INSAS 5.56 mm
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INSAS stands for Indian Small Arms System. It is a family of infantry arms consisting of an assault rifle, a light machine gun and a carbine. It is manufactured by the Indian State Ordnance Factory Board at their Ishapore factory. Although largely based on the ever popular AK-47, the INSAS has a number of differences making it a unique weapon. It has features borrowed from the FN FNC, the AK-74, the Galil and the G3. In the assault rifle version it has semi-auto and 3-round burst modes much like the US M16A2. These rifles have been exported to the neighbouring kingdom of Nepal. Although other parties have shown some interest, none have yet come forward to purchase. The INSAS rifle saw combat with Indian soldiers during the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan. Quoting the Times of India newspaper [link], the rifle had some reliability problems in the very cold climate in which that conflict took place. It would appear some of these problems have now been fixed.
The INSAS rifle was sold at a highly discounted rate to the government of Nepal, and many more given as military aid to combat the Maoist insurgency in that country. Some sources claim around 100,000 weapons were exported to Nepal as part of this agreement.
Specifications (Assault Rifle)
- Cartridge: 5.56X45 mm SS109 Special
- Operation: gas, selective fire (3-round bursts)
- Locking: Rotating bolt
- Feed: 20 or 30 round plastic box magazine
- Weight: empty (w/o magazine), 3.2 kg, loaded, 4.1 kg
- Length: fixed butt 945mm; butt folded, 750mm; butt extended, 960 mm
- Barrel: 464 mm
- Rifling: 6 grooves, rh, 1 turn in 200 mm
- Sights: fore, blade; rear, flip aperture, 200 and 400 m
- Muzzle velocity: 915 m/s
- Rate of fire: cyclic, 650rds/min
- Max effective range: 400 m
- Muzzle energy: 1684 J
- Manufacturer: Rifle Factory, Ishapore
External links
INSAS EXCALIBUR 5.56 MM
Derived from the INSAS weapon systems, the INSAS EXCALIBUR MARK-I incorporates, in addition to the features of earlier INSAS Weapons, certain characteristics which makes it truly the ultimate sword- “THE EXCALIBUR”. It is ergonomically designed with folding butt and can fire 20-30 rounds magazines. It is also fitted with picaatinny rails for mounting of opto electronic devices.
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