The Guns and Gear of OPEN CONTRACT
For that geardo and gun geek in your life!
In the tradition of my friend Peter Nealen, I figured I’d give a rundown of some of the gear featured in the fourth novel of the Forsaken Patriots series, Open Contract.
Given the nature of the threat (contract killers from various backgrounds) and the allies Bradshaw has at his disposal (primarily Milena Wright), this novel’s armory is more varied than usual. Enjoy!
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Rifles/Carbines
◦ PM md. 63
Bradshaw, Pace, MacLeod, and Grimaldi use the PM md. 63 (a Romanian derivative of the Kalashnikov platform) during a live-fire training exercise in Morocco. It is distinct from other Kalashnikov derivatives in that it has a foregrip integrated into its wooden handguard, colloquially known as a “dongle”.
◦ M4 w/Eotech
Danny Pace uses the M4 with an EOTech 512 holographic weapons sight while working with GSIGR gendarmes in Casablanca. It has the fat, Picatinny-free handguard in the first picture. Some gendarmes also use this weapon.
◦ F2000 w/Eotech
MacLeod and Baz use the F2000 with EOTech holographic sight while embedded with the GSIGR gendarmes in Casablanca. Some of the gendarmes also use this weapon. (image is of the civilian version, the FS2000)
◦ Zastava M92 w/MRO & suppressor
Members of the Stojanovic Syndicate use the Zastava M92 (a short-barreled Yugoslav derivative of the Kalashnikov platform) throughout the book, most often equipped with suppressors and Trijicon MRO red dot sights.
◦ SIG MCX LVAW w/Eotech
Bradshaw, Pace, Grimaldi, and Milena Wright utilize the SIG MCX LVAW (Low Visibility Assault Weapon) after leaving Greece. It is integrally suppressed and fires the .300cal Blackout round, which is known for its performance and subsonic capabilities. It is also often equipped with an EOTech EXPS-3 holographic weapon sight.
◦ Maxim Defense PDX w/T2 Micro & 3x magnifier
Outside the safe house in Voluntari, Romania, Aaron Cox utilizes the Maxim PDX in .300cal Blackout (top image) as a close-range designated marksman platform. It is equipped with an Aimpoint T2 Micro and magnifier (bottom image).
Sniper Rifles
◦ Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum w/Accupoint 5-20x and suppressor
During and after the safe house assault in Dikastika, Greece, Aaron Cox conducts reconnaissance with the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum sniper rifle, chambered in .338 Lapua, and equipped with a sound suppressor and Trijicon Accupoint 5-20x optic.
Pistols
◦ Glock 17
Baz and Pace use Glock 17s while embedded with the GSIGR gendarmes in Morocco. Jeremy Hawthorne is also seen wearing a holstered Glock 17.
◦ Glock 19
Derrick Womack uses a Glock 19 as his carry weapon while in Morocco. Aaron Cox can also be seen with a holstered Glock 19 in the aftermath of the Voluntari safe house assault.
◦ PAMAS G1
The PAMAS G1 (a French clone of the Beretta 92) is featured prominently in the Morocco arc and the opening of the Greece arc, most often used by Jack Bradshaw. These are the same handguns that Bradshaw and his team used in the Central African Republic during the events of Vermilion Boiling.
◦ Walther P99QA
Milena Wright provides Bradshaw and his team with Walther P99QA handguns in Greece. This is the predecessor to the PPQ that Bradshaw carried in Tucson during the events of Fault Lines.
◦ Glock 34 TT JW2 CMP
Vasilis (AKA Bill), Milena Wright’s aide de camp, carries the Glock 34 and uses it to save Bradshaw and Grimaldi from an assassin in Athens. Bill’s G34 has undergone Taran Tactical’s JW2 Combat Master Package (most prominently featured in the film John Wick: Chapter 2), which has enhanced the base pistol with a flared magazine well for faster reloads, improved stippling for better grip, a competition trigger for quicker successive shots, and fiber optic iron sights for improved accuracy in low-light conditions. With a $2,400 price tag (that’s not including the cost of the base firearm, which is about $600-700 depending on seller), it is not a cheap weapon!
◦ Colt Python 6"
Milena Wright carries a 6” barreled Colt Python as her personal sidearm, chambered in .357cal Magnum. Not a frequent choice for modern gunfighters, but as an intelligence broker and black market entrepreneur, she can afford style over substance (as well as a legion of well-armed and well-trained bodyguards who do most of her shooting for her)
◦ CZ99
Members of the Stojanovic Syndicate—most notably Nikola Stojanovic himself—are seen carrying the Zastava CZ99, a 9mm pistol of Yugoslav origin that saw frequent use during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.
Machine Guns
◦ PK machine gun
Callum MacLeod uses the PK machine gun during the live fire training exercise in Morocco.
◦ MGA SAW-K w/Eotech, GripPod, DBAL, and suppressor
The Machine Gun Armory (MGA) SAW-K is used prominently by MacLeod and Bradshaw during the Dikastika safe house assault. Pace, MacLeod, and Bill also use the SAW-K during the Voluntari safe house assault. It is equipped with an EOTech holographic sight and sound suppressor (seen in the third photo), as well as a Grip Pod (seen in photos #1 &2) and a DBAL laser aiming module (seen in photo #2).
A derivative of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (itself a derivative of the FN Minimi), it is compact and lightweight. Without a sound suppressor, it is the same length as an H&K UMP submachine gun (photo #2).
◦ KAC AMG
The Knight’s Armament Company Assault Machine Gun (also known as the Stoner LMG and the Lightweight Assault Machine Gun or LAWG) is seen in MacLeod’s surveillance truck during the heist scene at Stojanovic’s Bucharest estate.
Submachine Guns
◦ B&T MP9 w/Aimpoint Micro & suppressor
The Brügger & Thomet MP9 is featured prominently in the Morocco safe house escape scene. A derivative of the Steyr TMP, it is equipped with an Aimpoint Micro red dot sight and a sound suppressor.
◦ Grand Power Stribog w/Eotech
The Grand Power Stribog AC9 features heavily in the first half of the Dikastika safe house assault scene. It is equipped with an EOTech holographic weapons sight (seen in the second photo, attached to the SP9A1, a civilian-legal pistol derivative of the AC9)
Miscellaneous
◦ MK141 Stun Grenade
A MK141 stun grenade is used by GSIGR gendarmes during the Gannon rescue attempt. Pictured is an airsoft replica.
◦ CTS 7290 Stun Grenade
The CTS Model 7290 stun grenade is featured during the Dikastika safe house assault scene.
◦ Mavic Pro Drone
The DJI Mavic Pro quadcopter drone is featured prominently throughout the novel as Aaron & Athena Cox’s preferred reconnaissance asset. The Coxes use both stock drones as well as specially modified drones designed to reduce noise and visual footprint. Special attachment points were designed by Aaron Cox to be able to drop explosives or emplace GPS trackers.
This was partially inspired by the stealth Black Hawk helicopters utilized during the operation to kill Osama bin Laden in 2011, as well as the prominent use of drone warfare seen during Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
◦ Quantum Stealth
Quantum Stealth is a prototypical attempt at optic camouflage, designed by the Canadian company Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corporation. It uses light refraction to conceal the object to which it is applied.
I took creative license with Quantum Stealth in Open Contract, making it further along in development than it is in real life (to the public’s knowledge). The Coxes obtain the material from a Canadian Department of National Defence official as payment for services rendered. Aaron Cox uses it to create his stealth drone.
◦ SMARTCAMO
SMARTCAMO is another initiative by Hyperstealth. This concept involves camouflage material that would shift colors and patterns depending upon the surrounding terrain.
This is similar to the Octocamo concept in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. A demonstration of that in-game can be seen here.
I also took creative liberty with this. To the public’s knowledge, SMARTCAMO has not yet reached the functioning prototype stage.
◦ Five Second Mask/Cleanskin
The five-second mask is an actual piece of kit that is used by intelligence professionals. It is designed to be applied within five seconds (just enough time for a case officer or asset to shake their surveillance and don it). So long as the surveillance does not get up close with the case officer, it is very effective.
The “Cleanskin” variant of this is an invention of my imagination. Think of it as a five-second mask on steroids. It has moisture-wicking properties so that if the user sweats, it pulls the perspiration from the user’s face and channels it through pores in the mask. It also has full range of facial motion.
◦ MMPIM
The Mini-Multi-Purpose Infantry Munition is a miniaturized version of the venerable M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mine. It sports improved reliability over its predecessor, is lighter, and more modular, allowing accessory attachment.
French gov contractors Thales and Safran have long been supplying Ru air forces with very high tech:
https://informnapalm.org/en/french-equipment-thales-safran-for-russian-aircraft/