Syrians Place Booby Traps in Rebel Guns

New York Times ^ | October 19, 2012 | By C. J. CHIVERS

[Brad from Tennessee]

DEIR SONBUL, Syria — The government of Syria, trying to contain a rapidly expanding insurgency, has resorted to one of the dirty tricks of the modern battlefield: salting ammunition supplies of antigovernment fighters with ordnance that explodes inside rebels’ weapons, often wounding and sometimes killing the fighters while destroying many of their hard-found arms.

The practice, which rebels said started in Syria early this year, is another element of the government’s struggle to combat the opposition as Syria’s military finds itself challenged across a country where it was not long ago an uncontested force. The government controls the skies, and with aircraft and artillery batteries it has pounded many rebel strongholds throughout this year. But the rebels continue to resist, mostly with small arms.

Doctored ammunition offers an insidious way to undermine the rebels’ confidence in their ammunition supply while simultaneously thinning their ranks. . .

[rickomatic]

I just acquired a Type 38 Arisaka a couple weeks ago at an estate sale. I have learned a great deal about them since, including the strength of their receivers. Even the “last ditch” Type 99’s were strong despite their rough finish. My $1.25 apiece 6.5x50 brass arrived today long with a Lyman 140 gr. 6.5 mold. Fun should ensue over the next few weeks.
Trailboss powder should ensure that I won’t have the same fate that those Viet Cong fighters had with the “doctored” ammo the CIA left out for them.

[ozzymandus]

Be sure and consult a reloading manual. As stated above, General Julian Hatcher found the Arisaka action to be almost indestructible.