Recently, we just passed the 80th anniversary of D-Day—the June 6, 1944, Allied landing at Normandy, France, that constituted the largest seaborne military invasion ever launched and that precipitated the liberation of occupied Europe, victory on the Western Front and the end of World War II.
In “D-Day At 80: The Re-Discovered Small Arms,” Field Editor and subject matter expert Martin K.A. Morgan provides new clarity as to the extent that various firearms—some familiar and some not—were employed by both sides of that pivotal operation. It is a reality confirmed through the film images captured by combat cameramen during the actual event rather than those created by Hollywood cinematographers and directors long after the fact.
In our recent coverage of modern firearms, Field Editor Jeremiah Knupp reports on a recent opportunity to test two new polymer-frame handguns—not exactly unusual in this day and age, to be sure—but, in this case, small-bore, capacious types that operate using a unique gas system. In “Marching To Their Own Beat: Smith & Wesson M&P Tempo Pistols,” the author describes how the company’s new 5.7x28 mm FN and .22 WMR models handled and shot and suggests some of the ways that such platforms could be pressed into service by today’s shooters.
And in the latest news about firearm accessories, we look at how exponential growth in the category of sound suppressors, or silencers, has resulted in more specific products for that continually evolving market segment. When it comes to how such “cans” are sold to their end users, no other company has been more innovative than Silencer Central, which not only brokers silencers from other brands but offers a full line under its own name. Our resident suppressor expert, Senior Executive Editor Kelly Young, wrings out two of the company’s latest examples in “Calling In The Specialists: Silencer Central’s Banish Backcountry And Speed K Suppressors.”
And don’t forget to check out our recent Dope Bag reviews, which features evaluations of three other currently available firearms—the Kimber K6xs revolver, the Browning X-Bolt Target Lite Max rifle and the Beretta APX A1 Full Size Tactical pistol—along with the new Leupold BX-4 Range HD rangefinding binocular. All are examples of refined, high-performance equipment made for and marketed to American armed citizens intent on engaging in self-protection, competition or hunting during peacetime.
Of course, such products and pursuits involve an entirely different set of circumstances than those that faced a generation of young people drafted into military service more than 80 years ago for no less a purpose than saving the world from diabolical dictators and dangerous ideologies. There were 16 million American citizens who served as soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines during the Second World War. Of the fewer than 10 percent still with us, we are now said to be losing them at a rate of more than 130 per day, making it unlikely that any will still be here come the 85th anniversary of D-Day.
So, as we go about our daily lives, and enjoy the legal use of firearms under the protections of the Second Amendment during the increasingly turbulent first quarter of the 21st century, it bears repeating that we should all take a moment to thank any World War II veterans we may be privileged to know for their patriotism, bravery and sacrifice. After all, it is largely due to their love of country that we still have the one in which we live today and in which freedom reigns.
