Firearms Research and Information Services

I offer seven services to to authors, historians, researchers, and firearms enthusiasts.

Author Assistance
If you are an author and are looking for technical assistance and proofing for firearms related material in your work, click here to contact me.  I do not charge for this service unless it involves a lot of esoteric research.  I do ask that if your work is published that I receive a copy of your book or manuscript, and would be grateful if you gave me credit for my assistance in your work.

Topical Article Collections on CD  
I offer topical American Rifleman article collections on CD on the M1 Garand, M14/M1A, M16/AR-15, M1911, and Ballistics/Forensic. These CDs contain all the articles on the subject published from 1945 through 2002.   Click here for further information.    

M16 Manuals

This CD contains the following information

• TM 9-1005-319-10 -  Operators Manual for M16A2, A3, A4, and M4, M4A1

• TM 9-1005-319-23P - Unit and Direct Support Maintenance Manual (Including repair Parts and Special Tools List) for M16A2, A3, A4, and M4, M4A1

• TM 9-1005-249-10 -  Operators Manual for M16 and M16A1

• TM 9-1005-249-23P - Unit and Direct Support Maintenance Manual (Including repair Parts and Special Tools List) for M16 and M16A1 

• TM 9-1005-309-10 - Operators Manual for M231 Port Firing Weapon

• TM 9-1005-309-23P - Unit and Direct Support Maintenance Manual (Including repair Parts and Special Tools List) for M231 Port Firing Weapon

• FM 3-23-9 C3 - Marksmanship

• Change 4 to FM 9-3-23

• M16 Armorer's Checklist

• MIL-R 63997B (M16A2 specs)

• MIL-C 71186 (M4A1 specs)

• MIL-C 70599A (M4 Specs)

• GI M16A2 and M4 Zeroing targets

• MCRP 301A - Marine Rifle Marksmanship

• Zipped Archive of special zeroing targets.

• MEUSOC Qualification Course

• M16/M4 Malfunctions, Corrections, & Drills

• Living With the AR Platform Rifle

• STANAG4172 5.56 x 45 mm NATO Ammunition

• Zeroing the AR-15/M16/M4

• Canadian C7 Rifle and C8 Carbine manual

Click here for ordering information.

Individual Assistance
If you have a firearms related question I'll be glad to help.  First check this site, especially the "Misc. Q&A" pages.  If you don't find what you need feel free to contact me by clicking here and I will do my best to help you.

Trajectory Computations
I frequently get requests for a ballistics runs for a particular load.   I will be glad to do a single run for you but please note that you must supply the following data.  G1 BCs will, in most cases, be converted to the G7 drag model to more accurately portray actual trajectories.

• Bullet brand, weight, and type or name

• Muzzle velocity.  (Unless you know this I can only guess from loading data and they can be off by quite a lot from the real world)

• Distance from center of the bore to the center of your scope tube or, to the top of your front sight for iron sights to the nearest 1/16th inch

• The distance you want for a zero. (If not supplied I will send data for the optimum zero for your load for a 6" diameter vital zone)

If you want additional or multiple runs runs there will be a fee of US$3.00 each, for such work.

American Rifleman Article Copies
I have a 70+ year collection of The American Rifleman going back to 1940 and earlier and will attempt to provide copies of the articles you are looking for.  It helps if you can supply the article title and approximate date.  Click here to contact me.

Black & white article photocopies are US$1 per page plus a stamped self-addressed envelope (2 stamps if page count is  5 - 7 pages).  If the total page count is over 7 or if you want the articles shipped flat, omit the SASE envelope and just add US$1.50 for postage.  I can also supply color (if applicable) pdf (Adobe Acrobat) page image scan files at US$1.25 per page, plus $1.75 for the CD and postage.  For international orders please add U$3.00 for postage for paper copies and US$4.00 for an articles on CD.

If you are not sure of the page count I'll let you know when I locate the article.  Please be sure to put your actual E-Mail address in the BODY of your E-Mail and in all written correspondence. 

PLEASE!

IF YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF ORDERING THE COPIES  DO NOT WASTE MY TIME BY ASKING ME TO LOCATE ARTICLES THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT TITLE OR DATE OF.

Thanks so far to Steve Cooper, Mark Dillenger, Ed Hill, Earl North, and Matt Simons for their generous contributions to the archive.

A Portable Loading Table
Besides having a chronograph one of the things that will make life easier is to assemble a small portable loading area.  The picture below is probably self explanatory.  The whole unit is about 12" deep and about 24" wide (dimensions and style vary) and has a series of holes drilled to hold cases.  It is fitted with an inexpensive Lee brand "Reloader" press (used solely for bullet seating), an RCBS powder measure, a Dillon/CED electronic scale, and some spots for some extra seating dies and accessories.  The whole assembly is very handy and travels well.  It sits nicely on the back bumper of a truck, or pickup tailgate secured with strap clamps or it can sit on your shooting bench and secured with c-clamps.  It is generally stable enough to just sit on a bench or tailgate.  Every serious loader should have one of these.  They are not too difficult to make but if you are interested in having one of these made for you contact me by clicking here.

While I use to offer one made of real wood the cost of decent wood is astronomical and the quality is getting worse with just about everything having a warp.    I am now only making them from  3/4" MDF and using wood only for the cartridge block and die holder.  They are just as nice and are just as sturdy.  The cost is US$65 plus shipping (about $15 US, $25 to Canada for an assembled "bench" less any tools.  I do not ship this to outside the US to other than Canada as the shipping costs are astronomical ) .  They units vary from the one shown below as I now use a separate case holder block so you can change hole sizes easily. 

If you are outside the US please include your telephone number with your order.

If you want to try building one yourself  I can supply rough plans and a drilling template for the case holder and die/shell holder blocks for $10.00.  You'll need a table saw and a drill press along with 3/8", 1/2', and 1" Fostner bits to drill the holes. Contact me by clicking here.

Click here to email me for further information on any of the above.  You can send orders to

Payment by cash, check, or money order in US dollars.

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Updated 2011-05-22