Battle Rifle Challenge

[APDAF]

If this rifle is anything it's a big old jackhammer.

[SouprRacwn]

Edit: Oops, didn't format it correctly. Official entry for the challenge is now the first image.

[Corp]

Here's mine, I started early this month, made a lot of progress, then never got back. So it goes.

[JCSTCap]

Designed at the end of the Revolutionary War by the state firearms commission at Recawabenfahrain Hirn, the F. M/1944 represented the pinnacle of Ultranationalist rifle development in wartime Mero-Curgovina. Though introduced too late to sway the war in the favour of the Ultranationalists, the '44 (as it was colloquially referred to) was by and large considered a popular weapon and a leap forward for Merand firearms design.

Chambered for the powerful M/1907 7.92x57mm cartridge, the rifle was deemed too powerful for automatic fire. The action features a flip-forward two point safety, removable twenty round magazines (notable as other Merand battle rifles of the time featured integral magazines fed by stripper clips), a rail mount for a SF.7 1.5 power magnified optic, and a barrel with attachment points for the army's standard bayonet and marksman's bipod.

By the time of the defeat of the junta's forces at the end of 1946, the Loyalist faction had begun the production of their own copies of the rifle at the captured RWFa. Hirn munitions plant. The rifle shown would have been created after 1947 but no later than 1949, as evidenced by the burgundy petrolmold furniture. Petrolmold, a locally manufactured Merand equivalent of the more common bakelite, was introduced to replace the original wooden furniture and was initially produced in a burgundy or orange colour before the army standardized on green in September of 1949.

The rifle would ultimately see little combat service with Mero-Curgovina outside of the Revolutionary War, with no weapons reaching the milizy in Ramay before the adoption of Herecau's automatic FM7.62 in 1951. Several thousand were adopted as marksman's rifles by the Special Police after their restructuring in the mid-50s, seeing some use in counter-terror action. The last M/1944 rifles were phased out of Special Police service by 1960.

As a semi-automatic rifle dating to before 1945, the '44 was unaffected by the 1974 Military Firearms Ban, and as such remains a popular collector's firearm for those who can afford heritage licenses in modern Mero-Curgovina. Civilian manufacture ceased in 1970. The license has since been transferred to Milescia in a state grant after the dissolution of the Hirn munitions plant.

[Victoria]

In 1955 with the reunification of Germany, and pressure from Germany, and fears of the Soviets using a weak neutral Germany to push communism further west, the Allied Powers agreed to allow the new German State to form its own army for defense, and maintenance of its neutrality. This was approved, with Germany being allowed to form its new army, which quickly began searching for equipment. One of its first actions, before the army was even properly set up, was to begin searching for a mainstay rifle. Many options were considered, including but not limited to the AK-47, the FN FAL, the M1 Garand, and the CEAM Modèle 1950. However, H&K offered a homegrown weapon, to be put up in competition as the "Gewehr Fünf" or G5. The FN FAL was designated as G1, being held over from the Bundesgrenzschutz, the AK47 being present as a holdover from the Volkspolizei. Other new rifles such as a variant of the Spanish CETME A2b were given their own designations, with the CETME rifle being given G3. However, in the end, the G5 would win out as the idea of a locally designed rifle was very tempting to many. This, combined with a few of the more hesitant judges finding reasons to support the G5, when they allegedly found themselves to have a sudden influx of cash was accepted as the mainline rifle of the new German Armed Forces. The magazine was found to be an issue, with the only versions available for it being a 20 round or 10 round magazine. However, the 20 round was considered adequate, as the lower weight of the rounds compared to many of its contemporaries allowed riflemen to carry more rounds. It quickly found itself to be popular with more neutral countries who did not want to associate with either the Eastern or Western Block but still wanted a reliable weapon to depend on.







In 1962, with increasing tensions around the world, the German Armed Forces were tense about any possible invasion and felt they would need to fight in-house to house combat, with specific strong points being what would make or break a battle. This thinking was informed by the combat at Stalingrad and in other cities, most famously with Pavlov's House. As such, it was ordered that a way to mount a small and portable flamethrower on the rifle be made. As such, the DM 35 Gewehrflammpatrone was made and ordered. In service, it was not extremely popular, as it was seen as non-practical. It was joked that it only had enough fuel to light a cigarette, and thus a nickname for the device became somewhat common the Feuerzeug, or the Lighter. The flamethrower would use a mixed gasoline-based compound, similar to napalm, making it highly effective at clearing out areas, but due to its limited size, it was expected to only be able to be used once.



In 1987, as the needs of armies changed, so did their role. In Lesotho, as the UN deployed to help keep the peace, German and South African forces found themselves in need of a way to breach houses easily. As such, soldiers began carrying shotguns, but these were too large to be easily carried by soldiers also keeping their rifles. As such, in 1988 it was ordered to produce a shotgun attachment for the rifle, using the same carrying lugs as were already present. The design was finished and accepted for trials in 1990, being accepted for service.



Sometime after the rifle was accepted into military service, it became popular with civilians for use as a sporting rifle. Due to its capability for rapid semi-automatic fire, and its 10 round magazine already existing, making it easier to get past regulations in many regions.


At an unknown date in the 2010s, a Californian man was able to get his hands on a DM35 flamethrower attachment for a G5, since due to regulations a flamethrower is a tool, and attach it to his G5, the rifle having been made compliant to California laws by the attachment of a "Bullet Button". Due to him coming into possession of the Rifle before 2018, it has remained legal to this day, and the man keeps it on display.

[Kiwi Imperialist]

Rifle .30 R3A1 and Automatic Rifle .30 A8A1
During the North China War, the New Holland infantry section was armed with seven bolt action rifles, two submachine guns, and a single light machine gun. In its aftermath, the Department of the Army issued a requirement for a semi-automatic rifle chambered for the 7.62x51 mm cartridge. This was paired with a second requirement for a light machine gun derived from the rifle. The infantry section of the future was to be equipped with a common weapon system that would simplify training and logistics. Submissions were received between September 1955 and August 1957. Entries were received from Amherst Arsenal, Colonial Small Arms, Fabrique Nationale, Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales (CETME), and Winchester Repeating Arms.

The designs submitted by Colonial and Winchester were rejected before comparative trials took place. Both weapons had traditional rifle stocks and the light machine gun models were ill-suited to the task. Colonial’s submission also suffered from reliability problems, a consequence of the form’s inexperience with automatic weapons. Trials comparing the Amherst, FN, and CETME entries took place as 1957 drew to a close. All three rifle entries were deemed satisfactory, though the light machine gun version of the CETME was considered immature and in need of further development. Fabrique Nationale’s design was favoured for continued development. It was the lightest entry and offered satisfactory reliability, ease of maintenance, and accuracy. Furthermore, if it had been adopted, New Holland would have shared the same basic pattern as its Commonwealth allies. Various issues were raised, however, as the Minister of Defence advocated a domestic rifle. The Amherst rifle and light machine gun was chosen instead.

Production of an initial 800 rifles and 200 light machine guns commenced in February 1959. These weapons received the designations Rifle .30 FR3A1 and Automatic Rifle .30 FA8A1 respectively. However, as with other New Holland firearms, the F was not commonly used. They are marked R3A1 and A8A1, and referred to as such everywhere except official documentation. Field trials during exercises in New Holland were generally positive. The individual rifleman had more firepower at his disposal and two A8A1s were issued to every section, doubling the number of light machine guns available. The response from units fighting in Malaya was less positive. Section leaders who traded in their submachine guns for R3A1s found the new weapon to be heavy and cumbersome in the jungle. The A8A1, meanwhile, was practically useless in the sustained fire role. It lacked a quick-change barrel and could not be reloaded by an assistant gunner like the top-loading light machine gun it replaced. In selecting the A8A1, the New Holland Army expected that the increased firepower of the R3A1 and the decision to issue two A8A1s per section obviated the issue. Soldiers in the field thought otherwise. Despite these objections, full production was authorised in June 1960.

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While the entry submitted by Colonial Small Arms was unsuccessful, the company was contracted by the government to produce a large number of R3A1 rifles. The A8A1 remained a product unique to Amherst Arsenal. The R3A1 remained in service throughout the Cold War. Section leaders in Malaya, and later Vietnam, retained their submachine guns longer than anticipated, but they were withdrawn by 1970. A number of rifles were refurbished to R3A2 standard, which included the addition of a sight rail for night vision optics. The flash hider of the R3A1 could also be replaced with a standard 22 mm NATO rifle grenade adapter. Two rifles in each section received this modification typically. The weapon was exported to a number of countries, but these orders were never large. Most nations preferred the Fabrique Nationale’s FAL or Hecker & Koch’s G3. In New Holland service, the R3A1 was supposed to be replaced by the 5.56 mm R14A1 rifle. Production of the latter, however, was curtailed in 1990 when the Colonial Small Arms factory was damaged by a Spider. The A8A1, in contrast, is largely considered a failure. New Holland units serving in Vietnam were reequipped with the M60 machine gun, which more closely replicated the capability of the light machine gun the A8A1 replaced. It later became standard issue.

Unlike many modern rifles, the R3A1 is a striker-fired design. A gas piston is connected directly to the striker through a slot in the bolt. This acts as a camming surface. When the weapon fires, the piston and striker move rearward, rotating the bolt and its three lugs. Rounds are typically fed from a 20 round magazine, but the R3A1 can use the 30 round magazines issued for the A8A1. The charging handle does not reciprocate and can be folded down when not in use. A cross-bolt safety above the trigger offers two positions: semi-automatic and safe. There is no provision for full-automatic fire. The rear sight can be used in the lowered or raised position. In the former, a fixed aperture sighed at 200 yards in provided. The latter position offers an aperture adjustable in elevation for long-range shooting. The front sight can be adjusted for windage by an armourer. Basic disassembly is achieved by removing two pins at the rear of the receiver and the charging handle. This allows the stock to be removed. At that point, most of the internal components slide out the rear. The A8A1 is largely identical to the R3A1 except it has a heavier barrel, a bipod, and a different handguard. As mentioned, it is also issued with a larger magazine.

[Kiwi Imperialist]

Just a heads-up everyone. I won't be able to post the poll for the Battle Rifle Challenge right after the deadline like I normally do, so you will have to wait a five or six hours. Apologies.

[Scootia23]

Tethyssia M44 Jate B'Enya
Caliber: 5.7x64mm Ged'u
Weight: 9.8 lbs
Length: 43.5 inches
Action: Gas Delayed Blowback
Feed System: 20 round detachable box magazine



Lore soon to come!

[Kiwi Imperialist]

Polls Now Open
The submission period for the Battle Rifle Challenge has concluded. Members of the community can now rate each entry here.
For those interested in selecting the next challenge topic, a separate poll with a single question is now open. The three choices are:
1. Anti-submarine task force flagship.
2. Victorian or Edwardian armoured cruiser.
3. Armed merchant cruiser or auxiliary cruiser.

Both polls will remain open until 23:59 UTC-12, 7 October 2021.

[Kiwi Imperialist]

Polls Results
The community poll for the Battle Rifle Challenge is now closed. I wish to thank everyone who took the time to respond, as well as the fourteen people other than myself who submitted entries.



Congratulations to Dalamace who achieved first place, and the highest score in both categories, with the ROMAT. The old active infrared sight and the 'Ro Ro' were interesting additions to an entry which was already robust. My R3A1 and A8A1 is in second place. I am really pleased to see it get such a positive response from the community. Thank you. In third place, a mere three points behind me, is JCSTCap and their F. M/1944. The details, from the coat of arms on the stock to the spring in the receiver, are amazing.



The Anti-Submarine Task Force Flagship Challenge, chosen by popular vote, is now open to anyone who is interested.