BLACKproject

cutted pic problem

2009-05-17T10:53:00.002+07:00

as you can see. in my blog there are some pics that are not resized sorry for that. I'm not a 'just-type-with-putting-some-pics' type blogger. i type them all at word first then just copy paste it. now i'll resize the pic so my blog will much comfortable

2009-05-16T23:24:00.000+07:00

AMSD OM 50 Nemesis sniper rifle (Switzerland)

OM 50 Nemesis rifle, prototype
image: AMSD, Switzerland

OM 50 Nemesis Mk III rifle (production version) with replacement barrels and silencer (shown next to the rifle)
image: AMSD, Switzerland

	OM 50 Nemesis Mk I	OM 50 Nemesis Mk II	OM 50 Nemesis Mk III
Caliber	.50 BMG (12,7x99)
Operation:	bolt action, single shot	bolt action, magazine-fed repeater
Overall length	from 1029 mm (with 381mm barrel) to 1562 mm (with 838mm barrel)	buttstock fully extended: from 1029 mm (with 381mm barrel) to 1562 mm (with 838mm barrel) buttstock folded: from 774 mm (with 381mm barrel) to 1232 mm (with 838mm barrel)
Barrel length	381 to 838 mm (15" to 33"), changeable
Weight, empty	10 to 15 kg, depending on installed barrel
Feed system	single shot	5-round detachable box magazine

The concept, for what later became the "Nemesis" large caliber sniper rifle, was devised in 2001 by two former military, the retired US Marine Corps officer, James Owens and the Swiss Chris Movigliatti. First prototype was tested only 3 months after the design inception. In 2003, first production batch of rifles was made by AMSD, a Swiss company, highly specialized in the design of precision military light armament. The new weapon was officially christened as the OM 50 Nemesis (OM standing for names of the designers, 50 for caliber and Nemesis for the ancient Greek goddess of justice and vengeance).
The prime niche for this new weapon is precision anti-material shooting for military and police applications. The weapon can be configured as well for urban warfare as for long range target operations. A civilian version exists also for long range precision shooting. For this reason, the OM 50 Nemesis rifle features a fully modular design with three basic versions, known as Mk I, MK II and Mk III respectively. Each of these versions can be fitted with a variety of quick-change barrels, of different profiles and lengths, as well as with different add-ons (high efficiency muzzle brakes or detachable silencers / sound moderators). Barrel lengths vary from 381 mm / 15 inches for short range (urban) shooting against hardened targets and up to 838 mm / 33 inches for accurate long-range shooting. Barrel change can be accomplished in the field in less than 2 minutes, using a DIN screwdriver.

All OM 50 Nemesis rifles are built around the same aviation grade aluminum-alloy receiver and (steel) bolt group with a manually operated, rotary bolt. Bolt heads lock directly into the barrel extension with three radial lugs, relieving receiver from most of the stress and providing constant headspace, needing no adjustment. Barrels are free-floated, and are held in the receiver by a set of cross-screws. Trigger is of two-stage type, fully adjustable. The forend is attached to the receiver. Top of receiver is provided with one or more Picatinny type rails which can accept a variety of telescope and other accessories (laser; Night Sight; light). The top rail can be delivered with a 20 MOA to 40 MOA angle.
The OM 50 Nemesis Mk I has a manual feeding block, and features an adjustable fixed buttstock. It can be upgraded to the OM 50 Mk II configuration by taking out the manual feeding block and replacing/adding (1) the 5-round detachable box magazine, (2) the side-folding adjustable buttstock, (3) the folding bipod (attached to forend) and (4) the rear folding monopod (attached to the buttstock). Further upgrade, which includes extended forend with additional Picatinny rails, constitutes the OM 50 Mk III configuration. Depending on the mission, a particular version of the OM 50 Nemesis can be easily converted by the operator to another (up and down), with installation or deinstallation of necessary parts and modules.

Accuracy of the OM 50 rifles in field (real-life) conditions is described as 0,5 MOA at 300 meters and sub 1 MOA at 1000 meters; in testing, while fired by an experienced USMC sniper, OM 50 rifle shot 6x5 cm (about 2 1/2 inch) groups at 1000 yards (911 meters), which accounts for sub 0,25 MOA accuracy. The gun has already been commissioned with various police and military special operation forces.

Special thanks to Christian R. Vermeulen (Switzerland) for information

2009-05-16T23:15:00.000+07:00

GM-94 grenade launcher (Russia)

GM-94 grenade launcher in ready position

GM-94 launcher with barrel opened forward for reloading, and shoulder stock folded

Caliber: 43mm
Type: multi-shot, manually reloading, cartridge firing
Overall length: 810 mm (540mm with shoulder stock folded)
Weight: 4.8 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 300 m
Magazine capacity: 3 rounds

GM-94 grenade launcher is a relatively recent development of famous Rusian KBP design bureau, located in the city of Tula. It is intended mostly for various Spetsnaz elements of Russian army, FSB (Federal Security service) and MVD (Internal Affairs Ministry). GM-94 is a weapon for urban warfare - its main goal is to provide troops with short and very short range weapon firing high explosive and non-lethal (tear gas) shells. It uses proprietary 43mm ammunition, available in several loadings, with non-fragmenting HE (FAE / thermobaric) warhead, les-lethal (tear gas canister or rubber slug), and several others. The key feature of HE warhead is that it is made mostly of plastic, and its primary kill effect is achieved by the blast (high temperature and high pressure). Kill radius is said to be about 3 meters, while safe standoff (minimal range of fire) range is only few meters more. Therefore, such ammunition can be safely used during room-to-room searches from very short range, without the danger of hitting the operator or his teammates with occasional fragments.

GM-94 is manually operated, magazine fed weapon. Tubular magazine holds three rounds and is located above the barrel. Magazine loading gate is located at the top of the receiver. The sliding, rifled barrel is located below the receiver. Breech of the weapon is stationary, and for reloading barrel is moved forward (to eject spent case), then moved rearward to load fresh round from magazine above. Barrel is enclosed into polymer heatshield / handguard. GM-94 is fitted with double-action trigger and manual safety. Sights are of open type, with flip-up rear. Shoulder stock is made from steel tube and is fitted with rubber buttpad. For more compact transportation and storage shoulder stock can be folded up and forward. In emergency situations GM-94 can be fired with shoulder stock folded, from off-hand position. Alternatively, GM-94 can be supplied with fixed, skeleton type buttstock made of plastic.
43mm VGM-93 grenade weights about 250 gram and contains up to 160 gram of thermobaric explosive mixture. Muzzle velocity is about 85 m/s. With direct hit, it can destroy armor plates up to 8mm (~1/3 of an inch) thick.

2009-05-16T21:48:00.000+07:00

AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher (Russia / USSR)

AGS-17 grenade launcher on 6T8 tripod

AGS-17 grenade launcher, close-up view

Close-up view on the receiver of AGS-17. Clearly visible are dual grips, optical sights, ballistic table (printed on the receiver top cover) and charging handle (hanging on the short steel cable from the rear of the receiver).

Caliber: 30x29B
Type: blowback operated, belt fed automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 840 mm
Weight: 18 kg gun plus 12 kg tripod 6T8
Effective range: up to 800 m point targets; 1700 m maximum range
Rate of fire: 350-400 rounds per minute

Development of the AGS-17 (Avtomatischeskyi Granatmyot Stankovyi - Automatic Grenade launcher, Mounted) has been started USSR during in 1967 by the OKB-16 design bureau (now it is famous KBP - Instrument Design Bureau, located in the city of Tula). Most probably, its development was inspired by the Soviet-Chinese border clashes of late 1960s, as well as initial experience with several US automatic grenade launchers, learned from North Vietnamese troops who often were on receiving end of these formidable weapons. It was through that the automatic grenade launcher is one of the most effective infantry support weapons against typical Chinese "human wave" attacks. This lightweight weapon was to provide infantry with close to medium range fire support against enemy personnel and unarmored targets like trucks and other such equipment. First prototypes of new weapon entered trials in 1969, and mass production commenced in 1971. At the same timeframe, the special heliborne version AG-17 was developed for installation on Mi-24 Hind gunship helicopters. Never used against Chinese, AGS-17 was widely used by Soviet troops in Afghanistan as a ground support weapon or as a vehicle weapon on improvised mounts installed on armored personnel carriers and trucks. It is still in use with Russian army as a direct fire support weapon for infantry troops; it is also installed in several vehicle mounts and turrets along with machine guns, guided rocket launchers and sighting equipment. A special airborne version AG-17A was installed in door mounts of several Mi-8 Hip combat transport helicopters, and on gun pods used on late model Mi-24 Hind gunships; this weapon had thick aluminium jacket on the barrel and used a special mount and electric remotely controlled trigger.
AGS-17 may look inferior ballistically to its major rival, American Mk.19 mod.3 grenade launcher, as it has somewhat lighter grenade with smaller muzzle velocity and slightly shorter range; the selection of available ammunition is also much less versatile as the only mass-made 30mm rounds for AGS-17 are VOG-17 and improved VOG-30, fragmentation antipersonnel grenades with lethal damage / kill zone radius of about 7-9 meters. However, in ready to fire position AGS-17 is almost two times lighter than Mk.19 mod.3 and thus can be easily moved and maneuvered across the battlefield by the crew of two men.
AGS-17 is manufactured in Russia by the Molot Engineering Plant JSC, as well as in China by state factories and in Serbia (former Yugoslavia).

AGS-17 is air cooled, belt fed, blowback operated grenade machine gun / launcher. AGS-17 fires from open bolt and uses non-disintegrating steel belts with open pockets. Upon the closing movement of the bolt, fresh round is pushed forward into the barrel from its loading position; empty cases are ejected to the bottom. AGS-17 is fed from special belt drums that hold 29 linked rounds. Loaded belt drum weights about 14 kg (31 lbs). To reduce rate of fire and decrease dispersion, bolt of AGS-17 is fitted with hydraulic recoil buffer. In its infantry applications, gun is controlled by two horizontal spade grips with the trigger between them. T-shaped charging handle is located at the rear of the receiver and is linked to the bolt by the steel cable and special carrier; handle does not move when gun is fired. Standard sight is 2.7X magnification PAG-17 optical; it has a range-finding reticule, and top cover of each gun has a ballistic table for both direct and indirect fire. Standard mount is SAG-17 (official designation 6T8); it is a tripod with adjustable height and traverse and elevation mechanisms, including fine adjustment elements. For transportation and carry tripod can be folded and carried as a backpack using supplied slings. The AGS-17 gun also can be carried in a special backpack; this allows the complete weapon to be transported "on foot" by the crew of two men. Assembled weapon also can be carried trough battlefield for shorter ranges

2009-05-16T21:42:00.002+07:00

"Balkan" 6G27 automatic grenade launcher (Russia)

"Balkan" automatic grenade launcher

"Balkan" automatic grenade launcher, with belt drum attached

7P39 40mm caseless ammunition for "Balkan" automatic grenade launcher loaded in belt

7P39 40mm caseless grenade: cut-out view and rear view (right)

Caliber: 40mm
Type: automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: n/a
Weight: 32 kg unloaded on tripod + 14 kg loaded box with 20 rounds
Effective range: up to 2500 m
Rate of fire: 400 rounds per minute

The development of a new Soviet automatic grenade launcher, which should have been more powerful than then (and now) standard AGS-17, was initiated in about 1980. New weapon was developed along with the new 40mm 'caseless' grenade ammunition, similar in concept to the VOG-25 rounds developed for GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher, but of large size and thus more powerful. The development was conducted between Central Bureau of Sporting and Hunting guns (TSKIB SOO) in Tula, which was responsible for weapon, and GNPP "Pribor", which was responsible for ammunition. Early prototypes were known as TKB-0134, but during late eighties its development stalled due to poor economical situation and general turmoil caused by the dissolution of the Soviet Union. During early 1990s the project was resurrected under the 'Balkan' codename, and its development then dragged on slowly for almost 20 years. It seems that this slow development now is almost complete, as recently (summer 2008) GNPP "Pribor", which is now a prime contractor for 'Balkan' project, has demonstrated prototype of the 6G27 40mm grenade launcher and associated 7P39 40mm caseless ammunition during IDELF-2008 military exhibition in Moscow. According to the manufacturer, the Balkan grenade launcher and its ammunition are now undergoing official Army trials and are almost ready for adoption and mass production. Compared to the current Russian 30mm automatic grenade launchers AGS-17 and AGS-30, the Balkan possess extended maximum range (2,500 meters as opposed to 1,700 meters for 30mm guns) and fires heavier grenade which is significantly more effective.

Reliable information about the design of the Balkan grenade launcher is not yet available, but it appears that it shares the basic design of the early TKB-0134 grenade launcher, and thus, unlike most other weapons in its class, is gas operated and uses rotary bolt locking. Balkan uses specially developed 40mm "caseless" ammunition. More properly, the cartridge case for propellant load is integral to the projectile and flies away through the barrel; powder gases emerge into the barrel through four apertures in the base of projectile, as in the small rocket). Since powder gases emerge directly into the barrel, Balkan's firing pin also serves as a gas piston; after the discharge, gas pressure in the barrel forces the firing pin back. Since the firing pin is rigidly connected to the bolt carrier, this causes bolt carrier to retract, and in turn to rotate and unlock the bolt. Once the bolt is unlocked, the bolt group is free to recoil under the residual pressure and accumulated inertia of the bolt carrier. Gun fires from open bolt. Feed is from special disintegrating belts, from right side. Belts are factory-loaded and supplied to troops in special canisters, each holding two belts with 40 rounds. For combat use, belts are loaded into 20-round drum containers, which are attached to the right side of the gun. Firing controls include dual horizontal spade grips with thumb trigger in the middle, and a large cocking handle on the right side of the weapon. Balkan is equipped with optical sight and also can have back-up iron sights. The standard mounting is a tripod, inherited from AGS-17 and improved with introduction of the gunner's seat at the rear. It is possible that, once adopted, the Balkan grenade launcher will also be installed on various vehicle mountings as well.

2009-05-16T21:42:00.001+07:00

AGS-30 grenade launcher / machine gun (Russia)

AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher on standard tripod; the vertical projection installed on tripod at the right side hosts folding carrying handle which allows to haul the weapon over the battlefield in ready to fire position.

Russian soldier fires the AGS-30 grenade launcher

Caliber: 30x29B
Type: blowback operated, belt fed automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 1100 mm
Weight: 16 kg gun complete with tripod
Effective range: up to 800 m point targets; 1700 m maximum range
Rate of fire: 400 rounds per minute

AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher has been developed by the famous KBP (Instrument Design Bureau) as a more lightweight alternative to the already proven and successful AGS-17 weapon of same caliber. Development started in early 1990s, with first produced weapons appearing by 1999. Today AGS-30 is being manufactured by ZID factory in the city of Kovrov (Russia) and is being issued to Russian army and several special purpose Internal Affairs Ministry units. Compared to AGS-17, AGS-30 is almost two times lighter (16 kg with tripod, 30 kg loaded with 29 rounds of ammunition in standard belt drum). It can be easily carried trough battlefield by a single man; its proprietary lightweight mounts provides wide arc of fire and allows for indirect fire at longer distances. This weapon is used mostly in infantry fire support applications, and also is installed on several Infantry Combat Vehicles of recent Russian manufacture. In vehicle applications, AGS-30 is usually installed in remotely controlled mounts or turrets, and is equipped with electric trigger unit.

AGS-30 is air cooled, belt fed, advanced primer ignition blowback operated grenade machine gun / launcher. AGS-30 fires from open bolt and uses non-disintegrating steel belts with open pockets. Upon the closing movement of the bolt, fresh round is pushed forward into the barrel from its loading position; empty cases are ejected to the bottom. AGS-30 is fed from special belt drums that hold 29 linked rounds, same as used in AGS-17. Loaded belt drum weights about 14 kg (31 lbs). Interestingly, spade grips are installed on the gun cradle integral to tripod, instead of the gun body; trigger is located at the right spade grip. AGS-30 can fire in single shots and full automatic modes. Standard sighting equipment is 2.7X magnification PAG-17 optical sight; backup iron sights also provided.

2009-05-16T21:39:00.000+07:00

MM-1 40mm grenade launcher (USA)

Caliber: 40x46mm
Type: multi-shot, revolver type
Overall length: 635 mm
Weight: 5.7 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 150 m point targets, up to 350 m area targets
Capacity: 12 rounds

The MM-1 revolver grenade launcher is manufactured in USA by the Hawk Engineering Co, and is in use by Special Forces of USA, as well as of several South American and African countries. While MM-1 may look much like upscaled Milkor MGL grenade launcher, most probably the MM-1 traces its ancestry back to the Manville machine projector, a revolver-type 20-shot tear gas gun, developed in USA for police use before the Second World War. The MM-1, while being relatively heavy and quite bulky, can provide devastating firepower, with practical rate of fire as much as 30 rounds per minute. It may be very useful in ambushes and other fast-pacing close combat scenarios.

MM-1 is a revolver-type weapon, with the heavy cylinder being rotated for each shot by the clockwork-type spring. Spring is wound manually during the reloading. To reload the cylinder, the rear part of the gun is released and rotated sideways to expose the rear of the cylinder, which is connected to the front part of the frame and barrel.

2009-05-16T21:33:00.000+07:00

XM25 grenade launcher / air bursting assault weapon (USA)

XM25 grenade launcher prototype (possibly mock-up)
Image: ATK Corp.

another XM25 grenade launcher mock-up

XM25 mock-up demonstrator

25mm ammunition for XM25: left TP (practice), right HEAB (air bursting)

Caliber: 25mm
Type: semiautomatic, magazine fed
Overall length: n/a
Weight: less than 5.45 kg (12 lbs) unloaded
Effective range: up to 500 m against point targets, up to 700 m against area targets
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds

The XM25 is being developed by the ATK corporation of USA, with the help of the famous German arms manufacturer Heckler und Koch. The XM25 semiautomatic grenade launcher (air bursting assault weapon in the manufacturer's terms) is a direct result of the American XM29 OICW program, which has been suspended in 2004 due to impossibility of reaching weight goals, and subsequently split up into two OICW Block 1 systems - the XM8 5.56mm modular carbine, and the XM25 25mm semiautomatic grenade launcher, along with XM104 target acquisition / fire control system (FA/FCS, also known as 'computerized sight'). It is possible that in the future the XM8, XM25 and XM104 will be again combined into single modular system. However, current plans are to produce and test XM25/XM104 system as a stand-alone weapon, which will greatly improve the firepower of every infantry squad. The 25mm HEAB (High Explosive Air Burst) programmable ammunition will have at least three times longer effective range against point target, when compared with current 40mm systems such as M203 single-shot or Milkor Mk.1 multi-shot grenade launchers. It also will improve lethality and hit probability thanks to the rage-finding day/night sight, combined with ballistic computer, which will automatically pre-set the aiming reticle in the sight for measured range and program the 25mm grenades to explode in air exactly over or next to the target. The point-detonating capability also will be retained for back-up or anti-vehicle operations. The 25mm ammunition, used in XM25, will share the HEAB warheads with the 25mm crew-served XM307 OCSW weapon, but the cartridge will be shorter, to provide slower velocity and less recoil. XM25 also will be provided with other than HEAB ammunition options, such as FAE/thermobaric and HEAT (armor piercing, with penetration up to 50mm/2inch of RHA) point-detonating warheads for anti-personnel and anti-vehicle use, as well as canister flechette rounds (loaded with multiple steel darts for close combat). Training and less-lethal ammunition also is planned for XM25.

As the XM25 is a stand-alone weapon, its operator (grenadier) will have to carry an additional personal defense weapon, such as pistol or a carbine. Current plans are to issue about two XM25 weapons to infantry squad. It also must be noted that XM25 will not replace neither M249 SAW / light machine guns, nor the 40mm underbarrel grenade launchers (current issue M203 or proposed XM320 single shot add-on shot weapons).

The XM25 is a gas operated, rotating bolt, semiautomatic weapon. It is designed using bullpup layout, with the magazine and bolt located in the buttstock. The weapon housing is made from impact-resistant polymer. The ejection windows for spent cartridge cases are located on both sides of weapon; at any moment, however, only one ejection window is used, the other being closed by the integral dust cover. This, along with ambidextrous controls, allows the operator to fire XM25 from either shoulder, as required. The top of the weapon is fitted with the rail and electronic interface, and will accept XM104 TA/FCS sight unit. The interface is required to provide range information for programming unit, which sets up the grenade airburst fuse at the instant of firing. The XM104 sighting unit is battery-operated, but, shall it fail due to battery run-out or damage, the XM25 could still be used as a direct-fire weapon with the grenades automatically set to point-impact detonation mode. The additional fire mode, rangefinding and sight control buttons are located at the front of the enlarged triggerguard. XM25 uses detachable, single stack magazines, which hold 6 rounds.

2009-05-16T21:29:00.000+07:00

DENEL PAW-20 "Neopup" handheld grenade launcher (South-Africa)

PAW-20 grenade launcher, right side. Note that it has dual Picatinny rails which host collimating (red dot) sight at left, and a laser pointer at right

PAW-20 with night vision sight and laser pointer. Note that magazine projects well below its housing

representative of DENEL Corp demonstrates PAW-20 weapon

20mm ammunition for PAW-20 grenade launcher (shown are High Explosive Incendiary rounds)

Caliber: 20x42
Type: semiautomatic, magazine fed
Overall length: 845 mm
Weight: 5.9 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 1000 m (area targets)
Magazine capacity: 7 rounds

PAW-20 (PAW stands for Personal Assault Weapon) is a most recent development of the South-African company Gemaco Elbree Pty Ltd, and is marketed by South African military corporation DENEL. Ammunition of new type, developed for PAW-20, is produced by the PMP - DENEL munitions. While in some advertising texts the PAW-20 was listed as a "new assault rifle", it is obviously not a true assault rifle, but, rather a semi-automatic grenade launcher, which is intended as an infantry support weapon. PAW-20 fires specially developed explosive ammunition of 20mm caliber, using relatively short, straight cartridge cases. Muzzle velocity is about 300 m/s, which is quite low by artillery standards but rather high by standards of hand-held grenade launchers. Intended targets for PAW-20 are infantry in the open and behind light covers, as well as unarmored or lightly armored vehicles and thin-walled buildings. While maximum effective range for PAW-20 is given as 1000 meters, it is obviously stated for "area" targets such as groups of soldiers; against point targets like cars or machine gun nests, effective range will be much less probably no more than 300-400 meters - unless gun will be used in conjunction with laser rangefinder and computerized sight with built-in ballistic calculator.
Standard ammunition at this time is available in HE, HE-I and TP (practice) variety, with other types being in development. Weight of the round warhead is listed as 105 gram, and it seems that new round consists of a standard 20mm projectile (as used in aircraft cannons) loaded into short, straight-walled case of 42mm length. All ammunition is point-detonating only, unlike the American XM-25, to which PAW-20 is a direct competitor.

PAW-20 is semiautomatic, gas operated weapon with rotary bolt locking. The entire barrel / bolt group is allowed to recoil within the polymer gun housing for about 75mm (3"), in attempt to decrease peak recoil down to manageable level. General layout of the gun is somewhat unusual as the pistol grip with the trigger is located at the right side of the receiver. Gun is fed from detachable box magazines which hold 7 rounds of ammunition. Empty cartridge cases are ejected through the window on the left side of the weapon, right in the front of the firer's face. Sighting equipment is installed on two Picatinny-type rails located in parallel at the top of the gun housing. Preferred sighting arrangement seems to be a red-dot type collimating sight, but other sight options also available

2009-05-16T21:25:00.001+07:00

RPG-22 antitank disposable grenade launcher / rocket-propelled grenade (USSR / Russia)

RPG-22 rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade (drawing from original manual)

RPG-22 rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade, cut-out sample

Caliber: 72.5 mm
Type: rocket
Overall length: 755 / 850 mm
Weight: 2.7 kg complete
Effective range: up to 160 m
Armour penetration: ~400 mm RHA

The RPG-22 rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade is an improved version of the earlier RPG-18 weapon. It was designed during late seventies and adopted by Soviet army in 1980. Production of the RPG-22 ceased in around 1993, as its penetration was found to be insufficient and it was replaced in production by more powerful RPG-26 rocket-propelled grenade. Due to the large stocks of the RPG-22, produced during its time, it served with Russian army for some more years, and few may still be stored somewhere in Russian army reserves. It also can be found in service with other armies of the ex-USSR countries. Key improvements of the RPG-22 over the RPG-18 included more powerful rocket motor, redesigned launcher tube and warhead of larger caliber, with bigger charge of explosive, to provide rougly 25% increase in armour piercing capability.

The RPG-22 is a disposable, single shot rocket launcher pre-loaded with fin-stabilized rocket. The smoothbore barrel / container is made from two parts, main tube and a telescoping forward extension, which slides over the barrel, both made of fiberglass. The rocket is contained in the barrel tube, and its solid-fuel motor burns out completely within the barrel. Because the barrel is open at the rear to avoid recoil, there is a dangerous backblast area behind the firing weapon, at least 15 meters (45 ft) long. In transport/storage mode both ends of the barrel are closed by the front and rear covers, which are opened automatically when outer extension is pulled out. Firing mechanism is cocked manually by rising the rear sight; lovering the rear sight de-cocks the firing mechanism so the grenade can be brough back to safe mode if the there's no immediate target. The rocket is fin-stabilized (with four switch-blade like fins at the rear), and its solid-propellant motor burns out completely while rocket is still in the barrel, accelerating it to about 133 m/s. The shaped charge (HEAT) warhead is loaded with 360 gram of explosive charge, resulting in armor penetration of up to 400 mm of homogenous steel armor.

2009-05-16T21:23:00.001+07:00

antitank disposable grenade launcher / rocket-propelled grenade RPG-18 (USSR / Russia)

RPG-18 rocket-propelled grenade; top, launcher in ready to fire position, bottom - launcher in collapsed position, cut-out to show the grenade inside

Caliber: 64 mm
Type: rocket
Overall length: 705 mm when stored, 1050 mm in ready to fire position
Weight: 2.6 kg complete
Effective range: up to 150 m
Armour penetration: ~ 300 mm RHA

The RPG-18 (Rocket Propelled Grenade in Soviet / Russian nomenclature, as it was considered as a single round of ammunition [grenade] rather than a weapon [grenade launcher]) was adopted by Soviet army in 1972. Most probably, its development was inspired by US-made M72 LAW disposable anti-tank weapons, which saw significant use during Vietnam war. Indeed, the RPG-18 bears more than passing resemblance to the M72 LAW in its design and appearance. The RPG-18 was produced for Soviet (and later Russian) army up until early 1990s, and is now obsolete.

The RPG-18 is a disposable, single shot rocket launcher pre-loaded with fin-stabilized rocket. The smoothbore barrel / container is made from two parts, aluminum inner tube and fiberglass outer tube. The inner tube is telescoped into the outer tube in storage / transport position, and is pulled out and to the rear prior to firing. The rocket is contained in the inner tube, and its solid-fuel motor burns out completely within the barrel. Because the barrel is open at the rear to avoid recoil, there is a dangerous backblast area behind the firing weapon, at least 15 meters (45 ft) long. In transport/storage mode both ends of the barrel are closed by the front and rear covers, which are opened automatically when inner tube is pulled out. This movement (opening of the launcher tube) also automatically extends the folding open sights. Firing mechanism is cocked manually by rotating the rear sight rear and then releasing it, so it springs back to vertical position. Once cocked, the firing mechanism cannot be set to safety, and the cocked grenade should be dischared into the safe direction if there's no target. The rocket is fin-stabilized (with four switch-blade like fins at the rear), and its solid-propellant motor burns out completely while rocket is still in the barrel, accelerating it to about 114 m/s. The shaped charge (HEAT) warhead is loaded with 312 gram of explosive charge, resulting in armor penetration of up to 300 mm (1 feet) of homogenous steel armor.

2009-05-16T21:21:00.000+07:00

RPG-7 antitank grenade launcher (USSR / Russia)

RPG-7V antitank grenade launcher with PGO-7 telescope sight and a PG-7VM grenade in ready to load condition (with launch charge attached)

RPG-7D antitank grenade launcher (version for airborne troops), disassembled for transportation / airdrop

PG-7VM HEAT grenade cut-out

PG-7VL HEAT grenade

PG-7VR tandem (dual-warhead) HEAT grenade

TBG-7V Thermobaric (FAE) grenade

OG-7V fragmentation antipersonnel grenade (1999)

Caliber: 40 mm launcher; 40 and 70 - 105mm warheads (depending on the grenade model)
Type: recoilless launch + rocket booster
Overall length: 650 mm
Weight: 6.3 kg unloaded, with PGO-7 telescope sight
Effective range: 200-500 meters, depending on the grenade type

Some grenades, used in RPG-7 (Soviet/Russian origins)

	PG-7V	PG-7VL	PG-7VR	TBG-7V	OG-7V
Year of adoption	1961	1977	1988	1988	1999
Warhead caliber, mm	85	93	64 / 105	105	40
Weight, kg	2.2	2.6	4.5	4.5	2.0
Effective range, meters	500	500	200	200	350
Armor penetration, mm	260	500	ERA + 600-700	-	-

The RPG-7 is a further development of the previous RPG-2 antitank grenade launcher. RPG-7, in its first version, known as RPG-7V, has been adopted by Soviet army in 1961, and still is widely fielded in Russia and at least 50 more countries. By far, RPG-7 can be considered as one of the most successful antitank grenade launchers ever made. Initially thought as an anti-armor weapon, it latter has been adopted for other fire-support missions by introduction of various types of grenades, such as anti-infantry HE-FRAG, multi-purpose Thermobaric / FAE, and some other types of ammunition. The antitank grenades for RPG-7 also came a long way, from original PG-7V grenade, with penetration of about 260mm/10inches of RHA, and up to 500mm/20inches of RHA or 1.5 meters/5ft of brick wall with single-warhead PG-7VL grenade, developed in 1977. By the late 1980s, a tandem-type PG-7VR grenade has been introduced. This grenade has two warheads and is intended against the most modern tanks, fitted with ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor). Front warhead sets off the ERA, and second warhead then penetrates more than 600mm/24in of armor.
The RPG-7 is a shoulder fired, single-shot, smoothbore recoilless launcher. Grenades are loaded from the front, and the rear of the barrel is fitted with venturi nozzle. Because of the recoilless design, there is a dangerous backblast zone, more than 20 meters/60ft long. The antitank grenades are of combination type, using a charge of smokeless powder for RCL-type launch. Once grenade reaches safe distance from the shooter (about 10-20 meters), the built-in rocket booster engine ignites and further accelerates the grenade, greatly enhancing the effective range (up to 500+ meters for single warhead grenades, up to 200+ meters for much heavier tandem or FAE grenades). Because of increase in range, RPG-7 is usually issued with 2.7X fixed magnification optical sight, designated PGO-7. The sight has a range-finding scale for typical targets (tanks) with height of 2.7m/9ft, and windage adjustment scales. RPG-7 also fitted with backup iron sights. RPG-7 uses mechanical ignition system with manually cocked external hammer, and a single-action trigger. Because of this, grenade must be properly aligned with the firing mechanism upon loading.
Each AT grenade consists of a large-caliber HEAT warhead with base fuze, with the 40mm diameter rocket engine behind. The rocket nozzles are located at the front of the engine, close to the warhead. The tail of the rocket is fitted with folding stabiliztator fins, which are extended when grenade leaves the barrel. The launch charge, made of black powder, is loaded into a combustible cardboard case, and attached to the rear of the grenade prior to loading into launcher. Grenades and launch charges are carried in special backpacks. By the original soviet standards, grenadier carries two rounds, and his assistant carries three more. There were several minor upgrades to the basic design of the RPG-7 in USSR and Russia, the most important being the RPG-7D, with two-part takedown barrel, which was issued to the airborne troops. Since RPG-7 was, and still is manufactured in many countries (such as Bulgaria, China, Iraq and Romania, to name a few), there are plenty of modifications in launcher, and, more important, in grenades.
RPG-7 is a simple and inexpensive weapon, yet it possess a high threat to most modern tanks, and also can serve in a number of other roles, making it a true one-man artillery.

2009-05-16T21:20:00.000+07:00

RPG-2 antitank grenade launcher (USSR / Russia)

RPG-2 antitank grenade launcher with grenade; note that stabiliztator fins on grenade are unfolded as after the launch

Caliber: 40 mm barrel; 82mm warhead
Type: recoilless
Overall length: 650 mm
Weight: 2.83 kg empty; 4.67 kg loaded with grenade
Effective range: 100-150 meters
Armour penetration: 200 mm

RPG-2 antitank grenade launcher has been adopted by Soviet Army in 1949. During 1960s it has been gradually replaced in USSR by the much more effective RPG-7, and later widely exported to pro-soviet countries. RPG-2 saw a lot of combat in Vietnam and mid-east. It also has been produced under the license in several countries.

The only type of grenade used in RPG-2 was the PG-2 HEAT, with RCL-type launch. A propellant charge, made of black powder, has been loaded into cardboard case, which was attached to the grenade before loading. The grenade with attached propellant was inserted into the smooth-bored barrel from the front. To fire it, shooter had to cock the external hammer with its thumb, aim the launcher using the open sight, and fire it by pulling the trigger. Upon the launch, grenade unfolded six stabiliztator fins. The effective range was about 150 meters, estimated penetration was about 200mm RHA. While the RPG-2 can be manned and fired by one man, the standard crew is two men - the grenadier, who carries the launcher with three grenades in special backpack, and his assistant, who is armed with assault rifle and carries three more grenades.

2009-05-16T21:19:00.001+07:00

HK GMG grenade launcher / machine gun (Germany)

HK GMG on tripod (low position) with ammunition box
image: Heckler-Koch

HK GMG on tripod (high position) with ammunition box; note that ammunition can be fed from either side
image: Heckler-Koch

Caliber: 40x53mm High Velocity
Type: blowback operated, belt fed automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 1180 mm
Weight: 28.8 kg gun body plus 10.7 kg tripod and 8 kg softmount
Effective range: up to 1500 meters against point targets, up to 2200 m maximum
Rate of fire: 350 rounds per minute

The GMG (Grenade MaschinenGewehr in German or Grenade Machine Gun in English) was initiated by the famous German Heckler-Koch company as a private venture in around 1992. Bundeswehr (German army) commenced trials of GMG in 1995, and by now it is in use by German army, and is also offered for export.

HK GMG is air cooled, belt fed, blowback operated grenade machine gun / launcher. It fires from open bolt and uses advanced primer ignition to decrease the peak recoil. Feed is using NATO-standard disintegrating belts; feed unit can be easily set up to fed belt from either side of the weapon. Cradle for standard ammunition boxes is attached to the mount; standard box holds 32 linked rounds and weights about 19 kg loaded. GMG can fire in single shots or bursts; fire mode is controlled by the safety / fire selector switch. Gun controls include spade grips at the rear of the receiver with the trigger between. GMG is attached to special tripod or US M3 tripod through proprietary softmount, which also carries additional trigger and horizontal spade grips, shoulder rod and sight mountings. GMG can be fitted with a variety of day and night sights; backup iron sights are provided by default.

2009-05-16T21:17:00.000+07:00

HK69 40mm grenade launcher (Germany)

HK69 grenade launcher, with shoulder stock retracted; short-range rear sight in ready position
image courtesy www.autoweapons.com

HK69 grenade launcher, with shoulder stock extended
image courtesy www.autoweapons.com

HK69 grenade launcher, ladder sight in ready position
image courtesy www.autoweapons.com

Caliber: 40mm (40x46)
Overall length: 683 mm with stock extended; 463 mm with stock retracted
Weight: 2.76 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 150 meters point target, up to 350 meters area targets

The HK69 grenade launcher has been developed by the famous company Heckler-Koch from Germany. This launcher has been adopted by the Bundeswehr (German army) in 1974 as the "Granatpistole 40 mm", or "GraPi 40mm" in short. This weapon is also offered for export under its original name, the HK69.

HK69 is a single shot, breech-loading weapon with rifled barrel. The barrel is made of steel, and is hinged to the receiver to be tipped up at the rear for loading and unloading. The single-action firing mechanism has an exposed hammer and ambidextrous manual safety, located above the trigger. The barrel latch, which unlocks the barrel for reloading, is located next to the hammer but operates independently, so the launcher could be safely reloaded with the hammer down, and the hammer can be cocked later at necessary moment. The launcher is fitted with polymer pistol grip and with retractable shoulder stock with rubber buttpad. The sights consist of a front blade and a folding-down ladder sight, graduated from 50 to 400 meters in 50m increments, with additional "short-range" flip up rear sight, graduated for 50 and 100 meters range. The HK69 can fire all types of 40mm low-velocity ammunition, including the HE-FRAG, HE-DP, smoke, illuminating and various less-lethal (tear gas canister, rubber baton) rounds.

2009-05-16T21:13:00.000+07:00

QLB-06 / QLZ-87B semi-automatic grenade launcher (PR China)

QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher, left side
Image: Poly technologies, Inc

QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher, right side

Caliber: 35x32mm SR
Type: gas operated, magazine fed semi-automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 1046 mm
Weight: 9,1 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 600 m (point targets), 1000 m (area targets)
Feed and capacity: drum magazine, 4 or 6 rounds

The QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher is a further evolution of Chinese QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher. It was first unveiled to general public in 2006. The double designation (QLB-06 or QLZ-87B) stems from the fact that internal Chinese sources (press) call this weapon as QLB-06, while Poly Technologies Inc, an export corporation of PLA, calls it QLZ-87B in its advertising literature. Either way, this weapon is a further step in direction of a lightweight, one-man portable infantry support weapon which can be used on squad or platoon level. Because this weapon is even lighter than its predecessor, the QLZ-87, an automatic fire mode was abandoned, and the design was changed to better suit "rifle-type" shooting positions using integral bipod. Magazine capacity also was decreased. Nevertheless, it appears that basic action of the gun remained more or less the same. It is yet to be seen if this weapon will prove itself any good, but on paper it seems as a formidable squad- or platoon-support weapon against both enemy personnel or light armor.

The QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher is gas operated weapon that uses direct gas impingement system. Barrel is locking by rotary bolt. Unlike its precursor, QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher uses separate cocking handle on the right side of a newly designed aluminum alloy receiver. Cocking handle is of folding type. Barrel is fitted with prominent muzzle brake, and action employs an additional recoil buffer for moving parts in attempt to decrease the felt recoil. Gun is fitted with standard pistol grip with trigger and manual safety. Folding bipod is attached to the barrel. Adjustable open sights are installed on the top of the integral carrying handle, and a Picatinny rail is provided on the left side of receiver for installation of the telescope or night sight. 3X fixed magnification telescope sight appears to be a standard issue accessory for this weapon.
Ammunition range (DF 35mm) includes HE, HE-DP, HE-I and practice (marking) rounds, with maximum range of about 1750 meters. Muzzle velocity is about 190 m/s, complete round weights about 250 gram. For HE ammunition, lethal radius of fragments against infantry is listed as 10-11 meters. For HE-DP ammunition, armor penetration is listed as 80mm RHA (probably at 90^o).

2009-05-16T21:12:00.001+07:00

QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher (China)

35mm W87 experimental automatic grenade launcher of late 1990s

35mm QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher in "light" configuration (on bipod, with 6-round drum), left side
image: www.gun-world.net

QLZ-87 grenade launcher in "heavy" configuration (on tripod, with 15-round drum), right side
image: www.gun-world.net

Chinese soldier fires QLZ-87 grenade launcher
image: www.gun-world.net

Caliber: 35x32mm SR
Type: gas operated, magazine fed automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 970 mm
Weight: 12 kg in light configuration (with scope and bipod, less magazine); 20kg on tripod, less magazine
Effective range: up to 600 m point targets; 1700 m maximum.
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute

After much experimentation with locally built copies of Soviet AGS-17 grenade launcher, Chinese experts developed their own concept of such infantry support weapon. For some reasons they decided to trade some firepower for mobility, and to develop the lightest possible weapon, which can be operated and carried on battlefield by a single man. Furthermore, they developed their own 35mm grenade ammunition. To achieve minimum weight of weapon, they used locked breech action (that minimizes weight of recoiling parts) and discarded the complicated belt feed in the favor of much simpler magazine feed. early experiments were conducted with weapons known as W-87. these were distinguishable by wood buttstocks, bottom pistol grips and large conical flash hiders. W-87 launchers used top feed with box or drum magazines. With the time the design evolved, and several years ago PLA adopted the QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher, that is a further development of W-87. At the present time (early 1987) the QLZ-87 launcher is being used by Chinese troops of Hong Kong garrison, as well as by some units located near the strait that separates mainland China and Taiwan. From available information it seems that QLZ-87 still has some teething problems and probably will be gradually improved in coming years.

The QLZ-87 grenade launcher is gas operated, locked breech weapon that uses rotary bolt and direct gas impingement system probably borrowed from M16 rifle. Gas system is fitted with manual adjustment valve. Charging of the weapon is conducted by pulling back and forward the pistol grip which is (unusually) located at the right side of weapon. This pistol grip is accompanied with trigger and safety/fire selector that allows for single shots and full auto fire. The steel receiver is of tubular shape and rather slim; at the top of the receiver there is a fixed carrying handle. Rear part of receiver is fitted with rubber shoulder pad. Feed is using drum magazines of various diameter, that can hold 6, 9, 12 or 15 rounds; standard capacities seem to be 6 or 15 rounds. Drums are attached at the bottom of the gun, unlike earlier W87 weapons. The smaller capacity drums are used in "light" configuration when gun is used from integral bipod; larger capacity drums are mostly used in heavy configuration, when gun is used from special tripod. Standard sighting equipment is telescope sight with fixed magnification which is offset to the left to provide low profile of weapon while firing at high angles.
It must be noted that rate of fire of QLZ-87 is rather high for such a weapon, especially consider its relatively low weight, and it must be a tough task to control the gun in full auto fire, especially in "light' configuration. Relatively small magazine capacity (even the biggest 15-round magazine holds two times less ammunition than a belt box for AGS-17 or Mk.19 launchers) also decreases the suppressive fire capabilities of the QLZ-87, but it seems that PLA experts prefer maneuverability over firepower.
There are few types of 35mm ammunition for QLZ-87 weapon; these include fragmentation shells that provide kill zone with claimed radius of about 10 meters, and armor piercing grenades with penetration up to 80 mm (not confirmed). The weight of complete 35mm round is about 250 gram, muzzle velocity about 190 m/s

2009-05-16T21:05:00.000+07:00

Modern handgun bullets.

AP - Armor Piercing

1 - metal jacket

2 - lead

3 - hardened steel core

FMJ - standart hardball bullet

1 - metal jacket

2 - lead core

Main bullet type, and only one accepted for "official" warfare by international agreements

JSP - Jacketed Soft Point

1 - metal jacket

2 - lead core

Semi-jacketed bullet with exposed lead at bullets' nose. Has bigger stopping power than FMJ

JHP - Jacketed Hollow Point

1 - metal jacketd

2 - lead

3 - expansive hole

Semi-jacketed expansive bullet. In some military handguns may cause jams.

Hydrashock - commercial JHP bullet with central rod to achieve better expansion on impact

1 - metal jacket

2 - lead

3 - expansive hole

4 - steel core

Lead WadCutter - Target bullet

Lead SemiWadCutter - Target bullet

Same as WadCutter, but with sligthly improved ballistic.

Lead RoundNose

GLASER SAFETY SLUG -

1 - metal tip

2 - metal jacket

3 - shot load

Typical .38sp Glaser is filled with ~30 pieces of #6 shot or ~200 pieces of #12 shot

THV - "Tres Haute Vitesse" - "Very High Speed" (French)

Light high-speed core-less bullet with high stopping power

SJ ESC - Semi-Jacketed Exposed Steel Core

Light Armour-piercing bullet with hardened steel core. Bullet has alluminium jacket that covers all except the head of bullet. Designed in Russia for 9mm cartridges such as 9x18mm Makarov PBM and 9x21mm SP-10. This bullet, fired from Makarov, is capable to penetrate standart army issue armor vest at 30 meters. When loaded in more powerful 9x19 or 9x21 cartridges, this bullet shows even more potential

2009-05-16T21:02:00.000+07:00

FN FAL (Belgium)

Belgian FAL prototype (ca.1950) chambered for British .280 (7x43mm) intermediate cartridge

Austrian Steyr Stg.58 - license built FN FAL

British L1A1 SLR - license built "inch pattern" FN FAL with SUIT optical sight

Brazilian IMBEL LAR - another license built FN FAL, one of few FAL models still in production now

Canadian C2 Squad Automatic Weapon - a heavy barreled version of FAL, intended as Light Machine Gun

FN FAL "Paratrooper" model (also known as FAL 50.63) with shortened barrel and folding butt

DSA-58OSW - a select-fire "sawed off" FAL clone made by DS Arms (USA) for police use

Click here to see exploded view of the FAL (36 Kb JPEG)

Buy FN FAL rifles at Impact Guns online store

Caliber : 7,62mm NATO (7.62x51)
Action: Gas operated, tilting breechblock, select-fire or semi-auto only
Length: 1100 mm (990 / 736 mm for "Para" model)
Barrel length: 533 mm (431 mm for "Para" model)
Weight: 4.45 kg empty (3.77 kg empty for "Para" models)
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds (30 rounds for heavy barreled SAW versions)
Rate of fire: 650-700 rounds per minute

The FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger - Light Automatic Rifle) is one of the most famous and widespread military rifle designs of the XX century. Developed by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale company, it was used by some 70 or even more countries, and was manufactured in at least 10 countries. At the present time the service days of the most FAL rifles are gone, but it is still used in some parts of the world. The history of the FAL began circa 1946, when FN began to develop a new assault rifle, chambered for German 7.92x33mm Kurz intermediate cartridge. The design team was lead by Dieudonne Saive, who at the same time worked at the battle rifle, chambered for "old time" full-power rifle cartridges, which latter became the SAFN-49. It is not thus surprising that both rifles are mechanically quite similar. In the late 1940s Belgians joined the Britain and selected a British .280 (7x43mm) intermediate cartridge for further development. In 1950 both Belgian FAL prototype and British EM-2 bullpup assault rifles were tested by US Army. The FAL prototype greatly impressed the Americans, but the idea of the intermediate cartridge was at that moment incomprehensible for them, and USA insisted on adoption of their full-power T65 cartridge as a NATO standard in 1953-1954. Preparing for this adoption, FN redesigned their rifle for the newest T65 / 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, and first 7.62mm FALs were ready in 1953. Belgium was not the the first country to adopt their own rifle in 1956. Probably the first one was a Canada, adopting their slightly modified version of FAL as C1 in 1955. Canadians set to produce C1 and heavy barreled C2 squad automatic rifles at their own Canadian Arsenal factory. Britain followed the suit and adopted the FAL in 1957 as an L1A1 SLR (Self-loading rifle), often issued with 4X SUIT optical scopes. Britain also produced their own rifles at the RSAF Enfield and BSA factories. Austria adopted the FAL in 1958 as a Stg.58 and manufactured their rifles at Steyr arms factory. Various versions of FAL were also adopted by the Brazil, Turkey, Australia, Israel, South Africa, West Germany and many other countries. The success of the FAL could be even greater if Belgians would sell the license to W.Germany, which really liked to produce the FAL as a G1 rifle, but Belgians rejected the request. Germany purchased the license for Spanish CETME rifle and as a result of this H&K G3 rifle became probably the most notable rival to FAL.

During the time, FAL was built in numerous versions, with different furniture, sights, barrel lengths etc. There are, however, four basic configurations of FAL rifle: FAL 50.00, or simply FAL, with fixed buttstock and standard barrel; FAL 50.63 or FAL "Para", with folding skeleton butt and short barrel; FAL 50.64 with folding skeleton butt of "Para" model and standard length barrel; and the FAL 50.41, also known as FAL Hbar or FALO - a heavy barreled model which was intended primary as a light support weapon. There are also two major patterns of FALs around the globe: "metric" and "inch" FALs. As the names implied, these were built in countries with metric or imperial (inch) measure systems. These patterns are slightly different in some dimensions, and magazines of metric and inch pattern sometimes could not be interchanged. Most "inch" pattern FALs were made in British Commonwealth countries (UK, Canada, Australia) and have had folding cocking handles and were mostly limited to semi-automatic fire only (except for Hbar versions like C2). Most "metric" pattern rifles had non-folding cocking handles and may or may not have select-fire capability, but as with other light select-fire weapons chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO round, the controllability of the full auto fire is disappointing and shots spread in burst is extremely wide. But, regardless of this, the FAL is one of the best so known "battle rifles", reliable, comfortable and accurate. It is somewhat sensitive to fine sand and dust but otherwise is a great weapon.

The only countries still producing the FAL rifles until the present time are the Brazil and, most surprisingly, the USA. Brazil adopted the FAL under the name LAR and manufactured it at the IMBEL facilities. The USA produced a small amount of FALs as the T-48 at H&R factory in early 1950s for Army trials, but at the present time a number of private US Companies is manufacturing various versions of FAL rifles using either surplus parts kits or newly manufactured parts. Most of these rifles are limited to semi-auto only and are available for civilian users. Probably most notable US manufacturer of FAL modifications is the DS Arms company, which produced its rifles under the name of DSA-58.

The FN FAL is a gas operated, selective fire or semi-automatic only, magazine fed rifle. It uses short piston stroke gas system with gas piston located above the barrel and having its own return spring. After the shot is fired, the gas piston makes a quick tap to the bolt carrier and then returns back, and the rest of the reloading cycle is commenced by the inertia of bolt group. The gas system is fitted with gas regulator so it could be easily adjusted for various environment conditions, or cut off completely so rifle grenades could be safely launched from the barrel. The locking system uses bolt carrier with separate bolt that locks the barrel by tipping its rear part into the recess in the receiver floor. The receivers initially were machined from the forged steel blocks, and in 1973 FN began to manufacture investment cast receivers to decrease production costs. Many manufactures, however, stuck to the machined receivers. The trigger housing with pistol grip is hinged to the receiver behind the magazine well and could be swung down to open action for maintenance and disassembly. The recoil spring is housed in the butt of the rifle in fixed butt configurations or in the receiver cover in folding butt configurations, so the folding butt versions require a slightly different bolt carrier, receiver cover and a recoils spring. The cocking handle is located at the left side of the receiver and does not move when gun is fired. It could be folding or non-folding, depending on the country of origin. The safety - fire selector switch is located at the trigger housing, above the triggerguard. It can have two (on semi-automatic) or three (on select-fire rifles) positions. The firing mechanism is hammer fired and use single sear for both semi-automatic or full automatic fire. Barrel is equipped with long flash hider which also serves as a rifle grenade launcher. Design of flash hider may differs slightly from country to country. The furniture of the FAL also can differ - it could be made from wood, plastic of various colors or metal (folding buttstocks, metallic handguards on some models). Some models, such as Austrian Stg.58 or Brazilian LAR were fitted with light bipods as a standard. Almost all heavy barrel versions also were fitted with bipods of various design. Sights usually are of hooded post front and adjustable diopter rear types, but can differ in details and markings. Almost all FAL rifles are equipped with sling swivels and most of rifles are fitted with bayonet lugs.

2009-05-16T21:01:00.000+07:00

TRW LMR - Low Maintenance Rifle (USA)

TRW LMR (Low Maintenance Rifle) in its final shape, right side, with attached M6 bayonet

TRW LMR (Low Maintenance Rifle) in its final shape, left side, with 30-round magazine attached

Caliber: 5.56x45mm M193
Action: Gas operated, locked by rollers
Overall length: 870 mm
Barrel length: 493 mm
Weight: 3.63 kg loaded
Rate of fire: 450 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds

The Low Maintenance Rifle project was initiated by US Army as a result of field experiences, gained through Vietnam war. The standard issue M16 rifle was found to be very sensitive for improper maintenance, and it was decided to look for an infantry rifle, which could work with much less attention paid to routine maintenance, cleaning and lubrication. The one possible niche for such weapons was the "insurgency weapon" for various pro-US (or anti-communist) movements in the third world countries. Development of the LMR project was handled to the US company Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge (TRW) Inc, and work commenced in 1971. Several prototype rifles were built between 1971 and 1973, when US Army decided to stop funding for LMR, as the Vietnam war was over, and M16A1 rifle was considered to be mature enough.
It must be noted that at least one LMR prototype was built for 5.6mm XM216 ammunition that fired saboted sub-caliber flechette projectile. However, most of LMR rifles were built for then-standard 5.56x45 M193 ammunition.
Required "low maintenance" was achieved by using new and improved corrosion-resistant coatings for all metallic parts, as well as thin layers of dry lubricants applied to all moving parts. The number of parts was also decreased, compared to the M16 rifle. TRW LMR was simple in use and could be disassembled and re-assembled without any tools.

TRW LMR is gas operated weapon that uses long-stroke gas piston, located at the right side of the barrel. Gas port is located near the muzzle, and gas block serves as a base for front sight. The barrel is enclosed in tubular metallic handguard with oval cooling slots. TRW fired only in full automatic mode, and from open bolt. Locking is achieved by a pair of rollers, that engage respective cuts in the barrel extension when in battery. Unlike most other roller-locked designs, LMR bolt had rollers at the top and the bottom, not at left and right. Charging handle was attached to the gas piston rod, and when turned down, locked the bolt in forward position for added safety. Trigger unit and pistol grip were borrowed from US M60 machine gun; manual safety was located at the left side of pistol grip. Magazine (of standard M16 pattern) was inserted horizontally from the left; empty cases were ejected to the right through the ejection port, which has dust cover that opens and closes automatically as gun is fired. Since the LMR was built into so called 'straight' or 'inline' layout, open sight were put onto high bases. front sight was of post type, rear sight was a flip-up diopter with two apertures. LMR combat capabilities could be further enhanced with addition of light, removable bipod and M6 bayonet, which was attached at the top of gas cylinder, to the right of the barrel axis.

2009-05-16T20:58:00.000+07:00

Enfield SA-80: L85A1 and L85A2 assault rifle, L22 carbine (Great Britain)

Enfield SA80-IW (Individual Weapon), chambered for experimental 4,85x49 ammunition
image courtesy of LEI Ltd (UK)

L85A1 rifle, with carrying handle and front sight installed instead of more common SUSAT telescope sight

Upgraded L85A2 with SUSAT sight

British soldier sights the L85A2 rifle fitted with German-made 40mm grenade launcher

L22A1 carbine
image courtesy of LEI Ltd (UK)

L22A2 carbine, as issued to Royal Armoured Corps tank crews in Iraq; note that it has a Picatinny rail above the front grip
image courtesy of Tony Williams (UK)

Caliber: 5.56x45 NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 780 mm (709 mm in Carbine variant)
Barrel length: 518 mm (442 mm in Carbine variant)
Weight: 4.13 kg (with SUSAT optical sight and no magazine); 5 kg with SUSAT and loaded with magazine with 30 rounds of ammunition
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 650 rounds per minute
Effective range: about 500 meters (with SUSAT sights)

The development of the SA80 (Small Arms for 1980s) system, which included two weapons - SA80 IW (Infantry Weapon) assault rifle and SA80 LSW (Light Support Weapon) light machine gun, began in the late 1960s when British army decided to develop a new rifle, which will eventually replace the venerable 7.62mm L1 SLR (British-made FN FAL rifle) in the 1980s.

When NATO trials were announced in 1977 to select a new cartridge, British state-owned Enfield Small Arms Factory developed its own small-caliber, high velocity round, which was more or less representing the US .223/5.56mm case necked down to accept 4.85mm (0.19 inch) bullet. When cartridge came out, Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield developed a new weapon around it, initially designated as SA80-IW or XL65. This weapon, being somewhat similar in outline to the much earlier British Enfield EM-2 assault rifle, was internally quite different, and, basically, was more or less the US-made Armalite AR-18 rifle, put into bullpup stock and rechambered for 4.85mm cartridge. After NATO trials, which resulted in adoption of the Belgian SS-109 version of the 5.56mm cartridge, Enfield engineers rechambered XL65 for this cartridge and continued its development under the designation of XL70. Due to Falkland war new system was actually adopted only in 1984. Original SA80 weapons (both L85 and L86) were plagued with many problems, some being very serious. In general, L85 was quite unreliable and troublesome to handle and maintain, so, finally, in the year 1997, after years of constant complaints from the troops, it had been decided to upgrade most L85 rifles then in service.

The upgrade program, committed in years 2000 - 2002, was completed by the famous Heckler&Koch, which was then owned by British Royal Ordnance company (German investors bought the HK back in the 2002). About 200 000 rifles were upgraded into the L85A2 configuration, out of total 320 000 or so original L85A1 rifles produced. While official reports about the upgraded weapons were glowing, the initial field reports from the British troops, engaged in the Afghanistan campaign of 2002, were unsatisfactory. Most problems, however, were traced to improper care and maintenance of weapons, and for now the L82A2 performs fairy well both in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Other than the basic L85A1 variant, the SA80 IW also appeared in the shortened Carbine version, and in the manually operated L98A1 rifle, which got its gas system removed and a larger cocking handle attached. The L98A1 is used to train the army cadets for basic rifle handling and shooting skills, and the rifle is fired as a manually operated, straight pull magazine repeater rifle. The latest weapon in the SA80 family is the recently adopted L22 carbine, which is issued to tank crews of Royal Armoured Corps. This weapon is available in two versions, L82A1 and L82A2, the latter being fitted with additional Picatinny rail on the right side of front grip base.

The current L85A2 rifles are recognized as reliable and very accurate, especially when using standard issue SUSAT telescope sights. The drawbacks of the L85A2 are somewhat poor balance (which can be improved with installation of HK-made 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher), right-side only extraction and rearward placement of the fire mode selector.

Technical description.
The L85 is a gas operated, magazine fed, selective fire rifle of bullpup layout.
The receiver of the L85 is made from stamped sheet steel, reinforced with welded and riveted machined steel inserts. The gas operated action has a short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel. The gas piston has its own return spring. Gas system has a three-positions gas regulator, one position for a normal firing, second for a firing in adverse conditions and the third for launching the rifle grenades (gas port is shut off). The machined bolt carrier rides inside the receiver on the two parallel steel guide rods, with the single return spring placed above and between the guide rods. The typical rotating bolt has 7 lugs that locks into the steel insert in the receiver, just behind the barrel breech. The charging handle is attached to the right side of the bolt carrier, and prior to A2 upgrade caused some problems by reflecting the ejected cases back into the action, thus causing stoppages. In the L85A2 configuration the charging handle was redesigned to avoid such problems. The charging handle slot is covered by the spring-loaded dust cover. The bolt and its extractor claw also were upgraded in the L85A2, to achieve more reliable extraction of the spent cases.
The trigger / hammer assembly of the L85A1 is also typical for a modern bullpup rifle, with the long link from the trigger to the hammer unit, located in the buttstock. The hammer assembly of the L85A2 was redesigned to introduce a slight delay before the hammer release when the gun is fired in the full auto. This did not affected the cyclic rate of fire but improved the reliability and stability of the weapon during the automatic fire. The fire mode selector is located at the left side of the receiver, well behind the magazine housing, and allows for single shots of full automatic modes of fire. The cross-bolt safety button is located above the trigger.
The barrel is rifled for a NATO-standard 5.56mm ammunition, with 1:7 twist, and is fitted with a NATO-standard flash hider, which allows to launch the rifle grenades from the barrel.
The L85 is fed using NATO-standard (STANAG) magazines, similar to M16 type magazines, with the standard capacity of 30 rounds. Early L85A1 steel magazines caused a lot of troubles, as well as a magazine housing itself, which had a thin walls that could be easily dented, thus blocking the magazine way. Both magazines and its housings were upgraded in the L85A2 configuration.
The standard sighting equipment is the 4X SUSAT (Sight Unit, Small Arms, Trilux) telescope, with illuminated reticle. The SUSAT is mounted on a quick-detachable mount at the top of the receiver, and features an emergency backup open sights at tits top. The SUSAT allows for an accurate fire (mostly in single shots) out to 400-500 meters. For a second-line troops an alternative sighting system is available, that consists of the removable front post sight with high base and post protection "ears", and a detachable carrying handle with built-in diopter rear sight.
The L85 can be fitted with the proprietary knife-type multipurpose bayonet. L85A2 rifles also can be fitted with 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher, using special handguard. Launcher is made in Germany by Heckler-Koch.

2009-05-16T20:57:00.000+07:00

HK416 modular assault rifle / carbine / upper receiver assembly (Germany)

HK416 carbine with 10.5 inch (267mm) barrel

HK416 carbine with 14.5 inch (368mm) barrel

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length (stock collapsed/extended): 10" barrel: 686 / 785 mm; 14" barrel:
Barrel lengths: 10.5" / 267mm; 14.5" / 368mm; 16.5" / 419mm and 20" / 508mm
Weight: 3.31 kg w. 10.5" barrel, 3.5kg w 14.5" barrel
Rate of fire: 700-900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds

Following the revision of the OICW Block 1 / XM8 program, the Heckler & Koch company decided to enter the US military and law enforcement markets with the alternative design, which, in fact, looks quite promising. Based on the experience, gained during successful upgrade program of the British SA80 / L85A1 program, HK decided to cure the existing M16 rifles and M4 carbines from most of their problems, inherent to this 40-years old design. The key improvements, made by HK, are their patented short-stroke gas piston system, borrowed from HK G36 rifle. This system replaced the direct gas system of standard M16 rifle, so no powder residue will remain in the receiver even after long shooting sessions. The "new" gas system also is self-regulating and will work reliably with any barrel length. Other improvements include new buffer assembly, improved bolt, and a cold hammer forged barrel, as well as free-floating handguard with integral Picatinny-type rails. Originally developed as a "drop-in" upper receiver assembly for any standard M16/M4 type lower receiver, HK416 is also available as a complete weapon, with HK-made lower receivers. Current (late 2005) models include carbines with 10.5" and 14.5" barrels, and 16.5" barreled carbine and 20" barreled rifle will be added later.

Another interesting development, which is apparently based on the upscaled HK416 design, is the HK417 - the 7.62x51NATO rifle that combines AR-15/M16 type ergonomics, layout and handling with improved reliability of HK-made and designed gas piston system. This rifle probably will use HK G3-type magazines. If the rumors about HK417 are true, the 5.56mm HK416 / 7.62mm HK417 combination will be a direct rival to the newest FN SCAR system.

HK416 is a gas operated, selective fired weapon of modular design. It uses short-stroke gas piston that operates the 7-lug rotating bolt. Receiver is made from high grade aluminium alloy. Combination-type safety / fire selector allows for single shots and full automatic mode. Hk416 retains all M16-style controls, including last round bolt hold-open device, rear-based charging handle and magazine release button on the right side of the magazine well. HK416 is fitted with four Picatinny rails as standard, and may accept any type of sighting devices on STANAG-1913 compliant mounts. It also can accept modified HK AG36/AG-C 40mm grenade launcher, which is clamped directly to bottom rail. Buttstock is of typical M4 design, multi-position telescoped

IMPORTANT!!!

2009-05-10T23:51:00.002+07:00

hey guys. i got a question for you. what will you say if you found a crap post on someone's blog? well you got one crap post hehe

2009-05-10T23:33:00.003+07:00

this is for Indonesian people only, especially for those whose in Bogor. i got some quiz if you're a real gun (or Counter - strike) fans. this quiz isn't far from CS and guns. alright here it goes

1. where does GIGN came from?
a. France
b. Germany
c. British
d. America

2. what is the GIGN real meaning?
a. gendarmerie d'intervention de la groupe nationale
b. groupe d' intervention de la gendarmerie nationale
c. idunno
d. i wanna skip this and try another

3. what is the meaning of GSG - 9
a. grenzschutzgruppe 9
b. gruppeschutzgrenz 9
c. i'm already sick of these
d. let's try something else

4. mention three SEAL team!

5. what is the caliber of MP5?
a. 9 mm
b. 4.6 mm
c. 5.56 mm
d. 50. AE

6. what is the strongest sniper rifle caliber that used by M95?
a. 50. BMG
b. 338. LM
c. 308. WIN
d. 50. AE

7. there is 7.62 X 51 that made by NATO. what is the 7.62 version of Tokarev?
a. 7.62 X 43 mm
b. 7.69 X 39 mm
c. 7.00 X 40 mm
d. 7.95 X 55 mm

8. mention at least three Avtomat Khalasnikov rifles!

9. what is P90 special caliber?
a. 5.7 mm
b. 5.9 mm
c. 6.7 mm
d. 5.6 mm

10. are you sure you answer all of those questions correctly?
a. Hell, ya!
b. Nah, i'm not ready
c. idunno
d. i haven't answer even one!!!

there for those whose in bogor will get a special gift from me. contact at fachrulrafiana@yahoo.com with format BPquiz (space) all of the answer (space) name (space) facebook name

2009-05-01T03:21:00.001+07:00

XM-26 LSS (lightweight shotgun system) (USA)

Early variation of the XM-26, mounted below the barrel of the M4A1 carbine

the latest (current) version of the XM-26 LSS mounted under the M4A1 carbine

XM-26 LSS with detachable pistol grip / shoulder stock and hand guards, to be used as a standalone weapon

XM-26 LSS as a stand-alone shotgun weapon, with box magazine inserted

Type: manually operated, straight pull bolt action
Gauge: 12
Length: 420 mm as an attachment weapon; 610 mm as a stand-alone weapon (with stock collapsed)
Barrel length: n/a
Weight 1.02 kg as an attachment weapon; 1.9 kg as a standalone weapon
Capacity: 5 rounds in detachable box magazine

The XM-26 Lightweight Shotgun System has been in development at the US Army's Soldier Battle Lab since late 1990s. These shotguns are manufactured by the C-More Systems company. The idea was to provide soldiers with lightweight accessory weapon, which could be mounted under the standard issue infantry rifle (M16A2 or M4A1 carbine), and provide soldiers with additional capabilities, such as: door breaching using special slugs; very short-range increased lethality, using 00 buckshot; less-lethal capabilities using tear gas shells, rubber slugs and buckshot, and other less-lethal rounds. The original idea has been based on the Masterkey system, dated back to 1980s, which originally included the shortened Remington 870 shotgun mounted under the M16 rifle or carbine. The XM-26 improved the original Masterkey concept with the detachable magazine option and more comfortable handling, thanks to bolt-operated system. Detachable magazine offers quicker reloading and more rapid ammunition type change; the relatively large bolt handle is located closer to the rear, than the slide on the pump-action shotgun in the Masterkey configuration, and thus is more comfortable to cycle in combat. Bolt handle could be mounted on either side of the weapon. At the present time small numbers of XM26 LSS shotguns are issued to US troops in Afghanistan, and, according to available sources, these weapons are well received by troops who used them. It is believed that XM-26 will be compatible with the next US assault rifle, the XM8.

XM-26 is a modular, manually operated, straight pull bolt action shotgun. The barrel is locked [probably] using the rotating bolt, the bolt handle could be mounted on either side of the bolt for ambidextrous handling. XM-26 is fed using detachable box magazines which hold five rounds of 12 gauge ammo. Short barrels are fitted with special muzzle devices. By default, XM-26 has no sights; when mounted under the rifle or carbine, shooter uses rifle sights to aim the attached shotgun. When XM-26 is used in standalone mode, it is equipped with detachable pistol grip and M4-style collapsible buttstock, and small handguards around the barrel. integral Picatinny rail on the top of the XM-26 receiver can then be used to mount various sighting equipment.

Special thanks to Kevin Kyle for information

2009-05-01T03:19:00.000+07:00

Benelli Nova shotgun (Italy)

Benelli 'Nova' tactical shotgun with Aimpoint red-dot sight and extended magazine

Type: pump-action
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 3 1/2 inch (89 mm)
Length: 1025 mm (with 470 mm barrel)
Barrel length: 470 mm (18.5 inch) or 500 mm (20 inch)
Weight: 3.05 kg empty, with 470mm barrel
Capacity: 4 3-inch rounds in underbarrel tube magazine (6 3-inch rounds with extended magazine)

Buy Benelli shotguns at Impact Guns online store

The Nova shotgun is the latest development in the pump shotguns from famous Italian company Benelli Armi. It has been developed in the late 1990s and incorporates the latest in firearms design. Nova tactical / Special Purpose shotgun is built to use most powerful 3 and 3 1/2 inch magnum shotshells yet to be reliable, light and comfortable to operate.

Nova uses patented design of the receiver and buttstock made as a single piece from polymer and reinforced with steel inserts. The buttstock could be equipped with optional internal recoil reducer, which is an essential feature for such a light gun firing most powerful ammunition. Butt is also fitted with rubber recoil pad, which also helps to tame the recoil. Long and very comfortable sliding forearm also is made from polymer. Benelli Nova uses the rotating bolt with two lugs to lock the barrel . Tubular underbarrel magazine can hold up to 4 3-inch shotshells in the standard version and up to 6 3-inch shotshells with magazine extension installed (it can hold even more if you will use shorter shells). Nova Tactical is available with rifle type open or ghost ring (diopter) sights, and with optional accessory rail that mounts at the top of the receiver. This rail allows to mount various scopes, such as red dot or night vision devices. Manual safety is of cross-bolt, push-button type, and located at the forward part of the triggerguard. There's also internal firing pin safety. The gun has a weather-resistant finish on all metallic parts, and the stock is already weather-resistant, so Nova tactical is well suited as a carry / patrol gun for those who walks on their own feets. It also makes the Nova an excellent hunting gun with proper barrel installed.

In general. Nova is a high quality, light weight and hard-hitting weapon, with the only drawback being the unavailability of the folding butt version (which, obviously, will require a different receiver).

2009-05-01T03:18:00.001+07:00

Striker, Streetsweeper and Protecta shotguns (South Africa)

The original Striker shotgun with 12 inches barrel. Note the winding key at the front of the cylinder / magazine, and the top-folding butt (folded)

The US made Streetsweeper version of the Striker shotgun, with 18" elongated barrel to comply with US firearms laws.

The Protecta shotgun, with the butt unfolded. Note the ejector rod located along the barrel, and the lack of the cylinder winding key, which is not required in this design

	Striker	Protecta
Caliber	12 Gauge (2 3/4 in - 70 mm chamber)
Length (butt folded / open), with 12" barrel	508 / 792 mm	500 / 800 mm
Barrel length	12 in (304 mm) or 18 in (457 mm), other lengths also were made
Weight, empty	4.2 kg
Magazine capacity	12 rounds in non-detachable rotary cylinder

The Striker shotgun was originally designed in the early 1980s by the someone Hilton Walker from Rhodesia. After the fall of Rhodesia he moved to the South African Republic, where he continued the development of his counter-insurgency, high capacity combat shotgun. First production models of his shotgun, named "Striker", were made during the mid-1980s, and found its way from the South Africa and into the USA, and other countries. The key advantages of the Striker shotgun were its large magazine capacity, which is doubled the traditional shotguns magazine capacity of that time, and rapid-fire capability. On the other hand, the rotary cylinder-type magazine was bulky, very slow to reload, and the basic action was not without certain flaws. During the late 1980s Mr. Walker redesigned his shotgun, getting rid of its watch clock-like cylinder rotation mechanism, and replaced it with manually operated cylinder rotating mechanism, linked to the side-swinging vertical front grip. The rest of the features of the Striker, including the DAO trigger, cylinder design and top-folding butt, were retained, and the spent cases auto-ejection feature was added to speed up reloading. The shotguns of updated design, called "Protecta", are still manufactured in South Africa by the Reutech Defense Industries, and offered in various barrel lengths, ranging from 171 mm (Protecta Bulldog) to the 760 mm, and with various finishes. I must admit that the most bizarre firearm I've ever seen was the gold-plated Protecta (with huge, gold-plated muzzle brake), which was sold in one of the central Russian gun shops in Moscow for local equivalent of the several thousands of US dollars.

The key advantage of the Striker and Protecta shotguns is their large magazine capacity, but the price for this advantage is an increased bulk of the weapon and slower reloading, especially when compared to the recent box magazine-fed combat shotguns, like Italian Franchi SPAS-15 or Russian Saiga-12. This gun, especially in its earlier Striker form, is also much more dangerous to the shooter in the case of the hang-fire, because the "skipped", hang-fired round will remain in the cylinder until removed manually, and may cause damage to the shooter if exploded not behind the barrel. The current US firearms laws listed the Striker and Protecta shotguns, as well as the Streetsweeper (an US-made Striker copy), as a destructive devices, which require special paperwork to be obtained by civilians. In some other countries (like the Russia) the Protecta shotguns can be sold to civilians only with barrels of certain lengths, and with two chambers blocked to maintain allowed 10-rounds capacity limit.

Technical description.
The Striker shotgun is based on the basic revolver scheme, but with some important improvements. In the conventional double action revolver handguns cylinder is rotated when the trigger is pressed in DA mode or when the hammer is cocked in the SA mode. Since the Striker used more or less conventional DAO trigger, and a very large and heavy cylinder (compared to handguns), the trigger pull for the conventional design could be really terrible. So, the Walker used the pre-wounded clock-work spring, located inside the cylinder, around its axis, to rotate the cylinder. The spring is wound using a large winding key, located at the front of the cylinder housing, after the cylinder is loaded with shells. When trigger is pressed, it withdraws the cylinder stop bar, which releases one of the cylinder studs, located under the each chamber on the rear cylinder wall, so the spring rotates cylinder until the next stud is engaged with the cylinder stop. This system, while allowing a really rapid fire, and maintaining acceptable trigger pull, was prone to skipping more than one chamber with partial trigger pulls, and required a spring to be wound after each magazine reloading, further slowing down the already lengthy reloading process.

The cylinder was made from two plates (front and rear), which hold 12 separate chambers together. Cylinder is removed from the gun only for cleaning and maintenance, the loading and reloading is commenced via the loading gate at the rear right side of the aluminum cylinder housing. To remove spent cases or unfired rounds, a spring-loaded ejector rod is fixed to the right side of the barrel casing, much like on the old-time single-action revolvers.

The top-folding butt is made from sheet metal, the front vertical grip and the rear pistol grip, integral with the trigger unit housing are made from plastic.

The Protecta shotgun has a manually rotating cylinder instead of the clock-spring clockwork. The front vertical grip can be swung to the right and back. This movement will rotate a barrel shroud and a pivoting arm, linked to it, which, in turn, will rotate a cylinder for 1/12 of turn, to place a next chamber behind the barrel. The spent cases are ejected automatically from the chamber at the moment of the next shot, by using a small amount of powder gases propelled back from the fired chamber. The last spent case (or unfired cartridges) can be removed using the spring-loaded ejector rod at the right side of the barrel. The reloading of the empty chambers is commenced via the loading gate, similar to one found on Striker shotguns.

2009-05-01T03:17:00.000+07:00

Jackhammer shotgun (USA)

Jackhammer Mk3A1
image source: Jane's Defense Library 2000 CD-ROM

Jackhammer Mk3A1 - rear view
image source: Jane's Defense Library 2000 CD-ROM

side and front views drawing from the original patent (1984 -1987). Note that the appearance of the original design differs from the latest Jackhammer Mk3A1 shown above.

Jackhammer exploded parts diagram from the original patent

Type: gas-operated, select-fire
Gauge: 12
Length: 787 mm
Barrel length: 525 mm.
Weight unloaded : 4.57 kg
Capacity : 10 rounds in removable revolver-type drum magazine
Rate of fire: 240 rounds per minute

The Jackhammer automatic shotgun was developed by the US firearms designer John Andersen, who requested patents for the basic design of this shotgun in 1984. Since that time and until the late 1990s he continued to develop and improve his basic design but as far as I know failed to attract any serious buyers. In fact, only few working prototypes of the Jackhammer were ever built. Some sources stated that only two fully automatic prototypes are exist, and the Jane's Defense Library 2000 stated that the development is complete but production never began. At my opinion, the Jackhammer is a solution that still to have a question, and it possess some questionable features that can distract any serious military or police buyer. But, anyway, it is interesting design and well deserves its place both here and in the general firearms history.

The Jackhammer is a gas operated, fully automatic only shotgun. The gas system of the Jackhammer consists of the gas cylinder, formed around the movable barrel. The gas piston is formed by the collar, fixed to the barrel just ahead of the gas port that feeds the gases from the barrel into the gas cylinder. When gun is fired, the powder gases are fed into the gas cylinder and began to push the gas piston and the whole barrel to the front, against the pressure of the return spring. The return spring is located around the barrel, ahead of the gas piston. When barrel moves forward, it first disconnects itself from the chamber with fired cartridge, and then, continuing to move forward, operates the action rod that connects the barrel and the feed and firing system. The action rod reciprocates with the barrel and has two downward projections on its rear end. These projections act on the cam slots, cut on the outer surface of the cylinder that contains the ammunition. When barrel and action rod go forward, the forward projection on the action rod rotates the cylinder 12^o clockwise. On the backward strike of the barrel and action rod the rear projections rotates the cylinder another 12^o to align next chamber with the barrel. At the final stage of the cycle rear part of the barrel reconnects itself with fresh chamber to achieve a gas-tight connection. At the same time the rear part of the action rod engages the striker, located behind the upper chamber of the cylinder, and cocks it. If the trigger is still pulled all the way back when the reloading cycle is completed, the sear will be released automatically and gun will fire again. There is no provisions for the dedicated semi-automatic single-shot mode - due to the relatively low rate of fire the single shots can be obtained by the quick pulls on the trigger. The feed system consists of the 10 shot, revolver type detachable cylinders, named "Ammo Cassette". The cassette may have 10 chambers for more or less conventional 12 gauge shotgun shells, or may be designed like the "cap and ball" era revolver cylinders. In the latter case, each chamber is factory pre-loaded with powder, primer and a projectiles of one or another type, then hermetically sealed in the plastic film cover. Prior to load the "Ammo Cassette" into the gun, one must remove the plastic sealing and then insert the cassette. When all charges from the cassette are fired, it can be disposed of or sent to the factory for reload. The manual cocking for the first shot and the magazine replace process are controlled by the sliding forward handguard. When the handguard is pulled forward, it engages the barrel and pulls it forward and then back, to cycle the action. To remove the Ammo Cassette, one must pull the trigger half the way back (presumably with the safety engaged), and then pull the handguard forward. This will withdraw the barrel from contact with the chamber of cassette and then remove the cassette axis forward, so the ammo cassette will be free to fall out of the gun. In the forwardmost position the slide will be automatically held by the release latch, located at the front of the handguard, thus leaving the shooters' non-firing hand free to insert the fresh "cassette" into its place. As soon as the ammo cassette is in its place, the shooter must push the slide release, so the barrel and the slide will go back under the pressure of the return spring, locking the cassette in place and cocking the gun. The striker can be manually cocked or de-cocked using the cocking handle, located inside the butt. The barrel of the Jackhammer can be easily replaced by removing the muzzle cover and return spring, then rotating barrel 90^o either side do disconnect if from the action rod and, finally, pulling the barrel out of the gun. The new barrel then could be dropped in and rotated 90^o to engage with the action rod. Then goes the return spring and the muzzle cover. The conventional open sights are mounted within the integral carrying handle.

2009-05-01T03:16:00.001+07:00

Akdal MKA 1919 semi-automatic shotgun (Turkey)

Akdal MKA 1919 semi-automatic shotgun

Akdal MKA 1919 semi-automatic shotgun, disassembled to main components

Type: gas operated, semi-automatic
Gauge: 12, 3" / 76mm chamber
Length: 964 mm
Barrel length: 470 mm
Weight 3.25 kg empty
Capacity: 5 rounds in detachable box magazine

Akdal MKA 1919 semi-automatic shotgun is the new product from Turkish company Akdal Arms. This weapon is intended for civilian and security use, and mimics the famous M16 rifle in its layout and placement of most controls. It is remarkably light for its caliber and size, because of extensive use of modern, high strength plastics.

Akdal MKA 1919 semi-automatic shotgun utilizes conventional gas-operated action with annual (ring-type) gas piston, which is located around the support tube that runs below the barrel. Return spring is also located around the same tube, which is concealed by enlarged polymer handguards. Barrel is quick-removable from upper receiver, barrel locking is achieved by tilting locking piece inside the bolt, which engages the barrel extension. Charging handle is attached to the bolt and projects on the right side of the receiver. The upper receiver is manufactured from aluminum alloy; lower receiver, along with pistol grip and shoulder stock, is manufactured as one piece from impact-resistant polymer. Akdal MKA 1919 semi-automatic shotgun utilizes detachable box magazines, each holding 5 rounds; an M16-style bolt stop and bolt release button are incorporated into the lower receiver. Manual safety also duplicates M16-style, being located on the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip. Standard sights include front post, installed on the M16-style removable base, and a detachable M16A2-style carrying handle with built-in diopter sight. Top of the upper receiver is shaped to provide integral Picatinny rail, which will accept detachable carrying handle or optional red-dot or other optical sight.

2009-05-01T03:15:00.000+07:00

Saiga 12 shotgun (Russia)

Saiga 12 shotgun in hunting configuration

Saiga 12S shotgun with long barrel and side-folding butt

Saiga 12K shotgun with short barrel and side-folding butt

Saiga 12K disassembled

Saiga 12 shotgun heavily modified by Tromix in USA to their 8" Swat configuration, with aftermarket US-made 10-round magazine
image courtesy: Tromix

	Saiga 12	Saiga 12S	Saiga 12K
Type	Semi-automatic shotgun, gas-operated
Gauge / Caliber	12 Ga, 76 mm (3") chamber
Length	1145 mm	1060 / 820 mm	910 / 670 mm
Barrel length	580 mm	580 mm	430 mm
Weight:	3,6 kg	3,6 kg	3,5 kg
Magazine capacity	2, 5 or 8

Buy Saiga firearms and acessories at Impact Guns online store

This shotgun had been developed by the IZHMASH Russian State Arms company in the early 1990s as a member of the whole family of semi-automatic shotguns and rifles, based on the famous and time-proven Kalashnikov AK assault rifle design. All weapons in the Saiga family inherited the basic design of the AK, with long piston stroke gas system, rotating bolt with two massive lugs, and box magazine feeding. The shotgun part of this large family includes guns chambered for .410, 20 and 12 gauge magnum ammunition. In each chambering, there's at least three versions, with long barrel and fixed stock, long barrel and side-folding AK-74M type polymer stock and with same folding stock and shorter barrel. The latter versions intended as a security, police and self-defense weapons, and are widely used by numerous Russian law enforcement and private security services. .

As said above, the Saiga 12 is basically similar to the AK assault rifle, but with obvious exceptions. First, it is restricted to the semi-automatic fire only. Second, the receiver and the bolt group were redesigned to accommodate large, rimmed shotshells. Third, magazine capacity was limited to 5 or 8 rounds in the single stack plastic box magazines. Gas system is fitted with gas regulator with "standard" and "magnum" settings, and this shotgun can fire either 3 inch magnum or 2 3/4 inch standard loads interchangeably. Standard open sights were replaced by the short shotgun rib on the top of the gas tube. Optional side mounts for red dot sights are available. Barrel is equipped with screw-on choke system. The black plastic furniture features a long forearm and ether a fixed butt with semi-pistol grip or an AK-74M-type side-folding solid polymer buttstock combined with pistol grip. Saiga 12K shotguns, made for domestic market, featured a special safety block that locks the trigger when butt is closed, so the gun is compliant to the local gun laws, which prohibit the firearms with barrels shorter than 500 mm (20 ") and with overall length less than 800 mm. As you can see from the specifications above, with the open stock the Saiga 12K is legal in Russia, and with folded stock it is illegal, so the block makes this gun totally legal on the domestic market. It is offered for export, but with such a short barrel it is illegal in many states. The longer barreled version, Saiga 12S, is similar to 12K in every respect except that it has a barrel 520 mm long (20 2/5"), so it has no block and can be fired with butt folded.

In general, Saiga 12 shotguns are reliable and effective close hunting or close combat weapon, being much cheaper than its famous western counterparts from Beretta, Franchi and other brands.

2009-05-01T03:14:00.003+07:00

Heckler-Koch / Olin CAWS (Germany)

Type: select-fire, recoil operated (patented system with gas assit subsystem)
Gauge: 12 (special ammunition with belted case, 19,5е76 mm)
Length: 762-988 mm
Barrel length: 457-685 mm
Weigth 3,7-3,86 kg
Magazine: 10 rounds detachable box magazine

In the early 1980s in the USA was started program CAWS - Close Assault Weapon System. The main goal of this programme was to develop a new generation personal firearm, capable of firing high-impulse, multiple projectiles with effective range of 100-150 meters. Using of the multiple projectiles should increase the chances of hitting the target in combat. One of the teams entered in the CAWS race, was Heckler&Koch (Germany) coupled with Winchester/Olin corp. (USA). HK was responsible for developing a weapon, while Winchester/Olin were responsible for development of new types of ammunition.
HK CAWS is a select-fire, smoothbore weapon, designed to fire special, high-presure shotshells, loaded with tungsten buckshot or fleschettes. HK CAWS utilised patented recoil-operated action with moving barrel and additional, self-regulated gas assist system (used to help unlock breechblock from the barrel if low-power ammo is used). The main goal of this system was to decrease felt recoil down to suitable level.
HK CAWS in appearance is somewhat similar to HK G11 advanced assault rifle, being built in bull-pup configuration, with integral carrying handle. Charging handle is located under the carrying handle, at the top of the receiver, and is ambidextrous. Standart HK-style safety-switch/fire selector has 3 position: Safe, Semi-auto, 3 rounds bursts.
The HK CAWS was tested by US Military, but the whole CAWS programme was closed, and the CAWS development freezed.

2009-05-01T03:14:00.001+07:00

Franchi SPAS-15 (Italy)

SPAS 15

Type: Selective semi-auto (Gas operated, rotating bolt) or manual pump action
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 70mm (2 1/2").
Barrel length: 450 mm
Overall length: 1000 mm (750mm with butt folded)
Weight: 3.9 kg empty
Magazine: 6 rounds detachable box

The Franchi SPAS 15 shotgun is a further development of the earlier SPAS-12 shotgun. SPAS-15 is intended as a law enforcement or a military weapon, that require reliability, versatility and firepower. The firepower is achieved by using detachable, single stack box magazines along with the gas-operated semi-automatic action, so multiple shots could be fired in quick succession and magazine could be changed much faster than reloading a conventional tubular shotgun magazine. The versatility is achieved by complementing the semi-automatic action with manually selectable pump action, which allows to fire low pressure ammunition, such as less lethal tear gas or rubber slug projectiles.

SPAS 15 utilizes short piston stroke, rotating bolt gas operated action. The gas chamber and cylinder are located above the barrel, the bolt group is mounted on the dual guide rods along with the recoil springs and could be removed as a single unit for ease of maintenance. The type of action (semi-automatic, or manual pump) is selected by the position of the forearm. To put the gun into the AUTO mode, one must push and hold the button, located at the top of the forearm, and then pull the forearm all the way forward until the red marking "auto" will appear on the barrel shroud. To switch gun back to the PUMP mode one must push and hold the same button and then pull the forearm a little back until it will lock and the red marking "PUMP" will appear on the barrel shroud ahead of forearm. The cocking handle is completely ambidextrous and located at the top of the receiver, under the carrying handle. SPAS-15 features a manual safety lever, located inside the triggerguard, that locks the trigger when engaged, and an additional automatic grip safety at the pistol handle, under the triggerguard.

SPAS-15 feature a set of open, rifle type adjustable sights, and could be equipped with various additional sighting devices, such as red dot sights or laser pointers. The receiver of SPAS-15 is made from aluminum alloy, the furniture is made from polymer plastics. Earlier models were equipped with fixed plastic buttstock or with side-folding skeleton type metallic buttstocks. Recent production models are equipped with side-folding, solid plastic buttstocks. Magazines are made from plastic and can hold up to 6 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun ammunition. Barrels had a cylindrical bore and can be equipped with Variochoke system.

The SPAS-15 is a high quality, reliable and versatile arm, and it is being used by various law enforcement and military agencies, including some units of Italian army.

2009-05-01T03:13:00.001+07:00

Benelli M4 Super 90 / M1014 JSCS shotgun (Italy)

Benelli M4, with closed buttstock

Benelli M4, with extended buttstock

Type: gas operated, semi-auto
Gauge: 12 (chamber 3" - 76 mm)
Length: 1010 mm (extended stock), 886 mm (closed stock)
Barrel length: 470 mm
Weigth 3.8 kg unloaded
Feeding: 6 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine

Buy Benelli shotguns at Impact Guns online store

Benelli M4 Super 90 is developed in Italy by Benelli Armi Spa., and imported in the USA by Heckler&Koch USA,inc.
In early 1999, US AARDEC (Army Armmament Research and Development Center), avarded contract for XM1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun to Heckler&Koch USA,inc. Initially, some 20.000 units wil be shipped to US Marine Corps.
Technically, Benelli M4 Super90 is a gas operated, smoothbore, magazine fed semi-auto shotgun. Barrel locking is achieved by rotating bolt with two lugs. M4 Super90 has dual gas cylinders, gas pistons and action rods for increased reliability. Low-power rounds, such as less-than-letal rubber slugs, may be cycled manually. Gun is field stripped without any additional tools. The telescopic stock may be replaced by pistol grip or hunting-style stocvk without any tools. Barrel has internal screw-in choke system for increased versatility. Standart sights are ghost-ring rear and blade front. Acessory weaver-style rail is installed at the top of the receiver. This rail may accept scopes, laser illuminators, night-vision sights etc.
Gun is so designed that it can fire 3" and 2 3/4" (70 and 76 mm) shotshells of different power without any ajustments and in any combination. All surfaces is covered by non-reflective, wear and corrosiaon-resistant finish. Gun is very reliable in any weather conditions.

2009-05-01T03:12:00.002+07:00

Benelli M3 Super 90 shotgun (Italy)

Benelli M3 Super 90 with standard stock and rifle type open sights

Benelli M3T - "Tactical" version with folding butt-stock

M3 action type switch (at the forward part of the forearm)

Type: selective pump-action or semi-auto recoil inertia operated
Gauge: 12
Length: 1040-1200mm
Barrel length: 500-660 mm.
Weight 3.2-3.5 kg
Capacity: 8 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine

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The Benelli M3 is an updated version of the Benelli M1 shotgun. M3 uses same inertia recoil semi-automatic system as earlier Benelli M1, but with addition of the another Benelli patented feature, which allows to the shooter to lock the semi-automatic action and switch to the manually operated pump-action mode and back in the matter of seconds. The action type switch is located at the forward end of the forearm, and is formed as an annular knurled ring. Rotation of this ring either engages the action rods of the pump system and locks the semi-automatic recoil system, or disengages the action bars, locks the forearm and allows the inertia recoil system to operate the action automatically. This greatly improves the versatility of the shotgun, allowing it to fire low-powered ammunition (mostly of special purpose, such as less-lethal rubber or tear-gas projectiles) in the manually operated pump action mode, and to fire full power combat loads with slugs or buckshot in rapid semi-automatic mode. Underbarrel tubular magazine usually holds 8 rounds for police or military versions, or less in some civilian models.

M3 Super 90 is available with various barrel lengths and stock options, with fixed butt and semi-pistol or pistol grips, or with top-folding butts and pistol grips. Sight options include shotgun-type open sights, rifle type open sights, ghost ring (diopter) sights and various mounts for red dot or low magnification telescope sights and tactical flashlights and laser pointers.

M3 is a high quality, very versatile shotgun, and is very popular as a police weapon, and as a civilian weapon for self defense and sporting purposes (IPSC shotgun).

2009-05-01T03:12:00.001+07:00

Franchi SPAS-12 (Italy)

Type: selective pump-action or gas-operated
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 2 3/4" (70 mm)
Length: 1041 mm
Barrel length: 546 mm.
Weight 4.4 kg
Capacity: 8 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine

The SPAS-12 was designed in the late 1970s by the Italian company Luigi Franchi Spa as a special purpose, military and police close combat weapon (actually, SPAS stands for Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun, or Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun, depending on the source). It featured a selective action for greater versatility, and can be used as a gas operated semi-automatic repeater or as a manually operated pump action repeater, depending on the mission and ammunition used. Since its introduction SPAS-12 became a very popular police and special forces weapon, being versatile, reliable and with good firepower. On the other hand, it is heavier than most other similar shotguns and quite complicated, which results in relatively high prices.

SPAS-12 utilizes somewhat traditional for shotguns gas system with annular gas piston locating around the underbarrel magazine tube. It operates the bolt with vertically tilting locking lug that engages the barrel extension to lock. SPAS-12 can be switched between gas operated self-loading mode and manually operated pump mode by pressing and holding a button at the bottom of the forearm and pulling the forearm slightly forward for AUTOMATIC mode or backward for PUMP (or MANUAL) mode. Earlier models of the SPAS-12 had the lever type safety at the front of the triggerguard, but due to some deficiencies this was latter replaced by the push-button (cross-bolt) safety at the same place.

SPAS-12 could be fitted with stamped metallic buttstock that folds to the top of the receiver when not in use, and with a pistol grip made of plastic. Alternatively, solid plastic buttstocks with pistol grips are available. Barrel has cylinder bore with screw-on muzzle devices (cokes of flash hiders). Sights usually are of rifle type, with post front and open notch rear sight.

2009-05-01T03:08:00.000+07:00

NORINCO / Hawk Industries semi-automatic shotguns (PR China)

Hawk model SF28WB semi-automatic shotgun, hunting configuration. Note that it uses more common underbarrel tubular magazine.
Image © Hawk Group

Hawk semi-automatic police shotgun (18.4 mm Anti-riot gun in Chinese nomenlcature), with box magazine and side-folding butt
Image © Hawk Group

Hawk bullpup semi-automatic police shotgun (18.4 mm Anti-riot gun in Chinese nomenlcature), with box magazine
Image © Hawk Group

	Hawk anti-riot gun, standard	Hawk anti-riot gun, bullpup
Type	semi-automatic shotgun
Gauge	12; 76 mm / 3" chamber
Length	900 mm / 35.4"	630 mm / 24.8"
Weigth	3.2 kg / 7 lbs	3.2 kg / 7 lbs
Magazine	5 rounds in removable box magazine

Buy NORINCO shotguns at Impact Guns online store

Chinese company Hawk Industries produces a line of semi-automatic shotguns for hunting and security / police purposes, which persumably are based on US-made Remington 1100 semi-automatic shotguns (although this information is not yet confirmed). Civilian semi-automatic models of Hawk line-up with tubular magazines are sold outside of mainland China under variety of names, often exported through the NORINCO corporation. It apears that versions of the same shotgun, but adapted for a proprietary detachable box magazines are intended mostly to government export sales, as those were demonstrated on several international Military and Police / Security exhibitions. A more compact bullpup version is also produced, and was displayed on several Military and police exhibitions.

Hawk semi-automatic '18.4 mm Anti-riot guns' (18.4mm is a metric equivalent of 12 gauge) are gas-operated self-loading shotguns. Those are unusual in using proprietary detachable box magazines (apparently the same as used in Type 97-1 pump-action shotguns from same manufacturer). 'Standard' configuration police shotguns of this line are fitted with side-folding butt, pistol grip and adjustable rifle-type sights; Bullpup-configured shotguns are fitted with fixed sights integral to the carrying handle. It appears that the bullpup stock is a plastic shell, bolted onto the standard receiver.

I'VE TRIED THE SS-2 (Indonesia)

2009-04-30T17:42:00.003+07:00

Well, yesterday i came to some kind of exhibittion in jakarta and WOW i saw a SS-2 Rifle using 5.56 X 45 mm / 223. Remington. i wanna take a pic of me, holding that SS-2 but can't believe what did they've said "mau nyoba nembak de? (translation: would you like to try this weapon?)" OMFGD OF COURSE I WOULD LIKE TO i've shotted some mags, i can only stop after 30 minutes COOL STUFF. whew what a rush that day. anyway i don't know why i can't try another weapon like PSG - 1 WHY????? DAMN IT here's the list of the gun in that expo (mostly from PINDAD)

SS-1(IND)
SS-2(IND)
PS-01(IND)
P-01(IND)
P-02(IND)
P-03(IND)
G36(GER)
G36C(GER)
MG36(GER)
P90(GER)
MP5(GER)
UMP(GER)
M4(AME)
M4A1(AME)
M16A1(AME)
M16A2(AME)
M16A3(AME)
TMP(AUSTRIA)
M10(AME)
USP(GER)
M9/92SF(AME/ITA)
M1911(AME)
and alot of other cool stuff

2009-04-28T20:31:00.000+07:00

L86A1 - SA-80 Light Support Weapon (Britain)

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Weight: 7.3 kg empty, with SUSAT optical sight
Length: 900 mm
Length of barrel: 646 mm
Feeding: detachable box magazines, 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 610 - 775 rounds/min

The development of the SA-80 (Small Arms family for 1980s) was started in Britain by the late 1960s, with the search for the "ideal" small-bore ammunition. By the mid-1970s British designers developed a 4.85x49mm cartridge, intended for the SA-80 system, and consequently designed a SA-80 IW rifle and SA-80 LSW light machine gun for this ammunition. The 4.85mm LSW appeared in the prototype form circa 1976, but the NATO trials, held in the 1978-1979, resulted in adoption of the 5.56mm cartridge as a common NATO ammunition, so British designers from the RSAF Enfield redesigned their weapons for 5.56mm NATO rounds. The LSW was based on the SA-80 IW design, which is covered in the Assault Rifles section on this site under the L85A1 topic. The final version of the SA-80 LSW was adopted by the British Army in 1986, and total slightly over the 22 000 LSW weapons were manufactured before the production of both L85 IW and L86 LSW was ceased.

The L86A1 was plagued by the same problems as its sister, L85A1 rifle. In fact, the L86A1 was more suitable as a semi-automatic para-sniper rifle, than the LSW / LMG, due to the poor reliability in full automatic fire, relatively small (by machine guns standards) magazine capacity and the lack of quick detachable barrels.

Current British troops prefer much heavier and belt-fed 7.62mm L7A1 GPMG (a license-built copy of Belgian FN MAG general purpose machine gun), and at the present time the existing stocks of L86A1 are complemented with the 5.56mm FN Minimi belt-fed LMG in the short-barreled Para configuration. The L86A1 will be used mostly as a longer-range aimed fire weapons, while the suppressive fire functions will be conducted using more effective FN Minimi.

Technical description.
General design of the L86A1 is mostly similar to the design of L85A1 rifle, except for the following. The L86A1 has longer barrel, with the steel stock extension under it, that carries the folding bipods. The bolt and trigger system are modified, so the gun can be fired from open bolt. The butt is fitted with folding shoulder support. The vertical grip is attached below the receiver, behind the magazine housing. The L86A1 could not be fitted with

2009-04-28T20:28:00.000+07:00

Type 95 and 97 (QBB-95 and QBB-97) light machine guns (China)

Type 95 light machine gun with drum magazine

Type 95 drum magazine opened for reloading

Caliber: 5.8x42mm (5.56x45 NATO in Type 97)
Weight: 3,9 kg less magazine
Length: 840 mm
Length of barrel: 600 mm
Feeding: 30 round box or 80 round drum magazines
Rate of fire: 650 rounds/min

Type 95 light machine gun (Chinese designation QBB-97) is a companion weapon for relatively new QBZ-95 assault rifle, which is now in service with People's Liberation Army of China. QBB-97 shares about 70% of components with the assault rifle, and differs mostly in that it has a longer and heavier barrel, fitted with folding bipod. It is intended to serve as a squad automatic weapon, providing effective automatic fire at ranges up to 600 meters. An export version of the QBB-95 is offered through NORINCO corporation as Type 97 LMG. It is basically same weapon but adapted to fire 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge from M16-compatible magazines.

Type 95 is gas operated, selective fired, air cooled light machine gun. It uses a short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel. Rotary bolt has three lugs that lock into the barrel extension. Receiver is made from polymer and is of bull-pup layout. Charging handle is located at the top of the receiver, under the carrying handle. Safety / fire mode selector switch is located at the left side of the buttstock, close to the rear end of the weapon. Ejection is to the right side only. Standard magazine is a proprietary 80-round drum with asymmetrically located mouth. QBB-95 also can accept standard 30 round box magazines from QBZ-95 assault rifle.

2009-04-28T20:26:00.000+07:00

Heckler und Koch 7,62mm HK 11 / HK 21 and 5,56mm HK 13 / HK 23 machine gun (Germany)

7,62x51 mm HK 21 machine gun, original version

7,62x51 mm HK 21A1 machine gun, on tripod and with telescope sight

7,62x51 mm HK 21E machine gun, definitive version of the line

Original 7,62x51 NATO HK 11 light machine gun with double-drum 80-round magazine

7,62x51 NATO HK 11E light machine gun with 20-round magazine

5,56x45 mm HK 23E machine gun with belt box attached

5,56x45 mm HK 23E machine gun with loose belt and optional telescope sight

Early production 5,56x45mm HK 13 light machine gun with 100-round double drum magazine

Data for belt-fed machine guns

	HK 21E	HK 23E
Caliber	7,62x51 mm NATO	5.56x45 mm NATO
Weigth	9.3 kg on bipod	8.7 kg on bipod
Length	1140 mm	1030 mm
Length of barrel	550 mm	450 mm
Feeding	box magazine 20 or 30 rounds, drum 80 rounds or belt 50 or 100 rounds	box magazine 20 or 30 rounds, drum 100 rounds or belt 50 or 100 rounds
Rate of fire	800 rounds/min	800 rounds/min

Data for magazine-fed machine guns

	HK 11E	HK 13E
Caliber	7,62x51 mm NATO	5.56x45 mm NATO
Weigth	7,6 kg on bipod	8.0 kg on bipod
Length	1030 mm	1030 mm
Length of barrel	450 mm	450 mm
Feeding	box magazine 20 or 30 rounds or double drum 80 rounds	box magazine 20 or 30 rounds or double drum 100 rounds
Rate of fire	700 rounds/min	700 rounds/min

In 1961 Heckler&Koch had completed about 1/3 of its first manufacturing contract for the G3 rifle. At this time the HK management decided that it would be worth the investment to develop a universal machine gun which would be as close to the new rifle, in terms of design and maintenance, as possible. The basic action of the new machine gun, which received the company designation HK 21, was similar to that of the G3 rifle. The HK 21 fired from a closed bolt (not that big an issue since its heavy barrel was really quick-detachable) and, unlike most machine guns, its belt feed module was located below the receiver. This made the loading and unloading of the belt somewhat less comfortable than on other weapons, such as the MG 3. On the other hand, it allowed for the easy replacement of the belt feed module with a magazine adapter module, which permitted the use of standard G3 rifle magazines or specially developed 80-round double drums. The new machine gun was on the “light” side of the spectrum, although in its basic version it fired a full-power 7.62x51 NATO ammunition and a variety of tripods and other mountings were offered along with the gun. The HK 21 came too late to be seriously considered by the Bundeswehr, but it was tried and adopted by the Portuguese army, and number of weapons was also bought by other countries, such as Greece, Mexico, Sweden and some others, mostly African and Asian nations.
The HK 21 spawned a whole range of modifications and derivatives. Other than the basic 7.62mm NATO caliber, HK also offered its machine guns in US 5.56x45mm and Soviet 7.62x39 chambering. Early versions in these “additional” calibers also were offered under the designation HK 21, but later on HK adopted a special pattern for numbering, where first digit of model number designated a type of weapon (i.e. 1 – LMG with magazine feed, 2 – GPMG with belt feed, 3 – assault rifle, 5 – submachine gun etc), and second digit designated the caliber (1 – 7.62x51 NATO, 2 – 7.62x39 Soviet, 3 – 5.56x45 US). Therefore, belt fed HK machine guns were offered as HK 21, HK 22 and HK 23. It must be noted that HK never manufactured weapons in 7.62x39 Soviet in any significant numbers, and completely dropped this caliber from its catalogues by the 1980s.
In parallel with belt fed machine guns, HK also developed a number of magazine-fed light machine guns. While those could be classified as “machine rifles”, most of these weapons are actually just conversions of belt-fed guns and, for example, any magazine-fed HK 11E can be converted to a belt-fed HK 21E configuration (assuming that all of the necessary parts are on hand) and vice versa.
One last note must be made concerning HK delayed blowback machine guns in 7.62mm NATO caliber. Those guns were lighter than most rivals (such as the MG 3 or FN MAG), and fired from a closed bolt, thus limiting the maximum effective range and sustained firepower capabilities. On the other hand, the stationary barrel and closed-bolt firing, combined with a selective fire trigger, allowed for very accurate semi-automatic fire. These guns were almost ideal squad automatic weapons: versatile, relatively lightweight and easily operated by one man.
Despite its failure in the US SAW program, HK kept updating its weapons. In about 1981 HK introduced new versions of its machine gun lineup, distinguished by the “E” model suffix, which stood for “Export”. These weapons had longer receivers and barrel jackets, and thus were slightly heavier than their predecessors (especially in 5.56mm versions), and also had a number of other improvements. These weapons sold moderately well, mostly for export, and HK kept manufacturing them until very recently. It seems that HK gradually stopped the production of its roller-delayed machine guns by the early 2000’s, as the current trends on the world small arms market are toward gas operated light machine guns in 5.56mm NATO caliber, such as HK's own MG 4.

All Heckler & Koch machine guns are based on the same delayed blowback action with a stationary barrel. The key differences between the various models of the same period are the feed type (belt or magazine) and the type of cartridge used, although in the “A1” and “E” modifications every gun can be converted from belt to magazine feed with the substitution of the appropriate parts, and HK 21 guns of the earliest make also could change caliber with the replacement of the barrel, bolt and certain parts in the feed. Barrels are quick detachable. A new barrel then can be inserted within a very short period of time.
The roller-retarded bolt system employs a two parts bolt with two rollers. The front bolt part (the bolt head) is relatively light and has a bolt face with an extractor on it. It also has a hollow cavity at the rear, in which the inclined forward end of the rear part of the bolt (bolt body) is inserted. The system features two rollers, inserted from the sides into the bolt head and rested on the inclined forward end of the bolt body. When the gun is fired, the pressure began to move the cartridge back against the bolt face. The rollers, which are extended into the recesses in the barrel extension, began to move inward into the bolt head, due to inclined shape of the recesses. This movement translates into the faster rearward movement of the heavier bolt body, so, at the initial instant of firing when pressure in the chamber is still high, the bolt face moves relatively slowly. As the pressure drops to a reasonable level, the rollers gradually leave the recesses in the barrel extension; as soon as the rollers are completely pushed into the bolt, the bolt head and bolt body begin to move backwards at the same speed, extracting and ejecting the spent case and chambering a fresh cartridge on the way back. Since this system provides no positive initial extraction, the cartridge chamber is fluted to reduce friction.
All HK machine guns fire from a closed bolt. The trigger / hammer units are made integral with the pistol grip, and hinged to the receiver at the front. Early guns had selective fire, with a three position safety / selector lever located above the trigger on the left side of the unit. Later guns added a three-round burst mode to the already available automatic and single-shot modes.
The charging handle is located on the left side of the barrel jacket, and folds forward when not used. It does not reciprocate when the gun is fired, and can be used to lock the bolt back for unloading, change of barrel or inspection.
Late production HK guns use modular feed units, attached to the bottom of the receiver by means of cross-pins. Available feed options are magazine feed or belt feed. The magazine feed unit will accept standard rifle-type magazines developed for HK assault rifles of the same caliber, or specially designed double drums. Belt feed units will accept standard disintegrating or non-disintegrating belts. Belt feed is from left side only. Early belt-fed guns had “unitary” feed modules, with the only way to load or unload the belt being pulling the belt through the unit. With the “A1” configuration, belt feed units were redesigned to accommodate a hinged bottom cover, which can be easily opened for rapid loading or unloading of the belt. The bottom of the belt feed module has a special interface which will accept 100-round (7.62mm) or 200-round (5.56mm) belt boxes.
HK machine guns are fitted with polymer buttstocks and detachable, adjustable, folding bipods. For “assault” missions, a forward vertical grip can be attached to the barrel jacket. Additionally, guns are fitted with a folding carrying handle, located at the center of mass. Other accessories include several types of tripods and vehicle mounts, made by HK and several other companies.

2009-04-28T20:22:00.000+07:00

Heckler und Koch G11 (Germany)

HK G11 rifle

HK G11K2 pre-productional rifle

HK G11 rifle with the optional optical scope installed

second prototype of the G11 (HKpro.com)

13th prototype of the G11 (HKpro.com)

caseless ammunition - early variant at the left, latest variant DM11 (cutout view) - at the right

schematic drawing of the G11 bolt & feeding system

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Caliber: 4.7 mm caseless
Action: Gas operated, rotating breech
Overall length: 750 mm
Barrel length: 540 mm
Weigth: 3.6 kg empty
Magazine capacity: 50 or 45 rds

The development of the G11 rifle was started in the late 1960's, when West German government decided to replace existing G3 rifle with lighter weapon with much better hit probability.

The initial studies lead to the idea of the small-caliber, rapid-fire rifle that fires caseless ammunition. To ensure sufficient stopping/killing power for small-caliber bullets used, the rifle should had have the three-round bursts capability and high capacity magazine.

The new design, called G11, was created by german company Hecler und Koch, with the Dynamit Nobel company in team. The HK was responsible for the rifle itself, while Dynamit Nobel had to develop caseless ammunition.

The basic concept of the G11 is as follows:
The rifle features unique cylinder breech/chamber system that rotates 90 degrees. The cartridges in the magazine are located above the barrel, bullets down. Prior to each shot, first cartridge is pushed down from magazine into chamber and then breech/chamber rotates 90 degrees to align the cartridge with the barrel (see pic). After that, the cartridge is fired and the breech/chamber rotates back, ready for the next cartridge to be chambered. In the case of the cartridge ignition failure, the failed cartridge is pushed down from the chamber by the next cartridge. The breech can be manually "cocked" by the rotating handle at the side of the rifle, located beyond the pistol handle. The cocking handle does not move when gun is fired. Another interesting detail is that barrel, rotating breech, feed module and magazine are mounted in the housing that can move in the rifle back and forth. When firing single shots, the housing moves back and forward after the each shot. When firing the full-auto, the housing moves back and forward during each shot, resulting in moderate rate of fire of some 600 round per minute. But, when firing the three-round bursts, second and third cartridges are feed and fired as soon as the chamber is ready for it, and third bullet leaves the barrel PRIOR to the moment when the housing becomes to its rearward position. This results in wery high rate of fire with three-shots bursts - ca. 2000 rounds per minute. Also, this results in that the actual recoil affects the rifle AFTER the last bullet in the burst is fired.

Rifle featured built-in 1X optical sight with simple circle aiming reticle. Early prototypes featured one 50 rounds polymer magazine, while latest versions featured 45 rounds magazines - one in the loaded position within the movable housing and two spare magazines on the top of the rifle, asides from the loaded magazine.

The caseless ammunition in its early appearance was designed as a block of the propellant, coated with flammable laquer, with bullet and primer "glued on" the propellant. Final ammunition design DM11, that appeared in the mid-1980s, featured "telescopic" design, when bullet was fully enclosed in the block of the propellant. The cartridge propelled the bullet that weights 3.25 gramms, to the 930-960 meters per second.

Early prototypes were prone to the ammunition cook-offs during the sustained fire, but later Dynamit Nobel solved this issue.

In the late 1980s the Bundeswehr (West German Army) began the field tests of the pre-production G11s. After the initial tests, some improvements were devised, such as removable optical sight, mounting of two spare magazines on the rifle, and bayonet/bipod mount under the muzzle.

The modified variant, called G11K2, was tested in 1989, scoring at least 50% better combat accuracy when compared to G3 rifle. Initial batch of some 1000 G11K2s was received by Bundeswehr in 1990 or so, but due to some reasons the whole programme was cancelled by German Government. Main reasons of this cancellation were, in my opinion, the lack of fundings after the re-union of the West and East Germanies, and the general NATO policy for unification of the ammunition and even magazines for the assault rifles.

The slightly modified G11 was also tested in the USA under the ACR (Advanced Cobat Rifle) programme, in 1990. The ACR programme was not intended to result in adoption of the new rifle for the US Army, just to test new technologies and designs, and the G11 proved itself as a very accurate, comfortable to handle and fire, and reliable weapon.

2009-04-28T20:18:00.000+07:00

SIG SG-550 SG-551 SG-552 Stgw.90 assault rifles (Switzerland)

Complete family of SIG 55x rifles, top to bottom: SIG SG 550 / Stgw.90, SIG SG 551-LB SWAT, SIG SG 551 and SIG SG 552 SWAT

SIG SG 550 / Stgw.90 assault rifle, left side view

SIG SG 551 SWAT compact assault rifle for police/special forces use, fitted with Trijicon ACOG scope, tactical light, front grip and cheek rest

SIG SG 551 SWAT short assault rifle for police/special forces use, fitted with Trijicon ACOG scope, tactical light and front grip; modern production version with ful-length Picatinny rail on top and folding iron sights.

	SIG SG 550 / Stgw.90	SIG SG 551 (SG 551 LB)	SIG SG 552
Caliber	5.56x45mm	5.56x45mm	5.56x45mm
Length (stock open / folded)	998 / 772 mm	833 / 607 mm (924 / 698 mm)	730 / 504 mm
Barrel length	528 mm	363 mm (454 mm)	226 mm
Weight empty	4.05 kg w/o magazine	3.3 (3.4) kg w/o magazine	ca. 3.0 kg w/o magazine
Magazine capacity	20 or 30 rounds	20 or 30 rounds	20 or 30 rounds
Rate of fire	700 rounds/min	700 rounds/min	780 rounds/min

Buy civilian-legal SIG 556 rifle at Impact Guns online store

In the late 1970s the Swiss army began the search for a new, smaller caliber rifle to replace old,full-power 7.5mm Stgw.57 (SIG 510) automatic rifle. Initial tests were done with the 5.6 x 48 Eiger and 6.5 x 48 GP80 ammunition. Prototype rifles were developed by SIG (based on their SG-540 design) and by the state-owned Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F). However, the Swiss army selected a slightly improved version of the 5.56 x 45 NATO cartridge as the 5.6 mm GP90, and further testing proved the superiority of the SIG SG-541 rifle over its W+F rival. In 1983, the Swiss Army officially adopted the SIG SG-541 as the Sturmgewehr-90, or Stgw.90 although due to financial reasons production began only in 1986. Currently, the Stgw.90 is a standard Swiss service rifle.
The Swiss army took its last deliveries of the Stgw.90 in the mid-1990s, but these rifles are still offered for export by the international SIGARMS organization, as well as sold for the civilian market in semi-automatic only versions. In export form this rifle is known as the SIG SG-550. "Carbine" and subcompact "Commando" assault rifle versions are available in the form of SIG SG-551 and SIG SG-552, respectively. Civilian versions of the SIG SG-550 and 551 are known as the Stgw.90 PE in Switzerland or SIG 550-SP and 551-SP when sold for export.
The SIG-550 is often referred as the finest 5.56 mm rifle ever made. It is also, not surprisingly, quite expensive.
Recently, SIG Arms has introduced a civilian / law-enforcement offspring of the SG-550, known as SIG 556. This is a semi-automatic rifle, altered to accept M16-type magazines and fitted with "Americanized" furniture.

Basically, the SIG-550 is a somewhat lightened and refined SIG SG-540/541 rifle. SIG SG-550 is gas operated, with gas piston removably attached to the bolt carrier, and with rotating bolt with two massive lugs. The recoil spring is located around the gas piston rod, above the barrel, and the bolt carrier attached to the gas piston rod by the mean of removable charging handle. The most compact weapon in the line, the SIG SG-552, is similar to SIG SG-551 but it has even shorter handguard and barrel. Due to short barrel and gas piston, SG-552 has return spring relocated to the rear part of the receiver, and thus it has an altered bolt carrier and upper receiver. The gas port has gas regulator with two different open and one closed position (latter for firing rifle grenades). The receiver of all SG-55x series guns is made from stamped steel and has two major parts, upper and lower, which are connected by pushpins. The barrel is screwed into the upper receiver. The trigger unit has a safety/fire selector switch on the left side of the receiver, with 3 settings: safe, semi-auto, full-auto. If desired, additional module could be installed in the trigger mechanism to allow 3-rounds burst mode. Rear sights are drum-type (like those found on Heckler-Koch rifles). On certain current production models rear sight is replaced with full-length Picatinny style rail with folding back-up reat sight. SIG SG-550 has muzzle compensator/flash hider of NATO-standard diameter, so it is possible to launch rifle grenades from the muzzle. The SIG-550 can be fitted with detachable folding bipods under the handguard, and is issued with side-folding, skeletonized polymer buttstock. Every rifle of SIG SG-550 family can be fitted with proprietary, quick detachable scope mount, although current production rifles are usually fitted with one or more picatinny rails. Swiss Stgw.90 are often seen with 4X fixed power scope, export versions can be equipped with commercial telescope sights, ACOG or "red dot" sights, depending on customer preferences. SIG SG-550 also can be fitted with bayonet. Standard magazine capacity for Swiss military Stgw.90 rifles is 20 rounds, as Swiss tactical doctrine calls for accurate semi-automatic fire, reserving full automatic mode only for emergency purposes. Standard magazines can be clamped together for ease of carry, using integral studs on the magazine walls. For those who might require more firepower, SIG also produces 30-round magazines.

The carbine version of the SIG-550 is called SG-551 and has shorter barrel. Quite recently, SIG also introduced a "long barrel" version of the SG-551, which is known as SIG SG-551LB. SIG-551 can't fire rifle grenades.

2009-04-28T20:16:00.002+07:00

IMI Galil assault rifle (Israel)

Galil ARM 5.56mm. The only differences from the Galil AR are the folding bipod and carrying handle

same rifle, with bipods unfolded. Insert shows the left-side fire selector / safety switch with Hebrew markings.

Galil AR 7.62mm. Note the longer barrel and deeper magazine

Galil SAR 5.56mm with shorter barrel (with older type brownish color wooden forearm)

Galil MAR 5.56mm, or Micro-Galil. The most modern Galil derivative.

	Galil AR / ARM	Galil AR / ARM	Galil SAR	Galil MAR
Caliber	7.62x51mm NATO	5.56x45mm NATO
Overall length (stock open / folded)	1050 / 810 mm	979 / 742 mm	840 / 614 mm	690 / 445 mm
Barrel length	535 mm	460 mm	332 mm	195 mm
Weight, empty	4 kg (without bipod an carrying handle)	3.95 kg (4.35 kg ARM)	3.75 kg	2.95 kg
Magazine capacity	25 rounds	35 or 50 rounds		35 rounds
Rate of fire	650 rounds per minute	650 rounds per minute	650 rounds per minute	600 - 750 rounds per minute
Effective range of fire	500 - 600 meters	450 meters	300 meters	150-200 meters

The experience, gained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during the Six-days war of 1967, showed the deficiencies of the FN FAL rifles, which were the main armament of the IDF infantry. The FAL rifles were too sensitive to fine sand and dust of Arab deserts, and too long and bulky to carry and maneuver. On the other hand, the same war showed the advantages of the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles, used by Arab infantry with great success. After the end of this war IDF decided to develop a new assault rifle, which will eventually replace the FN FAL battle rifles and some of the UZI submachine guns. It was also decided that the new assault rifle should be built around the new American low-impulse cartridge, known as 5.56x45mm. During the late 1960s the IDF tested two rival designs, one of the Uziel Gal, and the other of the Israel Galili. The latter design, based on the Finnish Valmet Rk.62 assault rifle (a license-built AK-47 clone), eventually won the competition and was selected as a new IDF assault rifle in the 1973, but its actual adoption was delayed by the next Israeli-Arab Yom Kippur war of the 1973. The machinery and documentation package was bought from Valmet and transferred to the state owned Israel Military Industries (IMI) company. There are some rumors that the first production Galil rifles were built on the Valmet-made receivers. The basic Galil rifle later evolved into several configurations, including the full-size 5.56mm AR and ARM assault rifles, compact 5.56mm SAR rifle for the tank and vehicle crews, 7.62mm NATO AR selective fire and 7.62mm NATO semi-automatic Galatz sniper rifle, 5.56mm MAR subcompact assault rifle, also known as Micro-Galil, and some other modifications, like the unsuccessful .30 Carbine Magal police rifle.

While being a successful weapon, the Galil was not widely issued to the IDF during its lifetime, because during the late 1960s and early 1970s Israel received large shipments of the US M16 and CAR-15 assault rifles at the very low prices. M16 rifles became the major armament of the IDF, with the Galils mostly issued to the Armored corps, Artillery corps and some units of the Israeli Air Forces. The Galil rifles were exported to the various South American, African and Asian countries. Estonia also received some Galil rifles in the early 2000s. The slightly modified Galil rifle is manufactured by the South African Vektor company, a division of the DENEL. Those models included the R-4 (Galil AR), R-5 (Galil SAR) and R-6 (Galil MAR) assault rifles, and are used by the South African Military. Another offspring of the Galil is the Croatian APS-95 assault rifle. The semi-automatic only versions of the both 5.56mm and 7.62mm Galil AR rifles were widely sold to both domestic and foreign civilian and law enforcement markets.

In general, the Galil rifles are fine weapons, but somewhat heavy and expensive to manufacture.

Technical description.
Basically, the Galil assault rifle can be described as a modified Kalashnikov AK-47 design, and a detailed description of its functioning can be found in respective article at this site. The key differences between the Galil and the AK-47 are as follows. The Galil featured a machined steel receivers of the original AK-47 rifles, but of slightly different shape. The AK-47-style safety - selector switch at the right side of the gun is complemented by the additional smaller switch at the left side of the receiver, above the pistol handle. The cocking handle is bent upward, so it can be operated with either hand. The sights of the Galil featured a front hooded post, mounted on the gas block, with the rear diopter sight, mounted on the receiver top cover. Rear sight is of the flip-up type, with settings for 300 and 500 meters. Additional folding night sights with luminous inserts can be raised into position, which allows to aim the gun in the low light conditions at the ranges of up to 100 meters. The barrel and the flash hider can be used to launch the rifle grenades from the barrel, using the blanc or live cartridges (depending on the rifle grenade type). The Galil ARM also features a folding detachable bipods and a carrying handle. The bipod base incorporates a bottle opener and a wire cutter. The standard folding buttstock is patterned after FN FAL Para, folds to the right to save the space. Some of the late production Micro-Galil (MAR) rifles also are fitted with the Picatinny-type rail, which allows to mount various sighting devices. Standard AR and ARM rifles can be fitted with scope mounting rail on the left side of the receiver. All 5.56mm Galil rifles are fed using proprietary 35 or 50 rounds curved box magazines with AK-47 style locking. M16-type magazines can be used via the special adapter. 7.62mm Galil rifles are fed using proprietary 25 rounds box magazines. Civilian semi-automatic Galil variants sometimes are fitted with 10 rounds magazines to comply with local firearms laws.

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Micro Galil Rail System

GX-6

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FAB Tactical Foregrip-Bipod with Flashlight

T-POD

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LU762AK47BLK

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Galil - 35 rd 5.56 magazines.

BL556GALIL35

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2009-04-28T20:16:00.001+07:00

GIAT FAMAS assault rifle (France)

FAMAS F1 (original version). Note original straight FAMAS magazine that holds 25 rounds

FAMAS rifle stripped into major components

FAMAS G2 (latest version, with 30 rounds STANAG magazine)

Modifications of the FAMAS G2, now available from GIAT Industries

FAMAS-FELIN system prototype (2001). Modified FAMAS G2 rifle fitted with electronic day/night optical sight, laser rangefinder and an interface to the other soldier equipment, such as helmet-mounted display (HMD).

Technical data

	FAMAS F1	FAMAS G2
Caliber	5.56mm NATO (.223rem)
Action	Delayed blowback
Overall length	757 mm
Barrel length	488 mm
Weight	3.61 kg with empty magazine	3.8 kg with empty magazine
Magazine capacity	25 rounds (proprietary)	30 rounds (STANAG)
Muzzle velocity	960 m/s	925 m/s
Rate of fire	900-1000 rounds per minute	1000-1100 rounds per minute
Effective range	300 meters	450 meters

FAMAS stands for Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne (Assault Rifle by St-Etienne Arms Factory - a member of the French govt. owned GIAT Industries concern). Development of this rifle began in 1967, under the leadership of the Paul Tellie, a French arms designer. This new rifle was intended to replace in service the MAS Mle.49/56 semi-automatic rifles, MAT-49 submachine guns and some MAC Mle.1929 light machine guns. First FAMAS prototype had been built in 1971. French military began to test this rifle in 1972-73, but, in the meantime, France adopted a Swiss-designed SIG SG-540 5.56mm assault rifle as an intermediate solution. FAMAS rifle was adopted by the French in 1978 and since then became a standard French Army shoulder fired small arm, known among the French soldiers as "Le Clairon" (the bulge). According to the Janes Infantry Weapons 2000, the total number of FAMAS F1 rifles built is estimated at 400 000, and the production of the F1 variant is now completed. It is still used by the French army, and was exported in small numbers to some countries like the Senegal or United Arab Emirates. Since then, the GIAT Industries developed an improved version of the F1, known as the G1. This rifle featured an enlarged trigger guard, that covered a whole hand, and a slightly improved plastic handguards. G1 was an intermediate design, and was consequently replaced by the latest production model, the FAMAS G2, which appeared circa 1994. This rifle has the G1-style enlarged trigger guard but can accept only STANAG type (M16-compatible) magazines. It was adopted and purchased by the French Navy in the 1995, with the French Army soon following the suit, and also offered for export. At the present time the slightly upgraded FAMAS G2 rifle is used as a platform for the future FELIN system (a French counterpart to the US "Land Warrior" programme), which incorporates a various electronic sights and sensors, connected to the soldier carried equipment, like the helmet mounted displays, ballistic and tactical computers etc. GIAT also now offers some variations of the basic FAMAS G2 rifle, such as "Submachine gun" with shortened receiver and barrel of 320 mm long, "Commando" with the standard receiver and the 405 mm barrel, and the "Sniper", with longer and heavier 620 mm barrel and an integral scope mount instead of the carrying handle.

The FAMAS rifles seen some action during the operation "Desert Storm" in Kuwait in 1991, as well as in some peace-keeping operations in the mid and late 1990s, and proved itself as a reliable and trustworthy weapons.

Technical description
The FAMAS assault rifles are built using the bullpup layout, with the magazine housing behind the pistol grip and trigger. The gun is built around the compact receiver, which is enclosed in the plastic housing. FAMAS is one of the relatively rare systems that uses a lever delayed blowback action, borrowed from the French AAT-52 machine gun, but originally invented by the Hungarian designer Paul de Kiraly prior to the Second World War, and improved by the Paul Tellie for the FAMAS rifle. This system consists of the two-part bolt (breech block) with the delay lever interposed between the light forward part (the bolt itself), which has a bolt face and the provisions for extractor mountings, and the heavier rear part (the bolt carrier). The lever is pivotally mounted on the front part of the breech block (bolt), with its lower legs resting against the cross pin in the receiver and the upper legs resting against the face on the bolt carrier (assuming that the bolt group is in its forward position). Gun is fired from the closed bolt. When cartridge is ignited and fired, the gas pressure against the cartridge base pushes the cartridge case back in the fluted chamber, against the bolt face. The bolt begin to move back under the pressure, but at initial stages of the movement, when the pressure is still high, the delay lever transforms the short movement of the bolt into the longer movement of the heavier bolt carrier, thus delaying the opening of the bolt. As soon as the pressure in the chamber is dropped down to reasonable level, the lever is completely withdrawn from the contact with the cross pin, and from this moment on both bolt and its carrier begin to move back with the same speed, compressing the return spring and extracting and ejecting the spent case. The bolt face has extractor mounting points on both sides, so user can mount the extractor claw on the left or the right side of the bolt, which will result in the left-side or right-side extraction of the spent cartridge cases through the ejection ports on both sides of the gun. One of the ejection ports, which is not used at the moment, is always covered with detachable cheek piece, which can be installed on either side of the gun, as required. This allows to solve the problem of the left-hand use, which is essential for most bullpup rifles. The charging handle is located above the receiver, under the carrying handle, is shaped like trigger and completely ambidextrous. The charging handle does not reciprocate when gun is fired.

The firing mechanism unit is contained in the detachable plastic housing just behind the magazine port. The unit is linked to the trigger by the long trigger rod, and the safety / fire selector is located within the triggerguard, just ahead of the trigger. The selector has 3 positions for safe, single shots, and automatic fire. Additional three-rounds bursts module is built into the firing mechanism housing, with the additional selector under the housing, behind the magazine, that allows for the unlimited full automatic fire or 3 rounds burst modes to be selected (when the main selector is in the full auto mode).

The sighting system of the FAMAS consists of the blade front and the diopter rear sight, adjustable for range and with two flip-up apertures, for good visibility and low light conditions. Both sights are mounted on the pillars, that are in turn mounted on the receiver, and concealed by the large plastic carrying handle. The carrying handle has the provisions for mounting a Weaver or Picatinny-style sight bases. A special receivers also available with the integral sights base instead of the carrying handle.

The standard FAMAS barrel is 488 mm long and has a NATO-standard 22mm diameter flash hider, which also is used to launch rifle grenades from the muzzle. Current FAMAS barrels are rifled with 1:9 twist (1 turn in 228 mm, right hand), so both older M193 and newer 5.56mm NATO / SS109 / M855 ammunition can be fired with good results. Another interesting fact about FAMAS barrels is that it has only 3 groves (while most other rifles have 4 to 6 grooves). The "Commando" variant has the shorter barrel which cannot be used to launch grenades. Both standard and the Commando versions can be fitted with the 40mm M203 underbarrel grenade launcher, if required. Every FAMAS rifle (except for the shortest "Submachine gun" version) can be fitted with folding, non-adjustable lightweight bipods that can be folded along the gun body when not in use. On most rifles these bipods are fitted as a standard. Every FAMAS rifle is equipped with the carrying sling and with detachable bayonet.

2009-04-28T20:14:00.000+07:00

Colt M4 and M4A1 carbine / assault rifle (USA)

Colt M4 carbine, current issue model with removable carrying handle

M4A1 carbine (current production model with removable carrying handle)

Old-style M4 carbine (integral carrying handle) with M203 40mm grenade launcher.

Current issue M4A1 carbine with RIS-mounted M203 grenade launcher and a telescope sight

Click here to see the the SOPMOD M4A1 kit (54 Kb JPEG, will open in new window)

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Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 838 mm (stock extended); 757 mm (stock fully collapsed)
Barrel length: 370 mm
Weight: 2.52 kg without magazine; 3.0 kg with magazine loaded with 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 700 - 950 rounds per minute
Maximum effective range: 360 m

The Colt company developed various carbine versions of the basic AR-15 / M16 rifle since 1970s. These carbines were intended for all markets - military, law enforcement, civilian. US Military (and some other armies, most notably - Israeli Self-Defense Forces) had adopted the Colt CAR-15 Commando and XM-177 carbines during the 1970s and 1980s. But early in 1990s the old idea of replacing the pistols in the hands of the troops with some more effective, shoulder fired weapon, rise again in the heads of the US Military. In fact, this idea can be dated back to the US M1 Carbine of 1941, but good ideas never die. So, in the 1994, US Army adopted the Colt Model 720 selective-fire carbine (basically, a shortened M16A2 rifle), as the US M4 Carbine. This weapon was intended to replace in service some M9 pistols, as well as some aged M3A1 submachine guns and some M16A2 rifles. New weapon was much more handy and comfortable to carry, than the long M16A2 rifle, so the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) put its eye on the M4 as a possible universal weapon for all Special Operations community. For this purpose M4 was latter modified with the M16A3-style flat-top receiver with integral Picatinny-type accessory rail instead of the M16A2/M4-type integral carrying handle. This modificatin retained the M4 index. The only difference between the M4A1 and M4 is that its trigger unit of M4A1 is modified to fire full-auto instead of the three shots bursts in M4. Specially for the SOCOM M4A1s US Naval Surface Warfare Center developed a SOPMOD M4 kit, that consisted of the M4A1 carbine equipped with Rail Interface System (RIS) instead of the standard handguards. The kit also includes a variety of the add-on goodies, such as various sights (ACOG 4X telescopic, ACOG Reflex red-dot, detachable back-up open sights), laser pointers (visible and infra-red), detachable sound suppressor (silencer), modified M203 40mm grenade launcher (with shortened barrel and improved sights). The kit also included a detachable front grip and tactical light.

From the first sight, the M4A1 SOPMOD is an ideal Special Operations weapon - handy, flexible, with good firepower. But the latest experience in the Afghanistan showed that the M4 has some flaws. First of all, the shorter barrel commands the lower bullet velocities, and this significantly decreased the effective range of the 5.56mm bullet. Second, the M4 barrel and the forend rapidly overheats. Third, the shortened barrel resulted in the shortened gas system, which works under greater pressures, than in M16A2 rifle. This increases the rate of fire and produces more stress on the moving parts, decreasing the reliability. While adequate as a Personal Defense Weapon for the non-infantry troops (vehicle crews, clerks, staff officers etc), M4A1 is, by some accounts, less than ideal for the Special Operations troops, at least in its present state. The idea of the complete re-arming of the US Army with the M4 as a money-saving measure, also is somewhat dubious.

Technical description.
The M4 carbine differs from the M16A2 rifle only by having a shorter barrel and a telescoped, 4-position buttstock. The M4A1 is a similar modification of the M16A3 rifle, so for general technical description please refer to the M16 article on this site.

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3\4"

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2009-04-28T20:13:00.000+07:00

Kalashnikov AK (AK-47) AKS, AKM and AKMS assault rifles (USSR)

The first Soviet 'true' intermediate cartridge (7.62x41 M43) assault rifle, Sudaev AS-44, as tested in 1944. Unfortunately, Sudaev fell severely ill in 1945 and died next year before finalizing his design.

Tokarev 7.62x41 experimental assault rifle, as tested in late 1945

The first Kalashnikov assault rifle prototype of 1946, also known as AK-46. Note that it had numerous internal and external differences from the later models, including separate safety and fire mode selector switches, as well as non-reciprocating charging handle, all located on the left side of the weapon

AK-46 prototype disassembled

The Bulkin AB-46 experimental assault rifle, which greatly influenced the AK-47

The experimental Kalashnikov assault rifle of 1947, also known as AK-47, first model

Bulkin AB-46 experimental assault rifle, partially disassembled.

The experimental Kalashnikov assault rifle of 1947, also known as AK-47, first model, disassembled

The experimental Kalashnikov assault rifle of 1947, also known as AK-47, second model (note that it has a small muzzle brake / compensator)

Early production / issue Kalashnikov AK rifle, as manufactured between 1949 and 1951, with stamped receiver and early type slab-sided magazine

Post-1951 production Kalashnikov AK rifle with milled receiver and bayonet attached, right side

Post-1951 production Kalashnikov AK rifle with milled receiver and bayonet, left side

Kalashnikov AK rifle with PBS silencer, as used by Soviet Spetsnaz

Kalashnikov AKM (modernized) rifle, with stamped receiver and new type of knife / bayonet

Kalashnikov AKMS - AKM with folding buttstock

Kalashnikov AKMN rifle (Modernized, with Night sight mounting bracket on the left side of receiver), with muzzle compensator installed

AKM with GP-25 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher

Click here to see AKM cutout view (JPEG, 69 Kb)

Caliber 7.62x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 870 mm
Barrel length: 415 mm
Weight, with empty magazine: AK 4,3 kg; AKM 3,14 kg
Magazine capacity 30 rounds (40 rounds box magazines and 75 rounds drums from RPK also may be used)
Cyclic rate of fire 600 rounds per minute

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The Kalashnikov assault rifle, also known to the West as the AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova - 47, Kalashnikov automatic rifle, model of 1947), and its derivatives, also known under the common name of AK, is the most prolific small arm of the 2nd half of the XX century. It had been and still is (in more or less modified form) manufactured in dozens of countries, and used in hundreds of countries and conflicts since its introduction. The total number of the AK-type rifles made worldwide during the last 60 years is estimated at 90+ millions. This is a true legendary weapon, known for its extreme ruggedness, simplicity of operation and maintenance, and unsurpassed reliability even in worst conditions possible. It is used not only as a military weapon, but also as a platform for numerous sporting civilian rifles and shotguns (see Saiga semiautomatic shotguns, for example). The AK is an amalgam of previously known features and solutions, combined in the most effective way. The effectiveness, however, depends on the criteria used to measure it, and the key criteria for any and every Soviet and Russian military arm are: Reliability, Simplicity of operation and maintenance, Suitability for mass production. There never was any significant demand for good ergonomics or superb accuracy, though.

The true story of AK began late in 1942, when Soviet troops captured several specimen of the very new German MKb.42(H) machine carbine (assault rifle), along with some 7.92 Kurz ammunition. By mid-1943 the MKb.42(H) along with US-supplied M1 carbine were evaluated by Soviet experts, and it was decided on top level that similar weapons, firing the intermediate power cartridge, must be developed for Soviet army as soon as possible. The task of initial development of new ammunition was accomplished in rather short time. By November 1943 technical specifications for the 7.62x41mm cartridge, having bottlenecked, rimless case and firing 8-gram pointed bullet, were sent out to all Soviet small arms design bureaus and organizations. By the spring of 1944, there were at least ten designs of automatic weapons in the works (not counting semi-automatic carbines that resulted in adoption of SKS and bolt-action carbines that went nowhere). In mid-1944, trials commission selected the AS-44 assault rifle, designed by Sudaev, as the overall best, and ordered a limited production run for troops trials. Some AS-44 rifles were manufactured in spring of 1945, and these were evaluated by troops in summer of 1945, just after the Victory in Europe. Troops generally liked the AS-44, as it has longer effective range compared to PPSh-41 submachine gun, and provided better accuracy in semi-automatic fire. The problem was that AS-44 was overly heavy (more than 5 kg empty), and trials commission ordered next round of development and trials, which started early in 1946.

Enter Mikhail Kalashnikov, the young sergeant of Soviet tank forces, who, after being wounded in combat in 1942, designed a prototype submachine gun while on medical leave. His first weapon was rejected on the grounds of complexity, but the designer himself was assigned to the Red Army's Small Arms and Mortar Research & Proving ground (NIPSMVO) near the Moscow to continue his education and work on other weapons. Here Kalashnikov designed a semi-automatic carbine, heavily influenced by American M1 Garand rifle. This carbine, while not successful by itself, served as a starting point for the first Kalashnikov's assault rifle, provisionally known as AK No.1 or AK-46. In November of 1946 the AK-46 project was chosen for prototype manufacture along with 5 other projects (out of 16 submitted to commission), and Kalashnikov was sent to the city of Kovrov (also not far from the Moscow), to manufacture his weapon at the small arms factory there. The AK-46 was gas operated, rotary bolt weapon that utilized short-stroke gas piston above the barrel, and two-part receiver with separate trigger unit housing and dual controls (separate safety and fire selector switches on the left side of the trigger unit).
In December 1946 new assault rifles were tested at NIPSMVO range, with AS-44 being used as a control (its development has ceased earlier in 1946 due to untimely death of the Sudaev, who was severely ill by the 1945). As an initial result of these tests, the AK-46 was selected for further development by trials commission, with two more weapons selected for further evolution being rifles from designers Dementiev and Bulkin. The second round of trials, which included three weapons (AK-46 by Kalashnikov, AB-46 by Bulkin and AD by Dementiev), resulted in rejection of the improved AK-46, which was inferior to other rivals in many aspects. Despite that failure, Kalashnikov, using his contacts and support from some member of trials commission (whom he knew from his earlier work at NIPSMVO in 1943-46) pursued the head of the trials commission to review the results, and finally got a green light to continue his development for next round of trials. Following the technical failure of the AK-46, Kalashnikov and his companion designer Zaitsev (who was a staff weapons designer at Kovrov plant) decided to completely rework the design, using successful technical solutions borrowed from various weapons, including direct competitors. For example, the long-stroke gas piston, attached to the bolt carrier, along with captive return spring assembly and receiver cover were apparently inspired by Bulkin's AB-46 rifle; the idea of large clearances between bolt group and receiver walls, with minimum friction surfaces, was inspired by the Sudaev's AS-44, the safety / dust cover lever was copied from Browning designed Remington model 8 hunting rifle etc.
It must be noted here, that such copying and borrowing of ideas was actually encouraged by the trials commission (and the whole Soviet ideology), as all intellectual property in USSR was considered to be property of 'the people', or the state. Thus, any state-owned intellectual property could (and must) have been used to the benefit of the people / the state by anyone. And creating a new, most effective assault rifle for the victorious Soviet army was certainly on the top of the list of things, beneficial for the Soviet state at the time.

After extensive tests, conducted in December 1947 - January 1948, which included slightly improved Dementiev KB-P-410, Bulkin TKB-415 and all-new Kalashnikov AK-47 rifles, results were somewhat inconclusive. The AK-47 was found to be most durable and reliable out of three contestants, but it also dragged behind the other two in the accuracy department, especially in full automatic (which was, and still is considered the primary mode of fire for assault rifle in Russia). In fact, the only weapon that fulfilled accuracy requirements was the Bulkin AB-47 / TKB-415, but it had certain problems with parts durability. After lengthy discussion, trials commission finally decided that the better is the enemy of the good, and it is advisable to have not-so accurate but reliable weapon now, rather than to wait indefinitely for accurate-and -reliable weapon in the future. This decision ultimately lead commission to recommend AK-47 for troops trials in November, 1947. It was decided that the production of the new weapon must be commenced at Izhevsk arms plant (now Izhevsk Machine building Plant or IzhMash in short). Kalashnikov has moved from Kovrov to Izhevsk to help with production of the new weapon, which commenced in mid-1948. Official adoption followed late in 1949, with standard nomenclature being '7.62mm avtomat Kalashnikova AK' (7.62mm automatic carbine Kalashnikov). At the same time, a folding buttstock version was adopted for airborne units use, as '7.62mm avtomat Kalashnikova skladnoy AKS' (7.62mm automatic carbine Kalashnikov, folding).
It must be noted that the original design of the receiver, which was assembled from stamped steel 'box' with large machined steel insert pinned at the front, caused a lot of troubles at factory. The technology (equipment and labor) level of the time resulted in extremely high percentage of rejected receivers due to misformed walls, improper pinning of parts, bad geometry etc. After critical revision of the process at the factory it was calculated that it will be more economically feasible to return to the 'old-school' machined receivers. New, machined receiver was designed by one of factory's staff designers, and after approval by military, it was put into production at IzhMash in 1951, under the same basic designation.

Through the following years, design of AK incorporated many minor changes and updates, but it was the experimental Korobov TKB-517 assault rifle (tested by Soviet army in mid-fifties) that spurred further development of AK. The Korobov TKB-517 assault rifle was a great deal lighter than AK, about 1/3 cheaper to manufacture, and significantly more accurate in full automatic fire. This lead the Soviet army to issue new requirements for a lighter and more effective assault rifle, which were formulated in 1955. These requirements were also complemented by requirement for a companion squad automatic / light support weapon (light machine gun in Russian nomenclature). Trials for new weapons were held in 1957-58. Kalashnikov team from Izhevsk submitted an improved AK with new type of stamped receiver and other minor improvements, which competed against a number of weapons from other design teams from the Kovrov and Tula. In technical terms, the Kalashnikov entry fared about average in these trials, with certain rival weapons proving to be more combat-effective and less expensive to make. The trials commission, however, decided again that the better is the enemy of the good, and recommended the improved AK for adoption due to its proven performance and familiarity to the industry and troops. It was officially adopted in 1959 as the AKM ( Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovannyj - Kalashnikov Automatic rifle, Modified) along with companion RPK squad automatic weapon / light machine gun.

The key changes in AKM, as compared to AK, were the introduction of the stamped steel receiver instead of the milled one, and improved trigger/hammer unit, with added hammer release delay device (often incorrectly referred as a rate reducer). Other changes were the redesigned, slightly raised buttstock and the pistol grip, and the addition of the removable muzzle flip compensator. This spoon-like compensator is screwed onto the muzzle and utilized the muzzle blast to reduce muzzle climb during the automatic fire. The compensator could be replaced by the screw-on "PBS-1 noiseless firing device", generally known as a silencer. This silencer requires a special, sub-sonic ammunition with heavier bullets to be used. Another change from AK to AKM was a slightly improved rear sight, with settings from 100 to 1000 (instead of the 800 on AK) meters. Both 800 and 1000 meters, however, are way too optimistic for any practical use, since the effective fire is limited roughly to 300-400 meters, if not less.

In the 1974, Soviet Army officially adopted the 5.45mm ammunition and the appropriately chambered AK-74 assault rifle as its new standard shoulder arm. The AKM, however, was never officially declared obsolete and removed from service, and is still in Russian army stocks. Some non-infantry units of the Russian Army are still armed with 1960s vintage AKM assault rifles. There's also an increasing interest in the 7.62mm weapons since many troops were disappointed by the effectiveness of the 5.45mm ammo during the local conflicts in the 1990s. Some Russian special forces troops (mostly police and Internal Affairs Ministry), currently operating in Chechnya, are using the venerable 7.62mm AKM rifles.

The AK and AKM rifles were widely exported to the pro-Soviet countries and regimes all around the world. Manufacturing licenses along with all necessary technical data packages were transferred (for free or at nominal fee) to many Warsaw Pact countries (Albania, Bulgaria, China, East Germany, Hungary, North Korea, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia). Certain 'non-communist', but friendly countries, such as Egypt, Finland and Iraq, also received manufacturing licenses.

At the present time, despite the world-wide proliferation of the small-bore (5.56 / 5.45mm) weapons, many companies still manufacture 7.62mm assault rifles for military or police use (for example, there's an AK-103, made in limited numbers by the IZHMASH in Russia). Also, production of the semi-automatic only civilian AK derivatives is continued in many countries, including Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, China and others.

Technical description for the AKM assault rifle:
The AKM is a gas operated, selective fire assault rifle.

The gas operated action has a massive bolt carrier with a permanently attached long stroke gas piston. The gas chamber is located above the barrel. The bolt carrier rides on the two rails, formed on the receiver walls, with the significant clearances between the moving and stationary parts, which allows the gun to operate even when its interior is severely fouled with sand or mud. The rotating bolt has two massive lugs that lock into the receiver. Bolt is so designed that on the unlocking rotation it also makes a primary extraction movement to the fired case. This results in very positive and reliable extraction even with dirty chamber and cases. The rotation of the bolt is ensured by the curved cam track, machined in the bolt carrier, and by the appropriate stud on the bolt itself. The return spring and a spring guide are located behind the gas piston and are partially hidden in its hollow rear part when bolt is in battery. The return spring base also serves as a receiver cover lock. The cocking handle is permanently attached to the bolt carrier (in fact, it forms a single machined steel unit with carrier), and does reciprocate when gun is fired.

The receiver of the AKM is made from the stamped sheet steel, with machined steel inserts riveted into the place where required. Earliest AK-47 receivers were also made from the stamped and machined parts, riveted together, but this soon proved to be unsatisfactory, and most of the AK (made between 1951 and 1959) rifles were made with completely machined receivers. The receiver cover is a stamped sheet metal part, with stamped strengthening ribs found on the AKM covers.

The relatively simple trigger/hammer mechanism is loosely based on the 1900's period Browning deigns (much like the most other modern assault rifles), and features a hammer with two sears - one main, mounted on the trigger extension, and one for the semi-automatic fire, that intercepts the hammer in the cocking position after the shot is fired and until the trigger is released. Additional auto sear is used to release the hammer in full auto mode. The AKM trigger unit also featured a hammer release delay device, which is served to delay the hammer release in the full auto fire by few microseconds. This does not affects the cyclic rate of fire, but allows the bolt group to settle in the forwardmost position after returning into the battery. The combined safety - fire selector switch of distinctive shape is located on the right side of the receiver. In the "Safe" position (topmost) it locks the bolt group and the trigger, and also served as a dust cover. The middle position is for automatic fire, and the bottom position is for single shots. The safety / fire selector switch is considered by many as the main drawback of the whole AK design, which is not cured in the most of derivatives until now. It is slow, uncomfortable and sometimes stiff to operate (especially when wearing gloves or mittens), and, when actuated, produces a loud and distinctive click. There's no bolt stop device, and the bolt always goes forward when the last shot from the magazine is fired.

AKM is fed from the 30 rounds, stamped steel magazines of heavy, but robust design. Early AK magazines were of slab-sided design, but the more common AKM magazines featured additional stamped ribs on the sides. Positive magazine catch is located just ahead of the trigger guard and solidly locks the magazine into the place. Insertion and the removal of the magazine requires slight rotation of the magazine around its front top corner, that has a solid locking lug. If available and required, a 40 round box magazines of similar design, or the 75 rounds drums (both from the RPK light machine gun) can be used. Late in production plastic magazines of the distinctive reddish color were introduced.

AKM rifles were issued with wooden stocks and pistol handles. Late production AKM rifles had a plastic pistol grip instead of wooden one. The wooden buttstock has a steel buttplate with mousetrap cover, that covers the accessory container in the butt. The AK buttstock are more swept-down than the AKM ones. The folding stock version had been developed for the airborne troops and its had an underfolding steel shoulder stock. These modifications of the AK and AKM were designated the AKS and AKMS, respectively. AK were issued with the detachable knife-bayonets, and the AKM introduced a new pattern of the shorter, multipurpose knife-bayonet, which can be used in conjunction with its sheath to form a wire-cutter. All AK and AKM rifles were issued with the canvas carrying slings.

The sights of the AKM consist of the hooded front post and the U-notch open rear. Sights are graduated from 100 to 1000 (800 on AK) meters, with an additional "fixed" battle setting that can be used for all ranges up to 300 meters.

AKM rifles also can be fitted with the 40mm GP-25 grenade launchers, that are mounted under the forend and the barrel. Grenade launchers had its own sights on the left side of the unit.

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AK-47/Galil Pistol Grip

AG-47S

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Sniper Pistol Grip AK47/Galil

SG-1

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AK -47 Handguard

AK-47

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CAA AK-47 Folding M16/AR15 Collapsible Butt Stock

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1-5	299$
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FAB AK-47 Folding M16/AR15 Collapsible Butt Stock

Stock-47-AR15

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AK-47 Folding Galil Butt Stock

Stock-47-Galil

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AK-47 M16/AR15 Recoil Reducing Collapsible Butt Stock

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AK-47 M16/AR15 Recoil Reducing
Buffer Tube

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1-5	75$
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AK-47 M16/AR15 Folding Buffer Tube

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1-5	240$
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FAB Tactical Foregrip-Bipod with Flashlight

T-POD

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1-5	106$
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CAA Foregrip-Bipod

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AK-47/GALIL LULA™
Loader & Unloader

LU762AK47BLK

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Magazine Couplers

IDF Rifle Slings

2009-04-28T20:10:00.001+07:00

Pindad SS2 assault rifle (Indonesia)

Pindad SS2-V1 assault rifle

Pindad SS2-V2 assault rifle with Pindad-made 40mm grenade launcher

Pindad SS2-V4 assault / para-sniper rifle

Pindad SS2-V5 assault rifle

	SS2-V1	SS2-V2	SS2-V4	SS2-V5
Caliber	5.56x45 mm NATO
Action	Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length (butt open / folded)	990 / 740 mm	920 / 670 mm	990 / 740 mm	770 / 520 mm
Barrel length	460 mm	403 mm	460 mm	252 mm
Weight	3.4 kg	3.2 kg	4.2 kg	3.2 kg
Rate of fire	~ 700 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	30 rounds

The SS2 family of rifles (from Indonesian "Senapan Serbu 2" - Assault Rifle 2) is manufactured in Indonesia by PT Pindad factory and is based on SS1 (FN FNC) rifle, made by the same factory under license from Belgian company FN Herstal. SS2 rifles are in use by Indonesian army since 2005, and also are offered for export. Initially available in three basic versions (standard rifle SS2-V1, carbine SS2-V2 and para-sniper SS2-V4) it is now also available in subcompact SS2-V5 version, first shown in 2008.

All SS2 rifles share same basic design and same two-part upper / lower receiver construction. Both upper and lower receiver parts are made from aluminum alloy and connected one to another using two cross-pins. Gas-operated action uses long-stroke gas piston, located above the barrel, and a multi-lug rotary bolt that locks into the barrel extension. Charging handle is attached to the bolt carrier on the right side and moves with the bolt group when gun is fired. Fire mode / safety lever is located on the left side of the gun, and permits for single shots and full automatic fire. All versions are fitted with side-folding skeletonized buttstock, and all variants have integral Picatinny type rail on the top of the receiver. In all versions other than SS2-V4 this rail is fitted with removable carrying handle with diopter-type rear sight. Front sight is attached to the gas block, leaving the muzzle part of the barrel unobstructed, so rifle can be used to fire rifle grenades. The SS2-V4 version is issued less front sight base or carrying handle, being fitted with telescope sight and optional cheek rest on the buttstock. SS2-V4 also features heavier barrel for more accurate long-range fire. SS2-V1 and SS2-V2 variants can be fitted with 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher, also made by Pindad.

2009-04-28T19:58:00.000+07:00

Fabrique Nationale (FN) Five-seveN (Belgium)

Five-seveN

Five-seveN Tactical (note safety switch above the trigger)

Five-seveN stripped into main parts

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Type: Double Action Only or Single Action (in Tactical model)
Chambering: 5.7x28mm SS190
Length: 208 mm
Barrel length : 122.5 mm
Weight: ca. 620 g with empty magazine; ca. 760 g loaded
Magazine: 20 rounds

The Five-seveN pistol was designed by FN company (Belgium) as a complimentary sidearm for the P90 submachine-gun. The P90 and Five-seveN share the same ammunition, the 5.7x28mm SS190 cartridge. The SS190 ammunition looks like scaled down 5.56mm NATO round and boosts the 2.02 gramm (31 grains) pointed steel and alluminium core bullet to the muzzle velocity of 650 meters per second (ca. 2130 fps) from the pistol barrel. The key idea behind that ammunition and weapons is to provide good penetration against personnel, protected by modern body armour, while keeping weapons' weight, dimensions and recoil at the reasonable levels.

The Five-seveN is a delayed blowback operated, semi-automatic firearm. It featured polymer frame with underbarrel acessory rail. The gun is available in two versions: Five-seveN standard, intended mostly for military users, and Five-seveN Tactical, intended mostly for Law Enforcement users who carry handguns as a primary weapons. The only difference between Standart and Tactical models is in the trigger type: the Five-seveN standard features Double Action Only trigger with long trigger pull and no external safeties; The Five-seveN Tactical featured Single Action trigger with short and light trigger pull and ambidextrous safety switch, located on the frame above the trigger. Both variants are striker fired, with internal firing pin safety. The sights are fixed, with optional night sights (with luminous dots inserts) available.

The Five-seveN is advertised as being capable to penetrate standart PAGST vest at 300 meters and standart CRISAT (kevlar + titanium) vest at 100 meters.

The Five-seveN is available from FN for government or law enforcement sales only.

2009-04-28T19:57:00.000+07:00

SIG-Sauer P228 and P229 pistols (Switzerland)

SIG-Sauer P228 pistol, left side

SIG-Sauer P228 pistol, right side

SIG-Sauer P229 pistol, left side

SIG-Sauer P229 pistol, right side

SIG-Sauer P229 pistol with accessory rail and DAO trigger (no decocking lever)

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	P228	P229
Type	Double-Action or Double-Action Only semiautomatic
Caliber:	9x19mm Luger	9x19mm Luger, .357 SIG, .40 SW
Length, overall:	180 mm	180 mm
Barrel length:	99 mm	99 mm
Weight, w empty magazine:	825 g	905 g
Capacity:	13 rounds	13 (9mm) or 12 rounds

The SIG-Sauer P228 pistol was developed from the larger SIG-Sauer P226 pistol in 1989 in the same way as the earlier P225 pistol had been developed from P220 – which means that the designers basically chopped some length from the barrel and slide, as well as from the grip. The overall shape of the P228 also was made slightly less angular and more suited for concealed carry. In around 1991 the P228 was adopted by US Armed forces as the M11 pistol, and is issued to Military Police and some other units. The P228 is also a highly popular police and civilian sidearm and is widely issued to law enforcement forces in Europe and the USA. The P229, which was developed especially for the US market and is assembled in the USA using both German and US-made parts, is technically similar to the P228 except for the heavier slide, made by machining a bar of steel as opposed to the P228 slide, which is made by stamping and forming from sheet steel. The heavier slide on the P229 is necessary because of the more powerful ammunition used in this pistol. P229 pistols also can be adapted to any of three calibers (9mm, .357 and .40) by switching the barrel and return spring; P228 pistols are 9mm only and cannot be converted to other calibers.
Like the larger P226, the P228 and P229 pistols are available in aluminium frame/steel slide or stainless steel frame and slide versions, with standard DA or DAO triggers.

How to field- strip (disassemble) P228 and P229: 1) remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release button; 2) check that the chamber is empty; 3) pull the slide all the way back and lock it there with the slide stop; 4) rotate down the disassembly lever, which is located at the left side of the frame, above the trigger; 5) release the slide and carefully push it forward, and out of the frame; 6) remove the return spring assembly from below the barrel; 7) remove the barrel from the slide.
Reassemble in reverse order.

2009-04-28T19:55:00.000+07:00

Glock family of handguns (Austria)

Glock 17 - basic model (9mm); Modern version with finger grooves on the grip and underbarrel acessory rail.

Glock 18 - select-fire model (9mm). Early version with extended barrel and integral compensator.
Note fire mode selector switch on the slide

Glock 19 - semi-compact model (9mm)

Glock 26 - compact model (9mm)

Click here to see Glock parts diagram (.GIF, 25Kb)

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The Glock family of pistols, once started by famous Glock 17 pistol, was developed by Austrian company Glock Gmbh., previously known for quality knives and entrenching tools. The Glock 17 pistol first appeared at the Austrian Army trials, won it and was adopted by Austrai Army and Police in the early 1980s under the designation of P-80. Since then, the Glock 17 and its descentants become very popular military and law enforcement firearms, being exported in more than 50 countries. Currently, Glocks are chambered in all major pistol calibers, namely 9x17mm Short (.380ACP), 9x19mm Luger, .357SIG, .40SW, 10mm auto and .45ACP. Also, Glocks available in full-size service models, semi-compact models, compact models for concealed/backup carry, and in longslide competition models. Training versions, firing non-lethal practice ammo, also available. Training versions are distinguished from "live" ones by frame colour - blue frame for guns that fire non-lethal ammunition and red frame - for non-firing guns.

All Glocks (except for ones chambered in 9x17 - .380ACP) are recoil operated, locked breech pistols. Glocks feature Browning-type linkless locking system with barrel interlocking with slide via ejection port. All Glocks feature patented "Safe action" striker-fired trigger mechanism. After the each cycle of the slide the striker is set to half-cock position and is safely blocked by internal safety. When shooter pulls the trigger, he disengades the trigger safety first, then cocks the striker to the full-cock and then fires the gun. This results in constant trigger pull (ajustable from 2 to 5.5 kg) and, unlike the traditional DA or DAO pistols, unavailability of the "second strike" option in case of the misfire. All Glocks has no external controls except the trigger and the slide stop (the only different is Glock 18, which has slide mounted fire mode selector).

The .380ACP / 9x17mm Short chambered Glocks (models 25 and 28) differs from the rest of the Glock family by operating by simple blowback principle. These pistols targeted for civilian markets where ownership of the firearms chambered in "military" calibers is prohibited, or for those shooters who can't withstand more severe recoil of the "bigger" calibers.

All Glocks feature polymer frame, steel slides made by precision moulding process and had Tenifer heat-threatment to increase rust and wear risistance. early Glocks had plain grips with slight serrations. Modern variants has finger grooves on the front strap of the grip, and ambidextrous thumb rests. Also, modern versions featured underbarrel acessory rails. Barrels has hexagonal rifling in all calibers. Both front and rear sights are dovetailed and usually had white or luminous inserts. Ajustable sights are available for competition models.

Almost all models had modifications with factory-ported barrels. These models are marked with suffix "C" after the model number, i.e. Glock 17C.

The Glock 17 (and only model 17) could be modified with "amphibious kit" that allows underwater firing (in wery shallow depths, thought). Basically, the underwater shooting itself has wery little effect in real combat, since the effective range is extermely short. The real purpose of that feature is to show the strenght of the gun and to allow safe shoting in severe weather conditions, with possible water in the barrel (in many guns this may result in blown barrel).

The select-fire version of the Glock, called Glock 18, available only in 9mm Luger and only for Military / Law enforcement sales. Glock 18 could fire single shots or three-shot bursts. Glock 18 may be equipped with 31-rounds extended magazines and after-market folding stocks. For security reasons, some parts of the Glock 18 ARE NOT interchangeable with Glock 17/19 pistols. The theoretical rate of fire in full-auto mode is 1200 rounds per minute.

9x19mm Glock family basic data (.40SW and .357SIG models has the same dimensions, but weight slightly more)

	GLOCK 17	GLOCK 18 (select-fire)	GLOCK 19	GLOCK 26
Lenght, mm	186	186	174	160
Barrel lenght, mm	114	114	102	88
Weight empty, g	625	625	595	560
Capacity, rds	10, 17, 19, 31	10, 17, 19, 31	10, 15, 17	10, 12

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Glock Accessories

Tactical Scope Mount for Glock

GIS

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Modular Magazine Extension for Glock

NFS

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Universal Tactical Attachment

UTA17/UTA19

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Glock Cocking Handle

FCH

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Glock Magazine Frame Picatinny Attachment

GMF-G

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HandAll Universal Grip

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Holsters & Magazine Pouches

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Jericho Accessories

Metal Jericho Picatinny Rail

MJPR

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Magazine Frame Picatinny Attachment for Jericho and CZ Compatible Models

GMF-9

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1-5	15$
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Modular Magazine Extension for Jericho

NFS

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Grips

Tactical Folding Foregrip

FGG-S

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Laser &-Light

Handgun Flashlight Mount

PLG (1")

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Flashlight/Laser Mount

PLA:

3\4"

1.125"

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Beamshot 1000S

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1 inch Tactical Flashlight

Speed Light

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1 inch Tactical Flashlight with Pressure Switch

Speed Light-PS

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Handgun Accessories

UpLULA™ Universal Pistol Magazine Loader

UP9TO45BLK

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Picatinny Mounted Glass Breaker

WB2

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HandAll Universal Grip

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Modular Magazine Extension for 9mm Handguns

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Cleaning Kit for Handguns

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Polymer Safety Rod

MPROD

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Safety Cord for Handgun

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2009-04-28T19:54:00.001+07:00

Heckler&Koch USP pistols (Germany)

HK USP in .40SW - basic version

HK USP in .45ACP

HK USP .45 Tactical with extended barrel, threaded for sound suppressor (threads are covered by protector)

HK USP Compact .45ACP

USP - cutaway

the family of the USP handguns

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Type: Double Action or Double Action Only
Calibers: 9x19mm Luger, .40 S&W, .45 Auto, .357SIG (USP Compact only)
Dimensions (9 x 19 version)
Length: 194 mm
Height: 136 mm
Width: 32 mm
Weight: 720 g
Capacity: USP, USP Match - 15 rds (9mm), 13 rds (.40), 12 rds (.45); USP Compact - 13 rds (9mm), 12 rds (.357 and .40), 8 rds (.45)

Heckler & Koch started the development of a new Universal Selbstlade Pistole (Universal Self-loading Pistol, or USP in short), in mid-1989. The concept of the new design was to provide a universal weapon for police and military forces, available in a variety of versions and sizes. The target market for this new weapon was apparently the USA, as the first version of the pistol, which appeared in 1993, was chambered for a new American cartridge, the .40 S&W. A 9mm version appeared a little later, and in 1995 the slightly modified 9mm USP pistol was adopted by the Bundeswehr (German army) as its new service pistol, under the designation P8. The same year the company also brought out another “America-special” version of the USP, this time in.45 ACP caliber. In 1996 the first of the Compact series of USP pistols entered production, and next year it was officially approved for German police use as the 9mm P10. Several versions of the USP were also made specifically for civilian markets, such as the USP Expert, USP Elite and USP Match. There are also several special-purpose versions of the USP. These include two original variations fitted with extended threaded barrels to be used with silencers, the .45 caliber USP Tactical and 9mm USP 9 SD, recently joined by the .45 caliber USP 45 Compact Tactical, sometimes preferred by the US Military users over the much bulkier and heavier Mark 23 Model 0 pistol of the same caliber.

USP pistols are short-recoil operated, locked-breech pistols with a polymer frame. The barrel is locked to the slide by a single lug, which engages the ejection port. Unlocking is controlled by a cam-shaped extension below the chamber, which interacts with a steel insert set into the frame. Barrels on all USP pistols have polygonal rifling, except the earliest production pistols made in 1993, and all German army P8’s. The captive recoil spring assembly includes an additional recoil spring buffer on full-size pistols and a polymer buffer on Compact pistols. The trigger is double-action, with an external hammer, an automatic firing pin safety and a frame-mounted lever, which may operate differently in different versions of the pistols, as described below. Each pistol can be easily adjusted by a gunsmith to any of the trigger mode configurations, with the replacement of a few parts that include a cam plate and a safety lever. The sights are dovetailed to the slide. Magazines on most USP pistols are of steel construction, but Bundeswehr-owned P8 pistols have semi-translucent polymer magazines. Magazine release levers are ambidextrous and located at the base of the trigger-guard.
There are nine basic variations of the USP trigger/safety arrangements, plus one specific to P8 pistols, as follows:

How to field-strip (disassemble) HK USP pistol: 1) remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release button; 2) check that the chamber is empty; 3) retract the slide partially, so the slide release lever axle is aligned with the disassembly notch on the slide; 4) press on the slide release axis pin from the right side of the frame, then pull the slide release lever completely from the left side; 5) carefully ease the slide forward, then pull it toward the front out of the frame; 6) remove the return spring assembly from below the barrel; 7) pull the barrel out of the slide.
Reassemble in reverse order.

2009-04-28T19:53:00.000+07:00

Beretta 93R automatic pistol (Italy)

Beretta 93R pistol, left side, with front grip unfolded
image source: www.autoweapons.com

Beretta 93R pistol, right side view, with front grip folded
image source: www.autoweapons.com

Beretta 93R pistol, with front grip unfolded and shoulder stock attached
image source: www.autoweapons.com

Promotional image from Beretta catalogue (possible 1980's vintage), showing the burst fire from Beretta 93R pistol;
note three spent cartridges flying in the air.

Buy Beretta pistols and accessories at ImpactGuns online store

Type: Single Action automatic (machine) pistol
Calibers: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum/NATO
Weight unloaded: 1170 g
Length: 240 mm
Barrel length: 156 mm (with compensator)
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds standard

Beretta 93R automatic (or machine) pistol has been in development during the second half of the 1970s, and first appeared circa 1977. The index 93 stands for "9mm, 3rd model", and the suffix "R" means "Raffica" - burst[-firing] in Italian language. This special purpose sidearm was intended for police and military forces who may require improved firepower in compact weapon during the close-quarter combat, such as room-to-room search or VIP protection. Because the compact size and relatively powerful 9mm Parabellum ammunition necessary resulted in high cyclic rate of fire, Beretta designers decided do limit the practical rate of fire by introducing a burst limiter, which allowed only for three shot bursts, in addition to the standard semi-automatic fire. To further improve the control during the burst fire, the pistol was fitted with folding forward grip, and the detachable folding shoulder stock. Early production pistols also featured a ported barrel to decrease barrel climb, but later this feature was dropped. The Beretta 93R is no longer listed in Beretta military & law enforcement catalogs, but it is used by some Italian police and anti-terrorist forces, such as Carabineri's GIS and NOCS, and by some other paramilitary forces. The burs fire mode is of dubious value for anybody but the most professional shooters, who need the improved effectiveness at very short to short ranges; the folding shoulder stock probably can help for long range single shot accuracy.

The basic design of the Beretta 93R machine pistol is based on the famous Beretta 92 pistol; The 93R uses the same short recoil operated, locked breech system with vertically cammed lock. The slide retains typical Beretta-style open-top design. The trigger mechanism, however, is somewhat different from Beretta 92, as it is a single action only, with non-ambidextrous frame mounted safety and additional fire mode selector (both mounted on the same axis, with the selector lever pointing forward and safety lever pointing backward). The mechanism which controls the length of the bursts is located behind the right grip panel. Beretta 93R pistol is supplied with proprietary 20-rounds magazines but also can use standard Beretta 92 type magazines.