In the tradition of my friend Peter Nealen, I figured I’d give a rundown of some of the gear featured in the inaugural novel of the Forsaken Patriots series, Fault Lines.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Rifles/Carbines
Fabrique Nationale Herstal SCAR-H
While serving in the Ranger Regimental Reconnaissance Company during the book’s opening act, Bradshaw carries an FN SCAR-H (MK17) rifle, equipped with an Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x variable optic, an AN/PEQ-15 infrared illuminator, and a sound suppressor.
M4/M4A1
During the book’s opening act, RRC Team 2-4’s team leader, Logan Fox, utilizes an M4A1 with an Elcan SpecterDR with top-mounted red-dot sight, PEQ-15, and sound suppressor. One of the COP Walker security contractors also uses an M4, his equipped with a Trijicon ACOG.
Heckler & Koch HK416
In the book’s opening act, several members of Red Squadron, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU, formerly known as SEAL Team Six) utilize HK416s in various configurations.
Century Arms N-PAP
During the ambush scene in Tucson, Kazimir Merkulov utilizes a Century Arms N-PAP rifle with an underfolding stock, itself a sporting-rifle import variant of a Yugoslavian Zavasta M70.
BCM Recce 16
In the same ambush scene, Bradshaw utilizes a BCM Recce 16 sporting rifle with an Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot optic.
SIG-Sauer MCX, sawed off
Members of the White Resistance Movement utilized SIG-Sauer MCX carbines with the barrels sawed off to PDW length. They best resemble the Rattler variant of the MCX line.
Sniper Rifles
M110A1 CSASS
Rangers with Regimental Reconnaissance Company Team 2-4 utilize M110A1 Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System rifles (themselves derivatives of Heckler & Koch G28 rifles), equipped with a Schmidt & Bender 3-20×50 PMII Ultra Short Scope and sound suppressor.
Knight’s Armament SR-25 E2 CC
During his recce on the WRM compound, Bradshaw utilizes a Knight’s Armament SR-25 E2 CC sniper rifle, mocked up to resemble the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System with which he qualified while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment. It is equipped with a Leupold 3.5-10x daytime scope, an AN/PVS-26 night vision optic, a fixed buttstock, and a KAC quick-detach sound suppressor.
Pistols
Glock 19
While serving with the Regimental Reconnaissance Company, Bradshaw uses a Glock 19 with extended 17-round magazines and a Surefire X300U. Later on, while working stateside as a security contractor, Bradshaw utilizes his own personal Glock 19 without the weapon light for the majority of the book. He carries it in a Raven Concealment Systems Morrigan inside-the-waistband holster.
Custom 1911
White Resistance Movement leader Bill Pfarrer utilizes a custom-built 1911. The book doesn’t go into details, but it has an ambidextrous safety and night iron sights.
Walther PPQ
Bradshaw utilizes a Walther PPQ as a security contractor, leading up to the first attempt on Gabriela Rivera’s life. He carries it in Craft holsters: a pancake holster when in a suit and tie, and a tuckable IWB holster when in street clothes at the Florence rally.
(Fun fact: originally, Bradshaw used a Glock 19 here and a SIG P320 for the second part of the Stateside chapters, but my cover artist produced an image of a man using a Walther [likely a P99], so I adapted the story to better match the cover art. Attention to detail!)
Smith & Wesson 642
As a backup to his Walther PPQ, Bradshaw initially carries a Smith & Wesson 642 snub-nosed revolver in a PHLster City Special J-Frame holster.
Glock 17/22
The Glock 17 is seen in use with several characters throughout the book. The Glock 22 is used by Tucson Police Department officers within the book. These are essentially the same weapon, with the 17 chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and the 22 chambered in .40cal S&W.
Glock 34
Kazimir Merkulov (aka Mark Gerald) carries a Glock 34 as his personal sidearm.
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0
Bradshaw uses a Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 in 9x19mm Parabellum during the closing chapters.
Shotguns
Remington 870
During the shootout in his apartment, Bradshaw utilizes a Remington 870 shotgun with a Blackhawk Knoxxx SpecOps stock, a side saddle, and a light. I was not able to locate an adequate picture of this without an optic, so the provided picture is for general reference and is not exactly the one depicted in the novel.
Machine Guns
Fabrique Nationale MK48 Para
Members of Regimental Reconnaissance Company Team 2-4 utilize the MK48 Mod 1 with a Para-style collapsible stock and Elcan M145 optic (not pictured). The MK48 is the 7.62x51mm NATO variant of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, issued to SOCOM and JSOC units.
US Ordnance M60E6
Members of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group’s Red Squadron utilize the M60E6 machine gun during the mission in Pakistan.
Grenade Launchers
Heckler & Koch M320
Members of Regimental Reconnaissance Company’s Team 2-4 utilize the H&K M320 40mm grenade launcher during the defense of FOB Walker.
Night Vision
AN/PVS-15
Rangers with Regimental Reconnaissance Company’s Team 2-4 utilize the AN/PVS-15 dual-tube night observation devices (NODs).
L3 GPNVG-18
Members of Red Squadron, Naval Special Warfare Development Group utilize the GPNVG-18 panoramic night observation device. This graphic from TNVC demonstrates the advantage that panoramic NODs hold over single or dual tube devices.
AN/PVS-14
During his reconnaissance of the White Resistance Movement compound, Bradshaw utilizes a personally-owned AN/PVS-14 night vision monocular. Despite being cheaper than the GPNVG-18s (which have a price tag of just under $43,000) and the AN/PVS-15s (which run about $10,000), the PVS-14s still carry a hefty price tag of about $3,300. Night vision isn’t cheap!
STEVEN HILDRETH, JR. 