The World's Assault Rifles [2 ed.] 0935554009

Table of contents :
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Assault Rifle Ammunition
Chapter 2. Assault Rifle Operating and Locking Systems
Chapter 3. Albania
Chapter 4. Argentina
Chapter 5. Armenia
Chapter 6. Australia
Chapter 7. Austria
Chapter 8. Belgium
Chapter 9. Bolivia
Chapter 10. Brazil
Chapter 11. Bulgaria
Chapter 12. Burma
Chapter 13. Canada
Chapter 14. Chile
Chapter 15. China (PRC)
Chapter 16. Croatia
Chapter 17. Cuba
Chapter 18. Czechoslovakia (Czech and Slovak Republics)
Chapter 19. Denmark
Chapter 20. Dominican Republic
Chapter 21. Egypt
Chapter 22. Finland
Chapter 23. France
Germany
Chapter 24. The FG-42
Chapter 25. The Sturmgewehr
Chapter 26. The Roller-Locking Breech
Spain
Chapter 27. East Germany
Chapter 28. Post-1990 Developments
Chapter 29. Great Britain
Chapter 30. Greece
Chapter 31. Hungary
Chapter 32. India
Chapter 33. Indonesia
Chapter 34. Iran
Chapter 35. Iraq
Chapter 36. Israel
Chapter 37. Italy
Chapter 38. Japan
Chapter 39. Mexico
Chapter 40. New Zealand
Chapter 41. North Korea
Chapter 42. Pakistan
Chapter 43. Peru
Chapter 44. Philippines
Chapter 45. Poland
Chapter 46. Romania
Russia/Soviet Union
Chapter 47. Fedorov, Simonov, and Tokarev Rifles
Chapter 48. The AK and AKM
Chapter 49. AK-74, AK-74M and the AKS-74U
Chapter 50. The AL-7 and Izhmash 100 Series
Chapter 51. AN-94, AN-91 Bullpup
Chapter 529×39mm and Underwater Weapons
Chapter 53. Singapore
Chapter 54. South Africa
Chapter 55. South Korea
Chapter 56. Sweden
Chapter 57. Switzerland
Chapter 58. Taiwan
Chapter 59. Ukraine
United States of America
Chapter 60. The BAR
Chapter 61. The Lewis Assault Rifles
Chapter 62. The Johnson Rifle
Chapter 63. The U.S. .30 Carbine
Chapter 64. U.S. Assault Rifle Developments From the M1 Garand to the M14
Chapter 65. The Sturm, Ruger MINI-14
Chapter 66. ArmaLite Assault Rifles: From the AR-10 to the M16 and Beyond
Chapter 67. The Stoner Weapon System
Chapter 68. The Advanced Combat Rifle
Chapter 69. Other U.S. Assault Rifle Developments
Chapter 70. Vietnam
Chapter 71. Yugoslavia
Glossary
Index
Numerical
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Citation preview

THE WORLD’S ASSAULT RIFLES by Gary Paul Johnston and Thomas B. Nelson Published and Distributed by IRONSIDE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS, INC. P.O. Box 1050 Lorton, VA 22199-1050 Telephone: (703) 493-9120 Fax: (703) 493-9424

THE WORLD’S

ASSAULT RIFLES by Gary Paul Johnston and Thomas B. Nelson © Copyright 2010 Ironside International Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission from the copyright holder. Design Direction by WestPub Inc. www.westpubinc.com Published by Ironside International Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 1050 Lorton, VA 22199-1050 Phone: (703) 493-9120 Fax: (703) 493-9424

Introduction The Assault Rifle

AS important

as were the stepping stones that led to the Sturmgewehr, are those that have followed during the nearly seven decades since. A brief overview is appropriate as an understanding of just what constitutes an assault rifle then, now and in the future. Christened in 1944 by, of all people, Adolph Hitler, the Sturmgewehr (Storm, or Assault Rifle, pronounced Sh-turm Gevair) defined a class of firearms, which had been evolving at that time for some 30 years. By most accounts, the Sturmgewehr had achieved a level approaching perfection, embodying the features deemed ideal for a weapon to be the most effective in the 300-meter world in which soldiers live or die. Encompassing everything from stocked, selective-fire pistols to semi-automatic and selective-fire main battle rifles (to include the World War I Pedersen Device and the Browning Automatic Rifle), such weapons were spawned by the need seen in “Trench Warfare.” While none of these weapons saw wide service during WW I, they sewed the seeds for the wide and fascinating range of developments in the Soviet Union and Germany. In the second “Great War,” the selective-fire characteristic of the assault rifle would be joined by the straight-line stock, pistol grip, and high-capacity magazine, all of these comprising key elements of an assault rifle. While the concept of smaller, pistol-like cartridges persisted in the wide use of submachine guns, major steps in assault

rifle development, like the German FG42 and Johnson Automatic Rifle, continued to use main battle rifle cartridges. At the same time, Germany and the Soviet Union were developing shorter versions of MBR (mail battle rifle) cartridges, the 7.92×33mm Kurz (pronounced “kurts”) and the 7.62×41mm, i.e. intermediate rifle cartridges that were midway in power between fullpower rifle rounds and pistol ammunition. The Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44), would be short-lived—but only due to the fortunes of war: It would remain supremely prominent in the eyes of key designers the world over, even though its concept was evolving into the roller-lock design before the end of World War II. In 1947 the development of the Soviet AK-47 (and the 7.62×41mm [M43] cartridge), although influenced by the StG 44, would put the assault rifle on the world’s center stage. In the meantime, other new assault rifles such as the Belgian FNFAL; British EM1 and EM2; Spanish C.E.T.M.E. and others were being developed around other new intermediate cartridges. All of these rifles embodied all the concepts found in the StG 44, and showed great promise. As “true” or optimum assault rifles, however, all of these developments were derailed by the United States’ insistence on the adoption by NATO of the 7.62×51mm (.308 Winchester), still a MBR cartridge developed as part of its Light Rifle Program. The American rifle adopted at the end of this decade-long program was the U.S. M14 rifle, a great step backwards in the evolution of the assault rifle. The M14 was soon replaced by the 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington) M16 rifle. Despite the turn of events revolving around the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, like all the selective-fire rifles that, through the

years, were conceived for use in close range assaults, or conversely to thwart them, and which played their part in the evolution of the assault rifle, those early post-war rifles, including retrograde designs in 7.62×51mm that fired main battle rifle cartridges do, by their nature and/or intended use, fall into the category of assault rifles. Whether or not the adjective “true” be used with these rifles, the authors deem this statement to be logical and valid. To declare otherwise would be akin to defining the Fokker DR-1 Triwing or Sopwith Camel as something other than fighter planes.

Acknowledgments Thanks to: Brig. Gen. (aus) Micheli dott. Aldebrano – museum director, historian Ian Anderson – designer Len Antaris – collector, historian Gilbert E. Angelotti – collector, historian Donald Alexander – trainer Ronald Avery – writer, trainer Jerry Baber – designer, manufacturer Chris Barrett – designer, manufacturer Ronnie Barrett – Barrett Mfg. Co. Vartan Barsoumian – manufacturer Christopher E. Bartocci – author, historian Pedro Bello – historian Michael Beltran – trainer, historian Joe Bergeron – designer, manufacturer Bix Bigler – graphic designer Stephen Bindon – designer, manufacturer Andrew Blumenthal – Esquire Jan Borjesson – historian Hugh Brock – historian Lt. Col. Robert K. Brown – publisher, author Robert Bruce – author, historian Karl Bruger – manufacturer-desigher *Larry Bullock – designer, manufacturer Michael Bussard – designer, historian

Bruce A. Canfield – author, historian John Capos – historian *Tom Cash – collector Ivan Miley Chakov – manufacturer Wiley Clapp –author, historian Drake Clark – designer Jeremy Cough – writer, historian Brian Conrad – designer Alan Cors – collector, historian Dan Cotterman – author David Crain – author, historian Stan Crist – writer, historian John Cross – writer, historian Charles Q. Cutshaw – writer, historian Dr. Phillip Dater – designer, manufacturer Carlos G. Davila – historian. Aaron D. Davis – designer, historian Dick Davis – designer John Day – historian M. Degtyarev – historian-designer Jerry Derhammer – collector. Irwin Derntl – designer, trainer Guns de Vries – author, historian John Dodds – designer, historian Barry Dueck – designer, manufacturer David Dunlap – designer, manufacturer David Emary – ballistician Leszek Erenfeicht – writer, historian

Jiri Fencl – writer, historian Robert Faris – collector, historian Leslie E. Field – historian Richard Fitzpatrick – designer, historian Mike Friend – designer, manufacturer Pete Forras – ballistician David Fortier – writer, historian Brian Fraisure – collector, trainer Robert Gaddis – designer, author Joe Gadinni – designer, manufacturer *Uzi Gal – designer, historian Terry Gander – writer, historian Robert Gates – designer Lieutenant Colonel Joe Gibbs – author, historian Roger Goldsberry – writer, historian Dolf Goldsmith – author, historian Colonel Rocky Green – designer, manufacturer Bill Grube – designer, historian Kenneth Hackathorn – author, trainer Andrew Hamlett – writer, historian Hans Dieter Handrick – writer, historian John Hansen – historian Jay Hard – designer George Harris – trainer Brian Hawthorne – trainer *Lyn Haywood – artist, historian Ed Head – trainer, writer Michael Heidler – historian

Geoffrey Herring, designer, manufacturer John Higgs – writer, historian Virginia Higgs – typesetting, scanning Steven Hines – designer, manufacturer Jeff Hoffman – designer, manufacturer, historian Steven J. Holland – designer, trainer Wayne Holt – trainer Cameron Hopkins – writer Steven Hornady – manufacturer James B. Hughes – writer, historian Jean Huon – writer, historian Timo Hyytinen – writer, historian Frank Innamico – writer, historian *Gordon Ingram – inventor, designer Gary Jackson – trainer Jay Jackson – collector Frank James – author, historian *Col. George B. Jarrett – curator, historian Terushi Jimbo – writer, historian David Johnson – designer, manufacturer George Johnson – writer, historian Harold Johnson – writer, historian Keneth Johnson – historian Nancy J. Johnston – for her patience and support Richard Jones – writer, historian Justin Juarez – designer Mikhail Kalashnikov – designer, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Izhevsk, Russia

Harry Kane – editor, historian Tom Kapp – designer Ira Kay – designer, manufacturer Mark Keefe, IV – editor, author Ken Keilholz – collector George Kellgren – designer, manufacturer Sheppard Kelly – author, historian *Charles C. Kelsey – designer, manufacturer Paul Kim – designer Erik Kincel – designer, historian John Klein – designer, manufacturer C. Reed Knight, Jr. – designer, manufacturer, historian C. Reed Knight, III – museum director, collector Peter G. Kokalis – author, historian Ivan Kolev – designer *Saburl Kondo – historian Bob Kovaks – manufacturer * V. “Jack” Krcma – author, historian Charles Kramer – designer Mark Krebs – designer, manufacturer Alexander Kulinsky – historian Valery Kyrlov – historian Tim La France – designer, manufacturer Robert I. Landies – manufacturer, historian *Michael La Plante – designer, historian Arnaldo La Scala – collector, historian Robert Latham – designer David Lauch – designer, manufacturer

Steven Lauer – designer, manufacturer Hans Bert Lockhoven – writer, historian Kent Lomont – manufacturer, historian Duncan Long – writer, historian Joseph Lozen – collector, writer Peder Lund – publisher, historian Col. David Lutz – designer Mark Malkowski – designer, manufacturer Bas J. Martens – writer, historian Dr. John Matthews – inventor, manufacturer Don McLean, editor, writer, historian Mitchell Mateko – designer Michael Mayberry – designer Odile Merklen – writer editor Kelly McMillan – designer, manufacturer M. L. “Mic” McPherson – ballistician, author CWO John M. Miller – collector, historian Owen “Buz” Mills – Gunsite Training Center Travis Mitchell – trainer Sergei Monetchikov – writer, historian Joe Moody – inventor, manufacturer, historian Cris E. Murray – designer, historian Ichiro Nagata – writer, photographer, trainer *Yu. A. Natzvaladze – museum director, historian Alexander Nemets – translator Il Ling New – translator, writer, trainer Wayne F. Novak – designer, manufacturer Matt Nyman – designer

*Warren W. Odegard – artist, historian Ronaldo Olive – writer, historian Edward Owen – forensics, writer, historian Louis Pacilla – collector, historian Markku Palokangas – museum curator, historian, writer Michael Parker – writer, historian Skip Patel – designer, manufacturer Maj. John L. Plaster – author, historian Paul Pluff – designer Heikki Pohjolainen – writer, historian Pekka Pohjolainen – writer, historian Maxim Popenker – writer, historian Joe Poyer – writer, historian *Eugene L. Pretzeus – collector, historian Charles Pulit – designer Mick Ranger – historian Dennis Reese – manufacturer Christian Reinhart – writer, historian John Renick – historian C.C. Rhetts, Jr. – author Wil Roberts – collector, historian Alex J. Robinson – designer, manufacturer Mike Rock – designer, manufacturer Dan Ross – designer, manufacturer Dr. Joeseph Rustick – designer, manufacturer David Salvagio – manufacturer Scott Samson – designer, manufacturer Phil Seaberger – designer, manufacturer

James Schatz – writer, historian Dr. David Schiller – publisher, writer, historian John Scott – collector, historian Paul Seibold – historian Peter Senich – author, historian Bob Shanen – collector, historian Dan Shea – publisher, writer, historian Ned Sheer – distributor William Sheperd – historian Tsutomu Shijo – historian Valery N. Shilin – writer, historian Dr. Anatoliy Shishkin – historian James Siegfried – USSF (ret.) Craig Sirna – collector, historian Burke Smith – designer Clint Smith – trainer, writer *Joseph E. Smith – writer, historian Neal Smith – collector, historian Ron Smith – manufacturer, historian Laszlo Somogyi, hungariae.com – historian Nick Steadman – writer, historian Blake Stevens – author, historian Edward Stevenson – ballistician Col. Ed Stock – trainer, historian Giles Stock – trainer, historian *Eugene Stoner – designer, historian L. James Sullivan – designer, historian Geoff Sturgess – collector, writer, historian

Richard Swan – designer, manufacturer, historian Sharon Swan – manufacturer *Thomas F. Swearengen – writer, historian Capt. C.A. “Chip” Swicker – collector, historian Dwight Swift – technical editor Ferdinand S. Sy – designer Jerry Tarble – writer, collector, historian Robert Taubert – author, trainer Col. Gus Taylor – designer, historian John Tibbitts – designer, manufacturer Dave L. Thomas – historian Don Thomas – writer, historian Heinrich Thomet – historian Masami Tokoi – writer, historian J. David Truby – writer, historian Autumn Urban – artist, editor, writer Dwight Van Brunt – collector, historian Josh Van Hoelen – historian Richard Venola – writer, historian Dennis Versara – historian Larry Vickers – trainer, writer *Henk L. Visser Paul Wahl – author, historian Francis Warin – designer Miles Waterman – historian Wayne Weiss – historian Gay Wesson – historian Judy Westrom – manufacturer

Mark Westrom – designer, collector, manufacturer Remigiusz Wilk – technical editor Jon Wiler – trainer Anthony Williams – writer, historian Dick Williams – historian Don F. Wood – writer, historian *Herbert Woodend – museum curator, historian Bill Woodin – collector, historian Timothy Yan – writer, historian A.B. Zhuk – artist, historian Albert Zitta – designer * Deceased In remembrance and with special thanks to the late Henk L. Visser, my friend of nearly 50 years who caused many segments of this title to be “more informative;” particularly the chapter covering the Soviet/Russian developments. A special thanks is given to the late Dr. Edward C. Ezell who started this book project with Mr. Nelson in the late 1980’s. Unfortunately, Dr. Ezell’s illness and premature death halted his participation, but the many photos he contributed early on have been of great help. Also we extend a most sincere thank-you to Dr. Ezell’s wife, Ginny (Virginia), who carried on as project director and assisted in many aspects of this title. Her participation ceased when she was posted overseas. Her service toward the completion of this title is greatly appreciated.

Special recognition is passed to the late Daniel D. Musgrave, who was co-author with Mr. Nelson of the original edition of this title, which was published in 1967. Mr. Musgrave’s knowledge of automatic weapons systems was recognized throughout the world. The scope of the original printing in the mid-1960s was limited, when put in context of the world-wide use and distribution the assault rifle has seen in the late 20th and early 21st Centuries. This book would not be so complete without the help of Tony Williams and Max Popenker for granting permission to use quotes and information from their title Assault Rifle, Crownwood Press, 2004, and for their continuing consultations. A special thanks to Val Shilin, Charles Cutshaw and Peder Lund for allowing quotes and statements from the title, Legends and Reality of the AK, Paladin Press, 2000, a must read for serious students. A special thanks to Mr. C. Reed Knight, Jr., of Knight’s Armament Company in Titustille, Florida. Without Mr. Knight’s generous help with rare photo opportunities and his keen recollection of first-hand details provided by his friend, the late Eugene Stoner, of the early days of ArmaLite and Cadillac Gage, these and other chapters would be empty by comparison. Special thanks is extended to Mr. John Cross for his generous, extensive and knowledgeable help in researching the chapter on Roller-Locking Systems. Special thanks also goes to the following:

Central Russian Army Museum Army, Moscow, Russia Fabrique National, Herstal, Belgium Great Patriotic War Museum, Moscow, Russia James D. Julia Auctions, Fairfield, Maine Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer Troops and Communications, St. Petersburg, Russia Museum of Modern History, Ljubljana, Slovenia Pietro Beretta S.p.A. – Gardone Valtrompia, Brescia, Italy Royal Armouries/National Firearms Centre, Leeds, England Small Arms Review magazine, Henderson, Nevada TPG Atlanta Publishers, Russia Last but far from least the authors thank the editor and graphic artist of this book, Mr. Don McLean and Mr. Bix Bigler, without whom this project could not have been completed. Mr. McLean’s expertise not only in that field, but also in the subject matter of the book proved a priceless combination. His background and knowledge of assault rifles, both historical and contemporary rivals that of many of the world’s experts on the subject, and dovetailed perfectly with the superb talents of Mr. Bix Bigler, who brought this book to life through imagery and layout.

Table of Contents Chapter 1. Assault Rifle Ammunition Chapter 2. Assault Rifle Operating and Locking Systems Chapter 3. Albania Chapter 4. Argentina Chapter 5. Armenia Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

6. 7. 8. 9.

Australia Austria Belgium Bolivia

Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

10. Brazil 11. Bulgaria 12. Burma 13. Canada

Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

14. 15. 16. 17.

Chile China (PRC) Croatia Cuba

Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

Czechoslovakia (Czech and Slovak Republics) Denmark Dominican Republic Egypt Finland

Chapter 23. France Germany Chapter 24. The FG-42

Chapter 25. The Sturmgewehr Chapter 26. The Roller-Locking Breech Chapter 27. East Germany Chapter 28. Post-1990 Developments Chapter 29. Great Britain Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

30. 31. 32. 33.

Greece Hungary India Indonesia

Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

34. 35. 36. 37.

Iran Iraq Israel Italy

Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43.

Japan Mexico New Zealand North Korea Pakistan Peru

Chapter 44. Philippines Chapter 45. Poland Chapter 46. Romania Russia/Soviet Union Chapter 47. Fedorov, Simonov, and Tokarev Rifles Chapter 48. The AK and AKM Chapter 49. AK-74, AK-74M and the AKS-74U Chapter 50. The AL-7 and Izhmash 100 Series Chapter 51. AN-94, AN-91 Bullpup

Chapter 52. 9×39mm and Underwater Weapons Chapter 53. Singapore Chapter 54. South Africa Chapter 55. South Korea Spain (see Germany: The Roller-Locking Breech) Chapter 56. Sweden Chapter 57. Switzerland Chapter 58. Taiwan Chapter 59. Ukraine United States of America Chapter 60. Chapter 61. Chapter 62. Chapter 63. Chapter 64. the M14 Chapter 65. Chapter 66. Beyond Chapter 67. Chapter 68. Chapter 69. Chapter 70. Chapter 71. Glossary Index

The BAR The Lewis Assault Rifles The Johnson Rifle The U.S. .30 Carbine U.S. Assault Rifle Developments From the M1 Garand to The Sturm, Ruger MINI-14 ArmaLite Assault Rifles: From the AR-10 to the M16 and The Stoner Weapon System The Advanced Combat Rifle Other U.S. Assault Rifle Developments Vietnam Yugoslavia

Foreword

T

his book concerns one of the two elements that comprise the

most important weapon in our arsenal, the rifleman. While the book deals with a revolutionary advance in the rifle itself, we must never lose sight of the user. He is the successor to the musketeers, bowmen, spearmen, swordsmen, and slingmen of times past. Without him, a Nation cannot survive. The universal application of the automatic principle to the individual weapon has made it necessary and convenient to give that weapon a new name, thus indicating its enlarged capabilities — the assault rifle. Widespread use of assault rifles, particularly during the past five decades, has shown this individual weapon used by all adversaries involved in past and present conflicts; whether guerrilla wars, civil wars, “wars of liberation” and certainly by major combatants in larger wars. The increase in firepower for the individual has literally provided small groups of determined men armed with selective-fire assault rifles the force that here-to-fore was reserved for battalions and regiments. When hand-held fully automatic weapons fed by detachable magazines first came on the scene, they were made in existing infantry rifle calibers. Some, such as the FN/FAL and U.S. M14 rifles, continued in such calibers until the advantages of an intermediate round — such as controllability on full automatic fire — were irrefutably demonstrated by the Kalashnikov AK-47. The early iterations of the assault rifle concept, such as the Federov, the BAR,

the Simonov AVS-36 and others served to illustrate how advantageous such a design might be, but it was not until the German Sturmgewehr 44 (assault rifle 44) with its intermediate round proved just how advantageous such a design really was, that the concept was validated. Interestingly, the StG.44 was first called a submachine gun by the Germans (Machine Pistol 44), and the AK-47 was first called a submachine gun by the Soviets and by NATO in the early years. It was during WW II that the German designation of “assault rifle” was coined, and it was such a captivating term it has come to nearly universal usage, referring to a hand-held weapon capable of semi automatic or fully automatic (selective) fire, fed from a detachable box magazine, which fires an intermediate rifle cartridge. Earlier designs firing a full-size infantry round, such as the Fedorov, BAR or AVS-36, however, were still assault rifles as well — just as a Model T, although an early design, was still an automobile. The weapons of mass destruction held by national powers today exist primarily to checkmate similar hostile weapons. We must continue to discourage their use. But if future wars involve the employment of tactical atomic weapons against military forces, a modern field army would see much of its sophisticated equipment reduced to shambles in a matter of minutes. When the dust settles on an atomic battlefield, to a great extent the outcome will still depend on small groups of desperate men, the assault riflemen. Today’s emerging threats include antagonists with a suicide mentality so base it does not care if all parties lose, and they are more likely to employ asymmetrical warfare and individual terrorist operatives, or work for their goals within “low-intensity” conflicts. When such faceless combatants can be engaged, however, the

fighters on both sides mostly comprise small units of individual riflemen, armed with what has become known as an assault rifle. In addition to the military context, modern police fighting organized crime find their new adversary so well funded and equipped that police elements are increasingly forced to train and operate as paramilitary forces to combat “traditional” crime, in addition to their role in responding to terrorist threats at street level, with an assault rifle in their hands. We must vigorously support these warriors representing the forces of freedom to ensure they will hold in their hands the best assault rifle that can be built, and that they are well trained and actively encouraged by the people for whose interests they carry it in harm’s way.

CHAPTER 1

Assault Rifle Ammunition

A

ssault rifle performance and technical characteristics are largely

determined by the ammunition used. Designers have been aware of this fact for many years, but prior to the appearance of the German Sturmgewehr in the early 1940s, all standard military automatic and semiautomatic rifles were chambered to fire cartridges that previously had been used in older weapons. (One exception was the U.S. carbine’s .30 caliber, 7.62×33mm cartridge, which was not a true assault rifle cartridge.) Design limitations imposed by older “full power” rifle cartridges made it impossible to develop truly lightweight rifles that would shoot effectively during full-automatic fire. Not only was mechanical functioning violent with such cartridges, but projectile dispersion was very great. Muzzle climb during burst fire was the usual result. After the first shot of the burst, subsequent ones generally passed harmlessly over the target, or in compensation, lateral dispersion increased. As a first step in changing Western thinking about infantry ammunition, French armament engineer Marcel Devouges offered the following observations about ammunition for automatic weapons in 1924: “The cartridges for automatic arms (except pistols) were originally designed for non-automatic weapons, and for tactical concepts which have been greatly modified since the experiences of

the last war.” He noted that during World War I, each army designed its machine guns for the same cartridge used in their service rifles. Devouges commented that there was a growing opinion favoring separate cartridges for each class of weapon, because of the contrasting needs in today’s terms of the general purpose machine gun, those of the squad automatic weapon, and those of the automatic rifle (self-loading rifles). General purpose machine guns were expected at the time to kill out to as far as 3,500 meters. Squad automatic weapons and automatic rifles would be employed against targets up to 800 meters. Devouges suggested that 7mm would be the optimum caliber for lightweight automatics, and that 7.5mm would be suitable for GPMGs. His ideas and suggestions were far ahead of contemporary thinking. In actual practice, those nations that employed a single cartridge (7.62mm or larger) for rifles and machine guns retained that type ammunition through the end of World War II. Those countries that had calibers smaller than 7.62mm (generally those in the 6.5mm class) adopted a larger, more powerful caliber cartridge during the 19391945 conflict. Most notable in this latter group were the Dutch, Greeks, Italians, Japanese, Norwegians, Portuguese, and Swedes. Adoption of a second cartridge was usually related to the needs of the machine gun. In some instances — such as the Italian 8×59mmRB Breda cartridge and the 7.9×57R M.v.M. Dutch — the new ammunition was provided exclusively for machine guns. As with the American decision to keep its Model 1906 .30 caliber (7.62×63mm) cartridge, and not adopt the proposed .276 Pedersen (7×53mm) ammunition, other industrialized nations opted to retain their older munitions because of the enormous expense involved in

fielding a new round — even if they agreed to the reduction in power and range of the service rifle ammunition. In addition to research, development and tooling costs, huge quantities of ammunition must be stockpiled in peacetime in anticipation of wartime usage. For nations such as the United States and the former Soviet Union, which have large territories and global commitments of troops, ammunition also must be prepositioned worldwide. Allied and enemy experience with the unanticipated magnitude of cartridge expenditures during the World War led to cautious behavior in the post-1918 period. Nearly all belligerents had artillery shells and small arms ammunition shortages. For some, for example the Russians, these shortfalls were chronic and fatal. During the final years of World War II, and in the immediate postwar period, all major armed forces examined the tactical advantages of switching to less bulky and lower power infantry ammunition types. The decade 1943-1953 was a period of much experimentation with new rifle cartridges. Many competing designs appeared, with a few key ones surviving testing and evaluation through to adoption. Since ammunition is critical to weapon design, this chapter summarizes the most important cartridges of the post-1945 era as background to the weapons discussions that follow. Within alliance groupings, “interoperability” has become a priority. Standardization of ammunition and weapon types simplifies logistics involved in the field supply of large armies. It also requires more stringent attention to common standards and quality control. The Warsaw Pact armies were all very successful in standardizing both guns and cartridges, NATO allies have settled for a few standard types of interoperable ammunition that will work in a wide variety of

weapons of the same caliber. In theory, all 7.62×51 mm NATO cartridges will function equally well in the Fabrique Nationale FAL, Heckler & Koch Gewehr 3 (G3), U.S. M14 rifles, and FN MAG, Rheinmetall MG3, Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Saint Etienne (MAS) AAT 52, and U.S. M60 GPMGs, without concern about the country in which the weapon or ammunition was manufactured. As we shall see in subsequent discussion, this interoperable ideal is sometimes elusive. Weapons types respond differently to differnt cartridge case materials (e.g., brass vs. steel, material hardness) or to variations in chamber pressures or gas port pressures. Projectiles can respond significantly differently to even slight changes of barrel twist. The basic goal of interoperability is often difficult to attain.

From left are the .303 British (7.7×56mm), .276 Pedersen (7×51mm), .280 British (7×44mm), 7.62mm bullet in T65 aluminum case (7.62×48mm) experimental, 7.62×51mm NATO, .22/.308 (5,56×52mm) experimental, .222 Remington (5.56×43mm), .223 Remington (5.56×45mm NATO M855) and 6×45mm SAW.

Within NATO, Standardization Agreements were created to insure interchangeability and interoperability. STANAG 2310 covers 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition. Functional interchangeability of this group of small arms cartridges is obtained through “prescribed uniform proof and inspection procedures” laid out in the NATO Small Arms Ammunition Panel’s Manual of Proof and Inspection Procedures for NATO 7.62mm Ammunition, first issued in May, 1960 and updated several times since. STANAG 4172, dated May 5, 1993, covers 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition. Concern about interoperability arises from the need to make cartridges work in different self-actuating firearms. In the early days of fixed metallic cartridge small arms ammunition, the primary function of the cartridge was to serve as a container for the primer, propellant, and projectile until it was time to shoot the weapon. At the instant of firing, all manually operated firearms have essentially the same functional characteristics, determined by the locked breech and the fixed barrel with no gas vent except for the muzzle opening. Factory acceptance testing of ammunition for such weapons considered a small list of issues: hang-fires, barrel erosion, chamber pressures and muzzle velocities. Difficulties relating to feeding, extraction, and ejection were more likely to be attributable to the weapon than the cartridge. In the self-loading weapon, the cartridge case also serves as the power package to supply the operating energy. In blowback types, the cartridge is an integral element of the self-actuating system. Since the advent of the self-loading weapon (both semi-automatic and full-automatic), the metallic cartridge must also assure the reliable operation of the weapon.

In bolt-action rifles, many of these concerns are inconsequential. The most crucial factor is ammunition ballistic interoperability. Other considerations include headspace tolerance, and sensitivity to firing pin shape, protrusion, and momentum. In manually operated weapons there is no gas pressure remaining during extraction, and the velocities associated with extraction, ejection and chambering (governed by the strength and dexterity of the shooter) are very low. In self-actuated (self-operated) weapons, bolt velocities can be very significant. In some types there is no slow initial extraction, and those that are blow-back operated use gas pressure on the head of the cartridge case to open the bolt. Cocked self-loading breech weapons that are gas operated will function most reliably when the internal ballistics of the ammunition being fired are reasonably matched to the gun. Higher or lower pressures, variations in pressure peak times, and other variables can cause erratic or poor performance of the self-loading mechanism. Blow-back weapons are also sensitive to variations in cartridge performance parameters.

Markings on cartridge cases fired in barrels with fluted chambers.

The nature of the cartridge case materials can be critical. The metal case must act as an operating piston, at high residual chamber pressures, without sticking in the chamber or disintegrating during the bolt opening process. To facilitate this process, when the remaining chamber pressures are high, some delayed blowback weapons have longitudinal slots machined into the chamber to ease case extraction. Some locked-breech designs require these chamber slots or flutes to ease case extraction. Cartridge cases fired in gas operated weapons such as the Soviet Tokarev and the delayed blow-back operated Gewehr 3 (G3) have groove marks engraved on the expended case as a consequence of the cartridge case material having expanded slightly

into the chamber during the firing process, particularly when employing soft brass cases. The design of cartridges and weapons must go hand in hand. Once a type of ammunition is standardized with a specific set of technical characteristics, arms designers must conform to those specifications. That is, unless the designer is bold enough and talented enough to propose a significantly new cartridge. We shall see several examples in which such proposals have been made. For each successful new cartridge suggested, dozens of unsuccessful designs litter the experimental shop floor. They do so largely because of political and economic considerations associated with attempting standardization of new ammunition.

The most widely used assault rifle cartridges of today.

Some small arms cartridges have proven to be very versatile. A good example is the U.S. Army .30 Model 1906 cartridge. Prior to World War I, this 7.62×63mm round had been made only in quantities sufficient to meet the needs of a peacetime armed force. It was fired from a bolt-action rifle, a recoil-operated machine gun, and in two models of gas operated machine guns. During the 1914-1918 European conflict, the American army used the .30-06 in two boltaction rifles, two gas-operated automatic rifles, two recoil-operated machine guns, and four gas-operated machine guns. Originally designed for the simple M1903 Springfield rifle, the .30-06 cartridge was adapted to the eccentricities of 10 different weapons. Weapon and ammunition performance and interoperability were reasonably good considering the problems of wartime manufacture. Still, some production lots of cartridges were restricted for training purposes only, and their use was limited to only certain guns. From time to time, proposals have been advanced for the development of small arms that fire cartridges with no case (moulded propellant), combustible cases or liquid propellants, and remain a focus of active research and development. Principle obstacles to this type of development have been: Sealing the breech against gas leakage Cook-off due to heat transfer from the barrel to the chambered propellant Unpredictable pressure curves Environmental stability of ammunition Handling and safety hazards

If these and other problems can be solved, then the next step in rifle design may be the inclusion of a radically different cartridge type.

Rifle Cartridge Types: World War I — Present There are three basic types of rifle cartridges used world-wide. First among these are those cartridges that are now described as fullpower, most of which were originally designed for use in nonautomatic (bolt-action) rifles followed by use in machine guns and self-loading rifles. The second group, called intermediate power, consists of cartridges with a significant reduction in overall size and in ballistic performance. The term “intermediate power” comes from the energy levels of the cartridge which are between those of the full power rifle cartridges and the low power pistol cartridges used in submachine guns. This grouping was created with the goal of reducing recoil and increasing controllability of automatic weapons. And finally, there are the newer “small caliber, high velocity,” cartridges. These latter two groups were designed to reduce recoil and increase controllability in automatic weapons. While the concept of the intermediate cartridge led to a reduction in projectile weight and velocity, the small caliber, high velocity cartridges (SCHV) propelled smaller diameter and even lower weight bullets at significantly higher velocities than ever before. These cartridges take advantage of the physical fact that kinetic energy is a combined function of mass and velocity: E= MV2 Thus as velocity(V) increases slightly, energy (E) increases significantly. By reducing the weight of the projectile and increasing its velocity, designers of SCHV weapons sought to enhance weapon controllability without reducing bullet killing power. The phenomena of

the small caliber, high velocity cartridge and the debate it engendered is discussed in later chapters.

Full Power Rifle Cartridges 6.5×50.5mmSR Japanese Adopted in 1897, this “Year 30” or Type 30 cartridge was used in the Type 30 (1897) and Type 38 (1905) Arisaka bolt-action rifle and several early Japanese machine guns. This semirimmed 6.5×50.5mmSR Japanese round qualified as a full-powered type due to its overall length. Its energy levels would have otherwise placed it nearer the intermediate class. World War II vintage 6.5mm ammunition had a 139-grain (9-gram) bullet with a book velocity of 2,500 feet per second (762 m/s). With one notable exception, this 6.5mm cartridge was restricted to Japanese weapons. The Russian designer Fedorov used this Japanese cartridge in his Model 1916 Avtomat, because of its modest recoil impulse and availability. As the Fedorov Avtomat is acknowledged to have been the world’s first assault rifle, the 6.5mm Japanese might be considered to have been the first assault rifle cartridge.

Powerful cartridges used in assault rifles, but originally designed for boltaction rifles.

6.5×52.5mm Italian The 6.5mm Italian Mannlicher Carcano cartridge appeared in the last decade of the 19th century. It was first fired from the Model 1891 Mannlicher-Carcano bolt-action rifle, and it continued to be used by Italian armed forces in both world wars, although an effort was made to replace it in the middle 1930’s. Its utilization was primarily confined to weapons made by or for Italy. It is only included here because it was used in several prototype selective-fire shoulder rifles developed in Italy prior to and during World War II. The complete metric designation of this obsolete cartridge is 6.5×52.5mm. Typically it fired a 162-grain (10.4-gram) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,296 feet per second (758 m/s). The relatively heavy round-nosed bullet was never replaced with a more modern type throughout its service life. 7×57mm Mauser

This cartridge was developed in the early 1890’s for the Mauser turning bolt action rifle. It is frequently called the 7mm Spanish because Spain adopted it for use with their 1893 Mauser rifles. Americans first encountered this round during the Spanish-American War of 1898. At least a dozen countries used it at one time or another. Many of them employed it in a 7mm version of the singleshot Remington rolling block rifle. Costa Rica purchased 7×57mm caliber self-loading rifles from the Italian firm Breda about 1935. Also, Johnson semi-automatic rifles in this caliber were later purchased for Chilean armed forces. By 1935, it fired a 143-grain (9.3-gram) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,461 feet per second (750 mls). 7.5×54mm French The 7.5×54mm cartridge was developed following World War I in the early 1920’s to replace the 8mm Lebel model 1886 cartridge, the first small bore cartridge using smokeless propellant adopted by any nation. The 8mm Lebel, however, has a large diameter, rimmed case, derived from the 11mm Gras, a black powder, single-shot rifle cartridge, and had too much body taper making it unsuitable for a box magazine. The rimless case 7.5mm cartridge was adopted in its final form in 1929. It had a steel-jacketed lead core, flat-based bullet, weighing 139 grains, loaded to a velocity of 2,690 feet per second. Originally the 7.5mm cartridge was intended for the Chatellerault M 1924/29 light machine gun. However, it was also eventually intended for universal use in bolt-action and experimental semiautomatic rifles under development. After testing several rifles ranging from older Lebel and Berthier rifles converted to 7.5mm, the

French standardized a new MAS M1936 rifle. The MAS 36 was in use before World War II until the introduction of the MAS 1949 semiautomatic used in Indochina, and the MAS 49/56 used in Algeria. A series of semi-automatic rifles were designed from the early 1900’s until in 1938 when a design was found satisfactory and readied for production in 1940 — too late to see action in World War II. After liberation in 1944, work on this design continued, primarily to adopt the 1940 variant to use a copy of the German 10-shot G-43 magazine, which went into limited production at that time. Larger production was instituted after modifying the M1944 with an integral grenade launcher to become the MAS 49. This model was used to some extent in French Indochina and later widely used in Algeria. The final variant, the MAS 49/56 was also used in Algeria and for several years after. Early French experimental select-fire assault rifles were made in 7.5×54mm including the FAMME in 1951 and the FMAME in 1952, both bullpup designs. The FAMAS, introduced in 1951, of conventional assault rifle configuration, and the FAMAS 1951B, a bull-pup design, also were 7.5×54mm assault rifles. Subsequent variants of these assault rifles, as well as other designs, were made in 7.62×51mm NATO, but France decided not to adopt assault rifles in either caliber. 7.5×55mm Swiss From 1911 to 1990, Swiss Army rifle ammunition was the full powered 1911 vintage GP-11 7.5×55.5mm cartridge. It was standard for their Sturmgewehr 57 and Maschinengewehr 51. In basic design it dates back more than a century to 1889 when Switzerland became one of the first nations to adopt a reduced bore, smokeless powder

cartridge. Although there have been relatively minor changes to the shape of the cartridge case, many alterations were made over the years to projectiles and loads in efforts to improve the accuracy of this round. By 1931, it fired a 174-grain (11.3-gram) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,559 feet per second (780 m/s). 7.62×54mm Russian Rimmed In its original form this cartridge was adopted by the Imperial Russian Army in 1891 as the ammunition for the Model 1891 Mosin Nagant bolt action rifle. By 1908, it fired a 148-grain (9.6-gram) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,514 feet per second (766 m/s). This rimmed pattern cartridge had been the major source of performance design problems for both S. G. Simonov and F. V. Tokarev while they were developing their self-loading rifles. Difficulties they encountered can be divided into two basic and familiar categories. First, the 7.62×54mmR cartridge was too powerful, a fact that led to extraction and problems with dispersion. Second, the cartridge’s large head diameter and its wide flanged rim made it difficult for use in doublerow box magazines of the type that Simonov and Tokarev created for their rifles. There were three common malfunctions with the 7.62×54mmR cartridge: Failure to extract when the cartridge stuck to the cartridge chamber of the rifle (steel cases by 1935) Rim shears from the cartridge case body resulting from those failures Failure of the cartridge to feed due to jamming of the cartridges in the magazine

All of the problems associated with the Model 1908 7.62×54mmR cartridge indicated that successful development of new rifles should be preceded by the selection or creation of a new cartridge. V. G. Fedorov had made this point before World War I when he selected the Japanese 6.5×50.5mmSR cartridge for use in his Avtomat. He once wrote that the future “evolution of individual infantry weapons can be directed towards bringing the two types, i.e., machine carbine and submachine gun, closer together on the basis of planning the new cartridge. Rifle equipment of the near future faces the creation of a light caliber automatic carbine, approximating the submachine gun, but developed, needless to say, for use with a more powerful cartridge.” 7.62×63mm (.30-06) United States Standardized in 1906 to replace the short-lived .30-03 with roundnosed bullet, this was a first class full power cartridge with a Spitzertype projectile. Although the .30-06 evolved from the Model 1903 round, dimensional changes (i.e. a shorter neck) precluded use of the old cartridge in new chambered weapons. It was possible to shoot the .30-06 in rifles chambered for the .30-03. The World War II variant launched a 150-grain (9.7-gram) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,800 feet per second (853 m/s). In two World Wars millions of rifles and machine guns were manufactured to shoot this cartridge. Much favored by military and civilian shooters, this cartridge was in effect shortened and reworked after 1945, becoming in the end the 7.62×51 mm NATO cartridge. Before World War Two ended the T20 and T22 series of selective fire rifles were built to fire the .30-06. Experimentation with these

rifles raised concern over excessive recoil from such full power cartridges. 7.92×57mm Mauser The first cartridge in this family was adopted by Imperial Germany’s Army for the Model 1888 Commission rifle. Early bolt-action Gewehr Modell 98 Mausers fired the Patrone 88 having a heavy round-nosed bullet. France’s introduction of a pointed, boat-tailed bullet for the Mle 86/93 Lebel rifle (the Balle D named for its designer Desaleux) in 1898 caused considerable excitement and activity in Germany. Experiments with pointed bullets (Spitzgeschosse) were carried out at the Spandau Arsenal. In 1905 a slightly larger diameter bullet of Spitzer type, weighing 154-grains (10-grams), was standardized. From the Gewehr 98’s 29-inch (740mm) barrel it had an initial velocity of 2,854 feet per second (870 m/s). The pointed projectile was given the designation of “s” for identification purposes. This was to prevent its use in older Modell 88 rifles, which had a smaller diameter bore (unless marked “s,” denoting an enlarged bullet seat). The s-bullet became obsolete by the 1920’s and was replaced by a heavier, pointed bullet having a boat-tailed base, designated “ss” for Scheres Spitz — Geschoss. This design was originally issued for use with heavy machine guns near the end of World War II to counter the French Balle D rounds, which had not only a pointed nose, but a boat-tailed base. Before World War II the Germans had issued the 98K rifle having a shorter barrel of 23.6 inches (600mm), which produced a muzzle velocity of 2,476 feet per second (755 m/s), with the 198-grain (12.8-gram) ss bullet.

Between 1940 and 1943, because of material shortages, ss ball ammunition was supplimented by a steel core ball bullet of 178 grains (11.5 grams, designated “S.m.E.”. Fired in the 98K rifle, it produced a muzzle velocity of 2,510 feet per second (765 m/s). By 1945 S.m.E. ammunition had nearly replaced ss as the general service ball ammuntion. This internationally used full power cartridge is of interest to this discussion because it was the employed in the World War II Fallschirmjager Gewehr 1942 (FG42) assault rifle. This cartridge is also called the 7.9×57mm, the 8×57mm, and the 8mm Mauser. 7.62×51 mm NATO Although this cartridge was originally developed for use by the member armies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, it has become one of the most popular military cartridges of the second half of the 20th century, and is in mass use in many light and medium machine guns throughout the world, as well as assault rifles. Initial design of this cartridge was directed by John C. Gray and Earle M. Harvey at the Ordnance Department’s Pentagon-based Small Arms Development Branch. The starting point for this work was the .300 Savage hunting cartridge. Final development was carried out jointly by Frankford Arsenal, then the Army small arms ammunition development center at Philadelphia, and Western Cartridge Division of the Olin Corporation. The .30 caliber “Light Rifle Cartridge” that emerged as the final product of the joint Ordnance-Industry team was not an “intermediate power” round. Instead it was a full power infantry cartridge in a shortened case. As such it differs from the German Sturmgewehr

ammunition. Most American infantry officers (Col. G. B. Jarret was an exception) had argued that the 7.92mm Kurz cartridge was too limited in effective combat range, that its bullet was too light, and that its muzzle velocity was too low. Originally the light rifle cartridge, of which the ball load was designated T65, had a case length of 1.871 inches (47.5mm). The final variant, which became the 7.62×51mm NATO, has a case length of 2.015 inches (51.18mm). Although sometimes referred to as “T65,” this is a generic term incorrectly applied to the ammunition. As introduced, the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge fired bullets ranging from 145 to 150 grains (9.3 to 9.7 gram) with a book muzzle velocity between 2,750 and 2,800 feet per second (838 to 850 m/s). Development of “ball” type propellant made it possible to create such a full power cartridge in a shorter case. Development of this propellant, whose name derives from its spherical shape, was guided by Fred Olsen, Research Director of Olin’s Western Cartridge Division. That firm had held exclusive commercial rights to “ball” propellant production since 1933, a powder which had many advantages. First, it was made in a fraction of the time required for other nitro-cellulose based propellants. It was safer to manufacture in large batches since the production process is carried out underwater. Its rate of combustion, more readily controlled, produces more uniform velocities from one lot to the next. Finally, “ball” powder produced propelling energy equivalent to older smokeless powders while requiring less space in cartridge cases. This latter quality enabled engineers to develop shorter cases with smaller volume, while still obtaining full power. That latter

element made the shorter and smaller volume light rifle cartridge possible. After much heated political and technical debate, the American cartridge case .30 FAT1 E3 was standardized in 1954 as the basis for the 7.62×51 mm NATO cartridge. Over the years a variety of projectiles have been developed and manufactured for this round of ammunition, but the cartridge case has remained essentially unchanged. In Spain and Japan special intermediate power ammunition, employing the 51mm NATO cartridge case, has been developed. These projects involved the use of either lighter projectiles or less propellant. Sometimes it involved both. Such cartridges were intended to reduce dispersion by making the rifle easier to control in the automatic fire mode. A short-lived variant of the 7.62mm NATO was the 7×49.15mm variant loaded by Fabrique Nationale for shooting in FN FALs of this caliber that were sold to Venezuela. This caliber reflected the continuing popularity of the 7×57mm Mauser cartridge in South America. Once the 7.62mm NATO gained popularity, Venezuela had its rifles converted to the larger 7.62mm caliber.

Intermediate Power Rifle Cartridges .276 Pedersen (7×51.4mm) While it pre-dates the true assault rifle, and although it was intended for use in a semi-automatic, self-loading rifle, the .276 Pedersen round was a true intermediate power cartridge. Its development extended for nearly a decade (from 1923 to 1932), when numerous

evolutionary changes in case dimensions, shape, and performance were tested. Bullet weights ranged from 120 to 140 grains (7.78 to 9.1 grams), in both boat-tail and flat-base variants, with muzzle velocities between 2,500 and 2,700 feet per second (762 m/s to 823 m/s). Case lengths varied between 1.9 and 2.073 inch (48.26 to 52.65mm), the standard length being 2.032 inches (51.4mm). Test quantities were manufactured in the United States at Frankford Arsenal and in England by Kynoch. .280 British The British Army continued to rely on their .303 (7.7×56mmR) Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) rifle, because development of selfloaders in Great Britain was slow due to the lack of urgency as the primary potential enemy, Germany, had not adopted a new selfloading rifle before World War II either. Economic constraints and successful development of the No.4 Rifle (an update of the SMLE) further set back efforts to obtain a self-loading rifle. Some experimentation to find a replacement for SMLE bolt action rifles was undertaken during World War II, but no changeover was seriously contemplated during that conflict.

Intermediate military cartridges relating to assault rifle development.

Before 1945, the British had examined Fabrique Nationale’s semi-automatic rifle (SAFN) in 7.92×57 Mauser, which first appeared in 1940, with interest. Personnel from FN in Belgium escaped to England during the war with technical data to continue development. However, experiments with SAFNs (the S.L.E.M.1 in England) were discontinued at the end of World War II. In 1945, the Ministry of Supply created a “Small Arms Ideal Calibre Panel,” assigning it the task of exploring the parameters of and then developing a new infantry rifle cartridge. They sought the lightest possible rifle/ammunition combination consistent with shooter comfort. The British set 600 yards (549 meters) as their maximum range for using of a new rifle cartridge. “It was recognized that the .303 over-killed at rifle ranges.” They sought an “intermediate” range assault rifle cartridge.

Dr. Richard Beeching, Deputy Chief Engineer, Armaments Design Establishment, carried out basic ballistic studies for the “Ideal Calibre Panel.” His investigations included experimental determination of ideal caliber, muzzle velocity, and bullet weight. Beeching and his team concluded from their study that the ideal caliber was .270 (6.8mm). After initial talks with American Ordnance representatives, the British increased projectile diameter to .276 (7mm) to make it more competitive with the American “ideal” of .30 (7.62mm) caliber. This British cartridge was later renamed .280, although the diameter was not changed. One member of the panel stated: “we [later] made the base end of the cartridge case identical with that of the (U.S.) 1906.30 cartridge so that it would have been easy for existing US weapons to be converted.” This later variant was designated .280/30. In the summer of 1947, Beeching’s staff submitted its formal findings. The British Army dispatched a team of ordnance experts to the United States with this document, where they encountered for the first time American plans for a .30 caliber (7.62mm) lightweight rifle firing the experimental T65 cartridge. The U.K. .280 and .280/30mm cartridges were loaded with many different bullets but development concentrated on 140-grain types, with a muzzle velocity of 2,415 feet per second (736 m/s). Three other 7mm cartridges with longer cases were tested later: 1.935 inches (49.15mm); 1.95 inches (49.5mm); and 2 inches (51mm). An attractive cartridge in many ways, favorable consideration of this round was never forthcoming from the Americans who insisted, for a variety of reasons genuine and specious, on their own “T65” cartridge. 7.62×39mm M43

The Soviet Model 1943 cartridge (patrona obrazetsa 1943g, kalibr 7.62mm) has retained its place as one of the all time important military cartridges. Manufactured world-wide it was the leading postWorld War II assault rifle cartridge until the appearance of the U.S. 5.56×45mm and the Russian 5.45×39mm cartridges. The standard ball projectile weighs 122 grains (7.9 grams). From the Kalashnikov assault rifles (16.64-inch 415mm barrel) it has a muzzle velocity of about 2,330 feet per second (710 m/s). From the RPK light machine gun (23.2-inch 590mm barrel) it has a muzzle velocity of about 2,590 feet per second (732 m/s). The basic projectiles used by the Soviets in the M43 cartridge include: the “PS” ball; the “US” reduced velocity ball; the “BZ” armorpiercing-incendiary with black/red tip; the “T-45” tracer with green tip; the “Z” incendiary-tracer (ranging) with red tip; and several blanks for training and grenade launching. China simply changed the color code for API from black/red to black around 1969. Other nations, such as Yugoslavia, developed other specialty bullets. The 38.9mm long cartridge case has a head diameter of 11.3mm, which makes it very similar to the 7.62×45mm Czechoslovakian cartridge. 7.62×45mm Czechoslovakian This Czechoslovakian cartridge was created after World War II for what became their vz.52 Samonabijeci puska or Model 1952 selfloading rifle and for the vz.52 Lehky kulomet or Model 1952 light machine gun. Earlier, the Czechoslovakian arms development community experimented with a 7.5mm cartridge with a case length of 44.8mm and head diameter of 10.74mm. This round was demonstrated in several countries, including Great Britain, as the

Z.47. Even earlier types included a 7.62×45mm from 1946 with a very slender case that had a head diameter of 10.36mm. Ultimately the Czechs decided to adopt a 7.62mm projectile, and a 44.8mm case with an 11.2mm base diameter. The vz.52 cartridge was manufactured with both brass and lacquered steel cases, all of which were Berdan primed. Known variants include ball (131 grains/8.5 gram), tracer (131 grains/8.5 gram), short range practice ball (41 grains/2.7 gram), blank (44.2mm case), and a drill round with five longitudinal flutes. By 1957, in an effort to standardize their equipment with their Warsaw Pact allies, the Czechs abandoned this round and reworked their weapons to shoot the M43 7.62×39mm cartridge. The 7.62×45mm ball round had a muzzle velocity of about 2,450 feet per second (745 m/s). 7.92×33mm Kurz Following World War I, German ammunition experts and some more thoughtful younger military officers gave serious consideration to intermediate power cartridges. Their revolutionary ideas were resisted by older officers and bureaucrats, called the “machine gun worshippers,” who had their thinking clouded by the outstanding effectiveness of the machine gun in the static trench warfare of 19141918. Officially the German Army, which had been much reduced in size as the Reichsheer by the Versailles Peace Treaty (from 13 million to 100,000), rejected all proposals for intermediate cartridges prior to 1938. Nonetheless, four ammunition companies pursued this subject with zeal: Waffen- und Munitionsfabrik Gustav Genschow AG, Durlach (GECO)2; Rheinisch Wesphalische Sprengstoff AG

(RWS), Cologne; Deutsche Waffenund Munitonfabriken (DWM); and Polte-Werke AG, Magdeburg. At that time the Heereswaffenamt (Ordnance Office) joined the search for an intermediate cartridge despite General Staff opposition. This change of heart came as a result of the post-1934 Nazi rearmament program, which had been openly acknowledged by Hitler’s government with the creation of the Berlin based Zentralburo fur deutsche Aufrustung (Central Office for German Rearmament).

Polte Company drawing of the 7.92mmx33mm kurz Sturmgewehr cartridge (all dimensions in millimeters).

Polte Company drawing of the 7.92mm kurz ball projectile (all dimensions in millimeters).

The Army’s 1938 development contract was awarded to Polte, which by 1941 had produced a prototype 7.92mm cartridge called the “7.9mm Infanterie Kurz Patrone.” It had a 33mm-long case, 125-grain (8.1-gram) lead cored projectile with 24.6 grains (1.59 grams) of propellant. Subsequent issue cartridges had 125-grain (8.1-gram)

boat-tailed, steel core bullets with a muzzle velocity of 2,300 feet per second (700 m/s). Polte had taken a conservative, low risk approach to this project by shortening the standard 7.92×57mm cartridge. This was a clever course of action, since such a cartridge could be quickly placed into production. Some existing inspection gages, and production equipment, were easily modified to make this short round.

Unconventional intermediate cartridge developed by CETME of Spain.

Apparently all production cartridges were made from steel and were given a lacquered finish. This was one of a series of steps taken by the Germans to eliminate use of critical materials such as brass. The 7.92mm Kurz was produced in the German Democratic Republic until the early 1960s. The 7.92×33mm case has a shoulder angle within one-quarter degree of that of the 7.92×57mm, nearly identical. Problems encountered with obtaining successful function of a bottle-necked

case of steel or brass are overcome primarily by either lubrication or longitudinal chamber flutes. However, brass cases of insufficient hardness tend to negate the floating effect of flutes by filling them. (Thus preventing the entry of gas.) Therefore, steel cases generally work best with this system, regardless of body taper or shoulder angle. The normal Geman protective lacquer does not allow case slippage under the conditions of high chamber pressure inherent with delayed blowback systems. In any case, the degree of slippage permitted must be controlled so that sufficient energy is transferred to the bolt assembly to complete its rearward cycle without the case being torn in two. As with other cartridges, the 7.92mm Kurz had many names in the course of its manufacture and service. These included: 7.9mm Infanterie Kurz Patrone, 7.9mm Pistolen Patrone, and the 7.9mm Maschinenkarabiner Patrone.

Spanish Assault Rifle Cartridges The German 7.92mm Kurz was the starting point for intermediate cartridge development in Spain after 1945. Design details for this ammunition were brought to Spain by German technicians who emigrated following their nation’s defeat in World War II. Experimental investigations were initiated at the Centro des Estudios Tecnicos y Materiales Especiales (CETME). Small quantities of the 7.92×33mm ball and grenade launching blank rounds were produced in Spain for CETME to test fire the German Sturmgewehr. New developments were then undertaken. 7.9×40mm CETME

Around 1950, Spanish Army officials placed a requirement with CETME calling for development of a lightweight individual weapon with an effective range of 1,000 meters. Weight was to be less that 4 kilograms (just under 9 pounds). It was readily apparent that this specification could not be filled with any existing cartridges. First prototypes of CETME assault rifles shot a 7.92×40mm cartridge that fired a lightweight (105-grain; 6.8-gram) elongated projectile at about 2,625 feet per second (800 m/s). This unique projectile was designed by Dr. Guenther Voss, a bal-listician (FliegerStabsingenieurj) formerly assigned to the Luftwaffe. The unusually long length-to-diameter ratio is called the Haack principle, after its originator Wolfgang Haack. Combining long range with limited recoil required some new thinking. This proposal pushed the limits of the existing state-of-theart in ballistics and aerodynamics. As a result of their investigations, CETME presented their first candidate assault rifle cartridge in 1953. The new cartridge, called cartucho 7.92×40, CETME, CA-001, introduced a new type of ball projectile, 108-grain (7.0 grams) bullet that was 46mm long. This 6-caliber bullet (i.e., its length was 6 times its diameter) was probably the longest length-by-diameter projectile ever seriously considered for mass production. It was propelled at 2,650 feet per second (800 m/s). A long projectile with the proper weight balance for stable flight was a difficult challenge. Proper weight distribution was accomplished by using an aluminum core with a copper jacket. Unlike most projectiles, the copper alloy jacket was essentially a tube surrounding the aluminum core, which was exposed at the tip and at the base.

Another step in this development was the car-tucho 7.92×40, CETME, CAP-001, having the same external form as the CA-001, but with a full jacket of copper alloy surrounding a lead core having an aluminum ballistic cap. Total bullet weight was 200 grains (14 grams). As development progressed with the CETME cartridge, momentum within NATO for a 7.62mm cartridge caused the Spanish to examine the possibility of a smaller caliber round. 7.62×40mm CETME As NATO experiments continued, and as the West Germans began to give thoughts to rearmament, CETME decided to reduce the caliber of their assault rifle cartridge to 7.62mm. The 7.62mm variant evolved from the elongated 7.92mm bullet, which had a length-to-caliber ratio of 5.6 calibers. CETME developed this newer variant between 1953 and 1956 and the new round was called the cartucho 7.62×40, CETME, CA-002. Its bullet had a copper alloy metal jacket with an aluminum core. This cartridge soon disappeared as the pressure increased to adopt a cartridge based upon the 7.62×51 mm NATO case.

Czechoslovak 7.62mm intermediate cartridge M52.

7.62×51mm CETME-NATO CETME’s roller lock, retarded blowback assault rifle, evolved from the Mauser Sturmgewehr 45, was originally designed to shoot an intermediate cartridge. Later it was modified to use a 7.62×51 mm NATO-type round that had reduced muzzle velocities. To distinguish

this cartridge from standard NATO rounds it was given the designation cartucho 7.62×51, CETME, CSP-003, Md57 and it does not carry the NATO “0” and “+” marks on the headstamp. This cartridge, authorized for use in the Spanish Model 58 (CETME) assault rifle, had a 107-grain (7.3-gram) bullet instead of 144 grains (9.3 grams) found in the standard Spanish NATO round. Muzzle velocity was 2,500 compared to 2,750 feet per second (762 m/s vs. 957 m/s). This full metal jacketed projectile has a red plastic and lead core (plastic at the tip) without any cannelures. In 1963, the Spanish government adopted a slightly modified bullet with a full lead-antimony core which was designated cartucho 7.62×51, CETME, CSP-OO3, Md63. The following year, a true NATO-type cartridge based on the German standard ball round was adopted as the Cartucho 7.62×51, NATO, espanol, CSP-OO3, Md64. This lead-antimony cored, gilding metal jacket projectile weighed 140 grains (9.1 grams) and traveled at standard NATO velocities. With the adoption of the Cartucho 7.62×51, NATO, espanol, CSP-OO3, Md64, in 1964, the development of this series of cartridges came to an end at CETME. Other CETME experimental cartridges include a standard 7.92mm bullet in a 51 mm NATO-style case, and a 7.92×44mm caseless cartridge made under a U.S. Air Force contract. 7.65×35mm French Short At the end of the Second World War, several German arms and cartridge specialists carried out experimental projects for the French small arms design establishment. Sometime, circa 1947, this enterprise produced a 7.65×35mm cartridge, which has been seen

with 1948 headstamp dates. It was used in the experimental French MAS 48 and MAS 49 machine carbines developed by the Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de St. Etienne. It is similar in energy levels to the 7.92mm Kurz. The 7.65mm French short cartridge propelled a 92.6-grain (6-gram) ball bullet at 2,360 feet per second (720 m/s). There was also a tracer projectile. Overall, this cartridge was 48.2mm and had a base diameter of 10.51 mm. French military opinion apparently rejected this cartridge because it was not powerful enough. Only limited numbers of these rounds were made. Today they are attractive collector’s items. Their second experimental cartridge, an E.T.V.S. 7.5×43mm boxer primed cartridge with a 132-grain (8.55-gram) projectile, had an actual case length of 42.5mm and a head diameter of 11.14mm. Loaded, it was 60mm overall. Much later, French researchers returned to their investigations of the shortened full bore rifle cartridges. In 1959, following NATO adoption of the 7.62×51 mm NATO cartridge, they created two other experimental rounds. These were the 7.62×42mm and the 9×40mm. The 7.62mm cartridge had a 41.8mm case with a base diameter of 11.95mm. Bullets ranged between 128-130 grains (8.29 to 8.42 grams). The 9mm cartridge had a 40.3mm case with a base diameter of 11.85mm. Bullets ranged between 131-147 grains (8.49 to 9.5 grams). Work on these cartridges appears to have ended in 1960. Subsequently, the French concentrated on experiments with the 5.56×45mm cartridge. 7.65mm Swiss Short

As early as 1921, the Swiss had begun experiments with assault rifletype weapons and ammunition. Colonel Eduard Alexander Rubin, director of the Federal Ammunition Factory at Thun, created this first 7.65×27mm cartridge. It was the immediate ancestor of all modern assault rifle cartridges. This round was followed by the 7.65×35mm cartridge, which has been seen with headstamps ranging from October 1921 to February 1923. Their first weapon (1921) for this cartridge, developed by Colonel Adolf Furrer, director of the Waffenfabrik Bern from 1921 to 1940, was called the Pistolengewehr. A second Furrer-designed weapon, the Lmg-Pistole, was built in 1922. Having analyzed the experience of World War I, the Swiss made the crucially astute observation that artillerie conquiert/infanterie occupe (the artillery conquers, the infantry occupies). Thus the key issue in the minds of the Swiss was how did the military restore the mobility of the infantry and keep that combat arm from being a mere follower of the artillery barrage. Their answer was man-portable suppressive firepower. Tactical combat movement, as it was called by a Swiss Federal Council in 1925, was to be achieved “by neutralizing the enemy’s fire during maneuver, that is to say, keeping the adversary under such heavy fire during the course of movement that his own means of fire were either destroyed or at least blinded.” Development of the Pistolengewehr at the end of the First World War combined two technical concepts — the self-loading rifle and the intermediate cartridge — in a type of assault weapon based upon a coherently articulated tactical doctrine. Still, for all of its technical

soundness, the essence of the concept was lost during the materiel acquisition process. Conservatives, hell-bent on shooting at 600 meters, rejected the 7.65×35mm cartridge and insisted on continued use of the full power 7.5×55.5mm Swiss rifle round. As a result of bureaucratic wrangling, the Swiss lost an early assault rifle. Instead they adopted a weapon that had more in common with the BREN or Browning Automatic Rifle; i.e., the Fusil-Mitrailleur 1925. Between 1921 and 1923, the Swiss Weapons factory at Bern, under the direction of Adolph Furrer, experimented with several intermediate cartridges. At least one of Furrer’s weapon designs was produced for test. The first cartridge, a 7.65×27mm, did not progress beyond a steel one-piece dummy stage. The second, a 7.65×35mm case with a ball bullet, was produced in limited quantities for tests in a Furrer select-fire carbine that was 45.3 in. long with a 23.6 inch barrel. The carbine weighed 12.4 pounds and was recoil operated using a toggle-locked Furrer — Luger system bolt with the magazine mounted on the left side of the receiver. A third cartridge, in 7×35mm intended for a spitzer bullet and a fourth in 7.65×38.4mm, also a spitzer bullet, were briefly studied at that time. All of these cartridges were shortened variants of the standard full-power 7.5×55mm M11 service cartridge case. In 1937, an experimental weapon using the 7.65×35mm cartridge appeared, resembling an elongated Bergman submachine gun with a bottom fed magazine. This carbine was designed by Gaetzi and manufactured by SIG Neuhausen. It had a 23.6-inch barrel and an overall length of 45.3 inches.

None of these 7.65mm cartridges nor the weapons designed to use them were adopted and the projects were dropped. However, they represent the first attempts to design intermediate caliber assault weapons as we know them today. Another attempt was made shortly after World War II to develop intermediate ammunition. The designers and the weapons for which it was designed are unknown. A contract was let with Glaser of Zurich for 1,000 primed cases and bullets. The components were believed to have been made by Solothun. The most remarkable characteristic of the cartridge was its close resemblance to the Soviet 7.62×39mm case. The cartridge has been dubbed the 7.64×38mm with the single head stamp marking of “7.65.” No other information on this project has ever been uncovered. The bullpup design concept was overruled after the advocates for full power cartridges held sway. It would be the mid-1980s before the Swiss took the decision to abandon their 1911 7.5mm rifle cartridge. 7.5mm Swiss Bern After absorbing the influence of World War II developments, particularly that of the German 7.92×33mm intermediate ammunition and weapons program, the Bern Weapons Factory once again undertook development of intermediate caliber weapons and ammunition in 1946. By 1947 a new 7.5×38mm cartridge incorporating a spitzer boat-tailed bullet was produced. This bullet design was favored over the round-nosed bullet of the original 7.64mm bullet. A full line of combat and training ammunition was developed from 1947 to 1955. Types consisted of:

Steel jacketed-steel core boat-tailed ball Hardened steel core armor piercing Tracer Elongated case blank Proof Propulsion (for rifle grenades, etc) During the final year of development, the case was modified. The case body was lengthened from 29mm to 30mm with a correspondingly shortened neck length to retain the same overall cartridge length. The first weapon developed to use this cartridge, designated 7.5mm Kurz Stg. W pat 47, was a modified Furrer 1922 originally made in 7.65mm. Kipfer of the Bern Weapons factory produced at least three weapon variations for the 7.5mm cartridge. The first was a bullpup design called the “Balalaika” developed in 1947. The second was a modified copy of the German Stg W.44 made in 1949. The third, developed in 1950, was a variant of the second type. A series of three newly designed assault rifles was produced in Bern in 1951. The magazines were mounted on the left side of the receiver and had folding bipods. The bolt locking design was of the tipping bolt lock similar to the U.S. Browning Automatic Rifle. However, this model was redesigned to fire the full-power 7.5×55mm M11 cartridge. This brought an end to the 7.5mm intermediate cartridge and weapons programs.

Small Caliber High Velocity Cartridges

The basic concept of the intermediate cartridge was to reduce the velocity, and sometimes the weight, of the bullet. In contrast, small caliber high velocity cartridges (SCHV) employ light weight bullets of reduced caliber that are projected at velocities higher than previously tried. In the summer of 1957, General Willard G. Wyman, then commanding general of the Continental Army Command (CONARC), asked two American firms, ArmaLite and Winchester, to develop prototype .22 caliber high velocity rifles for Army consideration. James Sullivan and Robert Fremont collaborated with Eugene Stoner and Charles Dorchester to scale down Stoner’s AR-10 rifle and presented the .222 Special (later called .223) caliber AR-15 for testing. Stoner designed the 55-grain bullet for the .222 Special. Ralph Clarkson designed the .224 Winchester Lightweight Military Rifle. CONARC did not ask Springfield to submit a competitive design, but Earle M. Harvey and his colleagues decided to develop one. CONARC’s decision to experiment with .22 caliber rifles had grown out of the SALVO Project, which had explored different types of projectiles for military weapons. Ultimately, CONARC’s primary requirement was for a .22 caliber projectile that was lethal at 500 yards. In testimony before a congressional committee, Stoner explained the path that led to this decision to require the bullet to be effective at 500 yards. Experiments with SALVO .22 caliber ammunition loaded on the 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge case and an M2 carbine modified at the Development and Proof Services, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., between 1952 and 1956, the Army Infantry Board concurred that the maximum range for a .22 military cartridge should

be 300 yards. In the experiments, researchers fired 40 grain (2.69gram) projectiles at 3,200 feet/sec. (975 meters/sec.) from .222 Remington cases shortened to 1.320 inches (33.5mm). A neckeddown .30 carbine case lacked the case capacity to provide the targeted velocity/chamber pressure in this light automatic weapon. The Small Arms and Aircraft Weapons branch chief, G.A. Gustafson and ballistic engineer W.C. Davis did the design work, while M.D. Perrin extensively modified the M2 carbine, but Stoner said, “they did not feel that they could push that by headquarters at CONARC, so they put 400 yards as the effective range.” CONARC officials decided that since Pentagon officials were accustomed to thinking in terms of ranges of 1,000 or more yards, they ought to extend the range specification to 500 yards.

Small-bore, high-velocity cartridges relating to assault rifle development.

Caliber .223 ball cartridge, as procured by U.S. Air Force in 1963.

Comparison of caliber .223 Remington and caliber .224E2 Winchester cartridges.

.222 Remington Magnum As a first step toward the development of a Springfield Armory .22 caliber rifle, Earle M. Harvey undertook design of a cartridge which would meet CONARC specifications. Following a typical path, he began by taking an existing cartridge and modifying it to meet military needs. He and his colleagues had taken this path once before. In the mid-1940s, they used the .300 Savage cartridge as the starting point for a new light rifle cartridge. About a decade later, Harvey used the .222 Remington cartridge as a point of departure for a new military round.

Relationship of certain high-velocity small-bore cartridges.

Earle Harvey, an avid hunter and bench rest shooter, had taken a liking to the .222 Remington cartridge. The accuracy of this ammunition, which had been introduced in 1950, had really impressed him. In his own words: “From information on (1) cartridge case design

and (2) propellant combustion, I decided to retain the .222 case diameter at the front of the case body; the shoulder angle of the .222; to increase the propellant charge [by lengthening the case body]; and to increase the bullet weight to 55 grains.” Engineers at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., had previously recommended a muzzle velocity of 3,300 feet per second (1015 m/s) and chamber pressure at 50,000 pounds per square inch using a 55-grain (3.56gram) projectile. Standard .222’s were loaded with a 50 grain (3.24 gram) bullet at 3,200 feet per second (985 mls) muzzle velocity. Following these decisions, Harvey oversaw preparation of case drawings. Afterwards, Remington received an order for 10,000 rounds of the “.224 Springfield” cartridge. Of that number, most were loaded with a 55-grain (3.56 gram) full metal jacket bullet developed by Sierra. To meet the rushed schedule set by the Armory, Remington did not headstamp this first and only lot of “.224 Springfield” cartridges.

A comparison of the Remington .223 and Winchester .224 lightweight high velocity projectiles.

The .224 Springfield cartridge was as accurate as the .222 Remington, and it seemed to meet desired characteristics of lethality and low mid-range trajectory at ranges up to 500 yards. Harvey and associates’ theoretical work proved sufficient to enable Remington to proceed. Remington’s unique contribution lay in development of a satisfactory primer.

222 REM.

222 REM. MAGNUM

223 REM.

224 WINCHESTER E2 Dimensional comparison of early small caliber high velocity rifle cartridges (all dimensions in inches)

Cartridge and rifle development projects at Springfield were short-lived because Pentagon officials did not want the Armory competing with ArmaLite and Winchester. As a result, the .224 ammunition and rifle projects were soon terminated. Harvey recalls taking the rifle to a Pentagon SALVO meeting where representatives of the Army Weapons Command, Frankford Arsenal, and Ballistic Research Laboratories examined Springfield’s design and informally agreed that the development work should be continued. Officials of the Ordnance Corps Small Arms research and development branch told Harvey they would not permit Springfield

Armory to play in the .22 caliber rifle competition. But the “.224 Springfield” cartridge did not die because of this decision. Some months after initial experimentation with the “.224 Springfield” round, Remington approached Harvey and asked if the Army would have objections to their placing it on the commercial market. Harvey reports that the Army did not object, “and the .224 Springfield has been made since and used world-wide under the trade name of .222 Remington Magnum.” The SCHV story did not end there because two other cartridges, the .224 Winchester and the .222 Remington Special (ArmaLite), were developed at the same time as the Springfield round but they differed in several details. .224 Winchester vs. .222 Remington Special (ArmaLite) As small caliber high velocity ammunition experiments progressed, the U.S. Army eventually required designers of competing weapons to use a common cartridge-chamber profile to permit comparative testing of competing rifles using the same type of ammunition. This step was needed because the Army had shown initial opposition to SCHV weapons and ammunition developments. Traditionally, the Army established dimensions and loading specifications for new ammunition. From that point competitive weapons were based upon a common cartridge. The SCHV rifle project, initiated as it was by CONARC, represented a departure in several ways from the past. This resulted in large part from dissatisfaction with Springfield Armory’s handling of the M14 Rifle program. Consequently, the Army forfeited control over development of the SCHV ammunition.

Case length of Remington’s cartridge was 44.7mm, or 5.13mm shorter than Winchester’s .224 E2, which measured 45.21mm, but Remington’s loaded cartridge was longer than Winchester’s round because the projectile of the latter was set deeper into the case. Overall measurements for loaded rounds were 57.4mm for the .222 Remington Special and 55.1mm for the .224 Winchester E2. Therefore, the two cartridges, which can be fired in a common chamber, are not absolutely interchangeable in different feed mechanisms. Eugene Stoner, in telling Congress the story of developing the .222 Remington Special, which was to become the .223 Remington, sheds some light on the problems caused by the differences between that round and the .224 E2 Winchester cartridge: According to Stoner, “The cartridge development for the .223 was started by myself in 1957. After a trip to Fort Benning to get the desired military characteristics, I calculated the needed bullet weight and muzzle velocity. I then designed the bullet and had it manufactured by the Sierra Bullet Co. in Whittier, California. This bullet was a 55-grain boat-tailed design with a jacket thickness of .018 inches [.457mm]. The powder finally selected was a standard commercial type. Chamber pressures for this round in the standard .222 (Remington) case were a little excessive. The obvious conclusion was to increase the case capacity and to use a different powder. “I contacted Winchester and Remington about loading the necessary rounds for the test program. About this time, Winchester managed to get a contract similar to ours (ArmaLite) on the light rifle program. They demonstrated a rifle firing a .224 E-1 round. This round was loaded with ball powder and used a 53- grain flat-based

bullet. The velocity of the Winchester was the same as ours— 3,300 feet per second. “After the program was under way, I was notified by Winchester that they would have to make some changes in their round. This change was brought about by the fact that the ball powder they used would develop too high breech pressures in a hot chamber. They were forced to switch to an IMR type powder and needed more case volume. “Winchester and ArmaLite agreed on a common cartridge size, so that either the Remington loaded round or theirs would function in the ArmaLite rifles. One problem did exist, however. The Winchester round, now called the .224-E-2, was loaded with the bullet deep in the neck of the cartridge. This was done to keep the over-all length down to fit their existing gun design. The ArmaLite rounds loaded by Remington, with the bullets furnished, were loaded to the optimum length consistent with the bullet design. These were designated the ‘.222 Special.’ “The final results were that the AR-15 would fire either round, but the Winchester could only fire the .224 round. This had the result of using only the .224 round in the Army test programs. This made the (AR-15) test results poorer than would have been experienced by the use of the .222 Special round.” As the number of .22 caliber cartridges began to multiply so did the confusion caused by varied designations. In particular, most people did not understand the distinction between the .222 Remington Magnum and the .222 Remington Special. To prevent further misunderstanding, the latter cartridge was redesignated “.223 Remington” in 1959.

Three years later, in May 1962, Remington presented to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) a drawing for the .223 cartridge chamber. SAAMI maintains a pool of data to enhance the interchange of technical information within the American arms industry. When submitting its drawings for the .223 cartridge, Remington stated that it was designed as a military round, but added that it would be available as a commercial item for police use. In June 1963, Remington requested that the drawing be revised to read “Caliber .223 Remington (5.64mm HV).” Drawings with this designation were issued by SAAMI in July 1963. The 5.64mm HV name for the .223 Remington cartridge resulted from the Air Force decision to adopt the AR-15 Rifle. This designation was soon replaced by the Army’s “5.56×45mm” for ammunition fired in the M16 (AR-15). According to Stoner the M193 ball as loaded in 1963 was essentially the same as the original .222 Remington Special cartridges. The now-infamous shift to ball type propellant came later. There are other names for the .223 Remington cartridge. In Europe it is sometimes called 5.6mm, because some Europeans simply round off 5.56mm. NATO adopted the Fabrique Nationale SS109 ball projectile in the 5.56×45mm case, in 1980, as a standard round along with the older 7.62mm NATO. By this time, many of the world’s armies had adopted 5.56mm (.223) weapons. All of these fired a cartridge which is a first cousin to the Remington .222 and .222 Magnum. Certainly the engineers at Remington who developed the former round as an intermediate choice between the .22 Hornet and the .220 Swift little expected that it would lead to the predominant military cartridge of the 1980’s and

beyond. But then they could not have predicted the experimental work of either Harvey or Stoner. 5.56×45mm NATO The 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge got its start in June 1976, when 11 NATO countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to test, evaluate, and select a second NATO standard caliber of small arms ammunition. NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors agreed that the post-1980 family of NATO infantry weapons would be in two calibers. One would be 7.62×51mm NATO. The other would be chosen from candidates submitted by nations signing the MOU. NATO’s new family of small arms would consist of an individual weapon (rifle), a light support weapon (light machine gun), and a medium support weapon, the medium machine gun (GPMG). NATO created a test program to define a second standard cartridge caliber (and if possible to make recommendations for a standard rifle and light machine gun). Supervising overall management of the small arms trials, was a “Coordination Panel for the Testing and Evaluation of Small Arms, Ammunition and Weapons,” whose members were part of Subpanel 4 (the Subpanel of Experts to Study Infantry Small Arms Weapons Systems for the Post-1980 Period) itself an element of the Infantry Weapons Panel (Panel Ill) of NATO’s Army Armaments Group (AC/225). To carry out actual testing, NATO established a NATO Small Arms Test Control Commission (NSMATCC). Each participating country had its own representatives on the panel. Test Control Commission personnel were assigned to this project from July 1976 to mid-1980 to ensure continuity during the

entire operation. They began evaluating ammunition and weapon candidates in 1977. Data generated by the Small Caliber Test Control Commission provided sound objective bases for making subjective (political) decisions. Tests were divided into two parts. First, technical tests provided data about ammunition and weapons technical suitability characterized by controlled laboratory, and field test conditions (chances for human error were eliminated where possible), ran from April 1977 to Spring 1979. Second, trials conducted under field conditions determined if ammunition and/or weapon met stated military requirements. These tests involved both qualitative observations and judgments by selected experienced military personnel. These trials provided the primary basis to determine whether a weapon or ammunition type was suitable for standardization. The military trials were designed to determine the following: Hitting performance: number of targets presented, number of targets hit, rounds fired per target, target hits, time to fire from carrying position, and time to first hit Training: suitability of the weapons and ammunition for use by troops and the ease with which troops could be trained with them Reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM): rounds between malfunction or stoppage and time to repair Human factors: time to negotiate obstacles and troop opinions (questionnaires used) Safety

Most of the rifle military trials were conducted at West Germany’s Kampftruppenschule 1 (Infantry Combat School No.1) in Hammelburg, from June-November 1978. Light support weapons tests ran from January-June 1979. The international character of the NATO tests was unique, and set new precedents for testing materiel within the alliance. When NATO’s member nations decided to select a second smaller caliber cartridge, it was clear that basic ground rules had to be established to ensure an efficient and less politicized evaluation process than had accompanied the mid-1950s adoption of the 7.62mm NATO round. Despite more than a decade of combat experience with 5.56mm ammunition in Southeast Asia, basic questions about its suitability (particularly in the European environment) remained. Most experts agreed that the recoil forces produced by the 7.62mm NATO cartridge were too great for use in rapid firing assault rifles, but its long-range effectiveness was a desired feature. Rifles firing the American 5.56mm cartridge were easy to control, but were they suitably effective at longer ranges? NATO had to choose a cartridge that produced the best lethality at desired ranges with the least recoil. To eliminate personal and national biases, member states agreed to let NATO’s Army Armaments Group control the tests. Trials were internationalized and participants agreed in advance on test procedures and performance requirements. Earlier trials had been conducted by each nation’s ordnance organization. Colonel Maurice Briot (Belgium), director of NATO’s Small Arms Test Control Commission, noted that they had approached the tests in a scientific

manner so that verifiable results could be reproduced — today, tomorrow, or a decade later. Colonel Briot carefully distinguished between data analysis — the statistical process of compiling information resulting from months of laboratory tests and field trials — and data evaluation. Analysis was objective, but evaluation was subjective and political in nature. The data base of technical information from which evaluators worked was factual, honest, and reproducible. To ensure integrity of the trials, NATO’s Army Armaments Group agreed to performance requirements and evaluation procedure documents. Requirements documents outlined desired characteristics for weapons, such as reliability, maintainability, suitability to tactical mission, hit probability, and probability of incapacitation. NATO requirements were not necessarily the same as those adopted by individual national armed forces. For example, NATO’s maximum range for an individual weapon, light support weapon, and medium support weapon was shorter than the United States’ requirement. Disparities were especially noticeable when comparing desired range requirements for light and medium machine guns. NATO’s testing procedures were clearly defined in “Evaluation Procedures for Future NATO Weapons Systems” (D14), a document that Colonel Briot indicated was in itself a very important accomplishment. Document 14 resulted from work of the “Group of Experts on a Post-1970 Family of Small Arms.” This subpanel, created in 1964, agreed on common methods of evaluating various types of small arms and ammunition used in the post-1970 period. It also outlined programs for technical and military tests of various weapon/ammunition combinations. D14, outlining technical and

military evaluation procedures, was an evolving document, one which has been revised several times since the late 1960s. In 1970, the Infantry Weapons Panel created Subpanel 4 to consider candidates for NATO’s small arms in the 1980’s. This panel organized its own group of international experts who revised D14 to conduct comparative small arms trials. It became a wide-ranging test manual covering the entire spectrum of small arms weapons systems that NATO might seek to evaluate. Test personnel of Subpanel 4 often experienced difficulty in explaining their own nation’s philosophy of testing materiel. For example, the “mud test” was conducted differently by each national test organization. Acceptable procedures were developed for each type of test. Agreement on translated meanings of technical words and phrases was also reached. By establishing agreed procedures, members of the evaluation group also created a cooperative environment and minimized confusion and friction. There were lessons to be learned. Document 14 evaluation procedures proved to be an important milestone.

Candidate Ammunition Types As every military generation has learned, ammunition and weapons cannot be considered separately, The two elements must be evaluated together as a system. Three different calibers were represented in cartridges submitted to NATO for evaluation: the British 4.85mm, the German 4.7mm, and three different 5.56mm projectiles for the U.S. 45mm case. Britain’s 4.85mm cartridge had a 49mm-long case compared to the M16A1 Rifle’s 45mm cartridge case. This British design was

otherwise based on the American cartridge. Britain’s projectile weighed 48 grains (3.11 grams) compared to 55 grains (3.56-gram) for the M 193 round. Velocity of the British projectile from the 20.4inch (518.5mm) barrel of the XL64E5 Individual Weapon was 2,743 feet per second (900 mls) while the M193 projectile muzzle velocity was cited as 2,970 feet per second (975 m/s) from a 20-inch (508mm) M16A1 Rifle barrel. Germany’s 4.7mm projectile was part of a case-less cartridge and weapon system program created by Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf and Dynamit Nobel of Cologne. Heckler & Koch’s rifle, designated the Gewehr 11, was chambered for the caliber OH 4.7×21mm. The length dimension (21 mm) refers to the length of the molded caseless propellant charge. This weapon and ammunition system is discussed in detail in the G-11 chapter. Although cartridges below 5.56mm were submitted for trial, none were likely to be standardized. The G11 rifle was evaluated only during the technical tests. Then it was withdrawn because of ammunition-weapon combination cook-off problems. The British also stopped development of their 4.85 mm cartridge, and converted their XL64 weapons to 5.56×45mm. This latter decision merits an observation. The British once again pursued an ideal course of development rather than one that was necessarily practical. Whatever the 4.85mm merits, the British were acting in an unrealistic fashion, considering the U.S. Army’s inventory of 1.3 million M16A1 Rifles, which would need to be replaced if NATO adopted a caliber other than 5.56mm. Replacement cost in 1979 dollars was estimated at $360 million. Clearly, interoperability of a

new cartridge with existing weapons — either 7.62mm NATO or 5.56×45mm — was an important practical issue. Interoperability had been a major thought behind development of the American XM777 and XM778 projectiles and the Belgian development of the SS109, P112, and L110 projectiles. U.S. Army officials had the goal of improving long range effectiveness of the 5.56mm cartridge for use in a Squad Automatic Weapon (light machine gun) for a base-of-fire. At the same time, such an improved cartridge could be used in M16A1 Rifles without weapons changes or significant loss of projectile lethality. Key requirements for the XM777 ball projectile had been improved penetration of hard targets at ranges out to 800 meters (at least one side of a standard American M1 steel helmet at 800 meters) and the same probability for human inca-pacitation given a hit as that of standard M193 ball projectiles. The XM778 tracer projectile was required to be visible in daylight to 800 meters, a major advance over M196 tracers. Fabrique National Herstal also developed improved 5.56mm cartridges for use in their FNC Rifle and Minimi Light Machine Gun. Fabrique National wanted better long-range effectiveness than the M193 (5592 in FN terminology) and it wanted to respond to growing complaints that M 193 projectiles caused nasty wounds and extreme suffering for the people shot with them. Confronted by the possibility that there might be restrictions placed on use of M193-type bullets by international agreements (such as a proposed modernization of the 1949 Geneva agreements), designers at Fabrique Nationale sought 5.56mm projectiles that would have improved range without having “inhumane” aspects (i.e.,

tumbling and breakup). Fabrique National’s resulting SS109 ball bullet had a more sharply tapered form (secant ogive instead of tangent ogive for the M193 and XM777) and greater weight [62 grains (4 grams); the M193 was 55 grains (3.56 grams) and the XM777 54 grains (3.53 grams)]. As with the XM777 bullet, FN’s SS109 has a combination steel and lead core. In both, a steel insert at the projectile’s tip acts as an armor penetrator. Both projectiles are considered semi-armor piercing. To help reduce projectile tumbling when it hits a human target, FN engineers changed the rifling specification. Instead of a bullet making one rotation on its axis in every 12 inches (304.8 mm) of barrel travel, the SS109 bullet makes one rotation for every 7 inches (177.8 mm). This 1-in-7 twist spins the bullet to a higher rate than a 1-in-12 twist, theoretically imparting greater stability. It should be noted that in small-caliber, high-velocity projectiles improved stability generally equates to a decreased lethality. SS109 projectiles lose more effectiveness when fired in rifles with 1-in-12 twist barrels. How did the XM777 and SS109 projectiles compare? This difficult question is one reason for NATO’s small caliber trials. When various organizations evaluate ammunition or weapons, they often do so to their own advantage. All outside data was treated as suspect by NATO, whose analysts examined how weapons firing a particular cartridge performed under identical environmental circumstances. This approach was difficult in the case of the XM777 and SS109 rounds. For example, M16A1s fired the M193 control ammunition to establish a performance benchmark. They also fired XM777 rounds. M193 and XM777-type bullets could also be fired from the French

FAMAS rifle and the Dutch NM1 (Galil) rifle. But the FNC and the British XL64 could not effectively fire XM777-type ammunition. M16A1s, FAMAS, and MN1s could use SS109 or British 4.85×49mm cartridges. For control and comparison purposes, it would have been useful to have had M16A1 rifles with 1-in-7 twist barrels to fire the SS109 and M16A1 rifles with 1-in-5 twist barrels to shoot British cartridges. Fabrique National’s SS109 cartridge was the superior armor penetrator. It acted like a drill on the three NATO targets used for penetration tests: NATO’s mild steel 3.5 millimeters thick plate representing the Federal Republic of Germany steel helmet, and the United States steel helmet. On the other hand, the XM777 was somewhat superior to the SS109 in terms of inca-pacitation and lethality, but less effective in defeating armored targets. Engineers from FN claimed that their steel penetrator would cost about the same as the M193 (SS92) projectile while the XM777 projectile posed production problems. In practice, the SS109 proved to be significantly more costly than the M193. After lengthy consideration, on October 28, 1980, NATO standardized the 5.56×45mm SS 109 projectile as the second small caliber cartridge for the alliance (STANAG 4172). After an expedited product improvement program of the M16A1, the U.S. armed forces adopted the 5.56×45mm NATO caliber M 16A2 rifle. The ball cartridge with the SS109 bullet was designated M855 and matching tracer bullet was designated M856. 5.6×39mm Soviet

This reduced-caliber cartridge is based on the 7.62×39mm East Bloc cartridge and was developed as a sporting round for certain classes of competitive target shooting. When it first appeared, there was speculation that it might be used for military purposes. The shape and dimensions of the body and head of the cartridge case remained unchanged in the smaller caliber. It had a shorter overall length, 1.916 in. (48.7mm) compared to 2.189 in. (55.6mm), perhaps making it unnecessary to modify the magazine or the breech mechanism of existing weapons chambered for the 7.62-mm East Bloc round if a decision had been made to adopt it as a small-bore alternative to the 7.62×39mm. The major changes needed would have been a new barrel and sights. The Soviets decided not to take that route. They developed the 5.45×39mm Model 1974 round instead. It is interesting to speculate about the 5.6×39mm since an experimental military round with a 55grain (3.56-gram) full metal jacketed bullet at 3,200 feet per second (975 m/s) was reported to have been developed. 5.45×39mm Soviet Introduction of the AK-74 assault rifles (5.45×39mm Avtomat Kalashnikova Obrazetsa 1974g) into front line units of the Soviet Army was a very important change to Europe’s military scene. First, appearance of the AK-74 permitted the Soviets and their allies to improve their basic infantry weapon without discarding the technological base upon which the older generation was founded. Second, after a quarter of a century of cartridge standardization at the squad level within Warsaw Pact armies, the Soviets made the decision early in the 1970’s to replace their 7.62×39mm family of

weapons — AKM assault rifles and RPK light machine guns — with new variants of those weapons firing a 5.45×39mm cartridge. When first reports of this new 5.45mm cartridge and weapon family finally reached western technical intelligence analysts around 1978, several specialists assumed that these rifles and machine guns would be used only by specialized units. Western analysts could not believe that the change-over would be for all rifles and light squad automatic weapons because of imagined logistical problems and production costs involved in switching calibers and retiring their 7.62×39mm weapons. The Soviets had had time to evaluate the battle effectiveness of the 5.56mm weapons, especially in Vietnam, and they seemed to have decided that the change was worth the cost. Subsequent observations, including Soviet satisfaction with the new caliber’s performance in Afghanistan, indicated that the Soviets planned a complete change-over to the smaller caliber. The fact that the Soviets were updating their arsenal with 5.45mm weapons also suggested that their military industrial sector could efficiently support such a massive undertaking. In addition, such change kept Soviet small arms factories busy and their people employed. Subsequently, Hungarian and East German arms factories began making their own variants of the AK-74 indicating that the Warsaw Pact armies planned to follow the Soviet shift to the new caliber. Polish arms factories began to produce 5.45mm caliber rifles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The People’s Republic of China and other arms industries are offering 5.45mm caliber weapons for export sale.

Soviet change to the 5.45×39mm cartridge caused considerable speculation in the West on the tactical implications of the change. The 5.45×39mm cartridge is one of the least powerful military rifle cartridges currently used. Its 49.7-grain (3.4-gram) .22087-inch (5.61-mm) diameter bullet has a muzzle velocity of 2,950 feet per second (900 m/s), as compared to 3,100 feet per second (947.5 m/s) for the SS109 bullet standardized in the NATO 5.56×45mm cartridge. Muzzle energy for the Soviet 5.45mm “Ps” projectile is 1,406 joules vs. 1,881 joules for the SS109; l,719 joules for the M193; 2,023 joules for the 7.62×39 M43 P5 ball. The Soviet 5.45mm cartridge case has 15% less volume than the 5.56mm NATO cartridge case, and 29 percent less volume than the 7.62×39mm M43 case. The Soviets made up for small powder volume in their 5.45mm cartridge in three ways. First, the bullet is not seated as deeply as in the M855 ball 5.56×45mm cartridges, even though the Soviet bullet weighs only 53 grains (3.43 grams). It is longer and protrudes .675 inch (17.2mm) from the case. Second, the Soviet bullet is ballistically efficient, yet long, with a light nose to enhance yawing on impact. Third, case extraction under adverse conditions is helped by the thick case rim enabling greater extractor force without rim-shears. The lower chamber pressure reduces case adhesion. The fourth element that makes up for the small internal volume of the 5.45mm case is that the Soviets developed a very good propellant, with an almost ideal burning rate for this type of cartridge. Composition of this powder is reported to be 81% virgin nitrocellulose base material, 11.6 percent nitroglycerine, 5.3% ethyl centralite, 0.9% dinitrotoluene, a stabilizer, and 0.4% undefined organics.

The limited energy level of the Soviet 5.45mm projectile raised some questions about its combat lethality. Some technical experts thought at first that the Soviets might have designed this cartridge with a much higher velocity projectile to hold in reserve for wartime. It is more probable that the reduced recoil impulse plus an efficient muzzle brake provides full automatic controlability that the Soviets considered more important than the benefits of higher velocity. The 5.45mm Soviet projectile still has a much flatter trajectory than any of their earlier 7.62×39mm bullets. The change makes it easier to hit targets out to 400 meters. But, the question remains: What will the projectile do when it hits its target? The AK-74 rifle has a 16-inch (414-mm) barrel with 1-in-7.68 inch twist (1 turn in 195mm), so the bullet is spun very rapidly (4,600 rpm). Consequently, the bullet is very stable during its entire flight. That stability tends to be maintained when it enters a medium denser than air, such as the human body. This Soviet projectile has a construction similar in concept to that of FN’s SS109, but differing in precise details. The 5.45mm ball projectile is .99 inch (25.15mm) long as opposed to .930 inches (23.1 mm) of the SS109 projectile, and has a gilding metal-plated mild steel jacket. Inside that jacket there is a 15mm long mild steel core. That core is mounted with its base at the base of the bullet jacket. At the head of the steel core is a 3 to 4mm long lead plug. In front of the lead plug is an “air gap” about 5mm long. The most interesting design characteristics of the 5.45×39mm “PS”-type projectile is its sleek aerodynamic form. This results from a large length to diameter (UD) ratio (4.51 caliber) and the length (2.89 caliber) and radius (11.60 caliber) of its tangent ogive. This clean

shape, coupled with the boat-tail base, helps guarantee velocity retention over longer ranges. The 1-in-7.68 inch rifling twist stabilizes this long ball projectile. The inherent single-shot round-to-round dispersion (RRD) of the AK-74’s 5.45mm bullet seems to be less than that of the 7.62mm Kalashnikovs. Both Russian rifles have greater RRD than the M16A1 firing the M193 ball or the M16A2 firing the SS109 ball. If battlefield effectiveness is gauged by the single shot hitting performance of typical soldiers under the stress on the battlefield, the Russian AK-47 and AK-74 and the U.S. M16A1 and M16A2 have essentially the same effective ranges. There is good reason to believe that this generalization can be extended to 7.62mm NATO caliber rifles as well. The 5.45×39mm round is available in ball, tracer, short range, drill (dummy), and blank cartridges. China (PRC) The most recent intermediate class cartridge in the small caliber, high-velocity (SCHV) is the Chinese introduction of their 5.8×42mm, which is a totally indigenous design. The Chinese Military was exposed to the U.S. 5.56×45mm round during the Vietnam War and realized this type intermediate (SCHV) cartridge offered the greatest potential for a low-impulse intermediate cartridge. They tested the 5.56×45mm cartridge but found it wanting in several aspects. The Chinese also tested the Russian 5.45×39mm cartridge and found this cartridge wanting. The process of choosing what they believed would be the optimum cartridge commenced in 1971. They desired to develop a cartridge for use in their new assault rifle (effective out to

400m) and squad automatic (effective out to 600m) and a belt fed machine gun in the support role (up to 1000m). After intensive testing with various bullets (i.e., 5.8mm, 6mm and 6.2mm) the design bureau settled in 1979 on the 5.8×42mm cartridge. In the same period, in 1981, the Chinese Army Ordnance Department approved the final design of both the Type 81 cal. 7.62×39mm infantry assault rifle and the corresponding light machine gun. However, to thoroughly test the new 5.8×42mm round it was decided to further develop a first generation weapon, firing the small caliber high-velocity (5.8×42mm) cartridge, based on the design of the Type 81 assault rifle and this weapon evolved into the Type 87 weapon family which fired the new 5.8×42mm cartridge. The Chinese claim the DPB 87 Type 5.8mm standard bullet characteristics are in many respects superior to both the U.S. 5.56×45mm and the Russian 5.45×39mm cartridges. Coincidentally this cartridge is very similar to the U.S.-developed project (i.e., 6×45mm SAW) which was not adopted because of logistical constraints. The U.S. and Chinese designers reached similar conclusions concerning the optimum caliber. Soon after the Type 87 was approved in September, 1987, it was decided the Army should develop this weapon fully and have it ready for introduction for the Military Parade on October 1, 1989, at Tiananmen Square, which was devoted to the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the PRC. The question arose as to what rifles the troops should carry in the parade. The Type 56 (firing the 7.62×39mm) was considered somewhat obsolete. The outward appearance of the Type 81 and Type 87 were very similar and did not demonstrate any special

(unique) features indicating the weapon (Type 87) fired the new 5.8×42mm cartridges. It was decided to modify and further develop (using more up-to-date materials) the outward appearance of the Type 87 rifle so the troops participating in the military parade would have rifles of a new shape. This is how the Type 87A rifle emerged. For a more detailed history of the development of the Type 87A rifle see the Chinese section of this title covering this specific weapon. Suffice to say no one in the West picked up on the fact that Chinese troops in the 1989 40th Anniversary Parade were carrying weapons that fired the new 5.8×42mm cartridge.

Comparison of main SCHV cartridges, with the 5.56×45mm NATO, left, 5.45×39mm USSR, center, and 5.8×42mm Chinese DPB87 round.

Specifics covering the 5.8×42mm cartridge are as follows:

Caliber:

5.8×42mm

Velocity for basic Type 95 rifle (with 18.2 inch barrel):

3,050 fps.

Overall cartridge length:

42.2mm

Projectile length:

24.2mm

Case:

Copper washed steel

Projectile Weight:

64 gr.

.30 U.S. carbine (7.62×33mm); 7.92×33mm Kurz; 7.62×39mm (M43); 5.45×39mm; 5.56×45mm NATO.

The 5.8×42mm cartridge is produced in three different loadings: the Standard 64 grain FMJBT projectile with a 22.6 grain AP core; a dedicated cartridge for use in the KBU.88 Sniper Rifle; specific heavy ball loading for the QJY 88 belt-fed light machine gun. The following weapons were developed for the 5.8×42mm cartridge: 1. Type 87 and 87A Assault Rifle 2. Type 95 Assault Rifle (bull pup design) with 18.2-inch barrel 3. Type 95 Light Squad Automatic (bull pup design) with 21.9-inch barrel 4. KBU 88 Sniper Rifle with 25.1-inch barrel with 3.9X variable telescope 5. The 5.8×42mm is also used in the belt feed LMG designated QJY88 adopted in July 1999.

Miscellaneous Cartridges Russian/Soviet Developments in 9mm In light of the trend among major munitions makers toward SCHV rounds, the design of assault rifles in 9mm by Russian ballisticians might seem to be athwart the new paradigm, but they are not when viewed in the context of their mission. Although there are advantages to SCHV calibers as discussed, the ability of a projectile to carry energy to the target is predicated on its characteristics of velocity and mass. SCHV projectiles have greater velocity and lesser mass, but they cause a sonic crack as they travel through air. To suppress the sound of the projectile, it must be loaded to subsonic velocity— which robs light projectiles of their lethality. The solution is to create a round that is subsonic but that has sufficient mass to carry destructive energy to the target, which Russian engineers have done with the 9×39mm cartridge.

.30-06 (7.62×63mm); 8×57mm (Mauser); 7.5×55mm Swiss; .308 Win (7.62×51mm NATO); .280 British; 6.5×50.5mm SR Japanese.

Specifically designed weapons for the subsonic 9×39mm round are covered in the chapters on Russian and Soviet weapons. The three loadings of this round include the SP-5 ball, the SP-6 armorpiercing, and the PAB-9 practice round (no longer issued as it caused excessive wear). Details of the development and use of this caliber are in the chapter on Russian/Soviet 9×39mm and Underwater Weapons. Russian/Soviet Underwater Ammunition For several decades, Russian/Soviet combat divers have used the SPP-1 pistol and APS underwater smooth-bore assault “rifle.” Although effective in their assigned role, both fired a flechette-type round that was bulky and peculiar to the weapon. Although they could be fired above water, their range, effectiveness and service life would be very limited. About 2000, development began on an amphibious cartridge of standard external profile, and an appropriate weapon to fire it. The results were the 5.45×39mm PSP cartridge, and the ADS “dual-medium” (air or water) assault rifle. The PSP round is dimensionally the same as the standard 5.45×39mm cartridge, but the projectile within is 2.1 inches (53mm) long, extending internally the length of the case. The length of the projectile and its specially designed tip contribute to its accuracy underwater. It may also be fired above water when the mission demands, but the ADS rifle is designed to fire standard ammunition interchangeably. For details of this cartridge and weapon refer to the chapter on Russian/Soviet 9×39mm and Underwater Weapons.

The following photos were generously provided by Mr. Anthony G. Williams, noted British firearms historian. Some of them have been addressed in this chapter while others have not. Many will be dealt with in the respective chapters dealing with the assault rifles designed to use them. All of these cartridges are of historical interest.

Rounds for early automatic rifles: the 6.5×52mm Carcano, 7.65mm Mannlicher Carbine, .30 Pedersen, 8mm Ribeyrolle (replica), Swiss 7.65×35mm, .276 Pedersen, Swiss 7.65×38mm with bullet alongside, 9×40mm Lilja, 9×35mm Lahti

Unsuccessful postwar experiments: 7×36mm Otterup, 7.5×38mm Swiss,7.5×45mm Czech, 7.5×43mm French CRBA, 7.92×40mm CETME, .280/30 EM-2, 7mm Compromise, 7.62×47mm T65 (predecessor of the 7.62×51mm NATO), 7.62×51mm with CETME bullet.

Some experimental U.S. rounds of the 1950s: .223 Remington (for scale), .224mm Winchester E2, .25 Win FA-T 116 (6.35×48mm), .25 Win Duplex FA-T 127 (6.35×53mm), .22/30 Homologous (5.56×51mm), .27/30 Homologous (6.8×51mm), .25/30 Homologous (6.35×51), sectioned 7.62×51mm M198 Duplex (which actually saw service).

Intermediate service cartridges: 6.5mm Arisaka, 7mm Medium, .30 M1 Carbine, 7.92mm Kurz, 7.62mm AK-47, 7.62×45mm Czech, 9×39mm Russian (silenced AP - replica round), 5.56×45mm SS109, 5.45×39mm AK-74, 5.8×42mm Chinese.

Some experiments since the 1970s: 6mm SAW, 6mm SAW aluminium-cased, 6.25mm British, 6.45mm Swiss, 6.5×43mm German, 6.8×43mm Remington SPC (commercial soft-point bullet loading: military bullets are shorter to match the overall length of the 5.56×45mm), 6.5mm Grendel, 5.56×45mm for scale.

Experimental cartridges under 6mm: FN 5.56×45mm APDS, .12 US (3×47mm), 3.5×50mm FN, 4.3×45mm German, .17 US (4.3×46mm), 4.6×36mm HK/CETME (with spoon-tip bullet), 4.85mm British, 5.56×38mm FABRL, 5.6mm Eiger.

Experimental U.S. flechette rounds: 5.56×45mm for scale, sectioned 5.6mm XM216, 5.6mm XM144, 5.6mm XM110, 5.6mm XM645 (all part of the SPIW programme), .330 Amron Aerojet (alloy case, with three flechettes).

Exotic attempts: 5.56×45mm with Monad bullet, 4.5mm Schirnecker, 9/4mm Kaltmann (development round, with part-metal case), 5.56mm Folded, 5.56mm Hughes Lockless, 5.56mm U.S. caseless, 6mm Voere caseless, early HK G11 4.7×21mm rounds, final G11 4.7×33mm.

Current service rifle/MG rounds and potential developments, from left to right: 7.62×54mmR, 7.62×39mm, 5.45×39mm, 7.62×51mm, 5.56×45mm, 5.8×42mm, 6.8×43mm Rem SPC, 6.5×38mm Grendel, LSAT caseless, LSAT plastic-cased.

Although subsonic, the SP-6 armor-piercing ammunition easily defeated this 6mm steel plate at 100 meters.

There are many other experimental assault rifle-type cartridges that have been developed during the last four decades. Some, such as the American flechette (French for little-arrow) program have been the recipients of large budget amounts. Other experiments have been funded on a shoe-string (e.g., pre-1945 Finnish short cartridges). Where appropriate, the relevant ammunition projects are described in the following chapters as part of the discussion of the weapons designed to shoot them. In this final section we mention a few other cartridges that pertain to later discussions. .22 Long Rifle (5.6×16mm rimfire) World-wide usage of the caliber .22 long rifle cartridge has made it a natural for use in subcaliber assault rifles for training purposes. Some weapons use special .22LR adaptors, while others (e.g. the East German-made 5.6×16mmR KKMPi69 or Kleinkaliber Maschinenpistole Kalashnikov-69) exclusivley use that caliber. None of the many commercial .22LR caliber weapons (e.g., the American 180) should be confused with real military assault rifles.

.30 Pedersen Device The caliber .30 (7.62×20mm) Pedersen device cartridge used in the bolt-action Springfield rifle (when the latter converted to a lowvelocity, self-loading weapon by substituting the Pedersen device for the rifle bolt) also should not be confused with assault rifle ammunition. As discussed elsewhere, the resulting hybrid weapon did not even remotely resemble an assault rifle. .32 Winchester Self-Loading The caliber .32 Winchester self-loading cartridge was originally developed as a sporting round. From a 24-inch (610-mm) barrel it launched a 165-grain (10.7-gram) bullet at 1,390 feet per second (425 m/s). In World War I, the French Army, in addition to purchasing Winchester Model 1905 self-loading rifles, experimented briefly with .351 and .401 caliber Winchester self-loading cartridges in weapons primarily intended for the defense role for aircraft, prior to the introduction of aircraft machine guns. .30 U.S. Carbine (7.62×33mm) The .30 U.S. carbine cartridge (7.62×33mm), which evolved from the caliber .32 Winchester self-loading cartridge mentioned above, because of its limited power, should not be considered a true assault rifle cartridge. From an 18-inch (45-mm) barrel it launched a 110grain (7.1-gram) bullet at 1,970 feet per second (600 m/s). When first created, it was called the “short rifle” cartridge, but that misleading name was soon dropped. It was initially issued to replace the .45 ACP pistol as a more effective personal defense weapon.

.45 Remington-Thompson (11.43×25.4mm) The .45 Remington-Thompson cartridge, originally intended for the Thompson submachine gun, has a cartridge case 1-inch long (11.43×25.4mm) and launches a 250-grain (16.2-gram) bullet at 1,450 feet per second (442 m/s) from a 14-inch (356-mm) barrel. It was proposed as a method of upgrading the ballistic performance of the M1928 Thompson submachine gun. It is not powerful enough to be considered an assault rifle cartridge. Conclusion As noted at the beginning of this chapter, assault rifle performance and technical characteristics are largely determined by the ammunition used. It should be apparent from the preceding discussion that small arms ammunition development has been a dynamic activity since the end of World War II. At the beginning of the 21st Century, small arms designers have a much broader base of ammunition technology to work with than did their counterparts in the early 1940s. Many new cartridges are being tested, and many more will be proposed in the coming decades. The 5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm, 7.62×39mm, and 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges will continue to be used for many years to come. All of these cartridges trace their conceptual roots to the 7.92×33mm Kurz and Germany’s Sturmgewehr, which are the subject of a later chapter.

Additional Reference Materials Jakob H. Brandt, Hamann, Kaltmann, and Kiehn, The Military Cartridges Calibers 7,62×51mm NATO, their development and

variants (Journal-Verlag Schwend GmbH, c. 1980). “Missile Caused Wounds,” 13-34 and “Wounds and Injuries of the Soft Tissues,” 230-238 in Thomas E. Bowen and Ronald F. Bellamy, Emergency War Surgery. (Second U.S. revision of the Emergency War Surgery NATO Handbook) (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office for Department of Defense, 1988). Martin L. Fackler, John S. Surinchak, John A. Malinowski, and Robert E. Bowen, “Bullet Fragmentation: A Major Cause of Tissue Disruption,” The Journal of Trauma, Vol. 24, No.1 (January, 1984): 35-39. Martin L. Fackler, John S. Surinchak, John A. Malinowski, and Robert E. Bowen, “Wounding Potential of the Russian AK-74 Assault Rifle,” The Journal of Trauma, Vol. 24, No.3 (March, 1984): 263-266. Martin L. Fackler, Ronald F. Bellamy, and John A. Malinowski, “Wounding Mechanism of Projectiles Striking at More than 1.5 km/sec,” The Journal of Trauma, Vol. 26, No.3 (March, 1986): 250254. Martin L. Fackler, and Douglas Lindsay, [letter to the editor regarding wounding effects of M193 and M855 (SS109) 5.56mm projectiles, Journal of Trauma, Vol. 26, No.12 (December, 1986): 1157-1160. Martin L. Fackler, “What’s Wrong with the Wound Ballistics Literature, and Why,” Institute Report No. 239, Letterman Army Institute of Research, Presidio of San Francisco, California, July, (1987).

Martin L. Fackler, “Effects of Small Arms on the Human Body,” Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Ballistics, Ecole Royale Militaire, Brussels, Belgium (9-11 May 1989). Jean Huon, Military Rifle and Machine Gun Cartridges, Ironside International Publishers, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, (1989). Peter Labbett, “British 6.25mm Experimental Ammunition,” Guns Review (December, 1984): 846 and 849. Peter Labbett, “Czechoslovakian Small Arms Ammunition,” Guns Review (April, 1988): 281-282. Jim Stonley, “The D.W.M. 7mm ‘Kurz’ Cartridge,” Guns Review (September, 1987): 657-659. Jonathan M. Weaver, Jr., “An Evaluation of the Soviet 5.45×39mm AK-74 Rifle Rifle and Type PS Ball Cartridge,” Technical Report No.440 U.S. Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (May 1987). Notes 1

The Simonov-designed AVS36 was a selective fire rifle that, with some stretching of the definition, could be called an assault rifle. Most of Tokarev’s rifles (the SVT38 and SVT40) fired semi-automatically, but there were a limited number of AVT 40s, made in 1943, that provided selective semi-automatic and full automatic fire. 2

Heinrich Vollmer, in the 1930’s, created an automatic rifle for

Genschow’s 7.75×40mm cartridge. This project may have inspired the Soviet M43 cartridge.

CHAPTER 2

Assault Rifle Operating and Locking Systems

Assault Rifle Operating Systems Significant confusion and misunderstanding exists concerning the various operating systems of the world’s assault rifles (and other firearms). First it must be understood that all self-loading firearms are operated by expanding gases when the cartridge is fired, and are thus gas operated. It is how these gases are harnessed that more precisely defines the operating system. Although new operating and locking systems have continued to evolve over the years, the definitions of operating systems described below are based on those established by the late Colonel George M. Chinn, USMC (Retired). These systems are listed in Col. Chinn’s book, The Machine Gun, Volume IV, Parts X and XI, published by the Bureau of Ordnance, U.S. Navy. 1. Blowback: An unlocked bolt opening by the opposite reaction of a cartridge case when the projectile travels forward. Blowback bolts depend on being relatively heavy to delay opening until pressure has dropped to a safe level, and thus are sometimes called an “inertially locked breech.” Although a blowback action can sometimes assist

another operating system, the only assault rifle to use the simple blowback operating system was the Burton. 2. Delayed Blowback: An operating system beginning with a fully locked breech being unlocked shortly after the cartridge is fired through a recoiling part, the movement of a primer, or another means of unlocking. No assault rifle using this system was ever massproduced. Often confused with retarded blowback operation. 3. Retarded Blowback: A system of operation beginning with a semi-locked breech that is opened by the opposite reaction of a cartridge case being fired, but only after overcoming a retardation caused by a mechanical means, usually a combination of leverage and spring tension. Examples of retarded blowback assault rifles include the German G3 and the French FAMAS. Often confused with delayed blowback operation. 4. Long Stroke Gas Piston: A locked breech mechanism operated by a gas piston that travels a distance at least equal to the length of the cartridge being fired. Examples include the WWII German FG42, MP44, and Stoner 63. 5. Short Stroke Gas Piston: A locked breech mechanism operated by a gas piston that travels a distance less than the length of the cartridge being fired. Examples include the U.S. M1 Carbine, M14 rifle, and the Steyr AUG. 6. Long Stroke Piston and Cylinder Via Direct Gas: A locked breech mechanism operated by a gas, piston and cylinder that travel a distance at least equal to the length of the cartridge. Examples of

this system include the AR-10 and M16 rifles where the bolt (piston) and the carrier (cylinder) are actuated by direct gas fed through a tube from the gas block. 7. Short Recoil: A locked breech mechanism where the barrel and bolt recoil together for a distance shorter than the length of the cartridge before being mechanically unlocked, allowing the bolt to continue rearward while the barrel returns forward under spring pressure. An example is the Johnson assault rifle.

Assault Rifle Locking Systems 1. Rotating Bolt: A locking system where the bolt rotates to bring two or more locking lugs into engagement with counterparts in the receiver or extension of the barrel. Examples include the AK-47, M14, and M16 assault rifles. 2. Tilting, or Propped Bolt: A locking system where one end of the bolt is tilted to lock into a recess in the receiver of the rifle (usually the rear of the bolt). Examples include the MP44, and FN-FAL assault rifles. 3. Toggle Lock: A locking system where an arm attached to the bolt is cammed into a recess in the receiver to lock the bolt. An example of this system was used in the U.S. Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). 4. Locking Tabs: A locking system where two locking tabs (or lugs) are forced out from the bolt into locking recesses in the receiver. An example of this system was used in the British EM-2 assault rifle and was also used in the WWII German G43 rifle.

5. Locking Block: A locking system where a block or wedge is forced into a recess or recesses in the bolt to lock it to the receiver. An example of this system is found in the Czech VZ58 assault rifle. 6. Roller-Delay: A semi-locking system where roller-like lugs are forced out into rounded recesses in the receiver or barrel extension, and held there by a combination of leverage in the form of a wedgeshaped mass and spring pressure. Examples are the German G3 and the Swiss SG510 assault rifle series. 7. Roller Lock: A locking system similar to Roller-Delay, except that the rollers are mechanically locked into their recesses and are unlocked when an operating rod moves the mechanical lock. An example is the SIG 530 assault rifle. 8. Rocking-Lever: In this locking system a lever connects and bolt and bolt carrier and forces them into battery with leverage under pressure of the recoil spring while pivoting against a shoulder in the receiver. When fired, the cartridge case exerts pressure on the bolt, which in turn pushes against the carrier. This in turn forces the rocking lever out of engagement with the receiver to unlock the breech. This system is found in the retarded blow-back operated French FAMAS assault rifle, where the delay lever also acts an accelerator to add velocity to the bolt group. 9. Rising Chamber: In this system the chamber is a separate cylinder that moves up and down into and out of battery within the receiver. This system is found in the Stoner and Steyr Advanced Combat Rifles (ACR).

10. Rotating Chamber: In this system the chamber rotates into and out of alignment with the bore. The rotating chamber system is used in the German G11 assault rifle. 11. Lockless Chamber: In this system the chamber and breech are integral with the barrel and neither move during operation. Instead, the cartridge is inserted through a side port, and the solid end of the barrel acts as the breech block with a separate means of sealing off escaping gas. The McDonald Douglas Advanced Combat Rifle uses the lockless system.

CHAPTER 3

Albania

Albanian Type 56 Assault Rifles Following WWII, the disintegrating alliance between Albania and the Soviet Union finally ended in 1960. The Albanian government forged an alliance with China, which lasted until the 1970s. In that period, Albania requested and received military assistance from China that included weapons such as the Chinese Type 56 assault rifle, tools, expertise, and a license for the Albanians to build copies of the Type 56. The Albanian copy has wooden stocks and the folding tri-blade bayonet that is permanently attached to the underside of the front sight assembly. Production began at the Gramsh State Arsenal, in the town of Gramsh and continued until 1997. The Chinese Type 56 rifle is based on the Soviet AK-47.

The Type A rifle is a near copy of the early Chinese Type 56 Kalashnikov rifle with folding bayonet and fixed stock.

Means of Controlling Operation, Safety Arrangements, Elementary Disassembly Procedure: As the Albanian Type 56 is a clone of the chinese variant of the Soviet AK design, refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The Albanian copy of the Type 56 underwent several unique changes including (Type B) a gas cutoff valve and an extended barrel to accept a screw-on grenade launcher tube; Type C is similar to Type B, but with a longer barrel and provision for a bipod. On both types B and C, the rear sight is moved farther back onto the bolt cover, the front of which is attached to the receiver by a hinge. The attached folding bayonet does not appear on Type B or Type C weapons because the barrels feature built-in grenade launchers.

Early Type 56 B with extended-barrel grenade launcher. Note the rear sight has not been relocated farther back on the dust cover as with later units. Photo courtesy of Dan Shea

As part of their dealings with the PRC, Albania received quantities of Type 63 Chinese assault rifles from the some 6 million made. When the new government of Albania imploded after the national Ponzi schemes collapsed,

mobs ransacked government offices and arsenals, and as a result quantities of Type 63 rifles appeared throughout the internecine Balkan conflicts of the 1990’s.

Albanian Type A (Based on Chinese Type 56)

CHAPTER 4

Argentina

The KAM 1 Means of Controlling Operation, Safety Arrangements, Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to these sections for the World War II StG.44 in the chapter on Germany. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Being impressed with the German 7.92×33mm Kurtz (short) StG.44 (MP.44) assault rifle, the Argentine Fabrica Militar de Armes Portatiles, Domingo Matheu – Rosario (FMAP) manufactured its own variant of this weapon in 1954. Designated the KAM 1, this rifle differed from the StG.44 primarily in its caliber. Because Argentina had used the 7.65×54mm cartridge for many years, FMAP had the facilities and experience to manufacture barrels and bullets in this caliber. Thus, FMAP designed a 7.65×33mm (.30 caliber) cartridge for the KAM 1 instead of the original .32 caliber 7.92×33mm round. In spite of the success in manufacturing both the KAM 1 and its novel cartridge, the lack of interest by the military resulted in only a few KAM 1 assault rifles being made. For characteristics of the KAM 1 refer to those for the StG.44 (MP.44) in the chapter on Germany.

The Argentine FAL Means of Controlling Operation, Safety Arrangements, Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to these sections for the FN-FAL in the chapter on Belgium. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: After adopting the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) FN FAL, Argentina began manufacturing this rifle in 1960 under license and supervision of FN at Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles, Domingo Matheu-Rosario Industria Argentina (FMAP “DM” Rosario). In English the letters FMAP translate to military factory of portable weapons. Called the Fusil Automatico Livano, light automatic rifle, the acronym, FAL, is the same as its Belgian counterpart with the exception of the Fusil Automatico Pesado (FAP) Modelo II, a heavy-barrel squad automatic rifle.

A copy of the WW II German StG. 44 (MP. 44), the KAM 1 was chambered for a special 7.65×33mm Argentine cartridge. The KAM 1 was made only in prototype.

An early Argentine FN FAL Model II with wooden buttstock and handguards, early sights and no flash hider/muzzle brake.

The right side of the receiver of a late Modelo II FMAP “DM” FN FAL

The Argentine Federal Police “Assault FAL” as viewed from the right side. Note its special short barrel, vertical foregrip and cutout magazine well.

In addition to standard FAL models, the Argentine Federal Police also did a special modification to the FAL PARA III. Called the Assault FAL, this rifle used a special short barrel and flash suppressor, omitted the handguards and used a FAL pistol grip mounted on the gas block. Holes were drilled in both pistol grips and the right side of the magazine well was cut out to reduce weight. All FMAP FALs are marked with the FM logo and factory markings. FMAP “DM” models produced in Argentina (and their FN equivalents) include: FAL Modelo II (FN Model 50.00). FAL PARA, 21 inch/533mm barrel (FN Model 50.61). FAL PARA III, 18-inch/458mm barrel (FN Model 50.63). FAP Modelo II (FN Model FALO 50.41). For characteristics on 7.62mm NATO FAL rifles refer to characteristics for the FN-FAL rifle in the chapter on Belgium.

The Argentine 5.56mm NATO FAL In addition to manufacturing some 150,000 FALs in 7.62×51mm NATO, FMAP “DM” also developed a conversion in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington). Fitted with a new barrel and bolt, this rifle also uses a modified Steyr AUG magazine with an adapter made from a standard FAL magazine. Developed in two variants, the fixed stock Modelo Infanteria (infantry) and a folding stock Modelo Paracaidista (paratrooper), this rifle was made in prototype only.

The Argentine FMAP “DM” experimental 5.56×45mm NATO FAL conversion viewed from the left side with its folding stock extended and modified Steyr AUG plastic 30-shot magazine inserted.

The FMAP “DM” experimental 5.56×45mm NATO FAL conversion viewed from the right side with its modified Steyr AUG 30-shot magazine removed.

The FMAP “DM” experimental 5.56×45mm NATO FAL conversion as viewed from the right side with stock folded and modified 30-shot Steyr AUG magazine inserted.

FMAP “DM” 5.56mm NATO FAL

The Argentine .22 Long Rifle FAL An FAL in .22 Long Rifle caliber was also manufactured by FMAP “DM” as a military training rifle. Of blowback operation, this selective fire rifle uses a 20-shot .22 caliber rimfire magazine housed in a standard FAL magazine.

The Argentine .22 Long Rifle caliber FAL training rifle viewed from the right side with special .22 rimfire magazine inserted.

The Argentine .22 Long Rifle caliber FAL viewed from the left side field stripped.

.22 Long Rifle FAL

The FARA 83 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on both sides of the lower receiver above the pistol grip, the selector rotates 180 degrees. In its rear position, the selector rests by three dots on the receiver to allow full-automatic fire, while rotated 180 degrees forward it lines up with one dot indicating semiautomatic fire. Safety Arrangements:

Similar to that of the M14 rifle, the safety is located inside the trigger guard. Sliding the safety back blocks movement of the trigger and sliding it forward allows the trigger to be pulled. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, push out the rear receiver pin from left to right. Then rotate the upper receiver upward and open, taking care that the captive recoil spring is under pressure. Remove the spring and guide and pull the cocking handle back to bring the bolt carrier/piston/bolt group to the rear where it can be grasped and removed. Rotate the AK-type bolt and remove it from the carrier. Now unscrew the two-piece front hinge pin, remove both parts and lift off the upper receiver group from the lower receiver. Unscrew the long combination flash suppressor/grenade launcher from the muzzle and slide it, the gas block, hand-guard and cocking handle assembly off the barrel. If a bipod is attached to the gas block, push out its retaining pin and remove it. No further disassembly is necessary, and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In the desire to adopt a new, superior 5.56×45mm NATO rifle of Argentine design, the Research and Development Department of the Army General Staff issued a requirement for such a weapon to FMAP “DM” on May 4, 1976. Heading up the project were FMAP Engineer, Leon J. Lifschitz and Mr. Enrique Chichizola, who had their concepts approved by February, 1977. The first working prototype of

the new rifle was finished in June, 1979, with 50 test rifles fielded not long after. Adhering to NATO testing specifications AC/225D/14, these pre-series rifles fired a total of 800,000 rounds with barrel life lasting from 8,000 to 12,000 rounds and withstood other testing under adverse conditions. Initially called the Fusil de Asalto Argentino Mod 81 (Argentine Assault Rifle Model 81, or FAA 81, the rifle underwent a series of improvements following initial tests. These included ergonomics, lightening the firing pin to pass drop tests, and redesigning the handguard and cocking handle. Thereafter the rifle’s designation became the FAA82. Combining proven features of the FAL, AK-47 and Beretta AR70 rifles, the FAA82 has a removable flash suppressor/grenade launcher that, when unscrewed, allows the gas block, handguard and cocking handle assembly to be removed from the barrel. Of the nonreciprocating type, the cocking handle can also be used to forcibly close the AK-47 style bolt carrier and bolt. Having an integral folding gas cutoff/grenade launching sight hood, the gas block also has a mount for a wire cutter bipod and a bayonet. When the grenade sight hood is folded forward with the gas port open, it prevents a rifle grenade from being fully seated and reminds the soldier to fold the hood up, closing off the gas port. Hinging open like the FAL, the upper receiver does not use a separate top cover, but is fully closed like the AR-15. Although this rigid design offers an excellent platform for scope mounting, no mount is known to have yet been designed for the rifle. A diopter type drum rear sight is positioned at the extreme rear of the top cover. Both front and rear sights are equipped with flip-up tritium night sights.

The prototype FA 80 5.56×45mm NATO rifle as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted, stock extended and bayonet mounted. Note early handguards.

The FARA 83 viewed from the right side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The FARA 83 viewed from the left side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The FARA 83 viewed from the right side with stock folded and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The FARA 83 viewed from the left side with stock extended, 30-shot magazine inserted, bipod deployed and rifle grenade mounted. Note grenade sight in the launch (up) position.

The FARA 83 viewed from the left side field stripped. The rifle combines features of the AK-47, FAL and Beretta AR70 assault rifles.

Using an ambidextrous AK-type magazine release, the FAA82 has an FAL type selector. Originally operating with the semiautomatic position in the rear and full-automatic forward, these positions were later reversed. Located inside the trigger guard, the safety operates similar to that of the M14 rifle, but only blocks the trigger.

First made with a conventional wooden folding buttstock and then a glass reinforced plastic hollow variant holding a cleaning kit, the FAA82 was later offered with an FAL PARA-type folding stock. On this stock is a plastic compartment to hold a cleaning kit. Pressed down to unlock, the stock folds to the right. The FAL type pistol grip also can house a small cleaning kit or spare parts. Made largely of stamped and riveted sheet metal, the FAA82 also uses cast steel parts. Its hard-chrome lined barrel is cold hammer-forged. Although its 30-shot magazine is of native design, development was begun on a 2nd generation model with a magazine housing to accept the NATO 7169 (M16) magazine. After an evaluation program carried out in 1982-83, the FAA82 was designated the Fusil de Asalto Republica Argentina (FARA 83). Issue of the FARA 83 began in early 1984, but although the rifle was slated to replace the FAL in the Argentine Military, inflation in Argentina and budget cuts by President Alfonsin have prevented this. Reportedly less than 2,000 FARA 83 rifles have been produced and issued, most to the 601st Commando Battalion, and production has now ceased.

FARA 83

CHAPTER 5

Armenia

Armenian K-3 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Follows standard Kalashnikov design for selecting Safe, Semi-auto, etc. mode of fire. Safety Arrangements: Kalashnikov-style selector lever remains on right side of receiver, but is difficult to reach when the weapon is fired from the right shoulder. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Not known. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The AK-74-style receiver also functions as the stock with a butt plate mounted directly on the rear of the receiver. All furniture is polyamidetype synthetic. The trigger and pistol grip are placed in front of the magazine. Due to limited space inside the receiver, the bolt carrier is connected to the piston by a pin joint. The design does not favor left-

handed operation due to position of the controls and the ejection of spent cases to the right. Domestic manufacture of small arms and ammunition began in Armenia during the country’s war over territory with neighboring Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. By 1996, the Military Industrial Department of the Armenian Ministry of Defense had designed and produced a very small quantity of the bullpup K-3 assault rifle based on the Kalashnikov action. The bullpup-configured Kalashnikov has been tried by other designers before with only limited success. The K-3 design incorporates synthetic furniture and an AK-74-style polymer 30-round magazine. There is an attachment to the muzzle to enable firing of rifle grenades. Standard iron sights may be replaced with the domestically manufactured PSO 1×4 optical sight. With only a reported 40 copies produced, development seems to have languished since 1996, and meanwhile Armenia has purchased firearms from such countries as Serbia.

This K-3 bullpup assault rifle may look futuristic, but it is unclear whether it has a future as a service rifle in Armenia or elsewhere.

Armenian K-3 Assault Rifle

CHAPTER 6

Australia

The L1A1 Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the FN FAL in the chapter on Belgium. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the FN FAL in the chapter on Belgium. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the FN FAL in the chapter on Belgium. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Following Canada, the Australians adopted the British variant of the 7.62×51mm NATO FN FAL assault right in the late 1950’s, and produced it at the Australian Government Small Arms Factory at Lithgow, New South Wales. Like the British variant the Australian rifle is made to the inch pattern and uses the same designation, L1A1, as

the British variant. It also has both a folding cocking handle and rear sight, but does not have the charger guide as used in the dust cover of the Canadian variant. Because the standard L1A1 was found to be more difficult to use by personnel of smaller stature, a shorter variant of the rifle was developed. Called the L1A1-F1, this variant had a shorter buttstock and a flash suppressor/muzzle brake that together reduced the overall length by 2.75 inches. Stock furniture was made of Australian coachwood that is similar to walnut, and later variants had handguards with heat shields and six round ventilation holes instead of two oblong holes. A heavy-barrel variant, the L2A1, was also adopted and is similar to the Canadian C2 squad automatic weapon with a bipod that, when folded, serves as the handguard. Prior to its discontinuation, a special limited run of 180 semiautomatic-only L1A1 rifles was made for export to the United States.

The two models of the Australian L1A1. The standard version (top) and the L1A1-F1 with its shorter barrel.

The Leader Dynamics T2 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation:

Refer to the means of controlling operation for the AR-18 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the AR-18 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the AR-18 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In the late 1970’s, Charles Giorgio, of Leader Propulsion Systems, Pty., Ltd., of Smithfield, Australia, developed a new 5.56×45mm NATO caliber assault rifle. Called the Leader T2 Series, this rifle was based largely on the Armalite AR-18 rifle, using the trigger group and magazine of the AR-15 rifle. Made of pressed sheet metal, the upper and lower receivers were hinged together like those of the AR-18, and the upper receiver incorporated a sheet metal carrying handle permanently spot welded in place. Consisting of a rotating disk with three elevation apertures, the rear sight was also adjustable for windage. In addition to the T2’s adjustable open sights, the carrying handle was capable of mounting optical sights. With a bolt carrier assembly nearly identical to that of the AR-18, the Leader T-2 used a triangular bolt head with three locking lugs. The two internal recoil springs and guide rod system allowed for a folding stock, or the removal of the buttstock altogether. As with the

AR-18, the T2 used a three-piece short-stroke gas cylinder/operating rod group, the piston being fixed to the gas block. Differing from both the AR-15 and AR-18 rifles, the Leader T2 Series used a forward mounted cocking handle. Mounted on the upper left of the barrel, this handle protruded through a slot in the upper left portion of the left handguard, and was non-reciprocating. Offered in six configurations, the Leader T2 was designated as MK I, MK II, MK III, MK I V, MK V, and MK VI. Capable of semiautomatic fire only, the MK I and MK II had wood stocks. Also in semi-automatic only, the MK V came with Zytel stocks. The final semi-automatic only Leader, the MK VI, came with no buttstock and a short barrel. Except for being selective fire, the MK IV was identical to the MK VI, and the MK III was a selective fire variant of the MK I, MK II, and MK V rifles. Except for the MK IV and MK VI, all models of the T2 could also be had with a folding stock. After meeting with less than hoped-for success, the Leader was taken over by Australian Automatic Arms Pty., Ltd., on the Australian island of Tasmania. There it underwent a period of redesign and was renamed the SAR 223. As was the original T2, the SAR 223 was available in selective fire or semi-automatic only with a fixed buttstock, a folding buttstock, or no buttstock. World Public Safety, Inc., of Gardnerville, Nevada, and Culver City, California City imported the Leader to the U.S. in semiautomatic. Although the Leader was intended as a 5.56×45mm replacement for the 7.62×51mm NATO caliber L1A1, it was not adopted and production ceased in the mid-1980’s.

The Leader T2 MK V semi-automatic only rifle with 20-round magazine inserted.

Early variants of the Leader T2 series selective fire rifles, the MK3 above and the MK4 as seen from the right side with 30-shot magazines inserted.

The Leader T2 seen in an exploded drawing.

Leader T-2 & SAR 223

The F88 Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the Steyr AUG in the Austrian Chapter. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the Steyr AUG in the Austrian Chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure:

Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the Steyr AUG in the Austrian Chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Late in 1985 the Australian Ministry of Defense adopted the Steyr AUG as the F88 Australian Military rifle. Manufactured under license from Steyr-Mannlicher of Austria, the F88 was produced at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory, and Australia was also granted export sales rights for the South Pacific Region. New Zealand also adopted the F88 and purchased it from Australia. In addition to the standard F88 rifle with a 20-inch (508mm) barrel, the F88C (Carbine) with its 16-inch (407mm) barrel was manufactured. An F88S (Special Receiver) rifle was also made for use with night vision and other optical sights, and an F88/M203 rifle was made with a 24.4-inch (621mm) barrel and M203 grenade launcher.

Australia’s variant of the Steyr AUG, the F88 is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and foregrip extended.

The F88S (special receiver) seen from the left side with special receiver and night vision device mounted.

The M17S Means of Controlling Operation: Located behind the trigger, the cross-bolt type safety/selector is pushed to the right where pulling the trigger part way provides semiautomatic fire, and pulling the trigger all the way to the rear provides full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Pushing the cross-bolt safety/selector to the left blocks the trigger, preventing the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and pulling back the cocking handle to make sure the chamber is empty, allow the bolt to go forward. Now, using the point of a bullet, or similar tool, push out both lower receiver

pins from right to left. Then hinge open the upper receiver taking care, as the captive recoil spring group is under slight pressure. Pull the recoil spring group out the back of the rifle. The bolt group is connected to the recoil spring group and will come with it. Push out the front hinge pin to separate the upper and lower receivers for cleaning. No further disassembly is recommended, and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Designed by Mr. Alex Hand, of Edenpine Pty., Ltd., of Australia, the M17S amounts largely to an AR-18 system in a bullpup configuration. Consisting of three main groups, the M17S includes the extruded alloy upper receiver that contains the barrel, the lower receiver group made from Zytel glass filled Nylon, and the bolt group. Housing the trigger group, selector, and buttstock, the lower receiver also contains the magazine well that accepts any M16 (NATO) magazine. The lower receiver has a magazine release on either side.

The M17S bullpup seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The M17S viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

As with the AR-18, the bolt carrier of the M17S rides on dual recoil spring guide rods that are captive with their springs.

The M17S seen with the cocking handle partially retracted.

The M17S seen in an exploded drawing illustrating all parts.

The M17S has no open sights, but mounted on top of the upper receiver is a carrying handle with a Weaver-style scope base, the rear portion of which serves as the non-reciprocating cocking handle. As with the AR-18, the bolt is of the M16 type with multiple locking lugs, and the carrier rides on dual recoil spring guides, however, these are captive in the M17S. Like the AR-18, the gas system consists of a fixed piston on the gas block and a short-stroke gas cylinder connected to the operating rod. The operating rod has its own return spring, as does the charging handle. In addition to its Australian base, Edenpine also incorporated a subsidiary in California, but established a sales office at Bushmaster Firearms, Inc., in Windham, Maine, 1993. Bushmaster subsequently successfully marketed the semi-automatic-only variant of the M17S in

the U.S. Besides the standard M17S, a left-handed model was designed, along with a short variant in selective fire. With a 16-inch barrel, this model had an overall length of just 25 inches. A 9mm variant of the M17S was also designed, but like the selective-fire variant, was never produced in quantity, with a change in designation to the Type 65K2 (T65K2). In addition to a 3-shot burst mechanism, the T65K2’s gas system was redesigned to slow primary extraction to overcome ejection problems that plagued the T65.

M17S

CHAPTER 7

Austria

H

aving become an important developer and manufacturer of

modern military small arms during the post-1945 period, the firm of Steyr-Daimler-Puch (SDP) traces its lineage back to the rifle factory established by Josef Werndl at Steyr in 1853. Werndl’s operation continued to grow and, in 1869, became a joint stock corporation to raise capital for further expansion. The new company, the Osterreicische Waffenfabrik-Gesellschaft (OWG), evolved into one of the major European small arms manufacturing centers until it was occupied by Soviet troops in 1945. Between 1867 and 1945, OWG manufactured more than 11 million rifles, about one million handguns and an estimated 100,000 machine guns. Five years later (1950), while under American control, Steyr was allowed to resume production of sporting arms. Early in the 1960’s Steyr began production of the 7.62mm NATO Fabrique Nationale FAL, which the Austrian Army had adopted as the Sturmgewehr 58 (StG 58). With the emergence of the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, SDP embarked on an extensive R&D program of arms design. By the early 1970’s SDP began the Universal Infanteri Waffen (UIW) project to design a 5.56×45mm assault rifle. The UIW was subsequently renamed the Armee Universal Gewehr (AUG), which was adopted by the Austrian Army in 1977 as the Sturmgewehr 77 (StGw 77).

The StG 58 For the means of controlling operation, safety arrangements and elementary disassembly procedures on the StG 58 see these sections on the FN FAL in the Belgian chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Shortly after adopting the 7.62×51mm NATO FN FAL assault rifle in 1958, Austria began producing this rifle at the Steyr-Daimler-Puch arms factory in Steyr, Austria, under license from F.N. Identical to the standard FN FAL in most respects, the StG 58 differs in its unique combination flash suppressor/grenade launcher that also serves as a wire cutter. Designed by a Major Stoll, head of the Austrian StG 58 purchasing commission, this device is slotted at its front end. By sliding the slots over wire and twisting the rifle, the wire is lined up with the bore allowing a bullet to be fired, cutting the wire. Like the West German G1 (FAL), the StG 58 uses sheet metal handguards.

The Armee Universal Gewehr (AUG), or StG 77 Means of Controlling Operation: Being without an external selector, the AUG has a switch inside on the bottom of either of its selective fire modular hammer groups. After removing the hammer group, the switch can be set on either full-automatic or semi-automatic, or the full-automatic or 3-shot burst position (depending on the hammer group used) and then

reassembled in the rifle. In either setting, the AUG can be fired semiautomatic by pulling the trigger only part way. By pulling the trigger through, the weapon will fire either full-automatic or 3-shot bursts, depending on the setting and/or the hammer group. A semiautomatic only hammer group is also available.

The Steyr StG 58 (FN FAL) viewed from the right side with bipod folded. Note the unique muzzle brake that was also designed to serve as a wire-cutter. Photo: T. Jimbo

Safety Arrangements: Consisting of a cross-bolt behind the trigger, the safety is pushed to the right to block the trigger and make the AUG safe and is pushed all the way to left to free the trigger and allow firing. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, lock the bolt back and leave the hammer cocked with the safety ON. The hammer group cannot be removed if the hammer is not cocked. Then, while grasping the vertical foregrip with the left hand, depress the barrel unlocking button with the left thumb; rotate the foregrip (and barrel) out to the left until the barrel is free of its locking tabs in the receiver. Now pull the barrel out the front of the receiver. Then unlock the bolt and allow it to go forward.

Located in the receiver forward of the magazine well is the cross-bolt type housing lock. Push the housing lock from left to right until it stops. The entire receiver and bolt group can now be removed from the front of the stock. The bolt group can then be removed from the rear of the receiver. Turn the firing pin counter clockwise until it releases, and remove it. While depressing the bolt slightly, push down the cam pin in the top of the bolt carrier. Then release it and remove the bolt, locking collar and spring. Remove the cocking piece from the rear of the bolt carrier. Using the tip of a cartridge, or the tip of the right operating rod, depress the détente of the gas plug head, turn this 3-position plug clockwise and remove it from the gas cylinder. Using a cartridge, push out the piston and spring from the rear of the gas cylinder. While depressing the indentation in the rubber butt, pull out the rear sling swivel/retaining cross-bolt and remove the butt plate. Then pull out the hammer group. Note: The two-position swivel/cross-bolt can also be pushed all the way in to remove only the butt plate and leave the hammer group locked in place. No further disassembly is necessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With development beginning in the early 1970s at Steyr-DaimlerPuch, the 5.56×45mm NATO AUG was first designated as the Universal Infanterie Waffen (Universal Infantry Weapon), or UIW. Eventually, the rifle’s designation was changed to Armee Universal Gewehr (Army Universal Rifle), or AUG. When adopted by the Austrian Military in 1977, the AUG was officially designated the Sturm

Gewehr 1977 (Assault Rifle 1977), or StGw 77. Initial military procurement was set at 80,000 rifles. Now known as Steyr Mannlicher, the company continues to make the various models of the AUG described below. Of “bull pup” design, the AUG is also totally modular and uses a receiver cast from lightweight aircraft alloy. With a locking system not unlike that of the AR-18, it is also driven by dual recoil springs, but these are captive inside hollow operating rods. The gas piston impinges upon the right operating rod, and the left rod is in contact with the non-reciprocating cocking handle. Two long pins in the back of the stock depress the recoil springs as the bolt carrier moves rearward. On the tip of the cocking handle is a button that when depressed with the palm of the hand, acts as a forward assist. Rotating only 22.5 degrees to lock and unlock, the bolt of the AUG operates by a cam pin connecting it to the carrier. To prevent the bolt from prematurely rotating during the feeding cycle is a special spring-loaded collar with splines that ride forward between the locking lugs of the bolt. As the bolt enters the barrel extension, the opposing lugs of the extension force back the splines, freeing the bolt to rotate into battery at the last instant. After the last shot has been fired, the bolt will remain open by a conventional hold-open device. The bolt can also be kept in the open position by pulling back on the cocking handle and rotating it up out of its track into a recess. In either case, to close the bolt it is necessary to use the cocking handle by pulling and releasing it, or pushing it back down into its track. Extremely ergonomic, the AUG’s stock is molded of fiberreinforced polymide 66 with its two halves permanently friction

welded together. The first such stock to incorporate a full hand trigger guard, this large opening accommodates the use of mittens. A contoured foregrip can be used folded, or extended to the vertical position where it locks via a central spring-loaded pin. Pulling the grip down unlocks it and allows it to fold forward where it is held by a détente. Although most main firing components of the AUG are made of steel or lightweight alloy, as many parts as possible are made of extremely strong synthetic, including the hammer group. Not only is the body of this modular unit made of plastic, but also the sear, hammer, disconnector and other parts with the only exceptions being pins and springs. Housing all main elements of the rifle, the stock contains two ejection ports to accommodate right or left-handed users. To convert the rifle for a left-handed shooter, the port cover is moved to the right port and a left-ejecting bolt is substituted with the entire procedure taking only a few minutes in the field. A stock with only a right port has also been offered as well as stocks in olive green, black, tan and white. A compartment in the butt holds a cleaning kit. Located behind the pistol grip, the magazine well uses a rearmounted ambidextrous magazine release to hold 30-shot or 42-shot magazines. Made of clear transparent plastic, the early AUG magazine was later replaced with one of a light tan semi-transparent synthetic. Both types allow remaining ammunition to be seen if light permits. Most unusual about the AUG is its quick-change barrel system that allows the rifle to be converted from a short, 14-inch barrel “Commando” weapon to a heavy 24.5-inch barrel sniper rifle or light

machine gun. Made by cold hammer forging, the bore is also hard chrome lined. Each barrel contains a gas block with a 3-position gas plug. Two positions are for operating under various conditions while the third is the OFF position for launching grenades. The standard AUG barrel is fitted with a combination flash suppressor/grenade launcher, and a mount can also be attached. The heavy Light Machine Gun barrel has a special muzzle brake on which an adjustable bipod is mounted. Although all standard AUG rifles operate from a closed bolt, Light Machine Gun variants are available firing from an open bolt to prevent cookoff. On the standard AUG receiver is an integral 1.5X optical sight/carrying handle, and atop the scope housing are emergency open sights. This 1.5X optic is available with a circle/dot as well as other reticles. However, by substituting the special receiver for the standard one, various telescopic sights including night vision optics can be mounted. Yet another variation of the receiver is available for the AUG, equipped only with open sights. Here the front sight is mounted on the barrel while an extension of the carrying handle houses the rear sight. In addition to the selective fire AUG, a special variant was made for import to the U.S. Called the AUG-SA, this model uses a stock and receiver that are not interchangeable with the selective fire variant. The AUG-SA was imported with both olive green and black stocks, and barrels of 20 inches and 16 inches. Not long after the AUG was first fielded, a roller was added to the top rear of the bolt carrier. With the carrier being constantly pushed up by the hammer during cycling, this roller eliminates friction

between the carrier and the upper interior of the stock. With this improvement, the designation of the rifle was changed to AUG-A1. In the mid 1990s, Steyr began marketing a variation of the AUG for U.S. law enforcement agencies. Called the AUG-P (Police), this model comes standard with a black stock and a 16-inch barrel. Furnished with it are selective fire and semi-automatic-only hammer groups. Among the many agencies adopting the AUG-P was the U.S. Customs Service. In 1990, Steyr developed the first variant of the AUG/9mm Carbine and a 9mm conversion for the AUG-A1. Consisting of a new bolt group, barrel and magazine-well insert, the AUG/ 9mm Carbine uses the standard 25-shot or 32-shot magazines for the Steyr MPi 69/81 submachine gun. Because of difficulties with the standard ejection port, the 9mm conversion was replaced with the second variant of the AUG Carbine in 9mm with an improved magazine-well adapter and an ejection-port shield that could be installed on existing stocks. An improved conversion kit was also offered with an ejectionport shield. However, a dedicated AUG/9mm Carbine was introduced in 1995 with the ejection-port shield molded as an integral part of its black stock and the 9mm conversion kit was discontinued. In the AUG/9mm Carbine the barrel does not have a flash suppressor, but has three ports machined on the top behind the muzzle to act as a muzzle brake. The barrel extends all the way back through the receiver where the standard bolt would normally enter and lock. The bolt of the 9mm is integral with what is normally the bolt carrier in the standard AUG, with the bolt face machined in its front. The AUG/9mm Carbine is thus of simple blowback operation. A quick-detachable sound suppressor is also available.

In 1996 Steyr introduced the AUG-A2. Using a new receiver, the AUG-A2 comes with the standard style optical sight. However, this sight is mounted on a rail on the receiver, and can be quickly removed and replaced with an M1913 Picatinny rail that will accept virtually any NATO sight system. This capability will allow the AUG-A2 to effectively operate well into the 21st Century. In addition to its M1913 rail, the AUG-A2 differs from the A1 variant in its cocking handle that pivots forward to activate the forward assist feature. The AUG-A2 will replace the AUG-A1.

The AUG-A1 as viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, foregrip deployed and bayonet mounted.

At the same time the AUG-A2 was designed, Steyr produced 3,000 special semi-automatic only variants of this model for importation into the U.S. Called the AUG/USR (Universal Sporting Rifle), this model has a gray stock with a “thumbhole” style addition behind the pistol grip extending back to the magazine well, and a 20inch plain barrel without a flash suppressor. One final variation of the AUG-A2 was designed to accept the NATO STANAG (M16) magazine. This rifle has a cross-bolt type magazine release instead of the center-mounted ambidextrous release of the standard AUG.

Any AUG can be can be fitted with an M203 40mm grenade launcher with its own sight. In addition, this M203/AUG barrel assembly can be used off the gun in a “stand alone” mode by simply locking a butt assembly to the rear lugs of the barrel. R&M Equipment Co., of Florida, USA, also developed a quick detachable 40mm M230 mounting system for the AUG. With the M230 launcher removed, the mount will accept the AUG vertical foregrip. Available for the AUG are a variety of accessories including a blank firing adapter and an M16 bayonet mount that clamps around the barrel. In addition to Austria, the AUG is used by a number of countries including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. Adopted by Australia in 1988, the AUG is built there by the Australian Defense Industries’ small arms plant at Lithgow, New South Wales. Designated as the AUSTEYR F88, the rifle has been produced in Commando, Carbine, Standard and Light Machine Gun variants. Australia also furnished 18,000 F88 rifles to the New Zealand Army. Malaysia also makes the AUG under license.

AUG (StG 77) Variations AUG/AUG-A1 with 1.5X optic. AUG Special Receiver, 24-inch Barrel Sniper. AUG-A1 with open sights. AUG-HBAR Standard Receiver. AUG-HBAR-T Special Receiver With 4X Sniper Scope. AUG LMG Open bolt variant with Standard Receiver. AUG LMG-T Open bolt variant with 4X Sniper Scope. AUG-P Police. AUG/9mm Carbine.

AUG-A2 in all AUG-A1 variants. AUG-SA, 20-inch barrel, green stock. AUG-SA, 16-inch barrel, black stock. AUG/USR. AUG-A2 NATO.

The AUG-A1 Commando as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and foregrip deployed.

The AUG-A1 as viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, 14inch Commando barrel installed and 16-inch, 20-inch and 24-inch barrels shown.

The AUG-A1HBAR-T Special Receiver as viewed from the left side with 42shot magazine inserted, bipod extended and AN-PVS4 night vision scope mounted.

The AUG-A1 with Special Receiver viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted and an Austrian Military night vision scope mounted.

Optional AUG accessories include magazines, muzzle covers for both the standard and 9mm models, bayonet, sling and cleaning kit, blank firing adapter and left-handed bolt.

The AUG-A1 shown in cross-section from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

An early AUG LMG-T Special Receiver as viewed from the right side with clear 42-shot magazine inserted, bipod folded and 6X Sniper Scope mounted with carrying handle.

The AUG-A1 as viewed from the right side with current 30-shot magazine inserted and foregrip deployed.

The AUG-A1 viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, foregrip deployed, muzzle cover, sling and buttstock cleaning kit.

The AUG-A1 as viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, and shown with Commando, Carbine and HBAR barrel groups.

The AUG-A1 as viewed from the left side field stripped with 30- and 42-shot magazines.

The AUG-A1 Open Sight Model as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The AUG-P Police Model as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The AUG-A1 LMG-T Special Receiver as viewed from the right side with 42shot magazine inserted, bipod deployed and 4X Sniper Scope mounted.

The AUG 20-inch barrel mounted with the M203 40mm grenade launcher as a stand alone weapon with special butt plate attached.

AUG (StG 77) Variations

The AUG-A1 shown with the R&M Equipment M203 40mm grenade launcher and sight mounted.

The AUG-A1 shown with the M203 40mm launcher removed and the standard vertical foregrip installed on the R&M Equipment platform.

Differing from previous Steyer AUG rifles, the new AUG A3 comes with a fulllength M1913 top rail, a forward tri-rail platform, a non-folding vertical foregrip, new combination flash hider/suppressor mount and a bolt release seen above the magazine well.

The new AUG A3 SF comes with an integrated 1.5X optical sight with a ring reticle and its own M1913 rails. Also standard is a short M1913 rail on the right side of the receiver.

The first model AUG/9mm Carbine and early conversion kit for use in the standard 5.56×45mm rifle.

A first model AUG/9mm Carbine viewed from the right side with 32-shot magazine inserted and Steyr sound suppressor installed.

AUG/9mm Carbine

The Kepplinger Modular Rule Combat System While little is known of the Modular Rule Combat System (MRCS) designed by Hans Kepplinger, it was reportedly designed by Kepplinger, an employee of Steyr, as an improvement for the AUG. Conceived to be produced in all the variations of the AUG then offered, this bullpup rifle shared many external features of the AUG, but was quite unique internally, mainly with the feed and ejection system. The magazine of the MRCS was inserted from the bottom left of the rifle at a slight angle and ejection was apparently straight down on the right alongside the magazine. This feature allowed the rifle to be used by right or left handed shooters without alteration or conversion. Offered in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) and 7.62×39mm (M43) calibers, the MRCS, while still advertised, was never adopted, but is believed to have influenced the design of the

new Peruvian FAD rifle covered in the chapter on Peru elsewhere in this book.

The 5.56×45mm NATO MRCS is seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine insesrted, optical sight mounted and sling attached.

The MRCS seen from the right side with combination handguard/bipod deployed, spare magazines and bayonet.

CHAPTER 8

Belgium

F

abrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre1 (FN for short), since

World War II has been one of the world’s largest and most prestigious small arms producers. Located in Herstal, near Liege, Belgium, FN company was founded in 1889 to make the new Belgian Army rifle, by 10 already famous gun manufacturers: Albert Simonis, Jules Ancion, Dresse-Laloux, Liegeoise d’Armes, Dumoulin Freres Joseph Hansen, Henri Pieper, Pirlot et Fresart, August Francotte and Emile et Leon Nagant. On July 15, 1889, the Belgian War Ministry signed a contract with the newly founded company for 150,000 boltaction rifles for the Belgian Army. The rifle was the 7.65×53.5mm Mauser 1889, made under license from Ludwig Loewe & Co. of Berlin, which owned the Mauser factory. Translated literally, the company’s name would be National Factory for Weapons of War, but over the years, it has been not only a major producer of military weapons, but has also manufactured sporting firearms, ammunition, jet engines, golf clubs, and tennis rackets, and has been a leader in developing new technologies such as investment castings and precision welding. Although at the time of its establishment only military production was contemplated, today’s FN manufactures and owns companies in unrelated fields. Despite the “national” in its name, FN was not government owned or affiliated. It

had always been a completely independent and privately owned company. Prior to World War II, FN was one of the principal manufacturers of Mauser bolt-action rifles which were sold throughout the world. It also produced several weapons using the Browning patents, under licence from John M. Browning, who worked as an employee of FN under a special agreement. In fact, he died there in 1926, after a day’s work, at age 71. FN often developed their own improved variants of weapons produced elsewhere. For example, Browning Automatic Rifles (BAR) produced in the United States all have a fixed barrel. FN successfully developed and produced their variant of the BAR with a quick-change barrel, thus improving its sustained fire capability. FN called their BAR the Type D.

Standard FN semi-atuomatic rifle ABL, manufactured for various cartridges. 1

In January, 1991, FN made a major transition when it was purchased by the French firm GIAT (Groupement Industrie! des Armements Terrestres). FN now trades as FNNH (Fabrique Nationale Nouvelle-Herstal), and is nearly wholly owned by the Walloon regional government in Belgium.

The SAFN During the 1930’s, FN, like most of the world’s rifle producers, worked on the problem of developing an effective and reliable semi-

automatic rifle. By the outbreak of World War II, a new rifle, designed by Dieudonne J. Saive, the chief designer and one of Browning’s protegees at FN, was in an advanced stage of development. When Belgium was invaded by Germany, most of the FN executives fled to England, taking with them the blueprints of the “secret” weapon. While in England, Saive continued its development, so that when Belgium was liberated, the FN team could immediately resume work on the rifle and christened it SAFN, which stands for SemiAutomatique-FN, or Saive Arme FN. Upon adoption by the Belgian Army, it was named FN Modele 1949 for short. The rifle in .30-06 (7.62×63mm) as used by the Belgian and Luxembourg armies was called the ABL (Arme Belgique Leger) and is so marked. In the few short years it was produced, the FN 49 enjoyed good success, especially because there were few competing rifles of such quality, accuracy, or price. Close to 180,000 of these rifles were produced by the time it was phased out in favor of the ubiquitous FAL. The SAFN 49 was manufactured in various calibers such as 6.5×55mm for testing, 7×57mm for Venezuela (8,000 rifles), 7.62×63mm (.30-06) for Belgium, Belgian Congo, Luxembourg, Indonesia, Colombia, and Brazil (125,000 rifles) and a small number used for U.K. tests. Because of its widespread adoption, this weapon was used in combat by the Egyptians in the Mid-East wars and by Belgian forces in the Korean War. Although the great majority of these rifles have a trigger mechanism permitting semiautomatic fire only, some few were made with a selector mechanism allowing either semi- or full-automatic fire. The SAFN cannot be considered to be an assault rifle, although it has some of the required characteristics. Unfortunately, the 10-round

box magazine must be loaded through the receiver while attached to the rifle, as it does not have the usual magazine lips to retain the cartridges. This method of re-charging is not objectionable during slow or deliberate fire, but it is completely unsuitable for assault fire. Since many soldiers have difficulty using stripper clips properly, and since in the excitement of combat even well-trained soldiers sometimes fumble in loading, detachable magazines are more desirable, as they can be rapidly changed.

A contemporary development to the U.S. Garand, the Model 1937 FN rifle prototype (above) was evacuated to England where development progressed during the war. Produced after the war for myriad countries wanting to upgrade from bolt-action rifles, the Model 49 SAFN was soon overtaken by the next generation of weapons that featured detachable box magazines and more efficient manufacturing techniques. The Argentine conversion, below, incorporated a detachable box magazine in an update analogous to the BM-59 conversion of the Garand. Photos: courtesy American Rifleman

As it turned out, the SAFN was an interim weapon in the period of readjustment just after World War II. The design was ready, and there was a limited market for it, so FN put the rifle into production, but it did not embody the German lessons from the war. As previously indicated, it was essentially a prewar design.

Prototype FN assault rifle, for kurz cartridge, with normal stock arrangement.

Prototype FN assault rifle, with normal stock arrangement, disassembled.

The FAL After a thorough study of the performance of various World War II weapons (from the basic breech mechanism of the FN 49) FN developed a true assault rifle. This design went through various stages to become what is now known world-wide as the FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger) or LAR (Light Automatic Rifle). It was also called

the SLR (Self Loading Rifle) or the L1A1 by the U.K. and some Commonwealth nations, the G1 (Gewehr 1) by the Germans, Sturmgewehr 58 by the Austrians, C1 by the Canadians and 1A SL by the Indians. The first FAL prototype (Serial No. 1) was chambered for the German 7.92×33mm (Kurz) used in the MP.43 and the StG.44. It was first demonstrated to representatives of the British and Belgian Armed Forces at Zutendaal in January, 1948. Only this one example was made for this cartridge. As FN was then cooperating with the British Army in the development of the caliber .280 cartridge, the second prototype was chambered for this round, which FN suggested should be called 7mm Short (7×43mm) to avoid confusion with the well-known 7×57mm Mauser cartridge commonly used by Spain and Venezuela. By February, 1950, this weapon had reached a stage of development sufficiently advanced for FN to prepare a preliminary brochure entitled “Description of FN Automatic Carbine.” Although avoiding the term “assault rifle,” the FN experimental weapon was clearly intended to fill that role. The following quotations, from the introduction of a 1950 FN brochure, is particularly interesting as a summary of the FN concept of a modern infantry weapon. (The reader is reminded that this concept did not contemplate use of a cartridge having the ballistic potential of the 7.62mm NATO round.)

A British photograph of magazine and stripper clip (with guide) for the early FN 7.92×33mm Kurz prototype assault rifle.

“As a result of the experience and knowledge gained on all fronts during the last war, the tactics of modern infantry have undergone some change. It is no longer considered probable that the rifle will be used except at short ranges, or that the light machinegun will influence the battle at ranges greater than 600 to 1,000 yards. “FN had designed this new arm embodying many of the characteristics of the machine carbine [then current British term for a submachine gun, such as the STEN] and the selfloading rifle combined with a cartridge which is more accurate and powerful than that of the machine carbine but lighter and shorter than the rifle cartridge. The new weapon is of the minimum weight consistent with stability and without excessive recoil.

Prototype FN assault rifle for British caliber .280 (7×43mm) cartridge with “bullpup” stock.

Prototype FN assault rifle with “bullpup” stock, field stripped.

Prototype FN assault rifle with “bullpup” stock, field stripped.

“The saving in training time, maintenance and production by having one weapon to replace three or four different types needs no stressing.” From this short quotation, it is apparent that the original FN weapon coincided substantially with the German concept, with the important exception that the need for an improved cartridge was emphasized. FN engineers considered the British caliber .280 cartridge (a true intermediate round), which in 1950 seemed to have real prospects of becoming the standard NATO cartridge, to be a suitable candidate. A new prototype weapon was chambered to fire it. This FN automatic carbine was never made in quantity, but it is important because it was a first step toward the present-day FAL assault rifle. Several different variants of the carbine were fabricated before the intense controversy over selection of a standard NATO

cartridge caused FN engineers to abandon and shift to the rifle that became the FAL. Design No. 1 (Serial No. 2) of this early FN carbine was fitted with a normal wooden stock and a vertical pistol grip, and had its magazine housing located under the receiver in front of the trigger guard. Long (587mm) and short (487mm) barrel variants were made. The butt group was hinged to the receiver to permit easy disassembly. Design No. 2 (Serial No. 3) of the 7mm carbine was a “bullpup” design. It had the butt plate fitted to the rear of the receiver, and no conventional stock. While this allowed a shorter weapon, it required a long mechanical connection from the trigger to the sear. The magazine housing was under the receiver and behind the pistol grip. This configuration also required offset sights. Both designs used the same basic locking system, and both were adapted for selective semi- or full-automatic fire.

Early FN assault rifle, circa 1962, for 7.62mm prototype of NATO cartridge.

Later prototype FN assault rifle for British caliber .280 (7×43mm) cartridge.

Early FN FAL for NATO cartridge on bipod with experimental flash suppressor.

Early FN FAL 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, field stripped.

Early FN FAL 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, trigger and stock groups.

A limited number of the semi-automatic carbines were made for trials and demonstrations. These trial weapons figured prominently in the development of the British and FN variants of the caliber .280 cartridge, which in the early 1950’s was very much in the news. Rifles with serial numbers 4 to 16 were in the original .280 cartridge, while rifles 17 to 22 shot the .280/30 cartridge that was based on the U.S. T65 cartridge case. All of these rifles were built prior to June, 1951. Prototypes 23 to 27 chambered the FN 7mm short (their variant of the .280/30).

Elimination of the .280 (7×43mm) in favor of the American 7.62mm T65 (.30) ammunition resulted from the ammunition trials held at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland between February 14 and May 22, 1950. The American-sponsored conclusions were that the T65 ammunition was superior to the .280 in accuracy, trajectory and penetration. The .280 was reported to be superior in regards to the ignition characteristics of the API round, the functioning of the tracer and observing round, plus superior ballistic coefficients for these projectiles. It was, therefore, recommended that, as the first characteristics were more important, the T65 should be adopted and perfected by both the U.S. and the U.K. After test and evaluation of the early prototypes Design No. 2 (“bullpup”) was abandoned because of engineering disadvantages associated with the bullpup configuration. Elimination of the stock had seemed desirable as a way of reducing length and weight, but in practice, several drawbacks were found in the stockless design. The relative positions of the human eye and shoulder require that the line of sight be moved if the stock is eliminated. It must either be raised high above the barrel or offset to the side of the weapon. Both locations are awkward and make the sights vulnerable to damage. The high line of sight also requires a soldier firing from concealment to expose his head more than the conventional sight line does, which may draw enemy fire. FN engineers also found that relocation of the various components created conditions that shooters did not like, and would probably never like even after a long period of familiarization with the weapon. This is an important consideration in training, as it has been observed for many years that weapons that are very uncomfortable

to fire require more training time than do those that are reasonably comfortable for the user. Changes that particularly affect user acceptance: moving the ejection port to the level of the firer’s face; and positioning the trigger forward of the action and close to the chamber. These changes led to (1) overheating of the trigger during sustained fire, to the extent of burning the trigger finger, (2) preventing use of the weapon by a lefthanded soldier, and (3) increasing danger to the firer’s face and eyes in the event of explosion in the breech. Accordingly, FN dropped Design No. 2 and concentrated its development effort on Design No. 1, the conventional stock variant. Testing experience with Design No. 1 resulted in numerous minor changes. The rear sight base was changed, and the contour of the stock was modified to assist the firer in aligning his eye with the sights. The safety-and-selector lever was made more accessible to the thumb of the firer’s hand. The bipod previously installed at the muzzle was now moved rearward to permit grenade launching and the fixing of a bayonet. The bayonet was designed with a spring device intended to prevent the weight of the bayonet from influencing the mean point of bullet impact.

Early FN FAL for 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, barrel and receiver group.

Early FAL for 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, bolt group.

The charging handle was moved from a position near the front of the gas cylinder to the side of the receiver to make it easier to use. With these changes, FN engineers believed their rifle was ready for manufacture and sale, and so a brochure was prepared in which the weapon was described as chambered for the “7mm short” cartridge. This step proved somewhat premature, as NATO never adopted the caliber .280 cartridge (proposed as 7mm to NATO), and even England, under extreme pressure by the Americans, rescinded its adoption of the .280 round. FN was forced into further development to adapt its rifle to the more powerful 7.62mm NATO cartridge. FAL Serial No. 28 (March, 1952) was the first of the FN rifles to shoot the U.S. .30 T65-type ammunition. In this work, Saive was assisted by Ernest Vervier. FN redesigned the 7.62×51mm cartridge (.308 Winchester) so as to fulfill European requirements. The performance of the proposed U.S. cartridge was not acceptable to most European military people either in stopping power or accuracy. It was too powerful and

insufficiently accurate. FN technical personnel played an important role in these discussions. Its ammunition laboratory designed and produced a new 7.62mm bullet (the SS.77) weighing 144 grains (9.3 grams), which, coupled with the T65 cartridge case, won the comparative tests in the United Kingdom in 1953, both in exterior and interior ballistics. In February, 1957, NATO officially adopted FN’s bullet and the U.S. cartridge case as NATO standard. This made final the Ottawa ammunition standardization agreement of January, 1954, between the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Canada.

Detailed disassembled view of early production 7.62mm NATO FN FAL with wooden furniture.

The United States flatly rejected the British caliber .280 (7×43mm) round and insisted on the adoption of its 7.62×51mm cartridge, using the American T65 cartridge case. Discussions at the

highest levels of government between the United States and the United Kingdom led to the comprehensive test of both cartridges and, as described above, resulted in the adoption of the 7.62mm NATO round. This was a test of cartridges, rather than rifles, and the FN management felt compelled to provide variants of its rifle adapted for each cartridge in the tests, as there was considerable doubt as to which would be selected. When the 7.62×51mm became NATO standard, FN had its 4.34 kg (9.5 pound) FAL ready for manufacture in that caliber. Its overall length was 111mm (44 inches).

British L1A1 with Royal Marine pattern arctic sling and muzzle cap. (Top: right side; Bottom: left side)

Last variant of L1A1 rifle with SUIT (Sight Unit Infantry Trilux) manufactured at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. Note that this weapon has a molded

synthetic stock and hand-guard. Earlier L1A1s had wooden stocks and handguards.

Because this rifle was in production from 1952 into the late 1980s, used by more than 90 countries and manufactured by 15 nations (Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Israel, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, in the United Kingdom by BSA and at the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, and Venezuela), an extended description is warranted. No attempt will be made to describe all the variations, accessories or methods of manufacture. They all differ not only because of customer’s choice, but also because of differences in military concepts and manufacturing facilities. The Dutch Army rifle, for example, had fixed sights zeroed at 150 meters. It should also be noted here that in 1953, FN presented the FAL to the U.S. military for tests. The rifle, presented as the T48, was not adopted, the U.S. Army preferring a domestic design: the short-lived M14 rifle (in prototype form, it was called the T44E4).

Canadian experimental assault rifle Ex 1, manufactured in Belgium, for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

Canadian experimental assault rifle Ex 2, manufactured in Belgium, for 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

Canadian standard assault rifle C1, manufactured in 1955, for 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

Canadian standard squad automatic weapon, C2, in transport configuration.

Canadian standard assault rifle C1, manufactured in 1957.

When Venezuela adopted the FAL, it also adopted the 7×49mm caliber, which was a further evolution of the British .280 (7×43mm). The 7×49mm was also known as the 7mm Belgian Medium or the 7mm Second Optimum in Britain. Venezuela later changed calibers to 7.62×51mm NATO, and the FALs which they had previously bought in 7×49mm were altered to fire the newly adopted caliber. The following description is taken from the FAL handbook supplied with the rifle. •Method of Operation: The weapon is gas-operated with an adjustable regulator to ensure certainty and smoothness of operation without excessive recoil. The bolt is mechanically locked before firing can take place and is not unlocked until the bullet has left the barrel.

Canadian standard assault rifle C1 – close-up.

Canadian standard assault rifle C1, cutaway.

Canadian standard assault rifle C1A1, manufactured in 1959.

Canadian standard squad automatic C2, for 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

Canadian standard squad automatic C2 – close-up.

FN squad automatic, circa 1962, for 7.62mm NATO cartridge.

American model FAL with change lever that allows semi-automatic fire only.

.30 caliber, T65 FN FAL (T48), for U.S. test, made in Belgium.

Former West German assault rifle 7.62×51mm NATO Gewehr (G1), manufactured by FN.

FN squad automatic, circa 1962, on bipod.

FN FAL, circa 1964, with telescope sight mounted on the dust cover.

FN FAL, caliber 7.62×51mm NATO with telescope sight - close-up.

Early FN FAL for 7.62mm NATO cartridge, with detachable rifle grenade launcher with sight.

FN FAL with early generation infrared night vision scope.

FN FAL caliber 7.62×51mm NATO with folding stock showing relocated mainspring.

After firing, the mechanism extracts the fired case and feeds a new cartridge into the chamber so long as there are rounds in the magazine. When the magazine is empty, the bolt remains to the rear. • Firing: The weapon can be fired in two ways, either single shot or full automatic, by moving the change lever placed on the left-hand side of the frame. The cyclic rate is 650 to 700 r.p.m. • Stability: By placing the gas cylinder above the barrel and by careful attention to design, the center of gravity of the weapon is in line with the barrel axis. The recoil, therefore, does not tend to jerk the weapon upwards. The shooter can keep his sights on the target without difficulty preventing the danger common to weapons with raised sights that force the shooter to take cover or disclose his position when he fires.

• Method of feed: This is from a 20-round box magazine housed under the receiver. • Sights: They consist of a robust aperture backsight graduated up to 600 yards fitted on the frame, and a blade fore-sight with strong protectors fixed at the forward end of the gas cylinder. The line of sight is very low; this enables the soldier to remain well protected when firing. • Gas regulator: This is designed on the exhaust principle; i.e., the regulator only allows sufficient gas for correct functioning to act on the piston, the surplus being vented into the air. This ensures that fouling is kept to the minimum, and that the mechanism is not submitted to undue stress. • Weather proof: The weapon was designed to withstand dust and mud. • Handiness: The reduced weight of this weapon and its length make it very handy. It is very comfortable to fire as its weight is proportioned to the power of the cartridge. The “FN Light Auto-Rifle” cal. 7.62mm is so designed that all operations such as cocking, feeding, putting the weapon on safety, etc., are done with the left hand, while the right hand remains on the pistol grip, and the weapon can be kept resting on the shoulder. In addition, the rifle has a collapsible handle fitted at the center of gravity; this can be used for carrying the weapon when advancing in the field. • Disassembling and assembling: Stripping and assembly for cleaning and normal maintenance can be done without the aid of any tools. For ordinary cleaning purposes it is sufficient to take out the magazine, gas plug and piston, and the slide/bolt assembly. The latter can be withdrawn with ease, as the butt is hinged to the receiver, and

the weapon only has to be swung open to give immediate access. The return springs, which are encased in the butt, should never be removed. • Loading: Initial cocking is by hand, using the cocking handle situated on the left side of the receiver. The left hand is used for cocking, leaving the right hand on the pistol grip read for firing. A loaded magazine is now inserted, pushed well home in the feed housing under the receiver and retained in position by the magazineretaining catch. Pulling the cocking handle to the rear as far as is possible withdraws the mechanism and compresses the return springs. Releasing the cocking handle allows the bolt and cocking lever to run forward under the influence of the return springs. The return springs are housed in the stock and act on the slide through a rod pivoted on its rear face. When moving forward, the bolt carries a round from the magazine into the chamber and the extractor engages the groove of the cartridge. The rifle is now loaded and ready to fire. After the last round has been fired, the mechanism is held in its rear position by the bolt catch. To continue firing, the empty magazine must be replaced by a loaded magazine and the mechanism must be allowed to close again by pressing down the bolt catch, the end of which protrudes on the left of the magazine catch. The cocking handle remains in the front position during firing and therefore will not strike the shooter’s face or hinder him when sighting. • Firing cycle: On the left side of the frame is the change lever which can be set at safe, single-shot, or automatic firing. These three positions are widely spaced so that the setting can be felt in the dark.

Set the change lever as for single-shot firing. The trigger now being pressed, the hammer is released and strikes the rear face of the firing pin which fires the cartridge. It should be noted that the bolt being already in the locked position, there is no disturbance of aim through the mass of the bolt moving forward. As the bullet travels through the bore of the barrel, part of the gas passes through the gas port tapped in the forward part of the barrel into the gas cylinder and strikes the head of the piston. (Due to the gas regulator, the surplus of gas which is not needed to operate the gun escapes outside of the gun.) The piston in its rearward movement strikes the slide and drives it backward. The ramps of the slide engage cams on the bolt and lift it out of engagement from the locking shoulder in the receiver. The breech is unlocked. The slide and bolt now travel together to the rear, and in their passage rotate the hammer to its cocked position. During this movement, the extractor has withdrawn the fired case from the chamber and holds it until it strikes the ejector and is thrown out of the gun to the right. After the piston has struck the slide and imparted the necessary impetus, the piston spring, which has been compressed, returns the piston to the forward position. The rearward action of the mechanism is now complete. The forward action is caused by the return springs which have been fully compressed during the rearward movement, now driving the slide and bolt forward. During this movement, the bolt pushes a round from the magazine forward and into the chamber.

When the front of the bolt reaches the barrel face, the slide acting on the shoulders of the bolt forces the bolt down into engagement with its locking shoulder, thus locking the action. The slide continues its movement alone until it reaches its forward position where it is held in place by the return springs. As the bolt is locked in position, the extractor engages the groove of the cartridge in readiness to extract the case. The forward action is now complete and the gun is ready to fire. The above describes the mechanical movements when the change lever is set for single shot firing. When set for automatic firing, the sequence of events is the same except that the hammer is automatically released to fire the cartridge so long as the trigger is kept pressed.

Enfield-made (circa 1960) 7.62mm NATO L1A1 assault rifle. Note British-style selector lever that indicates semi-automatic fire and safe only.

• Action of the gas regulator and gas plug: These two components control the amount of gas allowed to act on the piston.

The gas plug is fixed at the front end of the gas cylinder. It has two positions: in one it permits free access of the gas from the barrel into the gas cylinder; turned 180°, it completely stops any entry of gas into the gas cylinder, in [this] case the weapon does not function automatically but can be operated by hand. In this position the rifle can be used for launching grenades, as automatic action is not required. The gas regulator consists of a sleeve screwed around the end of the gas cylinder. When fully screwed in, the gas regulator completely closes the gas escaping slot. All of the gas is thus allowed to act on the piston. The more the gas regulator is unscrewed the more gas is allowed to escape outside of the gun, and consequently the less is the quantity of gas acting on the piston. Screwing or unscrewing more of less the gas regulator sleeve makes it consequently possible to control the action of the gas on the piston. • Trigger mechanism: The design of this mechanism is such that it gives three positions: one of mechanical safe; one for single-shot firing; one for automatic firing. The setting of the trigger mechanism is indicated by the position of the change lever on the left of the frame. This lever can be swung to the desired position to alter the setting of the trigger mechanism (by the action of notches cut in the lever axis) either for delivering fullautomatic fire or single-shot fire, or for locking the mechanism in the safe position. Thus, when the change lever is set in the “S” position, the stud of the change lever locks the trigger mechanically, preventing any possibility of accidental discharge.

When the change lever is set for single-shot firing, the hammer notch is caught by the sear each time the hammer is cocked, and the trigger must be released and pressed again before the next shot can be fire. When the change lever is set for automatic fire, the sear is held out of engagement with the notch of the hammer, and the hammer is controlled by the safety sear. The front or safety sear incorporated in the mechanism has two functions: it prevents the hammer from being released unless the bolt and the slide are fully home; when struck by the slide at the end of its forward travel, it releases the hammer and allows the rear sear to function in the normal way. In the American model, the mechanism is designed so that the sear is always in contact with the hammer before the hammer commences its forward motion. Thus, fullautomatic fire is prevented, and a pull of the trigger is required for each shot. • Return springs: The return springs are housed in the butt and act through the connecting rod hinged on the rear end of the slide.

Winter trigger for British semi-automatic rifle L1A1.

This method of housing has considerable advantages in that the springs are completely protected against dust and mud, and from accidental damage. (The folding-stock variant has the spring in the breech cover.) • Bolt catch–This device, which holds the bolt mechanism in the rear position when the magazine is empty, is housed to the right of the ejector. It consists of a sturdy plunger operated by the rear end of the magazine platform. In its normal position, the plunger is held down by its spring. When the platform of the magazine rises, after all the rounds have been fired, the plunger is pushed upwards by the pressure of the magazine platform. It thus projects in the forward path of the bolt and retains the latter at the rear until a loaded magazine is inserted and the bolt catch is released either by pulling back the cocking handle, in which case the catch spring will force the plunger clear of the bolt, or by depressing the bolt-catch lever on the left side of the weapon. Of all the different models, one of the most attractive and successful FALs was the short-barrelled, folding stock, paratrooper model officially named Model 50.63 by FN. At the factory, this rifle was internally called the “Dessard FAL.” Pol Dessard, a technician at heart, salesman extraordinaire, and a man who understood military requirements, recognized the need for a handy, short and light rifle and convinced the FN management in the middle 1970’s to produce and market this model called the FAL PARA. The PARA was an excellent transition 7.62mm rifle to compete with the 5.56mm generation of newer assault rifles, having a much more powerful cartridge and range, yet offering the same size and

weight of many 5.56mm weapons. It featured a fixed rear sight and a cocking handle which folded flush with the receiver when not in use. It became an immediate success. The Model 50.63 could be hung from and carried on the pistol belt, leaving the soldier’s hands free. It was created for mountain troops, border guards and special operations groups. With a weight of 3.77 kgs (8.3 lbs.) without magazine it compares favorably with the M16 which weighs 3.36 kgs (7.4 lbs.). The Model 50.63 had a 436mm (17-inch) barrel and was just 737mm (29 inches) long with stock folded and 991mm (39 inches) with stock extended (the M16 is also 991mm). The FN FAL is considered one of the most successful combat rifle designs manufactured after World War II. As many as 7,000,000 of these rifles have been built by the 15 countries. But as with many other proven battle implements, its days were numbered as the world’s armed forces followed the U.S. lead to 5.56mm combat assault rifles. Still, the FAL will continue to be seen being carried by fighting men well into this century.

FN assault rifle FAL, folding stock, folded and extended.

Early FN FAL PARA, with folding stock folded.

Argentine FAL PARA with 436mm barrel.

American model FAL with change lever that allows semi-automatic fire only.

British subcaliber assault rifle trainer, for caliber .22LR cartridge.

British subcaliber trainer, installed.

FAL with Colt XM148 40mm grenade launcher.

Late model FAL with synthetic stock furniture and 20-shot magazine.

When the trend toward the 5.56mm assault rifles began to gain momentum in the early 1960’s, FN reacted quickly. Their first step was development in 1963 of a transitional model for the small-caliber cartridge by using some existing components of the 7.62mm FAL. The result was a shorter and lighter rifle, weighing 3.50 kgs. (7.7 Ibs.) Most of the features of this small-caliber rifle were directly adapted from the FAL, and although the magazine capacity of 20 rounds remained unchanged, the design of the magazine was different. Its method of operation is similar to that of the FAL, and the cyclic rate in full-automatic fire is 700 rounds per minute. Like its predecessor the Model 50.63, the CAL overall length was approximately 991mm (39 inches).

The CAL By mid-1967, FN was prepared to demonstrate firing prototypes of an entirely new lightweight assault rifle created to fire the 5.56×45mm cartridge. This weapon was designated the “Carabine Automatique Légère,” meaning light automatic carbine. Company literature referred to it as the C.A.L. This terminology was further simplified by the public to become CAL, as had happened to the 7.62×51mm caliber gun built by FN, the FAL. Quantity production of the CAL started in February, 1970, with fabrication of an initial 10,000 units, foreseen as the first series of the MK1 model. Last minute modifications made by FN’s R&D team with the purpose of lowering costs, ensuring reliable functioning and easing production difficulties allowed only 8,500 rifles to be made by

November, 1975, when production of the MK2 was initiated. As with the first model, it was estimated that the first production run for the MK2 would number 10,000 units. Yet from 1976 to 1977 only about 4,000 were made. In May, 1977, the FN management decided to stop the MK2 CAL’s production too. The CAL passed away because it had numerous problems, and because it had been born too soon for the world market. From the ashes of this project rose the FNC.

DATA REGARDNG FAL VARIANTS MADE BY KEY MANUFACTURERS

FN assault rifle CAL, for 5.56×45mm cartridge.

The Carbine Automatique Légère (CAL) was Fabrique National’s answer to calls in the mid-1960s for an assault rifle in 5.56×45mm caliber. It was later abandoned after extensive tests showed the weapon was too difficult to disassemble and maintain, and too expensive to manufacture.

The CAL was one of the first assault rifles to offer a three-round burst mechanism as a standard feature (burst assembly group shown inset).

The CAL was FN’s first attempt at a production variant of a 5.56×45mm caliber assault rifle. Shown here is a prototype with a 40mm grenade launcher

attached.

Although the CAL externally resembled the FAL, it was quite different in its breech locking mechanism. Also, the CAL was the first small arm made by the FN organization which extensively used sheet metal stampings and plastics. Its hand-guard assembly and both the upper and lower receivers were stamped from sheet metal. The barrel was not permanently fixed to the receiver; it was held in place with an outside nut, and was thus easily unscrewed for removal through the rear of the receiver. As with other sheet metal receiver assault rifles, the bolt locked into the barrel extension, thereby relieving the stamped receiver of any operational stresses. It was one of the first assault rifles to offer a three-round burst mechanism as a standard feature. It also was the first European rifle to offer an under-the-barrel 40mm grenade launcher, similar to the M203 created for the U.S. M16 rifle. The cocking handle was located on the right side of the rifle, near the bolt, and it also served as a means of holding the return spring, piston and bolt together. This rifle’s design was quite complicated and was difficult to assemble and disassemble. Assembly of the cocking handle into its slot, so that it would engage the return spring and piston was always an achievement in manual dexterity. Some parts such as the gas plug and gas regulator were directly borrowed from the FAL, as were the folding stock and pistol grip. The CAL return spring was located in front of the bolt, above the barrel, around the piston. In the FAL, it was placed in the butt stock, to the rear of the bolt. In the folding stock model of the FAL, the return spring was located on top of the bolt.

Because of the adequate accuracy of the 5.56×45mm cartridge, FN recognized the value of the CAL for sniper use. An optical sniper sight was offered, mounted on a special bracket, which would fit on any CAL receiver. The bracket dovetailed in front to the receiver and screwed into a threaded hole on the rear sight, providing a very solid support for its fixed four-power scope. Scopes were made by Societé Beige d/Optique et Instruments de Precision (OIP) in Gent. The CAL employed straight box magazines for 20 and 30 cartridges, made of stamped steel, and was offered with a fixedplastic (polyamide) stock or a metal folding stock, which was exactly the same as on the FAL Paratroop model. Design of the CAL was done by Ernest Vervier, who had worked under Saive during the designing of the FAL. Some of the countries which tested and fielded the CAL include Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Gabon, and other countries in Africa. The CAL was brought out 18 years after the introduction of the FAL, and FN’s intention was, according to their management, “not to replace the FAL but to supplement it where the type of combat and the terrain require a lighter, portable and sufficiently lethal weapon.” Soon it was appreciated that some armies would adopt the 5.56mm cartridge in place of the full power 7.62×51mm NATO round. The world military men were still unconvinced of the suitability of the 5.56mm cartridge as a general issue ammunition for the standard combat rifle. Because of this, the CAL was viewed as an interim, transitional weapon by the people at FN.

The CAL fitted with telescopic sight. This view also shows close-up of the three position selector: safe, single shot, three-shot burst and automatic fire.

The bolt carrier of the CAL. When the firing pin is removed, the lock pin can be removed to allow the bolt to be removed.

While many of the aesthetic and design features of the FAL are found in the CAL, the heart of the CAL — its breech mechanism — is completely different. Locking is accomplished by a rotating bolt. Lugs on the bolt engage corresponding recesses in the barrel extension, which contains all of the chamber pressure and locking stresses. The bolt is carried within a sliding bolt-carrier which controls all bolt movements. In turn, the carrier slides in the receiver. The CAL’s gas operating system employs a short-stroke piston. The gas system was directly adapted from that of earlier FN rifles, particularly the FAL and the SAFN.

A field-stripped view of the CAL 5.56×45mm assault rifle.

When the CAL is fired, the piston moves rearward and strikes the bolt-carrier, which starts moving to the rear, compressing the mainspring. At first, the bolt remains locked to the barrel extension. After the carrier has moved a short distance rearward, cam surfaces on the bolt and in the carrier act to rotate the bolt, thus unlocking it from the barrel extension. The entire assembly (carrier and bolt) then continues to the rear to perform the usual functions of extracting, ejecting and cocking. The cycle is completed when the mainspring drives this assembly into battery, after chambering another round. During the closing of the breech, the bolt is rotated, to lock, by action of another pair of cam surfaces on the carrier and bolt. During each firing cycle, the piston is returned to its forward position by the recoil spring, immediately after striking the carrier.

The CAL selector has four positions, marked S, 1, 3, and A. The significance of each marking is as follows: S = safe 1 = semi-automatic 3 = 3-shot burst A = full-automatic

CAL

The FNC In 1970, the French Army decided to adopt a rifle shooting the 5.56×45mm cartridge, going directly from their 7.5×54mm, without the immediate step of having a rifle that fired the 7.62×51mm NATO round. FN sent their CAL to France for troop trials and testing, and after long study and use in the field, the French came up with a list containing many suggestions about features of the CAL that should be changed. While the French did not ultimately adopt the CAL, they seriously considered it for some time. It has been said that had the Belgian Air Force purchased Mirage airplanes instead of American F16s, the French Armed Forces might have adopted a modified CAL. Early in 1975, the FN management instructed its R&D department, headed by Maurice Bourlet, to develop a new 5.56mm rifle, keeping in mind lessons learned from the CAL in the French

Army tests. Bourlet pulled together a team of young engineers and technicians, led by André Dubru. By the end of the year, a first prototype had been made and tested by FN. The FNC was designed with simplicity in mind. Fabrique National’s design team sought to develop a 5.56×45mm rifle that would be easy to maintain, easy to disassemble and reassemble, and most important, relatively easy to fabricate. This new weapon has upper and lower receiver components like the FAL and the CAL, but the FNC upper receiver is of a simplified design made from sheet metal stampings. The upper and lower parts hinge open after the fashion of the FAL. Upon opening the receiver, it is immediately apparent that the bolt assembly is different from that employed in either the FAL or the CAL. The FNC breech is locked by a rotary bolt head, with two opposing lugs, that locks into the barrel extension. The barrel extension of the FNC (and in other weapons such as the M16A1 and the Kalashnikov assault rifles) eliminates the necessity of having a receiver assembly to take the locking stresses. The receiver assembly becomes a housing for the operating parts. Conceptually, this bolt and bolt carrier assembly is quite similar to that of the Kalashnikov rifles, but the FN engineers have added some important refinements and additions that make their system different from the Soviet design approach. The popular system of locking allows the minimum weight for the operating parts, a short bolt stroke, and a minimum of stress during the firing cycle.

The 5.56×45mm NATO FNC 76 assault rifle field-stripped.

The FNC, in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber, is a simplified variant of the CAL and FAL predecessors. Manufacture, disassembly and assembly are easier. Its receiver was designed as a housing for the operating parts thus eliminating

the necessity of having a receiver assembly to take locking stresses, and making it possible to manufacture from sheet metal stampings.

The FNC 76 in 5.56×45mmNATO caliber with light alloy tubing buttstock.

Standard variant production FNC 80, field-stripped.

The FNC operating mechanism (reciprocating parts) consists of two main parts: the bolt and the bolt carrier. • The bolt contains the extractor. • On the bolt head there are: — the two locking lugs, which also guide the bolt in the receiver mounted guide rails. — the feed lug, which acts on the top round in the magazine and pushes that cartridge into the chamber. — a small lug on the top of the bolt, which initiates the rotary movement of the bolt head and which ensures primary extraction.

• On the bolt body there is a stud, which connects the bolt to the bolt carrier and which permits the bolt to be cammed into the locked and unlocked positions. • The bolt carrier combines the piston and carrier assemblies. It consists of three welded parts: the piston, the piston rod (hollow to contain the return spring assembly), and the bolt carrier (into which the firing pin is mounted and which contains the bolt cam track). The cocking handle is fitted into this assembly. On both sides of the bolt carrier there are two guiding lugs that run in the same receiver guide rails as the bolt head. • The return spring is housed in the piston rod. When disassembling the FNC, the return spring assembly, the piston rod/bolt carrier assembly, and the bolt are removed together from the upper receiver. After removal they are separated. The return spring is retained on its guide rod by a washer and a retaining pin. This pin fits into a recess in the gas piston tube to lock the return spring assembly in place. The butt stock is fabricated from light alloy tubing to which the butt plate assembly is molded. The upper tube has a plastic coating to insulate it in both tropical and arctic climates. The buttstock folds to the right side of the weapon and is the same pattern as that used on the FAL and the CAL. The FNC magazine is fabricated from steel (including the follower) and it has a 30-shot capacity. This feed device can be used with both the Minimi squad automatic weapon and the M16A1 rifle. The FNC magazine will not actuate the M16A1 bolt hold-open device when the last shot has been fired. The 20-shot and 30-shot M16A1 magazines can be used in the FNC and the Minimi.

Fabrique Nationale designers created a weapon that can be manufactured using the most up-to-date and automated manufacturing processes (i.e., investment castings, computer numerical control machines, robot welding, and hammer-forged barrels). By employing these processes they have managed to keep the cost of the FNC in line with other competitive 5.56×45mm rifles. Thirty parts receive automated heat treatment, including the trigger, the bolt carrier, the bolt, the gas piston, the hammer, and the ejector. The barrel bore, the barrel chamber, the gas port block, and the piston are all hard chrome-plated using the FN automated process. Computer numerical control machine tools produce the trigger group frame, the butt stock block support, and the exterior finishing of the barrel after it has been hammer-forged. There are a total of 121 components in the FNC. The fabrication of these parts requires 421 machine operations and 98 manual operations. In October of 1975, FN delivered four prototypes to the Swedish Army for extensive tests. In January, 1977, NATO requested 10 prototypes for internal trials, requesting an additional 12 units in March, 1978. By this time, it was clear to the FN engineers that the CAL would not make it as a marketable assault rifle. It was expensive, difficult to manufacture, and had too complicated a takedown procedure. FN therefore abandoned the CAL in favor of the newer FNC. The first version, the FNC-76, was modified (1978-1979), and several components strengthened to produce the definitive model of this rifle, the FNC-80. In addition to having a stronger butt stock assembly that allows the launching of rifle grenades from the flash suppressor, the FNC-80 also embodied a simplified hand guard

assembly, improved cocking handle track cover, integral telescopic sight mounting blocks, magazine stop, curved 30-shot magazine and numerous other small changes.

The FNC bolt and bolt carrier assembly. Top view is a production variant the lower view is of the FNC 76 prototype tested in NATO small arms trials.

In September, 1980, the Indonesian government gave FN its first substantial order for the FNC. This order coincided with the full-scale production at FN. By coincidence, almost as soon as the FNCs were in the hands of Indonesian troops, they were successfully used to quell a large terrorist action. Since the FN factory’s facilities in Herstal were no longer being used to produce the FAL and the CAL, all available machinery was therefore dedicated to making the FNC. Full-scale production was established in 1982. Army authorities in Sweden, which had been testing the FNC against numerous challengers since 1976, decided to adopt it and placed their first order for 80,000 FNC’s in 1984. The Swedes call the FNC the automat karbin 5 (ak5). Deliveries of these rifles began in 1986. While the first ak5’s came from FN, the later guns (about 160,000 in number) have been manufactured by Forenade Fabrikverken (FFV) Ordnance of Eskiltuna, Sweden. These ak5’s do not have the 3-shot burst feature. Belgium ordered FNC’s for their forces in the middle of 1986.

The FN Carbine, or FNC, is constructed of steel, aluminum and plastics, with great use of metal stampings. Weights and dimensions are very close to those of the CAL, being 3.8 kg (8.4 Ibs.) and an overall length of 40 inches (1016mm). The barrel is 18 inches (465mm) long, with six grooves, right-hand, with a 12-inch (305mm) or 7-inch (177mm) twist for the U.S. M193 round or the new NATO 5.56×45mm cartridge, the SS109. The latter had been developed by the FN ammunition team. As on all FN automatic rifles, the FNC is gas-operated, using a piston and cylinder mounted above the barrel, in a way similar to that of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The rotating bolt has two lug heads which lock into the barrel extension. As on the CAL, this relieves any strain on the receiver. The FNC design of the grooves on the barrel extension allows the bolt to twist open slowly, thus providing a “primary” extraction of the cartridge case. This “primary” extraction unsticks the case from the chamber slowly, as compared with a direct yank on the fired cartridge case. The gas regulator offers two gas port positions, one to the left, marked with a line, is the standard setting for normal firing; the second, to the right, is marked with two lines and permits a larger flow of gas for use in “adverse conditions,” which is the way FN prefers to describe mud, sand and other hostile environments found on the battlefield. If a rifle grenade is to be fired from the FNC, all gas flow can be cut off from the system by raising the gas lever cutoff which lies flat on the gas block/front sight. Once raised, the cut-off allows all gas pressure from the cartridge to be used on the launching of the grenade, and in this raised position, it also acts as a grenade sight. The rifle grenade is placed at the end of the barrel, which has a

NATO Standard 22mm flash-hider and can be used to launch all current NATO rifle grenades.

Standard variant production FNC 80, field-stripped.

The lower receiver is machined from a high-grade aluminum alloy which is anodized black. The upper receiver is made of stamped sheet steel, having two welded lateral rails to guide the bolt. Both the upper and lower receivers are held together by a fixed hinge pin at the front (as on other FN rifles) and at the rear by a plain push-out pin. The push-out pin locks both receivers together. When this pin is pushed out, the lower receiver tilts down and the mechanism is exposed. The recoil spring, piston/bolt carrier and bolt can be withdrawn without tools. No further disassembly is necessary. The cocking handle is fitted into a slot on the right side of the bolt. It must be removed before the bolt can be removed from the receiver. As this is a small part, it can easily be lost, care must be taken as to where it is laid down. The FNC can be assembled without the cocking handle, yet– if it is missing– the rifle cannot be used. The 30-shot magazine is made of steel and is interchangeable with the M16 magazines, both of which are now NATO Standard.

Aiming is done through a conventional (and now traditional FN) rear peep sight and front post. The rear sight is screw-adjustable for windage, with a L-type flip-down peep with two positions for elevation. The front sight can be adjusted for height. A four-power telescope is available, on a mount which fits on a notch in the receiver and on the rear sight base, with a springdetent quick on and off. The telescope is made in Germany by NATO suppliers.

The bayonet attachment and bayonet assembly for the FNC 80.

Firing can be done in single shots, three-round and full-automatic bursts. Fire selection is obtained by operating a selector lever with the right thumb. The three-round burst mechanism is directly derived

from that on the CAL, and is extremely simple and reliable. It can be easily removed from the rifle if needed. All of the firing mechanism has been designed for simplicity of production and maintenance and can be disassembled without much training. Cyclic rate is 600-750 rpm. The FNC’s barrel rifling has six grooves, right hand, and is available in a 1-in-7-inch (177mm) twist for the new NATO SS-109 round or in the 1-in-12-inch (305mm) twist for the M193 U.S. round. The FNC with the FN-developed SS-109 round can equal or better some of the performance of the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. The standard U.S. helmet can be penetrated by the SS-109 at over 1,200 yards. The 7.62mm, on the other hand, can only penetrate it at 800 yards. NATO armor-plate is defeated by both rounds at the same distance: 650 yards. The FNC is available in two barrel lengths: 18 inches (465mm) and 14.5 inches (368mm), this latter used as a submachine gun. FN likes to indicate that the weight of the FNC plus 200 rounds is the same as that of a FAL plus 50 rounds. Although the first models of the FNC originally could be purchased with either a fixed or a folding stock, the late variants come only with the folding stock inherited from the FAL. With the stock folded, the short-barreled FNC has the size comparable to many submachine guns and can be used as such due to the light recoil of the 5.56mm cartridge. A cleaning kit is available which fits in the FNC’s pistol grip. There is no last shot hold-open device on the FNC, and thus, the bolt will close on an empty chamber. Although the lack of this feature has caused concern in some armies, this is the trend with many newer assault rifles.

The CAL and FNC both use a steel 30-shot staggered-row, box magazine.

FN was unsuccessful in selling the FNC to either Canada (M16A2 variant) or Australia (AUG), both of which tested it in 1981. Thus far, a total of seven or eight countries have adopted the FNC, and in excess of 100,000 had been manufactured at the three different locations by the end of 1990. FN will likely make further small sales of this weapon, but it is unlikely that it will ever see the outstanding commercial success of the FAL.

FNC carbine variant with 14.29-inch (363mm) barrel, left and right sides.

FNC

The DSA, Inc., SA58 Manufactured by DSA, Inc., of Barrington, Illinois, the SA58 is a U.S.made high quality copy of the metric FN-FAL. Owned and operated by David Salvagio, DSA, Inc., manufactures some 14 variations of the

FAL in the SA58 Tactical, Hunter, and Collector Series. In the latter category, the SA58 T48 and SA58 G1 are of particular interest even though they are semi-automatic only variants of their rare original selective fire counterparts. As with any of its models, DSA can furnish these in selective fire on special order, and as with all its rifles, virtually all parts are interchangeable with metric FN-FAL parts. One of DSA’s tactical variants of the SA58 is available standard in either semi-automatic only or selective fire and this is the SA58 OSW. Offered with an 11- or 13-inch barrel, the SA58 OSW uses a military grade handguard and a lightweight alloy lower receiver. Consisting of four M1913 rails, the handguard will accept any MilStd accessories such as lights and lasers, and the receiver top cover also comes with an integral M1913 rail on which to mount optics. An FNFAL folding para butt stock is standard. Following 9-11-2001, quantities of DSA SA58 rifles were purchased by special units of the US Military for use in the Global War On Terrorism.

Seen from the left side, the DSA SA58 OSW has a 30-shot FN-FAL magazine inserted, folding stock extended with cheekpiece, and Eotech Reflex Sight mounted on its M1913 rail top cover, along with a SureFire M900 Tactical Weapon Light mounted on its RAS forend.

The SA58 Tactical Carbine is viewed from the left with a 20-shot magazine inserted and a reflex sight mounted atop its M1913 rail top cover. The SA58 Tactical Carbine uses a 16.25-inch barrel with special short handguards.

The F2000 With the turn of the century, FN announced a new 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remintgon) caliber assault rifle. Called the F2000, this rifle is of the “bullpup” design and modernistic lines throughout its black polymer housing. Using M16 NATO magazines, the F2000 has a unique chamber inspection hatch at the rear and ejects spent casings forward through a chute where they fall in front of the rifle. The F2000 comes standard with an integral 1.6X optical sight on top of which are rudimentary backup sights. The F2000 will also accept an optional 40mm grenade launcher. A sister model, the F2000 Tactical comes with an integral M1913 top rail and adjustable flip-up backup sights along with an added 3-sided M1913 rail at the front of the stock with a folding handgrip. Both models have a rotating safety/selector at the base of the trigger and come with a bayonet mount on the front of the barrel. The F2000 is reportedly used by some units of the Belgian Army and has been adopted by Slovenia.

The 5.56×45mm NATO F2000 comes standard with a 1.6X optic and uses the M16 (NATO) magazine. Standard is a bayonet mount on the barrel.

The F2000 Tactical comes with an M1913 top rail and flip-up open sights. Also standard is a forward M1913 tri-rail on which is mounted a folding fore grip.

The F2000 will accept an optional FN 40×46mm grenade launcher.

F2000 and F2000 Tactical

The Special Forces Combat Assault Rifle When the U.S. Special Forces sought an improved combat rifle in 2003, a solicitation was issued for a Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle. A number of U.S. arms companies designed and submitted sample rifles in 5.56×45mm NATO with the FN submission being selected for further development. Originally called SofCAR, the program was shortened to the acronym, SCAR. More recently, FN has redefined the acronym as Special Combat Assault Rifle, perhaps with the intention of seeking general acceptance of the weapon, but it has been a U.S. Special Forces project overseen by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) from the start. Although the program originally called for a weapon system capable of being converted from 5.56mm NATO to 7.62×51mm NATO using the appropriate components, it evolved into two more or less distinct weapons, and the FN SCAR exists in both 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO. Sharing a number of components,

such as stock furniture and small parts, the two variants are called the SCAR (Light) in 5.56×45mm and SCAR (Heavy) in 7.62×51mm. Each exists in three barrel lengths for Standard, Long Barrel (LB) and CQC variants with ambidextrous controls, and are so exact in appearance, that the easiest way to distinguish them is by their magazines. All variants will accept FN’s 40mm Enhanced Grenade Launching Module (EGLM), and all models come in flat dark earth color.

Shown from the right side with 20-shot magazine are SCAR Heavy models (from top) the CQC (Close Quarter Combat), the CQC with EGLM (Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module), the LB (Long Barrel) and the Standard rifle.

Shown from the right side with 30-shot magazine are SCAR Light models (from top) the CQC (Close Quarter Combat), the LB (Long Barrel) and the Standard

rifle. Light and Heavy models share some components and all models will accept the EGLM.

Using a short-stroke gas piston operation, the SCAR has much in common with a long-stroke system by using an extended operating rod that is part of the bolt carrier. With a multi-lugged bolt and an enclosed recoil-spring group, the SCAR’s bolt group is similar to that of the HK 56, XM8 and the ArmaLite AR-18. While the original FN-SCAR submission used a lower receiver group similar to that of the FNC, U.S. Special Forces requested that the lower receiver and its controls be more like those on the M4 Carbine. When an additional test quantity of rifles was submitted, more than 40 problems were found with all of them fixable, but three of them major including the synthetic receivers breaking. With all problems addressed, the FN-SCAR Light and Heavy models went into production in late 2008. As of November, 2008, the GripPod (Forward Grip Bipod) was recommended as standard issue for the SCAR, as it is with the M16/M4 Kit with the U.S. Army and USMC.

SCAR Light / SCAR Heavy

CHAPTER 9

Bolivia

The FBM Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Moving the selector all the way forward allows full-automatic fire, and moving it back to the middle position limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector all the way to the rear blocks the trigger preventing the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, depress the rear tab of the recoil spring guide at the rear of the upper receiver and hinge open the upper receiver, taking care that the recoil spring guide is under pressure of the spring. This will allow the recoil-spring assembly and bolt group to be removed out the rear of the upper receiver. The bolt group can now be further disassembled. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

Designed by renowned small arms designer, Gordon Ingram, the FBM Assault Rifle can be offered in either 7.62×39mm M43 or 5.56×45mm NATO calibers. Accepted by Bolivia’s Fabrica Boliviana De Municiones (FBM) in 1998, this rifle combines proven features of the Israeli Galil and the U.S. Stoner 63, plus an interesting roller-type hammer, and can be made in rifle, carbine and submachine gun configurations. In 7.62×39mm, the FBM uses standard AK-47 magazines, and Galil magazines are used in 5.56×45mm, but M16 and other magazines can also be adapted. The magazine catch is also designed to use drum style magazines. All structural parts of the rifle are made from 4130 or 8620 chrome-molybdenum alloy steels heat treated for maximum strength and wear. Unlike the design of the AK-47 and FAL families of rifles, the bolt is completely enclosed in a one-piece receiver rigidly attached to the barrel in line with the bore, and the bolt handle has been moved further to the rear to resist heat buildup. The bolt group is disassembled from the rear, eliminating a removable top cover as a sight base, and thereby permits solid placement of a rear sight. In addition, an integral rail on top of the fixed receiver allows a firm platform for low mounting of optical sights. While the FBM can use an FN/Galil type folding stock, a fixed stock is an option along with a bipod, bayonet, various grenade launchers and electronic fire control systems. Engineered for easy manufacture in facilities with limited equipment or budgets, the basic structural parts and lockwork are primarily sheet metal stampings with simplified outlines and contours suitable to in-house modular fabrication. Bolts and gas system

components are designed to be manufactured on standard lathes and mills. Although the FBM is an interesting and well thought out combination of proven features, no known production of the rifle has taken place to date, and no additional characteristics or specifications are available.

CHAPTER 10

Brazil

FN-FAL Means of Controlling Operation, Safety Arrangements, Elementary Disassembly Procedure Refer to these sections for the FN-FAL in the chapter on Belgium. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest After acquiring the rights to manufacture the 7.62×51mm NATO FNFAL in 1964, Brazil produced the rifle at Fabrica de Itajuba, Minas Gerais State. Having belonged to the Army Ministry, this facility was absorbed by the newly created Industria de Material Belico (War Material Industry), or IMBEL in 1975. Made in three models, M964 FAL, M969A1 PARA-FAL and M969 FAP (heavy barrel), these rifles are identical to their FN counterparts, except for their Brazilian markings. To date some 200,000 FAL rifles have reportedly been made by IMBEL, many of them for export. For characteristics of the M694, M969A1 and M969, refer to the characteristics for the FN-FAL rifle in the chapter on Belgium.

A close-up of the right side of the receiver of the Brazilian FAL made by IMBEL with the Brazilian Crest.

The first (1983) IMBEL MD1 5.56×45mm NATO prototype viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine removed. The MD1 used a number of FAL parts.

The MD1 After Fabrica de Itajuba/IMBEL decided to develop a rifle chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge in the early 1980s, it had a prototype ready by mid-1983. Called the MD1, the prototype was based on the FAL, but had a number of differences including redesigned upper and lower receivers to accommodate a multilugged rotating bolt and an extended magazine well into which a dedicated 20-shot magazine was inserted straight up. Surrounded by

a ventilated sleeve, the 18.5-inch barrel had a wrap-around wooden handguard at the rear. With an overall length of 35.4 inches, the first prototype weighed 8.7 pounds and a cyclic rate of fire of 700 shots per minute. Following the success of the initial prototype MD1, IMBEL decided to continue the project by merely converting the standard FAL from 7.62×51mm NATO to 5.56×45mm NATO. This conversion involved only a new barrel, bolt and magazine along with some minor modifications to the gas system and ejector. After initial prototypes of this model proved highly successful, the design was approved as the Fuzil 5.56 IMBEL MD1 M989.

A close-up of the left side of the receiver of the first IMBEL MD1 prototype. Note the modified magazine well.

The #3 prototype IMBEL MD1 5.56×45mm NATO rifle viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and stock folded. Note early style handguard.

The final IMBEL MD1 5.56×45mm NATO caliber rifle (top) with dedicated 20shot magazine compared with standard 7.62×51mm NATO IMBEL FAL-PARA model both viewed from the right side.

The final IMBEL MD1 5.56×45mm NATO caliber rifle (top) with dedicated 20shot magazine compared with standard 7.62×51mm NATO IMBEL FAL-PARA model, both viewed from the left side.

The final IMBEL MD1 5.56×45mm NATO rifle field stripped.

The standard 7.62×51mm NATO FAL 20-shot magazine (left) compared with the MD1 5.56×45mm NATO 20-shot magazine.

The Brasarms BR-2020 5.56mm Conversion Seeing the potential for converting the FAL to 5.56×45mm, the Brazilian company, Brasarms Industria e Comercio Limitada decided to explore the market for an economical conversion kit for existing rifles. Called the BR-2020, this kit consists of a 5.56×45mm barrel, a

new bolt and a magazine adapter that allows the use of M16 magazines. Held in the rifle by the standard magazine catch (with its thumbpiece removed), this adapter has its own M16 magazine catch on the left side. This catch must be operated with the support hand.

The standard 7.62×51mm NATO FAL (top) compared with the Brasarms converted FAL in 5.56×45mm NATO, both viewed from the left side. The conversion uses the M16 magazine. Note magazine well interface (adapter).

The Brasarms 5.56×45mm NATO converted FAL-PARA viewed from the left side with 30-shot M16 magazine inserted. Note magazine well interface (adapter).

The MD2 and MD3

In developing its own 5.56×45mm conversion magazine interface, IMBEL took a different approach from Brasarms regarding the magazine catch. In its system the receiver hinge pin was hollowed out and a spring-loaded push-button was installed on the right side of a threaded shaft that passes completely through the hinge pin. On the left side of the rifle a long arm similar to that on the M16 rifle runs forward to an opening in the magazine-well adapter. Here the hooked end of the magazine catch passes through the adapter to retain the M16 magazine in the rifle. Although the first version of this magazine well interface extended downward, it was later reduced and streamlined in the MD2 and MD3. The early version of this 5.56×45mm FAL was imported to the U.S. in limited numbers by Springfield Armory in semi-automatic as the SA-48 Match Rifle.

An early version of the IMBEL MD2 style 5.56×45mm NATO FAL conversion as offered by Springfield Armory. Note the magazine release button as part of the hinge pin and the magazine well interface.

The early version of the IMBEL MD2 5.56×45mm NATO FAL viewed from the left side illustrating its M16 magazine interface and magazine catch extending forward from the combination hinge pin/magazine release.

A later version, the IMBEL MD2A1 5.56×45mm NATO FAL-PARA viewed from the left side with 30-shot M16 magazine inserted. Note the abbreviated magazine well interface.

IMBEL’s final 5.56×45mm NATO FAL, the MD3 viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

MD1, MD2, MD2A1 and MD3

Brazil’s .22 Long Rifle FAL Seeing the need for a .22 rimfire training rifle, IMBEL developed a dedicated .22 Long Rifle caliber variation of the FAL. Called the “Falbina,” this rifle uses a number of standard FAL components with a .22 caliber barrel and special upper and lower receivers, and a simple blowback bolt. Although the first prototype used a cocking

handle on the right side and a special safety located inside the trigger guard, the final variant uses standard controls. With an FAL-type dummy magazine permanently attached to the lower receiver, a 20-shot .22 Long Rifle magazine is inserted up into a special magazine well that is mounted on the upper receiver and extends down through the dummy magazine body. Thus, the Falbina does not hinge open like a standard FAL, but instead disassembles by pushing out front and rear retaining pins and lifting the upper receiver group up off the lower. In competition, Brasarms developed a .22 Long Rifle kit to convert any FAL rifle. Consisting of a .22 caliber barrel liner for the 7.62×51mm NATO FAL, the kit also includes a simple blowback bolt group and two 20-shot magazines. Housed in standard FAL magazine bodies, these .22 Long Rifle magazines are removed and loaded in the normal way. With the kit assembled, the rifle operates as any FAL.

IMBEL’s prototype .22 Long Rifle FAL training rifle had the cocking handle on the right side of the receiver and the safety located inside the trigger guard. Here the 20-shot .22 caliber magazine is inserted in the magazine well made to look like a standard magazine.

The standard IMBEL .22 Long Rifle FAL training rifle viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine.

The standard IMBEL .22 Long Rifle FAL training rifle viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine.

The IMBEL .22 Long Rifle FAL training rifle partially field stripped. Note dedicated receiver groups.

Brasarms’ .22 Long Rifle conversion kit for the standard 7.62×51mm NATO FAL with barrel liner

The Brasarms .22 Long Rifle FAL conversion uses a special FAL magazine converted to .22 rimfire caliber.

The simple bolt group of the Brasarms .22 Long Rifle FAL conversion. The conversion operates by simple blowback.

A drawing of the prototype OVM 5.56×45mm NATO rifle as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The OVM Having already designed the successful Brazilian 9×19mm Uru submachine gun and 7.62×51mm NATO Uirapuru general purpose machine gun, Fabrica de Itajuba arms designer, Olympio Vieria de Mello introduced a new 5.56×45mm assault rifle in 1981. Called the OVM (Sr. Mello’s initials), the new rifle has a rotating bolt, is gas operated and has an aluminum receiver. Using a somewhat radically shaped buttstock and angled pistol grip, the rifle is reminiscent of the WW II German FG42 and MKb. 42(w) rifles. Having never gone into production, the OVM remains somewhat of a mystery.

The LAPA FA Modelo 03 Means of Controlling Operation Located on the left rear side of the buttstock, the selector has five positions designated DA, 30, 3, 1, SA. These stand for Double

Action, Full automatic, 3-Shot Burst, Semi-automatic and Single Action. After chambering a round, the selector is moved from its firing mode all the way forward to the DA setting where the hammer is safely lowered. After the selector is moved to the desired firing mode, the LAPA must be fired with a long double action stroke for the first shot with subsequent shots being fired single action much like some current semi-automatic pistols. If the user desires to have a single-action first shot, the selector is rotated all the way to the rear to the SA setting where the hammer is cocked from its lowered DA position to single action. The selector is then rotated forward to the number 1 for a single action semiautomatic shot, or to an automatic fire position. Safety Arrangements The LAPA has no positive safety. As with many modern semiautomatic pistols, this rifle is simply set for double action fire, which provides a relatively safe carry mode. Elementary Disassembly Procedure After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, push the take-down cross-pin in the butt plate out from left to right. Then remove the butt plate together with the recoil spring and guide rod. Now push out the takedown pin behind the trigger guard from left to right. This will allow the body of the rifle to be separated into the upper and lower halves. The lower half contains the handguard, pistol grip, magazine well and firing mechanism.

The left side of the LAPA FA Modelo 03 receiver with 20-shot M16 magazine inserted showing the 5-position selector with its double-action setting.

By pulling the cocking handle to the rear, the top plastic cover can be removed, exposing the barrel and bolt group. By unscrewing the cap of the metal tubular receiver, the bolt group can be removed, followed by the operating rod and piston. The bolt can then be separated from the carrier, and the firing pin and other small parts removed. No further disassembly is necessary, and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest Designed by Laboratorio de Projetos de Armamento Automatico (Laboratory of Design of Automatic Armament), or LAPA, a Rio de Janeiro-based R&D concern, the Fuzil Automatico Modelo 03 (Automatic Rifle Model 03), or FA Model 03 began to emerge in 1978. An initial prototype was completed in 1979 and additional refined prototypes followed.

In an effort to create the most compact rifle possible, the FA 03 was designed as a bullpup, and shares many characteristics with others of its kind. Of straight-line, ergonomic configuration, the rifle’s body is made largely of high impact plastic. A non-reciprocating cocking lever similar to that of the AR-10 is found inside of an integral carrying handle that is also patterned after its Armalite ancestor. Chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, the FA 03 is gas operated using a multi-lugged rotating bolt, and has a dust cover that operates like that of the M16, but is inverted. By substituting a different bolt and moving the ejection port cover, the rifle can be converted to left-handed use. The FA 03 also uses modified M16 magazines. However, while these features are conventional, it is the FA 03’s double action firing mechanism that is most unique, as explained above. Although there was much interest in the FA 03, it has not yet gone into production.

FA Modelo 03

CHAPTER 11

Bulgaria

A

rsenal Joint Stock Company, the Bulgarian producer of small

arms and a variety of heavier military ordnance, traces its roots back more than 130 years. It was founded in 1878 in the town of Rousse as the first factory dedicated to serve the newly created Bulgarian Army. In 1924 it was transferred to the town of Kazanlak, where it remains. Today, it is a modern plant specializing in machine-building and the production of small arms and artillery systems, ammunition, powders, primers, pyrotechnic products, hard-alloy machine tools and similar products. More than 5,000 employees at the Kazanlak plant currently turn out a wide variety of military and civilian durable goods, more than 80 percent of which is destined for export. The first assault rifle, a copy of the AK-47, was manufactured at “Factory 10” in 1958, and the one-millionth specimen in this ongoing series was manufactured in 1982. Thus Bulgaria has been, and continues to be, a major export producer of military small arms, ordnance and munitions. Most, but not all, Kalashnikov-design weapons produced by Arsenal J.S.C. feature a forged and milled receiver. As originally licensed copies of the Kalashnikov designs, most of the assault rifles produced by Arsenal have a counterpart Russian model — but designations differ, as do various design features. We will use the

Arsenal factory designations, and where appropriate also note the Soviet/Russian designation for a similar weapon. No counterpart to the Russian AKM/AKMS rifles was produced at Arsenal for domestic use, production continuing with milled receivers until the advent of the AK-74 designs, most of which are still produced by Arsenal with forged, rather than stamped, receivers. Arsenal has produced many sub-variants on the basic Kalashnikov design, some for specific markets. During the days of the Warsaw Pact, Bulgaria was at least in some measure a captive producer for the Soviet arms plants, producing many parts and subassemblies on their behalf. Below we will list variants currently offered, and their individual specifications. The basic operating procedures of Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern, and the reader is referred to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons for that information and for elementary disassembly instructions. Arsenal also produces a line of sporting arms, including many semi-automatic rifles based on the Kalashnikov design, but they do not fall within the scope of this book. Arsenal weapons, of both military/police and civilian types, are distributed in the USA by K-VAR Corporation of Las Vegas, Nevada, who also manufactures certain components for the U.S. market. As a major exporter, Arsenal produces a number of weapons in 5.56×45mm NATO in addition to the 7.62×39mm (M43) and 5.45×39mm Bloc calibers.

Early AK-47 seen from the left and right sides.

Early AKS-47 seen from the left side.

Early AKS-47 seen from the right side.

Assault Rifle AR-M1, Assault Rifle AR-M1F (7.62×39mm [M43]) Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The AR-M1 is comparable to the AK-74, the AR-M1F with metal under-folding stock comparable to an AKS-74. Both are available in 7.62×39mm (M43), 5.56×45mm NATO, and 5.45×39mm calibers. They feature milled receivers, black synthetic furniture, and black polymer 30-round magazines. Sights are graduated to 1093 yd (1000 m). They will mount the 40mm Arsenal UBGL-M6, 40mm Arsenal UBGL or GP-25 Kastyor under-barrel grenade launchers, a left side mounting plate for optical and night sights, and the standard wirecutting bayonet.

The AR-M1 and AR-M1F (5.56×45mm NATO & 5.45×39) The AR-M1 is comparable to the AK-74, the AR-M1F with metal under-folding stock comparable to an AKS-74, above, but both are chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber and the AR-M1F here features an under-folding stock. They are claimed to be effective in the antipersonnel role at a range of 874 yds (800m). The weapons feature milled receivers and black synthetic furniture, a left side mounting plate for optical and night sights, and the standard wirecutting bayonet. They will mount the 40mm Arsenal UBGL-M6, 40mm Arsenal UBGL or GP-25 Kastyor under-barrel grenade launchers

Export Market Extras: AR-M1 Luminous dot on sights 20/30-shot translucent polymer magazine Front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10) Magazine coupling set Blank fire attachment Mounting plate for optical and night sights Bayonet/dielectric-handle wire cutter

Export Market Extras: AR-M1F Luminous dot on the sights 20/30-shot translucent polymer magazine Front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10) Magazine coupling set Blank fire attachment

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-M1 with fixed stock.

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-M1F with folding stock.

Assault Rifle AR-M1, Assault Rifle AR-M1F

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-SF with short barrel and folding stock.

Assault Rifle AR-SF, Short Barrel, Folding Stock (7.62×39mm [M43]) Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The AR-SF is comparable to the AKS-74U (“Krinkov”) and with the metal under-folding stock and short barrel is designed for SpecOps use at ranges up to 383 yd (350m). Even with the short barrel, the manufacturer claims projectile lethality up to 1203 yd (1100m).

Assault Rifle AR-SF, Short Barrel, Folding Stock (5.56×45mm NATO) With the short barrel, and metal under-folding buttstock, the 5.56×45mm AR-SF is a highly effective automatic weapon designed

for the SpecOps antipersonnel role at a range of 546 yd (500m). This is a rotating bolt, gas operated, system on a milled receiver. The weapon is effective in burst fire mode at ranges up to 273 yd (250m). In semi-auto mode skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 382 yd (350m). Even with the short barrel, the manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1202 yd (1100m).

Export Market Extras: AR-SF 20/30-shot translucent magazine Clip to couple two magazines together Laser aim indicator

Assault Rifle AR-SF, Short Barrel, Folding Stock

AR-M2F (7.62×39mm [M43])

Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The AR-M2F is an effective short barrel, metal under-folding buttstock variant of the AR-M1F automatic weapon chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge, and designed for an antipersonnel role at ranges of 546 yd (500m). This is a rotating bolt, gas operated system on a milled receiver. The weapon is effective in burst fire mode at ranges up to 328 yd (300m). In semi-auto mode skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 437 yd (400m). The manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1202 yd (1100m). The assault rifle’s design allows the attachment of 40mm Arsenal UBGL-M6 or 40mm Arsenal UBGL-1 or GP-25 KASTYOR Under Barrel Grenade Launchers.

Export Market Extras: AR-M2F Luminous dot on the sights 20/30-shot translucent magazine Clip to couple two magazines together Laser aim indicator Blank fire attachment

AR-M2F (5.56 NATO)

The weapon is effective in burst fire mode at ranges up to 328 yd (300m). In semi-auto mode skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 437 yd (400m). Even with the short barrel, the manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1202 yd (1100m). Specifications as above except for: Sight radius: 10.9 inches (278mm); Weight loaded magazine: 1.3lb (0.61kg).

Export Market Extras: AR-M2F Luminous dot on the sights 20/30-shot translucent magazine Front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10) Clip to couple two magazines together Blank fire attachment Laser aim indicator

AR-M2F

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-M2F with folding stock.

AR-M4SF (7.62×39mm [M43]) Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The 7.62×39mm AR-M4SF is an effective automatic weapon designed for antipersonnel use by heavy combat equipment crews, reconnaissance detachments, special antiterrorist and police troops and security services. This is a rotating bolt, gas operated, system on a milled receiver. The weapon is effective in burst fire mode at ranges up to 273 yd (250m). In semi-auto mode skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 382 yd (350m). Even with the short barrel, the manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1202 yd (1100m). A built-in tactical flashlight can be used for target illumination. A mounting plate for optical and night sights enables attachment of a Passive Collimator Sight MK-30, Optical Sight (optional) or Night Vision Device (optional) or other sighting systems to make aiming more precise. The buttstock folds to the right, and with the short barrel, this

makes the weapon suitable for SpecOps missions. There is an additional fire select lever on the left side of the pistol grip. SpecOps may also incorporate a suppressor and a tactical patrol sling.

AR-M4SF (5.56×45mm NATO [.223 Rem.]) In the 5.56×45mm NATO chambering, sighting range of the weapon is 546 yds (500 m), but single and multiple targets can be engaged at a range of 273 yds (250m). In semi-auto mode, skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 382 yds (350m). Even with the short barrel, the manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1202 yds (1100m). A built-in tactical flashlight can be used for target illumination. A mounting plate for optical and night sights enables attachment of a Passive Collimator Sight MK-30, Optical Sight (optional) or Night Vision Device (optional) or other sighting systems to make aiming more precise. The buttstock folds to the right, and with the short barrel, this makes the weapon suitable for SpecOps missions. There is an additional fire select lever on the left side of the pistol grip. SpecOps may also incorporate a suppressor and a tactical patrol sling.

Export Market Extras: AR-M4SF Passive Collimator Sight MK-30 Blank fire attachment Luminous dot on the sights

AR-M7F (7.62×39mm [M43])

Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The AR-M7F is a modernized variant of the AK-47 design. ARM7F features black polymer furniture and a side-folding buttstock that folds to the left (sling attachment on the right side of the buttstock). The selector lever is located on the right side of the receiver, and has three positions: (upper position) safe, full auto, semi auto. Sights are graduated to 874 yds (800m) and there is a mounting plate for attachment of optical sights. The weapon is chambered for the 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge, and designed for an antipersonnel role at ranges of 546 yds (500m). This is a rotating bolt, gas operated, system on a milled receiver. The manufacturer claims the weapon is effective to 1476 yds (1350m). The assault rifle’s design allows the attachment of 40mm Arsenal UBGL-M6 or 40mm Arsenal UBGL-1 or GP-25 KASTYOR Under Barrel Grenade Launchers.

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-M4SF with short barrel and folding stock.

AR-M7F (5.56×45mm NATO [.223 Rem.]) The AR-M7F is chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. The manufacturer claims the weapon is effective to 1476 yd (1350m).

Export Market Extras: AR-M7F Luminous dot on the sights; 20/30-shot translucent polymer magazine; Front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10); Clip to couple two magazines together; Blank fire attachment; Bayonet/dielectric-handle wire cutter.

AR-M4SF

AR-M7F

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-M7F with side-folding stock.

AR-M9 and AR-M9F (5.56×45mm NATO [.223 Rem.]) Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons.

The 5.56×45mm NATO AR-M9 and AR-M9F are effective automatic weapons designed for an antipersonnel role at a range of up to 874 yds (800m). The M9 features a standard fixed stock, while the M9F is equipped with a skeletonized buttstock that folds along the right side of the receiver. Sights are graduated to 874 yds (800m). This is a rotating bolt, gas operated, system on a milled receiver. The weapon is effective in burst fire mode at ranges up to 546 yds (500m). In semi-auto mode skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 765 yds (700m). Even with the shorter barrel, the manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1476 yds (1350m). Both models are equipped with a mounting plate for attachment of optical sights, and an additional fire selector lever on the left side of the pistol grip. The weapon’s design allows for the attachment of 40×46mm Arsenal UBGL-M6 or Arsenal UBGL or GP-25 KASTYOR Under Barrel Grenade Launchers.

Export market extras: AR-M9 and AR-M9F Luminous dot on sight 20-shot translucent polymer magazine 30-shot black polymer magazine Front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10) Clip to couple two magazines together Blank fire attachment Bayonet/dielectric-handle wire cutter

AR-M9 and AR-M9F

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-M9 with fixed stock.

Arsenal AR-M9F with folding stock.

AR & AR-F (7.62×39mm [M43])

Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The AR is a fixed stock automatic weapon chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge, similar to the standard AK-47, and designed for an antipersonnel role at ranges to 874 yds (800m). The AR-F is the same weapon, but fitted with an under-folding skeletonized steel buttstock. The design is a rotating bolt, gas operated system on a milled receiver. The weapon is effective in burst fire mode at ranges up to 546 yds (500m). In semi-auto mode skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 765 yds (700m). The manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1476 yds (1350m). The assault rifle’s design allows the attachment of 40mm Arsenal UBGL-1 Under Barrel Grenade Launcher.

Export Market Extras: AR and AR-F Luminous dot on the sights 5- and 10-shot black polymer magazines Front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10) Clip to couple two magazines together Blank fire attachment Bayonet/dielectric-handle wire cutter

AR & AR-F

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR with fixed stock.

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-F with folding stock.

AR-1 & AR-1F (7.62×39mm [M43])

Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Arsenal’s weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The AR1 is a fixed stock automatic weapon chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge, similar to the standard AK-47, and designed for an antipersonnel role at ranges to 874 yds (800m). The AR1-F is the same weapon, but fitted with an under-folding skeletonized steel buttstock. The design is a rotating bolt, gas operated system on a milled receiver. Sights are graduated to 874 yds (800m). The weapon is effective in burst fire mode at ranges up to 546 yds (500m). In semi-auto mode skilled marksmen can hit targets up to 765 yds (700m). The manufacturer claims a lethal range of 1476 yds (1350m). Specifications for AR-1F: are as above except for overall length stock folded of 27.1 inches (690mm).

Export Market Extras: AR-1 and AR-1F Luminous dot on the sights 5- and 10-shot black polymer magazines Front sight adjusting kit (in the ratio 1:10) Clip to couple two magazines together Blank fire attachment Mounting plate for optical and night sights for AR-1F Bayonet/dielectric-handle wire cutter

AR-1 & AR-1F

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-1 with fixed stock.

Arsenal Assault Rifle AR-1F with folding stock.

40mm Arsenal Under Barrel Grenade Launchers UBGL, UBGL-1, UBGL-M6

Under Barrel Grenade Launchers are a powerful force-multiplier. When attached to an assault rifle, they provide the ability to attack single or group targets that may not be in direct line of sight, such as behind buildings or hills. Jump rounds have a point-detonating, distance-armed fuze and are designed to hit the ground in front of a target, bounce into the air, and detonate a short distance above the target. Munitions have a maximum range of 437 yds (400m) and muzzle velocity of 83 yd/s (76m/s). They are available in high explosive (HE), HE Fragmentation Jump, Sound and Flash, Smoke, Star Signaling, and Target Practice rounds.

Specifications, Grenade Launchers

UBGL-M6 Grenade Launcher mounted on a AR–M9.

CHAPTER 12

Burma

S

ince shortly after World War II, Burma, later Myanmar, has

been a producer, although a net consumer, of small arms and other ordnance. Before becoming an embargoed pariah state, Burma/Myanmar had manufacturing licenses to produce small arms of standard design, but as licenses expired or technical support was withdrawn when the international status of the country fell to the point they were an embarrassment to business partners, Myanmar produced a wider variety of weapons on their own, often incorporating indigenous design or adaptation. Neither the quantity nor quality of Burmese-produced weapons appear to have been sufficient, however, as in addition to locally produced designs Myanmar troops have been observed with a variety of foreign-made weapons, evidently obtained from entities who were willing to risk the association. The Myanmar small-arms battery has thus become what could be considered “eclectic” but more accurately might be considered a logistics nightmare. As foreign technical support has been withdrawn or at least gone under the table, the junta appears to have refocused enough of its industrial base to currently produce indigenous adaptations of others’ designs, which are of interest for this volume. We will list in overview the myriad designs they are known to have used, and in such detail as is available those few weapons that represent indigenous design.

Chronology Of Burmese/Myanmar Small Arms Issue Before 1988, the standard Myanmar infantry weapon was the 7.62×51mm BA-63 assault rifle, a locally-produced variant of the Heckler & Koch G3. Myanmar also produced a shorter, lighter carbine variant of the same rifle under the designation BA-72, simply known as the G2. A third variant of the G3, known as the BA-100, was more accurate and reliable, and was primarily used as a sniper’s weapon. The U.S. .30 Carbine is still commonly found in service, originally provided during the 1950’s Military Assistance Programs. From the beginning of 2002, 7.62mm BA series rifles have been gradually replaced by 5.56mm MA-series assault rifles in Myanmar Army’s frontline units. Tested earlier as the EMER K-3, the MA-series assault rifles are essentially a locally-produced Israeli Galil rifle, in turn an adaptation of the Kalashnikov in 5.56mm NATO. Rifles in use since WW II in Burma/Myanmar include: 7.62×33mm U.S. M1 and M2 Carbines, plus various stocks of WWII British small arms 7.62mm Ka Pa Sa BA-63 [Burmese Army] assault rifle (licence produced G3A2, which see) 7.62mm Ka Pa Sa BA-72 [Burmese Army] assault rifle (licence produced G3K, which see) 7.62mm Ka Pa Sa BA-100 [Burmese Army] assault rifle (licence produced G3A3ZF, which see) 5.56mm MA-11 [Myanmar Army] (licence produced HK G33, which see) 5.56mm MA-12 [Myanmar Army] light machine gun based on G33 (see below)

7.62mm Kalashnikov AKM 5.45mm Kalashnikov AK-74 5.45mm AKS-74U 7.62mm Type 56 7.62mm Type 81 5.56mm MA-1 assault rifle [aka EMER K-3] (licence produced Galil, see below) 5.56mm MA-2 SAW (see below) 5.56mm MA-3 carbine (see below) 5.56mm MA-4 (MA-1 assault rifle with 40 mm M203 Grenade Launcher) 5.56mm (Type 97 variant) Qing Buqiang Zidong QBZ-95 Light Assault Rifle (which see, and note below) 5.56mm EMER K1 Bullpup(s) (see below)

MA-1, MA-2, MA-3, MA-4 Assault Rifle (earlier known as EMER K-3) As what is stated to originally have been a licensed copy of the Israeli Galil, but with a rigid wooden stock, the EMER K-3 and MA-1 weapons follow the Galil design in matters of controlling operation, manipulation, use, safety features and disassembly, except for lacking the thumb safety selector on the left side. Please refer to the chapter on Israeli weapons for further information. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: When German participation was withdrawn, Myanmar officials then licensed designs and technology from Israel and produced

copies of the Galil, originally under license. Originally, all were produced with brown synthetic furniture, which has evolved to black in current issue. The MA-1 is the standard issue main battle rifle, overall very similar to the parent Galil, but with some distinct local adaptations. The handguards have ventilation ports in a double staggered row along both sides, and there is no pistol-grip safety selector. The buttstock has a trap for cleaning supplies The MA-2 is the magazine fed LMG (SAW) variant, the only changes being a carrying handle, modified handguard with parallel ventilation holes, an issue bipod, and a somewhat longer and heavier barrel. The sight on the MA-2 is of the HK rotating drum type. The MA-3 is the carbine variant of the rifle, with a side-folding stock similar to that of the Galil, and this has a recoil pad. This variant has the typical Galil thumb safety selector on the left above the pistol grip, and also retains the Kalashnikov-type selector on the right side. The stock is seldom seen folded, reportedly because it is difficult to operate. MA-3 carbines are issued with black synthetic furniture, while the MA-1 is often seen with the earlier brown, later black, or a mixture of furniture. The MA-4 is the under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) variant of the MA series, and mounts an equivalent to the M203, firing the same ammunition types. The MA-4 has two rows of ventilation holes, and no thumb selector.

MA-1, MA-2, MA-3, MA-4 Assault Rifle

Young jungle fighter, possibly a Karen rebel, with earlier EMER K-3.

Early MA-3 carbine with folding stock has early brown synthetic furniture; later model MA-3s captured by Karen rebels show black furniture. Courtesy Small Arms Review

BA-63, BA-72, BA-100 These were license-built variants of the HK G3 rifle in 7.62×51mm NATO, comparable to the HK models G3A2, G3K, and G3A3ZF, produced at the state-owned Myanmar Fritz Werner

Company. They are unremarkable except in that a recent program at EMEC is converting these to fire the 5.56×45 NATO ammunition from STAG (M16 type) magazines.

MA-11, MA-12 These rifles were originally license-built adaptations of the HK G33 rifle. The MA-12 is the squad automatic weapon based on the G33, unremarkable except that it is designed to fire from STANAG (M16 type) magazines. As copies of the basic G33, the means of controlling operation, disassembly, safety arrangements comparable to the parent design.

and

similar

matters

are

For years before the change in national demeanor, the Burmese government license-built copies of German HKs, on German tooling... and still do without the license. This squad automatic weapon is based on the G33, but feeds from a STANAG M16 magazine.

Emer K-Bullpup

Means of Controlling Operation: Not known, but probably approximating the QBZ Safety Arrangements: Not known, but probably approximating the QBZ Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Not known, but probably approximating the QBZ Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: At Myanmar government request, NG Chung-Keung, a subsidiary of Norinco, reportedly shipped a small quantity of the new Norinco QBZ-97 5.56mm bull-pup assault rifle for evaluation. The Myanmar evaluators were suitably impressed by this weapon, but the Chinese government declined to sell firearms to the present regime under the UN embargo, and thus the shipments of the new QBZ-97 rifles to Burma were halted and further orders canceled. With obvious but not positively identified outside assistance, Myanmar officials at the Electro Mechanical and Engineering Corps reverse-engineered the QBZ-97 and modified the design to suit their purpose, and allow it to be manufactured on machinery they already had, allegedly sold to them by Singapore in violation of the UN embargo. Published sources claim that Israeli IMI engineers who had previously worked with the Myanmar officials on the Tavor project traveled to Myanmar to assist their former colleagues with the EMER K-1. A truly eclectic design, the EMER K-1 shows design features of the QBZ-97, the Steyr AUG, Singapore ST-Kinetics SAR-21 and SA80, IMI Tavor, and the M16. Anecdotal reports are that it has been

issued primarily to elite units, but it is stoppage prone and not popular with troops for that reason.

The EMER K-1 rifle and magazine-fed LMG are eclectic hybrids that have borrowed design features from a number of modern small arms, incorporating them on what is essentially an adaptation of the Chinese QBZ-97. The initial variant (bottom) is marked “rifle” and the LMG version above is marked “LMG.” External differences include the longer barrel of the LMG, the differing hand guards, and the flash hider of the LMG, which is more of an AKM-style muzzle-climb compensator. Photos: New Agency, Courtesy Small Arms Review

EMER K-1

CHAPTER 13

Canada

P

rior to 1946, Canada’s military small arms were primarily made

by Small Arms Limited (SAL), in Long Branch, Mississauga, Ontario. However, with SAL taken over by the Canadian Government on December 31 1945, SAL became known as the Small Arms Division of Canadian Arsenals Limited, a Crown Corporation. There all of the C1/C1A1 series of rifles and C1 SMG’s were made for the Canadian Armed Forces. In 1976, because of cost effectiveness issues, the Canadian Government closed Canadian Arsenals, and in March, began a 10year contract with Dimaco, Inc., a private sector company in Kitchener, Ontario, to make spare parts for and maintain existing weapons, and to manufacture a new assault rifle for the military. In 1983 competitive trials were held with the U.S. M16 rifle being chosen. With assistance from Colt’s Mfg., Dimaco began production of the Canadian variant of the M16 family of rifles, and became the first to adopt the M1913 Rail as designed by Mr. Richard Swan, of A.R.M.S. In 2007 Dimaco was purchased by Colt’s Mfg., and became Colt-Canada. This company will continue to provide assault rifles to the Canadian Military.

The C1 (and C1A1) And C2 (and C2A2)

For means of controlling operation, safety arrangements, and elementary disassembly procedure, see these sections for the FNFAL in the chapter on Belgium. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Being among the first to adopt the Belgian designed FN-FAL rifle, Canada was also the first to mass-produce this weapon in 1955. Prior to adopting it, however, Canada (along with Great Britain) tested two experimental models of the FAL, the EX 1 and the EX 2. Purchased from FN, these rifles were made on the metric pattern and were essentially typical mid-1950 FN-FAL rifles, except for the EX 2 that had an optical sight similar to that of the British EM2 rifle mounted on its receiver cover. Neither rifle could be fed with chargers, and both had wooden furniture and barrels without flash suppressors. After converting the FAL to the inch pattern, Canada made its own EX1 and EX2 rifles for troop trials, which were a success. Canada then adopted the Rifle 7.62mm (C1) in June 1955 where it was manufactured by the Small Arms Division of Canadian Arsenals Limited (CAL) in Mississauga (Long Branch) Ontario. In addition to being made on the inch pattern like the British L1A1 (FAL), the C1 has a receiver cover similar to the T-48 FAL made by H&R and High Standard and tested by the U.S. Government, in that it is cut out and contains a charger guide. However, unlike the T-48 that accepted a 10-shot “horseshoe” shaped charger guide, the C1’s guide takes standard 7.62×51mm NATO 5-shot chargers. The C1 also has a unique folding rear sight containing a rotating disk with multiple apertures. Like the L1A1, the C1 has a slotted type

flash suppressor, and can be fitted with a bayonet or grenade launcher, and is issued with a selector capable of semi-automatic fire only, but the rifle will accept selective fire parts. The Canadian Navy variant of the C1 was selective fire with an “A” stamped on the lower receiver.

The Canadian experimental 7.62×51mm NATO caliber FN-FAL Rifle CDN EX 1 (top) and CDN EX 2.

Canada’s C1 and C2 7.62×51mm NATO FN-FAL type rifles seen from their right sides without magazines. The C2 has a bipod with wooden strips on its legs that comprise the forend when folded.

Along with the C1, Canada adopted the C2, a heavy barreled variant of the rifle to serve as a squad automatic weapon (SAW). Differing from the Belgian Heavy Barreled FN-FAL, the C2 had a 3position selector that provides full-automatic fire, and a gas block that accepted a hinged bipod with walnut panels. When folded, the bipod constitutes the handguard of the rifle. It also had a folding carrying handle with finger grooves that provided a different balance point, and a long-range tangent rear sight. Around 1959, the C1 and C2 were modified with the addition of a two-piece firing pin and a plastic carrying handle to become the C1A1 and the C2A2.

The C7 and C8 For means of controlling operation, safety arrangements, and elementary disassembly procedure, see these sections for the M16 rifle in the U.S. ArmaLite Assault Rifles Chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Prior to its going out of business in June 1976, CAL bestowed the designations C3 through C6 on a number of other arms adopted by the Canadian Military. Following CAL’s demise, the Canadian government contracted with the privately owned firm, Diemaco, Inc., of Kitchener, Ontario, to take over the support for the existing small arms inventory. Diemaco also became responsible for the production of any future small arms production, which began nine years later. In conducting the low temperature and climate element of the 1978-79 NATO trials, Canada tested 37 samples of assault rifles and light machine-guns in both 7.62mm NATO and 5.56×45mm. The

results were that the 5.56mm samples were overall more accurate than existing 7.62mm weapons. As compared with the West German G11, British 4.85mm Enfield, Belgian FNC, Israeli Galil, the Dutch MN1 (Galil), and the Steyr AUG, the M16A1 was preferred by troops testing the rifles. With NATO’s adoption of the SS109 and M855 5.56×45mm cartridges in 1983, the Canadian government granted Diemaco a $1.7 million dollar contract to build two models of the M16 rifle under license from Colt’s and the Minimi light machinegun under license from FN. Designated as the C7, C8, and C9, these variants are described as follows: The C7 is the Canadian variant of the M16A2, but without the 800 meter rear sight or burst kit, and with an improved hammer forged barrel, and an improved butt trapdoor. The selector markings are S, R, and AUTO. The Canadian weapons also use a nylon 30shot magazine of Canadian production. The C8 is a carbine variant with a retractable buttstock like that of the Colt XM177E2, and the C9 is the Canadian variant of the FN Minimi light machinegun.

Here the C10 .22 Long Rifle caliber training version of the C7 is seen disassembled. Along with a dedicated .22 Long Rifle caliber barrel, it uses a special bolt group and magazine conversion.

The A1 & A2 Series

Following the adoption of the removable carrying handle on the M16A2 and M4A3 Carbine by the U.S. Military, Diemaco introduced Canadian counterparts, the C7A1 and C8A1, but these weapons are issued as flattop models without the carrying handle. In its place are a quick detachable back-up rear sight and an Elcan, or optical sight of choice. In addition to these basic models is an extensive lineup of other M16 derivatives, as follows: C7A2: The full-length flattop C7A1 issued with all green stock furniture including its retractable stock, a green rubberized Elcan Scope, and the Triad rail mounting system. C7CT (Canadian Target): A flattop M16 type sniper rifle with Elcan scope on Triad receiver 3-sided mount, free floating long heavy barrel with sound suppressor, and bipod. C8A2: A special variant of the C8A1 with front Triad 3-sided mount on gas block and folding vertical foregrip. C8CT: A flattop sniper rifle similar to the C7CT, but with a short heavy stainless steel barrel with no provision for a sound suppressor. Both variants can be equipped with Diemaco’s Triad System, a 2-part M1913-type rail system for the upper receiver and front sight base. The Norwegian Special Forces variant of the C8CT also has a folding front sight. Light Support Weapon (LSW): The Canadian variant of the Colt M16 LMG firing from an open or closed bolt. LSWA1: A new variant of the LSW with new round handguards and vertical foregrip, a heavy gas tube, and issued with the 100-round CMag. Personal Defense Weapon (PDW): An 8” barreled M16 with tubular handguard and retractable butt-stock.

Stand Alone Grenade Launcher (SAGL): The Canadian 40mm M203 on a stand alone stock system.

Here the C7A1 flattop rifle is seen from the left side with Elcan Scope mounted and 30-shot Nylon magazine inserted.

Here the C7CT sniper rifle is seen with suppressor and bipod mounted, but without Elcan optical sight or magazine.

Special Forces Support Weapon (SFSW): A carbine variant of the LSWA1. Special Forces Weapon (SFW): An M4 style carbine with a 16 inch heavy barrel, optional M203 launcher, Elcan scope, Q.D. rear sight, and ambidextrous selector. C10: A C7 style .22 caliber training rifle. In addition to the heavy gas tube, Diemaco has continued to make improvements to its M16 variants including interlocking handguards and hammer forged barrels. Besides the Canadian government, Diemaco has sold C7, C8, LSW, and other weapons to Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK.

The 14.5-inch barreled C8A1 is seen here from the left side with Elcan optical sight mounted and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The C8CT sniper rifle is seen from the right side with Triad mount in place, and bipod folded, but without scope or magazine. The C8CT uses a short heavy stainless steel barrel.

The latest version of the LSW, the LSWA1, is seen from the right side with its round handguards, Elcan optical sight mounted, 100-shot C-Mag in place, and redesigned vertical foregrip.

The Special Forces Support Weapon is a new carbine version of the LSW.

The Special Forces Weapon is seen from the left side with Q.D. rear sight mounted, and Elcan optical sight and 30-shot magazine in place.

This close-up illustrates the markings of the standard Canadian C7 series receiver.

Here the Special Forces Weapon is seen in action with the Elcan optical sight and 30-shot magazine in place, and M203 40mm grenade launcher mounted.

Here the receiver markings of the Diemaco rifle made for Denmark are illustrated.

The receiver markings of the Netherlands version of the Diemaco C7 rifle are illustrated here.

Illustrated here is the receiver marking of the rifle Diemaco made for Norway.

The specially marked receiver for the UK is illustrated here.

CHAPTER 14

Chile

Model SIG SG540-1 The SIG SG540-1 (5.56×45mm NATO), Chile’s standard issue service rifle since 1986, is built under license from the Swiss company SIG by Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército (FAMAE), a weapons and munitions company owned by the Chilean government. The rifle is a gas-operated, rotating-bolt system similar to the AK-47 action. To reduce manufacturing costs, the lower and upper halves of the receiver are stamped sheet metal. The gas port has three positions: two open for normal firing, and one closed for when firing grenades. The flash hider is machined to NATO specifications to launch standard NATO grenades. The Model SG542-1 is similar in most respects, but is in 7.62×51mm NATO caliber. As the SG543 shown is more compact than the SG540-1, its shorter barrel precludes launching rifle grenades. It is used by vehicle crews, paratroopers, and SpecOps soldiers who may operate in confined spaces. SpecOps troops also use the Israeli Galil SAR and Galil ARM 354 (5.56×45mm NATO caliber), while Chilean mountain troops use the HK G3A3. Some second line (support) units are equipped with the standard Belgian FAL assault rifle (7.62×51mm NATO), while others

have used the SG510-4 since 1962, and SG542-1 since 1986, all in limited service. The government plans to reequip the infantry with the HK G36. In addition to producing various firearms under license, FAMAE has also developed and manufactured a submachine gun based on the SIG 540 assault rifle, the 9mm S.A.F., which is currently used by Chilean military and security forces. This select-fire weapon features a side-folding stock and optional suppressor.

Built in Chile under license, the SIG SG 540-series assault rifles have been the mainstay of the Chilean military since 1986. Pictured is the folding-stock SG540-1. Photo: Vortex Archives

For Elementary Operational and Disassembly Procedures: Refer to the section on German weapons for G36, refer to the section on Israeli weapons for Galil, refer to the section on Belgian weapons for FAL, and refer to the section on Swiss weapons for SIG.

SG543 field stripped. This carbine version has shorter barrel, lacks built-in bipod of longer SG540 version. Photo: Wikipedia

Model SIG SG540-1

CHAPTER 15

China (PRC)

IN the

more than 50 years since China began producing assault

rifles, the country’s small arms industry has gone from imitation to innovation. Because of the immense size of its armed forces (roughly 4 million), and the need to supply it with infantry weapons, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has become one of the world’s giants in the small arms business. For many years Chinese defense production was a mystery to the West, but in recent years the veil of secrecy has been lifted to some extent, and the Western World better understands the scope of arms manufacturing and R&D capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Today, with almost 200 factories dedicated to the manufacture of small arms, the Chinese have the world’s largest industrial capacity for the production of infantry weapons. To keep that industrial capacity and its workers occupied, the Chinese have offered not only weapons copied from the Soviet arsenal and Western makers, but also a range of new designs of their own. We would like to acknowledge the insight and assistance provided by Mr. Timothy Yan during the research of this chapter. Beginning in the fall of 1951, the Soviet Union provided much technical assistance to the PRC in the modernization of their defense industry. Prior to this assistance, much of the Chinese defense industry’s technology dated back to the late 1800’s. Before 1958, the

Chinese/Soviet cooperation hinged manufacture Soviet-type weapons.

on production facilities

to

In 1956, the Chinese began production of the SKS 45 selfloading rifle and the AK-47 assault rifle, both of which fired the 7.62×39mm (M43) intermediate cartridge. Both weapons are known by the Chinese designation Type 56, but the SKS variant is known as the Type 56 Rifle, while the AK-47 model is called the Type 56 Submachine Gun. However, for clarity, the semi-automatic SKS Type 56 will be referred to as “rifle,” and all selective fire Type 56 AK-47 variants and other selective fire rifles will be referred to as “assault rifles,” except where squad automatic variants are described. The Type 56 remained the backbone of the PLA for many years and influenced the design of a number of domestic assault rifle designs. The Type 56 assault rifle is a direct copy of the Soviet 3rd Model AK47. In the late 1960’s, the Chinese progressed to a variant of the Soviet AKM, also known as the Type 56, and they began producing weapons of domestic design as well.

China’s “AKM” In the case of the Chinese variant of the AKM, it may have been copied without Soviet assistance, as the anti-bolt bounce and socalled rate reducing mechanisms are omitted. Intended as a stabilizing device, the purpose and function of these mechanisms are described in detail in the Soviet/Russian chapter. However, like the Yugoslavian variants of the AKM, the pressed metal of the Chinese variant uses steel of 1.5mm thickness instead of 1mm, as in the Russian and other models. Steel of 1.5mm thickness is also used in

all RPK-type weapons. Also called the Type 56, the Chinese AKM is essentially China’s standard AK-47 (Type 56) with the milled receiver replaced with one of stamped sheet metal. As such, it omits the other modifications introduced with the Soviet variant. As with other foreign adaptations of Soviet weapons, the Chinese variants of the AK-47 and AKM have been modified over time, in addition to new indigenous models. Unique with all Chinese rifles, except the CQ Type 311 (copy of the M16) and the Chinese copy of the U.S. M14 is that all these rifles’ front sights are protected by an integral hood. In addition to these basic SKS, AK-47, AKM and indigenous Chinese models are a number of variants including a bullpup variant, as well as variations of wood and synthetic furniture, the latter in at least two different types and colors. However, until the appearance of the Type 63, there were no changes in the operating mechanism. Estimates of overall Chinese assault rifle production from 1952 to 1980 run from 10 to 20 million. However, following China’s massive rearmament program, many small-arms factories became idle during the 1980’s, and this resulted in the PRC becoming very active in export sales of their light infantry weapons. The two main organizations behind this effort were the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), or the State Machine Building Industry Commission and Poly Technologies Corporation, of the People’s Liberation Army. Following reorganization in the late 1980’s that abolished the Defense Industry Ministry, NORINCO became the giant among China’s weapon makers with 157 factories and some 700,000 workers. After extensively testing a variety of cartridges and calibers during the 1980’s, China opted to keep the 7.62×39mm cartridge,

although it made rifles in 5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO for export. The latter two included a variant of the M16A1, a clone of the M4, and a copy of the U.S. M14 rifle (for the copies of the U.S. weapons, see notes below and refer to the chapter on U.S. Assault Rifle Development elsewhere in this book).

PRC Type 56 rifle, (a copy of the Soviet SKS) top, shown with its contemporary Type 56 assault rifle (a copy of the third model AK-47) bottom) and center is the PRC’s first indigenous design for an assault rifle, the Type 63. All are in 7.62×39mm caliber.

In 1995, China developed a brand new assault rifle, chambered in their equally new assault rifle cartridge, the 5.8×42mm. Called the Type 95, this new series of weapons is of bullpup design.

The Type 56 (SKS) Rifle A semi-automatic-only rifle, the Type 56 Rifle is a direct copy of the World War II Soviet Samozariadniya Karabinba Simonova (SKS),

which was supplied to China by the Soviet Union along with the AK-47 assault rifle during the 1950’s. The Type 56 rifle was the standard issue military rifle of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from the late 1950’s to the mid-1980’s, despite the fact that other indigenous rifles were in production during that time. The Type 56 rifle used the 7.62×39mm (M43) intermediate cartridge in a 10-shot fixed magazine fed by 10-shot chargers. Well over three million Type 56 rifles were delivered to the PLA. Most Type 56 (SKS) rifles were retired from active duty with the PLA in the late 1980’s. Norinco has offered for sale SKS rifles that are fitted to accept the standard AK magazine, but these are still semi-auto only, and have not been an item of issue.

The Type 56 (AK) Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Rotating the safety/selector lever to the middle position allows fullautomatic fire and rotating this lever all the way down limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the safety/selector all the way up blocks the sear and also the cocking handle, preventing the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the AK-47/AKM in the Soviet Chapter elsewhere in this book.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The Type 56 assault rifle, in its various forms, could be considered a sub-series, and was a direct copy of the Soviet AK-47 and AKM rifles, and together with the Type 56 (SKS) rifle remained in service with the Chinese Military from the 1960’s to the late 1980’s. The original Type 56 Assault Rifle was a copy of the Soviet Third Model AK-47 with a milled receiver, but during the 1960’s a copy of the Soviet AKM-style stamped receiver was also introduced. The Chinese AKM copy used the same components as the Type 56 milled receiver AK. As already mentioned, the receiver was made using sheet steel of 1.5mm thickness instead of 1mm.

The Type 56 assault rifle made in the PRC, a copy of the Soviet third model AK-47, this specimen with a milled receiver. Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

The Type 56 assault rifle came in three models plus the subvariants of the Type 56-1 and Type 56-II. The basic Type 56 came with a fixed wooden buttstock. The Type 56-1’s came with a steel under-folding stock and differed in their bayonet mounts. The Type 56-II used a steel stock that folded to the right. As already mentioned, a 5.56×45mm NATO variant of the Type 56 (AKM) was produced, and another AKM type in 5.45×39mm was produced as the Type 88, for export. Characteristics for these rifles are the same

as for similar variations of the AK-47 and AKM assault rifles listed in the Pre-1990 Russian Chapter. As export projects, Chinese arsenals have produced the basic Type 56 Kalashnikov weapon in a wide variety of configurations, in calibers not issued in China. The Type 84S series, for instance, features 5.56×45mm NATO caliber in many semiautomatic only models tailored to the import regulations of the importing country. The Type 88 series comprises a full complement of Kalashnikov-based weapons in 5.45×39mm for foreign military and police sales in selective fire. Essentially any combination of configuration and stock furniture has been available for export.

The PRC also produced the 7.62×39mm Type 56 with a stamped receiver, making no model distinction. The PRC Type 56 stamped-receiver Kalashnikov is not an AKM, rather it is an AK-47 with a stamped receiver.

The PRC version with under-folding stock, equivalent to the Soviet AKS-47, was designated the Type 56-1.

The variant Type 56 with the side-folding stock is designated Type 56-2.

The 7.62×39mm M22 variant, reportedly an export model, was similar in all respects to the Type 56, except that it did not mount the typical Chinese folding bayonet.

Type 56-C Carbine (QBZ-56C) Development of the new Type 56-C carbine officially began in 1988. It was completed in 1991, followed by full production. Since it was the third pattern of the Type 56 design, the new carbine QBZ56C, (ie. Qing Bu-Qiang Zi-Dong 56C, Small Arm, Rifle, Automatic, Type 56 Model C), is officially classified as a “Short Assault Rifle.” The Navy’s submarine force was the first recipient, followed by the surface fleet. The PAP (People’s Armed Police) the internal security paramilitary force also were issued the new short-barreled model, including border patrol, anti-terrorism and anti-narcotics units,

and the PAP coast guard units. The QBZ-56C differs from the first and second pattern of the Type 56 in many respects. The biggest difference is in the receiver, which is 0.81 inch shorter. It is also manufactured from thinner 1.2mm steel instead of 1.5 mm of the Type 56. The receiver cover is also shortened and three reinforcing ribs were added to the top. Also, the QBZ-56C’s receiver is parkerized. The barrel was shortened from 16.3 inches to 11 inches. A combination flash suppressor/expansion chamber was fitted to the barrel, having a small expansion chamber that serves to decrease sound levels at the muzzle, and to let more propellant burn off before leaving the barrel to reduce flash. Attached to the expansion chamber is a small birdcage-type flash suppressor. The size and shape of the flash suppressor preclude mounting of a bayonet. The gas system and the action were redesigned: An adjustable gas regulator was added to ensure reliable function, user adjustable by inserting the rim of a 7.62×39mm case into the machined slot in the gas regulator. There are two settings on the gas regulator with “1” for normal and “2” for higher gas pressure. The shorter gas system led to an increase in the rate of fire in full-automatic mode from 650 700 rpm. A new three-piece telescoping recoil-spring guide-rod and progressive rate spring were also added. These were adapted from the 5.8×42mm Type 87 rifle. Another design influence from the Type 87 rifle is the use of synthetic furniture. The sights on the QBZ-56C are from the Type 81: a hooded front sight and a tangent rear sight protected by a square metal hood. The rear sight adjusts from 100 to 300 meters. The markings on the selector are the same as the current production Type

56 model with “D” for Dan (single) meaning semi-automatic, and “L” for Lian (continuous), full-automatic. With length and weight reductions, the QBZ-56C is only 30.12 inches long, with its stock extended. With the stock folded, this shrinks to 22 inches. The Chinese Navy did not replace the QBZ-56C with the new bullpup, as the Type 95 carbine costs twice as much as the QBZ-56C. The QBZ-56C is the final Chinese Kalashnikov model to be fielded by the Chinese military.

The QBZ-56C is an 11-inch barreled 7.62×39mm AK variant built on a shortened and lightened receiver. OAL with stock extended is 30 inches and 22 inches with it folded.

Type 56-C Carbine (QBZ-56C)

The Type 63 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Rotating the selector to the full-automatic setting allows fully automatic fire and rotating it to the semi-automatic position allows

single shots. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the safe position prevents the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and pulling back the bolt handle to make sure the chamber is empty, locate the disassembly lever at the lower left side of the trigger housing. Rotate this lever 90 degrees downward and remove the trigger housing from the rifle. Then separate the barreled action from the stock. Press in the spring-loaded button on the left rear of the receiver cover and pull the cover to the rear and off. Then press the recoil guide rod and spring forward and lift it up and out to the rear, taking care because it is under compression. Pull the bolt carrier to the rear and tilt it to the right to lift it out of the receiver. Then rotate the bolt and remove it from the front of the carrier. Remove the gas regulator from the front of the gas block after removing the retaining pin. Then lift the handguard away from the gas block and remove the gas cylinder, piston and piston spring. No further disassembly is required and reassembly is in the reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

Sometimes erroneously referred to as the Type 68, the 7.62×39mm Chinese Type 63 assault rifle was China’s first indigenous assault rifle design. Resulting from a development program spearheaded by the PLA in 1960, the Type 63 combined features of the Type 56 (SKS) rifle and the Type 56 (AK-47) assault rifle. After three years of development, the rifle was type classified in 1963 as the Type 63. More than a million Type 63’s were delivered to the PLA, and some to trading partners such as Albania. However, the PLA complained that the Type 63 suffered from poor reliability and accuracy, and that its basic design was obsolete with its heavy emphasis on long-range accuracy, but little emphasis on close-range automatic fire. To provide a more useful weapon for close-quarter battle, the Type 63 retained the folding bayonet found on the Type 56 (SKS) rifle. The external configuration of the Type 63 is very similar to that of the Type 56 (SKS) semiautomatic rifle, but with the gas system, bolt mechanism and magazine similar to that of the Type 56 (AK) assault rifle. In what was probably a product improvement program, there were three known variations of the Type 63, one with a milled receiver and two others with a stamped sheet-metal receiver, each with their own bolt groups. Over the years, two selector mechanisms were also used in the Type 63, and its conventional stock can be found made of wood or synthetic. A 20-shot magazine was standard, which was similar to, but not interchangeable with, the AK magazine.

The PRC’s first venture into small arms design, the 7.62×39mm Type 63 assault rifle was successful, but not satisfactory and was replaced by the Type 81 after two decades. More than a million were produced for the PLA, and it was also exported to trading partners in Albania and Africa. Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Three known variants of the Type 63 were produced, one with a milled receiver, and two subsequent versions with stamped receivers. Each had a unique bolt group. Variations in selector mechanisms and stock furniture have also been observed.

Type 63 Assault Rifle

The Type 81 and 81-1 Assault Rifles Means of Controlling Operation: The safety/selector is located on the left side of the receiver. Rotating the lever to its middle position limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire and rotating the lever all the way to the rear allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements:

Rotating the selector lever all the way forward prevents the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and pulling back the cocking handle to make sure the chamber is empty, let the bolt go forward. Then press in the exposed end of the recoil spring guide on the back of the top cover and lift off the cover. Now press the exposed recoil spring guide in again and lift it out of the receiver along with the recoil spring. Pull the cocking handle and the bolt carrier all the way back and lift them out of the receiver. Then rotate the bolt until it can be removed from the front of the bolt carrier. Rotate the rear sight’s elevation knobs past their highest elevation setting and lift off the handguard and gas cylinder from the rear. The operating rod, spring, and piston will come free with the gas cylinder, and can be removed from the front of the cylinder. Remove the gas regulator from the gas block by rotating it past the number markings and pulling it free. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The historical development of the Type 81 will be covered in some detail, because this successful indigenous assault rifle was in service for more than 20 years with PRC forces, is still in service in some units, has been widely exported, and is in foreign licensed production. Often mischaracterized as a Kalashnikov variant, the Type 81 Assault Rifle has been the standard issue rifle of the Chinese military

from the early ’80’s to late ’90’s. While it incorporates some AK features, there are significant design differences. Due to the Sino-Russo split in the early 1960’s, the Soviets had never given the Chinese license to produce the AKM and the RPK, the light machine gun variant of the AKM. In addition, the Chinese military was never completely pleased with the AK’s performance and chose, instead, to design a new rifle. They were also in need of a replacement for their aging Type 56/RPD light machine guns, which were costly to make. At that time, the Chinese were using the expensive original milled receiver variant of the Type 56/AK-47 copy. The cheaper stamped receiver Type 56 model did not appear in large quantity until the Type 81 was in development. According to the Chinese military, the AK-47 design was inaccurate in semi-automatic mode, and somewhat uncontrollable in full-automatic fire. Until the early 1980’s, the Chinese AK was designated as a submachine gun, and it was only issued as a replacement for the Type 50 (PPSh-41) and Type 54 (PPS-43) submachine guns. Development of the indigenous new Chinese military rifle had commenced early, in 1958. The Type 63 rifle was introduced first, and as mentioned it featured a combination of the SKS and AK design properties in one package. It was proven to be unsatisfactory and was withdrawn from service by the mid-1970’s. During the same period and amidst numerous other unknown Chinese small arms research projects, emerged the 66-136 experimental rifle. As its project name indicated, the development of the 66-136 began in 1966 and featured a unique delayed-blowback action that utilizes a twopiece bolt assembly with a rear-mounted multi-lug rotating bolt. It was designed to easily convert to a gas-operated mechanism for

conducting comparison testing with the delayed blowback design. Conversion between the two types was simply a matter of adding or removing the gas piston assembly. The 66-136 project was eventually cancelled because the delayed-blowback action required tight tolerances and a fine machining process—requirements the Chinese military was unwilling to accept. Furthermore, Chinese ammunition producers were incapable of producing clean-burning 7.62×39mm ammunition with the consistent pressure that the delayed-blowback action required. The catalyst for the new rifle’s development was the Chinese experience in the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. The Chinese army entered combat essentially with a WWII small arms distribution: the Type 56 Carbine (SKS), in place of the bolt-action rifle; the Type 56-1 light machine gun (RPD); and the Type 56 (AK-47), used as a submachine gun, and only issued to officers and cadres. It was perhaps one of the most backward infantry-weapons TOE (Table of Equipment) in the world at the time. In contrast, the AK was the general issue for all combat troops on the Vietnamese side. Unsurprisingly, the Chinese troops were at a firepower disadvantage in most of the firefights. After the war, the conservative-minded Chinese military leadership realized their mistake, and at last accepted the concept of the assault rifle for all soldiers. The cliploading, semi-automatic-only SKS was quickly withdrawn from service, and urgent development of a new rifle family began, which would replace both the AK and the RPD. The development of the new assault rifle started with veteran Chinese small-arms designer Wang Zi Jun, in charge just weeks after fighting ceased at the border in April, 1979. At this time, the Chinese

military’s design criteria included: accuracy within 1.78 inch R50 (that is 50% of the hits within the 1.78 inch radius) at 100 meters; improved controllability in full-automatic, with the same level of reliability; longer weapon life than the AK; and the ability to use existing AK and SKS production tooling. To save development time, the Chinese designers reviewed many of their previous small arms research projects. The 66-136 experimental rifle was selected as the basis for development of the action and receiver design. The Type 56/AK-47 was selected for its configuration and ergonomic design. The Type 81 design is not similar to the Type 63 rifle. The 66-136 rifle, upon which the Type 81 is based, was a parallel contemporary to the Type 63 design, but not a derivative of it. The prototype was ready for testing in 1980. In 1981, the project was finalized, and the new rifle was designated the Type 81. (It proved superior to the rival type 82 rifle development, which was based more directly on the Kalashnikov design.) The Type 81 was officially accepted by the Chinese military for initial production in 1983. It was first used in combat in 1984, during the Second SinoVietnamese War by the Chinese Special Forces. Satisfied with the Type 81’s combat performance, the Chinese military approved full production in 1986. Actually, the Type 81 was planned to be an interim assault rifle until the Chinese finished development of their small-caliber high-velocity 5.8×42mm ammunition and weapon system. The Chinese designer used the short-stroke gas system, and an extended receiver design from the 66-136 rifle on the Type 81, which achieved the accuracy and controllability requirements. The shortstroke gas system generates just the right amount of energy to cycle

the weapon without the problems witnessed with long-stroke gas system of Kalashnikov’s design. The Type 81’s gas system was also specially designed to be placed lower to the barrel in order to reduce barrel rise caused by rearward movement of the bolt and carrier. The long receiver, another feature carried over from the 66-136 rifle, gives the bolt assembly an extra inch of travel to accomplish its deceleration. The 66-136 rifle’s rear-locking, multi-lug rotating bolt assembly was deemed to be too complicated for the new rifle. Instead, the Type 81 uses a rather conventional Kalashnikov style 2lug front-locking rotating bolt design, and a large bolt carrier that resembles the Dragunov SVD. The return spring and guide rod are also based on the AK design, but the Type 81 uses a three-section telescopic guide rod. The range tests verified the Type 81 as 40% more accurate than the AK-47/AKM at a 300-meter range in semiautomatic mode, and offering more control when firing automatically. The durability and reliability requirements were met in many ways. The receiver of the Type 81 is made from 1.5mm thick steel stamping. An extra latitudinal folding was added to each side of the receiver for additional strength. Its massive trunnion secures the barrel to the receiver, and it also provides the locking recesses for the rotating bolt lugs which lock the action at the moment of firing. The entire gas system plus the bore are hard chromed, the bolt group is parkerized and all other components are blued. The Type 81’s gas regulator setting can also be increased when more energy is needed to cycle the weapon when dirty or in cold conditions. As a weapon system, the Type 81 was built to last 20,000 rounds compared to AK copies of 10,000—15,000 rounds. It is built with the same machinery

that produces the Type 56/AK, and has the similarly loose tolerances, hence, the same level of reliability in adverse conditions. There are three types of magazines for the Type 81: the 30-shot box magazine for the standard rifle; the 75-shot drum for the light machine gun; and the odd 20-shot special-purpose magazine. The 30-shot magazine is based on the standard AK 30-shot magazine, and it can be used in most AK’s with some modification. The typical AK magazine is not compatible with the Type 81 because it lacks the specific pre-cut slot for the bolt hold-open device. The 75-shot drum was originally designed for a project that was cancelled, the Type 74 light machine gun. Internally, the Chinese drum resembles a mixture of the drum designs found in the Thompson and PPSh-41 submachine gun. The drum can be quickly loaded by opening its cover, dropping the rounds directly into the slots inside, closing it and then cranking the drum spring by turning the drum-windhandle six times. The drum can be stored loaded as long as the spring is unwound. The Type 81’s sight system consists of a hooded post front sight and a rear tangent sight under a rectangular protective hood. Windage and elevation are adjustable only in the front sight, with the proper tool. The rear sight is pre-calibrated for ranges for 100-500 meters for the rifle and increased to 800 meters for the light machine gun. The range setting can be changed by turning either one of the two small knobs on each side of the rear sight base. There is no provision of any kind for optic and accessory mounting interface on the Type 81. The Type 81’s barrel has an intergrated rifle grenade adaptor. To fire a rifle grenade, a special ballistic blank is used with the gas regulator set on the gas cut-off position. Another option is mounting a

Type 91B under-barrel 35mm grenade launcher, which is based on the American M203, in place of the lower hand guard.

Type 81 Variants Type 81: Initial production model with fixed wooden stock. Only 40,000 were made before production was shifted to the cheaper side-folder model. Type 81-1: Main production model with the metal side-folder stock. Type 81 Light Machine gun: Support weapon model with longer and heavier barrel, carrying handle, solid wooden stock, and folding bipod. The 75-shot drum is the standard issue. Type 87, 87-A: Developed to conduct large field trials of the new Chinese 5.8×42mm round. See details below. Type 81S: Semi-automatic-only model, with full wooden stock and without rifle grenade adapter, intended for civilian sales. EM356: Rare Type 81 chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO, designed for the North American market, but the U.S. import ban stopped its production. It has the Type 81S safety. M313b: A civilian sport model of the Type 81 with a one-piece, thumbhole wooden stock, using 10-shot magazines.

Export and License Sales of the Type 81

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been long-time users of the Type 81, and Bangladesh now produces the weapon as its BD-08. Nepal, Burma, Pakistan Algeria and various African states have bought Type 81 rifles, which are being refurbished and sold at favorable prices as the Chinese military coverts to their new weapons in 5.8×42mm.

The Type 81 rifle was China’s first satisfactory indigenous design, made in relatively small numbers with a fixed stock. The fixed stock was also used on the Type 81S, a semi-auto export model made in calibers 7.62×39mm (M43) and 5.56×45mm NATO. Photo courtesy Max Popenker

The Type 81, here as the folding-stocked Type 81-1, served well for more than 20 years, and has been exported, or licensed for production, in considerable quantity.

Although some 40,000 fixed-stock Type 81 rifles were made, millions have been made in the side-folding, Type 81-1 version. Photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Field stripped, the M81-1 shows many elements of modern design. Photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

(Right) The bolt and bolt-carrier of the Type 81 are shown assembled. The operating rod is separate. Photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

The basic Type 81 action was produced in a squad-automatic version as the T81 LMG, which featured a longer barrel, integral bipods, and a 75-shot drum magazine. This was also offered for civilian sales in semi-auto only as the Type 81MGS. Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Type 81 and Type 81-1

The Type 86 The history of the Norinco Type 86 7.62×39mm (M43/T56) rifle is clouded, as it is a bullpup variant of the Type 56 (AKM), and it was designed after the Type 81. Whether the Type 86 was designed as a weapon for use in vehicles and by tank and helicopter crews, or as an experiment in the merits of a bullpup, or as a purely commercial venture, is not known. Whatever the case, the design changes are substantial with the gun sharing some characteristics with the Steyr AUG and the French FAMAS assault rifles. These include an extralarge trigger guard, a forward-folding vertical grip and a long carrying handle. In the Type 86, the pistol grip and trigger have been moved forward with the latter connected to the sear by a long rod. The selector has also been moved forward above the trigger guard and the reciprocating charging hand has been relocated to the top of the receiver above the pistol grip and beneath the long carrying handle

that also houses the sights. Because of its ejection port, the Type 86 can only be used from the right shoulder.

Norinco catalog noted that this early model of the 7.62×39mm Type 86 featured an “ambidextrous new cocking design,” but right-side ejection only. An interesting adaptation of the Kalashnikov design, relatively few were made.

Later model of Type 86 Bullpup shown disassembled: Pure AK, in a new envelope. Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

The Type 86 was, of course, not adopted by the PLA, but it was decided to produce it in a semiautomatic-only variant for export to the United States, and 2,000 semi-automatic Type 86 bullpups were imported prior to the ban. Following that, with their major export market for a semi-automatic model gone, Norinco ceased to market the Type 86.

Type 86

The Type 87 and 87A (QBZ-87, 87A) Assault Rifle and the DBP87 5.8×42mm Cartridge Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the Type 81 assault rifle above. Safety Arrangements:

Refer to the safety arrangements for the Type 81 assault rifle above. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the Type 81 assault rifle above. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The PLA’s studies on small-caliber infantry weapons date back to 1971 when the United States and the Soviet Union were equipping their armies with the M16 and AK-74 intermediate-caliber rifles. The PLA tested various caliber options over several years and after comprehensive studies and tests, finally chose 5.8mm as the optimum caliber for its next generation assault rifle and SAW. The Chinese designers reached conclusions similar to U.S. ballisticians working on the SAW Project, who had come up with a cartridge of 6×45mm, which was not adopted because of logistical considerations. The first Type 87 5.8×42mm assault rifle and squad machine gun were introduced in 1987. The basic Type 87 was simply a 5.8×42mm variant of the 7.62×39mm Type 81 assault rifle with some minor modifications. The Type 87 assault rifle fires 5.8mm DBPS87 bullets at a velocity of just over 3,000 fps. The PLA claims that this round has better performance in comparison to the Soviet 5.45mm and the 5.56×45mm NATO M855 rounds. Given the ballistics of all three cartridges, the PLA is probably correct in this assessment. When compared with the 7.62×39mm (Type 56) cartridge, the advantages of the Type 87 5.8×42mm are clear. The Type 87 cartridge weighs some 24% less than the earlier cartridge, so 100

rounds of Type 87 ammunition weigh nearly one pound less. This works out to approximately 31 more shots for the same weight. In tests against steel plate and pine boards, the Type 87 (5.8×42mm) cartridge produced nearly four times the penetration of the Type 56 bullet. In live animal tests, the Type 87 delivered 28% more energy and destroyed 80% more muscle mass than the Type 56 cartridge. The Type 87 cartridge also has better external ballistics than the Type 56 cartridge, and the point-blank range of the Type 87 cartridge is 100 meters greater than that of the Type 56. This results in increased accuracy and reduces the necessity of sight adjustment at extended distances. Finally, the recoil impulse and energy of the Type 87 cartridge are 16.5% and 30% less, respectively, in comparison to the Type 56 cartridge, which also increases hit probability and control on fullautomatic fire. It should be noted that the DBP87 cartridge is issued in two distinct loadings: a standard rifle load with a 64-grain (4.15 g) projectile, and a “heavy” load with a 77-grain (5 g) projectile intended for use in sniper rifles and light machine guns. These later weapons can fire the lighter load, but the “heavy” load with the 77-grain projectile is issued in some cases for use in the assault-rifle class of individual weapons. The PLA’s conversion to the DBP87 cartridge is a significant development. The specifications of the round are as follows. (Data courtesy Small Arms Review)

The DBP87 5.8×42mm Cartridge

Comparison of main SCHV cartridges, with the 5.56×45mm NATO, left, 5.45×39mm USSR, center, and 5.8×42mm Chinese DPB87 round.

The Type 87A Assault Rifle Soon after the Type 87 was approved in September 1987 it was decided the PLA should further develop this weapon and have it ready for introduction for the military parade on 1 October 1989 at Tiananmen Square, which would be devoted to the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the PRC. The question arose as to what rifles the troops should carry in the parade. The Type 56 (firing the 7.62×39mm) was considered somewhat obsolete. The outward appearance of the Type 81 and

Type 87 were very similar and did not demonstrate any special, unique features indicating the weapons fired the new 5.8×42mm cartridge. Thus it was decided to modify and further develop the outward appearance of the Type 87 rifle using more up-to-date materials so the troops participating in the military parade would have rifles of a new appearance. The Type 87A was introduced with a redesigned folding stock, modified barrel assembly, improved hand guard and magazine composed of synthetic and aluminum alloy. The Type 87A was the final production of the Type 87 rifle, with the majority delivered to PLA airborne troops. The effort expended by the Chinese Ordnance Corps to rapidly develop a modified rifle is impressive. It is reported the entire industry quickly mobilized its resources, the PLA selected more than 10 of the top small-arms designers, assembled them in one location and formed a “renovation task force small arms group.” The group started its development work in September 1987. Despite the improvements over the Type 81, the Type 87 and 87A assault rifles were ultimately rejected for general military service by the PLA, because their conventional configurations were considered outdated. As such, it never fully replaced the Type 81, except in the PLA airborne and in test units. By the late 1980’s, several bullpup rifles, such as the Steyr AUG, French FAMAS and British L85 were already in military service, and the PLA apparently surmised that this configuration offered the best all-around design for a military assault rifle. The basic Type 87 technology was used in developing the bullpup Type 95 assault rifle family. As outlined above, it is possible

that the Type 86 was an experiment to test the efficiency of the bullpup concept. The Type 87 is almost identical in overall design and function to the Type 81 rifle. It is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas operated, magazine fed, individual weapon designed for selective fire. The hand guard can be fitted with telescopic sights or night-vision devices. Disassembly is the same as the Type 81.

Essentially a Model 81 testbed for the new 5.8×42mm cartridge, the Type 87 was made in quantity, but has been replaced by the Type 95 bullpup assault rifles. Graphic: Courtesy Guncobook

The Type 87A has cosmetic changes that would keep it from being confused with the older Model 81, although actual changes from the basic Model 87 are not substantial. Graphic: Courtesy Guncobook

Type 87 Assault Rifle

The Type 95 and Type 97 Assault Rifles Means of Controlling Operation:

The safety/selector is located on the left side of the receiver stock, just forward of the buttplate. Rotating the lever to its middle position limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire and rotating the lever all the way to the rear allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector lever all the way forward prevents the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Not known. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Following the successful development of the 5.8×42mm Type 87 and Type 87A assault rifles, the 5.8×42mm Type 95 bullpup assault rifle was introduced in 1995 as a “vastly improved Type 87.” According to the PLA, the Type 95 shares similarities with the French Giat FAMAS bullpup assault rifle, while its operation is similar to that of the British L85 bullpup assault rifle. The Type 95 weapons family includes a number of bullpup rifles and carbines including the Type 95 assault rifle, Type 95 ShortBarreled Carbine, Type 95 squad machine gun, Type 88/97 sniper rifles with a modified action, and the parallel Type 97 export variants that fire 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) ammunition.

China’s Type 95 (QBZ 95) assault rifle is their first bullpup design to be issued, and is in service in the new 5.8×42mm Type 87 cartridge. Top photo: Courtesy Strzal Magazine; Bottom photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

The Type 95B (QBZ-95B) was designed for special operations forces and for close-quarters battle. It does not mount a grenade launcher, nor does it fire a rifle grenade.

The 5.8×42mm QBZ Type 95 rifle mounting the QLG91 B 35mm under-barrel grenade launcher. Photo: M. Tokoi/ T. Jimbo, via Strzal Magazine

The Type 97 (QBZ97) is the 5.56×45mm NATO version of the PRCs new family of bullpup configured assault rifles, as now in use by the PLA in 5.8×42mm.

The Type 97 (QBZ97) is the 5.56×45mm NATO version of the PRC’s new family of bullpup configured assault rifles, as now in use by the PLA in 5.8×42mm.

The 5.56×45mm NATO Type 97 short bullpup also features a single-auto-burst firing selector.

The export model QBZ 97 in caliber 5.56×45mm NATO mounts the Model LG 211 launcher, in 40mm for Western round. Photo: M. Tokoi/ T. Jimbo, via Strzal Magazine

As the Type 95 and 97 bullpup rifles are considered weapons families, they are also produced in a squad machine gun version with longer barrel, folding bipods and feeding from either an 80-shot drum or the 30-shot box magazine. Shown is the Type 97 in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber.

Type 95 and Type 97 Assault Rifles

Type 88 and Type 97 Sniper Rifles The Type 88 was introduced to replace the Type 79 7.62×54mmR copy of the Soviet SVD, in the new Type 87 5.8×42mm caliber. The Type 97 is essentially the Type 88, made in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber for export sales. They are visually and functionally similar, except that the Type 88 is selective fire, unusual for a sniper rifle.

Although the caliber would limit it to more of a designated marksman’s rifle, the Type 88 and Type 97 are well equipped to provide a compact weapon for that function. The Type 97 in 5.56×45mm NATO is shown. Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Seen from bottom, bolt carrier and bolt for Type 88 and 97 sniper rifles. Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Disassembled view of Type 88 and Type 97 sniper rifles. Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Type 03 (QBZ-03) Assault Rifle The QZB-03 is essentially the second update of the Type 81 basic design, incorporating a two-piece upper and lower forged aluminum receiver, not unlike the FNC. It features a built-in mechanical buffer and a sight-mounting rail on top. Originally developed as an alternative to the QBZ-95, production continues as an economical alternative to that weapon, in the new 5.8×42mm caliber. It is also offered for export in 5.56×45mm NATO. Means of Controlling Operation: The safety/selector is located on the left side of the receiver. Rotating the lever to its middle position limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire and rotating the lever all the way to the rear allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements:

Selector on left side, above pistol grip: Rotating the selector lever all the way forward prevents the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Not known. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Developed in parallel to the Type 95 bullpup, this rifle was originally known as the Type 95A (QZB95A). Reportedly, it was to have been a backup design, but it has evolved into a worthy weapon of its own, and is produced as an economical alternative to the Type 95 series in the Chinese 5.8×42mm caliber, and in 5.56×45mm NATO for export. Although conceptually it appears to have its roots in the Type 81/87 designs, it has a number of refined features similar to advanced Western designs: It is built upon a forged aluminum receiver with an upper and a lower half. It has a mechanical buffer installed in the back of the lower receiver, and a separate operating rod and a tappet-type floating gas piston, with a two-position gas regulator developed from the one on the QBZ-95. The charging handle rides in a slot in the receiver, and the bolt carrier is suspended from a T-slot in the upper receiver, as opposed to riding in rails on the lower receiver. At the muzzle there is an expansion chamber/flash hider instead of a rifle grenade launcher.

A modern design with many features typical of Western infantry weapons, the Type 03 (QBZ-03) rifle has accommodations for optical sights, unusual for a Chinese infantry rifle.

Of conventional layout, the Type 03 stock, made of polymer, folds along the right side of the rifle. Photo: Courtesy Maxim Popenker

Field-stripped Type 03 rifle shows upper and lower receiver arrangement. Note the “waffle pattern” magazines, which are in caliber 5.8×42mm. Photo: Courtesy Maxim Popenker

Model QBZ-03 (Qing Bu-Qiang Zi-Dong, “Small Arm, Rifle, Automatic,”) export model was introduced in 2007 in 5.56×45mm NATO. Note M1913 rail on top. It will accept STANAG M16-type magazines. Photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Type 03 (QZB 03)

The Chinese M14 Assault Rifle For information on the Chinese copy of the M14 assault rifle, refer to the Chapter on U.S. Assault Rifle Developments From the M1 Garand to the M14, elsewhere in this book.

The CQ (Model 311) Means of Controlling Operation, Safety Arrangements and Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the ArmaLite/M16 Chapter elsewhere in this book. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

The CQ, or Model 311 in its semi-automatic only variant, was an effort by China North Industries (NORINCO) to produce a copy of the U.S. M16A1 assault rifle. The Chinese probably used M16 rifles captured in Vietnam as the basis for their copy, as the metal components are identical in appearance to those of the M16A1 rifle, as is the disassembly. However, the plastic furniture is distinctly Chinese, with an oddly shaped pistol grip, grooved round handguards and a hump on the bottom of the buttstock that may have been included as an aid in “buttstroking” or bayonet fighting in close combat. The selective fire CQ was sold on the international arms market with some going to Afghanistan during the Soviet/Afghan War. Quality was considered poor. A few semi-automatic Model 311 rifles were imported to the U.S. prior to the ban on Chinese weapons in the early 1990’s. The CQ was chambered for the M193 5.56×45mm cartridge and appears to have been manufactured in fairly large numbers for export. In 2001, the Iranian Defense Industries Organization (DIO) announced production of a rifle virtually identical to the CQ designated the S-5 in Iran. It is reported that China sold the tooling for the rifle to Iran rather than the actual weapons, as the DIO Organization has been offering them for export. For additional information refer to the Chapter on Iran elsewhere in this book.

Test firing by Small Arms Review gave the CQ-311-1 good marks for function, if not for esthetics. Photo: Warren Ferguson

The CQ-A Assault Rifle In 2007 the Type CQ-A 5.56×45mm carbine was introduced by Norinco for export. The CQ-A is an exact copy of the U.S. 5.56×45mm M4 rifle, and is being sold at half the U.S. price for the same weapon.

With production intended for the North American sporting market in semiauto, and a selective-fire version for military sales, the Chinese M16 copy failed when they were hit with a U.S. import ban, and insufficient military interest.

Exemplifying the old term “Chinese copy,” the CQ-A is a clone of the U.S. M4 rifle, down to the M1913 rail.

CHAPTER 16

Croatia

APS-95 Means of Controlling Operation: Similar to Galil and R4, but different in operation: The lever located on the right side of the receiver, based upon the AK-47 selector, has only two positions: lowered for “Fire” and raised for “Safe.” The small switch located over the grip on the left side of the receiver, has two positions, for semiautomatic or full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Similar to Kalashnikov/Galil: selector on right side, raise to top position for “safe.” Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Essentially the same as Galil/R4 (see in Israel and South Africa Chapters). Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The APS 95 assault rifle was developed in the mid-1990s by the Croatian company RH-Alan, and was manufactured by Kon ar-Arma

d.o.o., who also manufactured unlicensed copies of the Israeli Uzi and Mini-Uzi submachine guns as the ERO and Mini-ERO respectively. During the Croatian War of Independence, the Croatian side had been supplied several batches of the South African R4 variant of the Israeli IMI Galil assault rifle. This rifle was well received in service, and the Croats wanted a locally-manufactured variant of it chambered for the NATO-standard 5.56×45mm cartridge as the new standard Croatian Army rifle, to replace aging M70 assault rifles of Yugoslavian origins then in service. The APS 95 was adopted in 1995 and was acquired by the Croatian army in some numbers, but due to financial limitations this rearming was never completed. The APS 95 is still in service, and it saw action during the Yugoslavia-Croatia conflict. Its manufacturer offered it for sale on the international market until 2007, with no known success. Being a development of the Galil, the APS 95 uses the same Kalashnikov operating system with a long-stroke gas system and a rotating bolt. The APS 95 has a gas cut-off, to enable the firing of rifle grenades. The fire-selector is of the Galil-type, as is the skeletal metallic butt stock, which folds to the right. The weapon may be fired with the stock folded. Taken overall as a copy of the Galil/R4 copy of the Kalashnikov, a number of improvements have been made: A long, built-in carrying handle has an integral l.5X optic with backup iron sights (front protected post, rear aperture viewed through the rear base of the carrying handle). An extendable bipod can be fitted, which folds up and into the lower forend. The rifle is fitted with synthetic furniture, including an M16-style pistol grip and redesigned forend. The APS-95

is fabricated with a pressed steel receiver as opposed to the milled receiver of the Galil/R4, for a reduction in cost. Fire selection uses two distinct controls, located on opposite sides of the rifle. The lever located on the right side of the receiver, based upon the AK-47 selector, has only two positions: lowered for “Fire” and raised for “Safe” (when raised, it covers/blocks the bolt, working as a dust cover). The small switch located over the grip on the left side of the receiver, at easy thumb reach, has two positions for semi-automatic and full-automatic fire Although the APS-95 was officially issued to the Croatian Army, it was acquired and distributed in very small quantities before budgetary constraints stopped procurement. The manufacturer tried to sell the APS-95 on the international market for several years, with no success. The number of rifles manufactured, or the quantity adopted by Croatian Forces is unknown. The current status of this weapon in generally regarded as as intermin standard until a new design is adopted and produced, or a favored foreign design is procurred in quantity.

In the history of small arms, timing can be everything. The APS-95 fell victim to Croatian military budgets, and attempts to introduce it to a world market flooded with AK’s failed.

The APS-95 can be fired with its stock folded, an advantage for armored crews and the like, who would routinely have it in the folded position.

APS-95

VHS Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Later model has pivoting selector lever inside trigger guard. Safety Arrangements: Later model has pivoting safety inside trigger guard, which blocks access to the trigger when on “safe.”

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Unknown. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Before it became an independent nation, Croatia was not known as an arms designing center. Weapon design decisions in the former Yugoslavia were made under central planning and emanated from Belgrade, and largely comprised high quality adaptations of Soviet designs. Even as Croatia was fighting to secure its independence, however, local arms manufacturing became a cottage industry, and these were not all weapons of desperation. A pool of latent armsdesigning talent came to the fore, as fast as there was a new industrial base to support it. Although quality occasionally suffered due to war-time conditions, designs produced have varied from intelligent adaptations of existing state-of-the-art, to the innovative. An example of intelligent adaptation might be the fore-mentioned APS95. An example of innovation may prove to be the VHS assault Rifle, designed by Marko Vukovic and manufactured by HS Produkt of Karlovac, makers of the well-known HS 2000 pistol, marketed in the United States as the Springfield XD.

VHS designer Marko Vukovic, left, shows an early prototype of the VHS rifle to Defense Minister Berislav Roncevic, at table, and other defense officials. As an innovative design from a company with a good track record, and as the home team, the VHS rifle project has received good support from the Croatian government. Note unusual bipod, which folds into forward grip guard.

One of the design parameters for the original VHS assault rifle was that it could accommodate virtually every known accessory such as lights, lasers, diopter sights, bayonet, grenade launcher, bipods and slings. This later iteration of the early model VHS rifle mounts a bayonet and various lights, but still shows sections of Picatinny rail to spare.

With the lower handguard removed, the early model VHS is shown mounting a 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher, plus lights and a reflex sight, with sections of Picatinny rail still free. Operating handle is just above operator’s left thumb. From a miniature bipod to mounts for any available accessory, this early model had it all.

International patent applications were filed in 2005, and the first model was shown publicly at the 2007 iKA, an annual Croatian innovation trade show in Karlovac. The first model had external lines suggestive of the Singapore SAR-21 or Israeli Tavor, but these similarities were cosmetic and superficial. Reportedly due to requests from end users for a cleaner exterior, or from Croatian purchasing authorities for a more austere variant — or both — the second model was designed and shown at Eurosatory in June 2008, where it was offered for export sales as the Model VHS-D, and a carbine variant the VHS-K. Heavily invested in state-of-the-art production facilities, HS Produkt has the in-house ability to produce every part of every weapon, including tooling for injected-molded synthetic parts, which allows them to expeditiously incorporate updates or improvements.

This early second model VHS-D rifle has a much cleaner exterior, with the option of adding sections of M913 Picatinny rail to mount accessories, and a silhouette cosmetically similar to the French FAMAS. Note changes including new convex butt, charging handle inside carrying handle, perforated as opposed to bird-cage flash hider, safety inside a now-conventional trigger guard, and affectations such as the miniature bipod removed. This example does not have the shell handguard.

Left side of later VHS-D rifle shows flash hider and grenade-launching index rings, which will accommodate NATO Mil Std rifle grenades with an internal boom diameter of 22mm. Lengths of M1913 Picatinny rail may still be mounted as necessary at numerous points of the weapon for mission-specific accessory requirements.

The VHS-K carbine version of the later model does not have the ability to mount a bayonet or launch grenades

Still a bullpup configuration, this second iteration has a silhouette not unlike the French FAMAS, leading remote viewers who had been calling the VHS a SAR-21 or Tavor clone, to now call it a FAMAS clone. Noted one Croat military observer regarding the outward appearance, “This is simply [because of what] Croatian special forces wanted the rifle to be, after hours and hours of hard tests... they came up with the same demands as the French solidiers; no sharp details sticking out anywhere on the rifle, where it can get stuck in the uniform and on [objects in] the field...” At this writing the second, externally simplified, model is undergoing field trials with Croatian military police units serving in Afghanistan with the ISAF. Nations in South America and the Middle East have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the rifle. HS Produkt’s inclination to solicit feedback from end users, and their nimble ability to act on this input, may stand them in good stead as it did with the HS 2000 pistols. The internal mechanism of the VHS rifles is a combination of the proven and innovative. The gas-operated system utilizes a turning-bolt breech as do many weapons of this genre, but upon firing the

propellant gasses not only provide energy to move the bolt to the rear but some of the gasses are bled off through an additional port and are led to a chamber behind the bolt. Thus, as the bolt moves rearward, it is gradually slowed and softly stopped by a gas cushion, similar in concept to the air-spring system used on the Japanese bullpup submachine gun. Patent claims on this system are that it dramatically reduces recoil, especially on full-automatic fire: “...The VHS rifle is characterised by the gunpowder gasses passing the system of gas pipes... entering through the breech body... and applying pressure on the back end of the breech... equalising the forces on the front and back sides of the breech... thus moving them in the desired direction by applying a small force...” WIPO documents state.

Defense Minister Berislav Roncevic holds up a late model VHSD as he announces 4.5 million Kuna (USD $900,000) to fund initial production of the VHS rifle, including some 50 units for field testing by Croatian military police units in Afghanistan.

Although the cosmetic appearance of the earlier and later models would lead the casual observer to think they are different weapons, they grow from the same design and are dimensionally similar,

although the differing external features and optional

impedimenta give them a different appearance, and, of course, make different models more mission-specifically preferable. Croatian military sources have stated informally that both the “early” and “later” models are undergoing tests and the best one will be selected, although since both designs are from one proprietor we would expect all favorable features to be used in a final design. The manufacturer claims that the light weight, having the pistol grip at the balance point, and reduced recoil of the gas-cushioned bolt result in a remarkably controllable weapon. The later model features a flared lip at the ejection port to accommodate a shell deflector for those who fire from the starboard side of the piece.

VHS-D, VHS-K RIFLES

The latest version of the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) VHS rifle features a generally redesigned stock and a new front sight.

CHAPTER 17

Cuba

The MK2 In 1959, Cuba purchased 3,500 Cristobal Modelo 2 Automatic Carbines from the Dominican Republic and modified them with a new stock that came only as far as the rear of the magazine well. The barrel was shortened and the forend was replaced by a ventilated barrel jacket on which the front sight was mounted. Cuba referred to this rifle as the MK2. For complete information on the Cristobal Modelo 2 Automatic Carbine refer to the following section on the Dominican Republic.

The Cuban FAL Following the adoption of the MK2, Cuba adopted the FN-FAL and purchased 35,000 FALs from FN, of Belgium in 1958-59. These FALs have the Cuban Coat of Arms stamped on the right side of the magazine well. For details on the FAL refer to the chapter on Belgium.

The Cuban AKM

Since at least the early 1980’s, Cuba has manufactured its own AKM rifle in a facility set up by Soviet technicians. Chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 cartridge, this rifle is identical to the original Soviet AKM except for its Cuban markings. For complete information on this rifle refer to the Chapter on the AK-47 and its variants.

The FN made Cuban FAL was stamped with the Cuban Coat of Arms on the right side of the magazine well.

CHAPTER 18

Czechoslovakia (Czech and Slovak Republics)

THE Czechoslovak

Republic, which was organized as an independent state after World War I, inherited a substantial armament industry from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The government of the new state decided to keep this industry in existence, both as a domestic source of supply for its own forces and as an exporter, which would earn foreign exchange. The first few years of independence comprised a period of reorganization, after which Czechoslovakian small arms firms began to compete actively with those of other nations for foreign business. In the years between the World Wars, there was considerable worldwide interest in two new types of infantry weapons, which had not achieved a mature state of development by the end of World War I: These were the semi-automatic infantry shoulder rifle and its accompanying weapon, the squad automatic (then called a machine rifle). Czechoslovakian designers created a number of experimental weapons in both classes. One Czechoslovakian squad automatic achieved extensive acceptance from the military organizations of many countries. It is commonly known as the Samonbijejici Puska Z.B. 26, an abbreviation for Zbrojovka Brno 1926 (Brno Arms Factory [Model] 1926). The

arms-manufacturing center of Brno is the city where the factory is located, and 1926 the year that production commenced. The principal designer of this weapon was Vaclev Holek (18861954). The most widely issued variant of the Z.B. 26 was the British 7.7×56mmR (.303) BREN [BRno+ENfield] gun that saw extensive use in World War II. Production of the BREN commenced in 1937, and in 7.62×51mm conversions, it still soldiers on at this writing. The Chinese were among the major users of the Z.B.26 and its successor, the Z.B.30. Some two dozen countries adopted these weapons in one form or another. Some design features of the Z.B. 26 automatic rifle were incorporated into a self-loading shoulder rifle, the Z.B. 29, sometimes referred to as the Z.H. 29, the “H” believed to refer to Holek or his brother Emmanuel, also an ordnance designer. The Z.H. 29 was not a commercial success, although limited numbers were sold abroad, and some saw service in Czechoslovakia. The rifle was commonly chambered for the 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge, then standard within the Czechoslovakian Army, but one variant was made for the U.S. trials of 1929 to fire the .276 Pedersen cartridge. Holek’s Z.H. 29 rifle never reached large-scale production, and minor variations are seen among the few surviving specimens. There are unconfirmed reports that a few were made with a selector to permit either semi-automatic or full-automatic fire. In the major professional armies of the 1930’s, full-automatic capability in a battle rifle was regarded as an opportunity for soldiers to waste ammunition — some old soldiers even contended that a semi-automatic rifle would undermine the fire discipline of small units. They were strongly

opposed to the idea of a selective-fire rifle, because there was no tactical requirement. The Z.H. 29 self-loading rifle was gas operated with a conventional long-stroke piston, and was hammer-fired in the closedbolt position. Its piston extension cammed the rear of the bolt sideways behind a locking abutment fixed to the left side of the receiver. Detachable box magazines of 5, 10, and 30-round capacity were used. There was also provision for reloading through the receiver with stripper clips. This rifle has a last-round bolt stop that was released in an unusual manner: When a magazine was emptied, its follower rose into the path of the bolt. When the empty magazine was removed, if the trigger had been released, the bolt was engaged by the hammer. After inserting a loaded magazine, pulling the trigger would release the bolt to chamber a round. The trigger had to be released again to fire. This was an ingenious mechanism, but impractical. In addition to tactical and technical requirements, there are training and safety aspects to be considered in the development of automatic weapons. Fundamental in small-arms training is the concept that the trigger is actuated to fire a round. The idea that sometimes the trigger might be actuated to perform another function would increase the danger of a negligent discharge. Such counter-intuitive features run athwart the principle that weapons for universal issue should be designed to preclude incorrect use or assembly. The variant of the Z.H. 29 rifle submitted to the United States Army trial of 1929 had 86 different parts: Six of those were used in pairs, so the actual total was 92 parts. This is not an excessive

number of parts for a prototype, but many of these parts had not been designed for economical production, with no apparent effort to eliminate extensively machined components. Beautifully made weapons and accessories were typical of that era, not only in Czechoslovakia but in all the principal arms-producing nations. In World War II and since, however, grim reality has demanded more utility and less expensive finish for the investment spent on weapons. One feature of the Z.H. 29 has reappeared on several modern assault rifles: Its receiver is hinged to the stock group to permit easy disassembly. The same arrangement had been used even earlier on the Danish Madsen light machine gun, but the Z.H. 29 was the first shoulder rifle to be so constructed.

The Z.H. 29 is seen from the right side with 10-shot box magazine inserted.

The Z.H. 29 as viewed from the left side with 10-shot magazine inserted.

The Z.H. 29 influenced the development and adoption of the U.S. M1 rifle. Because the small numbers of the Z.H. 29 still extant are

widely dispersed throughout the world, it is now considered a collector’s item. Various other experimental 7.92mm semi-automatic rifles were developed in Czechoslovakia during the period from 1938 to 1950. For the most part, these incorporated no new technical features, nor were they designed to facilitate the newer tactical concepts. During the war, Czechoslovakian facilities were employed by the occupying German army for production, and although new design work was limited, some designs are of interest, such as the ZK 412 and ZK 420 covered below. During the 1950’s a number of assault rifles were designed in Czechoslovakia, many in 7.62×45mm (Z50), such as the ZK 503, CZ 515, CZ 522, ZB 530 and others, but the CZ vz 58 was adopted in 7.62×39mm. During the 1970’s and 1980’s the vz 58P and vz 58V assault rifles remained standard issue while others came and went. These included the Kratky Samopal (KRASA) assault carbines in 7.62×39mm and 5.45×39mm, the LCZ Group’s LCZ-B-10 and LCZB-20 assault rifles, the CZ2000/LADA and others. Some of these will be covered in detail below, while others will appear only in photos. The vz 58 assault rifle will remain standard issue with the Czechoslovakian Military for the foreseeable future.

The ZK 412 and ZK 423 The means of controlling operation, safety arrangements and elementary disassembly procedure is unknown for these two weapons. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

During WW II, a new type of weapon emerged, which fired a cartridge of medium ballistic power, between the usual high-powered rifle/machine gun cartridge and the lower-power rounds common to pistols and submachine guns. The most widely known of these was the [German] Assault Rifle 44, which was based on the MKb.42(H). These guns used the 7.92×33mm cartridge, first known as the Pistolen Patrone 43, developed by the Polte company in Magdenburg. In addition to this well-known German development, there were projects in other countries to develop other ammunition with medium ballistic power. In occupied Czechoslovakia at Zbrojovka Brno [ZB], these developments were under the leading of Ing. Alois Farlik, and resulted in the 7mm “Rapid” and 8mm “Rapid” cartridges. For the 8mm “Rapid” caliber were made the ZK 423 full-automatic carbine, and the self-loading carbine ZK 412. The development project for the self-loading carbine 8mm “Rapid” was probably assigned them early in 1942 by the [German] main office of ordnance development (SS Fuhrungshauptamt). This project was coordinated and directed by the SS staff in charge of weapons development at the Skoda weapons factory and ZB (Zbrojovka Brno) (German: Verbindunsstab zur Waff-SS bei Skodawerken u. Waffen-werken Brunn). Documents are not available that delineate this development, but information was gleaned from individuals—and from an article in Waffen Review in 1979, which made oblique reference to them, in an article is about construction of the ZK 403 submachine guns, whose development was in the same time period. Photocopies of documents were published in this article of that development, but in correspondence addressed to the Reich

Leader SS on 6Apr 42 was a note that construction of MK (Machinen Karabiner) SS-42 would be continued. The Germans had employed Czech engineers to develop the submachine gun ZK 403 (“MP SS-42”) which was supposed to fix problems that were common with the MP.38 and MP.40 weapons, mostly dealing with poor dependability when dirty from mud and in winter conditions. Also, the capacity of the 32-round MP 38/40 magazine was to be addressed, as it did not favorably compare to the Soviet PPSh and PPD 71-round magazine. This project culminated in an order for 10,000 units, but was later dropped and the only actual guns made were in prototype form. Much less known today is the Carbine ZK 412, also known as the MK SS-42. The only known specimen today is saved in the collection of the Historical Institution of the Czech Army (HU ACR), and the weapon is virtually unknown except for notes in Nase vojsko 1971, [Czech arms publication] and no picture has been previously published in American publications. This weapon is gas operated by a long-stroke gas piston, and has a rotary-bolt, locked breech. A cam lug on the gas piston assembly operates the rotary bolt mechanism by a cam slot in that bolt. The bolt has two opposed, symmetrical locking lugs at the rear. The FG-42 had a similar principle, but the ZK 412 fires from an open bolt in a fashion common to pistol-caliber weapons, and does not offer the choice of selective fire. If we assume that the power of the 8mm “Rapid” cartridge was probably on a level to that of the 7.92×33mm German round, it raises the question as to the shooting possibilities of the ZK 412 from the view of precision.

The gas piston has attached at its rear a return spring that operates the action to load, lock, and fire. The ZK 412 has a safety switch located on the left side just to the rear of the magazine well, marked “S” (Sicherung-safe) and “F” (Feuer-fire). When the safety is on, the bolt cannot be retracted. After the last round in the magazine is fired, the bolt is held to the rear, and the trigger is locked as well. This automatic locking feature is activated by the magazine follower, which after feeding the last round lifts a lever that activates the safety, which locks the bolt.

The ZK412 seen from the right side without its 30-shot magazine. Below, the ZK 412 seen field stripped.

At left are the chamber dimensions for the 8×35mm Rapid cartridge and at right are the dimentions of the 8×33mm Kurz cartridge.

The magazine was thought to have a capacity of 30 rounds, is double row, alternate feed. On the back part of magazine well by the magazine release is engraved the number “2”. The whole sample is a very interesting study in the possibilities of allmachined manufacturing. On this weapon, many instances are visible where subassemblies could have been joined by welding, but were milled form solid stock – probably because at the ZB factory only this oneup prototype was made, only for function testing of the operating system, and the production variant was not re-engineered for efficient fabrication, before the order was cancelled. There is a muzzle brake that is threaded on, and locks in place, not unlike the one subsequently used in the Vz 58. The sight can be adjusted by rotating a drum, from 100-300 meters: A unit saved from a ZK 403 machine gun is quite similar. The gun is marked on the left side “ZK 412 KAL. 8 m/m” and under that is engraved “Waffen Amtu” with the number 63 (WaA 63), which was the code used at ZB. Except for a lightly engraved “822” there are no other marks on the weapon.

ZK 412

No available literature has information on the 8mm Rapid cartridge and the only lead for this is to measure the chamber itself. From this, it was found that the cartridge was almost identical to the standard German 7.92×33 cartridge with the main difference being that the 8mm Rapid cartridge for the ZK 412 was 2mm longer, making it 8×35mm. The German 7.92×33 cartridge will enter the ZK 412 chamber, but the bolt will not lock because of the narrower chamber neck of the 8×35mm Rapid cartridge. No photographs or additional details are available on the ZK 423 selective fire rifle.

The ZK 420-S Prior to World War II, the firm of Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) of Uhersky Brod manufactured a number of self-loading pistols and aircraft machine guns, while Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka Brno (ZB), of Brno, continued to make a number of bolt-action rifles based on the German K98. Its ZB 26 designs were also the basis for the British Bren light machine gun. Being major exporters before the War, both companies continued production of a variety of small arms under Nazi occupation during WW II. A most interesting ZB selfloading rifle was first seen in 1942. Called the ZK 420, this 7.92×57mm rifle somewhat resembled the U.S. M1 Garand rifle. Having evolved from earlier designs by Josef and Frantisek Koucky, the ZK 420 (zbrane Koucky 420) had a full-length stock with Mauser type bands, a fixed 10-round box magazine and used a longstroke gas piston. An integral charger guide in the receiver allowed the ZK 420’s magazine to be loaded using two Mauser 5-round chargers. This loading feature would be found on experimental U.S. M1 type rifles and became standard on the U.S. M14 rifle over a decade later. While the ZK 420’s receiver also resembled that of the M1 rifle, its bolt was quite unique. The M1-style cocking handle drew the bolt carrier back into the rear of the receiver on internal rails and the twolug bolt rotated counter clockwise within the carrier to unlock from the front of the receiver. Although not instantly recognizable, the ZK 420’s bolt group group amounts to a highly refined variation of that later used in the Soviet AK-47 rifle, or more correctly, the AK-47’s bolt group is a simplified variant of the bolt in the ZK 420-S.

The ZK 420 continued to evolve during WW II, emerging in 1945 as the ZK 420-S. The letter “S” might indicate “Special,” spelled the same way in English, but roughly translating to “improved,” or “modernized.” However, a German translation from Czech describes the ZK 420-S as different from the ZK 420 in being the “Modell fur die Serienfertigung.” In Czech, “serial,” indicating serial production, could be “serialovy” (adjective), or “serial” (noun), and “series” would be “serie.” Thus, it is quite possible that the “S” designates a finished design intended for serial production.

The ZK 420-S is seen from the right side with its 10-round magazine inserted.

Here the bolt group of the AK-47 (top) is compared with that of the earlier ZK 420-S. The similarities are obvious.

The ZK 420-S is seen disassembled without stock or magazine.

With the most notable difference between the two rifles being the ZK 420-S’ half-stock, which left the forward section of the barrel exposed along with the gas cylinder, and the rifle also added a safety on the trigger guard reminiscent of that of the U.S. M1 and M14 rifle. The fixed 10-round box magazine was changed to a detachable magazine. With these changes, the ZK 420-S strongly resembles the U.S. M14 rifle, or again, perhaps we should say visa-versa. Grooves were designed to be machined into the receiver on both sides of the rear sight accommodated a box-like scope mount designed to use the WW II German ZF.4 optical sight, but not all ZK 420-S rifles have these scope mount grooves. This mount is held on the receiver by two cross bolts using heads with cross holes to allow the scope to be mounted and removed using bullet points or similar tools to turn the bolts. Designed for export, the ZK 420-S was produced in a number of calibers including 7.92×57mm Mauser, 6.5×55mm Swedish, 7×57mm

Mauser, 7.5×55.5mm Swiss, 7.65×53mm, and .30-06 Springfield for demonstration around the world during the late 1940’s. Small quantities of the rifle were purchased and tested by Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Great Britain, Israel, Argentina, Peru and the USA, but it was never adopted. Only several hundred ZK 420-S rifles were produced. However, because the ZK 420 first appeared in 1942, it is likely that it was influenced by the early Garand rifle. Equally likely is that, because the ZK 420-S appeared before the experimental T-44 series that resulted in the U.S. M14 rifle, the M14 was influenced by the ZK 420-S. As reported below, John C. Garand was well aware of the ZK 420-S. In the meantime, the ZK 420 was probably known to the Soviets prior to the end of WW II, and the ZK 420-S was well known to them while overseeing development and production of it during their occupation of Czechoslovakia immediately after WW II. It is therefore quite likely that the design of the bolt group of this Czech rifle was copied and simplified in the design of the AK-47’s bolt. First Lieutenant Wil Piznak, USA, who was assigned to Springfield Armory during WW II, traveled to Czechoslovakia after the war and returned with ZK 420-S serial #0001 with its original scope mount bearing the same serial number. This rifle is in 7.92×57mm and was examined and test fired by the author in 1986. During disassembly of the rifle for photographs, it was discovered that the operating rod had a pivoting joint near the middle to allow slight flexing of the op rod during its movement back and forth.

The serial number of the first ZK 420-S is 0001. This rifle’s caliber was 8×57mm.

The left side receiver detail of ZK 420-S #0001 is seen here with a ZF.4 scope in the rifle’s original scope mount.

Right side detail of the ZK 420-S is illustrated here. Note the cocking handle channel.

The ZK 420-S’ barreled action is seen removed from the stock.

The ZK 420-S is seen with a 5-shot charger in the charger guide. The rifles resemblance to the M14 is unmistakable.

Lt. Piznak related an interesting anecdotal story about this feature to CW5 John M. Miller, USA (ret.), which occurred when Piznak returned to the U.S. with the rifle, and telephoned John C. Garand to inform him of it. When Garand asked Piznak what the Czechs had done about the “dog leg” bend in the operating rod, Piznak told him they “put a knee joint in it,” to which Garand replied, “Well, I’ll be damned!” Following the ZK 420-S, the Koucky brothers went to work for the Prague Design Bureau where they developed another rifle that was described as a further development, or a continuation of the ZK 420-S project. Called the ZK 472, this rifle emerged in 1949 and resembled the ZK 420-S, but used a barrel-mounted rear sight and a safety/selector mounted on the upper left side of the receiver. It is believed that the ZK 472 also used a rotating bolt, but its operation

was of long stroke piston, and it used a detachable 20-round box magazine similar to that of the ZK 420-S. Most interesting about the ZK 472 was that it was developed around a then new intermediate length cartridge of 7.5×45mm called the “Z49.” The ZK 472 was presented to the Czech Military through the Bohemian Zbrojovka and tested during 1949/50 where it was found to be not fully satisfactory for military use. However, in 1950, the 7.5mm Z49 cartridge was redesigned as the 7.62×45mm “Z50.” This round proved feasible for use in the CZ493, which was later adopted as the CZ 502, or vz 52 rifle. Only pre-production test lots of ZK 472 rifles were made.

The 7.5×45mm ZK 472 is seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The ZK 472 as seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

Although neither the ZK 420-S nor the ZK472 are assault rifles, their inclusion here is due to the almost certain influence of the ZK 420-S on those assault rifles described above, and because of the

7.5×45mm (Z49) assault rifle cartridge developed as part of the ZK 472 project. Characteristics of the ZK 472 are unknown.

ZK 472 serial #0007 is seen from the top with its date of manufacture and its production code. Note the selector along side the receiver.

ZK 420-S

The Samonabijejid Puska Vzor 52 (vz. 52) The first mass-produced Czechoslovakian semiautomatic rifle was standardized in 1952 as the Samonabijejici Puska vz. 52 (“vz.” Is the abbreviation for “Vzor” or model). In prototype designated the CZ 493, this rifle became the CZ 502 and finally the vz. 52. The vz. 52 originally fired a 7.62×45mm intermediate cartridge of Czechoslovakian design, which was not interchangeable with any other round. The vz. 52 was not an assault rifle, but a semi-automatic battle rifle. As an accompanying weapon for this rifle, the Czechs issued a magazine-fed squad automatic, the vz. 52 light machine gun that fired the same round, utilizing a completely different mechanism. The vz. 52 rifle is hammer fired from a closed bolt, with a trigger group bearing many features in common to the Garand. It has a 10round detachable box magazine that can be reloaded through the receiver with stripper clips. The bolt tilts to lock, the locking lugs being at the front. Unlocking of the bolt is controlled by the bolt carrier in the typical manner. The carrier receives its impulse from a pair of spring-loaded tappets situated adjacent to the chamber. The hollow, short-stroke gas piston

encircles the barrel after the concept of the German 7.92×33 mm VG1-5 Volkssturmgewehr. The vz. 52 has a permanently attached side-folding knife-blade bayonet. Unloaded, it weighs about 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg). Considering that it fires an intermediate cartridge, it can hardly be considered a lightweight rifle. The design, both of this cartridge and weapons firing it, was started during Czechoslovakia’s short-lived freedom after World War II. When Czechoslovakia became part of the Warsaw Pact, military standardization was imposed by Moscow. The vz. 52 was redesigned to fire the Soviet M43 7.62×39mm intermediate cartridge, and the later variant is referred to as the vz. 52/57. Differences between the two models relate solely to the ammunition, and the later weapon was considered as an interim type, as work was already progressing on a true assault rifle.

The CZ 52 is seen from the right side with its 10-shot magazine inserted and bayonet folded.

The ZK 503, CZ 515 and CZ 522 Experimental Models In 1953, the tactical and technical requirements for a “universal infantry rifle” were determined: effective range of 400 meters, good accuracy, maximum weight of 3.5 kg and firing the M52 7.62×45mm Czech round from a detachable 20-round magazine. Designs were

submitted, including the ZK 503 designed by the Koucký brothers from Zbrojovka Brno, and the ZB 530 designed by Václav Holek, also of ZB. All the designs had tilt-bolt, locked breech systems. However, following the ptototype, CZ 515, the Z 522, designed by Jir I Cermák of Ceská Zbrojovka was the design viewed most favorably. This developmental arm had many interesting feratures, almost none of which were used in the subsequent vz. 58 design. However, because of his work on this initial project, Cermák was chosen as the lead designer when the project was re-started under the code name “Košt” (broom) in 1954, with new technical requirements including the caliber 7.62×39mm (Soviet M43) round.

The CZ 515 is seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The CZ 522 is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The ZK 503 is seen from the right side with fixed stock and 20-shot magazine inserted, and below the folding stock version is seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted and folding stock extended.

The ZB 530 prototype is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The Samopal vz. 58 Means of Controlling Operation: The selector is located on the right side of the lower receiver just above the pistol grip. Rotating the selector to its midway position

(and pointing to “30”) will allow full-automatic fire, and rotating it to its uppermost position (pointing to “1”) will provide semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: The bottom position of the selector is the SAFE position. Rotating the selector to this position locks the trigger, preventing the weapon from firing. The rifle’s action, however, may be opened while the safety is ON, thus allowing the chamber to be inspected, loaded or unloaded with the trigger remaining locked. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: 1. Remove the magazine, and visually make certain the chamber is empty. 2. Press the trigger to release the striker/hammer. 3. Pull the cover-assembly retaining pin (mounted at the rear of the receiver cover) to the right and remove the cover, and with it, the recoil and striker/hammer-springs. 4. Draw the bolt to the rear, and lift it up and out of the receiver. 5. Rotate the striker/hammer counterclockwise approximately 1/8 turn, and withdraw it to the rear to separate the bolt carrier, bolt and locking block. 6. Pull the handguard retaining pin at the front of the front-sight base to the right, and lift the rear of the handguard to remove it. 7. Pull the piston to the rear enough to pull the piston head up and remove it. No further disassembly is necessary. 8. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

Czechoslovakia was unique within the Warsaw Pact for the degree of initiative they seized – and were allowed — in developing and manufacturing weapons of native design. The reasons for this situation were complex, but salient among them was the fact that Czechoslovakia had a well-deserved reputation as a world-class designer and manufacturer of weapons, in particular small arms. Czechoslovakia came into the Soviet sphere of influence later than did most of the other members of the Warsaw Pact, and it was economically and technologically stronger. Its manufacturing base did not suffer the war damage as did what became known as East Germany, nor was its tooling and machinery removed to the USSR as spoils of war. The Czechoslovakian armament industry was already enjoying renewed success on the world market at the time of the Communist takeover, and even the central planners in Moscow realized this could be an important source of convertible currency for the Bloc. The Czechoslovakian military establishment and government were justifiably proud of this indigenous industry, so Moscow apparently decided that standardization would be imposed only so far as was necessary to meet military requirements. Such a decision would have been in harmony with the Soviet propaganda line at the time, which proclaimed that the establishment of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic had expressed the free choice of the people.

This fixture comprised the proof-of-concept prototype of the vz. 58 rifle.

This second prototype is unmistakably a vz. 58. It is seen without its magazine.

Thus in 1958, the Czechoslovakian Army adopted the Samopal 58, a unique assault rifle of native design, by well known arms designer, Jiri Cermak. There is superficial similarity between the silhouettes of the Samopal vz. 58 and the AK, but the only commonality is the caliber. They are distinctly different designs, with completely dissimilar operating mechanisms: Not even the detachable box magazines are interchangeable between a vz. 58 and an AK. In addition to its adoption by the Czechoslovakian military, the vz. 58 was offered for export, and a few significant sales were made. The vz. 58 is the archetypical assault rifle, with selective fire capability and having a large-capacity, detachable box magazine. It fires with the bolt closed and locked. Firing is accomplished by a sliding spring-loaded striker in the bolt, instead of the more traditional hammer/firing-pin system. The action is operated by a short-stroke piston that drives a spring-loaded tappet to the rear each time a shot is fired. The bolt group consists of four main parts: bolt, locking piece, carrier, and striker/hammer. The carrier receives the blow of the tappet and moves rearward, unlocking the bolt and cocking the striker. The bolt itself has some longitudinal play within the carrier, but it does not tip. During the initial rearward movement of the carrier,

before the bolt moves, the carrier cams the locking piece up to disengage it from the receiver, after which the bolt is free to move to the rear. The driving spring and the striker spring are housed in the receiver cover. Without a hammer, the trigger group is extremely simple. The handguard can be removed by removing one pin, after which the piston and its attached tappet can easily be removed, which is convenient for cleaning the gas system. The 30-shot detachable aluminum magazine holds the cartridges in a double, staggered row. Rounds are fed alternately from the right and the left lip of the magazine. A clip guide on the bolt carrier permits reloading through the receiver via stripper clips.

This prototype has more of the characteristics of the production vz. 58 rifle.

The vz. 58 has been made in two variants: The vz. 58P has a conventional rigid two-piece stock (made from wood, or a wood-filled synthetic composite), and the vz. 58V features a metal stock that can be folded against the right side of the receiver. The vz. 58Pi is sometimes encountered, which has a long dovetailed bracket on the left side of the receiver that permits the mounting of a nightvision sight: This variant usually has a conical flash suppressor and a light bipod. Both variants can accommodate a knife-type bayonet. The

weight with bayonet and loaded magazine is approximately 8.33 pounds (3.78 kg). The weapon’s cyclic rate of fire is 800 spm. This lightweight, modern assault rifle has been the standard shoulder rifle of the Czechoslovakian armed forces since the early 1960’s, and is still standard issue to the forces of the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic as of this writing. The vz. 58 will accept a grenade launcher mounted under the barrel and, as of 2008, has been seen with an M1913 type rail mounted on top of the hand guard.

An early vz. 58P with wooden furniture is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine and sling.

An early vz. 58P rifle with wooden furniture, leather sling and 30-shot magazine isseen from the left.

The vz. 58 is still offered for sale by the CZ factory in Brno, and is exported in semi-automatic only variants to the United States

market. It was made experimentally in 7.62×51mm NATO as the APZ 67, and in 5.56×45mm NATO as the UP-Z 70. In 2008 the vz. 58 appeared with an M1913-type rail top handguard and two new variants were displayed. One was a 7.62×39mm with a folding FN-type stock, polymer pistol grip and a combination carrying handle/scope base extending from the rear sight base to the tang. This rifle used a front sight mounted on the gas block and had an M203 40mm grenade launcher mounted below the barrel. A similar wepon had a long barrel with a sniper scope mounted, but had a 10-shot box magazine and appeared to be in either 7.62×54(R)mm or 7.62×51mm NATO. A salient feature of the vz. 58 is its light weight, and although the standard weapon of only the Czech and Slovak military, this weapon will be found in limited numbers in some dozen or so Middle-Eastern, African and Asian countries. More information on the vz. 58 can be found in Jiri Cermak’s book, Ctyricet let Kinstrukterem zbrani/19461986.

A late vz. 58P with composite stock furniture and conical flash hider is seen from the right with bipod folded

The composite stocked vz. 58P seen from the left side with bipod deployed.

A vz. 58V with composite furniture is seen from the right side with its folding stock folded and 30-shot magazine.

The composite stocked vz. 58V is seen from the left with its folding stock extended and canvas sling.

The main cartridges used by Czechoslovakia are (from left) the 7.92×57mm Mauser, the 7.62×45mm (2 versions) and the 7.62×39mm (M43).

This vz. 58V is seen field stripped from the right side.

This vz. 58P is seen field stripped with the rest of its kit accessories.

In these photos, the vz. 58’s bolt group is seen closed in the locked position and unlocked in the open position.

Here the vz. 58’s bolt group, striker and recoil spring group are seen in detail.

This late model vz. 58 is equipped with a new flash hider and a grenade launcher.

The AP-Z 67, 7.62×51mm NATO version of the vz. 58 was made in prototype only.

Here the prototype UP-Z 70 5.56×45mm NATO version of the vz. 58 is seen with its 30-shot magazine.

This new variant of the vz. 58 uses an FN-type folding stock, a combination carrying handle/scope base, front sight mounted on the gas block and is equipped with a M203 40mm grenade launcher.

This new sniper rifle is based on the vz. 58, but with the new folding stock, bipod, scope base/carrying handle and appears to be in 7.62×54(R)mm or 7.62×51mm NATO.

Samopal vz. 58

This EZ-B Experimentální zbra -B (experimental weapon, second submission), bullpup adaptation of the vz. 58 was developed by Engineer Miroslav Fisher in 1975, borrowing some of the features of the British EM-2 bullpup design. Photo: Wikipedia

The LADA – CZ2000

Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the receiver, the 4-position selector limits the LADA to semi-automatic fire when rotated all the way to the rear (1). When rotated clockwise, bypassing the SAFE position (0), and moved to the position denoted by “3,” the selector allows 3-round burst fire and when rotated all with way forward to the position marked “30,” the selector Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector to the center position, marked “0” prevents the LADA from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, use the point of a bullet or similar tool to push out the receiver cover’s retaining pin located at the top front of the cover. This will free the cover, allowing it to be pulled to the rear and off the rifle. Then, as with the AK-47, the recoil spring guide can then be pushed forward from the rear to free it, and lifted away from its retainer. The recoil spring group can then be carefully allowed to extend slowly rearward under pressure of the spring while the rear of the guide is held to control it. With the recoil spring and guide removed, pull back the cocking handle until the bolt carrier can be lifted up out of the receiver, and remove it, the bolt and piston from the rifle. Then rotate and remove the bolt forward from the carrier. Further disassembly is not necessary for cleaning.

Reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: After some 20 years in design and development, CZ introduced a new AK-type assault rifle in 1996. Called the LADA, the new rifle was the result of research on a new family of weapons having commonality, especially in the cartridge they fired, in this case, the 5.45×39mm. The word, “LADA” is reported to actually mean such a family of weapons, but in the old Slavonic language, lada translates to “beauty” or “darling.” After correcting a series of manufacturing problems, the LADA was ready for production in 1990, but the Czechoslovakian Military rejected any adoption of the 5.45×39mm cartridge, as it was anticipating joining NATO. It was subsequently decided to convert the LADA to use the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod was chosen to produce the new rifle, which was given the designation CZ2000. Made in three configurations, the CZ2000/LADA was offered in an assault rifle with a standard length barrel, the same with a short barrel and a light machine gun not unlike the Russian RPK. This model has a barrel 22.7 inches (577mm) in length and is fitted with a bipod. All three CZ2000/LADA variants have tubular metal stocks that fold to the right with the hinge lock on the left side, and the butt plate features a non-slip rubber pad.

The LADA Assault Rifle seen from the left side with folding stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The short assault rifle has a ring sling mount on the left side at the stock hinge. It also differs in using a solid, rather than a ventilated flash hider in order to increase gas flow, and combination gas block/front sight, this due to its very short barrel. Unlike the top cover of the AK, with its protruding recoil spring retaining piece, that of the CZ2000/LADA slides in and out of grooves in the receiver and is secured at front by a cross pushpin through the trunion above the barrel. This pushpin also holds the upper hand guard in place. The upper hand guard is machined from Delrin while the lower guard is of molded reinforced polymer. The CZ2000/LADA’s receiver is of the pressed and riveted AKM type, but is slightly shorter than the standard AKM, which is typical of such receivers with folding stocks. It is unknown if the LADA incorporates a rate reducer, but the typical AK selector/dust cover has been eliminated. In its place is a more conventional selector mounted on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip. As outlined above, in addition to SAFE, this 4-position selector allows single, 3-round burst and full-automatic fire. Burst fire is achieved using a 3-tooth ratchet that resets after the trigger is released.

Located on the rear of the CZ2000/LADA’s receiver cover, the rear sight is a “U” notch tangent adjustable for elevation in 100-meter increments out to 1000 meters, and it is protected by heavy wire ears of roughly .20 inches (4mm) in diameter. Also protected by ears, the CZ2000/LADA’s front sight is a post adjustable for both elevation and windage.

The LADA Short Assault Rifle viewed from the left side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted. The Short Assault Rifle has a ring sling mount for a single point sling on the left side at the stock hinge.

The LADA Short Assault Rifle seen from the right side with its stock folded and 30-shot magazine in place. The LADA can be operated with the stock folded.

The CZ2000/LADA’s cold-hammer-forged barrel has a bore and chamber that are hard chrome plated, and the bore has 6 grooves with a right hand twist. On the muzzle is a conical flash hider. Standard is a 30-shot transparent polymer magazine, but both the assault rifles will also accept the 75-round drum magazine used in the light machine gun variant. Although the Czechoslovakian Military wanted to adopt the CZ2000/LADA in 5.56×45mm NATO prior to joining that organization, a lack of funds made it impossible, and NATO approved them retaining the vz. 58 in 7.62×39mm. The CZ2000/LADA was subsequently offered for export in either 5.45×39mm or 5.56×45mm NATO, but was never adopted, and only a handful of pre-production samples were made.

Located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip, the LADA’s 4position selector allows semi-automatic fire (1), 3-round burst fire (3) and fullautomatic fire (30), in addition to SAFE (0).

All versions of the LADA can use the standard AK type 75-shot drum magazine see here inserted in the LADA Short Assault Rifle.

The LADA Short Assault Rifle seen from the left side fieldstripped.

CZ2000/LADA Standard Rifle & CZ2000/LADA Short Rifle

The LCZ Group

In the mid-1990’s, a new Czechoslovakian company, LCZ Group, of Brno, introduced a number of military weapons, two of which were assault rifles, and all of which were minor variations of designs by the Russian inventor Anatoly Filippovich Baryshev. Baryshev designed this family in the 1960s, and in 1969 was granted patent 48117, and in 1993 patent 2002195, for his “locking method for small arms or artillery.” The basic design had been promoted as adaptable from low-powered rifle calibers (eg. 7.62×39mm) to full-power rifle calibers (eg. 7.62×54R) through heavy machine-gun calibers (eg. 12.7×108mm) and 30mm grenade rounds. It was built, at least in prototype form, and successfully fired in all these types of ammunition, and more recently it has been offered by Baryshev in a 9mm submachine gun configuration. The Baryshev AB-762, built by Baryshev in 7.62×39mm, was offered by LCZ Group in calibers 7.62×39mm, 5.45×39mm, and 5.56×45mm NATO as the LCB-B-10. It was claimed that the three calibers could be quickly changed in the field. Aside from modifications to facilitate barrel changes, design alterations by LCZ were limited to rather cosmetic changes to the carrying handle and muzzle brake. The Baryshev AVB-762, originally made in 7.62×54R, was promoted by LCZ Group as the LCZ-B-20 in 7.62×51mm NATO caliber only. As in the case of the AB-762/LCZ-B-10, the changes to the AVB-762/LCZ-B-20 were essentially cosmetic and limited to the carrying handle and muzzle brake. As all the Baryshev designs (most of which were promoted by LCZ Group during the time of their relationship with Baryshev), both these models operated by delayed blowback using a principle that

has been compared to that of the French FAMAS (refer to the chapter on France elsewhere in this book, and the drawing below). As in virtually all the Baryshev designs, they featured a light folding buttstock. That such a light stock would be suitable for a heavy rifle caliber is testament to the one acknowledged advantage of this family, which is that the design has very little recoil, thus is relatively easy to control in full-automatic fire.

Originally patented by Anatoly Filippovich Baryshev in the 1960s, this patent drawing illustrates the action just as it has closed and is firing (top), and with the recoil-extraction cycle beginning as the action has unlocked (bottom). Further patents were granted Baryshev in 1993 for a “locking method for small arms and artillery.” The basic design has been successfully applied to calibers from 5.45mm to 30mm.

The Baryshev AV-762 and Czech LCZ-B-10 version (inset) embodied interesting design innovations that were a combination of strengths and weaknesses.

The AVB-762 and the Czech version called the LCZ-B-20 (inset) was a full-size battle rifle that was easy to fire in full-automatic mode, but suffered from poor accuracy in semi-auto fire because it always fires from an open bolt.

With a selector located on the right side above the pistol grip, the rifles were capable of semi- and full automatic fire of 740 rounds per minute. However, because the weapons always fire from the open-bolt position, even on semi-automatic fire, users complained of its poor accuracy in the semi-auto mode, and of its poor reliability. Although the various designs were tested numerous times by many Russian

agencies, technical evaluators were concerned over the requirement for very precise and complicated machining operations in its manufacture. Although the designs gathered a certain following among Russian military officials, the weapons family simply had no salient features that would warrant its replacing the Kalashnikov designs, particularly during a time of national upheaval. That this design progressed as a private endeavor for decades under the Soviet regime is testament to the fact it indeed had a following in some quarters. Although the various LCZ variants of this weapons family were thoroughly promoted by the LCZ Group as the “Czech Universal Weapons System,” and shown at trade shows such as IDET 95, there was essentially no interest. There appears at this writing to be no functioning entity as “LCZ Group” in the Czech Republic, all ties between that consortium and A.F. Baryshev having been dissolved.

AB-762 (LCZ-B-10) and AVB-762 (LCZ-B-20)

The CZW 556 Means of Controlling Operation

The selector is located on the left side of the upper receiver. Rotating the selector to the “AUT” position allows full-automatic fire and rotating it to the semi-automatic position limits the weapon to semiautomatic fire. Safety Arrangements Rotating the selector all way back prevents the weapon from being fired. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest The CZW 556 was designed and is produced by Czech Weapons, s.r.o. of Slaviein in the Czech Republic and first appeared in mid2004. Based on the Findorak patent No. 283180, the CZW weapons family appears to be conceptually influenced by the Baryshev developments insomuch as it comprises a “family” of weapons designed to use a basic recoil-operated, delayed blowback breech mechanism that substantially reduces recoil, in calibers ranging from diminutive PDW rounds (4.38×30mm Libra) to 12.7×108mm and even 30mm grenade rounds. Using polymer to a great degree, and designing around problems such as the need for strategic materials or extremely precise and complicated machining, Czech Weapons’ offerings appear to be an effort to bring legendary Czech engineering talent to bear on a sound concept that had previously been inadequately wrought. The CZW 556 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge, has a conventional folding stock that swings to the right and uses the standard M16 (NATO) magazine. The charging handle is

believed to be mounted on the left side of the weapon and on top of the receiver is an M1913 type rail for mounting optics.

The CZW 556 seen from the right side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

Although lacking in detail, this photo shows a representative Findorak delayed-blowback action, this one from a variant of the “Libra” PDW, designed to mount on vehicles or installations and be fired remotely.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure While this procedure is not known, it is believed that by removing a cross pin above the pistol grip and the selector, the receiver cover

and the two receiver groups can be separated to allow the bolt group to be removed from the rear.

CZW 556 Specifications

The PDW .17 LIBRA Means of Controlling Operation

The selector is located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip. Rotating it to positions marked 1, 2, or 3 allows semi-automatic, or 2-shot and 3-shot burst fire. Rotating the selector all the way forward allows automatic fire. Safety Arrangements Rotating the selector all the way rearward prevents the weapon from being fired. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest Part of the new weapons “family” Avia Tech and Czech Weapons are promoting, is the new PDW 17 LIBRA carbine along with its new 4.38×30mm (.17 LIBRA caliber) cartridge. As with several 9×19mm submachine guns and carbines made by Czech Weapons, the new PDW bears a strong lineage to the CZW 556 assault rifle. The PDW’s charging handle is located on the left side of the carbine and the magazine release is an ambidextrous type similar to that used in the AK-47. The 30-shot magazine resembles that used in the U.S. M1 .30 caliber Carbine. Like the CZW 556, the PDW 17 LIBRA comes with an M1913 rail on top of its receiver cover. A sound suppressor is also available. Elementary Disassembly Procedure Disassembly of the PDW .17 LIBRA is believed to be similar to that for the CZW 556.

The PDW .17 LIBRA viewed from both sides with stock extended and folded.

The PDW .17 LIBRA is designed as a quintessential personal defense weapon – compact, but with a caliber that can reach out, and a configuration that can readily accept optics to take advantage of that round.

PDW .17 LIBRA

Other weapons that never reached mass production were the Kratky Samopal “KRAASA” 7.62×39mm and the “KRASSA” 5.45×39mm carbines (below).

Czech AR Builders Two firms in Czech Republic presently offer AR-type assault rifles for sale under their own brand, including models in selective-fire configuration for law-enforcement and military agencies. LUVO Prague, Ltd., the merchandising arm for CZ Strojirna, Ltd., offers a number of AR-15/M16 style rifles in selective fire, also in a wide variety of configurations for various mission-specific needs, as well as rebuilt and reconfigured Vz. 58 rifles in various forms. LUVO Prague, Ltd., Rejskova 7, 120 00 Praha 2, Czech Republic ([email protected]).

ProArms CZ offers their own piston-driven upper conversions of their own design (Piston Advanced Rifle), and complete weapons of the AR genre, which they build from forgings, blanks or components originating in the U.S., U.K., and Germany, in a wide variety of configurations to meet missionspecific needs of the client. Pictured here is their “AR-15-Mini-Moose-b” conversion with C-Mag, and the PAR Mk 1 (below). ProArms CZ, Hypšmanova 953, 149 00 Praha 4, Czech Republic ([email protected]).

The CZ S 805 Means of Controlling Operation: Ergonomic and ambidextrous selector lever on lower receiver, directly above trigger: top position is “safe,” next position is semi-auto, third position provides two-round bursts, lowest position is full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating ambidextrous selector lever to top position places weapon on “safe.” Elementary Disassembly Procedure: As this weapon system was designed from the onset to be userchangeable between calibers and mission roles, disassembly and reassembly appears to be straightforward and intuitive. Complete disassembly details are not available as we go to press. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Designed from the onset to be modular, adaptable to available accessories and sights, and soldier friendly, the CZ S 805 bears a conceptual and cosmetic resemblance to the FN SCAR, but is clearly its own design. Intended as a replacement for the Czech Vz. 58 family of weapons, the weapon was designed in close liaison with Czech military forces. It is intended for production primarily in 5.56×45mm NATO (Model A) and 7.62×39mm M43 (Model B) calibers, and is readily field-convertible between these by the user, by

swapping out the barrel/gas-piston assembly, breech block and magazine housing for the new caliber. It is also a suitable platform for the 6.8×43mm SPC round and others. The CZ S 805 was designed to be suitable for left-handed shooting, with ambidextrous controls and a movable charging handle. When the stock is folded along the right side, the trigger and firing controls remain readily accessible. The muzzle has been designed to facilitate mounting of flash hiders or suppressors. Modes of fire are safe, semi-auto, 2-round burst, and fullautomatic. The modular trigger system is readily detachable. There is a full-length M1913 rail on top, and shorter M1913 rails on each side and the bottom of the forward handguard to accommodate virtually any M1913-compatible sight or accessory. Folding battle sights graduated to 500m are provided. The weapon also mounts a newly designed knife bayonet, weighing .85 lb (847g) and featuring a Tanto tip, serrations on the belly, and fine saw teeth on the spine. The manufacturer indicates the modular design intentionally provides for subsequent mission-specific variations of the basic assault rifle, such as compact versions, designated-marksmen rifles or even conversion to a squad automatic weapon.

CZ S805 A assault rifle from 2009 production run, in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber, with STANAG magazine and BUIS deployed. Photo: Remigiusz Wilk

With a full-length M1913 rail, plus shorter rails on bottom and sides of forend, the CZ S805 can mount a wide variety of compatible sights and accessories. Note ambidextrous controls. Photo: Remigiusz Wilk

This model from early production run mounts an experimental M203-style 40mm UBGL. Note synthetic magazine. (inset) Note intuitive fire control lever, translucent magazine, dual magazine release at front of trigger guard. Photos: Remigiusz Wilk

Early Model B, with 7.62×39mm M43 magazine, and (inset) magazine well removed. Photo: Remigiusz Wilk

A new knife-bayonet has been designed for the S 805.

As part of a weapons family, the new CZ S 805 will be offered in various barrel lengths, such as this carbine prototype shown here. Photo: Courtesy Remigiusz Wilk

The CZ S 805 was designed from the onset to accommodate the full array of modern sighting and lighting options. Photo: Remigiusz Wilk

The CZ S 805 will accept most mission-specific gear, from bayonet, to GripPod to high-capacity drum magazines. Photo: Remigiusz Wilk

CZ S 805

CHAPTER 19

Denmark

The Madsen Assault Carbine Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the pistolgrip, the selector has three positions denoted by “A,” “E,” and “S.” Pushing the selector all the way forward to the “A” position allows full-automatic fire and moving the selector to the middle “E” position limits the carbine to semiautomatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector all the way to the rear, or the position marked “S,” prevents the carbine from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, let the bolt carrier go forward. Then rotate the lever of the recoil spring base up until it can be pushed forward and rotated clockwise. The top cover can now be removed. Slide the bolt carrier and bolt about 2 inches to the rear and uncouple the piston rod from the carrier. Then move the bolt carrier to the rear of the receiver and lift it

and the bolt out together. The bolt can then be separated from the carrier. Rotate the lever of the recoil spring base so the finger piece is in the vertical position and remove the base, spring and gas piston. The piston tube and handguard can now be removed. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 1959 the Madsen Company of the Danish Industry Syndicate began the development of an assault rifle based on the design of the AK-47. Called the Assault Carbine, or A-Carbine, the gun was originally intended for production in Finland. As of January 1960, 10 samples were completed in 7.62×39mm (M43) caliber. Because Finland was not interested in the weapon, Madsen redesigned the ACarbine to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.

The Madsen Assault Carbine (A-Carbine) as viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The Madsen Assault Carbine as viewed from the left side partially field stripped.

In order to keep the weight of the A-Carbine at a minimum, only the barrel, bolt, carrier, gas system and small parts are made of steel with all other metal parts made of aluminum. This includes the receiver, a section of which extends all the way forward to the gas block. The stock and grips are of walnut and the ventilated handguard of DuPont Nylon. Based on the bolt of the AK-47, that of the ACarbine has two locking lugs that bear against corresponding cuts in the barrel extension, but the A-Carbine uses a short-stroke piston. Able to accept a telescopic sight, the A-Carbine is also fitted with a combination muzzle brake/flash hider. A stud on the bottom of this part accepts a bayonet. A grenade launcher and blank firing device can also be attached.

Madsen Assault Carbine

The Madsen Light Automatic Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: See this section for the Madsen A-Carbine above. Safety Arrangements: See previous section for the Madsen A-Carbine. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: The disassembly procedure for the L.A.R. generally follows that for the Madsen A-Carbine, excepting that this weapon has a carrying handle that is rotated half way to vertical in order to free the recoil spring base to be pushed forward and rotated clockwise. By using the bullet point of a 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge the two pins holding

the trigger housing in place can be pushed out to remove this group from the main receiver. The same cartridge can then be used to remove the pins for the hammer, trigger and other parts necessary to field strip the trigger group. The L.A.R.’s two forend halves can also be removed by unscrewing the screws that hold them.

The Madsen Light Automatic Rifle (L.A.R.) with wooden buttstock viewed from both sides with 20-shot magazine inserted and bayonet and bipod.

The Madsen L.A.R. viewed from the left side with tubular buttstock and telescopic sight mounted.

Notes on History, Design, Development or Points of Interest:

Consisting of a further development of the Madsen Assault Carbine, the Light Automatic Rifle shares many characteristics and parts with its predecessor that is based on the AK-47. Main differences in the L.A.R. include its using a 2-piece stock with the hanguard consisting of a left and right side held to the receiver by a large screw on either side. The L.A.K’s barrel also has an integral NATO rifle grenade launcher and a ventilated sheet metal handguard as well as a folding carrying handle. Made with a removable wooden buttstock with a rubber recoil pad, the L.A.R. can accept a tubular alloy stock in its place. A variant with a sliding retractable stock was also made, and all variations will accept a telescopic sight.

The Madsen L.A.R. viewed from the left side with retractable buttstock, 20shot magazine inserted and sling mounted.

The Madsen L.A.R. viewed from the right side field stripped.

The Madsen L.A.R. with tubular butt stock viewed from the left side with 20shot magazine inserted and bayonet attached.

Madsen L.A.R. accessories include the telescopic sight and mount, blank firing device, user’s tool, sling, web magazine carriers and bayonet/bipod (during transport the bipod is attached to the bayonet sheath).

Developed too late to be viable for the world market, the Madsen Light Automatic Rifle, like the Assault Carbine, was never mass produced. Yet, it remains an interesting and important step in the evolution of the assault rifle.

Madsen Light Automatic Rifle

7.62×51mm NATO G M/66

The German Rheinmetall-made variation of the German G3 rifle, the G M/66 is issued to Denmark’s Home Guard in semi-automatic operation, but can be converted to selective fire with a special key.

7.62×51mm NATO G M/75 Made by H&K of Germany, the G M/75 is standard issue for front-line Danish Army units. Designated G3A5 by H&K this selective fire rifle is leased from the German Government. For all operational specifications on the G M/66 and G M/75 refer to the chapter on Heckler & Koch.

M16A1 Denmark began issuing the U.S. Colt M16A1 rifle to Danish police forces in the early 1980s. For operational specifications on this rifle refer to the chapter on the M16 rifle.

CHAPTER 20

Dominican Republic

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 1 Means of Controlling Operation: Unknown. It is believed that a selector lever is to be found on the left side of the weapon. Safety Arrangements: It is believed that the safety is incorporated into the selector. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Once the magazine is removed and the chamber is empty, the receiver top cover can be unlocked and opened from the front and raised on its hinge in the rear. With this cover open, the 4-piece bolt group can be lifted out of the carbine and further disassembled. By removing the front stock band and swivel, the handguard can be removed. Then, after unscrewing the knurled nut in the bottom of the pistol grip, the stock can be removed from the weapon. No further disassembly is necessary, and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

An experienced designer of automatic weapons, Hungarian General Pal Kiraly not only designed the World War II Hungarian submachine guns M39 and M43, but also participated in the design of a semiautomatic rifle at the SIG works in Neuhausen in the late 1920’s. With the Soviet occupation of Hungary after the war, Kiraly fled to the Dominican Republic where he became involved in starting an arms plant at San Cristobal in the late 1940’s. At San Cristobal, Gen. Kiraly designed several cartridges based on the 7.62×39mm M43, but with extreme case tapers and sharp nosed bullets which he apparently planned to test in his delayed blowback weapon. However, Gen. Kiraly eventually settled on the U.S. .30 Carbine (7.62×33mm) cartridge in his initial delayed blowback design, the Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 1. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of European weapon designs, Kiraly designed the Modelo 1 to use a variation of the delayed blowback mechanism of the WW I Austrian Schwarzlose Model 07/12 8mm heavy machinegun. Often described as a “kneejoint” mechanism, the bolt of the Schwarzlose does not lock in battery, but is semi-locked by a combination of spring pressure and mechanical leverage within the bolt, thus putting the recoiling forces at a disadvantage, and delaying the opening of the bolt.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 1, fixed stock version, viewed from the right side and top without magazine and with bolt locked to the rear.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 1, folding stock version, viewed from the right side with stock extended and without magazine.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 1, viewed from the right side field stripped without magazine.

Using a top-mounted cocking handle offset to the right, the Modelo 1 is believed to fire from a closed bolt, has a muzzle brake and uses a 30-shot magazine. Made with both fixed and folding stocks, the Modelo 1 was produced only in prototype and remains somewhat of a mystery. No accurate characteristics are available for the Modelo 1.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 2 Means of Controlling Operation: The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Model 2 fires from an open bolt actuated by a non-reciprocal cocking handle, and has two separate triggers with no selector. Once cocked, the carbine can be fired semi-automatic by pulling the front trigger and full automatic by pulling the rear trigger. Safety Arrangements: Located on the left side of the receiver just above and forward of the trigger guard, the safety consists of a lever. Pulling the lever to the rear, “S,” blocks the sear, trigger and bolt. Pushing the lever forward to the “F” position allows the carbine to be fired.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 2 viewed from the right side without magazine.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, use a screw driver to press down the takedown button under the end cap at the rear receiver and turn it until it is free of the receiver taking

care because it is under pressure from the recoil spring. The recoil spring and bolt group can now be removed from the receiver. Removing the cross pin at its forward allows disassembly of the bolt portion and slipping off the inertia lock. By removing the front swivel screw and slipping off the stock band, the handguard can be removed. Unscrewing the two trigger guard screws will allow the removal of this part in addition to the barreled receiver. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in reverse. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: At about the time Pal Kiraly designed the Modelo 1 Automatic Carbine, the San Cristobal plant entered into an agreement with Beretta, of Italy, to produce a copy of the Beretta Model 38 9mm submachine gun. While the Model 38 was in production, Kiraly designed the Cristobal Carbine Modelo 2. Chambered for the .30 U.S. Carbine (7.62×33mm) cartridge, the Modelo 2 resembles the Beretta Model 38 series on its exterior, it differs internally. Where the Model 38 operates by simple blowback, the .30 caliber Cristobal Carbine Modelo 2 operates by delayed blowback (not retarded blowback as has often been described). Like the Beretta Model 38, the Cristobal Carbine fires from an open bolt and uses two triggers, the front one for semi-automatic fire and the rear trigger for full automatic. The ejection port is located on the upper left side of the receiver. An early variant used a machined tangent rear sight, but a simplified sheet metal type replaced it. Using a 2-piece bolthead/bolt-body, the mechanism is semilocked by a connecting lever that assures a mechanical disadvantage

to the bolthead when it attempts to move the bolt body rearward under recoil. Entering a recess in the receiver, the locking lever is held in position by the recoil spring in tandem with the mass of the bolt body, and only when the lever is in this recess can the bolt body strike the firing pin. This principle is not unlike that later used in the French FAMAS. The Modelo 2 uses the same dedicated 30-shot magazine as the Modelo 1, and will not accept the U.S. M1 Carbine magazine. In 1959, 3,500 Modelo 2 Carbines were sold to Cuba where they were modified with a new stock that came only as far as the rear of the magazine well. The barrel was also shortened, and the forend and handguard was replaced with a venti lated jacket on which the front sight is mounted. In 1962 a modified variant of the Cristobal Carbine was introduced. Called the Modelo 1962, this weapon has a shorter stock and barrel than the Modelo 2, uses a simplified L-type flip rear sight, and also has a ventilated barrel shroud extending half-way to the muzzle. First produced with a fixed stock, the Model 1962 was also produced with a folding stock similar to that of the U.S. M1A1 Carbine. The Model 1962 also uses a longer magazine well. The Modelo 1962 is also known as the MK3.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 2 viewed from the right side field stripped without magazine.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 2 viewed from the left side field stripped without magazine.

The Cristobal Automatic Carbine Model 1962, fixed stock version, viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 2 and Modelo 1962 (MK3)

The Dominican 7.62×51mm NATO Automatic Rifle Model 1962 The means of controlling operation, safety arrangements and elementary disassembly procedure for the Dominican Model 1962 Automatic Rifle are not known, as no detailed photos of it have become available. Notes on Design, Development, History, or Points of Interest Developed after the FN-FAL and the U.S. M14 rifles, the Dominican Model 1962 Automatic Rifle combines the tilt-bolt system of the FAL with many other features of the M14 including the gas system, and is

chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge. It also uses the FAL magazine. This rifle was never produced beyond prototype. The Dominican Republic currently uses German G3 rifles, and U.S. M14 and M16 rifles.

Model 1962 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The Model 1962 field stripped.

Dominican 7.62×51mm NATO Automatic Rifle Model 1962

CHAPTER 21

Egypt

E

gypt’s fledgling defense industry began in 1949 out of the

manufacturing base that had started up during World War II. In the 1950s, in order to increase its influence in the Middle East, the Soviet Union supplied Egypt with the means to produce copies of the AKM with stamped sheet metal receiver domestically. The 7.62×39mm (M43) caliber rifles were built at Maadi Factory 54 in Egypt as the Automatic Rifle Misr (ARM). Through the 1970s and 1980s, Egypt expanded its small arms industry to produce both weapons and ammunition for export and to supply its own military. The semi-auto-only variant of the ARM rifle (also known in the United States as the Maadi) was the rifle most like the original Soviet AKM that could legally be imported into the United States for civilian use, and was popular among collectors, although only a limited number were ever imported due in part to the high price and the lack of cheap ammunition. The Misr featured a laminated wood stock, open top protective hood over the front sight, rear sight calibration to 1,000 meters, chromed bore, and plastic pistol grip. Later variants had folding stocks. For importation to the USA under the Clinton assault weapons ban (1994-2004) a thumbhole stock was substituted.

Egypt’s Misr assault rifle is a copy of the Soviet AKM. It is also known as the Maadi for the Egyptian arsenal where it is produced.

Misr 7.62×39mm (M43) Assault Rifle

CHAPTER 22

Finland

A

fter declaring its independence from Russia during the February

Revolution of 1917, Finland established its first armory, Soujeluskuntain Ase-Ja Konepaja Oy (SAKO), the Arms and Machine Factory of The Defense Corps, in Riihimaki. In 1926 the government added a second arms facility, the Valtion Kivaaritehdas (VKT), State Rifle Factory, in Jyvaskyla (U-vas- ku-la), north of Helsenki. In 1917, the Finns used the 7.62×54mm Russian Model 1891 Mosin Nagant rifle with several of their own variants of it.

The L-36 In the late 1930s Finland saw its first development of semi-automatic rifles beginning with the L-36. Created by the Finnish arms designer, Aimo J. Lahti, of VKT, the L-36 was chambered for the 7.62×54mm cartridge (called the 7.62×53mmR by the Finns), and was made in prototype only. The L-36 was a gas-operated rifle with a 2-piece stock and a long receiver using the standard 5-shot en block Nagant clip and Mannlicher-type magazine that swings down and open to unload.

The AL-43

During World War II, Aimo Lahti developed a selective fire rifle of high magazine capacity. Called the “General Purpose Infantry Weapon, AL-43,” the AL-43 had features often found in a submachine gun and used a retarded-blowback mechanism via a tilting lock located in the top of the bolt. The AL-43 was tested with two new intermediate sized (assault rifle) cartridges, a 9×35mm, and a 7.62×35mm, both resembling the 7.62×39mm (M43) round. The AL-43 had a bipod, and a 56-shot drum magazine. Although attributes put the AL-43 on the path to becoming a true assault rifle, wartime extingencies kept it from being developed further.

Aimo Lahti’s prototype 7.62×35mm AL-43 selective fire assault rifle as seen from the right side with 56-shot drum magazine in place.

The AL-43 as viewed from the right side with 56-shot magazine removed and its special 7.62×35mm intermediate sized cartridge shown.

Finnish small arms designer, Aimo Johannes Lahti (1896-1970).

The AL-43 seen from the right side fieldstripped.

The m Lilja While Aimo Lahti was developing the AL-43, a co-worker, Erkki Lilja, an inspection officer at VKT, experimented with a design of his own. Called the m Lilja, this selective-fire rifle chambered a straight-walled

9×40mm cartridge that resembled an upscale variant of the U.S. 7.62×33mm .30 Carbine cartridge. Completed in 1944, the m Lilja was relatively modern in many respects, using a straight-line stock, a separate pistol grip, and an ambidextrous magazine release. This weapon was of delayed-blowback type based on a retreating barrel mechanism, and a case friction system. However, there were operating problems and erratic rates of fire when the chamber became oily, and, as with the AL-43, and the L-36, the m Lilja never went beyond prototype.

L-36

AL 43

Konepistooli (Carbine) Lilja.

The Finnish AKs Means of Controlling Operation: The combination selector/dust cover is located on the right of the receiver, and operates exactly like that of the AK-47 from which these variants are copied. Moving the selector to middle position allows fullautomatic fire, moving the selector to the lowest position limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire. The uppermost position of the selector is the safe position. Safety Arrangements: As with the AK-47, moving the selector to the upper position blocks the sear and trigger, and makes the rifle safe. In this position, the dust cover also blocks the bolt from being fully retracted to feed a round from the magazine, but allows inspection of the chamber for a loaded cartridge. It also closes off the mechanism to debris.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the Elementary disassembly procedure for the AK-47 in the Russian Chapter.

The Ryannakkokivaari Malli 54 was used for training troops.

Two Valmet prototype M60 assault rifles viewed from the right side. The rifle at top has a folding trigger guard and is without a flash suppressor. The M60 below has an extended post in place of a conventional trigger guard, and has a protective cover on the tubular buttstock.

A prototype M60 without trigger guard as seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

Notes on History Design Development or Points of Interest: Despite being forced by the Allies to discontinue manufacturing arms following World War II, the Finns followed the developments in small arms around the world closely, especially in the Soviet Union. Various rifles of the time were tested including the SIG AM 55 and the AR-l0, but with logistics a prime consideration, their common border with the Soviets helped the Finns decide to adopt the proven Soviet Avtomat Kalashnikova (AK) design. Acquiring quantities of AK-47s from the Soviets in the mid-1950s, Finland designated this rifle the Ryannakkokivaari Malli 54 (Assault Rifle Model 54). These rifles were used only for training troops. In 1957, Finnish arms development was resumed with a series of prototype rifles copied from the AK. The project took place at the old VKT facility, which had become Valmet, and at SAKO. Initial prototypes were chambered for a 7.62×38mm cartridge, but production rifles would use the standard Soviet 7.62×39mm (M43) round. Early changes that distinguish the Finnish AK include placing the rear sight at the rear of the receiver cover instead of in front of

the receiver. Other changes included an improved, patented piston and a tubular stock. While early Finnish prototype AK variants included both milled and stamped or pressed receivers, a milled forging based on the Third Model Soviet AK was initially chosen for adoption. By 1960, Valmet was ready to submit two variations of its rifle to the Finnish military. These two variants were identical except for their bayonets, muzzle brakes, and a difference in their trigger guards. One of the prototypes had an unconventional trigger guard; a post extending down in front of the trigger that permitted easy access while wearing heavy mittens, while the other had a trigger guard that folded down out of the way. Both variants were designated M60.

An early production Valmet M62 with old style stock seen from the right side without magazine and with bayonet fixed.

The early production Valmet with old stock as seen from the left side with 30shot magazine inserted and bayonet fixed.

The early production Valmet M62 (above) with the final production M62 (below) with 30-shot magazine inserted and bayonets. This rifle has the reinforced buttstock and improved rear sight.

M62-76F with tubular folding stock.

An early wooden stocked pre-production selective fire M82 Short (bullpup) in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) viewed from the right side with a 30-shot

magazine inserted.

The Valmet selective fire 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) M76T as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine in place.

The Valmet selective fire 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) M76P seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The Valmet selective fire 7.62×39mm (M43) M76W seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The semi-automatic only 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Valmet M76S as seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted and folding stock extended.

The M62

After two years of testing both M60 prototypes one was chosen for issue to the Finnish Defense Forces as the M62PT. In 1965 Valmet and SAKO began mass production of the rifle, which continued until 1969. Valmet began its production serial numbers with 100,001, and SAKO with number 200,001. Initially equipped with conventional sights, flip-up night sights with phosphoric dots were added to the M62P in 1969. In 1972 these were replaced with tritium night sights. Although many parts of the M62 were interchangeable with the AK, its outward appearance makes it seem an entirely different rifle with its tubular butt stock and pistol grip and redesigned handguard. The front sight is easily adjustable for windage and elevation, and its better sight placement allows superior accuracy from its high quality barrel. During its tenure the M62’s rear sight, handguard and pistol grip were improved and the buttstock was reinforced. M62 receivers were the foundation for the first Israeli Galil rifles. A semiautomatic only sporting model, the M62S, was made for export. The M62 was made only in 7.62×39mm.

The M76 During the late 1960s the Finns resumed the development of a stamped, or pressed receiver like that by the Soviets in 1959 as the Modernizirovanniy Avtomat Kalashnikova (AKM), or Modernized AK. In the mid-1970s Finland adopted a rifle using an AKM-type receiver as the M62-76, commonly called the M76. With the new receiver, the M76 featured a further improved pistol grip and a handguard that covered the gas tube. In addition to the standard military M62-76, several export variants were offered with a variety of stocks. These

included the M62-76P with a black plastic stock, the M62-76W with a wood stock, the M62-76T with a folding stock, and the M62-76F with a tubular stock that folds to the left. In addition to 7.62×39mm, the M76 also was offered in 5.56×45mm (.223 cal.). Most variants were available as semi-automatic sporting models called the M76S, and one had a folding wood stock.

M60 and M62

The M71 With the export market in mind, Valmet also developed the M71 series of rifles. While this model is said to have evolved from the M76 series, it looks more like the original Soviet AKM. Using essentially the same receiver as the M76, the M71 incorporated a simplified AKtype rear sight mounted on the rear of the barrel at the front of the receiver. Accordingly the front sight has been repositioned at the muzzle instead of atop the gas block as with the M62 and M76. Using a modified plastic handguard, the M71 was made with and without a flash suppressor, and with a variety of buttstocks including an MP40-type which folds under similar to the original AK-47. As with the M76, the M71 was offered in both 7.62×39mm, and 5.56×45mm. It was also offered in a semi-automatic only variant designated the M71S.

Seeing additional potential in the M71 design, Valmet expanded it to form the foundation of a new family of weapons. One of the earliest was a sniper rifle chambered for the original 7.62×53mmR full-sized cartridge. This rifle was tested with several adjustable match-type butt-stocks, and used a telescopic sight mounted on the left side of the receiver. Due to the extended pressure curve of its cartridge, the rifle’s gas block was positioned farther forward than normal, and the weapon somewhat resembled the Soviet Samozariyadnaya snaiperskaya vintovka Dragunova (SVD) sniper rifle. This Finnish rifle was made only in prototype.

The Valmet M71T 7.62×39mm (M43) selective fire rifle viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

M71

M76

The M78 In the late 1970s, a light machine gun variant of the M71 with a folding bipod was made. This amounted to a copy of the Soviet Ruchnoi Pulemet Kalashnikova (RPK), and was called the M78. Made in 7.62×39mm, 7.62×51mm NATO, and 5.56×45mm, the M78 in 7.62mm NATO model used a modified G3 20-shot magazine, while the 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45mm models accepted standard 30-shot magazines as well as the 40-round magazines. The 7.62×39mm variant also used a 75-shot drum magazine. An FN-type carrying handle was added, and in addition to the RPK-type buttstock, the M76 plastic stock was also available. The M78 was also made in

semiautomatic only as the M778S, and some of these were fitted with optics.

The M78/83S Valmet developed a sniper rifle based on the M78 model in 7.62×51mm NATO. Called the M78/83S, this semi-automatic only variant had a rigid scope mount that bolted to the left side of the receiver to accept both NATO standard and Weaver-type mounts. Standard on the M78/83S was the Electro-Point 4×40mm illuminated reticle scope, or the U.S. Automatic Ranging Telescope (ART). The rifle featured a wooden handguard and carrying handle, had a well proportioned skeletonized buttstock with an adjustable cheek piece, and accepted the M78 bipod. The M78/83S’ skeletonized buttstock was also offered on the M78S. Characteristics of the M78/83S are essentially the same as those for the M78.

The Valmet 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) semi-automatic M78S seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine, bipod deployed and Leatherwood ART scope mounted.

The Valmet 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) semi-automatic M78S with an AN-PVS4 Night Vision scope mounted.

The Valmet M78/83S semi-automatic Sniper Rifle in 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) seen from the right side with modified G3 20-shot magazine inserted and Electro-Optic 4×40mm illuminated reticle scope mounted.

The Valmet M78/83S semi-automatic Sniper Rifle in 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) viewed from the left side with modified G3 20-shot magazine inserted and Electro-Optic 4×40mm illuminated reticle scope mounted.

The Valmet semi-automatic 7.62×39mm (M43) M78S seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine in place and the M78/83S buttstock without the cheekpiece.

The Valmet semi-automatic 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) M78S seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and with the M78/83S buttstock without the cheekpiece.

M78

The M82 Short “Bullpup” In 1982 Valmet introduced a special variation of the M62-76 for airborne and armored units. This rifle featured a shortened “bullpup” style stock first made of wood, but later of a high impact plastic with a cheek piece permanently fixed to the left side of the receiver cover. The sights were mounted offset to the left side of the rifle, and the selector is operated by a knob extending through a slot in the stock making it exclusively for right-handed shooting. Relocated to the forward pistolgrip, the trigger connects to the sear via a rod. The M82 was offered in 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45mm, but was made mainly in the latter. It was sold primarily in the export market including a semi-automatic variant. Valmet sold a number of its rifles to Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar as well as unmarked M62 receivers to Israel for the development of the Galil rifle. U.S. importers were Interarms, Odin International, and Stoeger.

The Valmet Short M82 “Bullpup” selective fire assault rifle in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and first issue plastic stock.

The Valmet Short M82S “Bullpup” semi-automatic rifle in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted and first issue plastic stock. Note the sights offset to the left side and the dedicated cheekpiece.

The Valmet Short M82S “Bullpup” semi-automatic rifle in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine in place and final issue plastic stock, lightened bolt carrier and enlarged forend cap.

M82 Short “Bullpup”

The M90 After absorbing Valmet in 1987, SAKO embarked on a product improvement program in 1990, returning to a machined receiver. The result was the M90 rifle. In addition to its milled receiver, improvements in the M90 included a new muzzle brake/flash suppressor on which a bayonet mounts and from which grenades can be launched or a sound suppressor mounted. For use with the latter two, the gas block has a gas shut-off, and the cam on the recoil spring was lengthened to compensate for the recoil of rifle grenades. Also added was an improved fully adjustable front sight (with folding night sight), a key for which was housed in the pistol grip. A simplified rear sight also had tritium inserts. Using a so-called clothespin attachment, the M90 used a quick detachable bipod, and the handguard was improved with additional ventilation. By strengthening the magazine, the attachment of the magazine was improved, and the M90 used either the standard magazine or a new plastic 30-shot magazine. A 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) export variant of the M90 was also planned. The cocking handle was angled upward for use by the left hand, and using an adapter, a scope could be securely mounted to the left side of the frame with no loss of zero. Through extensions, or ears, to the rear of the receiver cover, a cross pin was added for more rigid mounting of the cover to the receiver. Although it resembles the FN folding stock, the stock of the M90 is made of steel tubing, additional weight of the hinge eliminated by using a new folding method, which also shortened the length of the folded rifle. The upper stock tube houses a cleaning kit. On the first prototype the selector lever was moved to the left side of the receiver

similar to the Galil. In place of the standard selector that is also a dust cover, a spring-loaded, vertically sliding dust cover was used. Angled on its front, this cover was cammed down as the bolt handle passed by it. However, the Finnish Defense Forces (FDF) rejected this system and an M92 hybrid with a standard AK type selector was made for troop tests. The M90 was made only in pre-production quantities.

The prototype SAKO M90 7.62×39mm (M43) assault rifle seen from the right side with 30-shot plastic magazine inserted and folding stock extended. Note the early spring-loaded sliding dust cover that temporarily replaced the selector/dust cover.

The SAKO M92 semi-automatic rifle seen from the right side with 30-shot plastic magazine in place and stock extended.

The M95 As a result of troop trials with the modified M90, some changes were made to include an improved sling attachment on the butt and easier access to the cleaning kit compartment, and the stock was changed to fold from left to right. The ears for the cross pin on the receiver top cover were strengthened and the gas cylinder and handguard were changed slightly. The original style selector/dust cover was also used. With these changes, the new rifle was designated as the Rynnakkokivaari 95 Taittopera (Assault Rifle Model 95 Folding Stock), or RK 95 TP, or simply the M95. Like the M90, a 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) export model was planned. Because of budget cuts, no more than 30,000 M95 rifles were made before Finland decided to purchase sufficient numbers of AKM rifles from China. The first, serial number 960 001, was placed in the Military Museum in Helsinki. Well over 500 examples of a semi-automatic only variant, the M92, were made for commercial consumption before the tooling was dismantled permanently ending further production of the M95 series. For additional information on Finnish arms the reader should refer to the two volume set Arma Fennica by Timo Hyytinen, and the three-volume set Sotilaskasiaseet Soumessa, 1918-1988 by Markku Palokangas.

M90 and M95

CHAPTER 23

France

F

or nearly 300 years, virtually all French small arms were

manufactured in state owned factories. The Manufacture d’Armes de St. Etienne (MAS), which has been making infantry firearms since the 1690’s, has continued to be the primary source of French Army rifles since the Fusil Automatique F1 (FAMAS) was standardized in 1977. However, on July 1, 1990, the Groupment Industriel de Armaments Terrestres (GIAT), following a contemporary European trend, ceased to be a wholly state-owned enterprise, and became a semi-public corporation. In 1991, GIAT purchased the Belgian arms firm, Fabrique Nationale, and in addition to giving the French firm access to FN’s traditional customers, GIAT has broadened its small arms product line. However, an FN assault rifle is not one of the products that will benefit France, as the French Army is very satisfied with its home grown FAMAS, the latest in a long line of French assault rifle development. Having actually begun prior to World War I long before the term “assault rifle” existed, the development of French assault rifles not only has continued to the present but also is one of the most extensive programs in the history of small arms development. It would be impossible to fully cover this story here. Jean Huon’s book Les Fusils d’Assaut Francias provides a more comprehensive history.

Filled with a myriad of experimental models in various calibers, France’s development and search for an assault rifle parallels that of the rest of the world. It involves competition within France as well as from foreign countries.

The Faucon Rifle By 1890, the French Army began to consider the possibility of rearming with self-loading rifles, and in the closing years of the 19th century, the Section Technique de l’Artillerie began a study of the attributes of such a weapon. By 1903 the STA had actually developed a rifle reportedly firing a 6mm bullet at 2,590 fps and loaded by eightshot chargers but its performance was unsatisfactory. In 1904, the STA continued development of the rifle at the Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Etienne where an officer named Meunier supervised the work. There the caliber was changed to 7mm and the rifle was finalized to operate by long recoil. Known as both the STA8 and A6, the rifle was adopted by the French Army in 1910. While production began in 1913, it was halted by the outbreak of World War I. In 1909 Commandant Faucon of the French Army demonstrated his own fascinating variation of the Meunier rifle, designed to permit marching fire with a self-loading rifle. Faucon fitted a 6.5mm six-shot Meunier rifle action to a bullpup type stock. A folding buttplate 10 inches behind the pistol grip and roughly 12 inches forward of the actual butt of the rifle allowed the rear portion to rest well over the shooter’s shoulder. Fresh chargers could be inserted in the Faucon rifle by the left hand without removing the right hand from the grip.

The overall length of the Faucon rifle was just 40.51 inches, a foot shorter than other rifles of the day. The French army issued a few Faucon rifles in 1917, but the end of WW I brought an end to further development. This rifle was an important design well ahead of its time. Other French semi-automatic rifles included the DelauneyBelleville rifle in 8mm Lebel and the Ribeyrolle Model 1918 firing an 8.33×35mm variation of the .351 Winchester self-loading cartridge. Another in this group includes the Chauchat-Ribeyrolle Model 1918. This “pistolet” weapon using a pistol grip but no buttstock, was a gas operated weapon with a curved 20-round magazine.

An advanced modification of the Meunier semi-automatic rifle, the 6.5mm Faucon “bullpup” is viewed from the left Side compared with the WW I French Model 1917 8mm semi-automatic rifle. The Faucon’s butt plate is seen folded about 10 inches behind the pistol grip.

Commandant Faucon is shown charging his rifle while it remains on his shoulder in the forward (loading) position.

Commandant Faucon demonstrates the firing position of his “bullpup” rifle. Note the buttplate folded down against his shoulder. A small number of Faucon rifles were fielded shortly before the end of World War I.

The Ribeyrolle Automatic Rifle Model 1918 as viewed from the right side with 25-shot magazine inserted. This weapon fires an 8×32mm version of the .351 Winchester cartridge.

The 8mm Lebel Pistolet Mitrailleur Chauchat-Ribeyrolle Model 1918 seen from the right side with magazine inserted. This full-automatic arm used no buttstock.

By 1937, France’s development of an assault rifle was in full swing when, for the first time, the term “carabine mitrailleuse” was used. Translated as “fully automatic (machine gun) carbine,” this term set the stage not only for all future developments but design philosophy for this name means essentially the same thing as assault rifle. Culminating in the development of the FAMAS some 30 years later, the evolution of the French assault rifle includes the development of two experimental assault rifle cartridges, the 7.65× 35mm and the 7.65×42.5mm. Although both are modern style bottleneck cartridges, the .30 U.S. Carbine cartridge remained a favorite of the French throughout the early period. During this era, French automatic carbines in 7.65×35mm and .30 U.S. Carbine were developed by the Centre d’Estudes d’Armement de Mulhouse, Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Chatellerault, Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Saint-Etienne, and Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Tulle. All of these automatic carbines and subsequent automatic rifles were made only by the armories indicated with no additional production sources.

The AME Vorgrimler French Automatic Carbines Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the stamped lower receivers of this family of weapons, the selector of the Vorgrimler designed carbines has three positions. Rotating the selector to its middle position, marked “C” (coup), provides semi-automatic fire while the lowest position, marked “M” (mitrailleuse) allows full-automatic fire. The AME 1949 and AME Model II fire from an open bolt on “M” and a closed bolt on “C.” Moving the selector to “C” from “M” automatically closes the bolt if it is open. Safety Arrangements: Marked “S,” the upper position of the selector blocks the sear and prevents Vorgrimler carbines from being fired. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: When the Allies captured Germany after World War II and dismantled the Mauser factory, a new chapter in assault rifle history was written. They discovered documents, machinery and a number of prototype rifles including the Gerät 06(H) or StG.45(M). Thereafter, the German engineers responsible for these rifles were allowed to continue their work at France’s Centre d’Estudes d’Armement de Mulhouse. Supervising the project was German designer, Ludwig Vorgrimler along with German technicians Loffler and Kunert. Vorgrimler later developed the C.E.T.M.E. assault rifle in Spain.

The AME Model 1 Automatic Carbine as viewed from the left side with 30round magazine inserted and bipod deployed. This prototype fired the French experimental 7.65 × 35mm assault rifle cartridge and was the first of the French roller-locking weapons designed by Ludwig Vorgrimler.

AME Model 1 (1948)

Seen as a line drawing from the left side, the AME Model 1949 Automatic Carbine fired the U.S. 30 Carbine cartridge. Its lineage to the StG.45 is unmistakable.

A product improved version of the AME Model 1949, the AME Model II Automatic Carbine is seen with its 30-shot magazine in place, bipod deployed and stock extended.

AME Model 1949

Early

French prototype

automatic

carbines

produced

at

Mulhouse bear a strong resemblance to the StG.45(M) and evolved to more closely resemble the C.E.T.M.E. rifle. In addition, the rifles designed by Vorgrimler’s group were made largely of stamped sheet metal and use basically the same roller-delayed blowback locking system as the StG.45(M) and the C.E.T.M.E. rifle. All four of these rifles have a bipod that serves as a handguard when folded, and none were ever adopted or achieved series production.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: All four prototypes of the Vorgrimler carbines are disassembled essentially the same way. First remove the two assembly pins at the rear of the receiver. The buttstock group can then be separated from the receiver. Remove the bolt group and recoil spring system. By removing a pin, the bolt group can be further disassembled. Remove the forward pin retaining the lower receiver and remove this group. Rotate the selector to the vertical position and remove it to allow the trigger group to be withdrawn from the top. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in the reverse order.

The AME Automatic Carbine Model 1950 as viewed from the left side with 30shot magazine inserted.

AME Model II

AME 1950

The .30 caliber. MAC Automatic Carbine seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and stock extended. This weapon uses a tilting bolt operated by direct gas.

MAC Automatic Carbine

The MAC Automatic Carbine Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the lower receiver, the selector rotates to provide full-automatic and semiautomatic fire, but their exact positions and markings are unknown. Safety Arrangements:

Rotating the selector activates the safety, but its exact position and marking is unknown. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Remove the lower receiver and separate the receiver from its cover then remove the bolt group. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The result of a study conducted around 1950, the MAC Automatic Carbine is made of a machined upper receiver and a stamped, hinged lower receiver that contains the pistol grip, trigger housing and magazine well. Located on the left side, the cocking handle has a dust cover, and the receiver has a sheet-metal cover. The steel buttstock is retractable, and the weapon’s magazine is interchangeable with the AME prototypes.

MAS 1948, 1949, 1949A, 1949B and 1950P, Automatic Carbines Means of Controlling Operation: A single pull-through trigger provides semi-automatic fire when pulled part way, and full-automatic fire when pulled all the way to the rear. Safety Arrangements: Grip safety that blocks the bolt until it is depressed. Elementary Disassembly Procedure

Collapse the buttstock, unbolt the grip frame or unscrew the assembly key, and remove it to the rear. Withdraw the return spring and bolt assembly. Position the barrel key to the letter “D” and pull back and forth to loosen. Reassembly is in the reverse taking care to properly position the ejector. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Designed and developed by Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Staint-Ethienne, the prototype Automatic Carbine Models 1948, 1949, 1949A, 1949B and 1950P amounted to a continuous program of improvements in the basic 1948 design. Inspired by the WW II German StG.45(M) that was being further developed by AME, the MAS 1948 family uses a machined steel receiver configured as a parallelogram that extends forward in two stamped sheet-metal tubular elements permanently attached to the main body. The lower tube serves as a ventilated barrel housing while the upper guides the bolt carrier. The pistol grip/trigger housing attaches to the rear of the receiver.

The MAS Automatic Carbine Model 1948 seen from the left side with 32-shot magazine inserted, and bipod and stock deployed. This weapon uses a folding magazine well for transport.

The MAS Automatic Carbine Model 1949 in .30 U.S. Carbine caliber seen from the left side with 32-shot magazine inserted and stock extended.

The MAS Model 1949A Automatic Carbine seen from the right side with its 40shot magazine in place and bipod folded.

The MAS Model 1949B seen from the left side with 40-shot magazine and stock and bipod folded.

The MAS Model 1950P Automatic Carbine seen from the left side with stock extended, but without its 40-round magazine.

MAS Models 1948, 1949, 1949A, 1949B and 1950P

Consisting of the bolt, bolt carrier and a lock, the bolt group is cocked by a non-reciprocating handle on the forward left side of the bolt carrier guide. All members of the MAS 1948 Automatic Carbine family fire from the open-bolt position with the firing pin housed in the bolt carrier. Operating by delayed blowback via a pivoting locking lug, these carbines use a fluted chamber to help facilitate extraction. In addition, all variations have a folding magazine well allowing the

magazine to be recharged in this position, and all models use either a folding or retractable stock.

MAS 1950B and 1951 Automatic Carbines Means of Controlling Operation: The selector is located on the left side of the trigger housing. Moving the selector to the position marked “CPC” (coup par coup) provides semi-automatic fire, and moving it to the position marked “M” (mitrailleuse) allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector to the “S” position prevents the weapon from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Unscrew the disassembly key, pull the stock and trigger guard towards the rear and withdraw the recoil spring and bolt group. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in the reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest Having proven the locking system of a tilting bolt in prototype semiautomatic rifles for many years, a group of MAS engineers developed two models of automatic carbines, and later assault rifles, using this principle.

Using a two-piece wooden stock with a long forend covering much of the barrel, the MAS 1950B has a machined steel receiver topped by a “U” shaped stamped sheet-metal cover. At the left front is a cocking handle and on the right the ejection port has a folding dust cover reminiscent of that on the World War II German StG. 44. The trigger guard, which contains the trigger mechanism, also supports the buttstock. Without using a piston, direct gas impinges on the bolt carrier to unlock the weapon. A 22mm cylindrical grenade launcher can be installed over the barrel through interrupted threads. This device also serves as a flash suppressor. Nearly identical to the MAS 1950B, the shorter MAS 1951 automatic carbine also has a full pistol grip and bipod. Both use a modified U.S. M2 .30 Carbine magazine.

The MAS Model 1951 Automatic Carbine seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The MAT Model 1950 Automatic Carbine seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and stock extended.

MAS 1950B and 1951 Automatic Carbines

MAT Model 1950 Automatic Carbine Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the right side of the receiver above the trigger, the rotating selector has three positions, but its markings and nature are

not known. A collapsible stock variation has a grip safety and is believed to operate using the pull-through trigger system. Safety Arrangements: Exact position on selector is unknown. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Fold the buttstock, lift the rear receiver cover, and extract recoil spring and bolt groups. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in the reverse.

MAT 1950 Automatic Carbine

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Based on a previous semi-automatic carbine, the MAT 1950 uses a left-folding wooden stock, a wooden pistol grip and a forend cut out underneath to allow the magazine well to fold for transport. Made of stamped sheet-metal, the receiver consists of upper and lower units. In addition to containing the bolt group/piston assembly and recoil spring group, the upper receiver also contains the cocking handle that is located on the left side. One variation uses a top cocking knob and a metal retractable stock. A perforated jacket extends from the gas block to cover much of the barrel. One variation has a bipod.

French Automatic Rifles Shortly after the creation of NATO in 1949, three important events shaped the future of French assault rifles. The beginning of American military aid to France was designed to assist the French army engaged in Indochina — and keep the Chinese occupied somewhere other than Korea. During this time French units received huge amounts of American-made weapons. Although the French leaned toward an automatic rifle using its 7.5mm cartridge, with France’s membership in NATO came an agreement to pursue the development of a common battle cartridge, in this case, the U.S. .30 caliber T65 that was standardized as the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. The final significant event came when Ludwig Vorgrimler left Mulhouse in the fall of 1950 to work for C.E.T.M.E. in Spain. With the agreement to develop new weapons around the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, all subsequent French military shoulder arms were designated as “fusils automatiques,” or automatic rifles, a term that was almost synonymous with assault rifle. As with France’s automatic carbine program, the French government arsenals of AME, MAC, MAS and MAT competed in the automatic rifle program toward the development of the French assault rifle.

The AME Model 1951 Automatic Rifle as seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine in place. This prototype was in 7.5mm French caliber and was roller-

delayed blowback.

Inspired by the British EM-2, the AME Model 1952 was the first French prototype in .30 T65 (7.62 × 51-mm NATO) caliber. It used an optical sight and was roller-delayed blowback

The AME Models 1951, 1952, 1954 and 1955 Automatic Rifles Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the receiver, the selector consists of a sliding button above the pistol grip in a selected position. Pushing this button forward to “M” allows full-automatic fire while pushing it rearward to “C” limits it to semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Located above the trigger, the safety is a lateral button that when pushed to the right blocks the trigger. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Remove the rear transverse pin that secures the buttstock (or buttplate on the bullpups) and remove the stock. The recoil spring and

bolt group can then be withdrawn. Reassembly is in reverse.

The AME Model 1954 was a bullpup using a tilting bolt locking system.

The AME Model 1955 seen from the right with 20-shot magazine in place. As with the Model 1954, this rifle uses a tilting bolt mechanism.

Automatic Rifle AME 1951

Automatic Rifle AME 1952

Automatic Rifle AME 1954

Automatic Rifle AME 1955

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Under the new guidelines, the Centre d’Estudes d’Armement de Mulhouse designed and tested a myriad of new automatic rifles. Although Ludwig Vorgrimler’s roller-locking system and sheet metal construction was retained in a number of these test rifles, most of them appear quite different from his designs. Although the AME 1951 was more conventional in appearance, the Models 1952, 1954 and 1955 were bullpups influenced by the British EM-2. These rifles also amount to product-improved prototypes and have a better placed selector. While the Model 1952 and 1954 use roller-locks, the Model 1955 uses a tilting bolt.

The AME Models 1958, T58A4, T58A6, T59A1, T59A2, T59A3 and T59A4 Means of Controlling Operation:

Located above the pistol grip, the selector is rotated to the “C” position for semi-automatic fire and to the position marked “M” for full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the position marked “S” blocks the trigger from moving. Elementary Disassembly Procedures: Unscrew the disassembly pin on the buttstock ferrule and extract the transverse pin at the bottom. Separate the assembly formed by the butt, recoil spring and guide rod from the rifle. Guide the bolt group towards the rear. Remove the cocking handle and then the bolt group from the receiver. Separate the bolt and carrier. No further disassembly is necessary, and reassembly is in the reverse order.

The AME Model 1958 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The AME Model 1958 seen from the right side field-stripped. Note the tilting bolt system patterned after the Belgian FN-FAL.

The AME Model T58A4 seen from the right side without its 20-shot magazine.

The AME Model T58A6 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine in place.

The AME Model T59A1 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted. This model used a “broomhandle” style vertical foregrip.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Following AME’s bullpup rifle program, it embarked on the development of a series of more conventional assault rifles each of which was a refinement of the model before it. As with AME’s automatic carbines listed above, this family of automatic rifles evolved from the StG.45(M) and has strong similarities to the C.E.T.M.E. and G3 rifles. However, the AME rifles differ both internally and externally from the latter models.

The AME Model T59A2 seen from the right with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The AME Model T59A3 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine in place. This model uses a port buffer.

AME 1958, T58A4, T58A6, T59A1, T59A2, T59A3 and T59A4

Although made largely of brazed sheet-metal, the AME 1958 family is gas operated with a long-stroke gas piston and a bolt that tilts to lock against a shoulder in the receiver. These rifles also have fluted chambers and trigger groups similar to the C.E.T.M.E. family. All are fitted with sighted grenade launchers. They differ mainly in the angle of the pistol grip, stock design, use of dust covers, port buffers, carrying handles, vertical foregrips, sights and other elements.

The MAC Model 1954 Automatic Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: The selector is a transverse push-button located behind the trigger above the safety. Pushed from right to left, it provides semi-automatic fire. When pushed from left to right, it allows full-automatic fire.

Safety Arrangements: The safety is a rotating lever located on the left side of the receiver behind the trigger, however its exact movements are unknown. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Push the handle located at the rear of the receiver. Remove the bolt and return system. Remove the bolt group. No further disassembly is necessary. In reassembly, make sure that the inertia amplifying lever is properly positioned.

The MAC automatic rifle seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted. This 7.62mm prototype used a roller-delayed blowback system of operation.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Having a roller-locking mechanism similar to the Model AA52 light machinegun, this rifle uses a delayed blowback operating system. A fluted chamber eases extraction. The recoil spring is housed in the buttstock and the sheet-metal receiver contains upper and lower rails to guide the bolt group. The MAC Model 1954 also uses an inertia amplifying lever (accelerator) to assist in operating the bolt group. Located on the left side, the non-reciprocating cocking handle is made of aluminum while the stock furniture is made of wood.

MAC Model 1954

MAS Automatic Rifles 1951A to T62 From 1951 to 1962, Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Saint-Etienne developed over two dozen assault rifles, all of them in 7.62×51mm NATO caliber. Some of these rifles are of conventional configuration and some are bullpups to some extent inspired by the World War II German FG42. All of these models use 10-shot or 20-shot box magazines, and generally use sheet-metal stampings for their receivers.

Although some of these experimental weapons used a more conventional tilting bolt locking system where the bolt lowers to lock, some had an upper locking system like the British BREN light machinegun. These upper tilt-locking weapons have a long-stroke gas piston system located below the barrel while the lower tilt-locking rifles use a short-stroke gas piston above the barrel. A number of these rifles used linear hammers to fire them. While most models have cocking handles on the left side, some have them on the right. One model also had the cocking handle on top similar to the Model 1921/28 Thompson SMG. In addition, the selectors on these rifles may be found on one side or the other and rotating on different axes. Wood is used for the furniture of most models, although a few use aluminum alloy buttstocks, and nearly all models are finished in phosphate.

The MAS Model 1951A automatic rifle as seen from the right side without its 10-shot magazine. This prototype was made in 7.5×54mm French caliber.

Based on the MAS Model 1951A, the MAS Model 1951B was a bullpup also in 7.5mm. It is seen here with its 10-shot magazine.

The 7.62-mm MAS Model 1952B as viewed from the right with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The MAS Model 1952 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

A close-up of the MAS Model 1953A from the right side with 20-shot magazine.

The MAS Model 1953B viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine.

The MAS Model 1953C viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine in place.

The MAS Model 1953 viewed from the left side with bipod deployed and 30shot magazine.

The MAS Model 1954A viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine. This rifle is fired by a linear hammer.

The MAS Model 1954B seen from the right side without its 20-shot magazine.

The MAS Model 1954C seen from the right with 20-shot magazine inserted. This rifle fires from the open bolt position.

The MAS Model 1945B/C seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The MAS Model 1954 seen from the right with bipod, shoulder rest deployed, and 30-shot magazine in place. This rifle fires from the open bolt.

The MAS Model 1955A seen from the right with 20-shot magazine inserted. This is the first of the French assault rifles bearing strong resemblance to the FN-FAL, but is fired by a linear hammer.

The MAS Model 1955B viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted. Photo J. Huon

The MAS 1955C viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted. This rifle fires from the open bolt position.

The MAS Model 1956A is an updated variation of the MAS Model 1955A pictured from the right with bipod and crutch deployed in the LMG role, and 20-shot magazine.

A further refinement of the MAS Model 1956A, the MAS Model 1958A is seen here from the right side with sling, 20-shot magazine and bipod/bayonet in belt carrier.

Yet another refinement of the FN-FAL style rifle, the MAS Model A.P. 1959 Type Standard uses an alloy combination pistol grip/buttstock and has a sliding top cover and vertical foregrip both in the “broomhandle” style. A MAS A.P. 1959 Type P.M. folding metal stock version, the A.P. 1959 F.M., was made with a quick change barrel.

The MAS Cylindrical Receiver prototype uses a top-mounted cocking handle and does not have a separate top cover.

The MAS Model A.P. 1960 (pictured) and Model 1961 are nearly identical in appearance.

The last of the French FN-FAL type rifles, the MAS Model T62 came close to being adopted by the French military, but was abandoned largely because of the emergence of the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It is seen here from the right side with 20-shot magazine and optical sight.

The MAS Model A.P. 1961 was tested in a variety of configurations and stock designs. All versions use a linear hammer.

With many changes taking place throughout their development, the rifles gradually evolved into models bearing great resemblance to the Belgian FN-FAL. Space does not permit a thorough examination

of this particular group of MAS rifles. The following photos and text provide a brief description of each model.

MAT Automatic Rifle, Models 1955 and 1956 Means of Controlling Operation: Rotating the selector to the forward position allows full-automatic fire and rotating it rearward provides semi-automatic fire. Safety Aarrangements: Consisting of a grip safety at the rear of the pistol grip, when depressed the safety frees the trigger mechanism. Elementary Disassembly Procedures: Rotate and remove the three transverse pins joining the upper and lower receivers, and separate them. Remove recoil spring and guide, and withdraw the barrel, bolt group and rack and pinion unit together. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in the reverse taking care to reposition the rack and pinion correctly. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Using a very unusual mechanism, the MAT 1955/56 rifle operates by long recoil using a spring-loaded rack and pinion to cam the propped (tilting) bolt in and out of battery. During the cycle, the barrel moves rearward with the bolt and barrel extension for at least the full length of the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge until the rack and pinion unlocks

the bolt from the barrel extension to return forward. When the barrel returns forward, the bolt is allowed to follow it, feeding a new round from the magazine. A long, non-reciprocating crank-type rotating cocking handle is found on the left side of the receiver.

The MAT Model 1955 as viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine. Note the long crank-type cocking handle.

Operating by long recoil, the bolt is unlocked by a spring loaded rack and pinion gear.

The MAT Model 1956 was a lighter variant of the Model 1955, but both proved very fragile.

The French Tritubes (3-Barreled) Rifle During the 1970s attempts were made to design an assault rifle of small caliber with a high rate of fire. Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Saint-Etienne and Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Tulle each built a 5.56×45mm rifle with three barrels. Almost identical, these two rifles used plastic three-shot clips loaded into an over-sized magazine, and operated by delayed blowback. Although the three rounds were chambered at the same time, there was a small interval

between firing to minimize recoil. The Tritubes designed proved unsatisfactory.

As seen from the right, the MAS and MAT 5.56-mm Tritube three-barreled rifles were used to experiment with high rates of fire using 3-round clips loaded into a box magazine.

As yet another experiment in high cyclic rates of fire, the Cadence de Tirs prototypes were made by l’EFAB a Bourges, and fired six rounds in a revolving cylinder.

Although no actual rifle was produced, a special barrel was assembled on a buttstock and frame to test caseless ammunition.

The Rifles a Forte Cadence de Tir In 1975, yet another experiment was made by designing a 5.56mm rifle with a very high rate of fire. Two prototypes were made by l’EFAB at Bourges. Using a 6-shot cylinder, these rifles operated similar to the U.S.-made Vulcan gun and fired at the rate of 4000 shots per minute. However, when it proved difficult to cock and impossible to control the design was abandoned.

Caseless Cartridge Experiments As in other countries, France experimented with caseless ammunition during the 1970s, not only for small arms, but cannons as well. Although no French assault rifle was ever made for this ammunition, a special barrel was mounted to a stock for test purposes.

Heckler & Koch And SIG Assault Rifles Produced Under License In France From 1977 to 1883 MAS built 7.62×51mm NATO caliber G3 and 5.56×45mm NATO caliber HK33 assault Rifles under license from Heckler & Koch, of Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany. Made strictly for export, these rifles were not used by French troops. From 1978 to

1988, the Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin (MANURHIN), Mulhouse, France, produced the 7.62×51mm NATO caliber SIG 542, and 5.56×45mm NATO caliber SIG 540 and SIG 543 assault rifles under license from SIG of Switzerland. In addition to export, the French Foreign Legion used some of these MANURHIN/SIG 540 rifles. The SIG 543 was also used by some police organizations. In addition to the Swiss and German rifles, the 5.56×45mm Ruger AC-556 were imported by Humbert at St. Etienne where they were modified to the desired specifications. Called the Mousqueton AMD rifle, this model was issued to the French Republican Security Company in the 1980s. For information on the H&K G3, HK33, SIG 540, 542 and 543, and the Ruger AC-556, refer to the chapters on Germany, Switzerland and the United States respectively.

The FAMAS Means of Controlling Operation: Rotating from left to right, the selector is located inside the trigger guard where the trigger finger will automatically engage it. In addition to this selector there is a two-position limiter switch located on the bottom of the modular hammer mechanism behind the magazine well. The limiter can be rotated to positions marked “3” and “0.” With the limiter at the “0” position, swinging the selector to the right, where the stock is marked “1,” allows semi-automatic fire. With the limiter on the “0” position, swinging the selector to the left where the stock is marked “R” (for rafale, or burst), provides full-automatic fire. With the

limiter on the position marked “3” and the selector on “R,” three-shot burst fire is possible. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the middle position blocks access to the trigger and mechanically locks the trigger from being pulled. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, push out the buttstock retaining pin under the front of the chamber, and pull the buttstock off to the rear. The cheekpiece can be removed by springing it out of its seat in the stock. Push out the retaining pin in the front of the hammer mechanism and remove this unit. Push out the lock pin holding the carrying handle assembly to the receiver and rotate the handle in an upward movement from the rear and lift it off the weapon. Push out the pin in the rear of the bolt carrier that holds it and the operating rod together. Slide the bolt group to the rear and out of the receiver. Remove the delay (amplifying) lever and bolt from the carrier. Then remove the firing pin and spring from the bolt. No further disassembly is required. To reassemble, reverse the procedure.

Produced from a MAS Model 49/56, this proof-of-concept prototype was made to test the feasibility of a bullpup during the development of the FAMAS rifle.

This, the first prototype of the FAMAS rifle, was tested in 1969. Photo J. Huon

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The Fusil Automatique (F.A.) MAS, or FAMAS is an impressive design coming 70 years after the French Faucon rifle, which, emerging near

the turn of the 20th century, was a bullpup design far ahead of its time. Despite France’s extraordinary assault rifle development program designed around the 7.62× 51mm NATO round, France’s relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization remained extremely tenuous, and the French military continued to issue the MAS Model 49/56 semi-automatic rifle in 7.5mm. In 1967 the military requested a new rifle to replace both the MAS 49/56 rifle and the MAT 49 SMG then in service. The new weapon would be compatible with other 5.56mm NATO weapons for both logistical and international export considerations. It also had to be capable of full automatic fire. The design quickly evolved into a bullpup rifle using a delayed blow-back system to provide optimum simplicity and accuracy. The French adopted the 5.56×45mm NATO round in 1970. Not only did the French military decide to adopt a new rifle in 5.56×45mm NATO, but it also adopted a new light machinegun in 7.62 × 51-mm NATO, the AA52. Both weapons use essentially the same delayed blowback system. After having manufactured rollerlocking delayed blowback rifles for many years, France began the development of a delayed blowback design of its own. Incorporating some established design features, prototypes were ready by 1973, and trials were in progress a year later. Requiring some new thinking, the design of the new rifle was quite advanced for its time. French military weapons are designed and manufactured by an entity, which is a combination of commercial and government enterprise. France’s new assault rifle has been made at the Manufacture d’Armes de Saint Etienne, that became part of the Groupment Industriel des Armaments Terrestres. Adopted as the F1

in 1979, the official designation of the new weapon is Fusil Automatique MAS, or FAMAS, meaning Automatic Rifle MAS. Although the FAMAS is a bullpup in a world of an increasing number of rifles of this type, several features distinguish it from the others. There is no question that it is a native design, a characteristic of prime importance to the French. Even more importantly to the French, it has been a success. The FAMAS field strips into seven parts groups. These are: the receiver group with barrel and cocking handle, the bolt group, the trigger group, the stock group, the carrying handle, the bipod and the 25-shot magazine. All components are pinned to each other, or to the body, and most of these pins can be pushed out with the nose of a bullet or other simple tool. Being the largest subgroup, the body comprises the main part of the FAMAS. The barrel is screwed and pinned to this portion, and the rear sight base is semi-permanently pinned to the barrel. The front sight base is mounted to the barrel at the front of the body. It contains a flip-up tritium night sight. The cocking handle slides on a track between the sights and is reciprocal with the bolt. As standard NATO 22mm, the flash suppressor of the FAMAS accepts NATO rifle grenades. A grenade launching sight slides into position in the carrying handle. With its number of parts kept to a minimum, the versatility of the FAMAS has remained an important consideration. For example, it is a simple matter to switch the rifle from right to left handed use in the field using no special tools. The buttstock has an ejection port on each side to which a plastic cheekpiece clips. The cheekpeice blocks either one of the ports by merely turning it around. The extractor is

then changed from one side of the bolt to the other to complete the conversion. As mentioned, the FAMAS operates on a delayed blowback principle similar to that used in France’s 7.62×51mm NATO AA52 LMG. However, there appears to be some influence in the FAMAS receiver from the Belgian FN-FAL with the presence of a hardened steel locking shoulder, a locking system used in dozens of MAS prototype rifles made prior to the FAMAS. Rather than using a tilting bolt as in the FAL and MAS prototype rifles, the FAMAS has an “H” shaped rocking lever/amplifier (accelerator). The two shorter lobes of this “H” extend down in front of the steel cross pin when the bolt is in battery. The two longer upper lobes extend up into the bolt carrier and the middle section links passed through a cutout in the bottom of the bolt. This lever also holds the bolt and carrier together. Connecting to the bolt carrier via a cross pin, the operating rod reciprocates, thus becoming part of the recoiling mass. Like most other delayed blowback rifles, the cold hammer forged chamber of the FAMAS is fluted (in this case, with 16 flutes) to ease extraction.

The initial production FAMAS F1 as viewed from the left with bipod deployed but without its 25-shot magazine.

When the FAMAS is fired gas pressure is immediately transmitted directly back against the bolt, and starts the bolt moving to the rear. As this occurs lugs on the sides of the bolt push against the vertical sides of the “H” lever. Since the lower lobes of the “H” are in contact with the locking shoulder in the receiver, it is the longer upper lobes bearing against the carrier that must move However, this mass is delayed due to the rocking lever providing a mechanical disadvantage to the bolt through leverage in concert with the mass of the carrier and spring tension, all of which must be overcome by the rearward pressure on the bolt. The principle used in the delay and acceleration is similar to the old carnival game of striking a spring-loaded rocking platform with a sledgehammer in order to send a weight up to strike a bell. The advantage held by the delay lever is overcome and as the lever rotates through an arc of 45 degrees, its upper lobes then

accelerate the carrier to impart sufficient velocity to send it and the bolt full cycle. As the “H” lever rotates rearward, its center section pushes the firing pin out of engagement and blocks it until the bolt returns to battery. The FAMAS has three sears, one for semi-automatic and the other two for three-round burst or full-automatic fire. On the modular firing mechanism is a limiter switch to choose either three-round burst of full-automatic fire in concert with the main selector. The sear is operated by a long connector that leads to the trigger. Several carrying handles are available and were designed for quick mounting or removal. In addition to the standard handle, one handle has a bipod and another has a telescopic sight. A special tworound blank plastic magazine is used for launching grenades. Not only are all controls ambidextrous, but the sling mounts from either side. By mounting an adapter on the barrel, the FAMAS also can use the M203 40mm grenade launcher.

The special short version of FAMAS adopted by the French National Police. Note its shorter carrying handle.

The FAMAS equipped with the M203A 40mm grenade launcher from R/M Equipment Co.

Here the schematics of the delay/accelerator lever used in the FAMAS is seen in relation to the rest of the bolt group in both battery and as the action begins to open.

The FAMAS field stripped. All major components can be quickly removed without special tools.

The FAMAS G1 was introduced in 1993. In addition to other modifications, it uses a large trigger guard.

Along with the G1, the FAMAS G2 was introduced for the international market. The G2 uses M16 (NATO) magazines along with the M16 bayonet.

A special .22 Long Rifle variant of the FAMAS was designed by Unique for training purposes, and two other semi-automatic only variations of the FAMAS also have been made. One is offered in .222 Remington caliber for use by French civilians, who cannot own the military caliber. The other was made in .223 Remington for foreign sporting markets. In addition, there are a number of military variations of the rifle as follows: FAMAS F1: This is the basic model adopted by the French Army having a finned barrel with four grooves, 1-in-12 inch (305mm) RHT rifling. FAMAS F1 Export: This variant has 4 groove, 1-in-7 inch (178mm) RHT rifling for use with standard NATO SS109 (U.S. M777) ammunition.

Like the FAMAS F1, G2 is available as a short rifle. It is seen here with a 30shot M16 magazine.

The Tireur d’Elite version of the G2 uses a multi-purpose telescopic sight.

As with the F1, the FAMAS G2 accepts the M203 40mm grenade launcher.

FAMAS F1 Night Vision: This variation uses a carrying handle with a night vision scope integral with the upper portion. FAMAS Sniper: This variant uses a carrying handle equipped with a 4×25mm telescopic sight. FAMAS Short: This variant has a barrel 405mm (15.92 inches) long for use in confined spaces. FAMAS Simplifie: This variant has no grenade launcher. FAMAS Semi-automatic: Two variants of this model exist, one in .223 for foreign markets, and another in .222 Remington for French civilians. The .222 variant has a barrel 570-mm (22.4 inches) long. FAMAS Police: This is a variation of the Short variant.

FAMAS Gendarmarie: This special short FAMAS also has an abbreviated carrying handle. In 1990 GIAT began work on an improved variant of the FAMAS that would allow it to compete on an international level. Called the G1, the new shorter, lighter FAMAS has, among other changes, a slightly modified forend, a more subtle magazine release, a smooth barrel, an improved buttplate and an enlarged trigger guard. Similar to that used on the Steyr AUG, this trigger guard is integral with the stock, extending from the bottom of the pistol grip to a point well forward of the selector. This guard will accommodate winter mittens, and at the bottom is a lid that gives access to a storage compartment for an oil container. In 1993 the G1 FAMAS was joined by the G2. Not only does the G2 have all the features of the G1, but it also uses the M16 bayonet and the M16 (NATO) 20-shot and 30-shot magazines. The G2 can also comes in variants with rifling rates of twist of 7, 9 or 12 inches. The G2 is available in the standard variant, the short variant and Tireur d’Elite variant with a general purpose optical sight. As with the F1 FAMAS, the G2 accepts the M203 40mm grenade launcher, and optional synthetic stocks in black, olive green or sand yellow.

FAMAS F1, G1 & G2

CHAPTER 24

Germany: The FG-42

THE Luftwaffe-sponsored

Fallschirmjaegergewehr represents a technical approach to the assault rifle question that diverged totally from the intermediate-power Sturmgewehr assault rifle. This fullpower rifle cartridge (7.92×57mm) class of automatic weapon represented a tactical difference of opinion and illustrates the Byzantine nature of German armament acquisition activities. In many ways, the Fallschirmjaegergewehr was a technical step backwards, and in that sense it demonstrated that there was no unanimity in goals among the various Third Reich armed services regarding small arms. Development of the Fallschirmjaegergewehr reflected the power of a few individuals, and caused bitter infighting within the leadership levels of the Third Reich. Germany openly began to rearm after renouncing the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler became chancellor on January 30, 1933 and renounced the treaty shortly thereafter. On April 4, 1933 Hitler introduced a secret rearmament program, and at that time established the Luftwaffe (Air Force) as a separate and new military service. In other words, this ministry was a totally new branch of service and not part of the Army. Its chief, Hermann Goering (19831945), who had been an ace fighter pilot in World War I, was in point of fact a political ally and crony of Adolf Hitler. The fact that a party

politician headed the youngest of the three military services was a source of constant irritation to professional army and navy officers. But the course of the War showed that, even with interservice rivalry at higher levels, cooperation was possible on the battlefield. In the German military organization, after January 1939, parachute troops were part of the Luftwaffe. It is interesting to note the Germans and the Russians were the first to use paratroops in their military formations, and when the Germans dropped paratroops on Holland in 1940 it came as a great surprise. These special troops were usually equipped with the standard Army-type small arms, i.e. the K98k rifle and the MP.38/40 9×19mm submachine guns. The Luftwaffe was, of course, aware of the development of the weapon that became known ultimately as the Sturmgewehr, but the Air Force rejected it because it did not use the 7.92×57mm full-power infantry cartridge, and accordingly the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Reich Air Ministry) began developing its own weapon, which to some extent was a competitor of the Sturmgewehr assault rifle. Luftwaffe weapons developments were conducted completely separate from the normal and ongoing Army developments by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium until May 1944, when these activities were consolidated into Albert Speer’s Armaments Ministry. The desirable characteristics for the proposed weapon were set down by the weapons office of the Luftwaffe, for the procurement division LC-6, as follows: length one meter; weight no more than the then-standard bolt-action K98k rifle; option for selective semiautomatic and full-automatic fire; limited application as a light machine gun; usability as a sniper rifle; capability of launching grenades;

suitable for bayonet fighting and as a club; and firing the standard 7.92×57mm cartridge. The Luftwaffe first attempted to initiate an assault weapon development project through the Army, more specifically the Herreswaffenamt (Ordnance Department). Not surprisingly, in consideration of the above requirements the army declined, saying that such a weapon would have to be found in Utopia. LC-6 therefore decided to go directly to industry. An official Luftwaffe requirement was prepared by Flieger Oberstabs-Ing. (Chief Engineer) Ossenbuhn and Waffen Oberinspektor (Chief Weapons Inspector) Schulze, and disseminated to the following firms: Mauser, Walther, Gustloff, Rheinmetall, and Krieghoff. The first three firms decided not to undertake development of such a weapon, largely because of other work and also because they knew that the Army was opposed to the idea. All three had close relationships with the Army. Both Rheinmetall and Krieghoff had prototypes ready in 1942, about a year and a half after the requirement was established in 1941. The rapid pace of development is explained partly by the fact that both firms were able to utilize features which they had been developing previously for other purposes, and partly by pressure from the Luftwaffe resulting from the unhappy experience (i.e. heavy casualties) of German paratroops in Holland and Crete. Of the 11,000 paratroops who jumped or landed in gliders on the island of Crete, 3,339 were killed, and in excess of 2,237 were wounded. These figures do not include a number of MIA. The total figure amounted to more than 50% casualties for the invading force.

When on May 10, 1940 the Germans invaded Holland, its paratroopers captured four (4) airfields. After bitter fighting, the Dutch recaptured three (3) airfields around The Hague, with heavy casualties for the Germans: Some 1,200 German paratroopers and other Luftwaffe personnel were captured and shipped to England before the Dutch capitulated. Only the airfield near Rotterdam and the Moerdijk Bridge that connected the south of Holland with the north stayed in German hands, with ultimately disastrous results for the Dutch forces. On May 20, 1941 the Germans invaded the island of Crete, initially using paratroopers. These troops found themselves outranged by the British riflemen and machine guns (using the BREN light machine gun) during the initial stages of the airborne assault. It should be noted that one of the causes of German paratrooper casualties on Crete was the practice of limiting personal weapons carried during the jump, to pistols and a few MP-40 submachine guns. Rifles and general-purpose machine guns were dropped in separate containers. Even when the weapons containers and troops arrived together on their drop zone (the exception rather than the rule), the delay in retrieving and opening the containers proved fatal to many of these elite troops. The German Luftwaffe Fallschirmjaeger (paratroopers) stated that a long-range, selective–fire weapon was necessary in parachute assault. Goering agreed.

Very early production 1st Model FG-42, with smooth butt stock and with the ZFG-42 “Voiglander” telescopic sight. This weapon was among the first to be produced. It was later modified considerably in various attempts to strengthen the weapon.

The 1st Model FG-42 is shown with bipod folded down and with the ZFG-42 telescopic sight.

In response to this perceived need and request from the Luftwaffe, Krieghoff offered a rifle design by Henrich Krieghoff that was submitted by the Krieghoff works of Suhl. It is described as gasoperated and with a vertically-moving breech-lock. It was not adopted.

Louis Stange, Chief Small Arms Designer of the Rheinmetall Factory at Soemmerda, Thuringia, created the other proposal for a Luftwaffe assault weapon. In his youth, he had served as an apprentice designer under Louis Schmeisser, famous automatic weapons engineer and father of Hugo Schmeisser, the designer of the WWI MP 18,1 9×19mm submachine gun. In addition to working on the drawing board, Strange became quite skilled in the operation of machine tools. People who worked closely with him stated that after designing an experimental part for a weapon, he sometimes went into the prototype shop and fabricated it himself. When last reported, after World War II, Stange was living in then-East Germany, making his living in the grocery and dairy business. As with his other weapons, Stange had designed a very sound and relatively simple gun. He took the mechanism of the Lewis light machine gun and provided this with a stamped-metal housing. The first model was even provided with the typical Lewis spiral mainspring, but this was replaced with a conventional helical spring. Furthermore, a machinedreceiver variant replaced the original type. Despite the complicated design specifications and the Herreswaffenamt reticence, the LC-6 tested this weapon successfully. Stanges’s weapon was adopted by the Luftwaffe and ultimately became known as the FG-42, or Fallschirmjaegergewehr 1942, which means Paratrooper Rifle (Model) 1942. After selection for standardization, it still had to go through a period of final development and de-bugging, which lasted virtually until the end of the war. The first model FG-42 was made in limited numbers. The prototypes were produced at the very end of 1942. The production models (variants) were made in the early months of 1943.

An interesting story is told that illustrates the Wehrmacht’s oppositions to this weapon: After the Luftwaffe had adopted it, but before production had materialized, an outdoor display of new weapon developments had been arranged for Hitler. The event was organized by the Army, which rigged the exhibition in such as way that the table on which the FG-42 was displayed was staffed only by Luftwaffe enlisted men (security rules in Germany evidently prohibited enlisted men from speaking to Hitler, unless specifically authorized to do so). During the tour, the escorting Wehrmacht Officers steered the Fuehrer away from the FG-42, but the Luftwaffe did not give up and presented Hermann Goering with the new gun as a Christmas present. He, in turn, presented it to Hitler and arranged a firing demonstration, where, it is reported, both fired the weapon. Hitler was so impressed he immediately christened the LC-6 as the Fallschirmjaegergewehr 42 and decreed it had to be issued as soon as possible. Afterward, Hitler is said to have expressed his strong approval of this powerful assault rifle. This led to the first 17 preproduction FG-42’s (probably all that was available) being issued to Hitler’s personal bodyguards.

1st Model FG-42 as produced in mid 1943, right view.

Left view of the 1st Model FG-42, only 2,000 of this variant were produced.

1st Model FG-42 is shown with bayonet mounted and a top view with 10-round magazine.

Series of section drawings.

As noted in an earlier chapter, at one time the guards at Hitler’s headquarters received the Strumgewehr, but there is no reason to doubt that at various times the men guarding the Fuehrer might have had both type weapons for their use.

He wanted his personal SS guard armed with the FG-42 and has been quoted as saying, “after the war, this will become the standard German Army gun.” This quote came from Oberinspektor Otto Schulze after the war, and was mentioned to Henk Visser in 1956. This attitude, of course, is quite consistent with Hitler’s initial negative reaction to the intermediate 7.92×33mm Sturmgewehr. His opposition to the Sturmgewehr-type weapon mostly arose from its lack of longrange suppressive fire capability. After 1940, design and production of weapons and ammunition was controlled by a German Official known as the Reichminister fur Ruestingsund Kriegs Bedarf or RMRK, state Secretary for Armament and War Production. The RMRK originally gave the Luftwaffe a permit to manufacture 3,000 FG-42 type weapons. Dr. Fritz Todt ran this office until he was killed in an airplane crash in February, 1942. He was followed by Albert Speer, then just 36 years of age. The original FG-42 prototypes fabricated by Rheinmetall at their Sommerda plant had some parts made of nickel-chrome steel. This alloy material was scarce in wartime Germany, but it was used in the early developmental variants of the FG-42 to increase its life expectancy and durability. Because nickel-chrome steel was not available at the time the weapon was ready for initial production, Rheinmetall modified the design of the FG-42 to use a manganese steel alloy, and production commenced — but not by Rheinmetall, as is explained later in this section. After only 2,000 guns were produced, manganese steel in turn became most difficult to obtain for this purpose. This weapon featured a sheet-metal buttstock, a swept-

back, pressed metal handgrip and a bipod attached in the front of the forestock. It was arranged for the Wehrmacht to test some of the prototypes at the Kuemmersdorf Proving Ground and also at the Luftwaffe testing station at Tarnewitz in the first months of 1943. It is a fact that the testing at Kuemmersdorf took place on three separate occasions in 1943 and the tests proved the first model had multiple problems, and on each occasion after the tests Kuemmersdorf sent the destroyed weapons back to the Luftwaffe without comment, but they showed that the weapon required many modifications and improvements. In effect, Kuemmersdorf conducted the detail testing for the Luftwaffe and accordingly the Luftwaffe improved the weapon, which in late 1944 resulted in the much-improved second model being introduced. It has been reported that 56 variants of the first model were tested during the FG-42 development programs, but this large number probably includes numerous minor changes as well as major modifications. It has also been reported but not confirmed that early prototypes had a different muzzle brake and the mechanism was not what ultimately appeared in the production model.

1st model FG-42 shown with cup grenade launcher and grenade launcher sight located on the left side of the weapon. This is a very early photo and it is not known if this grenade launcher and sight were ever used in combat.

A comparison of the early 1st Model FG-42 with the 2nd Model FG-42.

Luftwaffe trooper demonstrates firing position with early FG-42

Piston and bolt of FG 42; upper, for early gun; lower for later type.

Although the Army wrote a negative evaluation report on the gun, the Luftwaffe decided to standardize it as the FG-42. There still remained the problem of manufacturing it, which meant getting highlevel support for priorities on personnel, plans and especially materials. Because manganese steel was scarce, the Luftwaffe officials and Rheinmetall staff decided to switch to a carbon alloy. This additional problem joined the list of serious shortcomings found in the basic design of the first model FG-42. Among them was the realization that the magazines required extensive redesigning, because they were breaking and malfunctioning in use. The modifications in turn required an extensive redesign of the FG-42. It was at this stage (mid-1943) that the gun was altered greatly in external appearance, while incorporated some clear design improvements. Some German officials who worked on the program at the time have since referred to the two different variants as FG-42 I and FG-42 II, but it is not at all proven that these designations were official. For the purpose of simplification, this work will refer to the two basic models of FG-42, as the first model, of which 2,000 were produced, and the second model. The two are very distinctive in appearance. It is not the intention of this writer to involve the reader in all the various minor variations (there were seven) of these weapons. Which are referred to in some publications with small case designations (i.e., model “c” – “e” for the first model and “f” and “g” etc. for the second model), all of which only serves to complicate the overall story. For a more detailed study of the two models and their many variants, the reader is urged to read Death From Above, by

Thomas B. Dugelby and R. Blake Stevens, published by Collector Grade Publications, 1990. Examination of producer markings on guns indicates that Rheinmetall was not the basic manufacturer of the two models of FG42. It is likely that Rheinmetall had no spare capacity in any of its war plants. Production was initially carried out at the Krieghoff factory, as Rheinmetall apparently sub-contracted the production for both models to that firm (code “fzs”). It should be noted that Goering owned a stake in Krieghoff so when Rheinmetall had finished development, that fact may have had bearing when Krieghoff received the contract to produce the weapons. It is also probable that production capacity and capability was an issue.

A 2nd Model FG-42 shown with 20-round magazine and (lower) with magazine inserted in left side of weapons. This weapon was much improved over the 1st model FG-42.

2nd Model FG-42 (7.92 × 57mm) shown without bayonet

By the time production had materialized and the first model FG42’s first became available in 1943, the war situation had greatly changed, and the Luftwaffe was no longer mounting paratrooper assaults, at least nothing on the scale of the invasion of Crete in 1941. Therefore the available FG-42’s were given to paratrooper

infantry fighting units during the latter stages of the war, especially after the invasion of France by the Allies, and during the campaigns in Russia, Italy and Germany. It is for this reason that the U.S. and U.K. troops encountered a considerable number of these weapons, although total production of both the first model and the second model was about 8000 plus units. Because most of the second model FG-42’s were issued to paratroops used as infantry in the latter stages of the war, in many cases they were surrendered shortly after issue. This explains why those that exist today are in quite good condition. Also, the British had captured the Unterluesz Plant, where some examples were most probably found, in April 1945. German sources state that the first combat use of the first FG42 model was on the island of Rhodes on May 12, 1943. It later received praise in the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. It was also used in the successful glider raid to rescue Mussolini on September 12, 1943, who was being held captive by the new Italian government at the Gran Sasso Hotel in the mountains. The rescue was led by Major Mors, and Lt. von Berlepsch, commanding the paratroopers used in the raid, and SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Otto Skorzeny, who the writer interviewed on several occasions in Madrid in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. As stated earlier in this chapter, these same sources also stated that Hitler was so impressed with the FG-42 that he declared that it would be the standard rifle for all German forces when the war was over. It is difficult to evaluate such a statement now, as we do not know whether Hitler understood the complete picture of German small arms development at that time. There is much evidence to suggest that he overestimated the effectiveness of

the FG-42 and underestimated the capability of the Sturmgewehr assault rifle. Late in the war, Hitler changed his opinion of the Sturmgewehr. It has been reported that a small quantity of (both first model and second model FG-42’s) were carried in the last months of WW II in a submarine to Argentina, because they were held in high regard. These weapons were used to guard some of the secluded German refugee communities set up in that country after the war. The second model FG-42 was, as stated, also produced in limited numbers in late 1944 (September/December), approximately 524, and the balance were produced in 1945 (January/ April), according to official records located after the war, at the original manufacturer, Krieghoff, code “fzs”. It has been stated in various writings that only a quantity of 5,000 second model FG-42’s were produced. New information has surfaced, which shows the production figures were understated. Serial number 5618 has been observed on the late model FG-42. The Krieghoff (“fzs” code) firm produced approximately 6,000 second model FG-42’s and the component sub-contractor for the second model FG-42, L.O. Dietrich (code “gcy”) located in Altenburg actually assembled a limited quantity of second model FG-42’s. It is reported this firm assembled approximately 300 units before it was overrun by Allied forces in March/April 1945. Also, German documents captured after the war indicated the firm I.C. Wagner (code “gal”) was also scheduled to produce the FG-42. Total quantity produced of the second model has not been confirmed, but a study of serial numbers of available weapons would reflect the numbers mentioned closely approximate the actual quantity. FG-42’s produced

in the latter stages of WW II between the two mentioned firms, was actually somewhere between 6,000 and 6,200 units and many of these weapons were virtually unused when the war came to an end. The Luftwaffe (Paratroop) divisions in Northern Italy in January to May, 1945, were issued quantities of the second model FG-42, as were units fighting in the Battle of the Bulge (the Ardennes Offensive) in December 1944 and early 1945. Some German Paratroop units fighting on the Eastern Front were also using this weapon and some examples were captured by Soviet Forces in the later stages of World War II.

Left 1st Model FG-42 magazine as compared with the second FG-42 (Right)

Early production 2nd Model FG-42 produced in late 1944 (reported Ser. #00192) with swept back scope mount similar in design to original 1st Model

FG-42 mount

2nd Model FG-42 shown disassembled.

The FG-42 is gas operated by a conventional long-stroke piston. The breech is positively locked by a rotating bolt with two front locking lugs, which are shaped so as to provide slow initial extraction. All bolt movement, including rotation, is controlled by the piston extension, which also carries the firing pin. Impact of the moving parts is cushioned at the end of the rearward stroke by a spring buffer. Both models of the FG-42 can be used as a rifle, firing semiautomatically (single shots) from the closed-bolt position, or as a light machine gun (i.e. Assault Rifle) firing full-automatically from the openbolt position. In these modes the weapons can be used with or without the folding bipod found on both FG-42 models. The novelty of firing from an open or closed breech respectively during selective fullautomatic or semi-automatic fire was introduced in 1941 in the light machine gun developed by the American weapons designer Melvin M. Johnson. It is not known if this was a coincidence, but both weapons show many similarities, technical as well as tactical. Johnson himself wrote about the FG-42, “A feature apparently copied from the earlier Johnson LMG M1941 is the closed bolt on semi-automatic and open bolt on full automatic fire, thus making the weapon useful as a shoulder rifle as well as a light machine gun. Moreover, like the Johnson the 20-shot box magazine is inserted from the left side horizontally. Unlike the Johnson, single rounds and clips cannot be inserted from the right side with a closed bolt in the FG-42.” The first model FG-42 has a cutout in the receiver on the right side to accept five-round stripper clips, which could be inserted if the bolt were in the open position. This feature was omitted in the second model FG42.

The control system is simple and ingenious. There are two sear engagement notches on the underside of the piston extension. The semi-automatic notch, near the rear end, is at the left edge. The fullautomatic notch is further forward and at the right edge of the piston extension. The sear is mounted so that it can be pivoted by the selector control (above the pistol grips on the left) into the patch of either the left notch (“D” for full auto) or the right notch (“E” for semi-auto). A separate safety is arranged to block the sear when the selector is positioned (“S”). When the sear engages the full-automatic notch, the piston holds the bolt open. When the sear engages the semi-automatic notch, the bolt is closed, but the piston is not at the forward-most position.

Post-war British drawing shows grenade launcher attached to 2nd Model FG42. It is not known if this launcher was used during the latter months of the war but it was apparently contemplated for use.

2nd Model FG-42 (#00579) shown with GW ZF-4 scope.

Right view of first and second model FG-42 with respective telescopic sights.

When the sear releases the piston from either position, the piston travels forward rapidly to its forward-most position, where the firing pin can protrude from the face of the bolt. The actual firing of the cartridge is accomplished during the final forward piston travel, after the bolt is locked. In the event of a misfire, it is possible to try to fire again without opening the bolt. To do this, the selector must be set on semiautomatic. The piston can then be drawn back to engage the sear, without opening the bolt.

In addition to the notches described for the sear, there is also a camway on the piston extension to actuate the disconnector. When the selector is set for full-automatic fire, the disconnector is moved laterally away from the camway and does not function. Although both 10-round and 20-round magazines were manufactured for the first model FG-42, it is reported that a fiveround magazine was developed to hold grenade-launching cartridges. The second model FG-42 used a completely redesigned, different and distinct, 20-round magazine. The magazines are not interchangeable with those of any other German firearm, although they are very similar to the magazines for the semi-automatic rifle Gewehr 43. While this situation is surprising, it is not unique. A similar condition is discussed in the chapter dealing with the old Soviet Tokarev and Simonov rifles, and unfortunately such a problem existed among the several rifles in 7.62×51mm used by NATO, such as the M14, BM-59, G3 and FAL. Both FG-42 model magazines (the first model and the second model) experienced problems in the field. Both were tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground after World War II and neither magazine stood up to the rigorous tests conducted at the time. The magazines for the first model FG-42 had numerous problems and had weaknesses in several areas, most notably the magazine lips.

2nd Model FG-42 as produced by L. O Dietrich (code gcy). Production at this factory commenced toward the end of the war. It is reported less then 500 weapons were manufactured at this facility.

Close view of 2 of the 1st and 2nd model telescopic sights.

The magazine follower actuates the bolt hold-open device which acts as a last-round stop and holds the bolt open after the last shot has been fired. When the empty magazine is removed, if the selector is set at full automatic, the sear will engage the full-automatic notch of the piston extension and the bolt will remain open. As soon as a loaded magazine is placed in the weapon, firing can be resumed by merely pressing the trigger. A different situation occurs when the selector is set at semiautomatic. The last round being fired, the follower holds the bolt open. If the operator removes the empty magazine, the bolt moves violently forward until the sear engages the semiautomatic notch of the piston extension. The operator now places a loaded magazine in the weapon, but the bolt is closed on an empty chamber: Before firing can be resumed, the operating handle must be drawn to the rear and released, thus chambering a round.

Section drawing of 2nd Model FG-42

The feed being from left to right, the spring-loaded ejector is mounted on the left wall of the receiver, just behind the magazine housing. The extractor is visible on the right side of the bolt when the breech is open.

The operating handle protrudes prominently on the right side of the receiver. The slot in which it travels extends forward from the receiver into the hand guard, which makes it necessary to protect the firer’s hand from the rapidly moving handle. Protuberances are formed on the right side and bottom of the wooden hand guard in such a way that the firer tends to instinctively place his hand forward of them, clear of the operating handle slot. The muzzle attachment for the second model FG-42 is interesting and unusual. It combines the functions of brake, compensator, and flash hider in one unit. It does not serve as a grenade launcher, which is a separate attachment. A drawing of this is shown in this section: Also note the photo of a variant of the first model FG-42, which fired rifle grenades. The bipod is simple and effective. A carrying sling is provided. Although this rifle was developed specifically for paratroop use, it was not conceived as a folding or telescoping type. Instead, overall length was kept down by using a short barrel and a receiver that extends into the stock. Other accessories include a telescopic sight, and there were several models, most of which are shown here. The first model FG-42 utilized the ZFG-42 telescopic sight, made by Voightlander, and appeared with various mounts, all of one-piece construction. There is a variation of the second model FG-42, recognized as the “gcy” model, made by the Dietrich firm. On this model, the front base (integral to the receiver) for telescopic sight mounts is a bit longer, enabling it to use a scope mount made specifically for the “gcy” model. Production of the Dietrich (code “gcy”) model was limited to fewer than 500 guns.

As with all FG-42’s, a bandoleer holding eight box magazines was issued with each weapon and was carried slung over the shoulder. Bandoleers came in various color schemes including tan, “splinter” and “water” pattern camouflaged material. A cruciform, spike bayonet is employed. When fixed for use, it projects only a short distance in front of the muzzle attachment. When not in use, it is fixed backwards for storage. The sight radius is about 21.5 inches, and both front and rear sights fold when not in use, on both models. The rear sight is graduated from 100 to 1,200 meters, by 100-meter increments. At the time it was recovered in combat by Allied forces, the FG42 was such a contrast to conventional rifles then in use that there was a tendency to over evaluate and praise it. Without detracting in the least from the technical advance achieved by this design, a few disadvantages can be mentioned. While pressings are employed for several components, intricate machining is required on others. This weapon could never have been produced in the economical way the Sturmgewehr was produced. The magazine location has been shown by experience to be wrong. With the sole exception of the Johnson Light Machine Gun (covered elsewhere in this work), no other production assault rifle has ever used a side-mounted magazine. The FG-42 is not particularly difficult to strip, but subsequent to its appearance, emphasis has been placed in removing and handling fewer parts of rifles during care and cleaning. Modern assault rifles excel in this respect. While two distinct types of FG-42’s are well known, it is reported that other modifications and variations were anticipated: In fact, a variant of the second model was produced utilizing a heavier bolt and

modified butt stock. Also, it seems that development continued even after the second model was standardized. Such variations would probably represent improvement and modifications of components, rather than a totally new model of the weapon. The second model of FG-42 (type “g”) differs from the first model as follows: Weight increased by 1.5 pounds; overall length increased. Front-sight bracket and bayonet standard strengthened, with the later type made of solid material, and strengthened. Larger and more efficient muzzle brake provided. Bipod improved so as to remain open or closed more positively, and relocated near the muzzle. Gas regulator provided with four settings; adjustment required use of a tool. Bolt lengthened, giving a smoother unlocking action. Pistol grip and trigger mechanism made detachable for cleaning; the safety moved to rear of change lever, making it easier to use. Cover provided for magazine opening. Ejected cartridge case deflector added. Laminated-wood replaced steel or aluminum butt. Firing-pin spring and driving spring made of double, twisted strands (“roped”). Magazines for the first model FG-42 and the second model FG42 are NOT interchangeable. Although the FG-42 was never produced in vast quantities, it had a profound effect on postwar developments. The fact that this

weapon fired the standard 7.92×57mm full-power rifle and machinegun cartridge, rather than a lower-powered intermediate round such as was used in the Sturmgewehr (i.e. 7.92×33mm) was cited in support of efforts to standardize a powerful cartridge for NATO. There is good reason to believe that many experienced weapon engineers in Germany had doubts about the suggested use of the FG-42 as an all-purpose weapon. At long ranges, its dispersion on full-automatic fire was excessive. At one time, there were rumors that a Belgian factory was considering resuming production of the German weapon. Nothing came of this, but also mentioned in this volume are two Swiss experimental assault rifles, which are related to the FG-42, as is also, to a limited extent, the U.S. M60 machine gun. The FG-42 series (both models) was a truly fascinating weapon and appeared on the scene (1943/45) at the absolute height of the war’s most intense phase, but the fact remains that the first model FG-42 was introduced prematurely as it was fraught with flaws, since it was developed very rapidly and introduced before it was fully tested. Nevertheless the FG-42 created a high level of interest on the part of the Allies, and therefore it was without a doubt one of the most studied weapons to emerge from the war. Because it was a radical advance in weaponry at the time of its introduction, the FG-42 is considered to be one of the milestones in the history of automatic weapons. The FG-42 is Disassembled as Follows: Remove the magazine and clear the chamber. Close the bolt on the empty chamber, to relax the driving springs. Detach the front end

of the sling from the ring under the muzzle. On the right side of the stock, very close to the butt, is a springloaded stud. Press in the stud, and while holding it in, slide the stock straight to the rear, off the receiver. Protruding from the extreme rear of the receiver is the buffer assembly. It attaches to the receiver by interrupted lugs and is detached by rotating it a quarter of a turn in either direction. The buffer has a flat detent spring on top to prevent it from turning during firing. Press the detent down with the thumb, rotate the buffer a quarter turn, and pull it straight rearward out of the receiver. Keep your face and body from behind the receiver, as the mainspring group is held in position by the buffer. Remove the mainspring guide rod and the spring itself, through the opening at the rear of the receiver. Draw the operating handle to the rear of its slot. It can now be removed from the right side of the receiver, as it is no longer engaged with the plunger at the front of the mainspring. The rear of the bolt will now be protruding from the top rear of the receiver. Draw it out carefully, as the piston is attached to it, and the bolt will rotate suddenly, as soon as it clears the receiver. This is not particularly dangerous, but it is somewhat startling. To separate the bolt from the piston, push in the spring cap at the rear of the bolt until it can be rotated a quarter of a turn either way. The spring and its rod can be removed through the rear of the bolt. Move the piston back until its lug is at the widest portion of the camway in the bolt. It can now be disengaged from the firing pin, which can be removed through the rear of the bolt. This is only for the

second model FG-42. In the first model, the piston and firing pin come out of the back of the bolt. Assemble in reverse order, but when the bolt and piston are inserted into the receiver, it will be necessary to hold the bolt in its forward-most position relative to the piston, as it must enter the receiver with its lugs at the top and the bottom. The bolt must be held in this position against spring pressure.

Very late production (1945) 2nd Model FG-42 Ser # 05197 shown with 10-round magazine.

CHAPTER 25

Germany: The Sturmgewehr

OF Germany’s many contributions to military technology during the 1939-1945 war, the Sturmgewehr, or “assault rifle” using an “intermediate” cartridge was certainly the most significant and farreaching development in individual infantry weapons. The Sturmgewehr and its intermediate cartridge, the 7.92×33mm Kurz (Short), gave the individual soldier vastly increased firepower by two attributes that neither the rifle nor the submachine gun could combine: controllable burst fire and good ballistic performance. It inaugurated a new concept in small arms: a short, handy shoulder weapon having a reduced recoil impulse that allowed accurate fullautomatic fire, yet powerful enough to serve as a conventional rifle out to 400 yards—the range within which most infantry engagements occurred. This combination was achieved by utilizing a cartridge midway in size and energy between the relatively weak pistol round used in submachine guns and the full-power infantry ammunition common to then-standard rifles and machine guns. The smaller intermediate cartridge allowed the Sturmgewehr’s mechanism to be more compact, lighter, and less expensive, while the reduced weight of both gun and cartridge meant that the soldier could carry more ammunition into battle. Today virtually all infantry rifles embody the Sturmgewehr concept.

While much has been published describing the Sturmgewehr, little has been written to place it in its proper historical perspective. The Sturmgewehr’s influence on subsequent Eastern and Western small arms design was extraordinary considering the relatively small number manufactured and actually used in combat. The Germans themselves were unable to fully exploit the advantages of the Sturmgewehr. They managed to build only about 440,000 of them— too few and too late to have a significant impact on the war. By comparison, they made nearly 9 million standard Kar.98k bolt-action rifles, together with about 464,000 Gew.41 and Gew.43 semiautomatic rifles, all using the standard 7.92×57mm infantry cartridge. In addition, during the war years more than 1,000,000 pistol-caliber MP.38, MP.40 and Italian Beretta submachine guns were produced for the German armed forces. Moreover, full utilization of those Sturmgewehr completed was hampered in many instances by ammunition. By war’s end, total production of Kurz reached only 888 million rounds. According to Deutschlands Rüstung im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1942-1945,

that were insufficient cartridges Boelcke’s five million

rounds were made in 1942, 23 million rounds in 1943, 580 million rounds in 1944, and an estimated 280 million rounds in the first three months of 1945—an average of just more than 2,000 rounds per gun, even if all rounds had been distributed where they would be available for combat. In contrast, nearly 10 times as many (8.4 billion) rounds of 7.92×57mm full-powered ammunition were made between 1941 and 1945 for standard rifles and machine guns. The limited number of 7.92×33mm cartridges available leads to the conclusion that the Sturmgewehr could have been a more telling

element of the German arsenal if sufficient cartridges had been distributed. Early in 1944, the Inspector of Panzer forces advised his troops that it would do no good to request Sturmgewehr ammunition because it was not available: “Production capacity of the kurz cartridge is being taken up for infantry ammunition. Any demands are, for the time being, useless.” Albert Speer (1905-1981), Reichsminister für Rüstung und Kriegsproduktion (Armaments and War Production), despaired about the shortages of 7.92×33mm ammunition. At Bremen on 11 August 1944, Speer told his Main Committee on Ammunition that there were 30,000 Sturmgewehr being held in storage due to a lack of 7.92×33mm ammunition. He also noted that such weapons were little more than ballast for the troops when the necessary ammunition was not provided. Later in October, while visiting troops about to engage advancing Allied armies, Speer discovered that large numbers of Sturmgewehr were still being distributed without ammunition. Some Volksgrenadier units faced the prospect of combat with empty weapons. In this context, the Sturmgewehr saga that follows is instructive in two ways: First, it reveals the formidable obstacles to the adoption of any new weapon or tactical concept in the face of military conservatism; Second, it demonstrates the grave difficulties, and the ingenuity necessary, to introduce the production of a new weapon in mid-war.

Prototype Haenel Maschinenkarabiner (marked “M.K. 42 (H.S.)” serial number 030. This weapon fired the 7.92×33mm intermediate-powered cartridge. It was one of the first 50 prototypes made for test trials in 1942. Photo: Courtesy Peter R. Senich

The “M.K. 42 (H.S.)” designation as it appears on surviving specimen number 042, stood for Maschinenkarabiner 42 (Haenel-Schmeisser).” Photo: Courtesy Peter R. Senich

The Haenel-Schmeisser Maschinenkarabiner marked “M.K. 42 (H.S.)” serial number 042. A prototype made for tests in 1942, it was made primarily of sheetmetal stampings. Photo: U.S. Army West Point, and the Imperial War Museum, London.

Historical Background There is a common misconception that the Sturmgewehr sprang full-born as a product of WWII. In reality, the Sturmgewehr’s origins can be traced back to the last years of the First World War, when many German officers and men expressed dissatisfaction with the 7.92×57mm Gewehr 98, the Reichsarmee’s (Imperial Army’s) standard rifle. Troops complained that it was too long, clumsy and too sensitive to dirt for close-quarter fighting in the trenches. But the underlying objection was that, being bolt-action, its operation was too slow. The term “firepower” —the number of effective shots deliverable in a given time—had not yet been coined. Consideration of improved weapons started before the war ended. Beginning in 1916, the Army’s Gewehrprüfungs-kommission

(small arms research and development establishment) tried out several variants of the basic Gewehr 98. Small quantities of the Gewehr 98/17 and Gewehr 18, both shorter rifles but still bolt-action, were fabricated and field tested. Neither went into large-scale production. Two self-loading rifles also saw limited service. The 7×57mm Model 1908 Mondragon rifle, a gas-operated design of Mexican origin manufactured in Switzerland, was used in early aerial combat. The Germans designated it Mondragon-Fliegerselbstladekarabiner Modell 1915. It employed a clumsy 30-shot drum magazine suspended below. The other, also issued to aircrews, was a halfstock variant of the recoil-operated Mauser Model 1906-08 (military designation Mauser-Fliegerselbstalade-karabiner Modell 1916), using standard 7.92×57mm service ammunition fed from a 25-round box magazine. The Germans considered both rifles to be specialpurpose weapons; It was recognized that they were too complicated, fragile and unreliable for the harsh conditions of infantry warfare. While these rifle experiments evidenced a desire to advance the state-of-the-art of infantry rifles, a proposed new type of cartridge was more directly related to the subsequent appearance of the Sturmgewehr. During the First World War an officer assigned to the Gewehrprüfungskommission, an obscure First Lieutenant Piederit, prepared a study entitled “Advantages of Adopting an Intermediate Round.” In this work he suggested, in view of conditions on the Western Front, that a flat trajectory bullet effective out to 400 meters from the firing point would be sufficiently powerful for the soldier’s individual weapon.

This proposal for a new, less-powerful “intermediate” cartridge was rejected by German officialdom out of hand. First, it was too radical a departure from the accepted norms of rifle ammunition. And, as is still universally the case, logistics officials had no desire to introduce another type of ammunition into their already overburdened supply system. Finally, Germany’s ordnance production resources were already strained and there were no facilities available to make a new cartridge. So there was never even a faint chance of Piederit’s prescient idea finding acceptance.

A design of Hugo Schmeisser, the MKb.42(H) serial number 5297 is shown without bayonet lug on barrel.

This MKb.42(H) serial number 503, fired the 7.92×33mm intermediate-class cartridge, and was among the first 2,000 sent for test to Russia in April, 1943.

MKb.42(H) number 503 was the first Sturmgewehr captured in Russia, and was on weapons designer V. A. Degtyarov’s desk by April/May 1943: It was a shock to see the German Army introduce a totally new intermediate-powered cartridge in the middle of the war.

Unrelenting demands for a better close-quarters weapon first prompted the invention of a 32-shot drum magazine adapted to the lange lauf Parabellum Pistole (long-barreled Luger pistol), that was issued mostly to noncommissioned officers of machine-gun units. This modified Parabellum pistol also had an adjustable tangent rear sight and a detachable shoulder stock. Though this combination proved useful in trench warfare, its range and firepower were wanting. Fragile and awkward, this stopgap adaptation was incapable of fullautomatic fire, and expensive to manufacture. The Germans realized that they needed a short, fully-automatic shoulder weapon of robust and simple construction that could be quickly and economically produced. Such a gun was hurriedly developed by the Theodore Bergmann firm in 1916-1917. Called the MP 18.I (Bergmann), it was the first of a series of German submachine guns that were designated “MP” for Machinenpistole because they were chambered for a pistol cartridge. Designed by Hugo Schmeisser, it worked by simple blowback operation, fired the same 9×19mm cartridge as the Parabellum pistol, and used the same

drum magazine. Some reached troops at the front in the final months of the war, where their short-range firepower was quickly appreciated. Slightly more than 35,000 were made before production was halted by the November 1918 armistice. Germany’s combat use of the MP 18.I firmly established the submachine gun as a distinct type of infantry weapon, and defined its tactical role for the next 30 years. However, its pistol ammunition was unsuitable for anything but close-quarter use. Germany’s search for greater firepower during WW I also probed in the opposite direction, with markedly less success. They tried to build full-power machine guns light enough to be managed by a single soldier. At least five different light machineguns, all firing the 7.92×57mm standard rifle cartridge, were combat-tested by the German Army. The best of these, and most widely used, was the Maxim Model 08/15. In a fixed position, its performance was excellent, but its weight was vastly excessive, particularly as it required water for cooling. An air-cooled variant, the Model 08/18, came too late, and was not even remotely suitable as a replacement for the soldier’s individual weapon. Thus all of the German Army’s basic infantry weapons in service at the end of the war were considered deficient in one way or another. All needed replacement. Germany’s defeat and the Treaty of Versailles reduced the German army to little more than a constabulary. Whereas her wartime army had exceeded 13 million men, Germany’s post-war armed forces, the Reichswehr, was reduced to only 100,000 men. The Army (Reichsheer) was permitted to retain only 84,000 Gewehr 98s, 18,000 Karabiner 98AZ, 1,926 machine guns, 252 mortars, and

288 field artillery pieces. Another 50,000 rifles and carbines were permitted to be held in reserve. Nonetheless, the search to develop better weapons for the German infantryman endured, spurred by the resurgent desire to rearm. For this purpose the Heereswaffenamt (Army Ordnance Office) was created in January 1920, and the development of new weapons along traditional lines proceeded during the 1920s, albeit at a low level, largely in secret. Thus from 1917 to 1945 the innovative thinking of talented German small arms engineers, both at home and among those who had gone abroad to pursue their craft, was virtually seamless. Starting in late 1924, in the early phase of the Reichwehr rearmament, the Heereswaffenamt laid plans for the eventual mobilization of German manufacturing capacity for weapons production. In January 1925, a “Statistical Society” (ostensibly a private group, but actually a Heereswaffenamt organ) was created to assist with industrial planning. Following withdrawal of the Inter-Allied Military Control Commission (IMCC) on 31 January 1927, the Heereswaffenamt pushed ahead with its first five-year armament plan. Approved in September 1928, the plan had as its goal the production of enough weapons to expand the 10-division Reichwehr to 21 divisions. A second five-year plan draft covering 1933-38 circulated by the Heereswaffenamt in November 1929 outlined the comprehensive full-scale mobilization of a revitalized armaments industry. This plan was supplanted by a new one when the Nazis came to power in 1933. In the field of small arms development, the Reichswehr had designated four principal objectives. These were an improved

submachine gun, a simplified (bolt-action) rifle, a self-loading rifle, and a light machinegun (LMG). The inclusion of a bolt-action rifle probably was due to doubts (shared by all armies at that time) whether any practical semiautomatic rifle could be developed. When the German rearmament program got fully underway, these objectives had been only partly satisfied. The Nazis essentially adopted, and then accelerated the ongoing Reichswehr R&D program. Although several new submachine gun designs were developed by private firms, the Reichswehr showed only slight interest. The Dreyse air-cooled Maschinengewehr 13 LMG was taken into service, but it was considered an interim weapon, soon superseded. In development of a semiautomatic shoulder rifle, Germany lagged behind other countries, particularly the United States and the Soviet Union. To meet immediate needs, the Heereswaffenamt, through the newly established Zentralbüro für Deutsche Aufrüstung (Central Office for German Rearmament), initiated large-scale production of a new series of the Mauser bolt-action rifle in 1934. The first Karabiner 98k rifles were delivered in 1935, and were little more than a shorter Gewehr 98. The Kar 98k had a 23.62 inch (600mm) barrel and was 43.7 inches (1,110mm) overall, compared to the 29.13 inch (740mm) barrel and 49.21 inch (1,250mm) length of the Gew.98. Some parts of the K98k were simplified for ease of production, but it was still essentially a 40-year-old design that, although somewhat handier, offered no upgrade in firepower.

Steps Toward The Sturmgewehr

During the First World War, the Gewehrprüfungskommission’s Oberleutenant Piederit had established the characteristics of an ideal infantry cartridge. He envisioned a 7mm bullet in a cartridge case very similar to the standard 7.92×57mm. This means it would have been similar in appearance to the 7mm Spanish Mauser round. It would not have been suitable for use in developing an assault rifle. It was obvious that the “ideal” cartridge characteristics formulated during the previous war were no longer valid. Still the Wehrmacht high command showed little interest in pursuing new infantry ammunition, except by examining, in cursory fashion, experimental developments submitted by private industry when various German ammunition companies presented experimental cartridges. At least two inventors, Karl Heinemann of Rheinmetal and Heinrich Vollmer, submitted prototypes of self-loading rifles firing intermediate-power rounds. The reaction of high-ranking Wehrmacht officialdom was negative. Most officers believed that the machine gun would continue to fill the dominant role it had demonstrated in World War I. They had no faith in proposals of Rheinmetall to reduce the long-range firepower of either rifles or machine guns. There were, however, proponents of change within the Heereswaffenamt, which was responsible for the design, development, testing, and acceptance of all ordnance equipment. In 1938, the Infanterieabteilung Wa.Prüf.2 (Infantry small arms development branch), a section of the Heereswaffenamt, conducted a demonstration for its colleagues in the Infantry Bureau (In.2) that was designed to show them that a semiautomatic rifle would not be feasible if the standard 7.92×57mm rifle cartridge were employed. In

addition to staff specialists from both offices, General Eugen Ott, the Inspekteur der Infanterie (Inspector of Infantry Troops), was present. The weapons fired included an experimental self-loading rifle designed by Vollmer and fabricated by the firm of Gustav Genschow & Cie. AG, which had developed a 7.75mm intermediate power cartridge, and a short, light, gas-operated rifle submitted by the Walther works at Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia. It is not clear what the Carl Walther Waffenfabrik cartridge or gun were, but it was probably the GA115 in 7.92×57mm. As noted earlier, there was a standing German army requirement for a semiautomatic rifle. Some engineers at private factories, Mauser for one, believed at the time (1938) that this requirement could be met using the 7.92×57mm cartridge. The demonstration, which had the obvious purpose of proving the need for an intermediate round, backfired. An unimpressed General Ott showed his intense disapproval of the demonstration by leaving the test ground without saying a word. Thereafter, a small group of officers in the infantry small arms development branch (Wa.Prüf.2) decided to proceed covertly with development of an intermediate-type cartridge. As a result of their clandestine activities, the R&D work on such a cartridge preceded a formal requirement from the infantry.

The 7.75×40mm Vollmer A3511 machine carbine as it appeared at the end of its development in 1939. Development of this weapon was terminated in 1939 because the Wehrmacht could see no future for it.

In the late 1930’s, when the first phase of German rearmament was substantially completed, development of a new generation of infantry weapons was started. Most of the earlier ones that were put into production, evolving as they had from the work of the Reichwehr period, had not been particularly modern, but had represented a reasonable compromise between modern technology and immediate production availability. Formal development of a multipurpose infantry weapon, called the “Maschinenkarabiner,” was begun later in 1938. These weapons had some features adapted from prior projects. Generally the required specifications were as follows: Simple mechanism Reliability in severe cold, and in sandy conditions Weight, no greater than infantry rifle Length, shorter than infantry rifle Trajectory, similar to rifle up to about 600 meters Precision semiautomatic fire up to 400 meters Effective short-burst fire up to 800 meters Moderate cyclic rate of fire (350-450 s.p.m.) Controllable in full-automatic assault fire.

(The small-caliber weapons development organizations evolved along with other Heereswaffenamt elements. By the Mid-1930’s, the First War Gewehrprüfungskommission [Rifle Examining Commission — GpK.] had become the infanterieabteilung Wa.Prw.2 — [Infantry small arms development branch] of the Prüfwesen [Wa.Prw. — Testing Group]. As war approached, in August 1939, the Prüfwesen became the Amtsgruppe für Entwicklung und Prufung [Ws.Prüf.] and the Infanterieabteilung became Wa.Prüf., and subsequently the Infanterieabteilung became Wa.Prüf 2. The Chiefs of the Heereswaffenamt were: Colonel Freiherr Krees von Kressenstein [1919-20]; General Wurtzbacher [1920-26]; General Freiherr von Botzheim [1926-34]; General der Infanterie Kurt Liese [1934-38]; General der Artillerie [GdA] Prof. Dr. Phil., Dr. Ing. Karl Becker [1938-39]; and GdA Emil Leeb [1940-45].) In formulating these requirements, emphasis was placed on the performance expected from the weapon/ammunition combination without specifying such details as caliber, method of operation, or type of breech mechanism. As it was quite apparent that no weapon meeting the requirement could be built around the standard 7.92×57mm cartridge, the Heereswaffenamt, in 1938, gave an exploratory contract to the ammunition firm of Polte, of Magdeburg, for development of a suitable cartridge. This intermediate-power cartridge development project was not pursued systematically with a preparatory phase of prior theoretical work. Given the urgency, it was undertaken as a prototype project in the Polte experimental shop. This was reasonable, because the Polte engineers decided to modify the standard 7.92×57mm cartridge case. Two advantages were gained by taking this step. First, since

the case base diameter and the bullet diameter remained the same, it was possible to use some existing tooling in producing the new cartridge; second, the initial lots of ammunition needed for weapon development could be expeditious-ly fabricated. As noted in the chapter covering ammunition in this title, there was already a 7mm intermediate power cartridge fully developed by Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken, but it had a different case head diameter. This DWM round was not adopted because the existing tooling for the standard rifle cartridge could not be used to produce it. In the spring of the same year, 1938, a contract for development of an experimental weapon to shoot the new intermediate-power cartridge was awarded to the C.G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik AG in Suhl, Thuringia. For many years, research and development money had been funneled into this firm and others like it, which were located far away from the French border so clandestine research projects could be carried on away from the watchful eyes of the Inter-Allied Military Control Commission (IMCC). At first glance, one might find it strange that the Haenel engineers should start the design of the gun without the details of its cartridge being firmly settled, but the Germans saw no great inconsistency in the procedure. While final weapon design must always be determined by ammunition ballistic performance and other characteristics, a preliminary design could be started around a generalized concept of the eventual cartridge. Undoubtedly, there was close cooperation between the two R&D firms, as the work of each would affect the other. Haenel’s Maschinenkarabiner contract required the delivery of 50 prototypes by July, 1942. From the beginning, the Heereswaffenamt, keen on speeding production and

eager to reduce costs, insisted that the stamped sheet metal parts be used where possible, even in the prototypes. The German officials believed that this approach would facilitate production engineering at a future date.

A very early MKb.42(H) is shown with 1.5 power ZF-41 scope and mount. This experimental mount with issue ZF-41 scope was not successful.

Profile of the new Maschinenkarabiner cartridge with a case length of 33mm was established by Polte late in 1940 or early 1941. Other experimental configurations were tried, but it was the 7.92×33mm cartridge that was adopted, and the chambers of all weapons in the subsequent program were dimensioned to accept it. Within this design there were later variations of cartridge construction, relating mostly to bullet design. At about the same time, the design of the gun was being finished at Haenel, under supervision of Hugo Schmeisser, an experienced designer of automatic weapons. His best known design was the German MP.18, I submachine gun mentioned earlier. His father Louis had also been a successful handgun and machine gun designer. In working out the design of this first Maschinenkara-biner, Hugo had a good fund of practical experience to draw upon, and he actually

incorporated some minor features from his earlier weapons into the prototype. The pre-World War II German method of writing military weapons requirements had an advantage in that it permitted or encouraged development of alternate designs when there was a possibility that the original proposal might not fulfill the combat need. There was not, however, competition as we understand it in a freeenterprise economy: The Waffenamt could, and in some cases did, direct that a promising invention originating in one firm be transferred to another for development. The originator was usually given some compensation, which might be indirect, such as the award of a production contact for some item that the contractor was particularly interested in manufacturing. The Carl Walther Waffenfabrik, of Zella-Mehlis, had been independently working for a number of years on the development of a semiautomatic (self loading) rifle firing the 7.92×57mm rifle cartridge. This weapon had gone through successive stages, but only prototype quantities had been fabricated. Using the basic operation mechanism of their experimental rifles, the Walther firm entered the intermediatepower cartridge Maschinenkarabiner program to compete with the Haenel weapon. It is not clear whether Walther took this step on its own initiative, or whether it did it at the suggestion of the Heereswaffenamt. Walther’s Maschinenkarabiner project was supposed to have been company-sponsored during 1940, and then to have become an official one after the receipt of a government development contract in January, 1941. The contract called for fabrication of 200 prototypes for test in August, 1942. The project team was led by Senior Engineer Brauning.

Early Walther A-115 rifles numbers 1, 2 and 3 in the Army’s standard 7.92×57mm caliber, with a later variant of the MKb42(W) shown below for comparison. The magazine used in the initial Walther prototypes was cut-down from a Mauser M1916 magazine. Photo: Aberdeen Proving Ground

The Walther Maschinenkarabiner (MKb) action was gas actuated with a turning-bolt breech mechanism. At the time the Walther firm received its contract the MKb work at Haenel was already well under way. The design of the 30-round magazine was probably complete, for Schmeisser was particularly experienced with this item as a result of his many years of work on submachine guns. Walther was probably directed by the army to use the Haenel-designed magazine. Other details were determined by the performance requirements, so it is not surprising that the two weapons bear a superficial external resemblance to each other. The first sample MKb. 42(W) was presented to the proving ground in Kummersdorf on 30 March 1942. On 14 April 1942, the two types of MKb’s were demonstrated to Hitler by Oberst Drekmann,

from Wa Prüf 2. Hitler commented that the effective range was too limited and should be 1200 to 1500 meters; also, that there was greater need for machine guns and sniper rifles. Walther delivered the first series in the summer of 1942 for tests. At the time of the last comparison test in early December 1942, the MKb.42(W) was found to be too complicated and sensitive to dirt. By the time of the tests, the Army had already decided it favored the Haenel-designed MKb.42(H) and accordingly the OKH showed no further interest in the Walther design, except for the trigger mechanism which was designed for closed-bolt fire.

The Walther factory’s entry for tests in 1942 was designated the MKb.42(W); only 200 were produced. It fired the intermediate 7.92×33mm cartridge from the closed-bolt position. This rifle is number 120.

Walther Model MKb.42(W) number 116, with early stock configuration.

Walther Model MKb.42(W) is shown with rifle grenade launcher. Photo: Imperial War Museum, London

A detailed drawing of the Walther MKb.42(A) assault rifle, which fired the 7.92×33mm cartridge.

First Sergeant George A. Brand of the 11th Armored Division, 3rd Army, examines an MKb.42(W) in the Walther factory workshops in Zella-Mehlis, discovered when his unit occupied the Walther factory in early April, 1945. Photo: U.S. Army

Prototype Walther Maschinenkarabiner MKb.42 (W), field stripped. Photo: U.S. Army

Unconfirmed reports indicate that another Thuringian firm, the Erfurter Maschinen und Werkzeugfabrik (ERMA), located in Erfurt, also undertook a Maschinenkarabiner project without receiving official support. Nothing substantial is known about this weapon, and it probably did not reach the firing-prototype stage. This company had a long history of development and production of weapons in the submachine gun class. The government contract with Haenel called for the fabrication of 50 prototypes by July, 1942. One prototype is believed to have been fabricated late in 1941. At some early stage in the development, the Heereswaffenamt arranged for Haenel to receive production engineering assistance from the firm of Merz, at Frankfurt am Main, for the purpose of designing the components of the new weapon for easy production. This collaboration was intended to eliminate or reduce the prototype-to-production time lag that usually followed the acceptance of a prototype weapon. It is not surprising that there were significant differences of approach between the two firms. Merz was a company that specialized in forming metals by deep die-stamping (pressing) and drawing. Haenel was an established maker of firearms, accustomed to think of the end product and its performance. Merz had previously produced office machines, but in this case it was retained by the Wehrmacht as a parts maker, with the objective of designing and fabricating the components of the weapon in the most economical manner possible. Merz engineers, lacking knowledge of weapon engineering, approached the problem from their perspective as stamping experts. They were dealing, however, with Hugo Schmeisser, who as an experienced weapon designer demanded

precision at a higher level than in ordinary stamped sheet-metal products. The limited time allowed to complete the work did not permit the two groups to become fully acquainted with each other’s points of view. As a result, fabrication of the prototypes had to begin before either group was completely satisfied with the design of the production tools. The only set of stamping dies available at that time was not properly hardened. The gauges and the method established for the measurement of parts also proved unsuitable. It became necessary to do hand fitting and finishing on the sheet metal pressings in order to meet the delivery deadline. In spite of these difficulties, by 15 April 1942, the 50 test guns were complete, and 25 had been issued for field test trials at the School of Infantry. The other 25 were given to other test facilities and to the ammunition firm Polte. By that time, only two Walther prototypes had been completed, although the Walther contact called for 200 prototypes to be ready in August. As the Wehrmacht proposed to go into large–scale production as soon as possible after troop trials, tentative plans were made for manufacturing both the Haenel and the Walther weapons. These plans called for Haenel to start producing its design by about November 1942, working up to a normal output of 10,000 per month by March 1943. Actually, the second production run of 91 MKb. 42(H) was delivered in December of 1942 and 500 in January 1943 (see production schedule at the end of this chapter).

On February 6, 1943, Hitler was shown the MKb.42(H), which fired from the open-bolt position, and the improved MP.43/1 which fired from the closed bolt position. Hitler again rejected the assault rifle concept that fired the intermediate cartridge. Photo: Louis Pacilla

A comparison of the MP.43/1 (top), and MP.44 (center) and (inset) of the MP.43 rail mount that was welded to the right side of the weapon.

At that stage of the project, both weapons were to be provided with a bayonet lug, and both were to have a threaded muzzle to accept a screw-on grenade launcher attachment and ZF-41 scope mount. The production Haenel weapon was designated MKb.42(H) and fired from the open-bolt position, while the experimental Walther gun was called MKb.42(W) and fired from the closed bolt position. Toward the end of 1942 and the beginning of 1943, these designations began to appear in German Army supply publications. Approximately 12,000 MKb.42(H) assault rifles were delivered prior to termination of production. Only some 200 of the Walther MKb.42(W) were made. Final decision on the introduction of the new Maschinenkarabinerclass of weapons was reserved for Adolf Hitler. It should be remembered that this development paralleled the full-power

7.92×57mm Mauser and Walther Gewehr.43(M) and (W) self-loading rifles, which Hitler favored. He prohibited further development of the Maschinenkarabiner, giving as his reason the need for long-range rifle fire, particularly in Africa. When Albert Speer, in his personal conferences as Armaments Minister with the Führer, tried to convince him otherwise, Hitler offered examples from his own experience in World War I, which, he contended, demonstrated the need for such long-range fire. As Speer later recalled, “One lingering effect of his own experience in the trenches was, as I now saw in practice, that he promoted the heavy weapons and tanks he had then admired, to the neglect of infantry weapons.” But, Hitler had pertinent criticisms. For example, he cited the existence of 8 billion rounds of standard rifle cartridges (capable of being shot from either the Kar.98 or Gew.43), while there were only experimental quantities of the new short round for the new class of Sturmgewehr.

Six comparative views (left to right) of the 7.92×33mm MKb.42(W), MKb.42(H), and the MP.44. Drawings: British MOD Intelligence

A comparative view of the World War I 7.92×57mm Gewehr 98, the World War II Karabine 98k, the self-loading Gewehr 43 (sans magazine), and the 7.92×33mm Maschinenpistole 44. Photo: Smithsonian Institution.

Instead of embarking upon the manufacture of the Sturmgewehr, in mid-April 1942, Hitler demanded that production of the MG.42, the MP.40, and telescopes for the Kar.98/Gew.43 be given top priority. The Heereswaffenamt, faced with a difficult and frustrating situation as the users, continued to demand completion of the Sturmgewehr development. To evade the Führer’s prohibition, work on the machine carbines was continued under the designation “MP.42” and “MP.43.” By this subterfuge, Hitler was temporarily misled into thinking that these designations referred to minor improvements in standard 9×19mm submachine guns. While changing the name gave the backers of the MKb-type weapon an opportunity to continue its development, it also led to

complications. Some officials who were not aware of the true state of affairs (or who were opposed to it) complained about the waste of effort in attempting to further improve submachine guns. They argued that the limited useful range of the pistol cartridge made continued work on machine pistols unrealistic, in relation to user requirements. How this ruse-induced complication was handled by Speer and his associates is not known. This had a curious parallel to the situation which occurred in the United States during the development of the Pedersen device in World War I. To conceal its true nature from the enemy and the public, it was given the misleading designation “Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30, Model 1918.” When this terminology appeared in military correspondence, some high officers complained that it was unwise to adopt a reduced-caliber pistol. In actuality, the Pedersen device (another weapon covered in another title in this series) was not a pistol, but was a supplementary semiautomatic fire mechanism for the M1903 rifle, using a pistol-type round.

An experimental MP.43 with ZF-41 scope. Below is claw-type mount for ZF-41.

An early model MP.43/1 with ZF.4 scope. As most of the MP.43/1 weapons were made up with MKb.42 barrels, very few of the model were produced to accept this model ZF.4 scope.

Field trials for the German Sturmgewehr began in the fall of 1942, and ended in early 1943. Work on Walther’s assault rifle design was terminated. Some minor features from it were incorporated into the Haenel firm’s weapon, specifically the change from open bolt firing to closed bolt. With these changes, the Haenel weapon officially became known as the MP.43. It is believed that this decision was made in February, 1943; deliveries of the MP.43 did not begin until late July. On 6 February 1943, an early production MP.43 [actually designated MP.43/1, as it incorporated some components originally

produced for the MKb.42(H); most obvious is the MKb.42(H) barrel] was shown to Hitler by Colonel Friedrich Kittel. Initially, Hitler was not at all receptive to the new weapon, expressing his considerable annoyance at the change in designation. He noted that the “baby” had been given a “new name.” As a result of this unveiling of the MP.43 for Hitler, Reichsminister Speer sent a Führer-Blitztelegramm (head of state rush telegram) to the Heereswaffenamt, demanding termination of the Sturmgewehr project. In the growing chaos of the Third Reich, work on the Sturmgewehr did actually continue, although at this point it probably was limited to completing tasks already in process. Apparently, backers of the project took a very liberal view of what “already in process” meant. Thus, some limited production continued. As mentioned earlier, the nomenclature terms “MP.42 and MP.43” were adopted for internal deceptive purposes. It is definite that MP.43 (which fired from the closed bolt position), was an official designation for the improved Haenel MKb.42 type weapon.

MP.43 field stripped, with 30-round magazine and five-round stripper clip of 7.92×33mm ammunition.

It is known that most of the early 1943 MP.43 production consisted of the variation designated the MP.43/1. Many attempts have been made to explain this weapon, but examination of surviving MP.43/1s, including some recently sold off by the former East Germany with the “/1” cancelled out, suggests that this weapon was the result of a desire to use up barrels already fabricated for the MKb.42, but not used before production of that weapon was terminated. The MKb.42 barrel was slightly longer than the ones subsequently used on the MP.43 weapons (412.875mm vs. 412.75mm or nominally 16.25 inches). The MP.43/1s used the MKb.42 muzzle nut that permitted the use of several screw-on attachments (including a grenade launcher), while the MP.43 had a different thread and nut that required the use of a clamp-on grenade launcher. When the stockpile of MKb.42 barrels were fully exploited, then the weapon’s designation reverted to MP.43. Several design elements of the MKb.42 disappeared when the MP.43 was finalized. Many of the MP.43/1 Sturmgewehr had provision for a telescope mount, which was a leftover feature from the MKb.42. This telescope mounting point on the rear sight assembly was later dropped. Neither the MP.43/1 nor MP.43 were ever intended to mount a bayonet, which had been a feature of the MKb.42. Both the telescope mounting and the bayonet mounting point were eliminated to speed production, but their deletion was also an explicit acknowledgement of the new tactical role of the assault rifle. It was a hybrid weapon that would be used differently than standard infantry rifles had been employed in the past. This change in tactical

function was hard for many German war leaders, including Hitler, to comprehend. In the spring of 1943, the new assault weapon saw its first use by troops on the Russian front. In fact the first 2,000 MKb.42(H) were sent to Army Group North, fighting in Russia, on 21 April 1943. Production by the end of that year has been estimated to have totaled approximately 29,500 MKb.42(H) and MP.43/1 with only slightly more than half having been issued to troops in the field. Meanwhile, interest in the Sturmgewehr-type weapon was growing among the officers and other ranks. The guards at Hitler’s headquarters had received the MP.43 and they had enthusiastically expressed their approval of it. Presumably Hitler believed that these were guns that had been in the process of manufacture at the time of his order; work on additional MP.43s presumably had ceased in compliance with the telegram sent by Speer to the Heereswaffenamt. Actually, work on the Sturmgewehr had continued despite Hitler’s order. Sometime in 1943, Hitler decorated three Division commanders, Generals Wicking, Lowrick, and Brock, for outstanding service on the eastern front. As was his custom on such ceremonial occasions, he permitted each person so decorated to request a favor. The three generals asked for the same thing: production and issue of the MP.43 to the troops. Thereupon Hitler questioned them closely and was thunderstruck when he learned that limited quantities of the MP.43s were even then being used on the eastern front. Hitler called for full reports from the army and after reviewing them, being astute enough to appreciate the tactical value of the new weapon, he changed his opinion of it.

On 2 October 1943, Hitler decreed production of 30,000 MP.43s monthly along with the short “Kurz” ammunition. This decree was the result of a meeting Hitler had with Dr. Karl Otto Saur (Chief of the Technical Department for Armament Production 1942 to 1943). The day before, Dr. Saur had convinced Hitler of the many merits of the new weapon. In November 1943, the Army ordered the equipping of the army in the East with the Sturmgewehr with the goal of fielding the MP.43/1 (i.e.MP.43) as the standard weapon of more than 100 divisions. Hitler re-designated the MP.43, Maschinepistole 44 (MP.44), in April, 1944. Production of the weapon was given a special enhanced priority by a Führerbefehl (decree) in August, 1944. It has been stated by a knowledgeable person, who held an important position in a leading German arms firm in World War II, that Hitler’s initial failure to understand the combat potential of the MP.43 delayed the mass production of the Sturmgewehr for a full year. Had development and production engineering ceased completely when he disapproved the project a year earlier, it would have been virtually impossible to restart manufacturing when Hitler finally changed his mind. As so often the case, there is another side to the story: Hitler and several of his cronies correctly foresaw the ammunition shortages that crippled the employment of the weapon. Therefore, his opposition to the Sturmgewehr was not entirely without basis.

Operating sequence for the MP.43/StG.44 assault rifle series: The top drawing shows the locked breech with the fired bullet approaching the gas port. The middle drawing shows the breech after unlocking, the bolt and bolt carrier are moving to the rear, the cartridge case has been extracted, and the fired bullet has passed the gas port. The bottom drawing shows the bolt and bolt carrier at full recoil, the cartridge case has been ejected, and a new cartridge is ready to be fed into the chamber. Drawings: Smithsonian Institution, Andre Jandota

In the course of the Sturmgewehr production program, extensive use was made of subcontractors. This, of course, had been intended from the beginning of the Sturmgewehr project. The principal producers of the MP.43/MP.44 were Haenel of Suhl (code “fxo”), Mauser (“byf;” Berlin works), Sauer & Sohn (code “ce”), and Steyr of Austria (“bnz”). The many firms that supplied parts put their own identification marks on the parts, so we can tell that to a great extent these so called “primary” producers were actually assemblers of other factories’ components. Since the introduction of self-operating weapons later in the 19th century, proposals have been advanced in various countries from time to time to manufacture each component of such weapons in the most efficient facility available, and then to complete the final assembly of the weapons at one or more assembly plants. The insurmountable difficulty in such a scheme has always been the problem of quality control of the tolerances for the components to be assembled. When completed weapons failed acceptance tests due to the incompatibility of parts, it was usually very difficult to ascertain the responsibility for the tolerance slippages. But this does not apply to German plants and their astute use of gauges. The German industrial program for parceling out the manufacture of components for weapons to selected factories and workshops was the most ambitious attempt along these lines before the end of World War II. In the case of the U.S. .45 caliber (11.43×23mm) M1911A1 pistol and the .30 caliber (7.62×33mm) M1 carbine programs, the U.S. Army had equal success as did the British with their production of the 9×19mm Sten submachine guns and .303 caliber (7.7×53mmR) SMLE rifles.

Subcontracting the manufacture of

small arms

components was not uniquely German. It should be noted that the manufacture of submachine guns was carried out in several countries during World War II by subcontracting the parts. But submachine guns are a rather primitive type of automatic weapon, having a very simple mechanism and inferior ballistics. Even with this most elementary automatic weapon, situations arose where components fabricated by different sources were not completely compatible, such as the U.S. Reising submachine gun. But the fact remains that the weapon (MP.43 series) was one of the first automatic rifles that featured the use of subcontracted components. This approach was necessitated in part because Hitler and his cronies had not made proper preparations for industrial mobilization, prior to their embarkation on their military adventures. When Speer became the Reichsminister für Rüstung und Kriegsproduktion in 1942, he sought to do the very best with the production capacity at his disposal. The resulting levels of productivity obtained by Speer’s ministry were inconclusive, as the end of the war came before full-scale production of new military equipment was achieved. German historical sources have revealed that there were many headaches associated with this method of fragmented production, especially when the Allies bombed out crucial factories in the production chain. Of course, time for the German war machine, under pressure from the Allies in the west and the Soviets in the east, ran out. The purpose of any quality-control program is to insure that the man at the end of the supply line, the combat user, receives weapons and spare parts that will function properly. It required only a little reflection to realize that each time an additional parts fabricator was added to the production chain, the chances for trouble spots

developing in the overall program increased, some times exponentially. In mass-production programs, inspectors accepted parts according to drawings and specifications, using instruments and gauges to determine conformity. But the real test came when all parts had to perform as an assembly. When an automatic weapon malfunctioned, there was often disagreement as to which of several parts was the source of the difficulty. Sometimes, it was not the gun at all, but the ammunition which was at fault. In spite of these inherent problems, the German experience demonstrated that such manufacturing arrangements can be done in wartime. As noted in Albert Speer’s notes on his conferences with Hitler, in early April 1944, the designation of the MP.43 was changed to MP.44. Various reasons have been given for this change in nomenclature. In the first edition of this book, it was stated, “It does not seem to be related to Hitler’s delayed recognition of the great advantages of the weapon, because after his endorsement it would have been safe to openly call the weapon a Maschinekarabiner. After the above change, some guns were made with the marking “MP.44,” but in 1944 and early 1945, some guns marked “MP.43” were still being produced. This was probably done to avoid scrapping useful dies, as Germany was beset by shortages of labor, materials, and other essentials. Another German source has stated that the choice of a designation for the weapon was complicated by the attitude of In.2 and the Inspector of Infantry Troops. “Earlier in this chapter, reference was made to the older and more conservative German officers, called machine gun worshippers by the younger generation. Perhaps influenced by the older officers, In.2 proposed that no name

be selected which would in any way detract from the prestige of the machinegun. Presumably In.2 wanted the term MP retained, but it is not definitely known to what extent this influenced the selection of the designation ‘MP.44.’”

Disassembled MP.43, showing the sheet-metal construction of the receiver and trigger group assemblies, from the left side. Photo: Smithsonian Institution

It turns out that the change was made for much more prosaic reasons. At a 6-7 April 1944 conference with the Führer, the designation of the MP.43 was changed to clarify the terminology and to reduce confusion. Thus the Maschinengewehr 42 (MG.42) remained the same, the Gewehr 43 (G.43) became the Karabiner 43 (Kar.43) and the MP.43 became the Maschinepistole 44 (MP.44). The final designation of the new rifle was on or about 16-22 October 1944, when the weapon was renamed the “Sturmgewehr 44,” (Assault Rifle 44). The recommendation came from General Jaschka, and was accepted by Hitler and all parties associated with the assault rifle program. The rifles were to be marked “StG.44” and many were so marked in late 1944 and 1945. General Jaschka’s defining description, the designation, “Assault Rifle,” has attained world-wide acceptance to this date. The final change of name for this weapon came partly for propaganda purposes, and partly for technical reasons. The Sturmgewehr 44 (StG.44), and the Kar.98k were designated the two basic weapons, henceforth, of the German infantryman. The principal distinct characteristic of the Sturmgewehr was its capability of delivering devastating full-automatic fire, at short range, during the final assault on the enemy’s lines. Experiences of the war, particularly on the eastern front, showed the decisive importance of overwhelming firepower during the brief, critical moments when the Infantry closes with its opponents. In that situation, a squad armed with full-automatic rifles can be more effective than a squad equipped with bolt-action rifles and a single light machinegun, because each man can place a different target under automatic fire. Of course, light machineguns can sustain fire longer, but typical assault situations last

a matter of minutes. The designation Sturmgewehr (Assault Rifle) became a captivating term. Minor differences will be noted in the component parts of some StG.44. These disparities generally are related to variations in manufacturing techniques, rather than to alterations made to affect the function of a particular component. It is likely that individual manufacturers were given waivers to deviate from drawings and specifications when the variance would not affect function or operation of the weapon. Such changes were generally made to maintain the production quotas established by Speer’s Reichsministerium fur Rüstung und Kriegsproduktion. The Sturmgewehr was one of the first German infantry weapons of any importance to be produced without relatively high-quality exterior finish. Most weapons made in 1945 were Parkerized (or Bonderized in German parlance), rather than being blued. Most had a laminated buttstock, rather than one made from a single piece of solid wood. And many had molded plastic pistolgrip plates, rather than ones made of wood. The black phosphate Bonderized external finish not only prevented rusting in service, but it also made the sheet metal easier to work with in the stamping process. This surface treatment acted as a lubricant, thus making the metal flow better in the process. Ribs pressed into walls of the receiver housing both added to the stiffness of the housing, and served as guides for the bolt and bolt carrier assemblies as they reciprocated in the receiver. Although the German Sturmgewehr itself was interesting from a tactical point of view, its construction from pressed sheet-metal assemblies also helped to make a significant contribution to military technology. Like all of the other major belligerents, the German

military industrialists were confronted with material, skilled personnel, and machinery infrastructure shortages. Thus, one of their major industrial endeavors to overcome these handicaps was the intensive application of stamping processes for the manufacture of small-and medium-caliber guns. Conversion from the use of assemblies machined from expensive steel alloys to ones stamped from less expensive low-carbon sheet steel was not easy. The major concerns were with continued production of high quality parts that provided the same degree of interchangeability and durability that existed with machined components.

MP.43 ready to fire, showing the relationship between the hook on the bolt carrier piston rod assembly and the notch on the bolt. Photo: Smithsonian Institution

Disassembled MP.43 bolt carrier and bolt, showing the relationship between the bolt carrier piston rod assembly and the notch on bolt. Photo: Smithsonian Institution

Manufacturers such as C.G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik AG, Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken and several others managed to master the task. In the case of the Haenel firm, they learned to fabricate the receiver bodies of their Sturmgewehr from metal blanks of SrVII23 deep-drawing steel in stamping (or punch) presses. This 1.5mm thick, low-carbon sheet steel was transformed from a flat plate to a folded and welded housing for the rifle’s operating parts. One of the virtues of low carbon steel was the fact that it was easily welded and pressed. Many other German weapons such as the 9mm MP.40 submachine gun, the 7.92mm MG.42, the 15mm machine gun, and the 30mm MK.108 30mm aircraft cannon were made with large numbers of sheet-metal stampings. The receiver, or body shell, of the Sturmgewehr held a machined block, which served as a mounting point for the barrel and as a locking seat for the bolt, and was machined from a low-carbon steel bar stock. This piece was held in place by both rivets, spot welds, and forming. A hardened locking piece was set into this block for the bolt to lock into (once assembled in the receiver, it was very difficult to remove these parts without destroying the receiver shell). In order to make the bearing surfaces of the locking block more durable and less subject to wear, German engineers “Carburized” its surfaces. Carburizing, a variation of case hardening where the steel surface is hardened by impregnating it with carbon at high temperatures, gave the locking block, the bolt, and several other parts subject to wear, greater life expectancy.

The receiver, or body shell, of the Sturmgewehr 44 held this locking block, which served as a mounting point for the barrel and as a locking seat for the bolt. Machined from low-carbon steel bar stock, it was held in place by both rivets and spot welds. Once assembled in the receiver it was virtually impossible to remove it without destroying the receiver shell.

All movements of the Sturmgewehr bolt were controlled by the bolt carrier and piston-rod assembly. When the bolt is locked, its rear drops slightly, engaging in front of the locking block in the receiver. Upon firing, the bolt carrier hook cams the rear of the bolt up and out of the locked position, and then draws the bolt to the rear to perform the usual functions of extraction and ejection of the cartridge, and cocking the hammer. The compressed recoil spring provides the power to return the operating parts to their original locked position. During the forward stroke, a cartridge is stripped out of the magazine and chambered by the bolt. When the bolt has reached its forward-most position, the piston/bolt carrier assembly continue

forward a short distance. During this final movement, the bolt is forced down and locked. The bolt itself was hardened (carburized) low-carbon steel. Each one was selectively fit to a specific rifle, and as a result carried the weapon’s serial number, so bolts would not be mixed up. Its firing pin, of the free-floating type, does not receive a direct blow from the hammer, but is struck by a plunger on the bolt carrier. This arrangement prevented weapon discharge until the bolt was fully locked.

The Sturmgewehr 30-shot magazines could be loaded using 5-shot stripper clips and a clip adapter. Photo: Hans B. Lockhoven

Allied technical intelligence interrogators learned many technical secrets during post-1945 interviews with German engineers. For example, when they went to Mauser, they were told that the G.C. Haenel firm shipped Sturmgewehr receiver housings to the Mauser factory in Oberndorf, where final assembly was carried out. Among other bits of information, the Allied interrogators learned the Mauser managers had expected to build about 50,000 Sturmgewehr per month. They never came close to this target. Only on a couple of occasions did they assemble more than 8,000 or 10,000 rifles per month. Mauser managers blamed the absence of necessary raw materials, lack of parts from subcontractors, and other problems on the effectiveness of Allied bombers. Transport between subcontractors and final assemblers were the main problem in the latter months of the war. Haenel had thousands of machined components in stock, but no receiver pressings. In addition to Haenel and Mauser, seven other firms participated in the assembly production of Sturmgewehr. These included: Hugo Schiffler, Ludenscheid – (code: afv) “ERMA” B. Geipel Waffenfabrik, GmbH, Erfurt – (code: ayf) Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Steyr, Austria – (code: bnz) J.P. Sauer & Sohn Gewehrfabrik, Suhl – (code: ce) (After 1945 it became the Volkseignener Betrieb (VEB) ErnstThalmann-werk, a major producer of sporting rifles.) Presswerke Brackwede, Ruhrstahl, AG, Brackwede – (code: p) Westfalische Anhaltische Sprengstoffe, AG, Reinsdorf – (code: r)

A manufacturer with code identification “q” —(“q” is Kohler, Julius Limbach/Sa., according to the Listederfertgungs Renuzci-chuen für Waffen Munition und Gerat 1944, Pawlas reprint.) By all indications, Haenel, Mauser, ERMA, and Steyr were the major makers, with other firms assisting as assembly shops and subcontractors.

The designation Sturmgewehr (Assault Rifle) became a captivating term. The name has now achieved international acceptance as defining a new category of individual infantry weapon. This late-production Sturmgewehr is marked StG.44.

This late production specimen features black synthetic grip plates, late-war models also changed to phosphate-coated parts, except for the barrel.

The Sturmgewehr cup-type grenade launcher used pre-engraved grenades, launched with wood-bullet blank cartridges. Photo: Hans B. Lockhoven

Similar in design to the launcher for the Kar.98k rifle, the MP.44 launcher required the muzzle nut to be removed, then fit over the muzzle, and the hinged locking shell was secured with a thumbscrew.

Late-war simplified “MP.45” with modification to receiver: Note the smooth area below the rear sight. This design modification was developed by Hugo Schmeisser very late in the war, and few were produced.

Relentless allied bombing and the advance of Allied ground forces had an extremely negative effect of the Sturmgewehr production program. After the war, Hugo Schmeisser told Allied interrogators that he had been working on improvements to the

design of the receiver housing for the Sturmgewehr in order to simplify, and thus speed its production. In fact, his work resulted in the final variant, (the MP.45) being produced in the last weeks of the war. A fact not known until some of these weapons appeared in collections and reserve stocks or museum’s stocks, many years after the war. This last variant, the MP.45 is pictured herein and clearly shows the “smooth” receiver, with lightened locking block. There were probably other experimental variations for the production gun, which were lost or destroyed in the chaos of the Third Reich’s collapse in May of 1945. In the continued confusion about the tactical application of the new weapon, in some quarters, the Sturmgewehr was still intended to be as far as possible, an all-purpose, (einheitswaffe) infantry weapon. The German army and industrial manufacturers attempted to develop various accessories to adapt it to specialized uses. For example, a few (less than 1%) MP.43s (a la the MKb.42) were fitted with attachment rails on the rear sight base for a telescopic sight mount of the ZF-41 type. A second telescope sight also used with this weapon was the standard-issue Gewehr-Zielfernrohr 4-fach (Gw ZF 4-fach). This unit was a 4-power telescope with a 25mm diameter objective opening, an 8-degree field of view, and an 8mm diameter exit pupil. The telescope weighed 8 ounces (225) grams). The tube was assembled to the standard G.43 clamp-on mount that could be attached to mounting rails on the receiver. The combined weight of the telescope and clamp-on mount unit was 20 ounces (445 grams). The overall length of the tube was 6 inches (153mm). Starting in 1943 and continuing through 1944, the Germans carried out development of a portable infrared “night sight” for the

MP.43 series. A small electronic image tube (70mm in diameter) had been designed by the Forschungsanstalt der Deutschen Reichspost (RPF), Berlin, while the Ernst Leitz firm of Wetzlar developed the additional optical components and housings for this infrared telescope. Limited manufacture at the Leitz plant was undertaken in 1944. The sight unit was designated Zielgerat 1229 (ZG 1229), code named “Vampir.” Leitz reported that 310 complete units of the night sight were ultimately delivered. The completed night sight unit consisted of a 127mm diameter, 35-watt transmitting lamp, a receiving telescope containing the 70mm RPF tube, with a 1.5 power (85mm) objective. The system drew energy form a 12 kV high-tension power supply. The transmitting lamp and receiving telescope were combined in a housing which could be mounted on the normal telescope sight bracket. The transmitterreceiver unit weighed 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms); with power pack, the entire system weighed 30 pounds, (13.62 kg.). Several cup-type grenade launcher attachments were developed for the Sturmgewehr series. Differences between the various launchers relate primarily to the means of attaching the device to the rifle’s muzzle. The MP GrGt 43 (Maschinenpistole Granatgerat 43, or machine pistol grenade equipment Type 1943) was a screw-on type used on the MP.43/1, the MKb.42 (H), and the MKb.42 (W). Several variations exist with minor differences in the cup or its coupling. The GwGrGt, (Gewehrgranatgerat, or rifle grenade equipment) was the standard cup-type launcher used with the Kar.98k bolt-action rifles. It was also used with the MP.43 and the MP.44. All of these German cup-type launchers are rifled, and have a bore of approximately 30mm across the lands. Grenades for them were pre-engraved to

engage the launcher’s rifling. It should be noted that German spigottype rifle grenade launchers and their associated grenades could not be used with the Sturmgewehr series of weapons. One of the most unusual attachments for the Sturmgewehr or any other assault rifle was the curved barrel developed for shooting around corners and from cover. Originally, the development of curved barrels for infantry small arms related to requirements for closequarters use of such weapons inside buildings and in and out of entrenchments that would allow the rifleman to fire from a protected position. Late in 1943, Oberstleutenant (LTC) Hans-Joachim Schaede (1984-1967) developed this idea into an experimental unit for the 7.92×57mm Kar.98k, despite the fact that the standard 7.92mm cartridge was too powerful for such curved barrels to have a satisfactory combat life. As first tested, this device consisted of a half-rounded trough, rigidly attached to the muzzle, so it would deflect the bullet to a course 15 degrees from the axis of the bore.

The StG.44 with 30-degree Vorsatz J curved barrel device with prismatic sight assembly. A special set of mirrors in the angles visor (bottom) could be aligned with the iron sight to allow the shooter to accurately fire around a corner. Photos: Imperial War Museum, London

Since this first attempt was considered successful, German Army engineers working with Professor Wenniger and Dr. Braun of Rheinmetall-Borsig AG then attempted to deflect the bullet 30 degrees, using round, smoothbore tubing. This experiment was not successful because the tubing was often damaged by the bullets, and when it was not, the bullet flew erratically. Better experimental results were obtained when curved rifled barrel sections were employed. In this regard, the German found it unnecessary to index the rifling of the attachment with that of the rifle.

Because curved-barrel devices were inherently inaccurate, they were not intended for carefully-aimed fire. Instead, they were designed to direct a stream of bullets in an enemy’s direction from burst-fire weapons. Early attempts to apply the curved barrel unit to automatic weapons with high cyclic rates of fire failed. Weapons jammed continually because of lateral muzzle vibrations. The attachment also produced a disagreeable second, sideways, recoil impulse.

The Vorsatz J could be used with prismatic sighting device, or with it removed, crude auxilliary iron sights.

Captain Phillip B. Sharpe, while a technical intelligence officer with the U.S. Army Ordnance in Europe, holds an example of the Sturmgewehr 44 with the 90-degree Vorsatz P curved barrel device; Photo: U.S. Army Signal Corps; (right) Maj. Gen. Saylor, Chief of Ordnance UCOM in 1945, shows how the German 90-degree Vorsatz P device could be used to fire around corners without exposing the shooter. Photo: U.S. Army

MP.43/1 with the Vorsatz P 90-degree curved barrel attachment for close-in defense of armored vehicles. Photo: U.S. Army

The Wehrmacht subsequently generated a requirement for adapting the curved-barrel principle to defense of armored combat vehicles. Virtually all armored vehicles have blind spots that permit approach by foot soldiers from angles which normal vehicular armament cannot reach without either moving the vehicle or

traversing the turret. Curved-barrel weapons would have permitted crews to fire at soldiers attacking their vehicles with such weapons as Molotov cocktails, sticky bombs or bazookas. As Sturmgewehr rifles have a comparatively low full-automatic cyclic rate, due to use of the 7.92×33mm intermediate power cartridge, and because it was intended to be a primary infantry weapon, it became the logical weapon for adapting to the curved barrel device. However, infantry and tank applications differed in that a much-greater degree of deflection was demanded for vehicleprotection applications. Ultimately, 30 degrees of deflection was selected for infantry use, while the tank device employed 90 degrees. In the course of these experiments, curves of 15, 40, 60 and 75 degrees were explored. By June, 1944, two basic units (30-degree and 90-degree) had been refined to the point where they were considered satisfactory for procurement. A demonstration of the Krummlauf for Wehrmacht officials was given on 6 July 1944. This did not represent the end of experimentation, since additional variations of both types appeared after June, 1944, and design work continued into 1945. The 90-degree curved barrel device was quite effective, but it also proved to be quite a handful. A Sturmgewehr 44, fitted with a barrel and a 90-degree bend, roughly a 10-inch radius (250mm) and a .63 inch (16mm) outside diameter, could produce a group of 14 × 20 inches (300 × 500mm) at 100 meters. According to Dr. Braun, design team leader, the outside diameter of the tube of the curved barrel device had to be increased slightly to prevent the battering from repeated shots from altering the arc of the curve. The anticipated life expectancy of the 90 degree curbed barrel was 5,000

shots, which likely actually exceeded its actual extent of use in a combat environment. The 30-degree deflector (Gebogener Lauf J or Krummerlauf J), also called “Vorsatz J” (device J), was intended for use in trench warfare or close-quarters combat where it could be used to shoot around corners or over the tops of defensive positions. The 30degree deflector was attached to the weapon with the same clamptype coupling device as used on the rifle grenade discharger (Gewehrgranatgerat), because these were in existence and were readily available. These units have an upright plate welded to a mounting block between the bent tube and the coupling. A mirrorprism back sight, giving 30 degrees of visual deflection from behind the weapon, was attached to that plate. A parallel blade front sight was dovetailed to a collar assembled to the muzzle end of the bent tube. To compensate for the extra recoil caused by deflecting the bullet, two rows of five small-diameter (.157 inch/3.9mm) vent holes were drilled into the upper surface of the bent tube, communicating with the bore passage. These relief holes were located immediately ahead of the mounting block. Despite all the experimental work, the 30-degree deflector device does not appear to have been put into large-scale production. Most of the observed and reported Gebogener Lauf J specimens differ in detail from one another. The Germans did attempt to mass produce the 90-degree vehicle model Gebogener Lauf P (also Krummerlauf P or “Vorsatz P”). In August, 1944, the Wehrmacht ordered 10,000 of these devices for both tank and infantry use, most of which were probably

actually delivered. While the armored vehicle model was a moderate success, the infantry model was limited in is utility. Phillip B. Sharpe, a former technical intelligence officer with the U.S. Army Ordnance in Europe and well-known author of the World War II period, gave the following summary of his experiences shooting the Krummerlauf devices in his post-war edition of his famous book, The Rifle in America, (p. 639): Sharpe wrote that in the 90-degree infantry model “over two-thirds of the bullets were into two or three pieces — but at a very short range, it would have been deadly. When fired from the hip as an ‘around-the-corner gun,’ not more than three shots could be fired in one burst — it would spin the shooter 90 degrees in three shots... [however] in the heavy tank mount, it shot excellently.” Sharpe’s opinion of the 30-degree infantry Krummerlauf was considerably higher: “This 30 degree [model] shot perfectly. At 100 meters [110 yards] this author could place four out of five shots in a letter-head size target” (8.5×11 inch/215 × 280mm). After the Second World War, the United States Army constructed and experimented with curved barrels for the .45 caliber (11.43×23mm) M3A1 submachine gun, while the Soviets experimented with an armored vehicle device of this type for the 7.62 × 39mm AK47 Assault Rifle and the PPSh-41 submachine gun.

Comparison of the standard Sturmgewehr models for the 7.92×33mm kurz cartridge: MP.43, MP.43/1, and MP.44. Photo: U.S. Army

In 1943/44, development of a portable infrared “night sight” was ongoing with some success. It is reported that 310 units were delivered to the Wehrmacht.

That work was the beginning of night-vision optics. The unit was designated Zielgerat 1229 (ZG 1229), code named “Vampire.” Drawing: Lyn Haywood.

Other Sturmgewehr-Related Designs Following selection of Haenel’s Sturmgewehr for production, the Walther firm ceased development work on Sturmgewehr-type weapons. Still, they were not the only other company interested in this new small-arms concept. Other German firms, which had learned unofficially of the program, had begun to experiment with their own designs. Thus, despite standardization of the Haenel rifle, Steyr, Grossfuss, Spreewerk, Gustloff, and Mauser each experimented with a weapon firing the new “intermediate” powered ammunition with the ultimate goal to develop a simplified weapon. Little is known about the hardware results achieved by the first three industrial concerns, but we know that Mauser had an advanced prototype weapon. At the Mauser works this project was known as the Gerät 06, and after a subsequent modification in design, the Gerät 06H. It is reported that the work was started in 1943. The significant feature of this project was the incorporation of roller locking devices, already used on the German MG 42, into a simplified automatic weapon with a fixed barrel. (The MG 42, which is widely used today, is a multipurpose, recoil-operated machinegun. At the time of its introduction in 1942, it was a revolutionary improvement in automatic weaponry because of its simplified locking device, efficient barrel-change method, ease of manufacture, and several other outstanding features.)

The 7.92×33mm Volksturm Gewehr (People’s Assault Rifle) was in fact a selfloading semiautomatic carbine developed at Gustloffwerke. Note that this weapon used the standard 30-shot StG magazine. Photo: Masami Tokoi

In 1944, the Mauser company introduced an experimental assault rifle designated the Gerät 06. It featured a design that was fully locked by rollers and gas operated, chambered for the 7.92×33mm intermediate cartridge. The line drawing below shows the completed weapon. Photo: U.S. Army. Springfield Armory

The first prototypes of the Gerät 06 were made as delayedblowback guns, with gas unlocking. The bolthead carried a pair of

locking rollers which were cammed into engagement with locking recesses. Upon firing, the rollers were disengaged from the recesses by a gas piston. After unlocking, residual pressure opened the bolt, and the remainder of the cycle was similar to that of a plain-blowback weapon. The magazine of the standard Sturmgewehr was used, without alteration. The weight of the final design was to be about 9 pounds, and the cyclic rate of fire was to be about 420 rounds per minute. Exterior ballistics were the same as those of the standard Sturmgewehr. The Heereswaffenamt was not satisfied with the delayedblowback action on the grounds that it did not represent a sufficient simplification of design. A study was started to determine if the mechanism could be simplified by elimination of the gas piston, with modification of the action into a retarded-blowback type. In a retarded-blowback action there is no separate unlocking mechanism. Unlocking is accomplished by cartridge pressure against the face of the bolt, but some form of mechanical disadvantage must be employed to retard the opening of the bolt. When the 7.9mm kurz cartridge was developed some years earlier, it was intended to be used in conventional, locked-breech weapons. Its chamber pressure averaged 3,400 atmospheres, or 32,000 pounds per square inch. The cartridge case has a very pronounced shoulder. The study showed that any operating method which allowed instantaneous rearward movement of the bolt after firing would result in rupture of the cartridge case. It was found possible, however, by use of rollers as retarding devices, to slow the rearward movement of the bolthead to such an

extent that cases would not rupture. The enormous pressure of the cartridge case against the bolthead is resisted by the rollers which are engaged in the fixed locking recesses. Under this thrust, the rollers tend to disengage from the recesses, but to do so they must throw back the heavy boltbody against the driving spring. The momentum given to the heavy boltbody is sufficient to complete the rearward stroke of the cycle of operation. The angle at which the rollers press against the heavy bolt-body is so chosen that movement is accomplished at a mechanical disadvantage. In other words, movement is retarded.

Left and right view of the experimental Mauser-designed sturmgewehr designated the Gerät 06(H). The weapon chambered the 7.92×33mm intermediate cartridge, used a roller-locked breech that would prove to be a significant design after WW II. This is serial number 3. Photo: U.S. Army, Springfield Armory

Upon this change in design, Mauser re-designated the project as Gerät 06H. Presumably, the “H” is an abbreviation for the German word “Halbverriegelt,” meaning half-locked or partly locked. The

mechanism became the basis for the present-day CETME and Heckler & Koch assault rifles. Another weapon which was evolved from this same line of development is the SIG assault rifle SG 510, treated in this title. In the development of the 06H, fluted chambers were tried and found successful. There were 18 flutes and this design feature was carried on after WWII. Other than the barrel and the breech mechanism, all principal parts of the 06H were pressings. These were designed so that material of deep-drawing quality would not be required. Welded joints were planned in such a way that they would not be directly stressed during functioning, and so that distortions during production welding would not exceed established tolerances. Production engineers at Mauser estimated the saving in material and working time to be 50% when compared to the standard Sturmgewehr 44. The prototype Gerät 06H was fired more than 7,000 shots in automatic fire at Oberndorf. Two further prototypes were extensively tested at the proving ground at Kummersdorf. Mauser was then given an order to fabricate 30 rifles for troop trials. The war ended before these weapons were completed.

The Gerät 06(H) field stripped. Those familiar with the Post-War Heckler and Koch weapons will find many points of similarity. Photo: U.S. Army, Springfield Armory

There also exists a prototype assault rifle which has been identified as the StG.45 (H), developed by Haenel for the same reasons given for the Mauser project. The Haenel weapon, designed by Hugo Schmeisser, uses the basic mechanism of the standard Sturmgewehr 44, but greatly simplified. The principal changes from the standard weapon are the greater use of sheet metal and the redesign of components for economical production. It is not clearly known whether or not this weapon was given a comprehensive test by the army, and it is likely that development was not considered complete when the war ended. The Gustloffwerke was yet another of the Thuringian small-arms factories. Formerly Simson & Company, this former sporting arms firm had been nationalized in 1934 (because of its ownership by Jews) and was made part of the Wilhelm Gustloff-Stiffung. As another of the small arms manufacturing firms in the Suhl region (they fabricated MG.34s, MG.42s, and several different antiaircraft mounts), the Gustloffwerke kept abreast of latest military developments in military small arms. It was no surprise to members of the German small arms design community when Karl Barnitzke, the chief engineer at Gustloffwerke, Suhl, came up with an experimental variant of the standard MP.43/1 that converted it from a lockedbreech type to a retarded-blowback mechanism.

Prototype Haenel Sturmgewehr StG.45(H), for 7.92×33mm kurz cartridge. Photo: U.S. Army

The locking lugs were removed from the bolt, which was connected by a tension rod to a sliding muzzle cup. The normal piston-rod assembly was discarded. Upon firing, the bolt wanted to blow back, but its rate of movement was retarded by escaping propellant gases impinging against the muzzle cup. While this method never got beyond the experimental stage in the Sturmgewehr program, it later was adapted to a simplified semiautomatic carbine for civilian resistance forces, firing the 7.92×33mm cartridge. This carbine, developed at Gustloffwerke, used the Sturmgewehr cartridge and magazine, and had been fabricated in limited numbers for last-ditch defense units when the war ended. The Hessische Industrie Werke in Wetzlar created another 7.92×33mm semiautomatic carbine for the same last-ditch defense program. It operated on the principle of the barrel blowing forward, and embodied a special five-round integral magazine. Although the prototype was complete and shootable, it, of course, was not an assault rifle.

Sturmgewehr Experiments In the summer of 1944, the Germans established a Sonderkommission Infanteriewaffen (special committee on infantry weapons). The first meeting of this committee was held on July 14 and 15, 1944 at the Reichministerium fur Rustung und Kriegsproduktion, in Berlin. The meeting was headed by Otto von Lossnitzer (also technical director of the Mauser Company) and had an impressive audience list. The committee consisted of several permanent members such as the manufacturer Fritz Walther, and a number of working groups. The working group for pistols, flare pistols and rifles was headed by chief engineer Karl Barnitzke from GustloffWerke in Suhl, the submachine gun working group by Haenel director Hugo Schmeisser and the machine gun group by Dr. Ing. Wilhelm Gruner from Grossfuss. The committee had far-reaching authority. Its decisions could only be revoked by Minister Albert Speer or Hitler himself. The purpose of the committee was to list all ongoing development projects, to stimulate those which were deemed necessary, and to cancel those which were not “kriegsentcheidend” (war decisive). A list of 187 ongoing projects were on the agenda and had been included with the invitation, most of which are beyond the scope of this book. The development projects for assault rifles and their status was as follows: MP.44 for the 9×19mm P.08 round (by Erma) was halted; Simplified MP.44 (by Erma) was experiencing production problems; Simplified MP.44 (by Haenel) had 10 units under troop trial;

Retarded blowback MP (by Mauser) had design work finished; Roller-locked MP.43 (by Mauser) was being test-fired; MP.SS. 44 (Brunn [Brno]) had 6 weapons ready, project interrupted; Blowback MP.507 (Gustloff) had the third model under development; Blowback MP.508 (Gustloff) had second weapon under construction; Retarded blowback MP (Grossfuss) had two weapons under construction, listed as a Class I project, company granted permission to continue development. Double-barreled MP, 7.92mm (Brunn [Brno]) project was abandoned. The Horn MP (StG) One experimental assault rifle project is of particular note because of the interest it later generated among the occupying Soviets due to its apparent promise. The Johannes Grossfuss Metall-und Lackierwarenfabrik in Dobeln, Saxony, developers and one of the major manufacturers of MG.42 receivers, proposed a simplified, delayed-blowback-breech assault rifle mechanism. Designed by engineer V.G. Horn working at Grossfuss, this weapon was a remarkable design with a fixed barrel, in which gas pressure was used to move a locking piece that acted against the bolt. The receiver, including the grip and magazine housing, consisted of only two assemblies, formed and welded together. The weapon had 83 parts, which were welded and/or riveted into 37 permanent assemblies or components. The weapon was characterized as a

“disposable gun, with a weight of 3.9kg.” The proceedings of the working group stated that by August, 1944, one prototype had been tested with 3,000 rounds of ammunition, and only the trigger group had experienced problems. One post-war document stated that the Grossfuss MP was still in an experimental stage at the end of the war, but that it was further developed by the occupying Russians. In his excellent volume Trophies of the Red Army, by noted Russian arms historian the late Yuri Natzvaladze, the author gives a more complete history of the Horn assault rifle, in particular the “role” played in its development by the former Soviets. The Horn assault rifle was developed during 1944-45. With the automatic action based on delayed bolt recoil, the heavy bolt was held by the action of powder gasses exerting pressure on a piston, which moved a retarding piece against a notch in the bolt, holding it momentarily closed. While the bullet was passing through the barrel, the bolt went rearward for 1mm and was retained by the retarding assembly, and once the round left the weapon, the bolt, under influence of the residual gas pressure (approximately 20% of its original pressure), moved the remaining 180mm to the fully rear position. Extraction was facilitated by a fluted chamber. As the bolt moved to the rear it compressed the operating spring, and ejected the spent casing to the right. From the fully rearward position, the bolt was returned to battery by the operating spring, loading and chambering a new cartridge as it did so.

A late-war design that was not produced, the Horn assault rifle was of sufficient interest to Soviet technical intelligence that they had the inventor remake the drawings, and a local factory produce two examples, which were tested and sent to the USSR. Note the “winter” type trigger guard, and the unusual rear sight at the top forward of the receiver. This rear sight was a large, non-adjustable, rectangular aperture and the blade in which it was cut comprised the forward plate of the receiver housing.

Gas pressure was bled from the barrel just forward of the chamber, to activate a spring-loaded piston that acted on a retarding piece that prevented the bolt from opening until the pressure had dropped (viewed from top).

The underside of the Horn bolt, as seen from the front. Note ambidextrous cocking handle, at bottom of picture.

The Horn bolt assembly, viewed from the bottom rear.

The Horn Assault Rifle, field stripped: It comprised only 37 parts, many of which were permanent assemblies.

Although the design showed considerable promise from an operational and manufacturing standpoint, the end of the war prevented it from ever being more than an interesting experimental design. By all accounts, no more than experimental quantities were produced, and according to reports these were destroyed by testing and the actions of war. With the general renaming of such weapons ordered by Hitler, in October 1944 the Grossfuss MP became the Grossfuss StG. However, in 1946, on demand of the small-arms-and-aviation group assembled by the USSR Armaments Ministry to investigate developments in Suhl, designer Horn reproduced the drawings of his assault rifle and two were fabricated at Gustloff Werke. The Soviet group under Lt. Col. Dubinin tested the weapons, completed a report and description of the Horn weapon, and shipped both samples to the USSR, where they were further tested..

Overall characteristics of the StG Horn were fairly typical of its contemporary designs. Chambered for the P.43 German intermediate 7.9mm round, it had an overall length of 930mm (37.2 inches) and a barrel length of 420mm (16.8 inches). Its weight sans magazine has been listed as 3.9 or 4.4kg (9.62 lb), and the magazine held 30 rounds. The sights were graduated to 800m (880yd), and the sighting radius was 280mm (11.2 inches). The cyclic rate of fire was 450 shots per minute, and the muzzle velocity was 633-650m/sec (2,0902,145ft/sec).

An idea whose time had come, the 7.92×33mm intermediate cartridge was issued in these loadings: dummy, blank, grenade blank, practice, gm clad steel jacket, cn clad steel jacket, and two loads with sintered iron projectiles.

A Concept With Impact Greater Than Its Numbers Although only some 440,000 plus Sturmgewehr were built during the war, the total quantity of MP.44 (StG.44) produced will never be known as the production figures for April, 1945 are not known, and it is reported this weapon was assembled in East Germany after the war. However, their importance is not in numbers, but that they served as a major inspiration for small arms designers in the post-

World-War II world. In addition, Sturmgewehr rifles continued to be used in small numbers in many countries in the post-1945 period. The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) used Sturmgewehr assault rifles for several years until the National Volksarmee, in 1957, adopted the 7.62×39mm MPiK (Maschinenpistole Kalashnikow), a domestically-produced variant of the AK-47 assault rifle. The MP.44 series weapons were, however, retained for auxiliary “factory brigades” until the 1980’s. Other countries that have used the Sturmgewehr since 1945 include Israel, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Sudan, and Syria. Also, a quantity was obtained by the ALN/FLN in Algeria in the early 1960’s and used in their war for independence against the French at that time. A limited quantity was also used by the PLO before they were issued AK47 Assault Rifles. Perhaps the last military appearance of the MP.44 series was in the guerilla war against the Portuguese in Angola. East German and Czechoslovakian ammunition factories made 7.92×33mm ammunition at least as late as 1961, as well did Spain into the 1950’s, with brass cases. As the photographs on the following pages illustrate, the Argentine small arms factory, Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles “Domingo Matheu” (FMAP“DM”) at Rosario (part of the Direccion General de Fabricaciones Militares) built five Sturmgewehr copies on an experimental basis in the early 1950’s. All parts were produced locally except for the springs. Despite such interest in the StG.44 design, the Sturmgewehr design that ultimately was resurrected was not the Haenel weapon, but the roller-lock delayed blowback Great 06 (H). That design led to

the CETME and Heckler & Koch Gewehr 3 assault rifles described elsewhere in this title.

The Argentine CAM (Carabina Automatica Liviana) copy of the MP.44 built in the 1950’s, reportedly was made experimentally in a 7.65×33mm caliber variant of the German 7.92×33mm intermediate round. This weapon carries only the number “4.9.1-3623-908” to distinguish it from the German rifle. Photo: Osacar

A comparative view of the 9×19mm Maschinenpistole 40 and the 7.92×33mm Maschinenpistole 44: in an envelope not much larger than the MP.40, the MP.44/StG.44 provided far better range, accuracy and lethality.

German Sturmgewehr MKb.42 (H), MP.43/1, MP.43, MP.44, Stg. 44 and MP.45

Additional Reference Materials Anon. The MKb.42, MP.43/44 and Sturmgewehr, Special Interest Publications BV, Vol. IV, P.O. Box 282-6800 AG Arnhem, The Netherlands Balleisen, Charles E. “German Mass Production Methods: The Use of Stamped Components in Gun Manufacture,” Army Ordnance

(September-October, 1946): 147-148 Boelcke, Willi A. Deutschlands Rustung im Zwiten Weltkrieg: Hitlers Konfrenzen mit Albert Speer 1942-1945 [Germany’s Armaments in World War II: Hitler’s Conferences with Albert Speer, 1942-1945] (Frankfurt am Main: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft Athenaion, 1969). Castellau, Georges. Le Rearmament Clandestine du Reich 19301945 (Paris: Plon 1954) Combined Intelligence Objectives Sub-Committee Report, Visit to Mauser Werke A.G. Oberndorf Am Neckar and Mauser Personnel at Lager Haining, Otzal, near Innsbruck (London: CIOS, 1945). Gordon, Harold J. Jr. The Reichwehr and the German Republic, 1919-1926 (Port Washington, NY: Kennikat Prerss, 1972). Gortz, Joachim. “Selbstladegewehr der Wehrmacht: Planzahlen und Abnahme 1942-1944” [Selfloading Rifles of the Armed Forces: Planned and Accepted, 1942-1945], Deutsches Waffen-Journal (4/1967): 429-431 Gotz, Hans-Dieter. Die deutschen Militargewehr und Maschinenpistolen, 1871-1945 [German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols, 1871-1945] (Stuttgart: Motor Buch Verlag) Hansen, Ernst Willi. Reichwehr und Industrie: Rustungswirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und wirtschaftliche Mobilmachungsvorbereitungen, 1923-1932 [Reichwehr and Industry: Armament Administrative Cooperation and Administrative Mobilization

Preparation, 1923-1932] (Boppard am Rhein: Harald Boldt Verlag, 1966) Morgan, John Hartman. Assize of Arms, Being the Story of the Disarmament of Germany and her Rearmament, 1919-1932 (London: Methuen & Co., Ltd., 1945) Senich, Peter R. The German Assault Rifle, 1935-1945 (Boulder, CO, Paladin Press, 1987) Speer, Albert. Inside the Third Reich: Memoirs (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1970) Stonley, Jim. “Notes on 1944 Production Figures of 7.92mm ‘Kurz’ ammunition,” Guns Review International (December, 1985): 904904-; 914. Thomas, Georg Richard. Geschichte der deutschen Wehr- und Rustungswirtschaft, 1918-1943/45 [History of German Defense and Armament Administration, 1918-1943/45] (Boppard am Rhein: Harald Boldt Verlag, 1966).

The definitive work, published in 2004, is Sturmgewehr, by Hans-Dieter Handrich, published by Collector Grade Publications, P.O. Box 1946, Cobourg, Ontario K9A 4WS, Canada

CHAPTER 26

Germany: The Roller-Locking Breech

THE fascinating

story of the development of the retarded (often called delayed) blowback roller-locked assault rifle is heavily intertwined not only with pre-World War II and wartime developments, but also with the work of Ludwig Vorgrimler and other former Mauser employees after the war. Because of this, it would be difficult and confusing to try to tell the story country by country. Therefore, the bulk of the roller-lock history, which concerns Spain and Germany will be told here. Much of the information is a compilation of early accounts and notes from Spain and Germany and elswehere collected by the late Dr. Edward C. Ezell, former Military Small Arms Curator for the Smithsonian Institution. Pieced together as a chronology, they comprise a detailed (if somewhat subjective) history of the roller-lock that is seen for the first time. We will follow Ludwig Vorgrimler and the roller-locked design on their journey from World War II Germany, to post-war France, on to Spain, and finally back to West Germany. We will jump ahead by beginning with a description of the basic CETME rifle, but from there we will immediately delve into its evolution.

The CETME Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the lower receiver above the pistol grip (found on the right side of early Spanish prototypes), the original selector has three positions. Moving the selector to the position indicating automatic fire allows full-automatic, and moving it to the position denoting semi-automatic fire allows firing in repetition. Not only are these positions sometimes marked differently, but also can be found in different locations in earlier models. For example, Spanish CETME variants are marked “S” (Seguro), for SAFE, “T” (Tiro), for Cartridge and “R” (Repeticion) for full-automatic fire. West German H&K rifles are marked “S” for SAFE, “E” for Ein (one, or single) and F for Feuer (full-automatic). A special variant made for West German Police had a plunger built into the right end of the selector shaft that had to be depressed in order to rotate the selector to the fullautomatic position. In addition to full-automatic, later H&K models with two-shot or three-shot bursts are marked in universal language with projectile-like symbols. At the top position is a white projectile indicating SAFE followed by a single red bullet for semiautomatic, and two or three red projectiles indicating the number of burst shots. Four red projectiles followed by a dash denote the full-automatic setting. Other countries that use or manufacture these rifles under contract may use different symbols. A variation of selector markings exists with the Spanish CETME 5.56mm NATO Modelo L series: In addition to the standard CETME markings above, a fourth position is denoted with a small letter “r,” for RAFATTO, or 3-shot burst fire.

Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector lever to the position denoting SAFE prevents the rifle from being fired. This position is usually at the upper end of the selector’s rotation. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, release the cocking handle to allow it and the bolt group to go forward. Now, with the tip of a cartridge, or similar tool, push out the pin(s) behind the pistol grip and remove the buttstock assembly and recoil spring group from the rear. The pistol grip/lower receiver will now swing downward on its forward axis pin. Push out this pin to remove the lower receiver group. Now pull back the cocking handle to release the roller-lock bolt assembly and slide the bolt group out the rear of the receiver. By twisting the bolt head counter clockwise, it will be released from the bolt carrier. The firing pin and spring can now be removed. Push out the pin at the front of the handguard and remove the hand-guard by pulling down at the front. Rotate the selector to its vertical disassembly position and pull it out of the lower receiver. The modular trigger pack can now be pulled out the top of the lower receiver. No further disassembly is required and reassembly is in reverse. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: As pointed out in the chapter on Sturmgewehr, during World War II, Germany could neither produce the Sturmgewehr assault rifle nor the 7.92×33mm Kurz ammunition on a scale sufficient to effect the

outcome of the war. Despite Germany’s inability to mass-produce these new weapons, the Sturmgewehr had a major intellectual impact on small arms designers and infantry tacticians. Even as Germany struggled to make the Sturmgewehr 44, other segments of its small arms industry searched for even more simplified assault weapons that could be produced easier and faster. How the Roller-Lock Evolved The roots of the roller-lock extend to the Hunneshagen Rifle of 1924 and the Siemens-Schuckert Patent of 1929, both of which were fullylocked gas operated systems. There was also a question as to whether the Polish patent by Edward Stecke resulted in the rollerlocked MG 42 light machine gun (LMG), but Stecke used armed levers rather than rollers. In actuality, the design of the MG 34 LMG with its roller-like locking lugs, when converted to linear operation, results in the MG 42 LMG. The roller-locking mechanism of the shortrecoil MG 42, when applied to a fixed barrel, resulted in the experimental Gerat Series. While it is probable that any or all of the previous roller-like designs had an influence in the gas operated Gerat Series, the independent thinking that went into this new design seems obvious. Of course, the “final” delayed— and then retardedblowback design of Gerat 06 and 06(H) was revolutionary. Wilhelm Stahle and Erich Ilienberger undertook development of the roller locking system as a further evolution of the concept first proposed in the Grossfuss firm’s secret patent (no. G11355 XI/72H applied for on 24 June, 1943). However, it was later proven that Mauser had applied for a roller locked patent on September 15, 1942.

Mauser’s Gruppen (Groups) 35 and 37 As components of Mauser’s Gruppe (Group) 30 (Weapons Research Institute and Weapon Development) nine sub groups (abteilungen) were established on June 1, 1943. Sub-groups 35 and 37 played the major parts in the development of the roller-lock. With Group 30 under the direction of Ott von Lossnitzer, Group 35 was overseen by Rudolf Niemann and Group 37 was controlled by Altenburger. Under the direction of Dr. Karl Maier, Group 35’s Department 355 conducted mathematical examinations while Group 37 was charged with Light Weapon Development (small arms under 15mm). A research and development team, Group 37 contained four departments run by Seidel, Ludwig and Illenberger. Group (Abteilungen or Abt.) 37 began work on the Gerat program in 1943, and it delivered the first drawings (for the barrel) in November of that year. Along with Wilhelm Stahle and other Mauser experts, this team created the Gerat 06 (Gerat translates to “equipment”) design.

The “Half-Locking” Breech The retarded blowback process, which the Germans called “halflocking” (halbverriegelt), or semi-locking, was effected by a pair of rollers carried in the bolt head. These rollers engage recesses in a locking collar (breech ring) affixed to the barrel. There was a series of three pairs of straight cams that caused the rollers to engage the locking recesses. The first pair of cams was located in the barrel extension, and accelerated the rear part of the rollers. The second pair of cams was machined into the front end of the massive bolt body, and the third pair of cams were at the rear end of the bolt

head. These helped the rollers find their way into their locking recesses. The bolt body of the Gerat 06H carried the firing pin. This arrangement insured that the firing pin could not fire the cartridge until the rollers were locked in the breech ring, thus preventing inadvertent discharges as the bolt went into the closed position. During World War II, Germany’s armament research and development (R&D) program made extensive use of teams of specialists, each member of which was particularly knowledgeable in some branch of science or technology, to expeditiously solve R&D problems. Since that time, the team approach has become a typical approach to R&D programs in all industrialized countries. Germany, however, was among the first to employ it to any great extent in military weapon development. According to noted small arms expert, John Cross, of England, the Gerat Series consisted of Gerat rifles 01 through 07, as follows: Gerat 01: was probably a mockup of the roller locking system to test in a pulsator. Gerat 02: was a G43 action converted to a fully locked roller lock. Mr. Cross points out that this is not an easy task, as the roller locked bolthead is basically a 22mm square and the G43 bolt is of 25mm diameter, so Gerat 02 may have begun with a raw forged G43 receiver. Gerat 03: was a fully roller-locked piston operated a pressed steel Walther G43 in 7.92×57mm. This rifle is thought to have been

converted to 7.62mm NATO and tested after the war by the U.S., as the T-28. Gerat 04: was perhaps a later variant of the 03, or an early 7.92×33mm Kurz mockup to test as a pulsator. Gerat 05: is believed to have been a fully locked roller device in 7.92×33mm. Gerat 06: was a fully locked, roller-locked rifle with a gas unlocking system. Only four rifles are believed to have been produced in 7.92×33mm Kurz. Gerat 06(H): was the final variant of the 7.92×33mm Kurz rifles and omitted the gas unlocking feature of the Gerat 06, being of truly retarded roller-locking operation. Gerat 07: was a further development of Gerat 03 without a gas piston system. Mauser records also mention drawings for a Gerat 08. What this rifle could have been remains a mystery. As John Cross explains, while Gerat rifles 01 through 06 used a short-stroke gas piston, the piston in the Gerat 06 differed in that it did not impart sufficient force to operate the mechanism, but only to unlock it. Once the rollers were unlocked, the (delayed) blowback action took over to complete the cycle. These rifles can thus be described as short-stroke gas-piston-unlocked, delayed-blowback operation.

To further illustrate how this short stroke gas piston-unlocked, delayed-blowback differs from others, Cross revealed that, in the Gerat 06 the gas port is just 8-5/8 inches in front of the bolt face! When the bullet passes the port, the gas entering into the gas block contacts the piston, which moves the operating rod only to push back the bolt carrier enough to allow the rollers to unlock. Gas pressure in the chamber then takes over to operate the rifle in blowback fashion. However, when early shooting tests indicated that it was not needed, the piston assembly was dropped, and in January, 1944, the Mauser team created the Great 06 H (Halbverriegelt, or half-locking) type system to retard the motion of the bolt in this retarded-blowback mechanism. A short- stroke piston was also used in the SIG SG 5301 roller-locking rifle covered in the chapter on Switzerland elsewhere in this book. Wilhelm Stahle later recalled that he had been given the assignment of developing a new machine pistol in November, 1942. Once the decision had been made by his management that the 7.92×33mm Kurzpatrone 43 cartridge would be used (instead of the 9×19mm), Stahle turned his thoughts to an appropriate locking mechanism. To minimize the weight of the proposed weapon’s parts, he sought a breech mechanism that did not require a gas piston system. His choice was the blowback roller-lock mechanism, which he not only claimed to have invented, but on whose patent his name appears. An engineer named Stahrmanns was given responsibility for supervising production of the sheet metal components. For the first time in a German small arms development project a mathematician, the late Dr. Karl Maier, conducted detailed mathematical analysis of each component and assembly before it was actually made.

Ott-Helmuth von Lossnitzer, the Director of Mauser’s Oberndorf operations, later recalled in an autobiographical memoir that the StG. 45 (M) project was an interesting, but difficult one. As von Lossnitzer noted in his unpublished autobiography: “There was a lot of flak between the ...experts, and it took much of my time to iron out the technical and personal wrinkles which occur if... high class people have to work together on a like-it-or-not basis. For me, it was the most exciting task I had in my entire career.” Lossnitzer spent the major part of all his “working hours to follow up theory, design, and sheet metal component development.” Von Lossnitzer’s team built a test-bed rifle early in 1943. This weapon worked reasonably well, but it was obvious that a fluted cartridge chamber in the barrel would improve its performance by making extraction easier and more reliable. The Gerat 06(H) family used a chamber with 18 flutes.

The Maier Equasion As outlined by John Cross, a very interesting aspect in the development of the Gerat 02 was a problem in the angles on the nose of the bolt carrier that resulted in bolt-bounce. Dr. Karl Maier, who knew relatively little about firearms, looked at the problem and said he could fix it. Dr. Maier later returned with a mathematical equation, which, when given to the engineers, allowed them to solve the problem by changing the angles within the receiver from 60 to 45 degrees and 27 degrees on the steering piece (steuerstuck), the angles that had been standardized for the Gerat 06H components found on the Mauser train detailed below.

Post War Manufactured Gerat 06H Rifles At the end of World War II, Allied intelligence officers searching the Mauser factory, recovered one delayed-blowback, short-stroke gas-piston-unlocked Gerat 06 rifle, four completed roller-locked retarded blowback Gerat 06H rifles, and enough components to assemble 20 (or 30) more Gerat 06(H) rifles. According to the late Henk Visser, imprisoned Mauser employees assembled 19 Gerat 06H rifles at Mauser from these parts. The 20th such rifle was incomplete and was later sold by an American Army Colonel to American firearms collector, Martin B. Retting. Retting sold the incomplete rifle to arms collector, Mr. Bob Rubendunst who later sold it to Mr. Henk Visser, of NWM. Mr. Visser returned the incomplete Gerat 06(H) to Mauser’s research and development group for completion and assembly, which took 15 years and many bribes. Drawings for trigger parts were obtained and Henk Visser borrowed drawings of the Gerat 06(H) from the Enfield Pattern Room to copy missing parts of the “20th Gerat 06(H).” Mr.Visser later had the number V-20 and the Mauser banner applied to it. The letter “V” stood for versuch, or experimental. As divulged by Mr. Visser’s close friend, John Cross, the types of steel specified in the original drawings for the Gerat 06 and 06H rifles were not the low-carbon types used in the barrel extension, locking wedge (stuerstuck) and bolt head made for Mr. Visser’s rifle. However, the high-carbon steel parts made for Visser were heat treated as if they were low-carbon steel, which resulted in a brittle core. This caused Henk Visser’s assembled Gerat 06H to blow up after firing only a few shots, with the barrel extension cracking on

both sides vertically at the roller recesses, and also damaging the bolt face. The result was that new parts had to be made and heat treated properly. While Henk Visser’s Gerat 06H was built using mostly original components, at least two Gerat 06H (Vollmer-made) rifles were apparently totally created after the war, and continue to be represented as genuine. Even though the Gerat 06H was only tested in very limited numbers, it proved to be unusually influential in the history of small arms design, because it employed a unique retarded blowback rollerlock operating system. This specific locking mechanism concept has been used in three post-1945 production model assault rifles, the Spanish CETME, the West German Gewehr 3, and the Swiss Sturmgewehr 57, as well as the experimental U.S. T-28 rifle already mentioned. The T-28 is covered in the chapter on U.S. Assault Rifle Developments elsewhere in this book. The Gerat 06H borrowed many of its other basic design features from the Sturmgewehr 44 series. These details included the 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge, magazine, and barrel. Its bolt mechanism consisted of two parts, the bolt head (verschlusskopf), and the bolt head carrier (verschlusstrager), which had the locking piece (steuerstueck) that pushed the locking rollers into place. The Gerat 06H was headed for production as the StG 45 (M) when the war ended.

The Gerat 03 seen from the right side with 10-shot K43 magazine. This fully locked roller design was a converted Walther G43 rifle with a pressed steel

receiver that fired the full size 7.92×57mm cartridge. After the war, this design was tested in 7.62mm NATO as the T-28. Aberdeen Proving Ground photo courtesy of James Alley, Jr., PhD, and Blake Stevens.

Gerat 06, serial #3 seen from both sides with 10-shot magazine removed. The buttstock is a postwar replacement and the significance of the initials is unknown. From the MoD Pattern Room collection, photo by Richard Jones, courtesy of Blake Stevens.

Gerat 06, serial #3 is seen from the left side partially field stripped. MoD Pattern Room collection, courtesy of Blake Stevens.

This incomplete Gerat 07 is seen without its 7.92×57mm magazine. It is believed to be of retarded blowback, or half-rollerlock operation. Photo by Jean Huon, courtesy of Blake Stevens.

As reported by John Cross, this is the actual Gerat 06H (20th) parts set purchased by his good friend, the late Henk Visser. Photo by Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess, courtesy of Blake Stevens.

The late Henk Visser’s “finished” assembled Gerat 06H to which he had the number V-20 and the Mauser Banner applied.

The Vollmer-made Gerat 06H seen from both sides. A prime example of a “fake” example of the Gerat 06H, this rifle was produced after World War II and represented as genuine. BWB collection, Koblenz, courtesy Walter Schmid and Blake Stevens.

Incomplete Development The Gerat 06(H) was never fully completed and put into production, as the StG 45(M), because the war ended before the project fully matured. However, the planned designation, StG 45(M), continues to be used in connection with the Gerat 06(H). As noted earlier, although some 30 sets of components were reported to have been fabricated as part of a program to produce 100 test samples, no more than four were ever assembled into completed weapons at the Mauser factor before the end of the war. The roller-lock, retarded blowback operating system became an attractive concept to several members of the Mauser team, because it eliminated the need for the gas piston components usually associated with a gas operating system. This roller retarding breech system eliminated several components, thus reducing overall weapon weight and production time.

In the Gerat 06H, the receiver housing, trigger grip housing, and most of the other parts were pressed from low carbon steel metal. The receiver housing and trigger assembly each consisted of two stamped pieces (right and left) of sheet metal that were welded together. The bolt and carrier were made from carbonized low carbon steel. Thus, the overall weapon would be very economical to make. However, the system was never conceived to be used with anything but a true intermediate cartridge, i.e., the 7.92×33mm (8mm Kurz). According to Chief Designer Altenburger, the Mauser team estimated that the production time for each MP.45 would be 6.25 hours, as compared with 14 hours for making the MP.43, and 12 to 14 hours for the 7.92×57mm Kar. 98k service rifle. At an estimated unit price of 40 Reich Marks (RM), the StG. 45 was projected to be 30 RM cheaper to manufacture than the previous Sturmgewehr models. Early in 1944, the Amtsgruppe fur Entwicklung und Prufung (Wa. Pruf.), which oversaw all Wehrmacht infantry weapons development, ordered four Gerat 06H prototypes for endurance testing at the Erprobungsstelle Heer, Kummersdorf (Army Proving Ground at Kummersdorf). Altenburger, Stahle and Ilienberger submitted the first example of the Gerat 06H roller-lock assault rifle to Wa. Pruf.2.11 representatives on April 20, 1944. During June, 1944, Mauser technicians conducted extensive firing tests with the Gerat 06 firing model, and shot a 6,000 round endurance run with one of them. These laboratory tests were followed later that month by the normal sand, dust, mud and cold environmental tests prescribed by the Wa.Pruf. personnel at the Kummersdorf Proving Ground.

The Fluted Chamber By this time, discussions of the use of flutes in chambers to assist in extracting fired cartridge cases had become an effective engineering solution to provide constant extraction forces in different conditions. These included dust, dry or oiled cases, as well as lacquered steel cases that had a tendency to stick to the chamber walls with the roller-lock system. However, fluted chambers were not a new idea. DWM and various British and Italian inventors had experimented with such aids to extraction before and during World War I. The Russians had employed them in their 7.62×54Rmm SHKAS aircraft machine gun and in some of their 7.62×54Rmm semiautomatic rifles.

Designed to float the cartridge on gas, the fluted chamber eases the rapid extraction encountered in blowback operated firearms.

In October, 1944, the Gerat 06H, which had also been carried on the Mauser developmental project books as project “M7066,” was given a more official status by the Amtsgruppe fur Entwicklung un Prufung (Wa.Pruf.) As a result, the Waffenampt, in Oberndorf, ordered 30 additional prototypes (Null Serie) that were to be designated the Sturmgewehr 45 (Mauser) to be used in more extensive troop trials. To speed ultimate full scale production, these 30 guns were to be fabricated whenever possible on previously finalized production tooling.

StG 45(M)? After a number of experimental Gerat prototypes detailed below, Mauser developed one of the most promising designs, the Gerat 06H (mentioned in Chapter III), at its main factory, south of Stuttgart at Oberndorf am Neckar. This weapon was important despite the fact only a few were produced before the war ended. Some information has it that the Gerat 06H sometimes called the Sturmgewehr (StG) 45 (M), may have amounted to a somewhat product improved variant of the Gerat 06H. While no proof has been forthcoming of the Gerat 06H being officially called the StG 45(M), Jim Stoney produced a drawing dated July, 13, 1944, that is titled “StG 45 (Gerat 06)”. In the book, Die Deutschen Sturmgewehr, Wilhelm Stahle labels this drawing as the forerunner of the Sturmgewehr 45(M). However, John Cross reports never seeing the term StG 45 or StG 45(M) in any wartime German documents. World War II may have ended before

any such designation could become official. Still, the Gerat 06 was being referred to (at least unofficially) as the StG 45(M) well before the end of the war.

Leaving the Mauser Plant After an order from Hitler to remove all machinery from the Mauser plant by train and destroy the remainder, the machinery and tooling pertinent to the Gerat 06(H) including the 30 sets of components, and other late war weapon developments, was loaded onto a train of nearly 30 cars. However, all other Mauser small arms machinery was left at the plant, which was not destroyed, as Hitler had ordered. This Mauser train left on April 19, 1945, and headed to Austria where it was hidden in a tunnel only to be found by American troops just before the war ended. The Mauser factory was later taken over by the French who continued to manufacture various German weapons for use by the “Free French” for some time. Illenberger stated that, in addition to the 30 sets of Gerat 06H components there were two Gerat 06 and four Gerat 06H rifles on the train. Today one of the two Gerat 06 rifles on the Mauser train is at the Pattern Room Museum and the other at Springfield Armory along with all four of the train’s Gerat 06H rifles. The disposition of the 30 component sets is unknown. As to the question of the StG 45(M) designation for the Gerat 06H, during his interrogation by U.S. forces, Altenberger called this rifle the MP 45 Mauser.

Dr. Karl Maier’s Letter to Henk Visser

At the risk of further redundancy in this chapter, a copy of a 1995 letter to Henk Visser from Dr. Karl W. Maier provided by John Cross contains fascinating insights into the history of the roller-lock development from one of the key individuals of the program. The following excerpts are included in Dr. Maier’s own writing: Dear Mr. Visser, Thank you very much for your phone call of March 31, 95 and your letter of the same day... Since there is so much confusion about the various Mauser rifle developments and since there is a great need for revision of the previously published books (dating back to Herrn Gotz and Herrn Staehle), I sat down and wrote “Notes on the Terminology of Assault Rifles,” 8 pages, with a copy enclosed in this letter. It could also serve as a basis for our next meeting in Bad Liebenzell... Notes on the Terminology of Assault Rifles. A forward on the term, “blowback.” “In my opinion, a blowback system implies that the gas pressure in the barrel and cartridge chamber (over its entire duration) pushes the bolthead and adjacent parts of the bolt assembly to the rear, thus actuating the automatic function of the bolt assembly for a complete cycle. In a Submachine Gun like the British Sten or German Schmeisser, the receiver does not hinder the recoil of the bolt assembly as all, just guiding it. One then speaks of a ‘straight blowback system’ or ‘simple inertia lock system.’ The inertia of the bolt causes the major resistance to the gas pressure force, the force of the driving spring is negligible.

In a “halbstarr” functioning assault rifle like the Mauser StG 45 (no gas piston), the bolt assembly consists of two parts, the boldhead containing the 2 rollers as locking members and the rear bolt piece (also called the bolt body), which also contains the “Steuerstuck” (steering piece) with inclined surfaces. Almost immediately after ignition (after overcoming the preload of the driving spring), the gas pressure on the face of the bolthead forces the bolthead, rollers and rear boltpiece to the rear, thus actuating the automatic gun cycle. However, here the receiver over its inclined recesses withdraws a substantial part (up to 3/4) of the actuation impulse imparted to the bolthead face and thus reduces the rearward momentum of the bolt assembly. Here the terminology “retarded blowback” seems to be appropriate. German descriptions are “Ubersetzter Massenverschluss” (inertia lock with multiplied force) or (“halbstarr verriegelt” (semi-rigid locking). Now to the assault rifles with gas piston actuation, deriving gas from a vent in the barrel. During the phase of gas pressure, the bolthead is rigidly locked to the receiver through the rollers and the straight nose of the “Steuerstuck” in the rear bolt piece. Here the gas piston, after a certain delay, strikes the face of the rear bolt piece once or twice, accelerating the latter to the rear. After some travel, the rear bolt piece over a cross-pin strikes the bolthead and takes it with it, unlocking the rollers from the receiver recesses. Here one speaks of a “delayed action system.” However, in my opinion, it is only confusing to speak of a “delayed blowback system,” since the actuation does not originate at the face of the bolthead, but indirectly through the impact of the piston on the rear bolt piece. “Activation by gas piston,” or “actuation by gas derived from a barrel vent” might be

a more accurate description. “Gasdrucklader” or “Gaskolbenantrieb” in German. As to the Mauser assault rifles of World War II, both of the above actuation systems were used along with two types of cartridges. The standard long cartridge SS (7.9×57mm) and the short cartridge or Kurzpatrone 43 (7.9×33mm)... A. Long cartridge, gas piston actuation. In the fall of 1943, I supervised a time-displacement study on the Mauser Gerat 02. This rifle had already the with 2-piece bolt assembly and 2 rollers as recesses of the receiver. During the phase bolthead was rigidly locked to the receiver,

roller locking system, locking members into of gas pressure, the with the rollers being

supported by longitudinal surfaces on the rear bolt piece. This design configuration probably originated at the Design Department of Herrn Altenburger. Of course, the rollers as locking members were copied from the MG 42 of the Grossfuss firm at Dobein, but otherwise it was a mechanism completely different from the recoil-operated MG 42 with a moving barrel. The above study had become desirable, because this rifle had occasionally shown extremely high recoil velocities of the bolt assembly in opening, presumably due to a high rebound of the bolt parts in closing (firinng out of a partially or fully unlocked condition)... Simultaneously with the Mauser Works, the firms of Walther, Zella-Mehlis, and Haenel, (Meiningen) – Suhl, were working on similar rifle developments... (but) the Mauser Works were given the task to incorporate its roller locking system into the completed design of the Walther rifle. This combined design got the designation of Gerat 03.

On the other hand, the Haenel design was more advanced in sheet metal parts and other design features about the trigger system. Mauser was asked to incorporate these Haenel novelties in a modification of its Gerat 02. According to Mauser records, the so modified rifle for the long cartridge had the designation 07. Here it must be stated that the Heereswaffenamt was not very satisfied with all these rifle developments for the long cartridge. These rifles were considered too heavy, too complicated in design and too expensive in manufacture. The Heereswaffenamt then facilitated the task of designing a lighter assault rifle by introducing the Kurzpatrone 43 (7.9×33mm) with a much lower recoil impulse. It is unknown to me if this introduction had anything to do with the almost simultaneous development of a Kurzpatrone by the Russians. B. Short cartridge 43, gas piston actuation, rigidly locked. The Kurzpatrone 43 was probably introduced early in 1943... Haenel, Walther and Mauser were given the task to design a light rifle for it called a “Maschinenkarabiner” or “Maschininpistole...” Mauser’s sister company, DWM Lubeck, was pushing for a Kurzpatrone design of its own. This DWM cartridge was of Cal. .42 and probably had a cylindrical case. However, in spite of its merits, the Heereswaffenamt had this project cancelled, since the design work and tooling for the Kurzpratrone 43 was too far advanced... The rifle for it was called the MP 44. However, in late summer of 1944, the competition the Halbatarr shooting Mauser rifle became evident with the rifle performing pretty well in first endurance tests...

C. Short cartridge 43, “halbstarr” roller locking system, no gas piston. I return to my time displacement studies of the Gerat 02, a rigidly locked “Selbstlader” (full-size rifle) for the long cartridge, and with gas piston actuation. Report signed on December 11, 1943. In the evaluations I noticed, that the rollers unlocked from the receiver, whenever the “steering piece” of the rear bolt piece allowed it. Therefore, the bolt system could get its recoil velocity from 2 sources, primarily from the impacts of the gas piston, but also from the gas pressure acting on the face of the bolthead. Then the question came to me: Could the gas piston system be omitted and the bolt system be driven only by the blowback on the face of the bolthead, to a reasonable recoil velocity? ...I studied the forces of transmission in the roller locking system, from the cartridge case to the bolthead and through the rollers to the receiver and to the “steering piece” of the second bolt part. I neglected any friction and assumed continuous contact of the 2 rollers to 3 surfaces: To the forward contour of the crosstrack in the bolthead, to the inclined surface of the receiver and to the inclined surface of the steering piece, thus forming a gear mechanism. With the angle of 45° on the receiver and an angle of 27° on the steering piece relative to the longitudinal axis, the geometrical transmission ratio of the second bolt piece to the bolthead became then 3:1, i.e., the rear bolt piece was forced to move 3 times faster than the bolthead. On the other hand, the rearward forces on the receiver and second bolt piece were in the fixed ratio of 2:1. This led to a major new conclusion: The force and impulse transmitted to the receiver increases with the force and impulse transmitted to the rear

bolt piece... Therefore, the second bolt piece should be made as heavy as possible in order to bring the recoil velocity down to a reasonable range. I assumed a bolthead of 120 g and a second boltpiece of 360 g, i.e., a weight ration of 3:1. See Fig. 1. By the end of November, 1943, I had finished the Report Nr. 1453, dealing with the time-diaplacement stucies on the Gerat 02. After then conceiving the feasibility of a “halbstarr” roller locking system, I then notified my superior, Herrn Direktor Neimann, and Herr Altenburger, Chief of the Rifle Design Department was invited for a conference. Herr Altenburger came with two of his designers, Herrn Seidel and probablyd Herrn Illenberger. Herr Vorgrimler was not present at that meeting, as well as Herr Staehle (probably). The designers were informed about the changes necessary to convert the current rigidly locked system into a halbstarr system. This meeting was internal, no representative from the Waffenamt present. But as far as I can remember an internal Aktennotiz (protocol) was written and signed by Neimann and Altenburger... During the second half of 1944, the halbstarr roller locking system by Mauser had proven its simplicity and function in firing tests. As a result, the development effort was boosted by transferring manpower to this project, by stopping other less promising projects. This led to the finalizing of the design of the Mauser Sturmgewehr St 45 (M) and the order by the Waffenamt of component parts for 30 rifles. Also, other firms got on the bandwagon and wanted to start halbstarr shooting rifles with roller locking systems, such as Grossfuss, Rheinmetall, Heenel, etc.. Some developments were also

for the long cartridge. Due to the ending of the war, not much became of these projects. In April, 1945, the Mauser train left Oberndorf to continue the most important developments in the Tyrol of Austria. I was a member of this team as well as Herr Neimann, Herr Linder and many engineers. The designers of Herrn Altenburger’s department were mostly natives from Oberndorf. None of them went on the train. The train carried documents, sets of drawings, experimental guns and machinery. In the beginning of May 45, we were over-run by American forces near Haiming, Tyrol. Soon after, an interrogation team of officers (USA, Great Britain and Canada) arrived. I have a complete copy of the interrogation of my collegues and myself. Due to illness, I was released from the Mauser team in the beginning of August 1945. After moving the Mauser team to Unterluss, I still belonged to it and wrote occasional reports from the hospital. On March 31, 1948, the Mauser team at Unterluss was dissolved. Soon after, I was offered a contract to work at Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass. For 5 years. I arrived there on November 17, 48.” Boynton Beach, March 18, 1995 Karl W. Maier

The sketch Dr. Karl Maier drew in his letter to Henk Visser depicts the rollerlock mechanism, as well as mathematical angles and equasions.

The French Connection Development work on the Sturmgewehr 45 (M) continued almost until the last moments of the end of World War II. The Mauser team’s activity was terminated by the arrival of the Free French Forces armored troops under the command of General Jacques LeClerc in Oberndorf on April 20, 1945. French military authorities worked quickly to keep the Mauser factory’s manufacturing facilities going to produce many thousands of small arms for France’s rearmament program after the war. It was more than a year before the other Allies forced the French to stop the production of P38’s, K98’s, and .22 training rifles, and other material. Then began the plundering of the great Mauser factory, with the production tooling being shipped back to France, the Soviet Union, and 11 other countries. This

dismantling process took four years to accomplish with approximately one trainload of machinery leaving Mauser every day. On May 25, 1945, about a month after the French took over the Mauser plant, British technical intelligence analysts arrived to “exploit” it further, and American ordnance intelligence experts got to Oberndorf two weeks later, on June 9th. In the view of allied intelligence investigators, the Sturmgewehr 45(M) project had been one of the minor activities being worked on at Mauser. From the outset, the allied ordnance teams were more interested in the Mauser firm’s machine guns and automatic cannon, and larger caliber guns developed for aircraft. Because Mauser was an important intelligence target at the end of the hostilities in Europe, a combined British, French, and American ordnance technical intelligence team collected information on many Mauser standard production and new weapon R&D activities. The Soviets learned about the StG 45(M) and the other new Mauser gun developments independently.

Loffler and Vorgrimler Go to France As a result of investigations of the Gerat 06H project, France and the United States explored further the technical merits of this unfinished design. The French, at the Centre d’Estudes d’Armament de Mulhouse (AME), engaged Theodor Loffler (1908-1969) and Ludwig Vorgrimler (1912-1983) where they designed several prototype assault rifles using essentially the StG .45(M) breech mechanism. These included the AME Model 1 (1948), the AME 1949, the AME Model II and the AME 1950, firing the U.S. .30 (7.62×33mm) Carbine cartridge and the French 7.65×35mm

experimental cartridge. The AME 1949 and Model II fired from an open bolt on full-automatic. Although the AME Model 1 bore a strong resemblance to the StG 45(M), the successive models evolved to look much like Vorgrimler’s later designs at CETME in Spain. Because of France’s own extensive assault rifle development probram, these early post WW II experimental French roller-locked rifles are pictured in the chapter on France elsewhere in this book. Beginning in 1945 in the United States, arms designer Cyril Moore, of Springfield Armory, developed an experimental rifle, the T-28, using the action of the Gerat 03. The T-28 is pictured in chapter on the United States. Likewise, Switzerland had its own development program of successful rifles using an operating system very much like the roller-lock, and it is covered in the Swiss Chapter of this book.

The Roller-Lock in Spain The real future of the roller-lock breech mechanism lay neither in the United States nor France, but in the developmental shops of the Spanish military. Thus, in the early 1950’s, work on the roller-lock was continued in Spain at the Centro de Estudios Technicos de Materiales Especiales, a bureau of the National Institute of Industries in Madrid under the direction of General Cantero. The name, “CETME,” derived from initial letters of words in the research and development bureau’s name, has come to be generally applied to the assault rifle eventually produced there, variations of which were later manufactured in a number of countries. Within CETME, Spanish and German engineers led by Dipl. Ing. Werner Heynen, formerly Director of the Gustloffwerke, also worked on other roller-locked weapon projects, including a .50 cal. machine

gun, but the CETME engineers concentrated on the assault rifle project. The German personnel were from Mauser and were familiar with the original work on the StG. 45 (M) in late World War II. Prominent among these was Ludwig Vorgrimler who, having been unhappy with the situation in Mulhouse, had left France in the autumn of 1950 to work for CETME. At CETME, without the 1939-1945 wartime pressures, but with the experiences of both World War II and the Spanish Civil War in mind, their assembled team of German and Spanish designers, under the direction of Dipl. Ing. Heynen, developed what they believed to be an “ideal” intermediate weaponammunition system with some unconventional features.

The CETME Prototypes On February 1, 1950, the Alto Estado Mayor (Chief of Staff) of the Spanish Army ordered CETME to develop an assault rifle. At a February 28th meeting, the CETME design group proposed that two distinct 7.92×41mm assault rifle designs be undertaken. The Fusil de Asalto (FUSA) CETME Modelo 2 developed by Vorgrimler was a further evolution of the StG 45 (M) half-locked, retarded blowback mechanism. The Modelo 1 was a gas-operated, locked-breech rollerlocked rifle designed by German engineer Manneking. Vorgrimler’s Modelo 2 bore the unmistakable likeness of nearly all Spanish and German roller-locking rifles to come. On March 20, 1950, CETME Order No. OT69 called for the engineers “to develop a project for an automatic carbine along the lines of the German Sturmgewehr, but with greater effective range without increase in weight.” Although a requirement called for a

folding stock, both weapons were made with fixed stocks. However, Vorgrimler did produce at least one example of his Model 2 with a folding stock. For both Model 1 and Model 2, the CETME design team selected the StG 45 (M) weapon configuration. The original requirements for the Spanish assault rifle were written in general terms to permit satisfying the desired results (a rifle weighing about 9 pounds/4.1kg.) with an effective range of 1,000 meters. To permit the development of a lightweight selective-fire weapon, the use of an existing cartridge was not required.

Manneking’s gas operated 7.92×41mm CETME Modelo 1 is seen here from the left side with its 30-shot magazine inserted. This rifle used the gas piston operating principle of the original Mauser Gerat 06.

Because of the economic conditions in Spain, the CETME staff projected that it would require two years for the production and testing of three prototypes of each model. However, there was no test and development machine shop, and Spain’s military weapons factories lay hundreds of kilometers apart. In addition, neither engineers nor skilled workers were immediately available, and the

concept of interchangeability of weapon parts was still all but alien in the Spanish weapon factories.

Testing CETME’s Model 1 and Model 2 Manneking and Vorgrimler developed their prototype rifles independently of each other. The initial prototype of the Model 1 was presented to the Alto Estado Mayor (AEM) on September 14, 1950, and the initial example of Model 2 was presented on December 15, 1950. The remaining two prototypes of each were produced at the Fabrica Nacional de Toledo (Model 1), and at the Armamento de Aviaci6n de Pinto (Model 2), neither of which had ever built small arms before.

Ludwig Vorgrimler’s retarded blowback roller-locked 7.92×41mm CETME Modelo 2 as viewed from the right side with its 30-shot magazine inserted and bipod deployed.

Testing the Model 2 rifle at Pinto went very smoothly. After a demonstration of that rifle to Generalissimo Francisco Franco on July 2, 1951. On July 4, 1951, the AEM ordered 30 weapons of the socalled “Null-Serie”(zero series) in order for a much broader series of

technical tests to be made. The munitions factory in Palencia made 150,000 rounds of ammunition for these tests, and barrels for these rifles were made by Star Bonafacio Echeverria of Eibar. The rifle had a mount for a specially made sharpshooter’s optical sight. Meanwhile, trials with the Model 1 had also begun, and on March 13, 1952, three variants of it were demonstrated to the head of state, Francisco Franco, and later to West German Border Guard Staff, the American Ambassador and other U.S. military personnel. Testing of both models continued with an order that the initial number of Model 1test rifles be increased from 30 to eventually 120. The order for 7.92×41mm cartridges was also increased to one million. Finally, in July, 1952, the Model 1 was discontinued in favor of Ludwig Vorgrimler’s Model 2. An early brochure on the CETME assault rifle termed it, in Spanish and English, a submachine gun, but it was completely out of the pistol caliber submachine gun class. During that time a variety of names was applied to weapons that are now properly referred to as assault rifles. Possibly because it originated with the WW II German Army, the term “assault rifle,” was avoided, but with the passing of time, the convenience and meaningfulness of “assault rifle” brought about the universal use of this term. Vorgrimler’s Model 2 became the CETME Modelo A. That early CETME brochure gave the following requirements for the prototype CETME weapon as follows: 1. The weight was to be kept under 9 pounds (4.1 kg.). 2. The rifle must have an effective range of 1,000 meters. 3. The rifle must have a large capacity magazine.

These requirements called for a very ambitious advance in assault rifle technology. Based on earlier German experiments, the CETME designers believed that they could meet these requirements if they employed unconventional projectiles.

The CETME Modelo 2 seen from the right side with 20- and 30-shot magazines, grenade launcher and launcher sight.

The 7.92×41mm CETME Modelo 2 seen completely disassembled.

Unique Projectile The original CETME experimental bullets were lightweight and elongated, and were intended to be fired at what was then considered normal rifle velocity. First prototype CETME assault rifles fired a 7.92×41mm cartridge with a lightweight (105-grain; 6.8-gram) projectile at about 2,625 feet per second (800 m/s). The difficulty in designing such an elongated bullet derived from the necessity of achieving a proper distribution of the bullet’s mass that would yield stability in flight. In this case the solution was to use an aluminum core partly covered by a copper jacket that was open at both ends. An early 1950’s CETME brochure states that at up to 1,000 meters range the dispersion characteristics of this bullet were equal to those of normal rifle projectiles, although the projectile weight was only about half that of the normal bullet. The brochure also stated that at 1,000 meters this experimental bullet perforated Spanish, Italian, Czech, Russian, and German helmets.

Pictured here are several variations of the CETME 7.92×41mm cartridge, the third from left being the most common.

The long projectile of the 7.92×41mm CETME cartridge is shown before and after its copper jacket is formed around its aluminum core.

Called “cartucho 7.92×41, CETME, CA-001,” this first CETME candidate assault rifle cartridge was unveiled in 1953. Of course, such a lightweight bullet should have been affected more by cross winds than ones of normal weight, but Dr. Voss and others contended at CETME that the aerodynamic shape of CETME’s bullet minimized

this problem. Shooting tests were also conducted to determine if the bullet’s impact with living targets would result in deformation of core or jacket thus producing a “dumdum” condition, which would result in extraordinary wounds. The CETME brochure reported that the bullet behaved like any standard military bullet with a full metal jacket.

The CETME’s Low Recoil Because of its relative lightness, the CETME bullet had a lower recoil impulse when shot from its roller-locked rifle. Reduced recoil was one of the objectives of the CETME rifle’s designers, as it tended to reduce bullet dispersion during full-automatic fire. With the experimental CETME bullet and roller-lock rifle, CETME asserted that a good rifleman, in a one-second burst (nine rounds) at 1,000 meters, had a 50% chance of delivering at least one hit on a man-sized target. Such hit probability was about typical performance for most light machine guns, but such machine guns gained their hit probability by being of much greater weight so that they could fire conventional ammunition. The difficulties in designing lightweight automatic weapons are closely related to the bullets’ muzzle energy, which is determined by its weight and velocity. In all automatic firearms, a designer’s problem is simplified when muzzle energy can be reduced. This is especially true of blowback weapons, because they make use of the gas pressure against the head of the cartridge to operate the breech mechanism. While various methods have been devised to cope with the blow of the cartridge against the bolt face, blowback weapons tend to be more violent when compared to that of gas-operated

weapons, and can result in case head separations from accelerated extraction. In the original CETME rifle and cartridge combination, the high velocity lightweight bullet did not develop excessive muzzle energy. This made it feasible to use a retarded-blowback method of operation with a partially locked breech and a fluted chamber to ease extraction.

Here all 12 variations of the 7.92×41mm CETME round are depicted as sectioned. This round was also known as the 7.92×40mm.

How the Roller-lock Works Although the original prototype CETME rifle went through a series of evolutionary changes in order to fire full power cartridges of conventional design, the heart of the system, its retarded-blow-back roller-lock breech mechanism, remains the same, and is only slightly modified from the Gerat 06 H. The following description of its operation applies equally well to all the CETME rifles (and all Gewehr 3’s). The CETME bolt consists of two parts, a relatively lightweight bolt head and a comparatively heavy bolt carrier, which houses the firing pin. The weapon’s recoil spring acts against the bolt carrier,

whose angled nose acts in concert with the rollers in the bolt head. The nose of the carrier forces the rollers out in battery and the rollers force the angled nose to the rear during retarded blowback. The bolt head and the carrier have limited fore-and-aft movement relative to each other, and the pair of rollers in the bolt head controls this motion. During this motion, the rollers move inward toward the center of the bolt or outward into the angled walls of the barrel extension. When the rollers are in their inward position, the action is completely unlocked, the rollers having exerted their camming action to force the bolt head and the bolt carrier apart. In their outward position, the rollers engage recesses in the fixed breech ring (barrel extension) and thus give a retarding support to the bolt head during firing. In this position the rollers no longer separate the two parts of the bolt which have now moved together. The firing pin in the bolt body can now fire the cartridge when struck by the hammer.

Here the 2-piece bolt of the roller-locking mechanism is shown in battery and with the rollers withdrawn as it opens.

Having a cocking handle on the left side, the CETME houses this part in a tubular extension of the receiver above the barrel. Being non-reciprocating, this handle remains in its forward position during firing. Although the CETME bolt does not automatically lock open after the last shot is fired, a notch in the rear of its channel allows the cocking handle and bolt to be manually locked to the rear. The first 10 years of CETME assault rifle development (19501960) was the period of basic engineering that included some trialand-error work. Evolution of the original prototype was carried out at CETME from about 1950 to 1955. The guns built and tested in this period were derived from the Model 2. Their distinctive features included a Mauser rifle-type rear sight, a pistol grip and butt stock

with external profiles similar to those of the StG 44, and an exposed barrel and operating tube. The shooter’s forward hand was protected from the hot barrel only by the bipod when it was in the folded position. In addition to a bayonet, this prototype weapon came with 20-shot and 32-shot magazines, and a detachable grenade launcher attachment.

The BGS Becomes Involved On March 18, 1952, Spain’s General D. Juan Vigon, Chief of Staff, and General Murlo Grandes, Minister of War, in discussions with the CETME management, decided to concentrate on the Model 2 weapon and increase the number of Null-Serie rifles from 30 to 100. An order for one million rounds of the 7.92×41 mm cartridge was placed with the government ammunition factory in Valencia. On April 23, 1952, the Null-Serie of guns was expanded to 120 rifles. CETME apportioned orders for Model 2 components as follows: Fabrica Nacional de Armas, La Corurla: barrels. Orlsea in Eibar: various small parts. Valenciaga in Eibar: springs and pistol grip parts. ElSA in Aranjuez: components for the breech assembly. CASA in Getafe: sheet metal pressings. Messegner in Madrid: sheet metal pressings. FAICA in Madrid: magazine and special tools. Empressa Nacional de Helices in Madrid: pistol grip parts and special tools. Personnel in the CETME Test Shop made the sheet metal receiver housings for Model 2 rifles on prototype final production

tooling. The first of the Null-Serie rifles were endurance tested in midNovember, 1952. The Spanish public saw the CETME Model 2 (Modelo A First Version) rifle for the first time on April 1, 1954, when a group of infantry soldiers paraded with the weapon. From the time the Modelo 2 prototype weapon, firing the 7.92mm CETME cartridge, was demonstrated in January, 1955, to the West German Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) 10,000-man border police force, the fate of the CETME assault rifle became completely intertwined with the emergence of the new post-war West German military establishment. The BGS tested two of the Null-Serie rifles during mid-1954, and CETME received their test report in October of that year. Additional tests were conducted in Bonn, West Germany in June, 1955. BGS Ob. Lt. Naujokat told CETME representatives that they were very much interested in this weapon concept, but that the caliber should be 7.62mm, and that the same 41mm cartridge case could be used. After spending considerable time and money to change the bullet diameter from 7.92mm to 7.62mm, the CETME team returned to the BGS headquarters in Bonn in June, 1955. There they were shocked to be told by Ob. Lt. Naujokat that he had made a mistake, and it was not only the 7.62mm bullet that was required, but also the U.S. T65 cartridge case. The CETME staff had evolved a 7.62mm variant of their elongated 7.92mm bullet (with a length-to-caliber ratio of 5.6 calibers) Unfortunately, for all this developmental work, the Spanish had continued to use a variant of their 7.92×41 mm case. The new round was called the “Cartucho 7.62×41, CETME, CA-OO2,” and it was fired in the fusil de asalto CETME Mode/0 1957-A de 7.62mm1

(Assault Rifle Model 57), which was standardized by the Spanish Army on September 20, 1957. Participating in the tests were representatives from Heckler & Koch (who had been in contact with the people at CETME since April of 1954) since the BGS and the West German Ministry of Economy were considering this firm as a possible manufacturer of the weapon in Germany. While the official report stated that the performance of the CETME rifle could not have been better, BGS officials told the CETME team that their rifle would only be acceptable if they adapted it to shoot the higher-impulse U.S. .30 caliber round using the 51mm T65 cartridge case. NATO had shown interest in a Standardization Agreement (or STANAG) for a new infantry cartridge, and it appeared that the U.S. round had the inside track. A possible explanation for this serious cartridge mix-up lies in the fact that the original demonstration of the CETME rifle had been given to Bundesministerium der Innen (Federal Ministry of the Interior) personnel. The BMI had been created by the BGS as an interim paramilitary force of 20,000 armed with 9×19mm Beretta MP 38/49 (MP1) submachine guns, U.S. .30 caliber (7.62×33mm) M1 and M2 Carbines, and West German 7.92×57mm K98k rifles and MG42 LMGs in order to protect the inter-German frontier. With the creation of the Bundeswehr (West Germany’s new army) under the NATO umbrella, the Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (BMV or Ministry of Defense) assumed responsibility for small arms acquisition. One of the BMV’s requirements was that all new weapons and ammunition be compatible with NATO standards. This decision required the shift from the 7.62×41mm CETME cartridge to the 7.62×51mm NATO round.

Henk Visser and the Dutch Connection A most interesting (and indeed vital) element of the roller-lock story is the role of the late Mr. Henk Visser, of Holland. A story perhaps worthy of a book, it will be briefly related here, a good deal of it from an interview with Mr. Visser by Dan Shea and Dolf A. Goldsmith. Although Mr. Visser’s part in the successful marketing of the CETME rifle runs through much of its development, it is perhaps best told here, beginning years earlier. With his father passing away when he was 10 years old, Hinderikus (Henk) Lucas Visser grew up with a fascination for firearms. As a teenager during the invasion of Holland by the Germans on May 10, 1940, Henk Visser became an anti-Nazi activist, harassing the Germans, even stealing guns from them before being arrested by them on May 5, 1942, tried and sentenced to death. However, Visser’s mother had a friend of a friend who became a general in the German Army, and after much effort, actually convinced Adolph Hitler, himself, to sign a document reducing Henk’s death sentence to 15 years of hard labor. Hitler is reported to have looked up at the general and said, “A friend of yours, eh?” Many years later Henk would remark that he would pay a $10,000 bounty for that piece of paper. Henk Visser’s life had been spared and he began serving his sentence, but, as luck would have it, he was assigned to a munitions factory where he assembled detonators for 20mm cannon ammunition, and later he repaired German uniforms at another plant. However, this plant was barely heated and Henk eventually contracted tuberculosis and became so ill that he was finally released in order to return to Holland to die. Returning to Holland on May 18,

1944, Henk was placed in a sanitarium with little hope of surviving, as the Germans still occupied Holland and almost all medical supplies were going to the Nazi war effort. When one of Henk’s lungs collapsed, he was barely clinging to life on June 6, 1944— D-Day! It was the Allied Invasion and the Germans were quickly defeated and Holland was freed. The arrival of American forces was also D-Day for Henk Visser, for American doctors came to his rescue and saved his life, and at the end of 1946 he returned home. In 1949, with the return of Henk Visser’s health, he was offered a job on a tobacco plantation in the Java, formerly the Dutch East Indies, where he was a supervisor in a cigarette company. There he became successful and in 1955 was eventually earned a paid leave of eight months. Henk returned to Holland, but convinced his company to send him by way of America in order to tour American cigarette companies. Henk also wanted to go through America in order to see the country of those who had saved his life. When he arrived in Holland, Henk was invited to tour a small ammunition company called Nederlansch Wapen en Munitifabriek “de Kruithoorn” N.V. of ‘s Hertogenbosch, Holland, a firm commonly referred to as NWM. In touring NWM, Henk saw need for improvement and he made a number of suggestions for the the plant to run more efficiently. A few days later he was offered a job managing the company and eventually accepted it instead of returning to Java. Henk worked tirelessly to straighten out NWM and he soon also became a major force in the international ammunition and weapons business. In dealing with CETME of Spain with ammunition contracts,

Henk followed closely the developments there under the leadership of Ludwig Vorgrimler and his staff regarding the CETME rifle. Finally, in early 1956, a licensing arrangement was made with NWM through Henk Visser. Under the license, Visser held the production rights to the CETME throughout the world with the exception of Spain, Portugal and Germany. Henk undertook to demonstrate the CETME rifle in various countries and to supply rifles and ammunition to foreign customers either by setting up a production facility in Holland, or by booking orders for manufacture in Spain. Henk Visser entered very actively into the wide-open competition for rifle business, arranging demonstrations and tests in many countries and literature was printed in several languages. At first these demonstrations were conducted using the early prototype series of rifles, firing the 7.9×41mm CETME cartridge. However, after the first demonstration for the West German Bundesgrenzschutz and the eventual redesign of the CETME rifle to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge, interim variants of this rifle appeared in late 1955 and 1956. Although some of these rifles bore the factory markings of the Nederlandsche Wapen en Munitie fabriek (NWM) of Holland, all had been made in Spain. NWM supplied a small lot of CETME rifles to the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps for testing and later some for the army, but French steel case 7.62mm NATO ammunition was used, which caused a high cyclic rate of fire and violent ejection. Thus no large sales to the Dutch took place. With the establishment of the new West German Army, Henk saw to it that the West German Defense Ministry was made aware of the CETME developments as well. After all, the basic design was of German origin and a former Mauser

engineer had brought it to fruition. West Germany ordered 400 CETME 7.62mm NATO caliber rifles for testing and it was the beginning of the development of the West German G3 rifle as covered in depth below. Although Germany acquired the rights to make the CETME rifle, they soon wanted worldwide rights and, for this, the Germans had to negotiate with Henk Visser. During the negotiations, the Germans remarked at how fluent Henk Visser was in speaking German. Henk casually told them that he had learned it in the arbeit stalag (work camp) during World War II. In exchange for major contracts with NWM to produce 1/3 of the 20mm ammunition for the West German Army for 20 years, the Germans acquired the rights to the rifle spawned by the WW II German Gerat 06 H (StG 45). Thus, the young Dutch boy who cheated death at the hands of the Nazi’s, handed West Germany the offspring of its own rifle. Later Henk was responsible for the NWM Stoner 63A1, which is covered in the Stoner Chapter elsewhere in this book. Henk Visser passed away in 2006 at the age of 83. He was a truly great pioneer in the arms industry and was highly regarded by all who knew him.

The NATO Caliber CETME Unhappy, CETME officials returned to Spain to modify their rifle to handle the more powerful new NATO round. Dipl. Ing. Heynen managed to get some .308 Winchester ammunition from a U.S. Military attache and he told the CETME designers to change the barrel to 7.62mm NATO. CETME engineers used samples of this sporting ammunition in the first CETME tests. While such an

ammunition change was technically feasible, the CETME’s roller-lock, retarded-blowback operating mechanism had evolved from the StG 45 (M) designed to shoot an intermediate power (i.e., intermediate recoil impulse) cartridge. Because the Mauser retarded-blowback roller-lock mechanism’s kinematic performance was mathematically designed for an intermediate-power cartridge, serious problems appeared during test firing with the CETME’s receiver and other parts cracking after only a few hundred full-power 7.62mm NATO cartridges were fired. The best solution would have been a complete rework of the rifle, but CETME had neither the time nor the money for such a program, and it was probable that such a long delay would have resulted in purchase of another weapon by the West German Government. To avoid the problems caused by the greater impulse of the 7.62mm NATO cartridge, CETME’s engineers modified the rifle to use this round by changing the angle on which the rollers operated, and also designed a variant of the 7.62mm NATO round with a reduced muzzle velocity. To distinguish this cartridge from standard NATO round, the Spanish called it “cartucho 7.62×51 CETME, CSPOO3, Md57,” but it was dubbed “police ammunition,” and later, CETME “light.” This round, authorized for use in the Spanish Model 58 (CETME) assault rifle, had a 107-grain (7.3-gram) bullet vs. 144grain (9.3-gram) for the standard Spanish NATO round. Its muzzle velocity was 2,500 feet per second (762 m/s) vs. 2800 fps (853 m/s). The newly modified rifle now had a folding carrying handle and became the Modelo A Second Version. In addition to changing the magazine and hammer to accept the 7.62×51mm cartridge, CETME incorporated a flash suppressor that could be used to launch

grenades, metal front handguards, and a redesigned butt stock. As with the prototype CETME, and Vorgrimler’s French designs, the Modelo A fired from an open bolt in the full-automatic mode to promote barrel cooling during prolonged bursts of fire. Here a special sear came into play. As it was, delays encountered with the development of the 7.62mm NATO variant of the CETME rifle caused the BGS and the aundeswehr to adopt the Fabrique National FAL on an interim basis. The Bundeswehr ordered 100,000 FALs on November 13, 1956, which were produced at FN’s Herstal, Liege, factory between April of 1957, and May of 1958. This temporary weapon was designated the Gewehr 1 (G1).

Here the first variant of the CETME Modelo A is illustrated. This rifle followed the Modelo 1.

The CETME Modelo A is seen from the right with 30-shot magazine the combination handguard/bipod folded. (photo courtesy of Schwedenbau Waffenmuseum Oberndorf)

Heckler & Koch Becomes A Partner As a result of positive West German trials with the FUSACETME, and interest shown in it by people around the world, series production of this rifle was the next logical step. Since this would be a major undertaking, and since no suitable factory existed in Spain, the work was done in conjunction with the West German firms, Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf/Neckar, and the Worttembergische Metallwarenfabrik of Geislingen. On April 17, 1958, the West German Defense Ministry (BMV) ordered 400 CETME weapons for an extended troop test. The assembly of these rifles would take place in West Germany, and it was intended that they be ready by July first. Along with the rifles, 1,600 magazines and various spare parts were also ordered. Although the West German Army had received its initial allotment of Belgian FAL assault rifles (Gewehr 1), the BMV was not yet committed to a specific rifle design for long term standardization. Adoption of the roller-lock rifle by the Bundeswehr would not only provide a big order for the CETME factory, but would also help promote sales of the rifle in other countries. Starting the previous

January, West German newspapers had already started reporting that the Bundeswehr was expected to rearm with a new assault rifle developed in Spain. German testing of the CETME rifle was exhaustive, and the result was recommendations from the Bundesamt fur Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (Federal Military Weapons Development and Procurement Office or BWB) for extensive design changes in the rifle. Furthermore, West German government officials gave full consideration to the problem of assuring sufficient supply of the CETME rifle, should it be adopted. Development of the modified variant of the CETME rifle to meet West German military requirements was accomplished partly at CETME and partly at the West German firm of Heckler & Koch. H&K had become active in the CETME roller-lock assault rifle project with the encouragement of the newly emerging West German military establishment. Many technical changes were incorporated into the rifle, with its weight being reduced slightly in the process. The mechanism was also changed to fire only from the closed bolt position. This new series of rifles was designated the Modelo B by the Spanish.

How H&K Began Heckler & Koch had first appeared in 1949 when a small group of Vorgrimler’s and Voss’ former Mauser co-workers created a specialty precision manufacturing company. During its early years, this firm operated in a workshop situated in what had been a first aid station inside a World War II air raid shelter. Initially, they did not work on ordnance items, but concentrated on the manufacture of machine tool parts, and precision components for sewing machine

and other mechanical devices. As it turned out, the BGS needed spare parts for the K98k’s and MG42’s, and approached H&K to make them. Since all three of the H&K founders desired ultimately to return to the business they knew best, the development and manufacture of military small arms, they agreed to manufacture the parts.

The CETME 58 Modelo B is seen from the left with 20-shot magazine and bipod folded. (photo courtesy of Jean Huon).

This close-up of the left side of the CETME 58 Modelo B. (photo courtesy of Jean Huon).

All three founders of H&K were struggling against traditional German prejudices. During the 1939-1945 war they had been, relatively speaking, junior officials in the Mauser operation. Edmund Heckler had been an abteilungleiter (roughly the equivalent of a shop foreman). Theodore Koch had been a werkmeister with special responsibility for maintenance production, tooling fixtures and gauges. Alex Seidel was professionally the most senior of the three, and was well respected for his work as a designer and for his creation of the Mauser HSc self-loading pistol. None of these men, however, had an important title such as Herr Doktor of Dipl. Ing. (professional engineer). As a consequence, in a historically and hierarchically minded German society, these men had to overcome their so-called humble beginnings. Their struggle was not as great after World War II as it would have been before that conflict, because the nearly total destruction of Germany’s social and technical infrastructure had resulted in new opportunities for talented individuals. Fortunately, in the immediate post-war period, Heckler, Koch, and Seidel were able to demonstrate their organizational, technical and entrepreneurial skills in receiving contracts to manufacture the spare parts for the BGS in 1951. In that same year, the H&K team moved out of its air raid shelter quarters and into some former barracks buildings on the heights above the old town of Oberndorf in a location called the Lindenhof. These barracks had been used to house Polish workers for Mauser during the war.

The Door Closes at Mauser In the early months of 1956, CETME officials visited the Mauser factory in an attempt to create a partnership for the manufacture of

their assault rifle. They knew from the West German government’s negotiations with FN that any future West German army rifle would have to be made in the Federal Republic. Since they respected and looked up to the Mauser factory and its historical traditions, the Spanish thought that this firm would be a logical business partner. According to John Cross, When the Spanish General Cantero offered the Mauser management the opportunity to produce the CETME assault rifle for a sum equivalent to 1 million dollars, Mauser’s post-war Managing Director, Dr. Dorge, laughed so hard at the idea that he fell over backwards in his chair. This greatly insulted the Spanish, who subsequently dealt almost exclusively with H&K, effectively killing the opportunity of Mauser ever again becoming a significant small arms manufacturer. The story of this event was repeated by Ludwig Vorgrimler, who was present at the meeting. In the summer of 1956, Vorgrimler returned to Germany to work for Mauser. He died in 1983. Offended at their treatment by the Mauser leadership, General Cantero and his colleagues returned to Spain. They already had a West German partner in H&K to manufacture complicated tools for the manufacture of CETME parts in Spain. These discussions ultimately led to an agreement whereby both firms would manufacture the still-to-be-perfected CETME assault rifle. When the newly formed undesministerium der Verteidigung ordered the 400 CETME rifles in 7.62mm NATO caliber for the extended troop test, H&K participated in the manufacture of some of the key components. These rifles were delivered in October, 1956, and were used in the troop trials that lasted until April, 1957.

These original 7.62mm NATO Gewehr 3 (G3) rifles received from CETME had wooden stocks and the CETME tangent leaf-type rear sight. On some of these early models the NATO stock number (1005-12-120-1052) was stamped on the right side of the receiver. On the left side these rifles have the legend: “STG. CETME Kal. 7.62/HK 1476-9/56.” Other examples bear NSN “1005-12-120-1062” on the right side of the receiver. On the left side they have the legend: “STG CETME Kal. 7.62/HK 1088-7/56.” These rifles have the single magazine release characteristic of the early CETME rifles. During the manufacture of the 400 test rifles, normal production problems occurred at H&K, because of the learning curves involved with any new product, and political interests did not help matters. A sheet metal stamping company that made tableware near H&K was contracted to make the sheet metal parts for the early G3, but when capital was short, it was Henk Visser who came with literally a suitcase of money to maintain production. Despite all interference, H&K continued its attempt to introduce the CETME rifle to the Bundeswehr. A great disadvantage was that the project’s main development engineer, Ludwig Vorgrimler, was hired away from the program by Mauser. Notwithstanding an agreement with Heckler & Koch, there was no further trust or cooperation between H&K and the new Mauser-CETME alliance from September 14, 1958. As a result of the troop trials with the 400 rifles, the Bundesamt fur Wehrtechnic und eschaffung small arms group (A8T. XII 81-3) developed a list of 17 improvements needed before the larger scale troop experiments could begin. These included a combination flash hider/grenade launcher, a diopter rear sight, changes in the selector positions and sling mounts, and etc.

This close-up shows the right receiver markings of an early CETME rifle produced by H&K without the lever magazine release.

Here the markings on the left side of the receiver show that the rifle was made in September, 1956.

Phase I to III Design Required By the Bundeswehr before Adopting The CETME Assault Rifle Phase One: To be included immediately: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Design a combination flash hider and grenade launcher. Make the front sight protector stronger. Make the rear sight either flip-up or diopter. Fit a catch or stop on the carrying handle. Change the positions of the change lever detents. Build in a spent case deflector. Replace the metal butt plate with rubber. Simplify the production of the pistol grip. Change the sling attachment points. Make the cocking lever longer. Change the outer shape of the pipe. Change the recoil spring guide. Change the pistol grip attachment pin. Change the buffer system. Change the shape of the butt stock. Change trigger system safety lever. Make the cocking lever more ergonomic.

Phase Two: To be included after completion of the trials: 1. Stronger bipod. 2. Special hand protection. 3. More ergonomic shape to the pistol grip unit.

4. Reduced weight. Phase Three: After some construction and thorough testing: 1. Change the trigger mechanism so cocking is possible with the safety on. 2. Produce a lighter 20-shot magazine. 3. Breech to stay open after last cartridge is fired.

Heckler & Koch subsequently made a number of significant changes in the basic CETME weapon. The most important was the decision to abandon the use of low carbon steel as the receiver housing material. The use of low-carbon steel had been one of the keystones of the original World War II German Sturmgewehr program. Its use permitted the pressing of the receiver assembly in a low cost, job shop environment, but such material needed six months to cure before it could be used. In addition, adapting the roller-locking mechanism to a weapon shooting the full power 7.62mm NATO cartridge made it impossible to continue to use low carbon steels. Now stronger, higher grade alloy steels were required to withstand the stresses of the operating forces associated with the more powerful type of ammunition. The bolt head (Verschlusskopt) and the bolt carrier or body (Verschlusstrager), the locking piece (Steuerstueck) and the locking rollers (Verschlussrollen) also had to be made from stronger materials and to very close tolerances. To enable the rifle to function reliably, some 20 sizes of rollers were developed and selected as needed.

After the BWB trials, held at the Meppen Proving Ground in the fall of 1957, there ensued a number of small batches of experimental rifles to test out various suggestions for improving the basic weapon. For example, a later model made at H&K had a wooden stock and folding sight (Klapvisier). It was marked “GEW. 7,62 DM3 CETME/ 1005-12-120-1062” on the right and “HK 1706 9/57. The letters, “DM” stood for Deutche Modelo to distinguish from an American “M” series rifle. This model also had a double magazine release, cartridge deflector, metal front hand guard, and an FN FAL/G 1-type bipod.

The HK made DM3 CETME rifle has the ambidextrous flipper-type magazine release. Below, the left side of the receiver of this DM3 rifle indicates that it was made by H&K in September, 1957.

Spain Adopts the CETME

On September 20, 1957, after prolonged testing of its own, the Spanish Army adopted what had essentially been the Modelo B CETME assault rifle, with the 7.62mm NATO cartridge chamber profile, as the Fusil de Asalto CETME Modelo 1958 de 7’62mm (Assault Rifle Model 58). The Navy followed on January 16, 1958, and the Air Force on July 26, 1958. This rifle had a new carrying handle, improved bipod, and saw the addition of a metal hand guard. In addition to the standard rifle, a special folding-stock variant was also designed for airborne, commando and tank crews. A sniper scope was also standardized. Another variant designed for port-firing from armored vehicles was called Modelo R and lacked a buttstock. The decision to use the Spanish reduced power 7.62×51mm cartridge proved to be quite inconvenient since the modified MG42 machine gun adopted by the Spanish Armed Forces already used the standard full power 7.62mm NATO round. Production of the first 5,000 FUSA-CETME began at the end of 1957, with the first 815 rifles being delivered on February 18, 1958. This variant of the FUSACETME was carried by Spanish soldiers until 1971 when all models were modified to the Modelo 1958-64-C to shoot the standard NATO cartridge.

The CETME Modelo C is seen from the rifle with 20-shot magazine inserted. (photo courtesy of Jean Huon)

The CETME Modelo C is seen from the rifle with 20-shot magazine inserted. (photo courtesy of Jean Huon)

The CETME Modelo C bayonet and scabbard are seen here. The Modelo B did not use a bayonet. (photo courtesy of Jean Huon)

Here the CETME Modelo C is seen from the left side without magazine.

The CETME Modelo R lacked a stock and was designed as a port–firing weapon.

The CETME Modelo 58 rifle seen from the right with 20-shot magazine and bipod folded.

The Modelo 58 seen from the left with 20-shot magazine, sling and bipod deployed.

The CETME Modelo 58 was offered with a metal folding stock for use by airborne units and vehicle crews.

The CETME Modelo 58 receiver is seen close-up from the left with early sniper scope in place.

CETME Negotiates with the West Germans The Spanish Government planned that the factories in La Coruña and Oviedo would make the rifles for the army. From April to June, 1958, workers from these factories were trained at CETME. Until production could be established in these military factories, CETME produced 20,000 assault rifles for the army, as well as supplying full assistance to these factories during their tooling up. Since a real Spanish production capability now existed, it had to be decided which of the West German design modifications should be adopted by Spain. In addition, the Spanish trials themselves had produced

various recommendations for modifications, some coinciding with the “West German list.” The equipment used to produce the original variant of the rifle had been purchased at considerable expense. During intensive discussions between H & K and CETME in Oberndorf in February, 1958, it was determined which changes from the “West German list” should be taken for Spain. It was agreed that additional changes could be made later, but that only the ones mutually agreed on were to be used in initial production of the Model 58. On March 14, 1958, Spanish officials determined which of the West German changes should be included in the blueprints of the Model 58. As a result, new tolerancing of the moving parts was required, after which this technical documentation was also handed over to the West German Defense Ministry. On July 23, 1958, a contract between the Spanish Ministry of the Army and CETME gave the Ministry the rights to copy and reproduce the design of the CETME rifle. Meanwhile, production of the Model 58 in the factories at La Coruña and Oviedo was in full swing. Later this was transferred to the factory Santa Barbara de Industrias Militares SA, while for the purpose of export only the production of small numbers of rifles continued in the shops of CETME itself. It was always the wish of the Chiefs of the AEM, General Juan Vigon and his successors, that the CETME assault rifle should be chosen as the standard rifle of the new Bundeswehr. Thus the essential efforts were aimed towards an agreement with West Germany, after which the results of the tests by West German troops succeeded in having the CETME rifle adopted. That this could be done, despite using the more powerful 7.62mm NATO cartridge is testimony to the weapon, because the muzzle energy of the NATO

round is much too high for an effective assault rifle. Spain retained the NATO-CETME “light” ammunition, and recommended the same to the West Germans. This would have kept the superior assault rifle characteristics of the Model 58 in both countries while allowing the occasional use of the standard full-power NATO ammunition. After the April, 1956, order of 400 weapons for troop trials, discussions were held with West German planning officials regarding the measures necessary to guarantee deliveries of necessary weapons for the newly-created West German forces. To accomplish this, close cooperation between CETME and H&K was necessary. The parts, which had been manufactured in Germany and Spain, would continue to be made in these respective countries with assembly also being shared. Discussions about the production of rifles were held at a meeting in Koblenz in April, 1957. At the beginning of the cooperation period, H & K had pushed for a licensing agreement with CETME, but this did not materialize due to the inability of H & K to meet the CETME demand for a high initial payment. Then the West German firm Rheinmetall, due to certain rights regarding patent claims, insisted in participating in the production. A proposal was considered whereby the production rights would be handed over to a West German working committee, which would produce the first weapons for West Germany in conjunction with CETME. At the end of 1955, Rheinmetall had shown great interest in the acquisition of the production rights. CETME, however, had to point out that they already had an agreement with H&K, whereupon in April, 1956, H&K and Rheinmetall agreed to cooperate in the production of the CETME weapon in West Germany. It was on this agreement that

Rheinmetall depended in November, 1956, when they complained that the CETME weapon design infringed on parts of their recently acquired, formerly secret, World War II Grossfuss patents. In April, 1957, another conversation took place in Düsseldorf, to discuss the coming cooperative effort. It was decided that CETME would receive the order to produce the rifle, and that both West German companies would be responsible for its assembly in West Germany. The Madrid visit took place on May 17, 1957, but the essential condition for further negotiations, namely the creation of contracts between CETME and the “West German group” (Rheinmetall and H & K), made no progress. It was for this reason that, in June of 1957, CETME informed both companies that if an agreement could not be arrived at very shortly, CETME would offer the production rights to the Defense Ministry itself. In July, 1957, initial West German contract negotiations were held in Bonn. The West Germans declared that the Defense Ministry wanted a contract with CETME, possibly including all rights for export. Since the Spaniards also wanted these rights the negotiations foundered. Meanwhile, on June 27, 1957, H&K and Rheinmetall had signed a cooperative agreement. On March 19, 1958, after a number of disagreements, came news from Koblenz that all preparations for the production of the CETME rifle in West Germany were to be immediately stopped. The question of standardization among all NATO members made the choice of the CETME over the existing FN FAL questionable, especially in view of the considerable stores of FN rifles already held in West Germany.

To make it worse, there was uncertainty about the ultimate troop strength of the Bundeswehr. Originally intended as a 500,000-man force, this number was being reduced; also, the urgency, which had characterized the contract talks up to this point, was suddenly no longer necessary. There was even talk as to whether a machine pistol would not be preferable to an assault rifle. Despite this, Spain requested a renewal of the contract talks, still particularly considering the handing over of export rights, which until then had been totally out of the question. CETME told the West German Defense Ministry (BMV) that they were ready for a contract including export rights with H&K and Rheinmetall. On June 3, 1958, CETME received a contract proposal, complete except for the co-signatures of the other West German Ministries, based on the state of development as at March 31, 1958. Since CETME was in complete agreement with the West German Defense Ministry, they sent the new proposal to the Spanish government, where it was agreed to on August 8, 1958. On January 28, 1959, the Spanish Government received the signed contract, which was countersigned by the Spanish government on February 4, 1959, and returned. The technical documentation was sent as soon as possible, and the prescribed payments were received well within the periods specified in the contract. Some slight unhappiness arose from this contract among the officials of the West German Defense Ministry, as well as in some of the licensed firms. On January 27, 1960, CETME eventually had to protest the German plan to sell the technical data package of the (meanwhile) further-developed G3 assault rifle to foreign countries without their agreement.

CETME finally received the signed contract on October 20, and with the necessary agreement of the Spanish government in hand, they also signed the contract and sent a photocopy back to West Germany on March 5, 1962. Thus, five years of negotiations over the further development of the CETME assault rifle as the West German G3 ended with a satisfying result for both parties. In 1963, the Spanish government adopted a slightly modified 7.62mm bullet with a full lead-antimony core. It was designated cartucho 7’62×51, CETME, CSP-OO3, Md63. In the following year, the Spanish Armed Forces decided to employ the full-power NATO cartridge in all of their infantry weapons. In 1964, a true NATO-type cartridge based on the now standard West German ball variant of that round was adopted as the cartucho 7.62×51, NATO, Espanol, CSP-OO3, Md64. This lead-antimony cored, gilding metal jacket projectile weighed 140 grains (9.4 grams) and traveled at standard NATO velocities. This cartridge was primarily intended for firing from the CETME Modelo C that was standardized on April 28, 1964. This variant of the CETME rifle had a new style rear sight graduated for 200, 300, and 400 meters. The pistol grip (of plastic) was reshaped, the forward hand guard was still fabricated from wood, and provision was made to mount a knife-type bayonet. The FUSA-CETME Md. 1964-C also had an easily removed bipod of new design as well as a restyled flash suppressor. The selector lever was once again moved to the left side of the weapon. This rifle was subsequently purchased in large numbers by the Spanish Armed Forces.

CETME 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) Modelo E seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine. This rifle was made for export.

Many Modelo B rifles were transformed into the Modelo C configuration. These modified rifles were called the FUSA-CETME Md B. T.C. About 1975, CETME introduced the Modelo E. this weapon has a brown plastic buttstock and a hand-guard and pistol grip of olive green similar to that of the 5.56mm CETME Modelo L. Following the lead of the Bundeswehr, which had modified its Gewehr 3’s, a free-floating barrel was incorporated into the Modelo E. Eliminating the clamping effect on the original front sight assembly led to less dispersion from shot-to-shot. This updated rifle also used a new diopter rear sight (again following the G3) on which an optical sight from the Empress Nacional de Optica S. A. can be mounted.

West Germany Adopts the CETME as the G3 About the time that the Spanish Military selected its first variant of the CETME assault rifle for standardization (1958-59), as detailed above, the West German and Spanish governments executed an agreement which allowed the West Germans to copy that weapon for their armed forces. This bilateral arrangement included the purchase of all the necessary technical documentation with which to manufacture the weapon. Then in 1959, the Bundeswehr adopted the

improved CETME assault rifle as the Automatisches Gewehr, Kal 7,62 mmx51 (NATO), G3 (Automatic Rifle, Caliber 7.62×51 mm NATO, G3). As noted earlier, it would have been wiser for the West German and Spanish variants of the CETME to have been made identical to one another. Unfortunately, further contact between the two rifle programs was lost through various political circumstances, and the G3 eventually contained numerous parts that were no longer interchangeable with the Modelo 58. The various improvements to the rifle made in Spain over the years were also done without coordination with Germany.

The Rheinmetall G3 Once the decision had been made to manufacture the Gewehr 3 in West Germany, there was some concern expressed as to the technical and industrial capabilities of the young, small, and relatively unknown Heckler & Koch firm. Some officials thought that an older, more established armaments company such as Rheinmetall, in Düsseldorf, should share the production burden so as to insure a steady and reliable supply of the new assault rifle for the Bundeswehr. The new West German Army had started out with 67,000 men in 1958, but within a decade it would quadruple to 278,000. At its peak, in the late 1980’s, there would be over 340,000 regulars and more than 717,000 men in the ready reserves. This meant that production of the G3 was going to be big business. At 10 years old, Heckler & Koch had grown into a modern manufacturing enterprise with very sophisticated production facilities. Their work force numbered some 750 employees. Still, they could not dispel all the doubts that existed. In the end, two starting contracts,

each for about 65,000 G3’s, were awarded by the Bundesamt fur Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung; one to H&K and one to Rheinmetall. A number of interesting prototype G3s were tested by Rheinmetall including one with a cocking handle extending down inside the handguard and protruding below the hand-guard. However, as noted by John Cross, the most interesting Rheinmetall G3 variation was designed by Henk Visser.

Henk Visser’s Rheinmetall Long Stroke Piston Roller Lock Because the CETME/G3 evolved from a design that was conceived to fire a low impulse intermediate cartridge, the 7.62×51mm NATO main battle rifle (MBR) cartridge remained a strain on the system. With the rifle’s very fast and violent bolt carrier velocity (an estimated 250 inches per second), the receiver is constantly on the verge of stretching, especially around the two cross pins that hold the buttstock. As John Cross reports, to prevent this, Henk Visser designed a long-stroke gas piston system for Rheinmettal. Using a parallel-sided bolt carrier extension instead of an angled one assured that the rollers would remain fully locked, as in the prototype Great 03. However, instead of short-stroke piston-unlocked breech, this G3’s breech remained locked until the bullet passed the port at the front sight/gas block, and there gas was tapped to operate the long-stroke gas piston. This piston, in turn, was forced to the rear, and with it, the bolt carrier. Once the parallel-sided locking piece cleared the rollers, it took the bolt with it, causing the rollers to withdraw into the bolt head. Because of this, the chamber of this rifle was not fluted.

Although the extra weight added by the piston was probably less than 0.5-pound, it accomplished two things. First, the slight extra weight of the bolt group, along with doing away with the violent blowback of the bolt group, substantially slowed the rearward travel of the bolt group and, second, that same extra mass increased reliability. The gas-operated rifle Rheinmetall designed was not a G3, but was called the Rh4 and was chambered for the 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge and used a unique G3-style 30-shot magazine. Although Henk Visser reported that the design greatly improved the operation of the rifle, Rheinmetall made only two samples of the Rh4. Rheinmettal showed no further interest in the design, nor did H&K. Ironically, the Rheinmetall production team failed in their attempt to manufacture the G3 assault rifle, while Heckler & Koch succeeded, and Rheinmetall eventually sold its G3 tooling to Pakistan. Ultimately, H&K became the only manufacturer of the Gewehr 3 for the BWB, while all but a few of the rifles made by Rheinmetall were destroyed as being of unacceptable quality (the first 400,000 H&K G3 rifles were also quietly withdrawn over the years and destroyed.) It is estimated that Heckler & Koch manufactured over one million G3s for the West German government alone. H&K’s export market was made possible by a 1961 agreement between the West German and Spanish governments for “free production and unlimited export to all nations” of the basic CETME assault rifle design.

The extremely rare 7.62×39mm (M43) Rh4 rifle designed by Henk Visser for Rheinmetal was not of half-locked roller blowback operation, but was a locked roller breech of long-stroke gas-piston operation using a 30-shot magazine. Only 2 samples were made.

Later Roller-Lock Assault Rifles

SPAIN As already noted, following Vorgrimler’s development of the basic CETME, the rifle underwent a period of evolution amounting to a product improvement program not unlike that of any other weapon. Following the standardization of the Modelo 58, a special semiautomatic only CETME Sport rifle was developed for sale in the U.S. The final variant of this rifle had a commercial recoil pad. At about the same time as the Modelo 58-64-C was standardized in 1971. The final variant of the 7.62×51mm NATO CETME rifle was the Modelo E. Similar to the HK G3 rifle, the Modelo E has an advanced diopter rear sight with a quick and simple windage adjustment, and a one-piece molded buttstock similar to that used on the HK33 assault rifle. The stock furniture of the Modelo E is olive green polymer, and more recently a translucent synthetic 20-shot magazine was developed for it. Unlike its H&K counterpart, the CETME Modelo C and E rifles have their bipods mount to the barrel, but as with the G3, the CETME’s barrel was made to be free floating, so use of the bipod would alter the point of impact of the bullet in the Spanish rifle..

The first model of the semi-automatic CETME Sport Rifle is shown from the right without magazine.

The final model of the semi-automatic CETME Sport Rifle is seen fieldstripped. This rifle has a recoil pad, late style rear sight and Weaver-style commercial scope bases.

If similarities between the CETME and West German Military models weren’t enough, a further element of confusion was found in the non-military variants of the rifle offered for sale in the United States. While a firm in Chicago, Illinois, imported two special variants of the semi-automatic only CETME Sport from Spain, the California based Golden State Arms sold a commercial variant of the G3 made by Heckler & Koch.

The Modelo L and LC With the NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) of the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Reminton) cartridge and the M16 magazine, CETME developed a roller-locked rifle for this cartridge. Called the Modelo L, this rifle is produced at the Santa Barbara Armory in

Madrid, for which CETME became the research and development branch. Being roughly the counterpart of the HK 33, the Modelo L shares no parts commonality with this rifle. Essentially an updated, scaled down variant of the 7.62mm CETME Modelo E, the Modelo L differs from it as follows. Like the Modelo E, the Modelo L uses olive green polymer stock furniture and uses the same bipod. However, the Modelo L’s rear sight also serves as a means for mounting optics and the trigger guard is removable for use with mittens. The trigger group module is not only simplified, but is a part of the main receiver with the trigger group fixed to it by the selector along with the forward hinge pin and the two pins that retain the butt-stock. The magazine release is not ambidextrous, and the latest variant, the Modelo L-1-003, accepts the M16 magazine. It is intended for export sales.

The CETME 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Modelo L seen from the right with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The CETME Modelo L seen from the right with 20-shot magazine and bipod deployed.

The CETME Modelo L seen from the left with 20-shot magazine, bayonet and sniper scope mounted.

The CETME Modelo LC viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine and special early muzzle brake.

The CETME Modelo LC seen from the left with retractable stock retracted.

Finished in a light green polymer coating, the rifle is not only camouflaged, but also is difficult to detect with night vision devices. Equipped with a retractable buttstock the Modelo LC (Commando) also has a shorter barrel. Although over 59,000 Modelo L rifles had been ordered by the Spanish Government as of 1989, it was

reported that the Spanish Military has not been satisfied with the rifle and began a search for a replacement with the Spanish Marines who were already using the M16 rifle.

CETME “Submachine Gun” and CETME Modelo A

CETME Modelo B, 58, 58-64C and E

CETME Modelo L and LC

WEST GERMANY With production of the initial model of the Gewehr 3, the popularity of the rifle spread rapidly. The Indonesian Army purchased a retractable stock variant of the rifle for paratroopers, and the standard rifle was adopted by Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia. As a result of a large order for the West German forces, Portugal began to produce the G3 in its own arsenal, the Fabrica de Braca de Prata with the Portuguese Army’s designation for the rifle being the M/961. The G3 was also adopted by Burma and several South American countries. Scandinavian countries were also quick to adopt the G3, and facilities tooled up to make it in this region. In Norway, the Kongsberg Vapenfabrikk (Kongsberg Weapon Factory) began production of the G3 for West German forces in 1964/65. In Sweden, where the rifle is called the Model 63 and later the AK4, both the Carl Gustafs Stads Gevars Faktori (Carl Gustav State Rifle Factory) and the private concern, Husqvarna, made the G3. The French firm of G.I.A.T. also made the G3 under license. With the G3 being one of the most prolific rifles in the world, a current listing (at right) of some of the countries having adopted it includes the following at right:

Note: * denotes local manufacture Abu Dhabi Bangladesh Bolivia Brazil *

Brunel Burma Chad Chile Colombia Denmark Dominican Republic Dubal El Salvador France * Germany - Federal Republic * Ghana Greece (Helenic Arms) * Guyana Haiti Indonesia Iran * Jordan Kenya Malawi Mexico * Morocco Niger Nigeria Norway * Pakistan * Peru

Philippines Portugal * Qatar Saudi Arabia Senegal Sharjah Spain (CETME)* Sudan Sweden * Tanzania Togo Turkey * Uganda Upper Volta Zambia

An early G3 seen from the left with 20- and 30-shot magazines, the latter of which is steel.

The Turkish G3A4 viewed from the left without magazine and with stock retracted. Note the unique butt assembly.

Producing the G3 under license from H&K in Greece, the Hellenic Arms Industry S.A. rifle has its own unique markings on the left side of its lower receiver. It is made in both the standard G3A3 infantry and G3A4 Para variants (below).

After the development of the G3, the rifle evolved with the times with the West Germans making a number of improvements to the basic design. Early on, a diopter rear sight replaced the flip-type sight. Consisting of an angled four-position rotating elevation drum, this sight is fixed to a base that is adjustable for windage. The exterior of the G3 is coated with a tough polymer finish normally found in black or olive green, and two types of handguards are issued for the rifle. One of these is of slim design called the tropical handguard, while the other is of the wider “beavertail” style and accepts a quick-release, self-storing bipod. Other accessories include a carrying handle, blank firing device and a an ejection port buffer/deflector. A retractable buttstock is also offered, and is used on the G3-TGS (Tactical Group Support) System. In order to mount optical sights, H&K developed a quick detachable base for the G3. Using parabolic pressure, this base clamps firmly to the sheet-metal receiver making movement impossible. Available with a M1913 top rail, this base also allows the use of the rifle’s open sights. In current variants of the G3 a new steel reinforced polymer lower receiver is used. Similar to that used in other updated H&K weapons, this pistol grip assembly has indicators for the firing modes printed in international language. Earlier models use a red “1” for semi-automatic, and a red “20” for full-automatic. A white “0” denotes the SAFE position. In the latest variants, these positions are signified by the outlines of red and white projectiles. As with the CETME, the G3’s trigger pull is heavy at a specific 12 pounds, this due to a drop safety requirement. A special set-trigger mechanism is available for

rifles in the sharpshooter role, and this module is interchangeable between most H&K weapons.

The HK G3 seen from left and right sides with 20-shot magazine.

A special semi-automatic variant of the G3 was made for export to the U.S. Called the HK91, this rifle will not accept selective fire components used in the G3. The U.S. company, Springfield Armory, of Geneseo, Illinois, also imported a semi-automatic variant of the G3. Made for Springfield by Helenic Arms, of Greece, this model was called the SAR 8. The U.S. company, Tomark Industries, also made a bullpup conversion for the HK91 called the S.A.T.S., but it was never massed produced. F.J. Vollmer & Company, Inc., also converted the HK91 into a variety of copies of selective H&K rifles and light machine-guns. Two of the most interesting were the Vollmer Model 11, a short barreled G3 type carbine, and Model 51B, a similar gun with a belt feed. In the wake of further restrictions by the U.S. Government, H&K imported a variation of its HK91 with a woodtextured thumbhole stock. Called the Orion SR9, this rifle was capable of semi-automatic fire only. A later variant used a black

thumbhole stock. Designed for American law enforcement, it was called the HK911, but less than 1,000 were produced.

The HK G3A3 seen from right and left with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The HK G3A3 seen field stripped.

The HK G3A3 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine.

The HK G3A4 seen from the left with stock retracted and 20-shot magazine.

A late model G3A3 with the one-piece synthetic lower receiver group.

The G3K (Kurz) is seen from the right with short barrel, retractrable stock and double 20-shot magazine. This “Assault Carbine” was never put into full production.

This close-up shows the HK G3 with the Steiner 4×24mm Sniper Scope mounted.

The G3SG1 Sniper Rifle seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine and Zeiss Sniper Scope. Note the set trigger lever (arrow).

An early variant of the HK PSG-1 High Performance Rifle shown from the sleft side with 10-shot magazine and Zeiss Sniper Scope mounted.

A late model HK PSG-1 rifle seen from the left with pistolgrip palm rest and 10shot magazine.

The S.A.T.S. “bullpup” conversion of the G3 made by Tomark Industries seen from the left with 20-shot magazine inserted. The magazine served as the pistolgrip, but this rifle was never mass-produced.

The HK Orion SR9 semi-automatic sporting rifle seen from the left side with 10-shot magazine.

The HK G3 TGS (Tactical Group Support) is equipped with the HK79 40mm grenade launcher and sight.

A commercial conversion, the Vollmer Model 11 is a shortened G3 seen here with a spliced 40-shot magazine. The Model 11 was also equipped with a belt-

feed, as the Model 51-B.

The MSG3 Sniper Rifle seen from the left with NATO STANAG #2324 Scope, 20-shot magazine and bipod deployed.

The HK21A1 7.62×51mm NATO LMG viewed from the right and bipod deployed.

The HK11E LMG seen from both sides with 50-shot drum magazine inserted. By changing components, this weapon can be converted to belt-feed.

The HK 32: “The Missing Link” In addition to the basic G3 rifle, the improvements made to the design, and special purpose models, H&K also produced assault rifles in several other calibers. As early as 1959, CETME had made a few rifles for NWM chambered for the 7.62×39mm (M43) Soviet cartridge for use in a testing program at the Meppen Proving Ground in West Germany. This rifle used a special magazine, and not the HK magazine. It was made to compete in a Finnish contract. H&K also produced a rifle in 7.62×39mm. Called the HK32, this rifle was a scaled down variant of the G3 that shared considerable parts commonality with its forerunner, along with a number of accessories. Smaller and lighter than the G3, the HK32 was also offered in a

shorter variant, the KH32K (kurtz). Belt-fed light machine gun (LMG) variants of the HK32 were also tested. However, because the HK32 was competing against the AK-47, sales were never large, but the rifle evolved.

The T223 With the emergence of the .223 Remington (5.56×45mm NATO) cartridge, H&K reworked the HK32 to fire this round. Called the HK33, the new rifle was seen in 1963 in a makeshift prototype called the T223. Although this rifle was made by H&K, it bore the markings of the U.S. company, Harrington & Richardson (H&R), of Worcester, Mass. Along with other H&K weapons, the T223 was introduced to the United States Government for testing and evaluation during the Small-Arms Weapons Systems (SAWS) study. In addition to the special markings already noted, the T223’s selector markings were SAFE, SA and FA. This model used an early box magazine, but a small lever inside the trigger guard made it most unusual. In an effort to compete against weapons having an automatic bolt hold-open device, the T223 was equipped with such a device that only worked upon firing the last shot in the magazine. To release the bolt, it was necessary to push the lever forward. Of course the bolt could also be locked to the rear in the normal fashion by pulling the cocking handle to the rear and rotating it in its recess.

The 7.62×39mm HK32 seen with two AK-47 30-shot magazines, retractable stock extended and sling.

Two early 5.56×45mm NATO HK33 rifles, one with an experimental foregrip and the other with an early bipod.

An early HK33 rifle seen with an experimental bipod.

The 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington) HK T223, as seen from the left side with 20shot magazine. Note the unusual bolt hold-open release inside the trigger guard.

The HK T223 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine

Although it was made by H&K, the T223 was marked H&R Inc., as Harrington & Richardson submitted it for testing by the U.S. Military during the Small Arms Weapon Systems (SAWS) program.

The HK33 and HK53 In 1968 H&K introduced the standard production .223 Remington caliber HK33. However, the West German Army elected to stay with the 7.62mm NATO G3 rifle, and the M16 had already established a foothold around the world. Major purchasers of the HK33 have been the Brazilian Air Force (15,000), the Malaysian Army (5,000) and the Thai Army. In addition, the Malaysians have assembled 30,000 HK33 rifles themselves, and the Thais manufactured the rifle at a factory set up in their country by H&K. The latest variant of the HK33 is the HK33E that uses the 4-position polymer trigger housing. Sniper variants are the HK33A2ZF and HK33SG1. Like the HK32, the HK33 is produced in a shorter variant. Called the HK33K, this has a

retractable stock. An even shorter special purpose variant of the HK33 is designated the HK53. Designed to fill the role of a .223 caliber submachine gun, or more correctly an assault carbine, the HK53 has a barrel 11 inches long and also comes with a retractable stock. As with the G3, a special semi-automatic only variant of the HK33 was designed for the U.S. Market. This model was called the HK93. Like the G3, the HK33 was produced in several light machine gun (LMG) variants. Carrying designations of HK12 with a 40-shot magazine and HK22A1 using a belt-feed system, these guns were either converted from 7.62×51 NATO caliber G3 LMG’s, or made on HK33-size frames, but few were sold.

The HK33 from the left with 20-shot magazine.

The HK33A2ZF Sniper Rifle viewed from the left side with 4×24mm Steiner Sniper Scope.

The HK33SG1 sniper rifle seen from the left with Zeiss Sniper Scope. Note the set trigger lever (arrow).

The HK33KA3 seen from the left with 30-shot magazine inserted and stock retracted.

The late model HK33E with its one-piece synthetic lower receiver group and ambidextrous four-position selector.

From the top, the HK33, HK33K and HK53 are seen from the left side, the latter two with 40-shot magazines..

An early 5.56×45mm NATO HK53 seen from the left with stock retracted and 30-shot magazine.

A late model HK53 with one-piece lower receiver, stock retracted and 30-shot magazine.

The HK MICV and MICV-SW Because of its small size, the HK53 lends itself for use inside an armored vehicle, or as a port-firing weapon. Early on the HK53 was fitted with a metal housing to which was attached a canvas bag for catching brass ejected inside such a vehicle. Soon the retractable stock was removed and the HK53 was equipped with a special receiver end cap, and was designated as the MICV Supplemental Weapon. Following this the HK53 was redesigned as a dedicated port-firing weapon as the MICV-SW. This variant has a quick-change barrel with lugs that lock into the ball mount of an armored vehicle. The MICV-SW also fires from the open bolt position and has a rearmounted charging handle. An automatic bolt counter-recoil safety controls the range between the magazine and rear bolt position to prevent unintentional firing.

An early HK33 with a 40-shot magazine and a spent case catcher for use as a port-firing weapon in armored vehicles.

The HK MICV Supplemental Weapon seen from the left with 40-shot magazine and case catcher, and special receiver end cap replacing the stock.

The HK MICV-SW port-firing weapon seen from the left with 40-shot magazine.

The HK MICV-SW seen from the left side field stripped with quick-change barrel removed. Here the detail of the rear-mounted cocking handle can be seen. This weapon fires from an open bolt.

The G41 During the NATO trials with small calibers held during the late 1970s, certain military requirements centering around the 5.56mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge were established for countries belonging to NATO. Heckler & Koch began a program to upgrade its HK33 rifle to meet NATO specifications, and in 1981 introduced a new 5.56mm NATO rifle called the Gewehr 41 (G41). While the G41 is a rifle of true CETME heritage, and remains essentially a scaled

down G3, it is not a true variation of the HK33 rifle, and shares little parts commonality with it including its sling. The G41 has a longer barrel and a shorter receiver than the HK33, and it uses a positive bolt closing device and an ejection port cover similar to those of the M16 rifle. The G41 also has a selfstoring carrying handle that returns down against the left side of the receiver when not in use. In addition, the G41 incorporates an improved method of attaching the buttstock to the receiver and uses the simplified NATO STANAG #2324 scope base that takes a different mount from that of the HK33 rifle. The G41 has a bolt holdopen device similar to that of the M16 rifle and uses the M16 (NATO) magazine and bipod. The G41 features three-shot burst firing as well as semi- and full-automatic, and uses a variation of the international language system on other late variant lower receivers. Like the HK33, it is available in a short variant with a retractable buttstock called the G41K. It will also accept the HK79 40mm grenade launcher, and in this configuration the rifle is called the G41-TGS (Tactical Group Support) System. All variants of the G41 use barrels with quadruple polygonal bore profile. The G41 was manufactured in England when H&K entered into a partnership with England.

An early 5.56×45mm NATO HK G41 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine. Note the extended selector.

The early HK G41 field stripped. Note the use of the standard NATO (M16) magazine.

The HK G41A2 seen from the left side with stock retracted, 30-shot magazine inserted and standard selector.

The HK G41KA3 seen from the left with stock extended and dual 30-shot magazines inserted.

The HK G41-TSG (Tactical Support Group) System with HK79 40mm grenade launcher and launcher sight.

The HK36 The final step in the evolution of Heckler & Koch’s roller-locking assault rifle design was the HK36. Chambered for a special 4.6×36mm

cartridge,

the

HK36

was

an

advanced

design

incorporating many of the proven features of its past designs. Designed to provide an effective range of 300 yards, the HK36 was very lightweight, to eliminate fatigue due to carrying it, but its somewhat radical design allowed a high degree of control. The HK36 was produced only in prototype. A similar rifle was tested by CETME. The HK36 had no connection to the later G36.

The HK 36 magazine opens from the side for loading as shown.

The HK54/MP5 Submachine Gun Having evolved into an entire family, the Heckler & Koch system includes many roller-locking weapons, some of which are not assault rifles such as the light machine gun (LMG) variations already discussed. Furthermore, one member of this family is not an assault rifle by any means since it fires pistol cartridges, and is truly a submachine gun. However, since this weapon has some parts commonality with H&K assault rifles, it will be mentioned briefly. First called the HK54, it is the HK MP5 Submachine Gun (SMG) family of weapons. Sharing a number of things in common with the HK53 assault carbine, the original 9×19mm NATO MP5 was also designed as a port-firing weapon. The MP5 was also produced in .40 S&W (10×19mm) caliber. In 1991 a special variant of the MP5 became available in 10mm (made especially for the F.B.I.), this model, with its

plastic magazine and bolt hold-open device, has since been discontinued.

The experimental HK36 with its 30-shot magazine inserted. This rifle fired an experimental 4.6×36mm (.18 caliber) cartridge.

H&K Roller-Lock Models G3: Basic 7.62×51mm NATO CETME variant. G3A2: G3 with tropical handguard. G3A3: G3A2 with retractable buttstock. G3K: G3 with 12.4-inch barrel and retractable stock (not mass produced). G3SG1: Sniper variant of G3 using set trigger and 1.5-6X scope. G3-TGS: The G3 equipped with the HK79 40mm grenade launcher and retractable stock. HK91: Semi-automatic only sporting variant of the G3. HK91A2: HK91 with tropical handguard. HK91A3: HK91A2 with retractable buttstock. HK Orion SR9: HK91 with wood-grain synthetic thumbhole stock. HK911: HK91 with black thumbhole stock for U.S. law enforcement (1,000 made). HK65: Sniper variant of the HK91 with set trigger and telescopic sight.

PSG-1: Semi-automatic only, long, heavy-barrel sniper variant based on G3 receiver. MSG90: Semi-automatic sniper rifle with features of the G3SG1 and PSG-1. Can be converted to selective fire. MSG3: Essentially the MSG90 with open backup sights and G3 handguard. G8: 7.62mm NATO special purpose short, quick-change barrel rifle with 4X scope designed to fill sharpshooter role for tactical police operations. The G8 can be converted to a belt-fed light machine gun. HK21A1: Belt-fed LMG based on the G3, but with a quick-change barrel, heavy bipod and 1,200-meter rear sight. Can also be used on a tripod. HK11A1: Box magazine fed variant of the HK21A1 that can also use a 50-shot drum magazine. This weapon can also be converted to belt-feed. HK21E: Improved HK21A1 using synthetic trigger group with other improvements designed to give a service life of over 60,000 rounds. This weapon also uses the STANAG #2324 telescopic sight mount. HK11E: Improved HK11A1 similar to HK21E. HK23E: Short-barreled variant of the HK21A1.

HK32: Scaled down variant of the G3 firing the Soviet Bloc 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge. HK32K: Short barreled HK32 with retractable stock. HK12: LMG variant of the HK32 using a 40-shot box magazine. HK22A1: LMG variant of the HK12 using metal link belt. HK33: The HK32 chambered for the .223 Remington (5.56×45mm NATO) cartridge. HK33K: Short barreled HK33 with retractable stock. HK33E: HK33 with synthetic trigger housing. HK33KE: HK33E with short barrel. HK33A2ZF: Sniper variant of HK33. HK33SG1: Sniper variant of HK33 with cheekpiece and set trigger. HK93: Semi-automatic only sporting variant of the HK33. HK93A2: The HK93 with tropical handguard. HK93A3: The HK93A2 with retractable stock. HK53: The HK33KE with an 11-inch barrel. G41: 5.56mm NATO caliber rifle with features of the M16 rifle.

G41K: G41 equipped with the HK79 40mm grenade launcher. HK23A1: Scaled down HK21 in 5.56mm NATO. HK23E: The HK21E in 5.56mm NATO. HK13A1: The HK11A1 in 5.56mm NATO using the M16 magazine or a 100-shot drum magazine. HK13E: The HK13A1 using only the M16 magazine. HK13E1: The HK13E with a barrel for use with 5.56mm NATO M193 ball ammunition. HK54: A scaled down CETME system submachine gun in 9mm NATO caliber. MP5: Upgraded variant of the HK54. MP5A2: MP5 using tropical handguard. MP5A3: MP5A2 with retractable stock. MP5SD: MP5 with integral sound suppressor. MP5 SD3: MP5SD with retractable buttstock. MP5K: Compact variant of the MP5 with vertical foregrip and folding stock. Also available without buttstock. HK94: Semi-automatic only sporting variant of the MP5 with 16inch barrel.

HK94A3: HK94 with retractable stock. HK36: Special futuristic rifle in 4.6×45mm made only in prototype.

G3

HK32 and HK32K

HK33 and HK33K (also T223)

HK 53

HK G41 and G41K

CHAPTER 27

Germany: East Germany

Development and Manufacture of the First Kalishnikov Assault Rifles in 7.62×39mm (M43) (1957 – 1990) For most of the time that the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (German Democratic Republic — GDR) manufactured Kalashnikovtype assault rifles and a wide variety of other military equipment, this production activity was a closely guarded secret. The GDR armaments industry was the most modern portion of that nation’s industrial sector. Its factories had the most up-to-date machine tools, and their employees were paid a higher wage than workers in nondefense related industries. This defense production work was kept a state secret by the East German government, and thus few East Germans—even military men—knew that their government was one of the world’s largest manufacturers and exporters of Kalashnikovtype assault rifles. As a consequence, little was known about the East German facilities dedicated to the fabrication and assembly of these weapons until the revolution of November 1989. The following is a summary history of the production of Kalashnikov-type weapons in the GDR.

Mpi-K (7.62×39mm [M43]) is an East German copy of the Soviet AK-47 and was produced with both fixed and folding stocks between 1957 and the early 1970s.

The main assembly plant for Kalashnikov assault rifles was located at Wiesa, a small factory town nestled in the Erz Mountains to the east of the traditional small-arms center at Suhl. Because the governing party of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik presented itself to its own population as being peace loving and antimilitaristic, this factory was ostensibly a manufacturer of Christmas toys and household products. To further hide its purpose, it was called the Spezialwerkzeug und Hydraulik GbmH Wiesa (SW&H). The approximately 1,500 men and women employed there assembled automatic weapons from components made locally and also at a number of other machine shops and factories scattered throughout the GDR. For example, barrels for this family of weapons were fabricated at the Volkseigene Betrieb VEB Ernst Thalmann-werk, in Suhl (the pre-1945 site of J. P. Sauer & Sohn).

Production of 7.62×39mm (M43) AK-47-type assault rifles at Wiesa appears to have begun about 1957. These Maschinenpistole Kalaschnikow (MPiK) weapons with machined steel receivers were built there until the early 1970s when the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA) switched over to the modernized Kalashnikov AKM (or MPiKM72 in German) with its stamped sheet-metal receiver assembly. These MPiKM assault rifles continued to be manufactured at the Wiesa factory until its closure in June, 1990. Based on serial number analysis and other data it is estimated that the Spezialwerkzeug und Hydraulik GbmH Wiesa manufactured between three and four million Kalashnikov assault rifles of both the MPiK and MPiKM types, during three decades of production. Annual production of rifles at the Wiesa factory appears to have averaged about 100,000. The scale of production was cut back in 1988, and the total number of assault rifles built in 1989 was about 75,000, while 30,000 were assembled prior to June 30, 1990. The former factory director, Hans Reissig, recalled that almost always, one third of their annual production was sent overseas. Large numbers of these SW&H assault rifles were exported to countries in the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, A few examples will illustrate this point: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was the recipient of MPiKM’s dated 1976; Between 1984 and 1987, 50,000 rifles from the factory at Wiesa were shipped to the Yemen Arab Republic (North); The Panamanian government seized 1,448 East German MPiKM assault rifles in June 1986 from a shipment aboard the Pia Vesta, a ship whose ultimate destination has never been disclosed; In 1989, the East Germans delivered 59,000 to Ethiopia, and in April of that same year, a small

cache of MPiKM’s dated 1984 was discovered in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. Other countries supplied with MPiKM’s in the late 1980s included Algeria, India, Iran, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Yemen, Syria, and Uganda.

Mpi-K (7.62×39mm [M43]) Police model with grenade launcher.

Mpi-K (7.62×39mm [M43]) Police model dated 1963 with short magazine and telescopic sight.

Mpi-KM (7.62×39mm [M43]) is shown with a 75-shot drum magazine. This drum was usually issued for use with the RPK squad light machine gun.

Mpi-KM (7.62×39mm [M43]) with synthetic buttstock and pistolgrip.

For obvious domestic and international political reasons, the East German government did not permit the factory at Wiesa to sell hardware directly to foreign customers, nor were its employees allowed to have any contact with people in the west. The Spezialwerkzeug und Hydraulik GbmH Wiesa delivered its weapons to special GDR export firms such as the Ingenieur-Technische Aussenhandel Berlin (ITA– Berlin Technical Engineering Export Trade Agency) and Import-Export Gesellschaft MBH (also called Aupenhandelunternehmen IMES GmbH; IMES GmbH for Import and Export), who provided them to overseas customers. ITA was the older and more established of the two export firms, having an established business in countries such as Iraq for many years. Following the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1980, the Islamic Revolutionary Government wanted to purchase armaments, and the East Germans created IMES as a means of supplying their needs. With two export organizations in existence, the GDR was often able to sell weapons and munitions to both sides of a conflict. On numerous occasions IMES and ITA used military hardware export organizations from fraternal countries (for example Technika of Hungary) to place their weapons with clients abroad. ITA was headed by the former Stasi Colonel Alexander Schalck-Golodkowski, while Erhard Wiecherd was Director General of IMES.

Mpi-KM (7.62×39mm [M43]) mid-1960s standard model with stamped sheetmetal receiver and synthetic pistol grip.

Mpi-KMS-72 (7.62×39mm [M43]) with a folding stock that was designed in East Germany.

Mpi-K, Mpi-KM, Mpi-KMS-72

Development and Manufacture of Assault Rifles in 5.45×39 Caliber (1982 – 1990) The SW&H factory at Wiesa acquired a license from the Soviets to manufacture the 5.45×39mm MPiKMS74 (AK-74) family of weapons in 1982, and new tooling was ordered at that time to prepare for the manufacture of the weapon. They began production of the 5.45×39mm MPiKMS74 in 1985. Exact production totals for the SW&H 5.45 weapons are not known, but approximately 170,000 of these weapons were at one time in the custody of the Bundeswehr. These latter weapons helped cause the German government to decide (largely for economic reasons) to postpone acquisition of Heckler & Koch’s Gewehr 11. Overall production of the

5.45mm MPiKMS74 may have exceeded 250,000 (some 57,000 were manufactured in 1988 alone.)

Mpi-KMS74 (5.45×39mm) was manufactured up to mid-1990 and uses the sidefolding stock found on earlier paratroop models. Note synthetic furniture and magazine, and different muzzle brake from earlier 7.62×39mm (M43) models.

The final variant of the Mpi-AK-74N (5.45×39mm) as produced in 1990, the final year of production, with wire-cutter bayonet and telescopic sight.

Development and Manufacture of the Weiger Assault Rifles in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) (1987 – 1990) In 1987, the SW&H factory at Wiesa received a development order from VEB Kombinat Spezialtechnik Dresden and IMES for the creation of a 5.56×45mm NATO-caliber variant of the MPiKMS74. This project resulted from a desire on the part of the Government of India to adopt a 5.56×45mm-caliber Kalashnikov-type assault rifle. This project was, on the surface, a very enticing one for the East Germans. While the Indians and Germans fantasized about quantities as high as 10 million guns, even the actual regular army strength of some 960,000 soldiers would have allowed the East Germans or any other successful external supplier to have made some significant sales (of weapons and technical assistance) even though most of the new rifles would ultimately have been built in India itself. Still, the East Germans thought that they had an opportunity to build large numbers of these weapons for the Indians while at the same time perfecting their domestic capacity to manufacture such guns. The Indian military subsequently created its own 5.56×45mm NATO variant of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which is currently being built at the Indian Government Rifle Factory, Ishapore, in various iterations, called the INSAS. The first SW&H Model 940 Kalashnikov-type rifles firing the 5.56×45mm NATO (SS109) cartridge were tested in 1987. These weapons had some unspecified problems with the chrome plating in the barrels. This problem was corrected and a second round of tests was conducted in 1988. The Model 940 was then rushed into production. Some 7,500 rifles, believed to be Model 940s (although it

is possible that they were 5.45mm MPiKMS74’s), and 1.8 million rounds of ammunition were delivered to India in 1989. The Peruvian Army ordered 10,000 of the Wieger Model 942 assault rifles early in 1989 at a delivered unit price, with accessories, of $541 (U.S.). Each Model 942 came with five 30-shot magazines, a magazine pouch, sling, cleaning kit, and a wire-cutter bayonet. The blank-firing attachment and other spare parts were extra. Ten million rounds of German-made 5.56×45mm steel case ammunition with SS109-type bullets was priced at $171 per thousand. The total contract was to cost the Peruvian government $7,897,550, with the first 2,000 rifles and two million cartridges being delivered in May 1989. Four thousand more rifles and four million more cartridges were to have been delivered in July and September 1989. Only the first lot of 2,000 Model 942s and the first consignment of two million rounds of ammunition were delivered. The subsequent deliveries were overtaken by events associated with the revolution in Germany. According to one source, acknowledged production of the Model 940 series of weapons, also known as the “Schutzenwaffen Wieger Stg 940” was as follows:-

StG Wieger 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Model 942 Assault Rifle with standard East German pattern side-folding, single strut metal buttstock. This

weapon is dated 1989. Other Wieger rifles were offered on the international market from 1989-1990.

1988: 1989:

2,000 Model 942 with folding stock 1,500 Model 941 with fixed stock

1989: 1990:

3,800 Model 942 with folding stock 4,990 Model 942 with folding stock in various states of assembly at the time production was stopped in 1990

Of those Model 942 rifles fabricated in 1988, 1,962 were delivered on February 22, 1989 to the IMES warehouse in Kavelsdorf. It is believed that it was from this lot of rifles that the East Germans supplied an order for the Peruvian Government. The remaining 10,238 rifles were delivered between August 6, 1989 and August 14, 1990 to the GDR Ministry of the Interior’s warehouse in Ottendorf-Okrilla. Yet another source suggests that IMES was offering 12,198 Wieger rifles for sale as late as April of 1990. It is reported that of the surviving weapons that remained, 6,000 were destroyed in 1992. An IMES catalog for the Systeme Wieger rifles noted that: “Fire arms of the GDR are standing in high reputation all over the world,” and that for many years they had been, “part of the standard equipment of military and other armed forces in many countries and regions... With the Assault Rifle WIEGER 940, the GDR industry presents an advanced model of their firearms assortment which meets the highest demands of the armed forces with regard to fire arms having a caliber of 5.56×45mm.” These weapons were made with, “high productive CNC — and computer controlled machinery and

manufacturing [equipment] as well as most advance production technologies.” The 5.56×45mm NATO IMES (.223 Remington) Systeme Wieger made by SW&H (which had redesigned black synthetic hand-guards, pistol grip, and buttstock to add to its appeal for export customers) came in four models: StG. 941: Fixed-stock variant with 16.5-inch (420mm) barrel and 35.8 to 36.5-inch (910928mm) overall length, depending on length of buttstock. Effective range: Semiauto 437 yd (400m), burst fire 1093 yd (1000m). Practical rate of fire: 100rpm, Unloaded weight: 7 lb (3.2kg), loaded magazine weight: 1.5 lb (0.7kg). StG. 942: Side-folding stock variant with 16.5-inch (420mm) barrel, and 36-inch (915mm) overall length with stock extended, and 27.5inch (700mm) length with stock folded. Effective range: Semiauto 437 yd (400m), burst fire 1093 yd (1000m). Practical rate of fire: 100 rpm Unloaded weight: 7.7 lb (3.5kg), loaded magazine weight: 1.5 lb (0.7kg). StG. 943: Shortened rifle with side-folding stock, 12.5-inch (320mm) barrel, and 32.0-inch (815mm) overall length with stock extended, and 23.6-inch (600mm) length with stock folded. Effective range: Semiauto 218 yd (200m), burst fire 874 yd (800m). Practical rate of fire: 100rpm, Unloaded weight: 7.3 lb (3.3kg), loaded magazine weight: 1.5lb (0.7kg). LMG 944: Fixed stock Light Machine Gun with 19.6-inch (500mm) barrel and 36.1-36.8-inch (918-936mm) overall length depending on length of buttstock. Effective range: Semiauto 656 yd (600m), burst

fire 1093 yd (1000m). Practical rate of fire: 100rpm, Unloaded weight: 8.6 lb (3.9kg), loaded magazine weight: 1.5 lb (0.7kg). The Models 941, 942, and 944 had an M16A1-type 22mm muzzle brake that allowed the launching of standard NATO rifle grenades. The Spezialwerkzeug und Hydraulik GbmH Wiesa had special model numbers for the 7.62×39mm MPiKMs that they built for export. These included: StG AKM: The basic MPiKM with an overall length of 33.4 inches (850mm). It was also available with a special “muzzle suppressor” and a grenade launching attachment. StG AKM-Z: The basic MPiKM with an overall length of 33.4 inches (850mm), and equipped with the ox-blood red synthetic furniture found on the standard East German IMG-K. StG AKMS: The basic MPiKMS with an overall length of 33.4 inches (850mm); 26.7 inches (680mm) with stock folded. StG AKMS-Z: The basic MPiKMS with an overall length of 33.4 inches (850mm); 27.1 inches (690mm) with stock folded. It was also equipped with the bipod found on the standard East German LMG-K. StG AKMS-K: This was a shortened MPiKMS. LMG K 500: The basic LMG-K with an overall length of 38.9 inches (990mm); 30.7 inches (780mm) with stock folded. It was also equipped with the bipod found on the standard East German LMG-K.

LMG K 500S: The basic LMG-K with a side-folding stock and having an overall length of 38.9 inches (990mm); 30.7 inches (780mm) with stock folded. It was also equipped with the bipod found on the standard East German LMG-K. Precision Rifle G 500: Sniper variant of the MPiKM. Overall length 38.9 inches (990mm). This rifle used standard 30-shot magazines. Precision Rifle PG 500: Sniper variant of the MPiKM. Overall length 38.5 inches (980mm) to 39.7 inches (1010mm). This rifle had a thumbhole stock and used a special four-shot magazine. Self-loading Shotgun: Shotgun based upon the MPiKM. Overall length 37.7 inches (960mm) to 38.9 inches (990mm). This shotgun had a thumb-hole stock and used a special four-round magazine. Since the reunification of Germany, when West Germany absorbed East Germany (GDR), some interesting figures have been reported as West Germany inherited huge stocks of military materiel from the GDR and its Army (the NVA) in the period, 1990-1991. Of small arms alone, there were 1,200,000 units, comprising pistols, semiautomatic rifles, assault rifles (cal.7.62×39mm [M43]) and 5.45×39mm NATO (.223 Remington); of the latter caliber, 163,039 AK-74 were inherited), plus light machine guns. Some specific moves to reduce the NVA small arms surplus include a quick sale of 50,000 units of (AK-74’s) for DM 60 each to Hungary, before the transfer, by the GDR, as late as October 2, 1990. (The Bundeswehr officially took command of the former NVA on October 3, 1990.) Also, Turkey received 303,934 AK-47 rifles with 83 million rounds of 7.62×39mm (M43) ammunition. Finland acquired

a reported 98,000 NVA AKM assault rifles cal. 7.62×39mm (M43) for its reserve forces.

Model PG-945 Weiger (5.56×45) uses the standard telescopic scope mount on the left side of the receiver. Note the high quality fit and finish of this sniper rifle.

Mpi-AKS-74NK (5.45×39) Developed for airborne and tank troops and introduced in 1987. Note the shorter barrel and simpler flash-hider.

KK-Mpi-69, the Kalashnikov Training Rifle The KK-Mpi-69 (.22LR caliber) was designed as an economical training rifle. Operation is by simple blow-back design, firing from a closed-bolt position. The trigger mechanism is very similar to a standard AK rifle. This training rifle resembles the East German MpiKM and is of similar size and weight, with similar brown synthetic furniture. The weapon is fed via a single-column 15shot magazine that fits inside the body of a standard 30-shot magazine. Most notably, the KK-Mpi-69 has selective fire capability (selector markings on the receiver are D — full auto, and E — semi auto). Folding night sights similar to those on the Mpi-Km and Mpi-AK-74 rifles are included, and the rear sight is adjustable for elevation from 27 yd (25m) — 109 yd (100m) in 25-meter increments. The KK-Mpi-69 was produced from 1970-1975, and was used to train the 450,000-strong East German Military youth organization, GST.

The KK-Mpi-69 (.22 caliber) Trainer is shown with a 15-round magazine that is inserted into a standard 30-round magazine body to replicate the original AK magazine.

The KK-Mpi-69 (.22LR caliber) is approximately equal in size and weight to the AK-47/AKM assault rifle. It is built on a stamped sheet steel receiver and features the same fixed stock and pistolgrip of the Mpi-KM assault rifle.

KK-Mpi-69 .22LR Caliber Rifle

CHAPTER 28

Germany: Post-1990 Developments

THE weapons developed in Germany after 1990 consist exclusively of those designed by Heckler & Koch. However, in these weapons the roller-locking system has been abandoned in favor of new locking systems, most of which have been based on a multi-lug rotating bolt similar to that used in the M16 rifle. The main exception is the G11 rifle.

Heckler & Koch G11 Means of Controlling Operation: Located above the pistol grip, the ambidextrous selector is rotated to the position marked with a red “1” for semi-automatic fire, to the position marked with a red “3” for 3-shot burst fire, and to the position marked with a red “45” for full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the position marked with a white “S” prevents the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedures:

After moving the selector to the SAFE position, press the magazine release button behind the scope on top of the buttstock, and remove the magazine. Then rotate the charging handle counterclockwise to allow any round in the chamber to fall out the bottom of the rifle. Depress the buttstock lock on top of the receiver forward of the magazine release and remove the buttstock from the main body. Now remove the action and barrel from the rear of the receiver. Depress the forend lock on the side of the forend to remove it forward from the main body. No further disassembly is necessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: After designing and producing military small arms since the adoption of the G3 rifle by the West German Bundeswehr in 1957, Heckler & Koch (H&K) responded to a new concern of the West German military in the early 1960’s. A need was expressed for a new combat rifle that would multiply the capability of the individual infantryman. West German military technical requirements for the new rifle were an overall length of 750mm, and a weight of 4.5 kg., including 100 rounds of ammunition. The magazine capacity was to be at least 50 rounds, and an effective range of 300 meters was sought without need of sight adjustment. The functional features of the new rifle included a high hit probability under adverse conditions, quick readiness to fire, maximum reliability, no impeding recoil effect on the shooter, and low system weight. The weapon was to be compact, eliminate ejected cases, need only simple maintenance, and need only a short training

time. Cartridge dimensions were to be small with a low cartridge weight allowing a large number of rounds to be carried. To achieve the hit probability, H&K chose the “SALVO” approach using a 2000 rpm rate of fire. Making this and other ammunition requirements possible would be a caseless cartridge. The 4.73x33mm caseless round developed consisted of a new propellant body, projectile, plastic nose cap, booster, and primer. Except for the plastic nose cap and projectile, all other elements were consumed during firing.

Comprised of 5 parts, the 4.73x33mm G11 cartridge used no conventional case.

G11 prototype #5 seen from the left side with optical sight mounted and nondetachable magazine and 2-part chamber. This rifle used a metal housing and was fired in 1977 NATO tests.

Called the Gewehr 11 (G11), or Rifle, Model 11, the weapon designed to meet the requirements used an internal gas system to operate a rotating chamber with no linear moving mass. Although a 50-shot magazine was specified, the G11 ultimately used a 45-round magazine that, when inserted into the main body along the top of the rifle, held the rounds perpendicular to the bore, nose down. Turning the rotary cocking lever on the side of the buttstock section caused the rotating cylinder containing the chamber to turn 90 degrees vertically to feed a round, and then return to the firing position. Turning it again allowed the live round (or misfire) to clear the chamber and fall out the bottom of the rifle to the ground. Firing the round caused the propellant gas drive to rotate the cylinder back into the feeding position. Here the next round was chambered and the cylinder tilted again into the firing position. When a round was fired, the entire mechanism moved to the rear on a track. In doing so, it compressed the equivalent of a recoil spring in what amounted to a free-floating or constant recoil principle without the mechanism impinging against the stock or shooter.

In the full-automatic mode, a disconnector prevented the next shot from being fired until the spring returned the entire mechanism to its forward position. This resulted in the rifle having a cyclic rate of only 450 rpm in full-automatic. However, in the 3-shot burst, or “SALVO” mode the disconnector did not come into play, allowing the rifle to fire 3 shots at the rate of about 2,000 rpm with the entire barrel and action continuing to recoil to the rear inside the stock. Here the last shot left the barrel just before the mechanism bottomed out, transmitting its force to the stock and shooter. In any firing mode, the free-floating mechanism greatly increased controllability.

G11 prototype #6 seen from the left side with optical sight mounted. Like earlier prototypes, this one uses 90-degree rotating chamber and a metal housing.

G11 prototype #12 seen from the left side with optical sight mounted. This was the first G11 with rotating cocking handle seen on left side. It used a 360degree rotating chamber and a metal housing.

G11 prototype #13 seen from the left side used 3-piece 360-degree rotating chamber and metal housing with a plastic handguard.

G11 prototype #14 viewed from the left with optical sight. This rifle used an all plastic housing and a 2-part 360-degree rotating chamber.

The Technical/Troop Testing Prototype (#15) seen from the left side. This rifle was H&K’s ACR candidate.

The G11K2 rifle seen from the left side. This was the final version of the G11.

The G11 breech and barrel assembly seen from both sides.

The G11 field stripped.

The G11’s interior drawn in schematics.

The G11’s cylindrical breech accepts the cartridge from above and then rotates 90 degrees to put it in line with the bore.

The recoil impulse to the floating mechanism is shown in this chart.

Above is seen a 10-shot pack of 4.7mm caseless rounds for the G11. Below are seen two live rounds (front and side views) and a dummy round.

Made of specialized propellant, the caseless 4.73x33mm G11 round resisted cook-off by having a combustion threshold of 180° Fahrenheit. Since the 51.5 gr. bullet was seated below the end of the propellant body, a small booster charge was placed behind it to catapult it into the bore before expanding gasses could escape around and in front of it. The 4.73mm projectile had a muzzle velocity of 3,051 fps. A total of 14 G11 prototypes were tested before the Technical/Troop Testing Prototype was fielded. This rifle was also H&K’s Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) candidate (see the Advanced Combat Rifle Chapter for more information on this rifle). In 1989 H&K introduced the G11, 2nd Configuration, or G11K2. Reconfigured at its front end, the G11K2 has an even more squared look than the prototypes before it, but its mechanism is essentially the same. Although early prototypes used a metal housing, the G11K2 uses an outer shell totally of synthetic. A light machinegun prototype was also developed. Although the G11 was to be adopted by the German Army in the early 1990’s, it was ultimately rejected and all production halted. One of the main difficulties with the G11 was heat buildup, as it lacked a traditional metal case to remove much of this heat from the chamber.

Heckler & Koch G11

The G36 viewed from the right side with folding stock extended and a loaded 30-shot magazine inserted. This rifle also is equipped with a carrying handle with a 3.5X 6 mil reticle optical sight and an 800 meter red dot sight above it.

The G36 Means of Controlling Operation Located on both sides of the lower receiver above the pistol grip, the selector can be had offering several modes of fire. These include semi-automatic, burst and full-automatic, as well as semi-automatic only, and firing modes are marked in international language with one or more red projectiles in red outline boxes. Moving the selector to point at a single red projectile in a box limits the G36 to Semiautomatic. Moving the selector to two or three bullets in a box denotes 2-shot or 3-shot fire, and moving the selector all the way down so it points to multiple red projectiles in an open-ended box allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements Moving the selector to its uppermost position to a white projectile in a white box prevents the G36 from being fired. Note: On early variants of the G36 the selector markings were “S,” “E,” and “F,” denoting Safe, Semi-automatic and Full automatic. The new variant in international language is sometimes called the G36E. Elementary Disassembly Procedure

After putting the selector in the SAFE position, remove the magazine, pivot the charging handle on top of the receiver to either side and open the bolt to visually make sure that the chamber is empty. Then allow the handle and bolt to go forward. Now remove the sling and unfold the buttstock. Push out both pins holding the pistol grip and insert them into the support holes on the butt-stock. Remove the grip by pulling it downward, then remove the magazine well by swinging it down and forward. Then fold the buttstock. Push down the lug holding the recoil spring backplate and remove the recoil spring assembly from the rear of the receiver. Then pull the charging handle to unlock the bolt group and remove this unit from the receiver. With the bolt pushed into the carrier all the way, depress the firing pin head and push out the retaining pin in the carrier. Then remove the firing pin from the rear. Now remove the cam pin from the left side of the bolt carrier and pull the bolt forward from the carrier. Push out the pin at the rear of the handguard and slide the handguard off the front of the barrel. Pull back on the operating rod, move it to one side and remove it and its spring forward out of the receiver. Then remove the gas piston from the rear of the cylinder. No further disassembly is normally required. Reassemble in reverse order, taking care to position the hammer between the cocked and decocked position when replacing the trigger unit. Notes on History, Design, Development or Points of Interest With the purchase of Heckler & Koch (H&K) by Royal Ordnance in March of 1991, the two companies planned to jointly produce a new, low-priced 5.56x45mm rifle together. Emerging in the same year as

the Project 50, the initial prototype of the G36 was called the HK50. Subsequently the name was changed to HK36, but this rifle never saw series production. The Gewehr 36 (G36) is based on ideas from Project 50. Clouded in secrecy early on, the G36 was in a fierce race with the Steyr AUG to replace the G3 rifle and UZI SMG for the Bundeswehr’s component of the European Rapid Reaction Force.

By pushing in the cocking handle when at the 90-degree position, it will temporarily lock in place to be used as a forward assist.

Several years prior, the Bundeswehr declined to adopt the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, saying that it offered no significant advance over the 7.62x51mm NATO round. However, that was when the German military expected to receive the caseless 4.73x33 G11 rifle. When East Germany was freed and the cost of reunification was realized, the G11 project was cancelled. Although the new Germany decided to live with the 7.62x51mm G3 for some time, the prospect of its working with other European armies armed with 5.56x45mm NATO rifles forced the German Military to re-evaluate its position and acquire rifles in the smaller caliber. While the U.K./H&K joint rifle was never produced what connection the G36 has with Royal Ordnance remains uncertain.

However, the G36 bears at least some resemblance to the defunct British Sterling SAR87 as well as some mechanical features similar to those of the British SA80, and to the Armalite AR-18 from which that rifle was developed. Being a radical departure for H&K, the G36 has totally abandoned the traditional roller-locked, retarded blowback mechanism in favor of a conventional multi-lugged rotating bolt similar to that of the M16 and the rifles already mentioned. The operating system is a 2-piece short stroke gas piston that works much the same way as that of many rifles before it including the WW II German G43 and the Soviet Tokarev. Instead of the pressed sheet metal used in previous H&K weapons, the G36 makes extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Major components made of this material include the upper receiver, lower receiver, handguard, folding butt-stock, magazine well, carrying handle and magazine. The only steel part in the upper receiver’s interior is a permanently installed bar that has only the role of unlocking and guiding the bolt cam. Otherwise the G36 bolt carrier rides entirely within synthetic grooves. If the G36 is a departure in most respects, a feature that H&K retained is the rifle’s modular design. Without the need for tools, virtually every component of the G36 can be almost instantly removed and replaced with another simply by pushing out an assembly pin. Not only can trigger groups be instantly changed in the field, but also the magazine well can be substituted with one that will accept a different magazine including the M16 (NATO) magazine. However, the G36’s standard magazine is made of semi-transparent plastic, and it can be

instantly attached to the side of another magazine. An AK-style magazine release is standard.

Here the G36 Light Support Weapon (LSW) is seen from the left side with a 100-round dual drum magazine inserted and bipod folded. This weapon is also equipped with the 3.5X optic and 800 meter red dot sight system.

Housed in a machined steel slab-like carrier, the bolt of the G36 contains an M16-style extractor and a typical plunger-type ejector. Inside the bolt carrier are a number of tungsten disks that serve as an anti-bounce system. Integral with the carrier is another feature that is a departure for H&K, a reciprocating cocking handle. Located on the front of the extension of the carrier, this handle can be rotated 90 degrees left or right where it is simply pulled to the rear to actuate the bolt group. When released, the entire assembly returns forward. Pushing the cocking handle inward temporarily locks it at 90 degrees to provide a forward assist. Behind the ejection port is a deflector that also retains the stock in the folded position. Although there is an automatic bolt hold-open device that operates after the last shot has been fired, if desired, this can be quickly disconnected in the field after removing the pistol grip lower receiver. While there is no manual bolt release, a conventional manual bolt hold open button is located inside the front of the trigger guard.

As with virtually all other controls, this part is ambidextrous, as are the sling mounts that use a new variant of the HK Universal Sling.

The G36K is viewed from the right side with stock extended, 1.5X optic carrying handle and loaded 30-shot magazine inserted.

The G36K seen from the left side with stock extended and loaded 30-shot magazine inserted.

Since the G36 uses a rotating locked bolt, there is no need for a fluted chamber, and this feature along with polygonal rifling has been abandoned. The barrel is one of few parts that cannot be quickly removed, but a simple spanner wrench is all that is required for this operation, and barrels can be changed or replaced at the field level. Rifling twists of 1-in-7 inches or 1-in-9 inches are available. A detachable carrying handle not only shields the cocking handle, but also forms the housing for the standard 1.5X optical sight.

Available for use with this sight is the Hensoldt NSA 80 II Passive Night Vision Module. Attaching to the carrying handle, this device uses a periscope design that extends down in front of the standard optical sight. This allows the user to use the same aim during low light. Optional is a carrying handle with a dual sighting system consisting of 3.5X optical sight with a round 6-mil reticle with holdover lines out to 800 meters with an electronic red dot sight above it.

The G36K seen from the right side with stock folded and 30-shot magazine inserted. This G36K is also equipped with the special M1913 Picatinny rail.

A late version of the G36K is seen from the right side with a new rail handguard and a new forward top rail above the barrel. The carbine’s backup sights are seen folded.

The G36KV3 comes with a new M1913 top rail, folding sights and folding buttstock with cheekpiece.

The G36 Commando seen from the right side with stock folded, 30-shot magazine inserted, special M1913 rail mounted with Aimpoint Comp ML red dot sight and KAC vertical foregrip.

The G36C5 has a redesigned M1913 top rail, sights and folding buttstock.

The G36 viewed from the left side equipped with KAC M1913 rail mounted with Aimpoint Comp ML sight and KAC modular rail forend mounted with SureFire Tactical Weapon Light.

In addition to the standard rifle, the G36 is available in a Light Support Weapon (LSW) model that comes with a bipod and uses a 100-shot dual drum magazine. The LSW can fill the role of a light machine gun. Both the rifle and the LSW have a bayonet mount. Also available is the G36K carbine that uses a shorter barrel and forend. On this forend is a rail on which can be mounted the HK Universal Tactical Light (UTL) or the HK79 40mm grenade launcher. Other accessories include long and short M1913 rail mounts and Rail Adapter System (RAS) made for H&K by Knight’s Armament Company. With the RAS, the standard G36 does away with its carrying handle and can use Knight’s low-profile flip-up open sights. In addition to the standard 18.9-inch and 12.5-inch barrels, a special

15.4-inch Close Quarter Battle (CQB) barrel is available for the G36 and G36K models. The latest member of the G36 family is the G36C (Compact). An assault carbine, the G36C has a 9-inch (228.6mm) barrel and uses a special short handguard on which M1913 rails can be mounted on both sides and the bottom. The G36C has no carrying handle and comes with flip-up sights, but a special M1913 rail is also available that will accommodate almost any sight system. An M1913 rail mounted on the bottom of the handguard allows the G36C to use the Knight’s vertical foregrip. The G36C was designed as a replacement for the HK53. All variants of the G36 use the folding stock and can use the 100-shot dual drum magazine in addition to sharing almost all other parts. Made especially for civilian consumption and sporting use is a semi-automatic only variant of the G36 called the SL8-1. Using the same materials as the G36, and many of the same parts, the SL8-1 has a gray thumbhole-type fixed stock instead of a black folder and comes with a unique magazine well that will accept only a 10-shot single column magazine. The SL8-1 has an adjustable cheekpiece and butt plate for use in competition. It comes standard with a long M1913 rail with open sights. In 2009 the letter V was added to all G36 variations, i.e., G36V, G36KV and iG36CV.

The sporting version of the G36, the SL8-1 seen from the left side with 10shot magazine inserted and long M1913 rail mounted.

G36, G36 LSW, G36K and G36C

SL8-1

The XM8 Lightweight Modular Weapon System In 2002, H&K began development of a new carbine that amounts to a close descendant of the G36. Called the XM8, this 5.56x45mm NATO caliber rifle is essentially the 5.56x45mm component of the experimental Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) XM29 KE

(kinetic energy) module with added synthetic modular assemblies that allow it to be used as a complete weapon. These assemblies include a multi-position/collapsible buttstock, forend, sight base, carrying handle, and bipod. Although the means of controlling operation and safety arrangements for the XM8 are identical to those of the G36, the exact elementary disassembly procedure is not known, but is similar to that of the G36. Developed by the U.S. Army’s office of Project Manager for Soldier Weapons located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Infantry Center, the XM8 was intended to replace the M4 Carbine and other select 5.56x45mm NATO weapons in the U.S. Army arsenal beginning in 2005. Being developed are four XM8 variants including a baseline carbine, a sharpshooter variant, an automatic rifle, and an ultra-small compact carbine. Unique about the XM8 it its ability to be quickly reconfigured from one variant to another, to meet changing mission-specific requirements, including caliber conversion. Modular assembly groups include the barrel, handguard, lower receiver, butstock, butt cap, and sighting system including the carrying handle. H&K is now calling the carrying handle the “bridge,” and is no longer advertising it as a means of carrying the rifle. The XM320 40mm grenade launcher and LSS lightweight 12-gauge shotgun module can easily be added to the XM8 in the field without tools. Employing a rotary bolt like the G36 (and M16) rifle, the XM8 also uses the G36’s ambidextrous charging handle and selector, magazines, and above-bore short stroke gas piston system of

operation. The weapon uses 10 or 30-shot semi-transparent magazines, or 100-shot drum magazines for sustained fire applications. Major components of the XM8 are made from a highstrength, fiber-reinforced polymer that can be molded in almost any color including OD green, desert tan, white, blue, gray, brown, and black. All areas that normally come in contact with the operator are covered with a non-slip material. Special integral flush mounting points are located on the XM8’s handguard and receiver for quick attaching of targeting devices, and these points will also accept MilStd M1913 adapters. Mounting points atop the receiver guarantee the multi-function integrated red-dot close combat optic automatic’s return to zero after being removed from the rifle. This optic also houses an IR laser aimer and laser illuminator, and is factory zeroed. The sight’s function is designed to be activated by a remote wireless switch that can be placed anywhere on the XM8.

The totally unique XM8 especially made for submission to the SCAR (Special Operations Forces Assault Rifle) Program is seen from the left side with 30shot magazine inserted. However, this rifle was not submitted to the SCAR Program.

The SCAR Compact Model is seen from the left side with optical sight mounted and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The Designated Marksman Assault Rifle version of the SCAR is viewed from the left side with 100-shot C-MAG inserted, optical sight mounted and bipod deployed.

The XM8 Carbine is seen from the left side with reflex optic mounted, 30-shot magazine in place and back-up iron sights (BUIS) deployed.

Here the XM8 Carbine is seen from the left side with its optical sight mounted and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The XM8 Carbine is seen from the right side with reflex sight mounted and 30shot magazine inserted.

The XM8 Baseline Carbine seen disassembled with various accessories.

In addition to its claimed 70% reduction in cleaning time, the XM8 is reported to have a barrel and total component life of 20,000 rounds compared with a reported 8,000 rounds for the M4. The XM8 is also claimed to be able to fire 20,000 rounds without cleaning or lubrication, and without stoppages. Because of its cold-hammerforged barrel, the XM8 can be fired with water in the barrel, and the barrel also has blow-out safety vents in the event of a catastrophic chamber failure. The XM8 was designed at the HK Defense design center in Sterling, Virginia and was to be produced in a new Heckler & Koch manufacturing plant in Columbus, Georgia. The XM8 was intended to replace all variants of the M16 in the U.S. Military. In addition, the XM8 was intended to be a component of the XM25 25mm HE Weapon System. Similar to the OICW, the XM25 combined with the XM8 fired an improved 25mm round, but the project was cancelled.

HK XM8

The HK416 Originally called the HK M4, this name was changed following a lawsuit by Colt’s Manufacturing. The HKM4 also underwent a number of modifications and its designation changed to HK416. The HK416 is a new variation of the U.S. M4 Carbine with a number of improvements. Foremost among these is the use of the short stroke piston operating system taken from the XM8, which replaces the direct gas system of the M4. Using a self-cleaning piston, the system contains its own return spring and short stroke operating rod like the

Armalite AR-18, FN-FAL, and Soviet Tokarev gas systems before it. It also uses an interesting exhaust valve system integral with the piston, which was first seen in the XM8. The use of the short stroke operating system has brought about a change in a number of parts of the HK416 including the bolt and bolt carrier, neither of which are interchangeable with those of the M4/M16. An improved dual spring extractor is also used, but other small parts within the bolt are interchangeable with the M16 including the firing pin. The HK416’s original upper receiver had no dust cover, but one was added later. Of particular interest is a widened portion at the bottom rear of the HK416’s bolt carrier. In the M16’s direct gas system, gas enters into a chamber in the bolt carrier behind the bolt. Here it expands with the carrier becoming the gas cylinder and the bolt becoming the piston. Since pressure is equalized inside the bolt group, the carrier remains level as it travels rearward. When the M16 is converted to a piston driven system, the operating rod impinges, or strikes a solid part in place of the gas key above the carrier. This impingement causes the carrier to tilt downward in the rear. To offset this, H&K increased the area at the rear of the carrier to contact the bottom of the channel in the upper receiver in order to keep the carrier level. This section is tapered at the rear to guide the carrier into the recoil spring tube. Barrel lengths of 10 inches, 14.5 inches, 16.5 inches and 20 inches are offered. On the gas block are three short M1913 rails similar to the Tri-ad system used on some Canadian variants of the M16, and the HK416 uses a top rail in order to mount a removable front sight. On the 14.5-inch barrel HK416 can be mounted the HK

AG-C 40x46mm add-on grenade launcher. So equipped, this carbine is called the HK416 model D14B. Improvements on the lower receiver of the HK416 include an increased funnel on the magazine well and a retainer for the selector spring when replacing the buttstock. The HK416 uses the H&K 30round steel magazine as well as any M16 STANAG magazine. The HK416 is finished in a matte black hard anodize and is offered in selective fire with retractable stock, and as an upper receiver group instant conversion for existing M4 Carbines. Of the flattop configuration, the upper receiver has an integral MilStd M1913 rail to accommodate any open or optical sight systems, and can be had with a removable carrying handle. All current variants also are equipped with a quad-rail hand-guard system with four M1913 rails instead of the earlier M4 type handguards. An adaptation of the HK Diopter rear sight was designed for the weapon along with a flip-up peep aperture and new folding front sight. A new H&K designed retractable stock is standard on all variants of the rifle along with a new pistol grip, but the gun will also accept other retractable stock systems.

The HKM4 Carbine is seen from the right side without sights, with its stock collapsed and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The HKM4 Model D14B is seen from the left side without sights, but with AGC 40mm grenade launcher mounted and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The HK416 was intended as a replacement for the M16, but can also provide an upgrade in the form of its interchangeable upper receiver component. The U.S. Army’s Delta Force has adopted the HK416 and the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. Special Forces have tested it. The Marines have also tested several HK416’s in 6.8x43mm SPC. In 2008 H&K began negotiations with Wilcox Industries, of New Hampshire, to make the HK416 in the United States.

Seen from their left sides with stocks retracted and 30-shot magazines inserted are the HK 416 12, 14.5, 16.5 and 20-inch barrel versions.

Upper receiver components, such as this 10-inch barrel model are sold separately to convert existing M16/M4 Carbines to piston operation.

The HK416 16.5-inch barrel model is seen from the left side with the HK GLM mounted and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The HK 416 16.5-inch barrel model is seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

HK 416 5.56x45mm seen from the right with Trijicon 4x32mm ACOG scope ANPEQ2 laser, 30-shot magazine and GripPod.

HK 416

The HK417 With renewed interest in 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win.) caliber in the Global War On Terror (GWOT), Heckler & Koch designed an enlarged variant of the HK416 in this caliber. Called the HK417, this rifle is H&K’s equivalent of the AR-10, SR-25 (MK 11) and M110 7.62x51mm NATO rifles. The HK417 is offered with barrels in 12-

inch, 16-inch and 20-inch lengths, the latter also serving as a sniper rifle when equipped with optical sights and a sound suppressor. Both 10-shot and 20-shot detachable box magazines are standard with the HK417 and these magazines are of transparent polymer. All other aspects of the rifle are the same as the HK416 with a number of small parts interchangeable between the two. Both the HK416 and 417 will accept the HK 40mm Grenade Launcher Module.

The HK 417 20-inch barrel rifle is seen with a sniper scope, sound suppressor, 10-shot magazine and Harris Bipod.

Left to right: The HK 417 12-inch barrel, 16-inch barrel and 20-inch barrel models.

The 16-inch HK 417 is seen from the left side with HK GLM mounted on its forend and Eotech Reflex Sight mounted on its top rail. A 20-shot magazine is also in place.

The HK 417 16.5-inch barrel rifle is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The gas block simultaneously combines multiple functions: It houses the folding front sight, the front eyes for attaching the carrying sling, mounting points for bayonet and the GLM add-on grenade launcher, and the optional gas regulation for use with a silencer.

HK 417

HK semi-automatic only MR762 rifle seen from the left with 10-shot magazine.

HK semi-automatic only MR556 rifle seen from the right with 10-shot magazine.

CHAPTER 29

Great Britain

P

rior to World War I, several inventors had developed semi-

automatic rifles in England, but none were considered suitable for adoption by the army. Upon the outbreak of the war, rifle procurement was such a problem that little consideration could be given to new designs, which would require additional production facilities. The major effort was directed toward making bolt-action rifles, or buying them abroad. Later in the war, both Germany and France actually put small numbers of semi-automatic rifles into service, and Russia placed the selective-fire shoulder rifle into service to a limited extent. When the war ended, the British Army was seriously considering the adoption of the gas-operated Farquhar-Hill semi-automatic rifle, which had been under development in England for about 10 years. After the armistice, the performance of various weapons in combat was studied and evaluated. The role of each infantry weapon was considered in relation to all other infantry weapons, and it was decided that priority should be given to the development of an improved squad automatic weapon. This decision on priority was necessary because research and development funds were severely limited. As far as the semiautomatic rifle was concerned, only a vague requirement was

expressed for it, and this was so contingent upon future events and developments as to be meaningless. The British General Staff seemed dubious about the advantages to be gained by adopting such a weapon, but expressed the opinion that if foreign armies were to be equipped with semiautomatic rifles, then for morale purposes the British Army would have to do likewise. Extensive testing of the .276 Pedersen cartridge and the White SelfLoading Rifle was done by Britain, but when the U.S. abandoned this round, the British Military also dropped it. Thus, when World War II came, British and Commonwealth Forces were still armed with boltaction rifles. There does not seem to have been any substantial reserve of these over and above the needs of the regular and territorial forces. So poorly was England prepared that in the early part of the war, the only defensive weapon that was issued to some merchant ships was a single, bolt-action rifle. The few machine guns that could be spared were shuttled around from ship to ship in an effort to defend those sailing in areas where enemy aircraft were frequently encountered. Not until March, 1941, was it possible to give each vessel at least one machine gun. This was made possible by massive help from the United States. The losses, in rifles and other materiel, of the British Expeditionary Force evacuated from Dunkerque in May, 1940, were calamitous. To help make up these losses, and to arm the new forces being prepared to repel invasion, the United States supplied hundreds of thousands of rifles and thousands of machine guns. At the time, German submarines were sinking merchant shipping at a phenomenal rate. Fearing that a large number of the precious

rifles might be sunk in a single shipment, Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill insisted the rifles be shipped in small lots on many vessels. After the invasion threat had passed, factories in England, Canada, and the United States provided ample supplies of bolt-action rifles, which remained standard throughout the war. No move was made to re-equip with a semi-automatic shoulder rifle. In the wartime competition for labor, tooling, instrumentation, facilities, and materials, small arms development was considered of lesser importance than aircraft, landing craft, radar, and many other items. Nevertheless, limited research was conducted during the war.

Early British Bullpup Assault Rifles Aside from the converted bolt action SMLE bullpup rifle designed by Harry Gamewell in 1901, no British developments came along until the .303 caliber (7.7x56Rmm) Hall and Korsac designs around 1945. A unique bullpup design, the Hall used a 10-shot SMLE magazine, but was never produced. Another bullpup assault rifle was the 7x57mm Korsac, which was made only in prototype. During WW II, a unique and mysterious bullpup rifle was developed. Notes accompanying the photographs suggested that the two variants of this bullpup were made at Birmingham Small Arms, but no further identification has been forthcoming. The rifle appears to be selective fire using a tiltbolt top locking system with its magazine serving as the rear portion of the pistol grip. A secondary trigger-like device may have served as the magazine release or a secondary trigger to use from the hip. The first variant appears to have been in a major caliber such as 7.92x57mm the second gun in a shorter cartridge like 7.92x33mm

(Kurz). Other bullpup rifles submitted included the interesting .303 caliber Hall and the 7.92x57mm Korsac, both circa 1945. Neither was produced beyond prototype.

The first prototype of the mysterious bullpup assault rifle is seen from both sides with a 20-shot magazine inserted. Its caliber is unknown.

The second prototype mystery bullpup assault rifle is seen from both sides with its 20-shot magazine inserted. The selector can be seen at the right rear of the trigger frame.

This illustration depicts the Hall .303 caliber assault rifle from the right side with an SMLE 10-shot magazine indicated inside the buttstock. The charging handle is seen behind the pistol grip and ejection appears to be out the top of the butt and over the operator’s shoulder.

In these illustrations, the 7.92x57mm Korsac assault rifle is seen from both sides with its 20-shot magazine inserted. It shared some internal similarities with the German FG 42 rifle.

Some confusion has been caused by the former British method of designating experimental small arms. Experimental weapons were at one time given designation numbers with the prefix “EM.” The difficulty arose because not only did each class of weapon (rifle, machinegun, etc.) start with the number “1,” but each caliber within the class also started with the number “1.” Therefore, it is not sufficient to speak of rifle EM1, for there were several, in calibers .280, 7.9mm, and 7.62mm, and probably in other calibers. To identify a particular weapon requires the class of small arm, the EM number, and the caliber. This numbering method was used during World War II and for about 10 years afterwards until the government switched to X numbers for experimental designators. Standard weapons continue to be given L numbers. An experimental semi-automatic rifle was developed in the United Kingdom during the war, and was given the designation EM1, meaning Experimental Model 1. As it was recognized that the British caliber .303 rimmed cartridge was an insurmountable obstacle to the design of an efficient semi-automatic rifle, the new rifle fired the 7.9 x 57mm Mauser cartridge, already in service in the British Army for use in the Besa tank machine gun. The EM1 was related to (and bears a superficial resemblance to) the Belgian Model ABL selective-fire rifle.

Only a small quantity of the EM1 were made, and at the end of the war no further consideration was given to the 7.9mm Mauser cartridge. Immediately after the war, the British Government began a deliberate, comprehensive program to replace the bolt-action rifle. The problem was simplified because there was widespread agreement that the caliber .303 rimmed cartridge should be replaced by a rimless cartridge with design features carefully chosen to meet both tactical and technical requirements. Under peacetime conditions the work proceeded in a logical sequence. First, the bullet characteristics and external ballistics needed to produce the desired effect on the target were determined. Then, a complete round was developed to give the bullet the desired velocity. Third, a complete new weapon was developed to use the new cartridge. From the beginning, the demand was for a lightweight weapon with light recoil. In 1947, it was decided that a bullet of caliber .280, weighing about 135 grains and firing at a velocity of about 2,500 feet per second would provide suitable lethality. It was an efficient cartridge and the government decided to develop a weapon that would fire it. Intended for the proposed replacement rifle, this cartridge was also considered suitable for sustained-fire machine guns. The concept for the new weapon was broad in scope. It was arrived at after a critical examination of the existing infantry weapons to see how they fell short. The weight of the bolt-action rifle was considered excessive, and many users believed that too much time and effort was required to train men to shoot it efficiently. Argument was advanced that the firepower of the rifle was insufficient, as it was necessary to accompany it with the squad automatic. The

awkwardness of the rifle in close-quarters fighting was cited as the reason for the use of the submachine gun for that purpose. Snipers were provided with a selected rifle since the standard issue rifle, especially the standard rifle sight, was not accurate enough for this purpose. Considering all of these shortcomings, the British Army’s objective was to produce one weapon that would serve as the personal armament of the infantryman, and be able to replace the squad automatic, the submachine gun, and the sniper’s rifle. This meant a clear requirement for an assault rifle, although the term was not used at the time. At least four competing rifles were developed by different design groups in an effort to fulfill the British Army’s requirement. A light rifle was submitted by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium. It was not selected and was never mass produced in caliber .280, but was developed later into the famous FAL rifle.

The EM1 and the EM2 Both chambered for the .280 British (7x43.3mm) cartridge, the EM1 and EM2 rifles were entered into competition by the British government. Rifle, caliber .280 EM1 was developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, by a team headed by Stanley Thorpe. It bears an external resemblance to the EM2 rifle described below. In addition to both rifles bearing a resemblance to each other, each was influenced by WW II German assault rifles. The EM1’s pistol grip bears a strong resemblance to that used on the 2nd Model

FG-42, but more importantly, the EM1 used a roller-locked breech similar to that of the late WW II German Gerat 06 assault rifle that is covered in detail in the Roller-Lock Chapter. Not a half-lock design like subsequent roller-locking assault rifles, the EM1 was a fully locked action of long-stroke gas piston operation. The EM2 used a locking mechanism similar to that of the WW II German G43 with side-locking flaps in the bolt, and both it and the EM1 used ejection port dust covers patterned after that used on the MP.44 German assault rifle. Of these two British rifles it was the EM2, which was selected for further development. The EM2 was designed by a team headed by Stefan K. Janson, and since he assigned his patent to the Ministry of Supply, this would be termed an “in house” development. Janson, a native of Poland, had worked before World War II in the Polish arms factories at Radom and Stalowa Wola. During the war he served in the Polish forces, reaching England after the fall of France.

These early illustrations depict the .280 (7mm) caliber EM1 assault rifle from both sides with its 20-shot magazine inserted and optical sight in place.

The .280 caliber EM1 is seen here from the left side with its 20-shot magazine inserted.

From the a 1950 Ministry of Supply manual, this illustration depicts the rollerlocking mechanism of the EM1.

To reduce weight, the EM2, like the EM1, had its action and magazine positioned in the straight-line butt, resulting in the unconventional bullpup appearance. The new .280 cartridge was made as short as possible to permit a short bolt travel, which in turn allowed for a short receiver. The rear of the receiver was closed by a removable butt fixture, which also held the rear sling swivel. The arrangement reduced the overall length to about 35 inches, without bayonet, although barrel length is about typical for this class of weapon. Overall length is particularly important to close-quarters fighting. The EM2 was striker-fired, both semi-automatic and fullautomatic fire from the closed-bolt position. The twin bolt locks engage at the front of the bolt, which does not turn or tilt. Front locking was chosen partly because it was considered more accurate than a rear locking mechanism would be. The locks are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the bore, a feature which also contributes to accuracy. The operating system is by a conventional long-stroke gas piston. The firing pin and its spring are located in a hollow firing pin sleeve inside the bolt. The spring thrusts against the rear interior of

the bolt. The sear is pivoted in a suitable recess in the bottom of the bolt. Twin rocking locks carried in recesses in the sides of the bolt lock the bolt by engaging with transverse locking surfaces in the receiver. The firing pin sleeve, which has some longitudinal give within the bolt, engages a lug on the piston extension. This lug travels in an elongated slot in the butt. Cam surfaces on the sleeve lock the bolt, while cam surfaces on the firing pin unlock it. When the EM2’s piston moves rearward, it first withdraws the sleeve and firing pin, which is immediately engaged by the sear. Meanwhile, the firing pin cam has caused the locking flaps to pivot out of engagement. This permits the entire bolt to move to the rear, performing the usual functions of extraction and ejection. The driving spring is compressed by the piston extension. There is no bolt spring. The forward movement of the parts chambers a cartridge in the usual manner. However, an unusual arrangement in the bolt prevents excessive friction during the forward stroke. In some guns with pivoting locks, the locks are forced against the walls of the receiver as the bolt moves forward. When they fire under difficult conditions, such as mud or sand, or in extreme cold, the drag on the bolt can reduce the available forward momentum of the parts and can cause stoppages. Because the sleeve inside the bolt controls the locking action, the designers developed a method to prevent it from camming the locks outward until the bolt reaches the closed position. A secondary latch, located on top of the bolt, holds the sleeve to the rear of the bolt during forward bolt travel. This latch is released by striking a ramp in the receiver just as the bolt reaches the closed position.

The retaining of the sleeve at its rearmost position in the bolt during forward travel also serves to block the firing pin from protruding in the event that the sear should break off somehow and release prematurely. This prevents firing out of battery. The EM2’s 20-shot magazine cannot be reloaded while on the weapon, the intention being that the user will carry several loaded magazines. The magazine can be reloaded with chargers or with single rounds. When the last round is fired, the bolt is retained in the open (rear) position, thus notifying the user that he must exchange magazines. After the empty magazine is removed, inserting a loaded magazine releases the bolt to chamber a fresh cartridge. Although there is no stock in the usual sense, the butt is in line with the bore, thus making a high sight line necessary. The sight is therefore placed in a bracket above the center of gravity of the weapon, the bracket at the same time serving as a carrying handle. Few assault rifles at the time were equipped with a carrying handle. The EM2 also featured a free-floating barrel. For use in extreme cold, the normal trigger guard can be replaced by a bow large enough to use gloves. An auxiliary trigger, pivoted at the bottom of the pistol grip, extends the full height of the pistol grip and engages the normal trigger. In this case the weapon is fired by squeezing the auxiliary trigger with the gloved hand. A shorter variant of the EM2 was made as a paratroop weapon. Locating the breech mechanism in the stock precluded design of a folding-stock variant. However, overall length of the normal variant made it convenient for handling. The sights of the EM2 were unusual for its time for a weapon intended to for the individual soldier. The weapon’s primary sight is an

optical sight without magnification. It is intended to ease the training of riflemen by eliminating the need to focus on, and align, two sights. The reticule is at infinity so the eye can concentrate on the target. Being of 1X power, this sight does not cause any confusion in finding the target against the landscape. This optical sight was adjusted at the factory and the user was not permitted to change it. The pattern of the reticle was purposely designed to make allowances for range. Several variations of sights were designed, some with magnifying scopes for sniper use. Simple iron sights were also fitted, but were intended as backup if the optical sight became unusable. The sight radius of the iron sights was very short. Only a small number of prototypes of the EM2 were made. The EM2 is provided with typical accessories. There is also a sling and a bayonet, and a grenade launcher, incorporating its own sight. A bipod and heavy barrel were also made, but were evidently was considered superfluous. Although accounts differ, British sources assert that during the early development of the EM2 and its .280 (7x43.3mm) cartridge, the U.S. Government was kept fully informed of details of the work. They also assert that prior to February, 1950, the British Government was not fully informed about similar, competing U. S. developments. Although it was intended that NATO Forces should use interchangeable materiel, different ideas of what was needed resulted in totally different rifles and cartridges appearing in each country. The public did not learn about this until the British Government adopted the EM2 and its cartridge in the summer of 1951. (This action was rescinded shortly thereafter, and no mass production ever took place.)

This initial illustration of the EM2 assault rifle depicts the rifle from both sides with 20-shot magazine inserted, optical sight in place and sling installed. Also drawn are the rifle’s grenade launcher, bayonet and winter trigger assembly.

In this illustration is depicted the schematics of the EM2 assault rifle in cross section.

The EM2 is seen totally disassembled in this exploded illustration.

Here the first version of the EM2 assault rifle is seen from both sides with 20shot magazine inserted.

Here the first version of the EM2 is compared with the SMLE Mark IV boltaction rifle. Note this EM2’s unusual magazine release.

Here a prototype of the EM2 is seen with 20-shot magazine and sling along with a non-typical optical sight and trigger.

The late version of the EM2 assault rifle is seen from both sides. Note the late style handguard.

However, the British action served the useful purpose of arousing opinion throughout NATO to demand a high-level reconciliation of weapons and ammunition. The Canadian government, which was not directly involved in the controversy, took the initiative in requesting such a meeting, which took place at Washington in August, 1951. The conference agreed that the alliance must have a common round, but several years of protracted negotiations were required before the United States 7.62mm T65 cartridge was adopted by NATO. In view of the indecision as to which round would be chosen, modified variants of the EM2 were made for other cartridges. One variant fired the U.S. 7.62mm T65 cartridge; another used the British 7mm bullet in the U.S. cartridge case. There was also an experimental variant having the U.S. bullet in the caliber .280 cartridge case, the .280/.30.

As indications gradually pointed toward NATO adoption of the T65 cartridge, the British government, which had rescinded its earlier adoption of the caliber .280 EM2, began to seriously consider the weapon in 7.62mm. At the same time, the Belgian Fusil Automatique Legere (FAL) rifle was redesigned to use the 7.62mm T65 cartridge about 1952, and the FAL rifle could also be adapted to handle any of the cartridges tested in the EM2. The British government carried out competitive trials of the EM2 and the FAL in 1953. Performance of the two rifles was similar, but the decision to select the FAL was made based on other factors such as simplicity of design, ease of manufacture, and the advantage of standardization, as it appeared likely that other nations would be buying it. In December, 1953, the government decided to buy 5,000 FAL rifles for large-scale troop trials. in 1957, the FAL, with modifications, was adopted as the 7.62mm rifle L1A1, and large-scale manufacture was undertaken, both by the government factory at Enfield Lock, and by a private contractor, Birmingham Small Arms Co., Ltd. The latter producer made about 180,000 rifles at its Shirley works (in Birmingham) which was then closed, as no further orders were forthcoming. The government factory at Enfield continued to produce the necessary replacement quantities. The principal change Britain made to the standard FAL rifle when they adopted the L1A1 was to change the drawings to the inch pattern rather than metric, eliminating parts commonality with metric FAS rifles. Among other changes were those to the trigger mechanism to limit the weapon to semi-automatic fire only, and

elimination of reloading an attached magazine through the receiver. Magazines were reloaded off the rifle. Other Commonwealth countries tended to follow the United Kingdom’s example in adopting the FAL. Unfortunately, there was not sufficient emphasis on interchangeability in the beginning of the acquisition process, at least of essentials. One Commonwealth country modified the magazine to such an extent that it did not fit into rifles made in other countries. They later introduced programs to correct the problems. For more information on the FAL rifle refer to the chapter on Belgium elsewhere in this book. In the late 1960’s, the British Army purchased several thousand caliber .223 AR-15 rifles from Colt Manufacturing Company. This was an emergency, off-the-shelf purchase, but it led the British to take a closer look at the growing acceptance of the caliber .223 round for Infantry Weapon Systems (IWS).

The L1A1 is seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine, sling, muzzle protector and synthetic stock and handguard.

The L1A1 equipped with the SUIT (Sight Unit Infantry Trilux) is seen from both sides with 20-shot magazine and synthetic stock and handguard. Early L1A1 rifles had wooden stocks.

The Individual Weapon Program Means of Controlling Operation: As with some other bullpup designs, the IW’s selector and safety are in different locations, with the selector located on the left rear area of the lower receiver. Rotating the selector to the position, “R,” or Repetition, limits the IW to semiautomatic fire. Rotating the selector to the position marked “A” will allow full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Being of the cross-bolt type, the IW’s safety extends through the receiver directly above the trigger. Pushing the safety to the right blocks the trigger and prevents the IW from being fired. Pushing the safety all the way to the left allows the IW to be fired.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Set change lever to “R” and the safety on “S”. Remove the magazine and cock the weapon and check to make sure the chamber is cleared. Allow the working parts to go forward. Remove the SUSAT sight by opening the handguard top cover, loosen the two clamping levers, lift the plunger lever on the opposite side of the sight. Close the top cover. Take out the front locking pin, pull the rear pin to the first groove. Pull the butt downward and remove the trigger mechanism housing. Cover the rear of the recoil-rod assembly with your hand and pull the locking pin to the second groove. This will allow the recoil rod assembly to be removed. Raise the muzzle and slide the carrier out from the rear. While gripping the carrier, use the combination tool to push out the firing pin retaining pin. Remove the firing pin from the rear of the bolt. Pull the bolt forward to remove the cam stud. Remove the bolt from the bolt carrier. To remove the gas piston, open the top cover and, while holding the gas cylinder, push the piston rearward against the spring until it is clear of the gas cylinder. Remove the gas cylinder from the gas plug. Depress the plunger on the front of the gas plug, push it to the rear and remove. Reassembly is in the reverse of the above. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: At the end of the 1960s, after having used the 7.62 x51mm NATO L1A1 (FN FAL) rifle for nearly two decades, British Army officials began a search for a replacement assault rifle and support weapon, as well as the L7 general purpose machine gun (GPMG) in the light support role. In a series of studies conducted by the British Army

prior to 1972, the military concluded that the L1A1 rifles in the hands of their troops would reach the end of their practical and economic inservice life by 1980. While it would be possible to extend that rifle’s mechanical in-service life to the 1983-1985 time-frame by continuing to factory rebuild existing weapons, most other NATO countries would also be facing adoption of new infantry small arms in the years between 1980-1985. Therefore, the British military concluded that an early replacement of their L1A1 rifles in the early 1980s would put them in step with the other members of NATO, especially if it turned out to be possible to obtain a lighter, handier, and more compact weapon with reduced ammunition weight. Although the Americans were pushing ahead with the fielding of the 5.56x45mm M16 rifle in Vietnam in the late 1960s, the British still were interested in pursuing an independent course when it came to the caliber of their next generation rifle and light support weapon. They were keen to determine the “optimum” caliber for a reducedbore assault rifle for the 1980s and beyond. Just as they had conducted extensive theoretical studies in the late 1940s on the ideal infantry caliber, British arms design experts at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock (RSAF, Enfield) once again carried out exhaustive analysis of potential rifle projectiles ranging in caliber from 5mm to 7mm (.19 to .28 caliber). This work paralleled experimental ammunition studies in Belgium and the Federal Republic of Germany of a number of calibers, including: 2.5mm (.10), 3.5mm (.138), 4mm (.157), 4.32mm (.17), 5.56mm (.223), and 6mm (.236).

Britain Begins to Downsize

In November, 1969, the United Kingdom delegation to NATO’s Army Armaments Group infantry weapons panel (AC/225/Panel III) unveiled a new experimental “optimized round of selected intermediate caliber 6.25mm (.25 caliber).” The U.K. officers reported on the experimental work that had been done with this cartridge. Personnel at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Radway Green had started with the .280/30 (7mm Mark 1.z) cartridge case of the 1950s, and necked it down to 6.25mm. All of these new manufacture cartridge cases (headstamped 6.25x 43) had an overall length of 43.3mm (1.70 inch) and a rim diameter of 11.9mm (.46.9 inch). The bullet demonstrated to NATO in November 1969 was a lead core boat-tail projectile weighing 6.5 grams (100 grains) and having a muzzle velocity of 817 m/s (2,680 fps). In the course of the 6.25mm project at least eight different ball projectiles were tested with each being produced in two different lead-core variants. A World War II vintage .303 (7.7x56Rmm) No. 4 bolt-action Enfield rifle and a .280/30 EM-2 rifle (Serial no. 8) were equipped with barrels chambered for the 6.25x43mm cartridge so this round could be experimented with further. The British officers told their NATO colleagues that the 6.25x43mm cartridge was equal in ballistic performance to the 7.62mm NATO against hard targets (i.e., the NATO 3.5mm (0.135inch) mild steel plate) out to 600 meters range. Serious development of this cartridge continued until October 1970, when it was essentially superseded by a smaller caliber cartridge of 5mm. Had development of the 6.25 round been continued there was consideration being given to lengthening its case to the degree that it would have had an

external appearance similar to that of the American 6mm SAW cartridge. Concurrent with the development of the 6.25x 43mm cartridge, the Enfield staff conducted tests of foreign 5.56x45mm rifles to determine the merits of the weapons during varying conditions of operation and with reference to the performance of Colt’s 5.56mm AR-15 Rifle with an eye to “their potential for British Service use.” These trials, carried out at Enfield between October 1969 and May 1970, examined the following weapons: SIG 5.56x45mm SG 630-1 serial number 529 FN 5.56x45mm CAL serial number 14 H&K 5.56x45mm HK33 serial number 011001 Colt’s 5.56x45mm AR-15 (Model 01) serial number 202814 as the control weapon. Although all of the test weapons were judged to be well designed and performed reasonably well, the British were not sufficiently impressed with any of the rifles to consider adopting of them for their own Army. On September 16, 1970, the Royal Armament Research and Design Establishment conducted a preliminary study for the characteristics of a new infantry rifle. The RA R&D team also concluded that the best approach would be the development of a rifle and light support weapon, with conventional butt stock design) that would shoot an “optimized cartridge having a 5mm (.19 caliber) diameter projectile.

A 5mm by Any Other Name...

In February 1971, ROF Radway Green delivered the first 5mm ammunition components. The DD/E/26638/E/465 cartridge cases for this round were based on the American 5.56x45mm case with the following modifications: Case 44mm (1.73 inches) long; base diameter 9.5mm (.37 inch); neck resized to 5mm; primer changed from Boxer to Berdan. The original 5mm bullets, a scaled down variant of the 6.25mm projectile, were a boat-tail, lead core type weighing 3.6 grams (56 grains). In early 1972, with no change to the bullet diameter the 5x44mm cartridge was redesignated 4.85mm to reflect the actual diameter of the barrel bore diameter being used. This change in nomenclature was apparently influenced by a West German ammunition study that had concluded that the ideal small caliber rifle ammunition would have a projectile diameter of less than 5mm. The Germans had already begun looking into a 4.7mm caseless-type ammunition. By changing their cartridge’s designation, the British qualified it for consideration by the Bundeswehr, which was beginning its own search for a next generation of small arms. Work on the 4.85x44mm cartridge continued until February 1973, although the government had decided to switch to a 49mm (1.93 inches) long cartridge case in August 1972. Early experiments had determined that bullet-seating problems with the shorter 44mm cases, which affected accuracy, could be eliminated by lengthening the case by 5mm. With the projectile protruding a shorter distance into the body of the case, the volume available for propellant was increased as well. The 44mm case had a volume of 1.720cc, while the 49mm case had a volume of 1.805cc. Additional propellant translated to potentially higher velocities, and greater target penetration at extreme ranges.

Radway Green delivered its initial lot of 4.85x 49mm cartridge cases (DD/E/27692/E465) to RSAF, Enfield in April, 1973. These brass cases, when loaded with the 3.6 gram (56 grain) lead core bullet produced a cartridge that was 62.4mm (2.46 inches) overall. The first 4.85x49mm cases were made without headstamp, and it was not until 1976 that 4.85mm cases were dated. Production of 4.85x49mm cases ended in 1978. The XL1E1 4.85mm ball projectile selected weighed 3.6 grams (56 grains) with a lead alloy core and gilding metal jacket. Its instrumented velocity was 950 m/s (3,117 f.p.s.). The companion XL2E1 tracer projectile weighed 3.36 grams (52 grains) and had an instrumented velocity of 930 m/s (3,051 fps). In 85% of the shots with the XL2E1 red tracer the trace could be observed out to 600 meters.

A New Bullpup Rifle While development of the 4.85x49mm cartridge progressed, the Design and Development Department at the RSAF, Enfield began looking into the possibilities of creating a suitable weapon for this ammunition. Sydney R. Hance, Senior Project Officer, D&DD, who had been the chief design assistant on the earlier EM-2 rifle project, led the Enfield rifle development team. Mr. Hance’s team began its work by studying further the performance of 5.56x45mm AR-15, AR18, and Stoner 63 rifle samples, before converting each of these weapons to the experimental 4.85x49mm cartridge. The EM2 rifle project had a strong influence on the search of a new infantry weapon. As a result, firmly embedded in the thinking of Hance and his associates was the possibility of creating a Bullpup-type rifle.

Conversion of the AR-15, with its in-the-stock buffer mechanism, to a bullpup did not seem a real possibility, but both the AR-18 and the Stoner 63 weapon designs, which could be used without a fixed buttstock, lent themselves to such an exercise. After the British had examined the small arms programs being carried out by their NATO allies, the DGW(A) gave the model shop at RSAF, Enfield the task of converting a sample of the ArmaLite AR-18 rifle and a sample of the Cadillac Gage Stoner 63 rifle to bullpup configuration to test out this concept as a possible future small caliber assault rifle format. These modified weapons showed sufficient promise for the Enfield rifle design team to continue with the design of a prototype 4.85mm weapon based upon the AR-18. United Kingdom representatives to NATO made a presentation on the proposed RSAF, Enfield rifle and light machine gun design concepts on August 10, 1972.

This illustration depicts the .223 Remington caliber (5.56x45mm) AR-18 assault rifle from both sides, as converted to bullpup configuration for evaluation, with a 20-shot AR-18 magazine inserted.

Here the .223 Remington caliber Stoner 63 is depicted from both sides, as converted to bullpup configuration for evaluation with bipod added. This prototype had no trigger guard. (For additional images refer to the chapter on the Stoner rifles elsewhere in this book).

“IW” Progress From 1972 to 1974, the Enfield Design & Development conducted a “Feasibility Study Report” that outlined the characteristics required for the replacement of the 7.62 x 51mm NATO L1A1 SLR, the 9 x 19mm L2A3 (Sterling) submachine gun, and the 7.62mm NATO L7 GPMG in the light support role. It was acknowledged that a replacement for the 7.62mm NATO L42 sniper rifle, and the L7 and L37 machine guns in the sustained fore role would have to be done by the mid-1980 as well. The feasibility study called for a weapon that would have a probability of incapacitation from the individual weapon (IW, or rifle) out to at least 300 meters; with 500 meters being preferred. They expected the Light Support

Weapon (LSW, or light machine gun) to be effective out to 600 meters. The Army expected an unloaded IW with optical sight should weigh less than 3.0 kg (6.6 pounds); with a grenade launcher it should not exceed 3.8 kg (8.38 pounds). The unloaded, magazine fed, LSW should not exceed 4.4 kg (9.7 pounds). Belt feed was not a desired characteristic. Both the IW and LSW should be capable of being fired by either a right-handed or left-handed shooter, while the IW should mount a combination combat knife and wire cutter-type bayonet.

The “New Weapon System” Having previously conducted this feasibility study of a new family of small arms, the RSAF, Enfield delivered the first pilot model of their new 4.85mm “Enfield” rifle (serial number R001) in January, 1974. A total of 12 of this first “New Weapon System” (NWS) rifle were produced between January and March 1974 (eight IW’s, serial numbers 001-008 and four LSW’s, serial numbers 009-012), at an approximate cost of £531,000 including the day and night sight developments. All of these first 12 weapons, except weapon serial 007, were chambered for the 4.85x 49mm. That latter rifle was chambered for the 5.56x45mm cartridge. In addition to providing a basis for testing the 4.85x49mm ammunition, muzzle-and-tube launched grenades were examined, day and night sights were tested, and small arms progress in other countries continued to be monitored. Desired characteristics of the “NWS” weapons included:

IW

LSW

While the LSW was 1.5 times the weight of the IW, and 10% longer, it still utilized many of the same basic components to simplify the manufacture of the “New Weapon System.” Initial tests with the first dozen “NWS” pilot models, led to the decision to build six more 4.85mm weapons in preparation for the upcoming NATO small arms trials. Work on these weapons (three XL64E1 individual weapons [rifles], and three XL65E1 light support weapons; serial numbers R01 to R06), began in October 1974, with the completed guns being delivered in late 1975. These small arms were tested at Enfield between January and March 1976 prior to production of weapons for the NATO assessment trials beginning in April 1977.”

The 4.85x49mm IW prototype serial #001 is depicted here with 20-shot magazine inserted and SUSAT optical sight mounted. Note the AR-18 style magazine release on right side of the receiver.

The “Enfield Weapon System” The British Army publicly unveiled the “NWS,” called the “Enfield Weapon System” (EWS), to the world at a press presentation at the School of Infantry, Warminster on the Salisbury Plain, on June 14, 1976. The official press release read as follows:

New Infantry Small Arms System The British Army, and other NATO armies will require a new family of small arms in the 1980s. As announced in the 1976 (Defence) White Paper, a new weapons system has been developed for the Ministry of Defence by a team at the Royal Small Arms

Factory at Enfield. It was to be entered in next year’s NATO trials, the aim of which will be to recommend a new common round of ammunition for the 1980s together with the weapons to fire it. The British system, primarily for Infantry, comprises an Individual Weapon (rifle), and a light support weapon (light machine gun) firing the common 4.85mm, enables both weapons to be considerably lighter than the existing 7.62mm Self Loading Rifle (SLR) and the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). The basic rifle, fully loaded, including an advanced optic sight, weighs 9lbs. 1oz. (4.12Kg) compared with the 12lbs, 7oz. (5.65Kg) of the equivalent SLR in 7.62mm. The IW can fire grenades. The light support weapon is less than half the weight of the GPMG. One hundred rounds of the 4.85mm ammunition weighs less than half that of the same number of 7.62mm standard NATO rounds. This represents a great reduction of the infantryman’s load. The new caliber was chosen by the Enfield Team after a lengthy investigation, as an optimum caliber to meet present and foreseen battle range requirements. The detailed performance of the weapons must remain classified, but they are at least effective as the current 7.62mm weapons over normal ranges and conditions. Both rifle and machine gun are much shorter and easier to handle than the existing service weapons. The reduced recoil enables those with very little training to achieve an impressive degree of accuracy. The two weapons have some 80 per cent common components. As Colonel John Weeks, the Assistant Director, Light Weapons at the Ministry of Defense (i.e., the chief of small arms research and development at the time) noted: “This June 1976 presentation opened with a carefully rehearsed demonstration to show the difference

between the 4.85mm and the present 7.62mm rifle and G.P.M.G. This was a slick and impressive performance and it clearly brought out the easier handling of the small 4.85 weapons.” After the shooting part of the demonstration, the Enfield Team fielded questions about the new EWS for nearly an hour. Many questions were raised regarding the design philosophy behind these bull-pup weapons, “and there was a good deal of probing into the costs and military justifications for changing from the L1A1 rifle and L7 series machine guns. After Major General T. M. Creasey, the Director of Infantry, closed the question and answer session, members of the media were allowed to examine and shoot the EWS samples. As part of the promotion of the new Enfield Weapon System, Colonel Weeks justified the selection of the 4.85 x 49mm cartridge in the following words for those who were still asking why: “Enfield had not used the ‘well tried and proven 5.56mm’ as some writers have termed it. The 5.56mm is 20 years old, and there isn’t much development left in it, but the 4.85 is new and already well ahead.” Colonel Weeks also strongly defended the butt-less bullpup design in the following manner: “Firing this little bullpup is most enjoyable, once one has got use to the odd shape and the different balance. It tends to be a bit butt heavy, as one might perhaps expect, but this actually makes it steadier to hold and fire. One has to unlearn a little of conventional rifle technique and get used to a new feel, but it comes easily. I have always reached well forward with my left hand, and of course there isn’t any hope of doing that with a 4.85, but it doesn’t seem to matter,

and on analyzing my reasons for that long reach I realize that it was to get a support well forward of the center of gravity and help to keep the long sight base steady. Neither of these applies with this little bullpup, it sits in the hands without much any trouble and I think the right hand is doing as much supporting of weight as the left ever did. The real joy is of course the recoil, or lack of it. Whatever may be said against these modern small caliber weapons, the nice, easy movement on firing is a positive joy, and I for one don’t want to go back to full-power ammunition, nor do the soldiers.”

...But on the Other Hand Other early reviewers of the Enfield Weapon System were not as enthusiastic as Colonel Weeks. René Laloux, the semi-retired Director General of Fabrique Nationale, and a long time opponent of the bullpup concept, had different thoughts about the EWS weapons. The 82-year-old Laloux visited Enfield for a presentation on the EWS hosted by Stan Carroll, the Director of the RSAF on January 11, 1977. He noted that the initial view of the Individual Weapon “had not displeased me.” When Mr. N. T. Brint, the engineer in charge of the IW’s design, asked Laloux to hold the weapon, the Belgian responded with the following reaction: “Here I must admit, I was surprised and horrified by the total lack of equilibrium, or, if one prefers, of balance of the weapon. All the weight of the receiver, propped on my shoulder, of the mechanism, the trigger guard, the magazine (which was empty!), and of the telescope, is in the right hand. The left hand, close to the right on the thin molded hand-guard, carries only it, the barrel, and the gas mechanism. I was unable to hide my disappointment, for any designer

knows that a weapon’s balance is an element of comfort and precision for the shooter.” Mr. Brint told Laloux that the IW was equipped with four sling attachment points; two beneath the rifle to aid the carrying of the weapon on the march, and two on top of the weapon for use with a combat sling. Laloux also complained about the elimination of the conventional buttstock, which necessitated the use of higher sights the use of which might expose the shooter’s head to enemy fire. Laloux concluded, as a result of his visit to Enfield, that the “new English” weapon had two major faults: “The shooter’s exposed position and the weapon’s total lack of comfort.” Finally, Laloux was concerned about the comparative performance of the 4.85mm projectile. When compared to the U.S. M193 5.56mm bullet or the new FN SS109 5.56mm projectile, the 4.85mm with its lower muzzle velocity produced a lower muzzle energy. Prior to the NATO Small Arms Trials, Enfield prepared the “Third Model” series. The normal right-handed rifles were given the nomenclature: XL64E5 for the IW and XL64E4 for the LSW. The interim left-handed models were designated XL68E2 for the IW and XL69E1 for the LSW. The left-handed weapons had a distinctive serial number series; e.g., one XL68E2 was numbered B0100LH. This stop gap measure of creating special left-handed guns did not address the fundamental problem of the right-handed bias of this and other bullpup designs. In large-scale production a left-handed weapon would not likely be an economical possibility.

Here the first prototype of the EWS 4.58x49mm Light Support Weapon (LSW) serial #009 is seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, SUSAT optical sight mounted and bipod deployed. As with the prototype IW, #001, the magazine release of this weapon is still on the right side of the receiver.

Here the second prototype of the EWS 4.85x49mm LSW, serial #011, is seen from the left side with SUSAT sight, 30-shot magazine and bipod folded. Note that the magazine release has now been moved to the left side of the receiver and that the trigger guard (trigger spring) is rounded.

The second prototype of the EWS 4.85x49mm LSW, serial #011, is seen from the right side with SUSAT sight, 30-shot magazine and bipod deployed. (Courtesy of Enfield)

The third version of the EWS 4.85x49mm IW, serial #B038, is seen from the right side with its SUSAT sight and 20-shot magazine inserted. The magazine release has now been changed to an ambidextrous type at the rear of the magazine well, and the pistol grip and flash hider have also been modified.

The third version of the EWS 4.85x49mm LSW, #J057, is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine, SUSAT sight and bipod deployed.

Back to the 5.56mm with Another Designation, the SA80 The NATO Small Arms Trials took three years and fully tested the candidate cartridges and weapons. After lengthy evaluation of the technical results of the NATO trials, on October 28, 1980, NATO

standardized Fabrique Nationale’s SS109 5.56mm projectile in the standard American 5.56 x 45mm cartridge case as the second standard small arms cartridge (the 7.62x 51mm NATO was the first) for the Atlantic Alliance (STANAG 4172). This 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge influenced the small arms activities in several nations. The Americans abandoned their improved bullet (XM777) and adapted the M16 rifle to shoot the SS109-type projectile (M855 in its American form). While the Americans worked on the prototypes of the M16A2, the British went back to Enfield to alter their EWS to shoot the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge and to use the standard M16 (NATO) magazine. Although the initial new 5.56mm NATO IW got the technical designation XL70E3, its public title became SA80, which stands for Small Arm of/for the 80’s. The SA80 officially entered the British Army inventory in October 1985 after more than 14 years of development and £1/2 billion of investment in design and production. It fired the FN- designed SS109 5.56x45mm round which was manufactured at Royal Ordnance’s Radway Green ammunition plant. Problems inherent in the rifle began to surface after the initial issue. The trigger mechanism was subject to inadvertent firing when the weapon was dropped. The trigger guard left little space for a gloved hand. No provisions were ever made for left-handed shooting, although a conversion kit had been discussed during the design phase. Spot welding on the stamped steel receiver was weak and susceptible to corrosion and rust. Other elements of the design: The aluminum magazines were weak; the buttplate was connected to the buttstock with two screws. Since it held the rear sling loop, this was not enough to prevent it

from breaking away when the weapon was slung over the shoulder; plastic pieces, such as the bolt release button and the safety plunger broke off, or fell off; the magazine latch could catch on the soldier’s other equipment or uniform and inadvertently release the magazine. Another fault that plagued the weapon was the short life cycle of the firing pin. Tips broke off or showed evidence of cracking after very little use. Engineers working on the program tried a variety of materials and manufacturing techniques to correct the problem, but the slender design of the firing pin suggested a whole new design of the firing pin and bolt carrier would be necessary to finally make it right. Even as they attempted to correct faults the troops identified after fielding the weapon, the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield was privatized. It happened for basically the same reasons that the Springfield Armory in the United States had been eliminated in 1968. It was believed that its weapons prices were too high and its pace of design innovations was too slow. Both attributes were viewed in prior times as being the price a nation paid in peacetime to be assured that in times of military need the nation could easily expand the production of reliable infantry weapons. Enfield’s small arms production mission was transferred to Royal Ordnance’s Nottingham Ordnance Factory in 1990. RO’s Nottingham facility was producing about 75,000 SA80-type weapons annually, and its orders for such arms were completed in the 1993-1994 period. At the time British Aerospace (BAe) purchased Royal Ordnance in 1987 the Enfield small arms factory was about 18 months behind in deliveries of its 5.56mm NATO L85A1 rifle. By the

end of the 1980’s over 80,000 weapons had been issued. Full fielding of the weapon was completed by 1994. Press reports in 1992 revealed that the British Army had done an assessment of problems with the weapon during the 1991 Gulf War. Those reports led to a parliamentary investigation in which British Aerospace admitted that the user community was involved late in the design phase of the weapon, and after production engineering had begun. “Undoubtedly the need for the significant volume of changes would point to the design not being fully mature before volume production was initiated and clearly there were some weaknesses in the weapon design which became apparent only after the user had begun to receive initial deliveries and use the weapon operationally.”

A conceptual illustration depicts the initial 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber EWS Individual Weapon from the right side with 30-shot magazine and SUSAT optic.

Here an illustration depicts the initial 5.56x45mm NATO EWS Light Support Weapon from the left side with 30-shot magazine, SUSAT optic and bipod deployed. Note the magazine release re-positioned on the left side of the magazine well with no protective collar and sling mount at the toe of the butt. (Courtesy of Enfield).

“Closer cooperation between the design teams and their manufacturing colleagues during the weapon design phase would certainly have resulted in a more producible design scheme by having production engineering techniques applied to the design philosophy as the design scheme progressed.” (Defense Committee, Third Report, The SA80 Rifle and Light Support Weapon, report, together with the proceedings of the committee relating to the report, Minutes of Evidence and Memoranda, House of Commons, Session 1992-93, pg. 42) This admission indicates the weapon design and full production engineering were going on independent of each other. Weapon testing in the design phase and initial production were static bench tests. User trials were introduced after the weapon had been fielded. Even as the controversy over the SA80 and the LSW were underway, Royal Ordnance managers were in negotiation with one of the company’s major parts suppliers, Heckler & Koch GmbH, Oberndorf/Necker, Germany. The final purchase took place in

January 1991. RO and H&K had cooperated on weapon manufacturing projects for many years. RO Nottingham had been assembling H&K rifles and submachine guns, while the German firm had been fabricating some components for the rifle, then called the SA80A1, from the start of that project.

Standard SA80A1 Variations In addition to the L85A1 IW and the L86A1 LSW, there exist the following models: L85A1 with 40mm grenade launcher. L98A1 Cadet repeating rifle with no gas system requiring a large, leverage-enhancing forward cocking handle to charge the rifle each time it is fired. A .22 rimfire sub-caliber unit is available for the Cadet rifle. L98A1 Drill Practice rifle, a plainly marked non-firing model used for training purposes. “Mini SA80” (L22A2) Tank Model with 10-inch barrel, no handguard and vertical foregrip. SA80 Carbine, a 17.4-inch barrel gun using the short L86A1 handguard. The “Mini” SA80 and SA80 Carbine were made in extremely small numbers, the Carbine for tests by Thailand or in Southeast Asia.

The 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber L85A1 is seen from the left with 30-shot magazine and SUSAT sight. Note the protective collar around the magazine catch. (Courtesy of Dan Shea)

The 5.56x45mm NATO L86A1 LSW is seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine, SUSAT sight, and bipod and shoulder rest deployed. (Courtesy of Dan Shea)

The 5.56x45mm NATO L98A1 variant of the SA80, Cadet Rifle, is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted. A repeating rifle, the L98A1 must be

manually cocked for each shot, hence the large, pivoting cocking handle to provide initial extraction. A .22 rimfire conversion is also issued. (Courtesy of Dan Shea)

The L98A1 Drill Practice Cadet Rifle has no chamber and is used for training only, being well marked. It is seen with the L85A1 combination rear sight/carrying handle mounted. (Courtesy of Dan Shea)

The 5.56x45mm NATO Mini SA80 Tank Model is seen from the left with 30-shot magazine, SUSAT sight and vertical foregrip mounted under its 10-inch (254mm) barrel. (Courtesy of Dan Shea).

The 5.56x45mm NATO SA80 Carbine seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine, carrying handle/rear sight and front sights mounted. (Courtesy of Dan Shea).

The L85A1 seen from the left side with special SUSAT sight, 30-shot magazine and List sound suppressor mounted. (Courtesy of Dan Shea).

The EWS 7-lug bolt is seen with its carrier, firing pin, cam pin and retaining pin. The similarity to the bolt group of the ArmaLite AR-18 rifle is unmistakable. (Courtesy of Dan Shea).

The EWS hollow handled bayonet is seen both mounted on the rifle and removed.

This L85A1 is fitted with a is fitted with a modified L86A1 handguard, a 40mm grenade launcher, and a special grenade sight. (Courtesy of Royal Ordnance).

The L85A1 is seen field stripped with its bayonet, 30-shot magazine and 10shot charger.

In 2002 experiments began with an Electronic IW using a system of electronically fired ammunition and an electronic fire control group. This program was examined as part of a future rifle when the IW was replaced later in the 21st Century, but never went beyond experimentation. The acquisition facilitated a later decision to make a major overhaul of the SA80A1 design applying the German company’s internationally recognized engineering and manufacturing expertise to the problems. In 1996, after input from the field, from troops in the Gulf and Bosnia, infantry training centers and user input from infantry regiments, the Army developed a set of performance standards and trails criteria to test the weapon. After issue weapons failed the trials, the British government let a development contract for well over $100

million with H&K and its Merkel Division in 1998 to modify 200,000 the SA80A1 series of rifles, which had been type classed as the L85A1, and the LSW, as the L86A1. Modifications were made to the following parts:

L85A1 IW

L86A1 LSW

One of the key points is reported to have been the slight extra distance the 5.56x45mm cartridge had to travel from the magazine to entering the chamber, as compared with the slightly longer 4.85x49mm cartridge. The H&K magazine, with its modified release point is reported to have been one of the main improvements in reliability of the L85A2 series. In addition, all improved springs were colored red for identification, and the barrel extension was modified to improve extraction. An improved L85A2 handguard system to

mount the H&K 40mm grenade launcher was also part of the A2 upgrade. The favorable test results of the improved weapons made it possible for “experts” in the gun world to claim that the H&K variant of the SA80 and LSW were actually new weapons, not just new, improved variants of earlier guns. Based on the Army’s new criteria, the SA80 would have failed if it experienced more than one stoppage in the field trials. Field trials included use of different NATO standard 5.56mm ammunition to prove it was reliable with any manufacturer’s NATO standard ammunition, not just SS109 manufactured at Radway Green. The improved variant was designated the SA80A2. With a total of 329,920 Individual Weapons manufactured in the SA80 series, production was stopped in 1996, leaving almost 130,000 weapons not having been modified during the first upgrade. The disposition of these rifles will remain to be seen. From the illustrations, it is apparent that the IW continued to be a work in progress from the earliest prototypes on, with the most notable modifications being the trigger guard becoming the trigger return spring and the general redesign of the lower receiver group and handguards during the change from the 4.85x49mm cartridge to the 5.56x45mm NATO. As of late 2008, the SA80A2 Series has been further modified by replacing the plastic upper and lower handguards with a M1913 4-rail hand-guard designed by Daniel Defense, of the USA. In conjunction with this rail handguard, Britain has purchased 200,000 GripPods, the vertical foregrip that instantly becomes a bipod. The GripPod is also standard issue throughout the U.S. Army, United States Marine Corps, DELTA Force and many other agencies. With the addition of

the rail handguard and GripPod, all 200,000 SA80A2 Series rifles are designated, L85A2 Improved.

The L85A2 with H&K 40mm grenade launcher system is seen here from the left its grenade launcher sight deployed and SUSAT sight mounted, but without a magazine.

The Mini SA80 (L22A2)Tank Model is seen here from the right with a short 3rail system and an improved cocking handle vertical foregrip, 30-shot magazine and SUSAT sight. Some 1,500 were converted (probably from L85A1’s) by H&K and proved to be very popular.

This British trooper aims his new L85A2 Improved IW holding its GripPod, which is mounted on the bottom rail of the rifle’s Daniel Defense Rail System.

Some of the cartridges used by the British military in assault rifles include (from left) the .303 (7.7x53mm), 7.92x57mm, .280 (7x43.3mm), 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester), 4.85x49mm and 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington).

IW/L85A2, LSW/L86A2 and Tank Model

Sterling Arms In 1977, Sterling Arms had received a contract from ArmaLite of Costa Mesa, California, USA, to manufacture the ArmaLite AR-180 rifle for sale in the Unites States and elsewhere, as well as its selective fire parent rifle, the AR-18. The AR-18 had been tested by the British Military with favorable results and a number of AR-18 design features were employed in the New Weapon System covered above. From its experience in making the AR-180 rifle, Sterling designed and produced the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber Sterling Assault Rifle 1980 (SAR 80) for the British Army Rifle Trials, which were canceled. The SAR 80 was subsequently mass produced and marketed by Chartered Industries of Singapore.

Following the SAR-80, Frank Waters, of Sterling, developed another 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle, calling it the Sterling Assault Rifle, 1987 (SAR 87). Amounting to a highly updated SAR 80, the SAR 87 shared features of the M16 and the FAL including a 3position gas adjustment, left-handed charging handle, 20-, 30- or 40shot magazines, ambidextrous operation, fully adjustable rear sight, optical sight mounting on receiver or carrying handle, folding stock, para-troop variant folding to 24 inches in length, simple field stripping and more. As with the SAR 80, the SAR 87 was not adopted and never reached series production.

This illustration depicts the Sterling Assault Rifle 80 (SAR 80), serial #000001, as seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

Seen from its left side is a Sterling prototype 5.56x45mm assault rifle with 20shot magazine inserted and with its folding stock seen both extended and folded over the top where its folding butt becomes a carrying handle. It is not known if this design was intended as part of the SAR 87 project.

In this illustration the 5.56x45mm NATO Sterling SAR 87 assault rifle is depicted from its left side with 30-shot magazine inserted and carrying handle attached.

CHAPTER 30

Greece

F

rom the days 700 B.C. when the Hoplite citizen-soldiers of

various competing Greek states provided their own weapons, Greece has had a tradition of arms production. There have been, however, long periods of time when the tradition was stronger than the practice.

The Chropi (Chropei) Assault Rifle The only significant indigenous development in Greek small arms during the era of the assault rifle has been the Chropi (Chropei), briefly produced only in test quantities by the Chropei Chemical Company. The FN FAL rifle was produced under license by Pyrkal, and various Heckler and Koch designs in 7.62x51mm and 5.56x45mm NATO are still produced by EBO, which at this writing has absorbed Prykal to form EAS. Chropei was founded in 1883 by chemists Spilos and Leontios Economides and was a major producer of synthetic dyes and pharmaceuticals. The company played an important role in the Greek war effort during WWII, and in 1950 they expanded into new lines of chemical products. By 1975 the company had diversified further and submitted for Army trials a rifle and a submachine gun the company

had developed, and for which they had already established tooling and other manufacturing infrastructure for mass production. The weapons had been designed by a team lead by Sotiris Sofianopoulos, the basic concept of which is variously reported as having been of Greek-Cypriot origin, or as an adaptation of an unspecified Czech design. It was produced for trials in 7.62x41mm NATO and 7.62x39mm (M43) calibers, in numbers generally cited as around a hundred units. It was tested by the Hellenic Army with “initially positive” results. In spite of a desire to be totally self-sufficient in arms production, the design was, however, in competition with the Heckler and Koch G3, which was to be produced by the state-owned EBO Company. As a result, the design was deemed to be “generally outdated” and not meeting the required standards, and was not adopted. The weapons produced were reportedly turned over the Hellenic Army and stored. The Chropei company was virtually bankrupt by the early 1980’s when it was nationalized by the Greek government, and its assets were liquidated in 1995. The Chiropi rifle was reportedly made in calibers 7.62x51mm NATO and 7.62x39mm (M43). It is believed to be a fairly conventional gas-operated, positively locked turning bolt design capable of selective fire.

The Chropi rifle in 7.62x41mm NATO (top) was fitted with an M14 magazine. The model made for testing in 7.62z39mm (M43) fed from an AK-47 magazine.

CHAPTER 31

Hungary

The AK-55, Hungary’s First Assault Rifle Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. The Hungarian People’s Army was first equipped with an assault rifle as the standard service rifle when the decision was made in 1957 to replace the outdated Model 48 Mosin Nagant bolt-action rifle with the Soviet AK-47. The Hungarian factory Fegyver és Gazkeszulekgyar, (FÉG), began retooling for the new rifle in 1957, and in 1959 began manufacturing the AK-47 copy, designated AK-55. Several variants were produced; some had the standard (for the time) wooden furniture, but most commonly an early form of hard polymer was used for the buttstock, pistol grip, and vertical foregrip. The rear sling mount was moved from the more traditional place on the toe of the buttstock to the rear left side of the receiver. On some units, the standard metal upper handguard is omitted, leaving the entire length of the gas tube exposed.

AK-55

The first Soviet AK-47 copy produced in Hungary was the AK-55. Photo courtesy of Frank lannamico.

AKMM-63 Assault Rifle In 1963, the AK-55 design with milled receiver was replaced with a similar design using the AKM stamped metal receiver. As a member of the Warsaw Pact (1955 – 1991) Hungary adopted the Soviet variant of the AKM as its standard service rifle and produced it under

license. The AKM copy was updated from the original Soviet model with some minor modifications including replacement of the standard wooden furniture with synthetic stocks and the addition of a vertical synthetic fore-grip, and was designated the AKMM-63, a cheaper, slightly lighter variant of the Soviet AKM. Some models were fitted with wooden furniture, as shown below, including two vertical pistol grips. The lower half of the forend was metal, with two rows of rectangular holes stamped along its length to aid cooling of the barrel, and there was no upper half, leaving the gas tube exposed. It was also produced with a folding stock and was eventually replaced by the AMD-65, a shorter variation of the AKMM-63. The AKMM-63 was in service until the late 1970s when it was replaced with the standard fixed stock AKM design designated the AK-63D and a folding stock AKM, the AK-63E.

AMD-65M 7.62mm Short Assault Rifle Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The AMD-65M seems to have been popular with the tankers and paratroopers. Although it was quite heavy, the tankers in particular would not have been required to carry it very far, most likely using it for close fire-support. The three points of contact, buttstock, rear pistol grip, and front pistol grip, provide a steady platform for the weapon when fired in full-automatic, and the steady 600 rpm rate of fire allows accurate shooting at close-combat distances up to 200 meters.

This early Hungarian manufactured AKM has two vertical pistolgrips and no upper handguard. Photo courtesy of Laszlo Somogyi - hungariae.com.

AKMM-63

In 1965, a variant of the AKMM-63 designated AMD-65M was created for airborne troops and mechanized infantry units. The new variant featured the vertical foregrip, a shorter barrel than the standard AKM design, a side folding stock, and a specially designed muzzle brake to handle the increased muzzle flash produced by the M43 7.62x39mm cartridge in the shorter barrel. When fitted with a

20-shot (rather than the standard 30-shot) magazine, this compact AKM was easier to manipulate in tight spaces such as the confines of an armored vehicle or an aircraft. Both the AKM-63 and the AMD65M were kept in service until the late 1970s when they were replaced with the current service rifle, the AK-63. In 2007, more than 20,000 AMD-65M’s were given to the Afghan army.

Designed for tank crews and paratroopers, the AMD-65M is a short-barrel AKM Photo courtesy of Laszlo Somogyi - hungariae.com.

AMD-65M

Hungary’s current service rifle, the AK-63 has been in service since 1977. Photo courtesy of Frank Iannamico.

AK-63 Assault Rifle The AK-63 is the current service rifle of the Hungarian Ground Forces (basically, the Hungarian army). In its current form, the AK63D is the fixed stock variant, and the AK-63E features a folding stock. The AK-63 assault rifle is both a cheaper and more robust

variant of the assault rifle that it replaced in 1977, the AKMM-63. At least 7,000 pieces were upgraded in 2009 with 40mm underbarrel grenade launchers and night vision equipment.

AMP-69 Assault Rifle Grenade Launcher This is a 7.62x39mm (M43) caliber variant of the standard AKM, but modified as a grenade launcher and designated AMP-69 (sometimes incorrectly referred to as AMR-69). Built by Fegyver és Gazkeszulekgyar, (FÉG), Budapest, this weapon was introduced in 1969 and is still in limited service. Grenade launchers like this one require a round of blank ammunition to fire the grenade. Use of live ammunition by mistake may be disastrous and lead to the bullet being lodged in the barrel. For this reason, deployment of this very useful system is somewhat restricted. The rifle is supplied with a five-round magazine. The AMP-69 is capable of firing the Model BG-15 40mm anti-tank hollow-charge grenade in addition to anti-personnel fragmentation, tear gas, smoke, and illumination grenades.

AK-63

The AMP-69 is a modified Kalashnikov assault rifle design used by infantry primarily as a grenade launcher. Photo courtesy of Laszlo Somogyi hungariae.com

NGM-81 Assault Rifle In 1981 FÉG began production of a copy of the Soviet AK-74 rifle, designated the NGM-81. The rifle was first produced with a

fixed wooden butt-stock and forend and chrome lined bore. Later models were built with a folding buttstock and designated NGV-81. The rifle was chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) for export, as well as for the current 5.45x39mm Russian cartridge.

SA-85M Assault Rifle More recently, Hungary has exported its SA-85M model, a copy of the AKM in 7.62x39mm (M43) with both fixed wooden, and underfolding metal buttstock, in a semi-auto variant for the civilian market. The rifle has a reputation for excellent fit and finish with good quality wood, and a deep blued finish.

Hungary’s SA-85M export model AKM is one of the better finished semi-auto rifles available in some countries to civilians. Photo courtesy of Laszlo Somogyi - hungariae.com

CHAPTER 32

India

The Indian Army Self-Loading Rifle (IASL) Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the FN FAL in the Belgian chapter. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the FN FAL in the Belgian chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the FN FAL in the Belgian chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Following the Indian Rifle Trials of 1958-1961, the Indian Government narrowed its consideration to the 5.56x45mm NATO AR-15 and the 7.62x51mm NATO FN FAL, but ultimately chose the FAL in solidarity with other members of the British Commonwealth. Designed by the Indian Armament Research & Development Establishment (Weapons)

(ARDE)(W), Ishapore’s IASL amounted to a pirated variant that was not interchangeable with the British, Canadian, or Australian inchpatterned L1A1 or the FN FAL’s made to metric dimensions. The IASL was designed to avoid paying a license fee and royalty payments to FN, of Belgium, but the result was that FN refused technical assistance to India, who had also copied the FN MAG-58 GPMG.

The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the receiver, the selector is rotated to the semi-automatic position for semi-automatic fire, the burst position for 3-shot burst, or to the full-automatic position for full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector thumb piece all the way up blocks the sear and prevents the rifle from firing. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the AK-47 in the Russian chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In the mid-1980’s, the Indian Armed Forces decided to adopt the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, and began development of the INSAS

infantry weapon family. With user trials completed in 1989, the INSAS was adopted in 1990, and consists of a rifle, a carbine, and a heavybarreled light machine gun variant. Like India’s IASL, the INSAS was designed by the ARDE (W) at Poona, but is based on the pressed metal receiver of the Automat Kalashnikov Modernized (AKM). Based on that of the Steyr AUG, the magazine of the INSAS is a see-through polymer type, and the rifle also has redesigned stocks and hand guards and a tangent rear sight mounted on the dust cover similar to that of the Israeli Galil assault rifle. The INSAS also has a rotating selector/safety mounted on the left side of the receiver that, in addition to semi- and full-automatic fire positions, includes a 3-shot burst mode. The INSAS is made with both a fixed and folding buttstock, and can fire rifle grenades from its flash suppressor, and has a chromed bore. Although India studied a number of other modern AK designs (most notably the East German 5.56mm NATO Wieger Model 940), it opted to develop its own variant, again to avoid any license fees.

India’s 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem.) INSAS rifle with 30-shot synthetic magazine inserted. Photo courtesy of Rosvoorouzhenie

INSAS (rifle only)

The new MINI-INSAS (MINSAS) is a personal defense weapon (PDW) intended for close quarter battle. As such it fires a new 5.56x30mm cartridge of the same dimensions as the 5.56x30mm MARS PDW featured in the ArmaLite Chapter elsewhere in this book. The MINSAS is seen with its 30-shot magazine and folding stock extended. Photo courtesy of Dan Shea

The advance of small arms design has at times been the result of eclectically selecting and melding salient features of the proven designs that have gone before. Sometimes there is a synergism among these worthy features in new juxtaposition—and sometimes not. Thus far, the latter appears to be the case with the INSAS family of weapons. INSAS designers borrowed the receiver, bolt, gas system and pistol grip from Kalashnikov; the buttstock(s), gas regulator and flash hider from FN; the foregrip from Colt; the cocking handle from HK and the magazine from Steyr, but as wrought the result has not been as good as any of the parent designs from which features were copied. The INSAS weapons system has been plagued with continuing design and production problems that have forced the Indian government to repeatedly seek off-the-shelf weapons from foreign sources. A decade after it was scheduled to have replaced other weapons in the Indian arsenal, and although it is actually being offered for sale in an export version, it has seen only limited service with the Indian army, and its production is uncertain. The disassembled view here clearly illustrates the mixed lineage of design features. The bolt (inset) is pure AK. The basic weapon has been produced as the Mk-1 (pictured previous page), as the Mk-1A (with a folding stock, pictured here disassembled), as variants such as the Excalibur carbine with fixed or folding stock, as an LMG/SAW, and as the Kalantak micro assault rifle. Photo: SAM

CHAPTER 33

Indonesia

A

variant of the Beretta BM-59 (SP-1) was produced in Bandung,

Indonesia from 1969 to 1975. It was introduced to that country in 1965. For operating details, see the BM-59 section under Italy. During this time frame, the standard SP-1 underwent serious production, since 70,000 were made. Also, a variant with grenade launcher was produced (10,000 units), and is designated the SP-2. Finally, a heavy-barrel variant was adopted with a bipod, for use in the squad automatic role. Some 3,000 were made.

Some 70,000 standard BM-59 rifles were manufactured in Indonesia as the SP1. The SP-2 model had grenade-launching capability. A heavy-barrel SAW version was also made.

The SS1 Series Means of Controlling Rifle Same as FNC: see entry under Belgium. Safety Arrangements Same as FNC: see entry under Belgium Elementary Disassembly Rifle Same as FNC: see entry under Belgium Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Rifle

The series of BM-59 assault rifles were superseded with the purchase of 20,000 FNC rifles from FN of Belgium. Later, these rifles from FN were considerably modified with various improvements that the Indonesian Army deemed necessary for local conditions and personnel. The FNC has been locally produced at the PT. Pindad factory located in Bandung. It is manufactured in four variants: the SS1 [Senapan Serbu 1, “Assault Rifle 1”] (the standard rifle with folding stock); the SS1-V2 (the carbine model); the SS1-V3 (a standard rifle with a fixed butt stock; and the SS1-V5 (a variant with a short 9.92inch (252mm barrel). All these models incorporate many local modifications that have been effected to the FNC, and the PT. Pindad factory officials have stated the models of the FNC they produce are the best of the models (FNC) in the world. These variants are shown in this section.

A variant of the FNC, the standard SS1-V1 Assault Rifle has a foldable butt stock, is 39.25 inches (997mm) with stock extended.

The SS1-V2 Automatic Carbine is similar in all respects to the SS-1 V1, except that its length with stock extended is 35 inches (890mm) due to shorter barrel.

The SS1 V3 Assault Rifle is the same dimension as the SS1 V1, but features a non-folding butt stock.

The SS1 V5 Automatic Carbine is shortest of the series, being only 30 inches (770mm) overall with stock open. It is also offered in an SS1-V5 “Raider” SpecOps version suitable for mounting bayonets, scopes and other accessories, that is advertised as lighter and slimmer, although listed weights are the same.

SS1-V1, SS1-V2, SS1-V3, SS1-V5

Sabhara Law Enforcement Carbine The PT. Pindad factory also produces a unique variation of the SS1 series that is indigenous only to the Indonesian Police. It is designated as the Sabhara V-1 and V-2, the only difference being in the length of the barrels: 14.29 inches (363mm) and 9.72 inches (247mm), for overall lengths of 36.2 inches (920mm and 31.2 inches (790mm) respectively. The Sabhara V-1 weighs 8.3 pounds (3.79 kg) and the V-2 weights 7.43 pounds (3.38 kg). The interesting feature of this carbine is the totally unique ammunition it fires. The factory developed the weapon/ammunition combination to fill a requirement of the National Police to have a rifle with “paralyzing stopping power” appropriate for law enforcement conditions. The Sabhara rifle fires semi-automatic, and full-automatic in three-round bursts only. The unique cartridge these weapons fire is similar in appearance to the U.S. 7.62x33mm (.30 Carbine) round, but is 45mm long. It is based on a 5.56x45mm case, necked up to accept a 7.62mm projectile, and is issued as the MU-11TJ firing a standard ball projectile, and as the less-lethal MU-11PHH Anti-Riot round firing a rubber projectile. Both these 7.62x45mm rounds are pictured in this section.

The Sabhara V-1 and V-2 Police Rifle and Carbine are purpose-built for police work, and fire a unique 7.62x45mm round developed to satisfy law-

enforcement requirements.

The 7.62x45mm MU-11TJ ball round, left, was specifically designed to deliver stopping power appropriate to law-enforcement conditions. The MU-11PHH round, right, is intended for less-lethal applications, having a rubber projectile.

The SS2 Series The SS2 (Senapan Serbu 2, “Assault Rifle 2”) is an updated variant of the Pindad SS1 designed and manufactured by PT. Pindad. The SS2 requirement was first formalized by the Indonesian military in 2002 and 2003. The Indonesian Army placed an order for 15,000 SS2’s to replace their stock of SS1’s in 2005 and for 10,000 SS2’s in 2006. It is also in use by various Indonesian security forces, such as the Indonesian Republic National Police (POLRI), and offered for export sales. It is being made as the following variants:

SS2-V1: A new rifle based on the SS1, it features an integral M1913 rail on top, which can mount a carrying handle or various optics and accessories. It is commonly seen with the top-mounted carrying handle. It has the typical FNC-style side-folding stock, but incorporates various newly adapted features of the Kalashnikov and M16 designs. Effective range, 500 meters. Made in 5.56x45mm NATO, the weapon is 40 inches (990mm) long with stock extended, and weighs 7.48 pounds (3.4 kg) with empty magazine. It uses STANAG (M16) magazines. It has been designed to be suitable for mounting bayonets, supressors, grenade launchers or similar accessories. SS2-V2: A carbine variant of the SS2-V1 with a 15.8-inch (403mm) barrel, weighing 7.04 pounds (3.2 kg). Effective range, 400 meters. SS2-V4: Carrying handle replaced with scope mount for use as a sniper rifle; same overall dimensions as V1, but with weight of 9.24 pounds (4.2kg). Effective range (with scope) 600 meters.

The new SS2 Indonesian assault rifles are based on the FNC, but include eclectic adaptations from other designs. All come with an FNC-style sidefolding butt stock.

Standard on the SS2 series is an integral accessory rail, which can mount a carrying handle, or a variety of mounting devices for scopes, lasers or similar accessories.

CHAPTER 34

Iran

S

ince the days of the Shah, Iran’s small arms industry consisted

primarily of producing standard HK weapons under license. In response to various arms embargoes, however, the Iranian Defence Industry Organisation (DIO) has acquired tooling and technical packages from the People’s Republic of China and others for the domestic production of additional small arms and other weapons. Thus, Iran now not only produces its own small arms, but offers them for export. Indigenously produced small arms include developments such as a bullpup rendition of the HK G3, an M16 clone, and a new indigenous bullpup design springing from the roots of that M16 clone. In addition to weapons of the assault rifle class, Iran produces a licensed copy of the MP5 submachine gun, a copy of the Dragunov sniper rifle, Type 56 AK copies, their variant of the MGA3 machine gun, and a 9mm pistol, in addition to crew-served weapons and sporting arms.

First announced in 2004, the Iranian KH-2002 is in production and offered for export.

Khaybar KH-2002 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: It has a fire selection switch for safe, single fire, 3-round burst and full-automatic fire Safety Arrangements: Rotating the fire selector all the way forward puts the weapon on “safe.” Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Unknown, but once the action is removed from the synthetic housing, it probably follows disassembly procedures for the M16 series.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The “Khaybar” KH-2002 is an Iranian designed and built assault rifle, derived from the DIO S-5.56 assault rifle. The S-5.56 (covered below) is the Iranian-built copy of the Chinese Norinco CQ rifle, which is in turn a clone of the M16A1. Thus, the KH-2002’s internals have many design features in common with the M16 system, although the lower receiver and trigger mechanism would have been substantially modified for this configuration. A bullpup design, the KH-2002 is direct gasimpingement operated, and has a multi-lug rotary bolt. The four-position selector provides for safe, single-shot, automatic fire, and three-round bursts and is located on the left side of the receiver behind the magazine housing, far to the rear of the pistol grip. The top of the carrying handle is designed to accept optical or night-vision scopes. The polymer pistol grip with enlarged trigger guard is attached below the tubular barrel shroud. Ejection is to the right side only. The weapon feeds from STANAG or other M16-compatible magazines, and has an M16-style magazine release button located on the right side of the magazine housing. Sights are of open type, with the rear sight being installed within the carrying handle. The operating knob is inside the carrying handle, not unlike the original AR-10 design. The DIO offers this weapon in three barrel lengths as a carbine (short), a standard rifle (medium), and as a designated marksman rifle (long). Accessories include a lightweight, folding and detachable bipod, and a knife-bayonet.

KH-2002 Khaybar

The rifle is named for the Khaybar oasis approximately 95 miles east of Medina, which was once the largest Jewish settlement in Arabia, this name being chosen as a reminder of the Battle of Khaybar.

It is not known if this variant of the Khaybar KH 2002 assault rifle has ever been produced. It is believed to be an earlier proof-of-concept design.

S-5.56 Means of Controlling Operation: See U.S. Chapter under M16 rifle Safety Arrangements: See U.S. Chapter under M16 rifle Elementary Disassembly Procedure: See U.S. Chapter under M16 rifle Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The S-5.56 rifle is a second-generation clone of the U.S. M16 rifle. The S-5.56 is made in Iran on tooling purchased from the Chinese, who manufactured this arm as the Type CQ. It is identical to the U.S. M16 except for the configuration of the stock, handguard and pistol grip, and the fact it is offered in two slightly different barrel lengths to accommodate the varying rifling requirements of the M193 or SS109 cartridges. The rear sight is also much simplified, being a flip-over sight with only two settings, for 0-300 meters and 300-500 meters. Accessories offered include a knife-bayonet, and an optical sight designed to mount on the carrying handle.

Iranian-built S-5.56 clone of U.S. M16 rifle.

It is not known if this third-generation clone offered for sale by Military Industry Corporation of Sudan actually exists, or if they are offering the Iranian rifle for sub-Saharan sales. The fact the negative has been inadvertently reversed, and the action and caliber are described in terms that would fit a G3 as opposed to an M16, make claims to the existence of the Sudanese “Terab” suspect.

S-5.56

G3 Bullpup Rifle Means of Controlling Operation:

Controls appear to be identical to a standard G3 rifle, see in “RollerLocked” Chapter Safety Arrangements: Safety appears to be identical to a standard G3 rifle, see in “RollerLocking” Chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Disassembly is assumed to be similar to a standard G3 rifle, except for modified trigger mechanism. Refer to G3 rifle in “Roller-Locked:” Chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Having been a licensed manufacture of HK small arms since the days of the Shah, engineers at Iran’s Defence Industries Organisation have adapted the dated but proven G3 design to a bullpup configuration, which enables the use of a longer barrel in an envelope that gives a net weight saving of 1.1 pounds (.5 kg). It is being offered for sale. Telescopic sights or infrared scopes can be employed without modifying the rifle. Rifle grenades can be launched with rifle.

G3 Bullpup Rifle

G3 bullpup rifle as made and marketed by Defence Industries Organisation, Iran.

Iranian G3 Rifles Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

Iran has been a licensed manufacturer of HK small arms products for many decades. The G3 rifles have been/are being built on HKsupplied tooling to HK specifications. Refer to the Roller Locked Chapter for details of the HK small arms family.

Iranian-built HK weapons are of adequate quality, and except for the bullpup development have changed only slightly over the years of production, and then usually to accommodate accessories such as grenade launchers.

Iranian KLF, KLS, KLT The Iranian Defense Industries Organization (DIO) currently manufactures 7.62x39mm (M43) Kalashnikov-type assault rifles for the Iranian armed forces and for export. They are unlicensed, reverse-engineered copies of the Chinese Type 56 rifles purchased from the Chinese government in large quantities to equip Iranian forces during the Iran–Iraq War. The original variant of the KL-7.62 was an absolute clone of the Type 56, but recent production includes improvements such as synthetic stocks and hand guards, and a ribbed receiver cover. The fixed butt stock model (top) is designated the KLS, the under folding butt stock is the KLF, and a side-folding butt stock model, not shown, is the KLT.

Originally cloned from Type 56 AKs purchased from China during the Iran-Iraq War, the KL series is now offered for export by Iran’s DIO.

CHAPTER 35

Iraq

Tabuk Assault Rifle The Tabuk assault rifles are all copies of the Yugoslavian M70 series of weapons, which are in turn copies of the Soviet AKM/AKMS. As such, the means of controlling operation, safety arrangements and disassembly procedures follow the Soviet and Yugoslavian weapons, which see. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With assistance from Yugoslavian weapons technicians and tooling, Iraq manufactured Tabuk assault rifles in both fixed stock and folding stock variants. These have been observed in a variety of barrel lengths, including semi-custom gold-plated models produced for cronies of Saddam Hussein. Following the Yugoslavian pattern, the standard Tabuk is capable of launching grenades, and has a grenade launcher front sight that folds flat above the gas tube when not in use. As the grenade sight is pivoted up to the vertical position, it automatically shuts off the gas tube to avoid cycling the action: The opposite is true when the sight is folded down. As other Kalashnikovtype rifles that feature a grenade launcher, the standard Tabuk rifles have a locking notch on the receiver cover to prevent the cover and

the recoil spring assembly from being unseated from the recoil of firing a grenade. Most Tabuk rifles in various iterations have the typical bulge in the receiver to accommodate the barrel trunnions.

The Tabuk was the standard infantry rifle of the Iraqi Army, which received substantial technical assistance from Yugoslavia in establishing production. As a result, the Tabuk has a 1.5mm thick receiver, heavy-duty RPK-style trunnions, and a gas-cutoff system for launching grenades, as do Yugoslavian weapons. Photo: USMC National Museum, Quantico, courtesy Frank Iannamico

A 1984 dated Tabuk with under-folding stock: Note the forward part of the receiver does not have the barrel-trunnion bulge commonly seen on Iraqimade Kalashnikovs. Photo: USMC National Museum, Quantico, courtesy Frank Iannamico

The Iraqis under Saddam Hussein not only fielded various models of assault rifle all named “Tabuk,” they also built a semi-auto sniper/designated marksman rifle of the same designation, named for the Battle of Tabuk in 630 AD. All issue weapons in this series were

chambered for the 7.62x39mm (M43) cartridge, although some rifles were also produced for the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge.

This Iraqi soldier photographed on a September 2005 raid in Sadr City, Iraq, has customized his Tabuk designated marksman rifle with what appears to be the handle from a power tool, and has a jury mount for his flashlight from medical tape. The scope is of unknown origin. These “sniper” variants are semiautomatic

Tabuk Assault Rifle

CHAPTER 36

Israel

The Israeli FN FAL Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the Means Of Controlling Operation of the FN FAL section on Belgium. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the Safety Arrangements of the FN FAL in the section on Belgium. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the Elementary Disassembly Procedure for the FN FAL in the chapter on Belgium. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Following its independence in 1948, Israel began a re-armament program. This resulted in the country adopting its first assault rifle, the FN FAL in 7.62x51mm NATO caliber. Although FN continued to supply receivers for the rifle, Israeli Military Industries (IMI) eventually manufactured all other parts.

Modified from the standard FN FAL in several respects, the Israeli variant had combination wooden handguards with a front ventilated sheet-metal section, and used a takedown lever modified to prevent accidental opening of the upper receiver. The cocking handle was also modified to be able to be used to close the bolt. Issued in both standard and heavy-barrel squad automatic variants, the FN FAL remained in service with Israel until the adoption of the Galil. For further information including specifications, refer to the section on Belgium.

The GAL Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: The sliding safety/selector is located on the right side of the receiver above the pistolgrip. Pushing the selector all the way forward allows full-automatic fire and moving the selector to the middle position limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Sliding the safety/selector all the way to the rear blocks the trigger and makes the rifle SAFE. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, push out the locking pin in the lower receiver and pivot the upper receiver upwards from the rear. The bolt and recoil spring groups can now be removed from the rear of the upper receiver. Removing the

cam pin from the bolt carrier allows the bolt and associated parts to be removed from the carrier. With the bolt removed (or when locked to the rear), the barrel group can be removed from the upper receiver by depressing the spring-loaded catch on the receiver. Pushing out the hammer and trigger pins in the lower receiver allows these parts to be removed along with the safety/selector, taking care that the hammer is under spring tension. Further disassembly in unnecessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Developed by Israeli arms designer, the late Lt. Col. Uziel (Uzi) Gal, of Israeli Military Industries, the GAL Assault Rifle appeared about the same time as the Balashnikov (Galil), and competed against it in military tests. Fabricated largely of stamped sheet metal, the GAL uses a locked 5-lug rotating bolt with dual recoil springs. Attached to the bolt carrier, the operating rod rides in a tubular housing above the barrel from which a non-reciprocating cocking handle protrudes through a slot in the upper left.

A close-up of the GAL Assault Rifle serial #13 showing detail of the left side of the receiver. The 3-position safety/selector slides back and forth to set the rifle for semi-automatic, full-automatic and SAFE.

GAL Assault Rifle, Models A, B & C

Although it operates by a gas piston, the GAL Assault Rifle is not of the long-stroke type, but uses a short-stroke piston housed in the gas block. This piston impinges on the operating rod sending it and the bolt rearward. In addition, while the first variant (Model A) GAL is not recoil operated, the entire upper receiver group moves to the rear for a fraction of an inch when the rifle is fired. Having nothing to do with the operation, this movement was incorporated simply as a means of reducing perceived recoil and increasing control. Made of hardwood, the buttstock of the GAL Assault Rifle is hinged at the back of the receiver and at the bottom of the pistol grip, and folds to the right side of the rifle. Attached to the GAL’s quickchange barrel is a bipod that folds up and into a hardwood handguard

not unlike that of the Galil ARM rifle. As with the FN FAL, and the Galil, the GAL Assault Rifle has a carrying handle.

The 5.56mm GAL Assault Rifle as viewed from the right side with bipod folded, magazine inserted and stock folded.

The GAL Assault Rifle as viewed from the left side field stripped. The hook protruding from the front of the receiver is the quick-change barrel latch.

The bolt and recoil-spring groups from the GAL Assault Rifle. Rollers on top of the bolt carrier assure smooth, reliable function. The cam lock seen just behind the bolt keeps it in the open position until it goes into battery.

Made in three variants, the GAL Assault Rifle was initially designed in 7.62x51mm NATO at the insistence of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The first of these variations, that Lt. Col. Uzi Gal refers to as the Model A, was constructed using stamped sheet metal upper and lower receivers. Only two Model A GAL rifles were assembled. The second variant, the Model B, also in 7.62x51mm NATO, retained the stamped upper receiver, but used a forged, machined aircraft alloy lower receiver. Only six Model B GAL rifles were assembled. Both of these models incorporated the moving upper receiver group. Parallel with the development of his 7.62x51mm NATO design, without the knowledge of IMI, Uzi Gal designed a variant of his rifle, the Model C, in 5.56x45mm NATO, as he saw the growing proliferation of this cartridge worldwide. Because of the 5.56mm’s relative lack of recoil, Gal omitted the movement of the upper receiver. As in the case of the Model A, the upper and lower receivers of the Model C were made of stamped sheet metal. As with the 7.62mm NATO GAL Assault Rifles, the 5.56mm variant had a quick-change barrel. Only seven Model C GAL Assault Rifles were assembled. The 5.56mm GAL Assault Rifle used modified Stoner 63 barrels and magazines, and competed against the Galil. Although a large percentage of the IDF wanted to adopt the GAL after testing, it lost out to the Balashnikov (Galil).

The Galil Assault Rifle

Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip, the Galil’s improved selector is in addition to the original combination selector/dust cover on the right side of the receiver as also found on the Kalashnikov (AK-47). Pushing the selector all the way forward allows semi-automatic fire, and moving it to its middle position makes full-automatic fire possible. Pulling the selector all the way to the rear puts the rifle on SAFE. The standard dust cover/selector is connected to the Galil’s improved selector via internal toggle-like linkage, and it operates like that of the AK-47, or all the way down for semiautomatic, mid position for full-automatic, and all the way up for SAFE. Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector lever all the way to the rear also moves the right selector/dust cover all the way up, blocking the trigger, and making the rifle SAFE. In this mode, the bolt can be retracted enough to check the chamber, but not enough to feed a round from the magazine. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the AK-47 in the Russian chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

Early prototype 5.56mm Galil built on a Finnish Valmet receiver and other parts. Note the Valmet forend, vertical foregrip and buttstock that folds to the left side.

A rare prototype Balashnikov (Galil) 5.56mm rifle as viewed from the left side with bipod deployed. Note the early handguard, 40-shot magazine and rear sight, FN FAL carrying handle and pistol grip, unusual safety/selector, and stock that folds to the left. This model evolved into the Galil ARM.

The Galil rifle is not a design, but a highly refined adaptation of the already proven Kalashnikov (AK-47) system. Born in Mishmar Hayarden, in the Soviet Union 1923 as Israel Balashnikov (later Israel Galili) he immigrated to Israel at an early age where he lived in the area of Galilee. After graduating from the Max Fine Trade School in 1940, Balashnikov joined the Israeli

underground Haganah Forces for which he served in the British Army in order to steal guns for Israel. After going to work for IMI in 1948, Balashnikov worked on a number of weapon developments. After winning the 6-Day War in 1967, Israel found that the FN FAL and M16 rifles it had in service performed poorly against the AK47, the rifle Israeli soldiers called the “Tiger of the Desert.” This brought about a search for the ideal desert battle rifle. After deciding to adopt a rifle to fire the then new 5.56x45mm NATO round, Israel conducted exhaustive tests of several rifles including the M16, Stoner 63, and AK-47. In spite of its 7.62x39mm chambering, the AK-47 was deemed best.

An Israeli prototype FFV 990C 5.56mm Galil AR variant made for Swedish trials. Note the special handguard and case deflector added at the rear of the ejection port. The receiver group remains in the white.

The prototype FFV 990C as viewed from the left side. Note the quick detachable scope base machined into the receiver just above the 35-shot magazine.

Since the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had captured many thousands of AK-47 rifles during the 6-Day War, Israel Balashnikov spearheaded a program to convert these rifles to 5.56mm NATO for issue to the IDF. Using modified Stoner 63 barrels and magazines given to him by Uzi Gal who had designed his own rifle, Balashnikov fashioned a handful of sample converted AK-47 rifles to be further tested by Israel’s fierce Golonani Brigade. The Balashnikov was then tested against the AK-47, M16, HK33, AR-18 and Stoner 63, along with new rifles from Steyr, Beretta, and the Uzi Gal’s rifle the IDF called the GAL 5.56mm Assault Rifle (refer to the information on this rifle above). Although the Balashnikov rifle was eventually chosen, the name applied to it was looked upon less than favorably even though there was no connection between it and the Soviet Kalashnikov. Since Israel Balashnikov was already considering changing his name to Israel Galili, he did so, at the same time giving his rifle the name by which it is recognized worldwide. Thus, the great similarity between

the names of the two men, Kalashnikov and Balashnikov, and their rifles was merely an interesting coincidence. However, there was still the problem of producing the new Galil.

An early 5.56mm Galil ARM as viewed from the left side with bipod deployed, 35-shot magazine inserted, and right side folding stock extended. This rifle’s receiver does not have the provision for a quick detachable scope mount.

An early 5.56mm Galil ARM as viewed from the left side with bipod folded, 35shot magazine inserted, and right side folding stock extended. This rifle’s receiver does not have the provision for a quick detachable scope mount.

The 5.56mm Galil ARM as viewed from the right side with bipod deployed, 35shot magazine inserted, and right side folding stock extended. This rifle is equipped with a prototype top cover without a rear sight, but with permanently mounted scope rings and a telescopic sight. A quick detachable scope base was eventually machined into the left side of the rifle’s forged receiver.

Originally born in Mishmar Hayarden in the Soviet Union in 1923, Yisrael Balashnikov immigrated to Israel as a young man and lived in the area of Galilee. Balashnikov went to work as an arms designer for IMI after WW II, and following the 6-Day War in 1967, he developed an adaptation of the AK-47. When Israel adopted the Balashnikov, Yisrael changed his name to Israele Galili, and called his rifle the Galil.

Soon after Galili’s rifle had been adopted, he and Yaacov Lior, Director of Arms Manufacturing at IMI, were visiting the author of this book, Mr. Thomas B. Nelson at his office at Interarms, in Alexandria, Virginia. When Lior asked Nelson what he thought was the best assault rifle in the world, he pointed to a rack of M62 rifles made by Valmet, of Finland. Lior and Galili ordered five sample rifles on the spot for testing by IMI, and 100 more soon after.

Israele Galili poses with a 5.56mm Galil ARM in the arms room at IMI. Inscribed by hand on the back of this photo is “Ed Ezell from I. Galili, 13-3-89”.

Finding the Valmet receivers superior to any they had seen, IMI converted the rifles to early 5.56mm NATO caliber Galils, again using modified Stoner 63 or Colt M16 barrels. Eventually, IMI bought some 10,000 unmarked receivers from Valmet, and then copies of the original drawings from which forged steel receivers were later made

in Israel. As with the development of any rifle, a number of interesting experimental models and prototypes were made and tested along the way, at least one using a FN FAL pistol grip and unique safety selector. Some of these rare models are pictured elsewhere in this section. Offered in 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x51mm NATO, the Galil is available in three basic models, the AR (Assault Rifle) ARM (Assault Rifle/Machine gun), and SAR (Short Assault Rifle). Available in 5.56mm only is the Galil MAR (Mini-Assault Rifle). As such, the 5.56x45mm NATO Galil is able to fill all roles required by the IDF from carbine to squad automatic weapon (SAW) using either a 35- or 50-shot magazine. Using a 12-shot magazine, the ARM and AR variants of the Galil can also be used to launch rifle grenades, and by attaching a telescopic sight, they can be used as sniper rifles. After the SAR was introduced, an integral quick detachable scope base was machined into the left side of the forged receiver and standardized.

An early 5.56mm Galil ARM as viewed from the left side with bipod and stock folded, and 35-shot magazine inserted. This rifle lacks the quick detachable scope base.

An early 5.56mm Galil ARM as viewed from the left side field stripped, and showing both the folding stock and wood fixed stock

The 5.56mm Galil ARM as viewed from the right side with bipod and stock folded, and 35-shot magazine inserted.

The 5.56mm Galil ARM as illustrated in an exploded view.

The 5.56mm Galil AR drawn in cut-away as viewed from the left side with 35shot magazine inserted and stock extended. Clearly illustrated are the Galil’s similarities to the AK as well as its differences.

The first batch of finished 5.56mm Galil ARM rifles made, stands ready for inspection.

In 1993, the Galil was produced in a 5.56mm sniper variant. Called the Marksman’s Assault Rifle Mk 1, the new rifle is based somewhat on the Galil AR, but has significant differences, and comes with a special cheekpiece and a Harris Bipod. For an optical sight, this rifle uses the center-mounted Eyal 3x21mm telescopic sight. The Marksman’s Assault Rifle Mk 1 is selective fire. With a special magazine well adapter, any 5.56mm Galil rifle will use NATO STANAG (M16) magazines. The 7.62mm NATO Galil ARM, AR, and SAR models take a 25-shot magazine and are made only for export.

Galil ARM (Assault Rifle/Machinegun) and AR (Assault Rifle)

Although the Galil is essentially copied from the AK, almost no parts are interchangeable between the two, and the Galil has significant improvements and modifications over its Soviet ancestor. In addition to the safety/selector described above, these include the following: Rear sight mounted on back of receiver cover (similar to the Valmet M62), night sights, tubular steel buttstock folding to right, Stoner-type magazine, NATO STANAG flash hider/grenade launcher;

hard chrome bore, chamber, piston and gas cylinder; scope base, pistol grip, ambidextrous vertical cocking handle, and bipod with wire cutter/bottle opener (ARM). When folded, the feet of this bipod serve as a magazine guide during night operations. In addition to selective fire, the Galil ARM and AR models were made in semi-automatic only variants. A Galil 7.62mm NATO sniper rifle was also produced by IMI in semi-automatic fire only. Using a special heavy barrel, bipod and scope mounting system, the Galil Sniper Rifle is issued in a special carrying case with a Nimrod telescopic sight, sling, two 20-shot magazines, two 25-shot magazines and a cleaning kit. Optional is a sound suppressor and Starlight scope mount. In 2001 a Micro Galil-Special was introduced in 5.56x45mm with a barrel length of 210mm (8.25 inches), and an overall lengh of 710mm (27.9 inches), or 830mm (32.6 inches) with suppressor. The Micro Galil Special has an M1913 style rail on its receiver cover as well as on its barrel above the shortened handguard. A modernized variant of the Galil SAR is also offered, and in addition to a suppressor, will accept a forward mounted optical sight. A Micro Galil - Blank model will not fire real 5.56x45mm ammunition, and is designed only for training purposes.

A prototype 5.56mm Galil SAR as viewed from the left side with 35-shot magazine inserted and stock folded. Note the early non-standardized handguard. This early SAR lacks the integral scope base on its receiver.

The current 5.56mm Galil SAR as viewed from the left side with 35-shot magazine inserted and stock extended. Note the quick detachable scope base machined into the receiver just above the magazine.

Current Galil models (from top) are ARM, AR, and SAR as viewed from the left side with their 35-shot magazines inserted and stocks extended.

Galil SAR (Short Assault Rifle)

The 5.56mm Galil SAR equipped with the wood ARM style handguard and with vertical foregrip.

A product improved rifle, the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Galil Ultra comes with a new handguard with M1913 rails and a retractable M4-type buttstock with cheekpiece.

The 5.56mm Galil Marksman’s Assault Rifle Mk 1 as viewed from the left side with its Harris bipod deployed, 35-shot magazine inserted, and stock extended. Standard on this selective fire sniper’s rifle is the Eyal 3X21mm telescopic sight and cheekpiece.

The new 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) Galil Sniper uses a special muzzle brake/flash hider, forend, adjustable buttstock and a Harris Bipod.

Galil 5.56mm Marksman’s Assault Rifle Mk 1.

Galil Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle

The Micro Galil - Special shown from the left side with Meprolight Reflex Sight and suppressor mounted, 30-shot magazine inserted, and folding stock extended.

The .30 U.S. Carbine caliber Magal viewed from the left side with Meprolight Reflex Sight mounted, lighted forend, 30-shot magazine inserted and stock extended.

The Micro Galil-Blank firing model as seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted and stock extended.

Galil MAR (Mini-Assault Rifle)

The MAGAL The latest Galil variation is the Mini-Assault Galil (MAGAL). A derivative of the Mini Assault Rifle (MAR), the MAGAL has some unusual features of its own. Being semi-automatic only, the MAGAL is not a true assault rifle, but is included, because it could be available as such in the future. Chambered for the U.S. .30 M1 Carbine (7.62x33mm) cartridge first issued in WW II, the MAGAL was specifically developed for the Israeli Police who have been issued surplus U.S. M1 Carbines for many years. The receiver and barrel of the MAGAL are housed in a polymer stock called a “jacket” by IMI. Connected to this “jacket” is the handguard, and integral with it are the magazine well and pistol grip.

Somewhat unusual in itself, the pistol grip incorporates both a conventional trigger guard connected to a full-length finger guard extending down to the bottom of the grip similar to that of the Steyr AUG. The “jacket” was incorporated not only to protect the receiver and barrel, but also to better enable the MAGAL to be used as a club during crowd control. A polymer Galil-type folding stock folds to the right. On the butt is a thick recoil pad.

The Galil MAGAL semi-automatic carbine as viewed from the right side with magazine inserted, stock extended and Trijicon Reflex II sight mounted.

Capable of using standard .30 M1 Carbine magazines, the MAGAL is issued with its own 27-shot magazine with an improved bolt hold-open device to work with the Galil bolt. Using a modified bolt carrier, the MAGAL also has a piston different from other Galils. Tapered at the front, the hard chromed piston provides a tight gas seal when in battery. A thick rubber buffer rides at the rear of the recoil spring. In addition to its standard open rear-sight, an adapter receiver cover can be substituted. On this cover forward of the rear sight is an M1913 style rail that allows the MAGAL to use reflex sights. With a receptacle in its front end, the MAGAL’s handguard can mount a flashlight, and by removing the handguard, the MAGAL can be

equipped with the M203 40mm grenade launcher. Screwed to the barrel is a muzzle brake and behind it is an inverted bayonet lug that accepts a launcher for less-than-lethal munitions. The MAGAL is issued with .30 caliber U.S. Carbine ammunition loaded with a 110 grain (7.1 g) soft nosed expanding bullet that offers less overpenetration. Israel Galili passed away in 1998 at the age of 75. The Galil rifle has been sold worldwide.

MAGAL

The Tavor Family Of Rifles Tavor Assault Rifle (T.A.R.) 21 Means of Controlling Rifle The safety/selector is located on the upper end of the pistol grip and can be changed from right to left sides. Rotating the selector halfway forward (with lever down) allows semi-automatic fire, and rotating it fully forward allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector lever all the way to the rear makes the T.A.R.-21 SAFE. Elementary Disassembly Procedure:

After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, push out the upper buttplate retaining pin from left to right and rotate the buttplate open and downward on its lower axis pin. Now withdraw the bolt group from the rear of the butt. By using parts of the mechanism, the bolt group can be further disassembled in much the same way as the M16 rifle. By inverting the rifle and pushing out its retaining pin from left to right, the firing mechanism can be removed for cleaning. No further disassembly is necessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design and Development: Designed by Zalman Shebs, of IMI’s new Integrated Security Systems Group, the Tavor Assault Rifle-21 (T.A.R.-21) was first known as the Advanced Assault Rifle (A.A.R.). However, in keeping with IMI’s tradition of naming its small arms after geographical features in Israel, the new rifle was renamed the Tavor, the Hebrew name for Mount Tabor, a distinctive elevation in northern Israel near Lower Galilee. Consisting of a family of rifles and a submachine gun, the Tavor rifle is similar in appearance to the Steyr AUG. The T.A.R.-21 is gas operated and uses a multi-lugged rotating bolt similar to that used in the M16, Stoner and other rifles. In addition to steel, it uses substantial amounts of aircraft alloy and polymer in its construction to keep weight to a minimum. Semi-permanently attached to the bolt carrier, the piston works in similar fashion to that of the Kalashnikov with the gas cylinder being mounted on the gas block. Not unlike the Kalashnikov, and the AR-18

and its variants, the bolt carrier rides on steel guide rods leaving ample clearance within the receiver. Located on each side of the forend are slots for the convertible cocking handle. Similar to the Steyr AUG, this cocking handle is nonreciprocating, but does not lock back the bolt. A special bolt release is located just behind the magazine well. Accepting NATO-STANAG (M16) magazines, the T.A.R.-21 uses a magazine release located in front of the magazine well. This lever cams a side-mounted magazine catch out of engagement to release the magazine.

The Tavor Assault Rifle (T.A.R.-21) seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine and optical sight in place.

The Sharpshooter Tavor Assault Rifle (S.T.A.R.-21) as viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, Harris Bipod attached, and Trijicon ACOG sight mounted on A.R.M.S. mount.

The Commando Tavor Assault Rifle (C.T.A.R.-21) as viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, and night vision device mated with red dot sight.

The original Micro Tavor Assault Rifle (M.T.A.R.-21) as viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted and night vision device mated with red dot sight. This weapon is now called the Commando Tavor.

Mounted to the gas block, the optical sight platform is thus part of the free-floating barrel group and is not connected to the receiver, and simple auxiliary backup sights are also provided. An armorer can replace barrels with different lengths. At the muzzle is a NATOSTANAG flash suppressor, but an extended suppressor is used to accommodate the M203 40mm grenade launcher. Like the Steyr AUG, the T.A.R.-21 can be quickly converted to right or left handed use, but is otherwise specific to such users. Also as with the AUG, access to the firing mechanism is gained through the butt after unlatching the butt plate. Profuse with cooling holes, the stock enhances the T.A.R.-21’s use in sustained fire roles. Also as with the Steyr AUG, the T.A.R.-21 uses an elongated/enlarged trigger guard that runs from the bottom

front of the pistol grip up to the receiver in front of the trigger. This allows easy access under any conditions. Like other NATO-STANAG combat rifles, the T.A.R.-21 will accept a wide variety of accessories including a Tele-converter, night vision, M203 grenade launcher, M1913 rail, sound suppressor and others. It will accept all current and future NATO sight systems. In addition to the standard T.A.R.-21, mission specific variants of the rifle include the Commando Tavor Assault Rifle (C.T.A.R.), the Micro Tavor Assault Rifle (M.T.A.R.) and the Sharp-shooting Tavor Assault Rifle (S.T.A.R.).

The Tavor viewed from the right side with firing components disassembled.

The original Micro Tavor (now the Commando Tavor) as viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted and reflex sight mounted.

The T.S.R. 21 semi-automatic sporting Tavor 21 seen from the left side with 10-round magazine inserted and flip-up open sights deployed. This rifle will also accept most optical sights.

The new Micro Tavor seen from the left side with Meprolite reflex sight.

The Sharpshooteing Tavor as viewed from the left side with night vision device and Harris Bipod.

The new Tavor G.T.A.R. 21 is the standard Tavor rifle equipped with a 40x46mm grenade launcher and launcher sight.

The Tavor X95 adds M1913 short rails and a folding vertical foregrip.

A product-improved “Command” C.T.A.R.21, the new “Commander” has a redesigned stock with the addition of short M1913 side rails.

The special version of the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) Tavor submitted for the U.S. SCAR Program trials is seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the long M1913 rail on top of the receiver.

The New Dual Caliber Micro Tavor In 2002, to meet special military requirements, IMI introduced a modified variant of the Micro Tavor (M.T.A.R.-21). The original Micro Tavor has been redesigned, and is now called the Commando Tavor. The Commando Tavor weighs 3.96 Kg. (8.7 pounds) with a loaded 30-shot magazine, and has a barrel 380mm (15 inches) long. The new Micro Tavor series amounts to an improved compact variant of the T.A.R. -21, and is billed as the world’s shortest 5.56mm assault rifle. It can be had in 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) as a short assault variant, a silenced variant, and a sharpshooter variant. Equipped with an M1913 rail, the Micro Tavor can accommodate most optical sight systems, and can be quickly converted to any of the above configurations by simply changing its barrel. Instead of the full-hand trigger guard of the standard T.A.R.-21 series, the new Micro Tavor uses a conventional trigger guard. In the assault variant an overall length of 520mm (20.4 inches) is specified with a barrel length of 250mm (9.8 inches), and a combat weight of 3.2 Kg. (7 pounds). No data is available for the silenced variant, or the sharpshooter variant, but the latter appears to use a barrel of 460mm (18 inches) like the standard Sharpshooting Tavor Assault Rifle (S.T.A.R.- 21). In addition, like its predecessor, the new Micro Tavor can be converted to different calibers, and while these were initially advertised as “numerous,” only 9x19mm and .40 S&W calibers were specified. However, it is likely that the weapon could be easily modified to also handle the 5.45x39mm cartridge, and perhaps the 7.62x39mm (M43) round. A special semi-automatic only variant of the

Micro Tavor was made for export. In September 2009, 13,868 Tavor assault rifles were sold to the government of Thailand.

T.A.R.-21/S.T.A.R.-21, C.T.A.R.-21 & M.T.A.R.-21

THE HEZI SM-1 PDW Means of Controlling Operation: Located above the pistol grip, the HEZI SM-1’s ambidextrous selector is moved to its forward position to allow semi-automatic fire. A selective fire variant has also been designed to incorporate an automatic position for this selector. Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector all the way to the rear prevents the HEZI SM-1 from being fired.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Although the exact disassembly procedure is not known, after removing the magazine and making sure the weapon is unloaded, cross-pins in the bullpup stock are pushed out in order to separate the upper and lower halves, and expose the modified U.S. M1 carbine barreled action. The carbine is then field stripped in essentially the same manner as described under the elementary disassembly procedure for the M1 carbine in the chapter on the U.S. assault rifle developments. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Designed by a former Israeli Military officer, the HEZI SM-1 Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) amounts to a conversion of the U.S. M1 (and M2) carbine that, along with its .30 carbine (7.62x33mm) cartridge, remains quite popular in Israel. Included among the modifications are the operating slide, removal of sights, and the addition of a muzzle brake. The weapon also has a new firing pin safety. The system is manufactured and marketed by Advanced Combat Systems, Ltd., of Even Yehuda, Israel. Housed in an olive green synthetic bullpup stock, the HEZI SM-1 PDW is nearly 30% shorter than a standard M1 carbine. All firing controls, along with the magazine release and bolt release, are not only accessible by the operating hand, but are also ambidextrous including the non-reciprocating cocking handle that is mounted on top of the housing. Above the cocking handle is a combination sighting bridge/carrying handle on which both front and rear sights are mounted, and that also contains M1913 rails for the mounting of

optical sights and other accessories. Another such rail is located under the front end of the stock on which to mount a tactical light. On the right side of the HEZI SM-1 PDW is a metal deflector to allow left-handed shooting. Standard M1 carbine magazines are used. The system is also made for export.

The HEZI SM-1 PDW is viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, Aimpoint Comp Red Dot sight mounted on top and Insight Technology Weapon Light mounted on bottom front rail.

HEZI SM-1 PDW

CHAPTER 37

Italy

A

lthough the Italian Army fought both World Wars with bolt-action

rifles, various designs of semi-automatic and full-automatic rifles were developed in Italy including some designed before World War I. Of these, no large-scale production ever took place, and today relatively little information about them is available. With this in mind, let us begin with a general overview of Italian assault rifle development. G. Ricci patented one of the first self-loading rifle designs of Italian origin in April 1893 (British patent no. 7003 of 5 April). As with many pioneering ideas, this complicated mechanism did not evolve into a practical weapon. The first semiautomatic rifle seriously considered by the Italian military came from the workshop of Fillipo Genovesi, who patented his idea on April 15, 1905 (No. 76431). A small number of 6.5x50.5mm rifles of the Genovesi-type were built at the National Arms Factory at Terni. Although the Ministry of War intended to build 6,000 Genovesi self-loaders, production was terminated in 1912 after the first samples (a lot of 150 rifles) failed to function properly in the Libyan Desert.

The Cei-Rigotti Rifle

Among the earliest of the self-loading designs that had practical value was one created just before 1900 by Captain Amerigo Cei-Rigotti of the Bersaglieri. Cei-Rigotti and Cei-Rigotti Associates constructed a gas-actuated selective-fire rifle firing the regulation Model 1891 6.5x50.5mm Italian cartridge. Commonly known in the Italian press as the Cei Gas Rifle, it attracted widespread attention in international military circles for a time. The Italian arms-making firm GlisentiBettoni secured the rights to make the invention, and attempts were made to sell it in Italy and abroad. In March 1901, they demonstrated the Cei rifle at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, England. British test reports of the Cei-Rigotti rifle noted that full-automatic fire with this weapon was extremely difficult for the shooter to control. The Cei rifle patent drawing of 1895 (British patent no. 17,580 of September 20, 1895) shows a mechanical arrangement which uses gas pressure from the barrel to move a piston forward and compress a strong spring. When pressure fell, the spring expanded and opened the breech, which had its own closing spring. As soon as the breech opened, the piston disconnected from it. At the time, the 4.5 kg (10 pound) Cei rifle, was an advance in the art, but this particular rifle development was never perfected. The spring method of operation, which was intended to get away from the violent blow associated with direct gas operation, led to an unduly complicated mechanism. The War Ministry purchased a few models of the Cei-Rigotti rifle in 1911 for desert trials in Libya. In 1909, Captain Bethel Abiel Revelli, best known for his design work in the field of machine guns, constructed an automatic rifle for the 6.5mm Italian cartridge. Known as the Revelli-Terni, it too never went beyond the prototype stage. Little is recorded about this rifle,

but it was probably an attempt to convert the standard Italian M1891 bolt-action rifle to a self-loader. (The name Revelli-Terni probably indicated that Revelli did the experimental work on this design at the government rifle factory at Terni. Revelli later developed another, different automatic weapon, also just a prototype, which became known as the Revelli-Beretta rifle.)

The first Cei-Rigotti experimental assault rifle for the 6.5x50.5mm Italian cartridge in various stages of firing.

The Cei-Rigotti 6.5x50.5mm automatic rifle as viewed from the right and left sides with extended magazine.

The Cei-Rigotti 6.5x50.5mm selective fire carbine seen from the right and left sides.

The Cei-Rigotti 6.5x50.5mm automatic carbine as tested by the British in 1901 at the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield. (photo courtesy of the Pattern Room Museum, Nottingham)

The Cei-Rigotti rifle field stripped.

This circa 1900 photo shows an Italian soldier demonstrating charging and firing a standard and high capacity version of the Cei-Rigotti rifle.

During World War I, the Italian army high command established the characteristics for a next- generation automatic weapon for the infantry. Their specifications outlined features now commonly accepted as defining an assault rifle: Good ballistic qualities, very light recoil, firing bursts almost identical to those of a machine gun, productive firing up to 600 meters, a light weight approaching that of the lightest carbines, a large number of shots (about 24) per magazine.

Original drawings illustrate the workings of the Cei-Rigotti selective fire carbine.

To further this goal, the national rifle factories at Terni and Rome, in conjunction with the Bologna Pyrotechnic Institute, created reduced power cartridges in 7.35mm and 6.5mm respectively. The 7.35mm cartridge had an 8.7 gram (134 grain) bullet with an initial velocity of 600 meters per second (1,975 fps), and the 6.5mm cartridge 6.4 gram (99 grain) bullet with a velocity of 640 meters per second (2,080 fps). Two rifles were developed to shoot these cartridges: the 7.35mm Model 1921 Terni automatic carbine and the 6.5mm Model 1922 Rome automatic carbine. In May 1923, these two rifles were tested against three submachine gun designs (Fiat, Beretta, and Ansaldo-Crocetti), all of which were chambered to fire the 9mm M1910 Glisenti pistol cartridge. The test commission rejected the 9mm submachine guns as too under-powered. Only the Model 1921 Terni automatic carbine satisfied most of the suggested requirements for a new rifle. An improved variant of this weapon, the Model 1921/28, never went beyond the prototype stage. Meanwhile, several other private designers were proposing new weapons.

Scotti In the period between the World Wars, Alfredo Scotti, a prolific inventor, with his shop located in the firearms-making center of Brescia, developed a complete system of automatic weapons, ranging from pistols to automatic cannon. All of Scotti’s weapons operated on the same delayed blowback principle. Few of Scotti’s light weapons were made in quantity, but Isotta-Fraschini in Milan during World War II produced his aircraft machine guns and automatic cannon for Italian military use. Among his other designs, Scotti developed prototypes of a semiautomatic carbine, a semi-automatic rifle, and a light machine gun. The Italian government ordered 250 of the semi-automatic variant for test and evaluation in 1934. All three weapons fired the older regulation 6.5x50.5mm Italian cartridge. The rifle and the carbine, were loaded with the six-round Italian clip. Scotti’s light machine gun (called the naval model), fit the description of a modern assault rifle. Intended for use on small ships for antiaircraft fire from the deck, it would give the deck watch a defensive arm for use against aircraft, which might glide in with engines shut off. There were no sights, as Scotti contended that it should be used like a shotgun. A detachable box magazine, inserted from below, was used. In addition to employing a delayed blowback operating mechanism, all of Scotti’s weapons fired from the open-bolt position and used a short-stroke gas piston system for unlocking. The belief that such a weapon wasted ammunition probably kept it from being considered for use by infantry.

The 6.35mm Scotti Brescia Model 1 semi-automatic rifle as tested by Aberdeen Proving Ground.

The Scotti 6.5mm semi-automatic rifle as seen from the right side. (photos courtesy of Beretta).

The Scotti 6.5x50.5mm semi-automatic rifle viewed from the left side.

These original drawings illustrate the workings of the Scotti semi-automatic rifle.

The Scotti semi-automatic carbine with pistol grip for the 6.5x50.5mm Italian cartridge.

The Scotti Naval antiaircraft rifle for the 6.5x50.5mm cartridge. Although this weapon was conceived to shoot at enemy biplanes, it has the basic features of an assault rifle.

A prototype Scotti Naval antiaircraft 6.5x50.5mm assault rifle with high capacity magazine.

A prototype Scotti Naval antiaircraft 6.5x50.5mm assault rifle without magazine.

Breda Another Italian company, Societá Italiana Ernesto Breda per Costruzioni Meccaniche of Milan, developed automatic weapons in the 1920’s. Commonly known as Breda, this company was founded in 1886 and specialized in heavy machinery and locomotives until World War I. During the war, Breda produced artillery, aircraft bombs, artillery projectiles, and various ordnance components. After the war, Breda diversified into several lines of mechanical products, one of which was small arms.

In 1924, a small research group was established at Brescia. In 1925, the firm obtained a contract from the Greek government for 100,000 6.5x53mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer bolt-action rifles. Subsequently, Breda operated small arms manufacturing facilities at Brescia and Rome. By the beginning of World War II, Breda had developed and produced an automatic rifle, a light machine gun, and heavy machine guns for ground, tank, aircraft, and antiaircraft use, as well as grenades and other weapons. In addition to supplying the Italian government, Breda had entered the export market with its automatic rifle, known as the Moschetto Automatico Model P.G., a remarkable weapon, which was, in some ways, ahead of its time. The designation “P.G.” was the abbreviation for the Italian words presa gas (gas operated). This weapon was conceived by the chief of Breda’s technical department, Cav. Sestilio Fiorini. Since World War II, Breda small arms production has been limited to shotguns. The current name of the company is Breda Meccanica Bresciana. Breda never made the Model P.G. in large quantities, and about 400 were made for Costa Rica in 7x57mm Mauser. Gas-operated with a fully locked breech and a detachable magazine, the Model P.G. fired from the open-bolt position. The hollow gas piston encircled the 500mm (19.7 inch) barrel (as in later German 7.92x33mm VG1-5 and Czech 7.62x45mm vz.52 carbines). Even when tools were available, this rifle was very difficult to disassemble. The rifle also was heavy (4.9 kg; 10.9 pounds) and awkward, and thus not well received by soldiers. There is one feature of the P.G., however, which definitely classifies it as an assault rifle. The trigger mechanism includes a

selector which, when set for semi-automatic, delivers single shots in the usual manner. When set for automatic, on the other hand, bursts, limited to four shots by an escapement incorporated in the extremely complex trigger mechanism, are fired. (Not all variants of the P.G. included this feature. Some specimens were built as semi-automatic only. These were usually chambered for the 6.5x50.5mm Italian cartridge.)

The prototype Breda Model 35 P.G. 6.5x50.5mm rifle seen from the right side with extended magazine.

The Breda 7x57mm assault rifle P.G. as made for Costa Rica as viewed from the right side.

The Breda P.G. Costa Rican 7mm assault rifle as seen from the left side.

The barrel and receiver group of the Breda P.G. 6.5x50.5mm rifle completely stripped.

The stock and magazine groups of the Breda P.G. 6.5x50.5mm rifle stripped.

The action of the 6.5x50.5mm Breda Model 1935 P.G. seen from the right side.

The gas piston exhaust port on the underside of the Breda Model 35 P.G.

The action of the Breda Model 35 P.G. with the sheet metal cover removed and bolt forward.

Burst-control devices of this type are attracting widespread interest in recent years. It is remarkable that Breda had put one into use over 75 years ago. A controlled burst, such as the four shots fired by the P.G., does not cause as much muzzle climb as does a longer burst. Other designs examined at this time included the Brixia

semi-automatic rifle made by Brescia Metallurgical Society (1931); the conversion of the Modello 1891 bolt-action rifle by Vittorio Castelli of Brescia (1930), and the Revelli by Beretta.

Beretta Among the Italian firms that specialize in the production of small arms, the most widely known is Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta Gardone, Val Trompia in Brescia. While Beretta traces its firearmsmaking history back to the 1500’s, the company built its first real factory for mass production in 1880. At the outbreak of World War I, the entire factory was devoted to military production, its principal output being handguns and machine gun components.

The action of the Breda Model 35 P.G. with the sheet metal cover removed and the bolt to the rear.

At Beretta, Captain Bethel Revelli worked on the development of a short-recoil operated automatic rifle for assault troops. The end of the war stopped this project, but at least one firing prototype had been built. It had a 24-shot magazine and a retarded blowback action.

After the armistice, Beretta resumed production of high-grade shotguns and target rifles. In the 1920s the firm’s head designer, Tullio Marengone, started research toward development of a semiautomatic military rifle based on Revelli’s concept, to fire the standard 6.5mm Italian cartridge. This resulted in a recoil-operated rifle with turning bolt, designated the Fucile Beretta Modello 1931. It weighed nine pounds (4.5 kg) and was 45.5 inches (1155mm) in length. The standard six-round Italian clip was inserted from below, the magazine housing being hinged for loading and unloading. A few were built for trial in the Italian army. Some years later, the Italian military decided to adopt a new reduced-power 7.35mm cartridge for rifles. Marengoni then modified their self-loading rifle, which became known as the Fucile Beretta Modello 1937. This new model weighed 8.9 pounds and its nine-shot rotary magazine was loaded from the top with stripper clips. The Italian armed forces would never complete the change in caliber and this experimental rifle was not placed into series production.

1937 Rifle Trials In November 1937, while tests of the new reduced-power 7.35mm cartridge were still under way, the Ministry of War held a meeting to discuss the selection of a new infantry weapon. Six organizations in addition to Beretta appeared to offer rifles:

The Beretta Model 1931 semi-automatic rifle in 6.5x50.5mm as seen from the right side.

The Beretta Model 1931 as seen from the left side field stripped. This rifle loaded from beneath with clips as shown.

The Beretta Model 1937 semi-automatic rifle for the 7.35mm Italian cartridge. This model loaded from the top with chargers.

Out of these designs, the Revelli Armiguerra firm received a contract for 10,000 7.35mm Model 39 rifles, but the demand upon the Italian economy made by Mussolini’s overseas military adventures doomed this project from the start. Armiguerra’s new factory at Cremona never produced the Model 1939 rifle, concentrating instead on fabricating the 6.5mm Model 1891 bolt-action rifle.

Just before Italy entered World War II, two other self-loaders of interest appeared on the Italian scene. The first was a gas-operated conversion of the 8x56mmR Steyr Model 95 straight-pull rifle created by Carlo Maefassi and colleagues in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between 1939 and 1940. The other rifle was a 7.92x57mm variant of the Pavesi Modello 1939. It was followed by a further modified variant, which was called the Fucile F.N.A. brevetto Pavesi, in 1942. Despite their use of small numbers of the 7.92x57mm Walther Gewehr 41 self-loaders during the last years of the 1939-1945 conflict, the Italian army’s complete switch to self-loading rifles did not come until after World War II.

The Gino Revelli rifle as seen from the right side.

These drawings illustrate the mechanism of the Gino Revelli rifle.

The converted semi-automatic 8x56mmR Steyr Model 1895 as seen from the right side.

The Steyr M95 converted to gas operated semi-automatic as seen from the left side.

The Pavesi 7.92x57mm Model 1939 semi-automatic rifle viewed from the right side.

The 7.92x57mm Fucile F.N.A. brevetto Pavesi Model 1942 as seen from the right side.

Post-War Beretta Rifle Projects

The BM59 Means of Controlling Operation:

Located on the left front side of the receiver, the selector lever is pulled to the rear to limit the BM59 to semi-automatic fire, and is pushed all the way forward to allow full automatic fire. Those variations capable of burst fire are so marked. Safety Arrangements: Found inside the front of the trigger guard, the safety is pulled to the rear to make the BM59 SAFE, and is pushed forward to allow the rifle to be fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After putting the safety ON, remove the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, leave the BM59 cocked. Then pry down the trigger guard from the rear. This unlocks the trigger group from the receiver group and allows them to be separated from the stock. After removing the trigger group, it may be necessary to invert the rifle and strike the comb section of the buttstock with the palm of one hand while holding the barrel near the gas block with the other. Then remove the gas piston and recoil spring assembly, and then the operating rod and bolt from the receiver in much the same way as the M1 Garand rifle. Then remove the retaining spring clip from the selector and remove this part and the trip lever from the receiver. No further disassembly is normally necessary and reassembly is accomplished in the reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

After the formation of NATO in 1949, Beretta began the manufacture of the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30 M1 with technical support from the United States. The first production was for the Italian armed forces, but Beretta later sold M1 rifles to Indonesia and Denmark. At least 100,000 units had been produced by the early 1960s, at a time when intense publicity was being given to the newer, smaller-caliber assault rifles causing users to look upon the M1 Garand and its original configuration as out of date. After World War II, Beretta built a new modern factory, equipped for economical production by modern methods, in Brescia, and soon commenced producing the M1 Garand in large numbers. In 1959, Beretta began studies to convert the Garand rifle into a selective-fire assault rifle, so it could be sold in competition with the new assault rifles then appearing on the world market. Beretta offered several approaches to the product-improvement problem. The large numbers of Garands already in existence worldwide made it a logical candidate for factory conversion to an assault rifle configuration. This was an important consideration for defense organizations with tight budgets. The Beretta staff estimated that this could save about half the cost of a new rifle. The project was started under Domenico Salza and was completed and put into production by Vittorio Valle.

Early Beretta BM59 prototype rifles compared with an original M1 Garand rifle (top).

Beretta also offered to build the improved designs with all parts newly manufactured, but only if this could be done at a competitive price. The conversion program did not require making the most intricate parts of the M1. It is probably for this reason that Beretta’s major marketing effort was directed toward converting existing materiel. The varieties of Garand-type rifles developed by Beretta are interesting not only for their characteristics, but also for their number (not to mention prototypes). It is a tribute to the company that it was able to design many modifications to meet diverse requirements. Of course, some models exist only in prototype, but they represent

stages in the overall developmental goal – a modern assault rifle with variations to suit a number of combat roles. The first step was to lighten and shorten the M1 rifle without altering the 8-shot feed system or changing the 7.62x63mm (.30-06) ammunition. Beretta called this first model the M1 L.S. Beretta’s next step was to alter the Garand to use a detachable 20-shot box magazine in place of the 8-shot en-bloc clip. Designated the BM58 (58 being the year of development), this rifle remained in its original .30 M2 caliber (7.62x63mm), and was made only in prototype. The M1 L.S. was later offered in 7.62x51mm NATO with a 20-shot box magazine. Beretta engineers began their studies to convert the Garand into a selective-fire rifle in 1959, and from the BM58 evolved the BM59. The project, started under Domenico Salza, was completed and put into production by Vittorio Valle. The BM59 differed from its predecessor both in refinement and that it fired the 7.62X51mm NATO cartridge. When equipped with a device to reduce the rate of automatic fire, the rifle was designated the BM59R, and a variation using a vertical pistol grip and bipod was called the BM59D. A semiautomatic restricter was also offered to prevent selective fire. The BM59 equipped with a grenade launcher was designated the BM59GL. These early BM59 variants were merely shortened selective fire M1 rifles in 7.62x51mm NATO with the addition of a charger guide 20-shot box magazine, and they retained the standard steel butt plate.

The original basic Beretta Model (BM) 59 as seen from the right side with 20shot magazine inserted and 5-shot charger in place.

This illustration depicts the parts necessary to convert the M1 Garand to the BM59.

Here the operation of the BM59 selector is illustrated including the semiautomatic restricter.

In 1960, with renewed interest in burst-firing mechanisms, Beretta developed the BM60CB. This rifle’s 3-shot burst capability differentiated it from its predecessors. The BM60CB had the same

external appearance as the early BM59. After further development, Beretta changed the designation of some models of the BM59 and discontinued others. Beretta called the basic model in the new series the BM 59 Mark I. This individual assault rifle had a muzzle attachment called the Beretta “tri-compensator.” This device combined the functions of a muzzle brake, a climb compensator and a flash suppressor. The tricompensator was designed to accept the U.S. rifle bayonet as well as the MECAR and Beretta grenade launchers. The BM 59 Mark II was similar to the Mark I, but had a vertical pistol grip, winter trigger, bipod and hinged buttplate. As a result, it weighed about one pound (.454 kg) more than the standard Mark I. The BM 59 Mark III had a vertical pistol grip, bipod and folding steel stock strong enough to support grenade launching. The BM 59 Mark IV was a heavy-barrel variant intended as a squad automatic weapon. To meet Italian Army specifications Beretta designed the BM59 Mark Ital. The Mark Ital was similar to the Mark I but had a special Beretta grenade launcher that incorporated the tri-compensator and a bayonet lug. It also had a winter trigger, bipod, and hinged buttplate. At the same time three variations were developed for alpine and paratroop units. They include the following: Fucile Automatico Beretta Modelo 59 Fucile Automatic Leggiero (FAL) Fucile Automatico Beretta Modelo 59 Truppe Alpini (BM59TA) Fucile Automatico Beretta Modelo 59 Truppe Paracadutiste (BM59TP)

Nearly identical, both the BM59 Mark Ital-TA and Mark Ital-TP were derived from the BM59 Mark III but had a special, detachable, Beretta grenade launcher that incorporated the tri-compensator and a bayonet lug. Both variants had a front grenade sight that, when hinged up into vertical, shut off the gas flow to the piston to prevent damage to the action that resulted from violent functioning caused by excessive gas pressure. Approximately 100,000 rifles of all models were built for the Italian Armed Forces. All Mark Ital rifles have a folding winter trigger.

Second prototype BM59 Mark I as seen from the right side. Note the early bipod and muzzle brake.

The Beretta BM59 Mark I (Modified) as seen from the right side with 5-shot charger in place.

A prototype BM59 Mark II with experimental butt plate, pistol grip and bipod. Note early Garand type bayonet.

Early prototype Beretta assault rifle BM59 Mark II seen from the right side.

The prototype BM59 Mark III as viewed from the right side with folding stock extended. Note experimental vertical foregrip.

The Production BM59 as seen from the right side with folding stock extended and 5-shot charger in place.

A prototype BM59 Mark IV viewed from the right side with bipod deployed and 5-shot charger in place.

An early BM59 seen from the right side with improved pistol grip and shoulder rest deployed.

The final production BM59 Mark IV as seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted and bipod folded.

BM59 Mark IV with an experimental carrying handle mounted forward of the receiver.

With the technical assistance from Beretta, the BM59 was manufactured under license in Morocco, Indonesia and Nigeria. Beretta also made unique BM59 variations for testing by the Netherlands and Norway. Nicknamed the Nederlandse Garand, the experimental BM59 made for the Netherlands used an AR-10

magazine with an AR-10 magazine release adapted to the rifle. The Norwegian BM59 used a unique muzzle brake.

A prototype BM59 Mark Ital circa 1961 with early grenade launcher, bipod and M1 steel butt plate.

A standard production FAL BM59 Mark Ital as seen from the right side with bipod deployed.

The standard FAL BM59 Mark Ital seen from the left side with bayonet attached.

The BM59 Mark Ital with 5-shot charger in place and winter trigger deployed.

Prototype BM59TA rifle designed for Alpine troops as seen from the left side with stock extended.

The BM59TP as seen from the right side with tri-compensator removed, bipod deployed and without magazine. Designed for airborne use, this was the shortest of the BM59s.

A prototype BM59TP seen from the left side with grenade launcher removed and stock extended.

The BM59TA (Troopa Alpino) seen from the right side.

The BM59TP seen from the right side with tri-compensator removed, bipod folded and without magazine. Designed for airborne use, this was the shortest of the BM59s.

The Nigerian BM59 Mark IV as seen from the right side with bipod with 20shot magazine inserted and bipod deployed. Note the finger groove in the stock.

The Nigerian BM59 Mark IV seen from the right side with bipod folded and 20shot magazine inserted. Note the finger groove in the stock.

The experimental BM59 variation submitted to the Netherlands is seen between the U.S. M1 Garand and the 1st prototype BM59 Mark I rifle. Note the AR-10 magazine release used with the Dutch BM59 in conjunction with the AR-10 magazine.

The experimental Norwegian BM59 serial #1047 is viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The unique muzzle brake of the Norwegian BM59 #1047 is clearly seen here.

This close-up illustrates the AR-10 magazine release used on the experimental BM59 submitted to the Netherlands. It was pushed through to release the magazine as on the AR-10 rifle.

This early semi-automatic BM62 was made for export. Note its commercial recoil pad and finger groove stock.

With the action of the Netherlands experimental BM59 rifle removed from the stock, the placement of the AR-10 magazine release is clearly seen. Note the filler block in front of the AR-10 magazine.

This late semi-automatic only BM62 was imported by Golden State Arms Company, of Pasadena, California. It has a charger guide and winter trigger.

The BM59E as seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted. Only a few BM59E rifles were made.

A semi-automatic only variant of the BM59 was imported to the U.S. by Golden State Arms, of Pasadena, California and Springfield Armory, of Geneseo, Illinois. At least two variants of another semiautomatic BM62 were also made and imported to the United States. In addition to offering rifles of new manufacture, Beretta could modify existing Garands to an assault rifle configuration firing in semiautomatic and full-automatic mode. This model was designated the BM59E. According to factory literature: “To introduce improvements on a used standard Garand Ml rifle, the following modifications must be accomplished: 1. Fitting of a new or modified barrel, to U.S. metallurgical specifications (SAE 4150 S). The new barrel, reduced in weight, is chambered for the shorter 7.62mm NATO cartridge. [The “E” variant had a 23.5-inch barrel; many barrels were modified and shortened standard M1 barrels.] 2. Modification of the receiver to accept the Beretta magazines, and adaptation to permit the optional clip loading of the magazines. The desired capacity magazine is included. 3. Modification of the operating rod and of the mainspring, to adapt them to the new [modified] barrel. 4. Fitting of a new stainless steel gas cylinder.

5. Modification of the trigger housing, to permit the fitting of the new magazine and of the new firing mechanism. 6. Manufacture and installation of the full automatic fire mechanism. 7. Modification of the stock and of other non-mechanical components to allow for insertion of the improved mechanical features. 8. Fitting of a selector lever for semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. In addition, the following operations are included in these modifications: a) b)

Stripping, inspection, cleaning, and assembling of the rifle during the course of the modification; Gauging and calibration of mechanical components; prooftest firing with high-pressure test cartridges; machine-rest firing to determine conformity to standards of safety and precision.”

Beretta worked with SIG to design an assault rifle, which later became known as the SIG 540. In 1962 to 1963, the two companies used Beretta’s modern production facility to make this rifle for the Chilean army.

BM59, Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, Mark IV, Mark Ital

The Beretta Model 1957 Carbine, Caliber .30 M1 (7.62x33mm) Means of Controlling Operation In place of a selector, this carbine has two triggers. The forward trigger provides semi-automatic fire while pulling the rear trigger causes the carbine to fire full-automatic. Safety Arrangements:

Located on the left rear-side of the receiver, the safety lever is pushed forward to make the carbine SAFE and is pulled to the rear to allow the weapon to be fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After putting the safety ON, remove the magazine and make sure the chamber is empty. Now remove the front barrel-band and lift the barreled action from the stock. Then pull back the recoil spring and guide enough to remove the guide from the captive gas piston. Then remove the recoil spring group from the carbine. Remove the cross pin in the front of the trigger housing and slip the housing down and forward out of the receiver. Remove the operating rod/bolt carrier and bolt from the rear of the receiver. No further disassembly is required and reassembly is in the reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 1957, Beretta began development of a selective fire carbine chambered for the U.S. .30 M1 Carbine (7.62x33mm) cartridge. Designed by Tullio Marengoni, this weapon is called the Model 57, and was made by Beretta for the government of Morocco, but was later produced in that country. It somewhat resembles the U.S. Carbine externally, but differs extensively internally. Although the Beretta uses a short-stroke gas tappet (piston) system of operation similar to that of the U.S. Carbine, its bolt is of the tilting-type locking into the top of the receiver similar to that used in the WW II German MP.44 rifle. While the Beretta is hammer fired, its automatic sear is

greatly simplified from its U.S. counterpart and it uses two triggers, the front for semi-automatic fire and the rear for full-automatic.

The early Beretta Model 57 Carbine M1 as seen from the right side with 30shot magazine inserted.

The early Model 57 Beretta Carbine caliber .30 M1 viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the special muzzle brake.

This close-up of the Beretta Model 57 Carbine illustrates its nonreciprocating cocking handle and closed mechanism. Note the double

triggers, the front for semi-automatic fire and the rear for full-automatic.

The Beretta Model 57 Carbine as seen from the left side with folding stock.

The early production Beretta Model 57 Carbine viewed from the right side. This model has no ventilated handguard or bayonet lug.

The final production Beretta Model 57 Carbine as seen from the right side. Note the stock cut to use the sling and oiler of the U.S. Carbine.

The production Beretta Model 57 Carbine viewed from the left side. Note the bayonet lug on the barrel and the selector above the trigger guard.

The Beretta Model 57 Carbine caliber .30 M1 field stripped.

The barrel/receiver group of the Beretta Carbine is seen here disassembled.

Using a non-reciprocating cocking handle, the Model 57 remains a closed system except for the opening of the bolt for ejection of spent casings. The Beretta uses the standard sling and oiler of the M1 Carbine as well as its bayonet, and although its 30-shot magazine is straight, it accepts standard M1 Carbine chargers for loading. A prototype variant was equipped with a folding stock and a muzzle brake.

This drawing illustrates some of the inner workings of the Beretta Carbine caliber .30 M1.

Beretta Rifle, Caliber .30 M1

The Ingram SAM-1 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Moving the selector to the forward position allows automatic fire and moving it to the rear position limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Located forward of the trigger guard, the cross-bolt type safety is pushed to the right to block the trigger, and is pushed to the left to allow the rifle to be fired.

This original Gordon Ingram drawing illustrates the inner workings of the Ingram 7.62x39mm rifle.

This original Gordon Ingram drawing illustrates the inner workings of the Ingram 7.62x39mm SAM-1 selective fire rifle made for Somalia.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the disassembly procedure for the M1 Carbine in the U.S. Chapter.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In the late 1970s, after he designed the Erquiaga-Ingram Assault Rifle (see the U.S. Chapter) and his involvement with the San Cristobal arms factory in the Dominican Republic ended (see the South American Chapter), noted arms designer, Gordon Ingram, contracted with Giovanni Contrini, of Gardone Val Trompia, Brescia, Italy to produce a new Ingram assault rifle.

Ingram/Contrini SAM-1

Amounting to an enlarged, or stretched U.S. M1 Carbine type receiver, the rifle operated much like that weapon with a number of improvements including an ambidextrous AK-47 style magazine release in the 7.62mm variants. Designed in 7.62x51mm NATO, 7.62x39mm (M43) and 5.56x45mm NATO, the Ingram rifle uses a ring-type extractor to strengthen the right locking lug and surround the case head. The firing pin is spring-loaded and lockwork is of the

Browning double-claw type. The manual safety is located forward of the trigger guard. The Ingram rifle was produced in limited numbers by Contrini for the Somalian Government in 7.62x39mm. Called the SAM-1, the rifle is capable of selective fire, and used a plastic AK-47 type magazine and the M7 bayonet. A trigger housing of either steel or alloy was offered, and both fixed and folding stock variants were produced. The 7.62x51mm NATO and 5.56x45mm NATO variants of the Ingram rifle were designed to use the M14 or FN FAL, and M16/AR18 magazines, but these models along with their semiautomatic sporting counterparts have been made only in pre-production numbers.

The Luigi Franchi Rifles About the same time as Beretta was developing its .30 caliber selective fire carbine, the firm of Luigi Franchi was working on a little known U.S. .30 caliber (7.62x33mm) Carbine of its own. Called the LF57, this selective fire carbine used U.S. .30 Carbine magazines and was gas operated by a long-stroke piston with a tilting bolt. With its upper and lower receivers made of pressed sheet metal, the LF57 was made in both fixed and folding stock variants, but was produced only in pre-production quantities. Around the same time as Beretta was developing its BM59, Luigi Franchi also designed a 7.62x51mm NATO caliber assault rifle of its own. Called the LF59, this rifle was similar to the FN FAL, and used an FAL magazine, but had a closed upper receiver made of pressed

or stamped sheet metal. Made only in prototype, the LF59 had a tubular buttstock similar to that of the LF57 that folded to the right. In the late 1980s, Luigi Franchi developed the .223 caliber (5.56x45mm NATO) Franchi G41. Based on the H&K G41, this rifle was designed to compete with the Beretta AR70 series of rifles.

The Luigi Franchi LF57 Caliber .30 M1 as viewed from the right side with fixed stock and 30-shot M1 Carbine magazine inserted.

The LF57 Carbine as seen from the right side with folding stock extended, 30shot M1 Carbine magazine inserted and bayonet fixed.

The LF57 Carbine viewed from the right side with stock folded.

The LF59 as viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and stock folded.

The Luigi Franchi G41 as seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and bipod deployed.

The Socimi System Competing against Beretta and Franchi was the Italian firm of Socimi that developed two assault rifles, one in 7.62x51mm NATO and the other in 5.56x45mm NATO. Called the AR831, the 5.56x45mm rifle resembled the M16 rifle while the 7.62x51mm AR832 was essentially a new design. A 5.56x45mm variant, the AR833/BP was capable of 4-shot burst fire.

The Socimi experimental AR831 5.56x45mm rifle (above) with the AR832 7.62x51mm prototype seen below.

The AR70 Series Means of Controlling Operation: The selector is located above the pistol grip on the left side of the trigger housing. Rotating the selector back to the position marked with the number “1” allows semi-automatic fire. Turning it up to the position marked “A”. provides full-automatic fire. The lower position is safe. In the AR70/90, the selector markings are “1” for semiautomatic, “3” for three-shot burst and “R” (raffato) for full-automatic firing. This series also is available without three-round burst or without full-automatic fire capability and is ambidextrous. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the “6 o’clock” position marked “S” blocks the trigger and puts the weapon on safe. Elementary Disassembly Procedure:

After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, put the selector on SAFE. Now grasp the forward portion of the handguard, pull it down and away from the gas tube where it is held in place by two opposing leaf springs. Rotate the spindle lever to the vertical position and press the grenade launcher latch to clear its encastleated-locking notches. Now unscrew the grenade launcher from the barrel. Remove the piston tube by sliding it forward. Using the nose of a cartridge, or similar tool, push the receiver retaining pin located in the trigger housing out from the left. The upper receiver will now hinge open from the trigger housing. Again, using the nose of a cartridge, push back the cocking handle retainer and pull out the cocking handle. With the receiver in a vertical position allow the bolt group to slide out the rear. Push down on the piston, rotate it 180 degrees to free it from the receiver, and remove it forward. While holding the bolt carrier in the left hand, rotate the bolt 90 degrees clockwise and remove it from the carrier. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in reverse order.

The first model Beretta AR70 seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the early wooden pistol grip.

The Beretta AR70LM seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine in place and bipod deployed. This early LMG was made only in limited numbers.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Having embarked on a joint study of 5.56x45mm weapons in 1963, Beretta and SIG of Switzerland terminated their common efforts after five years in order for each firm proceeded on its own way with further development of the 5.56mm concept. Beretta created the AR70 and SIG went on to produce its Model 530-1. These Beretta and SIG rifles are similar in appearance, but not in function. The Beretta AR70 was introduced two years after separating from SIG when Beretta attempted to make a licensing arrangement with Colt Industries to produce the M16. When this failed, Beretta began to market the AR70 in earnest with a number of improvements made along the way. The first AR70 had a wooden pistol grip and buttstock. This early AR70 had no dust cover, nor was there provision for a scope or bipod, but these features were soon added. An AR70LM (Light

Machine gun) consisted of the AR70 with a heavy barrel, bipod, carrying handle, special rear sight and a special grenade launcher without a grenade launching sight. Front and rear folding grenade launching sights and a gas cut-off system were added later to all three models. The Model 70LM was discontinued after the introduction of the AR70/78 LMG.

This early Beretta AR70 has no folding grenade sights and no provision for mounting a scope.

The production AR70 as seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine in place. Note the grooved upper receiver for mounting a scope.

The AR70 is made of a stamped receiver and trigger housing. The barrel is screwed into the forged and machined barrel extension, which is spot-welded in the forward section of the receiver. The barrel extension has two locking lugs for the bolt, similar to the AK-47 assault rifle. In the AR70, the bolt rides in a bolt carrier that houses the firing pin instead of the bolt.

The AR70 has a full-length gas piston that travels above the barrel in a piston tube running from a gas cylinder block positioned on the barrel in front of the handguard. The cocking handle passes between the bolt carrier and the piston acting as a cross-bolt. It connects the piston to the bolt carrier and is held in this position by a spring activated lever on the carrier. The piston reciprocates the full length of travel with the bolt carrier and cocking handle. Unlike most other assault rifle designs, the recoil spring is not found to the rear of the bolt carrier but surrounds the piston. Thus, the bolt of the AR70 is pulled forward rather than pushed. The AR70’s high-impact plastic handguard does not surround the gas cylinder, but leaves it exposed above. A metal dust cover seals off the slot in the receiver for the cocking knob, and the rearward movement of the bolt carrier cams the dust cover open where it remains under spring pressure. A removable grenade launcher incorporates a 22mm NATO standard flash suppressor.

The AR70 viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine in place and sling attached.

The AR70 seen from the right side with sniper scope mounted, 30-shot magazine inserted and bipod deployed.

The AR70 seen from the right side with laser aimer mounted and 30-shot magazine in place.

The AR70 seen with AN-PVS1 night vision scope mounted, 30-shot magazine inserted and bipod deployed.

The AR70 seen from the right side field stripped.

The SC70 seen from the right side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine in place.

The SC70 viewed from the left side with stock extended, sling attached, but missing magazine.

The SC70 seen from the right side with bayonet fixed, stock extended and 30shot magazine inserted.

The SC70 (above) and SCS70 (below) seen from the right side with stocks folded and 30-shot magazines inserted.

The SC70 (above) and SCS70 (below) viewed from the left side with stocks folded and 30-shot magazines inserted.

The SCS70 seen from the right side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine in place.

The SCS70 viewed from the left side with stock extended, 30-shot magazine in place and bayonet fixed.

The SC70 seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine in place and 1983 handguard installed.

The SC70 viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted and 1983 handguard installed.

The SC70 seen from the right side with stock folded, 30-shot magazine in place and 1983 handguard installed.

The SC70 as viewed from the left side with stock extended, 30-shot magazine in place and 1983 handguard installed.

The SCS70 seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted, stock folded and 1983 handguard installed.

The SCS70 as viewed from the left side with stock extended, 30-shot magazine inserted and 1983 handguard installed.

The AR70 uses its own well-designed magazine, which is held place with a rear mounted ambidextrous AK-47 style magazine catch.

A hold-open device patterned after the M16 rifle keeps the bolt open after the last shot has been fired. Accessories include an M16-type bayonet and removable bipod. An M16-type optical mount is quickly detached by depressing side levers. Although this mount interfaces with all pre-M1913 NATO STANAG optics, it can only be used on rifles with a scope base. A right side-folding tubular stock variant on the SC70 (Special Carbine) is locked in either position by a top mounted plunger. Except for its folding stock, the SC70 is identical to the AR70. Another variation, the SCS70 (Special Carbine Short), has a 12.7-inch barrel. Although this weapon uses the same folding SC70 stock, it lacks grenade-launching capabilities, but will accept the standard AR70 bipod. However, the SCS70 uses a special bayonet with a modified handle, and several types of flash suppressors exist for the SCS70. The hollow pistol grip with a sliding gate for storing cleaning items or small tools is common to all models of the SC70. These improvements were added to all subsequent models with some retrofitting done to earlier rifles. In addition to the Italian Armed Forces, the AR70 was used by Malaysia. In addition to the selective fire AR70, a special semi-automatic only model was offered in both fixed and folding stock variants. This variation had no grenade sight or launcher, but except for these and selective fire components, all AR70 parts are interchangeable. In 1983, Beretta introduced a new rounded handguard for the AR70 series with longitudinal grooves, and also a new reinforced tubular folding stock.

Beretta AR70, SC70 and SCS70

The Beretta AR70/90 Series During the early 1980s, Beretta began a general overhaul of the AR70 rifle to modernize it for NATO trials. The result is the weapons system called the AR70/90. The most notable differences in the AR70/90 include the addition of a two-position gas valve, a fold-down trigger guard for use with heavy mittens, and a redesigned pistol grip, buttstock and folding stock. The rifle uses the 1983 handguard, and is available to use the M16 (NATO) magazine with a special magazine catch added.

The AR70/90 also has a removable carrying handle that allows the standard open sights to be seen through it. The handle mounts on the rifle’s NATO STANAG optical mount. The rifle does not have a folding grenade launching rear sight, but uses a longer folding front launcher sight. It will fire bursts. Instead of the barrel screwing directly into the barrel extension, a barrel nut screws onto the extension to retain the barrel similar to the method used in the M16 assault rifle. Although its overall design changes are quite noticeable, the AR70/90 remains essentially the AR70 in a new package. It is available in the same variations as the AR70, but with new designations. The standard rifle with folding stock is called the Carbine SC70/90. The short-barreled model is called Special Carbine SCS70/90.

The AR70/90 seen from the right side with carrying handle mounted and 30shot M16 (NATO) magazine inserted.

The AR70/90 viewed from the left side with carrying handle in place and 30shot M16 (NATO) magazine inserted.

The AR70/90 seen from the right side with carrying handle removed and 30shot M16 (NATO) magazine in place.

The AR70/90 viewed from the left side with carrying handle removed and 30shot M16 (NATO) magazine inserted.

The SC70/90 as viewed from the right side with stock extended, carrying handle attached, M16 30-shot magazine in place and bipod and bayonet shown detached.

The SC70/90 seen from the right side with stock folded, carrying handle detached, bipod folded and M16 (NATO) 30-shot magazine inserted.

The SC70/90 seen from the right side with sniper scope mounted in place of carrying handle, bipod folded and M16 (NATO) 30-shot magazine inserted.

The SCS70/90 seen from the right side with stock folded, carrying handle attached and M16 (NATO) 30-shot magazine inserted.

The SCS70/90 viewed from the left side with carrying handle mounted, stock extended and M16 (NATO) 30-shot magazine in place.

The AS70/90 as seen from the left side with shoulder support extended, carrying handle mounted, 30-shot M16 (NATO) magazine in place and bipod deployed.

The AS70/90 standard rifle as seen from the left side with bipod and both stocks.

The AS70/90 semi-auto sporter intended for commercial sales.

The SCP70/90 seen from the right side with stock folded, carrying handle mounted, M16 (NATO) 30-shot magazine inserted and grenade launcher removed.

A special variant of the SCS70/90 designed for paratroops is called the SCP70/90. This weapon uses a slightly longer barrel as well as a special flash suppressor. It uses a special grenade launcher that will accept a bayonet.

Beretta AR70/90, SC70/90, SCS/90 and SCP70/90

The AR70/78 seen from the right side with 40-shot magazine inserted and bipod deployed.

Beretta Light Machine Guns AR70/78, AR70/84, and AS 70/90 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip, the selector is moved to the position marked “1” to allow semi-automatic fire, and to the “R” position to provide full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the position marked “S” blocks the trigger mechanism and prevents the gun from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: With the exception of the quick-change barrel of the AR78/80 and AR70/84, the disassembly of this weapon and the AS70/90 is essentially the same as for the AR70 series described above. With regard to the removal of the AR78/80 quick-change barrel, after removing the magazine and locking back the bolt, simply rotate the barrel locking lever up, grasp the forend and slide the entire barrel assembly forward off the gas cylinder and out of the receiver.

The AR70/78 seen from the right side with bipod folded, 30-shot magazine in place and 40-shot magazine removed.

The AR70/78 as viewed from the left side with 40-shot magazine in place, bipod deployed and spare barrel assembly ready.

To remove the AR70/78’s quick-change barrel cock the bolt to the rear, rotate the barrel lock upward, and remove the barrel group forward out of the receiver.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Although not an assault rifle, the AR70/78 light machine gun (LMG) is a direct variant of the AR70 assault rifle, and is an assault machine gun. While this weapon shares many parts with the AR70, one difference is its reinforced receiver. The upper front portion of the receiver extends forward to house the piston tube and to support the bipod. A pivoting lever forward of the ejection port lifts up to free the heavy barrel and barrel extension. The barrel extension, along with the gas block and handguard, can instantly be removed after opening the bolt.

Firing from the open-bolt position in both modes, the AR70/78 uses a highly modified trigger group. A robust sear holds the entire bolt group and piston to the rear until the trigger is pulled. This prevents premature ignition due to heat build-up. An extension at the bottom of the reinforced portion of the receiver fits on a vehicle mount. The AR70/78 is issued with a 40-shot magazine.

The AR70/84 seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and bipod folded.

The AR70/84 seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted and bipod folded.

The AR70/84 viewed from the right side with shoulder support extended, 30shot magazine in place and bipod deployed.

The AR70/84 seen from the left side with shoulder support extended, 30-shot magazine inserted and bipod deployed. The AR70/84 was not mass-produced.

The AS70/90 seen from the right side with carrying handle attached, 30-shot M16 (NATO) magazine inserted and bipod folded.

The AS70/90 viewed from the right side with shoulder support extended, carrying handle attached, 30-shot M16 (NATO) magazine inserted and bipod deployed.

In 1984 Beretta made a simplified light machine gun, the LMG70/84. It was essentially an upgraded AR70 with a heavy fixed

barrel, a redesigned handguard and bipod, and a new butt-stock with a folding shoulder support. It also fired from the open bolt and incorporated a steel block for use with a vehicle mount. The LMG70/84 was never mass-produced. In the mid-1980s, when Beretta introduced its AR70/90 series of assault rifles, it also introduced the Light Machinegun AS70/90 (Arma di Squadra, squad weapon). The AS70/90 is essentially a heavy variant of the AR70/90 and does not have a quick-change barrel. It differs from AR70/90 assault rifle in a number of characteristics: The AS70/90 fires from an open-bolt position in both fire modes. It has a heavier barrel with a protective metal cover and uses a different grenade launcher. It also has a vehicle mount bracket, and a heavy, adjustable bipod. The stock is a different design with a folding shoulder rest. It has a rear adjustable sight from 300 to 800 meters. As with other Beretta light machine guns, the AS70/90 shares many parts in common with its assault rifle counterpart including the carrying handle. It is available to use standard AR70/78, or M16 NATO magazines.

AR70/78 and AS70/90

The ARX160 In 2007 Beretta, of Italy, began the development of a brand new 21st Century assault rifle chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge. Called the ARX160, the designation stands for Assault Rifle Times 160 (or assault rifle 10 times better than the M16). Fabricated using polymer wherever feasible, the ARX160 and its companion GLX160 40mm grenade launcher were developed to be the most effective weapons on the battlefield, with their improved

efficiency being the result of innovative engineering geared especially for the soldier. Reported to be basically lubricant free, the ARX160 requires minimal lubrication even under the most severe conditions, and ambidextrous controls make it ergonomic to use from either side. Field stripping is “pin free” and is accomplished without tools. Multiple two-point, and single point sling mounts are standard, as is a fourposition stock that also folds to the right. The butt is rounded and anti-slip. The ambidextrous selector has a rotation of 82 degrees and there are also three controls for the magazine release, as well as a reversible cocking handle. The ARX160 has a quick-change barrel system and two standard barrel lengths are offered, a 16-inch (406.4mm) and a 12inch (304.8mm). The long-stroke gas piston system is part of the barrel group and remains with it, so a clean piston can be changed with the barrel. In this case, the piston is actually the cylinder, which rides on a fixed spiggot and travels the full-length against the extension (operating rod) on the front of the bolt carrier. A standard model and a CQB model are offered. A full-length M1913 top rail is standard, as are three shorter M1913 forward rails at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. The GLX160 single-shot 40mm grenade launcher is Beretta’s answer to the M203, but like many of its modern counterparts, is designed to be mounted on the bottom of the ARX160, or on its own stand-alone stock. When mounted on the ARX160, the rifle’s integral grenade launching sight is used, but as a stand-alone weapon, a special grenade sight is mounted on the GLX160’s top M1913 rail. A host of accessories is offered for the ARX160.

Seen here is the initial original conceptual mockup of the ARX160 assault rifle, its 40mm grenade launcher and a proposed optical sight. It is obvious that a number of major changes were made to the finished rifle.

As seen from the right side, the Beretta 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) ARX160 assault rifle is equipped with its 16-inch (406.4mm) barrel, has a 30shot magazine inserted and its folding stock extended.

Here the 16-inch barrel ARX160 is seen from the right side with a 30-shot magazine and its folding stock folded

The ARX160’s GLX160 40mm grenade launcher is mounted here with the ARX160’s back-up folding sights deployed.

The ARX160 CQB version is seen with its 12-inch (304.8mm) barrel and an Aimpoint Comp M2 red dot sight mounted on its rail, but with its back-up folding sights removed.

Here the GLX160 is mounted on the ARX160 and has its grenade launching sight deployed.

The GLX160 can also be deployed as a stand-alone weapon, as seen here from the right side.

Here the ARX160 is partially field stripped with its 16-inch barrel removed. The rifle uses no cross pins for assembly.

The ARX160’s 12- and 16-inch barrel groups are seen here. The piston system remains with the barrel.

The ARX160 is seen here from the left side with 30-shot magazine and factory sling.

Beretta ARX160 Assault Rifle

CHAPTER 38

Japan

H

aving equipped its military with only bolt-action rifles through the

end of World War II, Japan used surplus semi-automatic M1 Garand and other rifles supplied by the U.S. until the 1960’s when it developed the Type 64 selective fire rifle.

The Type 64 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the right side of the lower receiver above the trigger, the selector is rotated to the middle position marked “Ta” for semiautomatic fire and all the way forward to the position marked “Re” to allow full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector rearward to the position marked “A” blocks the trigger, putting the rifle on SAFE. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, allow the bolt to go forward, but leave the hammer cocked. Remove

the top pushpin at the rear of the receiver and remove the upper receiver top cover and rear sight. Pull back the recoil spring and guide from the bolt carrier and remove them from their guide tube. Pull back the charging handle and remove the bolt group from the upper rear of the receiver. Push out the lower pushpin and remove the trigger group/pistol grip from the receiver. Now pull off the buttstock. No further disassembly is required. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Having taken an interest in self-loading rifles (SLR) as early as 1922, the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) finally awarded a contract to the Nambu Rifle Manufacturing Company for the design of an SLR in June, 1931. Under the direction of General Kijiro Nambu the company delivered a prototype 6.5x50.5mm gas operated semiautomatic rifle to the Koshikawa Army Arsenal in Tokyo three months later. As testing of the Nambu rifle continued, other firms entered the competition and, in 1935, the following SLR rifles were tested: Tokyo Gas & Electric Company’s 6.5mm copy of the Czech SH29. Koshikawa Army Arsenal’s 6.5mm copies of the Pedersen SLR. Nippon Special Steel Company’s (now NTK) 6.5mm domestic variant of the Masaya Kawamura’s Pedersen-type operating mechanism. However, with the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War on July 7, 1936, the SLR program was postponed, and although it was resumed in 1941, none of Japan’s WWII era semi-automatic rifles was ever

put into series production including the Japanese Navy’s copy of the U.S. M1 Garand. In the late 1950’s, the Japanese Government began a search for an assault rifle to replace the aging WWII Japanese and American weapons it was still using. Working closely with the Howa Machinery Company, the Japanese General Self Defense Force (GSDF) established specifications for a new 7.62x51mm NATO caliber selective fire assault rifle. After studying the features of all existing assault rifles, Howa began a development program in April 1956, or the Japanese year of 31 Showa. By 1958 two prototype rifles had been built. Designated as Rifle 1 and Rifle 2 (R-1 & R-2), these proof-of-concept rifles weighed 12.25 pounds and 10.43 pounds respectively. The R-1 used a direct gas system similar to that of the Swedish Ljungman and the Armalite AR-15 rifles while the R-2 used a delayed blowback roller-locking system similar to that of the Swiss 7.5x55.5mm StGw 57 assault rifle. In March 1959, a third rifle, the R-3, was demonstrated. Using a more conventional gas piston system, the R-3 weighed just 7.94 pounds (3.6 Kg.) and fired at the slow rate of 400-450 shots per minute. In May 1959, a modified variant of the R-3 was designed weighing 9.02 pounds (4.06 Kg.). There was no R-4 since the Japanese character “shi” (4) has the same sound as the character for death, so the study continued with the R-5, but this design never went beyond the drawing stage. This led to the R-6 series of prototypes, some 15 in all, and the final version, the R-6K became Japan’s first assault rifle in 1964.

Type 64 Rifle Prototypes

The Japanese experimental 7.62x51mm assault rifle R1 used a direct gas system of operation like the AR-10.

The experimental Japanese 7.62x51mm assault rifle R2 uses a roller-delayed blowback system of operation.

Using conventional short-stroke gas piston operation, the Japanese 7.62x51mm R6A used a tilt-bolt lockup.

The experimental R6B Japanese 7.62x51mm assault rifle seen from the right side with bipod deployed.

The Japanese 7.62x51mm experimental R6E Modified assault rifle viewed from the right side with bipod deployed.

Using a short-stroke gas piston, the Type 64 employed a upper tilt-locking bolt inspired by that of the Soviet SKS, and was fired using a linear hammer. The Type 64 had a straight-line stock, folding sights, and a hinged shoulder support on the butt plate. A bipod folded into grooves in the metal handguard. The Type 64’s magazine was a copy of the magazine of the M14 rifle Japan had earlier rejected as being too big for its troops. Strangely enough, although another reason for rejecting the M14 rifle was that a suitable scope mount did not exist for it, the Type 64’s receiver incorporated the same integral scope base as the M14. After an extensive study and debate, the Japanese Defense Agency decided to adopt a reduced power 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge to insure that the Type 64 would be reasonably manageable during automatic fire. If standard power ammunition is used, the gas regulator must set to its lowest setting to prevent damage to the rifle. Because of Japanese law, no Type 64 rifles have ever been exported.

The 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win) Type 64 assault rifle is seen with 20-shot magazine and bipod deployed.

Type 64 Assault Rifle

The Type 89 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the right side of the lower receiver, the 4-position selector is rotated to the position marked “Ta” for semi-automatic fire, to the position marked “3” for 3-shot burst, and to the position marked “Re” for full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the position marked “A” prevents the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, let the bolt go forward. Now push the takedown buttons at the upper rear of the receiver forward and open the upper receiver taking care as the recoil spring group is under pressure. Slowly allow the recoil spring group to extend out the rear of the receiver, and then pull back on the cocking handle to unlock the bolt. Pull back the cocking handle until it can be pulled out of the bolt carrier, and slide the bolt group and recoil spring group out the back of the rifle. The firing pin, cam, bolt, carrier, and extractor can then be disassembled. Push out the forward hinge pin and separate the upper and lower receivers. Remove the retaining pin at the front of the handguards, and remove the handguards. Pull back the operating rod and remove this assembly and its spring. Rotate and remove the gas

plug at the front of the front sight. No further disassembly is required, and reassembly is in the reverse order. Notes on history, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In the mid-1960’s, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) and the Howa Company began a comparison study of the 7.62x51mm NATO and 5.56x45mm assault rifles. By the end of the decade, Howa was licensed by the Armalite Corporation, of Costa Mesa, California, to manufacture the 5.56x45mm AR-18 assault rifle and its semi-automatic counterpart, the AR-180. Prior to the expansion of the Vietnam War both variants were produced for the export market, but as the war increased the Japanese ceased production of these military style rifles. In an effort to salvage its license fees, Howa developed a series of prototypes that were derivatives of the AR-18 that it hoped would be of interest to the JGSDF. Designated the HR-10, HR-11 and HR12 these AR-18 type prototypes had a longer lower receiver, improved butt stock and handguards, and added improved sights, a new flash suppressor and an improved folding stock along with a reduction in weight. An HR-13 LMG was also tested, but discontinued.

The Type 89 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle with fixed stock (top) and folding stock seen from the left side.

Although Howa stopped work while the JGSFD designed and produced its own Type A and Type B prototype 5.56x45mm rifles, the company came back on the scene with its HR-15 that combined features of the Type A, Type B, and HR-12 assault rifles. In 1989, the resulting rifle had evolved into Japan’s current 5.56x45mm NATO Type 89 assault rifle. With a fixed polymer stock this rifle is designated the 89 Shiki Shoju (Type 89 Rifle), and with the folding stock it is the 89 Oritatami Shiki Jusho (Type 89 Folding Stock Rifle). Since the Type 89 assault rifle evolved from the AR-18, its bolt carrier houses its AR-18 style multi-lugged rotating bolt that locks into a barrel extension that is housed in a sheet metal upper receiver. Equipped with an integral scope rail, the upper receiver also houses the rear sight. The selector is mounted only on the right side of the lower receiver. The Type 89 operated by short stroke piston with a long bolt carrier extension. Both the trigger group and 3-shot burst fire group are modular. NATO type 20- and 30-shot magazines are issued with remaining cartridge indicating holes.

The Type 89 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) assault rifle is seen with its folding stock extended, 30-shot magazine and bayonet.

The Type 89 assault rifle’s modular burst fire group (L) and modular trigger group (top) are seen removed from the lower receiver along with the selector and bolt hold-open lever.

The Type 89 assault rifle is seen field stripped.

Type 89 Assault Rifle

CHAPTER 39

Mexico

Mondragon Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Although fraught with a great deal of folklorico and apocryphal information, the history of the Mondragon rifle is an interesting study in the birthing of an idea whose time had come. At a point in ordnance development when most major arms producers were still developing a satisfactory repeating infantry rifle and many were installing magazine cutoffs so troops would not waste ammunition, what became the M1908 Mondragon was conceived from the onset as a semi-automatic, or self-loading rifle— a remarkable concept for its day. Avant guarde concepts incorporated in the various Mondragon rifles, whether or not they survived to the final Mondragon weapons or had to wait upon later designs to make them workable, would include: Gas operation via a piston using gas bled from the bore A rotary bolt with multiple locking lugs A large-capacity detachable magazine A small-caliber bore with a projectile moving at high velocity

A round having less power than “conventional” military rounds (Experimentally) selective-fire capability in a shoulder-fired, individual weapon General Manuel Mondragon was an artillery officer from the town of Tacubaya near Mexico City, and began his work on rifle designs in the 1880’s, while then a colonel. He received his first patent in 1887, and his work came to the attention of President Porfirio Diaz after he unveiled his first model in a 6.5mm cartridge, that was a “pump” action rotating-bolt repeater. Diaz became Mondragon’s patron. Particularly after the 1893 unveiling of the early autoloading designs, it would be in the dictator’s interests to have the prestige, and security, of fielding the first army carrying autoloading rifles. Production facilities for such a project did not exist in Mexico, and Mondragon was unable to excite any interest among American gun makers, although he did apply for a U.S. patent in 1904, which was granted in 1907.

The SIG manufactured Mondragon semi-automatic rifle from the right side, with 30-shot drum magazine made by Germany for aircraft use in WWI. Photo courtesy James D. Julia Auctions

Mondragon then went to SIG Neuhausen in Switzerland, who agreed to produce 50 units in 1893-4. Later in 1894, based on Mexican Army trials, another 200 were ordered in a variety of

calibers including a 5.2x68mm round that was a collaborative design between Mondragon and Col. E. Rubin, of the Swiss Weapons Testing Center in Thunn, and one of the designers of the M1889 Schmidt-Rubin straight-pull infantry rifle. The Mondragon rifle design itself was very complicated, and was ammunition sensitive, and the Rubin cartridge was not ready for prime time: Among other problems, the propellant powders available at that time were simply too fast and created unacceptably high pressures. At this point, the rifle was also tested in more conventional calibers, such as the relatively new .30-30 Winchester, 7.5x55mm Swiss and 7x57mm Mauser. A specimen in 7x57mm was submitted for the British trials of 1903: In the first trial it had to be withdrawn after internal parts breakage. In the second trial, user complaints centered around the fact it had to be scrupulously clean to function, exacerbated by the fact that its mechanism was too complicated to facilitate cleaning, let alone field repair. After further improvements, the Mexican Army accepted the 7x57mm chambering as the Fusil Porfirio Diaz Sistema Mondra gon Modelo 1908, and placed an order for 4000 units from SIG. Before the first lot was shipped in 1911, the 1910 Mexican revolution cost the rifle its sponsor, and the new regime was disinclined to pay for the remainder of the 4000, at a unit price that would buy four Mauser rifles. To further complicate matters, the first 400 to reach Mexico did not function satisfactorily with Mexican ammunition. Noted a SIG document, “It tra nspired that the functioning of the self-charging rifle is so dependant on the quality of a mmunition, which plays a similar role in the self-charging weapon to that of the fuel in a combustion engine. Even when this knowledge

was acted on, the weapon was still sensitive, as it fired a long and powerful cartridge and its dimensions were limited.” Unclaimed, the remaining rifles were held in limbo at the SIG factory until the outbreak of WW I, when they were sold, most going to the artillery depot at Spandau, Germany. As the rifle proved fatally sensitive to the rigors of trench warfare, they were subsequently issued (two at a time to double the chances of having one fire) to aircraft observers, as the Flieger-Selbstladler-Karabiner 1915 (selfloading aircraft carbine Model 1915). For this purpose, they were issued with a 30-shot drum magazine, as illustrated here. When issued with the extended 20-shot box magazine or 30-shot drum of German design, the floorplate, spring and follower of the Mauserstyle magazine were replaced by the new box or drum. As soon as suitable light machine guns were available to arm aircraft observers, the Mondragon rifles were seconded to the German Navy, where they would not likely be subjected to dirt and mud – and of equal importance, not likely to be needed at all. Thus, although the Mondragon rifles were not a particular success in themselves, they were a great success in illustrating what a good idea certain things were, such as autoloading rifles per se, gas-operated piston-driven actions, rotating bolts, and high-capacity magazines. Truly successful designs soon followed the Mondragon, but one must bear in mind that General Mondragon was operating in a vacuum and on faith when he did his work, as he had no one to copy nor any body of work to inspire him. In sum, the Mondragon rifle may have been an excellent idea inadequately wrought, but the fact that it was wrought at all makes it a benchmark development in the history of hand-held weaponry.

Illustrations from U.S. patent as issued in 1907 show (above) a multiple-lug, rotary bolt, and (below) a long-stroke gas piston used to operate the mechanism— both features well ahead of their time, and subsequently used in the leading-edge designs of today.

Fusil M-1908 Mondragon

In the wake of a limited, but interesting past in small arms development including the Mondragon semi-automatic rifle and Mendoza automatic rifles of the early 20th Century, Mexico adopted the FN FAL, which was assembled at its National Arsenal during the 1970’s. In the 1980’s Mexico adopted the H&K G3 and manufactured it under license at its National Arsenal. Both the FAL and the G3 remain in service with elements of the Mexican Military, as of 2008, but may soon be replaced by a brand new rifle of Mexican design. For details on the FN FAL and the G3, refer to the chapters on Belgium and Post WW II Germany.

The FX-05 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the lower receiver above the trigger, the ambidextrous selector is rotated down and forward to the semi-automatic position

to provide semi-automatic fire and fully forward to allow full automatic or burst fire. The firing modes are denoted in the color red. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector all the way to the rear to the letter “S” (SEGURO, or SAFE), marked in white, blocks the sear, preventing the rifle from being fired.

The FX-05 as viewed from the right with buttstock extended, combination optical sight/carrying handle mounted and 30-shot magazine inserted.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Unknown, but believed to be similar to that of the H&K G36 rifle on which the FX-05 appears to be based. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Called the Fusil Xiuhcoatl (pronounced “Sheeucoahtal”) 2005, the FX05 is a modern assault rifle chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge. The word, Xiuhcoatl, means Snake of Fire in the language of the Aztec who controlled Mexico until conquered by Cortez. Mexicans strongly identify with the Aztec and

the ancient image of mythological Xiuhcoatl is molded into the side of the polymer magazine well of the FX-05. Introduced in mid-2006, the FX-05 was reportedly designed and ready for production in 2005 after only 16 months in development by the Research and Developmental Technological Military Industry Center (Centro de Investigacion y Aplicacion de Desarrollo Tecnologico de la Industria Militar [CIADTIM]). The development of the rifle was under the command of Generals Oropeza Garnicia and Iztiga Landeros and is reported to be entirely of Mexican design, but there are reports that the basic design and technology transfer was purchased from Heckler & Koch, of Germany. The FX-05 bears some resemblance to the HK G36 assault rifle and uses the G36 type 30round magazine. A modern, modular design, the FX-05, like the G36, is made mostly of polymer, and its polymer receiver and stock furniture are made in only two colors, green or tan. The FX-05 uses a reversible cocking handle similar to that of the FN SCAR and the Masada rifle made by Magpul, of Colorado (refer to the U.S. Chapter). A buttstock somewhat resembling that of the U.S. M4 carbine folds to the right for storage. Atop the FX-05’s polymer receiver is an integral M1913-style rail and shorter rails are also mounted on both sides of the forend. The receiver’s top rail accommodates open sights or a removable carrying handle with its own integral optical sight. It is believed that the forend will accept an M204 40mm grenade launcher. The internal parts of the FX-05 appear to be very close to those of the G36, as does its system of operation.

The stainless steel barrel of the FX-05 is reported to be 12.5 inches (318mm) in length with other lengths likely, and the rifle’s weight is estimated to be approximately 5.8 pounds (2.65 Kg) with a rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute. Under a 6-year plan, the National Military Industry will manufacture some 10,000 FX-05 rifles each year, for a total of 60,000 units in various configurations.

CHAPTER 40

New Zealand

Charlton Automatic Rifle (Charlton Machine Gun) Means of controlling operation, safety arrangements and elementary disassembly procedure are not known. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: American President Teddy Roosevelt once advised, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” This mindset was precisely what brought the Charlton Automatic Rifle to fruition in New Zealand, and later Australia, during the dark, early days of World War II. With the swift Japanese takeover of Singapore and the attack on Pearl Harbor, as one observed the Japanese advances from island to island across the Pacific, it was not necessary to study the maps to see that the island nation of New Zealand could be a good point of demarcation for the Australian continent and its vast resources. ANZAC troops had already left in large measure to defend the Heart of the British Empire in Europe, and those in the Home Guard remaining to defend New Zealand were at the very short end of the logistical line, essentially short of everything except courage. The optimistic idea of converting existing 19th Century bolt-action rifles to automatic weapons was not a new concept, having been

tried by various engineers with no measurable success four decades earlier— but as the Japanese advanced and disrupted supply lines across the Pacific, secondary options became more attractive in light of the severe shortage of small arms. That this unique design was able to succeed where others had failed was probably helped by two factors: The Lee-Enfield action cocks on closing and thus requires less immediate force for unlocking and opening, and its inventor Philip Charlton started on this endeavor before World War II, being familiar with the prior art of England’s G. T. Buckham and A. T. Dawson regards converting the Lee action to an autoloader. He took it a step further and included selective fire in his design parameters, and in so doing created a heavy, but functional assault rifle. Such a conversion is by heredity something of a Frankendesign, but it was a very clever and mature adaptation by the time he undertook mass conversions in 1941. Hoping to turn out some 200 units a month from existing stocks of Boer-War era Lee Metfords and later Lee Enfields, Charlton’s work on this project was interrupted to manufacture the higher-priority Owen submachine gun. Only some 1,500 units were converted to the New Zealand pattern, but Electrolux of Australia also made conversions based on existing stocks of No. 1 Mk III Lee Enfields. The Australian pattern had the same operating mechanism, but different externals: The Australian model was strictly hand-held, having neither a forward pistol grip nor bipod. Production numbers for the Australian model are not known, and only three specimens are known to survive; All but 200 of the New Zealand model, which never saw combat, were destroyed in a storage facility fire after WW II and few specimens survive—very few in private hands.

Considering the starting point and what was being undertaken, the conversion was about as straightforward as possible, the guts of it being a long-stroke gas cylinder mounted under the modified barrel, and a separate tubular housing for the operating spring. What could be described as a bolt carrier contained a simple and robust cam slot that held a lug on the bolt and was attached to the piston assembly. As the carrier moved to the rear, the bolt was cammed counterclockwise to unlock and then moved straight to the rear to extract and eject the spent casing. The whole assembly was then returned forward by the operating spring to strip another round from the magazine, chamber it, and lock the breech just as if it had been done by hand. Converted rifle barrels were shortened slightly, finned at the rear to enhance cooling, and fitted with a muzzle brake. The stock was cut down slightly at the rear to allow clearance for moving parts, a rear pistolgrip was added, and the forward handguard largely removed to expose the barrel for cooling. The new vertical foregrip on the New Zealand model attached to the gas-tube shroud, which was offset to the right. The magazine well was altered to take either a modified 30shot Bren magazine or the original 10-shot Enfield pattern. The weapon does not appear to be a good choice for left-handed shooters due to the position of moving mechanisms on the right side of the receiver, and the arc of ejected casings. New Zealand currently issues the Australian 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber F88 rifle. For information on this rifle, refer to the chapter on Australia elsewhere in this book.

Probably the only workable such conversion ever produced and issued in quantity, the Charlton Automatic Rifle was remanufactured from existing stocks of Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield rifles for issue to ANZAC home guards. Photo: Courtesy Gun City, Christchurch, NZ

With a weight comparable to the BAR, the Charlton Automatic Rifle, although not ideal, was a workable solution to the weapons shortages early in WW II. Electrolux of Australia made a similar conversion on the No. 1 Mk III Short Magazine Lee Enfield, which did not have a foregrip or bipod. Photo: Courtesy Gun City, Christchurch, NZ

Charlton Automatic Rifle

CHAPTER 41

North Korea

Type 58 and Type 68 Kalashnikov-Style Rifles Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. Safety Arrangements: Three-position selector lever on right side of the receiver. Top position — safety on; middle position — full-auto fire; lowest position— semiauto fire. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Domestic arms manufacture predates the war between North and South Korea. After the war, North Korea ramped up weapons production with licensing agreements from the Soviet Union and China during the 1950s, and by the 1970s state arsenals were producing North Korean copies of the Soviet AK-47 Type 3, and AKM rifles as Type 58A & B (both fixed wood, and metal underfolding stock), and Type 68. The Soviet AK-74 was produced as Type 88 for domestic

use and export. Exported type 58 and 68 rifles first arrived in Vietnam and Cuba in the 1960s, and later on in the Middle East and Africa. An estimated 800,000 Type 58 rifles were produced from 1958 to 1968. Domestic forces such as the North Korean military and People’s Safety Agency are currently equipped with the AK-74 variant (5.45×39mm), while reserve forces such as The Worker’s and Peasant’s Red Guard, and the Red Young Guard comprised of teenage school children, carry the older AKM 7.62×39mm (M43) model.

Type 58 rifle shown with fixed stock.

Type 68 Assault Rifle Stamped Receiver/Folding Stock Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Operating procedures and elementary disassembly instructions: Weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. Safety Arrangements:

Three-position selector lever on right side of the receiver. Top position — safety on; middle position — full-auto fire; lowest position— semiauto fire. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Type 58 (forged receiver) and Type 68 (stamped receiver) rifles intended for domestic use have a star within a circle stamped on the left side of the receiver with the model number. Exported models, however, have no markings to indicate country of manufacture. Type 88 rifles are similar to the parent AK-74 design.

Type 68 rifle shown with folding stock.

Type 58 Assault Rifle Fixed Stock/Forged Receiver

Type 68 Assault Rifle Stamped Receiver/Folding Stock

CHAPTER 42

Pakistan

S

ince the country was founded in 1947, Pakistan has not

developed its own military small arms—with the exception of the innovative artisanal gunsmiths located in the Khyber Pass region. The government has preferred to concentrate its resources on modernizing and building missiles, armor, ships, and nuclear weapons in case international arms embargoes might, at some time, prevent their acquisition. Instead, the military has purchased or manufactured under license a variety of assault rifles from G3 and foreign sources including: HK G3 and G36 (Germany), Type 81 and Type 56 (China), AK-101 and AK-103 (Soviet Union), Steyr AUG (Austria), M4A1 carbine (United States), and FN2000 (Belgium). However, given Pakistan’s changing role in the post-9/11 world, there has been some discussion within the government of creating a multi-purpose, multicaliber rifle system. Domestic manufacture of HK G3 types A3 (fixed stock) and P4 (collapsible stock) assault rifles is performed by Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) which manufacture rifles under license for both domestic use and export. POF also developed a modified shortbarrel variant of the G3 chambered for 7.62×39mm (M43), called the POF PK-7. The weapon is intended for law enforcement and military units who, already familiar with the operation of the G3, require a more compact weapon chambered for a medium-power caliber. In

addition, small arms ammunition (5.56×45mm, 7.62×51mm, 9×19mm, and 7.7×56mmR) is manufactured domestically. For method of operation for the POF PK-7, this rifle follows the HK G3 pattern. Refer to the section on German weapons.

POF PK-7 is a modified version of the HK G3 rifle with a shortened barrel and chambered for the intermediate 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge.

CHAPTER 43

Peru

A

fter equipping its military forces with a variety of assault rifles

including the FN-FAL, FNC, H&K G3 and others, Peru is producing a new 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) assault rifle of native design. Called the Fusil Automatico Doble (Dual Automatic Rifle or, FAD), the new weapon is of bullpup design, and combines a single shot 40mm grenade launcher system (dual) mounted beneath the forend. Designed by Solomon Braga Lozo, of SIMA Electronica, the FAB makes significant use of sheet metal pressings and polymer, and incorporates a radical, modernistic pistol grip, but lacks a full trigger guard, using the cocking handle of its 40mm grenade launcher to preclude anything unintentionally coming in contact with the trigger. Integral with the top of the handguard is a folding grenade launching sight and an M1913 type top rail allows mounting various optical sights. Most unique about the FAD is the design of the magazine well and ejection of spent casings. Believed to be inspired by the Austrian Multiple Rule Combat System (MRCS) assault rifle, the FAD’s magazine is inserted from the bottom at a slight angle to the left. Ejection is on the right side, but the casings are directed downward behind a protective shield or, extended case deflector, and leave the

rifle from the bottom. As with the MRCS, this allows the FAD to be used by both right and left handed operators without modification. In the somewhat vague description that has been published for the FAD as of mid-2009, the rifle’s operating system is described as “straight blowback.” With the use of such a system being unknown in a 5.56×45mm NATO rifle, it would seem more likely that the system of operation used in the FAD would be that of delayed or retarded blowback, but such information has not been forthcoming. The FAD accepts NATO STANAG (M16) magazines. Little additional information has been released about the FAD, and few images of it are available.

This conceptual drawing depicts the FAD from the right side with 30-shot magazine and 40mm grenade launcher mounted.

The futuristic production FAD is seen from the left with 30-shot magazine inserted.

Seen from the left side, the FAD’s angled magazine well is apparent.

FAD

CHAPTER 44

Philippines

The Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR) Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the M16 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the M16 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the M16 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: After using the M16A1 rifle since the mid-1970’s, The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) began making its own M16A1 rifle at the Elisco Tool Company under license from Colt. In the late 1990’s, the Philippine National Police (PNP) began testing shorter variants of the M16 including the M4 and commando styles.

In addition to a shorter overall weapon, concerns included overheating, reliability, hit probability, a reduced cyclic rate, retention of zero, and longer service life. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also became interested in shorter variants of the M16. In response to the PNP’s concerns, FERFRANS Specialties, of Cebu City, Republic of the Philippines began work on two M16A2 carbine variants, the FERFRANS PNP14 and PNP11. Manufactured to FERFRANS’ specifications by Bushmaster Firearms, of Maine, these two carbines had 14.5-inch M4 type barrels and 11.5-inch heavy machinegun barrels respectively. Built on M16A2 type upper receivers to extremely close specifications, these guns had modified chambers and an improved extractor for the many types of 5.56×46mm NATO ammunition they are likely to use. Both guns were also equipped with a special muzzle brake from Smith Enterprises, of Phoenix, Arizona, and the Rail Adapter System (RAS) from Knight’s Armament Corp., of Vero Beach, Florida. Also standard was the Aimpoint Comp red dot sight. However, most interesting about the PNP14 and PNP11 is a unique reduction system inspired and patented by Mr. Ferdinand Sy and Mr. Alan Francis Sy, of FERFRANS.

An AFP soldier with the SOAR11 equipped with the Model 15 OPS Suppressor.

The SOAR11 (top) and the SOAR14 assault rifles seen from the right side with Aimpoint Comp M sights installed and 30-shot magazines inserted.

The SOAR11 as viewed from the right side field stripped.

As simple as it is effective, the FERFRANS’ rate reducer is also foolproof, and with just one moving part it has only six parts altogether, all of which are housed in the bolt carrier. Operating on the kinetic energy principle, the device slows the M16’s rate of fire to 500-600 rpm, and also provides a more positive bolt closure. Functioning like a built-in automatic forward assist, this aspect is especially important where debris and fouling builds up in the action. Other advantages of the rate reducer include a marked increase in control during full-automatic fire, and the fact that 2-shot bursts are easily accomplished, negating the need for a relatively complex burst control device In 2001 the PNP14 and PNP11 carbines were upgraded with flattop upper receivers for use with the Selective Integrated Rail (SIR) System with vertical foregrip from A.R.M.S., Inc., of Massachusetts. Leaving the barrel totally free floating, the SIR System also provides total rigidity with four M1913 rails for mounting virtually any optical sight, a tactical light, and other accessories. Installed on the SOAR by Bushmaster, the SIR System is the dedicated military variant that eliminates the delta slip ring. In addition to enhancing accuracy, the SIR System curtails heat buildup. With the adoption of the SIR System, the designation of the PNP series weapons was changed to Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR). A variant of the SOAR is now equipped with a special threaded muzzle brake to allow it to use the Model 15 Muzzle Brake/Sound Suppressor System from OPS, Inc., of California USA. The same suppressor used on the USSOCOM’s Special Purpose Rifle (SPR), this device lowers the report of the 5.56×45mm SOAR by some 30

dbs. The 11.5-inch barrel variant of the carbine (SOAR11) is favored for general issue, except where the M203 grenade launcher is mounted, requiring the 14.5-inch barrel (M4 style) SOAR14 carbine. The latest SOAR carbines are also issued with the ERGO pistol grip and vertical foregrip from Falcon Industries, of New Mexico. Adopted by both the AFP and PNP, the buttstock of the SOAR will bear black and olive drab and black or gray decal designators respectively.

S0AR11 & S0AR14

The 6.8mm SPC SOAR In 2007, the Philippine Special Forces began a program to evaluate the SOAR using the 6.8×43mm cartridge with a new short stroke piston system designed by FERFRANS. The system is similar to other M16 type short stroke pistons with reported improvements incorporated. Also In 2007, FERFRANS designed a new optical sight for the SOAR. Called the Fast Acquision Sight (FAS), this small red dot optic uses a 3 minute-of-angle (MOA) dot powered by a 123A battery and provides co-witness with the back up iron sights (BUIS). The FAS has been adopted by the Philippine Special Forces and will also be offered commercially.

The M14 Rifle in the Philippines Having received 104,000 U.S. M14 rifles from the U.S. in the early 1970’s, the Philippine Military began an upgrade program for these rifles in 2004. Operated by FERFRANS, the program began with the adoption of the SAGE EBR Stock inspired by the MK 14 Mod 0 from Smith Enterprises, of Tempe, Arizona, USA. This included a new short barrel and the Smith Enterprises Vortex flash hider/front sight. In addition, FER-FRANS designed an M1913 rail to extend from the end of the EBR top handguard rail to the short rail at the rear of the ejection port to allow a wider selection of optics. These M14 rifles are issued with and without selective fire capability. As of 2008, FERFRANS is looking at a new bullpup-type M14 stock from Short Rifle Stock Systems, of California, USA. Called the Bulldog 762, this stock is made of aerospace alloy, and offers ambidextrous controls of the M14 with the addition of a cocking handle on the left side. The Bulldog 762 is also configured so as to allow operation by a left handed shooter.

The Bulldog 762 (top) is compared with the Philippine SOAR (M16) Carbine, seen here with the FAS red dot sight.

CHAPTER 45

Poland

W

hen World War II saw the first widespread and effective use

of an assault rifle chambered for an intermediate-powered round, Polish troops on all fronts were on the receiving end of this novel weapon. If nothing else, being on the receiving end of a new and effective weapon drives home the great value of innovative ideas. One of the Polish exiles to London was Capt. Kazimierz Januszewski of the prewar Fabryka Broni in Radom, who investigated the limits of the automatic rifle as an envelope for an intermediate round, and the virtues of the then-novel bullpup design. He is best known under his wartime alias, which became his post-war name as a British subject: Stephen Kenneth Janson. He is known under that name as a designer of the iconic EM-2 rifle, described in the Great Britain chapter of this book. Post-war politics precluded his repatriation, and this excellent design was introduced into the inventory of the British Army as No. 9 Mk 1 in April, 1951. Then politics struck again, and the .280 rifle was scrapped, replaced by the L1A1 in the American-backed T65 caliber that would become the 7.62×51mm NATO.

Szteke’s Project Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest:

At the same time the Enfield Model 2 was taking shape in Great Britain, a team of Polish ballistic scientists convened in bombed-out Warsaw, resurrecting the prewar ITU (Ordnance Technological Institute) at the site of a former plant of the prewar PWU-FK (State Armament Plants-Rifle Factory). As prewar names were in disfavor by the new rulers, although they did deign to take advantage of the technological expertise and experience of the former PWU key staff, in 1948 the ITU was renamed “Precision Mechanics Institute” (IMP) and as such exists today. As early as 1948, former PWU-FK engineer Edward Szteke, now a member of the IMP, outlined features of the “new-generation universal infantry rifle.” According to his concept, this should be a locked-breech, hammer- or striker-fired selective-fire shoulder weapon chambered for an intermediate round, fitted with about a 19.7-inch (500mm) fixed barrel, weighing no more than 8.8 pounds (4 kg), with a battle sight enabling aimed fire at distances up to 874 yd (800m), at an initial velocity of more than 1,968 fps (600 mps). Szteke continued his work in 1949, using his 1934 semi-automatic “light” rifle design as a basis. The wz.34 rifle was an exotic gasoperated, case-actuated design, with a gas vent in the bottom of the chamber. In 1951, the same year the EM-2 rifle was adopted, Szteke’s executive drawings were made, with an eye towards building a prototype, but these would never be used, as it was in that year that the first batch of SKS rifles were delivered to Poland and distributed among the officer schools as a harbinger of the things to come: A “bourgeois” rifle was no longer needed. Szteke’s drawings and hand-made models were destroyed, and the first Polish attempt at having a domestically-designed assault rifle was nipped in the bud.

Jurek’s SJ-57 Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: There was another “bourgeois” intermediate-round automatic rifle project going on in Poland during the mid-1950s. Its designer was another former PWU-FK engineer, Bronisław Jurek, creator of the wz.38A 20mm automatic cannon used by the Polish Army. As Szteke, Jurek tried to resurrect his own prewar design, but as this was a short-recoil 20mm cannon, he had a much tougher task to downsize it enough for an intermediate cartridge to cycle the mechanism. Jurek actually made two completely different guns, one a submachine gun for the 7.62×25mm round, called the SJ-56, the other a SJ-57 “light machine gun” as it was designated, chambered for the 7.62×39mm (M43) round. It is not clear if that was intended as a viable assault rifle design (with AK-47 production already in fullswing, that’s most improbable) or just a working model to show his students the virtues of the short-recoil system of operation. Both guns were designed at Warsaw Polytechnics, where Jurek was a professor. The SJ-57 fed from the AK-47 magazine. The barrel was 17.32 inches (440mm) long, reciprocating within a steel sleeve having elongated cooling holes, fitted with a folding bipod. The bolt was locked by a vertically oscillating locking block, set in a sliding bolt-carrier: The recoiling barrel struck the bolt-carrier, which continued to the rear, after the lock was rotated by a long projection on the barrel. The barrel moved 11mm and stopped after the bolt was unlocked. The return spring then propelled the bolt and boltcarrier forward, stripping a fresh round and chambering it, bouncing

the barrel back into battery and locking. The SJ-57 was striker fired, the striker spring being cocked on the return stroke by a lever acting against a projection in the receiver wall. The cocked striker was held back by a striker catch that was released by a falling locking piece, thus the striker could not strike the primer before breech locking was completed. The SJ-57 was a selective-fire weapon, with the safety/selector lever located on the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip. A rod-type extractor was mounted inside the bolt, and a fixed ejector formed a part of the receiver. Open sights consisted of the fixed foresight in protective ears and a U-notch tangent sight graduated from 109 yd (100m) to 874 yd (800m) in 100m increments, with an additional “combat sight” position. The fixed wooden stock was of a rather rudimentary ergonomics, but good enough for a laboratory exhibit. A folded bipod was designed for the SJ-57.

The experimental 7.62×39mm (M43) SJ-57 automatic rifle by Bolesław Jurek. Photo: Courtesy of Zbigniew Gwozdz

Field stripping is easy, without tools: After withdrawing two pins, the upper receiver can be detached from the lower receiver with the trigger mechanism, pistol grip and wood stock, then the recoiling unit can be withdrawn from the upper receiver and the barrel from the barrel jacket. The return spring remains contained within the stock. The SJ-57 was the first Polish attempt at creating an indigenous assault rifle ever to make it to the metal stage. It is doubtful if it was ever seriously considered as a replacement for the AK-47, as it was never tested by the military. It would not compare well to the Kalashnikov, as it was longer, heavier, more complicated, and the AK47 was already in production. Even as an LMG, the SJ-57 stood no real chance, as in 1958 the Radom factory, after having failed to create an RPK-style magazine-fed LMG, began manufacturing the rkm D, a license-built Polish variant of the Degtyarev RPD belt-fed LMG for the 7.62×39mm (M43) round. Comparing the SJ-57 to the Soviet AK-47 models shows that the SJ-57 had a barrel that was an inch (25mm) longer, an overall length greater by 3.7 inches (95mm), and it weighed 11 pounds (5.02 kg) compared to the AK’s 8.36 pounds (3.8 kg).

SJ-57 rifle field stripped: Although having comparatively few parts, the SJ was considerably heavier than the AK design. Photo: Courtesy of Zbigniew Gwozdz

The Polish AK-47 Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: A year after the SKS presentation, in 1953 another batch of new weapons came from the East— this time it was the AK-47. A decision was made to purchase license rights for manufacturing both of these rifles, to reproduce the Soviet model of infantry-squad armament, with mixed AKs for firepower and SKS for mid- and longdistance work, as the AK-47 was inaccurate past 500m. In 1956, as both projects were nearing completion, the Polish Army’s General

Staff changed their minds. The Thaw started, as the Poles called the post-XX Party Congress era: Stalinist politics and Soviet key personnel were demoted and either forcibly retired or sent back to Moscow. Polish generals who replaced them, ordered the SKS (known in the Polish Army as the “ksS”) withdrawn and retained only as a ceremonial weapon. The troops would now be armed with AK47’s (known as “pmK”), to streamline logistics and further increase firepower. The SKS production line in Radom was disassembled and shipped “abroad,” most probably to East Germany. In 1957 manufacture of the Polish license-built 3rd Generation AK-47’s commenced at Radom’s Works 11. The first to be made was the fixed-stock rifle, known in the Polish Army as the “pmK” (“SMG K[alashnikov]).” The pmK was manufactured until 1958, and according to the available sources (which might be misleading) only 44,060 of these were ever accepted by the Polish Army. In 1958 the main manufacturing effort switched over to the folding stock AKS-47, known simply as the “pmK ze składan kolb,” or “SMG K w/ folding stock.” Never in the history of the Polish AK-47 was this original designation or any model year used, even though as of 1966 the nomenclature switched from “submachine gun K” to “automatic carbine AK/AKS” with the advent of the AKM/AKMS. There were many more folding stock rifles accepted by the Army—328,849 from 1958 and 1965. Many times more were made for export to the “peace-loving brother nations” around the world, ranging from Cubans to Palestinians, to North Vietnamese. In 1957 the Military Technological University in Warsaw came up with an idea to build what we now call a DMR (designated marksman rifle) from the AK-47, by fitting an extra long, 23.6-inch (600mm)

barrel and the PU 3.5x optical sight. Two variations of the centerline saddle base for the scope were made, straddling the sight leaf with a cantilever arm where the scope was mounted. None of them made it into the serial production.

Polish-manufactured “pmK z kolb składan” or AKS-47. Many times more of the folding-stock version, comparable to the Soviet AKS-47, were manufactured in Poland.

At about the same time, experiments were made with a firesupport weapon based on the pmK. The Soviets made a first “preRPK” as early as 1953, but as usual, they kept their experiments top secret from friend or foe. Polish designers had tried to make an LMG from the AK-47 by fitting a slightly heavier barrel and integral bipod. Unlike the Soviet counterpart, the “heavy pmK” had a barrel of conventional length, 16.3 inches (415mm). The only obvious sign of converting to withstand the high volume of fire were slotted upper and lower hand guards to promote heat dissipation. The bipod was attached to the special muzzle nut of the conventional dimensions. It was never manufactured. Despite cooling louvers, the insides of the

hand guards still show scorch marks, attesting to the high temperatures reached during the barrel-overheating tests. Another 50,000 fixed-stock AKs came in the form of the “pmK do wystrzeliwania granatów” or “grenade-launching SMG K,” introduced in 1961, and later re-named “karabinek-granatnik wz.60 (kbkg wz.60)” (M1960 grenade launcher-carbine). At first there was also a folding stock variant evaluated, but the brute force of the grenadelaunching recoil was enough to deform even the full steel rods of the milled AKS folding stock struts, and it was discontinued. Because of the handiness it offered for breaching walls, these grenade-capable Polish AK’s were in great demand by both sides in the war in Lebanon, often demanding $1,000 each on the black market. The wz.60’s were manufactured between 1962 and 1974, long after the original AK was replaced on the main assembly line by the AKM, which was found unsuitable for grenade-launching purposes. In 1972 a detachable stock variant of the wz.60 was introduced for paratroops, designated “kbk-g wz.60/72.” This was a limited edition of only 500 complete sets. The PBS-1 sound moderator could be attached to any AK-47, but most used in Poland were specially manufactured in the early 1960s, fitted with tangent sight arms adjustable for windage at the factory. These special weapons were serial-numbered in another special range, with a prefix “S” for “specjalny” or special purpose. The S series was continued after the AKM has taken over as a host weapon. Reconnaissance troops and special forces frequently used the AKN or AKML night-scoped rifles in conjunction with the suppressor, which gave an additional edge at night, or might allow use of the side-rail fitted optical sight with the “can.”

A 1958 experimental pmK with bull-barrel, slotted handguards, integral bipod and 57-shot magazine welded together from two regular 30-round magazines. Photo: Courtesy of Zbigniew Gwozdz

Two generations of the kbkg wz.60: an earlier model with grenade sight attached to the rear sight (bottom), later on replaced by the new model of grenade sight attached to the front sight post. The rubber shoe on the latter rifle’s buttstock has collapsed with age—it should be straight-sided, like the bottom weapon illustrated.

Wood-stocked pmK fitted with a PBS-1 sound moderator. This was in fact a whole S- prefixed special rifle, rather than a regular pmK with just a PBS-1 screwed on the muzzle.

The Polish AKM Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 1966, 10 years after the AK-47, a modernized AKM rifle was introduced into the Polish Army. At first only the wooden-stocked variant was introduced, but after five years the folding AKMS was introduced. As with the AK, the fixed-to folding-butt ratio of issue was about 1-to-10, but no hard numbers are available due to military secrecy. There were two generations of the Polish night-warfare AK variants. The earlier one initially had no special name, it was called simply “pmK fitted for NV.” Later on, after the nomenclature was changed, it was known as “kbk AKN.” These were specially fitted milled-receiver AKs with a mounting rail bolted to the left side of the receiver, above the trigger guard. A huge active/passive night sight, the NSP-2 was mounted there, later replaced by the marginally smaller NSP-3 and NSPU image-intensifying sights. The folding stock variant is called the AKMSN, and has a differently shaped side-rail base, with a different bolt layout necessitated by the rounded cut-out

in the lower right corner to clear the stock hinge. Both AKML and AKMSN are fitted with an SVD-style elongated bird-cage muzzle-flash hider, and a folding “Y-pod.” This is a specific NV-rifle accessory, popular with the soldiers and civilian shooters as well—a sheet-metal folding support clamped to the barrel, with a swiveling central tube, into which the relatively short bipod legs are withdrawn, giving the distinctive inverted Y shape to the whole thing. During the 1980s most of the AKM/AKMS rifles of the Polish Army were fitted with tritium-lighted night sights. These comprised two dots, one included in the tangent sight leaf, under the U-notch, and the other in a container sliding along a hinged wire holder, to be impaled on the front sight for night use. Other Warsaw Pact armies had similar contraptions, using dots dabbed with luminous paint. This variant is designated by the letter “P” added to any previous symbol, creating such cumbersome designations as “AKMSNP.”

This kbk AKM was manufactured in 1968. Note the simple muzzle nut instead of the later slanted compensator.

Comparison of older and newer Radom-manufactured wooden-stocked AKM’s. Note the difference in muzzle device, front sight protectors, solid vs. plywood buttstock, and even different carrying sling interface—leather strap on the earlier vs. carbine hook of the later. Different lower handguard of the later specimen is a special one, needed to attach the wz.74 “Pallad” grenade launcher. The AKM was not found suitable for spigot-type rifle grenades.

AKMS manufactured in 1995, one of the last ordered by the Polish Army. Note the black plastic pistol grip: Later export variations had all black furniture. This is an Economy-Class rifle, with ordinary sights, whereas in 1980s most of the Army-ordered AKMSs were the tritium-sighted AKMSP variant.

As noted above, the AKM was not strong enough for launching rifle grenades, and there never was a stamped-receiver variant of the wz.60 rifle. Instead, the AKM was fitted with an underbarrel 40mm grenade launcher (photo above) to form a wz.74 grenade-launching

carbine, or “kbkg wz.74.” The 40mm Pallad (palladium) grenade launcher was an original Polish design, by Prof. Józef Brodacki of the Warsaw’s Polytechnics’ Mechanical Equipment Design Institute (IBSM). This was chambered for the Polish variant of the 40mm LV cartridge, the 40×47mmSR, very similar to, yet different enough to warrant a complete rebuild in order to shoot the NATO-standard 40mm LV round in late 1990s. This modernized variant, the wz.74 Pallad-N (N for NATO) grenade launcher, is still used with the Polish Army, under both AKM and wz.96 Beryl rifles.

One of a few NV-capable AKM’s—a folding AKMSN with sidebar for the NSP-3 passive NV sight. Note the Polish folding bipod, which later on proved inspiration for the American GPS Grip-Pod, and the flash hider on the muzzle. Photo: Courtesy Zbigniew Gwozdz

The Pallad has a fixed barrel with a down-hinging breech-block, making magazine exchange difficult, and necessitating removal of the rifle magazine to load the longer shells (smoke, CN gas, starshell etc). The Wz.74 grenade launcher has a hammer-fired SA trigger mechanism. The trigger is a vertically swinging lever at the left side, actuated by a thumb of the supporting hand. To actuate the trigger,

the shooter simultaneously presses the safety button of the right side of the breech with the other fingers.

The Lantan Project Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In the 1960s, the modular, unified small-arms-system idea was fashionable among designers in the West as well as in the East. Of myriad proposed systems only the U.S. Stoner 63/63A and Czech URZ got as far as troop trials. The idea was for a universal receiver, whereby exchanging barrels, feed mechanisms, trigger groups, stocks and other smaller parts this universal receiver could be turned into various types of small arms, from SMG-type automatic carbines thru selective-fire rifles, LMG’s, all the way up to the GPMG (or now a SAW) and vehicular machine guns. This was an intriguing, but generally impractical idea. In 1975 the office of the Polish Army’s Chief of Ordnance and Electronics Service decided to investigate one of the typical military “bridges too far:” to design a modular, universal, small-arms system chambered for an indigenous caseless ammunition of up to 9mm caliber. After due consideration, the “caseless” approach was dropped a year later, and instead the possibility was investigated to chamber the system for a new 7mm intermediate round. This program was codenamed Lantan (lanthanum) in accordance with the system of codenaming small-arms projects with names of rare metals and minerals.

A new round was to be designed and tested, along with the creation of a modular rifle system consisting of the fixed stock automatic rifle, paratrooper folding stock rifle, designated marksman rifle with optical sight, magazine-fed LMG and belt-fed GPMG. The cartridge was to be designed by Warsaw’s Military Technological University and Precision Mechanics Institute and the Military Ordnance Technological Institute in Zielonka, in conjunction with the R&D Center Skar ysko-Kamienna (Works 21). The weapon system was designed by the same institutions, in conjunction with the R&D Center Radom (Works 11). All of the weapons were to share the internal layout, using exchangeable components. The new ammunition was based on Project Marszyt, a 1973-75 R&D effort led by the Military Technological University in Warsaw. The bullet had a flat trajectory peaking only 240mm high at 300m, leaving the muzzle at 2,530 fps (770 mps)—which, given a 7.68g (118 gr) mild steel-cored bullet weight, would result in muzzle energy of 2,200 Joule. Works 21 manufactured a trial batch of 7×41mm rounds in 41.3mm steel lacquered cases with a “21/78” headstamp. The Radom-based Works 11 made the barrels and the testing at the Military Ordnance Technology Institute began. Radom’s R&D Center finished the initial drawings of the fixed buttstock rifle with integral bipod by December, 1977. This rifle, created by Antoni Szymanski and Ernest Durasiewicz, consisted of four basic modules: barreled receiver, trigger unit, moving parts (bolt with bolt carrier) and feed unit. It was a gasoperated, piston-actuated weapon, with the bolt locking by rotating to the right. It was hammer-fired, with a safety/selector thumb-lever above the pistol grip. It was fed from a staggered row

magazine, patterned after the AKM’s. Open sights consisted of a foresight mounted on the AKM foresight holder, and tangent sight with U-shaped notch, graduated up to 1093 yards (1000 meters). The barrel had an elongated bird-cage muzzle flash-hider, and synthetic handguards. To field strip the Lantan, one had to remove two crosspins from the receiver and detach the barreled receiver.

The 7×41mm Lantan round in comparison the 7.62×39m Soviet M43. Photo: Courtesy of Zbigniew Gwozdz

Outwardly resembling an oddly shaped AKM, it was heavier due to the much sturdier receiver, and therefore unwieldy. Testing was discontinued in the third quarter of 1980, after the Soviet’s refused to even consider changing to this 7mm round, despite its excellent accuracy and penetration. It was a sound ballistic design, with much potential for development, but the cost of introducing a third intermediate caliber, after 7.62 and 5.45×39mm, already used by the Warsaw-Pact armies, was prohibitive, and the NIH (Not Invented

Here) factor kicked in. Only two prototype assault rifles were ever manufactured. The belt-fed derivatives never progressed beyond the paper stage. The Lantan prototype had an overall length of 39.56 inches (1005mm), a barrel length of 17.5 inches (445mm). Its weight with an empty magazine was 13 pounds (5.9 kg), and it had a cyclic rate of fire of 450 spm. Even before Moscow’s “Nyet” to the Lantan project, two regular AKMS’s were converted to 5.6mm caliber, firing the early variant of the Soviet small-caliber intermediate ammunition, the 5.6×39mm Running Deer “sporting” round. The 5.45×39mm was then still a secret, jealously guarded from friend or foe alike. Testing the 5.6mm AKMS of course lead nowhere—just like the Soviet testing of the AKM chambered for the same round 10 years earlier, which led to creation of the 5.45mm round.

Lantan rifle prototype.

Lantan receiver. Note the barrel change button at the side. Photo: Courtesy of Zbigniew Gwozdz

Lantan field-stripped. Except for the magazine and pistol grip, the Lantan had no parts in common with the Kalashnikov. Photo: Courtesy of Zbigniew Gwozdz

Project Talk Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: As the Lantan Project fell, the AKM was to continue in the Polish Army for some more years. In order to facilitate training and cut costs by using cheaper ammo, a .22 LR semi-automatic trainer

project was initiated, codenamed Talk (talcum). The Army ordered from OBR Radom a training rifle, using as many standard rifle parts as possible, chambered in .22 LR, with identical controls layout, buttstock, dimensions etc. The OBR proposition was just what the Army wanted—in short, a rimfire AKM, with bayonet-fixing capability, totally conforming not only to shape and weight, but dimensions and handling of the real thing. The only things different were the method of operation—blowback instead of gas-opera-tion—and of course, the ammo. Talk was designed by Roman Marcinkiewicz and Edward Wysocki of the OBR. Their magazine was patterned after, but not interchangeable with, the East German KK-MPi 69, with an original sheet-metal magazine used as a sheath to conceal a single row magazine for 15 rimfire cartridges. The bolt had two extractors, making the extraction of a dud much more reliable than in the KK-MPi 69. The trigger mechanism was similar to the AK-47, rather than the AKM, and it was semi-automatic only, whereas the KK-MPi 69 was selective fire. The fore sight was identical with the regular AKM, and there were two types of rear sight. The wood-stocked AKM trainers were designated Talk-1, while there was also a similar project of the AKMS folding stock variation, designated Talk-2. Around 60 Talk-1s were manufactured, the last 30 of these as late as 1996, and sold on the civilian market, but only half a dozen Talk-2s.

AKM-based Talk-1 rimfire trainer, almost identical to the original rifle—were it not for the short ejection port, it could pass for the real McCoy. Photo courtesy of Zbigniew Gwozdz

Talk with receiver cover off, showing the simple blowback action, but cosmetic similarities to AKM rifle.

Project Tantal Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Shortly after the Soviet Union revealed the AK-74 chambered for the 5.45×39mm, Poland started to prepare for the introduction of the new small-caliber individual weapon system. The license fees and

export limitations were outrageous enough that the Polish soldier of the future was to receive a similar—but not the same—weapon. Polish designers undertook the ambitious task to build a rifle that was at once virtually identical to AK-74— yet completely different. After the Lantan project was forcibly abandoned, Poles took another bid at improving the basic AKM, by designing the AKMS wz.80 with a three-round burst limiter, patterned after the reliable FN CAL ratchet. The fire-selector was entirely separate from the safety function. There was now just a safety lever on the right side, looking exactly like the original safety/selector, but with only two positions left – upper, Safe (“Z” or Zabezpieczony); and bottom, Fire (“O” Odbezpieczony), instead of the original three (usually unmarked “Z,” “C” — for Ciagły or fully-automatic and “P” — for Pojedynczy, or semi-automatic). The fire-selector function was moved to a separate lever on the left side of the receiver, with three positions: “C,” “S,” (for Seria, or burst) and “P,” in counter-clockwise order. The trigger mechanism lacked the typical AKM hammer delay, and the semi-auto sear had a pin protruding out of it to cooperate with the burst limiter’s toothed arc. On the left inner-side of the receiver a burst-counting mechanism pack was added. The actions of putting the rifle on safety, off safety, and shooting semi-automatically, were identical to the old milled receiver AK-47 without a hammer delay. If the fire-selector was set to “S” however, the semi-auto sear was held back by the two-toothed arc, set in motion by the hammer movements. After the third shot was fired, the ratchet no longer engaged the semi-auto sear, which was then freed to snap back into place and catch the hammer. The firing ceases exactly like in semiautomatic fire. Upon releasing the trigger, the mechanism resets

itself and the toothed arc snaps up against the semi-auto sear’s protruding pin, ready for another three-round burst. If the firing ceases after just a shot or two, the next burst would always be threerounds long. Moving the fire-selector lever to the left side of the receiver necessitated a slight undercut in the left folding stock strut to clear the lever when folded underneath the receiver. Thus the stage was set: After two Warsaw Pact armies (East Germany and Bulgaria) were forced to bite the bullet and purchase the pricey AK-74 licenses, Poland took the bumpy road, deciding to design their own cartridge (codenamed project “Cez”) and the new rifle—an indigenous circumvention of the AK-74, codenamed project “Tantal.” The initial studies on the 5.45×39mm Polish rifle were undertaken at the Radom factory’s R&D Center as early as spring of 1980. The AK-74 was an obvious choice for a pattern, but Polish designers wanted to retain a higher degree of interchangeability with the AKM and include the freshly designed three-round burst limiter of the AKMS wz.80. The AKM receiver was modernized only to the necessary degree, with the ejector lengthened enough to reach the much narrower bottom of the new case. Another change was a redesigned sight base, necessitated by the new gas tube and upper handguard, eliminating the hitherto used gas tube latch on the battle sight base. The new gas tube latch was fitted to the opposite end of the gas tube, on the handguard ring. The new gas chamber had a perpendicular gas opening and a front sleeve surrounding the barrel, to which a “clothespin” M16-style bipod was attached. The moving parts consisted of the lightened AKM bolt carrier and a modified bolt, with smaller diameter bolt face and open-sided

extractor cutout (patterned after the AK-74). Each new rifle had to be fitted with a rifle grenade capability, by using new-generation bullettrap rifle grenades. At the same time, all rifles were to have a folding stock, which meant a new, sturdier stock. The East German MPiKMS-72 single-strutted loop stock was chosen as a pattern. The Tantal stock hinge is fitted to the receiver by means of the upper screw and the pistol grip screw, going through the flat spring of the stock latch. The entire folding stock hinge can be replaced with an AKM wooden stock, if need be, but this was not done in practice. The handguard and gas-tube retaining ring, as well as the upper handguard and gas tube itself, were a significant departure from both the AKM and AK-74. The retaining ring latch is a crossbolt with a cutout, rotating in a perpendicular groove on top of the barrel. Each time the gas tube is to be removed for cleaning, the latch bolt has to be rotated, so that the cutout clears the barrel and lets the ring be slid forward, freeing both handguards. The early Tantal had a screwdriver slot in that latch bolt, making field stripping difficult. Later, the screw slot was replaced by a lever extension. Unlike an AK, the Tantal upper handguard is not fixed to the gas tube. The gas tube is a separate part, wedged between the gas chamber flange and rear sight base, topped with a plastic upper handguard, doubling as a gas tube retainer, which in turn is held by the handguard retainer ring. This unusual feature’s sole purpose was to enable the lower handguard’s dismounting without the need to field-strip the rifle—which was in turn required by the underbarrel wz.74 Pallad 40mm grenade launcher, mounted on the special mounting fixture, replacing the regular lower handguard.

This fairly early version of 5.45mm kbk wz.88 “Tantal” with stock extended mounts steel magazine, soon changed for synthetic.

In late 1981, with mounting political and social unrest in Poland, just before the period of Martial Law, Project Tantal was suspended. Nevertheless, the 5.45mm program continued on, and SkarzyskoKamienna’s Works 21 ammunition plant (a.k.a. ZM Mesko) finally mastered 5.45×39mm ammunition manufacture in 1983. A year later the rifle development was restarted. The initial batch of the wz.81 Tantals was sent out for testing in 1986, and failed, missing its chance. The original test reports are still confidential, but some things were obvious then: The length of the rifle with stock folded was too long for standard AKMS racks, which would have necessitated rebuilding all existing racks built into every military truck, car, or armored fighting vehicle—thus it was easier to shorten the rifle. The magazine was another problem. The one used with Tantal wz.81 had a top taken directly from the AKM, which made it possible insert a wrong magazine loaded with 7.62×39mm rounds to the rifle—but yet the Soviet AK-74 magazine would not fit, preventing interoperability. The improved and partly redesigned prototype Tantal (with AK74-compatible bolt carrier, bolt and magazines, shortened to match

the AKMS overall length) was again tested by the end of 1987. Both rifles still utilized Soviet magazines (early orange plastic) and had wooden forends. Tantals were tested against the AKMS and the Soviet AK-74 firing the Polish-manufactured PS ball ammunition and Soviet 7N6 tracer. Some 15,000 rounds were pumped through the first prototype, and in excess of 20,000 through the other, proving that just like the AKMS, the new rifles had much more service life in them, than the 10,000 shots required. The improved rifles were again tested early in 1989 and finally found fully compliant with requirements, so the initial batch for troop testing was ordered and in 1990 given to the Army for troop testing. In 1991 the 5.45×39mm rifle came into series production and was introduced into the inventory of the Polish Army as the “5.45mm karabinek wz.1988 (kbk wz.88),” officially dropping the R&D-phase codename of Tantal—even though it remained the popular name. It was, however, too little and too late, as the June 1989 parliamentary election swept out Communist rule, starting a chain of events that put Poland back with Western Europe after half a century of Soviet occupation. After plans to join NATO and the European Union were revealed, the brand-new rifle firing Warsaw-Pact ammunition was useless, and Tantal was dropped in 1994, after less than 30,000 were manufactured. Even over this short span of the production, numerous design changes were introduced. The trigger mechanism was modernized, replacing the AK-style one-piece hammer-and-trigger spring with separate trigger and hammer springs. This gave one more part to detach during detailed stripping, but simplified reassembly. Other changes included fitting a lever extension, instead of the screwdriver

slot to the forend ring retaining crossbolt, eliminating need of tools for stripping. This finger extension was carried over from the late series Tantal into the 5.56×45mm NATO successor, the Beryl. Another change was of mostly cosmetic value— orange and tan furniture were later unified to flat black synthetic, giving the rifle a much more business-like appearance. The new-style lower handguard was given AK-74M-style ribs, to improve grip. Similar black synthetic furniture was also developed for the Onyks shorty.

The Tantal entered serial production 1991 as the 5.45mm karabinek wz.1988, just to be dropped a few years later when Poland was able to turn its eyes to the West. Photo: U.S. Army

The long-time magazine supplier, a company from Łód called Wifama, had gone bankrupt and the Radom factory had to introduce their own polymer magazines. Bodies and followers were molded from black glass-fiber reinforced polyamide, significantly reducing weight and cost, while improving reliability and strength. The 5.45×39mm wz.88 rifle is an automatic, gas-operated weapon with a long-stroke piston. The bolt turns to the right for locking. Its automatic sear prevents a discharge before the bolt is fully locked. Ammunition is fed from a 30-shot staggered column, double-position curved box magazine, initially of steel, later with synthetic body and follower. Mechanical sights comprise a tangent

rear sight with U-shaped notch, for firing at the distances from 109 to 1,090 yards (100 to 1,000) meters at 100m increments with a fixed battle-sight position “S,” enabling a torso shot up to 440 meters. Tritium night sights are standard on all rifles. There were two weapons developed from the wz.88 Tantal — the wz.89 Onyks carbine, and the “5.45mm kbkg wz.74,” or Tantal fitted with Pallad 40mm grenade launcher. Even with all the changes made to the barrel, muzzle device, stock, bolt carrier and bolt, return spring assembly, trigger mechanism, magazine, gas tube and hand guards, the wz.88 Tantal is still more an AKM, than an AK-74.

The 5.45mm kbkg wz.74 UBGL fires the 40×46mm grenade. Photo: U.S. Army

Early night version of the Tantal with Soviet-licensed, PZO Warsaw-built NSP3 NV sight with stock extended. Note the bulkiness of the sight.

The 16.7-inch (425mm) barrel is cold-forged, hard-chromed, with 4 RH grooves with 1:7.8 inch twist (200mm pitch). The multifunctional muzzle device has an external diameter of 22mm to exclude fitting an old-style rifle grenade without bullet trap. The initial expansion chamber of the device has three openings drilled through, 120 degrees from each other. The Polish muzzle device is much longer than the Soviet, as it also doubles as the rifle grenade spigot. To avoid loosening of the receiver cover, common during rifle grenade firing, a manual latch was added to the return spring guide. After the wz.88 Tantal rifle was ready in late 1987, the OBR team started to design the compact variant, a Polish clone of the AKS-74U (“Krinkov”). The first prototype testing took place in early 1991. The tiny carbine passed the tests with flying colors, but then a decision was made to fully unify the receiver with the rifle, which necessitated a thorough redesign, as the first prototypes had a “Krinkov-style” hinged receiver cover. The redesign took a while, and it only reached series production in 1992, and was discontinued after only 200 were made.

The Onyks Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The “5.45mm subkarabinek wzór 1989 (subkbk wz.89)” is basically a chopped-down Tantal. The chop-job improved the handling abilities at the expense of the shorter barrel, bayonet and bipod. Strangely enough, the carbine retained the rifle grenade capability though, being the world’s only rifle-grenade-capable shorty. The

Onyks has more parts commonality with the standard rifle than does the AKS-74U. The barrel length was reduced to 8.15 inches (207mm), also the gas tube and both handguards were chopped—but the latter are still retained with the same retainer ring, fitted with the old style slotted crossbolt, even though the Tantal was already upgraded to a finger lever. The Onyks gas chamber is a copy of AKS-74U’s, with muzzle thread at the cylindrical portion of the frontsight base. A muzzle device doubling as a grenade spigot or a BFA can be screwed onto that thread. The sight base of the Onyks is of an original design.

Early prototype Onyks with flip-over rear sight. Later models had rear sight mounted on a bar extending to the rear of the barrel attachment block. Photo: U.S. Army

The first prototypes had an AKS-74U-style ear-protected flipover sight and a likewise hinged receiver cover. To retain a usable sight radius on later models, a cantilever sight rail was riveted on top of the barrel attachment block, reaching back over the receiver cover.

On the side of that rail, a mounting bracket for the laser sight was added. Tests in 1990 showed this arrangement was insufficient and it was again redesigned. The new sight cantilever is almost double the length of the original, and an attaching rail for the PCO-made CWL-1 red dot sight was added to the top of the cantilever. The Onyks’ rear sight is a flip over with two U-notches (100-200 and 400m); the front sight is an AK-style windage-adjustable screw-in screw-out post. Some carbines were fitted with tritium night sights. Tantal was by far the most original of all 5.45mm Kalashnikov clones ever manufactured. It was the only one with rifle grenade capability and the only one fitted with burst limiter. The small-caliber rifle, carbine and round (Tantal, Onyks and Cez) projects gave the Polish defense industry priceless experience and self-reliance, which proved invaluable after collapse of the Warsaw Pact, and a head start which enabled a fast changeover to the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) round—several years before Poland was finally accepted into the Alliance. Today, Tantals are history in the Polish Army. After the ammunition stocks were depleted, the rifles were withdrawn from the units and stored, replaced either temporarily with the AKMS or permanently with Beryls. The last unit to utilize these was the Polish contingent of the UNIFIL, United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, where these were basic individual weapons as late as 2004.

“Tantal” Weapons Family

Beryl Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Radom’s ZM Łucznik did not patiently wait for the Warsaw Pact to disintegrate. Even as the Tantal and Onyks were coming into series production, it was obvious that a 5.56×45mm NATO variant would be needed, if not for the Army, then for export. The “export Tantal” was to achieve 90% part interchangeability with basic wz.88 Tantal rifles. The design for a 5.56×45mm NATO, wz.1990 Tantal rifle was ready by 1991, and a year later a 5.56×45mm wz.1991 variant of the Onyks carbine was also ready. These were almost indistinguishable from the original ones, except for the uniformly black furniture (these were in fact the first all-black Radom rifles). Three prototype rifles and five carbines were manufactured and exhibited during the 1992 MTB Arms Fair in Sopot. Unfortunately, that was all,

as the program was suspended for three years as there was no money to buy military-grade 5.56×45mm ammunition for testing. However, in January 1994 NATO launched a “Partnership for Peace” program, and the future NATO-partnership for ex-Warsaw Pact countries was granted. With that, the fate of Tantal was finally sealed. The 5.56×45mm wz.91Tantal rifle and wz.92 Onyks carbine did not differ much from their 5.45×39mm parent designs. Basically, the most remarkable changes were different magazines and all black furniture, with longitudinal AK-74 style bulges on the handguards. Black plastic furniture, including plastic magazines, became a standard at that time. Apart from that aesthetic modernization, the only new features brought about were in accessories for the Tantal and/or future 5.56×45mm NATO rifle. Under the PfP, Poland had signed an Individual Partnership Program with NATO, stipulating that the country would join the Pact by the end of decade. Therefore, the General Staff started several radical reforms. Two projects were initiated: one codenamed “Granulit” at the ZA Mesko SA in Skarzysko-Kamienna, to replicate the 5.56×45mm SS109 round; and the other, codenamed “Beryl” at ZM Lucznik SA in Radom, to design both an assault rifle and automatic carbine chambered for that ammunition. At the same time, the PCO in Warsaw was ordered to recalibrate their range of optical and optoelectronic sights according to the ballistic data of the new round. Finally, money was found for ammunition to finish testing of the wz.90/wz.91 system, which was chosen as a base upon which to design the 5.56×45mm NATO Beryl rifle system. The testing proved that the proposition was viable, but the new rifle needed a stouter butt and stronger receiver to better

withstand repeated rifle grenade firing with this more powerful cartridge. As early as January, 1995 the TTR (Tactical and Technical Requirements) document was prepared for the new rifle by the ZM Lucznik SA, calling for an “assault rifle chambered for the NATOstandard 5.56mm cartridge, effective at ranges up to 600m against troops and lightly armored vehicles” (meaning that the rifle grenade capability was requested) and a separate “short automatic carbine of smallest possible size, intermediate between assault rifle and submachine gun, chambered for NATO-standard 5.56×45mm cartridge, effective at ranges up to 400m against troops and lightly armored vehicles.” The TTR required that the Beryl would: Fire both 5.56×45mm SS109 (STANAG 4172) and the older M193 ammunition; Have a trigger mechanism capable of single, burst (three rounds) and automatic fire; Fire both NATO 22mm boom-inner-diameter and Polish Fosforyt rifle grenades; Be capable of attaching optic and optoelectronic sights of the 5.56×45mm modernized PCO family (CK-3 collimating, LKA-4 optical, CWL-1 optics with laser and PCS-6 NV). The overall length of the Beryl with butt extended was not to exceed the limit of 37.18 inches (944 mm), as the AKM heritage still ruled the size of the rifle racks in barracks and vehicles. The latter limit was used to extend the barrel from 16.65 inches (423mm) to 18 inches (457mm) by replacing the Tantal’s grenade launching muzzle

attachment with a much simpler and shorter one screwed and pinned on the extended barrel. Unfortunately for longer-limbed shooters, the stubby butt, although completely redesigned as to shape, was left the same length. On April 19, 1995 a contract was signed for furnishing 11 prototypes of the two weapons (rifle and carbine), as well as making the qualification testing, and preparing the blueprints, manual, instructional posters, all within just nine months. That short a term suggests the extent to which the “new” weapon would replicate the existing Tantal. The deadline was kept, and on May 20, 1996, the Ministry deemed both new rifle and carbine fully compliant with the TTR, following which on August 13, 1996 another contract was signed with Lucznik for pilot batches (18 rifles and six carbines) to be delivered by January, 1997. After these were delivered on January 20, Lucznik started to manufacture components for the series production. On March 20, 1997, the Beryl rifle and carbine were introduced into the inventory of the Polish Army as the “5.56mm karabin sztur-mowy wzór 1996 Beryl” (5.56mm M1996 Beryl Assault Rifle) and “5.56mm karabinek automaty-czny wzór 1996 Mini-Beryl” (5.56mm M1996 Mini-Beryl Automatic Carbine), along with Fosforyt rifle grenades and PCO sight family.

Billed as a “Technology demonstrator’ for the wz.2007 Beryl rifle, this is in fact an OG painted wz.96 Beryl with OG-plastic furniture and an Aimpoint CompM2 sight on the 3rd Gen sight rail.

The 5.56mm wz.1996 Beryl assault rifle is still manufactured for the Polish Army despite the Zaklady Mechaniczne Lucznik SA going bankrupt and being liquidated in 2002. On the rubble of the ZM Lucznik SA, a new company emerged, using the pre-war name of Fabryka Broni w Radomiu (Radom Arms Factory) together with the triangular FB logo replacing the Communist era Works 11 logo of “11 in oval” cartouche. The demand for its smaller twin brother, the wz.96 Mini-Beryl automatic carbine was initially not strong. The main distinctions between Tantal and Beryl are an extended bore in a barrel of the same length, a different caliber, a 5.56×45mm magazine, new buttstock and slightly redesigned handguard. For the Beryl, a new optical sight attachment support was devised, as an interface between the new rifle and the PCO’s sighting devices family. This sight rail, called Podstawa Optycznych Przyrzadow Celowniczych (Optical Sight Mounting Interface), or POPC for short,

was attached over the receiver, instead of the customary Kalashnikov side rail. The cold-forged, hard-chrome lined 18-inch (457mm) barrel has six grooves, right hand twist, of the universal 1:9-inch (228mm) pitch, enabling the use of both SS109/M855 NATO standard or older M193 ammunition. The Polish Army didn’t have an opportunity to use that feature, as the Polish 5.56×45mm ammunition (RS steel-cored ball and SM tracer) are fully SS109/L110 compatible, but in a recent deployment of the Polish troops to Chad, that came in handy, as their logistical support was provided by the French, still having a M193only FAMAS F1 rifle. The muzzle device combining flash hider, rifle grenade spigot and muzzle compensator is much shorter than the Tantal’s, and it is permanently fastened (pressed on and secured with pins) to the barrel. The discharge end of the muzzle device is threaded to attach the BFA. The receivers differ only in small details. The stock hinge was beefed-up and modified to take a new model stock, fitted with the POPC anchor point, and riveted with an additional, third rivet. The stove-poker buttstock of the Tantal was dropped in the Beryl, replaced by a more elegant twin-tube design, somewhat resembling the Galil stock. It folds to the right side of the receiver, just like the Tantal. The stock struts were initially (until 1999) covered with plastic tubes, giving much better thermal insulation, both from cold in the winter and (as painfully realized at the beginning of the Polish troop deployment in Iraq) from the heat as well. The two tubes are connected with a steel buttplate, covered with a thick rubber shoe. The stock latch is much improved compared to the Tantal, now patterned after the Swiss SIG SG-550. The stock is no longer

positively latched when folded: To unfold the Beryl stock, one just grabs and pulls, or gives it a slap with left hand. The POPC 1st Generation sight rail was one of the most extraordinary points of the Beryl rifle, being complicated to the point of defeating the purpose of its existence. The handguard was modified to allow attachment of the 40mm wz.74 Pallad grenade launcher to each rifle. Handguard, gas tube and upper handguard attachments were left as they had been in the late Tantal. The rifle is fitted for bullet-trap rifle-grenade launching that is compatible with a ball cartridge. During the production run of the Beryl rifle there were but some small modifications introduced. The fire-selector retaining catch was reinforced to eliminate the unnerving tendency of switching the selector from “single fire” to “automatic” under the vibration of firing. Also, the selector switch got a second, perpendicular arm, to reduce the angle required to select the “3-round burst” position. The receiver cover, previously known for separating from the receiver under the recoil of rifle-grenade launching, was in 1999 latched down by introduction of the automatic latch, replacing the manually-actuated one, itself a carry-over from the wz.60 rifle-grenade launching rifle. The cover still usually detaches when a grenade is launched, and the automatic latch makes re-assembly difficult.

The wz. 96 rifles can mount the wz. 74 “Pallad” 40mm grenade launcher, later models take the NATO-standard 40mm round. Photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

Adapting the Beryl to modern firing techniques, utilizing the front grip, and the ubiquitous red-dot sights was a challenge. The first attempt at putting the M1913 interface on the rifle was a disaster. The first Weaver-compatible Beryl was a shortlived civilian-legal variant of the rifle, called first the “Beryl-IPSC,” or “Radom-Sport.” Two Polish practical rifle shooters from Silesia, Mr. Michal Lubinski (now owner of Works 11, Ltd. in Katowice) and Mr. Waldemar Lipinski, then on the factory shooting team, set forth a list of requirements, duly incorporated in the rifle, which unfortunately is no longer offered. Foreign deployments of the Polish Army revealed drawbacks with the Beryl rifle, mostly inherited from the old and user-unfriendly AK-47, incompatible with modern infantry rifle usage doctrine and training. The military establishment traditionally opposed changes, but soldiers took to tinkering, forming a large grassroots movement for the modernization of the Beryl rifle. By the time the 4th Contingent was preparing to go to Iraq in 2005, a new wz.2004 Beryl rifle was on display, fitted with several features taken from the short-lived

civilian-legal model, including the bird-cage flash hider, P-han-dle magazine release, folding front sight base, extended safety lever and a new, translucent magazine. But the most awaited features of the wz.2004 Beryl were the lower handguard fitted with a fore grip and side rails as well as the new, “3rd Gen” POPC. The new rail was rigid enough, but completely obscured the iron sights, so later on (2007) a new variant (“4th Gen”) was prepared, with higher trough sides, enabling the iron sight to be used for distances of up to 600 meters, and this time with M1913 slots on top. The new POPC is a functional and sensible design, of length sufficient to fix the EOTech 552 holo sight with the PCO’s MU-3 NV monocular at the same time, or replacing them with a large, 3.5-pound (1.6 kg), day-or-night CKW “Bazalt” thermal-imaging sight unit, also from PCO. In 2005 another variant of the modernized Beryl was presented, with a side-folding, telescoping, three-position stock of the Radom design. The same stock was proposed for the Military Police MiniBeryl variant, but the MPs opted for a standard folding stock instead. In 2007 another two variants, presented at the Kielce MSPO fair, had U.S.-made commercial (Leapers UTG) quad-rail forends and sixposition folding stocks (one by TDi and one by Leapers).

Beryl wz.04 rifle with a light mounted on right side rail, pressure switch neatly organized under the Hogue grip sleeve, extended finger shelf on the safety

lever, extended magazine release, EOTech 552 on top of the 3rd Gen POPC rail, folded front sight post, bird-cage flash hider, and the prototype 3-position folding and telescoping buttstock.

In early 2008 still another modernized Beryl demonstrator was exhibited, known as “wz.2007”—but this one was more of a marketing ploy. It comprises a wz.2004 with a 4th Gen POPC and folding telescoping butt, uniformly painted light Olive Green all over. The new magazine was finally opaque, not translucent, and the new flash hider was compatible with the Rotex-III sound suppressor by Brügger & Thomet. The safety lever was fitted with a new device, an extension enabling the safety to be taken on and off with a trigger finger.

The Mini Beryl Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Mini-Beryl is the successor to the wz.89 Onyks automatic carbine but in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber. Compared with the Onyks, the barrel is slightly longer at 9.25 inches (235mm), and the muzzle device is of slightly smaller diameter. In the Mini-Beryl the handguard attachment has been modified to preclude needing tools to strip the weapon. Mini-Beryl furniture is attached with a pin, pushed out for stripping. The sights are taken from the Onyks, together with their standard tritium night inserts. The Mini-Beryl has both iron sights and optics rail as standard. This sight bar is riveted to the sight base, extends halfway back over the receiver cover, and has a flip-sight with two U-notches (200-400m) at the end. The sight bar at first had

a PCO proprietary rail, to enable the CK-3 collimating (red dot) sight to be mounted directly on the weapon, without the need for a POPC rail. It has been offered for export sale in a variety of possible stock and sight-mounting configurations. The Mini-Beryl has a standard Beryl kit, different only by replacing one of the 30-shot magazines with a shorter 20-rounder. Despite the short barrel, the Mini-Beryl is still capable of launching rifle grenades. The Mini-Beryl was not officially introduced into the inventory together with the “big” Beryl. It was, however, tested by various special units, who ordered small batches. The first order for more than 100 was from the Military Police. The wz.2004 Mini has a fully MIL-STD-1913 conforming sight attachment interface on the sight bar sides, enabling it to be used with all compliant red dot or other sights. Also, the flip sight was changed, the U-notches set for 200mm and 400m were replaced by a peculiar combination of peep and a Unotch, both set to 300m. In 2005 the Military Police introduced the Mini-Beryl as their standard long arm and ordered several thousand. With a good buyer in view, FB Radom improved the Mini, replacing the Onyks-inherited gas block with a new one, modifying the gas piston, and introducing a completely new bird-cage flash hider. Later on the Mini was introduced in the Army (airmobile and selected mechanized units) as well, slowly replacing the inefficient and obsolescent 9mm PM-84P Glauberyt submachine guns. Some demonstrators of that model were also fitted with commercial Leapers UTG 6-posi-tion telescoping stock. The newest model, painted light OD overall to match the wz.2007 Beryl, has a new birdcage flash hider fitted for the Rotex-III sound suppressor attachment.

Prototype “pre-04” modernized Mini-Beryl with a new bird-cage flash hider, the Radom proprietary folding-sliding three-position stock, but still with intermediate type of forend, without fore grip, and the CWL-1 sight mounted on the PCO-interface iron sight bar.

Final model of the Mini-Beryl for the Military Police, with EOTech 552 sight mounted directly on the integral iron sight bar, non-adjustable folding stock, vertical foregrip and extra sections of M1913 rail.

Beryl Commando Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 2006 another variant of the Beryl rifle, tailor-suited to the needs of the 1st Commando Special Regiment of Lubliniec, was built as a “midi” variant, halfway between the standard Beryl and the Mini,

with a 14.76-inch (375mm) barrel, almost matching the M4 barrel length of 14.88 inches (378mm). The short rifle was called the “BerylCommando” and featured a folding and telescoping butt, not the Radom proprietary three-position folder-slider, but a commercial Leapers six-position M4-style butt, installed in a hinged attachment. Later, another demonstrator was unveiled, also along the lines of the Commando, but with ambidextrous safety-selector lever and without three-round burst capability. Both models were experimental, no series production “midi” rifles were ordered. The Beryl rifle is the last link to Kalashnikov rifle development in Poland, bringing with it most of the AK-47’s good heritage (simple design, easy operation, reliability and durability) but also carrying the baggage: poor ergonomics, inability to mount and operate optical sights without requiring removal for cleaning, slow and cumbersome magazine change, no bolt hold-open, and a cocking handle hard to operate with the supporting hand. With the flat-trajectory 5.56×45mm cartridges enabling direct fire to 350-400 meters, fitting of the tangent leaf sight scaled 100-1000 with 100 meters increments is an anachronism— even more so is fitting it with an open U-notch rear sight. Thus the Beryl is a rifle design already standing with its back to the wall. There’s no way to revive it again, as its modernization potential has been used to the limit. There could be another handguard model, with or without rails and fore grip, or another butt stock —but without major redesign of the receiver to an “upper-lower receiver” standard, nothing further of importance can be done with it.

The mid-sized version, the Beryl-Commando, seen here with M4-style butt and M1913 rail adapter, was spec-built for Polish commandos, but has not been built in quantity.

Midi “Commando” Beryl has been offered at arms fairs for export, with any combination of stock furniture or sighting options the buyer prefers. Photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

“Beryl” Weapons Family

MSBS-5.56: The Shape Of Things To Come Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Early in this Century, the Polish Army General Staff decided to replace the Kalashnikov system, realizing the system’s modernization potential has bottomed out. The future Polish Army’s rifle had to be able to fully use the potential of modern rifle practice with its useful electronic gadgets. A decision was made to design a truly modern 5.56×45mm Modułowy System Broni Strzeleckiej (MSBS-5.56 for short) or 5.56mm modular small-arms system from scratch. It would consist of a unified receiver, recoiling unit, exchangeable barrels of different lengths, and different accessories. It would have a monolithic full-length, integrated, Mil-Spec-1913 upper attachment rail, enabling it to mount red-dot, N V, optical or other sights on top of that rifle, without having to take it off and re-zero after cleaning. From the

outset it was clear that the Western upper receiver-lower receiver layout should be employed. Because the military was often criticized for keeping their new developments to themselves and not consulting reasonably knowledgeable individuals outside the Army, this time the main unit entrusted with the design of the new rifle family, the Warsaw-based Military Technological University, seized the initiative to tap into the national technical and creative resources, sending out feelers to all gun-designing, manufacturing, writing and using circles. The recipients were asked for detailed input as to what the rifle should be capable of, what it should look like, how it should operate. Would a classical or bullpup design be better, and if so then why, and for whom? Much of that input proved valuable, and was then taken into consideration and found incarnation in the final design. This called for two rifle variants using the common upper receiver: one in classic layout for ground troops and one in bullpup configuration for airborne troops and AFV crews. The superior ergonomics of the AR-15 system influenced the choice of the magazine and controls layout in the classical configuration. The MSBS is to be a piston-driven, gas-operated rifle with turning-bolt locking, essentially quite like the G36, an AR-18 derivative with boxy bolt carrier driven by a single return spring. The gas unit is a long-stroke AK-type gas piston doubling as an operating rod, with a perpendicular opening for a plug-in cocking handle. The rifle is to be totally ambidextrous, with all controls doubled, and twin ejection ports and bolt, enabling left- or right-hand ejection. The magazine release, bolt release, safety selector, and cocking handle are all either ambidextrous or can be simply relocated to fit right-or-

left-hand shooters. The military wants it field-convertible without the use of any tools except for a bullet tip. The stock is linear, telescoping, and one of the concept models was fitted with a stock socket enabling use of any aftermarket M4compatible stock, to enable the soldier to use whatever they may find better for their needs. The other model was fitted with a Radomdeveloped telescoping buttstock, but it is just a matter of exchanging the rear plate with one or another socket. The return spring is housed within the upper receiver, anchored in the rear plate. The most original idea of the MSBS-5.56 is the way the upper receiver can be used for both classical and bullpup configuration without any modifications. All one has to do, is slap the bullpup lower onto it, a modified bullpup rear plate doubling for the buttplate, and slide a rubber cover on the rear half of the top M1913 rail to protect the operator’s face. Then a carrying handle with another rail on top is mounted to raise the sight to the shooter’s line of sight– and it is a bullpup. Unfortunately, but common to all bull-pups, the ergonomics of the classical rifle are largely lost in the process. The fire-control group is in the same position as in the classical rifle, which means it is under the shooter’s cheek. Being ambidextrous, one can use the opposite, exposed side: The same applies to the magazine release. Different barrel lengths and grades can be fitted inside the receiver, enabling the rifle to fulfill roles from automatic carbine, thru automatic rifle up to a DMR with a long, free-floating bull barrel and bottom-rail-attached bipod. The LMG role is not taken under consideration, based on adverse experiences with such weapons deployed by other countries. Instead, the Polish Army wants a true

machinegun, a SAW-style belt-fed, as a close support weapon in addition to the GPMG already deployed with each squad.

Later mock-up of the MSBS-5.56’s classical configuration with different rear plate, enabling it to use the Radom-designed telescoping stock. Photo: Courtesy Jaroslaw Lewandowski

(Inset): Earlier perspective of the MSBS-5.56’s classical configuration with M4-compatible buttstock. Graphic: Courtesy Jaroslaw Lewandowski

Rapid prototyping mock-up of the bullpup-configured MSBS-5.56, unique in that it uses the same components as the “classic” configuration. Photo: Courtesy Jaroslaw Lewandowski

The MSBS rifle in its bullpup configuration, illustrating possibilities for mounting modern sights and attachments. Graphic: Courtesy of Military University of Technology, Warsaw

These mock-ups were first demonstrated in Warsaw, in December 2008 to the people who had contributed input, and were

positively received. Besides the monolithic, 17.9-inch (455mm) top rail, which was one of the main ideas behind the whole project, the MSBS-5.56 in classical layout would also have a half-length bottom rail for foregrip and grenade launcher attachment, as well as threaded holes on the sides of the receiver for attaching short auxiliary rails for lights, lasers and other accessories. The main sight of the rifle would be a red-dot sight set on the upper rail: BUIS are mounted on the upper rail rather than integral BUIS being incorporated into the rail, HK-style, because the sighting system is totally modular, and BUIS should be matched to the red-dot sight in order to co-witness. The MSBS-5.56 is rifle-grenade capable, so the gas valve was added within easy reach, on the front end of the gas block. To add more rail length and to attach the foregrip on the bullpup configuration, a barrel-mounted auxiliary rail anchored to the underside of the gas block was added, with a bayonet lug on the front end. This was the most disputed point of the first mock-up “rollout,” and is likely to be dropped. The MSBS-5.56 is a joint-venture between the Military Technological Institute and Radom’s Fabryka Broni Lucznik SA. The rifle in classical layout is being designed by Lt. Col. Dr. Eng. Mirosław Zahor, while MSc Eng. Krzysztof Kozioł from Radom is responsible for the bull-pup configuration. The first “rapid-prototyped” plastic mock-ups of rifles in both configurations are so far the only real shape of the MSBS-5.56 project, scheduled to produce a shooting-capable technology demonstrator for each configuration as this book goes to press. Then, within 2010-2013 prototypes are to be tested, developed, and

pending qualification, would be introduced into the inventory of the Polish Army, with full-scale re-arming scheduled to start in 2015.

CHAPTER 46

Romania

Romanian Assault Rifles A member of the Warsaw Pact, Romania replaced most of its Russian SKS rifles with Russian fixed stock AK-47 and folding stock AKS-47 assault rifles (designated AI and AIS by the Romanians) in the late 1950s. For AI and AIS model specifications, see the Russian chapter.

This Romanian soldier is armed with the AIMS/PM65 assault rifle with vertical foregrip and under-folding stock. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Domestic production did not begin until the early 1960s when, with the assistance of Russian firearms technicians, the Romanian government began producing the AKM (stamped receiver) in 7.62×39mm (M43) caliber. The Romanian designation for the AKM is AIM/PM63. In 1965 the AKM rifle with a vertical wooden foregrip and metal underfolding stock was introduced as the AIMS/PM65. Means of Controlling Operation: Copies of the Russian AK-47 have a three position selector lever. From top to bottom: safe; full-automatic; semi-automatic. AIMS-74,

the copy of the Russian AK-74, has a three position selector lever. From top to bottom: Safe; Full-automatic; Semiautomatic (threeround burst by internal ratchet). Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: During the 1960s and 1970s, the state run Cugir Arsenal was the sole producer of arms for the Romanian military. Like most of the Soviet satellite countries, Romania’s burgeoning state-run arms industry not only supplied its own military, but also exported large numbers of weapons to customers such as Iraq and Iran, during their war (1980– 1988). Located in Alba, Cugir no longer makes military rifles, but continues to make small arms ammo and heavy weapons as SC Uzina Mecanica Cugir SA.

AIM/PM63 and AIMS/PM65 (7.62×39mm [M43]) Means of Controlling Operation: Copies of the Russian AK-47 have a three position selector lever. From top to bottom: safe; full-automatic; semi-automatic. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons.

Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons.

AIMS-74 Rifle (5.45×39mm) This rifle is a variant of the standard Soviet sidefolding stock AK74 rifle, and includes the Romanian vertical foregrip, mostly in polymer, although some early models used the wood grip found on the earlier 7.62×39mm (M43) caliber rifles. The Romanian muzzle brake is similar in design to the Soviet variant, but a little longer and narrower. The cocking handle on the bolt carrier is turned upwards slightly to facilitate chambering a round when the stock is in the folded position along the right side of the receiver. (This might also contribute to smoother charging by those right-handed operators who bring their left hand over the top of the receiver to wipe the bolt to the rear.)

AIR Carbine MD90 and AIR, MD90 Carbine (7.62×39mm [M43]) The MD90 is an AKM with a right-side folding stock with a single strut, similar to the East German design. The AIR MD90 features a short barrel of 11.2 inches (302mm) plus a flash suppressor and is very similar in concept to the Hungarian AMD-65M; both feature a vertical foregrip, and are regarded as a submachine gun. Folding

stock, short-barrel weapons of this type are better suited than their full-length counterparts for use by tank crews and other troops operating in confined spaces, and at closer combat ranges than regular infantry. Interestingly, the rear sight is graduated to 500 meters only.

MD-86, MD-86 Commando (5.45×39mm), and MD97 (5.56×45mm NATO) Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The first production run of the 86 Series rifles was a simple conversion of the 7.62×39 AKM to 5.45×39 caliber without a muzzle brake and with wooden furniture, including the vertical foregrip. However, the early series was subsequently replaced with models that are copies of the Soviet AK-74 rifle with the single strut right-side folding stock. Both models have a four-position fire selector lever: with a fourth position for 3-shot burst, and can also mount the AG-40 grenade launcher. The shorter Commando variant features an 11.9 (302mm)inch barrel and has been manufactured with either the vertical or standard horizontal foregrip. This compact submachine gun is generally used with a 20-shot magazine in confined spaces. Rear sight is calibrated to 400 meters. A third model, the MD97, is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO and is intended for export.

The AIMS/PM65 is easily recognized by the vertical wooden foregrip and underfolding metal stock.

The MD-86 in the field. Note the vertical foregrip and selector in the Safe position.

SpecOps troops also use the HK G36 and the Steyr AUG assault rifle. Romanian Marines use the SIG 551LB assault rifle.

AIM/PM63 and AIMS/PM65

MD-86, MD-86 Commando, MD97

WASR-10 Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Two position selector lever: Safe, and Semi-auto. One interesting spinoff from the Romanian export market was the WASR-10 series of AKM rifles manufactured during the 1990s with Romanian receivers designed for single-stack magazines of 10shot capacity. The WASR was intended for the American market which was subject to the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban (1994 – 2004) that restricted certain features of semi-automatic rifles including: flash hider, detachable magazine greater than 10 rounds, folding stock, bayonet lug, and pistol grip. When the ban was allowed to sunset in 2004, remaining stocks of the WASR-10 were retrofitted with magazine wells capable of accepting the standard double-stack 30shot magazine, and the rifle was redesignated GP WASR-10 (GP for General Purpose).

With the silhouette and esthetic of the Romanian AK’s seen in regional conflicts world wide when Romania was part of the Warsaw Pact and a major exporter of small arms, this semi-automatic WASR-10 features the post-ban compensator, bayonet lug and normal magazine capacity. Photo: courtesy www.centuryarms.com

The WASR-10 is also available with a side-folding synthetic stock. All WASR-10 models are semiauto only, feature 16.25-inch barrels and are in the classic 7.62×39mm (M43) caliber. Photo: courtesy www.centuryarms.com

The WASR-10 is still available with five- and 10-shot capacity, without compensator or bayonet lug for those jurisdictions who find such appurtenances dangerous. Photo: courtesy www.centuryarms.com

CHAPTER 47

Russia/Soviet Union: Fedorov, Simonov, and Tokarev Rifles

Three luminaries of Russian small-arms design through WW II are (L to R), Vladimir Grigorevich Fedorov, designer of the first assault rifle ever issued in a war; Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, designer of automatic rifles, an anti-tank rifle and the SKS M45, the first rifle issued for the M43 (then 7.62×41mm) “intermediate” cartridge; and Fedor Vasilevich Tokarev, inventor of the era’s Soviet pistols and the M38 and M40 Tokarev rifles, the most widely issued Russian arms of the type in WW II.

IN the World Wars,

Imperial Russian and then Soviet troops made limited use of three automatic rifles of Russian design, none of which was particularly successful. Upon its mobilization, an act that contributed to the start of World War I, the Tsarist Army was short of everything but men. Deficiencies were particularly acute in horses, ammunition, machine guns and other small arms. Domestic production was hopelessly inadequate, which made it necessary to buy abroad, particularly in the United States, a neutral nation in the early years of the war. Russia’s allies also supplied materiel to her when possible. Under such conditions, research and development was conducted on a very limited scale.

In the early years of the Twentieth Century, all the major armies of the world had considerable numbers of bolt-action rifles on hand. It was a period of intense development of automatic firing technologies, and the idea of converting bolt-action rifles to automatic or semiautomatic appeared independently in many countries. Theoretically, it offered the possibility of modernizing materiel already on hand at a fraction of the cost of buying new rifles. In practice, the conversions were awkward, unreliable, and not as economical to make as had been estimated by their designers.

Prototype Roshchepei semiautomatic rifle of 1907.

Early prototype Fedorov semiautomatic rifle, for 7.62mm rimmed cartridge.

One conversion, which was fabricated and demonstrated in 1907, was the work of Y.U. Roshchepei, a fortress blacksmith, but it never got beyond the prototype stage. The method of operation he applied was probably some form of retarded blowback, as later Soviet writers wrote that the well-known Thompson submachine gun and the Schwarzlose heavy machine gun designs (both retarded blowback) were “stolen” from Roshchepei. As early as 1905, V.G. Fedorov, then an officer in the Imperial Army, proposed a plan for converting the Model 1891 Mosin rifle to

semi-automatic: Apparently this proposal never went beyond the concept stage. Despite this early disappointment, Fedorov later did become a prominent weapons designer, and a respected scholar and historian, with many published works on history and ordnance design. Vladimir Grigorevich Fedorov was born in St. Petersburg in 1874, and graduated from the Military Artillery Academy in 1900. Early in his military career he became interested in the development of improved small arms, publishing articles on the subject as early as 1907. His first venture into designing was the above proposal to convert the bolt-action Mosin to an automatic rifle. In 1906 he conceived the design of what is now known as the Fedorov action. In this design, the recoiling barrel carries twin pivoting locks that engage lugs on the bolt. Soviet publications referred to this experimental prototype as the Model 1907. This weapon was made at the Sestroretsk small arms factory. Another variant appeared in 1912. Although not a production item, 150 rifles were made for evaluation. Until this model, all of Fedorov’s early designs fired the 7.62mm rimmed Russian cartridge. The Model 1912 was not adopted, but it did show sufficient promise to justify a continuation of his work. Fedorov decided that the best results could be achieved by the use of a less powerful cartridge. Initially, Fedorov designed a brand new rimless 6.5mm cartridge for his rifle, but due to WWI shortages, switched to the Japanese 6.5mm Arisaka round, with existing rifles being converted via a chamber insert and new sight scale. The change of caliber was dictated by logistical considerations: The 6.5 Japanese round was similar and available in quantity from stocks captured in the RussoJapanese War of 1904-1905, and from British sources. He started

working on a new design based on 6.5mm Japanese ammunition as early as 1913. In 1916, a Fedorov weapon with a selective-fire capability in this caliber was put into production and called the Avtomat.

Locking mechanism of the Fedorov Avtomat.

Fedorov “Avtomat” 6.5mm assault rifle was the first successful select-fire rifle of this class. Developed in the period 1911-1913, the weapon was produced in limited numbers and was used during WW I and during the Russo-Finnish War. Top rifle is SN3267. With a detachable box magazine of 25 rounds, this selectfire weapon was chambered for 6.5×50SR Japanese ammunition, as this lowimpulse cartridge was ideal for Fedorov’s new weapon concept, and was available in 1916. Bottom rifle is SN2491.

Fedorov’s use of a new Russian name shows he recognized the distinct role of the new weapon. Today, we would call it an “assault rifle.” However, although the Fedorov was the world’s first production assault rifle, it has been little known outside Russia, because events made mass production impossible. The military disasters of the Imperial Army during World War I were followed by revolution, civil war, famine and privation. Under such conditions it is remarkable that Fedorov succeeded in achieving even limited manufacture of his weapon. In 1918, the Red Army ordered 9,000 Avtomats: 3,500 were actually produced. When the Avtomat saw combat in World War I and in the Russian civil war, its mixed results in combat indicated that it was a very desirable type of weapon, but not adequately reliable under combat conditions. It suffered from problems of reliability when dusty or soiled, and second-shot hit probability on automatic fire was very poor. After the revolution, Fedorov sided with the new regime. As a result of field experience with his weapon, in 1923 Fedorov designed a bolt hold-open, charger guides, a ribbed magazine, and a disconnector to prevent doubling on semi-automatic fire. The rear sight was changed and a front-sight guard installed. Older weapons were returned to the factory at Kovrov for retrofit of these upgrades. In 1924, he became chief of the earliest Soviet design bureau for automatic weapons, located at the Kovrov small arms factory. He

selected Vasily Alexeyevich Degtyarev as his assistant, as he had participated in the development and production of Fedorov’s Avtomat. In the early 1920’s, the Soviet Army continued the search for an automatic infantry rifle in 7.62mm caliber to fire the standard rimmed cartridge. In 1926, Fedorov presented an improved variant of his rifle, but it was eliminated from the running during trials. Degtyarev also submitted prototypes in the tests of 1926, 1928, and 1930, but none of these were adopted. His Model 1928 is referred to as the “Collective Model,” as it was the joint work of Degtyarev, Fedorov, Kuznetsov, and Bezrukov. Collaboration of the best minds can often bear remarkable fruit, but the collective mindset of the time may have overly encouraged the concept of what the Soviets termed “unified weapons,” which was carried to its logical extreme and bore no usable fruit whatsoever. In May of 1923, a series of various “unified” machine guns were tested by the Artillery Committee, all based on the Fedorov Avtomat. Their conclusion is worthy of note in light of history: “this new project suggested by engineer Fedorov and aimed at modifying the machine rifle [Avtomat] into a belt-fed machine-gun, cooled by air or water, is of considerable interest, because such a construction... would result in the creation of all sorts of automatic weapons from self-operated carbines up to belt-fed heavy machine-guns—all based on a single model already in existence. It would undoubtedly be enormously advantageous in regard to production uniformity and ease of training soldiers of the Red Army.” In pursuit of this “unified” goal, several tactically advanced but technically unworkable models were produced for test, despite the inherent unreliability of the Fedorov action and lack of acceptance of

the 6.5mm round. Not only was the Avtomat’s envisioned role as a hand-held light automatic weapon avant-garde, but the concept of a light machine gun, what we might now call a squad automatic weapon, was new. The “unified” prototypes tested included: a Fedorov/Degtyarev design with the Avtomat equipped with a copy of the Lewis barrel-jacket radiator and bipod; a Fedorov/Degtyarev design with a ribbed barrel inside a slotted jacket, some of which were quick-changeable; a Fedorov/Degtyarev design with the barrel surrounded by a Maxim-style water jacket, with the sights mounted atop; and a Shpagin/Fedorov design mounting two Fedorov Avtomats upside-down, that featured finned barrels within slotted jackets, and a trigger mechanism permitting one or both barrels to be fired. Not until the AK-47 evolved into the PKM machinegun a generation later did this sound but then-unworkable concept bear fruit. The basic idea, and the tactical thinking behind it were sound, but the platform simply was not.

Fedorov’s Model 1925, this one made in 1928, was submitted for trials that began in 1926 for a new rifle in 7.62×54R that would weigh less than 8.8 pounds (4 kg), be capable of selective fire, and mount a bayonet. This model had a charger-fed, integral box magazine of only five rounds, a bolt holdopen, and a rear sight graduated to 2,000 meters.

Means of Operation

The Fedorov action operates by short recoil. The bolt is locked to the barrel by a pair of locks which pivot on the sides of the barrel near its rear end. When a shot is fired, barrel and bolt recoil together a short distance. During this motion, the barrel return spring is compressed. The locks are then cammed down, and the bolt is free from the barrel. At this time, a projection on the accelerator, which travels with the barrel, strikes an abutment fixed in the receiver, causing the accelerator to pivot suddenly. This stops the barrel and speeds up the bolt. As the bolt continues rearward, extraction, ejection, and cocking take place. During this time, the barrel is kept in recoil position by a latch. The bolt moves forward under the action of its driving spring, ramming a cartridge into the chamber. In its forward movement, the bolt strikes the accelerator, thereby causing it to pivot. This disengages the barrel latch, permitting bolt and barrel to move together. As they arrive in the battery position, the locks are cammed up and the weapon is ready to fire. The Avtomat used a 25-round magazine which closely resembles one of Mauser’s early designs. In a book written by Fedorov in 1939, he tabulates its characteristics as follows:

Fedorov Avtomat 1916 Caliber Weight

6.5mm 4.4 kg

Length 1.045m Muzzle velocity 666 m/s Rate of fire (cyclic)

600 r.p.m.

Fedorov retired in 1933, a Lieutenant General of the Artillery Engineering Service. He was recalled to duty in the Ministry of Armaments from 1942 to 1946. Until 1953 he was on the staff of the Artillery Academy.

Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov was born in 1894 and, as a young man, worked five years in a foundry. In 1917, after completing a technical course, he became a mechanic and worked on the assembly of the Fedorov Avtomat. Later, he studied engineering at the Moscow Higher Technical School where he graduated in 1924. By 1926 he was an ordnance inspector at Tula and in 1927 he joined the Communist Party. He was head of the prototype shop at the Fedorov design bureau when several competing automatic rifles were undergoing development in the Soviet Union. By 1930, he had completed a prototype rifle of his own design which was adopted by the Red Army in 1936 as the AVS. The AVS was not successful and was not made in large quantities. It was superseded by the Tokarev rifle several years later. Simonov later developed another automatic rifle action which comprised a slightly modified Tokarev. In World War II it was produced as a 14.5mm semi-automatic anti-tank rifle, the PTRS. His later variant, the SKS semi-automatic carbine, fires the Soviet 7.62×39mm cartridge, and has been manufactured in many former ComBloc countries. Neither the PTRS nor the SKS is considered an assault rifle, as both are limited to semiautomatic fire. The earlier AVS could qualify as an assault rifle although its full-automatic capability was probably only intended for anti-aircraft fire.

Experimental Simonov semiautomatic rifle of 1931, for 7.62mm rimmed cartridge.

The Simonov select-fire rifle Model AVS-36 was produced from 1934 to 1940; 67,204 units were manufactured at the Izhevsk Machine Building Plant.

Means of Operation The AVS is a selective-fire, gas-operated shoulder rifle fed by a detachable 15-round magazine. It locks with a rising block which engages a deep notch on the bottom of the bolt. The block, located just behind the cartridge chamber, has a hole in it large enough to let the bolthead pass through it. The block is rigidly supported against rearward thrust and spring-loaded to the downward or unlocked position. The lower forward edge of the hole engages the notch in the bolt. After the bolthead passes through the block, a separate wedge, sliding on top of the bolt, passes through the block, camming the bolthead up to the locked position. When fired, the short-stroke piston acts as a tappet to deliver a sharp blow to the wedge, driving it out of the block. The spring moves the block to the unlocked position allowing the bolt to recoil. The

operation of the bolt probably depends to some extent on residual chamber pressure.

Fedor Vasilevich Tokarev Fedor Vasilevich Tokarev was born in 1871 in a Don Cossack family of Egorlikskaya village. When he entered elementary school in 1880 he was already interested in firearms. His interest stemmed from his encounters with an itinerant gunsmith from Tula, who occasionally visited Tokarev’s native village. In 1882, he became an apprentice to the village blacksmith, and in 1884, he entered the arms works at Krasnov. Tokarev’s technical aptitude was already recognized, which led to his acceptance as a student at the Novocherkassk Military Trade School in 1888. Four years later, he graduated as a Cossack noncommissioned officer and master craftsman. In 1892, he was appointed Master Armorer of the 12th Don Cossack Regiment on the Austrian border. In 1896, Tokarev was at Novocherkassk as an instructor in arms making. After several years, he was sent to Cadet School to become a Cossack officer. His many years of practical work and strong interest in weaponry led to his enrollment as a student at the rifle school at Oranienbaum in 1907, where he broadened his knowledge of the theory of arms design. At Oranienbaum, Tokarev began to work on the design of an automatic rifle, and made a prototype which seemed to offer possibilities of successful development. In 1908, he was sent to the Sestroretsk rifle factory to perfect his design. Experimental models

were tested in 1910 and again in 1914, but each trial revealed different bugs in the designs. In 1914 Imperial Russia went to war and Tokarev was sent to the front. In 1915, he was back at Sestroretsk as Assistant Director for Inspection and Manufacture. This made it possible to continue work on his rifle although the rival Fedorov Avtomat did go into limited production in 1916. Tokarev was a man of great perseverance. After the trial of his rifle in 1914, where it was not adopted, he continued to work to improve it. In the 1917 revolution, when the workers took over the factory, Tokarev was elected technical director. In 1919, Tokarev became the senior engineer of the Izhevsk Machine plant, and in 1921 was sent to the Tula arsenal, where he developed a light air-cooled variant of the standard Maxim machine gun. This design was adopted in 1924 as the Maxim-Tokarev. In 1927, he adapted the Maxim as an aircraft gun. His Tula-Tokarev pistol, a modified Browning, became the standard Soviet pistol in 1930. He formed a second small arms design bureau in the 1920s to compete with the Fedorov-Degtyarev bureau. The principal limitation that Tokarev had to contend with was the 19th-century rimmed cartridge. He deserves credit for the results he accomplished in adapting his mechanism to that cartridge. Today’s designers work with cartridges designed for automatic weapons. Tokarev’s rifles were entered in the competitive tests of 1926, 1928 and 1930. They are not true assault rifles, although some are equipped with selective-fire mechanisms. The full-automatic capability was intended for anti-aircraft fire. In 1932, a carbine variant was produced in limited numbers. This seems to have been done for service trial, rather than as a measure of adoption. In 1936, as in

1916, Tokarev saw the army pass over his rifle and select another, the Simonov, yet he continued his efforts.

Early prototype Tokarev semiautomatic rifle, for 7.62mm rimmed cartridge.

The Simonov was not a success when issued for service in the field, and soon afterward, the Tokarev, with modifications, appeared again as the Model 1938. Although this model was actually made in quantity, Soviet press releases at the time stated that formal adoption took place March 10, 1939, after 30 years of design work. This was followed by the Model 1940, which included minor changes, some of which related to production cost. We do not know if he used a short-stroke piston and separate bolt carrier at that time. The short-stroke piston had been employed by the Austrian von Mannlicher in an experimental rifle made about 1900. Drawings of the Mannlicher rifle were published in military periodicals in various countries, which Tokarev probably saw. Means of Operation The Tokarev Model 1938 and 40 use a gas-operated action, firing by hammer with the bolt closed and locked. The firing pin is

spring-loaded to the rear so that it can protrude only when it transmits the blow of the hammer. The operating rod is spring-loaded toward the muzzle, and its rear end serves as a tappet to deliver an operating impulse to the bolt carrier. The operating rod itself is moved to the rear by gas pressure after each shot. It travels less than the length of a cartridge, and returns to its forward position independent of bolt movement. The bolt carrier has only backward and forward movement in the receiver. The bolt has some longitudinal play in the carrier, and its rear is capable of some vertical motion within the carrier.

(1) the Simonov select-fire AVS-36 assault rifle, (2) Tokarev AVS-1938 semiautomatic rifle, (3) Tokarev SVT-40 semi-automatic rifle, and bottom a modified Tokarev AVT-40 select-fire assault rifle manufactured in 1943. The Tokarev series were produced at the Tula arsenal, and the Izhevsk Machine Building Plant, which manufactured 287,140 rifles early in World War II.

The Tokarev designed AVT-40 (Avtomaticheskaya Vintovka Tokareva) is a select-fire variant of the SVT-40 rifle with a modified trigger group that permits full- and semi-automatic fire. The AVT-40 was put in production in May 1942 and manufacture stopped in June 1943, at the Tula arsenal. The fire selector is the safety lever located to the rear of the trigger: the left position is semiautomatic, the middle position is safe, and the right position allows fullautomatic fire. During the opening phase of WW II, reports from troops stated both the SVT-40 and the AVT-40 were malfunctioning because of complex design and basic unreliability. Because of these problems, production of Tokarev rifles was greatly reduced. A total of 1,031,861 had been produced in 1941 and only 264,148 made in 1942. Production of the SVT-40 was stopped in late 1944 and no AVT-40 rifles were produced after the summer of 1943.

A modified SVT-40 rifle presented to Stalin by Tokarev in February 1940. This select-fire rifle was a prototype and not produced.

Soviet propaganda photo of WW II shows woman sniper with Tokarev SNT sniper rifle. Note cutout on stock above right rear of trigger guard, to permit selector to swing to full-automatic position.

Each time the carrier moves forward into battery, it cams the rear of the bolt down into engagement with a locking surface in the receiver. Conversely, each time the carrier moves rearward out of battery, it cams the rear of the bolt up and out of engagement with the locking surface.

When the last shot in the 10-round Tokarev magazine is fired, the bolt remains open for reloading from five-round clips. After reloading, it is necessary to draw the bolt handle slightly to the rear to release the last-round stop and allow the bolt to close. Some rifles have fluted chambers, to ease extraction. The Tokarev and Simonov magazines, although similar in design, are not interchangeable.

Having decided to adopt the intermediate 7.62 M43 cartridge, but before they adopted the M45 SKS rifle, the Soviets built the Tokarev in an experimental high-capacity variant that held 30 rounds of the new caliber. It was designated the 1944 Avtomat. Interestingly, at this point the M43 round was the “7.62×41mm,” which was used for all early variants of the SKS and even the early Kalashnikov designs that followed. Photos: Courtesy Max Popenker

CHAPTER 48

Russia/Soviet Union: The AK and AKM

A Tribute to Mikhail Kalashnikov Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov was born on November 11, 1919, in the village of Kurya in the Altai region. Mikhail was the seventeenth child of a large peasant family. Having never graduated from secondary school, Mikhail began an apprenticeship at the railway depot at the Matai Station, and then worked in Alma-Ata, the capital of Kazakhstan, as a technical secretary in a department of the Turkistan-Siberian railway. In 1938, he was drafted into the Red Army where he served in the Kiev Military District, graduating from an institute for tank drivers and mechanics. Even during this early period of service in the army, Kalashnikov demonstrated his aptitude and talent as a designer. He developed an instrument to measure the actual number of shots fired from a tank’s cannon, created a device that would adapt the Tokarev TT pistol for more efficient use when firing through the slits in a tank’s armor, and invented an instrument for measuring the wear of a tank engine. Together with the latter invention, he was sent to Moscow in June of 1941, then from Moscow, on the orders of the head of the Main Tank Directorate of the Red Army, to Leningrad, in order to shepherd his invention into production.

A young Mikhail Kalashnikov poses at his drawing board early in his career, and above as the celebrated patriarch of the Soviet/Russian small arms industry.

From the beginning of the Second World War, Sergeant Kalashnikov saw active service as a tanker in battles against the German forces. In October of 1941, in heavy fighting near Bryansk, he was seriously injured and was evacuated, suffering from wounds and shell-shock. It was during this stay in the hospital that Kalashnikov first thought of developing and producing a submachine gun for Soviet soldiers. Having received six month’s leave in view of his injuries, he returned to the railway depot in Matai, and with the help of the management and fellow workers, his weapons concepts began to take shape. With a finished model of the submachine gun in hand, he journeyed to Alma-Ata. Kaishigulov, the Secretary of the Kazakhstan Communist Party, redirected him to the Ordzhonikidze Aviation Institute, which had been evacuated from Moscow to Alma-Ata. At the institute, in the workshops of the artillery faculty, a second prototype of Kalashnikov’s submachine gun was developed. In June of 1942, it was sent for review to the Dzerzhinsky Artillery Academy, which was at that time located in Samarkand. Sergeant Kalashnikov’s submachine gun drew the interest of A.A. Blagonravov, one of the leading Soviet specialists in the field of ballistics and firearms. Though Blagonravov did not recommend the weapon for adoption by the armed forces, he gave a glowing evaluation of the talents and achievements of its inventor, and pointed out the originality of Kalashnikov’s resolution of a series of technical problems. He recommended that the self-trained designer be given every

opportunity to continue his studies, and did what he could personally to ensure such assistance. In 1942, Kalashnikov was sent to the Central Research and Development Testing Center of the Central Artillery Directorate of the Red Army. In 1944, at the Testing Centre, Kalashnikov developed a prototype of a self-loading carbine. It was a construction that embodied the central features that two years later would form the basis of an assault rifle. In 1947, Kalashnikov and his design team perfected the assault rifle and in the same year, as a result of the weapon’s reliability and performance, it clearly surpassed its competitors in an extremely demanding series of tests. Following development of the assault rifle, in 1949 it was adopted by the Soviet Army as the “7.62mm Kalashnikov assault rifle of 1947 (AK) Avtomat Kalashnikova” and Sergeant Kalashnikov was awarded the Stalin Prize of the First Order in the same year. Since 1949, Mikhail Kalashnikov has lived and worked in Izhevsk, and during that time he worked his way up from an unassuming designer, to the position of Chief Designer of Firearms for the Soviet Army. At the time this title was published, in 2010, Mikhail T. Kalashnikov was alive and well. Between 1950 and 1970, building on the foundation of the AK design, the Soviet Army adopted the following standardized models of automatic firearms: AKM, AKSM, AK74, AKS74, AKS74U, RPK, RPKS, RPK74, PK, PKS, PKM, PKSM, PKT, PKMT, PKB, and PKBM. Over the years, Kalashnikov’s homeland has deemed his work to be of immense value in strengthening the defense of the nation, twice giving him the title of Hero of Socialist Work (in 1958 and 1976), and

awarding him the Stalin Prize (1949) and the Lenin Prize (1964). He was awarded the academic rank of Doctor of Technical Sciences (1971), and the military rank of General-Major (1994). Mikhail Kalashnikov has been the recipient of the nation’s highest award, the Order of Andrei Pervozvanny, as well as the “For Services to the Nation” and “Patriotic War, First Order” honors, and many others. The authors strongly concur as to the importance of the “Avtomat Kalashnikova” and its overall effect in the science of small arms and, in that class, assault rifles in particular, by noting that examples of his firearms systerm will be found in the armed forces or in production for export in the following nations—an unequalled testament to the worldwide success of this extraordinary weapon design: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, China, Columbia, the Congo, Croatia, Cuba, DDR (then East Germany), Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Italy, Kampuchea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Moldavia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rumania, Russia, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, the Sudan, Surinam, Swaziland, Syria, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen (Northern), Yemen (Southern), Yugoslavia, Zambia,

Zimbabwe and many more, plus adaptations to sporting rifles and shotguns. Mikhail Kalashnikov and his design team created the optimal weapon by combining basic characteristics that resulted in superior and exceptional reliability, minimal cleaning requirements, component interchangeability, for successful employment in any climactic condition with no adverse effect. Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov has a distinguished place in the history of firearms, not only as the creator of the world’s most distributed assault rifle, but also as the first designer to create a series of standardized firearms, common in design, construction and basic principles, which enjoyed unprecedented acceptance on the world scene, and at this point in time, in the majority of the world’s armed forces.

A Perspective On Russian Small-Arms Designers Both before and after the revolution (1917-19) Russian small arms designers, a good number of whom were engineers, distinguished themselves with the development of timely, first-class, small arms. Many of the most successful weapons were introduced during World War II. After the turn of the century and up to and including the Great Patriotic War (1941-45) such names as Federov, Simonov, Tokarev, Degtyarev, Shpagin, Sudayev, Kalashnikov, and many others developed excellent designs that would prove to rank with the best in the world. Most westerners involved with the study of small arms, however, do not understand the fierce competition that has taken place in the Soviet Union (and Russia) since the revolution between the various

small-arms design bureaus. The Soviet system has always had competing design teams from the many arsenals working against one another. There was often bitter acrimony following the outcome of the tests where the looser would see his work rejected—often for political or cost reasons. It is especially so when the rejected weapon is clearly superior, in many respects, to the announced winner. Competition and the winners/losers outcome is common throughout the world—but perhaps no where else with the intensity witnessed in Russia. Because many of the groundbreaking, seminal designs that “also ran” in the Soviet competition of the 1940’s have been relegated to the dustbin of ordnance history, a photo review is provided in the following pages. The reader will no doubt see familiar features from earlier designs that had been incorporated—and will also probably note features in these uncompetitive designs, which subsequently borrowed by designs that were successful.

were

Insight essential to an understanding of Russian gun design activities is found in the succinct comments of Anthony Williams and Maxim Popenker, quoted below from their title The Assault Rifle: “The one thing that is clear is that the true history of the Soviet assault rifle is much deeper and much more controversial than it appears from most readily available Russian and Western sources. “The year 1947 marked the start of an era of the ‘Kalashnikov’. Made in millions (most sources state that more than 70 million AK-pattern rifles have been made in the world to date), this became one of the most famous and widely used small arms in history. Most of its descendants, made in the

USSR and Russia during the following fifty plus years as well as in many other countries, actually introduced very few changes. The technology was improved with the introduction of the stamped receiver AKM rifles in 1959, and the caliber was reduced from 7.62 to 5.45 mm in 1974. But internally the AK74M, manufactured since the early 1990s, is mostly still the same AK of 1949 vintage. Some experts dare to say that the domination of Kalashnikov and his rifle were not good for the Russian arms industry. Indeed, there were many interesting designs submitted for trials against the Kalashnikov in 1957-59 and 1971-74, but each time the Army preferred the already familiar and proven AK derivatives over the more effective and less expensive but entirely new designs. The AK was designed with the high probability of a Third World War in mind. It was extremely simple to learn and to maintain and can survive tremendous amounts of abuse, which can be expected in a large-scale war fought by large masses of poorly educated and trained conscripts. Fortunately this never happened, but these properties of the AK have made it extremely popular among all revolutionary movements, freedom fighters and all other nonprofessional warriors who needed crude, simple yet effective weapons.

Experimental Sudayev (Sudaev) assault rifle AS-44, 3rd model from 1944, made by the Tula armory plant in 7.62×41mm. These Sudayev designed models were delivered for testing in 1945, but were rejected because of excessive weight. The Sudayev submissions were the first assault rifles to fire the new 7.62×41mm cartridge.

“One of the basic problems with small arms (and with all arms in general) in the USSR and Russia was, and still is, the conscript army. If you have eighteen-year-olds, some of whom hardly can read and speak Russian,1 you cannot easily and quickly teach them to use any advanced weaponry effectively. And even if you can, and spend a huge amount of money and effort to train these conscripts, within two years all of them will have retired and you have to start all over again afresh. This experience had been clearly demonstrated during World War II, when only technically advanced troops, such as the Marine Infantry, were able to use the relatively sophisticated, semiautomatic, Tokarev SVT-40 rifles with any degree of success. Most

infantry units did not like this rifle, which required much more care and maintenance than the bolt-action Mosin-Nagant rifle, which was almost as foolproof as a wooden club. This was, and still is, a real problem. Even a relatively simple device such as a gas regulator was unacceptable for Army experts, since they could not believe that any conscript would set it properly each time (as had happened with the SVT-40 before). The rifle must be as simple to maintain and fire as possible. Thus it had to have an overpowered gas drive to work in all conditions, despite fouling and dirt, and it had to have loose tolerances and a super strong construction, to withstand rough handling. But there is a price: increased recoil, poor ergonomics and moderate accuracy were and still are typical properties of all Kalashnikov rifles.

Experimental Sudayev assault rifle AS-44, 4th model from 1944, made by the Tula armory plant in 7.62×41mm. Several variations were designed by A. I. Sudayev and seemed promising, but Sudayev fell gravely ill and died in 1944 at age 33.

“The trials in 1957-59, which included the modified AK, the Simonov assault rifle (loosely based on his famous SKS carbine), the Korobov TKB-517 and several others, resulted in the adoption of the slightly modified Kalashnikov AKM. It is almost unknown to the general public that the AKM prototype was outperformed by the TKB517, which also was lighter, about 30 percent less expensive and more stable in full-automaticmatic fire, thanks to its Kiraly-type, retarded blow-back system. The exact reasons for the rejection of the Korobov system were not published, but it is believed that the Army decided that ‘the best is the enemy of the good’, and stuck to the familiar. “The switch to a smaller calibre, which occurred in the Soviet Army in 1974, did not help much. This change was caused by the American M16 rifles, captured in Vietnam during the early 1960s and supplied to the USSR in exchange for military support. The smallcalibre M16 greatly impressed the Soviet experts and in the mid 1960s work was started on such cartridges. The smaller and lighter 5.45mm cartridge generates much less recoil and has a flatter trajectory and so it is easier to control the rifle in full-automaticmatic fire or to fire single shots accurately in rapid fire. There is also huge logistical gain because even a typical, one-man combat load of eight magazines (240 cartridges) resulted in a weight saving of about 1.4kg. Given the size of the Soviet Army, this provided an impressive total saving in weight as well as in the amount of raw materials needed to produce the new ammunition.

Experimental Shpagin assault rifle model 1944, competitor for the 7.62×41mm assault rifle trials, tested in NIPSVO Proving Ground in 1944. It was manufactured at the No. 4 Armory plant in Vyatskie Polyany, comprising essentially an enlarged PPSh-41.

Experimental Rukawishnikov assault rifle AR-46 model 1946, tested at the NIPSVO test range in 7.62×41mm.

Experimental Korovin assault rifle model 1946, for Second Competition for 7.62×41mm assault rifle, as tested at NIPSVO test range in 1946. The Korovin was designed at the Tula armory plant.

“After the trials conducted in 1970-71, the Army again selected the famous and familiar AKM, rebarrelled for the smaller-calibre round and designated A-3, over the more effective, SA-006 Konstantinov assault rifle, developed in Kovrov. Designated in service as the AK-74, it was essentially the same old AKM of 1959, with the same properties, handling, extreme simplicity and reliability (after some teething problems with insufficient receiver strength and barrel bulging). Interestingly, Mikhail Kalashnikov resisted this changeover himself, feeling that the existing 7.62mm rifles were entirely satisfactory, and he was literally forced to produce a smaller-calibre version of the AKM.

“But it was soon discovered that even the newest AK-74 left much to be desired and thus in 1979 the Army ordered a new research programme, codenamed ‘Abakan’ (after a small city in Russia). This was intended to develop a new 5.45mm rifle, which had to be at least 150 per cent as effective2 as the AK-74. The initial requirements of the Abakan programme were based on the experimental results, obtained during the late 1960s and the early 1970s from several prototype assault rifles, developed in Tula by Gennadij Korobov and in Klimovsk by Pavel Tkachev. These rifles introduced the experts to such concepts as a dual high/low rate of fire, with the low rate intended for long bursts and the high rate for limited length bursts of two or three rounds, as well as balancedaction and soft-recoil systems. The three-round bursts with high rate significantly increased accuracy and effectiveness; this was one of the fundamental requirements included in the programme from the start.

First model of the experimental Kubynov assault rifle model 1946 KB-2, made at Kowrow in 7.62×41mm.

Second model of the experimental Kubynov assault rifle model 1946 KB-2, made at Kowrow in 7.62×41mm.

Experimental Bulkin assault rifle AB-46, model of 1946, from the Tula armory plant in 7.62×41mm.

Experimental Bulkin assault rifle AB-47, model of 1947, from the Tula armory plant in 7.62×41mm.

The Korobov-designed TKB-408 model of 1947 from the Tula armory plant was an interesting design in that it was of bullpup configuration, was gas operated and had a tilting bolt breech locking system. As others of the era, it was in 7.62×41mm.

Experiment model of 1946 by experienced designer S. G. Simonov, in caliber 7.62×41mm, was a more polished design than some, but even it did not compete favorably with the Kalashnikov design.

Experimental Dementjev assault rifle KB-P-410 (ADS-47) model of 1947 featured MP.40-style folding stock. Made at Kowrow in 7.62×41mm, it was submitted in the third competition for the assault rifles, tested at NIPSVO range.

Experienced arms designer F. V. Tokarev submitted this 1944 assault rifle based on his AVT-40 rifle, but it did not pass early range tests. Photo: Courtesy Y. A. Natzvaladze

“The first trials were held, again in deep secrecy, in 1984. Several designers (more properly, design teams) submitted their prototypes to be tested against the AK-74. All were gas-operated, 5.45mm rifles and all featured both full-automaticmatic and two-or three-round burst capabilities. There were three basic approaches for increased combat effectiveness. The first was a more or less traditional design, with burst limiter, high rate of fire and a rate reducer which was activated in full-automatic-matic fire. Korobov had taken this approach in his TKB-0111 rifle, as well as Afanasiev in his TKB-0136 model, both made in Tula. The second approach is known as a ‘balanced action’; first developed during the late 1960s by the designers Alexandrov and Paranin in Izhevsk [designated the AL-7, which is covered in detail in this title] and by Tkachev in Klimovsk. This system used a counter-mass to compensate for the recoil impulse, generated by a massive bolt group slamming against the receiver in its rearmost and foremost position during the reloading cycle. The counter-mass is linked with a second gas piston and moves in the opposite direction to the bolt group. Synchronization is achieved by using a simple rack and pinion system. In this, only the impulse of the fired cartridge is transferred to the receiver, and through the buttstock to the shoulder of the shooter. The impulses of the heavy and fast-moving bolt group are offset by the counter-mass and do not affect the shooting, unlike the AK’s operation, where the moving bolt group produces much additional recoil and vibration. The ‘balanced system’ was used in the AKB rifle, developed by V.M. Kalashnikov (son of the famous Mikhail) in Izhevsk, and in the AEK971 rifle developed in Kovrov by Koksharov.

Some experimental designs such as this in 7.62×41mm by Prilutskiy show design features ahead of their day, such as the bullpup design and hinged breechcover. Photo: Courtesy Sergei Monetchikov

“The last approach, usually known as ‘lafetted system,’ ‘softrecoil system’ or shifted recoil system,’ is no more than an adaptation of the old artillery principle of reducing the peak recoil by allowing the gun to recoil in its mount. In this system the barrel and the receiver with the gas system and bolt group are

allowed to recoil inside the outer weapon housing, against the special recoil buffer springs...”

3

This system and the other two design approaches are covered in greater detail in the section “AN-94.” The interesting “balanced action” AL-7 is described in the section covering the IZHMASH Models 107 and 108 rifles. Most of the experimental assault rifles mentioned above are covered to some extent in this title—as several showed great promise, and in fact proved to be superior in many respects to the AK-74 during the various tests, conducted in the mid 1980’s.

Features on some short-lived experimental assault rifles such as this AP-34 by Efimov will be later found on successful designs. Compare magazine catch to Kalashnikov designs. Photo: Courtesy Sergei Monetchikov

The AK and AKM In April 1943 on the Eastern Front, the Red army encountered the German Sturmgewehr, which fired the 7.92×33mm intermediate cartridge. Within a few years after the end of the war, Soviet Russia was producing an equivalent weapon. The development and early manufacture of the Avtomat Kalashnikova, the AK, was carried out in the utmost secrecy, and by the time the existence of the AK was

known outside the Soviet Bloc, the weapon was already in widespread use. Although the name can be translated literally as Kalashnikov Automatic, a more meaningful term is Kalashnikov assault rifle. The word “Avtomat” in Russian means a rifle or carbine which is capable of selective single or automatic fire, and had previously been applied to the original assault rifle, the Fedorov Avtomat of 1916. The AK/AKM family of assault rifles was designed shortly after WWII by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov with the assistance of his design team, and adopted for service in the Red Army in 1949. The rifle fired the new 7.62×41mm (later 7.62×39mm) intermediate powered cartridge which had similar characteristics to the German intermediate 7.92×33mm cartridge that was introduced late in World War II, a cartridge which was fired from their Sturmgewehr series of assault rifles. The new Soviet-developed cartridge, the 7.62×39mm, was halfway in power between the old 7.62×54Rmm rifle round and the 7.62×25mm pistol and submachine gun cartridge, and was designated the M43. Its evolutionary development from the 7.62×41mm to the dimensions now used, is covered in greater detail in the ammunition section of this title. Originally regarded as a new design of a submachine gun, it quickly became apparent that the AK could do everything—and more —that the semiautomatic-only Simonov-designed SKS carbine, firing the same 7.62×41mm and later 7.62×39mm cartridge, could do. The SKS had been adopted in 1945 as the modern replacement for the ageing Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifles which then served as the basic infantry arm. Although in itself a perfectly adequate weapon for its day, the SKS was very soon supplanted by Kalashnikov’s AK

(Avtomat Kalashnikova). A brief history of the development of the AK follows.

By the time the competition was announced for an assault rifle, Kalashnikov had already designed submachine guns and this 7.62×41mm self-loading carbine showing design influence of the Garand. This basic action was later improved into the early model Avtomat. Photo: Courtesy Sergei Monetchikov

Born of Need, Succeeding By Merit “As usual in the Soviet Union and Russia, a number of designers developed competing assault rifle designs, among them Kalashnikov, Simonov, Sudayev, Boulkin, and several others. [Most of these interesting designs are illustrated in this section]. The favorite was Sudayev’s design, which was already undergoing tests but which had some major shortcomings, such as being too heavy. Kalashnikov was a newcomer to this competition but began thinking about how to develop an operating system that could be used in an entire family of small arms— assault rifle, light machine gun, and machine gun. Kalashnikov sent his design off for consideration in early 1946 and

very shortly thereafter was advised to proceed with development of a prototype assault rifle. “In response to Moscow’s approval, Kalashnikov assembled a small ‘collective,’ called a team in Western vernacular, with individual special skills to help hasten the manufacture of the new weapon. The team worked feverishly to get the prototype finished on schedule, and according to Kalashnikov, his team was largely responsible for meeting the schedule. But a weapon that looks good on paper does not always perform on the range, and so it was with the first prototype of the assault rifle that eventually became the AK-47. There were several flaws, but none that caused any delay in the test program. Kalashnikov’s assault rifle was produced in limited numbers and sent for troop trials. After passing the troop trials with virtually no difficulties, the rifle was recommended for adoption by the Soviet army. The AK-47 assault rifle was officially adopted for service with the Soviet Army and Navy by decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, on June 18, 1949. By order No. 0086, the War Minister declared it for troops on June 29, 1949.

Experimental Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-46 No. 1, model of 1946, tested in NIPSVO test range: His first prototype AK in 7.62×41mm.

“It has been stated by a colleague of Kalashnikov that ‘Kalashnikov is a natural-born weapons designer. Further, the Chief Missile and Artillery Department (GRAU) saw to it that Kalashnikov received the technical support that he needed to get the job done. In addition, Kalashnikov was literally tireless: his friends sometimes referred to him as perpetuum mobile, perpetual motion. By combining genius and hard work, Kalashnikov met and overcame every challenge.’ “Examination of the early AK prototypes reveal that they had a short bolt carrier with a separate operating rod. One of Kalashnikov’s competitors, Boulkin from Tula, had a rifle with a different design for the bolt carrier and return mechanism. Unfortunately, Boulkin’s design had the bolt guide cams at the rear of the bolt carrier rather than the front, requiring greater forces to unlock and lock the bolt. Kalashnikov

noted that Boulkin’s design could be improved upon by moving the cams to the front of the bolt carrier while retaining Boulkin’s return system. In the interval between tests, Kalashnikov changed his design by incorporating some of Boulkin’s features, resulting in the rifle that is known as the AK-1. From this model on, all AK designs feature a bolt carrier with integrated operating rod and piston, along with charging handle attached to the bolt carrier. “The AK-1 also marks the introduction of the now familiar Kalashnikov selector lever of stamped steel on the right side of the receiver. This model also has a recoil compensator integral to the barrel, the three holes located just behind the front sight. “During this period, Kalashnikov worked at both Tula and Kovrov but was unhappy at both locations, probably because his genius was overshadowed and restrained by the likes of Tokarev and Simonov at Tula and General Degtyarev at Kovrov. In fact, most traditional arms production facilities had their resident doyens of small arms, who did not look kindly upon a young tank sergeant who admittedly had genius but had not paid his dues by long experience. Casting about for a place where he would be appreciated, Kalashnikov was offered an engineering position at Izhevsk, which had a tradition of smallarms manufacture but little experience in the production of automatic weapons. Kalashnikov accepted the offer and moved to Izhevsk in 1948, where he took up residence at Izhevsk Motor Plant #524. The factory had nothing to do with the manufacture of engines but was in fact a weapons factory. The ‘motor plant’ designation was a cover, commonly used by the Soviet government of the time. By this time, production of the AK-47 had already been undertaken on a limited basis at Tula, but the weapon had still not been formally ‘type-

classified.’ Indeed, weapons produced during this period are actually pre-production rifles.”

Experimental AK-46 No. 2, showing long gas piston and separate bolt carrier. From Exhibition Catalog The Weapons of Kalashnikov, by M. Degtyarev, V. Krylov and A. Kulinskiy, The Artillery Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1998. Used by permission.

Kalashnikov prototype No. 3, dated 1946 with folding stock, in 7.62×41mm.

Reprinted with permission from Legends and Reality of the AK: A Behind the Scenes Look at the History, Design, and Impact of the Kalashnikov Family of Weapons by Val Shilin and Charlie Cutshaw (published by Paladin Press, Colorado).

Boulder,

The AK series evolved from the original design (1947), made with a stamped receiver, through second and third models with machined receivers, to the AKM which, following metallurgical advances, returned to the stamped receiver and entered service in 1959.

When it can be utilized, there are many advantages to sheet-metal construction, as the Germans did with their various Sturmgewehr models. The first Kalashnikov Avtomats were made with receivers fabricated from sheet-metal pressings, joined to other stamped or machined components with myriad rivets and fasteners. This exploded perspective shows how the first variants of the AK-47 were cleverly—if unsatisfactorily—designed for this manufacturing technique.

Although the overall design of the AK was satisfactory, these early receivers fabricated from sheet metal did not prove durable, and the design was reengineered for fabrication using a forged and laboriously machined receiver, which started as a 5.7-pound forging that required 120 machining operations. Although this receiver was satisfactory, it was costly, and in the reengineering of the AK-47 to the AKM, an improved sheet-metal receiver was designed to take advantage of better metallurgy and fabrication technique.

Designed for the M1891 Mosin-Nagant rifle, the 7.62×54mmR cartridge was originally designated as “three-line” caliber, a “line” under the old Russian units of measure being equal to 1/10 of an inch. Original sights for this round were graduated in “arshins,” equal to 2 feet, 4 inches. After more than a hundred years, this cartridge still soldiers on as a machinegun and sniper-rifle round. It was the cartridge used for early developments by Simonov and Tokarev, some of which were selective fire.

When the Soviets designed a new intermediate-power rifle cartridge, it was designated the M43, originally in this 7.62×41mm profile. Photo: Courtesy Maxim Popenker

When Fedorov designed the first assault rifle, the Fedorov Avtomat, he designed it for a new 6.5mm cartridge of less power than the 7.62×54mmR. Due to wartime pressures, production of this new cartridge was not feasible, but because there were large stocks of the similar 6.5×50mmSR Japanese ammunition available, existing and future Fedorov Avtomats were to be in this round. Photo: U.S. Army

The Soviet M43 cartridge was introduced as the 7.62×41mm, subsequently replaced in 1947 by the 7.62×39mm with the same “M43” designation. Early manufacture M-45 SKS rifles and AK-47 assault rifles were in 7.62×41mm, later converted. Shown in these comparative drawings are other subtle differences besides case length. As related to Peter G. Kokalis by Mikhail Dragunov, after capturing samples of German MkB 42 rifles and 7.92×33mm Kurz ammunition in 1943, the Soviets began an evaluation of intermediate cartridges where some 314 varieties were tested in 5.6mm, 6.5mm and 7.62mm, before ultimately selecting the 7.62×41mm (M43) cartridge. As Russian caliber designations are measured from land to land, the caliber was listed as 7.62mm, but the projectile and groove-to-groove diameter in fact measures 7.92mm (.312-inch), as shown in the drawing. This bore and projectile diameter are the same for the later 7.62×39mm cartridge. Readers may find of interest the original drawings of the German 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge in the ammunition chapter, which show the diameter of the “7.92mm” projectile actually to be 8.23mm, for the same reasons stated above. Soviet drawings: Courtesy Leszek Erenfeicht

The development of intermediate-powered cartridges has gone from main battle rifle rounds, to shorter-length rounds of intermediate power, to SCHV (small caliber high velocity) rounds. The Soviet 5.45×39mm could be considered the SCHV version of the M43 round, although more than the caliber was changed. Later in the 1980s another cartridge was introduced, the 9×39mm, having come full circle, the case for the 7.62×39mm (M43) round subsequently has been necked out for a 9mm round that will carry lethal energy to closer targets, at sub-sonic velocities. This new cartridge is covered in the section of 9×39mm weapons.

With the model designation “AK-47” came the introduction of the safety/selector located on the right side of the receiver which also serves as a fire selector for semi-automatic and full-automaticmatic. Inset: Markings show this to be “AK-47 No.1.”

AK-47 No. 1 was the first of this series with the gas piston and operating rod integral with the bolt carrier. The receiver is stamped. From Exhibition Catalog The Weapons of Kalashnikov, by M. Degtyarev, V. Krylov and A. Kulinskiy, The Artillery Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1998. Used by permission.

Kalashnikov prototype AK-47 No. 3, dated 1947, in caliber 7.62×41mm. Note revised handguard.

A new series of prototype AK-47 dated 1948, serial #1, still with sheet-metal receiver.

AK-47 prototype #4, dated 1948, in 7.62×41mm with stamped receiver and folding stock. Production versions with similar folding stock would be designated AKS-47.

Early production AK-47 with milled receiver, now in 7.62×39mm, reportedly produced in 1951.

Disassembled view of AKS-47 with major parts labeled for identification. One salient feature of the AK-47 was that it was readily disassembled to the level appropriate for user maintenance. This model has the machined-steel receiver of earlier AK’s produced from 1951 to 1959.

On the feed stroke, the cam slot in the gas piston extension rotates the bolt’s locking lugs to the locked position; On the recoil stroke it provides slow initial extraction, as in the Garand.

The relationship of the AK bolt and the gas piston extension, similar in concept to the Garand, and entirely practical.

A Process of Natural Selection Three variants of AK firing the 7.62×39mm cartridge were produced by the Soviet Union. The Type I AK with a stamped sheetmetal receiver was manufactured for three years, from 1949 to 1951.

The Type II AK with a machined steel receiver went into production in 1951. This variant of AK was noted for its machined receiver that began life as a 5.7 lb block of solid steel and emerged 120 machining operations later as a 1.41 lb AK receiver. The Type II was also noted for its unsatisfactory method of stock attachment. This AK was supplanted by the Type III rifle in 1954. The type III is essentially the “definitive” version of the AK-47, as it was the most widely distributed and was produced in large numbers. The Type III AK remained in production until 1959, when it was replaced by the AKM (Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniyi), a weapon manufactured utilizing a stamped receiver and still firing the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Fifteen years later, in 1974, the most radical development of the series, the AK-74, was introduced, chambered for a new, low-impulse 5.45×39mm cartridge. While the basic AK design continued to evolve to meet specific needs identified in use, and overall it was a very satisfactory answer to Soviet requirements, the Russian army held further trials in the mid-1950s for an improved assault rifle. Although the familiar and trusted AK designs ultimately were selected as the AKM, some innovative and worthwhile designs were submitted and these various models are illustrated on the following pages.

The AK-47 Assault Rifle

Experimental Korobov assault rifle TKB-517 model of 1955, manufactured at the Tula armory plant in 7.62×39mm, was one of the more successful competitors in the 1950’s trials.

Showing promise, the Korobov TKB-517 model of 1957, manufactured at Tula, was produced to incorporate improvements.

Designed by German A. Korobov, the TKB-517 in this 1958 model proved in the trials from 1957/59 to be superior in accuracy, in controllability in fullautomatic fire, cost, and comprised fewer components and was lighter than the Kalashnikov AKM—but the Soviet Army chose the familiar and established AKM over this more effective, but entirely new, design.

Top designer Alexander Konstantinov submitted this 2B-A-30 model of 1956 in 7.62×39mm, both fixed and folding stock versions.

The final model 2B-A-40 No. 6 of 1957 weighed only 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and was considered too light for the assault rifle competition. The intrepid designer Konstantinov would be heard from again.

Unidentified Russian assault rifle dated 1949, in caliber 7.62×39mm, exhibits unusual straight-line stock, and even more unusual sighting arrangements.

Two variations are shown of the experimental Simonov S-104-P-56 model of 1956 with folding metal stock.

This 1957 model experimental Simonov AS-110-P-57 featured a conventional wooden stock. The common lineage with the Simonov SKS-45 rifle is apparent.

This experimental Dlugov assault rifle Model 1953 was another competitor in 7.62×39mm for the lightweight assault rifle. It was tested at the NIPSVO test range.

The experimental Afanasiev assault rifle model 1955 from Tula armory in 7.62×39mm was a bullpup design utilizing interesting fabrication techniques.

Design work on promising ideas continued even when there was not an immediate competition at hand. The Afanasiev bullpup design was reworked as the 7.62×39mm TKB-011M in 1964. It featured a polymer housing, and forward-pointing ejection port located behind and above the pistol grip.

The Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniyi Prior to the introduction of the AK-74, the most significant advance in the basic design of 1947 had been the inclusion in the AKM receiver of an extra assembly, consisting of five parts and usually referred to as a “rate-reducer.” Since the rate of fire remains unaltered at about 600 rpm this appellation is misleading. Experiments in the USA during which thousands of rounds were fired from AK and AKM types, using high-speed photography to analyze the movement of the working parts during firing, have cleared up this particular mystery. It was found that the bolt carrier tended to bounce slightly two or three times as the action locked, before coming to rest. These slight bounces occasionally caused the hammer to strike the rear of the carrier just before hitting the firing pin, thereby weakening the blow delivered to the primer. This effect, combined with primers which are of necessity hard (since the AK and SKS have floating firing pins which are always in contact with the primer)

caused very occasional misfires in the AK. In order to eliminate even this remote possibility this new hammer restraining assembly was designed into the AKM. The effect of the extra parts is to delay the release of the hammer for a few milliseconds—just enough to allow the bolt carrier to settle to rest. This is sufficient to virtually exclude any possibility of misfires caused by anything other than a defective primer: One of the reasons the Eastern Bloc has stuck to corrosive primers is the better reliability of the compounds used. The AKM also incorporated a muzzle compensator to offset muzzle rise when firing in the full-automatic mode. Folding-stock variants of the AK and AKM were introduced as a more convenient weapon for paratroops or those operating in confined spaces, such as vehicle crews. On both types, the stock was a close copy of the one introduced in Germany found on the MP40 submachine gun. Consisting of two struts hinged to the rear of the receiver with a folding skeleton buttplate, the assembly was retained in the desired position by a spring-loaded locking button on the left side of the receiver. This was never quite satisfactory. Because of the necessity for the buttplate to pass on either side of the magazine when being folded, it was wider than was comfortable (about twice as wide as that on the MP40) and the right-hand strut made access to the safety/selector lever awkward when the stock was folded. Also, the locking mechanism tended to wear quite quickly and develop some play between the buttstock and the receiver—a situation hindering accuracy. Folding-stock variants are generally considered to be less accurate than fixed stock AK’s by about one minute of angle (1 inch at 100 yards), because of this problem. The

introduction of a new, more rigid, folding stock on the AK-74 solved this problem.

Prototype 7.62×39mm assault rifle “A-55” No. 8, dated 1955, first of stamped receiver models which were adopted in 1959 as the AKM, when Soviet Army officials opted to stay with the familiar and trusted Kalashnikov design. Note details different from later production such as rear sight, lack of handguard bulge, slightly different buttstock configuration, lack of muzzle compensator, and that this early variant had vent holes in the gas piston tube.

AK Operation The AK is gas operated with a conventional piston and a rotating bolt, locked and unlocked by the piston extension. The mainspring is located in the piston extension, which travels in the upper part of the receiver. The gas system is easily accessible for cleaning, and field stripping can be accomplished easily and quickly without tools. In this weapon, the piston extension not only controls the bolt, but also

physically supports it. It may, therefore, be referred to as the bolt carrier. Both semiautomatic and full-automatic fire are accomplished from the closed-bolt position. There is no last-round stop, so the bolt closes on the empty chamber after the last cartridge in a magazine is fired. The user can thereby be holding an empty weapon and not be aware of its condition. The locking lugs are at the front of the bolt, and slow initial extraction is provided. The bore is chromium plated. The action is fired by a conventional hammer. One of the interesting and unusual features is the safety and selector lever, which has three positions. The uppermost is the safe position, in which the lever also covers the slot in the receiver cover along which the operating handle travels. This feature appeared many years ago on the Remington autoloading rifle designed by Browning. The lowest position of the lever is for semiautomatic fire, while the middle position delivers full-automatic fire.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure First, remove the magazine, making certain that no cartridge is in the firing chamber. Protruding from the rear of the receiver cover is a spring-loaded stud. Push the stud forward, toward the front of the weapon, and, holding it forward, lift up the back of the receiver cover, which will now come free. The stud just mentioned above is on the back of the guide-rod for the piston spring. After removal of the cover, the guide-rod is completely exposed and can be pushed forward (against spring

compression) a sufficient distance to disengage it from its seat at the top rear of the receiver. The spring, with its assembled guide-rod, can now be removed. By means of the operating handle, draw the moving parts to the rear of the receiver. The bulky rear portion of the piston assembly acts as a bolt carrier and rides in tracks near the upper edge of the receiver. There is a disassembly notch near the rear of the tracks. Lift the bolt carrier and shake it until it disengages. The piston can now be drawn to the rear, out of the rear sight base. The bolt can be removed from the bolt carrier by rotating it until its stud disengages from the camway in the carrier. The parts of the firing mechanism are not intended to be stripped by the user. However, after removal of the piston, they are readily accessible for inspecting and cleaning. The piston guide-tube, with the attached handguard, is easily removed. It is retained by a pin which passes laterally through the top front of the rear sight base. Rotation of the pin is prevented by a flat spring at its right end, which engages in a notch in the right side of the sight base. To remove the tube, rotate the pin by forcing the spring detent upward until it is free of the sight base. Lift up on the rear of the handguard, and it will pivot away from the gas cylinder bracket on the barrel. This exposes the gas cylinder for cleaning. Readers are urged to read the definitive works on the subject of Kalashnikov and his weapons. They include: Ezell, Edward Clinton, The AK-47 Story: Evolution of the Kalashnikov Weapons, Stackpole Books, P.O. Box 1831, Harrisburg, PA 17105, USA, 1986.

Shilin, Val and Cutshaw, Charlie, Legends and Reality of the AK: A Behind the Scenes Look at the History, Design, and Impact of the Kalashnikov Family of Weapons, Paladin Press, P.O. Box 1307, Boulder, CO 80306, USA, 2000. Iannamico, Frank, AK-47 The Grim Reaper, Chipotle Publishing LLC., Henderson, NV 89014, 2008. Ezell, Edward Clinton, Kalashnikov: The Arms and the Man, Collector Grade Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 1046, Coburg, ON K9A 4W5, Canada, 2001. A complete bibliography is listed at the end of the Russia/Soviet Union section.

Early production stamped-receiver Soviet AKM (Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniyi) 7.62×39mm (M43) assault rifle is shown with standard ribbed steel 30-round magazine; later magazines were made of synthetic.

AKMS with folding double-strut stock extended and standard 30-round magazine. This model was produced after 1959. Note this variant does not have ribbed receiver cover. Photo: National Firearms Collection, Smithsonian Institution, courtesy the late Dr. Edward C. Ezell

Field stripped, the AKM shows its common lineage with the parent AK-47. Note muzzle nut replaced by compensator. The AKM had a new cluster of components added to the trigger assembly that have been described both as having the function of a rate-of-fire reducer and as a mechanism to prevent bolt bounce (i.e., prevent misfires due to a failure of the bolt to lock during automatic fire). The Soviet service manual for the AKM describes the cluster of components as a “hammer delay,” and the manual states that, “The hammer delay serves to delay movement of the hammer forward so as to improve the accuracy of fire during the conduct of automatic fire.” Photo: Courtesy RMCS Shrivenham

Sectional view of AKM as placed in production in 1959 shows its straightforward, functional design.

The threaded muzzle nut on the AKM was replaced with a compensator to help control muzzle rise on full-automatic fire. Introduced with the AKM were new polymer magazines to replace original ribbed steel issue. Quick identification features of the AKM include the sheet-metal receiver with magazine-indexing dimple, ribbed receiver cover, grasping bulge in lower handguard. Selector setting at left at safe (top), full-automatic (center), and semi-automatic (bottom), as on AK-47.

The usefulness of the threaded muzzle is shown with this AKM with early model PBS-1 silencer, dated 1965.

The PBS-1 was a simple unit of flat baffles held in place by stack rods, spaced with roll pins. A rubber wipe at the weapon end of the unit retained enough gas pressure from the low-velocity rounds to cycle the action.

The Soviet PBS-1 (Pribor Besshumnoy Stryelbiy, “Device for Noiseless Shooting”) features 10 flat baffles to create turbulence and cool/slow combustion gases, and an elastomer wipe to retain back pressure sufficient to cycle the action with the down-loaded sub-sonic ammunition. Drawing Juha Hartikka, Courtesy Allan C. Paulson, Jeanne Pohjoispaa and the late Dr. Ed Ezell

Over the many years of its issue, the AKM and AKMS was issued with many mission-specific accessories, such as the PBS-1 silencer and BS-1 silent grenade launcher on this AKMS made in 1968. These were reported to have been made for Russian special forces including, but not limited to, Spetsnaz of the Federal Security Service (former KGB) and Ministry of Justice, OMON and groups of Rapid Deployment of the Ministry of Interior.

___________ 1 Russia is a large, multinational and multilingual country. Though the Russian language is official (and was so in the USSR), many people of other than Russian nationality prefer to speak their native languages. In the USSR the spectrum of languages was much wider, which, of course, did not help the Army. 2 The exact requirements as well as the criteria of effectiveness used in the ‘Akaban’ trials are still classified and so far not disclosed to the general public. 3 Reprinted with permission from Assault Rifle by Maxim Popenker and Anthony G. Williams (published by The Crowood Press), Wiltshire SN8 2HR-UK, 2004.

CHAPTER 49

Russia/Soviet Union: AK-74, AK-74M and the AKS-74U

Kalashnikov AK-74, AK74N, and AK74M Since it entered this arena in the late 1940s, the Russian arms industry has been a leader in assault rifle technology. The Kalashnikov AK set the standard for others to follow, but since 1949, when the first production model of the AK came off the assembly lines, the military world has changed and the assault rifles with it. The Stoner/Sullivan designed AR-15 moved technology a step further by using light-weight polymers and alloys, and chambering the rifle for a small-caliber, high velocity cartridge. The Soviets had observed the effectiveness of the M16 in Vietnam and had examined captured examples of the rifle. They liked the idea of low recoil and the devastating terminal effects of the ammunition (5.56×45mm) it fired. The Soviets established a set of requirements for a new rifle and ammunition. Although the full details of their requirements are not completely known, it is clear that they were seeking reduction of felt recoil and increased hit probability with a new high-velocity and low-impulse cartridge. The result was the 5.45×39mm cartridge.

Several rifles that fired the new cartridge were developed that fully met these requirements, but they were considered too complex and expensive at the time and were never fully developed. Instead, the Soviet military adopted the AK-74, which satisfied their needs. The AK-74M is still in service at the time of this publication, 2010, and it is expected to be the general issue rifle for some time to come, despite the announced adoption of the much vaunted AN-94, a weapon covered in a separate section of this title. The AK-74 was changed in several aspects besides caliber from its predecessor, these significant changes being made to adapt the AKM to the new cartridge. Mechanically, alterations were made to the bolt carrier and bolt, the extractor, barrel, trigger group, magazine, gas block and muzzle brake. There were visible changes as well, and cosmetically to the fixed wooden butt. The early production, wooden buttstocks were made with longitudinal grooves on both sides for easier visual recognition and as a minor weightsaving measure. Other exterior changes are sufficient to render the AK-74 instantly recognizable, in particular the imposing, novel— and very effective— flash-hider/muzzle brake fitted to the muzzle. The AK74 muzzle brake not only reduces recoil, but blast and noise levels, as well. The recoil of an AK-74 with muzzle brake in place is almost half that of an M16A1, and recoil is reduced by nearly two-thirds in comparison to the AKM. The combination of the 13MZh (5.45×39mm) cartridge and the new muzzle brake resulted in a weapon that has nearly twice the effective range of its predecessor. In addition, the soldier can carry almost 50 percent more 5.45×39mm cartridges than 7.62×39mm cartridges for a given weight.

The 5.45mm cartridge, although it has the same case length as the 7.62×39mm, has a smaller diameter base with a noticeably thick rim. This has permitted two improvements to the bolt system. Because of the reduced diameter of the base a correspondingly smaller recess in the bolt face is required. The bolt body is also reduced in diameter—this means that the bolt weighs less and results in an improved bolt-carrier to bolt-weight ratio. In the AK/AKM, this ratio is about five to one. The lighter bolt of the AK-74 improves this to about six to one. The importance of this is that the greater weight of the bolt carrier compared to the bolt provides momentum to chamber a cartridge, and any improvement in this ratio can only enhance the already impressively reliable feeding of the Kalashnikov.

A major contender in the trials of the early 1970’s for a new weapon firing the new 5.45×39mm round was the CA-006 design by A. Konstantinov, featuring a “balanced action” to enhance hit probability. It was submitted by the Kovrov Design Bureau. Photo: Kovrov

The magazine was also redesigned to accommodate the new cartridge, and will not interchange with 7.62mm magazines. The 5.45mm case has less of a taper than the older cartridge, and therefore less curve is required in the magazine to accommodate it. The standard capacity of the rifle magazine remains unaltered at 30 rounds, although the opportunity was taken to increase the capacity of the LMG variant, the RPK-74, to 45 rounds rather than the 40 of the 7.62mm RPK. The RPK-74 magazine will fit the rifle, and viceversa. Early magazines are made of a similar orange-colored polymer material, similar to late 7.62mm AKM magazines, but in the last three decades black and dark brown polymer colors have been issued. A magazine-loading tool that accepts 15-round stripper clips of ammunition was also introduced with the change in caliber—two clips fill one standard 30-round rifle magazine, three fill the RPK-74 magazine. As has been observed in both incursions by Russian forces in Chechnya (Dec. 1994/Aug.1996 and Oct.1999/Oct. 2000), use of the 45-round magazine is common among troops in the field with AK-74M rifles, or the compact AKS-74U. To ready the AK-74 for firing, the magazine must first be loaded. This can be accomplished in one of two methods. Either individual rounds can be pressed down onto the magazine follower so that they are retained by the feed lips, the process being continued until the magazine is full; or the cartridge stripper clips and loading tool developed with the magazine can be employed. On each side of the magazine, just forward of the rear face, is a small vertical groove. The loading tool fits into these grooves and is pressed down as far as it will go. A 15-round clip of cartridges is now inserted into the top of

the loading tool—as it is pressed home a nib on the tool will act on the cartridge retaining spring and release the rounds in the clip, which can then be pressed down into the magazine with thumb pressure. Repeat the process with another 15-round clip and the magazine is full. The magazine is now inserted into the weapon. Insert the front first to engage the lug and then rock it backwards so that the magazine latch engages the rear lug. Now select the type of fire required, as with other AK designs: The safety/selector is a large lever on the right of the receiver. In the upper position the safety is engaged and the ejection port largely covered to prevent the ingress of dirt or water, although the cocking handle can still be pulled back far enough to check if a round is chambered. Pushed down to the first position (marked AB for “Avtomat”— automatic) the AK will fire automatically as long as the trigger is pressed or there are rounds in the magazine. Pushed down to the second position (marked OD for “Odin”—single) one shot will be fired for each pull of the trigger. If the cocking handle is pulled back and released, the weapon will now fire as indicated by the selector position when the rigger is pulled. There is no hold-open device fitted. The bolt will close on an empty chamber with the hammer down when the magazine is exhausted. Note that this is usually the only reason that an AK will cease to fire! The magazine can be removed by pressing the magazine catch forward with the thumb and swinging the magazine forward and out the weapon.

Designed by S. G. Simonov, the AG-35 was also in the trials of the early 1970’s for a new rifle in 5.45×39mm, but it never got further than the experimental stage.

Very early production AK-74 rifle in 5.45×39mm, dated 1973.

Early variant of 5.45×39mm Soviet AK-74 is shown with 15-round stripper clip and loader

AKM-74 is shown with new wire cutter bayonet.

AK-74 5.45×39mm rifle with under-barrel grenade launcher Model GP-25, with rubber butt pd. This weapon is dated 1978.

Standard AK-74 dated 1987 shows synthetic furniture. Both synthetic and wood-stocked models had a groove in the butt to identify the rifle in the dark; in light, the distinctive flash-hider muzzle brake did the same.

In section, the standard AK-74 clearly shows its Kalashnikov lineage, plus the evolutionary improvements to enhance its accuracy and utility on the battlefield.

Original AK-74 rifles were issued with the laminated wood fixed stock of the AKM, but the ordnance corps was experimenting with polymer stocks in the 1960’s, and manufacture of the AK-74 with plastic furniture began shortly after the introduction of the rifle in 1974.

THE AKS-74 Problems encountered with the AKMS folding stock were addressed when undertaking the redesign of the new weapon that fired the 5.45×39mm cartridge. The AKS-74 was fitted with a sturdy side-folding buttstock made from steel stampings. The folding stock on the AKS-74 (the ‘S’ stands for Skladyvayushchimsyaprikladom— folding butt) swings to the left side of the receiver and is retained in position by a small spring-loaded claw. It is released by pulling the claw rearwards and swinging the stock into the fixed position, where a latch at the rear of the receiver locks it. To fold the stock, a button on the rear left side of the receiver is pressed to unlatch it and it is swung to the left until the claw retains it. This arrangement is much sturdier than the earlier types and the buttplate is the same size as the fixed-stock version, thus the AKS-74 comes to the shoulder just as easily. The new arrangement also leaves access to the selector unimpeded. The intention is obviously that the AKS-74 should normally be carried with the stock folded, since the sling swivel is mounted on the stock near the receiver so that in this position it lies on the left side. Other than the buttstock this weapon is exactly the same as the AK-74. Overall length with the stock folded is about 27 inches (686mm).

Problems with the under-folding stock of the AKMS were obviated in the AKS74 with a sturdy side-folding stock, made in more than one variant. This was discontinued with the introduction of the AK-74M with its side-folding synthetic stock. Photo: Courtesy Ron Stott, via Frank Iannamico, AK-47 The Grim Reaper

AK-74M with selector lever in down, or semi-automatic position, as in all AK weapons. Note tab-shaped stock release above pistol grip.

Production of the AK-74 series is or has been undertaken by several nations outside the former Soviet Union. These nations include Bulgaria, Hungary, North Korea, Poland and Romania. Some producers also manufacture the AK-74 to fire 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition to make their products more attractive to prospective

purchasers in the West. Similar models are also produced within the Russia Federation by Izhmash, known as the Kalashnikov “Hundred Series” assault rifles. The latest version, the AK-74M, is actually marketed as part of the AK-100 series and is the prototype for that new series of Kalashnikov rifles, which incorporate all the improvements of the AK74M into rifles chambered in both 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45mm. During the late 1980’s, “Izhevsky Zavod” (Izhmash), the main manufacturer of Kalashnikov rifles in the world, introduced the AK74M. It replaced the AK-74, the AKS-74 and the AK-74N in production. The AK-74M features a strengthened receiver cover, a side-folding, solid, polymer buttstock which has the butt folding to the left of the receiver, reducing the overall length (when folded) to 27.6 inches (700mm). It also features a scope rail on the left side of the receiver as standard. Like the earlier AK-74 and AKS-74, the AK74M can be fitted with a knife-bayonet, or a 40mm grenade launcher, the earlier GP-25 or the later and lighter GP30. Special variants of the AK-74 could be equipped with the “PMS” (pribor dlya maloshumnoj streby, low-noise, firing device) which is mounted instead of the standard muzzle brake and is intended for use with subsonic ammunition. The 5.45mm AK-74MN2 Assault Rifle is the AK-74M fitted with a 1PN58 night sight on a detachable mounting. The sight weighs 4.84 lb (2.2kg). The 5.45mm AK-74MN3 Assault Rifle is the AK-74M fitted with a 1PN51 night sight on a detachable mounting. The sight weighs 5.06 lb (2.3kg). The AKS-74Y is a variant of the AKS-74 with a special barrel surrounded by a suppressor sleeve. This model fires subsonic ammunition.

For Elementary Disassembly Procedure, see that stated for AK and AKM.

The AKMSU and the AKS-74U Ever since the PPSh-41 and PPS-43 submachine guns firing the 7.62×25mm pistol cartridge were phased out of general issue by the mid 1950s, there has been very limited use of submachine guns by Soviet (Russian) Forces. Although folding-stock variants of the AK and AKM were only 25 inches long at their shortest, it eventually became apparent that a need existed for an even more compact weapon. This was first met by a modification of the folding-stock AKMS firing the 7.62×39mm cartridge—basically the barrel was shortened to about 8 inches. The length of the gas piston was also reduced, a large flash-hider/expansion chamber was fitted, and with certain other modifications, this model, issued in limited numbers, entered service as the AKMSU (the “U” stands for “Ukorochemmiy”—shortened).

AKS-74U At the time the new low-impulse 5.45×39mm cartridge was introduced, a requirement for a weapon with similar characteristics to the AKMSU was issued for development of an up-to-date “compact” carbine that fired the new 5.45×39mm cartridge. As recorded in their book The Assault Rifle, Popenker and Williams note that, “In the mid 1970s several designers developed and offered the Army new compact assault rifles, intended as

personal defense weapons for tank and helicopter crews and other non-infantry personnel. This resulted in a research program and subsequent trials, codenamed ‘Modern’. Several designs were tested, included the short-recoil operated TKB-0116, developed in Tula by Stechkin, as well as the gas-operated AG-043 by Simonov (of the famous SKS carbine) and the AG-46 by Tkachev (this was a most unusual design, with a proprietary box magazine serving as a pistol grip), developed in Klimovsk.” Another interesting compact “short” carbine, that was also a contender in the trials at that time, this weapon is illustrated. “Not surprisingly, the Army preferred the slightly modified but still familiar Kalashnikov design from Izhevsk, adopted as the AKS-74U in 1979,” Popenker and Williams note. (All of the mentioned experimental short-barreled carbines [personal defense weapons] are illustrated in this section).

AK-74M in 5.56×45mm NATO as made for export sales in 1993. In 5.45×39mm, the AK-74M was the only weapon form the AK-100 series of assault rifles to be adopted by the Russian military.

AK-74M as made by Izhmash represents the final version of the AK-74 series. It is 42.9 inches (1089mm) long, weighs 10.3 lb with GP-25 grenade launcher and Model 1P29 sight. All variants of the AK-74 can use the detachable 40mm GP-15, GP-25 or GP-30 grenade launchers.

The introduction of the AKS-74U, which has the same basic configuration as its earlier cousin (the AKMSU), filled the requirement for a compact weapon firing the 5.45×39mm cartridge. It is a short version of the AKS-74 rifle—with stock folded it is only about 19 inches long. The drastically cut-down barrel (8 inches) and gas piston require a flash hider with an expansion chamber to ensure reliable operation, as gas is tapped from the barrel very close to the muzzle. This component replaces the muzzle brake of the rifle. The forend, handguard and gas block have—of necessity—been revised, and a simple two-position flip rear sight marked ‘P’ and ‘4-5’ is fitted instead of the 100-1000 meter tangent sight of the AK-74. The ‘P’ indicates a battle setting for use up to 350 meters and ‘4-5’ indicates 400-500

meters. The hammer restraining device fitted to the AKM and AK-74 is absent, although the lower part of it is still present. This acts as a buffer to prevent the return stroke of the hammer, when forced back by the bolt carrier, from damaging the trigger assembly. As in the AK74, a roll-pin secures the trigger/disconnector assembly, although the simpler lockwork of the AKS-74U more closely resembles that of the original AK-47. In other respects the AKS-74U is similar to the AKS74: It has a similar fire selector lever, a folding buttstock and uses the same magazines. Some variants have a standard, side-mounted rail for the night or red-dot scope and are known as the AKS-74UN. The AKS-74U with various launchers and suppressors are illustrated in this title.

AKMSU 7.62×39mm “short” carbine was first of compact variants introduced firing the original M43 cartridge. Photo: M. Tokoi/T.Jimbo

AK-74M is issued with a wire-cutter bayonet having a 6.2-inch (158mm) spearpoint blade with saw-tooth back and dielectric handle insulated for 3500V.

The AK-75M readily mounts night-vision optics on a detachable mounting.

Perhaps one of the most interesting features of this variant is the new receiver cover, which was pioneered on the AKMSU. One potential problem with reassembly of an AK was locating the cover correctly. This was corrected on the AKS-74U by hinging the cover at the front, so it does not detach and have to be carefully relocated on assembly. The recoil guide/spring and bolt carrier are removed as normal. In addition, the hand-guard/gas tube now simply lifts off, because as the receiver cover is raised, a small rod which extends forward and holds the gas tube in place is withdrawn to the rear, thus doing away with the separate locking catch on the standard rifle. Reassembly is again a reversal of the process. Operation and firing of the AKS-74U follows the same sequence as the rifle. The rate of fire is higher—up to about 750-800 rpm from the 600 rpm of the standard rifle, and recoil is increased due to the lighter weight of the “short” weapon and the lack of the muzzle brake of the rifle, which is replaced by the expansion chamber and partial flash hider. Velocity also drops to about 2390 fps from the 8.26 inch barrel of this compact weapon. The AKS-74U takes the same magazines as the AK-74.

This Stechkin designed TKB-0116 was submitted for tests in the mid-1970’s. The TKB-0116 was one of several compact assault rifles developed at Tula for the trials to choose a “short” weapon intended for tank and helicopter crews. This Stechkin carbine was a short-recoil design. It was passed over in favor of the AKS-74U, which was adopted in 1979.

The 5.45×39mm “MA” was a contender in the 1975-77 trials to pick a compact (short-PDW) assault rifle. The chief designer at Izhmash was Y. F. Dragunov. It was dimensionally similar to the winning AKS-74U design.

It was observed in quantity in Afghanistan in the years before the Soviet withdrawal (1989), and in Chechnya during both incursions. It is obviously ideally suited to the requirement for potent firepower in a relatively small package. As noted in The Assault Rifle by Max Popenker and Anthony Williams, “A special variant of the AKS-74U, developed for Special Forces (SpetsNaz), could be fitted with a quickly detachable silencer and a special, 30mm, silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 ‘Tishina’ (silence). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched by using special blank cartridges stored in the box magazine contained in the launcher pistol grip.” The AKS-74U with various launchers and suppressors are illustrated elsewhere in this section.

The AO-46 was designed by Tkachev and featured a magazine that doubled as the pistol grip.

Reportedly an experiental model of 1974 was this 5.45×39mm AG-043 by S. G. Simonov, submitted for the trials in 1975.

The AEK-958 Konstantinov compact assault rifle, its side-folding stock extended in this photo, was another of the worthy competitors in the mid1970’s competition.

The AKS-74U was selected over other competitors for a 5.45×39mm replacement for the AKMSU, and was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1979. This example was produced at Tula arsenal.

AKSB-74U with variant of PBS silencer. “U” means “short” and “B” means “silencer.” Only a few hundred were produced with this PBS variant for a special KGB regiment during the Soviet war in Afghanistan 1979/1989. The weapon is dated 1984.

Sectional view of compact AKS-74U “short” assault rifle shows components modified to produce this miniature weapon.

Field stripped AKS-74U shows shortened piston on bolt carrier, and how receiver cover hinges to open but does not lift off. Photo: M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

AK-74 Assault Rifle

AKS-74U

CHAPTER 50

Russia/Soviet Union: The AL-7 and Izhmash 100 Series

The AL-7 Assault Rifle (An Experimental Series Comprising the AL-4-6-7, Including Models 107 and 108) In the mid 1960’s TsNIITochmash, a competitor of Izhmash, developed a new and improved method of enhancing the effectiveness of automatic small arms using a principle termed “balanced automatics.” The Soviet military at the time was seeking an assault rifle that would replace the AKM that fired the 7.62×39mm cartridge. The then-new low-impulse 5.45×39mm cartridge showed great promise in this direction, and the military hoped that the cartridge, along with a new weapon to accompany it, might establish a new class of military small arm. The ideal weapon would not only be lighter, but more effective than the then-standard AK-47/AKM rifles. In keeping with Soviet weapons development practice, a competition was declared, with both Izhmash and Kovrov Arsenal accepting the challenge. Izhmash designated Yury Alexandrov, a young and promising designer, and a protégé of Evgeniy Dragunov, to head the firm’s

effort, while the Kovrov facility chose Alexander Konstantinov as project engineer. As mentioned, the military desired a weapon that was as simple and reliable as the AK-47/AKM, but with improved overall performance, especially in terms of accuracy. The AKM was designated as the basis from which the new rifle would be derived. This not only enhanced the possibility that the new weapon would be reliable and robust, but that retraining would be minimal if it were to be adopted. Alexandrov’s team set out to not only adapt the venerable AK to the new ammunition, but to improve its controllability and accuracy by reducing muzzle rise. If these factors could be improved, hit probability with the new rifle would be considerably enhanced in the process. The basic design work of the AL-7 was completed in 1969, but it would take another three years before the entire research and development cycle of test and evaluation was completed and the new rifle passed. The project was officially completed on 22 May 1972. The AL-7 accomplished everything that the designers envisioned for it, but it was never adopted by the Soviet or Russian military because the balanced automatic system used in the rifle would have required substantial changes to existing production lines, with concomitant capital investment in new tooling and production machinery. As a result, further improvements were pursued in the existing AKM. These efforts eventually resulted in the compromise AK-74, which was more economical to produce than the AL-7. This was considered an acceptable tradeoff even though, based on the results of extensive testing, the AK-74 would be less effective on the battlefield. The AL-7, however, did not completely disappear. The rifle was resurrected and updated to modern standards, and was offered by

Izhevsk as the AK-107 which fired the 5.45×39mm cartridge and AK108 which fired the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, in the early 1990’s. These rifles offered the potential buyer a weapon that has greater hit probability across its entire effective range than either the other AK100 series or any of the many Western M16 variants.

Experimental Alexandrov AL-6 5.45×39mm assault rifle test in 1970 as made by Izhevsk Machine Engineering Plant. This weapon featured “balanced action” and was a serious competitor of the M. Kalashnikov AK-74 and A.S. Konstantinov experimental Model CA-006, which also featured a “balanced action” design. “AL” stands for Avtomat Lehkiy “Light Assault Rifle.”

The earliest AL-7 rifles appeared externally to be very similar in appearance to the AKM, but internally they were quite different. Later variants of the AL-7 pioneered the Soviet/Russian use of polymer furniture. The stock and forearm of these prototypes were carried over virtually unchanged to the AK-74M and AK-100 series rifles. It is

its functioning, however, that sets the AL-7 apart from its 1970s contemporaries, and, indeed, any military rifle currently in production. Even in its final preproduction form, the heritage of the AL-7 is clear: It is obviously a Kalashnikov derivative. There are, however, external clues as to its differences. First is the method of attaching the receiver cover to the receiver. The new operating system eliminates the traditional AK “button” at the end of the recoil spring guide that protrudes through the rear of receiver cover and is depressed to remove the cover and disassemble the rifle. The cover is retained by an integral latch at the rear and at the front by the rear sight. The rear sight is fixed to the receiver cover and mates with a lug at the rear of the gas tube cover. What appears to be a large square gas tube is actually a cover that houses the bolt carrier connecting rod, counterrecoil upper rail and associated springs. The shape of the ejection port has been modified to accommodate the altered bolt travel and ejection pattern. The selector lever functions exactly the same as that of the AKM. The receiver cover itself is also different, with transverse ribs for increased rigidity. The functioning of the AL-7 essentially eliminates felt recoil via a “balanced” counterrecoil system. The operation of the system is fairly straight forward but is probably better understood by referring to the accompanying illustrations. The functioning of the AL-7 is identical to that of any Kalashnikov-type rifle, save for the counter recoil operating system. The components of the system can be seen in accompanying illustrations, which shows the AL-6 (7) disassembled and, which is a “top down” view into the AL-6 (7) receiver. The bolt carrier and “connecting rail” and lower connecting rod are also shown. The concept is, as we have stated, simple: The operating

forces are simultaneously transmitted both forward and to the rear, countering each other. As can be imagined, timing and synchronization of the counterbalancing forces is the key to the efficacy of the system. This is accomplished by the bolt carrier’s perforated connecting rail and the six-toothed sprocket. The sprocket can be seen engaging the second perforation of the bolt carrier connecting rail. Note that both the bolt carrier and lower connecting rod have gas pistons, but which face in opposite directions. Note also that the short gas tube atop the barrel of the rifle just forward of the forearm is open at both ends. When the rifle is fired, gas is tapped from the gas port and enters the gas tube, driving the bolt carrier to the rear and the counter recoil upper rail forward. As mentioned, timing is everything, and the sprocket is the key element, as it links together and synchronizes the rifle’s reciprocating parts, causing both components to simultaneously reach their maximum extension, or null points, where forces are exactly equal. The bolt carrier and lower rail thus counter each other, virtually eliminating felt recoil and muzzle rise. As soon as the carrier and rail reach their null points, their respective springs cause them to begin to reciprocate, and the sprocket ensures that they return to battery simultaneously, again countering each other’s forces. The distance that the reciprocating parts must travel in the AL-7 is less than in other Kalashnikov rifles, so the cyclic rate is some 850 to 900 rounds per minute, rather than the 600 rounds per minute of the AKM and AK-74.

AL-6 7) shown partially disassembled, illustrating dual operating springs, which move in opposite direction to create “balanced action.”

Showing layout of “balanced action.”

Note opposing pistons that concurrently move in opposite directions, regulated by a star wheel, to balance effect of moving parts.

With top cover partially lifted, recoil and counter-recoil springs are seen: Lower (larger) is recoil spring, upper (smaller) is counter-0recoil spring. AL-7 ribs on receiver cover are absent on AK-107/108 models.

Although the AL-7 was too expensive to produce in the 1970’s, it was not so two decades later (i.e. the early 1990’s), and the modernized AL-7, now designated AK-107 and AK-108, was offered by Izhevsk in the international market place from this time frame, until 2006 when it became obvious no production orders were forthcoming. Although “Izhmash” has decided to no longer offer the 107/108 combination, it is reported interest in the unique and intriguing design is still strong in some circles within the Russian Ordnance system. The “balanced action” concept and design was also seen in Victor Kalashnikov’s AKB and AKB-1 experimental assault rifles (which are covered in the following section on the AN-94 in this title). Also, the Kovrov Mechanical Plant whose main designer at that time was A. Konstantinov, developed the CA-006, a rifle (also featuring the “balanced action” design), which in many respects outperformed the AK-74 in comparative tests in the early 1970’s. A modernized variant of the Konstantinov design was further developed by B.A. Garev and S.I. Koksharov. It was designated AEK-971 and was offered by the Kovrov plant from the late 1990’s to approximately 2007. The AEK971 was an interesting development and was offered in distinct variants firing three different cartridges, the 5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO, and 7.62×39mm (M43). It is also covered in this title, with the below coverage of the AN-94. Reprinted in part from Legends and Reality of the AK: A Behind the Scenes Look at the History, Design, and Impact of the Kalashnikov Family of Weapons by Val Shilin and Charlie Cutshaw [with permission from Paladin Press, Boulder, CO.

The AL-7, shown with buttstock folded, was improved variant of AL-4/AL-7 series started in late 1960’s and completed in 1972. With new approach for weapon control using a “balanced action,” it successfully passed all tests. Although experimental, it was the first to use polymer throughout the buttstock and other furniture.

Working from the model of the successful but not adopted AL-7, designers Youriy Alexandrov, Valeriy Paranin and their team designed the AK-107/AK108 rifles for the marketplace in calibers 5.54×39 and 5.56×45 respectively. In this case, the designation “AK” stands for Alexandrov+Kalashnikov. courtesy Lyn Haywood

AK-107 Field Stripped 1. Top cover with rear sight 2. Top hand guard with connecting rod cover 3. Recoil spring and guide

4. Top connector rod 5. Top connector rod gas piston 6. Star wheel and pin 7. Bolt carrier and piston 8. Bolt 9. 10. 11. 12.

Lower connector rod with cocking handle Alternative muzzle brake AK-107 5.45×39mm magazine AK-108 5.56×45mm magazine

courtesy Lyn Haywood

AK-107 and AK-108

The IZHMASH 100 Series After the break-up and partial collapse of the of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s, there was consternation in the military/industrial complex concerning how the various segments were to survive, and the producers of small arms were no exception. There was still a demand for less expensive rifles for overseas sales and domestic use. Moreover, the failing Russian economy caused manufacturers of every type of commodity to pursue overseas sales. This drove Russian small arms manufacturers to resurrect some of the designs that were rejected years earlier in favor of the AK-74, a rifle which had been further developed to the AK-74M model. Most notable among these is the AK-107/108 rifle, a slightly modified version of the AL-7 experimental rifle of the early

1970s. This rifle essentially eliminates felt recoil through the use of an ingenious counter-mass system. These interesting weapons are covered earlier in this section. In early April 1992, the race was on within the IZHMASH small arms complex to develop a new line of infantry weapons that would continue the Kalashnikov series. The result became known as the AK100 series. The new generation of Kalashnikov rifles is designated AK-74M and AK-101 through AK-108. These “new” models of Kalashnikov rifles feature a folding polymer buttstock, which, along with other features, distinguishes the AK-74M from the original AK-74. The other members of the new AK generation, the AK-100 series, are based on the improved AK-74M but in different calibers. According to Izhmash representatives, the designation for the new rifles was derived from the AK (Avtomat Kalashnikova) designation for Kalashnikov weapons combined with the number 100, an old manufacturing code for the Izhevsk Armory. Models of the new generation weapons are designated by successive numbers. The AK-74M, AK-101, and AK103 have standard-length 415mm (16.3 inch) barrels, while the AK102, AK-104, and AK-105 are folding stock carbines with 214mm (12.3 inch) barrels. All AK-100-Class weapons have fiberglassreinforced polymer furniture and are hard phosphate finished on their metal surfaces.

In the early 1990’s the Izhmash plant offered on the international market the “Hundred Series” of Kalashnikov rifles based on the AK-74M: (101 through 108) in three cartridges: 5.56×45 (AK-101, AK-102, AK-108); 7.62×39mm (AK-103, AK-104); 5.45×39mm (AK-105, AK-107). Pictured is AK-101 dated 1993. It is reported that the AK-101/102 models have been sold to Indonesia, Malaysia, Cyprus, Uruguay and others.

The long-barreled AK-101 in 5.56×45mm NATO actually out-performed the M16 rifle in standing, full-automatic tests.

The 100 series embodies a new level of technology, new materials, and new manufacturing techniques. The new technology includes cold hammering of barrels instead of cutting the rifling channel, and more components are made by investment casting where before they were formed by drop forging and considerable finish machining. All furniture now is made of polymer (glass-fiberreinforced polyamide), and the magazines are all made with the use of laminated polymer construction concealing an inner steel shell, which has thick walls and is extremely strong. Formerly all machined, the connecting rod and piston now are formed by hot upsetting; i.e. a steel rod is electrically heated and formed to create a blank for the connecting rod with piston. After that, the blank is finish machined to the required precise dimensions. The internal surface of the barrel blank is not mechanically honed. Instead, the bore of the blank, before cold hammering, is finished by EDM (electric discharge machining). A particularly useful new design feature is the new polymer folding stock. The folding metal tubular stock used on the AKS-74 series was discarded in favor of the polymer folding stock because of the bitterly cold Russian climate.

The three short assault rifles in the 100 series are the AK-102 (5.56×45mm NATO), AK-104 (7.62×39mm M43), and AK-105 (5.45.x39mm).

The AK-100 series, including the AK-74M, are gas operated, rotating bolt, select-fire weapons. Sights are round post front and tangent rear with “U” notch. Sights are graduated to 1,000 meters, but this is hugely optimistic for weapons of this class, whose actual effective range in the hands of typical soldiers is no more than 300 to 500 meters. There is a standard mount on the left side of the receiver for installation of optical sights or night-vision devices. These weapons, especially the AK-107/108 are described in the section covering the AL-7 and represent what is probably the ultimate development of the superb Kalashnikov design. With the radical internal design changes of the AK-107/108, there is little to be

accomplished to further improve the basic Kalashnikov design. The incorporation of modern materials and production processes into the design, the AK-100 series weapons upgraded earlier Kalashnikov designs to modern standards. Of all the models in the 100 series offered by Izhmash, the model 103 was probably the most successful, because of a substantial contract with Venezuela for arms and technology transfer. The AK Model 103 7.62×39mm was purchased by Venezuela in a contract of May 2005, and the contract additionally called for the purchase of machinery and technology to domestically manufacture the AK-103 and corresponding ammunition. Venezuela received its first shipment of 30,000 rifles on June 3, 2006. A second shipment of 32,000 AK-103s arrived on August 30. The third and final shipment was delivered on November 29, 2006. The rifles are planned to replace approximately 60,000 Belgian FAL rifles bought in 1953, as well as a further number of domestically produced FAL rifles. It is reported that a manufacturing plant for the Russian rifles in Maracay would be fully operational in mid-2010, with a production capacity of 50,000 units per year. For Elementary Disassembly Procedure, See Section covering the AK and AKM rifle. Designations and descriptions of various “Hundred Series” rifles are as follows: AK101: Select fire 5.56×45mm rifle. Semiautomatic and fully automatic capable. AK101-1: 5.56×45mm semiautomatic rifle for use by police and security forces.

AK101-2: 5.56×45mm select fire with semiautomatic and three-round burst. AK101N2: 5.56×45mm select fire rifle with 1PN58 night vision sight. AK101N3: 5.56×45mm select fire rifle with 1PN51 night vision sight. AK103: Select fire 7.62×39mm rifle. Semiautomatic and fully automatic capable. AK103-1: 7.62×39mm semiautomatic rifle for use by police and security forces. AK103-2: 7.62×39mm select fire rifle with three-round burst. AK103N2: 7.62×39mm select fire rifle with 1PN58 night vision sight. AK103N3: 7.62×39mm select fire rifle with 1PN51 night vision sight. AK105: Select fire 5.45×39mm carbine. Semiautomatic and fully automatic capable. AK105-1: 5.45×39mm semiautomatic carbine for use by police and security forces. AK105-2: 5.45×39mm select fire carbine with three-round burst. AK105N2: 5.45×39mm select fire carbine with 1PN58 night vision sight. AK105N3: 5.45×39mm select fire carbine with 1PN51 night vision sight.

A simplified chart follows, which covers all the 100 series of weapons.

AK100 Series Specifications

The AK-103 is a 7.62×39mm assault rifle very similar to an AK-74M except for caliber.

As the AK-100 series is produced primarily for markets that do not produce their own arms, the full complement of accessories such as optics and launchers are offered, such as these AK-105N2 with 1PN58 upper), and AK105N3 1PN54.

CHAPTER 51

Russia/Soviet Union: AN-94, AN-91 Bullpup

AN-94, the Nikonov 5.45×39mm Assault Rifle The Need for a New Assault Rifle The period from World War II until the early 1970’s was a time of great activity for small arms designers on both sides of the Iron Curtain. In the West, the trend was towards smaller, lighter weapons and ammunition such as the M16 assault rifle and 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge; the Heckler & Koch G11 rifle, that fired experimental caseless ammunition, and the U.S. Army-sponsored Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) program to utilize high-velocity flechette ammunition. In Russia, the ubiquitous Kalashnikov-designed AK-47 was not only seen as a replacement for bolt action rifles and pistol caliber submachine guns among the various Warsaw Pact countries, it was also a political tool for expanding the influence of Communism in Southeast Asia and elsewhere, and for perpetuating the threat of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe. Within the Soviet military, the AK-47 and AKM rifles, while highly regarded for their inherent reliability, ruggedness, and ease of

operation, were also acknowledged to have some flaws. The 7.62×39mm (M43) round has a steeply curved trajectory compared to high-velocity small caliber cartridges. For example, with a battle zero set at 200 yards, the bullet drops more than 40 inches at 400 yards, and more than 80 inches at 500 yards (based on Federal American Eagle cartridge tables and Shooting Times ballistic tables). As a combat round, the 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge does not provide sufficient accuracy for the individual soldier when shooting from unsupported standing positions or on full-automatic. Russian small arms designers were tasked with designing a rifle that would be more controllable when fired in the full-automatic mode, and a cartridge that would shoot to a flatter trajectory while still maintaining or improving a satisfactory level of lethality, including the ability to defeat the emerging technologies of individual body armor. Research led the designers to the conclusion that many factors influenced the rifle’s performance, and the individual soldier’s ability to hit the target. These included weight, movement within the operating system, bullet weight and recoil, center of gravity of the rifle, and the cyclic rate of fire. Research over almost 30 years yielded certain improvements to the original design: a muzzle compensator, hammer disconnector, and shifting the rear impact of the bolt carrier to the left side of the receiver. But in accuracy tests, the sum of the modifications only improved accuracy by about 1.2 times that of the original Kalashnikov design. Designers decided that the way to make real progress was to design a new rifle around a smaller-caliber, lighter bullet that would produce less felt recoil and muzzle rise. The cartridge they developed was quite similar to the U.S. service rifle

cartridge, the 5.56×45mm (M193) that had been in service in the West since the 1960s. By 1973, the new Soviet service rifle cartridge, the 5.45×39mm and the new service rifle, the AK-74, were a reality. In tests the weapon surpassed the accuracy of the AKM by a factor of 2. However, although the AK-74 was a marked improvement over the original, by the late 1970s Russian firearms designers were once again tasked by the military to design a weapon with 1.5 – 2 times the effectiveness of the AK-74. This would, optimistically, require an increase in accuracy by a factor of 5 – 10. In addition, the new rifle had to be compatible with existing accessories: bayonet, grenade launchers, vehicle gun ports, optical sights, etc. By the early 1980s, TsNIITochmash, the leading Russian research institution, was conducting research to determine the possible operating systems for the new rifle.

Development and Selection of the AN-94 In 1979, under the project name “Abakan,” named for a small city in Siberia, the Soviet/Russian military began conducting trials over a period of more than 10 years of nine different prototype assault rifle designs that featured three different design concepts: Classic recoil (the traditional automatic rifle action); Balanced Automatic Reduced Recoil (a method of applying recoil generated from the gas-operated system in opposing directions to negate felt recoil), and BBSP – BlowBack-Shifted Pulse (also known as accumulated blow-back or “Lafette type”) that utilizes both recoil- and gas-operated principles which, in full-automatic mode, enable the rifle to fire the first two

rounds so fast they have virtually the same point of impact, and thereby greatly reduce the dispersion of rounds on the target. Of the original 12 submissions from all the major small arms manufacturers in the Soviet Union, nine were selected to take part in the Abakan trial. They are listed later in this section. Extensive tests of all nine prototypes were first conducted at the competing factories and at army units by regular soldiers. Only three rifles were chosen to go on to further testing at the army proving facilities in 1986. In 1987, the army announced the results of the trials. In third place, The Korobov TKB-0111 (Classical Recoil) scored a 50 percent increase in effectiveness over the AK-74; Second place went to Viktor Kalashnikov’s (Balanced Automatic Reduced Recoil system) AKB with a 70 percent increase. The rifle selected by the army to replace the AK-74 was the Blow-Back Shifted Pulse prototype ASM of Gennadiy Nikonov (1950-2003), which scored the highest with a 2.3 times increase in effectiveness over the AK-74. Mikhail Kalashnikov was not happy that the AKB, his son Viktor’s submission to the Abakan trials, was not accepted as the replacement for the venerable AK/AKM/AK-74 series of assault rifles. The grand old master of Soviet small arms design had called in a lot of favors to be sure that Viktor’s design would be the winner. Instead, the ASM design of Gennadiy Nikonov, the son of a mechanic at the famous Izhmash weapons factory, was chosen as the replacement for the AK-74 (Mikhail Kalashnikov’s own successor to his worldfamous AK-47). The Nikonov ASM rifle was officially adopted as the AN-94, Nikonov 5.45×39mm Assault Rifle, in 1994. Nikonov, it appears, was somewhat more gracious in his victory when some

years later he wrote: “The genius of Kalashnikov is in his ability of adapting several independent fragments and components into a true masterpiece.”

Design and Operation of the AN-94 The major design principle around which the AN-94 is designed is Blow-Back Shifted Pulse (BBSP), which uses a reciprocating barrel, bolt, and receiver assembly. The advantage to this system is that when full-automatic fire is selected by the operator, two rounds may be fired in such quick succession that the operator does not perceive any greater recoil than firing a single round. On the target, hit dispersion is negligible. Due in part to the lack of muzzle rise during firing, the two rounds follow identical trajectories and impact the target in virtually the same place. When the first round is fired, recoil causes the barrel, bolt, and receiver assembly to begin to move backwards. A gas port in the barrel bleeds off gases from the cartridge ignition which are directed against the bolt, causing it to move backwards within the still-moving receiver assembly, but at a faster pace than the receiver. Once gas pressure has dropped to a safe level, the rotating bolt unlocks from the barrel, and the spent cartridge is extracted from the chamber and ejected from the rifle. With the receiver assembly still moving rearward, the bolt carrier is now propelled forward by a buffer and spring assembly at the rear of the receiver. The sear is momentarily locked until the forward-moving bolt carrier, in conjunction with a pulley and cable system, strips the second cartridge from the magazine and onto a feed tray from which the round is fed into the chamber, and the rotating bolt locks into the breech. At this point, the

sear is released and the second round fires before the barrel and receiver assembly reaches its rearmost position and begins to move forward.

Russia’s latest service rifle, the AN-94, adopted in 1994.

The AN-94 field stripped into its component parts. Note the cable and pulley system that facilitates loading of each new cartridge.

AN-94 showing the dioptrical rear sight, adjustable to five different ranges.

When full-automatic is selected, this system fires the first two rounds at a cyclic rate of 1800 rpm and then drops down to a much slower rate of 600 rpm until the operator releases the trigger. When the operator pulls the trigger again, the 1800/600 rpm cycle is repeated. If the two-round burst is selected, the system fires at 1800 rpm for two rounds, and then stops until the trigger is reset and pressed again. The AN-94 has other features that are different from its predecessors: The rear sight is dioptrical. Similar to the Heckler and Koch rear sight, it is a five-position rotary star with an aperture in each position for various elevations and ranges, and is calibrated from 200 - 700 meters. One of the apertures in the rear sight has two holes drilled so that tritium capsule inserts may be fitted for low-light shooting. The rear sight is positioned at the top rear right corner of the receiver, and is canted slightly to the right to bring the chosen aperture in line with the front sight. It may be quickly adjusted for shooting at varying distances by twisting it to a different aperture

setting. The front sight is a protected round post with an optional tritium capsule insert. Windage and elevation adjustments may be made at the front sight. An obvious difference from the preceding Kalashnikov designs is the redesigned muzzle brake/flash hider. The patented design consists of two cylindrical expansion chambers offset from the centerline of the barrel. Hot gases from the firing cycle swirl around inside the two chambers, rather than simply exiting the muzzle brake to the front and sides as with the Kalashnikov rifles. The chambers allow the gases to slow down and burn away before finally exiting the muzzle at a reduced velocity and temperature. This development gives an approximate 55 percent reduction in muzzle flash compared with the AK-74 design, and is also supposed to contribute to the reduction in felt recoil and muzzle rise. This is especially important in a system that is designed to put two rounds onto the same place on a target. To load and fire the weapon, the operator sets the selector lever to “1” for semi-automatic mode (odinochniy), “2” for two-round burst, or “AB” (avtomatichesky) for full-automatic. He then pulls the charging handle to the rear. The bolt carrier and cable pulley system strips the first round off the magazine and positions it in front of the chamber on a feed tray. When the operator releases the charging handle, the bolt is forced forward by the recoil spring and a rear buffer located at the rear of the receiver. The first round is fed into the chamber, and the bolt locks into place for firing. At this point, the operator may choose to set the safety lever (which is separate from the selector lever) to the Safe position until he is ready to fire (Safety set to “O” – ogon). This enables the operator to preselect the mode of fire, while still

keeping the weapon on safe. Unlike the Kalashnikov designs, the separate safety lever on the AN-94 is positioned on the left side of the receiver above the trigger guard and just forward of the fireselect lever. The reduction in cycle time is one of the salient features of this weapon. So far, the AN-94 is the only production assault rifle in the world that successfully utilizes this system.

Prototype Rifles Submitted for the Akaban Trials, Listed by Operating System Classical Recoil, Hammer-type Assault Rifles G.A. Korobov (Tula City) TKB-0111: This rifle featured a large, efficient muzzle brake. While the extremely high rate of fire would have satisfied the requirement for a reduction in round dispersal on the target, it would have burned up ammunition at an alarming rate in combat. Even when the design was later modified to allow selection of the rate of fire, there were concerns about reliability, and the design was rejected. In trials, the Korobov TKB-0111 scored 1.5 times better than the AK-74M. The TKB-0111 weighed 7.7 lb (3.5kg), was 37.1 inches (943mm) long and 2.75 inches (70mm) wide, and with magazine inserted was 10 inches (255mm) high. It was in caliber 5.45×39mm and had a rate of fire of 2000 rpm. Afanasyev (Tula City) TKB-0136-3M: This entry had a cyclic rate of 2000 rpm, later modified to allow selection of the rate of fire. It was in caliber 5.45×39mm. Rifle by I. Postnikov from Izhevsk: In caliber 5.45×39mm, the Postnikov rifle incorporated a design feature by Tokarev that bled

gases through the rear of the cartridge case. The Classical Recoil prototypes did achieve a 2.0 times combat effectiveness rating over the AK-74, due mainly to the very high cyclic rate and the effectiveness of the muzzle brakes.

Balanced Automatic Reduced Recoil Koksharov (Kovrov Mechanical Plant/Degtyarev) AEK-971: Similar to the Pikinskiy AEK-978, the operating system of the AEK971, “balanced action,” enhances accuracy by reducing muzzle climb to decrease the dispersion of shots on target when fired from unsupported and standing positions. In this design, recoil is reduced by using gases from the firing cycle to push in opposite directions two opposed gas chambers and pistons. One piston is linked to the bolt carrier by an operating rod, while the other piston is attached to a steel counterbalance weight that moves in the opposite direction to the first piston. Two gears also work to balance the opposing forces of recoil generated by this system. This design eliminates three of the four events that create recoil: reciprocation of the bolt-carrier group, the bolt-carrier group contacting with the rear of the receiver, and the sudden halt of the bolt-carrier assembly as a new round is chambered and the rotating bolt locks into position. This leaves only the recoil generated by the bullet traveling through the barrel. The weapon’s designers referred to this as “soft recoil.” In addition, the innovative design of the muzzle brake incorporates a linkage connected to a lever on the weapon that allows the operator to open and close ports in the muzzle brake to control the rate of muzzle climb in burst-fire mode. However, this

feature was later replaced with the standard AK-74 muzzle brake when the rifle was finally put into production. Another feature of the AEK-971 prototype is the selective fire capability of semiautomatic, full-automatic, and two-round (later changed to three-round) burst fire at 1500 rpm. Later in the development cycle, the rate of fire was decreased to 800-900 rpm.

TKB-0111 G. A. Korobov

TKB-0146 I. Ya. Stechkin

TKB-0136 N. M. Afanasiev

AEK-971 S. I. Koksharov

AS G.N. Nikonov

AKB V. M. Kalashnikov

ASM G.N. Nikonov

The Abakan Trials began in 1979 and ran for 10 years.

In trials, the Korobov TKB-0111 scored 1.5 times better than the AK-74M. Photo courtesy of Maxim Popenker

Different variations of the Nikonov design displayed and tested different features, such as this unusual muzzle device.

An early AEK-971. The latest version of the AEK-971 was withdrawn from the Rosboronexport catalog. Photo courtesy of Maxim Popenker

The latest version of the AEK-971.

The AEK-972 is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO and has a folding stock.

The AEK-973 is chambered in 7.62×39mm and has a collapsible stock similar to HK designs.

The trigger mechanism also incorporates a drop-safe feature that prevents the rifle from accidentally firing if it is dropped on the buttstock with a round chambered and the safety off. Like the AKS74, the buttstock folds to the left (although the folding buttstock was

later replaced during development with a fixed buttstock), and is manufactured from impact resistant polymer. The rear sight is similar to that of the AK-74 and is calibrated in 100 meter increments to 1000m, while the front sight is enclosed in the typical Kalashnikov front sight assembly. It is interesting to note that while the development cycle of the AEK-971 rifle gradually introduced features already present on the AK-74, which was the standard service rifle at the time, the AEK-971 did better than the AK-74 during accuracy tests in burst mode by 1520 percent. The AEK-971 when tested in two-round burst mode did not, however, do better than the Nikonov ASM with its high-speed two-round burst. Despite the simpler design, which made it easier than the Nikonov AN-94 for troops to field strip for cleaning, the AEK971 lost in the Abakan trials to the Nikonov ASM. The AEK-971 refused to go away after losing out in the Abakan tests. In the late 1990s, the Russian Defense Ministry resurrected the balanced recoil operated rifle. In May of 2000, in an article in Krasnaya Zvezda, the official newspaper of the Russian Army, the army’s Chief of Weaponry predicted that, “... the assault rifle with the balanced recoil system will become the major weapon of the Russian Army.” The final version of the AEK-971 featured a metal buttstock that folded to the right, allowing room for attachment of a mounting plate on the left rear of the receiver to mount various optics. Kovrov City Arsenal later developed versions of the AEK-971 chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge (AEK-972), and somewhat ironically, also for the original Kalashnikov 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge (AEK-973). These models were sold from the mid-

1990s until 2006, when the Kovrov factory ceased all military production, including the AEK-971 and its derivatives. It is noteworthy that during the period when the AEK-971 was in limited production, then-Defense Minister Igor Rodionov sponsored a test between the AEK-971, AK-74, and AN-94. Each rifle was fired from a standing position in full-automatic mode with a 30-round magazine at a one-meter square target at a range of 100 meters. It is reported that the AK-74 put one round on the target, the AN-94 managed two rounds, but the AEK-971 scored eighteen holes on the target. Despite this exceptional performance the AEK-971 has been largely ignored within the Russian military-industrial complex except for various Russian military organizations that purchased small quantities for testing and evaluation. Even as late as 2008, there was no sign that the rifle would be resurrected, even for export. The common weight was 7.3 lb (3.3kg); length 37.9 inches (965mm), and the barrel length 16.2 inches (414mm). The available calibers and model designations were: Caliber 5.45×39mm (AEK-971); 5.56×45mm NATO (AEK 972); and 7.62×39mm (AEK 973). The rate of fire was 800 rpm, and the muzzle velocity in the AEK-971 was 2887 fps (880m/s). Pikinskiy AEK-978: This design was similar to the Koksharov AEK971, and was in caliber 5.45×39mm. Kalashnikov (Izhevsk) AKB: The brainchild of Mikhail Kalashnikov’s son, Viktor Kalashnikov, the AKB-1 was a 1985 prototype that was based on the AK-74 design, but utilized the balanced recoil system of an earlier prototype, the AL-7. However, the design did not meet the military’s specifications, and by 1987 Viktor Kalashnikov had

redesigned the rifle, now designated simply, AKB. The AKB still featured a reciprocating barrel that moved forward under recoil, but the design now incorporated the dual cyclic rate and the two-round burst feature found on Nikonov’s winning design (the AKB cycles at 2,000/1,000 rpm). It can be surmised that while the AKB was similar to the winning design, in combat the faster cyclic rate of 1,000 rpm would expend ammunition considerably quicker than the 600 rpm rate of the Nikonov rifle. This may have been one of the reasons why the AKB was not chosen as the next service rifle. With the appearance of a slightly modified AK-74, the AKB did feature a buttstock that looks much like the American M16 design with a flat top on the same plane as the bore. This design reduces muzzle climb somewhat by directing recoil straight back, rather than at an angle, as does the AK-47. The AKB was in caliber 5.45×39, and had a rate of fire of 2000/1000 rpm. The Balanced Automatic Reduced Recoil weapons fared better than the classical recoil rifles, scoring between 2.0 – 3.3 times better accuracy over the existing AK-74 service rifle.

Blow-Back Shifted Pulse (BBPS Designs) I.Ya. Stechkin (Tula City arsenal) TKB-0146: This Stechkindesigned prototype has a barrel and receiver assembly that moves backwards under recoil inside the stock. The soft-recoil system incorporates a two-stage feed system to load cartridges from the stationary magazine into the recoiling barrel-receiver unit. This bullpup design allows the operator to shoot it from either shoulder (a feature that is uncommon with most bullpups, which tend to eject spent cases to the right, encouraging the operator to only shoot from the right

shoulder). The Stechkin design ejects cases forward from the port on the right of the receiver above the pistol grip. In trials, in the late 1970s and 1980s the Stechkin TKB-0146 scored 1.3 times better than the AK-74M, and was the only bullpup design in the trials of 1984-1987. The TKB-0146 had a weight of 8.3 lb (3.78 kg); a length of 24.5 inches (790mm), a width of 2.5 inches (65mm), and a height (magazine inserted) of 11.6 inches (295mm).

Stechkin TKB-0146.

Nikonov (Izhevsk) AS: The magazine was attached to the barrel/receiver assembly and in 3-round burst mode the entire unit reciprocated under recoil. It was in caliber 5.45×39mm. Nikonov (Izhevsk) ASM (AN-94): The magazine was attached to the lafette-type action and did not reciprocate with the barrel/receiver assembly. One reason that Nikonov chose the blow-back-shiftedpulse system is that he foresaw that the winning assault rifle design would likely be used as a common platform to develop a series of rifles, submachine guns and machineguns. The BBSP system was more adaptable to the heavier cartridges than the balanced automatic method. In trials, the Nikonov ASM scored 2.31 times better than the

AK-74M. The Nikonov ASM was in caliber 5.45×39, and had a rate of fire of 1800/600 rpm. In 1987, the Army announced the results of the trials. In third place, The Korobov TKB-0111 (Classical Recoil) scored a 50 percent increase in effectiveness over the AK-74; Second place went to Viktor Kalashnikov’s (Balanced Automatic Reduced Recoil system) AKB with a 70 percent increase. The rifle selected by the army to replace the AK-74 was the (Blow-Back Shifted Pulse prototype) ASM of Gennadiy Nikonov, which scored the highest with a 2.3 times increase in effectiveness over the AK-74. Post-Soviet Russia of the 1990s was edging towards the competitiveness of a free-market economy. Despite a stellar performance in the Abakan trials, the Nikonov ASM wasn’t the only viable candidate for service rifle among the entries. To the casual observer, it seems that the final decision was influenced by politics to such an extent that even a Hero of the Soviet Union like Mikhail Kalashnikov could not insure that the assault rifle of the nineties would be another Kalashnikov design, despite the fact that his son Viktor’s AKB model with its reciprocating barrel assembly performed almost as well as the Nikonov ASM, but was a much simpler design for soldiers to field strip and clean. Other solid contenders were the AEK-971, and the Korobov TKB-011. The Nikonov-designed AN-94 was officially adopted in 1994 because the rifle in trials displayed many improvements over the AK74M. However, the AN-94 was only produced in limited numbers, as over the years it became evident that troops in the field found the rifle overly complicated, difficult to assemble and disassemble (especially under field conditions), and less than user-friendly. The AN-94 was

first deployed in limited numbers in combat during the Soviet incursion of Chechnya in 1994, when it was issued to airborne troops. The effectiveness of the 5.45×39mm cartridge under battle conditions in Chechnya and Afghanistan has also been called into question by some authorities. In addition, the cost of the AN-94 is reported to be five times the cost of the AK-74M. Accordingly, the Russian Army’s attitude has been to quietly retire the AN-94, and it is reported there have been no new orders for the rifle since 2005. Safety Arrangements: On/Off safety lever. Unlike the Kalashnikov weapons, AN-94 has a safety lever separate from the fire select lever. Both are located above the trigger on the left side of the receiver. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: (1) With magazine removed and chamber empty, turn the lever located at the front right side of the stock downward. Remove the top cover. (2) Pull the barrel/bolt assembly forward until it clears the guide rails and the stock extension rod. (3) To remove the trigger assembly, hold down the buttstock release knob and turn the small lever located above the pistol grip downward.

Nikonov AN-94 Assault Rifle

The A-91M Compact Assault Rifle Russian small-arms design underwent notable change during the early 1990s. The war in Afghanistan that ended in defeat in 1989 caused the Russian military to rethink some of its doctrine. Some quarters in the military-industrial complex questioned the effectiveness of the standard 5.45×39mm assault rifle round. Thus, when the KBP Instrument Design Bureau at Tula developed a bullpup assault rifle, the decision was made to chamber it not for the current

assault rifle cartridge but its predecessor, the venerable (M43) 7.62×39mm. The A-91M rifle has been adopted by some Russian SWAT teams, no doubt due to the combination of a proven rifle cartridge, selective fire, and grenade launcher in a very compact envelope. It employs an AK-style combination fire-select/safety lever, on the right rear of the receiver. Not to be confused with the A91 assault rifle that was also developed by Tula KBP, which comprises a completely different design, the A-91M is a bullpup design, gas-operated selective-fire rifle featuring a receiver that is completely enclosed when a magazine is inserted and the bolt is forward. Not only does this enhance reliability by preventing dirt and moisture from entering the weapon, it also keeps gases generated by the firing cycle away from the operator, a common problem with some similar designs. In the latest model (2003) the non-reciprocating cocking handle can be adjusted for right- or left-handed operators and is located on top of the receiver. (Earlier models had the cocking handle placed on the left side.) It is connected to a tube through which spent cases pass to be ejected. There is no standard ejection port. Instead, a small aperture at the top right side of the receiver opens at the moment of firing and throws spent cartridge cases to the front, rather than to the side as do most other weapons of this type. This design allows for shooting from the left shoulder without risk of the operator being hit by ejected cases, and makes this weapon far more userfriendly for left-handed operators, although the combination fireselect/safety lever is still placed on the right side of the receiver. There are four known variants of the A-91M, including two calibers: 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45 NATO (for export). The first model

A-91M could fire projected 40mm grenades directly from the flash hider. In place of a forend it incorporated a separate forward pistol grip with trigger for this purpose. It could also mount the over barrel GP-97 grenade launcher. Later variants include an integral grenade launcher in a horizontal forend, and the GP-95 under barrel grenade launcher. GP series grenade launchers fire the VOG-25 and VOG25P 40mm grenades. Bullpup designs suffer from a common flaw when they are based upon designs of conventional rifles that have a full length buttstock and a firing system that ejects spent cases to the side. Designers assume most shooting will be done from the right shoulder, and while shooting such weapons from the left shoulder is satisfactory, it does result in the cartridge being ejected to the right side, sometimes just a few inches in front of the shooter’s face. When this design is incorporated into a much shorter rifle that has, in place of a buttstock, a buttplate attached to the end of the receiver, shooting from the left shoulder brings hot, ejected cases and gases from the firing cycle much closer to the shooter. This problem is solved in the A-91 design. Overall, the A-91 seems to be a very good attempt at designing a truly ambidextrous rifle.

This early 7.62×39mm (M43) A-91M features iron sights in the M16-style carry handle. The small aperture in the top right side of the receiver just in front of the rear carry handle mount is the ejection port. Grenade launcher is the GP97.

5.56mm NATO A-91M assault rifle, most recent version (2003). Photo: Courtesy M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

A-91M Bullpup Assault Rifle

CHAPTER 52

Russia/Soviet Union: 9×39mm and Underwater Weapons

9×39mm Ammunition Initial development of the 9×39mm special cartridge was caused by the general dissatisfaction of Spetsnaz troops during the Afghan War with the AKM and AKMS rifle used in combination with subsonic 7.62×39mm ammunition and the PBS-1 silencer, because this combination was not very effective. This issue became more critical with the introduction of caliber 5.45×39mm ammunition which has even less lethality than 7.62×39mm when loaded to subsonic velocities. In addition, problems were experienced with the AK-74 and especially with the longer-barreled RPK-74 5.45×39mm weapon when bullets lodged in the bore due to the reduced powder charge. It was determined during the war in Afghanistan (1979-1989) that only the short-barreled AKS74U could be used effectively in conjunction with 5.45×39mm subsonic ammunition and silencers. Requests from the field by the primary users (Spetznaz and KGB special troops) pushed for the development of effective rifles that were truly silenced and reliable. The development of the 9×39mm cartridge was a direct result of problems encountered during the Afghan war.

There are three known variants of the 9×39mm cartridge: SP-5 (Full Metal Jacket Ball ammunition with lead core and gilding metal jacket, in which a small airspace in the tip of the boat-tail bullet increases effectiveness in an anti-personnel role); SP-5 Sniper (twopart Armor-Piercing boat-tail bullet with exposed steel core tip and lead base, gilding metal jacket); and SP-6 (Armor-Piercing boat-tail bullet with a full length tungsten steel core with exposed black tip and a lead sleeve for the lower two thirds of the bullet, gilding metal jacket). Russian army designations for these cartridges are: 7N12 (SP-6), and 7N9 (SP-5 Sniper). The armor-piercing ammunition is expensive to manufacture, so a cheaper version designated the PAB9 was manufactured for a significant cost savings, but the bullet increased wear on rifle barrels, and accuracy was not acceptable, so the PAB-9 round was abandoned. The cartridge case itself is formed from the standard Soviet bottleneck (M43) 7.62×39 lacquered-steel cartridge case but is necked up from 7.62mm diameter to 9mm to accommodate the boattail SP-5 and SP-6 bullets. Overall case length remains at 1.52 inches (38.60mm), with a bullet diameter of 0.362 inches (9.21mm) and length of 1.57 inches (40.1mm). Bullet weight has been reported at both 245 and 250 grains (16.2 g). This is likely due to the differences between the ball ammunition and the armor piercing round. The SP-5 Sniper and the SP-6 AP rounds, while both armorpiercing, use slightly different bullets: The SP-5 Sniper bullet is slightly more pointed than its SP-6 counterpart, and has a slightly more curved ogive. Both armor-piercing bullets feature a black tip that appears to be the exposed penetrating core, most likely of tungsten.

In factory tests, the SP-6 round was reported to have better terminal ballistics on the target, while the SP-5 was more accurate. All three types of ammunition are subsonic, with a velocity of 950 feet per second (290m/s), which is optimal for use with a suppressor. SP6 AP is capable of defeating Levels I, II, and IIIa soft body armor, and will shoot through both sides of a Kevlar helmet such as the U.S.issue PASGT. Tests by Western journalists in the late 1990s showed that the claims of penetrating armor are true at least to 150 meters, although claims by the manufacturer of penetration at 400 meters have not been completely verified. In addition, the manufacturer claims penetration of steel plate up to 5mm thick, although range and hardness of the steel are not specified. The velocity drops off quickly with these slow, heavy bullets and the trajectory is quite steep. Since the primary use for this ammunition is by SpecOps troops and other clandestine units where it may be necessary to leave no clues behind, there are no markings on the case head, as is the norm with commercial ammunition and most military cartridges. The SP-5 cartridge was designed by Nikolai Zabelin primarily for the VSS Vintorez suppressed sniper rifle that is part of the VSK-94 family of weapons, while the SP-6 cartridge was designed by Yuri Folov for the AS Val suppressed assault rifle. The two subsonic cartridges are, however, interchangeable between all the 9×39mm weapons.

AS VAL and VSS Vintorez Suppressed Assault Rifles Increased political tensions between the West and the Soviet Union during the late 1970s and early 1980s, coupled with support by

the two super powers for opposing factions in localized conflicts, prompted development behind the Iron Curtain of new small arms designs suitable for small unit actions and clandestine operations around the world. In 1981, under the direction of the KGB and the General Intelligence Agency (GRU) of the Russian Army General Staff, Russian weapons designers P.I. Serdyukov and V.F. Krasnikov of the TsNITochMash Central Scientific Research Institute of Precise Machine Engineering, began development of a combination of a new suppressed rifle and sub-sonic cartridge. In the Soviet Union and modern day Russia this specialized weapon and ammunition combination is referred to as a complex. The requirement was to develop a suppressed rifle with no perceptible sound signature that could penetrate military body armor at distances up to 400 meters. The three main challenges were to provide sufficient penetration of the target, suppression of the sound of the shot, and velocity less than 1100 feet per second to prevent the projectile creating a sonic crack in flight.

SP-5 ball cartridge case and bullet; SP-6 AP dummy cartridge, and standard 7.62×39 M43 cartridge for comparison. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

The first cartridge design used the 5.45×39mm case necked up to accept a 7.62mm bullet and was designated RG037, but at subsonic velocities it lacked the momentum to reliably penetrate body armor at 400 meters. The TsNIITochMash designers N.V. Zabelin and L.S. Dvoryaninova went back to the drawing board, and by the mid1980s they had developed a 9mm bullet for the older 7.62×39 cartridge case. The heavier 9mm bullet traveling at subsonic velocity, but with greater momentum than the 7.62mm bullet, proved to be

capable of penetrating armor at the required distances without generating a sound signature “louder than a hand clap.” The cartridge received the designation SP-5 Sniper. Later, the TsNIITochMash team of Yury Z. Frolov and Y. S. Kornilova developed the SP-6, another 9×39mm cartridge that had better penetration in armor, but was not quite as accurate as the SP-5 Sniper cartridge.

The VSS Vintorez (“Thread Cutter”) Sniper Rifle In the late 1980s the designers at TsNIITochMash, led by Petr Serdyukov, were tasked with developing a sniper rifle with an integral suppressor. The prototype weapon received the designer index designation, RG036. The sniper rifle that the TsNIITochMash team designed is called the VSS “Special Sniper Rifle” (Vintovka Snayperskaya Spetsialnaya), or simply “Vintorez.” It was designed for the subsonic 9×39mm cartridge, with an integral suppressor to satisfy the design requirements for a rifle that could defeat common western military body armor at ranges up to 400 meters in almost complete silence. The VSS is a gas-operated rotary bolt system that has both semiautomatic and full-automatic capability, selected via a cross-bolt button inside the trigger guard. It has a striker firing mechanism, instead of the traditional hammer that is found on the Kalashnikov series of rifles. The striker enhances accuracy because the weapon is not jarred during the firing cycle by the impact of a hammer falling. The safety lever is located on the right side of the receiver, similar to the Kalashnikov design, but the fire mode selector (semi- and fullautomatic) is a separate cross-bolt button inside the trigger guard,

behind the trigger. The button is moved to the right for semiautomatic fire, left for full-automatic. For clandestine missions, the VSS can be disassembled into its major sub-assemblies of barreled action, skeletonized laminated wood buttstock with rubber recoil pad, and suppressor, for transportation in an aluminum case. A telescopic sight PSO-1-1 (1P43), optical night sight (NSPU-3 3.46X magnification), and two magazines are also included in the case. The standard multipurpose hardpoint plate used to attach optics and other accessories is attached at the rear of the left side of the receiver. Any of the standard Russian scopes can be attached, including PSO-1, PSO1M, or the second generation NSPUM-3 infrared night sight. The effective range at night is 300 meters. There is some evidence that the KGB used the rifle with the 1P43 scope and the MBNP-1 sight at night, while the army deployed the PCO-1-1 scope and the 1PN51 (NCPU-3) night sight. Backup iron sights are also mounted on the suppressor. The rifle accepts both 10- and 20-round magazines, but the shorter 10-round magazine is less likely to interfere with shooting from the prone position. It is interesting that a designated sniper rifle should also have full automatic capability. However, given the limited range compared to most sniper rifles, it would appear that the full-automatic feature may be used by the sniper team in a defensive role, for ambushes, or attacks against soft-skinned vehicles such as trucks. The weapon would be fired semiautomatic for actual long-distance sniping. It was intended that the rifle would be used by Spetsnaz troops as well as the special KGB troops. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the rifle was offered in the early 1990s for export. A factory

advertisement from that period states, in true cold war mindset, “...Use the night sight and they’ll be afraid of you. Your secrecy is your security.”

The AS Val (Avtomat Spetsialnis “Rampart”) Special Assault Rifle Concurrent with the development of the Vintorez, development began on an assault rifle complex (prototype index designation 6P30). The Russians describe this rifle as a submachine gun, but in the West, that term relates to the power of the cartridge that the weapon fires. The AS “Val” (as the 6P30 was designated in production) fires an intermediate-power cartridge and therefore is considered to be an assault rifle. Like its cousin the Vintorez, it is a selective fire weapon, with an integral suppressor. It utilizes a linear striker firing assembly design borrowed from the Czech vz. 58 assault rifle. The safety lever is located on the right side of the receiver, similar to the Kalashnikov design, but the fire mode selector (semi- and full-automatic) is a separate cross-bolt button inside the trigger guard, behind the trigger. The button is moved to the right for semiautomatic fire, left for fullautomatic.

The VSS Vintorez “Special” Sniper Rifle fires a subsonic 9mm bullet to 400 meters. An integral suppressor makes the system “no louder than a hand clap.” Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

The AS Val suppressed assault rifle breaks down into its major components including integral suppressor (top right). Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

The AS Val suppressed assault rifle (9×39mm) with integral suppressor and both semi- and full-automatic capability can pierce body armor to 400 meters. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

The VAL is issued with staggered 20-round box magazines rather than the 10-round magazines that are more likely to be found on the sniper rifle. The hard plastic magazines feature a series of horizontal indentations along the sides which presumably provide tactile and visual identification of the magazine to avoid confusing it with other weapon’s magazines such as the AK. The indentations also provide rigidity to the magazine walls. The same front and rear iron sights that are used on the VSS sniper rifle are attached to the integral suppressor and are calibrated to 400 meters in 25 meter increments. However the effective range is likely to be closer to 200300 meters due to the curved trajectory of the bullet. The Val features a tubular steel stock that folds to the left. This makes it much more maneuverable in confined spaces such as vehicles and helicopters, although this can interfere with an optical sight if one is mounted on the standard multipurpose hardpoint plate attached at the rear of the left side of the receiver. The short forend and pistol grip are manufactured from a polymer material. The integral suppressor reduces noise from the firing sequence to the level of a handclap, and is the same model used with the sniper rifle. The AS Val is widely used by Russian military recon units, as well as by the Internal Affairs Ministry (MVD), the Federal Security Bureau (FSB), Alpha teams and Vympel operators whose mission in peacetime largely centers around anti-terrorism and hostage-rescue work. Russian police agencies also find the Val effective against organized crime figures who are armed and drive large, powerful

cars. The armor-piercing round is very effective on engine blocks, without having a long range that might put innocent civilians in jeopardy.

Suppressor The integral suppressor assembly is of the “dry” type and is a simple dual chamber design that resembles the suppressor of the Soviet PB Makarov. A series of six rows of 2mm-diameter ports follows the spiral pattern of the rifling from the muzzle for a length of 90mm along the 210mm-long barrel. These ports vent hot gases into the first chamber where the temperature and pressure drops. The gases then pass into the second chamber, through the baffles, and then to the outside. A document released by the Russian manufacturer, Tulsa Arms Factory, lists the sound level from the suppressor as 130 dB recorded three meters from the muzzle. This gives an average sound reduction of 30 dB. Interrupted threads allow the suppressor to be quickly attached and detached from the weapon. Inside, the suppressor core consists of three internal baffles between the ported portion of the barrel and the muzzle. The three baffles are punched from one strip of 0.8mm steel sheet, and bent to a 30 degree angle to the centerline of the bore. A flat washer baffle is spot welded perpendicular to the bore at each end of the baffle assembly. Both the front and rear iron sights are mounted on the top of the suppressor tube. Once the suppressor is removed from the weapon, a spring-loaded catch located under the front sight base must be pried up with a screwdriver to release the suppressor core from the outer case before the core can be pushed out of the rear of the suppressor tube. Removal of the suppressor is

intended for maintenance purposes only. For safety and reliability reasons, it is not intended that the weapon be fired without the suppressor. For details of the ammunition fired in these dedicated suppressed weapons, see the earlier entry. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The AS Val and VSS Vintorez rifle-cartridge combinations (“complexes”) have been available to Russian troops since the late 1980s. They are known to have been deployed in the first incursion into Chechnya from December 1994 – August 1996, and the second from October 1999 – April 2000. Western intelligence and similar organizations did not take any real notice of these weapons until the summer of 2008 when the Russians deployed troops to South Ossetia in response to the presence of troops from neighboring Georgia.

AS VAL Assault Rifle / VSS Sniper Rifle

The SR-3 Vikhr “Whirlwind” Compact Assault Rifle It is not at all unusual for Russian state-run small arms manufacturers to compete for government contracts. It is a procedure that dates back to the Soviet Union when it was found that healthy competition produced the best designs. In western parlance, the term “submachine gun” implies an automatic weapon firing a pistol cartridge. In the Eastern Bloc countries, however, depending on context, it could simply mean a hand held automatic weapon, firing any rifle or pistol cartridge. In the 1980s the Soviet KGB security agency submitted a request for development of a compact submachine gun that could be

carried unobtrusively under a jacket by security details of state organizations. Two government arsenals began research and development to fulfill the KGB’s request: Design Bureau of Device Engineering (DBDE) at Tula Arsenal began work on their 9A-91 assault rifle, while the designers A. Borisov, V. Levchenko, and A.I. Tyshlykov at TsNIITochMash developed the prototype RG-051 that would later become the SR-3 Vikhr compact assault rifle. In the early to mid1990s, the RG-051 prototype became the production model “MA” (Malogabaritnyi Avtomat, meaning small automatic rifle) but was later designated SR-3 Vikhr and entered service in 1996 with the FSB. Like the competitor’s 9A-91 design (which is virtually identical to the Vikhr), the firing mechanism of the MA and Vikhr compact assault rifles closely resembles the AKS-74U which has a shortened version of the gas-operated rotary bolt system found in the basic AK design. Early versions retained the ejection port on the right side of the receiver, but later that was switched to the left side. It is unclear why that change was made. The weapon is striker fired (no hammer) and uses a trigger assembly design taken from the Czech vz.58 rifle. Design and layout of the operating controls, however, is quite different from the AKS-74U. The ambidextrous charging handle consists of a sliding bar and button on each side above the forend and requires the operator to grasp both buttons together between the thumb and trigger finger of the support hand to retract the bolt. The safety is positioned above the pistol grip similar to the American M16 assault rifle, but unlike the M16 the safety on the Vikhr is ambidextrous. The fire selector is a cross-bolt button located inside

the trigger guard; push to one side for semi automatic fire and to the other side for full automatic.

The SR-3 Vikhr is a compact assault rifle chambered for the armor-piercing 9×39mm subsonic cartridge. It is popular with Russian security and special forces for covert missions against organized crime and terrorism. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

The Vikhr field stripped to its basic components is shown here with standard 20-round magazine. Note the sling attachment above and behind the pistol grip, ideally situated for a single-point sling when carrying the weapon under a coat with the stock folded. Photo courtesy of Small Arms Review

The Vikhr also features an over-folding metal buttstock which, when extended, gives the weapon an overall length of less than 25 inches, which allows for deployment in confined spaces. When the stock is folded the overall length of the weapon is less than 15 inches, which makes it very easy to conceal under a light jacket; an ideal option for covert security operations. Short, lightweight, easy to shoot from either shoulder, and chambered for a cartridge that will defeat Level IIIa body armor and lightly armored vehicles up to 200 meters, the Vikhr is reported to be popular with the security personnel who carry it. The only sacrifice the designers made was to omit the provision to fit a silencer, which would defeat the object of making the weapon short enough to conceal easily and deploy rapidly. The manufacturer claims that the 9×39mm armor piercing cartridge fired from the Vikhr will penetrate body armor type J-86-2

(Two titanium plates 1.4mm thick plus 30 layers of Kevlar), or 6mmthick steel plate at 200 meters.

SR-3 Vikhr “Whirlwind” Compact Assault Rifle

OTs-14 Groza Weapon System: Short Rifles for Urban Policing The Groza (“Thunderstorm”) assault rifle was the brainchild of Valery Telesh, designer of the GP25 and GP30 underbarrel grenade launchers found on most Russian military rifles. Telesh believed that the most useful tools for Close Quarters Combat (CQB)—grenade launcher, suppressor, and optics—could be assembled on a short, light rifle in a modular way so that the rifle could be easily changed in the field to a mission-specific configuration. Along with designer Yuri V. Lebedev, Telesh began work in December 1992 to build a modular bullpup rifle based on the AKS74U platform. In fact, the two weapons share a 75% commonality of parts. The rifle was originally designed to be produced in four

different calibers: 5.45×39mm, 7.62×39mm (M43), 9×39mm, and interestingly, also 5.56×45mm NATO. Only the 9×39mm and 7.62×39mm rifles were adopted by Russian forces, but it is assumed that the original intention was to offer all four calibers for export. By the end of 1993, Telesh and Lebedev had a working prototype, and by 1994 the rifle was in production at the Tula Armory, which was already manufacturing the AKS-74U, and the GP-25 grenade launcher. Oddly enough, nobody in the Russian military seemed interested in the bullpup, which seemed destined for the scrapheap until the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) decided that in the 9×39mm caliber it was exactly what their militia (police) and special troops had been asking for. The 9×39mm version of the OTs-14 Groza first came to the attention of western analysts when it was fielded by MVD Internal Troops in Chechnya in 1994. It was also deployed by Spetsnaz troops in 7.62×39mm caliber. All the components of the OTs-14 Groza Weapon System are packaged in an aluminum case for storage and deployment. Standard issue is with the suppressor, telescopic sight, GP25/30 grenade launcher, and two pistol-grip assemblies. One pistol grip is an integral part of the grenade launcher and has a selector switch on the left side of the grip to fire either the rifle or the grenade launcher; The second pistol grip is used when the grenade launcher is not attached and fires the rifle only. The OTs-14 Groza weapon system is deployed by Russian forces in two calibers: OTs-14 9/40 (9×39mm) and OTs-14 7.62/40 (40 designation refers to the 40mm grenade launcher) and comprises four different configurations:

OTs-14-4A: Basic system with underbarrel grenade launcher. OTs-14-4A-01: Assault rifle with vertical foregrip in place of the grenade launcher. OTs-14-4A-02: Compact version with short barrel and no grenade launcher. OTs-14-4A-03: special mission version with short barrel, suppressor, and telescopic sight.

The OTs-14 Groza (“Thunderstorm”) Assault Rifle Following extensive testing by the Interior Ministry Special Equipment Research Institute, and a study of the demand from MVD units, the weapon system was accepted. Model 9/40 was first adopted by the Ministry of the Interior (MVD) shortly after it was unveiled at the Milipol Moscow Trade Show in April, 1994. Due to a lack of funding, Model 7.62/40 has only been issued in small numbers to military units at the Ministry of Defense. By mounting a butt-plate at the rear of the receiver instead of attaching a conventional buttstock, and mounting the pistol grip and trigger assembly in front of the magazine, designers are able to reduce the overall length of a rifle without sacrificing barrel length, thereby maintaining bullet velocity. When the barrel length is also reduced, the result is an extremely compact bullpup design. The system is offered for export, presumably in all four of the original cartridge designations.

Suppressor

The integral suppressor assembly is of the “dry” type and is a simple multi-chamber design similar to the suppressor of the AS Val and VSS Vintorez 9×39mm assault/sniper rifles, and performs equally well. Interrupted threads allow the suppressor to be quickly attached and detached from the weapon

Basic system with VOG 25P bouncing grenade (top) and VOG 25 fragmentation grenade (bottom).

OTs-14-4A with GP30 40mm grenade launcher and grenade launcher sight unfolded.

With short barrel for maximum compactness.

Special mission version with short barrel, suppressor, and telescopic sight.

OTs-14-4A03 showing the basic components of the modular system: Scope, bullpup receiver and barreled action, suppressor, pistol grip, magazine.

OTs-14 Groza 9/40 and 7.62/40 Bullpup and Suppressor, Optics, and UBGL

9A-91 Compact Assault Rifle In the late 1980s and early 1990s the Russian Interior Ministry had a requirement for a short, lightweight, selective fire assault rifle that could be used both as a personal defense weapon and for close quarters battle with criminals in urban areas. The weapon had to be capable of firing a bullet that was effective, but not so powerful as to cause over-penetration of buildings and other structures, thereby endangering innocent bystanders. The 9A-91 Compact Assault Rifle is part of a family of assault rifles produced by the Tula KBP Arsenal in response to this requirement. The standard Russian assault rifle cartridges

(7.62×39mm and 5.45×39mm) are too powerful for use in densely populated civilian areas, and have too much range and penetration; on the other hand, submachine guns chambered for pistol calibers such as the 9×18mm, are not effective enough. A much more appropriate option is the subsonic 9×39mm armor piercing and sniper rounds that have an effective range of 100-200 meters when fired from the 9A-91 rifle. The family of A-91 assault rifles are based on the AKS-74U compact assault rifle (also manufactured by the Tula Arsenal), and comprises the following models: 9A-91 (9×39mm cartridge), 5.45A91 (5.45×39mm cartridge), 5.56A-91 (5.56×45NATO cartridge), and 7.62A-91 (7.62×39mm cartridge); the “A-” stands for the Russian word avtomat, meaning automatic, and “91” is the design year. The A-91 assault rifles should not be confused with the A91 bullpup assault weapon, which is also manufactured by the Tula KBP Arsenal. The operating system is similar to the AK. Gases from the firing sequence are bled off from a port in the barrel through a gas tube into the gas cylinder to force the bolt carrier rearward, cock the firing mechanism, and eject the spent cartridge case. The recoil spring then pushes the bolt assembly forward to load the next round into the chamber. The 9A-91 compact assault rifle accepts a suppressor, laser sight, telescopic and night vision scopes, and a GP-25 40mm under barrel grenade launcher. The weapon features an over-folding metal stock and a combination safety and fire selector lever on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip: Pushing the lever forward to the horizontal position selects full automatic fire, pulling it back to the opposite horizontal position selects semi-automatic fire. The midway

position—lever pointing straight down—is the Safety On position. The charging handle is located on the right side of the receiver and is angled upwards. The 9A-91 is currently in service with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and is available for export though the Rosoboronexport Federal State Unitary Enterprise. One big advantage of the A-91 series is that compared to other assault rifles the weapons deliver effective assault rifle performance in a very light and compact envelope.

The 9A-91 compact assault rifle may be fitted with a suppressor. It is chambered for the SP-6 9×39mm subsonic cartridge and is ideal for urban warfare.

In 1995 a revised model of the 9A-91 appeared, designated 9A91 model 1995. This version accepts the under barrel GP-95 40mm grenade launcher, and was issued with upgraded optics: PCO-1-1, NCPU-3 night sight, and a laser target indicator, TsL-03. On later versions, a mounting plate for various standard optics was added to the left rear side of the receiver (similar to the AK design), which necessitated moving the safety/fire selector to the right side of the receiver. In addition, a more efficient suppressor was introduced that further decreases the sound of the shot by 20 decibels and completely eliminates muzzle flash. The 1995 model was also introduced with a new skeletonized buttstock as the “VSK” sniper

rifle, a cheaper option than the VSS Vintorez. The VSK can be quickly field-stripped into five main components and packed into a briefcase. No doubt this is a useful feature for the units of the Interior Ministry who have deployed it for covert operations against personnel and unarmored vehicles.

9A-91 Compact Assault Rifle

VSK-94 Sniper Rifle The Russian military does not use the designation “sniper” in the same way that it is used by Western armies to describe a longrange, precision rifle. Technically, the VSK-94 is a compact, selectivefire assault rifle that fires a heavy armor-piercing, subsonic bullet at ranges up to 400 meters. It was developed by KBP Instrument Design Bureau, and manufactured by the Tula Arsenal as a cheaper derivative of the suppressed 9A-91 and AS Val compact assault rifles, and the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle. Like those rifles, the VSK-94 is chambered for the SP-6 and SP-5 9×39mm subsonic cartridges.

Advanced optical sights enhance the accuracy of the weapon, and a detachable silencer/flash suppressor reduces the chance of detection by enemy forces. The suppressor is reportedly of similar design to the unit issued with the VSS Vintorez suppressed sniper rifle manufactured by the TsNIITochmash arsenal, but unlike its rival, the VSK-94 can be fired with the suppressor removed. The wooden buttstocks of early VSK-94’s were also almost identical to those of the VSS. Later units featured a skeleton-style polymer stock with integrated pistol grip and a redesigned forend. The rifle can be easily disassembled into its five main components for storage or transportation. For close-quarters fighting, against dismounted infantry and lightly armored vehicles such as military trucks, the VSK94 also has full-automatic capability. The operating system is similar to the AK: Gases from the firing sequence are bled off from a port in the barrel through a gas tube into the gas cylinder to force the bolt carrier rearward, cock the firing mechanism, and eject the spent cartridge case. The recoil spring then pushes the bolt assembly forward to load the next round into the chamber. The VSK-94 sniper rifle is derived from the 9A-91 model 1995 short assault rifle. The main difference between the two weapons is the use of a skeletonized buttstock on the VSK-94. Tula KBP, manufacturers of the VSK-94 and their competitors, TsNIITochmash, manufacturers of the VSS Vintorez have both claimed that their products are in service with Russian Federation MVD troops.

This 1996 photo shows how the VSK-94 sniper rifle is configured for urban warfare to shoot from behind cover such as a trench or parapet. The operator is positioned behind cover, buttstock in his shoulder, and the rifle is supported by the bipod. A remote trigger is attached halfway down the vertical support, and fiber optic or similar cable connects the remote eyepiece to the rear of the optical sight. Note bipod, which appears to be attached to bottom of the receiver via a wing nut.

This is a later model of the VSK-94 and features a skeleton-style polymer stock with integrated pistol grip and a redesigned forend. Photo: Courtesy of M. Tokoi/T. Jimbo

VSK-94 Sniper Rifle

SP-5 9×39mm Ball, SP-6 9×39mm AP, SP-5 Sniper 9×39mm AP and 7.62×39mm. Photo: Dan Shea, Small Arms Review Magazine

OC-11 Tiss Assault Rifle In 1993, the design bureau TSKIBCOD at the Tula Arsenal developed a new compact assault rifle based on the successful AKS74U, in direct competition with the 9A-91 assault rifle developed by the KBP design bureau, also at Tula. The new weapon, designated OC-11 “Tiss” featured a short barrel and side-folding stock, and was

chambered for the new 9×39mm subsonic cartridge. Several hundred were manufactured and were delivered to the Internal Troops of the MVD, Russia’s Ministry for Internal Affairs. Unlike other similar weapons chambered for the 9×39mm cartridge, a suppressor is not included with the OC-11, which limits its potential for covert operations. However, the weapon quickly became popular with the MVD troopers, and is believed to still be in the MVD’s arsenal today, although no evidence exists that it has ever entered full scale production. The short sight-radius and barrel length, coupled with the steeply curved trajectory associated with the subsonic 9×39mm round, suggest that this weapon is probably effective to not much more than 200 meters. Reports indicate that a 25-round magazine is available, and that a model with a longer barrel also exists.

A competitor of the 9A-91 short assault rifle, the OT-11 “Tiss” is based on the AKS-74U but is chambered for the 9×39mm cartridge. A few hundred units were produced in 1993 by TSKIBCOD, and may still be in use with some Russian special operations units.

OC-11 Tiss

AK-9 Assault Rifle The latest addition to the series of suppressed assault rifles based on the AK platform and chambered for the 9×39mm subsonic

cartridge is the AK-9, which debuted in August 2007. It is a variant of the AKS-74U. The rifle is intended for use by special operations troops engaged in counter-terrorist operations. The concept of a suppressed assault rifle with the capability to fire a slow, heavy, armor-piercing bullet through body armor began in 1981 with the development of the AS Val assault rifle and continued with the 9A-91 and the OT-11 “Tiss” of which only a few hundred were ever issued. Today, the latest iteration of this design concept exhibits the same traits as the Val, but in a shorter envelope, and the OT-14, but with a suppressor. The AK-9 is seen as competition for the Val, and the 9A91 rifle, both of which have been issued to Russian military and police units.

The AK-9 is the latest in a series of compact, suppressed assault rifles chambered for the subsonic 9×39mm armor-piercing cartridge.

The APS (Avtomat Podvodnyj Spetsialny) Special Underwater Assault “Rifle” The APS was in service with the Soviet military for more than 20 years before it came to the attention of western intelligence services, when it was advertised for export in 1993. In the early 1970’s a design team at TSNIITOCHMASH led by Vladimir Simonov, nephew

of the designer of the WW-II era SKS carbine Sergei Simonov, developed both a long arm and pistol (SPP-1) that could shoot flechette-type steel darts underwater. The APS Special Underwater Assault “Rifle” is based on the standard AK platform and features a folding steel buttstock and a completely redesigned feed system and detachable magazine to accommodate the almost six-inch-long ammunition. It fires from an open bolt which allows water to enter the barrel to stabilize the projectile. The weapon is designed primarily to be used by special-operations divers to defend ships and harbors against enemy divers. The weapon is quite effective under water to a maximum range of 30 meters, however, due to increased water pressure, the effective range decreases as the depth increases. An adjustable gas valve enables the weapon to be fired above water, but the range is less than 100 meters, and accuracy is poor, due to the lack of stabilization of the projectile fired from the smoothbore barrel. However, the weapon is not really intended to be fired out of water, and doing so severely shortens the service life of the barrel. The 5.66×39mm MPS underwater ammunition loads a steel dart of 5.66mm caliber and 120mm long in a 5.45×39mm cartridge case. Unlike a conventional bullet that rotates on its longitudinal axis in flight in the air, the flat tip of this projectile causes an gas bubble at the tip and most of the length of the needle, which stabilizes it and reduces drag in a hydraulic medium. There are no reports available regarding the effectiveness of the round in living tissue.

The Soviet APS Special Underwater Assault Rifle. This James Bond-like underwater full automatic, dart-firing assault “rifle” remained a closely guarded secret from western intelligence until after the fall of the Soviet Union. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

Comparison of cartridges used in various Soviet/Russian firearms. R to L: 5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO, 7.62×39mm, 5.66×39mm MPS, 9×39mm SP-5 and SP-6.

APS Underwater Assault “Rifle”

ADS Compact Underwater Assault Rifle The ADS (Avtomat Dual-medium, Special) Compact Underwater Assault Rifle is intended to replace the aging APS underwater assault rifle that Soviet and Russian special forces and navy divers have used since the early 1970s. The old APS system is based on the AK

platform, but with a complete redesign of the rifle’s firing system and magazine. The special underwater steel darts that the APS fires lack good accuracy and have a very limited range both in air and water. In addition, firing the steel darts in air significantly shortens the service life of the weapon’s barrel. The shortcomings of the APS system as a viable above-water weapon often cause divers to carry a conventional assault rifle for combat on ships, oil rigs and in harbors, in addition to the APS for fighting underwater. The latest Russian underwater assault rifle, ADS, may change all that. Instead of firing a steel flechette-style dart, the ADS fires a version of the standard Russian assault rifle round, the 5.45×39mm (7N6). The rifle is intended as a dual-medium weapon, meaning that it can fire the same ammunition both under water and in air. The basic design of the ADS is taken from the Russian A-91M bullpup compact assault rifle, and features a buttplate attached to the rear of the receiver in place of a conventional buttstock, and a magazine placed behind the trigger and pistol grip assembly. The operating system is a gas operated, rotary-bolt locking design with an ejection system that pushes empty cartridge cases through a short tube and ejects them to the front. The only openings in the receiver are the ejection port at the moment the cartridge is ejected, and the magazine well when the magazine is removed. Otherwise, the receiver is sealed against debris, both air- and waterborne. An environment selector lever modifies the gas-operated system to allow firing in air or water.

Modified 5.45×39mm cartridge for underwater firing. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

A rear iron sight is located atop the M16 style carry handle mounted on top of the receiver, and a front sight that resembles the AK design is mounted at the front of the receiver. The carry handle also has an M1913-style rail for easy mounting of a variety of standard Russian military scopes and other day and night optics. The muzzle is threaded to accept a muzzle brake, silencer, or blank-firing adaptor. An integral 40mm grenade launcher is located beneath the barrel: however, the use of silencer and grenade launcher are mutually exclusive because the barrel of the grenade launcher must be removed in order to make room for the silencer to be attached to the barrel. The integral grenade launcher is a two-part system consisting of the trigger and firing mechanism with the trigger located inside the front of the rifle’s trigger guard, and a detachable 40mm barrel that must be removed to make room for the silencer to be attached to the rifle barrel, while leaving the trigger and firing mechanism in place. VOG-25 type caseless grenades are used.

ADS bullpup assault rifle with grenade launcher and carry-handle-mounted optics. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

ADS bullpup assault rifle with the barrel of the grenade launcher removed so that the silencer can be attached. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

Optical sight is removed. Note the case ejection tube underneath the carry handle with forward facing ejection port. Photo: Courtesy of Maxim Popenker, http://world.guns.ru

ADS Compact Underwater Assault Rifle

5.45×39mm PSP, and PSP-U Cartridge The design team at KBP developed a new underwater cartridge for the ADS in 2005, designated the 5.45×39mm PSP. The cartridge conforms to the same external dimensions as the standard 7N6 issue 5.45×39mm assault rifle cartridge (a Russian patent was granted in 2006) and uses the same steel cartridge case, but with a different bullet. All 5.45×39mm ammunition will chamber in the ADS rifle, which also accepts the standard AK-74 magazine, but at 2.1 inches (53mm) the underwater bullet is much longer than the standard bullet and is seated all the way to the base of the cartridge until it rests on the primer. This greatly reduces the available space for pro-pellant, and is one reason why the muzzle velocity is approximately one third that of a conventional 5.45×39mm cartridge. The PSP cartridge is designed for combat and features a hardened steel bullet weighing 247 grains (16 grams); PSP-U practice bullet is bronze (presumably to reduce excessive wear on the barrel) and weighs 123 grains (8 grams).

The effective range of the PSP bullet under water decreases with depth. At 16 feet (5 meters) depth, effective range is 82 feet (25 meters), at 65 feet (20 meters) depth, range is 59 feet (18 meters). The PSP-U training round performs to about half these distances. Reportedly, the combination of ADS rifle and PSP ammunition outperforms the original APS rifle and steel dart underwater, and provides the same or better accuracy and effectiveness above water as the standard AK-74 and AK-74M rifles and ammunition, although this is questionable given the great reduction in muzzle velocity compared to the standard ammunition fired from the AK-74. The consideration of dealing with a bore full of water has been dealt with by deepening the rifling grooves just forward of the chamber, not unlike the grooves in a Tokarev or Heckler-Koch chamber, to allow the bullet to pass from the chamber to the bore, preceded by a surge of propellant gasses that blow the water from the barrel in advance of the projectile. Western intelligence reports indicate that the ADS Compact Underwater Assault was being field tested around the middle of 2009. If it is adopted it will replace the APS underwater rifle and quite possibly some AK-74M general issue assault rifles currently used by the Russian Navy special forces operators and other Russian military spec-ops units engaged in counter-piracy and anti-terrorism maritime operations.

GP series Grenade Launchers The grenade launchers listed here are standard issue in the Russian Army, and are also used by security forces in the Ministry of

Justice, Ministry of Interior Rapid Deployment teams, and Federal Security (formerly the KGB) Spetsnaz troops. The launcher is easily deployed in indirect fire mode to place a grenade behind an obstacle such as a wall, building or hill, or to drop a grenade into a trench or an enclosed compound. In direct fire mode, the launcher is aimed directly at a target such as a truck or building. It is not possible to fire any model in this series of grenade launchers unless it is first attached to a rifle. All the launchers are fitted with a front post/rear “U” notch sight on the left side of the unit with two aiming scales. The red scale is for indirect fire; white scale is for direct fire. In either mode, the operator turns the scale until an arrow lines up with the selected range. The muzzle of the grenade launcher is then elevated until a pendulum is aligned with the arrow. The weapon now has the correct elevation for the selected range and is ready to fire.

Rifle-mounted grenade launchers such as this GP-25 are a force multiplier for troops engaging enemy infantry and lightly armored vehicles, or when doors, barricades and other structures must be breached.

The 40mm projectiles are high explosive with a pre-fragmented steel liner. The VOG-25 grenade explodes on impact and is more effective against materiel such as vehicles, barricades and buildings. The VOG-25P “Frog” grenade is more effective against personnel because it bounces off the ground and explodes approximately 1.5 meters in the air. The kill radius is six meters. If either grenade fails to detonate, a failsafe detonator is activated within 14 – 19 seconds. GP-25 “Kostyor”/GP-30 “Obuvka” Grenade Launchers fire a 40mm VOG-25 and VOG-25P projectile. Range is 200-400m. In addition, a Gvozd gas grenade is also available. Both grenade launchers are loaded manually at the muzzle, which automatically cocks the trigger ready for firing. Rate of fire is five rounds per minute (RPM). A folding leaf sight is mounted on top of the grenade launcher barrel. Weight of the GP-25 is 3.32 lb (1.5kg); the GP-30 is 2.80 lb (1.3kg). Length of the GP-25 is 12.7 inches (323mm), of the GP-30 10.8 inches (276mm). GP-95/GP-97 Grenade Launchers are manufactured by the Tula KBP and are similar to the GP-25/GP-30 series grenade launchers, except that both launchers are noticeably shorter than the GP-25/GP30 series. They fire the VOG-25 and VOG-25P 40mm grenades, with an effective range of 200-400 meters at about five rounds per minute. The only significant difference is that the GP-97 is designed to mount on top of the barrel of the A-91M (7.62×39mm) bullpup assault rifle, rather than underneath it. The GP-95 unit mounts under the barrel of the A-91 series rifles: 9A-91 (9×39mm cartridge), 5.45A-91 (5.45×39mm cartridge), 5.56A-91 (5.56×45NATO cartridge), and 7.62A-91 (7.62×39mm cartridge). The GP-95/GP-97 launchers weigh 3.3 lb (1.5kg); their lengths are GP-95/GP-97 7.2 inches (185mm).

Russian Weapons Bibliography Bolotin, David N., Soviet Small-Arms and Ammunition, Finnish Arms Museum Foundation, Jokelantie 63, 05800 Hyvinkaa, Finland, 1995. Cutshaw, Charlie, The New World of Russian Small Arms and Ammo, illustrations by Lyn Haywood, Paladin Press, P.O. Box 1307, Boulder, CO 80306, USA, 1998. Degtyarev M., V. Krylov and A. Kulinskiy, Exhibition Catalog The Weapons of Kalashnikov, The Artillery Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1998. Ezell, Edward Clinton, The AK-47 Story: Evolution of the Kalashnikov Weapons, Stackpole Books, P.O. Box 1831, Harrisburg, PA 17105, USA, 1986. Ezell, Edward Clinton, Kalashnikov: The Arms and The Man, Collector Grade Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 1046 Coburg, ON K9A 4W5, Canada, 2001. Gander, Terry J. and Charles Q. Cutshaw, eds. Jane’s Infantry Weapons, 1997-1998, Jane’s Information Group, Inc., Alexandria, VA 22341, USA, 1998. Iannamico, Frank, AK-47 The Grim Reaper, Chipotle Publishing LLC, Henderson, NV 89014, 2008. Kuzyk, B., N. Novichkov, V. Shvarev, M. Kenzhetayev and A. Simakov, Russia on the World’s Arms Market, Military Parade, Ltd.,

Moscow, Russia, 2001. Natsvaladze, Yu. A. and B. V. Paranin, Kalashnikov Arms, Military Parade, Ltd., Moscow, Russia, 1999. Nedelin, Alexi, Kalashnikov Arms, Military Parade, Ltd., Moscow, Russia, 1997. Poyer, Joe, The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and their Variations, North Cape Publicatgions, Inc., P.O. Box 1027, Tustin, CA 92781, USA, 2004. Shilin, Val and Charlie Cutshaw, Legends and Reality of the AK: A Behind the Scenes Look at the History, Design and Impact of the Kalashnikov Family of Weapons, Paladin Press, P.O. Box 1307, Boulder, CO 80306, USA, 2000. Tokoi, Masami, AK-47 & Kalashnikov Variations, Dai-Nippon Kaiga Co., Ltd. Tokyo, Japan, 1993.

CHAPTER 53

Singapore Chartered Industries of Singapore

A

fter withdrawing from the newly formed Federation of Malaysia in mid-1965, the prosperous industrial island nation of Singapore became known as the Republic of Singapore. Having become totally impressed with the M16 rifle, representatives of the Singapore Armed Forces approached Colt about purchasing a quantity of M16s to issue to its troops to replace its aging L1A1 (FAL) 7.62mm NATO caliber rifles, most of which had been purchased from Australia (see the Chapters on Australia and Britain). Although only 3,500 M16 rifles were sold to Singapore, in 1967 a highly organized group of privately owned and operated companies was incorporated under the name Chartered Industries of Singapore Private Limited (CIS) to meet the country’s defense needs. In 1970, the Small Arms Weapons Group of CIS began manufacturing the M16 rifle under license and assistance from Colt. While hundreds of thousands of these CIS M16 rifles were issued to the Singapore Armed Forces, at least 30,000 were sold to Thailand. While the CIS M16 rifle was a great success, Colt retained control of the main forgings necessary to produce the rifle in order to limit competition from CIS in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. This led CIS to develop a rifle of its own that could be produced independently

from Colt. For general information on the M16 refer to the U.S. Chapter elsewhere in this book.

The SAR-80 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip, the selector is rotated to the middle position to provide semi-automatic fire and is rotated all the way forward to allow full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector all the way to the rear blocks the trigger, preventing the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, push out the rear receiver pin above the rear of the pistol grip from right to left. Open the hinged upper receiver from the rear. Now, taking care that the recoil spring group is under strong spring pressure, depress the detente on the right side of the buffer plate with the tip of a bullet and remove the dual recoil spring/guide rods from the rear. With the recoil spring group removed, the top handguard can be removed. Now slide the dust cover to the rear and remove it from the receiver. Next pull the bolt handle and bolt group all the way to the rear and pull the bolt handle out of the bolt carrier. Then slide the carrier to the rear and out of the receiver. Using the tip of a bullet,

push out the firing pin retainer and remove the firing pin, bushing, spring and associated small parts from the carrier. Finally pull out the cam and remove the bolt from the front of the bolt carrier. Push out the front receiver hinge pin and separate the upper receiver from the lower receiver group. Pull back on the gas cylinder/operating rod until it clears the fixed gas piston. Then tilt the rod upward and remove it and its return spring forward from the upper receiver. No further disassembly is necessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design Development or Points of Interest: Following its success in building the M16 rifle, CIS’ Small Arms Weapons Group built two 5.56mm weapons of its own, the Ultimax 100 Light Machine Gun (designed for CIS by Mr. L. James Sullivan) and the Singapore Automatic Rifle Model of 1980 (SAR-80). The SAR-80 is a direct descendant of the Armalite AR-18 and later Mr. Frank Waters, of Sterling Armament, Ltd., in Great Britain developed a folding stock variant of that rifle for CIS. This more recent variant also features an improved rear sight base. Sterling marketed the SAR-80 in the early 1980’s. With a number of similarities to the AR-18 rifle, the SAR-80 uses pressed sheet metal in the construction of both its upper and lower receivers and a short-stroke gas system similar to that was first used in the Russian Tokarev rifle. Here the gas piston is fixed to the rear of the gas block on which front sight is mounted. The cylinder is connected to the operating rod above the barrel. When the SAR-80 is fired, gas enters the hollow piston, it fills the cylinder to drive it and the operating rod rearward where the end of the rod impinges on the

front of the bolt carrier to send it rearward on its dual guide rods. As the gas has exhausted, a coil spring at the rear of the operating rod then returns the rod and cylinder forward.

This early version of the SAR-80 seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

An early SAR-80 seen from the left side on its bipod with 30-shot magazine inserted. Note its pyramid shaped rear sight base.

As the bolt carrier moves to the rear, it pulls on the multi-lugged bolt while the cam pin is forced downward in a short spiral-like cut in the carrier. This causes the bolt to rotate, unlock and follow the carrier to the rear. During this movement the empty case is extracted and ejected. When the bolt’s cocking handle contacts the front of the dust cover, it takes the dust cover with it, pushing it all the way to the

rear to expose the narrow slot behind the ejection port. This dust cover is simplified from the folding type found on the AR-180. With all rearward energy of the bolt group expended, the compressed dual recoil springs return the bolt forward. If another round remains in the magazine, it is fed into the chamber, and if the selector is set on automatic fire with pressure on the trigger, the hammer will fall to fire it. If ammunition is exhausted, the follower will activate a hold-open device to lock the bolt to the rear. When firing is finished, the dust cover must be pushed forward manually to close off the slot to debris. Available with either a fixed or folding stock, the SAR-80 used the M16 bayonet and magazine. Developed mainly for export, few SAR-80 rifles were issued to the Singapore Armed Forces.

This late version of the SAR-80 seen field stripped. The lineage to the ArmaLite AR-18 is unmistakable.

Here the SAR-80 lower receiver group is seen disassembled.

The upper receiver group of the SAR-80 is seen with its piston system removed. As with the AR-18, only the upper handguard can be removed by the operator.

Here the fire control system of the SAR-80 is illustrated.

Here the SAR-80 lower receiver group is seen disassembled.

The Sterling designed SAR-80 folding stock model is seen here with stock extended.

This close-up of a late SAR- 80 is seen with an optical sight mounted.

SAR-80

The Sterling Automatic Rifle

During Sterling’s work on the SAR-80 rifle, the company designed a variation of it called simply the Sterling Automatic Rifle. The 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Sterling Automatic Rifle shared many features with the SAR-80 rifle including the operating system, magazine, 18-inch (460mm) barrel and the SAR-80’s front sight and improved rear sight. However, the handguard system was noticeably different and the sheet metal receivers were simplified. Most unusual was the folding stock variant, the butt plate of which folded to serve as a carrying handle when the metal stock was folded up and over the top of the rifle. The sheet metal sides of the folded butt allowed the sights to be seen with the stock folded. Weight of both variants was 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg) and overall length was 38.25 inches (970mm), and 29.75 inches (755mm) with the folding stock folded. The Sterling Automatic Rifle was not adopted and was made in pre-production quantities only.

The SR-88 And SR-88A Means of Controlling Operation: See means of controlling operation for the SAR-80 above. Safety Arrangements: See safety arrangements for the SAR-80 above. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, close the bolt and put the safety ON. Now push out the rear receiver

pin from right to left and open the upper receiver taking care that the recoil spring group is under tension. After removing the recoil spring and guide, pull the charging handle to the rear enough to unlock the bolt and remove the bolt group and gas piston from the rear. The bolt group can now be disassembled. No further disassembly is normally necessary and reassembly is in the reverse order.

With obvious similarities to the SAR-80, the Sterling Automatic Rifle was apparently a simplified variation meant for export.

The folding stock version of the Sterling Automatic Rifle is seen (top) with stock extended and with it folded with the butt doubling as a carrying handle.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Making its debut in 1988, the SR-88 was an attempt by CIS to design and build an improved assault rifle that could replace the M16 and also be marketed to other countries. Using the M16 (NATO) magazine, the SR-88 uses a lower receiver group that is very similar

to that of the M16 while the upper receiver group retains some features of the SAR-80. An offset carrying handle is used on the SR-88 along with an adjustable gas regulator and a fixed buttstock like that of the SAR-80, but a skeletonized folding buttstock was also offered, as well as a short barreled carbine variant. Both models can use a bipod and the rifle can launch rifle grenades. The SR-88 was issued to Singapore Armed Forces in relatively small numbers.

The SR-88 is seen (from the top) as the rifle with folding stock folded, rifle with folding stock extended and carbine with folding stock extended.

THE SR 88-A Amounting to a product improved SR-88; the SR 88-A had more ergonomic handguard and pistol grip, as well as an improved fixed buttstock in the rifle variant and a carbine with a retractable stock. This stock used two rods that rode alongside the receiver when retracted. When extended, the stock was rotated 90 degrees to lock with the butt vertical for placement against the shoulder. A plastic M16 type magazine was issued with the SR 88-A

The SR 88-A rifle (top) and carbine seen from the left side. The carbine has its stock retracted and both guns have their plastic 30-shot magazines inserted.

SR 88 and SR 88-A

The SAR-21 Means of Controlling Operation: Located in the firing module in the buttstock, the selector is a crossbolt that is pushed from one side to the other. Pushing the selector

from right to left limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire while pushing it from left to right allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Located at the top front of the trigger guard, the safety is a crossbolt that when pushed from left to right blocks the trigger, preventing the rifle from being fired. Pushing the safety from right to left allows the trigger to be pulled. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, allow the bolt to go forward. Now push out the main disassembly pin on the top of the receiver behind the carrying handle from left to right, and pull the barrel assembly group forward and off the lower receiver. The bolt group and operating rod can now be removed out the rear of gas tube above the barrel. To disassemble the bolt group, lift up left side of the firing pin retaining lever at the top rear of the bolt carrier and remove the firing pin. Now pull the bolt cam pin out of the carrier and pull the bolt forward out of the carrier. To remove the firing module push out the disassembly pin in the middle of the stock forward of the butt from left to right. Now slide the firing module and butt assembly down and out of the receiver. No further disassembly is normally required. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure.

Seen from the right side is the standard SAR-21 with combination carrying handle/optical sight and 30-shot magazine inserted.

Here the SAR-21 is seen from the left with 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the ambidextrous cocking handle under the carrying handle.

Notes on History, Design, Development or Points of Interest: Stemming from the desire to replace the M16 rifle issued to the Singapore Armed Forces, CIS, now reorganized and renamed Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STKinetics) decided to design and produce an entirely new rifle. The new rifle was designed to not only better meet the country’s military requirements in the 21st Century, but also to be viable in the highly competitive international small arms

export market. It is called the Singapore Assault Rifle–21st Century (SAR-21). One of six new bullpup military rifles introduced in 2000, the SAR-21 has an appearance somewhat similar to the Steyr AUG, but differs significantly internally and in its operation, most notably in using a long-stroke piston. Using the most modern polymers in its construction, this material is steel reinforced at critical stress points. Although formed from sheet steel, the inner receiver halves are vibration welded together resulting in a very strong and seamless surface. A large inner Kevlar shield surrounds the breech area to protect the shooter in the unlikely event of a ruptured cartridge case and a large vent hole in the barrel extension would direct gas away from the face. Housed in the front of the forend is an infrared or visible laser diode, a battery compartment and enabling switch. Powered by a single “AA” battery, the laser can be used at night or low light. Located just behind are windage and elevation adjustments, and a pressure switch is positioned on the left side of the forend. A forward sling mount is positioned on top of the barrel at the front of the forend. On top and forward of the ventilated portion of the forend is the 3-position gas plug and gas tube. Mounted on a hinge and held by a spring detent, the gas plug can be flipped up for cleaning. Semipermanently mounted to its aircraft alloy housing, the barrel and combination optical sight/carrying handle become one. Pre-sighted in at the factory, the optical sight also incorporates fixed emergency open sights on its top.

The non-reciprocating cocking handle rides in a groove in the gas tube beneath the optical sight. Covered with soft polymer, the cocking handle is ambidextrous in design and is rotated 90 degrees to either side using the thumb. There it is grasped with the fingers and pulled to the rear. With this action, the handle pivots rearward. This tilting not only unlocks the handle from its forward position, but also causes it to descend into the gas tube to engage a notch in the hollow operating rod, well behind the piston. As the handle is pulled, it takes the operating rod and bolt group with it.

The M1913 type “P-Rail” SAR-21 viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted and Eotech reflex sight mounted. The laser sight can be seen on the forend under the barrel.

The Modular Mounting System (MMS) version of the SAR-21 seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, vertical foregrip attached and reflex sight mounted.

The M203 version of the SAR-21 is seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine and M203 grenade launcher mounted along with special grenade launching sight.

Housed in the operating rod is the captive recoil spring with a plug at its rear. In this plug is a locating hole that mates with a fixed plunger in the rear of the receiver. When the operating rod moves to the rear the plunger compresses the recoil spring. Although the SAR21’s bolt resembles that of the Stoner, it has only two large locking lugs and rotates a full 90 degrees to lock and unlock. This delay contributes not only to primary extraction, but also to the rifle’s slow rate of fire of 450-650 shots per minute. Integral with the SAR-21’s pistol grip is its full sized trigger guard that accommodates all four fingers. Connected to the trigger is a sliding bar that extends to the firing module in the rear. Of the ambidextrous flipper type, the magazine release is located in a recess in the rear of the magazine well. The transparent 30-shot magazine is similar to that used in the Steyr AUG. Although not convertible for left-hand use, the SAR-21’s ejection port is positioned farther forward than those of other bullpup rifles, and its integral case deflector allows the rifle to be fired from the left shoulder, with spent casings being diverted well forward of the port. Passing through the buttstock near the rear is a slot providing a rear sling mount. Located on inner rails, the firing module is conventional and uses a hammer to fire the rifle. Making its debut in five basic models, the SAR-21 family includes the Standard Rifle, the P-Rail, the M203, the Modular Mounting System and the Light Machine Gun. A light machine gun consisting of the Standard SAR-21 with a bipod, was dropped and later replaced by a new NATO variation designed for the international market that uses M16 magazines.

Although special short barreled and/or light barreled variants of the SAR-21 are planned, with the exception of the NATO rifle, all models are merely variations of the Standard Model. A Picatinny type rail for mounting a variety of optics and other devices replaces the combination optical sight/carrying handle in the P-Rail variant of the rifle. In the M203 variant, the SAR-21 is equipped with a special M203 40mm grenade launcher and sighting system. The standard forend is replaced by one modified to accommodate the launcher. Most interesting is the Modular Mounting System (MMS) variation that was developed for use by special units including U.S. law enforcement agencies. Based on the P-Rail variant, the MMS deletes the synthetic forend with its laser and replaces it with a triple Picatinny rail system that allows mounting a variety of accessories including a vertical foregrip, tactical lights, side-mounted sling and etc.

SAR-21

CHAPTER 54

South Africa

The R-1 and R-2 For means of controlling operation, safety arrangements, elementary disassembly procedure and characteristics, refer to these sections in the chapter on Belgium on the FN FAL. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Seeking a modern rifle to replace its old standby .303 caliber LeeEnfield, South Africa adopted the selective fire Belgian 7.62×51mm NATO FN FAL as the Rifle 1 (R-1) in 1960. After negotiating a license to manufacture the FAL, production of the R-1 began at the Lyttleton Engineering Works (LEW) of the state owned Armaments Development and Production Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR), in Pretoria. A lightweight carbine variant, the R-2 was also made at LEW. Although not made by South Africa, Portuguesemade G3 rifles captured from Angola were issued to South African para-military forces.

The R-4 and R-5

For means of controlling operation, safety arrangements and elementary disassembly procedure refer to these sections in the chapter in Israel on the Galil rifle. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With the advent of the 5.56×46mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge, South Africa became very interested in this new round. Following Israel’s adoption of the 5.56×45mm Galil rifle in May of 1973, and the Galil’s success under harsh conditions in service, South Africa obtained quantities of Galils and tested them operationally in the Cunene salient of Namibia and in Ovambo and Kavango. Here the Galil proved highly reliable. The Galil also performed with excellence in accuracy and full-automatic control, and was adopted by South Africa complete with its wire-cutting bipod as a variation of the Galil ARM. However, because of the taller stature of the average Afrikaner, the length of the R-4’s stock was increased by 26mm (1.03 inches). Being too hot for the operational areas of South Africa, the Galil’s metal stock was also replaced by a lighter one made of reinforced carbon fiber. In addition, the R-4 differs slightly from the Galil in its receiver and gas piston. An R-5 Carbine is lighter and shorter than the standard R-4 and a special variant, the R-6 is shorter yet. Designed especially for use in South Africa’s Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IVF) the R-6 has a barrel only 11 inches (280mm) long. The R-5 and R-6 were made in limited numbers and use a handguard similar to that of the Galil AR model. Following the adoption and success of the R-4, the South African firm, Vektor, formerly a division of LEW, offered semi-automatic

variants of the R-4 and R-5 rifles for export. Called the LM4 and LM5, these semi-automatic weapons were identical to their selective R-4 and R-5 counterparts, except for their firing mode. While early LM4 and LM5 rifles retained the middle, full-automatic notch on the right side of the receiver, it was unmarked and allowed only semiautomatic fire. The final variant omitted this position altogether. The LM4 was also offered with an M1913 style rail in front of its rear sight. The LM4 and LM5 were not mass-produced.

The R-4 viewed from the right side with 35-shot magazine inserted, bipod folded and stock extended.

The R-5 seen from the right side with 35-shot magazine inserted and folding stock extended.

The R-5 seen from the right side field stripped without magazine.

The R-6 Compact Assault Rifle viewed from the left side with 35-shot magazine inserted and folding stock extended.

The semi-automatic only LM4 seen from the right side with an extended magazine inserted, stock extended and scope mounted on M1913-style rail. Note that the receiver has only two positions for the selector.

R-4, R-5 and R-6

VEKTOR CR21 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the buttstock, the CR21’s selector is ambidextrous, and its positions are indicated by projectile-like images in high relief that can be felt in the dark. Rotating the selector to its upper position, indicated by a single projectile, limits the rifle to semi-automatic fire. Rotating the selector to its lower position indicated by three projectiles allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements:

Located at the front of the trigger guard, the cross-bolt safety is pushed to the right to block the trigger to make the CR21 SAFE and is pushed to the left to allow the rifle to be fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, dry fire the CR21 while pointing it in a safe direction. Now push up on the sling swivel’s axis-pin lock and remove the sling swivel pin. Remove the barreled action and scope from the stock by pulling it to the rear. Depress the rear of the recoil spring guide in the butt and remove the combination butt plate/top cover. Then remove the recoil spring and guide, and bolt group and gas cylinder from the receiver as with the AK-47. No further disassembly is normally necessary, and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With the success of the new generation bullpup rifles, VEKTOR began experimenting with the design in the late 1990s and by 1998 had a prototype of its own. An extension of South Africa’s search for a shorter rifle and its experiment with the R-6, the decision was made to use the proven R-4 as the basis for a bullpup rifle for the 21st Century. The result was the Compact Rifle 21 (CR21). Being essentially the R-4 barreled action housed in a new bullpup stock, the CR21 has certain parts of the R-4 modified. These include the cocking handle, selector, trigger and sight. This allows existing R4 rifles to be converted as well as current manufacturing capabilities to be only slightly modified to produce the CR21.

Making extensive use of modern molded black polymer, the CR21 boasts many ergonomic advantages as well as a futuristic appearance. On top of the front of the stock is a molded sling mount, and behind it an exhaust port directly over the three ports in the gas block. The rear sling swivel can be changed from one side of the stock to the other. As part of the buttstock/receiver cover an ejection port is located at the breech. Being set at an angle to the bolt, this port contains a polymer deflection plate that sends shell casings down and forward as they are ejected through it. This allows the CR21 to be fired from the left shoulder without having to convert it. Along with its full-hand trigger guard, the CR21 employs a nonreciprocating cocking handle mounted on the left side of the stock. In place of the standard R-4 sights an optical sight base is mounted on the barrel just forward of the receiver where the AK-47 rear sight is normally found. Standard here is an adjustable 1X day/night reflex sight using a combination of fiber optics and tritium to illuminate the triangular reticle. With the point of the triangle used to aim the rifle out to 100 meters, the triangle will cover a standing man at 300 meters. This sight can also be used with passive night vision equipment. By drifting out two roll pins, the sight can be removed and other sighting systems installed such as an M1913 NATO STANAG rail. There are no iron sights on the CR21. While the CR21 employs a number of small internal improvements over the R-4, it retains most of the R-4’s internal parts and uses injection molded black nylon 20- or 35-shot magazines. The latter can be fitted with a special base for use in resting the rifle. Similar to the R-4 magazine, this one is also rocked into place and uses an ambidextrous release. The CR21 can also launch rifle

grenades from the combination flash suppressor/grenade launcher. By using a special bracket attached to the muzzle and the bottom of the forend, the CR21 will accommodate the VECTOR 40mm Grenade Launcher. A bayonet, bipod, tactical light, laser designator and other accessories can also be mounted on the rifle. The CR21 is expected to serve South Africa well into the 21st Century as well as being exported. A special “police” variant of the CR21 has also been produced. This model is reported to have a barrel 360mm in length.

The CR21 as viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The CR21 seen from the left side with 25-shot magazine inserted.

The CR21 viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted, 40mm grenade launcher mounted and 40mm grenade round.

The 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber Vector is shown with bipod, optic, light, laser and 30-shot magazine.

Here the Vector is fully disassembled showing its R4 (Galil/AK) receiver and internal parts.

CR21

The Truvelo Raptor Infantry Rifle For means of controlling operation, safety arrangements and elementary disassembly procedure, refer to those elements dealing with the R4 elsewhere in this chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With many years of experience making rifle barrels, sniper rifles and small arms, Truvelo Armoury Division introduced a new assault rifle in 2008. Called the TRV Raptor Infantry Rifle (RIR), this weapon is essentially an upgraded AK of the R-4/Galil type. Using a machined receiver, the RIR has ambidextrous controls identical to those of the R-4 family and uses a similar butt stock that folds to the left. Different about the RIR is its removable rear sight (and front sight on the carbine version), its hand guard, front sight and the addition of a carrying handle. A folding bipod also attaches to the bottom of the front sight. A 40mm grenade launcher can be mounted on an optional M1913 type rail hand guard, but the standard polymer hand guard also has such rails mounted on both sides and the top.

Viewed from the right side, the Raptor Carbine is seen with an Aimpoint Red Dot Sight, 30-shot magazine and bayonet.

Three models of the TRV RIR are offered, two Infantry Rifles in either 5.56×45mm NATO or 7.62×39mm (M43), and a 5.56×45mm NATO Carbine. The TRV RIR is offered in a semi-automatic version to police and security companies and in selective fire for military use.

The 5.56×45mm NATO Raptor rifle is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted, folding stock extended and bipod deployed.

TRV Infantry Rifle / TRV Carbine

CHAPTER 55

South Korea

The K1 and K2 Assault Rifles Means of Controlling Operation Located on the left side of the lower receiver, the selector is rotated with its knob down to allow semiautomatic fire, forward for fullautomatic, and up for 3-shot burst. Safety Arrangements: When the selector knob is rotated all the way to the rear, the pointer indicates SAFE, and the weapon is prevented from firing. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, allow the bolt to go forward. Now push down and forward on the takedown latch behind the rear sight and hinge open the upper receiver, while holding the latch and recoil spring group. Then ease this assembly out the rear. Pull back on the cocking handle until it can be pulled out of the bolt carrier through its slot in the receiver. Then allow the bolt carrier and bolt to slide out the rear of the receiver. On the K1 the recoil spring group uses dual springs and guide rods, and

the bolt has only a direct gas carrier key. However, on the K2, there is a single recoil spring system, and a long-stroke piston/operating rod is attached to the bolt carrier. Push out the front hinge pin and separate the upper and lower receivers. Push out the M16-style firing-pin retaining pin and remove the firing pin from the rear of the carrier. Rotate the bolt cam pin and remove it from the carrier, and then pull out the bolt from the front. The extractor can then be removed using the nose of the firing pin to push out its retaining pin. Unscrew the screw in the front of the handguards, and removed the hand-guards. No further disassembly is required, and reassembly is in reverse of the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: After manufacturing the M16A1 for the South Korean Military under license from Colt beginning in 1983, Daewoo Precision Industries Ltd., of Pusan, designed two new 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles. Called the K1 and K2, these weapons embody characteristics of the M16, AR-18, Kalashinikov and FN rifles. An assault carbine, the K1 has a 10.34-inch barrel and a retractable butt stock. With upper and lower receivers made from forged aircraft alloy, the K1 weighs just 6.3 pounds without magazine. Using the direct gas system of the M16, it has a shortened bolt carrier to allow its AR-18-style dual recoil spring group to be positioned behind the carrier. With an FNstyle reciprocating cocking handle on its right side, the K1 also has synthetic handguards that resemble and fasten like those of the FN FAL. A rifle variant, the K2 has a synthetic butt stock that folds to the right, but also includes significant interior differences. Although the K2

uses the same M16-style rotating bolt, its carrier is connected to a full-length long-stroke gas piston/operating rod much like that of the AK-47 assault rifle. Like the AK, the K2’s single recoil spring is housed inside the operating rod. The K2 also has an FN-style gasregulating plug in the front of the gas block, and an FN-type front sling swivel mounted on a collar on the barrel. The regulator can be shut off to launch rifle grenades. Although similar to those of the K1, the hand-guards of the K2 are slightly longer and cover the barrel nut that is left exposed on the K1.

An illustration of the evolution of the K2 and K1 carbines.

Both the K1 and K2 use the M16 (NATO) magazine, and have a similar trigger group. In fact, a number of parts will interchange between these weapons and the M16. Although the K1 uses M16style sights, the sights of the K2 differ, with the rear sight employing a

tangent type aperture. The K2 also has provisions for mounting a rail on top of the receiver. Initially furnished with a short conical flash suppressor, the K1 later used a longer, slotted suppressor, and was designated as the K1A. Both the K1 and K2 were made in semi-automatic only variants for import to the U.S. where they were known as the Max 1 and Max 2. In the semi-automatic variant, the Max 1 had a 16-inch barrel with a more streamlined flash suppressosr. Both the K1 and K2 are extremely well made.

The K1A assault carbine seen from the right side with stock extended and 30shot magazine inserted.

The K2 assault rifle viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and stock extended.

The MAX 1 semi-automatic only carbine seen from the right side with retractable stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

K1A and K2

THE DAR 21 Means of Controlling Operation: The selector is located on the right side of the butt stock. Rotating it to the full-automatic position allows full-automatic fire, rotating it to the 3-shot position allows burst fire, and rotating it to the semiautomatic position limits the weapon to semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements:

Rotating the selector to its rearmost position puts the weapon on SAFE. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: The disassembly procedure for the DAR 21 is unknown. Notes on History, Design, Development or Points of Interest: Following the success of its K1A and K2 rifles, together with a growing popularity of bullpup assault rifles around the world, DAEWOO designed such a weapon of its own in 2003. Called the DAR 21 (DAEWOO 21), the new weapon is of 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber, uses the M16 (NATO) magazine, and comes in both rifle and carbine configurations. Made of synthetic, the DAR 21’s bullpup stock houses the entire mechanism, which amounts to somewhat of a conventional DAEWOO K2 rifle system modified for use in such a stock. With the selector and charging handle mounted on the left side of the DAR 21, the magazine release and ejection port are on the right side, and the weapon is apparently not intended for ambidextrous use. Unlike some other bullpup assault rifles, the DAR 21 was designed with M1913 (Picatinny) mounting rails an integral part of the rifle, as well as a laser designator mounted on the upper front of the stock. On the top M1913 rail is mounted a 3X optical sight with simple backup open sights on top. On a M1913 rail at the bottom front of the forend can be mounted various accessories including a bipod or vertical foregrip. A special variant accommodates an M203type 40mm grenade launcher.

The DAR 21 rifle viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, vertical foregrip and 3X telescopic sight mounted, and laser designator in place.

The DAR 21 seen from the left side in cross section with 40mm grenade launcher mounted.

The DAR 21 Carbine seen from the left side in cross section.

DAR 21 Rifle and Carbine

K11 Dual-Caliber Airburst Weapon

Means of Controlling Operation: Fire control switch on left side similar to M16 or K2 rifle, offering safe, single-shot or three-shot bursts; or 20mm grenade launcher with same trigger. Safety Arrangements: Similar to M16 or K2 rifle. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Not known; rifle module believed to be similar to K2 rifle. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon was first publicly shown 2009, although information on its development had been available since about 2006. The K11 (aka XK11) was a project of Daewoo and the Korean Agency for Defense Development. The K11 bears remarkable similarity to the U.S. XM-29 OICW project quashed due to technical difficulties. The Republic of Korea is a world leader the design and production of advanced micro-electronics, and also has an established defense industry and strong motivation for constant upgrade of their military equipment. The K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon is scheduled to be issued at the rate of two per infantry squad, replacing weapons that now have 40mm UBGL’s. It will be a force-multiplier enabling soldiers to engage enemy personnel in defilade and soft-skinned vehicles and equipment, using 20mm air-burst grenades with a pre-programmed fuse, or 5.56mm ammunition for short- to medium-range direct fire.

The K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon consists of three major units, melded into one weapon: the 20mm multi-shot grenade launcher (which serves as a basis of the system), the 5.56mm automatic rifle with firing controls, and an electronic fire-control unit. The grenade launcher is a manually operated, bolt-action weapon that is fed from detachable box magazines. It is configured in a bullpup layout, with an aluminum alloy receiver and titanium alloy barrel. The trigger system of the grenade launcher is mechanically linked to the trigger / selector / safety unit of the integral rifle component. The rifle component is a conventional, gas operated, rotary-bolt selective-fire weapon that uses M16-type magazines. Its layout is not dissimilar to the M16 or Korean K2 rifles. The trigger unit is a common part between the grenade launcher and rifle components, with a single safety/fire selector lever providing fire from the grenade launcher (single shots) or rifle (single shots or 3-shot bursts).

Showing some shared characteristics with the aborted American XM-29 OICW, the Korean Kll Dual-Caliber Airburst Weapon could be a high-tech force multiplier when issued two per rifle squad. Photo: courtesy Maxim Popenker

The third component is the includes a laser rangefinder, computer, and day (optical) and ballistic computer output is fed

electronic fire-control unit, which environmental sensors, ballistic night (IR) sighting channels. The to the electronic aiming reticle

(providing visible point of aim preset for proper range) and to the fuse-programming unit in the grenade launcher, which sets the 20mm grenade to explode at a specified range, above or to the side of the target, to provide maximum kill effect from the explosive, fragmenting warhead. Currently, two types of 20mm ammunition are specified for K11 grenade launcher: the K167 HE air-burst grenade and K168 TP target practice grenade. The rifle component can use any NATOstandard 5.56mm ammunition.

K11 Dual-Caliber Airburst Weapon

CHAPTER 56

Sweden

A

fter having adopted several Mauser bolt-action rifles beginning

in 1894, Sweden adopted the 6.5×55mm Ljungman semiautomatic rifle in 1942, as the AG42 and later the AG42B. Operated by direct gas, the Ljungman used a gas tube leading directly to the bolt carrier where the gas impinged directly against the carrier, which in turn caused the rifle’s prop-bolt to unlock. The direct gas system was later used by Eugene Stoner in the development of the original ArmaLite AR-10 rifle (refer to the ArmaLite/M16 Chapter elsewhere in this book). Sweden had also adopted the Browning Automatic Rifle in 1921 in 6.5×55mm. As redesigned in 1937, it became the Model 37 with the addition of a pistol grip and a quick-change barrel.

The FM 1956, FM 1957 & FM1957-60 In 1957, Eric Wallberg, of Kungliga Armory in Stockholm, designed several assault rifles based on the AG 42B Ljungman rifle. Made in both 6.5×55mm and 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester), these rifles retained the locking system and some features of the Ljungman, but used an above-the-barrel short stroke gas piston system instead of the Ljungman’s direct gas system.

The first of these rifles were the FM 1956 and FM 1957 made in 6.5×55mm. The third was the FM 1957-60, which was made in both 6.5×55mm and 7.62×51mm NATO. In addition to a straight stock design with a separate pistol grip and a 20-shot box magazine, both models had a “U” shape folding stock, the butt plate of which formed a vertical foregrip in the folded position. These rifles were made only in pre-production samples.

The GRAM 63 & 63B In 1963 Nilis Lunden, of Carl Gustav Stadt, designed an assault rifle called the Ak GRAM 63 and an improved variant called the GRAM 63B. Using an FN FAL type tilt bolt, the GRAM 63 rifles were made in 7.62×51mm NATO and used a 20-shot box magazine and a FN-type folding stock. The GRAM 63B is reported not to have been adopted for economic reasons. Thereafter, the West German G3 competed against the Galil and the FN FAL, but while the FAL won the tests, the G3 was selected because of its durability and its relatively inexpensive cost. The G3 became the Swedish AK-4.

The Swedish Ljungman Model AG42B semi-automatic rifle seen from the right side with its 10-shot magazine inserted.

The FM 1957 is seen from the right side with its 20-shot magazine inserted and folding stock extended.

Here the FM 1957 is seen with its folding stock folded.

The AK-4 After adopting the West German G3 as the AK-4 in 1964. Sweden fitted some of these rifles with the M203 40mm grenade launcher. Later variants were furnished with a M16-type carrying handle with a low-mounted optical sight where a hole in the front of the handle formed a see-through port for the optic. The AK-4 was also issued with a M203 40mm grenade launcher. For information on the G3 refer to the chapter on The Rollerlocks.

The AK-4 (G3) selective fire rifle is seen with a M203 40mm grenade launcher mounted and 20-shot magazine inserted.

The AK-4 is equipped with a combination carrying handle/optical sight mount with its optical sight mounted.

The Interdynamic MKS and MKR Rifles During the time Sweden issued the AK-4, the Swedish company, Interdynamic, developed two prototype rifles, the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) caliber MKS and the 4.5mm rimfire MKR. The MKS used the rear-mounted magazine as the pistol grip and the MKR was a bullpup in two variations. One had a unique horizontal magazine beneath the buttstock and the other used a conventional vertical magazine. Neither model was mass produced.

The fixed stock version of the Interdynamic MKS is seen from the left with its 25-shot magazine inserted. Inset: The MKS is seen from the left side field stripped.

The 5.56×45mm NATO Interdynamics horizontal feed MKR is seen from the left side with its horizontal 30-shot magazine inserted in the buttstock and its bayonet mounted.

The MKR vertical feed version is shown with its 30-shot magazine inserted.

The Swedish Galils In 1976, when Sweden was looking for a new assault rifle in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) caliber, it tested several variations of the Israeli Galil Rifle. The first was the Ak FFV 890. Nearly all components for the rifle were provided by Israel, but the barrel and a few small parts were made at Sweden’s FFV Ordnance factory. Among the Swedish components was the handguard system, which was of a pattern different from that of the Israeli Galil. A larger (winter) trigger guard was also used and the magazine release

protector was omitted, again, probably for better access while wearing gloves. The final variant tested was the FFV 890C, which differed mainly with a different set of hand-guards that covered the piston tube. A total of 200 FFV 890 C rifles were made for the Swedish trials from 1976 to 1980. When the rifle was not selected, about 190 samples were destroyed with a few remaining in the FFV Ordnance museum. For details on the Galil assault rifle refer to the chapter on Israel elsewhere in this book.

The 5.56×45mm NATO Ak FFV 890 assault rifle is seen from the left side with folding stock folded and 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the model designation plate on the receiver, the unique handguards, lack of the magazine catch protector and the enlarged trigger guard.

The FFV 890 C assault rifle is viewed from the right side with folding stock folded and 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the hand-guards that cover the piston tube.

The AK-5 Means of Controlling Operation:

Refer to the Means of Controlling Operation for the FNC assault rifle in the chapter on Belgium. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the Safety arrangements for the FNC assault rifle in the chapter on Belgium. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the Elementary Disassembly Procedure for the FNC assault rifle in the chapter on Belgium. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: For some years Sweden has issued its own upgraded variant of the FNC 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) assault rifle. Called the AK-5 in Sweden, this rifle is made by Saab Bofors Dynamics AB, of Eskisstuna, Sweden, under license from FN. The AK-5 amounts to a product improved FNC with different stock furniture, mounting capabilities and other features. A 30-shot NATO plastic magazine has also been developed. In addition to the standard AK-5 rifle are other models, as follows: AK-5B, a sniper variant of the AK-5 with a cheek rest and SUSAT 4X optical sight. AK-5C, the AK-5 rifle with M203 40mm grenade launcher. AK-5CF, a new sniper rifle with long M1913 top receiver rail, solid folding stock and vertical fore-grip.

AK-5D, a 10.3-inch (260mm) barrel carbine with top rail and optic, but no BUIS. CG AK-5 P, the AK-5D with BUIS (CG denotes Carl Gustaf). AK-5P, the CG A5 P in semi-automatic only with open sights only and modified buttstock for police use.

views of the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) AK-5 rifle with 30-shot magazine inserted and folding stock extended.

The AK-5B sniper rifle is viewed from the right side with stock extended and SUSAT optic mounted.

The AK-5CF is seen from the right side with stock extended and vertical foregrip, but without magazine.

The semi-automatic only AK-5P Police Model is seen with its stock extended and 30-shot magazine.

AK-5 / AK-5D

Swedish Dual Caliber Weapons For more than 30 years Forsvarets Materielverk (FMV), the procuring agency for the Swedish Armed Forces, has shown interest in dual caliber weapons, the first being the FFV “NIVA,” in 1970. Basically a 45mm recoilless gun, the “NIVA” also incorporated a short 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) rifle issued with a 20-shot M16 magazine. In 2004, FMV solicited designs for a new dual caliber weapon from several sources, two of which submitted designs for further study. Both dual caliber weapons, these guns are in development as part of Sweden’s Squad Support Weapon (SSW) Program, and are in essence in competition with one another. Called the Nammo SSW

and the STK SSW, one is from Nordic Ammunition, of Raufoss, Norway, and the other is from STK, of Singapore. Both weapons fire the FN-designed 5.7×28mm Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) cartridge from a selective-fire weapon system integral with a 40mm grenade launcher. While information on these designs is limited, both will use special red-dot range finding optics and employ polymer wherever possible in their construction. The Nammo SSW is semi-automatic, feeding from a 3-shot box magazine while the STK variant feeds from a horizontal tube that also serves as the cheekpiece. In the STK SSW the 40mm gun is semi-automatic. The 5.7mm system operates by blowback in both weapons and the STK SSW bears an obvious resemblance to the FN P7 and FN 2000 weapons.

The Swedish FFV NIVA Model 1970 dual caliber weapon seen from the right side with 20-shot M16 magazine inserted and 45mm recoilless round.

NAMMO SSW

STK SSW

CHAPTER 57

Switzerland

A

lthough Switzerland remained neutral through both World Wars,

it continued an aggressive arms development program to safeguard that neutrality. While it is not widely known, during WWII Swiss airspace was violated more than 6,000 times, and foreign aircraft attacked Switzerland at least 70 times. Swiss planes went into action some 500 times and a total of 26 invading aircraft were shot down with four Swiss airmen killed. In addition to planes and heavy weapons, Switzerland has continued to stay on the cutting edge of rifle development. Unique among the smaller nations in being practically selfsufficient, Switzerland not only designs and manufactures rifles for its own citizen army, but exports arms to other parts of the world. In addition to Waffenfabrik Bern, the Swiss federal arsenal, Switzerland has several private arms producers with international reputations. Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, of Neuhausen, a town on the Falls of the Rhine, is the main firm specializing in small arms. Translating in English to Swiss Industrial Company, this firm is commonly referred to as “SIG,” and was at one time partially owned by the great Swiss armament firm of Oerlikon, of Zurich. The other major Swiss arms company, Hispano-Suiza, now makes only largecaliber weapons.

Pre-World War II Developments Prior to World War II, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall of Germany was located at Solothurn. The Solothurn works developed a prototype semiautomatic rifle called the Heinemann that was entered in the United States Rifle Trials of 1929. Although the Heinemann rifle was never massed produced, the first such production of a military semi-automatic rifle anywhere in the world took place at SIG just prior to World War I. This was the Mondragon. Adopted by Mexico as the Model 1908, the basic rifle had been conceptualized and designed by General Manuel Mondragon, of the Mexican Army. His work began in 1882 and he patented the design in 1887: He was subsequently issued an American patent in 1907. Gasoperated using a long-stroke piston, the Mondragon had a locked breech. Since there were no facilities in Mexico to make the Mondragon rifle, arrangements were made to have it produced at SIG. The tides of war on two continents, however, would have the first combat use this autoloading shoulder arm by neither the country of its birth nor the country of its production, but by Germany. More complete information on design and production history of this visionary design is found in the Mexico chapter.

The SIG manufactured Mondragon semi-automatic rifle from the right side, with 30-shot drum magazine made by Germany for aircraft use in WWI. Photo courtesy James D. Julia Auctions.

Between the World Wars, SIG developed a new series of semiautomatic rifles. From 1924 to 1935, 14 variants were produced, the first six of which were recoil operated, called the KE rifles. The later group of eight rifles, known as the KEG rifles, was gas operated. This design used a short-stroke piston beneath the barrel and a tilting bolt. The letters, KEG, apparently referred to the last names of the designers, Hungarian born Pal Kiraly, G. End, and I. Gaetzi. The KEG was offered in several full-powered military calibers, but components had to be intricately machined and only a few KEG rifles were sold. When Germany mobilized in 1939, the Swiss Army was using the straight-pull bolt action Schmidt-Rubin rifle, but when France fell, the War Technical Administration was ordered to develop a modern rifle. In May of 1942, a test program was begun with three types of semiautomatic rifles. These included an improved variant of the KEG rifle, the N42; the Russian Tokarev rifle; and a recoil-operated rifle. However, in late 1944, before the test program was concluded, Waffenfabrik Bern was authorized to start a completely new development. This decision was based on more modern rifles the Swiss had seen being used by other armies during the war, and the assumption that even better designs were under development by other countries. A new gas operated semi-automatic rifle developed by Waffenfabrik Bern was called the AK44. Equipped with a 12-shot magazine, the AK44 could also mount a 4-power scope and was

conventional in appearance. Only a few examples had been made by the time the war ended In addition to the AK44 rifle, a conversion of the standard Schmidt-Rubin rifle was accomplished by adding a gas cylinder and piston alongside the barrel that attached to the bolt. However, it was also necessary to add a protective housing behind the action into which the bolt could recoil in order to protect the user. The converted rifle was awkward and unconventional in appearance, and only a few were made. In competition with the AK44, SIG developed a further improvement of the N42 rifle called the SK46. Designed by G. End, the SK46 was gas operated using a bolt that tilted upward in the rear. The semi-automatic SK46 rifle weighed more than 10 pounds, and was not a success, because the assault rifle concept had taken over in military circles. With the end of the war, the Swiss had time to study many new weapon designs. As a result, it was decided to stop all work on conventional semiautomatic rifles and to develop a true assault rifle.

The SK46 shown in cross section to illustrate tilting bolt.

The Furrer System Based on a 7.65×22mm (.30 Luger) the MP 1919 submachine gun designed by Col. Adolph Furrer, the MP 1920 used short recoil toggle system based on the German “Luger” pistol turned on its left side. It used a special, stepped magazine to accommodate its bottlenecked 7.65×35mm cartridge (seen at bottom in the accompanying photo). This is believed to have been one of the first steps in the evolution of another intermediate cartridge, the 7.65×38mm covered below.

The toggle-type action was used on the Luger pistol, the Maxim machine gun, and by the Swiss on their MP1919 submachine guns in caliber 7.62×22mm. It was also the basis for the experimental MP1920 and 1921 assault rifles in caliber 7.62×35mm. Photos and drawing: Courtesy Max Popenker

The MP 1920 evolved into the Furrer Model 1921, a highly modified and greatly enlarged selective-fire rifle with its magazine also protruding out the right side. The 7.65×38mm cartridge mentioned was headstamped T21 and was designed for the weapon that was to follow in the series, which did not reach mass production. According to noted authority, Anthony Williams, yet another Swiss 7.65×38mm cartridge appeared shortly after this round, but only in the form of unloaded cases and bullets. However, unlike the two cartridges for the Furrer weapon, this mysterious round had a pointed bullet. Images of all 3 of these rounds can be found in the Assault Rifle Ammunition Chapter.

A prototype of Adolph Furrer’s MP 1920 is seen from both sides and the top. It fired a 7.65×35mm bottneck cartridge.

The 7.65×22mm Furrer MP1919 SMG pictured here is similar to the scaled up MP 1920 in 7.65×35mm.

The Furrer Model 1921 assault rifle is seen from both sides and top without its magazine.

Waffenfabrik Bern Like most countries, the Swiss had differences of opinion, both technical and tactical, as to what characteristics would be embodied in an assault rifle. As a result, the development of a satisfactory weapon took some 10 years while a number of designs were tested

and abandoned. Both Waffenfabrik Bern and SIG worked on the program. Because requirements for a new rifle remained vague, Waffenfabrik Bern experimented with several types of assault rifles during the late 1940’s and in the early 1950’s, most of which were of bullpup design using side-mounted magazines. These rifles began with the Model 47 and Model 48, with the main emphasis on a number of variations bearing the designation, Model 50. The project culminated with the Model GP-11 of Project 1956. The main difference in these rifles was the cartridge they fired. The first variants were tested in special intermediate sized cartridges, one in 7.65mm and the other in 7.5mm. The final variant, the GP-11, was chambered for the full-size Swiss 7.5×55mm Swiss cartridge. All StGw 50 variants and the GP-11 were strongly influenced by the WW II German FG-42 rifle. Having apparently been made first, the Waffenfabrik Bern short rifle has been observed with serial numbers in the 100 to 200 range while the single long rifle variant known is numbered between 200 and 300. The finish and development noted on the two variants also differs with that of the short rifle variant being somewhat crude as compared with the highly refined long rifle variant. However, the breech mechanism of both types is similar.

The 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge (L) is seen with the 7.5×55mm Swiss and the 7.5×38mm Swiss cartridges (middle) and the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) on the right.

In the Bern rifles, a conventional long stroke gas piston is used with the bolt having only forward and rearward travel in the receiver. At the top rear of the bolt is a hinged lock controlled by the piston extension. When the breech is closed the lock pivots upward to engage an abutment in the receiver. When the piston moves rearward it cams the lock down, out of engagement before drawing the bolt to the rear.

An experimental bullpup assault rifle made by Waffenfabrik Bern after World War II.

The experimental bullpup seen from the left side. Note selector on buttstock.

The esperimental W-B bullpup assault rifle is seen here field stripped. It used a gas-retarded blowback system of operation.

An early prototype of the W-B short assault rifle that fired an intermediate 7.5mm cartridge.

In the Bern rifles, both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire are delivered from a closed bolt, and no hammer is employed. Instead, when firing is interrupted, the sear engages the piston extension after the bolt has been closed and locked, but before the piston has reached its firing position. When the sear has been disengaged, the final forward movement of the piston causes the extension to strike the firing pin, and this can only occur when the bolt is locked. As in the FG-42, both the long and short Bern rifles have folding front and rear sights, and are fed by box magazines inserted into the left side of the receiver. While the magazine of the short rifle is unique, that of the long variant seems to be the 30-shot magazine used with the Swiss Army Model 1925 Light Machine Gun. Both models were equipped with a bipod and flash suppressor, and the long rifle also had a grenade launcher and an ingenious permanently attached winter trigger that pivoted into operation. Both Bern assault rifles were made only in prototype and were probably used in field trials for comparison purposes.

The W-B Model 48 based on the CETME design is seen from left side with 30shot magazine folded.

The piston and bolt group of the W-B Model 50 series is seen here alone.

An StGw 50 variant with wood stock seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The StGw 50 with aluminum stock and muzzle brake.

An StGw 50 prototype with wood stock and full-length handguard.

An StGw 50 prototype with bipod and muzzle brake.

An StGw 50 prototype with steel frame buttstock and slidable bipod mount.

StGw 50 prototype on bipod with handguard and reinforced stock made of plastic

The final prototype, the GP-11 used a magazine mounted on the right side and was chambered for the full size Swiss 7.5×55mm cartridge.

The SIG AK 53 By 1953, after an initial prototype called the AK 52, SIG had completed development of its first assault rifle, the Automat Karabin, Model 1953 (AK 53). Unique among assault rifles, the AK 53 uses a

method operation like no other. In the AK 53 the barrel moves forward to open the breech. Although a gas piston actuates this movement, the force is applied indirectly by way of a spring. This acts as a buffer as well, reducing the cyclic rage of fire to about 350 shots per minute. Both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire is delivered from the closed bolt position, and most production guns were made to fire the standard 7.5×55mm Swiss cartridge. However other calibers were offered, and the AK 53 was even made in caliber .30 using the then new T65 case that went on to become the 7.62mm NATO round. As the bullet passes through the bore of the AK 53, the barrel remains mechanically locked to the breech as gas passes through a port near the muzzle. Here it impinges on a piston, driving it rearward to compress a coil spring. When the piston reaches its rear-most position, it engages an actuator tube. The spring then expands, and the piston moves forward, drawing the actuator tube with it, unlocking the barrel from the breech, and then moving the barrel forward. As the barrel continues forward, the empty cartridge case remains held in the extractors of the breech face and is thrown out by the ejector as the barrel reaches it forward-most position. A new cartridge is then fed up into the extractors in alignment with the bore as the actuator tube is disengaged from the barrel. During its forward movement, the barrel compresses a separate barrel-return spring. This spring now expands, pushing the barrel to the rear, chambering the new cartridge. As the barrel reaches the breech, the lock engages and the striker is cocked for the next shot. By turning the extension ring of the firing pin, the AK 53 is made SAFE, and the mechanism prevents the rifle from being fired when

the breech is not fully locked. With an overall length of 38.6 inches, the AK53 had a barrel 20.85 inches long and weighed 10 pounds with magazine. Although the AK 53 was not a commercial success, it represented a remarkable engineering accomplishment. Designers had been trying to use a forward-moving barrel system since the early days of automatic weapons. While several pistols were developed with forward-moving barrels, very few were made. While it was not sold in large numbers, the AK 53 catapulted SIG into the assault rifle field in the early 1950’s.

The prototype SIG AK53 7.5mm selective fire assault rifle seen from the left with 30-shot magazine.

The first production version of the AK 53 7.5mm assault rifle seen from the left and right sides.

The selective fire SIG AK 53 with a straight-line stock and muzzle brake. This rifle is chambered for the .30 caliber/T65 cartridge that became the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester).

The .30 caliber (7.62mm) SIG AK 53 is seen field stripped. Note the forward moving barrel system.

The third prototype 7.5mm AK 53 seen from the right with 30-shot magazine.

Viewed from the left side the AK 53’s takedown lever is seen on the forend.

The third prototype AK 53 with lightened magazine and bipod deployed.

The Swiss Retarded Blowbacks Because of the extensive detail of the journey of Ludwig Vorgrimler’s roller-locking design from World War II Germany to

France, to Spain, and back to Germany, the story of Switzerland’s roller-lock developments were not included in that chapter. In addition, SIG’s retarded blow-back system is a significant departure from the true roller-lock mechanism. In the early 1950’s, there existed a firm known as Rexim S.A., with offices in Geneva. While CETME, of Spain, was developing the unfinished German Sturmgewehr 45 (M) the Rexim company began development of an assault rifle called the DIREX. Following the basic principle of the StG 45 (M), the DIREX was of retarded blowback operation using twin roller-locks. Although there were minor differences from the CETME rifle, such as the location of the charging handle and recoil spring, the close relationship between it and the DIREX is apparent. The DIREX was made for the U.S. caliber .30 T65 (7.62×51mm NATO) cartridge. However, it is likely that no more than one or two prototypes were made, and the project was abandoned.

The SIG AM55/StG 57 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the trigger group, the selector is rotated all the way forward to allow full-automatic fire and to its middle position to provide semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector all the way to the rear blocks the trigger to prevent the rifle from being fired.

Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, allow the bolt group to go into battery. Push out the receiver pin at the rear of the trigger group from left to right, and pull the pistol grip down and to the rear to separate the lower receiver from the rifle. Then rotate the buttstock 90 degrees to free it and the recoil spring group from the upper receiver. Pull back on the cocking handle to unlock the bolt and pull the cocking handle to the rear until it can be removed from the side of the slot in the receiver. Then withdraw the bolt group from the rear of the receiver. No further disassembly is required. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Designed by during the early 1950’s, the heart of the AM55 was the improved delayed blowback, or half-locked breech mechanism developed by Rudolph Amsler, Technical Director of SIG. Combining aspects of gas operated locking mechanisms (such as that used in the Soviet RPD LMG) with the retarded blowback roller-lock, Amsler created a new retarded blowback system. Not a true roller-lock, the AM55 employed pivoting locking lugs with rounded ends like the rollers used in the StG 45 (M). Like the CETME, the lugs pivot out to each side to lock and force the tapered nose of the bolt body back to unlock. The design was meant to better accommodate variations in pressure of different loads. The AM 55 has a fluted chamber and fires from a closed bolt in both semi- and full-automatic. By reversing a part in the trigger group

the rifle can be limited to fire semi-automatic only. Made of sheet metal, the receiver is rectangular in cross section with a forged breechring containing the locking recesses welded in the front. Extending forward of the receiver is a perforated barrel jacket and both front and rear sights can be folded down when not in use. Consisting of two main parts, the bolt head and body are capable of only limited linear movement in relation to each other as the breech locks and unlocks.

The first prototype of the 7.5×55mm SIG AM55 seen from the left side. Note the left-side cocking handle.

The second prototype SIG AM55 from the right side with 30-shot magazine and open trigger guard to accommodage mittens. This rifle has top ejection.

Seen from the left side, the second prototype AM55 retains the left-side cocking handle.

The third prototype AM55, without magazine, has the cocking handle on the right side and a fixed carrying handle. A bipod is mounted on the gas block with the bayonet lug moved to the rear of the muzzle brake, and the ejection port on the right side.

The third AM 55 prototype seen from the left side with its prominent carrying handle and simplified rear sight.

An experimental FN FAL assault rifle made in 7.5×55mm Swiss caliber for evaluation. Note the angled butt stock, more vertical pistol grip, curved magazine and bipod.

An AM 55 prototype with straight cocking haldle, rubber buttstock and unusual muzzle brake.

The AM55 rifle in 7.52×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) with straight cocking handle tested by Aberdeen Proving Ground in October, 1956.

The AM55 7.62mm NATO test rifle seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine and bipod.

The 7.62mm NATO SIG AM55 rifle seen field stripped.

An early production AM55 rifle with modified forend and experimental muzzle brake.

The production SIG AM55 rifle in 7.5×55mm Swiss with 24-shot magazine and bipod deployed.

In 1957, the Swiss Army adopted the AM 55 with minor modifications including changing the round holes in the barrel jacket to slots. Designated as the Stgw 57, this variant also had a metal handguard and hard rubber buttstock to absorb recoil, especially when launching rifle grenades. The Stgw 57 can use either a standard 24-shot magazine or the curved 30-shot magazine used in the Model 1925 Swiss Light Machinegun. Although the Swiss Army abbreviates the word, sturmgewehr (assault rifle) as Stgw, SIG uses only the letters SG for this designation, and catalogs the Stgw 57 as the SG510-0. Variations of the SG510-0 include the following: SG510-1: 1959. Essentially the Stgw 57 in 7.62×51mm NATO using a 20-shot magazine. This rifle was made in prototype only for testing by the U.S. Army SG510-2: 1960. A lightweight variant of the SG510-1 made for testing by Sweden and Holland. SG510-3: 1961. A special variant of the SG510 series in 7.62×39mm (M43) using a 30-shot magazine, and made for testing by Finland. SG510-4: 1961. A special contract production of the SG510-2 made by Beretta, of Italy for the Chilean Army. SG510-5: 1965. A special variant of the 510 series in 30-06 (.30 M2) caliber for testing by the Mexican Army. SIG-AMT: 1969. A special sporting semi-automatic only variant of the SG510-4 using a 6- or 20-shot magazine.

SG510-6: 1981. A final prototype of the SG510 series in 7.5×55mm Swiss for the purpose of testing modifications to the Stgw 57 during the evaluation of various assault rifles by the GRD.

The production SIG StG 57 assault rifle seen from the right with bipod folded.

The SIG StG 57 from the left side with bipod deployed in its forward position.

The SIG StG 57 from the left with bipod deployed in its rear position and the AN-PVS4 night vision scope mounted.

The SIG StG 57 rifle from the left side with bipod deployed in its rear position and sniper scope mounted.

The StG 57 assault rifle field stripped.

The StG 57 rifle totally disassembled.

The standard SIG SG510-1 assault rifle in 7.5×55mm from the left without magazine.

The prototype lightweight SIG SG510-2 rifle in 7.5×55mm seen from the left without magazine. This rifle was tested by Holland and Sweden, but never sold in quantity.

A rare production SIG SG510-3 assault rifle in 7.62×39mm (M43) seen from the right with 30-shot magazine. This rifle was made for testing by Finland, but was never sold in quantity.

The SIG SG510-3 7.62×39mm rifle seen from the left. Note the bipod stored above the handguard.

The production SG510-2 in 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) built for testing by Holland and Sweden seen from the right.

The production SG510-2 rifle seen from the left sight.

AM 55/Stgw 57 and SG510-4

The production SIG SG510-4 rifle in 7.62×51mm NATO seen from the right with 20-shot magazine. This rifle was built for export to Latin American countries.

The SIG SG510-4 seen from the left with bipod deployed.

The SIG SG510-4 rifle seen from the right with bipod deployed and bayonet fixed.

The SG510-4 seen from the left with bipod deployed and sniper scope mounted.

The SG510-4 rifle seen from the left field stripped.

The SIG SG510-4 seen disassembled.

The semi-automatic 7.62×51mm NATO SIG AMT rifle seen from the right with 10-shot magazine and telescopic sight.

The SIG AMT rifle seen from the left side.

The receiver of the SIG AMT is seen in cross-section.

The SIG AMT rifle is seen in cross-section.

The SIG SG530 and 530-1 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the lower receiver, the selector is rotated all the way forward to allow full automatic fire, and is rotated back to its middle position to provide semi-automatic fire. On later variants, moving the selector to the position marked “3,” allows 3-shot burst fire.

Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to its rearmost position marked “S,” blocks the trigger to prevent the rifle from firing. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, push in the receiver catch at the top rear of the receiver and pivot the stock and trigger housing assembly down similar to the M16 rifle. Then withdraw the recoil spring assembly, bolt and operating rod/bolt carrier and piston. The firing pin assembly can then be removed from the bolt. By removing the hinge pin the upper and lower receiver groups can be separated, and by unscrewing the handguard screws, the handguard can be removed. No further disassembly is required. To reassemble, reverse the procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 1967, after ending its joint .223 assault rifle effort with Beretta, of Italy, SIG developed a new assault rifle chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge. Called the SG530, this rifle is constructed largely of sheet metal pressings like the SG510 series. Using a hinge design like the FN FAL, M16 and other rifles, the SG530, retains the roller-type locking system of the SIG 510 Series. Later, extensive modifications were indicated by the suffix, 1. These rifles were unique in that they used a short-stroke gas piston in addition to the roller-locking system. Stock furniture is of high impact plastic in the production 530-1 rifle and a 30-shot magazine is also standard. A folding metal stock was also offered as

well as a scope mount. A variant of the SG530-1 (SG530-2) in 7.62×39mm (M43) was also made in very limited numbers. In 1968, the SG530-1 was produced with a 3-shot burst mechanism. The SG530-1 was the first 5.56×45mm NATO caliber rifle designed to replace the Stgw 57 rifle, but was not successful, and was superceded by the SG540 design in 1971.

The prototype gas operated SIG SG530 assault rifle in 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber seen from the right with 20-shot magazine and folding stock folded. Note the wooden handguard.

The prototype SIG SG530 rifle seen from the left with stock extended.

The prototype SIG SG530 rifle is seen here with grenade launcher mounted.

The prototype SIG SG530 rifle is seen with bayonet fixed.

The prototype SIG SG530 rifle is seen field stripped.

The rare 1967 prototype 7.62×39mm (M43) SG530-2 assault rifle seen from the right with 30-shot magazine and folding stock.

The prototype SIG SG530-2 rifle seen from the left side.

The 1968 prototype SIG SG530-1 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle seen from the right with 30-shot magazine and fixed wooden stock and forend.

The prototype SIG SG530-1 fixed wooden stocked rifle seen from the left.

The SIG SG530-1 5.56×45mm NATO rifle with synthetic stock and 30-shot magazine seen from the right.

The SIG SG530-1 synthetic stocked rifle seen from the left.

The SG530-1 5.56×45mm NATO rifle is seen field stripped.

The SIG SG530-1 rifle seen from the right with 30-shot magazine and folding stock extended.

The SIG SG530-1 from the left side with folding stock extended.

SG530-1

The SIG SG540 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the lower receiver, the selector is rotated to the position marked “1” for semi-automatic fire, to the position marked “3,” for 3-shot burst fire, and to the position marked “20” for full automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector all the way back to the position marked “S” blocks the sear to make the rifle SAFE. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure that the chamber is empty, put the selector on the SAFE position. Then, with the breech closed, slide back the grooved catch on the bolt carrier and pull out the cocking handle. Now push out the rear locking pin in the trigger housing from left to right until it stops. Swing open the upper and lower receivers. Note: If the bolt is locked back it will automatically close when the receivers are opened. Push down on the grooved locking lever on the side of the bolt carrier and pull out the cocking handle. Now tip up the muzzle and catch the bolt group as it slides out the rear. Turn and remove the bolt from the carrier. While depressing the spring loaded firing pin, push out the retaining pin in the bolt, and

withdraw the firing pin and spring. Push out the forward locking pin and separate the upper and lower receivers. Using the cocking handle, insert it into the recess in the rear of the lower handguard and unlock the guard to remove it. Turn the slotted head of the front sight base lock 180 degrees, pull the base forward and rotate it to clear the piston. Then remove the piston, recoil spring and gas cylinder forward from the gas block. Lift off the top handguard. No further disassembly is necessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With the termination of the SG530 program, SIG developed a new rifle that more closely resembled the Beretta AR70 in operation. Called the SG540, the new series signaled the second major shift in the design of SIG assault rifles, for, like the Beretta AR70 series, future SIGs would use a locking system that was a refinement of that commonly attributed to Mikhail T. Kalashnikov in the AK-47. While this locking system actually first appeared in the Czech ZK420-S rifle in 1942, its great proliferation and its proven reliability, no doubt, had a major influence on its being chosen by SIG. As already noted, the SG540 family bears a strong resemblance to the Beretta AR70, both in appearance and design. However, significant differences exist between the two in the firing mechanism, disassembly procedure, sights, and stock. Like the AR70, the SG540 was made with both fixed and folding stocks. While early prototypes had wooden furniture, production rifles have stocks of high impact plastic with tubular folding stocks made of metal.

The SG540 has three gas settings, one to close off the gas, one for normal use, and one for fouled conditions. The selector settings are visible through a port in the trigger housing, and a device called a pressure point is incorporated to the rear of the trigger. While the pressure point amounts to a spring-loaded plunger, it is not a trigger return spring, but comes into play to soften both the trigger pull and overtravel. While the SG540 was submitted to the Swiss Military, it was not adopted there, but the rifle generated great interest from other countries. However, since Swiss law is quite restrictive on exporting military weapons, SIG licensed Manurhin (Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin), of Mulhouse, France, to produce the SG540 for export (refer to the chapter on France). The countries that use the Frenchmade SG540 include the following: Bolivia, Lebanon, Central African Republic, Mauritius, Ecuador, Nigeria, French Foreign Legion, Oman, French Police (also SG543), Paraguay, Indonesia, Seychelles, Jordan, Swaziland

Sporting Variants In addition to assault rifles, Manurhin also developed semiautomatic only sporting models based on the SG540. Called the FSA MR and CSA MR, these rifles were chambered for the .222 Remington and .243 Winchester cartridges. Besides having no provision for full-automatic fire, these sporting rifles had no flash hider, would not accept a bayonet, and came without a bipod, but were otherwise nearly identical to the SG540.

The 1971 first prototype SIG SG540 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle with early receiver from seen from right side with 30-shot magazine and bipod folded. The SG540 series saw the beginning of the AK type rotating bolt.

The prototype SIG 540 rifle seen from the left side.

The 1972 second prototype SIG SG540 5.56×45mm NATO rifle with wooden buttstock seen from the left.

The 1973/74 third prototype SG540 5.56×45mm NATO rifle seen from the right with standard length barrel, early folding stock and 20-shot magazine.

The third prototype SG540 rifle with early folding stock seen from the left side.

A 1977 SG540 5.56×45mm NATO rifle with folding stock, short barrel, fullautomatic selector lock and 50-shot drum magazine seen from the right.

The 1977 SG540 with the late folding stock, short barrel and 50-shot drum seen from the left.

The 1976 trials SIG SG540 5.56×45mm NATO rifle with synthetic fixed stock and 25-shot magazine seen from the right.

The 1976 trials SG540 with 30-shot magazine and bipod folded seen from the left.

The French-made SIG-MANURHIN FSA MR semi-automatic sporting rifle SG540 type .222 Remington (5.56×43mm) seen from left with plain barrel, no bipod and 10-shot magazine. The CSA MR model was made in .243 Winchester (6×52mm).

The French SIG-MANURHIN FSA MR semi-automatic SG540 type (above) with scope and the CSA MR version, both with 20-shot magazines.

SG540

The SIG SG541 Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the SG540, taking note that the selector for the SG541 is ambidextrous. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the SG540. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the SG540. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 1973, with a number of improvements, the SG540 evolved into the SG541. Foremost among these improvements was a modified gas block that is one with the front sight base. The handguards are correspondingly modified and are described in depth in the SG550 rifle elsewhere in this section. The SG541 uses a folding plastic stock, a plastic magazine, night sights and a modified ambidextrous selector. In addition to these features, the SG541 retains most of those established in the SG540 series. Since it is the SG541that has had the most impact with the Swiss Military, a more detailed description of the rifle is appropriate, remembering that much of it applies to the entire SG540 series. While the SG541 uses the basic AK bolt design, it is so advanced that recognition almost requires a second look. In addition,

unlike the AK, in which the recoil spring is placed behind the bolt, and uses a separate guide, the SIG’s recoil spring is forward of the bolt where it runs around the gas piston. As such, the SIG’s recoil spring pulls the bolt forward, allowing more room behind it, resulting in a shorter receiver. The SG541’s receiver itself is a stamping into which a forged and machined barrel extension is welded at the front. This breech contains the locking lugs for the bolt, the feed ramp, receiver hinge, scope base, threaded barrel hole, and the locking seat for the gas piston tube. Extending back from the rear of this breech along the inner sides of the receiver are two machined steel channels also welded in place. These guide the two locking lugs of the bolt as it moves back and forth. Made by Hammerli, of Lensburg, Switzerland (a subsidiary of SIG), the barrel of the SG541 is entirely cold hammer forged of stainless steel that is then blackened. Integral with the barrel is its slotted 22mm flash suppressor behind which are two 22mm bands to support rifle grenades. Behind these is the gas block that is permanently pinned to the barrel. This contains the front sight and flip-up night sight, the opening for the gas piston tube and the bayonet lug. The SG541 can accept a number of different bayonets. The piston of the SG541 uses a captive operating spring and protrudes through the spring from the rear and into the bolt carrier. Here a key way in the operating rod mates with one in the carrier, and the two are locked together by the cocking handle as it passed through them. Coated with a soft polymer, the cocking handle has a cushioning effect should it have to be struck by the palm of the hand to close the bolt. Locked in place by a spring-loaded lever on the side

of the carrier, the cocking handle, bolt and piston assemblies reciprocate together. The upper handguard of the SG541 is held at the front by a recess in the gas block. The lower handguard also enters the gas block, but in doing so, it slides forward where three sets of “L” shaped protrusions interlock with corresponding slots in the upper guard. The lower handguard is thus held in its forward, locked position by the front hinge pin. A key way molded into the lower handguard houses a bipod similar to that used with the German G3 rifle. The diopter rear sight also resembles that of the G3. The SG541 uses an interesting method of preventing debris from entering the ejection port. Consisting of durable soft polymer, special lips or curtains are riveted to the upper and lower portions of the slot through which the cocking handle passes as it reciprocates with the bolt. As the handle moves, it separates and passes between the curtains after which they again close, preventing excessive fouling from entering the port. An ambidextrous AK-type magazine release is powered by a coil torque spring, the opposite end of which is bent to protrude to the rear. Here it serves as the detent for the trigger guard that pivots to either side if the rifle is to be used with mittens. The SG541’s 3-shot burst has no memory, and begins the 3-shot cycle each time the trigger is pulled even if less than 3 shots were fired on the previous pull. The synthetic buttstock is skeletonized to grasp the stock when using the bayonet, and all plastic parts are rendered in military green. Except for the barrel, most exposed metal parts are coated with an olive gray polymer finish that helps make the rifle difficult to detect with night vision devices.

Experimental Calibers From 1973 to 1980 various experiments with new intermediate length assault rifle cartridges were carried out by the Swiss Military. These tests concluded with a Swiss improved 5.56×45mm cartridge called the 5.6mm Eiger, the 6.35mm NSK (New Swiss Caliber), and a 6.45mm cartridge. Where SIG was involved, it was the SG541 that was the platform for these experiments. The 5.6mm Eiger was selected as the GP90 (Gewehr Patrone 1990), or Rifle Cartridge 90. The GP90 uses a special steel jacketed projectile weighing 63 grains, and has been designed to provide improved accuracy at extended ranges. In the SG550 Sniper Rifle (described below) the GP90 round has grouped into just over 2 inches at 300 meters, with half the shots grouping into just over one inch. The new cartridge is produced at the Munitionsfabrik in Thun. In the fall of 1983, the SG541 was adopted by the Swiss Military as the Stgw 90 (Sturm Gewehr 1990), or Assault Rifle 1990. However, this rifle was superceded by the SG550 discussed below.

The rare first prototype SIG SG510-6 was one of 12 rifles built in 1981 for comparison testing. This rifle is in 7.5×55mm Swiss caliber.

The second prototype StG SG544 assault rifle in 7.5mm with 24-shot magazine seen from the right.

The second prototype StG SG544 7.5mm Swiss rifle is seen from the left.

The 1976 prototype SIG SG541 5.56×45mm NATO assault carbine with short barrel, 25-shot magazine and standard length handguard is seen from the right.

The 1976 prototype short barreled SIG SG541 is seen from the left side.

The 1973 prototype short barreled SG541 with 20-shot magazine and early folding stock is seen from the right.

The 1973 prorotype SG541 carbine is seen from the left.

One of only six made of the first prototype SG541 6.35mm NSK (New Swiss Caliber) assault rifles seen from the right with 25-shot magazine, and folding stock extended.

The SG541 6.35mm NSK seen from the left side.

The first of 73 prototype SG541 6.45×48mm NSK assault rifles seen from the right with 25-shot plastic magazine and stock extended.

The SIG SG541 6.45×48mm NSK rifle seen from the left.

The first prototype of 32 SIG SG541 6.45×48mm NSK assault carbines built in 1980 with 25-shot magazine.

The prototype SG541 6.45×48mm NSK assault carbine from the left side.

The first of 6 prototype SG541 5.6×45mm GP82 NSK assault rifles seen from the right side with 20-shot plastic magazine.

The prototype SG541 5.6×45mm NSK GP82 seen from the left.

The SG541 NSK shown in an exploded drawing.

An early SG541 seen field stripped.

SG541

The SIG SG542 Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the SG540. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the SG540. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the SG540.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 1974, SIG designed the SG542. Amounting to a scaled up variant of the SG540, the SG542 is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, and was developed as a sister rifle to the SG540 in case the Swiss Military decided to retain the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge as standard issue. Other than caliber and size differences, the two rifles are identical. As with the SG540, the SG542 was made by Manurhin, of France, and was used by the French Foreign Legion in Chad (refer to the chapter on France). The SG542 is also used in Chile where is was manufactured by FAMAE (Fabricaciones Militares Santiago). Like the SG540, Manurhin developed a semi-automatic only sporting variant of the SG542 assault rifle for hunting and target shooting. Called the CSA MR, this rifle was offered in various military calibers, and lacked a flash hider, bayonet lug and bipod.

Seen from the right side is the SIG SG542 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) caliber test rifle assembled from spare parts imported from Manurhin S.A., of France, in 1974.

The SIG-Manurhin SG542 7.62×51mm NATO test rifle seen from the left side.

The SIG-Manurhin SG542 7.62×51mm NATO test rifle with sniper scope mounted.

The SIG-Manurhin SG542 7.62×51mm NATO test rifle opened with bolt group, cocking handle and magazine removed.

The SIG-Manurhin SG542 test rifle field stripped.

The SIG-Manurhin SG542 test rifle seen in an exploded drawing.

SG542

The SIG SG543

Designed in 1973, the SG543 was a shortened variant of the SG540 designed to provide a weapon of superior performance to fill the submachine gun role in close quarter combat. The SG543 operates and field strips exactly like the SG540 and other rifles in this family. Being extremely compact and having a folding stock, the SG543 was also well suited where space was at a premium such as in helicopters and armor. The SG543 was also well received by police agencies. Like some other SIG rifles, the SG543 was made by Manurhin, of France for international sales. See the chapter on France for further information.

SIG-Manurhin SG541 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle with fixed stock and folding stocks, the SG543 5.56×45mm assault carbine (bottom). The SG543 is the SG541 with a short barrel.

The 1976 prototype SIG-Manurhin 5.56×45mm assault carbine with late folding stock and narrow flash suppressor and 30-shot magazine.

The Infantry Version SG543 with late folding stock and wide flash suppressor, 20-shot magazine and selector lock seen from the right.

The Infantry Version SG543 seen from the left.

SG543

The SIG SG550 (Stgw 90) Series Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the means of controlling operation for the SG540 with the additional information about the ambidextrous selector, and the selector limiter of the SG550. The limiter prevents the selector from being moved from the 3-shot burst position to the full-automatic position until the limiter is first pivoted out of the way. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the safety arrangements for the SG540. Elementary Disassembly Procedure:

Refer to the elementary disassembly procedure for the SG540. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: In 1981, the SG541 underwent further minor modifications. These included eliminating one of the rifle grenade supports from the barrel, and providing a means of attaching up to three of the transparent plastic magazines together. This is accomplished by male and female connectors, one set molded on either side of the magazine body. By positioning the upper connectors of two magazines and swinging the bottoms into a snapped/locked mode, one of two spare magazines can be carried alongside the one in the magazine well. A plastic cap can be used to keep debris out of an exposed magazine until needed. The new modifications to the SG541 brought with them the new designation of SG550. As mentioned above, an additional modification on the SG550 is an ambidextrous selector and a selector limiter that pivots just forward of the receiver locking pin to prevent the selector from going to full-automatic from the 3-shot burst position. Only by pivoting the limiter can the selector be moved to the full-automatic position. The current SG550 also has a removable front sight. While additional minor changes may continue to be made to the rifle, it is the SG550 that has become the Stgw 90 for the Swiss Military. All variants of the SG550 are available with a rifling twist of 1-in-10-inches or 1-in-7inches. As such, they carry the designation of SG550-1, or SG550-2 respectively. Designed for both the standard issue SG550 rifle and the SG551 is the SIG GL5040/5140 40mm grenade launcher. By replacing the lower handguard with a special mounting system, these rifles can be

equipped with a 40mm grenade launcher similar to the U.S. M203 system used on the M16 and other rifles.

The SIG SG550 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) assault rifle from the right side with two 20-shot magazines coupled. The SG550 was adopted by the Swiss Army as the StGw 90.

The SIG SG550 5.56×45mm NATO semi-automatic sporting rifle seen from the left side with loaded 20-shot magazine, sling and bipod deployed.

The SIG SG550 PE 5.56×45mm NATO semi-automatic-only sporter made for Swiss civilian consumption seen from the left with accessories.

The SG550 SP with three 20-shot magazines coupled, telescopic sight mounted and bipod deployed.

The late model SG550 assault rifle field stripped with accessories shown.

The SIG SG550 Sniper Rifle In 1989, SIG produced 200 SG550 Sniper Rifles for the Swiss Ministry of Defense. This rifle is derived from the SG550 (Stgw 90) Assault Rifle, but is capable of semi-automatic fire only. Fitted with a long, heavy barrel, the rifle also comes with a target trigger, a heavy bipod and a folding stock that has an adjustable cheekpiece and buttplate. The pistol grip is adjustable for angle and has a sliding butt cap to allow adjustment in height. Devoid of open sights, the SG550 Sniper Rifle accepts only optical sights and is issued with the Zeiss Diavari-Z 2.5-10X magnification telescopic sight, or the Pikkington PE Kite MkIV Night Vision Sight. The rifle is issued to Swiss Army Special Forces units and police weapons teams, and is offered for export as well.

The SG550 5.56×45mm NATO Sniper Rifle seen from the right with 20-shot magazine, bipod and sniper scope mounted.

SG550 Sniper Rifle

The SIG SG551 Assault Carbine In addition to the standard SG550, SIG offers a shortened carbine variant called the SG551. Featuring a barrel that is shorter by

6.5 inches, the SG551 is not capable of launching grenades and will not accept a bayonet or bipod, but is otherwise identical to the SG550. The SG551 was designed to fill roles where storage is a prime consideration. Its size renders it an assault carbine.

The SIG SG550 and SG551 Sporting Models Shortly after the introduction of the SG550 Assault Rifle, SIG designed a semi-automatic only sporting variant in both the SG550 and SG551 variants, with the SG551 sporter having a barrel 16 inches long. In the SG550 sporter the rifle grenade support ring is modified and the gas block has no bayonet mount. Other small differences in the trigger housing are also seen. Some 250 SIG SG550 and SG551 Sporters were imported into the United States prior to the import ban of 1989, and can be found with both rifling twists.

The SG551LB short version/long barrel assault rifle with 20-shot magazine seen from left.

The SIG Special Kommando version of the StGw 90 short model (SG551) from the left with 30-shot magazine, no front sight and special tritium powered optical sight mounted.

The SG550 semi-automatic only sporting rifle field stripped.

The SIG SG551-1P and SG551-SWAT In addition to military interest, the SG550 and SG551 have been well received with law enforcement agencies as they have continued to evolve and be improved. One notable improvement is in a reinforcement of the magazine well area of the lower receiver, and this change is reflected in all new SG550 variants. Other subtle changes will be noticed in the handguards, but those connected with new designations are most notable. These include the SG551-1P and SG551 SWAT models that made their debut in 2000. First introduced with standard olive green stocks, the SG551-1P came with a clip-on synthetic cheekpiece and a Hensoldt 6×42 BL scope with a balatite illuminated reticule. The designation 1P refers to the 1-in-10 inch rifling and Police. However, with black preferred by most tactical units, the stock furniture of the SG551-1P was soon changed to this color. Not long after the introduction of the black

SG551-1P came the SG551-SWAT. As with all variants of the SG551, these are classed as assault carbines. Also furnished with black stocks, the SG551-SWAT came with a special bipod mount integral with the bottom of the gas block that accepts SIG’s heavy bipod. In addition, the SSG551-SWAT is offered with a special lower handguard with special mounts for a flashlight. Along with Hensoldt optics, the SG551-SWAT can be had with the Trijicon Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG). Later on the SG551-SWAT was modified to include bases on the sides of the upper handguard for tactical lights lasers, and a lower handguard with an additional bipod mount beside the one on the gas block. A special variant of the ACOG Reflex II sight is also offered for this weapon. Aside from all their special features, the SG551-1P and SG551SWAT are merely variations of the SG551 carbine.

This 7.62×39mm (M43) SIG 551 assault rifle is seen from the right with a Trijicon 4×32mm ACOG Optic and an AK-47-Type 30-shot magazine inserted.

SG550 Assault Rifle and SG551Assault Carbines

The SIG SG552 Commando and SG552 Commando (SOC) Assault Carbines In 2000 SIG introduced an even shorter variation of the SG5511P. Called the SG552 Commando, this weapon has an 8.9-inch barrel and correspondingly shorter gas piston and handguards. It also has a modified cocking handle. Furnished with the standard with black stocks and cheekpiece of the SG551-1P and SWAT models, the SG552 Commando also uses the same optics.

In 2001, SIG added yet another variation called the SG552 Commando Special Operations Capable (SOC). An 8.9-inch barrel variant of the SG551-SWAT model, this weapon has the light/laser mounts on the sides of its upper hand-guard. In addition, the SG552 Commando (SOC) is equipped with an M1913 Picatinny rail that will accept virtually any optical sight system to make this weapon viable well into the 21st Century. In March, 2002, the U.S. Military’s elite Delta Force reportedly purchased 500 SIG552 Commando SOC assault carbines for testing. Consideration is also being given to producing the SIG550 series in the US.

This SIG Model 552 carbine is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine, folding stock extended and holographic sight mounted.

The new SG553 LB with its equally new GL5340 40×46mm grenade launcher.

Where the post SG510 Swiss Assault Rifles are concerned, except for the SG530-1, all subsequent models use essentially the same construction and mechanism. A summation of the post SG510 Swiss assault rifles is as follows: SG530-1. 1967. The first variant of a lightweight 5.56×45mm NATO rifle to replace the Stgw 57. SG530-1. 1968. The SG530 with a 3-shot burst mechanism. SG530-2. 1967. The SG530 in 7.62×39mm (M43). SG540. 1971. The first prototype in the development of a new gas operated 5.56×45mm NATO caliber weapons family using an AK-type bolt. SG540. 1972. The second prototype in the series, this one with a 3shot burst mechanism. SG540. 1977. A grenadier variant of the SG540 using a 50-shot drum magazine. Ten rifles were tested in 1977. SG541. 1973. The improved SG540 chambered for the new Swiss 5.56×45mm cartridge (the 5.6mm Eiger V 7/2) made at the Munitionsfabrik in Thun. This SG540 was adopted by the GRD in 1973. SG541. 1976. The prototype rifle issued with a 25-shot magazine for use with the new 5.6mm Eiger V 11/2 Swiss cartridge.

SG541. 1978. Six prototypes chambered for the 6.35mm NSK (New Swiss Caliber) GP80 (Gewehr Patrone 1980), and issued with a 3shot burst and a 25-shot magazine. SG541. 1979/80. Six prototypes using the GP82 5.6mm Eiger Gewehr Patrone 82 (Rifle Cartridge 1982). SG541. 1980. Prototype series 1980 6.45mm rifle made in both standard and short models with 25-shot magazine and 3-shot burst. A Total of 105 rifles were tested in both types were issued for testing in 1980. SG541. 1981. Final version of the SG541 when the new 5.6mm Eiger Swiss cartridge was adopted. total of 105 of these rifles were tested in both short and standard variants with 30-shot magazine and 3-shot burst. SG542. 1974. The SG540 series in 7.62×51mm NATO caliber SG543. 1976. A short-barreled assault carbine variant of the 5.56×45mm NATO SG540 with a folding stock and 3-shot burst. SG544. 1977. A SG540 prototype in 7.5×55mm Swiss with a 24-shot magazine. SG550. 1981. An improved SG541 that was adopted by the Swiss Army as the Stgw 90. SG550 Sniper Rifle. 1989. A highly specialized heavy barrel variant of the SG550.

SG551. 1981. An assault carbine variant of the SG550. SG551-1P. 1998. A special variant of the SG551 with black stock furniture designed for police units. SG551-SWAT. 1999. A special variant of the SG551-1P assault carbine with bipod and light mounts. SG552 Commando. 2000. A shorter variant of the SG551-1P assault carbine. SG552 Commando (SOC). 2001. A special variant of the SG551SWAT with M1913 type Picatinny rail. SG553. Essentially the SG552 with a M1913 top rail.

SG552 Commando and SG552 Commando (SOC) Assault Carbines

Waffenfabrik-Bern

Beginning in 1970, Waffenfabrik-Bern (W+B) began development of a number of assault rifle designs in competition with SIG. Included among these designs were rifles based on the M16, Stoner, and AK, in both 6.45×48mm and 5.56×45mm NATO (or 5.6mm Eiger). The 6.45×48mm was a true intermediate size cartridge with a head the same size as the 7.62mm NATO round and excellent performance. Consisting of both conventional and bullpup designs, the W+B program culminated in the SG E22/C42. Made largely of stamped sheet metal, this rifle used a long stroke gas piston and a simplified AK type bolt group. Made in both fixed and folding stock variants, it used a 30-shot box magazine and a straight line stock design. None of these weapons saw series production.

The Waffenfabrik-Bern E22/C42 5.56×45mm NATO caliber experimental assault rifle from the right side with 30-shot magazine and folding stock extended.

The Waffenfabrik-Bern experimental bullpup 5.56×45mm assault rifle seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

An experimental 5.56×45mm NATO rifle and carbine (below) are seen from the right side with 30- and 20-shot magazines.

The SIG 556 Series In 2006 SIG USA became SIG-Sauer, and began making a variant of the SIG 550/552 series in its plant in New Hampshire.

Called the 556 Series, this new family is as different from its predecessor as it is alike. While the entire bolt/gas piston group of the 556 Series is interchangeable with the SIG 550/552 rifles, almost nothing else is. In addition to using a lower receiver group that accepts the M16 (NATO) magazine, this part of the rifle also uses a standard M16 type retractable buttstock. The upper receiver, while identical to its predecessors on the inside, has an M1913-style rail on top and the standard 556 model has an entirely redesigned handguard. A Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) variant with a longer barrel and fully adjustable Magpul Sniper Stock and Harris Bipod is also offered, as is another called the 556 SWAT. This variant sports a 3-rail handguard with a folding front sight and a Magpul buttstock. A stockless “pistol” variant of the 556 is also offered. In addition to the new SIG-Sauer 556 rifles are a number of accessories, such as a holographic sight, vertical foregrip with light and a SIG-Sauer M16style magazine. The 556 Series is offered in both semi-automatic only and selective fire and, other than noted above, share the characteristics of their 550/552 series counterparts.

The 5.56×45mm NATO SIG Model 556 Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) is seen from the right with Magpul sniper stock, scope, 30-shot magazine and Harris bipod folded.

The 5.56×45mm NATO SIG 556 SWAT Model is seen from the right with 30-shot magazine and quad rail handguard.

The new SIG556 SWAT SB with full-length M1913 top rail.

The 5.56×45mm NATO SIG 556 Classic Model is seen from the right with SIG Red Dot optic and 30-shot magazine.

The SIG556 with new SIG GL5640 40×46mm grenade launcher.

The 5.56×45mm NATO SIG Model 556 Semi-Automatic Competition Model (SCM) is seen from the right with 10-shot magazine inserted.

The SIG556C Classic is shown with auxiliary M1913 rails on handguards, SIG/Sauer Red Dot optic and dual 30-shot magazines.

In late 2009, SIG announced a new series of the 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington) M16 type rifles. Called the SIG516, this family is of conventional piston operation and includes a short barrel CQB version seen here.

CHAPTER 58

Taiwan

The Type 57 Assault Rifle Means of Controlling Operation Refer to the Means of Controlling Operation for the M14 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the Safety Arrangements for the M14 rifle in the U.S. Chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the Elementary Disassembly Procedure for the M14 rifle in the (U.S.) M1 through the M14 Chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Made on surplus U.S. tooling, the Type 57 (T57) is a copy of the U.S. M14 rifle. For more information on the T57 refer to the M14 segment in the (U.S.) M1 through the M14 Chapter.

The Type 65 and Type 86 Assault Rifles Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the Means of Controlling Operation for the M16 rifle in the (U.S.) ArmaLite Chapter. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the Safety Arrangements for the M16 rifle in the (U.S.) ArmaLite Chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the Elementary Disassembly Procedure for the M16 rifle in the (U.S.) ArmaLite Chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Manufactured by the Hsin Ho Machinery Corporation for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army, the Type 65 (T65) was based largely on the M16 rifle. The T65 omitted the carrying handle, but retained the rear sight on the raised portion that was the rear platform for the handle. Instead of a direct gas system, the T65 used a short-stroke gascylinder operating rod system not unlike that of the AR-18 assault rifle with the piston being fixed to the gas block. The rear of the operating rod impinged into a modified carrier key similar to that used in the M16. A modified variant incorporated the M16 type direct gas system of operation with a one-piece bolt assembly. Retaining the original narrow cocking piece of the M16, the T65 also omitted the forward assist mechanism of the M16A1. Although

early prototypes of the T65 used pressed metal receivers, the production variant had receivers machined from blocks of aircraft quality alloy. Early samples of the T65 were prone to malfunctions. An improved variant, the Type 65K1 (T86K1) incorporated a hardened aluminum buffer and improved heat insulation in the handguards. Originally offered with a rate of twist of 1-in-12 inches, the T65 incorporated a 1-in-7 inch twist with a change in designation to the Type 65K2 (T65K2). In addition to a 3-shot burst mechanism, the T65K2’s gas system was redesigned to slow primary extraction to overcome ejection problems that plagued the T65.

The T65 (top and center) used a short-stroke gas cylinder operating rod system not unlike that of the AR-18 rifle, instead of the direct-gas impingment

system of the original M16 (above).

Close-up receiver detail shows markings on the left side of the T65 rifle.

Disassembled T65 shows short-stroke gas-cylinder operating-rod system and modified bolt group. The T65 was made with several variations in design and configuration.

Type 65, Type 65K1 and Type 65K2

The Type 86 Developed by the Hsin Ho Machinery Corporation for the Republic of China Army in 1986, the Type 86 (T86) is of modular design and resembles the U.S. M4 Carbine. Using an integral carrying handle, the T86 also has the M16A2 rear sight and a telescoping buttstock to accommodate troops of varying stature. Using the same short-stroke gas cylinder system of operation as the T65, the T86 will accept Taiwan’s T85 40mm grenade launcher, and can be issued with the CMore red dot optical sight. The T86 can also mount a high-intensity tactical light and a laser dot indicator, and a quick detachable bipod can be mounted. Originally envisioned as a replacement to the T65 rifle, early prototypes of the T86 included features such as a side-folding stock and experiments with caseless ammunition, but such innovative ideas

were not met with favor by end users in the ROC military, who wanted to retain all tried-and-true features of the T65. The Type 86 was not procured in large numbers, the largest distribution going to the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also entered service with the ROC Navy UDT, and was procured by Jordan for their royal guards and SpecOps troops. Later, Jordan would procure substantial quantities of the T91 iteration of this weapons family.

Type 86

A transitional weapon, the Type 86 would be analogous to an M4 Carbine operated by a short-stroke gas cylinder. It features a fixed carrying handle, a collapsible stock, and can mount the T65 grenade launcher. Photo: Courtesy M. Popenker

The Type 91 Already being well-received in the international market place and with ROC military units, the T91 is somewhat shorter and lighter than the T65 series it replaces. It comprises an eclectic selection of many of the best features of the AR-18, M16, T65 and T86 rifles that came before, and incorporates a great deal of feedback from the using services. Development was completed in 2002 and serial production began in 2003. The T91 incorporates an M16A2-style post front sight, and a rear peep sight adjustable for windage and elevation, mounted on the detachable carry handle. User operation parallels the M16, except that the T91 does not have a forward bolt assist, and the case deflector is somewhat smaller. A modified multi-rail forend is also available to enable the simultaneous mounting of multiple accessories. The T91 can mount the T85 under-barrel 40mm grenade launcher, a ladder-type sight for which is mounted on the handguard; Alternatively, a quadrant sight can mount on the multi-rail forend. Although the T91 is essentially based on the T65 series, its gassystem and bolt parts are not interchangeable with that series. The T91 uses the modular gas system of the T86 to facilitate removal of the assembly for maintenance without the risk of losing small parts. The telescoping stock is an improved version of the M4 stock, which incorporates design changes requested by military and police

personnel to improve user comfort and ergonomics. In 2003, the ROC Army ordered 101,162 units at a cost of USD $539 each. In 2005, ROC Military Police ordered 12,069 units for garrison troops in the Taipei capitol region. Export sales to Jordan and Kuwait have been officially confirmed, as is official interest from the UAE. According to published but unofficial sources, as many as 10,000 T91 rifles have been purchased by Indonesia to arm border patrol and police units.

As shown at the 2007 Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition, this Type 91 rifle mounts a scope on its M1913-style top rail, which can mount the M16-style carrying handle or myriad other accessories. Note limiting protrusions on the magazine, to prevent over-insertion. ROC-produced magazines feature this, plus indicator holes for top 2-15 rounds; the T91 can use any STANAG M16 magazine. Photo: Szuyuan Huang: © and courtesy of S.P. Lee

Operator controls of T91 are similar to the M16, T65 and T86 designs which came before. The selector here shows settings for semi-auto, three-round burst, and fully-automatic fire. Note removable carrying handle, and ovoidtriangular forward grip that covers the successful short-stroke gas cylinder system carried over from preceding T65 and T86 designs. Photo: Szuyuan Huang: © and courtesy of S.P. Lee

Type 91

CHAPTER 59

Ukraine

Vepr Assault Rifle (5.45×39mm) Means of Controlling Operation: Follows standard Kalashnikov design for selecting Safe, Semi-auto, etc. mode of fire. Safety Arrangements: Kalashnikov-style selector lever remains on right side of receiver, but is difficult to reach when the weapon is fired from the right shoulder. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Not known. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The standard AK-74 stock is replaced with a new butt plate which is mounted directly on the rear of the receiver, and a polymer cheekpiece is fitted to the receiver cover. The trigger and pistol grip are placed in front of the magazine, and the cocking handle is replaced with new cocking handle that is placed on the left side of the

forearm. Design does not favor left-handed operation due to position of the controls and the ejection of spent cases to the right. A former USSR member, Ukraine used Soviet-supplied AK-47 and AKM rifles even after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989. In 2003, the government announced its new assault rifle, the Vepr (“Wild Boar”), an AK-74 converted to bullpup design by the Ukrainian National Space Agency’s R&D Center for Precision Engineering. However, despite the government’s plan to purchase tens of thousands of the Vepr for its security forces in 2010, it seems unlikely that this design will be platform have not been becomes a member of government would invest

popular. Bullpups built on the Kalashnikov particularly successful, and if Ukraine ever the European Union, it’s possible that the in a Western design for the military’s assault

rifle.

Developed by the Ukrainian National Space Agency, the Vepr is another attempt at converting the Kalashnikov platform to a bullpup design. Photos: courtesy Maxim Popenker

The government is currently exporting some of its military stockpile of weapons, with a view to establishing itself on the

international firearms market. The FORT company exports newly manufactured pistols.

Vepr (“Wild Boar”)

As in all “bullpup” AK conversions, the left side is the operator’s side.

CHAPTER 60

United States: The BAR

Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the trigger group, the selector (or change lever) is rotated all the way forward to the “A” position to allow automatic fire with a rate of from 500 to 650 shots per minute. On the Model 1918, 1918A1, Model 1922 and Colt Monitor, moving the selector to its middle (“F”) position will limit the rifle to semi-automatic fire. However, on the Model 1918A2, moving the selector to the “F” position allows a slow rate of automatic fire of from 300 to 450 shots per minute through the use of a rate reducing mechanism. On the Model 1918A2 there is no provision for semiautomatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Moving the selector (or change lever) all the way to the rear to the position marked “S” blocks the trigger and prevents the BAR from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, cock the bolt and return the cocking handle forward. Rotate the gas

cylinder retaining pin at the forward left end of the receiver and remove it from the receiver. Now pull forward on the forearms and gas cylinder tube and ease this assembly forward. Rotate the retaining pin at the forward end of the trigger guard and remove it. The trigger mechanism may now be withdrawn from the rifle. Remove the recoil spring guide; press in the checkered surface on its head and turn it until the ends clear the retaining shoulders. Then ease out the guide and recoil spring and withdraw. Remove the cocking handle by lining up the hammer pin holes on the side of the receiver and on the side of the handle. Insert the point of a bullet in the hole in the handle with the right hand. Press against the hammer pin while pushing the slide backward with the left hand.

The 1918A2 BAR is seen from its right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and various tools and accessories.

As the two holes line up, the pressure of the bullet will force the hammer pin out of its large hole on the left side of the receiver and it may be withdrawn. This will allow the handle to be pulled to the rear out of its guide. Now push the hammer forward out of its seat in the slide and life it out of the rifle.

Pull the slide forward out of the receiver, taking care that the link is pushed well down so the slide can clear it. Carefully remove the slide to avoid striking the gas piston or its rings against the gas cylinder tube bracket. With the point of a bullet, force out the spring bolt guide from inside the receiver, then lift the bolt group by pulling slowly to the rear of the receiver and lifting it out. The firing pin can now be lifted out of the bolt and the extractor can be removed by pressing the small end of the cartridge against the claw and exerting upward and forward pressure. No further disassembly is normally necessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: No history of the American Assault Rifle would be complete without the Browning Automatic Rifle. Invented by small arms genius, John Moses Browning in 1917, the BAR was used by the U.S. Military from World War I through the Vietnam War during which, among other things, it was even employed as a door gun in U.S. Navy helicopters.

This World War I U.S. Army trooper poses in an anti-aircraft position with the 1918 Browning Automatic rifle (photo U.S. Army Signal Corps).

Finished in blue, the 1918 BAR used no bipod and had walnut stocks with the forend heavily checkered.

Being America’s first concept of an assault rifle, the BAR is gas operated, fires from the open bolt position using a 20-shot magazine, and has a gas regulator that can be adjusted with a cartridge. Originally made in caliber .30-06, the BAR was meant to fill the requirement for an automatic rifle during World War I. Because of its long tenure, the BAR was made by a number of companies with a wide range of experience in production methods. Over the years, its complicated receiver was made not only as a machined part, but also of castings.

The Model 1922 BAR made for the U.S. Cavalry, with bipod and rest deployed, and 20-shot magazine inserted

The Model 1918 BAR During its more than 50 years of service, the BAR was adopted by the U.S. Military in four variants with the first being the selective fire Model 1918. The lightest of the U.S. BAR’s, the Model 1918 has no bipod nor hinged shoulder support plate, and uses a simple tubular flash hider. Finished in blue with walnut stocks, this rifle uses a rear sight similar to that of the main U.S. battle rifle of WW I, the Model 1917. During WW I, the Model 1918 BAR was manufactured by Colt, Winchester and Marlin Rockwell with a total production of 85,000 rifles before the armistice ended the war.

The Model 1922 BAR Developed to give the U.S. (horse) Cavalry a lightweight sustained fire capability, the Model 1922 BAR had a short heavy barrel with radial cooling fins, a butt swivel on the left side of the stock, and a wide groove around the buttstock for a butt rest clamp. This rifle also had a bipod that clamped around the barrel and a rear

sight similar to that of the Model 1919A4 machinegun that was adjustable for windage and elevation. Like the Model 1918, the Model 1922 BAR was capable of selective fire, but was issued in very limited numbers, and was declared obsolete about 1940.

The Colt “Monitor” machine rifle was a modernized BAR made from components left over from WW I.

Above: Seen from the left side with its 20-shot magazine inserted, the 1818 BAR used by bank robber Buck Barrow had its barrel cut off near the gas block and its buttstock cut off just behind the buffer.

Left: This official USMC photo shows the USMC “Modified” BAR flanked by the Model 1928 Thompson SMG and a standard BAR.

The M1918A1 BAR as viewed from the right side with bipod extended, 20-shot magazine inserted and rear sight leaf elevated.

The Colt Monitor When World War I ended, Colt had on hand large quantities of components for the BAR, and ultimately acquired ownership of this “work in progress” from the Government. Colt hoped the BAR would appeal to law enforcement, and after modifying the BAR into a more portable form, it introduced its commercial BAR as the “Monitor” in about 1924. Equipped with a hooded front sight, special muzzle compensator, abbreviated forend and separate pistol grip, the Monitor took on classic assault rifle characteristics, but was not as successful as was hoped, and was eventually discontinued. By the early 1920’s, the submachine gun was becoming popular with American law enforcement, as well as criminals, and this element of society had also begun to use the Model 1918 BAR to commit crime. When the FBI apprehended Buck Barrow, brother of Clyde Barrow (of Bonnie and Clyde fame), he was armed with an M1918 BAR that had the barrel and stock cut down. However, it was Clyde Barrow who modified the rifle, naming it the “scattergun,” and insisted that every member of his gang practice with the gun, except for Bonnie Parker, who refused to fire it.

Clyde Barrow was not the only one who saw the value in a “cut down” BAR, as Captain M.A. Edson, USMC, modified a BAR to similar specifications in 1932. Called the BAR, Cal. .30 M1918 (Modified), this gun was intended for use in “bush warfare,” as follows: Nine inches removed from muzzle end of barrel for a barrel length of 15 inches. Gas cylinder shortened by 4 inches. Gas piston shortened by 4 inches. Front sight relocated to rear of gas block.

The Model 1918A1 BAR Adopted in 1937, the Model 1918A1 BAR was an upgraded selective fire Model 1918 BAR. It had walnut stocks, a tubular flash hider, and used the same rear sight as the Model 1918. However, the Model 1918A1 was parkerized (phosphated) instead of blued, and had a bipod mounted on the rear of the gas cylinder. The Model 1918A1 also used a hinged shoulder support on its buttplate.

The Model 1918A2 BAR Adopted shortly before World War II, the Model 1918A2 BAR was originally made from Model 1918 and 1918A1 BAR’s, but is not capable of semi-automatic fire. Instead, the middle “F” position of its selector provides a rate reduction of full automatic fire where single shots can be made with ease. With the new trigger group of the

Model 1918A2 came extensions, or ears, to help guide the magazine into place. This model is equipped with a bipod attached to the muzzle behind a shortened tube-type flash hider. This bipod also uses skid-type feet as opposed to the spike feet of the Model 1918A1 bipod. Originally made with a removable adjustable rest fitted into a hole in the buttstock, the Model 1918A2 also has a full-length hinged steel shoulder rest and a handguard that is shortened in both length and height. Inside this handguard is a metal heat shield. The rear sight is similar to that of the Model 1919A4 machine gun and the Model 1922 BAR, and is adjustable for both windage and elevation.

This early 1918A2 BAR has a rear monopod that was soon omitted from the rifle.

The locking system of the M1918A2 BAR is seen here in the closed position.

During World War II the Model 1918A2 went through a number of modifications. Among these were the use of a shortened forend with grasping grooves, the abandonment of the stock rest, the use of a plastic buttstock and the addition of a carrying handle near the end of the war. During WW II the Model 1918A2 BAR was made by I.B.M and New England Small Arms Corporation. During the Korean War, a prong-type flash suppressor was adopted along with a gas cylinder regulator that can be easily turned by hand. Royal McBee Typewriter Corp. manufactured 61,000 Model 1918A2 BAR’s during the Korean War.

The T34 Automatic Rifle Although all previous U.S. Military BAR’s were chambered for the caliber .30-06 (.30 M2) cartridge, a modification of the weapon, the

T34 Automatic Rifle, was chambered for the T65E3 (7.62×51mm NATO) cartridge in 1949 as part of the program to adopt this new cartridge. Accordingly, with its new magazine, the magazine well was shortened with a rear spacer with extended magazine guides. The T34 was the last U.S. Military Browning Automatic Rifle, but was not issued in large numbers.

The T34 7.62×51mm NATO BAR seen from the right side with its special 20shot magazine inserted, bipod deployed, shoulder rest and rear sight leaf elevated and sling attached.

The Cook experimental BAR bullpup seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and front and rear sights extended.

The Cook Experimental BAR Bullpup The most radical and fascinating development of the BAR was that done by U.S. Army officer Loren C. Cook, who was stationed at Springfield Armory for a short time. While working at Benecia Arsenal

in California, Cook designed at least one submachine gun and several experimental rifles including the one in question. Consisting of a highly modified BAR, this experimental assault rifle was of bullpup design. Although complete details are not known about it, this rifle had a barrel of roughly 18 inches with a short ventilated muzzle brake, a folding front sight, and a rear sight similar to that of the Johnson Light Machine gun that also folded. The receiver has been lightened by machining and has an integral butt. To make room for the cheek of a right handed user, the cocking handle was moved to the right side and the trigger group was replaced by a new design forward of the magazine well. In addition to a new handguard, a vertical foregrip was mounted to the bottom of a redesigned gas block, and there appears to be no provision for gas adjustment.

The Model 1918A3 SLR Although the original BAR was never made in semi-automatic only, a close copy is now made by Ohio Ordnance Works. Called the Model 1918A3 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), this weapon uses a redesigned fully machined receiver and trigger group to preclude the inclusion of any full automatic components along with a new, patented hammer system. In addition to the Model 1918A3 SLR, limited numbers of an original Model 1918 style semi-automatic rifle, called the Model A1918 SLR, have been made along with other variations including a 7.62×51mm NATO caliber SLR similar to the T34.

The first production by FN was for an order of 10,000 BARs in 7.92×57mm for Poland, as a variant of Colt’s Model 1925 (R75) model, which featured a heavier, finned barrel and dust covers over the ejection port and magazine well. Changes to suit Polish tastes included a pistol grip, a modified bipod and modified sights (see Polish wz.1928, below). Based on the Polish wz. 1928, FN made the Mle 1930 for the Belgian army in the 7.65×53 Belgian round. The Mle 1930 featured a modified gas valve, a rate-reducing fire control mechanism, and a flip-up buttplate. In 1932 Belgium adopted the FN Mle D (D for Demontable or “dismountable”) that had a finned, quick-change barrel, a flip-up buttplate and a rear monopod. FN manufactured the BAR in a variety of calibers for export. The model D was produced even after WW II, in .30-06 (7.62×63mm), and 7.62×51 NATO, as pictured here. Note that later production did not include the ejection port cover. (Image Courtesy James D. Julia Auctions)

Although Colt owned patent rights to the BAR, most WW I production was by Winchester and Marlin-Rockwell, as Colt was tied up with other arms production. And although manufacturing rights were licensed to FN, the first foreign production was by the Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden, as the Kg m/1921. “Kg” is short for KulspruteGevar—literally translated as “Bullet Spraying Rifle.” The first 700 were made by Colt to Swedish specifications, and a further 7,500 of this model by the Carl Gustaf factory. The most noticeable differences between the Kg m/1921 and the M1918 are the detachable pistol grip and spiked bipods that attach to the gas cylinder.

All Swedish models were in 6.5×55mm for the M94 and M1941 Swedish cartridges. The Kg m/1921 and subsequent Kg m/1937 models were both 84mm (3.3 inches) shorter than the M1918, but heavier (1.6 kg [3.52 lbs], and 2.2 kg [4.84 lbs] respectively). The m/1921 was in production from 1923 until 1949; the m/1937 from 1937 to 1949. Although quite satisfactory as a source of hand-held firepower, the m/1921 was prone to heat up when used in the sustained fire role. In 1935 the Gustaf factory designed a clever interruptedthread quick-change barrel (see closeup image), and additional minor modifications, which were incorporated in the m/1937. So successful was the last model that it continued in service with the Swedish military as a front-line weapon until 1980, when it was replaced by the MAG-58. Sweden also purchased limited numbers of the Mle 1930 (Kg m/1930) and Type D (Kg m/1935) BAR from FN. Photos: O. Janson

Here a Polish re-enactor poses with an Rkm wz. 28 (Reczny karabin maszynowy [hand-held machine gun] model 1928). From the time it was adopted in 1927 until the outbreak of WW II, the wz. 28 was the primary light support weapon of Polish cavalry and infantry units. Initial production was by FN, subsequent production by the Panstwowa Fabryka Karabinow (state rifle factory) in Warsaw, in 7.92×57mm. Polish production included evolutionary changes such as a “fishtail” stock and other minor modifications. Some 20,000 units were in inventory when the Germans invaded, and both the Germans and subsequently the Russians made use of captured stocks. The Poles also redesigned the BAR to feed from a complicated 91-round pan magazine, as the karabin masznowy obserwatora wz. 1937 (observer’s machine gun model 1937) and used them on the Los medium bomber and the LWS-3 Mewa recon plane. Photo: © Bolek Rosinski, courtesy Wikipedia

INSET: Breech portion of this wz. 28 at the Warsaw Museum of the Polish Army shows finned barrel and ejection port cover, features never adopted by the U.S. military. Photo: © Halibutt, courtesy Wikipedia From its initial concept for use in “walking fire” during an assault, to various armies adopting it as a “hand-held machine gun,” and even though it usually ended up being used for what it did best as a SAW or light machine gun, the BAR was initially conceived to fill the roll now better served by true assault rifles. As a light support weapon, the BAR was issued by more than 20 nations, in a wide variety of calibers.

Browning Automatic Rifle

CHAPTER 61

United States: The Lewis Assault Rifles

Means of controlling operation, safety arrangements, and elementary disassembly procedure for these prototype rifles are unknown. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Although U.S. Army Colonel Isaac Lewis’ light machine gun, the “Lewis Gun,” is well known, his development of an assault rifle has come to light only recently through the efforts of author and historian, J. David Truby. With the Lewis Gun in full production in 1916, Col. Lewis was busy designing an individual combat weapon with many of the same capabilities. Declaring that he would “build a strong small arms company in the U.S.A. which will be fully equipped to meet the inevitable future demand for rifles, machine guns, other small arms and trench weapons,” Lewis had begun modifying his original design in 1915. His goal was to develop an even lighter weapon for the individual American soldier, stating that he needed to lighten his original weapon. Lewis said, “What I’ve seen here is the need for a mobile one-man automatic gun for trench assault and other attacks.”

Lewis’ first mobile design was in 1915, when he removed the gas cylinder, radiator and casing, and modified his Lewis Gun by simplifying the operation of the piston. The result was a 16-pound automatic rifle, and while Lewis was not satisfied with it, the British later adopted this gun for maritime and anti-aircraft use in World War II. By the end of 1916, Lewis had designed a 14-pound automatic rifle, but was determined to improve it by producing a light automatic rifle that could be used in the assault by the individual soldier. The result was Lewis’ Third Model, a 12-pound automatic rifle developed by mid-1918 that was comparable to the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Faced with an uphill battle, Lewis had a final variant of his rifle ready a few months later. Capable of semi- and full-automatic fire, this light shoulder rifle had both close and long-range sights, a cyclic rate of fire of 400 shots per minute, and was the same length as the Model 1903 Springfield rifle.

Isaac Lewis’s initial effort at an assault rifle was this top-loading automatic rifle developed in 1917.

Isaac Lewis at age 42 whe he began work on his concept for an air-cooled light automatic weapon.

Its advanced muzzle brake resulted in very little felt recoil, making it superior for automatic firepower in the assault by the individual soldier. However, with the beginning of the war, even though the Third Model Lewis rifle equalled or outperformed the BAR, no sales were made. However, beginning in 1917 and continuing through 1940, long after Col. Lewis’ death, BSA and others continued work on a Lewis assault rifle. One was the BSA Model 1937 Lewis Gun, and another was the Soley Armament Company’s experiment with converting MK III Lewis as an assault rifle, both of which used a Bren magazine and

buttstock. The final attempt was the BSA Model 1940 that was manufactured in only limited quantities in 1941. Aside from the disclosure of Lewis’ work in developing an assault rifle, is the well known fact that the basic mechanism of the World War II German FG 42 rifle was essentially copied from the Lewis Gun. Whether or not the Germans undertook the design of the FG 42 entirely on their own, or had knowledge of further efforts by the British to develop a Lewis assault rifle prior to the war may never be known.

Lewis’s second assault rifle modification of his famed original machine gun was a 14-pound weapon using a BAR-style magazine.

This prototype Lewis Assault rifle is rated by many ordnance people as superior to most similar weapons used in WWII. It never made it into production. Savage Arms Company

CHAPTER 62

United States: The Johnson Rifle

Means of Controlling Operation: Except for the Light Machine gun, or Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) variant, the Johnson Rifle operates semi-automatically. On the SAW the selector is on the right side of the receiver. Rotating the selector to the position marked “AUTO” allows full-automatic fire, and rotating it to the semi-automatic position limits the gun to semiautomatic fire. Safety Arrangements: On the SAW variant, rotating the selector to the safety position prevents the gun from being fired. On the semi-automatic Johnson rifle, the safety is located forward of the trigger guard. Rotating it to the right prevents the gun from firing, and rotating it 180 degrees to the left allows the gun to be fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After making sure that both the magazine and chamber are empty, use the point of a bullet to push on the latch plunger of the hinged barrel latch in the forward right side of the forend, and push the barrel rearward. Using the thumb of the left hand, raise the operating handle

to the unlocked position and withdraw the barrel from the receiver. Then disengage the bolt-stop plate plunger with the point of a bullet and lift out the bolt stop plate. Remove the bolt stop and disengage the link from the main spring plunger. Raise the operating handle and retract the bolt about 2 inches. Grasp the knob of the operating handle spindle and pull it outward. Slide the operating handle forward until it is clear of the shoulders in the extractor recess and remove it. Lift out the extractor. Grasp the projecting end of the link and pull it to the rear, withdrawing the bolt through the rear end of the receiver. Rotate the locking cam counterclockwise and remove it from the bolt. Remove the firing pin, and push out the link pin and remove the link. With the hammer cocked, disengage the hammer block pin and push it out with the point of the bullet; pull off the buttstock. Remove the ejector pin and ejector. Unscrew the front guard screw and hammer block screw and lift out the hammer group from the stock. Unscrew the rear trigger guard screw and remove the trigger guard and safety assembly. No further disassembly is recommended. To reassemble, reverse this procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: One of the most important arms designers of the 20th Century was Melvin Maynard Johnson, who preferred to be called Maynard. Although the weapons developed by Maynard Johnson have not been made since 1944, and are no longer used by any regular military force, they have exerted a significant influence on many present day assault rifles. While no modern military rifle operates by the recoil

principal as was used in the Johnson, the method of locking used by Johnson is now found in many gas operated assault rifles. The Johnson bolt of the Johnson rifle has nine radial segments at its front end, eight of which are locking lugs, while the ninth mounts the extractor. Locking is accomplished by engaging the lugs with corresponding abutments in the barrel extension. An important feature that Johnson pioneered on this side of the Atlantic is the delivery of full-automatic fire from the open-bolt position and semiautomatic fire from the closed bolt position. This appeared on the Johnson Light Machinegun (LMG) in 1941. In Europe, it seems to have come later on the German FG42, the tactical equivalent of the Johnson LMG. The Johnson semi-automatic rifle is not an assault rifle, but its accompanying weapon, though called a LMG, weighs only about 13 pounds, and, except for this and the .30-06 cartridge it fires, it is virtually an assault rifle. These two firearms were developed during the 1930’s and early 1940’s before the assault rifle concept was sound. At that time throughout the world, professional armies organized the small rifle unit around a squad automatic weapon. The only relationship between rifles and the squad automatic was the fact that they chambered the same ammunition. While Melvin Johnson was not the first man to develop a pair of mechanically similar weapons to fill the two complimentary roles of battle rifle and LMG, his were the first to become full production weapons. Born in Boston, Mass., in 1909, Melvin Maynard Johnson was interested in firearms from a very early age. Educated as a lawyer, Johnson was retained by the backers of the White Semi-automatic Rifle that competed in the U.S. Army trials of the early 1930’s. In addition to serving as legal representative for the gun’s makers,

Johnson made certain suggestions concerning improvements in the mechanism. While the White Rifle performed very well, it was chambered for the .276 cartridge, and when the Army dropped this cartridge from consideration, the company lost interest in retooling. Johnson’s connection with the White Company seems to have ended late in 1935. However, by this time, Johnson had acquired a considerable knowledge of the state-of-the-art, both from his own studies and with his contact with government officials as a Reserve Officer in the Marine Corps. In 1936, Johnson began construction of a prototype semi-automatic rifle of his own design. This rifle had a recoil-operated mechanism completely different from that of the White rifle, and while the first prototype was not a complete weapon, it showed very promising results after being fired in a vice near the small machine shop in Boston where it was made.

The Johnson bolt mechanism viewed from the top (1) in battery, (2) unlocked, and (3) with bolt open.

The hand made too-room proof of concept model of the Johnson short recoil action as built in a shop in Boston.

Soon the construction of a complete rifle was undertaken at the Marlin works in New Haven, Conn., with Johnson doing some of the work himself. Finished by August, 1936 the rifle proved the possibilities of a recoil operated rifle even though it was awkward and somewhat overweight. Four more rifles were built at Marlin from late 1937 to 1938, all incorporating improvements over the first prototype. A .30 caliber light machine gun, the Model D-1918, was also made during this time. While little is known about this prototype, it used a top-mounted feed device and bears a strong resemblance to the British Lewis Gun. Like his early prototypes, Johnson’s first light machine gun was made with what Johnson called the vertical feed. This was actually a slightly modified Browning Automatic Rifle 20-shot magazine, and the gun fired full-automatic only. However, there were differences of opinion during the late 1930’s concerning feed systems for automatic rifles, and it was suggested that loading from a 5-shot Springfield charger without removing the magazine from the rifle or opening the bolt would be best.

Melvin Johnson’s prototype Model 1918-D .30 caliber light machine gun is seen from the right side without magazine and with its radiator removed.

Melvin Johnson’s first prototype of the Johnson LMG used a BAR 20-shot magazine and was offered for military sale in 1938-39.

Johnson’s Rotary Feed In response to the concept of loading the magazine while in the rifle, Johnson developed an alternate magazine called the rotary feed in 1938-39. Holding 10 rounds, this magazine can be filled with individual rounds or from the Springfield charger, and can be filled with the bolt open or closed. With a round chambered, the system holds 11 rounds. Although the vertical feed system was advertised through 1940, the rotary system ultimately replaced it in the Johnson rifle. First demonstrated to the Army at Ft. Benning, Ga., in June 1938, the Johnson rifle was again tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground later that year. Equipped with the vertical feed system, these rifles experienced some difficulty, but on the whole, results were impressive. In spite of the Great Depression that the United States was still experiencing, it is a tribute to Johnson’s ability that he not only designed a highly successful weapon, but also succeeded in attracting enough capital to put it on the market. A point that Johnson stressed was the use of simple components that could be made by subcontractors to relieve the manufacturer of some tooling investment. However, this also requires careful quality

control, and some critical components would not be able to be subcontracted. One of these was the rotary feed system. As the prototype Johnson rifles continued to gain interest, and as prospects for commercial sales seemed good, the businesses behind the gun also underwent some evolution. First established as the Johnson Patent Trust, the company later became known as the Johnson Automatics Trust. Still later, after embarking on large-scale business ventures, the company was incorporated under the name Johnson Automatics, Inc. In 1938, Johnson Automatics, Inc., decided that the rifle was sufficiently developed to warrant preparations for mass production. The Taft-Pierce Mfg. Co., of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, was given the job of preparing detailed production drawings. By January 1939, Taft-Pierce had completed the engineering and had made three sample rifles to check tolerances. Two of these rifles had the vertical feed; The third used the rotary feed. After the successful firing of the three sample rifles, Johnson Automatics, Inc., decided to build 14 more rifles for tests and demonstrations. In 1939-40, seven of these used the rotary feed, and seven had the vertical (box) feed. The somewhat improved rifle was submitted to the Army for test in December 1940. While the test showed that it had certain favorable features, it was not considered superior to the Springfield designed Garand that was already adopted and in production for the Army. From time to time thereafter, the Johnson rifle was involved in highly publicized tests for U.S. officials. Since the Garand was already in service, Johnson probably attended these events to interest potential foreign customers, and in this, he was successful.

In the spring of 1940, the first rotary feed rifle was modified into a light machine gun with a single column magazine feeding into the left side. The most significant feature of the gun was its ability to fire semi-automatically from the closed bolt position and to deliver fullautomatic fire from the open bolt position.

The Johnson Model 1941 rifle as seen from the right side with sling and bayonet mounted.

The Johnson Model 1941 Light Machine Gun is seen from the right side with bipod deployed and sling attached.

The Johnson Model 1941 LMG as viewed from the left side with bipod folded and magazine removed.

A U.S. Army soldier uses a Johnson Model 1941 LMG in Italy during World War II.

By 1940 the rotary magazine was becoming the dominant type for Johnson rifles. The normal method of loading it was by stripping two Springfield chargers into a charging slot on the right side of the magazine. Since Johnson intended his rifle and LMG to be complimentary weapons, he adapted this method of loading to the newer LMG. Here a 20-shot, single column magazine was positioned horizontally on the left side of the receiver. Johnson called this the horizontal feed. While the magazine had a cartridge retainer, the feed lips were part of the receiver. With the loaded magazine in place, five more rounds could be inserted (stripped) through the charging slot on the right side. With an empty magazine in place, 25 rounds could be loaded through the slot. Magazines could also be filled, off the gun, either with individual cartridges or with ammunition in chargers

(stripper clips). The clip guide for this purpose is integral with the magazine. The Johnston LMG was made with both a walnut buttstock and a steel tubular buttstock, and both a bipod and a monopod were used. In 1940, the .30-06 caliber Johnson semi-automatic rifle and the Johnston LMG were adopted by the Government of the Netherlands for use in the Dutch Colonial Forces and Navy. Since these guns were not used in Holland, it was not important that they fired a cartridge different from that used in the standard Dutch rifles and machine guns. After all, the Dutch also adopted such .30-06 caliber weapons as the Browning and Lewis ground machine gun.

The Model 1941 The production variants of the Johnson rifle and LMG were given the designation “Model 1941,” and are usually found marked with the name of the producer, “CRANSTON ARMS CO.” Johnson Automatics, Inc., had no plant, and contracted with the Universal Winding Co. of Providence, R.I., for production of the weapons in one of its works. The facility in question was located in Cranston, a suburb of Providence, from which is derived the name used on the weapons. However, signs erected on the premises read “Johnson Automatics Manufacturing Co.” The total production of the LMG was about 5,000, and it is believed that about 70,000 rifles were made. Not all of these went to the Dutch forces, as production began in the summer of 1941, and organized Dutch resistance in the Pacific ended in 1942. Subsequently, small numbers of Johnson weapons were ordered by

various U.S. Government agencies, both for testing and for combat use, and these were taken from production intended for the Dutch. Although they were never considered standard issue, Johnson rifles and light machineguns were used for special purposes by the Army, Navy, and especially Marine Corps where they proved quite successful in combat in the South Pacific during World War II.

The Johnson Auto-Carbine Although it has been all but forgotten, Maynard Johnson designed and built a weapon that came very close to the definition of an assault rifle. Called the Auto-Carbine, this weapon combined features of both the Model 1941 rifle and LMG. While it retained the 10-shot rotary magazine, the Auto-Carbine used the pistol grip, folding rear sight, and straight buttstock of the LMG. It also had a grooved forend. Only 13 Auto-Carbines were made, and although Johnson was unable to get the Military interested in it, one sample was given to Marine Lt. Harry Torgerson who used it in combat in the Solomon Islands. Torgerson praised the Auto-Carbine and christened it “Daisy Mae.” On full-automatic, the Auto-Carbine fired at about the same rate as the Johnson LMG, 400-450 shots per minute.

The Johnson Model 1944 LMG Production of the Model 1941 Johnson rifle and LMG stopped about the end of 1943, but in 1944, Johnson introduced a new LMG designated the “Model 1944.” This gun incorporated a number of improvements including a 20-shot magazine mounted on the left side

that could also be filled using 5-shot chargers without removing it, but when in the gun, the magazine can be loaded with a total of 25-shots. There was no wood on the Model 1944 with the new tubular buttstock and pistol grip and foregrip made of micarta. In place of the bipod was a monopod that folded up to create a forend to allow the LMG to be used like a rifle. When the war ended, Johnson was adapting the Model 1944 to use a belt feed of the push-through type. Designated the T48, this project died several years later. While Johnson Automatics Inc. literature implied that the guns would be produced on order for any of several different rimless cartridges, the only production in other than caliber .30-06 was about 1,000 rifles in 7×57mm for Chile.

The Johnson Auto-Carbine is seen from the right side with folding rear sight deployed.

The main differences between the Johnson rifle and LMG are the feed systems and the fact that the rifle fires semi-automatic only. While Johnson developed his guns when military opinion had not yet crystallized on the assault rifle concept, his weapons show a definite trend toward this idea. Of the three types of magazines with which he experimented, he discarded the one type that has become dominant in assault rifles, the vertical box magazine.

How the Johnson Works

The instruction manual illustrates the Johnson LMG being used in the assault rifle role, and also makes the interesting statement that the bipod is sold as an accessory not included in the basic price of the gun. Functioning of the Johnson rifle and LMG is similar, except in the latter weapon where full-automatic fire is from the open bolt position. On semi-automatic, both fire from the closed bolt. The following description of the action of the LMG is also applicable to the rifle, except that the latter does not have a full-automatic capability:

The Johnson Model 1944 LMG is seen from the right side with monopod folded for use as a rifle.

Here the Johnson Model 1944 LMG is viewed with spare barrels, monopod deployed and 20-shot magazine removed.

The gun can be fired automatically or semi-automatically by rotating the change (selector) lever that also serves as the safety. For full-automatic fire, the gun is cocked with the bolt open, and for

semi-automatic fire, it is cocked with the bolt closed and locked. The gun will fire only if the breech is locked. The force of recoil is used to operate the mechanism. In the first movement of the action after a shot is fired, the barrel and bolt recoil together for about 0.37 inches (about 9mm). During the rearward movement, the rotary bolt is turned 20 degrees by the action of a camming arm on the bolt against a camming surface in the receiver. Unlocking does not begin until the bullet is 2 feet from the muzzle. When the bolt is fully unlocked, further rearward movement of the barrel is stopped. The bolt then continues to the rear with the momentum it received in recoil plus some assistance from residual chamber pressure, and extraction and ejection take place in the usual manner as the bolt cocks the hammer and compresses the driving (recoil) spring. The expanding driving spring returns the bolt to the closed position during which time a cartridge is stripped from the magazine and fed into the chamber.

Johnson Rifle, Model 1941

Johnson Light Machinegun, Model 1941

The locking cam rotates the bolt to the locked position, engaging the locking lugs with their abutments and also engaging the bolt lock that prevents the bolt from unlocking until the barrel has recoiled slightly. When the last round is fired, the bolt remains open. Although the Johnson rifle and LMG are not assault rifles, they were instrumental in influencing small arms genius, Eugene Stoner in designing the system used in the AR-10 assault rifle, and many others since. Johnson worked with Stoner for a short time at ArmaLite during the time the AR-10 was being developed. It is not known whether Johnson showed the Auto-Carbine to Stoner, but he surely told him about it. The machinery to make the Johnson military weapons was sold to Israel about 1950. There, about 1,000 light machine guns, with vertical feed box magazines were made, some in caliber .303 and some in 7.92×57mm Mauser. While Maynard Johnson’s rifle and LMG were not mass produced beyond World War II, Johnson was associated with various

other firearms developments closely related to the assault rifle concept.

The adaptability of the Johnson design is illustrated in this Mexican Model 1941 Johnson, which is in effect a semi-automatic only variant of the Johnson LMG. In 7×57mm, the standard Mexican military round, this weapon is marked Exercito Mexicano on the top of the receiver, and Systema Johnson on the right side of the receiver. Due to its two-digit serial number, it is believed to be an experimental model, although it is possible a M1941 rifle upper was mated to a M1941 LMG lower receiver. Believed to have been in the Winchester Arms collection. Image courtesy of James D. Julia Auctions

This M1948 “DROR” Israeli Johnson LMG was one of Israel’s earliest attempts at an indigenous weapon. Although ultimately produced in .303 British, this variant is in 7.92×57mm. Firing from a box magazine, the DROR used a tubular stock and steel butt plate similar to the M1944 Johnson. It had a wooden twopiece pistol grip and mounted a BAR-style carrying handle on the ventilated steel barrel shroud. A folding bipod similar to the BREN mounted at the front sight block. The hooded blade front sight is drift windage adjustable. Image courtesy of James D. Julia Auctions

The 5.7mm Johnson Spitfire The final development from Melvin Maynard Johnson was a conversion of the U.S. M1 Carbine to fire the MMJ 5.7mm first offered in 1963. The modified carbine was available in standard M1 Carbine configuration, with a sporting stock and in two variations using a specially modified M1 Carbine stock. Called the “Spitfire,” this variant had the butt stock removed from behind the pistol grip with a unique hinged wire stock replacing it. This stock was of the underfolding type with the butt portion coming to rest vertically just in front of the magazine. When extended, the end of the stock came to rest under a spring retainer on the back of the pistol grip. The “Spitfire” was available in carbine length and as a Police Model with a 12-inch barrel. All conversions used the original barrel relined to the smaller caliber and had a stronger recoil spring. Based on the .30 Carbine casing, the MMJ 5.7×33mm cartridge was necked down from .30 caliber to .224 caliber and was loaded with a 40-grain bullet. The MMJ 5.7mm produced over 3,000 fps from a standard 18-inch barrel and about 2,850 fps from the 12-inch barrel. The MMJ 5.7mm competed with three other .224 caliber conversion rounds for the US M1 Carbine. These were the .22 Oresky, the .22 Lee and the .223 Scorpion, but the MMJ 5.7mm was the only one loaded commercially. Although the Johnson “Spitfire” and its MMJ cartridge enjoyed only limited popularity, Melvin Johnson’s MMJ 5.7×33mm cartridge appears to have been ahead of its time, as similar cartridges are now in vogue in selective fire Personal Defense Weapons (PDW). Foremost among these are the FN 5.7mm P90 and the H&K

4.6×30mm MP7A1 PDW, but neither of these new rounds matches the performance of the original MMJ 5.7×33mm round. Melvin Maynard Johnson died in 1965. The Johnson Rifle inspired the development of the AR-10 rifle by Eugene Stoner. For information on the AR-10 refer to the ArmaLite Chapter elsewhere in this book. For his complete story read Johnson Rifles and Machineguns by Bruce N. Canfield.

Melvin Johnson’s sporting “Spitfire” Carbine conversion seen from the right side with 15-shot magazine inserted and stock extended along with a 5-shot magazine and a charger holding 10 rounds of MMJ 5.7×33mm ammunition.

The Johnson Police Model “Spitfire” Carbine with 12-inch barrel as viewed from the right side with stock folded and a 30-shot magazine inserted.

The four wildcat .224 caliber cartridges designed as conversions for the M1 Carbine. Only the MMJ 5.7mm was produced commercially.

CHAPTER 63

United States: The U.S. .30 Carbine

Means of Controlling Operation: On the selective fire variant of the carbine, the selector is located on the left front side of the receiver. Pushing the selector all the way forward allows full-automatic fire, and pulling it to the rear limits the carbine to semi-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Located on the trigger guard in front of the trigger, the safety can be found in two interchangeable variations. The early cross-bolt safety is pushed from left to right to prevent the carbine from firing. The later safety has an arm on the right side that causes it to rotate. Rotating the safety to the rear prevents the carbine from being fired and rotating it forward allows firing to continue. Elementary Disassembly Procedures: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, loosen the screw on the barrel band and removed it forward off the stock by first depressing the retainer in the side. Now remove the handguard and lift the entire barreled action out of the stock.

On the selective fire carbine, use a punch-like tool to lift the wire selector spring out of its slot in the trigger guard, and then pull the selector rearward out of the keyway in the end of the selector pin. Now pull out the selector arm and pin from the right side of the receiver. On the semi-automatic carbine only the pin is present, and it is simply pulled out by its head. With the pin removed, slide the trigger group slightly forward or backward to free it from the receiver. With the operating slide and bolt forward, pull backward on the recoil spring and guide until its end can be freed from the slide. Now pull out the recoil spring assembly from its hole in the receiver. On some early carbines a separate tube houses the spring and will come off the carbine with the spring and guide rod. Pull back the slide until it can be freed from its grooves in the barrel and removed by a twisting motion. Now, grasping the right locking lug, pull the bolt to the rear until it can be rotated counter clockwise and lifted out of the receiver. With the hammer forward, put the recoil spring guide rod through the hole in the front of the mainspring guide to pull back and up on the mainspring guide to remove it from the hammer. Now push out the hammer pin and remove it. On the selective fire carbine the trip sear will come out with the hammer. No further disassembly is normally necessary and will require special tools. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Prior to World War II it was realized that there was a great number of military personnel in specialized or rear duties that carried the Model 1911 pistol instead of a rifle. However, it was also known that most

personnel could not fire a pistol with great accuracy, and there was a need for a shoulder fired weapon that was lighter and smaller than the main battle rifle. Thus, in June 1940 the Secretary of War directed that the Ordnance Department begin a program to develop a semi-automatic shoulder firearm weighing about 5 pounds with a sling and to be effective up to ranges of 300 yards.

The first Winchester experimental prototype .30 caliber SR (Short Rifle) as seen from the right side with 10-shot magazine inserted and rear sight missing. The designation, Short Rifle was later changed to Carbine. (Winchester Museum photo)

Because of the mid-range role the new weapon would fill, a new sized cartridge somewhere between the size and performance of a pistol cartridge and the .30 M2 (.30-06) cartridge was to be designed especially for it; a cartridge that would function properly in box magazines. It was also decided that the proposed weapon should operate as a repeating rifle should its self-loading mechanism be damaged. It should also use non-lubricated ammunition and avoid the use of special or critical materials. Since neither a suitable weapon nor cartridge existed, the search for a cartridge began first. With ready available manufacturing facilities for the cartridge being a prime consideration, a study of existing commercial cartridges indicated that a modification of the caliber .32 Winchester self-loading cartridge offered a quick solution. After a review of estimated tactical requirements, the bullet for the new round was

fixed at 110 grains in weight with a proposed velocity of 2,000 fps. Winchester agreed to do the development work, and the new cartridge was ready within a few months. Called the “Caliber .30, SR, M1,” the new cartridge had a 110grain full metal jacketed (FMJ) bullet propelled by about 14.2 grains of DuPont #4227 powder with a Winchester No. 116 non-corrosive primer. With an overall length of 1.67 inches, the case length was 1.29 inches with a slight taper. The “SR” designation was for Short Rifle, but this was changed to Caliber .30 Carbine, M1 later. A slight decrease in muzzle velocity was necessary along with an increase in pressure from 36,000 psi (pounds per square inch) to 40,000 psi. Military representatives agreed that the weapon should be no more than 33 inches long with recoil and muzzle blast reduced to a minimum. A barrel length of 16 inches was also agreed upon as well as a suggestion that the handling characteristics of the weapon be similar to those of the M1 Garand rifle to simplify training. On October 1, 1940 a detailed information sheet was issued outlining the requirements and proposed tests was circulated to some 25 inventors or manufacturers of small arms. It was entitled “Military Characteristics for Lightweight Semiautomatic Rifle as Possible Replacement for Caliber .45 Pistol, and Submachine Gun.” This was the first time mention was made of the new weapon being used in the submachine gun role. The enlarged requirements included a strong 5-pound weapon capable of selective fire with magazines of 5-, 10-, 20-, and 50-shot capacity, the latter intended for full-automatic firing. The weapon’s mechanism was to be protected against debris and must be able to function without special lubricants. It must also be able to be field

stripped without the need of tools. Because of the urgency of the requirement, testing was to commence on February 1, 1941, but difficulties in producing the ammunition forced a postponement until the 1st of May. Nine different weapons were submitted for testing by various parties. Two were eliminated without further consideration with the remaining seven showing possibilities. However, five of these exceeded the 5-pound weight limit. Even after the weight limit was increased to 5.5 pounds with sling and 5-shot magazine, some of the weapons still exceeded it. Ultimately only six weapons were entered in the first series of firing tests. Included were gas-, recoil-, and blowback operated designs. Included was a design by Eugene G. Reising operating by retarded blow-back. Called the Reising .30 Cal., it was submitted by Harrington & Richardson and looked much like the final weapon adopted. Another design was a Garand-style carbine designed by Russel J. Turner, of Springfield Armory, and two submitted by George J. Hyde. Because all test guns showed considerable climb on fullautomatic, reasonable accuracy at 100 yards was impossible when firing was in this mode. The requirement for full-automatic fire was thus eliminated along with that for a 50-shot magazine. The program was then resumed with three of the six weapons having been eliminated, but two new entries were accepted with a total of five entries for the second round of testing. The winner was one of the two late entries and was submitted by Winchester. Its significant feature was a compact short stroke gas-actuating tappet system patented by David Marshal Williams, also known as “Carbine Williams,” who conceived the system while in prison. By 1941,

Williams was working for Winchester where he had perfected and patented his piston system.

Close-up of the left rear receiver of H&R Reising caliber .30 Carbine prototype serial #X18.

The action of the retarded blowback H&R Reising .30 Carbine prototype disassembled.

The barreled action of retarded blowback H&R Reising .30 Carbine prototype seen from the right side with 15-shot magazine inserted.

The second Winchester .30 caliber SR (Short Rifle) prototype viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted. This model won the Carbine Trials of September, 1941. (Winchester Museum photo)

The U.S. Carbine, caliber .30, M1 By using Williams’ abbreviated gas system, Winchester felt it could redesign the piece as an efficient 5-pound weapon. After additional redesign and development the final weapon was delivered to the Ordnance Department at Aberdeen on September 16, 1941 so that it could undergo a 1,000-round endurance test. The gun fired all 1,000rounds with only one stoppage. During final testing, the Winchester entry was unanimously selected over the only other submission, which was from Springfield Armory, and in October the Secretary of War

approved the adoption of the Winchester weapon as the “U.S. Carbine, caliber .30, M1.” Other than its gas system and box magazine, the general design of the U.S. caliber .30 Carbine M1 is similar to that of the U.S. caliber .30 Rifle M1. After the bullet passes the gas port about 4.5 inches forward of the chamber, a portion of the gas passes through it to drive the piston back 0.140 inch. The resulting impingement of the piston against the operating slide causes the slide to move rearward. After traveling 0.3125 inch, the slide’s cam contacts the cam extension of the right bolt lug. This delay allows the bullet to leave the barrel and pressure to drop before the bolt is opened and carried to the rear. The remainder of the cycle of the mechanism is conventional, but if the self-loading aspect fails, the carbine can be operated by hand as a repeater by pulling back and releasing the slide. For a large cash consideration, the Government bought a nonexclusive license from Winchester to make carbines or rifles incorporating its patented features. However, the M1 Carbine still had to be engineered for production. As a preliminary to this, orders were given to Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors Corp. and to Winchester for five tool room models each to be used for further tests to gather engineering information. Simultaneously, work was begun on drawings of the carbine. Nevertheless, the pressure to get guns to the front was so great that contracts were placed with both companies in November, 1941, even before models or drawings were ready with production by Inland finally starting in June. Early in 1942, several distinct technical problems arose. These included the need to perfect the drawings and specifications of both

the M1 Carbine and its ammunition, the debugging of the two in actual use, and the need to establish a technical information unit to disseminate data among the many proposed manufacturers of the gun. This was needed to assure coordination of effort and interchangeability of parts. While some 10 prime contractors might make carbines, components. During

the

many times that first

5,000-round

number endurance

might tests

be making difficulties

developed in extraction and ejection as well as the bolt hold-open plunger, the sight-setting device, and the magazine catch. To counteract such bugs, a continuous project was set up to develop corrective measures on March 30, 1942. Consisting of the seven prime contractors, the group was first called the “Carbine Caliber .30 M1 Committee,” but soon changed the name to the “Carbine Manufacturers Production Committee,” and finally to the “Carbine Industry Integration Committee.” The M1 Carbine had been adopted while the United States was still at peace. After Pearl Harbor, the estimated requirements for carbines increased dramatically. The successful production of 6 million samples of an entirely new weapon, in wartime, was possible only because of a flexible organization overseeing production. Companies that had never made a part for a firearm before, could, through the committee, have access to advice and assistance from experienced makers in the most informal manner.

The U.S. Carbine caliber .30, M1 as seen from the right side with 15-shot magazine inserted. Note early “L” type flip rear sight and plain stock band.

Although 10 companies had entered the program to make the carbine, only nine remained with it, as one could not perform satisfactorily. However, over a thousand subcontractors made minor components for the gun. The following tabulation shows unit production by each maker, but quantities of each model are not indicated.

U.S. Carbine Production (all models)

While the Army had hoped to have a million carbines by the end of 1942, only about one-tenth of that number was delivered. However, production accelerated sharply in 1943, and by early 1944 all manufacturers but Inland and Winchester terminated production. By the latter part of 1943, many reports were received of parts breakages including operating slides, bolts and bolt components.

These parts and others were improved without interfering with interchangeability. Among the changes were the round bolt with a greater cam ring, a heavier section in the operating rod, an improved front band, slightly heavier sections in the stock, a redesigned more flexible recoil plate, a stamped-brazed front sight, an angular change to the handle for better ejection, a stamped-brazed trigger housing, and a change in the cam cut on the operating slide to increase dwell time. An increase in bore tolerances was also made.

The U.S. Carbine, caliber .30, M1A1 To meet different technical and tactical requirements, the Carbine was produced in several models. However, such changes were mostly to external features and components, so that the basic action was retained. Requirements to provide airborne troops with a short, readily usable carbine caused the development of a folding stock in early 1942. Springfield Armory, Winchester and Inland Division coordinated on the project, and in 1942, Springfield and Inland each developed such stocks. Springfield experimented with a retractable stock, but in March 1942, Inland submitted a side-folding stock. In May, this stock was standardized as the “Carbine, caliber .30, M1A1.” While early carbines used a temporary flip-type 2-position “L” rear sight, Inland developed a ramp-type adjustable rear sight late in 1942 that required modification to the receiver. Although this carbine was standardized as the M1A2, it was not put into production because the sight was modified to fit the existing receiver. In addition, another folding stock was developed to permit the carbine to launch

rifle grenades using the M8 grenade launcher. Of the pantograph type, this stock was much stronger than the M1A1, and was standardized as the M1A3, but was not produced.

The U.S. Carbine caliber .30, M1A1 as seen from the right side with 15-shot magazine inserted, folding stock extended, and sling attached. (U.S. Army photo)

The U.S. Carbine caliber .30, M1A1 seen from the right side with 15-shot magazine inserted and stock folded.

The U.S. Carbine caliber .30, M3 as seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted, but without infrared Sniper Scope attached. (U.S. Army photo)

The U.S. Carbine, caliber .30, M2 When reports from the front indicated that users were converting the M1 Carbine to fire full automatic with little problem of dispersion, it

was decided in May 1942 to design a group of components which could be installed as a kit in the standard M1 Carbine to permit selective fire. The weapon, as manufactured with the selective-fire feature installed was designated “Carbine, caliber .30, M2.” With the M2 Carbine came a stock inletted for the selective fire parts, as well as a thicker forend and reinforced handguard. In addition to using a better heat treatment on the receiver, the M2 Carbine was issued with a 30-shot magazine. The rotating safety was also standardized. This was done to eliminate releasing the magazine by mistake under stress, as the push safety is located just to the rear of the magazine release. An improved magazine catch with an additional extension on its side was also adopted for the heavier 30shot magazine, and a soft plastic cap was adopted to protect the magazines from debris. To facilitate faster loading a 10-shot charger with an integral guide was adopted to fill magazines out of the gun.

The U.S. Carbine, caliber .30, M3 Following the development of the infrared night-vision device known as the Sniper-scope, a model adapted for mounting it was standardized as the “Carbine, caliber .30, M3.” This was essentially the M2 Carbine without sights, and with a clamp-on flash hider. However, the M3 Carbine has a dedicated receiver for mounting the Sniper-scope. An adapter bracket was later developed to permit mounting the scope on the M1 Carbine receiver. With this scope a man can be detected moving at 400 yards on a moonless night. Early in 1942 a requirement was established for a grenade launcher for the M1 Carbine. Experiments indicated that it would not be necessary to render the gas system inoperative during launching,

and the new launcher was standardized as the M8 in November 1943 along with an auxiliary blank launching cartridge. The M15 launching sight could also be attached to the stock for use with the launcher. Although grenade launching is punishing to the carbine, the M8 launcher can be used on any standard M1 Carbine, but grenades should never be launched from the M1A1 Carbine except in an extreme emergency. After some deliberation in 1943, the M3 knife was re-designed to be used as a bayonet on the M1 Carbine. This necessitated a new front band assembly with a bayonet lug that could be retrofitted to existing guns in the field. The modified variant of the M3 knife was standardized early in 1944 as the bayonet-knife M4. Late in 1944, a conical-type flash hider was developed for the M1 Carbine, and an attempt was also made to combine this with an anti-climb feature, or muzzle brake. However, the two features were not compatible together and the project was abandoned. Later, a separate effective muzzle brake was adopted for the weapon along with a blank-firing muzzle attachment.

U.S. Carbines, Caliber .30, M1, M1A1, M2 and M3

Other developments that never went beyond the experimental stage were a plastic stock, a telescopic sight, and a gas operating system of the gas-expansion type. The plastic stock didn’t prove any stronger than the wood stock, and while the scope mount was improved, there was little interest in it. A Defense Rifle Although the United States Carbine fulfills some of the requirements of an assault rifle, it has the inherent limitation of being designed around a cartridge with ballistics tailored for a lesser role, specifically that of defense rather than offense. Although it gained weight after its initial adoption, it is a fairly good compromise between the ideal and the practical, and besides its more than 30-year tenure with the U.S., it has served dozens of other armies in as many countries. Commercial M1 Carbines As loaded with a commercial expanding 110-grain bullet, the M1 Carbine is measurably more effective, and became a favorite of American law enforcement during the 1960’s when it became available as surplus from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) through the National Rifle Association and other sources. The M1 Carbine also inspired many other weapons, and hundreds of thousands of spare surplus parts were purchased by firearms companies that made commercial variants of the carbine. The Plainfield Machine Co., of Dunellen, New Jersey, sold large numbers of its retractable stock “Commando” model carbine to countries such as Lebanon, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Available in selective fire and semi-automatic, the “Commando” was also sold in the U.S. Other

commercial variations included those from Universal Firearms, of Florida, Springfield Armory, Inc., of Geneseo, Illinois. Auto Ordnance, began selling its own variant in 2003. Spare parts for the carbine have reportedly also been made in Japan and several European countries. As covered in the section on the Johnson Rifle, Melvin Johnson developed a necked down high velocity variation of the .30 carbine cartridge called the Johnson Spitfire that he marketed in custom converted M1 Carbines. Other Weapons For the .30 Carbine Cartridge In addition to the U.S. M1 Carbine, its caliber .30 cartridge went on to live a life of its own. Prior to the adoption of the M2 Carbine, the M3 submachine gun (“grease gun”) was chambered for it experimentally as well as the Thompson submachine gun. Another experimental .30 caliber carbine with a quick-change barrel was designed by George J. Hydel, and an employee of the Bell Aircraft Company named Hillberg developed an experimental .30 caliber carbine with a forward moving barrel during World War II. Following World War II, Ludwig Vorgrimler designed his improved roller-locking rifles around the .30 Carbine cartridge, and Beretta designed and produced its Model 57 carbine around the U.S. .30 carbine cartridge. Pal Kiraly also designed the Cristobal carbines in .30 carbine caliber for the Dominican Republic. These are described in depth in that chapter. The Winchester Light Weight Military Rifle In 1957, the U.S. Army Infantry Board issued a requirement for a light rifle to be capable of selective fire, to weigh 6 pounds or less, and to

fire a bullet capable of penetrating one side of a steel helmet at 500 yards, although caliber was not specified. In response, Winchester developed a rifle that was essentially a scaled up M2 Carbine designed to fire a high velocity small-bore cartridge. Winchester first designed a cartridge called the .224E1. Loaded with ball powder, and firing a 53-grain bullet at 3,300 fps, this cartridge gave fairly good results, but pressure became excessive in a hot barrel. IMR-type powder was then substituted in a second cartridge designated the .224E2. Using a longer case, this round had the bullet seated deeper for the same overall length, and performed better than the .224E1. The Winchester Light Weight Military Rifle weighed about 5 pounds and had about 70 parts. The barrel was 20 inches, and the overall length was 37.5 inches. The 20-shot magazine was made of lightweight alloy. In late 1958, after termination of the Army tests, Winchester suspended further developments of this rifle.

CHAPTER 64

United States: U.S. Assault Rifle Developments From the M1 Garand to the M14

B

eing long, arduous, and riddled with politics, the story of the

U.S. M14 rifle is one that cannot be recounted here in completeness, but it’s most logical opening must begin with John C. Garand’s U.S. Rifle, caliber .30 M1 (Garand) from which the M14 rifle is an evolutionary development. With the need for full-automatic arms felt during World War II, field modifications were made to the M1 Garand rifle that enabled it to fill the role of a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). These modifications included converting the M1 rifle to full-automatic, or with a set of selective fire components, and converting the rifle to use the 20-shot magazine of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), and also enabling it to use a bipod and muzzle brake. Made by troops in the Pacific Theater of WW II, these modifications were the cornerstone of the development of the M14 rifle. However, John Garand had already converted his rifle to selective fire as early as 1942. Using a 20-shot BAR magazine, this rifle also used a modified barrel from the BAR. Although more urgent projects continued to overshadow this development, it served as the seed for the Springfield and Remington tests to come.

To better understand the series of developments by the U.S. Army, we must be aware that the program consisted of three basic trends, the first two originating during the war. The first concerned efforts to reduce the weight of the standard rifle. The second trend called for a selective fire capability, and the third trend was the development of a multipurpose weapon firing a new cartridge, and replacing the rifle, carbine, submachine gun and squad automatic weapon. The third trend actually included the first two.

John C. Garand’s U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30 M1

Interestingly, although the U.S. Army had full knowledge of the assault rifle concept as it had advanced during and since the end of the war, it remained unsold on the significance of this concept. In addition, the sudden demobilization after WW II had detrimental effects on the development of the combat rifle, both because of budget cuts and public indifference. Another important factor in the

selection of military characteristics for a new rifle was the mistaken belief that the Soviet Union was continuing its small arms development along the lines of conventional World War II weapons. Knowledge of the fully developed Soviet AK-47 assault rifle simply came too late to influence the evolution of the new U.S. rifle and the new cartridge mandated by the U.S. military, a 7.62mm using the T65 case that later became the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester). Using this new cartridge, the equally new U.S. rifle would replace the squad automatic rifle in medium and extended ranges, and the submachine gun in close quarters. A proper understanding of the U.S. Army program that resulted in the standardization of the M14 rifle can only be gained by reviewing the many experimental models tested from 1944 to 1957. Other rifles also underwent development by private companies during this time, but were not involved in this program. These included the Armalite AR-10 and AR-15, the Stoner 62 and 63, and Winchester Light Weight Rifle covered elsewhere in this book. In addition, although this program started and ended with the basic Garand action, some of the trial weapons submitted had no relationship to that rifle. As soon as information about the German FG42 rifle became known to U.S. Forces, a requirement was formulated for a somewhat similar weapon. Early in 1944, Springfield Armory and the Remington Arms Company were directed to develop a paratrooper’s rifle based on the M1 Garand and in the same caliber, but having the following characteristics: A weight of 9 pounds without magazine. An overall length of 26 inches with stock folded.

A magazine capacity of 20-rounds. A bipod. To provide semi-automatic fire from a closed bolt position. To provide full-automatic fire from an open bolt position. To be capable of launching rifle grenades with stock extended. To be capable of using the standard M15 grenade launching sight. In September 1944, the above requirement was superceded by one from Headquarters, Army Ground Forces for a weapon similar to the M1 Garand, but capable of selective fire with automatic fire being as effective as that of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Other characteristics remained generally the same, except that the requirements for a folding stock and a short barrel were also eliminated. Nevertheless, in July 1945, the Pacific Theater of Operations requested 15,000 lighter, shorter M1 rifles for airborne use and forwarded a sample combat-modified rifle to the Ordnance Department to indicate what was required. Springfield had already developed the short barreled M1E5 rifle that was deemed preferable. This variant was given the designation “T26,” but the war ended too soon to see it produced.

John C. Garand’s converted selective fire (.30 M2) .30-06 caliber M1 rifle as seen from the right side with 20-shot BAR magazine inserted.

The Springfield designed M1E5 (T26) answered the call for a carbine variant of the M1, but World War II ended before it went into production.

Given the designation “T20,” Springfield’s rifle competed against the Remington entry designated the “T22,” and Winchester developed a weapon of its own. Additional designs were also submitted as the program continued. Being somewhat complex, the development of these two programs is simplified here to save space and get to the main subject of this segment. Here then is a synopsis of the evolutionary steps leading to the M14. Caliber .30 T20 Rifle: Capable of selective fire, the Springfield T20 originally fired from an open bolt on full-automatic and a closed bolt on semi-automatic. Delivered for testing to Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1944, the T20 used a modified BAR magazine, and the gas cylinder was locked into position with a muzzle brake. In addition, the receiver was lengthened at the rear to add dwell time for the ammunition to rise into position. Aberdeen tests indicated the need for a stronger magazine and magazine catch. Caliber .30 T20E1 Rifle: Firing from a closed bolt in both fullautomatic and semi-automatic, the T20E1 had an improved magazine catch and a new magazine. A new muzzle brake was also used that

allowed for a bayonet to be mounted. Two heat flow arresting grooves were also machined into the barrel in front of the chamber. The T20E1 also had an adjustable bipod that was difficult to remove. Tested successfully in 1945, the T20E1 resulted in an order for 100 samples of an improved variant.

The first of the experimental rifles in the Light Rifle Program, the .30 M2 caliber selective fire T20, seen from both sides with modified 20-shot BAR magazine inserted. Note experimental scope base on left side of receiver.

The .30 M2 caliber selective fire T20E1 rifle seen from both sides with bipod deployed and 20-shot modified BAR magazine inserted. Note early M14 type integral scope base on left side of receiver.

Caliber .30 T20E2 Rifle: Differing from the T20E1, Springfield’s T20E2 rifle used a grenade launcher that permitted both modes of fire without adjustment. A new bipod with longer legs was also incorporated, the bolt was slightly modified, and a roller was added to the bolt lug similar to that of the earlier M1E3 rifle. Longer than the standard receiver, that of the T20E2 had a modified bridge with an operating lock to hold the bolt open when desired. While the T20E2’s magazine could be used in the BAR, the reverse was not the case. Although the Ordnance Committee recommended that 100,000 of these rifles be procured, no action was taken because of the end of the war. After the war, John Garand continued to develop the T20E2, using it as the basis for a heavy barrel squad automatic rifle (SAW). The T20E2 HB had a detachable bipod, a new tight (conical) fitting gas block, and a rate reducer on full-automatic, and used a sidemounted M84 telescopic sight. Caliber .30 T22 Rifle: Submitted to Aberdeen Proving Ground for testing in December 1944, the Remington T22 rifle had a bipod, flash hider and a 20-shot modified BAR magazine. Tests indicated the need

for minor modifications to improve functioning along with a better magazine release and retention of the bolt in the open position. Caliber .30 T22E1 Rifle: The first modification to the Remington T22, this rifle used a modified magazine, conical flash hider and a heavier bipod. Both handguards were perforated in an attempt to deal with overheating.

The .30 M2 caliber T20E2 rifle seen from the right side with 20-shot modified BAR magazine inserted.

The experimental selective fire U.S. Rifle T25 seen from both sides with 20shot magazine inserted and folding sights in both positions. This was the first Light Rifle candidate to use the T65 series ammunition, in this case, the 7.62×49mm variant.

Caliber .30 T22E2 Rifle: With a new magazine catch and a slightly changed trigger group, the Remington T22E2 rifle used the gas cylinder, gas cylinder valve screw, and bipod used on the Springfield

T20E2 rifle. As with all Remington test rifles, the T22E2 used the M1 receiver without lengthening. Caliber .30 T23 Rifle: Incorporating a selective fire control by means of an independent hammer release, this rifle fired full-automatic from an open bolt and semi-automatic from a closed bolt. However, Aberdeen testing indicated that it would fire from the open bolt only 20% of the time. In the end it was decided to use a closed bolt for both modes of fire. Using the standard M1 rifle stock, early models of the T23 also used the M1 8-shot “en bloc” clip, but later variants used a BAR magazine that was not successful. Caliber .30 T24 Rifle: Being another Remington modification of the M1 rifle, the T24 provided selective fire by means of an independent sear release, and fired from a closed bolt in both modes of fire. It used the M1’s 8-shot “en bloc” clip and was equipped with a straight high comb stock. Winchester Automatic Rifle: Developed independently, this rifle was based on the M1 Carbine’s gas system and had a bipod and a flash hider. Ten samples were procured for tests in May 1945.

The experimental 7.62×49mm T65E3 caliber selective fire U.S. rifle T28 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted, and equipped with conventional style stock. The T65E3 cartridge went on to become the 7.62×51mm NATO round.

Caliber .30 T25 Rifle: A post-war Springfield Armory design, The T25 was designed by Earle Harvey of Small Arms Research and Development for the Ordnance Department, and was manufactured by the Bennel Machine Company, of Brooklyn, N.Y. The pet project of Col. Rene Studler, who directed the project, the T25 used a gas cutoff and expansion system and a straight-line stock. Being of a hinge-type rear-locking “flap” breech mechanism locking into the top of the receiver, the objective of the system was to eliminate the concentrated shear stresses of the front locking turn-bolt used in the M1 rifle. The T-25 initially fired from the open position on fullautomatic and the closed position on semi-automatic. However, this was changed to closed bolt firing in both modes. The T25 was the first test rifle to be chambered for the T65 series .30 caliber case that went on to become the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) cartridge. Caliber .30 T27 Rifle: This was an M1 rifle converted to automatic fire by an auxiliary device that could be installed in the field. The device was later redesigned to provide selective fire.

The final variant of the experimental U.S. rifle T28 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and folding sights deployed.

John C. Garand’s prototype selective fire U.S. rifle T31 for T65E3 caliber (NATO) cartridge seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and folding sights deployed.

The experimental T33 Clarke selective fire rifle for T65E3 (NATO) cartridge with straight line stock seen from the right side with modified BAR magazine inserted and folding sights deployed.

The experimental T33 Clarke rifle with 2-piece straight line stock separated and operating mechanism exposed.

The experimental T33 Clarke rifle seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted, folding sights deployed and variant muzzle brake.

The experimental T33 Clarke selective fire rifle seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and in conventional stock.

Caliber .30 T28 Rifle: Designed by Cyril Moore, of Springfield Armory, the T28 used an adaptation of the World War II German roller-locking breech, but had a locked breech with a gas piston above the barrel. The T28 was also largely made of stamped, or pressed, metal and simplified forgings. In all, eleven rifles were made using both a radically shaped conventional stock and a straight line walnut stock with a separate pistol grip. T28 was chambered for the T65E3 (NATO) cartridge. Caliber .30 T31 Rifle: The last rifle designed by John C. Garand, the T31 was a “bullpup” design using an in-line configuration and a unique gas system in a full-length cylinder that surrounded the barrel. The

magazine designed for the T31 was later incorporated into the T44 rifle that became the M14. The T31 was chambered for the T65E3 (NATO) cartridge. Caliber .30 T33 Rifle: Designed by Mr. Howard R. Clarke, President of the Clarke Arms Company, of Boston, Mass., the T33 was made in two variants, one with a straight line walnut stock with a separate pistol grip and the second model with a conventional stock. Chambered for the T65E2 cartridge case and then the T65E3 (51mm NATO) case, the T33 rifle was dropped because it lacked sufficient ruggedness and durability.

The experimental T36-1/2 rifle seen from the right side with T25 20-shot magazine inserted.

The T65E3 caliber experimental U.S. rifle T37 seen from the right side with 20shot magazine inserted in straight ling stock.

Caliber .30 T34 Rifle: This was the M1918A2 BAR modified to use the caliber .30, T65E3 (7.62×51mm NATO) cartridge.

Caliber .30 T35 Rifle: This is essentially the M1 rifle modified to use the caliber T65E3 (7.62×51mm NATO) cartridge. Caliber .30 T36 Rifle: A modification of the T20E2 rifle, the T36 retained its long receiver, but was chambered for the T65E3 NATO cartridge using a modified T25 magazine, and fired from a closed bolt in both full- and semi-automatic. Using a full-length stock, the first variant was superceded by one with a half-stock dubbed the “T361/2.” Caliber .30 T37 Rifle: Chambered for the T65E3 NATO cartridge, the T37 was essentially the T36 with a straight-line stock similar to that used on the Harvey T25 rifle. Caliber .30 T44 Rifle: Chambered for the T65E3 NATO cartridge, the first T44 was designed by Lloyd Corbett and was the T37 with the gas cut-off expansion system used in the Harvey T25 rifle. The first of the prototypes that directly resulted in the M14, the T44 quickly evolved through a series of product improved variants where the gas block was moved farther to the rear. During this period, the integral scope base on the left side of the receiver also underwent improvements. A gas relief valve and a recoil buffer were incorporated on the variant that competed against, and finally won against the T48 (FAL). Loosely referred to by year, i.e., 1952 and 1953, these designations were soon replaced by official ones. The first was a modified variant called the T44E1, a heavy-barreled variant designed as a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), and the T44E2 had a longer stock with an impinging gas system.

The experimental U.S. rifle T44 for T65E3 cartridge seen from both sides with 20-shot T25 magazine inserted.

This 1953 model T44 rifle used a gas relief valve, bolt buffer and extra stock bolt. It beat the T48 in competition.

It was decided to shorten the receiver of the T44, and this modification resulted in the T44E4. Finally, in May 1957, the T44E4 was adopted as the U.S. Rifle, 7.62mm, M14. However, the T44E4 used a wooden handguard instead of a ventilated synthetic one, and it had a conventional M1 butt plate instead of the hinged aluminum butt plate of the M14. While the heavy barrel T44E5 was adopted as the M15 (SAW), it was soon dropped and was never mass produced. The T44E6 was a lightweight variant of the M14 that was made only in prototype. Being about 2.5 inches shorter than the M14, the T44E6 had no provision for a bayonet or launching grenades, and using an aluminum magazine, it weighed about a pound less than the M14.

The T65E3 caliber experimental U.S. rifle T47 seen from both sides with 20shot magazine inserted. This was the T25 with a conventional style laminated wood stock.

The experimental U.S. rifle T47 field stripped.

The early experimental .30 M2 caliber Cook selective fire rifle seen from the right side with 10-shot modified BAR magazine inserted.

The later variant of the .30 M2 caliber Cook rifle seen from the right side with 20-shot modified BAR magazine and straight line stock.

The original T44E4 M14 is seen above the final improved variant along with accessories.

The T44E5 (M15) is seen from the right side with bipod folded and magazine inserted.

Caliber .30, T47 Rifle: Chambered for the NATO cartridge, the T47 was a redesign of the T25 using a conventional stock.

Caliber .30, T48 Rifle: Chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, the T48 was the United States’ experimental model designation for the Belgian FN FAL rifle. A heavy barreled variant was given the designation T48E1 by the Army. Three thousand T48’s were purchased from FN, of Belgium in addition to 200 “T48E1s.” To determine production problems in converting from metric to inch pattern, 500 T48 rifles were made by Harrington and Richardson, of Worchester, Mass., and thirteen were made by High Standard Mfg. Corp., of Hamden, Conn. During the early 1950’s, the T48 competed against the T47, the British EM2, and the T44. The T48 had a charger guide on top of its dust cover. The Cook Rifles: Invented by U.S. Army officer, Loren C. Cook, two experimental assault rifles were made in .30-06 caliber during the late 1940’s. Most of the work was done at Benicia Arsenal, in California, but Cook was also stationed at Springfield Armory for a short time. Both rifles used modified BAR magazines and had separate pistol grips. The AR-10 Rifle: Invented by Eugene Stoner, of Armalite Corp., Costa Mesa, Calif., the 7.62×51mm AR-10 was submitted after the adoption of the M14, and introduced its radically modernistic straight line design. The AR-10 used an efficient muzzle brake and was the first assault rifle submitted by Armalite.

Of short stroke gas piston operation, the M14 uses the gas cutoff system where the piston moves a short distance to cut off further entry of expanding gas.

The T44 (above) is seen with the T48 (FN FAL), which competed against it in U.S. trials. Their bayonets and grenade launchers also shown.

The T48 used a special “horseshoe” shaped 10-shot charger to load the magazine while inserted in the rifle.

The M14 Rifle Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the upper right rear side of the receiver, the selector is pushed in and rotated to that the letter “A” is visible, and so a small protrusion, or wing, on the upper outside of the selector can be felt in the dark. In this position the rifle can be fired full-automatic. Pushing in and rotating the selector 180 degrees allows only semi-automatic fire. NOTE: Most M14 rifles were issued with a drum-like selector lock pinned in place of the selector and its spring. The selector lock allows the M14 to fire only semi-automatic. Safety Arrangements:

Located inside the front of the trigger guard, the M1 Garand type safety of the M14 is pulled to the rear to cam the hammer off the sear and prevent the rifle from being fired, and is pushed forward to allow firing to take place. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, allow the operating slide and bolt to go forward. Then, using the bullet of a cartridge or similar tool, pry open the trigger guard from the rear and removed the trigger guard/firing group from the rifle. Now remove the stock downward via the butt and off the rifle. It may be necessary to invert the rifle, holding it by the hand-guard, and slap the buttstock upward to remove. After making sure the selector is in the semiautomatic position, push the automatic fire connector assembly on the right side of the receiver forward from the rear until it can be rotated free of the connector lock pin in the side of the receiver. Then swing the connector assembly down until it can be removed from the disconnector arm. Now, pull the connector lock pin from left to right using its small side pin, and then lift out the recoil spring guide and its spring, taking care that it is under pressure, and remove these parts from the rear of the operating slide. Pull the operating slide back until it clears its slot in its track in the receiver and rotate the slide outward and off the rifle. Then pull the bolt rearward and rotate it up and out of the receiver. Using the special gas plug wrench, unscrew the gas plug and remove it from the gas cylinder. Then remove the gas piston from the front of the cylinder. Now unscrew the gas cylinder lock and slide it,

the gas cylinder and the handguard-retaining cap forward on the barrel. Then slide the handguard forward until it can be removed from the barrel. Further disassembly is not normally necessary, and reassembly is in the reverse order, except that the handguard is placed against the front of the receiver and then pushed or struck on top to force its spring clip down and into its retaining grooves. NOTE: With the exception of the connector assembly, the disassembly procedure is the same for the commercial M1A rifle.

The M14 rifle and its 20-shot magazine are seen totally disassembled.

The prototype M14 Squad Automatic Weapon stock (above) is seen with the final M14E2 variant later standardized as the M14A1.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: The long history leading to the M14 has been examined above, but the rifle went on to live a life of its own with many points of interest. Being essentially a shortened M1 Garand in the new NATO caliber with a 20-round detachable box magazine, the M14 used a short piston operation with gas cutoff expansion system. In this system, the gas enters the port and then through the gas cylinder wall into a port in the side of the semi-hollow piston. Here the expanding gas causes the piston (and its port) to move rearward where it cut off the flow of gas. As the gas trapped in the piston and cylinder continues to expand, it drives the piston to the rear pushing the operating rod as it goes. When the piston stops after a short distance, the operating rod continues with the bolt to complete the cycle. Because of cutbacks following the end of the Korean War, M14 Rifle production was slow to begin. Finally, in April 1958, Springfield received an order to set up pilot production for an initial 15,669 rifles, and the workforce there (previously as high 3,000) went back up to just over 1,000 from only 676. However, many of the most skilled toolmakers that had been laid off, had found other jobs and were a

permanent loss to the Armory, and Springfield’s production was limited to only 2,000 rifles per month. At the same time, the Air Force proposed a plan to rearm with 2,000,000 M14 rifles by 1964, and the Army estimated a total requirement for over 5,000,000 of the rifles. After the Government decided to establish a bidding program, Olin offered to manufacture 35,000 M14 rifles at its Winchester plant in New Haven, Conn., for $69.75 each. Allotted on February 17, 1959, the contract provided for deliveries to begin a year later with a completion date of March 1961. The second commercial contract dated April 1959, went to the Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., because it had prior experience with building the M1 rifle during the Korean War. Production there was set to begin in June 1960. By July 1959, Springfield had completed the first 50 M14 rifles with serial numbers beginning at 2001. By this time several changes in the rifle were proposed including replacing the walnut handguard with one of ventilated fiberglass, and a hinged butt plate replaced the Garand type plate used in the T44 series. The M2 bipod for the M14 was also put into production at Springfield.

The standard M14A1 muzzle brake installed on the M14A1 rifle.

In February 1960, H&R received its second contract for 70,000 M14 rifles and in April of that year Winchester’s second contract was also signed for 81,500 rifles. Springfield built 4,245 rifles that month on schedule, but to get commercial production started, the Army allowed Springfield to increase its production to 3,000 rifles per month. Still, by June only 9,471 rifles were ready out of a total quantity due of 269,100. To make matters worse, in December 1960 a serious problem occurred when the receivers and bolts of several M14 rifles made by H&R disintegrated while being test fired at Fort Benning. Production at both commercial firms was immediately halted until it was found that the problem lay in a combination of using the wrong steel and incorrect heat treatment. However, in 1961 a total of 1,784 rifles made by both companies had to be destroyed as defective. Springfield was not affected by these problems, and its production limit was again raised to 5,000 rifles per month.

An experimental pivoting buttstock designed to counteract recoil.

The experimental conical type M14 muzzle brake developed by Rock Island Arsenal.

The semi-experimental lightweight plastic stock developed for the M14 rifle.

The standard receiver marking of an M14 rifle made by Springfield Armory.

The standard receiver marking of an M14 rifle made by Harrington & Richardson.

The standard receiver marking of an M14 rifle made by Thompson-RamoWooldrich.

The standard receiver marking of an M14 rifle made by Winchester.

Because of the problems with M14 production the position of Project Manager was established for the program and was filled by General Elmer J. Gibson, formerly Commanding General of Ordnance Weapons Command at Rock Island Arsenal. General Gibson was ordered to expedite M14 production by whatever means necessary, and he sought a third commercial producer for the rifle. In 1961, 32 companies were solicited for bids. H&R’s second contract was on schedule in August 1961. However, Congress discovered that 16 years after the inception of the light rifle program had begun, and four years after M14 rifle procurement had started, 5,000 American troops stationed in

Germany during the Berlin Wall crisis were still armed with M1 rifles. What’s more, so where the 1,500 reinforcements sent over to bolster the American garrison. Springfield was ordered to step up its production to 6,500 M14’s per month. Finally, on October 2, 1961, a contract to produce 100,000 M14 rifles was awarded to Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, at its newly organized Ordnance Works at TRW’s Thompson Aircraft Parts Company (TAPCO) plant in Euclid, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. The cost of each rifle was $85.00. TRW enjoyed three M14 contracts, and was the only commercial company given a contract to manufacture the M14 National Match rifle. Production figures for the M14 rifle are as follows:

The experimental dedicated blank firing device (top) compared with a standard front sight base/flash suppressor.

Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts

............... 167,100

Harrington & Richardson, Worcester, Massachusetts

............ 537,582

Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, Cleveland, Ohio

........................... 319,163

Winchester-Western, New Haven, Connecticut

............... 356,501

Total M14 Rifle Production .......... 1,380,346

Winchester’s 7.62×51mm NATO Duplex cartridge fired two 75-grain .30 caliber bullets.

The M5 winter trigger used with the M14 rifle was squeezed with four fingers.

Three M14 20-shot magazines (from bottom) the experimental T31 magazine, the aluminum magazine used with the Lightweight T44E6 rifle, and the standard M14 magazine.

Several types of chargers were experimented with for the M14 rifle.

The M14 with 40mm grenade launcher mounted in the closed (top) and open positions.

The M14 rifle grenade launcher seen attached to the front sight base.

M14 Rifle

M14 Variations M14E1: In an effort to make the M14 rifle more easily storable, several folding stocks were developed for it. These were designated as Types I, II, III, IV and V. Although there is no official information on the original tool-room Type I stock, it is believed to be a variation of the M1E5 with T6 pantograph-type folding stock. This is because the

M14E1 Type II is an improved variant of the T6 stock with a separate (synthetic) pistol grip and a cheek rest. Using the same pistol grip, the Type III M14E1 stock folded under the rifle much like the stock used in the World War II German MP40 submachine gun, or the folding stock used on the AK-47 rifle. Using a similar pistol grip, the Type IV stock was another underfolder, but this one had a folding pistol grip and a folding vertical fore grip. It’s special sling connected to the M2 bipod to provide additional leverage in full-automatic fire, and the butt plate had a folding shoulder rest like the standard M14 rifle. Along the same lines as the Type IV, the Type V stock used an aluminum buttstock that folded to the left rather than an under-folder. In addition to its folding shoulder support, the butt folded sideways when the stock was folded. As interesting as the M14 folding stock program was, none was ever produced beyond prototype. M14E2 (M14A1): In an effort to improve the M14 as a squad automatic weapon (SAW), it was equipped with a straight line stock with a full pistol grip and a folding fore grip. This grip attached to the M2 bipod with a special sling similar to the arrangement of the M14E1 Types IV & V. In addition to its M2 bipod and special stock, the M14E2 was also equipped with a quick detachable tubular, perforated muzzle brake that slipped over the flash hider. Early on, a more conical muzzle brake with slots was also developed at Rock Island Arsenal. However, this muzzle brake replaced the entire flash hider/front sight base, and was not adopted. The M14E2 standardized as the M14A1 and was used in Vietnam with limited success, this because of its relatively lightweight as compared with the BAR that it sought to replace.

M14 experimental under-folding stocks Type II and Type III were early variants.)

Seldom seen is the first variant of the M14 experimental Type V folding stock that folded to the left side.

The later variant of experimental M14 Type V folding stock used a reinforced butt stock seen here in the folded position.

M14A1

Other developments and accessories surrounding the M14 program were many, with the majority being experimental. Included was a pivoting, recoil-dampening buttstock for the M14A1 designed by John Kimble, a quick detachable bipod, a fiberglass stock designed by General Tire & Rubber Company, a winter trigger, several types of magazines and magazine chargers, a special front sight base/blank firing device, a detachable blank firing device, a rifle grenade launcher, and a 40mm grenade launcher. One particularly interesting development was the 7.62×51mm NATO M198 Duplex cartridge. Developed by Winchester, this round contained two projectiles joined together, each weighing 75 grains. The rear bullet had a base that was slightly tapered so as to wobble and separate immediately upon leaving the muzzle. The

spread of the two bullets was roughly 12 inches at 100 yards. The Duplex cartridge was never mass produced.

H&R Variations Simulator, M14, .22 caliber Mark 1: Based on a recommendation from Dr. Frank Carten, Col. Studler’s successor at the Office, Chief of Ordnance of Harrington & Richardson, took a gambling initiative and invested considerable time and money in a selective fire .22 Long Rifle rimfire M14 training rifle. Called the Simulator M14 .22 Caliber Mark I, this rifle was thought to be of use to the Army, especially by the R.O.T.C. and National Guard units. The economy of ammunition could also be a savings to the Government. With an appearance very similar to a standard M14 rifle, the Mark I had its selector in the same location. However, because it was tied to the tenuous M14 program, the Mark I Simulator never went beyond the pre-production stage.

A close-up of the experimental H&R Reising selective fire 7.62×51mm NATO rifle seen from the right side with M14 magazine inserted, but missing the rear sight.

The experimental H&R Reising 7.62×51mm NATO rifle seen without its stock and magazine with its tilting bolt locked to the rear.

Close-up of the early Simulator, M14 .22 caliber Mark 1 action seen from the right side with 10-shot magazine inserted and selector in the full-auto-matic setting.

The late H&R Simulator M14 .22 caliber Mark 1 seen from the right side with .22 caliber magazine housed in an M14 magazine, bipod attached and hinged

buttplate.

The full size M14 rifle (above) is seen with the H&R Guerrilla Rifle.

The H&R Guerrilla Rifle action is seen disassembled with some of its components.

H&R “Guerrilla Rifle:” Designed by H&R as a special purpose lighter, shorter answer to the problems of combat mobility in close, difficult terrain, the selective fire Guerrilla Rifle had an overall length of 39.8 inches and a barrel 19.3 inches long including its combination muzzle brake/flash hider. A perforated conical flash suppressor was mounted in front of the gas

cylinder and several of the components were lightened by metal removal. The Guerrilla Rifle never went beyond the prototype stage, but is similar to the SOCOM 16 rifle designed some 40 years later by the commercial Springfield Armory.

The Vietcong M14 Conversion Along the lines of the H&R Guerrilla Rifle was a surprising conversion of a M14 rifle captured by the Vietcong during the Vietnam War, and later recaptured by U.S. Forces. The Vietcong had turned the M14 in question into a carbine by shortening the barrel and replacing the front sight with one from an SKS rifle. The rear sight was also removed and the receiver modified to accept a rear sight from a Model 1919A4 LMG that was welded in place. A side-folding bayonet was also added to the left side of the rifle. The extent to which this M14 was modified indicates the value placed on the M14 by the Vietcong and would suggest that it was not the only such specimen, but it remains the only one known.

H&R Reising 7.62mm NATO Rifle Little is known about this rifle, except that it was an experimental Reising design. Said to have been designed as an inexpensive alternative to the M14 that could be manufactured on simple machinery, the H&R Reising rifle was gas operated using a tilting bolt, had a Garand-type safety, and was capable of selective fire using a 20-shot magazine, but it never went beyond the prototype stage.

The TRW .223 caliber M14

Although the ArmaLite AR-10 did not unseat the M14, the AR-15 rifle was knocking on the door of the 7.62×51mm M14 a short time later. Designed by L. James Sullivan, the AR-15 fired a radically new high-velocity cartridge. Originally called the .222 Special, this round soon took on the new designation of .223 Remington and eventually became the 5.56×46mm NATO cartridge. TRW’s Thompson Aircraft Parts Company (TAPCO) plant, in Euclid, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland), was chosen to make the M14. Dating from before Thompson Products bought the Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation in California, the TAPCO plant had gained a reputation as one of the finest quality production facilities in the nation. The M14 project was assigned to TRW’s newly formed Ordnance Works, a division of its highly specialized Electro-Mechanical Group. Having never before undertaken the manufacture of small arms, TRW boasted that none of the “top people” involved in the project came from a gun-making background. However, many of the engineers and toolmakers recruited to be part of the new Ordnance Works did have firearms backgrounds of various degrees. One of these men was John Dodds.

The Vietcong converted M14 had a shortened barrel and replaced sights. The folding bayonet added to the left side of the rifle cannot be seen here.

A close-up of the experimental TRW 5.56×45mm NATO (.223) caliber M14 seen from the right side with modified 20-shot M15 magazine inserted.

A standard (stripped) M14 bolt (L) compared with the modified bolt of the TRW 5.56×45mm NATO M14.

The TRW experimental 5.56×45mm NATO caliber M14 barreled action with stock removed and 20-shot modified M16 magazine inserted.

The TRW experimental 5.56×45mm NATO caliber M14 barreled action without stock and with magazine removed to show filler block and extended magazine catch.

An Ordnance Specialist with the U.S. Army during World War II, John Dodds went to work for TRW after the war as a tool and die maker. However, he remained heavily involved with firearms, and was

a natural for TRW’s M14 project where he came to be referred to as “Mr. M14.” Although TRW had anticipated a long, prosperous relationship in making the M14 rifle for the Military, it was not to be. As early as 1962 it became increasingly clear that the then new 5.56×45mm cartridge would replace the 7.62×51mm cartridge as the NATO round, and it looked equally certain that Eugene Stoner’s AR-15 (M16) rifle would be adopted with it. Having invested a great deal of time and money in the M14 project, TRW did not want to see its M14 contracts end, so decided to look into making the M14 in 5.56mm at a cost competitive with the AR-15. After all, the development of the M14 had taken the better part of two decades, and many in the Military heavily favored the rifle over the radical new and unproven AR-15. When TRW’s upper management asked him if he could make an M14 rifle that fired the 5.56mm cartridge for testing and demonstrating to the Military, Dodds said he could and was given the full go-ahead to produce the rifle as soon as possible. Putting a premium Douglas .224 caliber barrel blank through TRW’s Seneca Falls tracer lathe, John Dodds turned the exterior into an M14 barrel. After reaming the 5.56×45mm chamber he assembled the barrel into a TRW M14 receiver. Dodds then reduced the bolt face to accept the smaller cartridge and made a special extractor. The bottom of the bolt was also narrowed to work in the feed lips of the AR-15 magazine.

An early experimental Griffin & Howe style mount with an M84 scope for the M14 rifle.

The M21 Sniper Rifle seen from the right side with camouflaged stock, ART telescopic sight and Sionics Sound Suppressor mounted. Metal scope case, 20-shot magazine and 7.62×51mm NATO Match ammunition seen in foreground.

A close-up of the M21 Sniper Rifle seen from the right side with ART scope mounted and magazine removed. Note the selector lock permanently tig welded in place. Stainless welding wire was used to make conversion apparent.

A close-up of the M21 Sniper Rifle seen from the left side with ART scope mounted and magazine removed.

An M21Sniper Rifle Sionics Sound Suppressor seen sectioned.

After making an aluminum filler block, John Dodds mounted it at the rear of the M14’s magazine well to position the AR-15 magazine

forward, and modified the feed guides of the receiver for the AR-15 magazine. Modifying the magazine catch and other small parts resulted in a modified AR-15 magazine that would work in either the AR-15 or the converted M14 rifle. John Dodds demonstrated the 5.56mm M14 rifle for U.S. Army personnel at the TRW TAPCO plant, and Army officers also fired the rifle. The demonstration was followed with a report outlining the feasibility of modifying the M14 rifle to use the new 5.56mm cartridge. However, the proposal ultimately fell upon what had become deaf ears. Although the Military had fiercely defended the M14 rifle for years, the course was set for the adoption of the AR-15. Only one 5.56mm M14 was made. The M14 National Match Rifle As with the M1 Garand, the M14 was also built as a National Match rifle with the selector lock permanently tig welded in place to prevent selective fire. The National Match M14 was manufactured at Springfield Armory and by TRW with Springfield building some 7,200 and TRW making 4,874 National Match rifles. Equipped with special high quality barrels, sights, and other parts, these competition rifles bear the marking, M14 NM on their receivers.

A late generation M14 Sniper Rifle with D.D. Ross Optical Platform Picatinny Rail scope mount with AN-PVS17 Night Vision Scope mounted, and Magpul magazine buffer installed on 20-shot magazine.

The M14M (Modified Service) Reportedly made for civilian consumption through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM), the M14M, like the M14 NM, is rumored to have been conceived to be a semi-automatic only rifle for competition. Whether the M14M was actually produced is unknown.

The M21 Beginning as the XM21 Sniper Rifle program, these rifles were taken from M14 NM stock and some early models were fitted with M84 telescopes for use in Vietnam. Ultimately adopted as the M21, the rifle was tested with alternate optical sights before the Adjustable Ranging Telescope (ART) was adopted. Using the reticle to determine range, an exterior cam was then rotated to move the optic for proper hold-over at extended ranges. The M21 was also equipped

with the Sionics Suppressor, and various night vision scopes, such as the AN-PVS1 and the AN-PVS4, were also used with the M21. Other “product improved” modifications were made to the rifle including side-mounting optical sight bases by Brookfield Machine and A.R.M.S., Inc.

The XM25 As a logical evolution of the M21, both the U.S. Army and the Navy/Marine Corps participated in a program to upgrade and redevelop aging M21 Sniper Rifles during the early 1990’s. Unofficially called the XM25, the program was quickly divided with the Army using a precision machined steel bedding liner and the Navy/Marine Corps using a more conventional bedding system. Both single and double lugged receivers were also used along with McMillan fiberglass stocks, Krieger, Hart and Douglas premium barrels, and etc. Since the XM25 program was evolutionary, few of the rifles produced were exactly the same. Upon learning of the XM25 project, some high-up in the Military directed that it be cancelled and that the rifles be returned to their M21 configuration, but it was too late. Only about 200 XM25 rifles were put into the system with a number of them being issued to the U.S. Navy S.E.A.L.’s. After studying the XM25 program for several years, Springfield Armory, of Geneseo, Illinois, introduced its new M25 rifle in 2001.

The DMR

Never losing sight of the potential of the M14 rifle, the U.S. Marine Corps initiated the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) program in 1999. With lessons learned from the XM25, the DMR is a specially built M14 using a match grade barrel, a McMillan stock and special optical sights. Originally designed for security of high risk locations, the DMR retains the capability of selective fire. Following the atrocities of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSO-COM) resurrected quantities of specially outfitted M14 rifles for use in the new conflict. Some were equipped with a new M1913-style optical sight rail from D.D. Ross Co., of Ohio. Running from the charger-guide cut to the barrel through an opening in the handguard, this mount will accommodate virtually all NATO STANAG optical sight systems including night vision such as the Military’s new AN-PVS17.

M14 Copies The Chinese M14 During the 1970’s, the People’s Republic of China manufactured an almost exact copy of the M14 rifle. Marked simply M14 in large letters on its receiver, this selective fire rifle also bore an unrealistically high serial number, but had no other significant markings. Of good quality, most parts of the Chinese M14 are interchangeable with a U.S. M14 rifle. The Chinese copy was supplied largely to guerrilla groups including communist rebels in the Philippines, and was issued along with 7.62×51mm NATO type ammunition with steel cases and bogus British type headstamps. A

Chinese semi-automatic sporting variant of the M14 appeared in the early 1990’s.

The Chinese selective fire M14 copy seen from the right side with bipod deployed.

Various receiver markings used on the Type 57 and Chinese copy of the M14 rifle are seen here. Note the high serial numbers and poor quality stocks of the Chinese 3 Chinese copies at right.

The Type 57 After acquiring surplus M14 manufacturing equipment from H&R and TRW in the late 1960’s, the Republic of China (Formosa) began producing a selective fire M14 copy known as the Type 57. Two variants were produced, one, the Type 57A1, featuring a simplified rear sight, and many U.S. surplus parts were also used in these guns.

U.S. Semi-Automatic Versions Because of the popularity of the M14 rifle, a number of U.S.made semi-automatic variants appeared. These included the A.R. Sales Mark IV, the L.H. Gun Company M1A, the Springfield M1A, Armscorp M1A, Fulton Armory and LRB Arms, all of the United States. Smith Enterprises also makes complete M1A rifles and continues to rebuild and upgrade M14 sniper rifles for the U.S. Military. Produced in several variations from a carbine variant to the M21 Super Match, the Springfield M1A is the most prolific of these semiautomatic sporting rifles.

SOCOM’S Reserection of the M14 As early as the mid-1980’s, experiments were being conducted with modifying the M14 for use in the Middle East where long-range conflict seemed inevitable. The first of these modifications were made to semi-automatic Springfield M1A rifles, as proof of concept models. An H&K type hooded front sight was tig welded onto the gas cylinder ring and shorter barrel was used with an H&K type muzzle brake. A

lightened M14A1 stock was used, and the sample rifles were painted desert tan. After 9/11, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) began to take another look at the roughly 40,000 M14 rifles it kept in an inactive status, and decided to solicit a program to modify the rifle to fill certain roles where the M4 Carbine was being used. Sample rifles were submitted by both Troy Ind., of Massachusetts and SAGE, International, of Michigan. Although the sample designed by Michael Rock and submitted by Troy Industries met the length requirements as set by SOCOM, Rock’s process of converting the standard M14 rifle was deemed to extensive, and the sample submitted by SAGE, Int., won. Called the EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle) Stock, this chassis is made of aircraft alloy and includes Mil Std 1913 rails on the top, sides and bottom of the handguard, and on the receiver. Adjustable for length of pull, the buttstock consists of two side rails and a cheekpiece that is adjustable for height. This stock was adopted by the U.S. SOCOM as the MK 14 Mod 0 and has been used mainly on precision M14 rifles for sniping. The EBR Stock has also been adopted by the Philippine Special Forces for use with special short barreled M14 carbine conversions designed by FERFRANS. In mid-2008, SAGE International was granted a contract to provide additional EBR Stocks to use on short barreled M14 rifles of carbine length. These rifles will serve the Squad Designated Marksmen (SDM) with a weapon that does not stand out from the standard M4A3, but that is capable of high accuracy and incapacitation of the enemy at extended ranges.

The SAGE EBR Stock type classed MK 14 Mod 0 is seen from the left side with optical sight and M203 40mm grenade launcher mounted, 20-shot box magazine inserted and stock retracted.

The SAGE EBR CQ Stocked M14 16-inch barrel carbine is seen from the right side with equipped with the Vltor buttstock, GripPod, Aimpoint Comp M3 Sight and SureFire Scout Light. This system is representative of the Squad Designated Marksman rifle described in the text.

The McMillan M-FS-14 Stock with a full-length M14 (above) with ACE SOCOM Stock folded is seen with the SAGE EBR CQ Stock with the M14 16-inch barrel carbine.

The McMillan M-FS-14 stocked M14 as viewed from the right side with ACE SOCOM folding stock extended, 20-shot magazine inserted and Leupold Sniper Scope mounted.

The McMillan M-FS-14 socked M14 seen from the right side with ACE SOCOM buttstock folded.

The Vltor CAS-14 ModStock equipped M14 16-inch barrel carbine is seen from the right side with Aimpoint Comp M4 Sight mounted and 20-shot box magazine inserted.

For many years, Smith Enterprises, of Arizona, U.S.A., has been rebuilding M14 sniper rifles for the U.S. Army using brand new components made to U.S. Military specifications. Designated the M21A5 C-IED/”CRAZY HORSE”, this re-build program is concerned with long range suppressed variants of the M14, and uses both conventional and SAGE EBR stocks. Other new M14 stock systems being used are described below.

Following the MK 14 Mod 0, SAGE Int. designed a similar stock using a standard M16 retractable stock. Called the EBR CQ, this stock has also seen limited use with the U.S. Military, especially with short barreled M14 rifles. Both the MK 14 Mod 0 and EBR CQ Stock have also been adopted by the Philippine Special Forces, as part of the SOAR (Special Operations Assault Rifle) Program. For more information, refer to the Philippine Chapter elsewhere in this book.

The Vltor CAS-14 ModStock M14 is seen field stripped.

The Springfield (Vltor) Cluster Rail System is seen on this Springfield M1A SOCOM 16 Carbine with the lower component partially disassembled, GripPod and Aimpoint Comp M4 Sight installed and 20-shot magazine inserted.

The Springfield (Vltor) Cluster Rail System equipped M1A SOCOM 16 Carbine is seen with the Aimpoint Comp M4 Sight and GripPod mounted and the 20shot magazine inserted.

McMillan Fiberglass Stock Company, of Phoenix, Arizona, also designed a special folding M14 stock in cooperation with the U.S. Army Rangers. Called the M-FS-14, this stock is made of fiberglass and has an integral pistol grip, but incorporates an ACE hinge system that allows it to use the ACE SOCOM Stock that folds to the left and is also adjustable for length of pull. The M-FS-14 has Mil Std 1913 rails on both sides and the bottom and comes standard in foliage green. Vltor Weapon Systems, of Tucson, Arizona, USA, designed a tactical M14 stock called the CAS-14 SOCOM ModStock. Using a modified U.S. Military fiberglass stock, the system has the butt and grip portion of the stock removed. Then Vltor adds a special alloy housing to the stock behind the receiver. This housing accepts an M16 recoil spring tube and comes with a TangoDown M16 pistol grip, and also has quick-release sling mounts. A special alloy handguard mounts rigidly to the receiver and barrel, and provides a full-length Mil Std 1913 rail. A unique bottom component mounts instantly to the handguard, surrounding the forend of the stock, and provides side

and bottom rails. The Vltor M14 Stock is also in use by the U.S. Military.

The Troy Industries Modular Chassis System equipped M1A is seen from the right side with Leupold Sniper Scope, Harris Bipod and sling mounted, and 20shot magazine inserted.

Through a contract with Vltor, Springfield Armory, of Illinois, USA, offers the above upper and lower handguard rail system on its semiautomatic SOCOM-16 M1A Carbine using a U.S. Military fiberglass stock that has had the forward sling mount removed. Springfield calls this adaptation of the CAS-14 the Cluster Rail System (CRS), and has renamed the SOCOM-16 the SOCOM II when equipped with the CRS. Any conventional M14 stock can use this handguard rail system in place of the issue handguard. Troy Industries of Massachusetts, USA, designed what it calls the M14 Modular Chassis System (MCS). Consisting of two halves, the MCS is made of aircraft alloy and requires the removal of the issue rear sight to allow a full-length M1913 rail to extend rearward, anchoring to the holes in the rear sight ears. Additional rails, a TangoDown pistolgrip and a retractable butt-stock are also standard. Troy also offers its MOD1-EMOD MCS, an assault rifle variant of the stock for short barreled M14 rifles. This variant features the Vltor EMOD Stock.

J. Allen Enterprises, of Yorba Linda, California, USA, has designed a unique M14 stock using an alloy chassis liner housed on polymer. Called the JAE-100, the stock uses a front and rear adjustable bedding system to draw the receiver down into the chassis and bed it there. While the JAE-100 Stock is designed for precision shooting with the M14 and the M1A, the stock can be reconfigured for use in close-quarter battle. The JAE-100 is a contender for use with the M14 by the U.S. Military.

The Troy MOD1-EMOD MCS is seen from the right side with Eotech Sight and Vltor EMOD Stock mounted and 20-shot magazine inserted.

The JAE-100 Sniper Stocked M1A rifle is seen from the right side with US Optics SN-3 Sniper Scope and bipod mounted, and 20-shot magazine inserted.

The 762 Bulldog seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine, sniper scope and vertical foregrip.

Some of the steps required in making a 7.62×51mm (.308 Winchester) cartridge are illustrated here, from the first brass cup to a loaded cartridge.

Just a few of the many 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges that have been experimented with and issued are (from left) the T-65, .224/.308, 7.62×51mm Armor Piercing, Delayed Tracer, Night Vision Tracer (lavender tip), Night Vision Tracer (green & pink tip) with sectioned bullet, Duplex (green tip), zinc plated case ball, High Pressure Proof, National Match (standard), 1st type knurled case Ntl. Match indicating “Not For Battle,” Short Range Training able to operate belt-fed LMG, Training Blank (early), Grenade Blank, Dummy.

In mid-2008, a company called Short Rifle Stock Systems, of Kingman, Arizona, began the production of a compact bullpup-type stock for the M14 rifle. Called the Bulldog 762, the stock is machined from solid aircraft alloy and the M14/M1A rifle can be equipped with a special operating rod and other parts that will allow the system to become ambidextrous. The Bulldog 762 was tested by elements of the Philippine Special Forces in late 2008. After being declared “obsolete” by the U.S. Government in the early 1970’s, quantities of M14 rifles were given to numerous countries around the world, as listed below. Most of these countries have kept these M14’s in service and many are upgrading them for continued use. For additional information on the M1 and M14 rifles read The Great Rifle Controversy, by Edward Clinton Ezell, 1984, Stackpole Books, and U.S. Rifle M14, by R. Blake Stevens, 1988, Collector Grade Publications.

CHAPTER 65

United States: The Sturm, Ruger MINI-14

A

lthough Mr. William B. Ruger never talked about the idea for the Sturm, Ruger Mini-14, Richard Crabtree, of Connecticut related an interesting account. After graduating from high school in the 1960’s, Richard “Rick” Crabtree joined the United States Marine Corps and went straight to Vietnam. The rifle Crabtree carried was an M14 and he came to love it, but he was soon ordered to turn it in for one of the first M16 rifles the Marines received. Crabtree quickly learned to dislike his M16 as much as he had liked his M14. The M16’s operation was totally foreign and Crabtree, a big man, found it less than comfortable, but he reported that his dislike for the weapon grew when he lost friends in combat after their rifles malfunctioned. The one thing Rick Crabtree did like about the M16 was its 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington) cartridge. When Rick Crabtree left the Marine Corps, he returned to Connecticut where he enrolled in college, which he attended at night, so he could work during the day. Rick got a job with a chauffeur service called “We Drive Your Car,” where he was assigned to drive none other than William B. Ruger’s brand new royal blue Chrysler Imperial.

Rick Crabtree reported that Mr. Ruger always rode in the back seat where he worked and talked on his portable phone much of the time, as Rick drove him all over New England, as well as back and forth to his office. However, when not working, Mr. Ruger liked to engage Rick in conversation, especially about his experiences in Vietnam, where he became a Corpsman attached to an operator who spoke fluent Vietnamese and worked behind enemy lines helping civilians while attempting to get information from them about the Vietcong. One day the conversation turned to guns and Mr. Ruger asked Rick Crabtree what he thought of the M14 and M16 rifles. Rick made no bones about his disdain for the M16. Appearing somewhat amused, Mr. Ruger asked Rick what he thought would make the best “ASS-ault” rifle. Rick asked Mr. Ruger if he meant to say “as-SAULT” rifle, explaining that he wasn’t making fun of Mr. Ruger’s pronunciation, but that he had never heard the word pronounced that way. Mr. Ruger chuckled and said, “Yes, I mean assault rifle.” Rick told Mr. Ruger that the M14 was the finest rifle he had ever used, but that the M16 was light and that this was a good feature, but that it just wasn’t reliable. He told Mr. Ruger that someone ought to scale down the M14 to use the same ammunition as the M16. Mr. Ruger thought for a minute and said, “That shouldn’t be too difficult to do.” Rick reported that about a year or so later, Ruger introduced the MINI-14 in .223 Remington caliber. Rick Crabtree believes Bill Ruger took his suggestion seriously and is proud of it. If it’s true, Bill Ruger did something few manufacturers do, and that is to listen to an end user. Ruger would later say that if he had developed the MINI-14 five years earlier, it

would have been issued by the U.S. Military. Whatever the case, the Ruger MINI-14 proved one of the most popular rifles in history.

The Ruger MINI-14 Means of Controlling Operation: Located at the upper right rear of the receiver of selective fire variants, the selector has three settings accessed by first depressing a locking plunger on top. Depressing the plunger and moving the selector forward to the vertical position limits firing to semi-automatic. Moving the selector back to the middle position provides 3-shot burst fire and moving it all the way to the rear allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Located in the front of the trigger guard, the “flag” safety is of the type used in the M1 Garand and M14 rifles. Pulling the safety to the rear cams the hammer off of the sear to prevent the MINI-14 from being fired. Pushing the safety forward allows the carbine to be fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, allow the operating rod to go forward and leave the hammer cocked with the safety ON. On selective fire variants, move the selector to the vertical, semi-automatic position. After inserting a .25-inch steel rod or similar tool in the hole in the rear of the trigger guard, pry the guard out and open. Remove the trigger group from the rifle. Then

remove the barrel/receiver assembly from the stock by lifting it from the rear. Using caution, compress the recoil spring and guide from the rear to disengage it from the receiver and remove it from the rear. Pull the slide to the rear, aligning the locking projections with the disassembly notch on the receiver and remove the slide. Then move the bolt forward until it can be pivoted up and out of the receiver. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development or Points of Interest: Designed by Mr. L. James Sullivan, of Sturm, Ruger & Co., in 1967-68 for the cartridge he and Robert Fremont originally designed as the .222 Special for the AR-15 rifle years earlier, the initial .223 caliber (5.56×45mm NATO) Ruger MINI-14 amounts to somewhat of a scaled down semi-automatic variant of the 7.62×51mm NATO M14 rifle. However, besides their calibers, there are a number of differences between these two rifles, the most significant of which are their gas systems. Whereas the M14 uses a short stroke gas piston to impinge on its operating rod, the MINI-14 uses a hollow piston fixed to the gas block that imparts gas directly into a cylinder machined in the front of slide. Thus, the MINI-14 operates by a fixed piston with a long-stroke gas cylinder. When the slide moves a short distance to the rear, gas is bled off as the piston becomes exposed.

The Selective Fire MINI-14 After the initial semi-automatic MINI-14 was introduced in 1972, a selective fire mechanism was designed for the gun by Mr. Harry

Sefried also of Ruger. Called the AC556 (Automatic Carbine-5.56), the selective fire variant of the MINI-14 was introduced in 1976. Since then this family of weapons has evolved into a number of different models, both semi-automatic only and selective fire in both carbon and stainless steel. Included among them is the MINI-THIRTY variant chambered for the 7.62×39mm (M43) Soviet cartridge and the short lived scaled up .308 Winchester (7.62×51mm NATO) caliber rifle called the XGI. Using the technology for which Sturm, Ruger & Co. has become famous, the MINI-14 is made largely from investment castings that are precision machined and then heat treated. Made of American walnut or other hardwood, the stock is made in either a fixed or sidefolding variant, the latter now being available only for law enforcement or military sales. In addition to its gas system, the MINI-14 uses a hold-open device differing from that of the M14 in that it consists of a plunger located on the top left side of the receiver. This plunger can be manually depressed to hold the bolt back and is also activated by the magazine follower. The plunger mechanism is covered by a sliding steel plate that can be replaced with a commercial optical sight base. Operating similar to that of the U.S. M1 Carbine, the automatic fire mechanism of the AC556 uses a rocker arm that is cammed by the operating slide to trip the sear instead of being pulled forward as in the M14 rifle. Somewhat complex, the MINI-14’s selector mechanism should not be disassembled other than by an armorer. There are a total of 104 parts in the AC556 with a folding stock. The short barreled variant of the AC556 is available only with the folding stock, and originally carried the designation of AC556K (the

letter “K” standing for the German word, kurz, or short). Early AC556K models had a barrel 11.5 inches long, but this was later changed to 13 inches. Made of hardwood with a black plastic pistolgrip, the folding stock can be used with any MINI-14 carbine and is made in both blue carbon steel and stainless steel variants. Ruger now uses the letter “K” to designate stainless steel, so this model is now designated AC556F (for Folding stock), and the stainless steel variant is designated KAC556F. Although the commercial semi-automatic MINI-14 has a sporting ramp front sight mounted near the muzzle, the military semi-automatic model and the full size selective fire AC556 carbine have a combination military-style front sight/bayonet lug mounted farther to the rear and a slotted flash suppressor screwed onto the muzzle. These models come with a 20-shot magazine and the semi-automatic variants carry the designation MINI-14/20GB (for Government Barrel). Both models accept all variants of the M16 bayonet and can fire rifle grenades. Special variants of the Ruger MINI-14/20GB include 1300 carbines issued to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol stamped O.H.P. on the receiver, and 676 carbines roll marked ARIZONA HIGHWAY PATROL on the right side of the barrel with the state logo on the operating slide. Ruger AC556 and AC556K carbines have been used by the U.S. State Department for embassy security and have been purchased by the Bermuda Regiment as well as police agencies in Ireland, France and the Philippines. While all AC556 and GB variants come with the standard fully adjustable rear sight that resembles that of the M14, commercial MINI-14 carbines can be had with either this rear sight or a folding

aperture rear sight with Ruger scope bases integral with the receiver. This variant is called the Ranch Rifle and comes with Ruger 1-inch scope rings with 30mm rings also available. In 1986 Mr. William B. Ruger designed an enlarged variant of the MINI-14 chambered for the .308 Winchester (7.62×51mm NATO) cartridge. Called the XGI, this rifle was made in blue steel and featured a rubber butt pad, and a gas system using a piston at the end of the operating rod similar to that of the M1 Garand. The XGI uses the Ranch Rifle sight and scope bases. Although a few XGI rifles were sold, Sturm, Ruger & Co. reports that accuracy was not satisfactory, and the XGI was discontinued.

Some of the many MINI-14 variations:

Shortly after the XGI was discontinued, Ruger introduced a 7.62×39mm variant of the MINI-14. Called the MINI-THIRTY, this carbine is available only in the Ranch Rifle configuration. The gas system of the MINI-THIRTY was modified with a special buffer to protect an optical sight from damage during recoil, and modifications were made in the receiver and magazine to accommodate the larger 7.62×39mm cartridge. The MINI-THIRTY is otherwise identical to the

MINI-14 Ranch Rifle. All commercial MINI-14 and MINI-THIRTY carbines come with 5-shot box magazines. In 1990, Mr. William B. Ruger asked James Sullivan to design and develop a variation of the AC556 to use the not only the .40 S&W, but also the 10mm pistol cartridge that had recently been adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. One such AC556 selective fire carbine was made up by Mr. Sullivan with modification to the gas system and shortening of the operating slide and stock. A special magazine well was also fabricated that held a special 30-shot double column magazine for the shorter cartridge. Intended to be marketed to law enforcement agencies, the 10mm variant of the carbine worked fine. However, it soon became apparent that the .40 S&W was the cartridge of choice, and the relatively low pressure of this round caused functioning problems and the carbine was not produced. Only one such AC556 carbine was made for the 10mm/.40 S&W project.

New Models In 2006, Sturm, Ruger & Company introduced two new productimproved MINI-14 variations. One of these is the MOA (minute of angle) MINI-14, a standard model with a match grade barrel, improved open sights and a rubber butt plate. The other is the MINI14 Target Rifle. The standard variant is offered in blue or stainless and the Target Rifle in stainless comes with a heavy 22-inch (559mm) barrel with an adjustable stabilizer and no open sights. The Target Rifle was also offered with both a Hogue Rubber Over-molded stock or a laminated thumb-hole stock. All Ruger MINI-14 variants have the

new upgrades including the selective fire AC-556 that has also been upgraded. In 2008, Ruger introduced the MINI-14 in 6.8×43mm Remington SPC, the Special Purpose Cartridge designed by MSG. Steven J. Holland, U.S. Army Special Forces, for use in the M16 platform. A selective fire variant in 6.8mm is planned.

SCAR-CQB Stock A new stock system was also introduced in 2006. Called the SCAR-CQB Stock, this tactical platform is made for Clyde Armory, of Bogart, Georgia, by SAGE International. SAGE also makes the Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) Stock for the M14 rifle, which was adopted by the U.S. Navy as the MK14 Mod 0 Stock (see the M14 Chapter elsewhere in this book). The SCAR-CQB Stock is essentially a scaled down variant of the EBR Stock. It comes with a number of M1913 Rails for mounting various accessories and will accept the Ruger AC-556. With minor modification, this stock will also accept the MINI-14 Target Rifle for use as a sniper rifle. This stock is well suited for law enforcement and military use.

The rare First Model Southport semi-automatic MINI-14 as viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted. Note the early front and rear sights and the slim forend. Only 1,000 were made.

This cutaway view illustrates how the gas system of the MINI-14 works. Note the fixed piston and long stroke gas cylinder in the operating slide.

The semi-automatic K-MINI-14/5 as viewed from both left and right sides with 5-shot magazine inserted.

The semi-automatic MINI-14 Ranch Rifle as viewed from the right side with 5shot magazine inserted and scope mounted. This model is virtually identical to

the MINI-THIRTY rifle.

An early semi-automatic MINI-14GB as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

A current semi-automatic MINI-14/20GBF as viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted and folding stock extended.

The selective fire stainless steel KAC-556GF as viewed from the right side with folding stock extended, 20-shot magazine inserted and selector in the fullautomatic position.

An early selective fire AC556 as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and selector in the semi-automatic position.

The Ruger MOA MINI-14 is viewed from the right side in the SCAR-CQB Stock quipped with an Aimpoint Comp M3 Sight, GripPod, SureFire Scout Light and a 30-shot magazine inserted.

The Ruger MINI-14 Target Rifle is seen from the right side equipped with the SCAR-CQB Stock, Leupold Sniper Scope, Vltor 2-piece Bipod and 30-shot magazine inserted.

MINI-14, Ranch Rifle, MINI-14/20GB, AC556 & MINIThirty

The early 11.5-inch barrel selective fire AC556K (Kurz) as viewed from the right side with stock folded and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The selective fire AC556F as viewed from the right side with stock folded, 30shot magazine inserted and selector in the semi-automatic setting.

The selective fire stainless steel KAC-556F as viewed from the right side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

AC556K and AC556F

XGI

The .308 Winchester caliber XGI as viewed from the right side with scope mounted and 5-shot magazine inserted.

The XGI (above) as viewed from the right side field stripped. Note the long stroke gas piston at the front of the operating rod. The MINI-14 is seen field stripped below.

Close-up receiver detail of the KAC-556GF from the right side showing the selector in the full-automatic setting.

The prototype selective fire 10mm MINI-14 as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted. Built from the AC556, this carbine uses a modified gas system and a special magazine well.

10mm/.40 S&W MINI-14

CHAPTER 66

United States: ArmaLite Assault Rifles From the AR-10 to the M16 and Beyond

T

hroughout history, most assault rifles have been developed at long-established government arsenals or commercial arms factories. Some of these facilities date back hundreds of years, during which time they have participated in both evolutionary and revolutionary advances in firearms. During the past hundred years the number of producers of small arms has decreased, while the resources of the surviving establishments have increased. From time to time, attempts have been made to establish new organizations to develop and manufacture small arms. Most of these have had a very short existence. This is not necessarily a reflection on their product, or management, for market conditions in the small arms industry are often determined by world events which cannot be precisely forecast. Thus, success or failure in the arms business depends greatly on timing.

A young Eugene Stoner proudly stands next to his first four AR-10 prototypes at ArmaLite in the mid-1950’s.

Although many individuals continue to try to develop improvements in weapons, teamwork produces faster results than do individual efforts, and is also more likely to interest capital. In the early 1950’s, the Korean War was emphasizing the need for improvements in weaponry. George Sullivan, an aeronautical engineer with Lockeed Aircraft Corporation and a California patent attorney, conceived an idea for applying technical advances in nonferrous metals and polymers to firearms to reduce weight, bulk and cost. The result was an extended family of weapons that would redefine modern firearms.

THE AR-10

Means of Controlling Operation: The selector is located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip. On early models, rotating the selector thumb piece clockwise to the forward position with the pointer on the rear position marked SEMI limits the AR-10 to fire semi-automatic, while rotating the thumb piece counter clockwise all the way to the rear with the pointer indicating AUTO allows full-automatic fire. These positions may also be denoted by a red dot and four red dots, respectively. NOTE: These positions were later changed to AUTO with the thumb piece rotated all the way forward and SEMI with it rotated all the way to the rear. Safety Arrangements: On early models, rotating the selector to its middle position with the pointer indicating SAFE, blocked the sear and prevented the trigger from being pulled. On later models, the SAFE position was achieved by rotating the thumb piece counter clockwise all the way to the rear to the position with the pointer at the position marked SAFE. The SAFE position may also be denoted by a large white dot. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, allow the bolt to go forward. Then push the rear receiver pin (above the pistol grip) all the way to the left using the point of a bullet or similar tool. This will allow the upper receiver group to pivot up, exposing the rear of the bolt carrier. Pull the charging handle back to withdraw the bolt carrier enough to grasp it and then pull the carrier

and bolt all the way out of the upper receiver. The charging handle can then be pulled back to its disassembly notch in the upper receiver where it can be withdrawn down and out of its track in the upper receiver. With the bolt group withdrawn, a bullet point can be used to push out the cross pin from right to left in the bolt carrier, which will allow the firing pin to fall from the rear of the bolt when the front of the carrier is elevated. The removal of the firing pin will allow the rectangular head of the cam pin in the bolt to be rotated 90 degrees and pulled out of the bolt. The bolt can then be pulled out of the bolt carrier. The nose of the firing pin can be used to push out the extractor pin in the bolt, after which the extractor and its spring can be removed. Pushing out the forward receiver cross pin from left to right will allow the upper receiver and barrel to be removed from the lower receiver. Depressing the recoil spring retainer down will allow the recoil spring and buffer to be removed forward from the recoil spring tube, taking care that this unit is under spring pressure. No further disassembly is normally required and reassembly is in the reverse order. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: George Sullivan was familiar with these advances from his experiences in handling patent matters in the aeronautical industry. After studying the potential with international arms broker Jacques Michault, Sullivan and Michault formed an organization to develop new firearms based in Hollywood, California. The new company was called ArmaLite. In 1953, Sullivan brought his brother-in-law, Charles

H. Dorchester, into the company and began to seek financial backing to establish a development facility. Because of his professional practice, George Sullivan had many influential contacts in the aeronautical industry, and in 1953 he met Richard Boutelle, then president of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp., of Hagerstown, MD. Being personally interested in firearms, Boutelle realized the business possibilities of Sullivan’s venture, and convinced the directors of his company that Fairchild should go into the gun business. The new organization was established as the ArmaLite Division of Fairchild on October 1, 1954, with George Sullivan as president and Charles Dorchester as general manager. An arms designer, John Peck, also joined the ArmaLite team. No newcomer to firearms design, Peck had worked with “Carbine” Williams, and helped design the .30 U.S. M1 Carbine during World War II. Sullivan and Dorchester had been working on a lightweight .308 Winchester caliber (7.62×51mm NATO) bolt action rifle using an aluminum alloy receiver where the bolt engaged a steel barrel extension. This rifle was called the “Parasniper” and weighed less than 6 pounds with its telescopic sight. Later ArmaLite prototype rifles were given the prefix “AR” along with a sequential number. The Para-sniper was given the designation AR-1. Using the new aircraft aluminum alloy, 7075/T6 and fiberglass polymers used in helicopter blades, ArmaLite’s charter was to design, produce and test prototype weapons that would be produced elsewhere under license. This was because Fairchild’s board of directors was reluctant to provide the funds to enable ArmaLite to become a volume production facility. Originally ArmaLite was to

design fine sporting arms for the commercial market, but after the success of the AR-5 Survival Rifle the company concentrated on military firearms. Stemming from his knowledge of 7075/T6 aircraft alloy, George Sullivan patented his own variant of this material. Called “Sulliloy” (Sullivan Alloy), this material was later used in some of ArmaLite’s prototype work.

Eugene Stoner Shortly after the new Company was formed, Sullivan and Dorchester were visiting a public firing range in Southern California where they encountered a young man firing an unusual semiautomatic .30-06 caliber (7.62×63mm) sporting rifle. When they inquired about the rifle, the man informed them that he had designed and built the rifle himself. This man was Eugene Stoner, a former U.S. Marine who served during World War II, who had been conducting firearms research independently on his own resources. Stoner called the rifle he was shooting his M6, a rifle of long stroke piston operation with a muti-lugged bolt. Sullivan and Dorchester were so impressed with Stoner that they hired him as ArmaLite’s chief engineer. Together, these men, along with two others, L. James Sullivan and Robert Fremont, who would soon join them, were the key personnel who would accomplish the remarkable feat of establishing a new name in the U.S. firearms industry, in spite of severe obstacles. Richard Boutelle also deserves much credit for risking his reputation by backing the enterprise. Unfortunately, Boutelle would die before ArmaLite became a major success.

The Stoner Prototypes Having been an arms designer long before he was hired by ArmaLite, Eugene Stoner had a number of early designs, some of which he brought to the company. Having assigned the letter, “M,” to his designs followed by a number, Stoner’s pre-ArmaLite designs are as follows: M1, a 1943 design consisting of a submachine gun using a U.S. M1 Carbine action only. M2, a 1943 design of the same description as Stoner’s M1. M3, a 1944 design for a .30-06 caliber short-recoil operated rifle inspired by the Johnson rifle. M4, a 1945 design for a .30-06 primer-actuated semi-automatic rifle. (None of the above mechanisms are known to exist) M5, a 1952 designed .30-06 semi-automatic sporting rifle with an aluminum receiver. M6, a 1953 improved design of the M5 equipped with a telescopic sight. M7, a 1954 design like the M5 and M6, but in .308 Winchester (barreled action only). M8, a 1955 designed .30-06 selective fire prototype AR-10 of direct gas operation.

The designs Stoner brought to ArmaLite included the M5, M6, M7 and M8, and he thus retained the patent rights to them. The unfinished M7 rifle in .308 Winchester caliber (7.62×51mm NATO) later became the AR-3 and Stoner’s .30-06 caliber (7.62×63mm) M8 was the “father” of the AR-10 family. While the M8 was in fact the first AR-10 prototype, it was never officially given an “AR” prefix or number. Although some early ArmaLite small arms never got beyond the experimental stage, and because some were not related to assault rifles, they are included to clarify the history of the company. In addition, some design features incorporated in ArmaLite weapons were originated prior to the establishment of the ArmaLite Division by individual members of the group and by other parties. Fairchild Corporation had a close working relationship with the U.S. Air Force, which was not satisfied with the survival weapons available to it. As a result, the Air Force asked ArmaLite to develop an improved survival rifle. By the fall of 1955, the ArmaLite AR-5 .22 Hornet caliber (5.56×35mm) Survival Rifle was ready for Air Force evaluation at Stead Air Force Base in Nevada. After minor modifications, the AR-5 was adopted by the Air Force as the MA-1 Survival rifle.

Stoner’s M5 (top) and M6 are seen from the right. The M6 is equipped with a 5shot magazine and a hunting scope.

The adoption of the AR-5 caused Fairchild to revise ArmaLite’s production plans from commercial to military arms until the company’s reputation and financial strength could be established by military sales. Although the production of the MA-1 did not materialize, because of the Air Force’s large stock of existing survival rifles, ArmaLite began to develop other types of small arms. Up until late 1960, the majority of the ArmaLite weapons were designed by a team comprising Gene Stoner, who originated the concepts, and designers L. James Sullivan (no relation to George) and Robert Fremont. Of the latter two, Jim Sullivan specialized in the drawing board aspects of design, while Fremont managed the fabrication of prototypes and their adaptation to production techniques. George Sullivan urged the use of new materials and fabrication processes, while Charles Dorchester handled marketing. As mentioned, ArmaLite always used a prefix of AR, followed by an Arabic number. While most at least reached the prototype stage, some remained only designs on paper. These designs run from AR-1 through AR-180 plus sub-prototypes, some of which have never before been seen or described in detail. All will be included here in detail followed by a simple reference listing.

The AR-1 Developed prior to and during 1954, the AR-1 was a “Parasniper” rifle in .308 Winchester caliber (7.62×51mm NATO) built on a modified Mauser or Mauser-type action with aluminum parts and

a synthetic stock. It was designed for primarily for commercial sales. Only a few prototypes were made.

The AR-2 The AR-2 was a conceptual design of George Sullivan also called the T-35, which never reached the prototype stage. No other information about it is known.

The AR-3 The AR-3 was the designation given to Eugene Stoner’s unfinished M7 prototype .308 Winchester (7.62×51mm NATO) semiautomatic rifle that Stoner was testing before he went to work for ArmaLite. Unlike Stoner’s M5 and M6, this rifle used an aircraft aluminum alloy receiver, but retained the multiple front locking lugs and used a steel barrel extension. Unlike Stoner’s earlier models the AR-3 used a fiberglass stock made by ArmaLite when the rifle was finished in 1954. The AR-3 was quite light, and although only marginally successful, it proved the feasibility of certain features that reappeared in later designs.

Stoner’s 7.62×51mm (.308 Winchester) M7 (the AR-3) is seen here from both sides with its ArmaLite fiberglass stock.

The AR-4 Another conceptual drawing was the AR-4, but the only mention of it is that it was a “gun can.”

The AR-5 The AR-5 was a bolt action survival rifle in .22 Hornet caliber (5.56×35Rmm), a cartridge designed for hunting small game. It had a hollow fiberglass stock containing survival items, aluminum receiver parts and the gun’s 14-inch (356mm) barrel. Designed in November 1954, the AR-5 weighed just 2.75 pounds (1.25kg). Several improvements were made to the gun during development, such as adding another lug to the bolt and modifying the magazine. The AR-5 was also made in several colors. In 1956 the U.S. Air Force adopted the AR-5 as the MA-1 Survival Rifle for use by aircrews, but only procured a small quantity.

The AR-5 Survival Rifle is seen with its 5-shot .22 Hornet magazine inserted.

The AR-6 and AR-7 The AR-6 was yet another conceptual design about which nothing is known. Developed in 1959, the AR-7 “Explorer” rifle was the successor to the AR-5. The first commercial rifle to be put into production by ArmaLite, the AR-7 can loosely be described as a .22 Long Rifle (5.56×15mm) rimfire semi-automatic variant of the bolt action .22 Hornet (5.56×35mm) AR-5. Feeding from an 8-shot box magazine, the AR-7 is disassembled to stow the 16-inch (406mm) barrel and action inside the hollow plastic buttstock. Weighing just 2.75 pounds (1.25 kg.), the AR-7 will float in water. The rights to the AR-7 were sold to Charter Arms where it was further modified to include a pistol version.

The AR-8 While it is not certain if the AR-8 existed in prototype or only on paper, it was a bolt action commercial rifle in .270 caliber (6.8×64mm).

The AR-9 The AR-9 was developed in late 1955 and was a semi-automatic 12 ga. shotgun made in prototype only.

The First AR-10 Prototype The project designated AR-10 contemplated a true assault rifle, and was begun by Eugene Stoner, as the M8 mentioned above, even before he was hired by ArmaLite. At ArmaLite, this rifle came to be referred to as the AR-10, but it was never officially given that designation, and its only marking is X01 stamped on the left side. Stoner’s original concept was highly modified and developed before it reached production status. As already mentioned, Stoner’s M8 (X01 prototype) was chambered for the .30-06 (7.62×63mm) cartridge and used a modified 20-shot steel magazine from a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Stoner used the .30-06 cartridge, because of his preference and familiarity with it during WW II and because of the availability of the BAR magazine. This rifle’s receiver sections were fabricated of pressed sheet metal and used a gas tube that was positioned alongside the left side of the barrel to feed directly into the side of the bolt carrier. The rifle also had a straight-line tubular buttstock and metallic sights. Unlike the final variants of the AR-10, the M8’s receiver did not hinge open, but instead the recoil spring tube/stock was part of the receiver and the bolt group was removed through the butt.

The M8’s magazine release was located at the inside front of the trigger guard and was pushed forward to release the magazine. This proof of concept rifle bears resemblance to the Johnson Model 1944 Light Machine Gun (LMG), a gun that strongly influenced Stoner in its design, but there is one major operating difference, the operating system, which is the hallmark of Eugene Stoner’s design.

Long Stroke Piston and Cylinder by Direct Gas Having been impressed with the design of the Johnson Rifle used by the United States Marine Corps during WW II, Gene Stoner retained a number of features of that rifle in his prototype M8. One of these features was retained in nearly all of Stoner’s designs, and this was the Johnson’s multi-lug rotary bolt, but with a major difference in its operation. Where the Johnson’s rotary bolt group was operated by short recoil, Stoner’s M8 bolt group operated by direct gas with its barrel remaining fixed. However, while direct gas operation was nothing new, the way Stoner employed it was unique. Amounting to a sophisticated gas cylinder, the M8’s bolt carrier received gas through a hole on its left side directly from a narrow gas tube that ran from the receiver to a port in the barrel. In this case, the gas tube was actually a long gas port. As the gas entered a hole in the left side of the carrier, it acted against the rear of the bolt and the inside of the cylinder/carrier much like a piston of an engine. Thus the bolt doubled as the M8’s gas piston, keeping the gas within the cylinder section of the bolt carrier.

Eugene Stoner’s .30-06 (7.62×63mm) M8 prototype is seen from the right side with 20-shot BAR magazine inserted. The selector is missing.

The M8 is seen from the left side with BAR 20-shot magazine inserted. Inset: The only marking on the M8 is “X01” on the left side of the receiver.

As the gas pressure moved the bolt carrier rearward, a spiral camway near the front of the carrier caused the bolt’s cam pin to rotate the seven-lug bolt clockwise out of battery. When the cam pin stopped at the front of the camway, the carrier took it and the bolt with it as it continued rearward. At the same time the bolt opened, two exhaust ports in the right side of the carrier moved past the enlarged piston portion of the bolt allowing the used gas to escape from the cylinder. The bolt carrier and bolt then continued all the way

to the rear under kinetic energy. There were no gas rings in the bolt of the M8 or any of the early AR-10 prototypes. Widely overlooked is the fact that, as expanding gas is causing the bolt carrier to move to the rear, it is also exerting equal forward force on the bolt. Thus, as the bolt is rotating to unlock, its lugs are not fully forced against the lugs of the barrel extension. Using the established operating principles as defined by Col. George Chinn, this unique operating system is perhaps best described as “long stroke piston and cylinder via direct gas.”

The Second AR-10 Prototype The second AR-10 prototype was designed by Eugene Stoner at ArmaLite in late 1955, and like Eugene Stoner’s M7 (AR-3), it was chambered for the then-new .308 Winchester (7.62×51mm) cartridge based on the T-65 case. This was the cartridge for which all but one of Stoner’s future rifles would be chambered. This was the first rifle to use the designation, AR-10 and thus bore the designation, AR-101001, on the right side of its magazine well. However, it followed Stoner’s original M8 prototype in serial number sequence with X02 stamped on the right side of the magazine well. It also used a new 20-shot aluminum magazine. This second AR-10 prototype did not have backup iron sights (BUIS), but used a World War II German ZF-4 optical sight mounted so as to form an integral carrying handle (a feature desired by George Sulligan). Like Stoner’s M8, this rifle also used a sheet-metal receiver, but had stock furniture made of fiberglass, as had other ArmaLite prototype rifles before it. AR-10-1001 also introduced an

ejection port dust cover, which was automatically opened by the cocking handle when it moved to the rear. This curved cover protected the upper portion of the receiver from debris and a variation of it would emerge 25 years later on Stoner’s .223 Remington caliber (5.56×45mm NATO) Future Assault Rifle Concept (FARC) -3 rifle. AR-10-1001 used the same type of magazine release located inside the trigger guard as the M8, and, like that rifle, had an integral steel recoil spring tube through which the bolt group was removed from the rear, but this tube had cutouts its entire length to reduce weight. This tube was housed in a synthetic fiberglass stock that was the shape of future AR-10 stocks. The trigger group hinged downward similar to the H&K family of rifles covered elsewhere in this book.

The second AR-10 prototype, AR-10-1001, is seen here from right and left views. It’s 20-shot magazine has never been found.

Detail of the receiver section of AR-10-1001 is seen from the right side with its dust cover open and closed.

AR-10-1001 is seen field stripped. The entire bolt group is removed through the recoil spring tube. Inset: Beginning with the .300 Savage (7.62×41mm) cartridge, the U.S. developed the T-65 and the 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester).

The AR-10A (first) Called the AR-10A, Stoner’s third AR-10 prototype introduced an integral carrying handle housing an adjustable rear sight, and the rifle also used a thin lightweight barrel to offset the weight of another device of Stoner design. This was a combination muzzle brake/flash suppressor similar to, but larger than that used on the WW II German FG-42 rifle, and a device Stoner continued to promote for the next 20 years. Because of the inherent weakness of the thin barrel first used, the AR-10A prototype was later fitted with a fluted steel barrel. Like the M8 and the AR-1001, the AR-10A used a cocking handle located on the right side of the receiver. Although it did not incorporate an ejection port dust cover, the single example of the rifle has two small hinge mounts integral with the left side of its upper

receiver suggesting that a dust cover similar to that on the AR-1001 was considered. The AR-10A also used the inside trigger guard magazine release, but had separate grip panels. It also had a long bolt carrier that was integral with the buffer, and the assembly of its upper and lower receivers was totally unique. Instead of the bolt group being removed from the rear of the recoil spring tube, or having the upper and lower receivers hinged, the first AR-10A’s receivers were joined by rails not unlike the slide and frame of a semi-automatic pistol. After disengaging a locking pin, the upper receiver group was slid forward off the lower receiver. The AR-10A was presented to the Infantry Board at Fort Banning, Georgia, in December 1955, where it experienced some malfunctions, but impressed the military. Even though the T44 and T48 rifles had a better chance for adoption, the Continental Army Command (CONARC) expressed great interest in the AR-10A. As with the M8 and AR-1001, only one sample of the (first) AR-10A was made. On the left side of its lower receiver it bears serial number X03.

The first AR-10A is seen here from both sides with its combination muzzle brake/flash hider and flutted replacement barrel. Its 20-shot magazine has never been found.

The AR-10B The fourth AR-10 prototype incorporated many design features, which have remained similar to its successors, and recognizable through the 21st Century. These included the shape of the receivers, the removable pistol grip and the relocation of the charging handle from the right side to (initially) the top. This rifle also saw 7075/T6 alloy combined with another lightweight material in a radical way. In an effort to reduce weight even further, Stoner made a barrel shroud of 7075/T6 alloy using a steel barrel liner in addition to fiberglass stock furniture and extensive use of the alloy throughout the rest of the rifle, including the “waf-fle” pattern magazine. The AR-10B also used a similar, but longer muzzle brake/flash hider than described above. The rifle was designated the AR-10B even though the left side of the magazine well was marked simply AR-10 below the name, ARMALITE. Although ArmaLite had not finished development of the AR-10B, Fairchild was aggressively publicizing it by 1956. Late that year, the fourth AR-10B prototype was tested at Springfield Armory with the unfortunate result of the failure of the composite barrel. Stoner furnished another sample with an all steel barrel and the test was completed successfully. Since the AR-10B was in essence a competitor to the Springfield designed T44 (M14) rifle, the failure of

the barrel did not help the political aspects of the selection process of a rifle to replace the M1 Garand. Only five AR-10B rifles were made, numbered 1001 through 1005.

The first AR-10B, serial #1001, is seen from the left side with its 20-shot magazine inserted.

Receiver detail of AR-10B, #1001, is seen here with the name, ARMALITE, in large letters.

ArmaLite Drops the “B” Up to this point, all prototypes of the AR-10 had the direct gas tube mounted on the left side of the upper receiver, and this practice continued for some time with two exceptions noted below. However,

a new ArmaLite logo of the horse, Pegasus, in a circle was adopted for the receiver marking instead of only the large word, ARMALITE, and the new rifle was not only designated, but also marked AR-10. The first such rifle with the new logo bears serial number S1004 and, other than the logo, this rifle looks almost exactly like an AR-10B with its side-mounted gas tube. However, the carrying handle of AR-10 S1004 is machined to accept a telescopic sight, and the “S” probably denotes this weapon as a sniper variant. Thus, there are two AR-10 rifles bearing serial number 1004, the second to the last AR-10B and the first AR-10 with the “S” prefix. It was in 1957 that ArmaLite hired engineer L. James Sullivan, as a draftsman, and he completed a final set of production drawings for the AR-10. Sullivan would later also move the gas tube from the side to the top and designed the bolt carrier key to transfer the gas down into the carrier. Because of a loss of gas, Stoner was first skeptical of the carrier key, but the system worked, and Sullivan was promoted to Design Engineer. Later, gas rings were also added to the piston. The gas rings provided more power to the bolt carrier and also lessened the chance for a slam-fire. All in all, 48 ArmaLite AR-10B and AR-10 rifles were produced continuing the serial number sequence from the AR-10B including numbers 1004 and S1004, so the final serial number of the AR-10 was still 1047 even though it was the 48th gun made. During this run the evolution of the rifle continued, and in addition to the basic infantry variant, a carbine-submachine gun and light machine gun were also depicted. The light machine gun variant had a quick-change barrel and was conceived to use a spring-loaded co-axial ammunition feed, but this existed only as a conceptual drawing, and that gun was later

used as the basis for the two belt-feed AR-10’s designed by ArmaLite. In this system the bolt carrier had a curved channel that moved the feed pawls as it traveled back and forth in the receiver. These two AR-10 light machine guns are serial number 1023 and 1024 and, because their belt feed systems are on the left side of the receiver, their gas tubes have been moved to the top. These are the only two pre-production AR-10’s with top mounted gas tubes. However, there are two other very interesting features on gun #1023. The cam pin on the bolt carrier of this gun has a roller bearing with another positioned behind the gas key, and both ride in the channel in the top of the receiver. In addition, #1023 has a cocking handle mounted on the right side of the receiver instead of the top-mounted cocking piece common to nearly all original ArmaLite AR-10 rifles. These features were later revisited in the new AR-10A described below.

AR-10 serial number 1010 (actually the 6th AR-10 made) is seen from both sides with Eugene Stoner’s combination muzzle brake/flash hider and 20-shot “waffle” pattern aluminum magazine.

The left side receiver markings of belt-fed AR-10, serial #1023, are seen here with the new ArmaLite Pegasus logo. This was the first AR-10 to use a topmounted gas tube.

The New AR-10A The AR-10 program indicated the need for some additional modifications and an improved variant was developed. Strangely enough, as with ArmaLite’s second AR-10 prototype, this rifle was also called the AR-10A, but it had very little in common with its earlier namesake. What’s more, while this new model resembled the earlier AR-10B, and AR-10, it is reported that none of its parts were interchangeable. The bolt diameter was larger to accommodate a stronger extractor, the 20-shot magazine was inclined forward 5 degrees for better feeding and the charging handle was changed to the right rear side, but this AR-10A was just as interesting on the inside. Stoner had been strongly influenced by the World War II Johnson rifle when he was designing the AR-10, and in the final (2nd variant) AR-10A, he again incorporated rollers in the bolt carrier. These were

much like those used in the Johnson and identical to those used in AR-10 #1023 described above. These rollers made for a much smoother operation. This AR-10A also used a right-side mounted cocking handle similar to that found on AR-10 #1023. Unique about this AR-10A, however, is that the rear of the bolt carrier is concave, and the front of the buffer is convex to match. When opening and closing the upper and lower receivers, the protruding rounded portion of the buffer is cammed back out of engagement with the bolt carrier. In the closed position, the buffer provides support for the rear of the carrier to align it as it moved to the rear. Why these advanced features were never again incorporated into ArmaLite rifles, or any rifle of the AR platform, remains a mystery. However, there is another mystery to this rifle and that is the existence of the longitudinal camway in the bolt carrier used to operate the feed mechanism of the AR-10 LMG discussed above. The logical explanation is that this bolt carrier was left over from the earlier AR-10 project. If so, the claim that none of the AR-10A’s parts were interchangeable may have overlooked the carrier. Like its ancestral namesake, only one prototype of this new AR10A was made and it bears serial number 1048, which is the sequential number following the last AR-10 made by ArmaLite. Other than the model designation and serial number, this final AR-10A has no markings whatsoever and is missing its ejection port cover. As with all ArmaLite prototypes up to this time, the AR-10A was made at the company’s Hollywood, California, location, shortly before ArmaLite moved to Costa Mesa, California in 1959. It was also the last of the AR-10’s made by the original ArmaLite. Up to this time, all

AR-10 rifles had selectors with the SAFE position in the middle, SEMI to the rear and AUTO all the way forward.

Above: This close-up of the right side of final AR-10A, #1048 is illustrated here with its 20-shot magazine inserted. The dust cover is missing.

Right: The unusual right side cocking handle of AR-10A #1048 is seen here. This is the same type of cocking handle used on AR-10 #1023.

The detail of the bolt carrier of AR-10A #1048 is seen here. The carrier has the spiral feed groove used in the AR-10 belt fed LMG carrier to pull the belt, and was probably left over from the earlier guns.

Here the rollers in the bolt carrier of AR-10A #1048 can be seen. The hammer and fire control group are like those parts used in the production AR-15 rifle rather than like those found in earlier AR-10 rifles.

This photo shows the concave rear end of the bolt carrier of AR-10A #1048. The front of the buffer was convex to mate with the carrier and the system prevented the carrier from tipping down at the rear.

Artillerie-Inrichtingen In 1956, Fairchild began negotiating for a license to make an airplane designed by the Fokker Works, of Holland. During a meeting, Richard Boutelle displayed an improved AR-10 rifle to the Dutch group. With Fairchild in a strong position as a buyer, Boutelle was able to negotiate an agreement for a production facility capable of large-scale production. In 1957, rights to produce the AR-10 went to Artillerie-Inrichtingen (AI), of Zaandam, Holland, a large weapons facility owned by the Government of the Netherlands, and reportedly included a large cash settlement to Fairchild. Before the AR-10 could be produced at AI, it was necessary to re-engineer it to be produced to measurements and tolerances of the metric system. During repeated trips to Holland, Eugene Stoner

worked with Dutch engineers to finalize production, which included significant changes to the rifle. Included were the repositioning of the gas tube on top of the barrel, a redesigned front sight base and the replacement of the flash hider with a simpler experimental type, but problems soon arose. Because of AI’s inability to secure adoption of the AR-10 by the Dutch Army, personality conflicts between AI and some government departments and other problems, acquisition of tooling was long delayed. In the meantime, Fairchild had established sales organizations for the rifle and had even been approached as early as 1956 for exclusive rights to sell it by Sam Cummings, President of the renowned Interarmco, of Alexandria, VA. However, Richard Boutelle declined Cummings’ offer and instead established three world sales territories, giving the U.S. and Pacific Region to Cooper-Macdonald, of Baltimore, MD, Central and South America to Interarmco and Europe to Sidem International. Extensive publicity generated interest in the AR-10 throughout the world, but delays in production prevented quoting realistic delivery times. One of the first countries to test the AR-10 was Austria, which was interested in adopting it, but when quoted a delivery of two years, the Austrian Army adopted the FN FAL produced under license by Steyr. The situation continued for several years with production getting underway sufficiently to allow Interarmco to make some sales to Nicaragua and the Sudan. In 1959, Cooper-Macdonald sold a small quantity of AR-10s to Burma.

The Dutch AR-10 Models

Du ring production by AI, a number of additional improvements were made to the AR-10 based on feedback from customers and AI designers. This resulted in three distinct models in addition to submodels and proof-of-concept prototypes. The Dutch also changed the selector settings so in the SAFE setting the selector was rotated all the way to the back. Semi-automatic fire was achieved by rotating the selector to its middle position with the full-automatic fire obtained by rotating the lever all the way forward. This is a logical method of operating a selector, especially in low light, and it is the way most selectors operate today. Altough the ArmaLite AR-10 was subjected to much experimentation by Eugene Stoner, the rifle was greatly refined by AI, with some of this information fed back to ArmaLite where many of the Dutch features were implemented in other models. However, because of the interest in the Small Caliber High Velocity (SCHV) program and ArmaLite’s development of AR-15, AI kept much of its AR-10 development from ArmaLite. The initial early variant of the AR-10 made by AI is also the most common. Since it was sold to Cuba and the Sudan, it is commonly referred to as the “Cuban” or “Sudan” model. As a result of suggested changes, a “transitional” model AR-10 was produced in both rifle and carbine variants. Finally a “NATO” model was produced, about 1,200 of which were sold to the Portuguese Army. The last variant is the rarest with its modified top-charging handle. It was also made as a prototype with a side-folding charging handle, but is far from the only prototype made by AI. Demonstrated by AI were two variations of a belt-fed AR-10 LMG, both having quick-change barrels. A fixed heavy-barrel AR-10

squad automatic weapon (SAW) prototype was also made, which fed from a standard 20-round box magazine, and provisions for telescopic sights were also made on sniper variants of the rifle. By 1959, Fairchild had become disenchanted with ArtillerieInrichtingen, and Boutelle was of the opinion that the delay in getting into production amounted to failure to perform on the contract. Fairchild declined to renew the contract when it came due that year. Unfortunately, it was at this point that AI was almost finished tooling up for mass production of the AR-10 and the Portuguese Army placed its order. In 1961, for political reasons, the Dutch adopted the FN FAL. A few months later AI ceased production of the AR-10 with about 9,600 rifles having been made with only some 1,200 delivered to Portugal. Near the end of production five AR-10’s in 7.62×39mm (M43) were completed and shipped to Finland for testing.

The AI AR-10 “Sudan” model seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine.

The AI “Sudan” model viewed from the right side with experimental flash hider/muzzle brake to accept a bayonet.

An AI “Sudan” model AR-10 with barrel shroud and bipod in the folded position seen from the left.

AI AR-10 Transitional Model seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine. Note bayonet lug on top of barrel shroud.

The AI AR-10 Carbine as viewed from the right with 20-shot magazine and bayonet lug on bottom of barrel shroud.

The AI Portugese/NATO model seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine and sling.

The AI semi-automatic only Sporter AR-10 seen from both sides with 10-shot magazine and no flash hider. Note the modified magazine well.

AI experimental AR-10 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) seen from right side with bipod folded, 20-shot magazine and carrying handle.

An experimental AI AR-10 belt-fed Light Machine Gun (LMG) seen from the left side with bipod and vertical foregrip folded.

One of five special AR-10 carbines made in 7.62×39mm for testing by Finland, as seen from both sides. This weapon used the AK-47 magazine and had a special torsion spring in the magazine well to eject it when released.

AR-10

The Small Caliber High Velocity Concept As early as 1957, after the 7.62mm M14 Rifle had been adopted, General Willard G. Wyman, Commanding General of the Continental Army Command (CONARC), acting on a request from the Infantry Board at Fort Benning, GA., issued the following requirements for a proposed infantry rifle: 1. Maximum weight, loaded, 6 pounds (2.73kg). 2. Accuracy and trajectory equal to, or better than, the M1 rifle at ranges to 500 yards (457m). 3. Selective-fire capability. 4. Rifle/ammunition combination able to penetrate body armor, one side of a steel helmet, or 10-gauge plate at 500 yards (457m). 5. Lethality equal or better than that of the U.S. Carbine at 500 yards 457m).

These requirements essentially call for an assault rifle, and came out of Project SALVO where multiple projectiles were fired, and in particular the SCHV tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground where the Gustafson .22 (5.56mm) converted M2 Carbine fired a 41-grain (2.66 gram) bullet at 3,125 fps (953ms). The experiments emanated from experiences during the Korean War and the latter part of WW II. Germany had fielded the first true assault rifle during World War II with the MP.44 family of weapons and the Soviets had introduced the AK-47 two years after the war and were mass-producing it. The U.S. Military wanted a selective fire battle rifle of its own and it was becoming painfully obvious that the 7.62×51mm NATO caliber rifle could not fill the bill. It is interesting that no cartridge or caliber was specified for the new rifle, but a high velocity .22 caliber (5.56mm) round was being studied with .30 caliber U.S. Carbine (7.62×33mm) cartridges necked down to .22 caliber (5.56mm) (refer to the section on the Johnson Rifle elsewhere in this book). General Wyman was impressed with the ArmaLite AR-10 prototypes he had seen demonstrated at Fort Monroe in 1956, and he visited ArmaLite in Hollywood in early 1957. The General told Gene Stoner that the Infantry Board was following the recommendations of SCHV research and was looking for a .22 caliber (5.56mm) rifle with a high hit probability out to 300 yards (274m) using a full metal jacket bullet. General Wyman reportedly suggested to Stoner that the performance of the cartridge should be somewhere between that of the .22 Hornet (5.56×35Rmm) and the .220 Swift, both American cartridges designed for hunting small game, or varmints.

After further discussion as to effectiveness, a 500-yard (457m) range was specified, with a six-pound selective fire .22 caliber (5.56mm) weapon with a conventional stock holding 20-rounds or better. According to Gene Stoner, General Wyman took an M1 Carbine from a gun rack and told him to “make a rifle like this, but for a high velocity .22 caliber cartridge.” The General also told Stoner he wanted a rear sight that soldiers could not adjust, like the flip sight of the earlier M1 Carbine. In addition, the General insisted on a magazine with a capacity no greater than 25 rounds to limit soldiers wasting ammunition in full-automatic fire. General Wyman told Stoner that the Infantry Board reported that it would take three to four years to design such a rifle, and he asked Stoner if he could design one and how long it would take. Stoner replied that he could design one and that it would take six to eight months. The General told Stoner he had a deal, and to go ahead with the project.

The AR-11 (“Stopette”) To satisfy General Wyman’s request, Gene Stoner revisited his M-7 (AR-3) semi-automatic rifle design, a rifle that somewhat resembled the M2 Carbine, and was selective fire. Called the AR-11, the rifle was essentially the AR-3 reduced in size with a shorter receiver, also made of aircraft quality aluminum. Stoner assigned another ArmaLite engineer named Doc Wilson and selected the standard .222 Remington (5.56×43mm) cartridge for it. The .222 Remington was measurably superior to the .30 Carbine (7.62×33mm) case necked down to .22 (5.56mm), but less powerful than the .220

Swift and the 7.62mm NATO case necked down to .22 (5.56mm), as used in the SALVO trials. As with the .22 Hornet (5.56×35Rmm), the .222 Remington was designed for hunting small game. However, unlike the commercial hollow point .22 Hornet and .222 Remington bullets designed for hunting small game, the .222 Remington was selected as an anti-personnel round where only full metal jacketed bullets were used. Because of this restriction, Stoner decided to use a 55-grain (1.94-gram) full metal jacket .224 caliber (5.56mm) bullet and he created several sketches from which Jim Sullivan made a drawing. From this drawing, Frank Snow, of Sierra Bullet Company, produced the bullet used in the .222 Remington (5.56×43mm) cases, the same bullet that went on to become the M193. Nicknamed the “Stopette,” the AR-11 rifle used a 25-shot steel magazine, had a foam-filled fiberglass stock like the AR-3 and had a safety like the M1/M14 rifle. However, the AR-11’s lightweight components resulted in a high cyclic rate of fire with an unacceptable climb helped by its conventional drop-heel stock, and it failed to meet the required helmet penetration tests, which had been extended to 500 yards. In attempting to achieve additional penetration, ArmaLite loaded the cartridge hotter. This produced an excessive chamber pressure of 55,000-psi (3,790 bars), but the muzzle velocity, at 3,350 fps (1,021ms), was indeed substantial. How many times the propellant charge was increased is not known, but the AR-11 finally blew up, with part of the barrel extension injuring the head of another ArmaLite employee who was firing it. Interestingly, still another ArmaLite engineer, John Peck, designed a rifle in .222 Remington caliber (5.56×43mm) parallel to

the AR-11, but with a separate pistol grip. According to L. James Sullivan, Peck’s rifle was essentially a smaller variant of the AR-10. Although this rifle was successfully test fired, because it used a relatively weak barrel extension identical to the one that failed in the “Stopette,” further work on Peck’s design was halted. While there has been some speculation as to which rifle was called the “Stopette,” Doc Wilson’s AR-11 or John Peck’s, and questions as to just what the name referred to, Jim Sullivan reports that the “Stopette” was definitely the AR-11. As for the significance of the name, Sullivan credited it to Charles Dorchester, who simply thought up the name, “Stopette,” with it having nothing to do with anything about the rifle.

The AR-12 Intended as an inexpensive variant of the AR-10, the AR-12 was designed in .308 Winchester caliber (7.62mm NATO) that Eugene Stoner always preferred. Manufacturing the AR-12 would not have required the technology of the AR-10, and could have been produced by developing nations, but it never went beyond the single prototype. The AR-12 was designed before the AR-15, but was not completed until after that rifle, because of the rush to get the AR-15 designed and into production after the failure of the AR-11. Because the AR-12 bears no model designation, it is sometimes confused with the AR14, and has been listed as a drawing only. The only marking on the AR-12 is “EXP1” stamped on the magazine well.

The AR-12 prototype seen from the right side. The top cover and handguards are missing.

The AR-12 prototype viewed from the left side showing optical sight rail.

The AR-12’s receiver section is seen from the top to illustrate similarities with the AR-16 and AR-18 models produced later.

The AR-12 began life as a direct gas rifle, but used a shorter bolt carrier into which the gas tube entered through a hole in the front and exited from ports in the left side of the bolt. The bolt group rode on dual recoil spring guide rods housed within the receiver, which allowed the buttstock to be removed, or to fold. While the receiver was made of machined aluminum, the top cover is believed to have been made of sheet steel, but it is missing along with one of the handguards.

During development of the AR-12, the AR-15 and its direct gas system patent was sold to Colt, which meant that the direct gas system could not be used in the AR-12. Because of this, Eugene Stoner welded up the gas tube hole in the bolt carrier and converted the AR-12 to a short stroke gas piston operation. The AR-12 evolved into the AR-16 described below.

The AR-13 In a departure from other ArmaLite developments, the AR-13 was a Hypervelocity Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun proposed by Russell Robinson to the U.S. Air Force. The gun was conceived to use the squeezebore bullet concept with multiple barrels to produce the ripple effect called the “Cloud of Crud” concept. The AR-13 design was never completed.

The AR-14 Consisting of a conceptual design, the AR-14 was intended as a semi-automatic only sporting variant of the AR-12 with wooden stock furniture, suitable for hunting.

The AR-15 It should be noted that, except for burst fire (covered later), and handguard removal, all operating principles, procedures and disassembly relating to the AR-15 are virtually identical to those of the AR-10 rifle.

By the time the AR-15 project began, ArmaLite had moved to its new location in Costa Mesa, California, south of Los Angeles, and although the AR-11 (“Stopette”) project had failed, Eugene Stoner was not about to give up. Determined to provide General Wyman with a suitable rifle, Stoner decided that an improved variant of Peck’s small AR-10 style rifle was needed along with a new higher capacity cartridge, and General Wyman reluctantly agreed to the new design. Stoner assigned L. James Sullivan and later, Robert Fremont to design a new cartridge based on the .222 Remington (5.56×43mm) cartridge, and an improved reduced-size AR-10 style rifle to use it. The eventual result was the .222 Remington Special (5.56×45mm) cartridge and the rifle called the AR-15. Jim Sullivan recalls that before Robert Fremont came to ArmaLite, he (Sullivan) inherited John Peck’s rifle to use as reference in designing the prototype that was later called the AR-15. He also confirmed that Eugene Stoner cared little about the SCHV program, as he was a .30 caliber man all the way, but that he was determined to give the military whatever it wanted. One of many changes Sullivan made in his AR-15 prototype was to enlarge Peck’s weak barrel extension and bolt carrier channel from 7/8 inch to 1 inch. As to the disposition of Peck’s rifle Jim Sullivan reported that it was almost certainly destroyed. What’s more, it was never assigned a number, but was merely part of the same project as the AR-11. Peck’s rifle could be considered a proof-of-concept for Sullivan’s AR-15 prototype. In downsizing the AR-10, Jim Sullivan stresses that this was not simply a matter of scaling down the rifle, as operating pressures of the .222 Remington (5.56×43mm) were every bit as great as those

generated by the 7.62mm NATO cartridge used by the AR-10. Because of the excessive pressure of the .222 Remington (5.56×43mm) case, more case volume was necessary, and Sullivan and Fremont experimented with extending the .222 Remington’s shoulder forward. Finally, to solve the problem, Sullivan and Robert Fremont designed a longer cartridge case, and submitted the design to Remington. According to the late Col. Burton Miller, of ArmaLite, the new cartridge case was loosely based on the dimensions of the much larger .50 BMG (12.7×99mm) cartridge case, which John M. Browning had designed from the .30-06 case decades earlier. Stoner’s 55-grain (3.6 grams) .224 caliber (5.56mm) bullet was retained and Remington agreed to develop and produce the new cartridge, which was initially designated the “.222 Special” (5.56×45mm). Later, to avoid confusion when Remington introduced the .222 Remington Magnum cartridge (the 5.56×46mm cartridge designed by Springfield), the ArmaLite round was renamed the .223 Remington with the metric designation of 5.56×45mm. As with the AR-11, General Wyman insisted that the new rifle have a rear sight that could not be tampered with by soldiers after it was sighted in at the factory. Thus, the rear of the carrying handle of Sullivan’s prototype was cut away to eliminate the drum rear sight and allow for a simple offset aperture, which could be rotated 180 degrees for 2 elevation settings, but without any windage adjustment. This first AR-15 prototype bears no markings, except for “X AR 1501” hand stamped on the front of the magazine well, and the faint handwritten words, “Prototype AR-15,” on the left side of the magazine well. This rifle had a 25-shot steel magazine, which General

Wyman lated insisted be changed to a 20-shot magazine, so a soldier could not fire more than a 20-shot burst on full-automatic without stopping to reload, this in order to conserve ammunition. When the lack of windage adjustment proved unsatisfactory, Stoner asked General Wyman if the rifle could have a windage adjustment that could only be made using a tool. When the General agreed, Stoner asked him if the tool could be the tip of a bullet, and when the General agreed to this, the “wheel” windage adjustment was designed for the rear sight of the AR-15 rifle. Based on the performance of the AR-15 prototype, CONARC gave ArmaLite a contract for 10 rifles and 100 magazines. In the meantime, although the 1957 CONARC requirement had been circulated, only two companies, ArmaLite and Winchester, initially submitted completed weapons for testing, and Winchester also received a contract. Based on the M1 Carbine design, the larger .224 caliber (5.56mm) Winchester Light Rifle is covered in the chapter on U.S. Assault Rifle Development elsewhere in this book. Winchester had designed this rifle around a similar cartridge called the .224E1. This round was loaded with ball powder behind a 53grain (3.4 grams) square-base bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3,300 fps (1,006ms). However, when the rifle became hot the cartridge produced excessive chamber pressure, so another propellant was substituted, which required more case volume. To solve this problem, Winchester developed a longer cartridge called the .224E2, which had more case capacity, but was of the same overall length, by seating the bullet deeper. This was necessary in order to be able to load the cartridge in the original magazine. Both rifles were made with the same chamber dimensions, but the overall

length of the ArmaLite round was greater than the Winchester cartridge. Thus, the .224E2 round could be fired in the AR-15, but the Winchester rifle could not shoot the ArmaLite .223. Not long after Winchester and ArmaLite had answered CONARC’s solicitation, Springfield Armory joined the competition with a new conventionally stocked selective fire rifle of its own design. Called the .224 (5.56mm) Springfield Infantry Rifle, this weapon used a .224 caliber (5.56mm) cartridge very similar to those developed by Winchester and ArmaLite. The Springfield entry somewhat resembled the M1 Carbine and the M14 on its exterior, but never went beyond the prototype stage. However, as mentioned, the Springfield .224 (5.56mm) cartridge went on to become the Remington .222 Magnum (5.56×46mm) cartridge, yet another cartridge designed for small game hunting. For more on the Springfield Infantry Rifle refer to the chapter on U.S. Assault Rifle Development elsewhere in this book.

Designed by L. James Sullivan, the first AR-15 prototype is seen from the right side with 25-shot magazine inserted.

The first prototype AR-15 is seen from the left side with 25-shot magazine inserted. The rifle has no standard butt plate.

The first prototype AR-15 is seen with its upper receiver hinged open showing the early AR-10 type hammer used.

This close-up of the receiver of the first prototype AR-15 shows the simple hooded rear sight aperture with no provision for windage adjustment.

The only marking on the first prototype AR-15 is XAR-1501 stamped on the front of the magazine well, and the very faint hand written words, “Prototype AR-15” written on the right side of the magazine well.

The cartridges used in ArmaLite rifles are (from left) the .22 Hornet (5.56×35Rmm) seen with an original box of full metal jacket U.S. Military ammunition, the .222 Remington (5.56×43mm) loaded with Stoner-designed

Sierra 55-grain bullet used in the AR-11 “Stopette,” the .222 Remington Special and the final .223 Remington (both 5.56×45mm), and the 7.65×51mm NATO.

Although CONARC had requested 10 test rifles, ArmaLite made a total of 17 rifles that were unmodified from the AR-10 pattern, except for the rear sight, which used the newly designed “bulletadjusted” windage wheel on the right side. These were sequentially serial numbered from 000001 to 000017. The ten AR-15 preproduction AR-15 rifles ordered by CONARC were delivered on March 31, 1958. Four rifles were selected for testing by the Infantry Board, three were put aside for demonstrators and the remaining three were slated for Arctic testing the following winter. After extensive testing, the Infantry Board recommended that the AR-15 be considered a potential replacement for the M14 rifle. Even so, the AR-15 had to overcome a number of additional hurdles requiring some modifications to the gun, as follows: 1. Trigger pull reduced to approximately 7 pounds (3.18 kg). 2. Trigger return action improved. 3. Single conical fiberglass handguard replaced with 2-piece removable type using a spring-loaded ring. 4. Rear sight increased in size. 5. Change lever positions changed to have SAFE moved to the rear from vertical to prevent it from moving to AUTO if gun was dragged. 6. Charging handle changed from AR-10 type to a triangle at the receiver.

7. Increased clearance around magazine for sand and debris. 8. Molded rubber butt cap added. 9. More clearance around buffer. 10. Receiver contact surfaces (lands) on bolt carrier reduced. 11. Dust cover cam added. 12. Feed ramp altered. 13. Magazine capacity reduced to 20 shots. 14. Barrel 2 oz. (56.8 grams) heavier; flash suppressor added to muzzle. ArmaLite made the changes and produced a number of test rifles for further evaluation, but the Army decided that the AR-15 did not meet the requirements for a new rifle.

Long believed lost or destroyed, the first pre-production AR-15, serial number 000001 (bottom) is compared with a later production model.

Pre-production AR-15, #000001 is viewed from the left side.

The left side receiver of pre-production AR-15, #000001 is seen bearing its serial number along with its early Pegasus logo.

Colt Gets the AR-15 After the AR-10 contract with Artillerie Inrichtingen was canceled, Fairchild negotiated a license with Colt in 1959. By the terms of the agreement, Colt acquired the right to produce both the AR-10 and the AR-15. Because there seemed little chance of selling a weapon in a caliber other than 7.62mm NATO, Colt began preparations to produce the new AR-10A, serial number 1048, described above. In the meantime, Gene Stoner and Robert MacDonald, of Cooper-Macdonald, set out on an extensive tour of the Far East to

demonstrate both the AR-10 and AR-15 rifles. For this, the AR-10A, #1048 was taken on the tour along with ArmaLite AR-15 #00004. Both rifles had handguards, butt stocks and pistol grips made of walnut painted brown to look like plastic, and both rifles were demonstrated to a number of countries. However, it soon became apparent that the AR-15 was the center of attention with little interest shown in the AR-10. MacDonald eventually sent a cablegram to Colt instructing them to stop all further work on the AR-10A and to concentrate on the AR-15. Stoner and MacDonald abandoned their remaining supply of 7.62×51mm (.308 Winchester) ammunition and completed the tour demonstrating using only the AR-15.

Pre-production AR-15, #000004 and AR-10A, #1048 were taken on the Far East demonstration tour in 1959. Both had walnut stock furniture painted brown to look like plastic.

Seen here are the receiver markings of AR-15 #000004 and AR-10A, #1048. Colt had intended to produce this variant of the AR-10.

Replacing the M14 At the direction of General Curtis E. LeMay, the U.S. Air Force was the first U.S. Service to adopt the AR-15 rifle. The first of these rifles had blue stock furniture including the bayonet scabbard and the scales of the bayonet, and the Air Force called the 5.56mm cartridge the 5.64mm. As the Commander of the Strategic Air Command, General LeMay developed the capability to move and establish a B52 base anywhere in the free world at almost a moment’s notice. When so deployed, security for the base was paramount, but the Air Force’s only shoulder weapon was the M2 and M3 cal. 30 Carbine. The Air Force could have adopted the M14, but LeMay had no interest in that

rifle, and how he became a proponent of the AR-15 is an interesting story. In 1957, while attending a birthday party at Richard Boutelle’s farm outside Hagerstown, Maryland, General LeMay was allowed to shoot two watermelons with the AR-15, one at 50 yards (45.7m) and the other placed at 150 yards (137m). When the General shot the closest watermelon, it burst into hundreds of pieces, greatly impressing him. When Boutelle asked if he wanted to shoot the other watermelon, the General is reported to have replied, “Hell, no, let’s eat it!” General LeMay became a strong supporter of the AR-15 to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging M2 Carbines. Following a series of tests, the Air Force ordered 85,000 rifles and gave them the designation, M16. Eventually, the Department of the Army decided that the M16 would fulfill certain requirements of limited standard field use; specifically, a rifle that was easier to handle in jungle terrain, and a lighter rifle which might be used by certain organizations such as Special Forces, Airborne, and Air Assault Units. Subsequently, in 1962, a limited number of M16 rifles was purchased by the Army with the idea of arming special units with them. Thus 1,000 AR-15 rifles were purchased for field testing in Vietnam, but just how the Army finally came on board with the AR-15 is an interesting story. It is related by Mr. Robert Gaddis, who was associated with ArmaLite at Costa Mesa and who worked for Eugene Stoner and L. James Sullivan at Cadillac Gage. According to Mr. Gaddis, elements of the Army’s Green Berets were armed with M2 Carbines in the early stages of the Vietnam War. When Air Force crews flew into forward bases armed with M16

rifles, the Green Berets got their first look and hands-on experience with the new weapons and immediately protested the fact that they needed such a weapon more than the Air Force did. Since the Green Berets had strong influence, the AR-15 got into the Army’s inventory. About the same time, the U.S. Navy also made a small purchase of AR-15’s for use by SEAL teams. In 1963 SEAL Team II was inspected by then President John F. Kennedy, who asked the members about the new rifle. The sailors’ praise for the weapon probably played some part in a large procurement of AR-15’s by the Navy later that year. President Kennedy even acquired two AR-15’s for his own use and enjoyment when on his boat. Of course, all AR15 rifles were selective fire during this period. It was only after the designation, M16 was adopted throughout the Service that the designation, AR-15, was given to the commercial, semi-automatic variant introduced by Colt in 1964. The Vietnam War was instrumental in the rifle becoming standard issue by all U.S. Services, but there remained minor differences between those purchased by the Air Force and the other services. The variant adopted by the Army was soon equipped with a forward assist bolt closing device and was designated the XM16E1, while the Air Force variant was type classed as simply the M16. With final adoption in 1967, the Army variant became the M16A1, which is covered in detail after the AR-16 and AR-18.

AR-15/M16 (original issue)

The two AR-16 prototype rifles are seen here with their 20-shot magazines inserted.

The AR-16 For Means of Controlling Operation, Safety Arrangements and Elementary Disassembly Procedure, refer to the AR-18 below. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: As previously mentioned, the AR-12 and AR-14 led to the development of the .308 Winchester caliber (7.62mm NATO) AR-16. However, where the AR-14 used a lower receiver made from an aluminum forging, that of the AR-16 was made of sheet metal like the sheet metal receivers of the AR-12 design. Only two examples of the AR-16 are known to exist, one in a carbine variant with a 15-inch (38mm) barrel and a wooden stock that folded to the left. With the stock folded the AR-16 had an overall length of just 27 inches (686mm) and weighed 8.75 pounds (3.98kg). The other, a rifle variant of the AR-16, had a 20-inch (508mm) barrel and weighed about 9 pounds (409 kg). This rifle was shown in other forms including a

sporting stock. Although it has been reported that three AR-16 rifles were made, one with a sporting stock, it is possible that one of the above rifles was fitted with such a stock by ArmaLite for advertising purposes.

The AR-18 Means of Controlling Operation: The selector is located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip. Rotating the thumb piece of the selector to the middle (vertical) position limits the AR-18 to semi-automatic fire, and rotating the selector all the way forward allows full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector all the way to the rear blocks the sear, preventing firing. When rotated to its three positions the point of the selector denotes the words SAFE, SEMI and AUTO. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine, and pulling back the cocking handle to make sure the chamber is empty, let the bolt return forward and put the safety ON, leaving the hammer cocked. Now depress the small plunger on the upper right of the back plate behind the rear sight and push in the back plate and its dual guide rods against their recoil springs. With this plate pushed in the upper receiver can be opened to hinge on the pin located in front of the magazine well. NOTE: the guide rod plate remains under strong spring pressure and must be

allowed to slowly back out of the upper receiver. NOTE: The forward tips of the guide rods retain the top handguard and withdrawing them allows the handguard to be lifted off the rifle; if the rifle is rotated the top handguard will fall off (the bottom handguard cannot be removed). Pull the recoil spring group completely out of the upper receiver. Then pull the cocking knob back until it lines up with the enlarged hole in its channel behind the ejection port. Pull the cocking handle out and tip up the receiver to allow the bolt carrier and bolt to slide out of the back of the receiver. The bolt group can then be disassembled in much the same way as that of the M16 rifle. Using the point of a bullet, or similar tool, push out the hinge pin at the front of the magazine well and separate the upper and lower receiver groups. No disassembly of the lower receiver is necessary, but the piston and operating rod can be removed by first pulling back the piston and then lifting it and the operating rod and spring out from the front. NOTE: In this rifle, the piston is actually fixed to the gas block/front sight base and the cylinder is the part that moves to the rear, but it is sometimes commonly referred to as the piston and the piston is referred to as a “spigot.” Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: After Eugene Stoner sold the rights to the AR-15 to Colt, he left ArmaLite to go to work for Cadillac Gage, of Costa Mesa in order to develop the M69W rifle and the Stoner 62, both of which are described in the Stoner Chapter elsewhere in this book. With the interest in the .223 caliber (5.56×45mm NATO) by then well established, ArmaLite’s Arthur Miller became the company’s

chief engineer. During 1963 to 1965, Miller redesigned (or scaled down with a number of improvements) Stoner’s 7.62mm NATO AR16 to become the .223 caliber AR-18. This improved variant of the AR-16 used a hinged upper and lower receiver and the short-stroke piston system of operation found in the AR-14 and the AR-16. It also had a plastic stock that folded to the left. Early AR-18 rifles had a straight cocking handle and no ejection port cover, but production rifles had a cocking handle that curved up to allow easier access by either hand, and for the hand to clear a spring-loaded port cover that covered the rear end of the port and the slot of the bolt channel. Production AR-18 rifles also had the addition of a tapered dovetail scope base welded to the top of the receiver. The AR-18 used the same bayonet as the M16 and used a similar 20-shot magazine, which locked in from the right side. M16 magazines can be converted to be used in either rifle. The AR-18 was simple, reliable and accurate, and was made with a standard 18-inch barrel weighing 6.9 pounds, as well as a “commando” variant with a 10-inch barrel with a cone flash hider. The AR-18 was manufactured in limited numbers by ArmaLite, and was favorably tested by the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1970. The design was licensed to the Howa Machinery Company in Nagoya, Japan, in 1967, but sales were limited due to Japanese constraints that allowed Japan to sell the AR-18, a “weapon of war,” only to noncombative nations. In 1974 ArmaLite licensed Sterling Limited, of England to produce the AR-18. A variation of the AR-18, the SAR 80, was later made by CIS, of Singapore, and is described in that section elsewhere in this book.

The AR-18 seen from both sides with 20-shot magazine and stock folded and extended.

A drawing of a conceptual AR-18 bullpup rifle seen from the right with 20-shot magazine.

The AR-18S Carbine is seen from the right side with conical flash hider, vertical foregrip, stock extended and 20-shot magazine.

The AR-18S Carbine seen from the right with optical sight, sound suppressor, 75-shot drum magazine and sling.

AR-18

A summary of ArmaLite designs and weapons and those by Eugene Stoner prior to his association with ArmaLite is as follows:

Stoner M-1 through M-4: Conceptual drawings only. Stoner M-5: Stoner’s first semi-automatic sporting rifle, caliber .30-06. Stoner M-6: Stoner’s second semi-automatic sporting rifle, cal. .30-06. Stoner M-7: Stoner’s third semi-automatic rifle (unfinished), cal. .308 (AR-3). Stoner M-8: Stoner’s first selective fire assault rifle serial #X01, cal. .30-06. The M-8 amounted to the first sheet-metal prototype

of the AR-10, but was never given that designation by ArmaLite.

ArmaLite Rifles: AR-1: Lightweight bolt-action “Parasniper” rifle in .308 caliber. AR-2: Conceptual drawing of the Model T-35 by George Sullivan. AR-3: Stoner M-7 finished and using synthetic stock, caliber .308. AR-4: Conceptual drawing only of a “gun can.” AR-5: Bolt-action MA-1 Air Force Survival Rifle in .22 Hornet caliber. AR-6: Conceptual drawing only of unknown design. AR-7: Semi-automatic civilian variant of AR-5 in .22 Long Rifle caliber. AR-8: Conceptual drawing of .270 caliber commercial bolt-action rifle. AR-9: Prototype semi-automatic lightweight sporting shotgun in 12 gauge. AR-10-1001: 2nd AR-10 sheet metal prototype, serial #X02, .308 caliber. AR-10A: 3rd AR-10 prototype & first of aluminum alloy, serial # X03, .308 cal. AR-10B: Pre-production, improved AR-10, serial #1001 through 1005, .308 cal. AR-10: Limited production with 43 rifles made in .308 caliber.

AR-10A (2nd): Final AR-10 made by ArmaLite, serial #1048, .308 caliber. AR-11 (“Stopette”): Shortened, selective fire variant of the AR-3 in .222 Remington caliber. AR-12: Prototype sheet metal variant of AR-10 .308 assault rifle, #EXP1. AR-13: Conceptual drawing of Hypervelocity Antiaircraft Machine Gun. AR-14: Conceptual drawing of semi-auto sporting variant of the AR-12. X AR 1501: Prototype AR-15 designed by Robert Fremont and L. James Sullivan. AR-15: AR-10 style rifle in .222 Remington Special (.223) caliber. AR-16: Sheet metal follow-up to the AR-14.in .308 caliber. Few made. AR-17: Pre-production variant of AR-9. Short recoil operated. Few made. AR-18: Reduced Rem./5.56×45mm.

size

AR-16

by

Arthur

Miller

in

.223

AR-180: Semi-automatic only variant of the AR-18.

The Lost ArmaLite Prototypes A little known fact is that, after leaving ArmaLite in Costa Mesa, most of the Eugene Stoner designed ArmaLite prototype rifles were

shipped to Fairchild, in Fredericksburg, Maryland. Among them was Stoner’s M-8, AR-10-1001, the first AR-10A, most of the AR-10B’s and AR-10’s, the AR-14, the prototype AR-15, serial #XAR 1501 and many others. For years, Eugene Stoner had looked for his M-8 and in the early 1990’s he learned that this rifle was at the above Fairchild location. Not only was Stoner’s M-8 recovered, but also the missing prototype rifles, some 54 in all, were found in what was literally a broom closet. Stoner, had all but forgotten the first AR-15 built by Sullivan and Fremont, the AR-12 and others that were virtually unknown. Among them was ArmaLite Pre-production AR-15, serial number 000001, which was believed to have been destroyed in testing. That these rare prototypes were finally rescued is of unprecedented importance to the study of firearms. A number of them are seen in this chapter.

The M16 in the Military If ArmaLite believed it had delivered the final variant of the AR-15 to Colt, the military had different ideas, as end users always do, and the rifle continued to evolve, as variations of the standard rifle began to appear. Colt developed several variations built on the basic action referred to as the Colt AR-15 (CAR-15) Infantry Weapons System (IWS). These included an experimental CAR-15 carbine and an Air Force Survival Rifle, which competed with a Stoner 63 variant designed and built by Robert Gaddis and covered in the Stoner section elsewhere in this book. Colt called a heavy barrel squad automatic weapon (SAW) variant the CAR-15 Heavy Assault Rifle

M1. This and other Colt SAWs are covered below and in the chapter on Canada elsewhere in this book. While none of these weapons was adopted, one variation of the CAR-15 appeared during the Vietnam War. This was the XM177E2, or CAR-15 Commando/SMG, which evolved into the M4 Carbine described below. Although the CAR-15 fired the 5.56×45mm rifle cartridge, it had a 10.5-inch (267mm) barrel equipped with a combination sound modifier/flash hider, which slightly attenuated muzzle blast. This device was ruled a sound suppressor by the BATF. The CAR-15 SMG also introduced the waffle pattern round handguard system and a sliding buttstock, which is adjustable for length of pull to accommodate heavy clothing and/or one’s build. The CAR-15 IWS also introduced a burst-control device, which could limit the number of rounds fired with each pull of the trigger. Using a wheellike ratchet with alternating notches, the control was produced in 2-, 3- and 6-shot variants, the latter intended for use with the heavy squad automatic rifles. The CAR-15 Commando is still offered, but without the sound modifier and can be had in selective fire, fullautomatic or with the addition of a 3-shot burst. When supplied as a conversion kit, the burst control came with a “stick-on” decal or thin plate that covered the normal selector settings to include the word “BURST” placed at the top of the selector rotation. A shallow selector lever overrode the selector stops to go to BURST. Weapons ordered with burst control are now stamped with the BURST setting at the factory. The M16 burst-control is of the type that has a memory. That is, if only one or two shots are fired from a weapon on a 3-shot burst setting and the trigger is released before

the third shot is fired, when pulled again, the trigger will fire the third shot of the burst and then reset.

Propellant Problems Not only did the U.S. Military make many changes to the M16, but its ammunition contractor also made a change to the M193 ammunition it used without telling the military. Being of direct gas operation, the M16 fed hot gasses directly into the bolt and bolt carrier. Because a clean burning propellant was required to keep the system relatively clean, it was developed around a clean burning Improved Military Rifle (IMR) propellant. Without soliciting input from either the designer or manufacturer, the military switched to ball powder, which not only contained more calcium carbonate preservative, but also had an additional protective coating on the granules. This, together with a non-chrome plated chamber and bore, contributed to serious malfunction problems during the early months that the rifle was issued in the humid climate of Vietnam. Hard chrome plating of the chamber and bore contributed to the reliability of the M16 when used with the new M193 ammunition.

M16 Variations During the Vietnam War, the M16 had evolved into the M16A1 with the inclusion of a device called the forward assist to serve as a means of forcing the bolt carrier forward in the case of a stoppage. Initially adopted by the Army and Marine Corps, the M16A1 was made by Colt and Hydramatic Division of General Motors. Later, the M16A1 was replaced by the M16A2 in the United States Marine

Corps through the efforts of Colonel David Lutz who was responsible for that rifle’s development. The M16A2 differs from the M16A1 in having a 3-shot burst control instead of full-automatic, the addition of a rear sight similar to that of the original AR-10, a square front sight post, a heavier barrel, a longer butt stock, an improved pistol grip, an improved flash hider, reinforced hinge, round handguards and an empty case deflector. In addition to Colt, the M16A2 was also made by F.N.M.I., of Columbia, South Carolina. F.N.M.I. also made a variant of the M16A2 with a fullautomatic selector for the U.S. Navy designated the M16A3. The United States Marine Corps later replaced the M16A2 with the M16A4, which has a removable carrying handle, and now uses s fulllength (M1913) Rail Adapter System (RAS) produced by Knight’s Armament Company, of Titusville, Florida.

The Model 703... Almost the M16A2 Colt also sought to develop a new improved variant of the M16A1. The result was called the CAR Model 703, a radical departure from the M16A1 in several major respects. Although the M703 retained the multi-lug bolt design of the M16A1, the bolt carrier was connected by a hinge to a full length gas piston/operating rod similar to the system used in the AK-47. A totally different upper receiver and a gas cylinder mounted on top of the barrel was complemented by a rear sight resembling that was used on the Stoner 63A. However, the M703 added a number of parts in addition to weight, and the project was canceled with only two prototypes

having been made. Nevertheless, the M703 was a very interesting piston conversion of the M16.

The prototype CAR M703 seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The Colt Model 703 is seen from the right side with its bolt group and long stroke gas piston removed.

The M703 is seen from the left side field stripped.

The M4 Carbine While the Army also issued the M16A2, it purchased fixedcarrying-handle Colt XM4 Carbines, and soon began replacing the M16A2 rifle with the M4 Carbine and later the flattop M4A1. The M4 is a further development from the original XM177E2 with a multiple position buttstock to provide adjustment for length of pull for various builds and clothing, as well as being easier to store. The M4A1 also has a removable carrying handle and can use the M203 40mm grenade launcher with its Knight Armament Company Rail Adapter System (RAS) forend, which is standard issue with the USSOCOM. The designation M4 is the numerical successor to the M3, the last

carbine adopted by the U.S. Military during the Korean War. The M4 has established the criteria for the U.S. Military’s future battle rifle.

The first version of the M16 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine.

The M16A1 seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine. Note forward assist behind the ejection port.

Colt CAR-15 Survival Rifle seen from right side with 20-shot magazine inserted, retractable stock extended, shortened pistol grip and early sound modifier This model competed against the Stoner 63 Survival Carbine covered in that chapter elsewhere in this book.

Early CAR-15 Carbine seen from the right side with Colt 3X optic and without magazine.

Early Colt CAR-15 SMG seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine, early sound modifier and sliding stock extended. Stock release is in the butt of the stock.

Colt XM177E2 Commando seen from the left with combination sound modifier/flash hider, 30-shot magazine and adjustable stock extended.

The M16A2 assault rifle seen from the right side with Thermold plastic 30-shot magazine.

The XM4 Carbine seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine and adjustable stock extended.

The 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Colt M4 Carbine, with its flattop receiver, is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine.

Seen from the left side, the 11.5-inch barrel Colt M4 Commando has a 30-shot magazine inserted and its adjustable stock retracted.

The M16 Port Firing assault rifle seen from the right with 30-shot magazine inserted and retractable wire stock mounted. This weapon was designed for use in armored vehicles.

M16 Ordnance In attempt to make the M16 fill a dual role, experiments soon began to mount various launching systems and secondary weapons on the rifle. These have included 12-gauge shotguns mounted below the barrel, as well as explosive ordnance launchers.

The first single shot 40mm grenade launcher designed for the M16 by Colt’s Robert Roy on M16A1 rifle with 20-shot magazine.

The first secondary weapon system to be used on the M16 proved the most successful and this was a series of prototype singleshot 40mm grenade launchers that evolved into the M203 launcher currently used. However, while 40mm grenade launchers have continued to be developed for the M16, other systems have also come and gone.

The Colt XM148 40mm grenade launcher on M16A1 rifle with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The M203 40mm grenade launcher seen on a M16A1 rifle with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The M16A2 is seen from the right side with the M203 40mm grenade launcher and special handguard mounted along with grenade launching sights and 30shot magazine.

The M203 40mm grenade launcher seen mounted on a Colt M4 Carbine with adjustable stock retracted and Colt 3X optic mounted.

The Rifleman’s Assault Weapon (RAW)

One fascinating secondary weapon system developed for the M16 was the Rifleman’s Assault Weapon (RAW). Developed by Brunswick Defense Corp., of Costa Mesa, California, USA, in the early 1970’s, the R AW was a high explosive, gyroscopically stabilized rocket. Using a mount that attached in the manner of a bayonet, the RAW held the round “squash-head” missile at a predetermined angle of elevation of about 15 degrees. Simply aiming at the target and firing a round of 5.56×45mm ammunition at it caused gas to bleed off at the muzzle to operate a striker to detonate a primer to start the rocket motor. The rocket gasses instantly vented out through two angles from opposing venturis, and these launched the missile while spinning it, with no recoil transmitted to the rifle. As the RAW left the rifle, its predetermined angle and spin kept its trajectory perfectly straight until the rocket ran out of thrust at 300 meters (328 yards). When it struck a target within this range, the round nose would collapse to detonate the payload. The RAW could defeat 12 inches (308mm) of reinforced concrete, as well as one inch of armor plate, and could disable a tank. After a number of improvements and modifications, the Rifleman’s Assault Weapon proved very effective. It was used with some success by the U.S. Navy SEALs during the Invasion of Granada, but its accuracy was affected by strong wind. A similar launching system was designed to deliver chemical agents for crowd control.

The M26

On a much smaller scale is the M26 more recently adopted by the U.S. Army for use on the M4A1 Carbine. Designed and produced by C-More Systems, of Virginia, the M26 consists of a short barreled 3-inch magnum 12-gauge shotgun that can be mounted beneath the barrel, or used as a stand alone weapon with its own stock and pistol grip or pistol grip alone. Operating by straight pull, the M26 is a repeating shotgun with a cocking handle on its left side and feeds from a 3- or 5-shot detachable box magazine. With a special standoff muzzle device, the M26 can be used for door breaching or as an antipersonnel weapon.

The Rifleman’s Assault Weapon (RAW) (bottom), and a similar launcher for chemical agents are seen mounted on two M16 rifles.

The M26 12 ga. weapon is seen mounted on the M4A1 Carbine.

Colt Light Machine Gun Variants of the M16 Attempting to fill the role of a light machine gun (LMG) is nothing new for the M16. Colt experimented with a belt-fed conversion for the M16, a Robert Roy project that was scaled down from that tested with early 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) AR-10 rifles. This belt-feed component could be quickly removed from the rifle to allow it to use standard magazines. In the late 1980’s, Mr. Richard Swan, of A.R.M.S., Inc., USA, developed a Rigid Frame System for the M16 to be used with Colt’s belt-fed conversion and a quick-change barrel system, but neither Colt’s M16 belt-fed system nor the A.R.M.S. Rigid Frame was mass-produced. In the 1970’s Colt and Diemaco, of Canada, developed an M16based light machine gun for the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Program. Called the XM106, this LMG had a quick-change heavy barrel and fired from an open bolt, but was never mass-produced. Instead, Colt turned to its magazine-fed heavy-barrel M16 HBAR. In 2001, again in co-operation with Diemaco, Colt submitted a variation of the Diemaco Light Support Weapon/Light Machine Gun for U.S. Military trials. Using some components from the LSW/LMG assembled on Colt receivers, this heavy barrel, open-bolt-firing gun was called the Colt CAR (Colt Automatic Rifle), and used the BETA A-G 100-round C-Mag. More recently, Colt developed a new M16 LMG as one of four proposed shoulder arms comprising Increment I of the short lived Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW). The other three

weapons were also based on the M16 and included a Designated Marksman Rifle, a Carbine and a Special Compact, all designated OICW Mark II. The OICW Mark II LMG uses a quick-change barrel with a variation of Colt’s monolithic rail system and short-stroke piston that Colt submitted with a highly modified M4-type carbine to the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SofCAR or SCAR) Program. The Colt OICW Mark II LMG will accept several trigger groups that allow the weapon to fire from either a closed or an open bolt, or a closed bolt on semi-automatic and an open bolt on full-automatic. Since this weapon could be had to fire from a closed bolt on fullautomatic, it meets one of the main requirements of the United States Marine Corps’ search for a new squad automatic weapon (SAW), which the USMC calls the Infantry Assault Rifle (IAR). Because the OICW Program was canceled, Colt’s OICW Mark II LMG was never put into series production and remains an unfinished weapon. The one prototype was fitted with a TangoDown Bipod and was tested with the BETA C-MAG.

While most Colt Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle (HBAR) Squad Automatic Rifles used a fixed barrel, the XM 106 had a quick-change barrel. This experimental rifle is seen here from the left side with modified M14 bipod deployed and dual 30-shot magazines in place. The XM 106 was never mass produced.

An M16 is seen from the left side with the A.R.M.S. Rigid Frame System and Colt’s belt-feed conversion with a belt of 5.56×45mm dummy rounds inserted.

Here the left, folding handguard of the A.R.M.S. Rigid Frame System is in the open position, which would allow access to the quick-change barrel. The vertical cylinder at the rear of the handguard housed batteries to operate an integral laser, mounted directly above the barrel.

The rigid frame system is seen from the left side with the belt-feed mechanism removed, allowing the rifle to use a box magazine.

The Colt OICW Light Machine Gun is seen from the right with TangoDown Bipod deployed and BETA C-MAG inserted. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

Here the Colt OICW LMG is seen from the right with its quick-change barrel removed. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

Some Basic M16 Variations M16: The first U.S. Military designation following the AR-15. M16A1: The M16 with the addition of a forward assist and raised protector around the magazine release. CAR-15 (SMG): 11.5-inch (292mm) barrel variant with adjustable stock and sound modifier. XM177E2: 11.5-inch (292mm) barrel variant with retractable aluminum stock, round hand-guards and sound modifier/flash hider. Refined variant of the CAR-15 SMG. M703: A highly modified long-stroke gas piston variant of M16 initially intended to replace the M16A1 as the M16A2. Only 2 prototypes were produced. M16A2: (M16A1E1) heavy barrel, 1-in-7-inch (177.8mm) twist, round handguards, delta ring, drum rear sight, square front sight, simplified forward assist, case deflector, strengthened receiver, extended stock with butt trapdoor, finger groove grip, improved flash hider and burst fire. M16A2-HBAR: Heavy Barrel Squad Automatic with modified M60 LMG bipod and full-automatic fire. M16A2 Carbine: Descendant of the CAR-15 with 14.5-inch (368mm) barrel and most features of the M16A2 rifle. M16A2 Commando: M16A2 Carbine, but with 11.5-inch (292mm) barrel.

M16A2 SMG: 10.5-inch (267mm) barrel 9×19mm NATO caliber blowback operated, hammer fired sub-machine-gun using a 30shot magazine. The SMG is available with the removable carrying handle/flat-top Mil-Std-1913 rail receiver and will accept the Knight’s RAS rail system. M4 Carbine: 14.5-inch (368mm) M16A2 type barrel (cut for M203 40mm grenade launcher), 4-position polymer sliding stock, deepened feed ramps, burst fire and a removable carrying handle with a Mil-Std-1913 flat-top receiver rail in the final variant. M4A1 Carbine: Full-automatic variant of M4 with improved polymer butt stock. Issued primarily to USSOCOM Special Forces. Special Forces M4A1’s are also issued with the SOCOM Stock, Knight’s Rail Adapter System (RAS), 9-inch (229mm) barrel M203, AN/PEQ-2 Laser Designator, AN/PEQ-5 Visible Laser, Knight’s Sound Suppressor and various night vision and other optical sights. M16A3: Full-automatic variant of the M16A2 designed by Colt for the U.S. Navy with approximately 7,480 made by FNMI. M16A4: The M16A2 with a Mil-Std-1913 flattop receiver and a removable carrying handle. Adopted by the Army and USMC, the Marine Corps variant was issued with the Knight’s Armament Company M5 Rail Adapter System (RAS) as is used on the MK12 Mod 1 (SPR). XM106: Colt/Diemaco of Canada project. Heavy quick-change barrel LMG firing from open bolt. Prototype only.

Colt CAR: Colt Automatic Rifle also known as the LSW/LMG. Made in co-operation with Diemaco, of Canada. Heavy barrel SAW firing from an open bolt. OICW Mk II LMG: Colt Light Machine Gun that was part of Increment 1 of the 2005 OICW Program. Short-stroke piston similar to Colt SCAR with new quick-change barrel. Made in prototype only.

The Mil-Std-1913 Rail One of the most significant developments in military mounting systems is the Mil-Std-1913 Rail. Designed In the late 1980’s by Mr. Richard Swan, of A.R.M.S., Inc., Massachusetts, the design was conceived to establish a standard rail mounting system for the U.S. Military. Recognizing that the Weaver rail was a valid concept, Mr. Swan sought to eliminate the many variables in existence to provide a solid platform and return to zero. The Canadian Military adopted the Swan Rail in 1989 and in 1990 Mr. Swan signed a non-disclosure agreement with Colt who began producing the SWAN Rail in 1991. Mr. Swan also designed the flattop for Colt, which was introduced with the M16A2 upper receiver. After being finalized by the U.S. Government in 1995, the Swan rail was type classified as the MilStd-1913 Rail. For use with the M1913 rail system, Mr. Swan designed the A.R.M.S. #17 ThrowLever, a locking lever that works with the M1913 rail to mount optics, lights, lasers and other special accessories. With the rail and ThrowLevers adopted by the U.S. Military, Swan would

later design the Selective Integrated Rail (S.I.R.) System, a rail handguard that replaces the standard handguards and carrying handle of the M16 to leave the barrel totally free floating. Today the M1913 Rail is used throughout the U.S. Military and much of the free world as a mounting platform on most small arms weapon systems for optics, lights, lasers and many other accessories. Rail handguard systems have also been designed by many other U.S. companies including Knight’s Armament Company, Precision Reflex, Daniel Defense, Samson Mfg., Colt, Vltor Weapons Systems, ARES Defense Systems, Troy Industries, G.G. & G, Bushmaster Mfg., SureFire LLC and others. Knight Armanent’s Rail Adapter System (RAS) was adopted by the U.S. Military in the early 1990 and is the most prolific rail system used on the M16 and M4.

Here an M16 Carbine is shown with the A.R.M.S. Selective Integrated Rail System installed and the parts it replaced.

The U.S. Navy’s Mk 18 (CQB M4) is seen from the right with 30-shot magazine, Aimpoint Comp M2 optic and KAC RAS forend. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

The First M16 Sniper Rifle Among many modifications to the M16 and mission-specific roles it was called to fill during its long military career, one of these roles was as a precision sniper rifle. During the Vietnam War, early experiments mounted a telescopic sight on the carrying handle of the upper receiver, and in 1967 Colt produced a special M16 with flattop upper receiver using an integral Weaver-style rail on top with a simple flip-up back-up iron sight (BUIS) at the rear. Called the Model 656 Sniper Rifle, the M16 fitted with this receiver positioned the optic at a better height to be used with a standard stock. The M656 was also issued with a revolutionary M4 sound suppressor from the Army’s Human Engineering Laboratory (HEL) called the HEL M4. Although issued in only limited quantities, this sniper system proved effective until the war ended. Following the Vietnam War, most of development of a M16 Sniper Rifle was suspended until Operation Desert Shield and

Operation Desert Storm, the “First Gulf War,” where, once again, the value of a semi-automatic sniper rifle, as well as a 7.62mm NATO main battle rifle (MBR) became apparent. In the interim, CWO John M. Miller was instrumental in developing a short barreled M14 assault rifle using the M14A1 stock, but the military wasn’t interested. With the M21 (M14 Sniper Rifle) all but declared obsolete and its XM25 offspring being semi-secretly produced only in limited numbers, a new variation of the M16 seemed to be the solution.

The Colt Model 656 seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine, Leatherwood Automatic Ranging Telescopic (ART) System and HEL M4 Suppressor mounted.

The Enhanced Carbine Program, SOPMOD and the Special Purpose Rifle In the late 1990’s the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM, or SOCOM), with involvement of 5th Group, U.S. Special Forces, launched a program to develop a series of improvements in the M4A1 Carbine. Consisting of modular conversion components, these enhancements were intended to give the M4A1 a number of simple mission-specific capabilities, from improved alternate and caliber changes, to various barrel lengths, sighting systems and upgraded ordnance capabilities. A key component of the requirements was an “M1913 Multi-Rail Handguard” that would not

contact the barrel. This resulted in the Selective Integrated Rail (SIR) System from A.R.M.S. Equally interesting was a sniper rifle component. Features unique to the program were described as Special Operations Peculiar Modifications (SOPMOD). The program was carried out by the Crane Naval Station in Indiana. As with a number of the other conversions, the sniper rifle component consisted of an upper receiver group that could be presighted in and quickly assembled onto the M4A1 Carbine or any M16 rifle in the field. The sniper rifle was to use a flattop upper receiver equipped with a match grade heavy barrel and a special free-floating M1913 rail handguard system, as described above, which left the barrel totally free floating. In addition to 5th Group, the Sniper Component element also involved the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) at Ft. Benning, Georgia, as the U.S. Army had never developed a state-of-the-art M16 sniper rifle. In the late 1990’s, Master Sniper Instructor, Sgt. Steven J. Holland, 5th GRP, USSF (ABN), attended the National Matches at Camp Perry in order to study some of the latest techniques in accurizing the AR-15. He returned with a number of ideas he shared with Cris Murray, of the USAMU, and the SPR project began. Initially a special match barrel of 20 inches (490mm) was specified for the SPR, but when the Army reported that 20-inch barrels were already in inventory, the length was changed to 18 inches in order to be able to procure match-grade barrels. Fifty barrels each by Krieger, Shillen and Douglas were tested with Douglas later being selected for general issue, because of overall cost and performance. Called the Special Purpose Receiver (SPR)

the initial variant of this component used a round fiberglass synthetic handguard manufactured by Precision Reflex, Inc. (PRI), of New Bremen, Ohio. With this forend was a full-length M1913 top rail called the #38 SPR Sleeve designed by Mr. Richard Swan, of A.R.M.S., Inc. On the muzzle of the SPR was a threaded combination muzzle brake/mount for the SOCOM SOPMOD Model 15 Sound Suppressor designed and manufactured by Mr. Phil Seaberger, of OPS, Inc., of California. A SOPMOD gas block with a folding front sight designed by PRI was used with an A.R.M.S. #40 spring-loaded rear sight. This first version was called simply the SPR. While the initial run of some 150 SPR’s was underway, Crane Naval Station was offered a quantity of M16A1 rifles, by the United States Marine Corps. Although these rifles were in near new condition, they were considered obsolete by the USMC, which had replaced the M16A1 with the M16A2 rifle described above. Crane accepted the rifles and removed the upper receiver components after deciding to use the lower receiver components with the Special Purpose Receiver. As such, the initials, SPR, were modified to mean Special Purpose Rifle. Although Mr. Mark Westrom, who had purchased all rights to the original ArmaLite name, had registered the designation of Special Purpose Rifle as a trademark, he graciously gave SOCOM permission to use it, and a good number of the flattop upper receiver components were also furnished by ArmaLite. Thus, the Special Purpose Rifle was built on a M16A1 lower receiver and buttstock component with the only modification being the substitution of a

selective fire, 2-stage match trigger group from Knight’s Armament Company (KAC). On the heels of the initial lot of SPR’s the handguard system was redesigned to reinforce it with a larger handguard nut and extension, and a modified A.R.M.S. Sleeve. This change would later be labeled the SPR-A. Ninety such components were made under contract by JM Enterprises (JME), of Ohio, and delivered to Crane on September 4, 2001. Following the attack of 9/11, all 150 SPR’s were rushed into service with U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, and Crane Naval Station ordered four more runs of SPR-A components produced by JME, totaling 420. Contracts for additional quantities of SPR’s were again let to JME. The upper receiver of this component used a special rifle-length free-floating variant of KAC’s Rail Adapter System (RAS), and also KAC iron sights. With the SPR now officially adopted came official type classifications. The first SPR and SPR-A were given the classification Mk 12, Mod 0 and the KAC variant became the Mk 12, Mod 1 (modification 1). CWO John M. Miller, U.S.A. (ret.) reports that JME assembled a total of 465 Mk 12 Mod 1 upper components for Crane Naval Station with Crane possibly assembling as many as 250 of both variants for a total of roughly 1,225 rifles. Most were issued to the U.S. Army with some to the Marine Corps. All SPR’s are capable of selective fire and weigh approximately 12 pounds with accessories.

The PRI designed Mk 12 Mod 0 SPR is seen from the left side with 20-shot magazine, optical sight and OPS Model 15 SOPMOD Suppressor mounted.

Here the Mk 12 Mod 0 SPR is seen with its upper component disassembled.

Here the Mk 12 Mod 0 (SPR-A) is seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine and Leupold TS-30 3.5-10×30mm Sniper Scope mounted.

Here the details of the reinforced handguard of the Mk 12 Mod 0 (SPR-A) is seen.

The KAC Mk12 Mod 1, as viewed from the right with KAC Free-Floating RAS, KAC back-up sights, Ergo Grip, Harris Bipod, 20-shot magazine, Leupold TS30A2 Sniper Scope and Ops, Inc. SOPMOD Suppressor Mount. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

The MK 262 Mod 0 and Mark 1 As special as the SPR, was the 5.56mm ammunition selected for use with it. Designed and loaded by Black Hills Ammunition Company,

of South Dakota, this ammunition used a proprietary 77-grain (5gram) open tip match boat tail (OTMBT) bullet loaded to a pressure level slightly above that of standard 5.56mm NATO ammunition. Type classified as the Mk 262, Mod 0, this ammunition produced 1/4 MOA accuracy from the SPR. Subsequently a cannalured 77-grain bullet was adopted to become the Mk 262 Mod 1. This cartridge is reportedly even more accurate than the Mk 262 Mod 0.

Pictured here is an original 50-round box of Mk 262 Mod 0 ammunition with Mk 262 Mod 0 cartridge followed by a Mk 262 Mod 1 cartridge and its 20-round box of ammunition.

The SPR-V As effective as the MK 262 Mod 0 and Mod 1 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition proved to be, from the start it was envisioned by Special Forces as a “bridge” to the development of a more effective cartridge for their use behind enemy lines. With the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT) came a renewed interest in SOCOM’s search for an improved cartridge for the U.S. Special Forces as an alternate or a replacement for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. The logic behind the search was that the U.S. Military had abandoned the 7.62mm NATO cartridge with one that was no more than a small game cartridge— even less.

The commercial counterpart of the 5.56×45mm NATO, the .223 Remington, with an expanding bullet, was prohibited by most states in America from being used to hunt deer. At the same time, the U.S. Military was using the same cartridge with non-expanding bullets against an enemy doing his best to kill its troops. Like the M193 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge before it, the M855/SS109 continued to have many failures to stop the tenacious and fanatical enemy in the Global War On Terrorism. Since America was fighting a war that centered in the Middle East, the 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge was once again examined for several reasons including terminal effectiveness and using captured enemy ammunition when operators were inserted deep behind enemy lines. Variations of the Kalashnikov rifle were re-evaluated by U.S. Special Forces troops, but were rejected with the operators preferring a weapon with operating controls more like those of the M4A1. Nevertheless, the 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge remained a viable candidate, and experiments were even conducted in improving performance by loading lighter, 100-grain and 110-grain (6.5-gram and 7.1-gram) 7.62mm bullets with reported muzzle velocities as high as 2,600 fps (792ms). With the 7.62×39mm (M43) cartridge showing promise, SOCOM decided to examine the possibility of producing a rifle in this caliber that was more U.S. “friendly.” To avoid having to secure additional funding, SOCOM put the project under the existing SPR Program, adding the label, Variant. The project was thus known as the SPR-V and two U.S. Arms companies agreed to develop sample rifles in cooperation with SOCOM. They were Knight’s Armament Company, of Florida, and Robinson Armament Company, of Utah.

The Robinson Armament submission was based on its M96 rifle, which itself was based on an improved variant of the original Stoner 63. The initial variant was a standard M96 fixed stock rifle in 7.62×39mm fitted with a SOPMOD suppressor, but the final variant had folding stock and a full length M1913 top rail. It also included elements from the A.R.M.S. S.I.R. System’s rails on both sides and bottom to provide a quad-rail forend. The Knight’s Armament rifle was based on the M4 Carbine and was called the AR-47. Six samples of each rifle were submitted for testing, both of which used AK-47 magazines. However, in the end neither rifle was selected for production, and the SPR-V project was canceled. Although the Robinson SPR-V is not directly related to the ArmaLite/M16 weapons family, it is pictured here for comparison. For more information on Robinson Armament refer to the Stoner Chapter elsewhere in this book. Accurate characteristics for both models of SPR-V rifles are not available, but they are similar to their mass produced counterparts from KAC and Robinson Armament Company. A semiautomatic only variation of the AR-47 is also made by Excaliber Arms, of Palm City, Florida.

The KAC 7.62×39mm SPR-V (AR-47) is seen from right and left sides with 30shot AK-47 magazine inserted.

A prototype of the Robinson Armament SPR-V seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and SOPMPOD Suppressor mount/muzzle brake and fixed stock.

The left side of the receiver of the Robinson 7.62×39mm SPR-V assault rifle is seen with its 30-shot AK-47 magazine inserted, and below, with an Aimpoint Com M2 optic mounted using an A.R.M.S. Mount. Elements of the A.R.M.S. S.I.R. handguard system are also seen here.

The 6.8×43mm Remington Special Purpose Cartridge One of those who was heavily involved in the Encanced Carbine, SPR and SPR-V Programs was Master Sniper Instructor, MSG Steven J. Holland, 5th Group, U.S. Special Forces (ABN) (ret.). Determined to continue the search for a more effective cartridge for S.F. Operators, MSG Holland, together with Cris Murray and Troy Lawton, of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) and others, on their own time, began an exhaustive search for a superior cartridge compatible with the M4 envelope. This compatibility would allow existing weapons to be converted as part of the Enhanced Carbine Program rather than having to replace them with new rifles. Since the cartridge would have to fit within the magazine well of the

M16, it was obvious that it would have to be developed either from a parent cartridge case or a brand new case. While MSG Holland was studying the hundreds of cartridges listed in the book, Cartridges of the World, Cris Murray suggested looking in the section on obsolete rifle cartridges. There Holland discovered the .25 and .30 caliber (6.35×52mm and 7.62×52mm) Remington cartridges, both using a head size of .422 inches (10.7mm) that could work within the M16 magazine well envelope. After locating a small quantity of fired .25 Remington (6.35×52mm) casings at a gun shop near Fort Campbell, Kentucky, MSG Holland fabricated a .25 caliber (6.35mm) proof of concept cartridge by hand that would fit in the M16 magazine, and briefed his superior officer on the project. When he was given permission to proceed, MSG Holland began experimenting with forming and testing various calibers using the Remington cases as the basis. Officially designated the Special Purpose Cartridge (SPC), the final variant of the case had an overall length established at 1.69-inch (43mm). Remington soon agreed to assist with the project and provided prototype casings in calibers 5.56mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm and 7.62mm with Hornady and Sierra providing test bullets. The various rounds were headstamped with their caliber and SPC along with Remington’s name. Cris Murray produced test barrels and modified M16 bolt faces and extractors, and modified M16 magazines to function with the new cartridge. Because of its superior ballistics, the 6.5mm bullet weighing 110grains (7.1 grams) was initially selected for the SPC with Remington beginning production of cases. However, during an informal conversation, Troy Lawton asked why the .270 caliber had not been

considered. MSG Holland shrugged and said that since the .270 was not a military caliber, he simply hadn’t thought of it. When Lawton said he thought that the .270 caliber (6.8mm) should be tested, Holland agreed. Hornady and Sierra 115-grain (7.45 gram) bullets were tested in left over .30 caliber (7.62mm) SPC cases necked down to .270 caliber (6.8mm). Although long range trajectory was not quite as good as the 6.5mm SPC, the terminal ballistics of the .270 (6.8mm) bullet proved far more effective in gelatin tests. The SPC team notified Remington to cease development of the 6.5×43mm SPC, as it had selected the .270 caliber, which converted to the Metric designation of 6.8mm, and Remington agreed to develop the cartridge at no cost to the Government. Using a variation of the synthetic free-float handguard it produced for the SPR, Precision Reflex, Incorporated (PRI) manufactured upper receiver components in 6.8mm SPC and also developed a new 26-shot steel magazine for the 6.8mm SPC that worked in the M16/M4. Although various barrel lengths were tested, a 12.5-inch (317.5mm) 6.8mm barrel was selected and was given the name “Recce Rifle,” a name used by the U.S. Navy SEALs, and which originated with British Commandos, as short for reconnaissance rifle. Barrett Firearms, of Tennessee, USA, began production of its Model 468 6.8mm SPC Carbine in 2003 and the U.S. Special Forces purchased small quantities of upper receiver components for evaluation along with 6.8mm sound suppressors made by SureFire, LLC, of Fountain Valley, California. FN produced two samples of its Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SofCAR or SCAR) in 6.8mm SPC, one of which was submitted to the USMC for testing,

and Heckler & Koch began a pre-production run of a 6.8mm SPC variant of its HK416 in 2006. Two of these rifles were also acquired for evaluation by the USMC. In 2007 the Canadian Special Forces began testing the 6.8mm SPC and the Philippine Special Forces followed with a 6.8mm piston operated M4 type carbine (see the Philippine Chapter elsewhere in this book). In addition, in late 2007 a special 6.8mm SPC evaluation program was funded by the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). Called the Modified Upper Receiver Group (MURG) Program, the evaluation included some eight Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) short barreled upper receivers in 6.8mm SPC, most of them using a short stroke piston operation. Included were submissions from Bushmaster, Lewis Machine & Tool, LWRC International, of Maryland, Heckler & Koch and others. In addition to Remington, 6.8mm SPC ammunition was soon produced by Hornady and Silver State Armory. A number of commercial rifles were also soon chambered for this cartridge including many AR-15 variants and the Ruger Mini-14. As of late 2009 the fate of the 6.8mm SPC as a military cartridge is still pending.

The .499 LWRC Conversion Following the attacks of 9/11, the U.S. Coast Guard adopted a radical new cartridge conversion for its existing M16 rifles. Designed by the Leightner-Wise Rifle Company (LWRC), the unit consisted of an upper receiver group and magazine, and was chambered for a special .499 caliber cartridge with a case length of 44mm (12.5×44mm). Using a rebated rimless design, this cartridge had a rim diameter the same diameter of the 7.62×39mm case and was

loaded into a special single column magazine designed by Precision Reflex, Inc., of Ohio. Magazines of 5-, 7- and 12-shots were made.

For comparison (from left) are the 6.5mm Grendel, the 6.8×43mm SPC, the 5.56×45mm NATO and the 7.62×39mm.

Here a prototype 6.8mm SPR type rifle is seen from the right with a fixed stock and a 26-shot magazine inserted..

A prototype 6.8×43mm SPC rifle is seen from the right with an SPR Type II (Mk12 Mod 0) handguard system, and below, with a SIR system, Aimpoint Comp M2 sight and 26-shot magazine. Its OPS Inc. Suppressor is removed.

From the left are MSG Holland’s original experimental SPC prototypes, all based on the .35 Remington case: A .35 Remington, a .35 Rem. case partially reformed to SPC dimensions, 7.62×39mm SPC, 7.62×44mm, 7.62×41mm, 7×41mm, 7×44mm, 6.5×45mm (light bullet), 6.5×45mm (heavy bullet), 6×43mm SPC, 5.56×43mm SPC (rebated rim to 5.56×45mm size), 5.56×43mm SPC, 6.8×43mm SPC (115-gr. Sierra bullet) and 6.8×43mm SPC (115-gr. Hornady bullet).

The LWRC .499 Converted M16 rifle is seen from the right with 10-shot magazine inserted and reflex sight mounted along with two rounds of .499 ammunition. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

Designed to disable small vessels, the .499 LWRC cartridge was initially loaded in several variants including a jacketed hollow point and an armor piercing bullet. However, the cartridge was eventually loaded in a training cartridge, an armor piercing cartridge and a standard load, all using 300-grain flat point solid copper alloy bullets from Barnes Bullets, of Utah. The muzzle velocity for all three was 2,200 fps (671ms). The basic .499 LWR alone weighed 6.3 pounds (2.8 kg.), but sniper and CQB variants were also tested. Although the .499 LWR system was adopted by the U.S. Coast Guard, it was not purchased beyond test samples and was canceled before it was issued, but semi-automatic conversions continued to be offered commercially.

Knight’s Armament Company 7.62mm NATO AR Variants and Others As already mentioned, Eugene Stoner, being a World War II United States Marine Corps Veteran, strongly preferred the .30 caliber cartridge, and this remained true during his entire career. In

fact, the first .223 Remington caliber (5.56×45mm) rifle Stoner ever designed was the Future Assault Rifle Concepts-3 (FARC-3) in the mid 1970’s at ARES Corporation in Port Clinton, Ohio. Upon leaving ARES in the late 1980’s, Stoner went to work for Mr. C. Reed Knight, Jr. in order to pursue new developments at the KAC plant in Vero Beach, Florida, USA, but Stoner also kept his home in Michigan. During the summer of 1991, Gene Stoner remained in Michigan designing a new rifle he had planned for several years. Based on his original AR-10, Stoner’s new rifle was also of .308 Winchester (7.62×51mm NATO), and even accepted a slightly modified original AR-10 magazine, but was patterned more after the AR-15A2, the semi-automatic commercial variant of the M16A2. The new rifle even shared roughly half its parts with the AR-15 including the butt-stock, pistol grip and many small pins, screws & etc. Because of this partial parts commonality, Stoner added the numbers 10 and 15 and called his new rifle the Stoner Rifle-25 (SR-25). Made in heavy barrel, light barrel and carbine variants, all variations of the SR-25 were match accurate.

From the left, three LWC .499 (12.5×44mm) cartridges, the all-copper training round, the standard duty round and the armor piercing round, followed by the M855 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington). Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

After losing a long battle with cancer, Eugene Stoner passed away on April 24, 1997, but his SR-25 lived on, and in May, 2000, the SR-25 was adopted by the U.S. Navy SEALs, and was later type classified as “Rifle, 7.62mm Mk11 Mod 0. The U.S. Army Rangers and others followed suit. The Mk11 MOD 0 system included a KAC free floating rail handguard, the KAC 7.62mm Suppressor, Leupold 3.5-10×42mm Sniper Scope, KAC 600m back up iron sights (BUIS), Harris Bipod, cleaning equipment and sling, and came in a Pelican hard case.

KAC’s prototype SR-25 is viewed from the left side with 20-shot magazine inserted. This was the last rifle designed by Eugene Stoner.

Prototype SR-25, serial #000001 had a rounded upper receiver instead of the flat-sided design used in production. The Mk 11 Mod 0 was the U.S. Navy’s variant of the SR-25 and was capable of selective fire.

The M110 Sniper Rifle In an effort to standardize 7.62×51mm NATO caliber sniper rifles in the U.S. Military, a solicitation was issued in 2005 for a SemiAutomatic Sniper System (SASS). Called the XM110, the rifle sought would fill the ultimate needs of the U.S. Military Sniper as well as standardizing one 7.62mm NATO caliber sniper rifle throughout the Military. While submissions came from Colt, Remington, DPMS, DSA, Inc. Knight’s Armament Company and others, in the end KAC’s entry won the XM110 trials, producing sub-MOA accuracy, averaging 0.67inch 5-shot groups at 100 yards. Differing from the MK 11 Mod 0, the XM110 has ambidextrous controls, a butt stock that is adjustable for length of pull, and in using KAC’s new Universal Rail Extension (URX) free-float forend with its own folding front BUIS. The XM110 also uses the Mk 11 Mod 0 suppressor in addition to a Leupold 3.5-10×42mm Sniper Scope together with KAC’s Night Vision System. The XM110 is finished in flat dark earth (FDE) color. The KAC XM110 was officially designated the M110 Sniper Rifle and is slated to replace every 7.62×51mm NATO sniper rifle in the U.S. Army. In response to the U.S. Military’s beginning to field general purpose rifles in 7.62×51mm rifles, the Knight Armament Company designed a SR-25 Carbine and later an upgraded variant based on the M110 Sniper Rifle. Essentially a 7.62×51mm NATO semi-

automatic variant of the M4 Carbine, this weapon is called the KAC Battle Rifle.

The 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) M110 Sniper Rifle as seen from the right side with KAC Suppressor mounted, 20-shot magazine inserted, 3.510×30mm Leupold Sniper Scope mounted and other issue accessories.

The M110 Sniper Rifle seen from the left side with accessories and KAC Suppressor removed.

The KAC 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) Battle Rifle is seen from the right side with SOCOM stock, 20-shot magazine, day/night optics, GripPod and KAC Suppressor.

The SR-16 Following the development of the SR-25, KAC’s C. Reed Knight, Jr. and Eugene Stoner, designed and produced a new variant of the M16. Called the SR-16, this 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) weapon was produced in both carbine and rifle variants together with a commercial semi-automatic only model called the SR-15. In addition to ambidextrous controls and the use of the URX rail forend, the main difference is a significantly redesigned bolt and barrel extension. Rather than having square locking lugs, those of the new SR-16 are rounded, adding strength and reducing stress. The extractor has a widened (“lobstertail”) rear section to accommodate two extractor springs and the extractor angle is also improved. Finally, the through-hole in the bolt for the cam pin has been reduced along with the cam pin to add strength to the bolt in this area.

Compared here with KAC’s PDW (left) the 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington) SR-16 is seen with its KAC Suppressor, 30-shot magazine, SOCOM stock and optical sight.

Carbine Extraction Problems A special note concerning extraction problems with the M16’s short, carbine gas system is in order here. Often believed to be

caused by cases sticking in the chamber, the problem is due more from the extractor backing away from the cartridge rim. Because the carbine’s gas port has been moved approximately 5.25-inches closer to the chamber than the standard M16 rifle gas port, it is much nearer to the peak pressure curve. This extra pressure causes much higher bolt-carrier velocity (240 inches per second as compared 160 inches per second for the standard M16 rifle). This increased bolt carrier speed causes much faster rotation of the bolt during opening. Three factors come into play here in failures to extract: Centrifugal force from this rotation is much greater, the extractor is rotating downward and the front of the extractor is heavier than the rear. These three factors allow the front of the extractor to pivot out from the cartridge rim and slip over it. The widened rear portion of the extractor adds weight and balance to the improved front of the extractor, and it has even been found to function reliably with one of its two springs removed.

Conventional Piston Systems Although the M16 family of weapons uses a piston in the form of its bolt, as described above, conventional gas pistons have also been used in the system for many years including long-stroke gas pistons in the Korean K-2 and the Colt Model 703. More recently a conventional short-stroke piston system for the M16 rifle, such as was used in the Taiwanese T-65 rifle, has become increasingly popular in the hope of increasing the rifle’s reliability. As of 2009, U.S. firearms companies such as ARES Defense Systems, Adams Arms, ArmaLite, Barrett, Bushmaster, Colt, Ferfrans, Heckler & Koch, LWRC, Lewis Machine & Tool, Patriot Ordnance Factory, Primary

Weapon Systems, Smith & Wesson and others have introduced short-stroke gas piston systems for the M16 series, and many more companies are sure to follow. All of these short-stroke piston systems are essentially modified variants of the system first used in the Soviet Model 1940 Tokarev semi-automatic rifle. In early 2009. Sturm Ruger & Company designed a selective fire AR-type rifle of its own that is also uses a short stroke piston system. As opposed to direct gas, short-stroke piston systems prevent debris and heat from getting directly into the bolt group. They also reduce gas port erosion, and port erosion causes the weapon to operate faster and hotter. With the M16’s direct gas tube, hot gas continues to flow through the port until the bullet leaves the barrel, but in a piston system only enough gas passes through the port to operate the piston, which only moves a short distance before the bullet exits. The ARES Defense Systems GXR-35 Black Lightning™ is a unique and simple gas-piston retrofit conversion kit for any M4 or M16 rifle, utilizing the original front sight base. Invented and designed by Geoffrey A. Herring, President and owner of ARES, the GXR35™ replaces the rifle’s original gas tube and bolt carrier, and can be performed by unit armorers without removing the weapon from service. With an offset gas cylinder, the operating rod remains in line with the barrel nut, and the rod impinges on an integral impact-key of a single-piece bolt carrier designed with increased mass and anti-tilt features to prevent abnormal wear. The ARES GXR-35™ can be installed in existing service weapons without permanent modification to the host weapon and has completed endurance testing in excess of 10,500 rounds without malfunction.

Whatever the design, all AR-15 gas piston systems are in effect conversions of a rifle that was never intended, nor designed to use this type of operation. With such a conversion comes a number of problems, one of them being the tendency of the bolt carrier to tilt downward at the rear when the operating rod impinges on it. Different systems use different solutions to this problem, most with redesigned bolt carriers, but that from Primary Weapon Systems, of Idaho uses the solution of attaching the operating rod to the bolt carrier’s gas key. This not only does away with the operating rod return spring and other parts, but also reduces the tendency for the bolt carrier to tilt down in the rear. The PWS conversion also adds weight to the bolt group, which reduces bolt velocity and aids in reliability. In all M16 piston-driven systems the three gas rings are removed from the bolt. Because gas piston systems are less critical with regard to dwell time, they permit shorter barrels to be used with greater reliability and this allows the M16 to take on some of the characteristics of a shorter personal defense weapon (PDW). However, in addition to adding more parts, the short stroke piston system adds weight to the rifle, but these will be of little consequence if the short stroke piston increases reliability without greatly affecting accuracy. Whether the U.S. Military will adopt a short stroke gas piston operated M16 variant will remain to be seen. Patriot Ordnance Factory’s piston carbine has been used by U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan with great success. More information on AR-15 type short stroke piston systems can be found in the chapters, Republic of China (Taiwan), Philippines and Post 1990 Germany elsewhere in this book.

Right: The bolt carrier of the ARES piston conversion (left) is compared with a standard bolt carrier.

Here the offset gas cylinder and operating rod of the ARES piston conversion is seen assembled on the standard M16 front sight/gas block, with original gas

tube above.

The Primary Weapon Systems (PWS) piston system is seen disassembled with its operating rod that is permanently part of the bolt carrier to add mass and rigidity to that part. The op-rod guide, piston and gas plug are also seen here. In 2009, PWS introduced a true long-stroke gas piston system with the piston and operating rod part of the bolt carrier.

In mid-2009, Sturm, Ruger & Company, of Connecticut introduced the SR-556, a new short-stroke piston AR variant. An M4style carbine, the SR-556 will accept all standard AR components, save its bolt carrier and adjustable gas system components, which are unique to the rifle. The SR-556 will be available in selective fire to government agencies.

The Armstech Gas Trap

In late 2008, Armstech, Inc., of Arizona introduced an M16 variant using a true gas trap. A gas trap is a system with a barrel that does not use a gas port, but instead traps gas as it exits the muzzle and directs it to operate the mechanism. In the Armatech design, the M16 gas tube extends along the top of the barrel and straight into the rear of the gas trap on the muzzle. Gas is then collected and fed back through the gas tube to operate the bolt carrier and bolt, which in the M16 are the gas cylinder and piston. The Armatech Gas Trap exists in several variations and lengths of M16 type rifles and carbines and was introduced in 2009.

The Armstech Gas Trap M16’s gas tube extends all the way into the gas trap expansion chamber that is attached to the muzzle.

The Armstech Gas Trap M16 is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted and Aimpoint Comp M4 Red Dot Sight mounted.

The Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) On March 20th, 2002, in the wake of the development of the SPR and its Mk 262 ammunition, the SPR-V Program and the development of the 6.8×43mm SPC project, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) issued a solicitation for a new assault rifle. Called the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SOFS-CAR or SCAR), the program was reminiscent of the Enhanced Carbine Program (covered above) in that it centered around a modular system with a high degree of parts commonality to be able to convert the weapon from one caliber to another. Such a capability included 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington), 7.62×39mm, 6.8×43mm SPC, 7.62×51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) and others. As time went on the requirements were apparently relaxed to allow two complete rifles, one in 5.56×45mm NATO and one in 7.62×51mm NATO, both sharing some interchangeable parts. Sample rifles in 5.56×45mm were submitted by Cobb Mfg., of Georgia, Colt’s Mfg., of Connecticut, FN-USA Herstal, of South Carolina, Heckler &

Koch, of Virginia, IWI of Israel, Knight’s Armament Company of Florida, Robinson Armament, of Utah, and others. In the end, FN won the contract for further study with Colt coming in second. Some of the rifles were direct-gas operation while others were of piston operation. Most SCAR submissions are pictured in the chapters specific to their countries of origin elsewhere in this book with Colt, Cobb and Knight’s submissions covered here. Part of Cobb’s Modular Combat Rifle (MCR) program, the Cobb SCAR submission had a removable magazine well allowing it to easily be changed to any caliber from 9mm to .338 Lapua simply by replacing the magazine well along with the appropriate upper receiver. In 2008 Cobb Mfg. was acquired by Bushmaster Firearms of Maine, USA, which was by then part of Remington Arms Co., and Bushmaster will continue to develop and offer the MCR. In mid-2009 Remington announced its new Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR), a boltaction offshoot of the original Cobb MCR. At least two FN SCAR-Light rifles were made in 6.8mm SPC with one delivered to the United States Marine Corps for evaluation, and by 2009 15,000 SCAR-Light (5.56×45mm NATO) and SCARHeavy (7.62×51mm NATO) rifles had been delivered to SOCOM.

The KAC SCAR submission is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The KAC SCAR as seen from the left with 30-shot magazine and SOCOM Stock.

The Colt SCAR Model A is seen from the right side with standard length barrel and a CQB upper component. The Model A was of direct-gas operation and is equipped with the Vltor Mod Stock. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

The Colt SCAR Model B is seen from both sides. Like the Model A, this rifle is of direct-gas operation, but it equipped with the A.R.M.S. S.I.R. Rail System, A.R.M.S. #40 rear sight and Vltor Mod Stock. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

The Colt SCAR Model C is seen from the right side. Unlike Colt’s A and B models, this rifle used an adjustable short-stroke gas piston system of operation. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

The Colt Model C piston assembly is seen removed from the rifle. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

The Colt IAR is seen from the right side with bayonet and GripPod mounted, Vltor E-MOD Stock and Magpul P-MAG. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

The Colt IAR is seen from the left side with 30-shot P-MAG. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

In 2009, Colt developed a new hybrid direct-gas/piston system in its proposed M5 Carbine seen here from the left side. Details of the system remain classified. Photo courtesy Christopher Bartocci, Colt’s Mfg.

Above: The COBB SCAR submission is seen from the left side with Vltor stock, TangoDown pistol grip and Daniel Defense Rail System. Photo courtesy Skip Patel, of Cobb Mfg.

Various components of different calibers for the COBB multi-caliber rifle (MCR) are viewed from the left side along with the fire-control group and various removable magazine wells. Photo courtesy Skip Patel, of Cobb Mfg.

Quite apart from the SCAR Program was the Marine Corps’ Infantry Assault Rifle (IAR) solicitation of 2008. Designed to replace the current SAW in the Marine Corps, the Colt IAR submission used a unique heat sink under the barrel, but the HK submission was chosen at the end of 2009.

M16 Type Personal Defense Weapons

It is a fair statement that most so-called Personal Defense Weapons (PDW’s) have been designed to replace the submachine gun (SMG). The PDW is essentially a small assault rifle firing an intermediate size “rifle” cartridge. While some of the new cartridges look like rifle cartridges, i.e., they use a bottle neck case, their size and limited performance render their fitting the definition of an assault rifle cartridge highly questionable. On the other hand, some intermediate size cartridges that do not use bottleneck cases offer performance that arguably justifies their membership in the assault rifle family. In 1997 Colt designed a reduced size M4 style rifle called the Mini Assault Rifle System (MARS). Shortened in length by approximately .5 inch, the components affected included the bar-rel, upper and lower receivers including the magazine well, bolt carrier, bolt, trigger group and magazine. This permitted a special shortened variant of the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge to be used. Called the .223 MARS, this cartridge’s technical designation was the 5.56×30mm, and it fired a standard 55-grain 5.56mm projectile at approximately 2,620 fps (799m/s), but the cartridge was produced using a variety of 5.56mm bullets including a tracer and an armor piercing discarding sabot (APDS). A special 9mm bottlenecked cartridge, the 9×30mm MARS, was also tested, but this round used a 10mm Magnum basic case cut to 30mm and necked down to 9mm. All MARS cartridges were hand made with the .223 MARS being by far the most prolific. The MARS was produced in pre-production test samples only. Another cartridge designed for a small M16 type weapon is the 6×35mm PDW cartridge used by the Personal Defense Weapon

designed largely by Mr. Douglas Olson, then with Knight’s Armament Company (KAC), of Titusville, Florida. Based loosely on the M16, the KAC PDW somewhat resembles the Colt Miniature Assault Rifle System (MARS), but uses a bolt group similar to that of the AK and is of short stroke piston design using dual pistons and operating rods. Riding on a guide rod with a captive recoil spring, the entire bolt group is assembled as a unit, but photographs of the components remain classified.

The Colt Mini Assault Rifle System (MARS) is seen from the right side with 30shot magazine inserted.

From the left are the 5.56×30mm MARS, 6×35mm TSWG (KAC) PDW cartridges compared with the 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington).

Using fire controls and others similar to the M4 Carbine, the KAC PDW, like the MARS, uses a proprietary 30-shot magazine, but has a right-folding tubular stock and a simplified combination flash hider/muzzle brake inspired by that used by Eugene Stoner on a number of his designs. To promote cooling, strength and light weight, the KAC PDW’s barrel is machined with a patented process that leaves a dimpled pattern. Two barrel lengths were offered. The KAC PDW was funded by the U.S. Government’s Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), a semi-classified organization whose mission is to assist the development of new tools in the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT). The 6×35mm TSWG cartridge was produced

by Hornady Mfg. Company, of Nebraska. Loaded with a 65-grain open tip match (OTM) Sierra bullet, this 6mm has a muzzle velocity of 2,410 fps (735m/s) and had a maximum effective range of 300 meters. As of 2009, the KAC PDW had been produced in test quantities only. Although the KAC 6×35mm cartridge actually has more energy than the 5.56×45mm NATO bullet when fired from a 10-inch (254mm) barrel, these specialized personal defense intermediate cartridges do not generally perform at the level of contemporary assault rifle cartridges and were designed to provide a small weapon with better performance than the submachine gun out to a maximum distance of about 300 meters. They are in fact links between the SMG and the assault rifle. The Colt MARS and the KAC PDW have been included here largely because of their lineage to the M16 family of weapons.

From the left are two prototypes of the 6×35mm KAC PDW with the final variant on the right, all with 30-shot magazines inserted.

While not designed as a PDW per se, KAC’s experimental M16 “Air Crewman” carbine would seem to fill that bill nicely with its 10.5-inch barrel and retractable stock. Designed for evaluation by the USSOCOM, the compact “Air Crewman” fired standard 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) ammunition and used a very small sound suppressor that reduced the report to the range of that of a handgun.

Colt Miniature Assault Rifle System

KAC PDW

Other Makers In addition to Colt, Harrington & Richardson and Hydramatic Division of General Motors have made the M16A1 for the U.S. Military and Diemaco (now Colt-Canada) makes a number of variants for the Canadian Military. (see the chapter on Canada for additional information). Other countries and companies also manufacture or have made copies of the M16 under license, such as Korea and the

Philippines. Variations of the AR-15/M16 are also made in Taiwan and Germany, and the M16 has been copied in China, and now that variant is being made in Iran. These variants are covered in the chapters on those countries elsewhere in this book. In addition, dozens of countries are using M16’s that were either purchased or captured. In the U.S., as of 2009, there were some 30 companies that offer clones of the AR-15, most in semi-automatic only. However, not all of these companies actually manufacture their components with some purchasing them and complete rifles from other companies, which put the appropriate names on the rifles. In addition to those already mentioned, some of the U.S. producers of both semiautomatic and selective-fire AR-15/M16 type rifles or components for commercial and military consumption are included in the list below. Alexander Arms American Spirit Arms Ares Defense Systems® ArmaLite® Armatech Barret Firearms Bushmaster DPMS Gwinn Firearms JP Enterprises Knight’s Armament Company

Magpul Industries Noveske Rifle Works Olympic Arms Patriot Ordnance Factory Remington Arms Co. Rock River Arms Sabre Defense Stag Arms Sturm, Ruger & Co. Sun Devil Vltor Weapon Systems With the trend toward piston operation, most of the above companies offer conventional gas piston systems for their AR type rifles.

The VLTOR VIS system is seen here with a 12.5-inch (318mm) Noveske barrel on an M4 lower component. In addition to the VLTOR EMOD Stock, it has the SureFire 556FA MINI suppressor, GripPod with SureFire light, Magpul MBUS

sights, ERGO Grip and the new IK-520 40-shot 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) magazine.

The M16 as a Bullpup In 2007 Mr. Robert Weir, of ACE, Inc., now DoubleStar of Kentucky, USA, designed a unique bullpup conversion system for the the M16. Not unlike some other bullpup conversions, this one maintains most of the original M16 components and houses them in a special stock. The system is scheduled to become available by 2010. During the half-century the M16 has been in service, it has experienced and overcome a myriad of problems, many of which have arisen from departures from its original design. However, improvements to the rifle have enabled it to become one of the most prolific assault rifles in the world. As such, it will likely remain iconic for many years.

The ACE M16 bullpup conversion is seen from the left side with magazine inserted and vertical foregrip in place.

The SHRIKE 5.56 – Advanced Weapons System™

Means of Controlling Operation: As with the M16 rifle, the SHRIKE 5.56 AMG’s selector is located on the left side of the receiver above the pistol grip and functions in an identical manner to a standard M16. Safe position is in the 9 O’clock position; rotating the thumb piece of the selector to the middle (vertical) position limits the weapon to semi-automatic fire, and rotating the selector all the way to the 3 O’clock position allows fullautomatic fire. Safety Arrangements: As with the M16 rifle, rotating the selector to the SAFE position blocks the sear and prevents firing. When rotated to its three positions the point of the selector denotes the words SAFE, SEMI and AUTO. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine or belt and pulling back on the cocking handle to make sure the chamber is empty, let the bolt return forward and put the safety ON, leaving the hammer cocked. Now push the lower receiver takedown pivot pins from left to right using the tip of a bullet, or other tool, to allow the upper and lower receivers to separate. Next, release the belt-feed top-cover latch and pivot the cover upward. Using the point of a bullet, push the top-cover pivot pin from left to right and remove the top-cover and feed tray from the upper receiver. Retract the bolt carrier to its rearward-most position, rotate it 90 degrees clockwise, and remove it from the upper receiver. Remove the firing pin retaining pin, feed stud assembly,

firing pin, cam pin and bolt from the bolt carrier. Remove the extractor pivot pin and extractor from the bolt. Press the barrel release lever and withdraw the barrel out the front of the receiver. Using the point of a bullet, rotate the gas regulator so that the detent is facing the barrel and remove the regulator from the gas block by pulling it forward. Remove the piston from the front of the gas block. Next, while controlling the end of the spring-loaded operating rod (which is housed within the left side of the handguard assembly), depress it slightly and move the op-rod retainer to its release position. The oprod can then be drawn out the front of the handguard. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: While the M16 family has stood the test of time as the longest serving rifle in U.S. history, one of the most sought after, yet elusive configurations of this platform has been a successful squad-support weapon or LMG. Attempts had been made by both ArmaLite and Colt’s to produce a belt-fed variant of the rifle, and although their concepts worked under ideal conditions, they otherwise displayed marginal performance and were never fit for combat. However, it was not to be the end of a belt-fed weapon based on the M16. In 1998, a young small-arms designer named Geoffrey Herring conceived a completely new approach for converting the M16 rifle into both a successful and viable belt-fed, squad-support weapon. Unlike the ArmaLite and Colt attempts, Herring’s design would totally eliminate the entire M16 upper receiver component, leaving the stock lower receiver group to host the new mechanism. Using the standard lower-receiver group allowed the same serial number to remain intact

and more importantly the fire controls. This represented an entirely new concept—the Assault Machine Gun (AMG). Manufactured by ARES Defense Systems, Inc., of Melbourne, Florida, the SHRIKE 5.56 – Advanced Weapons System™ is a radical departure from the belt-feed design used by ArmaLite and Colt. Rather, it manufactured as a complete, dedicated weapon or as an upper receiver conversion assembly, which is compatible with any standard M16 or M4 lower receiver.

From the top, the three final phases of SHRIKE component development are seen from the left side, the EX-1, the EX-2 with side barrel lock and the final production SHRIKE.

The compact AAR/C (ARES Automatic Rifle, Compact) is seen with folding stock folded, SureFire M900 Weapon Light, Aimpoint Comp M3 Sight and 30shot Magpul P-MAG magazine. It can be easily upgraded to belt-feed.

Operated by a short stroke gas piston, the SHRIKE 5.56 AMG uses an impinging piston in an adjustable gas cylinder mounted on the left side of its quick-change barrel. With the gas piston, operating rod and cocking handle on the left side of the receiver, the SHRIKE 5.56 can use a box magazine and a conventional belt feed system and top cover. The weapon normally fires from a closed multi-lugged bolt, but can also be had with an open-bolt module that simply replaces the standard closed-bolt components. Both standard and CQB barrels are available for the SHRIKE 5.56 along with a MIL-STD 1913 rail handguard, and all top covers feature a MIL-STD 1913 rail for mounting optics and NVD’s. The Shrike 5.56 beltfeed system is a robust, two-step shuttle feed with a hinged top-cover and feed tray. Geoffrey Herring has demonstrated firing a 350-round burst with freehanging belt lift from the SHRIKE 5.56 AMG.

The SHRIKE 5.56 AMG is a dual-feed weapon that can use either a standard M16 magazine or the same linked belt and 100- or 200-shot ammunition box used by the M249 SAW. As such, a SAW box adapter is placed into the magazine well when fired in the beltfeed mode and a standard M16 magazine is used when fired in the magazine mode. The operator can transition instantly between belt and magazine feed at his discretion and without any reconfiguration of the weapon. The ARES-16 SPW (Special Purpose Weapon) is belt-fed only and the magazine well is eliminated to reduce the weapon’s overall height; in its place is a special dovetail slot to interface with both M249 SAW ammunition containers and a special tripod adapter for firing from fixed positions and vehicle mounts. In addition to the belt-fed system, ARES Defense offers the SHRIKE 5.56 in two magazine-fed assault rifle variants with a MILSTD 1913 rail receiver cover in place of the hinged belt-feed top cover. Both the Ares Automatic Rifle (AAR) and the Ares Automatic Rifle/Compact (AAR/C) more than filled the USMC’s need for an Infantry Assault Rifle (IAR) but were not submitted. The AAR uses the standard M16 recoil system while the AAR/C receiver cover houses an internal recoil spring allowing the weapon to use a folding stock. All Shrike 5.56 variants feature a true quick-change barrel, which is the fastest of all of the quick-change barrels in the AR platform. All are sound suppressor capable and all Shrike 5.56 barrels are completely interchangeable with any configuration of the Shrike 5.56 – Advanced Weapons System™.

The ARES-16 AMG (Assault Machine Gun) is a dual-feed, select-fire variant of the Shrike 5.56™ family that feeds from both linked ammunition belts (seen here) and standard M16 magazines.

The ARES-16 AMG (Assault Machine Gun) is seen here using a 30-shot M16 magazine in place of a belt. The pistol grip is the ERGO Grip.

The ARES AAR (ARES Automatic Rifle) is seen with a Magpul telescoping stock, GripPod, 100-shot C-Mag and Aimpoint Comp M3 Sight.

The ARES-16SPW (ARES Special Purpose Weapon) uses a special, patented lower receiver that directly accepts M249 SAW ammunition containers and cannot use an M16 magazine. It is seen here with an Aimpoint scope, 40MM M203 Grenade Launcher and 200-shot SAW ammunition container.

Here the ARES-16SPW (ARES Special Purpose Weapon) is mounted to a special, quick-detach ARES T&E Tripod Adapter and is equipped with an EOTech scope, 40MM M203 Grenade Launcher and 200-shot SAW ammunition container; the latter fit to a special side mount that permits the weapon to traverse on its pintle. This weapon can also be used off a bipod without the grenade launcher.

The Shrike 5.56™ upper receiver group forms the nucleus around which all variants of the Shrike 5.56 – Advanced Weapons System are assembled, allowing the weapon to quickly be reconfigured for mission-specific CQB, IAR, AMG, LMG and MMG roles.

The dedicated SHRIKE lower receiver group is seen from the left side with 5.56×45mm NATO M249 belt box and belt bag. This receiver will not accept standard M16 magazines.

ARES Shrike Assault Machine Gun

Herring Modular Sporting Rifle (MSR ™) and Modular Patrol Rifle (MPR ™) In early 2004, Geoffrey Herring and his design team at ARES Defense began work on a new rifle concept called the Herring Modular Sporting Rifle (MSR™), anticipating the continuation of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, which was scheduled to either sunset or be signed into permanent law in September of 2004. The Herring MSR™ was designed with specific features that had potential to avoid “assault weapon” restrictions under the legal definition at that time, including a conventional sporting butt-stock without pistol-grip. Along with the MSR™ a select-fire rifle was introduced as the Modular Patrol Rifle (MPR™), which is also available in semiautomatic and pump-action only. The MPR™ is derived from the Herring Modular Sporting Rifle (MSR™); both revolutionary in their conventional butt-stock and receiver, the latter amounting to an ARtype lower receiver without a separate pistol grip, yet with the aesthetics of a classic American sporting rifle. The MSR™ and MPR™ lower receiver assemblies will accept any AR-type upper receiver assembly, along with any AR-15 type magazine. The MSR™ and MPR™ rifles both utilize a unique, direct-gas operated bolt carrier with an articulating section that hinges into an angled receiver extension tube in the butt-stock, instead of the standard in-line buffer tube of the M16/M4. The ARES Defense GXR35™ gas-piston retrofit kit can also be installed in both rifles with a slightly different bolt carrier. A special modular trigger group provides selective fire capabilities for law enforcement and the military.

Of particular interest to law enforcement and military is the ability to get very low in the prone shooting position, since there is no pistolgrip to cause interference in the maneuver. What’s more the MPR™ may find favor with law enforcement agencies that have public relation concerns over their officers being visibly armed with “assault rifles” such as the very discernible M4 carbine.

The selective fire Modular Police Rifle (MPR) is seen from the right side with quad rail system and flip-up sights. This rifle can also be had with a semiautomatic trigger module.

The semi-automatic only Modular Sporting Rifle (MSR) seen from the left side with standard handguards and telescopic sight.

The left side of the semi-automatic only MSR receiver showing receiver markings.

The semi-automatic only Modular Sporting Rifle (MSR) is seen from the left side with upper and lower components unassembled and 20-shot magazine.

Two greats in firearms design, Mikhail Kalashnikov (L) and Eugene Stoner, hold the rifles each other designed, the M16 and the AK-47.

CHAPTER 67

United States: The Stoner Weapon System

W

ith the rights to manufacture the AR-15 having been sold to Colt by ArmaLite Corporation, of Costa Mesa, California, Eugene Stoner first turned his attention to a design for a new weapons system that did not infringe on the AR-10 or AR-15 patents. The result was the 7.62mm NATO caliber AR-16 that was later scaled down into the AR-18 by Arthur Miller, of ArmaLite. After leaving ArmaLite to work for Fairchild for a short time, Eugene Stoner was approached by Paul Van Hee, of Cadillac Gage, to design a new rifle for the company. Stoner indeed had a new idea and discussed the concept with Howard Carson, Vice President of Cadillac Gage, of Costa Mesa, California. Carson suggested that Stoner discuss the project with Mr. Russell Bauer, then president of Cadillac Gage’s parent plant in Warren, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.

The M69W Although the .223 Remington cartridge existed, it was not yet considered standard by the Military. In addition, Eugene Stoner had never embraced the .223, and so, as with the AR-10, designed his new prototype around the 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester)

round. Called the M69W, this dual purpose weapon used a longstroke gas piston to operate the mechanism in order to be able to handle the power of pulling a belt of ammunition into the gun, as well as feeding from a box magazine when inverted. When the receiver was turned upside down to convert the rifle from one configuration to the other, the designation still read M69W. feed LMG, two semi-complete M69W’s rifle/belt-fed LMG configuration. Although intended to be produced of stamped or

Initially designed as a beltwere built in the assault the production guns were pressed sheet metal, the

prototype M69W weapons were made from machined aircraft alloy.

The prototype M69W is seen here in the LMG configuration from the right side.

Here the prototype M69W LMG is seen from the left side with the top cover open.

Cadillac Gage was impressed and a licensing agreement was signed on November 6, 1961 and a small facility was established near the main plant in Costa Mesa in December to begin development of Stoner’s idea. In the meantime, Stoner had an improved variant of the M69W.

The Stoner 62 Means of Controlling Operation: Located on the left side of the receiver, the selector is rotated to its middle position marked “SEMI” to limit the rifle to semi-automatic fire, and is rotated all the way forward to “AUTO” to allow full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Being one of the selector settings, the safe position is with the selector lever rotated all the way to the rear with the pointer on “SAFE.” Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After removing the magazine and making sure the chamber is empty, let the bolt go forward. Now push out the buttstock retaining pin and lift off the buttstock. Then push out both receiver pins and remove the lower receiver from upper receiver, taking care as the recoil spring and guide is under pressure. Then remove the recoil spring group from the rear of the receiver. Next pull back the charging handle enough to unlock the bolt, and remove the bolt group and operating rod/piston from the rear of the upper receiver. Now depress the barrel lock on the bottom of the rifle or carbine and pull the barrel out the front of the upper receiver. NOTE: If the gun is in the LMG configuration, the barrel lock will be on top of the receiver. Pull back the cocking lever until it can be removed from the

upper receiver. Push out the front receiver pin to remove the handguard and magazine well. Push out the rear sight retaining pins and remove the rear sight from the receiver. By pushing out the firing pin retainer, the firing pin can be removed, and then the bolt cam. With the bolt cam removed, the bolt can be separated from the carrier. Using the firing pin, the extractor pin can be pushed out and the extractor removed. No further disassembly is normally required. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. NOTE: To reconfigure as an LMG, the upper receiver is inverted and the lower receiver is replaced. On the top of the inverted receiver, a top feed cover is assembled in place of the lower receiver, allowing the gun to use a belt feed. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Like the Stoner M69W, the Stoner 62 Small Arms Weapons System also used a long-stroke gas piston to operate a belt feed mechanism. The Stoner 62 was made from stamped sheet metal. In his design work at Cadillac Gage, Stoner was assisted by his original team of L. James Sullivan and Robert Fremont. Also like Stoner’s M69W, the Stoner 62 was configured as a rifle that was able to be converted to a belt-fed light machine gun. The Stoner 62 proved to be an interim model for intense interest in the .223 Remington (5.56x45mm NATO) was growing worldwide. Cadillac Gage asked Stoner to design his Stoner 62 to fire the .223 cartridge and, as with the AR-15, he again assigned this job to L. James Sullivan and Robert Fremont. The result was the Stoner 63, a rifle that closely resembled the Stoner 62, except for its size and

caliber. Only one Stoner 62 rifle was made and it is pictured in various configurations.

The prototype Stoner 62 7.62x51mm assault rifle as seen from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

The prototype Stoner 62 7.62x51mm assault rifle viewed from the left side.

The prototype Stoner 62 7.62x51mm assault rifle on bipod from left side.

Here the Stoner 62 is seen in the belt-fed LMG configuration on a tripod from the left side..

The prototype Stoner 62 7.62x51mm in the belt-fed LMG configuration, from left side.

The Stoner 63 Whereas the M69W and Stoner 62 weapons, when converted to belt feed, could use the same links as the M60 LMG, the link used for the belt-feed configurations of the Stoner 63 was a scaled down variant of the 7.62mm NATO M60 link. The Stoner 63 also made extensive use of sheet metal stampings. The first firing model of the Stoner 63 rifle was ready in February, 1963. As with the Stoner 62, the main features of the Stoner 63 were as follows: Operation by a long-stroke gas piston; multiple locking

lugs on a rotating bolt head; firing from the open-bolt position in the LMG configurations and from a closed bolt in assault rifle configurations; a quick-change barrel; and a forward recoil spring to allow the use of a folding stock. The Stoner 63 was produced in rifle, carbine, squad automatic (magazine above), and belt-fed LMG on bipod, all with a folding stock, and as a belt-fed LMG on a tripod. While Robert Fremont was mainly responsible for the belt-fed Stoner 63 LMG component, Jim Sullivan designed the top fed box magazine model with most other aspects of the reduction being a joint effort between the two. All variations were finished in a black synthetic called Endurion. While early Stoner 63’s used walnut stock furniture, all later ones had furniture of black fiberglass reinforced polymer.

Stoner 62

Stoner 63 prototype, serial number 0001 is seen here from the right side without rear sight. Note the rectangular ejection port.

The prototype Stoner 63 assault rifle for the 5.56x45mm cartridge with 30-shot magazine and sling, from the right side.

The prototype Stoner 63 assault carbine for the 5.56x45mm cartridge with 30shot magazine, from left side.

The prototype Stoner 63 assault carbine with 30-shot magazine and stock folded seen from the left side.

On March 4, 1963 Cadillac Gage received an order for 25 Stoner 63 weapons in various configurations from the Secretary of Defense for test and evaluation at a cost of $174,750.00. In April, a firing demonstration of a prototype Stoner 63 Light Machinegun was

conducted for General Walt, USMC, at El Toro Marine Corps Air Base.

The prototype Stoner 63 5.56x45mm in the squad automatic configuration on bipod with 30-shot magazine.

The prototype Stoner 63 5.56x45mm in the belt-fed LMG configuration on bipod with 100-shot box.

An early Stoner 63 is seen with a telescopic sight mounted in place of the rear sight. Note the oval ejection port.

The Stoner 63 is seen from the right side in the belt-fed mode on a tripod with a belt of 5.56mm ammunition inserted, a wooden handguard in place and an experimental rear sight.

The prototype Stoner 63 5.56x45mm belt-fed LMG on tripod.

This Stoner 63 is equipped with an infrared optical night sight system.

Stoner 63 Rifle and Carbine

The Stoner 63 Air Force Survival Carbine In addition to L. James Sullivan and Robert Fremont, another young apprentice followed Eugene Stoner Cadillac Gage. His name was Robert Gaddis, and soon after joining the new Stoner team, he was assigned a special project in early 1964. Seeing the need for a new survival rifle for downed pilots, the U.S. Air Force solicited test guns in 1964. The requirements for the gun were straightforward. It was to be a selective fire weapon in 5.56mm (.223 cal.); was to be issued with three 30-shot magazines and was to fit into an envelope no longer than 15 inches. Quick to respond, Colt began development of a micro variant of its M16 rifle. Called the CAR-15 Survival Rifle, it was based on the

gun Colt called the CAR-15 “Sub-Machine Gun” (even though it was in 5.56x45mm caliber), and had a 10-inch barrel, a conical flash hider, and a retractable stock that was the predecessor to all such retractable stocks to follow (see the M16 Chapter for more details on this weapon). Using the same requirements Colt had to work with gave the Stoner 63 a distinct advantage since it was completely modular in design. The survival project allowed the Stoner to use a 15-inch quick-change barrel, and its folding stock could remain full length. Even with a 10-inch barrel, the Colt package was still over the 15-inch limit. However, some changes would have to be made to the Stoner besides a shorter barrel. After making the shorter barrel, Bob Gaddis TIG welded a specially shortened gas cylinder to the sight block. He also created a special upper receiver on which the front ventilated extension was shortened enough to leave the receiver just 15 inches in length overall. What remained of the ventilated extension served as the handguard. Because of the short receiver, the standard cocking handle could not be used, so Gaddis designed a top-mounted, round cocking knob that was attached to the bolt carrier and protruded through a slot in the top of the receiver. The rear sight base was abbreviated, and the pistol grip was shortened 1-inch to meet the Air Force’s 6.5-inch height limit. Lastly a sling swivel was riveted to the bottom of the front of the receiver. The package was furnished in a special reinforced rubberized zip-pered case with three 30-shot magazines.

The prototype 5.56x45mm Stoner 63 Air Force Survival Carbine seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine.

The prototype 5.56x45mm Stoner 63 Air Force Survival Carbine from the left side with stock folded.

The prototype Stoner 63 Air Force Survival Carbine from right side on Stoner bipod with smoke signal grenade in place.

While the Stoner 63 Survival Carbine broke down into a 15-inch package for storage, fully assembled with its stock extended it measured 33.5 inches in length, and with the stock folded it was just

23.75 inches long by 6.5 inches high. Its weight was 6.1 lbs. The carbine could also launch smoke grenades to signal rescue aircraft. In addition to being demonstrated to the U.S. Air Force, the Stoner 63 Survival Carbine was also shown to the Ranger Detachment at Field 9, Elgin Air Force Base, California, where numerous troops fired it. Neither the Colt nor the Stoner 63 were adopted by the Air Force, but on October 9, 1963 Cadillac Gage received an order from the Air Force for two experimental Stoner 63 Machinegun Pods for the AT-37 attack plane, and Robert Gaddis was also charged with this project. Holding three Stoner 63 LMG’s each, the pods were tested at Elgin Air Force Base on AT-37 and T-28 planes, but proved unsuccessful, due to belt separation, and the project was discontinued. After the existence of the Stoner 63 Survival Carbine was discovered in 1994, a search for the weapon was begun, but it was learned that only the original barrel group, bolt and operating rod group (minus the cocking knob), and pistol grip survived in the collection of Mr. Jerry Tarble, of Charleston, Illinois. After obtaining copies of the original blueprints for the gun from Robert Gaddis, Mr. Tarble, legally re-manufactured the Survival Carbine to print using its original serial number 0000395. Military interest in the Stoner 63 continued to grow, and on March 30, 1964, 60 rifles and 20 systems were ordered by the Secretary of Defense for testing by the USMC. These weapons were reportedly tested during boot camp by Marine recruits.

The prototype 5.56x45mm Stoner 63 Air Force Survival Carbine disassembled for storage in 15” case.

In September, 1964, the Stoner 63 project along with Eugene Stoner and L. James Sullivan was moved from Costa Mesa to the Warren, Michigan, Cadillac Gage plant. In April, 1965 the Army Weapons Command ordered 861 Stoner 63 weapons for testing in the S.A.W.S. Program, and on December 20, 1965, another order was received from the US Marine Corps for 1,080 rifles and parts to make various configurations for extensive testing. The Stoner 63 rifle was also tested by the Air Force. The Air Force Survival Carbine wasn’t the only experimental Stoner 63 made, as photographs exist of at least two others. One is a bullpup design somewhat resembling the British EM2 with an optical sight that was submitted to the British Military for test and evaluation

in 1966. This rifle remains in the Enfield Museum. The other is a rifle with a vertical foregrip, a rounded pistol grip and a unique wooden butt stock. Of two-piece design, the upper portion of this stock preserves the straight line design of the Stoner 63 while the bottom half slopes downward at a much greater angle. However, the upper portion is hinged, and can be folded down onto the left side. No information on the purpose of this rifle has been uncovered. A total of 170 Stoner 63 receivers was made at Cadillac Gage’s Costa Mesa plant (serial numbers 00040-00100 were never made). Costa Mesa production ended with #000229 and #000230 was never made, and Warren, Michigan’s Stoner 63 production began with #000231. Robert Gaddis reports that while an employee of Cadillac Gage in Costa Mesa, California, there were approximately six semiautomatic only Stoner rifles made with the idea of offering a sporting variant of the rifle for commercial sales, and that one of these rifles was signed out to him for test and evaluation. This semi-automatic Stoner rifle was eventually shipped to the new Stoner facility in Michigan. There were indeed plans to market a semi-automatic Stoner to civilians. Introduced in 1966, the rifle was designated the Stoner 66. An article on the rifle appeared in Guns and Hunting magazine and advertisements for it appeared several times with a retail price of $199.50. However, after submitting a sample prototype to BATF, the design was refused because of its modular design. The few Stoner 66s that were made were given to Cadillac Gage corporate executives.

The special Stoner 63 Bullpup made for evaluation by the British Military is seen from the right and left sides without magazine.

Here, the receiver and optical sight detail of the Stoner 63 Bullpup is seen from the left side.

The Stoner 63 Bullpup rifle is seen field stripped.

This mysterious Stoner 63 prototype has a unique vertical foregrip, pistol grip and buttstock with folding cheekpiece.

This late variant Stoner 63 has a forward-mounted scope in place of the rear sight.

The Stoner 63 LMG Pod is seen here in the open position with all 3 Stoner 63 LMG’s visible.

Stoner 63 Survival Carbine

The Stoner 63A

As a result of lessons learned from the Stoner 63 and input from the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force, a number of improvements were suggested, and in March, 1966, a program was begun to make these and other modifications into the Stoner 63. These improvements included the following: The safety was changed to a separate piece mounted in the trigger guard similar to the M14, leaving a more ergonomic selector with only two positions; To provide ambidextrous use, the cocking handle was changed from the left side to the top of the weapon, and could also be used for positive bolt closing (probably a hold-over from the Survival Carbine); a springloaded dust cover was added to the ejection port; the feed tray became a post-machined casting instead of a stamped, spot-welded piece; the bottom of the magazine well was flared out for easier magazine insertion; The gas cylinder was enlarged and made of 17-4 PH stainless steel; A door was added to the hollow pistol grip for storage of cleaning supplies; A provision for attaching a cleaning rod to the exterior of the rifle was added; And an improved buttstock and a two-piece butt plate were designed. A solid left side folding stock was also designed for the rifle.

The Stoner 5.56x45mm assault rifles 63A with shoulder sling (above) and 63 from right side.

Called the Stoner 63A, the new weapon was also produced in a carbine variant with a folding wire stock. The machine gun variants incorporated a three-position adjustable gas valve. The rate of fire was increased to 1,000 rpm on the highest setting and about 700 rpm on the lower setting, and there were other improvements to the LMG variants of the 63A. Accessories developed for the Stoner 63A included a 40mm grenade launcher and sights, a blank firing device, a side-mounted winter trigger, an over-the-shoulder assault sling, a tripod adapter, a

100- and 150-shot belt-feed ammunition box, and a 150-shot drum. Since Eugene Stoner, Robert Fremont, and L. James Sullivan had left Cadillac Gage prior to the 63A program, it is unknown exactly who was responsible for making the changes in the system.

The Stoner 5.56x45mm assault rifles 63A with shoulder sling (above) and 63 from left side.

The Stoner 5.56x45mm squad automatic weapons (SAW’s) 63A (above) and 63 from left side.

The Stoner 63A receiver from right side with dust cover open.

The Stoner 5.56x45mm LMG’s 63A (above) and 63 with 100-shot boxes from left side.

The Stoner 63 lower receiver (left) and 63A lower receiver with its separate safety in trigger guard.

The Stoner 63A in Vietnam Among the various groups to test the Stoner 63, the most enthusiastic was the U.S. Marine Corps. Following the redesign of the weapon to 63A specifications, the Marine Corps placed an order on October 3, 1966, for Cadillac Gage to modify 286 Stoner 63 weapons to 63A configuration for extensive testing in actual combat conditions. This testing was to be completed by May 31, 1967. The modified Stoner 63A rifles, carbines, and machineguns were issued to “L” (Lima) Company, 3rd. Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st. Marine Division in February, 1967 for a 90-day trial. This company was more commonly referred to as “Lima,” 3/1 and L,3,1,1, and was in combat south of DaNang near Marble Mountain at the time. Commanding Lima Company was Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W Gibbs III, USMC (ret.), then a Captain. When ordered to test the

“Space Age” Stoner 63A under combat conditions, Captain Gibbs submitted a request for the number and configurations of Stoner 63A weapons he would need to replace the M14 selective-fire rifles and M60 light machine guns his men had. The Stoner configurations included the Stoner 63A Assault Rifle, the Stoner 63A Carbine with folding metal stock, the Magazine Fed LMG (that the Marine Corps called the Automatic Assault Rifle), and the Stoner (belt-fed) LMG. To arm his company, Captain Gibbs requested 27 of the Magazine Fed Stoner 63A LMGs, about a dozen Stoner 63A Carbines for the officers and staff NCOs, about 135 Stoner 63A Assault Rifles, and about six belt-fed Stoner 63A Medium Machineguns. Of this number, he received only about nine to 12 of the Magazine Fed 63A LMGs and another fifteen 63A Assault Rifles were substituted, for a total of about 180 Stoner 63A weapons. The Stoner armorer from the First Marine Division delivered the weapons to Lima Company, which received less than four days of training and familiarization firing before resuming combat operations. Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs recorded the serial numbers of three of the Stoner 63A weapons in his command, one rifle, #2490, and two carbines, #2556 and #2595. The latter carbine was carried by Captain Gibbs until it was lost while crossing a river.

Captain Joe Gibbs reads a map with his Stoner 63A Assault Carbine seen behind him equipped with the “jungle sling,” designed by Marine Lt. Bill Wischmeyer. Courtesy, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Gibbs, USMC (ret.).

Captain Joe Gibbs, Commander of Lima Company, stands with two other U.S. Marines with their Stoner 63A Assault Carbines while on patrol in Vietnam South of DaNang in 1966. Courtesy, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Gibbs, USMC (ret.).

First Lieutenant, Gran Moulder, of Lima Company, USMC, holds his Stoner 63 Carbine in Vietnam in April, 1967. Courtesy, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Gibbs, USMC (ret.).

Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs reported that, other than ammunition, most malfunctions were caused by sand and the lubrication issued. The lubricant Dry-Slide was substituted with success, but invoked scorn from some of Captain Gibbs’ superiors. Lima Company used the belt-fed Stoner 63A in both a light and medium capacity, the latter on a 1919A2 tripod, but the Magazine Fed variant of the LMG (Automatic Assault Rifle) was taken out of the field after about five weeks, being deemed as superfluous.

Lima Company’s Marine officers and staff NCO’s were well versed in using hand signals, but no slings were furnished for their carbines, which prevented slinging the 63A Carbine in order to direct platoon fire and maneuvers using arms and hands. This prompted one of Captain Gibbs’ officers, Lieutenant Bill Wischmeyer, to design a field-expedient sling from a blanket-roll strap and part of a belt suspender that allowed his hands to remain free for signaling. This sling was referred to as the “jungle sling,” and a close copy of it was later seen in promotional photos on both the Stoner 63A carbine and rifle. During the same time the Marines were testing the Stoner 63A, Stoner 63’s and 63A’s were also being tested by the U.S. Navy SEALS with very favorable results. On March 3, 1967, the USMC placed an order for eight additional Stoner 63 weapons to be modified to 63A specifications for testing, and subsequently pronounced the 63A suitable for issue to the Marine Corps without further testing. Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs recalled that, after a firefight, his men had to pick up all the links they could find in order to reload them by hand for future use. Records show that on April 19, 1967, the USMC placed an order for linking equipment and spare parts for the 286 Stoner 63A weapons issued to Lima Company and other units including the 1st Marine Recon Battalion. When the 90-day trial was over, Lima Company turned in its Stoner 63A weapons system, but instead of being reissued its M14 rifles, it was issued the M16 rifle that was already in use with several Marine units. Throughout the rest of the war, Captain Gibbs and the vast majority of his men lamented over the loss of their Stoner 63A

weapons. When the time came for the 1st Marine Recon Battalion to turn in its Stoner 63A weapons, the unit hid several belt-fed Stoner 63A LMG’s for continued use. Lieutenant Colonel Joe Gibbs is writing a book chronicling the Stoner 63A with Lima Company in Vietnam. One Stoner 63A Light Machine gun is also documented as having seen service with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. This weapon, serial #002859, was issued to U.S. Navy SEAL Team II on August 3, 1967, lost several months later, and recovered by the Viet Cong who hid it for almost a year submerged in a river with other weapons. The cache was discovered by U.S. Army troops on January 17, 1969, and the Stoner was recovered and used in combat by U.S. Army Captain, Mack W. Gwinn Jr., who partially rebuilt the badly rusted gun with the help of Mr. George I. Perlotto, Manager of Cadillac Gage. Captain Gwinn then became a champion of the Stoner and used it throughout his tour of duty.

Stoner 63A Rifle and Carbine

The Dutch Stoner 63A1

After beginning a U.S. Government test and evaluation in late 1963, the Stoner 63 System was licensed abroad. Mr. H.L. Visser, Military Sales Director for the German Quandt Group that owned Mauser, D.W.M., I.W.K., and N.W.M., negotiated a license for the Stoner Weapons System with Cadillac Gage, of Detroit, to produce and sell the system worldwide. The names, Mauser - Stoner, were stamped on these test 63A weapons, but because Mauser did not aggressively follow-up the project, Visser and Quandt agreed that N.W.M., of South Hertogenbosch, Holland, should take it over. In 1965, 20 Stoner 63 weapons were shipped to N.W.M., and from 1966 through 1970 a total of 315 Stoner 63A weapons were also shipped to N.W.M. De Kruithoorn, N.V.’S. Hertogenbosch, Holland, for inspection. N.W.M. made further modifications to the system, changed the drawings to metric, and made preparation for mass production. One of the main modifications was a carbine with an under-folding metal stock similar to that first used on the German MP40 SMG and later on the AK-47. The basic Dutch variant of the Stoner 63A was designated the 63A1, but consisted of six variations. These were the Assault Rifle, the Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle, the Carbine, the BeltFed Machine gun, the Commando Machine Gun and the Fixed Machinegun. The 63A1 Assault Rifle, Carbine, and Belt-Fed Machine Gun were tested by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps as the Assault Rifle XM22, Carbine XM23, and Machine Gun XM207.

Top to bottom: The Stoner 63A carbine with an under-folding stock is seen with and without the stock folded and also converted to belt feed operation with a 200-shot belt box mounted.

In addition to the special variants, or variations of the Dutch Stoner 63A1 already mentioned, there was a special right-folding buttstock for the 63A1 Assault rifle, a new quick-release bipod that folded along the handguard, and an improved removable magazine floor plate. A special quick-release scope mount was also produced along with other small accessories. As with the American Stoner rifles, the Dutch modified Stoners had more than an 80% parts

commonality with all weapons in the system. However, NWM never produced any Stoner 63A1 rifles. Instead, the 63A1 program consisted of improvements made to the 20 sample Stoner 63s and 315 Stoner 63A weapons furnished by Cadillac Gage. N.W.M. gave extensive demonstrations of the Stoner 63A1 System throughout the world where great interest was shown. In the U.S. Military, either the Stoner 63A, or 63A1 would likely have been adopted over the M16 had not the Secretary of Defense required the greatest possible uniformity of weapons in the services. This caused the Stoner to be removed from further consideration in favor of the M16 that was already being issued.

This N.W.M. modified Stoner 63 carbine is fitted with an under-folder stock similar to that of the WW II German MP 40 SMG.

A typical Dutch Stoner 63A1 seen from the left side with bipod deployed and 30-shot magazine. Note the unusual 63A1 butt stock.

With the Department of Defense forcing the Marines to stop consideration of the Stoner 63A in favor of the Colt M16, interests in the Stoner System from South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Israel, Chile, Peru, Spain, & etc. ceased as did further production of all Stoner variations. Nevertheless, the U.S. Navy SEALs continued to use variants the Stoner 63 and 63A during the Vietnam War and for many years after. Currently, Knight’s Armament Company owns all tooling necessary to produce the Stoner 63A Weapons System.

The serial numbers of the Stoner 63’s sent to NWM are as follows: 000244 000245 000247 to 000251 000293 to 000295 000356 to 000365 The serial numbers of the Stoner 63A’s sent to NWM are as follows: 002380 (probably the first production 63A) 002383 to 002385 002705 to 002716

002718 to 002821 002875 to 002912 002941 to 003032 003054 to 003058 003180 to 003189 (Israeli Trials) 003210 to 003259

This XM207 Stoner 63A1 System is shown with right and left feed systems with 100-shot drums and various other accessories.

Stoner 63A1 Rifles and Carbine

The Robinson M96 In the early 1990’s, Alex J. Robinson, of Robinson Armament, Salt Lake City, Utah, designed a 5.56x45mm NATO caliber semiautomatic rifle largely based on the Stoner 63. Called the M96 Expeditionary Rifle, this modular weapon has a quick-change barrel and looks like a copy of the Stoner 63, but is different enough that only the buttstock is interchangeable between the two. The disassembly procedure differs slightly from the Stoner 63 in that the operating rod group is disconnected from the bolt carrier prior to being removed from the rifle, by depressing a plunger on the side of the carrier with the point of a bullet, as well as other minor details.

In addition to the standard M96 Expeditionary Rifle, Robinson Armament also makes a variant that is top fed with off-set sights similar to the original Stoner 63 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), and also a carbine variant. Called the M96 Recon, this weapon, like the rifle, is offered in 5.56x45mm NATO, as well as 7.62x39mm (M43), and 5.45x39mm (Soviet) calibers, and can be had in a convertible model for all three calibers. In addition to changing the bolt and barrel, this variant uses interchangeable magazine-wells to accept all three magazines. In 2001, Robinson Armament announced that it would offer selective fire variants of its rifles and carbines for sale to law enforcement and the military. These weapons will also be available with a folding stock. The company also submitted an 5.56x45mm M96 sample to Picatinny Arsenal for testing, where the rifle reportedly passed a 15,000-round test with no parts breakage.

The Robinson M96 Expeditionary Rifle is seen here from the right side with 30shot magazine inserted. The M96 was based on the Stoner 63, but has several internal changes.

The Special Purpose Rifle-Variant At the end of 2001, Robinson Armament submitted six samples of a specially designed folding-stock, selective-fire variant of the M96

Recon carbine in 7.62x39mm to the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at Crane Naval Station in Indiana. These rifles were tested during SOCOM’s Special Purpose Rifle-Variant (SPR-V) project for use by Special Forces operators during Operation Enduring Freedom who wanted an assault rifle capable of using captured enemy ammunition. To avoid having to secure special funding, the project was attached to the Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) program and given the designation Variant (V). The SPR-V was required to use standard AK-47 magazines. In addition to its receiver having an extended M1913 Picatinny rail, the Robinson SPR-V candidate rifle used the SOCOM SOPMOD Sound Suppressor made by OPS, Inc., and the SOPMOD muzzle brake/suppressor mount. It also incorporated elements of the Selective Integrated Rail (SIR) System invented by Mr. Richard Swan, of ARMS, Inc. After competing with a Knight’s Armament Corp. (KAC) candidate SPR-V carbine (a special M4-style carbine), the Robinson SPR-V was selected by Blackwater Training Center, but the project was canceled. Following the cancellation of the SPR-V project, Robinson Armament offered special variants of its SPR-V Carbine for military sales. Called the RAV-02 (RAVE-02), this weapon is offered in two variants, the MPEG-21 and the AVI, both of which are available in 5.56x45mm, 7.672x39mm, and 5.45x39mm. A semi-automatic only variant of the RAV-02 is offered commercially with a fixed stock, or to law enforcement with a folding stock. The SPR and KAC SPR-V are described further in the M16 section of U.S. Chapter elsewhere in this book.

The M96 Recon Carbine is seen from the right with 30-shot magazine inserted.

The M96 Top Feed rifle is seen from the left side with 30-shot magazine inserted.

An early version of the 7.62x39mm Robinson Special Purpose Rifle - Variant (SPR-V) is seen from the right with its 30-shot AK-47 magazine. On the muzzle is the mount for the SOPMOD sound suppressor.

M96

M96 Recon™ Carbine

M96 Recon™ 7.62x39mm Carbine

M96 Top Fed Carbine

CHAPTER 68

United States: The Advanced Combat Rifle

IN 1982, the Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) program was begun. As had been the case earlier with the Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) and other projects, the goal was to replace the M16A2 rifle with a completely new design that would provide twice the hit probability. Soldiers under high stress due to fear and fatigue can’t shoot with the accuracy they otherwise might, and it was hoped that an ACR would solve this problem. The ACR program was but one part of an overall program conducted by the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) of Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey to improve the individual soldier’s performance against enemy ground forces. One of the basic concepts in achieving better hit probability was the firing of multiple projectiles. With six contractors initially beginning ACR development, all had different approaches to a solution, including more than one projectile in each case, to extremely high rates of burst fire, to firing low recoil flechettes, or darts.

The McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company ACR Early on two contractors were dropped from consideration because of performance problems. Getting off to a late start and plagued with

numerous problems, as well as financial difficulties, the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company’s (MDHC) ACR candidate was terminated in 1988. However, the design had been successfully demonstrated in a light machine gun and is of interest from a mechanical perspective. The MDHC ACR was designed to fire multiple sub-caliber, finned steel flechettes loaded inside a single .338 caliber sabot in a .42 caliber telescoped cartridge case. As was the case throughout the ACR Program, the steel flechettes were 1.5mm in diameter by 41mm in length, and weighed 1.02 gr. each. Made of plastic, this flat cartridge case resembled a pack of gum, and was nicknamed the “chicklet.” With a centered primer, the cartridge placed the propellant on both sides of the sabot, and produced a muzzle velocity of roughly 4,700 fps. The MDHC ACR was long recoil operated using the “lockless” principle where the chamber consisted of a rectangular slot integral with the barrel with a cylindrical sleeve that slid tightly over it to seal in gasses.

The McDonald Douglas ACR prototype as seen from left and right sides, the latter with an optical sight mounted.

The McDonald Douglas ACR seen from the left side field stripped along with its 10-shot magazine.

The McDonald Douglas ACR seen from the left side field stripped along with its 10-shot magazine.

Reminiscent of the WW II German FG42 rifle, the MDHC ACR used a side-mounted magazine holding 10 of the telescoped cartridges, each capable of housing 5 flechettes. Loaded flat into the magazine, the cartridges were fed up into the vertical slot, fired after the sleeve went into battery, and ejected vertically after the sleeve retracted during recoil. The MDHC ACR was hammer fired and was capable of semi-automatic fire only. A Weaver style rail was mounted on top of the receiver extension.

From photographs, the safety/selector of the MDHC ACR appears to slide fore and aft on the left side of the receiver. By pushing out a cross-pin at the rear of the receiver, the rifle hinges open to allow the sleeve and recoil spring group to be removed as a unit. A front barrel retainer then appears to be rotated 90 degrees to allow the barrel to be removed from the rear. No other details are available.

The ARES ACR Means of Controlling Operation – Phase II Rifle: Located inside the front of the trigger guard, the pivoting selector is pushed to the left for semiautomatic fire and is pushed all the way to the right for full-automatic fire.

Seen from the left side, Eugene Stoner’s ARES ACR began as a wooden mockup complete with a folding bipod/handguard.

Designed by Eugene Stoner, the ARES ACR Phase I was a bullpup style rifle with forward ejection. The port is seen here just above and to the rear of the pistol grip.

Here the ARES ACR Phase I rifle is seen field stripped. Quite complex, this prototype simply did not work properly.

Redesigned by Francis Warin, the ARES ACR Phase II prototype was advanced over the Phase I. It is seen here with its 60-shot magazine inserted and its winter trigger guard opened.

Here Francis Warin’s ARES ACR Phase II rifle is seen field stripped.

The ARES ACR 5x54mm telescoped cartridges are seen compared with a standard 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge.

Safety Arrangements: Pivoting the selector to the middle position blocks the trigger, so the rifle can’t be fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure – Phase I Rifle:

Put the selector on SAFE, remove the magazine and pull back the cocking handle to lower the chamber from battery. If a loaded or unloaded round is chambered, it will not eject, and the chamber will remain out of battery. If the chamber is empty, it will rise back to battery and the cocking handle will return forward. In this case, the trigger may be pulled to relieve tension on the striker. Push out the disassembly pin just forward of the magazine well, and pull down on the lower receiver. If the chamber had remained out of battery, with an empty or loaded round, pulling it and its locking yoke downward would free the piston and carrier to spring forward. The trigger would then safely release tension on the striker. With the piston, carrier, and striker forward, lift up the locking tab in the butt and rotate the lock 180 degrees to free it. Now remove the lock and slide the buttstock off the rear of the rifle. Pull the piston and carrier to the rear until the locking yoke and empty chamber are cammed downward out of battery, and pull these parts free of the mechanism, taking note of the correct position of the yoke. Pull the piston, carrier and striker group free of the upper receiver. No further disassembly is required. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Disassembly Procedure for ARES Phase II Rifle: Put the selector on SAFE and remove the magazine. Pull the cocking handle half-way to the rear and lock it into the disassembly position. Remove the disassembly pin from the right side of the butt-stock and slide the stock rearward and off the rifle. Swing the lower receiver down and, with it the chamber locking yoke and chamber. The chamber may now be pushed past a détente

and free of the yoke, and any cartridge, or casing removed. Release the cocking handle from the disassembly position, and allow the carrier and piston to return forward. Rotate the recoil spring cap until freed from the receiver, taking care, as it is under tension. Then withdraw the cap, guide, recoil spring, and striker spring from the carrier. Slide the carrier and piston and striker assembly off the receiver. Remove the feed arm from the rear of the carrier and remove the striker assembly. No further disassembly is required. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: ARES, of Port Clinton, Ohio, had started work on a bullpup-type ACR designed by Eugene Stoner. Beginning with a wooden model, the project moved to a Phase I prototype. Using the rising chamber principle, this rifle was gas operated via a long stroke piston, and fed cartridges from a 100-shot linked belt pre-loaded into a box magazine. In addition to its unusual mechanism, unique about ARES ACR was the cartridge it fired. Made by Winchester this cartridge was loaded with a 45-grain 5mm bullet seated completely inside its plastic casing. Termed a telescoping round, a plastic cap at the front sealed this cartridge and it had a brass head at the rear in the center of which was a conventional primer. Loaded with 25 grains of ball type propellant, the cartridge produced a muzzle velocity of 3,150 fps. Fed in a disintegrating link belt, the cartridge was pushed into the cylindrical chamber when it was lowered. When the trigger was pulled, the chamber sprang up into battery in a recess between the

equivalent of a bolt face and the barrel. Here the striker was released to fire the round. As the piston moved rearward, the chamber was cammed down to accept another round, and when the piston began to go forward again, it fed another round into the chamber, and this new round pushed the empty casing out the front. This forward ejection culminated in the empty case traveling down a tube to an opening behind the pistol grip where it fell to the ground. The link that held the round fell out through a port above the magazine. After producing a prototype of his ACR (subsequently called the Phase I), Gene Stoner found that it simply would not work. With a trip to Florida planned, he turned the project over to another arms designer at ARES, Francis Warin, who was instructed to get the ACR to work. Finding a number of problems with the Phase I ACR, Warin redesigned it and a second prototype was produced. ARES called this rifle the Phase II, and distributed a flier on it wherein it was designated the AIWS (Advanced Individual Weapon System). Equipped with folding backup iron sights, the ARES Phase II ACR used a 4X Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) made by Armson, now Trijicon. Featuring a combination compensator/ flash suppressor, the Phase II ACR also had an interesting winter trigger guard that folded to create a conventional trigger guard when not needed.

ARES ACR, Phase I and Phase II

Plagued by misfires caused by light primer strikes due to a plastic cartridge that acted as a cushion, the ARES Phase II ACR soon fell by the wayside and the project was canceled in January 1989. It is one of very few of Eugene Stoner’s weapons that were not successful.

The AAI ACR

Means of Controlling Operation: Rotating the selector forward to the semi-automatic position limits the rifle to fire one round with each pull of the trigger. Rotating the selector rearward to the burst position allows the rifle to fire a 3-shot salvo. Safety Arrangements: Separate from the selector, the safety is located in the front of the trigger guard. Activating the safety prevents the rifle from being fired, and prevents a finger from entering the trigger guard. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Unknown. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With the appearance of a conventional rifle, the AAI candidate was gas operated, and is a modified variant of AAI’s previously developed “serial bullet” rifle. The major difference was an entrapped gas system wherein gasses entered a cylinder through a port in the barrel and acted against a piston to operate the mechanism. The AAI ACR fired a flechette instead of a bullet, and had a muzzle velocity of 3,833 fps (1,402 m/s). Because of this hyper velocity, the rifle was equipped with a sound moderator to dampen its muzzle blast. Loaded in a standard M855 brass casing, the flechette was 1.5mm in diameter and weighed 0.66g. Being 41mm in length, the flechette was fin stabilized with a rough surface to provide greater friction for the four plastic segments surrounding it. Made of a liquid-

crystal polymer, these sabot segments were held together by an “O” ring at their rear and separated and discarded as the flechette left the muzzle. With the weight of the flechette assembly a mere 1.36 g., the rifle had a low-recoil impulse to allow for a controlled dispersion of projectiles in a small circular pattern around the aiming point. What’s more, flechettes cross over a threshold of lethality that a fullmetal jacket 5.56 projectile cannot equal.

Loaded into a standard M855 case, the AAI subcaliber flechette cartridge was shorter than the standard 5.56x45 round.

Because the AAI flechette was so light in weight, the gas port was moved back toward the breech to provide sufficient power to operate the rifle. If a standard 5.56x45mm cartridge was inserted and fired, its higher pressure at the gas port could cause a catastrophic failure, so the magazine well was modified to prevent the insertion of a standard M16 magazine. Firing from a closed bolt, the AAI ACR was fitted with a robust iron sight, and by means of a quick-release lever an Armson 4X ACOG could be mounted. The AAI ACR resulted from the experience gained from the company’s earlier XM19 and XM70 SPIW programs.

AAI ACR

The Colt ACR Means of Controlling Operation:

For Means of Controlling Operation, refer to the M16 rifle in the (U.S.) ArmaLite chapter. Safety Arrangements: For Safety Arrangements, refer to the M16 rifle in the (U.S.) ArmaLite chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: For Elementary Disassembly Procedure, refer to the M16 rifle in the (U.S.) ArmaLite chapter. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of interest: Consisting of a redesigned M16A2, the principal intent of Colt’s ACR candidate was to improve hit probability. However, several mechanical and ergonomic improvements were made to the basic weapon. The retractable buttstock had six positions of adjustment, and the pistol grip was redesigned to be more streamlined. Reminiscent of the handguard designed by the Human Engineering Laboratory (HEL) for the M16A1 in the SAW trials years before, that for the ACR added a hand-restricting ring at the front. Its elevated aiming/pointing rib also had a white stripe to aid in fast target acquisition. Also added was a new muzzle brake compensator (MBC). Consisting of concentric tubes around the barrel to redirect gas to counter recoil and muzzle rise, this device also acted as a flash suppressor. An oil-spring hydraulic buffer was installed in the recoil

spring tube to help keep the cyclic rate at 650 spm. This buffer and the muzzle brake were reported to reduce recoil by 40%. The first M16 rifle to be equipped with a removable carrying handle, that of the ACR had a flip-up rear sight, and with the handle removed, the receiver accepted a Leitz 3.5X illuminated optic. The front sight was conventional. Although the Colt ACR would fire any 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition, it was designed around a new duplex round developed in collaboration with Olin. Similar to the 7.62x51mm NATO duplex round Olin designed for the M14 during the 1960’s, this one was loaded in the standard M855 case using two steel core, metal-jacketed bullets mounted nose to tail with a yellow tip for identification. The first bullet weighed 2.26g, and the second 2.13g. Developed to improve hit probability against short-range targets, this round had a maximum effective range of 325m. The use of standard 5.56mm ammunition was recommended for ranges beyond that.

Colt’s ACR candidate amounted to an enhanced M16A2 with a removable carrying handle and an elevated sighting track on top of the handguard. Designed to fire a duplex 5.56mm cartridge, the Colt ACR could handle the standard round as well.

Colt ACR

Heckler & Koch ACR Means of Controlling Operation: Located above the pistol grip, the ambidextrous selector is rotated to the position marked with a red “1” for semi-automatic fire, to the position marked with a red “3” for 3-shot burst fire, and to the position marked with a red “45” for full-automatic fire. Safety Arrangements: Rotating the selector to the position marked with a white “S” prevents the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedures: After moving the selector to the SAFE position, press the magazine release button behind the scope on top of the buttstock, and remove the magazine. Then rotate the charging handle counterclockwise to allow any round in the chamber to fall out the bottom of the rifle. Depress the buttstock lock on top of the receiver forward of the magazine release and remove the buttstock from the main body. Now remove the action and barrel from the rear of the receiver. Depress the forend lock on the side of the forend to remove it forward from the main body. No further disassembly is necessary. To reassemble, reverse the above procedure. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: After 14 prototypes before it, the Heckler & Koch (H&K) ACR candidate was the Technical/Troop Testing Prototype G11 bullpup

rifle fielded just prior to the G11K2 rifle that was finally submitted to the German Army in 1990. Firing a 4.73x33mm telescoped caseless cartridge, the H&K ACR used an internal gas system to operate a rotating chamber with no linear moving mass. With a 45-shot magazine inserted into the main body along the top of the rifle, the rounds were held perpendicular to the bore, nose down. Turning the rotary cocking lever on the side of the buttstock section caused the rotating cylinder containing the chamber to turn 90 degrees vertically to accept a round from the magazine, and then return to the firing position. Turning it again allowed the live round (or misfire) to clear the chamber and fall out the bottom of the rifle to the ground.

Using a floating action, the recoil impulse of the H&K ACR is shown here on semi-automatic and 3-shot burst fire.

Seen from its left side, the Heckler & Koch ACR candidate rifle was the Technical/Troop Testing Prototype of the G11 rifle.

Firing the round caused the propellant gas drive to rotate the cylinder back into the feeding position. Here the next round was chambered and the cylinder tilted again into the firing position. When a round was fired, the entire mechanism moved to the rear on a track. In doing so, it compressed the equivalent of a recoil spring in what amounted to a free-floating or constant recoil principle without the mechanism impinging against the stock or shooter.

In the full-automatic mode, a disconnector prevented the next shot from being fired until the spring returned the entire mechanism to its forward position. This resulted in the rifle having a cyclic rate of only 450 spm in full-automatic. However, in the 3-shot burst mode the disconnector did not come into play, allowing the rifle to fire 3 shots at the rate of about 2,000 spm with the entire barrel and action continuing to recoil to the rear inside the stock. Here the last shot left the barrel just before the mechanism bottomed out, transmitting its force to the stock and shooter. In any firing mode, the free-floating mechanism greatly increased controllability. Made of specialized propellant, the caseless 4.7x33mm G11/ACR round resisted cook-off by having a combustion threshold of 180° Fahrenheit. Since the 51.5-gr.-bullet was seated below the end of the propellant body, a small booster charge was placed behind it to catapult it into the bore before expanding gasses could escape around and in front of it. The 4.7mm projectile had a muzzle velocity of 3,051 fps.

The internal rotating chamber barreled action of the H&K ACR is seen here removed from the rifle.

The H&K ACR went on to evolve into the final production variant of the G11, called the G11K2. For more information on this rifle refer to the G11 section in the Post 1990 German chapter.

Heckler & Koch ACR

The Steyr-Mannlicher ACR Means of Controlling Operation: Located at the upper portion of the pistol grip, the selector is a pushthrough selector is moved to its middle position to allow semi-

automatic fire and is pushed all the way to the right to allow 3-shot burst fire. Safety Arrangements: Pushing the selector all the way to the left blocks the trigger, preventing the rifle from being fired. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: After pushing the safety ON and removing the magazine, pull back the cocking handle to eject any chambered cartridge out to the rear, and allow it to fall out of the magazine well. Now unlatch the buttstock using the lever at the rear of the receiver housing and remove the buttstock. Pull back the charging handle and inspect the chamber for a live round and remove if present. Depress the mainspring enough to remove the chamber control pin and pull the pin out of the assembly. Pull out the front sling swivel and remove the entire barreled receiver group from the stock. Pull forward on the barrel collar and turn the barrel 1/2 turn and remove it from the receiver. As this happens the entire gas cylinder, recoil spring and cam assembly will be freed from the barrel and receiver. Push out the mainspring pin and remove the mainspring. Remove the chamber. No further disassembly is necessary and reassembly is in reverse order. Notes on Kistory, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: With the bullpup lineage of the Steyr-Mannlicher ACR to that company’s Armee Universal Gewehr (AUG) obvious, from that point

Steyr’s ACR was almost a total departure. Consisting of seven modular parts or assemblies, the ACR was gas operated using a long stroke cylinder that surrounded the barrel, and like the ARES ACR, used a rising chamber. However, unlike the conventionally primed telescoped plastic cartridge of the ARES ACR, the Steyr was designed to fire a plastic cased flechette the likes of which had never before been seen. Firing a 1.5mm saboted steel flechette 41mm long and weighing 10.2 grains, the ACR used a 1-in-100 inch rifling twist for the 5.56mm plastic sabot with a muzzle velocity of 4,900 fps. However as conventional as this was at the time, the plastic cartridge case was radical because of its ring primer. Reminiscent of the rimfire primer, that of the Steyr ACR consisted of a round aluminum tube containing the priming mixture. This ring primer was pushed down into the plastic casing until it locked into a groove. The charge and saboted flechette were then loaded, followed by a plastic case head. The loaded round is 10mm in diameter by 45mm in length.

Seen from its right side, the modernistic Steyr-Mannlicher ACR was the only bullpup style ACR to be submitted for testing.

Except for positioning of its ambidextrous front sling swivel, the left side of the Steyr ACR is almost identical to the right side. Its lineage to the Steyr AUG is obvious, but only externally.

Capable of being field stripped in about one minute without the need of special tools, the simplicity of the Steyr ACR is apparent.

The 24-shot plastic magazine of the ACR was translucent plastic, and was double column with a single-position feed. When the cocking handle was retracted with a loaded magazine in place it moved a dual cam frame that acted on a control pin that passed through the lower extension of the chamber. This caused the chamber to move to its lower position in the receiver while depressing the mainspring. A

cartridge pusher on the end of the cam frame also moved to the rear, allowing a cartridge to move into position. Letting go of the cocking handle caused the pusher to feed the round into the chamber at which time the chamber sprang up enough to block the round from ejecting forward out of the chamber. At this point the chamber remained open, but in the cocked (open bolt) position and loaded. Pulling the trigger released the chamber to spring up into its tight recess between the barrel and breech. In doing so, a firing pin fixed in the top of the receiver recess entered a hole in the top of the chamber piercing the side of the plastic case and detonating the ring primer to fire the cartridge. As this was occurring, the control pin was cammed forward out of its vertical channels in the receiver walls to lock the chamber in battery.

This close-up of the action of the Steyr ACR illustrates the camming role of the operating slide in lowering the chamber for feeding.

A fired Steyr ACR cartridge case is seen with its flechette in comparison with a standard 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. Note the dislocation of the ring primer inside the plastic case.

When the saboted flechette passed the gas port the cycle was repeated, but this time, as a new round was chambered, it pushed the fired one forward out of the chamber where it fell through a port in the bottom of the stock. In virtually every fired case, the ring primer became dislodged from its recess, but this never caused a problem. Integral with the Steyr ACR’s receiver was a full-length elevated rib housing both the front and rear open sights. The rear peep sight could be removed and replaced with a special optical sight made by Swarovski. This optic had 1.5X and 3.5X magnification settings. In its burst mode, the Steyr ACR fired at a rate of 1,250 spm, was very accurate, and had very little recoil impulse. However, after becoming quite hot during testing at Ft. Bragg, it suffered a cook-off. Because the chamber was loaded and out of battery, the explosion split the stock injuring the U.S. soldier shooting the rifle. This accident came as the ACR program was winding down and had little if anything to do with cancellation of the entire project. Whatever the case, Steyr’s ACR showed promise.

Steyr-Mannlicher ACR

CHAPTER 69

United States: Other U.S. Assault Rifle Developments

IN addition to the major U.S. assault rifle programs that either saw military acceptance, or were closely associated with those that were accepted, there were and continue to be developments that have been of historical interest along with some that even show great promise. Some of them are covered in other chapters elsewhere in this book and others are included below in more or less chronological order, in some cases with only limited information available.

The Model 1918 Pedersen Device As a means of allowing a special Mark IV variant of the Model 1903 Springfield rifle to be converted to a semi-automatic weapon for use in sweeping enemy trenches during close quarter battle assaults, the Pedersen Device replaced the standard bolt with the blowback firing mechanism. The .30 caliber pistol cartridge used in the device was loaded with an 80-grain bullet producing a muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps with a claimed maximum effective range of 350 yards. The Pedersen Device was abandoned with the end of the war and none were issued.

The Pedersen Device is shown assembled into a special Springfield 1903 Mark IV rifle. The device replaced the rifle’s bolt with the magazine protruding at an angle to the right with empty casings ejecting through a port in the left side of the receiver.

The Model 30-18 Browning Automatic Rifle Although the U.S. discarded the Pedersen Device, the French Army had become interested in the concept, and experiments were made with a lengthened variant of the same .30 caliber cartridge with a 90-grain bullet and an increased powder charge. For this slightly more powerful cartridge, an entirely new rifle was designed by John M. Browning. Called the Browning Model .30-18 Semiautomatic Carbine, this weapon had a two-piece stock with a full-length handguard and used a 40-shot box magazine positioned vertically from the bottom of the action. Patented in 1923 and Manufactured at

Fabrique Nationale in Liege, Belgium, the Model .30-18 was intended to fill the same trench warfare role as the Pedersen Device. Operating on a two-stage blowback principle, the bolt of the Model .30-18 began its rearward travel in line with the bore, but after this very short distance was mechanically delayed. Here the bolt was unlocked to continue its travel, this time at an angle to the bore following that of the butt-stock where the recoil spring group was housed. Although the Model .30-18 was made only in prototype, its action went on to influence the development of the French MAS 38 submachine gun that fired a variation of the cartridge similar to the original Pedersen round.

The Burton Solid Bolt Self-Loading Assault Rifle Designed by Frank F. Burton and T.C. Johnson, the Burton Assault Rifle was a highly advanced and unusual weapon development of World War I for use in airplanes or on the ground. Made in 1916 at Winchester Repeating Arms Co., the Burton Solid Bolt rifle had a fixed firing pin integral with the bolt face, and fired from an open bolt. Firing a .345 caliber (8.76mm) cartridge based on the Winchester .351 (9.27xmm) Self-Loading round, the Burton rifle was blowback operated, and probably had a muzzle velocity around 1,600 fps (488m/s). Being extremely advanced for its time, the Burton had a straight-line stock containing the recoil spring system, and a separate, angled pistol grip on which was mounted the rear sling swivel. Large enough for use with mittens, its trigger guard contained the standard trigger with an additional trigger-like spur beneath it. Pressing only the trigger provided semi-automatic fire, but

if the spur was also pressed it disengaged the sear to allow fullautomatic fire. Intended for both aerial and infantry use, the Burton could be switched back and forth by changing its finned 26-inch barrel with the infantry variant having a bayonet lug added. In addition to its straightline stock and separate pistol grip, the Burton used a flip-up rear sight and a front sight base very much like those used on later assault rifles, such as the WW II U.S. Johnson and German FG-42. Such features continue to be used on many of the world’s assault rifles. In addition to its other revolutionary features, the Burton rifle used a tandem set of 20-shot box magazines that were positioned atop the receiver with each offset in a “V” configuration to allow sighting in between. The feeding mechanism was set up in such a way that the right magazine had to be emptied before the left one could begin feeding. The rifle’s cocking handle was on the bottom along with ejection of empty casings. With a barrel length of roughly 26 inches, and an overall length of 45.5 inches, the Burton rifle weighed approximately 8 pounds with magazines. Considered too radical for adoption, the Burton was never put into production, but a number of its features were reintroduced two decades later. The rifle pictured is in the Buffalo Bill Historical Museum in Cody, Wyoming.

The Browning prototype Model .30-18 semi-automatic rifle is seen from the left side in this 1923 patent drawing.

Although not visible in this photo, there are actually two 20-shot magazines inserted into the Burton Rifle at angles forming a “V” in this fascinating assault rifle that was far ahead of its time. Courtesy of Olin Matheson Corp.

The Seig Assault Rifle Though relatively few details are known about it, the unusual Seig prototype assault rifle was reportedly fabricated, at least partially, aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. Chambered for the .3006 cartridge, the Seig was designed and built by Chief Gunner’s Mate James E. Seig, a skilled machinist. Although distinctly unorthodox in appearance, the Seig rifle was made to high standards of construction and finish. A bullpup design, the Seig was gas operated, hammer fired, and was locked by a rotating bolt head. Using a slightly modified 20-shot BAR magazine, this rifle has no pistol grip, as such. Instead the magazine is positioned immediately behind the trigger to provide an oversized grip. With an elaborately combined muzzle brake/compensator similar to that of the WWII German FG-42, the Seig also had a provision for a bayonet. However, the Seig’s most unusual feature was its trigger mechanism. Like that used on the Czech Model 52 LMG, the trigger of the Seig rifle was of the double half-moon pivoting type. Pressure on the bottom portion of the trigger

provided full-automatic fire and pressing the top section limited the rifle to semiautomatic fire.

The .30-06 caliber Seig Assault Rifle is viewed from the left side with a modified BAR 20-shot magazine inserted.

The Springfield Convertible Rifle In 1963, the Springfield Armory submitted a Proposed Convertible Rifle. Only the official drawings of the rifle are known to exist with no other information having come forth. Being of modular design, the Convertible Rifle could be changed back and forth from a conventional assault rifle to a bullpup. Components common to both configurations were the one-piece receiver with magazine and all its internal parts, the forward receiver extension and barrel group and the pistol grip. Components peculiar to each rifle would include the butt, buttstock, trigger, trigger guard, forend and combination forend/carrying handle, as are seen in the accompanying images. Because an M14-style flash hider appears in the drawing, one could conclude that the intended caliber was 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester), but the comparative size of the magazine and its straight magazine well suggest that the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) was proposed. A long-stroke gas piston system of operation seems

apparent, as does a front-locking magazine. Such a design shows much potential, but no prototype is known to exist.

In these illustrations (above and opposite) are the various components and how they integrate to create either a conventional assault rifle or a bullpup in Springfield Armory’s Proposed Convertible Weapon.

The Ingram Model 63 Assault Rifle Designed in 1963 by Gordon Ingram, of Studio City, California, the M63 assault rifle was based on the Winchester Model 100 semiautomatic rifle, but with a number of modifications to adapt it for military use. The original three-piece bolt was changed to a two-piece type with the firing pin and the cam lug that rotates the bolt both increased in diameter. Some small screws and pins were also eliminated, and field stripping was made simpler. Ingram designed the M63 in three variants to use the 7.62x51mm NATO, 7.62x39mm (M43), and 5.56x45mm (.223 Remington) cartridges. The 7.62x51mm NATO variant used the M14 magazine, but the selective fire capability of this rifle was eliminated, because it was not controllable. The Ingram was operated by a long-stroke gas piston, and was locked by a three-lug bolt. Also called the ErquiagaIngram Assault Rifle, the E.I.A.R, the M63 was intended to be

marketed through the Erquiaga Arms Company, of the City of Industry, California, USA, but was made only in pre-production test and demonstration numbers. For information on the Ingram SAM-1 assault rifle, refer to Chapter on Italy. For information on the Ingram FBM assault rifle, refer to the Bolivia Chapter.

The 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) Ingram Assault Rifle is viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted.

Here the receiver area of the Ingram Assault Rifle is illustrated in cross section.

The TRW Low Maintenance Rifle Although it never went beyond the experimental stage, the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) caliber Low Maintenance Rifle (LMR) developed by Thompson-Ramo-Wollridge (TRW) sought to reduce maintenance in the field by incorporating self-lubricating parts and using dry lubricant to which debris and fouling would not adhere. Showing strong influence by the WWII German FG-42 and post war Swiss developments, the TRW LMR used a side-mounted M16 type magazine and a true straight-line stock with high fold-down sights. Like the FG-42, the LMR used a long stroke gas piston, and fired full automatic only from the open bolt position. Perhaps most interesting was that the LMR used a roller-locking system similar to the German G3. With an overall length of 34.2 inches, the LMR weighed 7.9 pounds loaded.

The TRW Low Maintenance Rifle is seen from the right side with bayonet mounted

As seen from the left, the TRW LMR’s 30-shot side-mounted magazine is plainly seen.

The Serial Bullet Rifle Prototype This rifle was the predecessor to the AAI ACR submission to the Advanced Combat Rifle program. It used a 4.32mm (.17 caliber) cartridge with a 28-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3,700 fps (1128m/s). The cartridge’s overall length of 2.26 inches suggests a case length similar to that of the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington). The rifle was capable of semi-automatic and three-shot burst fire using an ambidextrous selector. The Serial Bullet Rifle also had a two-lug rotating bolt and apparently was of short-stroke gas piston operation. A 30-shot magazine, sound suppressor and reflex sight were also used, and the prototype had wooden stock furniture.

The Foote Rifles Developed during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the assault rifle designs of John P. Foote are of passing interest even though they never entered series production. Beginning with the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Model 68 (M68), all of John P. Foote’s designs retained the theme of low cost production methods combined with high efficiency and reliability. All models used welded sheet metal construction similar to the ArmaLite AR-18 and used AR-18 magazines, but incorporated a long-stroke gas piston operation, with a forward top-mounted cocking handle, and a bolt carrier resembling those later used in the Stoner 63, the German HK 36 and XM8 and the FN SCAR rifles.

The Serial Bullet Rifle Prototype is seen from the right side with its 30-shot magazine inserted.

The 4.32mm (.17 caliber) cartridge developed for the Serial Bullet Rifle fired a 28-grain bullet at 3,700 fps.

The Foote 5.56x45mm NATO Ranger assault rifle seen from the right with 20shot magazine.

The Foote MG 69 was a belt-fed light machine-gun using a unique six-lug bolt that moved to the right side to lock in battery. Using standard 5.56x45mm NATO links, the MG 69 fed from the bottom rather than the side. Its cocking handle was on the right side of the forend. Introduced in 1970, the Foote Automatic Carbine (FAC) 70 amounted to a product improved M68, and was produced in limited numbers in 5.56x45mm NATO and was prototyped in U.S. 30 Carbine caliber (7.62x33mm) as the R-771 using the same magazines as the U.S. .30 caliber Carbine. Like the M68, the FAC 70 used standard AR-18 magazines, but it incorporated a buttress-thread type rotating bolt to provide for primary extraction, and it also used a modular trigger group. Sterling Arms, of Great Britain, undertook initial production with Military Armament Corporation, of the USA to act as an agent, but negotiations failed and production of the FAC-70 stopped. A further refined variant of the FAC-70 was made for Mack Gwinn, of Gwinn Firearms, Bangor, Maine, USA. Called the Ranger 7, this rifle had a five-lug rotating bolt and bore some superficial resemblance to the ArmaLite AR-18 rifle covered in the ArmaLite Chapter of this book. As with the other Foote weapons, it never reached series production.

The Gwinn Bushmaster Following the failed Foote Ranger 7 project, Mack Gwinn designed a 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remintgon) caliber assault rifle of his own. Called the Bushmaster, this rifle bore a resemblance to

the Foote M68 and FAC-70 assault rifles, using similar long stroke gas piston operation with a top-mounted charging handle and a 7-lug rotating bolt. Like the Foote assault rifles, this system amounted to a simplified variant of that used in the Stoner 63A assault rifle. Mack Gwinn was acutely familiar with the Stoner, as he was the only U.S. Army Officer to have carried and used one extensively during the Vietnam War. His Bushmaster also used a rear sight looking very much like that of the Stoner. However, Mack Gwinn’s Bushmaster used machined aerospace alloy construction with a lower receiver patterned largely after that of the AR-15, and using some standard AR-15 parts. Offered with both fixed and folding stocks, the Bushmaster was also produced in a pistol variant that resembled the Colt SCAMP pistol. All Gwinn Bushmaster arms were available in semi-automatic only or selective fire. In 1979, Gwinn Firearms was sold to Bushmaster Firearms, formerly Quality Parts, also of Bangor, Maine.

The Bushmaster 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle is seen from the right side its fixed wooden stock and 30-shot magazine inserted.

The Bushmaster is seen from the left side with its folding stock folded and 30shot magazine inserted.

The Stoner FARC-3 One of the more interesting assault rifles designed by Eugene Stoner at ARES in Port Clinton, Ohio was the Future Assault Rifle Concept-3 (FARC-3). This ARES plant is not to be confused with ARES Weapon Systems, of Florida. Beginning with the FARC-1, a conceptual drawing, the project led to the FARC-2, of which one prototype is reported to have been made and tested successfully. The final variant was the FARC-3, of which two samples were made in the mid-1970’s. The concept involved a low-drag system and while very little information about the FARC-3 is known, it is reported to have been a striker fired rifle that cocked on the forward motion of the bolt group, and it used a rotary Stoner-type bolt. Of long-stroke gas piston operation, the FRC-3 also used the Stoner magazine, or a variation of it and the rifle retained the combination muzzle brake/flash hider first used on the ArmaLite AR-10B. The rifle also used a reflex sight. Interestingly, the FARC-3 also used a variation of the receiver dust cover found on the AR-10-1001, the first of the AR-10 rifles made at ArmaLite. However, in the FARC-3, the cover used a return

torsion spring to close the cover after the bolt returned to battery. With funding cut after the end of the Vietnam War, the FARC-3 project was halted.

The modernistic Stoner FARC-3 is seen from the left side with its 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the reflex sight and combination muzzle brake/flash hider. Only two prototypes were made.

The I.M. Arms Model 3 Series and Model 5 Assault Rifles Introduced in 1991 by I. M. Arms USA, of Cleveland, Ohio, the Model 3 Series is a unique weapon system. Although I.M. Arms first specialized in producing double-barreled submachine guns (SMG), the Model 3 Series was its first assault rifle. Combining a 9mm SMG with a 7.62x39mm rifle, the Model 3A uses two separate barrels and feed assemblies operated from a single trigger assembly. A selector switch on the side of the receiver allows the shooter to select to fire either barrel individually or both simultaneously. A separate selector switch alternates between semi-automatic and full-automatic firing. Using a newly developed locking system, the Model 3A’s riflecaliber action is gas-operated using a long-stroke gas piston and is fired by a linear hammer. Held in a recess in the bolt is a roller locking bar. When the bolt is in battery the roller rests in its recess in a seat in the bottom of the receiver where it is held by tracks in both sides of

the bolt carrier. When the rifle is fired, the carrier moves to the rear and allows the roller bar to disengage from its recess before continuing to the rear with the carrier. In addition to a side-folding steel buttstock, the Model 3A has a vertical foregrip that also houses the 9mm magazine, and both barrels fire from a closed bolt. Adjustable open sights are standard and there is no provision for optical sights. The Model 3A uses standard AK/AKM box and drum magazines, and 9mm UZI magazines. The compact Model 3A was followed by the Model 3B. A fullsize assault rifle, the Model 3B differs mainly in barrel length, the lack of a ventilated steel handguard, and the use of a more robust folding stock. Following the Model 3B was the Model 5. A single-barrel gun, the Model 5 is chambered for the U.S. .30 M1 Carbine cartridge, and will take either standard M1 Carbine box magazines, or a special 75shot drum magazine. I.M. Arms also produces an American made AK variant. Called the AK-Y2000, this rifle is offered in selective fire and semi-automatic only. Using standard AK-47 type magazines, the AK-Y2000 has an M16A2 pistol grip, a detachable trigger group, and a thumb safety/selector.

The I.M. Arms Model 3B Dual Caliber Assault Rifle is seen from the right side with both its 30-shot 7.62x39mm AK-47 magazine and 30-shot UZI 9x19mm magazines inserted, its bipod deployed and folding stock extended.

The patent illustration of the unique roller locking system of the I.M. Arms weapons is seen here in cross-section.

The I.M. Arms AK-Y2000 7.62x39mm assault rifle is seen here showing its quick-detachable trigger group.

I.M. Arms Model 3

The Murray A.A.R. M2 Designed in 1989 by Cris E. Murray (later of the U.S. Army/U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit), the Automatic Assault Rifle (A.A.R.) M2 was a bullpup chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge. After beginning with a working wooden mockup, Murray produced a firing model of his rifle. Having little access to machine facilities, Murray fabricated the M2 almost entirely by hand, largely of sheet metal welded together and other components that he made or adapted. Stock furniture was made of wood and fiberglass. Being of a straight-line design, the A.A.R. M2 went beyond this concept by positioning the barrel well below the top of the buttstock. With a long-stroke gas piston, the M2 used a greatly simplified, reversible six-lug bolt. Using a standard NATO magazine, the M2 contained a number of ingenious features allowing it to be converted from right to left-handed operation in a matter of minutes without tools, or replacing parts. With Cris Murray enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1989 for the coming Desert Storm Gulf War, the A.A.R. M2 was never fully developed. However, 20 years later, with Murray a security contractor in Iraq, his rifle remains an advanced design.

The wooden mockup of the A.A.R. M2 is seen from the right side with a modified 20-shot M16 magazine inserted.

The prototype A.A.R. M2 assault rifle is seen from the left side with modified 20-shot M16 magazine inserted.

The prototype A.A.R. M2 is seen field stripped. The rifle can be converted from right to left handed operation in seconds without tools.

Robinson Armament XCR Following a successful venture with its M-96 Expeditionary (see the Stoner Chapter elsewhere in this book), and its SPR-V rifle (refer to the ArmaLite/M16 Chapter elsewhere in this book), Robinson Armament, Inc., of Salt Lake City, Utah introduced a totally new rifle in 2005. Called the Xtreme Combat Rifle (XCR), the weapon was designed for submission to the SCAR Program, but was reportedly refused for consideration, because it was delivered 20 minutes late. Incorporating a number of familiar, proven features, the XCR, at first glance, has the appearance of a refined variant of the M4 Carbine with a monolithic M1913 rail forend and an adjustable gas system, but its refinement is more than what can be seen on its exterior. Using an AK-type fixed ejector and an extensively redesigned AK-type long-stroke gas piston operation, the unique bolt of the XCR has three locking lugs. As in the AK, the recoil spring is

housed within the operating rod and bolt carrier, adding greatly to the reliability of the rifle in addition to allowing it to use a folding stock. While the ejection port is on the right side, the XCR’s cocking handle is on the left side in similar fashion to the FN FAL rifle, and its ambidextrous selector positions are close together for easier manipulation. The XCR also has a barrel that is easily replaced in five minutes with one of another length or caliber and the gas adjustment has five settings including one for a suppressor. First offered with a FN-style folding stock in three lengths, in 2009 the XCR featured a new stock that both folds to the right and is adjustable for length of pull. In addition to 5.56x45mm (.223 Remington), 7.62x39mm, 6.5mm Grendel and 6.8x43mm SPC, Robinson Armament and COR-BON Ammunition Company, of Sturgis, South Dakota introduced a production variant of the 6mm/.223 (6x45mm) cartridge for the XCR in early 2009. Marking the first time this round has been commercially loaded, the cartridge amounts to the 5.56x45mm case necked up to 6mm with a muzzle velocity of 2,900 fps (884 m/s). Initially a 6.5x45mm variant was tested, but it was not workable in unaltered M16 magazines, so was discontinued. The 6x45mm cartridge works perfectly in standard M16 magazines and the XCR (or any 5.56x45mm rifle) can be converted to 6x45mm by simply changing the barrel. Whether or not this cartridge will have any military interest remains to be seen. The XCR is offered in selective fire and semi-automatic only variants with several barrel lengths.

The XCR can be field stripped as seen in minutes including removal of the barrel assembly.

The XCR is seen from the right side with its combination folding and retractable buttstock, which is quickly adjustable for length of pull.

Robinson XCR

The Magpul Masada Assault Rifle

In 2006 Magpul Inc., of Boulder, Colorado introduced prototypes of an advanced new modular assault rifle. Called the Masada, the new rifle combined a number of proven features in one package including a modular trigger group, use of high-strength polymer, a short-stroke gas piston operating system with a seven-lug rotary bolt and a true quick-change barrel. Initially produced in six prototype variations, the Masada was made in 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington), but was designed to also be offered in 7.62x39mm (M43), 6.5 Grendel, 6.8x43mm SPC and other calibers, as well as different barrel lengths.. With ambidextrous controls a major attribute of the Masada, an ambidextrous/quick-change charging handle was included in addition to an ambidextrous selector and other controls. The buttstock was totally adjustable for length of pull and height and it also folded. The Masada was made in various colors using a new, high strength polymer, but the upper receiver was made of aerospace aluminum alloy. Using the same high strength polymer, Magpul designed a revolutionary 30-shot magazine. Called the P-MAG, this feed device proved virtually indestructible even when run over by a heavy vehicle. The P-MAG has been made in several colors and has an optional window to see remaining ammunition.

The Masada 5.56x45mm assault rifle is seen from the left side with stock extended, SureFire M900 Tactical Light, Trijicon 4x32mm optical sight and various accessories.

Field stripping the Masada as seen requires no special tools.

Here the Masada is seen with the AN-PVS14 night vision optic together with the Aimpoint Comp M4 red dot sight, SureFire L72 Laser and tactical light and SureFire Suppressor, GripPod and 30-shot P-MAG.

The Remington Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) In late 2007, Magpul designed an improved variant of the Masada called the Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) and licensed Bushmaster/Remington Firearms to develop and produce it. In the meantime, Magpul had redesigned the Masada with a number of improvements including moving the charging handle farther forward in order to prevent debris from entering the mechanism of the rifle through the charging handle port. A number of internal improvements were also made by Mr. Skip Patel, VP of Engineering and founder of COBB Mfg., which had been purchased by Bushmaster, including those to the quick-change barrel system. In 2009, Remington took over development of the ACR, bringing it from prototype to production, and formally introduced the rifle in August of that year with several barrel lengths planned in addition to selective fire variants.

Remington’s new 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington) Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) is seen from the right side with Magpul folding stock extended, Aimpoint Comp M4 Red Dot Sight mounted in front of Aimpoint 3X Magnifier. Also a 30-shot Magpul P-MAG inserted and SureFire M900 Weapon Light mounted and Magpul’s backup sights (MBUS).

The Remington 5.56x45mm NATO ACR short barrel carbine is seen from the left side with an Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) suppressor mounted, SureFire M900 Weapon Light, 30-shot P-MAG and Magpul fixed stock.

The Magpul Massoud Rifle In the meantime, Magpul Industries had been developing a variation of the Masada in 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) caliber. Called the Massoud, in honor of an Afghan Leader of the Northern Alliance murdered by Al Qaeda, this rifle closely resembles the Masada and the Remington ACR, being about the same size, and

weighing slightly less. By 2009, however, some aspects of the Massoud had changed including the use of a 4-lug bolt and a totally new hybrid gas system of operation combining direct gas with a short stroke gas piston. By the fall of 2009, several pre-production variants of the Massoud had been made in 13.5-inch (343mm) and 18-inch (457mm) barrel lengths, the latter being intended as a precision sharpshooting rifle, and a 14.5-inch (368mm) carbon fiber barrel. Based on the Magpul P-MAG, the 20-shot polymer magazine for the Massoud is of SR-25 configuration and will work with all rifles that use that magazine. Unlike the Remington ACR, the Massoud does not use a quickchange barrel, but has a changeable barrel that requires only a vise and a special wrench for the easily accessible barrel nut. Like the ACR, samples of the Massoud are equipped with the Magpul Backup Sights (MBUS), a unique, lightweight and efficient folding sight system. Using a similar modular trigger pack as the ACR, the Massoud can be furnished in selective fire.

The Magpul 7.62x51mm NATO Massoud carbine is seen from the right side with folding stock extended, Aimpoint Red Dot Sight mounted, back up sights folded and SureFire Scout Light mounted. The Massoud is available as a selective fire weapon.

The Massoud 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) precision rifle and carbine are seen together with and without sound suppressors for comparison

American AK-47 Type Rifles Among the manufactures of AK-47 type rifles made in the U.S. are Krebs Custom, of Illinois and The Firing Line, of Oklahoma. Using Russian Siaga semi-automatic rifles imported from Russia, Krebs offers highly upgraded tactical versions for law enforcement and U.S. Military purchasers in both semi-automatic and selective fire. These rifles are equipped with M1913 rail accessory and scope mounting systems of Krebs’ design, as well as a variety of folding and retractable stocks. The Firing offers fully CNC machined AK-47 type receivers from heat treated 4140 steel in both semi-automatic and selective fire, as well as complete rifles, some of which are reportedly in service with special operations forces.

Krebs Custom prototype KTR-10 rifle in .223. The rifle is modified by the installation of a custom-designed lower housing which allows the rifle to use standard AR magazines. The rifle is also equipped with an A2-style flash suppressor, KCI 3-rail fore-end, KCI Rear Sight/Rail System, KCI Enhanced Safety, VLTOR collapsing buttstock, and Mako pistol grip.

A “proof on concept” rifle by Marc Krebs. Designed at the request of U.S. personnel in Afghanistan, the “package” will allow soldiers to modify a standard Hungarian AMD rifle to this configuration in the field. This rifle is equipped with an A2-style flash suppressor, KCI Quad Rail fore-End, KCI Enhanced Safety, KCI Rear Sight Rail System, (shown with Trijicon 4x32mm ACOG sight), SAW-style pistol grip, and a custom adapter that allows the shooter to replace the standard AMD wire-type folding stock with an ACEbrand hinge or a Mag-Pul AR-type buttstock that also folds to the left.

The Firing Line AK47SU is seen from the left side with stock folded. This 7.62x39mm carbine is shown with a four-piece Bulgarian flash hider/muzzle brake and Bulgarian Special Operations lighted handguard. The gun is also available in 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) calibers.

CHAPTER 70

Vietnam

W

ith no real firearms manufacturing industry of its own, The

Socialist Republic of Vietnam still maintains a mix of Chinese, Soviet, and American small arms in its government inventories that include The Chinese Type 56, Chinese Type 63, Soviet Kalashnikov, and U.S. M16 rifles, in addition to the more recent Soviet AKS-74U.

AK-47 and AKS-47 Assault Rifles Originally issued to Soviet airborne and mechanized infantry troops in 1949, the AKS-47 is the original Type III AK-47 chambered for the 7.62x39mm (M43) cartridge, with an underfolding metal stock that gives the weapon its “S” designation, which stands for Skladnoy or “folding”. Both the standard Soviet AK-47 fixed stock assault rifle and the early folding stock AKS-47 can still be found in Vietnamese arsenals, testimony to the support the North Vietnamese communists received from other communist nations during the war– although the number of Soviet AKs shipped to Vietnam is much smaller than those sent from China. Also included in Vietnamese arsenal is the M16 assault rifle which was provided by the United States in relatively small quantities to South Vietnamese troops in the early 1960s.

Type 56 Assault Rifle The Chinese Type 56 rifle is a Soviet AK-47 variant based on the third model forged receiver, but with a hinged triangular bayonet. The Type 56 was the most common rifle carried by North Vietnamese regulars and Viet Cong guerillas during the Vietnam War. When China replaced its ageing AK-47 rifles with the newer AKM-style receiver, the Chinese government supported the communists in Vietnam by shipping them the older AKs for use against the South Vietnamese forces and their allies.

One of the earliest Soviet Kalashnikov’s, the AKS-47 was first issued to Soviet troops in 1949.

Type 63 Assault Rifle The Chinese Type 63 assault rifle is similar to the Soviet SKS, but with a rotating bolt similar to the design of the Kalashnikov. It is a 7.62x39mm (M43) caliber, selective fire weapon designed for medium to long ranges, and accepts both 20- and 30-shot Kalashnikov magazines. Loading can be accomplished by inserting an empty 20-round magazine into the rifle, locking the bolt to the rear, and then two 10shot stripper clips can be used to charge the magazine, or twenty

loose rounds can be inserted individually by hand; also, a loaded magazine can be inserted in the standard way. See chapter on China for full information.

AKS 74U Assault Rifle Stamped Receiver/Folding Stock Operating Procedures and Elementary Disassembly Instructions: Weapons follow the Kalashnikov pattern. Refer to the section on Soviet/Russian weapons. Safety Arrangements: Three-position selector lever on right side of the receiver. Top position– Safety on; middle position – Semi-auto fire; lowest position– Full-auto fire. Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Adopted by the Soviet military just in time for the invasion of Afghanistan, the AKS-74U features a folding stock and very short barrel, making it an extremely compact weapon when the stock is folded. The short barrel required the addition of a muzzle booster—a cylindrical expansion chamber that retains gas pressure long enough to reliably cycle the weapon. The flash hider is an attempt to reduce the muzzle blast. The Soviet AK-74 and AKS-74U (“Krinkov”) assault rifles are currently in limited service with the Vietnamese Naval Infantry. (In

post-war Vietnam, the term Vietnam People’s Army includes all ground forces, the Navy, and the Air Force.)

AKS-74U Assault Rifle Stamped Receiver/Folding Stock

Chinese Type 63 Assault Rifle seen from the right side.

CHAPTER 71

Yugoslavia

O

ver the years, the Yugoslavians have been major European

small arms producers, and have manufactured many small arms designs of Soviet and Czechoslovakian origin. They have also created domestic designs and adaptations of such weapons as the World War II 7.92mm MG42 LMG for internal use and export sales. Being the seventh largest exporter of military hardware internationally, the Yugoslavians have marketed their products through the Savenza Direkcija Promet i Rezerve Proizvoda sa Posebnom Mamenom (Federal Directorate of Supply and Procurement of FDSP). Founded in 1974, the FDSP is a government operated establishment with the task of operating the nation’s trade in armaments and defense equipment. This agency controls the import and export of military hardware, and supervises production and R&D. In exports, the role of the FDSP is similar to the U.S. Defense Security Assistance Agency’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) organization. The FDSP’s relationship with defense industry manufacturers is very important because these manufacturers are part of complex industrial organizations. One of the largest of these is the Zavasta complex at Kragujevak where, among many other military products, the family of Yugoslavian AK-47 variants has been produced since 1964.

M64 Means of Controlling Operation: Refer to the Means of Controlling operation for the AK-47 rifle in the Russia AK/AKM Chapter. Safety Arrangements: Refer to the Safety Arrangements for the AK-47 rifle in the Russia AK/AKM Chapter. Elementary Disassembly Procedure: Refer to the Elementary Disassembly Procedure for the AK-47 rifle in the Russia AK/AKM Chapter.

M64 “FAZ” cal. 7.62x39mm originally introduced in mid 1960s, shown with 20shot magazine.

Rifle Grenade

The standard grenade launcher is shown on the M70 assault rifle with a table listing the various ranges, which are impressive. The French Army is another nation to make wide use of rifle grenades.

The Yugoslav Army has effected large use of rifle grenades on all their rifles and assault rifles. Six types are depicted. The rifle grenade sight, when activated by lifting, automatically shuts off the gas port. The grenade is fired by using a special cartridge from a 22mm launcher screwed on the muzzle of the weapon.

Notes on History, Design, Development, or Points of Interest: Following the manufacture of the SKS-style rifles in Yugoslavia, a struggle began both for and against the adoption of the selective fire AK-47 type rifle. Subsequently, a great variety of assault rifles has continued to be developed in Yugoslavia, with all of them based on the Kalashnikov design.

Produced at the Avodi Crvena Zavasta Factory, at Kragujevac, the Yugoslav rifles can be divided into several sub-groups. These include those built on forged AK-type receivers, those built on AKMtype sheet metal receivers in 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO calibers, the M76 Sniper Rifle, and light machine guns based on the Soviet RPK. Two groups of selector markings are found on Yugoslavian AK variants. One consists of U (Ukecheno) for Safe, R (Rafal) for Semi-automatic, and J (Jedinachno), for Full-automatic. The other set of markings includes S (Sigurno) for Safe, A (Automat) for Semi-automatic, and R (Rafal) for Full-automatic. Most Yugoslavian assault rifles have an integral grenade launching sight that pivots off of the gas block. When raised, this sight blocks the gas port to prevent the stress to the action parts caused by the long pressure curve when launching rifle grenades. Also noteworthy is an anti-bounce device located at the upper rear of the receiver of such rifles. Consisting of a spring and plunger mounted crossways at the rear section of the receiver, this device prevents the recoil spring guide from moving forward when launching grenades, and causing the dust cover to come off. This plunger must be depressed while pushing in the disassembly button during field stripping. Yugoslavian rifles will accept a special muzzle brake, or a 22mm grenade launcher in place of the normal muzzle nut. The launcher accepts standard 22mm NATO rifle grenades. Standard on all Yugoslavian rifles is a rubber butt pad, tritium powered night sights, and a bolt hold-open device obtained by cutting a notch in the magazine follower to catch the bolt after the last round has been fired.

The first attempt to copy the Soviet AK-47 rifle was in 1964. Called the M-64, this rifle was reverse engineered from the AK-47 complete with machined receiver. Although similar on its exterior, the M-64 differed from the AK-47 in the following details: It had a rubber butt plate, a barrel length of 19.7 inches (506.3mm) long, a finger grooved plastic pistol grip, used a 20-shot magazine, and weighed 8.6 pounds (3.9 kg.). It also had subtle differences inside to facilitate easier manufacture. Limited numbers were tested and offered for export through 1970.

The Model 70B1 and 70AB2 Following the M-64, standard issue with the Yugoslav Military became the 7.62x39mm AKM type assault rifle first designated the M70 (fixed stock) and M70A (under-folding stock). These model designations were later changed to M70B1 and M70B2. However, a there is also variant of the M70B1 with an improved side folding stock similar to that used on the FN FAL Para. Like most rifles in this family, these have a plastic grip, and use the letters “U,” “J,” and “R,” to denote SAFE, Semi-automatic, and full-automatic fire. All are of high quality, but do not have hard chrome-lined bores. A short-barreled variant of the M70AB was later made. Called the M92, it is very similar to the Russian AK74U.

The M70B1 as viewed from the right side with 30-shot magazine in place.

The M70B1 as viewed from the left side with 30-shot magazine in place.

M70B1 with infrared scope (Model NSP2) as used in the 1970s. This type scope has been replaced with the passive night sight PN5x80(J) and other more upto-date generation passive sights that have appeared in the 1990s.

The M70AB2 as viewd from the left side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine in place.

The M70AB2 as viewed form the right side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine in place. The selector is in the full-automatic position.

The M70AB2 as viewed from the right side with stock folded and 30-shot magazine in place. Note the grenade launching sight in its folded position.

The M70ABX3 in 7.62x39mm offered in 2007 was the last model of M70AB series. It could mount sophisticated reflex sights and laser target designators.

Although now marketed as the M92 “submachine gun” by Zastava after minor changes, this variant is a short-barreled assault rifle in 7.62x39mm (M43) caliber, similar in concept to the Russian AK74U and doubles as a PDW. Note the special muzzle-brake/flash hider. It weighs 7.72 pounds (3.5kg), is 31.5 inches (800mm) long when folded, and has a 10-inch (254mm) barrel.

The M70AB2 (cal. 7.62x39mm) is shown with 75-shot drum magazine, a highcapacity magazine usually found on the light machine gun variant.

The M70B1 with side folding stock is seen from the right side with stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

Model 70B1 and 70AB2

The M71, M71A, M77B1 In the early 1970’s a Yugoslavian enlarged AKM variant firing the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge was introduced. Designated the Assault Rifle FAZ, Model M71 and M71A, these rifles used fixed wood and under-folding metal stocks respectively.

M77B1 (cal. 7.62x51 NATO) right side, with selector in safe position. This export model fires semi-automatic only.

The M77B1 (NATO) rifle as viewed from the right side with 20-shot magazine inserted. Note the bolt hold-open notch in the selector/dust cover.

The M77B1 firing the 7.62x51 NATO cartirdge is shown with standard 20-shot magazine. The rifle is offered for export sale. It fires selective semi- and fullautomatic.

M77B1 (cal. 7.62x51 NATO) with ON-M76 telescopic sight as used with the M76 sniper rifle.

Illustrated are two rifle scopes. The top scope is the ON-M76 used on the M76 sniper rifle and the M77B1 (cal. 7.62x51mm) assault rifle. The lower scope is the ON-3 M75. Both are 4 power and incorporate a ranging scale (on reticle for 200 to 800 meters). The reticle is illuminated by a tritium source.

M77B1

In 1977, the M71 rifles were slightly modified, and offered only with a wooden fixed stock as the M77B1, but were available in selective fire and semi-automatic only. One of these modifications was the addition of a manual bolt hold-open capability in the form of a notch cut into the top rear of the selector. Pushing the selector all the way up while holding the cocking handle to the rear trapped the handle in the notch, so that when released, the bolt was locked to the

rear. Pushing the selector down released the bolt group. The selective-fire M77B1 came with a black plastic pistol grip and the semi-automatic variant came with a wooden pistol grip similar to that on the Yugoslavian M76 Sniper Rifle. Selector markings on the M77B1 are “S,” Safe, “A,” full-automatic, and “K,” semi-automatic.

The M80 and M85 In 1980, in an effort to capture more of the foreign market, the Zavasta Arsenal developed its AKM variant in 5.56x45mm NATO, and offered it in a fixed stock as the M80 and a folding stock as the M80A. Semi-automatic only export variants are designated the M82 and M82A. A short barreled selective fire model designated the M85 was offered as an “Assault Carbine.” This rifle uses a 30-shot magazine and, with a flash hider/grenade launcher that can use NATO bullet trap rifle grenades. The M85 exists in three models, one with a fixed wood or polymer stock, one with an under-folding stock, and a more recent variant has a more rigid side-folding stock somewhat similar to the Russian AKS-74U. With the M85 a new extended rear sight was seen for the first time. While it mounted in the usual place on the barrel, it extended back along the top cover for a longer sight radius.

The 5.45x45mm M80 series of assault rifles was first offered by Zavodi Crvena Zastava in the early 1980s to compete in the world market.

Right side of M80 (5.45x45mm) is shown with 30-shot magazine. Note cut-out in selector lever to act as bolt hold-open device.

M80A model (5.45x45mm) is shown with folding stock extended. Normally this model is sold with black plastic grips.

M80 with folding stock is shown with 30-shot magazine and without grenade launcher sight.

The M85 with fixed stock is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted. Note the extended rear sight and long muzzle brake/flash hider.

M85 cal. 5.56x45mm short-barrel assault carbine is similar to Russian Model AKS-74U. It is 30 inches (760mm) overall, with a 10-inch (254mm) barrel, weighs 7.7 pounds (3.5kg). With a muzzle velocity of 2,460 fps (750m/s), manufacturer indicates an effective range of 218 yards (200m). Note pronounced flash hider.

Second model of short barrel model of M85 with side folding stock.

M80 and M80A

The M90 and M90A

Designed in 1990, the M90 and M90A are modernized variants of the M80 and M80A offered to NATO countries. Longer handguards and plastic pistol grips are among the changes. During the 1980’s, the Yugoslav Army was apparently attempting to switch from the 7.62x39mm round to the 5.56x45mm NATO round, but the disintegration of Yugoslavia from 1991 to 1995 has made this change doubtful for the foreseeable future.

Semi-automatic Variants In addition to many light machine gun variants, special semi-automatic sporting variants of most Yugoslavian AK variants were sold in the U.S. in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, and may use the letter “S” added to the original designations. An exception is the 7.62mm NATO semiautomatic variant of the M77B1, which is designated the M77/82. These rifles have been observed with and without scope rails. Until the 1989 import ban on these, and similar weapons, Yugoslavian rifles were imported by Mitchell Arms Company, of Costa Mesa, California. Just prior to the ban, Mitchell Arms received two sample M80 type rifles in 5.56x45mm NATO for evaluation. These were serial numbers 1 and 2. Serial number 1 had a fixed stock and was designated M80S, and serial number 2 had a folding stock and was designated M80AS. Both are standard including the above described manual bolt hold-open feature, but are equipped with a longer flash suppressor/muzzle brake.

The M90 and M90A (under-folding stock) Assault Rifles are a high-quality Kalashnikov variant in 5.56x45mm intended for international sales. Having a length of 30.1 inches (785mm) with stock folded or 39 inches (985mm) with it deployed, they weigh 8.8 pounds (4 kilos), have an 18.1-inch (460mm) barrel, giving a typical muzzle velocity of 3,002 fps (915m/s) and an effective range of 328 yards (300 meters). They can be equipped with grenade-launching sights, grenade launchers, tritium sight inserts, various NVGs and optics. There is also an LMG (SAW) version with a 21.4-inch barrel and integral folding bipod.

Standard export model of M90 (5.56x45) assault rifle with black plastic grips.

The M90A seen from the right side with folding stock extended and 30-shot magazine inserted.

M21 Family Of Assault Rifles

In response to its request for a new 5.56x45mm NATO caliber assault rifle, the Yugoslavian Army was offered the M90 system, but it was not adopted for financial and political reasons. An improved rifle was submitted in 1995, but was also not accepted. In the “Soldier of the Future” vision for Yugoslavia, a new modern rifle was part of a 26 point upgrade program. Zavasta and the Yugoslavian Army felt that the Kalashnikov system remained unsurpassed in the world, so this basic platform was retained. From 2000 to 2003, a number of upgrades and special needs were incorporated into a new 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem.) Kalashnikov style assault rifle called the M21. The improvements in the M21 include an optical sight for general use with day/night open sights as auxiliary and a grenade launching capability. In addition, the use of lightweight polymers was mandated, and a new side-folding stock, handguard, pistol grip, and 35-shot magazine are made of polymer. Attached to the bottom of the barrel, the M21’s 40mm grenade launcher is quick detachable and uses the Russian 40mm low velocity round, but it can also be made to use the U.S. 40x46mm low velocity grenade. Mounting on the left side of the receiver, the quickdetachable optical sight mount extends up over the top cover and incorporates what appears to be a M1913-style rail on which the optical sight is mounted. Both a short-barreled variant and an M21 Sniper Rifle were planned, but the sniper rifle was to use a machined receiver. The M21’s fire control is marked U – R – J, and is ambidextrous, being a copy of that used on the Israeli Galil assault rifle. A 3-shot burst capability is optional. Yugoslavian AKM-type assault rifles are generally considered to be superior, as they use

sheet-metal of 1.5mm in thickness instead of only 1mm, as with other AKM’s. In 2008, the M21S and M21K were added to this family of rifles along with an improved M1913-style top cover rail, and the standard M21’s designation was changed to M21A. All variants will accept a 40mm grenade launcher.

The M21 viewed from the left side with stock extended, optical sight and 40mm grenade launcher mounted and 35-shot magazine inserted.

The M21 is seen from the right side with folding stock extended, optical sight and 40mm grenade launcher mounted, and 35-shot polymer magazine inserted.

The M21 seen from the right side with stock folded, optical sight and grenade launcher mounted, and 35-shot magazine inserted.

The M21’s 40mm grenade launcher seen from the left side. Note the grenade sight above it.

The left side of the M21’s receiver illustrating the quick-detachable scope mount and ambidextrous selector. The Top rail appears to be of M1913 style. Note M21’s polymer 30-shot magazine, which weighs only 3.4 ounces (950 grams).

The M21K is seen from the left side with optical sight and laser mounted, 40mm grenade launcher mounted, folding stock extended and 30-shot

magazine in place. Below it is an under-barrel 40mm grenade launcher alone.

The M21K carbine is seen from the right side with 30-shot magazine inserted, and folding stock extended.

Bringing a proven action up to date, the 5.56 NATO caliber M21BS assault rifle features a hard-chrome bore, cold-forged barrel, heavy-duty synthetic stock furniture, polymer magazine, full-length M1913 rail to mount optoelectronic sights, adjustable side-folding stock and optional 40mm UBGL.

M21/M21A, M21S & M21K

Drum is loaded with 75 rounds. It consists of body, cover, feeder with spring, follower, loading handle with pawl, lock piece with spring and clips.

Body joins together all parts of the drum. It has cartridge mouthpiece, feeder shaft, cartridge guide, spiral, a slot for pawl and a hole for loading handle spring end. Cartridge mouthpiece gives direction to cartridges during loading into cartridge chamber. It connects the drum to the receiver. Lateral sides of the mouthpiece are bent together with the cartridge retainer they keep the cartridges from falling out and guide them toward the cartridge chamber. On front side there ia a catch connecting the drum to the receiver. The rear side has a lug which secures the drum in position. View and parts of the drum body: 1- cartridge mouthpiece 2- guide 3- feeder shaft 4- spiral

The M77 In 1997, a new assault rifle was designed. Called the M77, this design was in 7.62x51mm NATO caliber. In 2008, an improved model of the M77, the M77AX, was introduced along with a Light Machine Gun version, the M77 B1AX. Like the M21 family, the M77AX is based on the Kalashnikov system, but uses a slightly heavier folding stock and has a removable M1913style rail on top of the receiver. The M77AX also uses a quad (4) rail handguard/forend, a vertical foregrip and a 25-shot detachable box magazine.

The M77AX (top) is seen from the left with laser sight mounted, stock extended and vertical foregrip in place. Below the M77AX is viewed from the right with an optical sight mounted, its stock folded and 25-shot magazine and vertical foregrip in place.

M77AX

Yugoslavian AK Variants Yugoslavian Model Designation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Automat Automat Automat Automat Automat

M64 M64A M64B 70 M70A

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Automat Automat Automat Automat Automat

M79B1 M70AB2 M70BIN M70AB (Short barrel model) M71

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Automat M77B1 (NATO) Automat M77B1 (NATO) Automat M80A Automat M85 Automat M76 Puskomitraljez M65A Puskomitraljez M65B Puskomitraljez M72

19. 20. 21. 22.

Puskomitraljez M72B1 Puskomitraljez M72AB1 Puskomitraljez M77B1 (NATO) Puskomitraljez M82A

Description 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Standard third model AK-47, with wood buttstock. Same weapon with grenade-launching modifications. Grenade-Iaunching version, with folding buttstock. Improved M64, Improved M64, with folding stock. AKM with wood buttstock. AKM with folding stock.

8. Has scope mount rail for telescopic sights and electro-optical sights located on the left side of the receiver. The selector is

9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

marked “U” (Safe), “R” Automatic and “I” Semi-automatic. Similar to Russian AK-74U. M70 type in 7.62 X 51mm NATO. There are also foldingstock versions of this gun. M70 type in 7.62x51 mm NATO. There are also folding-stock versions of this gun. M70 type AKM in 5.56X45mm. M80 5.56X45mm with folding stock, as in M70AB2.

14. Short barrel model. 15. 7.92X57mm Mauser Sniper version of M70B1. This rifle is semi-automatic only. 16. Light machine gun version of M64, with fixed barrel. This is an RPK-type weapon. 17. Light machine gun version of M64, with quick-change barrel. 18. Light machine gun version of M64, with quick-change barrel. Varient of M70. 19. Light machine gun version of M70A, with fixed barrel. The Yugoslavs make a 75-shot RPK drum for this gun. 20. Light machine gun version of M70AB2, with fixed barrel and folding stock. 21. Light machine gun version of M77, with fixed barrel. This weapon fires the 7.62X51 mm NATO cartridge and is intended for export sales. 22. Light machine gun version of the M80 Cal. 5.45X45. Also offered for export sales.

Glossary Of Terms Assault Rifle. A combat rifle designed to facilitate, or repel assaults, and having the following characteristics: Selective fire, firing an intermediate size rifle cartridge, having a separate pistol grip, straight-line stock, and a detachable magazine. Automatic. A term describing the operation of a self-loading weapon where multiple shots are fired with a single press of the trigger. Usually referred to as full automatic as opposed to semi-automatic. Auto Sear. That part tripping the sear each time the bolt group goes into battery when a weapon (other than a blowback weapon) is fired full automatic. Ballistic Coefficient. The measure of velocity that a bullet retains/loses as it travels through the air. Barrel. That part through which the bullet travels. Barrel Extension. A part containing the locking lugs that screws onto the rear of the barrel of some weapons. Battery. The position of a bolt that is closed with or without a cartridge chambered. Bayonet Lug. A part onto which the bayonet locks. Bolt. That part constituting the locking portion and breech of the weapon.

Bolt Carrier. That part directly housing and traveling with the bolt in some weapons. Bolt Release. A part that releases the bolt from its being locked to the rear. Often a part allowing manual operation. Also serves as Hold-Open Device. Bolt Group. That group of parts comprised by the bolt, bolt carrier, extractor, ejector, firing pin, and assorted springs and pins. Bolt Lug. That section, sections, or segments of a bolt that lock the bolt when closed. Buffer. A device softening the abrupt stopping of the bolt group or operating rod at its rearmost travel. Bullpup Stock. A stock where the action is moved to the rear, reducing overall length. Burst. The firing of several rounds with a single press of the trigger, often limited to 2- or 3-shots by a burst setting on the selector. Burst Memory. A term referring to (for example) a 3-shot burst device where, if only 2 shots are fired, it will fire the third shot the next time the trigger is pressed. This occurs with a device that does not automatically reset when the trigger is released, and “remembers” how many shots were fired. Buttstock. That portion of the stock leading from the receiver to the shoulder.

Buttplate. The metal, synthetic, or rubber pad at the end of the buttstock that contacts the shoulder. Caseless Cartridge. A cartridge not having a separate outer case, but comprised of a hardened propellant with a fixed primer and projectile, such as used in the German G11 assault rifle. Chamber. The rear portion of the barrel that houses the cartridge, or a separate, moving chamber at the rear of the barrel.. Charger. A device that holds ammunition, and from which a magazine is loaded. Sometimes called a stripper clip. Charger Guide. A device that holds a charger in line with the magazine to assist loading. It may be attached to the charger, or separate, or may be part of the weapon to allow reloading a removable or non-removable magazine in the weapon. Clip. A device with no spring or follower that holds ammunition, and is inserted into a magazine of a weapon. Closed-Bolt. A term describing the position of a bolt from which a self-loading, or selective fire weapon is fired. Cocking Handle. That part pulled to the rear to charge (load and cock) the weapon. Cyclic Rate of Fire. Measured as the number of rounds an automatic weapon will fire in one minute.

Detent. A part that holds another part in a particular position. Often a rounded or pointed part that remains in a depression under pressure from a spring until forced out manually. Disconnector. That part that prevents a semi-automatic weapon from firing more than one shot with a single press of the trigger, or a selective fire weapon from firing more than one shot when the selector is set on semiautomatic, or more than a prescribed number of shots when set on burst. Dust Cover. Usually a spring-loaded sheet metal part that covers the ejection port, or a portion of it to prevent debris from entering. Most dust covers are manually closed on a hinge, but some rise vertically under spring pressure as the bolt moves rearward and close as the bolt returns forward. Dust Curtains. Usually two pieces of synthetic material that close back together to seal part of the ejection port after a cocking handle passes between them to seal part of the ejection port. Ejector. That part expelling the empty casing or cartridge from the weapon. Elevation. The vertical movement of a sight to adjust point of impact of the bullet. Exhaust Port. A hole or holes usually in a gas cylinder through which gas is allowed to escape after it is used to operate the mechanism of a weapon.

Extractor. That part pulling the empty casing or loaded cartridge from the chamber. Extractor Groove. The circular groove at the rear of a cartridge case that the extractor claw engages. Feed Device. That element of a weapon that introduces or presents the ammunition. Field Strip. The partial disassembling of a weapon to clean, lubricate, or perform a minor repair that can be done under field conditions. Firing Pin. That part activated by a hammer to strike the primer to fire the cartridge. Fixed Stock. A buttstock that does not move. Flash Hider. A part attached to the muzzle, or the area of the muzzle that contains holes or grooves that minimize the flash of burning gasses as the bullet leaves the barrel. Often combined with a muzzle brake to dampen recoil. Folding Stock. A buttstock that folds to the side of, or under a weapon. Foregrip. A vertical pistol grip like device attached to the bottom of a rifle in place of a handguard, and held by the support hand. Forend. That portion of a one-piece rifle stock that extends forward of the receiver.

Forward Assist. A part on some weapons used to force the bolt forward when a failure to feed, or fully chamber, occurs. Gas Block. That part fixed to the barrel from which gas is bled to operate the weapon. The gas block often houses the front sight. Gas Cylinder. That part normally housing a gas piston, but sometimes referred to as the piston, especially by the British who refer to a fixed piston as a “spigot.” Gas Piston. That part normally found at the forward end of the operating rod or slide that causes initial movement. Usually a solid (male) part, the gas piston is sometimes a hollow (female) part. Gas Port. A hole in the barrel through which expanding gas is bled off to operate the piston/cylinder. Gas Trap. A gas system of operation where no gas port is used, but where gas is trapped after the bullet leaves the muzzle to operate a long-stroke piston. Gas Tube. That part on weapons operating by direct gas that feeds the gas from the gas block to the bolt group. Guide Rod. As opposed to an operating rod that moves with a recoil spring, a guide rod remains stationary as the recoil spring moves back and forth along it. Hammer. That part, either rotating or linear that strikes the firing pin to force it forward.

Handguard. A protective device around the barrel to protect the hand from heat. Heat Shield. A thin metal plate inside of a handguard that blocks and reflects heat away from the handguard. Hold Open Device. That part retaining the bolt, or bolt group to the rear, often after the last shot is fired, but sometimes requiring manual operation. Also serves as Bolt Release. Impinge. To transmit energy from one part to another much like a hammer blow. Jam. A term often used to describe any stoppage or malfunction, but properly used only to describe a major malfunction requiring disassembly, or the use of tools or replacement of parts to correct. Kick. A common term to describe felt recoil to the shoulder. Locking Lug. That portion of a bolt that prevents rearward movement of the bolt when a weapon is fired. Locking Shoulder. That portion of a receiver, or barrel extension against which the locking lug(s) engage. Lower Receiver. A part below the receiver of some weapons housing the pistol grip, firing mechanism, and often the magazine well. Magazine. A feed device with a spring and follower that holds ammunition. A magazine may be removable or non-removable, and can be found in many configurations.

Magazine Release. A button or lever that is manipulated to remove the magazine from the weapon. Magazine well. That section of the weapon into which the magazine is inserted. Main Spring. The spring that causes a hammer, or striker to fire the weapon. Muzzle Brake. A device found at the muzzle that directs escaping gasses so as to dampen or redirect the forces of recoil and/or muzzle rise. NATO STANAG. North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Standardization Agreement. An attempt to standardize major elements of battle equipment between all member nations in order to improve logistics. Non-reciprocating Charging Handle. A charging handle that remains forward when the weapon is fired. Open-Bolt. A term describing the position of a bolt from which a selfloading or selective fire weapon is fired. Open Tip Match (OTM). The term describing a projectile designed to produce a perfect tip using a small hole in the nose to form an aerodynamic point to provide superior accuracy. Operating Rod. Usually a round, rod-like extension often found between the piston and bolt, or bolt carrier. Operating rods can be found in short stroke and long stroke gas piston operated weapons, and sometimes connect directly to the bolt, as in the M14 rifle.

Operating Slide. In a rifle, a part similar to an operating rod, but that slides in grooves, or is otherwise guided, such as in the U.S. M2 Carbine and Ruger Mini-14. In some weapons the operating slide is the rear portion of the operating rod, such as in the U.S. M14. Picatinny Rail. A Weaver-type mounting rail designed by Mr. Richard Swan, of A.R.M.S., Inc., that was standardized for the U.S. Military as M1913 by Picatinny Arsenal in the early 1990’s. Pistol Grip. A pistol-like grip that is normally separate from the buttstock of a rifle. Piston. That part of a gas system that normally rides within a gas cylinder. See Gas Piston. Primer. That element of a cartridge containing a small amount of a sensitive explosive that is struck by the firing pin or striker. Propped Bolt. A bolt locking from the rear at a slight angle. Also called a Tilting Bolt. Propellant. The charge, usually in a powder-like form, that is ignited by a primer to propel the projectile out the barrel of a weapon. Rate Reducer. A device that slows the rate of fire in a full automatic weapon. Receiver. That portion of the weapon that houses the bolt group. Reciprocating Charging Handle. A charging handle that moves back and forth with the bolt.

Recoil. The force emanating from the fired cartridge case that is opposite that of the bullet going down the barrel. This force is transmitted to the rifle and onto the shoulder of the shooter. Recoil Spring. The spring that causes the bolt or bolt group to return forward. Sometimes called the return spring or operating spring. Retractable Stock. A buttstock that slides back and forth on a weapon. Rifling Twist. A term used to describe the rate and direction at which the lands and grooves in a barrel spin the bullet. An example is one turn in 10 inches, right hand twist (1-in-10 inch RHT). Rotating Bolt. A bolt that rotates in order to engage its locking lugs. Safety. A part that, when moved to a designated position, disconnects the mechanism, or blocks its movement to prevent the weapon from being fired. Sear. That part disengaging the hammer or striker to fire the weapon. Selector. A part allowing the mode of fire to be selected, usually by a rotating, or sliding motion. The selector often contains a safety position. Semi-automatic. A term used to describe a self-loading weapon that fires only one shot with each press of the trigger. Sometimes called self-loading.

Slam-Fire. A term used to describe the firing of a blow-back weapon firing from an open bolt position where the forward-moving bolt feeds, chambers, and fires the cartridge in a single motion. Spigot. A term used by the British for a non-moving gas piston that is fixed to a gas block. Stoppage. A term used to describe failure of a weapon to function where such failure can easily be corrected, as opposed to a jam caused by a broken part, or that requires the use of tools to correct. Straight-line. A term describing the relation of the buttstock to the centerline of the bore. Stocks of straight-line design are found on most assault rifles. Striker. A firing pin released directly by the sear to go forward under its own mainspring. A striker uses no hammer. Tappet. A gas piston with an extremely short stroke that impinges energy to an operating rod or slide. Telescoped Cartridge. A cartridge with a case, or shell that encompasses all elements of the round including primer, propellant, and projectile in order to reduce overall length, such as those used in the Steyr and Stoner Advanced Combat Rifle candidates. Tilting Bolt. A bolt that tilts to engage with the locking shoulder, usually at the rear. Also called a propped bolt. Trigger. That part pressed to release, or trip the sear to fire the weapon.

Trigger Guard. A part that surrounds, or partially blocks the trigger to prevent it from being unintentionally moved to cause a discharge of the weapon. Upper Receiver. That part of a weapon that houses the bolt group where there is also a lower receiver housing the trigger group. USSOCOM. United States Special Operations Command, often referred to as SOCOM. Velocity. The speed at which a bullet or part moves. Usually measured in feet or meters per second. Windage. Lateral movement of a sight to adjust point of impact of the bullet. Zero. The adjusting of sights that provides the point-of-aim/point-ofimpact at a specific distance from the weapon.

Index Numerical A | B | C | D | E F | G | H | I | J K | L | M | N | O P | R | S | T | U V | W | X | Y | Z

Numerical .22 Hornet, 23 .22 Long Rifle (5.6×16mm rimfire), 35 .220 Swift, 23 .222 Magnum, 23 .222 Remington cartridge, 20 .222 Remington Magnum, 19 .222 Remington Special, 22 .222 Special, 18 .223 Remington, 22, 23 .224 E2, 22 .224 Springfield, 22 .224 Winchester, 22 .224 Winchester Lightweight Military Rifle, 18 .224-E-2, 23 .224E1, 958 .224E2, 958 .276 Pedersen, 2

.276 Pedersen (7×51.4mm), 9 .280 British, 9 .280/30mm cartridge, 10 .30 (7.62x20mm) Pedersen, 35 .30 Caliber carbine [7.62×33mm] cartridge, 1, 951 .30 FAT1 E3, 9 .30 Model 1906 cartridge, 4 .30 Pedersen Device, 35 .30 U.S. Carbine (7.62×33mm), 35 .30-03, 7 .303 (7.7×56mmR) Short Magazine Lee Enfield, 9 .32 Winchester Self-Loading, 35 .45 Remington-Thompson (11.43×25.4mm), 35 .499 LWRC Conversion, 1074 (Model A) GAL, 547 1918A1 BAR, 929 1918A2 BAR, 929 1918A3 SLR, 932 1944 Avtomat, 706 4.7×21mm, 25 4.73×33mm, 465 472, ZK, 213 5.45×39mm Model 1974 round, 27, 28 5.45×39mm PSP, and PSP-U Cartridge, 808 5.56×45mm NATO, 23, 745 5.6×39mm Soviet, 27 5.6mm Eiger, 889 5.7mm Johnson Spitfire, 948

5.8×42mm, 28, 29 6×45mm SAW, 29 6.35mm NSK, 889 6.5×50.5mmSR Japanese, 5 6.5mm Italian Mannlicher Carcano cartridge, 6 6.8×43mm SPC, 478, 1004, 1073 65K1 (T86K1), 917 65K2 (T65K2), 917 66-136 experimental rifle, 174 6×35mm TSWG, 1091 7×35mm, 17 7×49.15mm, 9 7×57mm Mauser, 6 7.62×40, CETME, CA-002, 15 7.92×40, CETME, CA-001, 15 7.5×38mm cartridge, 17 7.5×43mm, 16 7.5×54mm French, 6 7.5×55.5mm Swiss, 17 7.5×55mm Swiss, 7 7.5mm Kurz Stg. W pat 47, 18 7.5mm Swiss Bern, 17 7.62×39mm M43, 10 7.62×40mm CETME, 15 7.62×42mm, 16 7.62×45mm Czechoslovakian, 10, 11 7.62×51 mm NATO, 8 7.62×51, CETME, CSP-003, Md57, 16

7.62×51, CETME, CSP-OO3, Md63, 16 7.62×51, NATO, espanol, CSP-OO3, Md64, 16 7.62×51mm CETME-NATO, 16 7.62×54mm Russian Rimmed, 7 7.62×63mm (.30-06) United States, 7 7.64×38mm, 17 7.65×27mm, 17 7.65×27mm cartridge, 16 7.65×35mm French Short, 16, 17 7.65mm Swiss Short, 16 7.65×38mm, 853 7.9×40mm CETME, 15 7.92×33mm Kurz, 11, 14 7.92×40, CETME, CAP-001, 15 7.92×44mm caseless cartridge, 16 7.92×57mm Mauser, 7 7.9mm Infanterie Kurz Patrone, 14 7.9mm Maschinenkarabiner Patrone, 14 7.9mm Pistolen Patrone, 14 8mm Lebel model 1896 cartridge, 6 9×40mm, 16 9A-91 Compact Assault Rifle, 799 9×39mm cartridge, 787 9×40mm cartridge, 260

A A-91M Compact Assault Rifle, 783 A-Carbine, 245

A.R.M.S. Rigid Frame, 1059 A.R.M.S., Inc., 663, 1059 AA52 LMG, 306 AAI ACR, 1140 Aberdeen Proving Ground, 20 ABL (Arme Belgique Leger), 78 AC556, 1002 AC556F, 1003 AC556K, 1003 ACE SOCOM Stock, 995 ADS Compact Underwater Assault Rifle, 806 Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG), 1140 Advanced Combat Rifle, 1135 AEK-971, 765 Afanasiev bullpup, 737 AIM/PM63, 693 AIMS-74, 693 AIR MD90, 694 AIWS (Advanced Individual Weapon System), 1140 AK-4, 842 AK-46, 721 AK-47, 46, 707-744 AK-5, 846 AK-55, 521 AK-5B, 846 AK-5C, 846 AK-5CF, 846 AK-5D, 846

AK-5P, 846 AK-63 Assault Rifle, 524 AK-74, 27, 745 AK-9 Assault Rifle, 804 AK44, 852 AK74M, 745 AK74N, 745 AKM, 27, 731 AKMM-63 Assault Rifle, 522 AKMSU, 751 AKS-47, 1173 AKS-74U, 751 AL-43, 259 AL-7, 719, 761 Albania, 39 Albanian Type 56 Assault Rifle, 39 Alexandrov, Yury, 761 AMD-65M 7.62mm Short Assault Rifle, 522 AME 1949, 278 AME 1951, 290 AME Model II, 278 AME Models 1951, 1952, 1954 and 1955 Automatic Rifles, 288 AME Models 1958, T58A4, T58A6, T59A1, T59A2, T59A3 and T59A4, 290 AME Vorgrimler French Automatic Carbines, 278 AMP-69 Assault Rifle, 524 AN-94, 719, 773 Ancion, Jules, 77

AP-Z 67, 221 APS, 805 APS-95, 195 AR-1, 1016 AR-2, 1016 AR-3, 1016 AR-4, 1017 AR-5, 1016, 1017 AR-6, 1018 AR-7, 1018 AR-8, 1018 AR-10, 947, 970, 1013 AR-10A, 1021 AR-10B, 1023 AR-11 (“Stopette”), 1033 AR-12, 1034 AR-13, 1035 AR-14, 1035 AR-15, 47, 1035 AR-16, 1045 AR-18, 63, 501, 1045 AR-47, 1070 AR-M1, 139 ARDEC, 1135 ARES ACR, 1136 ARES Corporation, 1076 ARES Defense, 1101 Argentina, 41

Arisaka, 5 ArmaLite, 18, 22, 23, 1014 Armalite AR-18, 54 ArmaLite Corporation, 1105 Armaments Development and Production Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR), 823 Armee Universal Gewehr (AUG), 1146 Armenia, 51 Armenian Ministry of Defense, 51 Armstech Gas Trap, 1084 Arsenal Joint Stock Company, 137 Artillerie-Inrichtingen, 1028 ARX160, 631 AS VAL, 788 AUG, 61, 62 AUG-A1, 64 AUG-A2, 64 AUG-P, 64 AUG-SA, 64 AUG/ 9mm Carbine, 64 AUG/USR, 65 AUSTEYR F88, 65 Australia, 53 Australian Automatic Arms Pty, 54 Australian Defense Industries, 65 Austria, 61 Auto Ordnance, 958 automat karbin 5 (ak5), 113

Automatic Rifle Misr, 257

B BA-100, 149 BA-63 assault rifle, 149 BA-72, 149 Balalaika, 18 Balashnikov, Israel, 549 Barnes Bullets, 1076 Barrett Firearms, 1073 Bauer, Russell, 1105 Beeching, Dr. Richard, 10 Belgian FNC, 157 Belgian Fusil Automatique Legere (FAL), 497 Belgium, 77 Beretta, 585, 958 Beretta AR70, 46 Beretta Modello 1931, 586 Beretta Modelo 59 Fucile Automatic Leggiero (FAL), 592 Beretta Modelo 59 Truppe Alpini (BM59TA), 592 Beretta Modelo 59 Truppe Paracadutiste (BM59TP), 592 Bern, 17, 18 Berthier rifles, 6 Beryl, 682 Beryl Commando, 688 Birmingham Small Arms Co., 497 Black Hills Ammunition Company, 1069 Blackwater Training Center, 1131

Blowback, 3, 37 BM 58, 590 BM 59 Mark I, 592 BM 59 Mark II, 592 BM 59 Mark III, 592 BM 59, 589 BM 59 Mark Ital, 592 BM 59 Mark Ital-TA, 592 BM 59D, 590 BM 59GL, 590 BM 59R, 590 BM 60CB, 592 Bolivia, 123 Bonderized, 357 Boutelle, Richard, 1014 Brasarms BR-2020 5.56mm Conversion, 128 Brazil, 125 Breda, 1, 582 Breda, Ernesto, 582 BREN, 17, 203, 294 Brint, N. T., 505 Briot, Colonel Maurice, 24 British 4.85mm Enfield, 25, 157 British EM-2, 290 British XL64, 26 Browning Automatic Rifle, 926 Browning, John M., 77 Brunswick Defense Corp., 1058

BSA Model 1937 Lewis Gun, 938 BSA Model 1940, 938 Bulgaria, 137 Bulkin assault rifle AB-46, 715 Bull pup, 63 Bulldog 762, 664, 999 Burma/Myanmar, 149 Burton Solid Bolt Self-Loading Assault Rifle, 1152

C C-Mag, 158 C-More Systems, 1058 C.E.T.M.E., 279, 287, 293 C1, 155 C10, 159 C1A1, 157 C2, 157 C2A2, 157 C3, 157 C6, 157 C7A1, 158 C7CT, 158 C8, 157 C8A1, 158 C8CT, 158 C9, 157 Cadillac Gage, 1044, 1105 CAL, 103

Caliber .30 Carbine, M1, 952 Caliber .30, SR, M1, 952 Canada, 155 Canadian Arsenals Limited, 155 CAR-15, 1050, 1113 Carabine Automatique Légère, 103 Carbine Williams, 953 Carroll, Stan, 505 Carson, Howard, 1105 CAS-14 SOCOM ModStock, 995 Cei Gas Rifle, 575 Cei-Rigotti, Captain Amerigo, 575 Centre d’Estudes d’Armament de Mulhouse (AME), 394 Centre d’Estudes d’Armement de Mulhouse, 277 Centro des Estudios Tecnicos y Materiales Especiales (CETME), 14 CETME, 381, 394 CETME Modelo A, 396 CG AK-5 P, 846 Charlton Automatic Rifle, 651 Chartered Industries of Singapore, 811 Chatellerault M 1924/29 light machine gun, 6 Chauchat-Ribeyrolle Model 1918, 277 chicklet, 1136 Chile, 163 China, 165 China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), 166 Chinese M14, 989 Chinese Norinco CQ rifle, 538

Chinese Type 56, 1173 Chinese Type 63, 1173 Chinn, Col. George, 1019 Chropi (Chropei) Assault Rifle, 519 CIADTIM, 648 CIS, 811 Clarkson, Ralph, 18 Clyde Armory, 1004 Cobb Mfg., 1085 Colt ACR, 1142 Colt Monitor, 929 Colt XM177E2, 158 Commando Tavor Assault Rifle (C.T.A.R.), 568 Compact Rifle 21 (CR21), 826 CONARC, 18, 19, 22, 1022 converting bolt-actions to automatic weapons, 651, 697 Cook Experimental BAR, 932 Cook Rifles, 970 CQ (Model 311), 193 CQ Type 311, 166 CQ-A Assault Rifle, 194 Crabtree, Richard “Rick”, 1001 Crane Naval Station, 1066 Creasey, Major General T. M., 504 Crete, 315 Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 1, 251 Cristobal Automatic Carbine Modelo 2, 252 Croatia, 195

Cross, John, 383, 384, 390, 406, 415 Cuba, 201 Cuban AKM, 201 Cuban FAL, 201 Cugir Arsenal, 693 Cummings, Sam, 1028 Czech Republic, 203 Czech ZK420-S, 884 Czechoslovakia, 203 CZW 556, 235

D Daewoo Precision Industries Ltd., 833 Daniel Defense, 514 DAR 21, 837 DAR 21 (DAEWOO 21), 837 Davis, W.C., 19 DBP87 5.8×42mm Cartridge, 180 Delauney-Belleville rifle, 276 Delayed Blowback, 37 Dementjev assault rifle KB-P-410 (ADS-47), 717 Desaleux, 7 Dessard FAL, 100 Dessard, Pol, 100 Deutsche Waffen- und Munitonfabriken, 14 Diemaco, 157, 1059 DIO S-5.56, 538 DIREX, 864

DMR, 989 Dodds, John, 986 Dominican Republic, 251 Dorchester, Charles H., 18, 1014 Dragunova (SVD), 268 Dresse-Laloux, 77 DSA, Inc., SA58, 117 Dutch MN1 (Galil), 26, 157 Dynamit Nobel, 25

E East Germany, 449 EBO Company, 519 EBR (enhanced battle rifle), 991 Egypt, 257 Elcan, 158 Elcan scope, 159 Electrolux of Australia, 651 EM1, 488, 489 EM2, 489 EM356, 176 EMER K-3, 149 Emer K-Bullpup, 152 EMER K1, 150 End, G., 852 Endurion, 1110 Enfield Lock, 497 Enfield Weapon System, 504

Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) Stock, 1004 Enhanced Carbine Program, SOPMOD, 1066 EX 1, 155 EX 2, 155 Ezell, Dr. Edward C., 381

F F.J. Vollmer & Company, 425 F.N.A. brevetto Pavesi, 587 F.N.M.I., 1051 F88, 56 F88/M203, 56 F88C (Carbine), 56 F88S (Special Receiver), 56 FAA 81, 46 FAA82, 46 Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército (FAMAE), 163 Fabrique Nationale, 9 Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre, 77 Fabrique Nationale FAL, 3 Fabryka Broni, 665 FAD, 659 Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp., 1014 FAL, 80, 123, 131 FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger), 80 FAL PARA III, 43 Falbina, 131 Falcon Industries, 664

Fallschirmjager Gewehr 1942 (FG42), 8, 313 FAMAS, 6, 304 FAMAS 1951B, 6 FAMAS F1 Export, 309 FAMAS F1 Night Vision, 311 FAMAS Gendarmarie, 311 FAMAS Police, 311 FAMAS Semi-automatic, 311 FAMAS Short, 311 FAMAS Simplifie, 311 FAMAS Sniper, 311 FAMME, 6 FAP, 43 FARA 83, 46, 49 Fast Acquision Sight (FAS), 664 Faucon rifle, 275, 276 Faucon, Commandant, 275 FBM Assault Rifle, 123 Federation of Malaysia, 811 Fedorov Avtomat, 6, 697 Fegyver és Gazkeszulekgyar, (FÉG), 521 FERFRANS, 661, 991 FFV “NIVA,”, 848 FG-42, 294, 854, 1136 FG-42 I, 322 FG-42 II, 322 FG-42, or Fallschirmjaegergewehr, 315 Finnish AKs, 262

Finnish Defense Forces (FDF), 274 Firing Line AK47SU, 1172 Flechettes, 1135 FM 1956, FM 1957 & FM1957-60, 841 FMAME, 6 FMAP, 41, 43 FMAP “DM”, 43 FN 2000, 118 FN MAG, 3 FN Modele 1949, 78 FN SCAR, 649 FN FAL, 3, 41, 125, 155, 256, 301, 306, 648 FNC, 106, 109 FNC-76, 112 FNC-80, 113 Foote Rifles, 1158 Forenade Fabrikverken (FFV) Ordnance, 113 Forsvarets Materielverk (FMV), 848 Forte Cadence de Tir, 303 Francotte, August, 77 Frankford Arsenal, 8 Fremont, Robert, 18, 1002, 1015, 1106 French FAMAS, 178, 199, 253 French FAMAS rifle, 26 French Foreign Legion, 303 Fresart, Pirlot et, 77 Fucile Beretta Modello 1937, 586 Furrer, Colonel Adolf, 16, 853

Fusil Automatico Doble, 659 Fusil Automatique (F.A.) MAS, or FAMAS, 305 Fusil Automatique F1 (FAMAS), 275 Fusil Xiuhcoatl, 648 FX-05, 648

G G M/66, 250 G M/75, 250 G1 FAMAS, 311 G11, 1143 G11 rifle, 459 G11K2, 465 G2, 311 G3, 303, 648 G3 Bullpup Rifle, 540 G3 rifle, 293, 459 G36, 466 G36C (Compact), 471 G36K, 471 G3A5, 250 G41, 441 G43, 489 Gaddis, Robert, 1043, 1113 Gaetzi, 17 Gaetzi, I., 852 GAL Assault Rifle, 547 Gal, Lt. Col. Uziel (Uzi), 545

Galil, 195, 266, 545 Galil AR, 823 Galil ARM, 163, 354, 547, 557, 823 Galil SAR, 558 Galili, Israel, 549, 552 Garand, John C., 210 Genovesi, Fillipo, 575 Gerat 01, 383 Gerat 02, 383 Gerat 03, 383 Gerat 04, 383 Gerat 05, 383 Gerat 06, 369, 383 Gerat 06(H), 278, 369, 383 Gerat 07, 383 Gerat 08, 383 Gerat Series, 382 German 4.7mm, 25 German FG-42, 313, 938 German G11, 157 German G3, 256 Gewehr Gewehr Gewehr Gewehr

11, 25 11 (G11), 460 3 (G3), 406 36 (G36), 467

Gibbs, Lt. Col. Joseph W III, USMC (ret.), 1124 Giorgio, Charles, 54 Global War On Terrorism, 1069

GLX160, 631 Goldsmith, Dolf A., 401 Golonani Brigade, 550 GP-11, 854 GP90, 889 GRAM 63 & 63B, 841 Gramsh State Arsenal, 39 Gray, John C., 8 Greece, 519 Grenade launcher, 477 GripPod, 514 Grossfuss MP, 374 Groupment Industriel de Armaments Terrestres, 275, 305 Gustafson, G.A., 19 Gustav Genschow AG, 14 Gwinn Bushmaster, 1159 Gwinn, Mack W. Jr., 1126, 1159

H H&K G36, 648 H&K’s Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR), 465 H&R Guerrilla Rifle, 983 H&R Reising 7.62mm NATO Rifle, 983 Haack, Wolfgang, 15 Haganah Forces, 549 Hall .303, 488 Hance, Sydney R., 501 Hand, Alex, 57

Hansen, Dumoulin Freres Joseph, 77 Harvey, Earle M., 18, 20 Heckler & Koch, 25, 303, 404, 459 Heckler & Koch ACR, 1143 Heckler & Koch Gewehr 3 (G3), 3 Heckler, Edmund, 405 Heinemann rifle, 851 HEL M4, 1065 Henk, Visser, Mr., 384 Herring, Geoffrey, 1101 Heynen, Werner, 394 HK 32, 432 HK AG-C 40×46mm, 477 HK G36, 163, 648 HK G3A3, 163 HK M4, 477 HK MICV, 439 HK33, 303, 432, 435 HK36, 444 HK416, 477 HK416 model D14B, 477 HK417, 480 HK50, 466 HK53, 435, 471 HK54/MP5, 444 HK79 40mm grenade launcher, 471 Holland, MSG Steven J., 1004, 1066, 1073 Horn, V.G., 373

Howa Machinery Company, 637, 1046 HS Produkt, 198 Hsin Ho Machinery Corporation, 917 Human Engineering Laboratory (HEL), 1142 Hungary, 521 Hunneshagen Rifle of 1924, 382 Huon, Jean, 275 Hyde, George J., 953

I I.M. Arms, 1161 IMBEL, 125 India, 527 Indian Army Self-Loading Rifle (IASL), 527 Indian Small Arms System (INSAS), 527 Individual Weapon Program, 498 Indonesia, 531 Infantry Assault Rifle (IAR), 1090 Infantry Weapon Systems (IWS), 497 Ingram Model 63 Assault Rifle, 1155 Ingram, Gordon, 1155 INSAS, 454 Interarmco, 1028 Interarms, 552 Interdynamic MKS and MKR Rifles, 843 intermediate cartridge, 5 Iran, 537 Iranian Defense Industries Organization (DIO), 193, 537

Iranian G3 Rifles, 541 Iranian KLF, KLS, KLT, 541 Iraq, 543 Israeli Galil, 123, 157 Israeli Military Industries, 547 Italy, 575 Izhevsky Zavod, 751 IZHMASH 100 Series, 761, 767

J J. Allen Enterprises, 996 JAE-100, 999 Janson, Stefan K., 489 Januszewski, Capt. Kazimierz, 665 Japan, 637 Jarret, Col. G. B., 8 Jaschka, General, 357 JM Enterprises, 1067 Johnson Auto-Carbine, 944 Johnson Model 1944 LMG, 944 Johnson Rifle, 939, 1018 Johnson semiautomatic rifles, 6 Johnson Spitfire, 958 Johnson, Melvin Maynard, 939 Jun, Wang Zi, 174 Jurek, Bronisław, 666 Jurek’s SJ-57, 666

K K-3 Assault Rifle, 51 K1, 833 K11 dual-caliber air-burst weapon, 839 K2, 833 KAC Battle Rifle, 1078 KAC PDW, 1090 KAC556F, 1003 Kalashnikov, 10 Kalashnikov, Mikhail Timofeyevich, 707 Kalashnikov, V.M., 719 KAM 1, 41 kbk wz.88, 678 KEG rifles, 852 Khaybar KH 2002 Assault Rifle, 538 Kipfer, 18 Kiraly, General Pal, 251, 852, 958 KK-Mpi-69, 457 Knight, C. Reed, 1076 Knight’s Armament Corp. (KAC), 663, 1131 Koch, Theodore, 405 Kon ar-Arma d.o.o., 195 Konstantinov, Alexander, 733, 761 Korobov TKB-517, 711 Korovin assault rifle, 713 Korsac, 488 Koucky, Josef and Frantisek, 208 Krebs Custom, 1172

Krebs KTR-10, 1172 Krieghoff, Henrich, 315

L L-36, 259 L1A1, 53, 497 L1A1 (FAL), 155 L1A1- F1, 53 L2A1, 53 L85A2 Improved, 514 LADA – CZ2000, 228 Lahti, Aimo J., 259 Laloux, René, 505 Lantan Project, 673 LAPA FA Modelo 03, 134 Lawton, Troy, 1073 LCZ Group, 232 Leader Dynamics T2, 54 Leader Propulsion Systems, 54 LeMay, General Curtis E., 1043 Lewis Assault Rifles, 937 Lewis Gun, 937 Lewis, Colonel Isaac, 937 Liegeoise d’Armes, 77 Lilja, Erkki, 260 Lithgow, 53 Lithgow Small Arms Factory, 56 LM4, 823

LM5, 823 Locking Block, 38 Locking Tabs, 38 Lockless Chamber, 38 Lockless principle, 1136 Loffler, Theodor, 394 Long-Stroke Gas Piston, 37 Long-Stroke Piston and Cylinder Via Direct Gas, 37 Lossnitzer, Ott von, 382 Lozo, Salomon Braga, 659 LSS lightweight 12 gauge shotgun module, 473 LSWA1, 159 Ludwig Loewe & Co. of Berlin, 77 Lutz, Colonel David, 1050 Lyttleton Engineering Works (LEW), 823

M M 193, 25 m Lilja, 260 M-96 Expeditionary, 1166 M-FS-14, 995 M1 L.S., 590 M110 Sniper Rifle, 1078 M14 .22 Caliber Mark I, 980 M14 National Match Rifle, 988 M14E1, 979 M14E2 (M14A1), 979 M14M (Modified Service), 989M14 rifle, 49, 972

M16, 123, 129, 256, 1043 M16A1, 25, 250 M17S, 57 M1903 Springfield Rifle, 4 M1913, 64 M193 ball projectiles, 26 M1A2, 956 M1A3, 956 M203 40mm grenade launcher, 309 M21, 989, 1189 M21A5 C-IED/CRAZY HORSE, 994 M21BS, 1192 M21K, 1189 M21S, 1189 M26, 1058 M4 Carbine, 1052 M4A3, 158 M60 GPMG, 3 M62, 266 M62-76, 266 M62-76F, 266 M62-76P, 266 M62-76T, 266 M62-76W, 266 M62P, 266 M62PT, 266 M62S, 266 M64, 1175

M69W, 1105 M70ABX3, 1180 M71, 267 M71 and M71A, 1182 M71S, 267 M76, 266 M77, 1194 M77 B1AX, 1194 M77/82, 1188 M778S, 268 M77AX, 1194 M78, 268 M78/83S, 268 M80, 1185 M80AS, 1188 M82 Short “Bullpup”, 271 M85, 1185 M855, 27 M856, 27 M90, 273, 1188 M90A, 1188 M92, 1181, 1182 M95, 274 M96 Expeditionary Rifle, 1130 M964 FAL, 125 M969 FAP, 125 M969A1 PARA-FAL, 125 MA-1 Survival rifle, 1016

MA-11, 149 MA-12, 150 MA-3, 150 Maadi, 257 MAC Automatic Carbine, 281 MAC Model 1954 Automatic Rifle, 293, 294 MacDonald, Robert, 1042 Madsen Assault Carbine, 245 Madsen Light Automatic Rifle, 247 MAGAL, The, 564 Magpul, 649 Maier, Dr. Karl W., 382, 390 Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Etienne, 275, 305 Manufacture d’Armes de St. Etienne (MAS), 275 Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin (MANURHIN), 303 Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Chatellerault, 277 Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Saint Etienne (MAS) AAT 52, 3 Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Saint-Etienne, 277 Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Tulle, 277 Marcel Devouges, 1 Mark Ital-TP, 595 MAS 1948, 284 MAS 1948,1949,1949A,1949B and 1950P, Automatic Carbines, 282 MAS 1950B and 1951 Automatic Carbines, 285 MAS 48, 16 MAS 49 Machine Carbines, 16 MAS Automatic Rifles 1951A to T62, 294 MAS M1936 rifle, 6

MAS Rifles, 301 Maschinengewehr 51, 7 MAT 1950, 287 MAT 1955/56, 301 MAT Automatic Rifle, Models 1955 and 1956, 301 MAT Model 1950 Automatic Carbine, 286 Mauser, 6 Max 1, 835 Max 2, 835 McMillan Fiberglass Stock Company, 995 MD-86, 694 MD1, 126 MD1 M989, 126 MD2, 129 MD3, 129 MD90, 694 MD97, 694 Meunier rifle, 275 Mexico, 645 MG3, 3 Michault, Jacques, 1014 Micro Galil-Blank, 558 Micro Galil-Special, 557 Micro Tavor Assault Rifle (M.T.A.R.), 568 Mil-Std-1913 Rail, 1064 Miller, Arthur, 1046, 1105 Miller, Col. Burton, 1036 Miller, CWO5 John M., 1067

Miller, John M., 213, 1065 Mini Assault Rifle System (MARS), 1090 Mini Beryl, 686 Mini-14, 1001 Mini-Assault Galil (MAGAL), 564 Mini-Beryl, 684 MINI-THIRTY, 1002 Minimi Light Machine Gun, 26 Mk 12, Mod 0 and Mod 1, 1067 MK 14 Mod 0, 991 Mk 262 Mod 1, 1069 Mk 262, Mod 0, 1069 MK III Lewis, 938 Mk11 Mod 0, 1077 MK14 Mod 0 Stock, 1004 MK2, 201 MK3, 254 MKb 42(W), 342 Model 1891 6.5×50.5mm, 575 Model 1918 BAR, 928 Model 1918 Pedersen Device, 1151 Model 1922 BAR, 928 Model 1937 Lewis Gun, 938 Model 1962, 254, 256 Model 30-18 Browning Automatic Rifle, 1152 Model 38, 253 Model 703, 1051 Model 70B1 and 70AB2, 1178

Model 940, 454 Model B GAL rifles, 548 Model C GAL Assault Rifles, 548 Model P.G., 582 Modelo L and LC, 418 Mondragon, 335, 645, 851 Mondragon, General Manuel, 852 Monte Cassino, 323 Mosin Nagant, 7 MP-40, 315 MPiK, 450 MPiKM, 450 MPiKMS74, 453, 454 MSBS-5.56, 689 MSG, 1004 Murray A.A.R. M2, 1164 Murray, Cris E., 1066, 1073, 1164 Myanmar, 149

N Nagant, Emile et Leon, 77 Nambu, General Kijiro, 637 Nammo SSW, 848 NATO Small Arms Test Control Commission, 24 NATO STANAG (M16) magazine, 65 NATO’s Army Armaments Group, 24 New AR-10A, 1025 New Weapon System, 502

New Zealand, 651 NGM-81 Assault Rifle, 525 North Korea, 655

O Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW), 1059 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) XM29 KE (kinetic energy) module, 473 OC-11 Tiss Assault Rifle, 803 Oerlikon, of Zurich, 851 Ohio Ordnance Works, 932 Olsen, Fred, 8 OPS, Inc., 664, 1131 OTs-14 Groza Weapon System, 795 OVM, 134

P Pakistan, 657 Pakistan Ordnance Factories, 657 Patrone 88, 7 Pavesi Modello 1939, 587 PDW .17 LIBRA, 236 Peck, John, 1014, 1034 People’s Armed Police (PAP), 170 People’s Republic of China (PRC), 165 Perrin, M.D., 19 Peru, 659

Philippine National Police (PNP), 661 Picatinny Rail, 64 Piederit, Lieutenant, 336 Pieper, Henri, 77 Pindad Factory, 532 Pistolengewehr, 16, 17 Piznak, Wil, 210 Plainfield Machine Co., 958 pmK, 668 POF PK-7, 657 Poland, 665 Polte-Werke AG, 14 Polte, of Magdeburg, 340 Poly Technologies Corporation, 166 Popenker, Maxim, 709 Precision Reflex, Inc., 1066 Primary Weapon Systems, 1081 Project “Cez”, 677 Project 50, 466 Project Talk, 675 Project Tantal, 676

R R-1 and R-2, 638, 823, R-3, 638 R-4, 638 R-4 and R-5, 823 R-5, 638

R-5 Carbine, 823 R-6, 638, 823 R-6K, 638 R&M Equipment Co, 65 R4, 195 Rail Adapter System (RAS), 471, 663, 1051, 1064 RAV-02, 1131 Recce Rifle, 1073 Reich Air Ministry, 313 Reising .30 Cal., 953 Reising, Eugene G., 953 Remington .222, 23 Republic of China, 917 Republic of Singapore, 811 Retarded Blowback, 37 Revelli, Captain Bethel Abiel, 575 RH-Alan, 195 Rh4, 416 Rheinisch Wesphalische Sprengstoff AG, 14 Rheinmetall, 413 Ribeyrolle Model 1918, 277 Ricci, G., 575 Rifle 1 (R-1), 823 Rifleman’s Assault Weapon (RAW), 1058 Ring primer, 1146 Rising Chamber, 38, 1139, 1146 RK 95 TP, 274 Robinson Armament, 1070, 1130

Robinson M96, 1130 Robinson XCR, 1166 Robinson, Alex J., 1130 Rock, Michael, 991 Rocking-Lever, 38 Roller-Lock, 38 Roller-Delay, 38 Romania, 693 Rotating Bolt, 38 Rotating chamber, 1143 Rotating Chamber, 38 Royal Ordnance, 508 Royal Ordnance Factory, Radway Green, 499 Royal Small Arms Factory, 489 RPK light machine guns, 27 Rubin, Colonel Eduard Alexander, 16 Ruger, William B., 1001 Rukawishnikov assault rifle AR-46, 712 Russian AK74U, 1182 Russian AKS-74U, 1186

S S-5.56 rifle, 539 S.A.W.S. Program, 1116 SA-48, 129 SA80, 507 SA80A1, 509 SA80A2, 514

Sabhara Law Enforcement Carbine, 534 Sabhara V-1 and V-2, 534 SAFN, 78 SAGE EBR Stock, 664 SAGE, International, 991 Saive, Dieudonne J., 78 SAKO, 259, 263, 266 Salvagio, David, 117 SALVO, 465 SALVO Project, 18 SAR 223, 54 SAR-21, 819 SAR-80, 811 SAR87, 467 SCAR-CQB Stock, 1004 Scheres Spitz — Geschoss, 8 SCHV, 18, 22, 28 SCHV ammunition, 22 Schwarzlose Model 07/12, 252 Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft, 851 Scotti, Alfredo, 579 Seaberger, Phil, 1066 Sefried, Harry, 1002 Seidel, Alex, 405 Seig Assault Rifle, 1153 Seig, James E., 1153 Selective Integrated Rail (S.I.R.) System, 1064 Selective Integrated Rail (SIR) System, 1066, 1131

Serial Bullet Rifle, 1158 SG510-1, 869 SG510-2, 869 SG510-3, 869 SG510-4, 869 SG510-5, 869 SG510-6, 869 SG550 Sniper Rifle, 889 SG551-SWAT, 907 Sharp-shooting Tavor Assault Rifle (S.T.A.R.), 568 Shea, Dan, 401 Shebs, Zalman, 566 Short Recoil, 38 Short Stroke Gas Piston, 37 Shpagin assault rifle model 1944, 712 SHRIKE 5.56, 1094 Siemens-Schuckert Patent of 1929, 382 SIG, 251, 851 SIG 540, 303 SIG 543, 303 SIG 556 Series, 912 SIG AK 53, 861 SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG SIG

AM55/StG 57, 864 Neuhausen, 17 SG 530 and 530-1, 878 SG540, 883 SG540-1, 163 SG541, 888

SIG SG542, 896 SIG SG543, 900 SIG SG550 (Stgw 90), 902 SIG SG550 Sniper Rifle, 905 SIG SG551, 906 SIG SG551-1P, 907 SIG SG552 Commando, 908 SIG-AMT, 869 Silver State Armory, 1074 SIMA Electronica, 659 Simonis, Albert, 77 Simonov, 697 Simonov, S. G., 7 Singapore, 811 Singapore Armed Forces, 817 Singapore Automatic Rifle Model of 1980 (SAR-80), 812 Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STKinetics), 820 SK 46, 852 SKS, 720 SL8-1, 471 Slovak Republic, 203 Small Arms Limited (SAL), 155 Small Caliber High Velocity Cartridges (SCHV), 5, 18, 1029 Smith Enterprises, 663, 994 Snow, Frank, 1034 SOAR (Special Operations Assault Rifle), 994 Soujeluskuntain Ase-Ja Konepaja Oy (SAKO), 259 South Africa, 823

South Korea, 833 SP-1, 531 SP-2, 531 Spandau, 8 Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR), 661 Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR), 1059, 1085 Special Purpose Receiver (SPR), 1066 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR), 1066, 1131 Special Purpose Rifle-Variant, 1131 Speer, Albert, 320, 334 Spitzer, 8 Spitzgeschosse, 8 Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, 23 SPR, 1067 SPR-A, 1067 SPR-V, 1069 Springfield Armory, 129, 996 Springfield Convertible Rifle, 1154 Squad Automatic Weapon, 26 SR 88-A, 818 SR-16, 1079 SR-3 Vikhr, 793 SR-556, 1084 SR-88, 816 SR-88A, 816 SS-109, 115 SS1 [Senapan Serbu 1, “Assault Rifle 1”], 532 SS1 Series, 532

SS1-V2, 532 SS109, 26, 113 SS2 Series, 535 SS2-V1, 535 SS2-V2, 535 SS2-V4, 535 STA8 and A6, 275 Stahle, Wilhelm, 383 STANAG, 3 Stange, Louis, 315 Stecke, Edward, 382 Sterling Armament, Ltd., 812 Sterling Arms, 517 Sterling Assault Rifle 1980 (SAR 80), 517 Sterling Assault Rifle,1987 (SAR 87), 517 Sterling Automatic Rifle, 816 Sterling Limited, 1046 Steyr AUG, 43, 157, 178 Steyr Mannlicher, 63 Steyr Model 95, 587 Steyr MPi 69/81, 64 Steyr-Daimler-Puch, 61, 62 Steyr-Mannlicher ACR, 1146 StG 45 (M), 864 StG 58, 61 StG-44 (MP44), 41 StG. 45 (M), 384 StG.45 (H), 372

StG45(M), 278 Stgw 57, 869 STK SSW, 848 STK, of Singapore, 848 Stoner 62, 1106 Stoner 63, 123, 501, 1108 Stoner 63 Air Force Survival Carbine, 1113 Stoner 63 Machinegun Pods, 1115 Stoner 63A, 1120 Stoner 63A in Vietnam, 1124 Stoner 63A1, 1126 Stoner Rifle-25 (SR-25), 1077 Stoner Weapon System, 1105 Stoner, Eugene, 18, 22, 947, 1015, 1105 Sturm Gewehr 1977, 63 Sturm, Ruger MINI-14, 1001 Sturmgewehr, 1, 333, 720 Sturmgewehr 45, 16 Sturmgewehr 57, 7 Sudayev (Sudaev) assault rifle AS-44, 710 Sulliloy, 1015 Sullivan, George, 1014 Sullivan, James L., 18, 812, 1002, 1015, 1106 SureFire, LLC, 1073 SWAN Rail, 1064 Swan, Richard, 1064, 1131 Swarovski, 1149 Sweden, 841

Switzerland, 851 Szteke, Edward, 665

T T-48 FAL, 155 T20 Rifle, 961 T20E1 Rifle, 961 T20E2 Rifle, 962 T22 Rifle, 962 T223, 432 T22E1 Rifle, 962 T22E2 Rifle, 963 T23 Rifle, 963 T24 Rifle, 963 T25 Rifle, 964 T27 Rifle, 964 T28 Rifle, 966 T31 Rifle, 966 T33 Rifle, 966 T34 Automatic Rifle, 931 T34 Rifle, 967 T35 Rifle, 967 T36 Rifle, 967 T37 Rifle, 967 T44 Rifle, 967 T47 Rifle, 970 T48 Rifle, 88, 970 T65, 8, 864

T65 cartridge, 497 T65K2, 60 Tabuk Assault Rifle, 543 Taiwan, 917 Tarble, Jerry, 1115 Tavor Assault Rifle (T.A.R.)-21, 566 Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), 1074, 1091 Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, 976 Thorpe, Stanley, 489 Tilting, or Propped Bolt, 38 Toggle Lock, 38 Tokarev, 4, 697 Tokarev, F. V., 7 Tomark Industries, 425 Trijicon, 1140 Tritubes, 303 Troy Industries, 991, 996 Truby, J. David, 937 Truvelo Raptor Infantry Rifle, 830 TRW .223 caliber M14, 983 TRW Low Maintenance Rifle, 1157 Turner, Russel J., 953 Type 03 (QBZ-03) Assault Rifle, 190 Type 56, 165 Type 56-1, 168 Type 56-C Carbine (QBZ-56C), 170 Type 56-II, 168 Type 57, 917, 991

Type 57 (T57), 917 Type 58A & B, 655 Type 63 Assault Rifle, 171 Type 64, 640 Type 64 Assault Rifle, 637 Type 68, 171, 655 Type 81 and 81-1 Assault Rifles, 173 Type 81 assault rifle, 29 Type 84S, 168 Type 86, 178 Type 86 (T86), 920 Type 87, 29, 180 Type 87 Weapon Family, 29 Type 87A (QBZ-87, 87A), 180 Type 87A rifle, 29 Type 88, 168, 655 Type 89 Assault Rifle, 641 Type 91, 921 Type 95, 167, 183 Type 97, 183

U U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S.

Carbine, caliber .30, M1A1, 955 Carbine, caliber .30, M2, 956 Carbine, caliber .30, M3, 957 M14, 3, 256, 917

U.S. Rifle, caliber .30 M1 (Garand), 959 U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), 1131

U.S. XM-29 OICW, 839 Ukraine, 923 Ukrainian National Space Agency, 923 UP-Z 70, 221

V Vaclev Holek, 203 Valmet, 263, 266 Van Hee, Paul, 1105 VEKTOR CR21, 826 Vepr Assault Rifle, 923 VHS Assault Rifle, 196 VHS-D, 198 VHS-K, 198 Vietcong M14 Conversion, 983 Vietnam, 1173 Visser, Henk L., 390, 401, 1126 Vltor Weapon Systems, 995 Vorgrimler, Ludwig, 279, 287, 290, 381, 394, 864, 958 Vorsatz J, 367 Voss, Dr. Guenther, 15 VSK-94 Sniper Rifle, 801 VSS Vintorez, 788, 789 Vukovic, Marko, 198 vz. 58, 218 vz.52 Lehky kulomet, 11 vz.52 Samonabijeci puska, 11, 215

W Waffenfabrik Bern, 16, 851 Waffenfabrik, Carl Walther, 341 Walther Maschinenkarabiner (MKb), 342 Warin, Francis, 1140 WASR-10, 696 Waters, Frank, 812 Weeks, Colonel John, 504 Weir, Robert, 1094 West German G1, 61 Western Cartridge, 8 Westrom, Mark, 1066 Wieger Model 942, 454 Wiesa, 450 Williams, Anthony, 709 Williams, David Marshal, 953 Wilson, Doc, 1033 Winchester Automatic Rifle, 963 Winchester Light Weight Military Rifle, 958 Winchester Model 1905 self-loading rifles, 35 Wyman, General Willard G., 18, 1033 wz.89 Onyks, 680

X XGI, 1002, 1004 XL64E5 Individual Weapon, 25 XM25, 989

XM320 40mm grenade launcher, 473 XM777 and XM778 projectiles, 26 XM777 ball projectile, 26 XM778 tracer projectile, 26 XM8, 473

Y Yugoslavia, 1175

Z Z.B. 26, 203 Z.B. 29, 203 Zavasta, 1175 ZFG-42, 329 ZK 412, 205 ZK 420-S, 208 ZK 423, 205 ZK 503, CZ 515 and CZ 522, 216