M1A: The civilian (semiauto only)version of the U.S. Army M14 7.62mm NATO rifle.
M1911: The Model 1911 Coltsemiauto pistol (and clones thereof), usually chambered in .45 ACP.
M2 Carbine: The selective-fire(fully automatic) version of the U.S. Army semiauto carbine issued during WorldWar II and the Korean conflict.
M4: The U.S. Army-issue 5.56mmNATO selective-fire carbine (a shorter version of the M16, with a 14.5-inchbarrel and collapsing stock). Earlier-issue M16 carbine variants haddesignations such as XM177E2 and CAR-15. Civilian semiauto-only variants oftenhave these same designations or are called “M4geries.”
M4gery: A civilian semiauto-onlyversion of an M4 Carbine with a 16-inch barrel instead of a 14.5-inchbarrel.
M9: The U.S. Army-issue version ofthe Beretta M92 semiauto 9mm pistol.
M14: The U.S. Army-issue 7.62mmNATO selective-fire battle rifle. These rifles are still issued in smallnumbers, primarily to designated marksmen. The civilian semiauto-only equivalentof the M14 is called the M1A.
M16: The U.S. Army-issue 5.56mmNATO selective-fire battle rifle. The current standard variant is the M16A2,which has improved sight and three-shot burst control. See also M4.
M60: The semi-obsolete U.S.Army-issue 7.62mm NATO belt-fed light machine gun that utilized some designelements of the German MG-42.
MAC: Depending on context,Military airlift command or Military Armament Corporation.
Maglite: A popular American brandof sturdy flashlights with an aluminum casing.
MICH: Modular/integratedcommunications helmet.
Mini-14: A 5.56mm NATO semiautocarbine made by Ruger.
MNI: Ham radio shorthand for“many.”
MOLLE: Modular lightweightload-carrying equipment.
Molotov cocktaiclass="underline" A hand-thrownfirebomb made from a glass container filled with gasoline or thickened gasoline(napalm).
MRE: Meal, ready to eat.
MSG: Mission support group (U.S.Air Force).
MSS: Modular sleep system.
MURS: Multi-use radio service. AVHF two-way radio service that does not require a license. See also FRS andGMRS.
MVPA: Military VehiclePreservation Association.
MXG: Maintenance group (U.S. AirForce).
Napalm: Thickened gasoline, usedin some flame weapons.
NAPI: Navajo Agricultural ProductsIndustry.
NATO: North Atlantic TreatyOrganization.
NBC: Nuclear, biological, andchemical.
NCO: Noncommissioned officer.
NFA: The National Firearms Act of1934. The law that first imposed a transfer tax on machine guns, suppressors(commonly called “silencers”), and short-barreled rifles and shotguns.
NiCd: Nickel cadmium (rechargeablebattery).
NiMH: Nickel metal hydride(rechargeable battery) improvement of NiCad.
NM: Ham radio shorthand for“Name.”
NWO: New World Order.
OCP: Operation Enduring Freedomcamouflage pattern, commonly called “MutiCam.”
OG: Operational group (U.S. AirForce).
OM: Ham radio shorthand for “oldman.” All men are OMs in the ham world.
OP: Observation post. See alsoLP/OP.
PBO: Property book officer.
PCS: Permanent change ofstation.
PERSCOM: U.S. Army PersonnelCommand.
Pre-1899: Guns made before1899-not classified as “firearms” under federal law.
Pre-1965: U.S. silver coins with1964 or earlier mint dates with little or no numismatic value that are sold forthe bullion content. These coins have 90 percent silver content. Well-wornpre-1965 coins are sometimes derisively called “junk” silver by rare coindealers.
ProvGov: ProvisionalGovernment.
PSE: Ham radio shorthand for“please.”
PT: Physical training.
PV: Photovoltaic (solar powerconversion array). Used to convert solar power to DC electricity, typically forbattery charging.
PVC: Polyvinyl chloride (whiteplastic water pipe).
QRF: Quick-reaction force.
QRM: Ham radio shorthand for“interference from another station.”
QRN: Ham radio shorthand for“static.”
QRP: Ham radio shorthand for“low-power (less than 5-watt) transmitters.”
QRZ: Ham radio shorthand for “Whois calling me?” If used at the end of the contact, if QRZ is sent instead of SK,it means “I’m listening for more calls.”
QSB: Ham radio shorthand for a“fading signal.”
QSO: Ham radio shorthand for a“contact (conversation).”
QSY: Ham radio shorthand for“Change frequency.”
QTH: Ham radio shorthand for“location.”
R: Ham radio shorthand for “Iheard everything you said and don’t need you to repeat anything.”
ROTC: Reserve Officers’ TrainingCorps.
RPG: Rocket-propelled grenade.
SADF: South African DefenseForce.
SBI: Special backgroundinvestigation.
SCI: Sensitive compartmentedinformation.
SIG: Schweizerische IndustrieGesellschaft. The Swiss gun maker.
SK: Ham radio shorthand for“silent key.”
SOCOM: Special OperationsCommand.
SOP: Standard operatingprocedure(s).
SSB: Single sideband (an operatingmode for CB and amateur radio gear).
SSPARS: Solid-state phased-arrayradar system.
Steyr AUG: The Austrian army’s5.56-mm “bullpup” infantry carbine. Also issued by the Australian Army as theirreplacement for the L1A1.
S amp;W: Smith and Wesson.
SWAT: Special weapons and tactics.(SWAT originally stood for “special weapons assault team” until that was deemedpolitically incorrect.)
TA-1 and TA-312: U.S. militaryhardwire field telephones.
TAD: Temporary assigned duty.
TARPS: Tactical aerialreconnaissance pod system.
TDY: Temporary duty.
Thermite: A mixture of aluminumpowder and iron rust powder that, when ignited, causes a vigorous exothermicreaction. Used primarily for welding. Also used by military units as anincendiary for destroying equipment.
TK: Tom Kennedy.
TNX: Ham radio shorthand for“Thanks.”
TS: Top secret.
TU: Ham radio shorthand for “ThankYou.”
UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle.
UR: Ham radio shorthand for “your”or “you’re,” depending on context.
USAEUR: U.S. Army, Europe. Spoken“Use-ah-Urr.”
USAFE: U.S. Air Force, Europe.Spoken “You-Safe-ee.”
VAC: Volts, alternatingcurrent.
Valmet: The Finnish conglomeratethat formerly made several types of firearms.