine gun can exceed the cost of a new well-equipped automobile.

Many Class 2 manufactures were well aware of the impending restrictions a few weeks prior to the enactment of the ban. Most of the manufacturers worked night and day to
make and register as many machine gun receivers as possible. It was not necessary to assemble complete working guns, but the receivers had to meet a minimum stage of construction as set forth by the BATF. At midnight May 18th it was all over.

The firearm-collecting world is always full of unexpected surprises; often parts or part sets that are unavailable for years suddenly show up in the warehouses of surplus
dealers. One example is the parts and part sets for military issue Thompson submachine guns. These parts that were once in a seemingly inexhaustible abundance were
gone and the prices of the few remaining parts were increasing daily. Then, recently, hundreds of mint to like new M1, M1A1 and M1928 Thompson part sets were found.
Who would have ever thought this would ever occur - sixty year old Thompsons in new condition!

Every now and then a small quantity of new, unused registered receiver tubes would emerge. Most of the remaining tubes were originally produced to be assembled into
Sten submachine guns, but then just a few years ago most of the Sten part sets disappeared, shelving the plans to assemble the tubes into working guns.

More recently, Class 2 manufactures got creative and have submitted plans to the BATF Technology Branch to use the remaining registered receiver tubes for assembly into guns other then the Sten. Although many of the new applications for the receiver tubes were approved, there were restrictions placed on modifications allowed to the receiver tube itself. To date, the BATF has approved the Sten tubes to be made into Sterling’s, Lanchesters and most recently clones of the Smith & Wesson Model 76. Yes, the Model 76.

The original 9mm Smith & Wesson Model 76 submachine gun was first manufactured in 1968 with production ending in 1974. 6,000 production guns were built during that period. There were other earlier clones of the S&W 76 made. One was the MK Arms Company model called the MK 760 and another was the Global Arms/Southern Tool’s M76A1. Production of these weapons were just starting up as the machine gun ban was being enacted, limiting production of these submachine guns.

Jim Burgess’ SW 76, a copy of the Smith & Wesson Model 76. The example shown here has the standard gray Parkerized finish.

Lack of magazines was always a problem with the Model 76, with originals being scarce and proportionately expensive. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the easily adaptable Suomi M31 magazines appeared at bargain basement prices. Not only were the magazines cheap, most of them were in brand new condition. The magazines could be altered in seconds with a Dremel Tool to fit in the Smith Model 76 by simply removing a few thousands of metal from the front guide plate. Accordingly, with the magazine problem solved, the asking prices for the Model 76 began to increase.

The newest submachine gun on the market is the product of Ohio Class 2 manufacturer, and no stranger to the Class 3 world, Jim Burgess. Jim was a once a retail dealer
for John Stemple’s original line of submachine guns, and also manufactured suppressors for them.

Above: Bottom view of the SW 76 barrel retaining catch. The original Smith & Wesson design was a straight bar. The redesigned curved catch is much easier to depress and hold.

Above: Side view of an original Smith & Wesson Model 76 bolt (top) and a bolt from the SW 76. Note the raised bearing surfaces on the lower bolt, and the different extractor positions.

Jim’s new creation has been designated as the SW 76 (without the “&”). The SW 76 guns are manufactured from virgin tubes that were originally registered by John Stemple in 1986. Jim has enough parts and receiver tubes to assemble 100 guns. Jim said that he personally test fires each gun that he builds to insure proper functioning before shipping it off to the customer. All of the parts of the SW 76 will interchange with an original Smith & Wesson M76 except for the bolt. The bolt is not interchangeable due to the reorientation of the extractor and the Stemple receiver tubes have an inside diameter that is slightly larger than that of an original S&W M76, requiring two sleeves that act as bearing surfaces to be
placed on the bolt to take up the extra space inside the receiver.

A big question is; where in the world would you find the part sets from the Smith &Wesson Model 76? Original spare parts for the gun just don’t exist. The answer; from
semiautomatic copies of the Model ’76.

During 2001 the Tactical Weapons Company of Arizona was engaged to manufacture the parts and receivers for a weapon that would be marketed as the Omega 760
carbine, a semiautomatic-only copy of the Smith & Wesson Model 76. Initial sales of the Omega 760 were brisk but quickly dropped off. The disappointing sales of the
Omega ultimately drove the decision to cease production and the decision left a number of parts that were never assembled into guns. Jim was able to purchase 100 of
the surplus Omega 760 kits and convinced Special Weapons to produce the full auto bolts and the other parts he needed. The company agreed, and the 9mm SW M76
was born. Special Weapons still have a limited number of new Omega 760 semiautomatic carbines as well as part sets available for purchase.

Left side view of the SW 76. This weapon has the optional black powder coat finish.

One of the weakest areas of the original Smith & Wesson Model 76 design was its extractor, which will often fail after several thousand rounds. One substantial improvement that was implemented into the design of the SW 76 is the relocation of the extractor from the original 12 o’clock position to a 2 o’clock position on the bolt. Relocating the extractor substantially reduces lateral stress on the extractor effectively extending its service life. The extractor was also beefed-up for additional durability. The trigger, magazine catch and sear are easily serviced on SW 76, pivoting on removable pins that are secured with E-clips. While the sear on the original M76 is easily removable, the trigger and magazine catch are
semi-permanently riveted in place.

The SW 76 uses the same magazines as the original Model 76 and, like the original, the plentiful Suomi magazine will fit and function in the gun with some minor
fitting. The new SW 76 comes with instructions on altering the Suomi magazines.

Jim also has designed a suppressor specifically for his new SW 76. The powder coated suppressor uses standard 9mm ammunition and is designed to reduce its velocity to subsonic speeds. The suppressor will also fit and function on the Smith &Wesson M76, the MK Arms MK760 and the Southern Tool M76A1 guns.

Magazine markings. Note that the SW 76 logo that lacks the “&” between the letters.

I was able to get a first hand look and an opportunity to test fire the SW 76 at a recent shoot in Ohio. The SW 76 is indeed a dead ringer for the original M76. Jim brought along several of his SW 76 submachine guns to the shoot and all worked perfectly. He also brought along his new suppressor. It, too, was quite impressive and quiet even when firing standard super-sonic 9mm ammunition.

The Small Arms Review • Vol. 9 No. 5 • February 2006

When serious collectors and demanding shooters want the very best handguns, they turn to Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center®. Known the world over for their unique design and uncompromising quality, Smith & Wesson’s master gunsmiths build each handgun from the ground up – combining old-world hand-craftsmanship with modern technology to create extremely accurate, high performance models designed for the most demanding shooters. Contact your Smith & Wesson dealer to discuss the availability of these superb, limited edition handguns.

Model: 627
Caliber: .38 Super
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 5 1/2″ Angled
Front Sight: Patridge
Rear Sight: S&W Adjustable
Overall Length: 11″
Weight: 45.5 oz.
Grip: Red, White, & Blue Wood
Material: Stainless Steel Frame and Cylinder
Finish: Glassbead

Smith & Wesson’s large frame revolvers are the first choice for handgun hunters and competitive shooters. These stainless steel revolvers are available in a variety of chamberings - .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP - as well as several barrel lengths, depending upon your need. Among the large frames is the Model 625, Jerry Miculek’s choice when setting his record of shooting twelve rounds, two 6 round loads with a reload in between, in under three seconds.

Model: 629
Caliber: .44MAG/.44SP
Capacity: 6 Rounds
Action: Single/Double
Barrel Length: 4″
Front Sight: Red Ramp
Rear Sight: White Outline Adjustable Rear
Overall Length: 9 5/8″
Weight: 41.5 oz.
Grip: Wood
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Satin Stainless

Overview:

- Crisp 4# - 5-1/2# Trigger Pull
- 30 LPI Checkered Front Strap
- Hand Polished Integral Feed Ramp
- Precision Crowned Muzzle
- Oversized External Extractor
- Full Length Guide Rod
- Double Sided Frame Safety
- Extended Mag Well
- Stoned Hammer and Sear

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Technical Specs

Model: SW1911
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10+1
Action: Single Action
Barrel Length: 5″
Front Sight: Dovetail White Dot
Rear Sight: Fixed White 2-Dot
Overall Length: 8 3/4″
Weight Empty: 38.5 oz.
Grip: Fully Stippled Wood
Material: Stainless Steel Frame, Slide and Barrel
Finish: Matte Silver

by Frank Iannamico
From: http://www.smallarmsreview.com/january.htm

The revolutionary MP38 machinepistole made its combat debut with the German blitzkrieg invasion of Poland that began on 1 September, 1939. Other than some self-inflicted casualties on the German troops from the MP38’s marginal safety system, the weapon was a huge success.

The Germans began using the submachine gun, or maschinenpistole, near the end of WWI when they developed and adopted the full automatic 9mm MP18.I. They felt the submachine gun would have great value in the close quarter combat situations encountered when the trenches were overrun. While the defenders of the trenches would be attempting to protect themselves with their limited capacity bolt action rifles and bayonets the Germans would be spraying them with submachine gun fire at 500 rounds per minute! The German MP18.I was the first weapon to use the soon to be common open bolt system. It was also the first of many German submachine gun designs.

World War One ended with the German surrender in November 1918. The Allies drew up an agreement called the Treaty of Versailles; the treaty was extremely harsh and restrictive. The Germans had little choice but to sign it. The treaty would cause much unrest among the German people and plant the seeds for WWII.

The Treaty of Versailles prohibited the Germans from developing or testing any type of military weapons. All existing WWI weapons were ordered destroyed by the Inter Allied Control Commission. Although the Germans were allowed a 100,000 man self defense force, the Reichswehr, they were restricted to the type of weapons they could issue. Submachine guns were prohibited, except for limited use by the German police departments. The police issued the MP18.I.

Despite the harsh restrictions, the Germans secretly continued to develop and test many new weapon designs for the war they knew was coming. Rather than manufacture and stockpile existing designs, they wanted to continually develop new weapons so when war did come, they would be equipped with the most advanced weapons available. While most of the Allies of WWI were enjoying peace, the Germans were secretly preparing for war.

Most of the submachine guns the Germans developed between the wars were all very similar to the MP18.I model. They all looked like short barreled carbines. Except for a few minor variances they all functioned pretty much the same. The MP38 was the first German production weapon that was different.

In January 1938 the German Heereswaffenamt (Army Weapons Office) requested a lightweight, compact, rapid firing 9mm weapon for paratroopers and armored crews. The development time to the resulting MP38 in August of that same year was extraordinarily brief. The reason for the seemingly rapid development of the weapon was due in part to the model Erma Werk already had under development. One prototype was the MP36. The MP36 was virtually unknown for many years, due to extreme rarity of surviving examples.

The Only markings on the MP36 are located under the weapons foregrip. They read “EMP36″ Erma Erfurt. Note serratted butt stock and disassembly knob.

Although the MP36 is similar to the MP38 there are some notable differences. The MP36 is selectfire, it has a fire mode selector located above the trigger housing. The fire selector is remarkably similar to that on the Haenel MP41 model. All of the MP36’s components are manufactured from machined steel stock.

The MP36 has wood furniture instead of plastic as used on the MP38/40. The pistol grip panels are also finely checkered wood. The folding metal stock of the MP36 is very similar to that of the later production design, except there are no springs, detents or release buttons. The stock folds and extends under the friction of the snug fitting parts. The butt plate has machined grooves instead of being smooth.

The front sling swivel can be easily rotated to either side. The magazine catch is the latch type similar to those used in earlier designs, rather then the button release of the MP38/40 design. The magazine release lever is located at the rear of the housing.

The bolt assembly is similar to the MP38/40 except that the front portion of MP36 bolt is a separate piece, and is attached by a locking screw. The front sight is a driftable unprotected design. The rear sight is similar to the MP38/40. The MP36 is devoid of any identification markings except for the underside of the wooden foregrip. This area is marked “ERMA ERFURT” “EMP 36″, the EMP designation is for Erma Machine Pistol.

The MP36 cocking handle like the MP38/40 is located on the receiver’s left side. This was the very first German weapon to feature this. The idea behind the left side cocking handle was that it allowed the shooters hand to remain on the pistol grip (and finger near the trigger), allowing him to easily cock the weapon with his weak hand. It was thought that this would make for a more rapid magazine change, saving seconds and perhaps the shooter’s life. The knob is similar to that on the earlier Erma EMP weapons. The magazine housing is unique in that it is slightly canted approximately 30 degrees to the left. The magazine is different, and not interchangeable with that of the MP8/40. When this weapon was captured there was no magazine in it. An MP40 magazine was adapted to fit. No original MP36 magazine has ever been located or documented. The MP36 field stripping procedures are very similar to those of the MP38/40.

Great room in Karinhall where the MP36 s/n 014 was believed to be kept by Gцring.

This particular MP36 is serial number 014, and is a very well made piece. The finish is a very fine, highly polished commercial blue. The wood is made of fine sculptured walnut. Virtually every part is stamped with the weapon’s serial number, even the heads of the screws. The weapon is obviously a presentation piece, the type often presented to high ranking officials by the weapons manufacturers.

This particular MP36 has a very colorful story of how it was obtained during WWII. In 1943 a group of volunteers was organized to go on a top secret covert mission. The mission’s objective was to assassinate Hitler’s Reichmarshall and head of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Gцring. The attempt on Gцrings life was planned to take place at Karinhall located some 40 miles northeast of Berlin. Allied intelligence sources had reported that Gцring would be present at Karinhall and that the grounds would be lightly guarded. Karinhall was one of Gцring’s many extravagant residences. It was named after his late wife who had died prematurely in 1931.

The Allied team quietly parachuted into the area at night virtually undetected. Once they reached the grounds surrounding Karinhall they soon discovered that the mansion was being guarded by a private army of Gцrings elite Fallschirmjдger troops, all well trained and heavily armed. After the German troops discovered the team, a fierce firefight was soon underway.

Right side view of the canted magazine housing and release lever.

During the confusion a particular U.S major managed to slip into the main building to search for Gцring. While he was looking around the main hall he spotted a strange, unfamiliar weapon hanging on the wall. Thinking it may be of interest to U.S. intelligence, he removed it and placed it in his pack. He then decided that the mission was failing, and decided to try fighting his way out of a rapidly deteriorating situation. He and a very small portion of the original Allied team managed to escape and make their way back to safety.

The weapon remained in the major’s possession for the remainder of the war. In 1945 when he returned to the United States he brought the MP36 home as a war souvenir. He stored the gun away and went on with his post war life. The major was unaware of just what a rare piece he had in his possession.

Eventually the weapon was sold and changed hands a few times in subsequent years. Today this unique weapon is in the fine collection of German weapons collector Lou Pacilla. It is the only transferable MP36 in the world. There is only one other example of the MP36 known to exist. That MP36 is serial number 001, and is in the possession of a military museum in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Reportedly the condition of that weapon is also excellent.

Hitler eventually ordered the Fallschirmjдger troops that were assigned to defend Gцring’s Karinhall into the line defending Berlin from the invading Russian troops in 1945. The Russians took prisoner the troops who weren’t killed.

Gцring ordered his engineers to destroy Karinhall as the Russians were sighted approaching the Schorfheide forest surrounding the estate in 1945. Although it was his favorite mansion, he did not want it to fall into Russian hands intact.

Right side view of the trigger area. Fire selector button is shown just above trigger.

The Allied forces eventually captured Hermann Gцring, and he was placed on trial along with the other remaining Nazi leaders at Nuremberg. He was convicted of various war crimes and sentenced to death by hanging. His request for an “honorable” death before a military firing squad was denied. Gцring committed suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule before his sentence could be carried out.

The US Army Major who participated in the raid on Karinhall passed away recently after retiring from a very successful career in law enforcement.

The Erma MP36 serial number 014 has survived the past 50 plus odd years in the same immaculate condition as the day it was liberated from Hermann Gцring’s mansion. The official version of the mission is still classified.