Industrial weapon designs are available for small businesses and private gunsmiths. Their services range from the installation of tactical accessories and tuning, to the creation of new models of pistols and rifles. The demand for their services is due to the lack of specialization of serial weapons.
So, most of the weapons were developed in the 60s and 80s and do not meet the modern conditions of combat in the original version. Ordering a revision or modernization from a private gunsmith is a relatively inexpensive way to prevent the obsolescence of your favorite gun. With the help of a couple of picatinny rails and a holosight (holographic sight), the number of situations when your weapon is effectively increased at times.
Weapons are improved by fighters of private military companies, special forces and everyone who is not satisfied with the factory performance characteristics (tactical and technical characteristics). We will take a look at the main tactical accessories and their manufacturers. But first, a little about why industrial weapon design trends are changing.
Firearms Design: A Minute History
Industrial weapon design trends were shaped by the demand for self-defense equipment and military conflicts. At the beginning of the 20th century, the production of weapons was maximally unified. This was a necessary step in waging world wars involving large numbers of combatants. Small gunsmiths were closed, and large concerns carried out state orders or came under state control. The design bureaus of these companies developed simple and cheap samples for a million serial production.
The features of an individual shooter were not taken into account, but the effectiveness of special types of weapons and accessories was recognized. Parachutists and motorized rifle units were armed with automatic rifles with folding butts – MP-40 and Beretta 38. For snipers, modifications were made to rifles with optical sights and flash suppressors – Garand M1D, SVT-40, or Arisaka Type 97. For the first time, sniper rifles and night sights were used, such as the Zielgerät 1229 Vampir.
How tactical accessories appeared and what they are
At the end of the 20th century, developed states preferred tactical operations to full-fledged wars. The large-scale use of special forces in urban conditions led to an increase in the specialization of weapons.
Automatic carbines based on assault rifles have gained popularity. The M4A1 carbine based on the M16 had a shorter aiming range, but provided more operational space due to its shorter length and weight, which is more important in dynamic close-range combat.
Precedents such as the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics in ’72 led to the creation of special self-loading sniper rifles – the HK PSG1 and DSR-1 – for quickly hitting multiple targets in a crowd. The elimination of particularly important targets far from the front led to the emergence of large-caliber sniper rifles. For example – the Barrett line, with an effective range of over 1 km.
The extinction of geopolitical conflicts and the growth of crime in the 90s stimulated the market for civilian and police weapons. New threats – terrorism and ethnic mafia, prompted the police to new tactics of struggle and the creation of tactical police special forces. Their fighters are forced to take criminals at close range and take into account the risks associated with the civilian population. This led to the widespread use of “tactical” accessories that improve the performance characteristics of weapons without changes in design. These include:
- low magnification sights – collimator and holographic, for dynamic combat, reduce aiming time;
- laser designators – increase the accuracy of shooting and reduce the aiming time when used in conjunction with optics;
- tactical grips – mounted on the fore-end, increasing the speed of turning the weapon from target to target, helping to maintain the aiming line when reloading;
- pistol grips – although most small arms are produced with pre-installed grips, it is common to modify weapons, especially outdated ones, with new grips with better ergonomics.
- variable butts – this includes telescopic, variable length and folding. If folding appeared a long time ago, then telescopic is a trend among modifications of firearms. When folded, they improve the compactness of the weapon, when extended, accuracy. Used to modify firearms with your own hands.
- rail systems – Picatinny and Weaver mounting bars for the installation of unified tactical accessories. Most of the accessories are made to fit the Picatinny rail. 4 connected strips form a “rail interface”. This is an external frame that allows fighters to individually install accessories depending on the combat mission.
Industrial design studios offer 3D printing of some tactical accessories such as handles and Picatinny rails. If a computer model of a product or drawings is in the public domain, then accessory can be printed on a 3D printer …
Weapons and accessories market leaders
In addition to being used in the army and police, tactical accessories are popular in the private market as well. This is due to restrictions on civilian weapons, which are partially offset by these accessories. With the availability of the weapons itself, it is more and more difficult – it is not always easy to obtain a license to manufacture or purchase firearms. Therefore, the largest arms companies are located in the countries:
- with liberal arms legislation – USA, Switzerland;
- with historically strong military affairs – Germany, Austria, Italy;
- militarized countries with a powerful military-industrial complex – Israel, Russia, China.
Consider companies that have become leaders in the weapons and tactical accessories market.
Bushmaster – commercial company, produces a line of modifications and clones of the self-loading version of the AR-15 for the civilian market. Launches the ACR line of automatic rifles. Offers an extensive selection of tactical accessories and weapon parts – receivers, weighted barrels with additional chrome plating. The Busmaster product store is integrated into the website.
Ruger – focused on civilian weapons. Known for high-quality and inexpensive self-loading pistols and revolvers. It produces air guns, hunting rifles, sniper and semi-automatic rifles based on the M14.
Faxon FireArms – a small company that produces self-loading ARAK rifles for the civilian market – a Kalashnikov assault rifle bolt and an FN-FAL gas regulator are installed on the AR-15 receiver. In addition to the assault rifle, it produces alternative receivers for the AR-15, which simplify reloading and increase the reliability of the assault rifle. From accessories – alternative forend with integrated Picatinny rails.
Colt – a legendary company, developed and produced the no less legendary Colt 1911 and its modifications. Engaged in the production and modification of the M4 carbine. The site offers a specialized store of accessories for Colt products.
Heckler & Koch – a German company, created after the 2nd world by immigrants from Mauser, which H&K subsequently acquired. One of the most famous weapons manufacturers. Known for the MP5 assault rifle, G36 assault rifles and USP pistols. In addition to its own developments, it is modernizing weapons, for example, the L85A2 for the British army. Also, he is improving small arms – the HK416 rifle was created on the basis of the American M16 and surpasses it in key characteristics.
Steyr Is an Austrian company known for the AUG modular small arms complex. Produces accessories for this rifle and accessories for other weapons and shooters – scopes, stocks, bags, books on practical shooting, etc.
Norinco Is a Chinese company that produces clones of Soviet weapons and their own developments based on them. After the US ban on automatic weapons in 1985, Chinese AK clones with automatic firing were smuggled there. Along with the Romanian and Bulgarian AK clones, Norinco’s products occupy a significant part of the shadow arms market in the United States. It produces a huge number of inexpensive tactical pribluds of different quality.
Firearms design development
Industrial design studio KLONA deals with tuning and customization of weapons. We create precise replicas of tactical accessories, performed by scanning and professional 3D printers. In addition to replication, we work with individual orders. By order of the client, KLONA made a “ring for convenient shooting from firearms.” It prevents the finger from slipping off the trigger during active gunfights, and protects the skin of the finger from the characteristic calluses. This is important for customers who do not want to advertise the fact of frequent use of weapons.
Read also: FDM printing as a way of accurate replication under tight deadlines
In addition to replacing pistol grips, forend and equipping with rail fastening systems, KLONA works with key assemblies and automation. We make modifications for weapons – we carry out modernization, installation and development:
- muzzle brakes;
- alternative closures;
- combat stops;
- weighted trunks;
- receiver boxes;
- barrels with additional chrome plating;
In KLONA they order the revision of firearms – for example, replacing the factory mainsprings with more powerful ones.
It is interesting: Design of molds for the manufacture of parts
To improve the appearance and tight fit of weapon parts, KLONA uses wood milling – for the forend of hunting rifles or to recreate authentic weapons of the past. Metal milling is used in the finalization and manufacture of receiver boxes. For an additional fee, we paint weapons in a camouflage pattern or one color.
Creation of weapons for computer games
At KLONA create realistic 3D models based on weapon scanning. We develop low poly models based on these high poly scans. Then Low-poly versions are additionally optimized for the game engine.
Read also: 3D character modeling: popular programs and video tutorials
In addition to using real prototypes, we create weapons for computer games based on original concepts. For an additional fee, the service includes writing realistic ballistics for each type of in-game weaponry. KLONA manufactures unique weapons to order and improves serial samples, so order weapons from us!
Contact Information
+38 (044) 338 88 02
hi@klona.ua
