Small Arms of the World

 

AK-47

Caliber 7.62x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 870 mm
Barrel length: 415 mm
Weight: 4,300 g with empty magazine, 4,876 g loaded
Magazine capacity 30 rds (40 rds box magazines and 75 rds drums from RPK also may be used)
Sighting range, m: 800
Cyclic rate of fire 600 rds/min
Practical rate of fire, single shots 90-100 rds/min; bursts 400 rds/min
Muzzle velocity: 780 m/s
 

AK-47 stands for "Avtomat Kalashnikova, model of 1947". AK-47 was designed by M.T.Kalashnikov in the 2nd half of the 1940s, and was adopted by Soviet Army in 1947 as AK. It was manufactured in huge numbers, for both internal use and export. Many countries, such as Romania, Bulgaria, East Germany, PR China and others also manufactured clones of the AK. Main production facility of the AKs was IzhMash - Izhevsk machine building Plant, Izhevsk, Russia.
Technically, AK is select-fire, gas-powered, magazine fed assault rifle. Gas system of the AK uses long stroke gas piston, attached to bolt carrier. AK features rotating bolt with two massive lugs that locks securely into slots, cut in the inner walls of the receiver. The receiver itself was machined from the solid steel bar, receiver cover was stamped from sheet metal. Barrel is attached into receiver permanently, and bore and the chamber are chrome lined.
AK is hammer-fired, select-fire weapon. The fire selector/safety switch is located at the right side of the receiver, and has three positions: "Safe" (upper position), "Auto" (middle), "Single shots" (lower position). The safety switch is somewhat uncomfortable to operate.
AK features open iron sights, with front sight adjustable for windage and rear sight adjustable for elevation and marked in 100s of meters, from 100 to 800 meters. Sight radius is too short, when compared to other assault rifles, such as M16.
The stock and grip are made of wood. Shortened variant of original AK, called AKS, was intended for paratroopers and featured folding down metal butt stock.
Original AK was improved in 1959. Original milled receiver was replaced by stamped one, new receiver cover with stamped grooves for greater strength replaced the old plain one, barrel was equipped with screwed-on muzzle flip compensator, that could be replaced by silencer. Special subsonic ammunition with heavier (12 grams) bullet was developed to be used with the silencer. This modified gun was adopted as AKM, and served as a general issue small arm for the Soviet Army until 1974, when small-bore variant of the AKM, AK-74, was adopted. But until now, many AKMs are still in limited service in Russian Army.

Legendary reliability of the AK comes from simple design and overpowered gas drive. When operating in normal condition, the bolt carrier/bolt group moves at high speed and strikes hard against the rear wall of the receiver and against the front wall of the receiver on the way back to close the breech. This somewhat decreases the full-auto fire accuracy, but gives to the system the power needed to operate with seriously fouled and dirty receiver.
Thus, usually, AK require less cleaning under the battle conditions, and less sensitive to powder quality, than other assault rifles, especially ones such as M16, designed with relatively light bolt carrier/bolt groups and direct gas actions without gas pistons.
In general, AKs are extremely rugged and reliable guns, simple to operate and fieldstrip, without any small parts that may be lost in field conditions. They are of average accuracy and not too comfortable to carry and fire, but they do the job they designed to, and do it excellent.
AK is most copied assault rifle in the world. Leaving aside many ex-East-block countries, officially licensed clone of the AK is still manufactured in Finland, as Sako/Valmet. An improved copy of the Valmet is built in Israel as Galil, and the copy of Galil is built in the South Africa as R-4 and R-5. Many other assault rifles, such as FN FNC, bear the marks of the AK design.
 

Bofors AK5 (Sweden)

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (SS109)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Length: 1008 mm (Stock Extended), 753 mm (Stock Retracted)
Barrel Length: 450 mm
Weight: 3.90 kg
Magazine: 30 rounds box
Rate Of Fire: 650 rds/min
 

AK5 assault rifle is built by BOFORS Carl Gustaf AB, Sweden.
AK5 is a license-built FN FNC assault rifle, originally built by FN (Fabrique Nationale), Belgium.
 

AK5 incorporates following modifications from original FNC:
* The hand guard and the rifle butt stock were lengthened.
* The 3-round burst mode of fire was removed on AK5. Only full automatic or semi-automatic fire modes left.
* The sights were modified.
* All AK5 has special surface treatment to withstand Nordic weather conditions
* Life length of the some parts of the rifle was increased
* Charging handle was modified (probably for more comfortable engagement in winter gloves).
* AK5 issued with modified magazines.
 

AK5 is manufactured in 4 modifications:
AK5 - basic version. Standard issue rifle among Sweden armed forces.
AK5B - "marksman rifle", equipped with 4X SUSAT scope and cheek piece, with front and rear sights removed.
AK5C - AK5 with M203 40mm under barrel grenade launcher. Issued mostly to rangers and amphibious units.
AK5D - latest variant in the AK5 line. Has shorter barrel, and equipped with integral carrying handle with ... scope. Currently issued only to Swedish Airborne rangers.
 

AK-74

Caliber, mm: 5.45
Cartridge: model 1974, 5.45x39
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Magazine capacity, rds: 30
Weight: 3,200 g (with empty magazine without bayonet); 3,500 g (with loaded magazine)
Full length (w/o bayonet): 933 mm
Length w/folded butt: 700 mm
Sighting range,m: 1000
Muzzle velocity, m/s: 900 
 

AK-74 series of assault rifles is a "direct child" of world-known AK-47. Following the world trend for small-caliber assault rifles, M.T.Kalashnikov created this weapon system for lightweight and low-impulse cartridge 5.45x39. When compared to M16, AK-74 shows a little poorer accuracy, but better reliability in battle environment and lower requirements for cleaning and maintenance during combat.

AN-94 "Abakan" (Russia)

Caliber, mm: 5.45
Cartridge: model 1974, 5.45x39
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt; moving barrel-receiver-gas drive group for delayed recoil action
Overall length: 943/728mm
Barrel length: 405mm
Magazine capacity, rds 30
Sighting range, m: 700
Cyclic rate of fire, rds/min: 1800/600 (1800 in 2 rds fixed burst mode or 2 first shots in full auto mode, all following shots in full auto - w 600 rds/min)
Weight without magazine: 3850g
 

This assault rifle was created for the Russian army as a replacement for the A K-74 with greatly improved accuracy. This gun is designed with "delayed blowback impulse" gas driven automatics. This gun has 2 rates of fire: 1800 rds/min in fixed burst length 2 shots mode or in full auto mode - for first two rounds (all following rounds in the same burst will be fired with a rate of 600 rds/min). This mode "delays" blowback for first 2 shots and gives greater accuracy. Being formally accepted by Russian Army, it is very doubtful that this AR will replace the "good old" AK-74 in mass service anytime soon.

 

AS-VAL (Russia)

Caliber, mm: 9x39 (SP-6, PAB-9)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 6 lugs
Length, mm: (stock open / folded): 875/615
Barrel length: 200 mm
Effective range ,m: 400
Weight, kg: 2,96
Magazine , rds.: 10, 20
 

Special purpose "silent" assault rifle. (AS = Avtomat Spetsialny = Special Assault Rifle). Designed on VSS special sniper rifle, but with folding stock. This weapon uses special 9mm subsonic cartridges with AP bullets and has integral silencer which can be easily removed, but for maintenance only. Widely used in recent local conflicts all over CIS. Adopted by many Russian special army and law enforcement forces.

 

AR-70 (Italy)

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Weight: 3.8kg empty
Length: 960mm
Barrel: 452mm
Magazine: 30 rds
 

In late 1960's Italian army decided to follow the trend for small-bore assault rifles, and after the trials adopted (for some selected troops) the Beretta AR-70 family of firearms.
This family included the AR70 assault rifle itself, SC70 carbine (with folding stock) and LM70 - light machinegun (support weapon).
The design of the Ar70 borrows from some famous earlier designs: bolt/bolt carrier design was borrowed from AK-47, but with some modifications: while AK-47 and its descendants has long stroke gas drives with gas piston permanently attached to the bolt carrier, AR70 has short stroke gas drive with separated gas piston. Charging handle is permanently attached to the bolt carrier (like the AK-47) but moved up slightly. gas drive has gas regulator with 2 positions for normal or "weapon dirty" modes of operation. It also has gas block that closes the gas vent completely when gun had to be used as a rifle grenade launcher (grenade launched from the barrel with blank rounds).
Folding design of the upper/lower receiver is probably borrowed from FN FAL or M16.
Safety switch/fire mode selector and magazine release are ambidextrous. Standard sights are dual aperture peep-hole, with settings for 200 and 450 meters range.

Later in the 1980's Italian military authorities finally come to decision of complete adoption of the 5.56mm firearms in Italian army.
In the following trials between Beretta, Bernardelli and Franchi designs, Beretta won with improved AR70/90 rifle.
Improvements include strengthening of the receiver and bolt carrier rails, as well as some other parts of the gun.
AR70 /90 also has variants of the carbine (with folding stock, SC70/90) and the light support weapon LM70/90.
All 70/90 family weapons can accept SATANG-type magazines, including 100 rounds Beta-C dual drum mags (useful for LM70/90). All 70/90 weapons could be equipped with removable carrying handle with "see through" base (original sights used). Upper receiver is taped to accept mount with STANAG rails for scopes or night sights.

 

Daewoo K2 (Korea)

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 980 mm (730mm w. folded stock)
Barrel length: 465 mm
Weight: 3.26 kg
Magazine capacity: 30 rds
Rate of fire: 750 rds/min
 

Daewoo K1 and K2 are primary infantry weapons of the South Korean Army. These rifles replaced in service old M16A1 rifles.
Technically, Daewoo K2 is a select-fire, gas driven, rotating bolt firearm. The bolt/bolt carrier assembly of the K2 is very similar to one of the M16, but with one main difference: in the place of the gas expansion chamber of the M16, K2 bolt carrier has a cut slot. In this slot is inserted the rear part of the gas rod, with gas piston attached to the forward part of the gas rod. Also, K2 does not have the recoil buffer, that could be found in almost any M16/AR15 type weapons. The receiver is of folding design (upper and lower receiver are connected via 2 steel pins, like the M16 or FN FNC receivers). Charging handle is installed on the right side of the bolt carrier. The polymer butt stock is folding (to the right side of the weapon). Gas system has 4 positions switch - one position is for rifle grenades firing (gas port is closed completely), other 3 positions - for operations in normal conditions, in adverse conditions and in extreme heat.
The K1 is a cut-down, shortened version of the K2 with telescopic stock and shorter barrel.
Civilian, semi-auto version of the K2 is manufactured in two calibers: 5.56x45mm (.223) and 77.62x39mm, and is named DR-200 or DR-300, respectively.

 

F-2000 (Belgium)

Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 694 mm
Barrel length: 400 mm
Weight: 3.6 kg empty, in standard configuration; 4.6 kg with 40mm grenade launcher
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (any NATO / STANAG type magazines)
 

The F2000 is a modular weapon system, developed by FN Herstal, Belgium, and introduced in 2001.

The F2000 system consist of the F2000 rifle and some add-on modules, that can be installed and removed quickie and without any tools.

The F2000 rifle is a gas operated, rotating bolt, select-fire weapon. F2000 features polymer stock with bull-pup layout. The stock has built-in standard rails on the top of the weapon (for different sights and scopes etc) and mounting point ahead of trigger guard, where additional modules may be installed (such as grenade launchers, non-lethal modules etc). In the basic configuration, the upper rails mounts 1.6X magnification optical sights, and the lower mounting point is covered by removable hand guard. The unique feature of the F2000 rifle is its' patented front ejection systems: the spent cases, extracted from the chamber, travel from the rear part of the gun to the ejection port near the muzzle via special ejection tube and falls out of the gun at the safe distance from the shooters' face. The details of this system is still unclear, but when combined with completely ambidextrous controls (FN P90 style), this makes the F2000 100% ambidextrous, any time.

At the current time, the F2000 rifle may be upgraded, depending on the mission, with FN's 40mm low-velocity grenade launcher (on the lower mount, instead of the hand guard), or with XM303 non-lethal module (fires 12Ga BBs with paint or tear gas by the means of the pre-charged air cartridge); other options are hand guards with built-in laser pointers or flashlights.

The standard low-magnification combat scope may be replaced by any other scope on WEAVER-style mount, or with FN's proprietary computerized fire control module with laser rangefinder, that calculates the point of aim (and sets the sight reticule) for both the rifle and 40mm grenade launcher.

 

FN-FAL (Belgium)

Caliber : 7,62mm NATO (7.62x51)
Action: Gas operated, tilting breechblock, select-fire or semi-auto only
Length: 1100mm
Barrel length: 533mm
Weight loaded: 5,06kg
Magazine capacity: 20 rds
rate of fire: 650-700 rds/min
 

FAL (Fusil Automatique Leger) - Light Automatic Rifle.
One of the most wide used battle rifles of the XX century (adopted in more that 70 countries, including Britain (L1), Australia (L1), Germany (G2, replaced by G3), Turkey etc.). First adopted in Belgium in 1953. Due to heavy recoil in full-auto mode, often was issued in semi-auto.

 

FN-FNC (Belgium)

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223rem)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 997mm
Barrel length: 449mm
Weight: 3.63kg
Magazine capacity: 30 rds
 

Once called "Free world's assault rifle", this design inherited the best ideas and characteristics of Israeli Galil , Soviet AK and Belgian FAL.
 

 

Galil (Israel)

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223rem)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 970mm
Barrel length: 460mm
Weight: 3.90kg
Magazine capacity: 35 rds
 

This Israeli made rifle is, basically, recreation of Kalashnikovs' design for standard NATO 5.56mm cartridge. Main differences (except load type): folding stock, bolt handle, hand guard and longer barrel, ambidextrous safety switch. Also, Galil features milled steel receiver, like old AK's (AKM and AK-74 have stamped steel receivers).
Shortened version of the Galil, named Galil SAR, has barrel length of 345 mm and no bipods
For civilian market, IMI developed semi-auto Galil in .308 win. This gun also used as a sniper rifle in Israeli Defense Forces, equipped with bipod and telescopic sight.

 

 

Caliber, mm: 9x39 SP-6, 7.62x39 M43
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Length, mm: overall: 700 barrel: 415
Sighting range: g:700
Weight, g: 3,200 (base config., unloaded)
Magazine, 20rds (9mm), 30rds AK-47 type (7.62mm)
Rate of fire, rds/min: 750

"Groza" (Thunder) OC-14 assault rifle/grenade launcher designed by CKIB SOO (Central Design Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Weapons), located in Tula, Russia, and manufactured by TOZ (Tula Weapons Plant, Russia).
This gun was initially designed for Russian Internal Affairs Ministry special forces as an assault rifle/grenade launcher kit, allowing quick in-field conversions to the following configuration:
- assault carbine (with short barrel)
- assault rifle (with longer barrel and post-type front handle)
- silenced assault rifle
- assault rifle/grenade launcher (for this conversion main fire control handle with trigger guard and triggergroup is removed, and a 40mm grenade launcher with new handle and trigger group is installed; This new trigger group has one trigger for both grenade launcher and rifle, and additional selector lever "grenade/rifle"
All parts necessary for this conversion supplied in one kit, along with carrying case
A 7.62mm version named "Groza-1" was developed for Army SpetzNaz. This version accepts AK-47 standard magazines and may be equipped with standard issue AK-74 bayonet.
Mounts for scopes or night vision devices are available.

 

Heckler & Koch G-33

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Action: Roller-delayed blowback
Weight: 3.8kg
Overall length: 920mm
Barrel length: 390mm
 

This weapon is basically a 5.56mm version of the 7.62mm G-3.

 

 

Heckler & Koch G-3

Caliber: 7.62mm NATO (.308 win)
Action: Roller-delayed blowback
Weight: 4.5kg
Overall length: 1023mm
Barrel length: 450mm
Muzzle velocity: 800m/s
Muzzle energy: 3975J
Magazine capacity: 20rds
 

This rifle starts its genealogy in Stgw.45, designed in Germany in the end of WW2. This design with roller-delayed blowback automatics was further improved in Spain by CETME company and then become a "visit card" of a combat rifles by H&K for many years. G3 was adopted in 1957 as a replacement for FN FALs, served in Bundeswehr under designation G2. Still in service in many armies, including Germany, Turkey and others - total more than 20 countries.

 

 

Heckler & Koch G-36

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Weight: 3.31kg
Barrel Length: 480mm
Overall Length (stock in/out): 757/998mm
Magazine: translucent polymer, 30rds 
 

New generation of the H&K rifles. G36 modular system uses gas operations automatic, translucent magazines for easy control of ammunition, interchangeable optical sights (1.5x or 1x collimator) and emergency iron sights on transportation handle. Adopted by German Army (Bundeswehr) and Spain.

 

 

L85A1 (United Kingdom)

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223rem)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 770mm
Barrel length: 518mm
Weight: 4.13kg (w. optical sight)
Magazine capacity: 20 rds
 

L85, also known as SA80, was developed on the basis of the early British developments in the bull-pup assault rifles, such as EM-2 etc. Adopted for service by British Army, the L85 proved itself as unreliable and uncomfortable weapon. The long list of the design flaws includes :
- Gas system has only two settings, the full setting doesn't give enough power to operate the weapon when fouled.
- The gas system can be reassembled so that a pin falls into the gas port requiring the services of an armoror to remove.
- Unlike the M16A2 there is a hole in the flash hider that directs blast down, kicking up a distinctive dust signature.
- Weapon rusts where finish rubs off.
- Barrel is sweated in to breechblock rather than screwed in. Some barrels have pulled out with the use of a pull through.
- Entire weapon is made of 1mm sheet steel necessitating need for heavy and otherwise unnecessary reinforcing blocks.
- When field stripped a pin falls out of the bolt carrier and is easily lost.
All L85s in service with British army will undergo an extensive upgrade by Hecler & Koch, to improve weapon reliability.
The only really good thing about L85 is that it is very accurate, thanks to 4X SUSAT scope.

 

 

M-14 (USA)

Caliber: 7,62mm NATO (7.62x51)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Length: 1120mm
Barrel Length: 559 mm
Weight loaded: 5,1 kg
Magazine: 20 rds
Rate of fire: 700 rds/min
V0: 855 m/s
 

This rifle is improved version of famous M1 Garand and was adopted in 1959. Main improvements were: new, a little bit less powerful and lighter (than WW1 and WW2 Springfield .30-06) cartridge .308Win (later adopted as 7.62mm NATO) and a detachable box magazine, holding 20 rds instead of 8. M14 had selective-fire capability, but due to powerful ammo, was to hard to control in full-auto mode, except for when shooter was lying in prone position. Due to relatively heavy and bulky cartridge, average ammo load in hot Vietnam conditions was limited up to 60-100 rds per soldier, and rifle itself was too heavy too. All this reasons led to new concept of the small-bore assault rifle and later adoption of AR15/M16 in 1962.
This rifle was selected as a base for US Army sniper rifle M21. Full-auto mode of fire was disabled, and mounts for telescopic sights installed, along with folding bipods.

 

 

OICW (USA) Caliber: 5.56 mm NATO (KE) and 20x85mm (HE)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt (KE), unknown (HE)
Overall length: 890 mm
Barrel length: 250 mm (KE) 460 mm (HE)
Weight: ca 5.5 kg empty; ca 6.8 kg loaded
Magazine capacity: 30 rds box (KE) and 6 rds box (HE)
 

The OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon) is very ambitious project of the US military that should enter the service circa 2009. Initially, two teams were selected to made prototypes, but in the 2000 one team, leaded by Alliant Techsystems Inc., won the contract for further development. This team also consist of Heckler&Koch, Dynamit Nobel and some other companies.

The key idea behind the OICW programmed is to increase effectiveness of the soldier and the kill probability. To achieve this, the OICW has three major components: the Kinetic Energy (KE) module, which is, in fact, modified Heckler-Koch G36 assault rifle, High Explosive (HE) module, which is a semi-automatic, magazine fed 20mm grenade launcher, and computerized day/night sighting system with integrated laser rangefinder and fire control unit. The system is advertised as being (or GOING TO BE) 5 times more lethal than current M16A2 / M203 combo.

The design of the KE module has nothing new behind it. The only one unusual thin is a set of buttons on the left side of the pistol handle. These buttons control fire computer and laser rangefinder, as well as selection of fire mode (KE or HE).

The HE module fires 20mm high-velocity grenades. These grenades had programmable fuses, that could be set for Air Burst mode (grenade explodes at the specified range above the target; range is set via Fire Control module from laser rangefinder), or for Point Detonation (grenade explodes upon impact).

For obvious reasons the KE module could be separated from HE / Fire Control modules and used as a typical assault rifle with iron sights, but without butt stock. The separated HE module is completely useless since it uses KE module trigger to operate.

Now - some private opinions
The OICW, to be effective, relies upon computerized fire control module. Both KE and HE modules could be fired with iron sights, but this greatly reduces the overall effectiveness of the system, so as soon as the batteries goes off, or the computer/optics/laser get any damage, you'd better throw the Fire Control module away... But it costs more than half of the whole system price, and that's some 5000 dollars (probably, much more), so guess what the soldier should do when the Fire Control module fails...
Another point is that 20mm programmable ammunition is no way the cheap round.
Third, the whole system is bulky and cost a small fortune...

Resume: In my opinion, the OICW is a weapon for so called "peace-keeping" operations - low intensively conflicts, when US troops had always good supplies (of batteries and spare parts) and carry the weapons for limited time (forgot about weeks-long raids beyond enemy lines). It also costs too much, and now I'm doubtful about the plans to issue the OICW to every 4 soldiers in every Infantry squad of the US Army, USMC etc (the OICW is intended to replace M16/M203 combos and M249 SAWs, as well as some M16s or M4s).

 

 

QBZ-95/97 (China)

 

Data for QBZ-95 (QBZ-97 in parenthesis's, where differs from QBZ-95)
Please note - these data are still not 100% proved and should be threaded as 'estimates'
Caliber: 5.8x42 mm (5.56x45 mm NATO)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 760 mm
Barrel length: 520 mm
Weight: 3.4 kg unloaded
Magazine capacity: 30 rds
 

The QBZ-95 assault rifles were shown for the first time when PR China took over the Hong Kong in 1997. The PLA soldiers were armed with this bull pup assault rifle. It is chambered for new proprietary Chinese cartridge, 5.8x42mm, and QBZ-97 (export version) is chambered for standard 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem). The QBZ acronym stands for 'Qing Buqiang Zu' or light rifle family.

Not much is known about this rifle. It is available in full-size or short (carbine) version, and may be equipped with telescopic or night sights, under barrel grenade launcher and bayonet. The ejection port is located at the right side of the receiver so (probably) this rifle is not ambidextrous. The body (stock) of the rifle is made from polymer, as well as magazines.

 

 

Ruger Mini-14 (USA)

Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO (.223 Remington)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 943 mm
Barrel length: 470 mm
Weight: 3.06 kg
Magazine capacity: 5, 10, 20 or 30 rds detachable box magazines
 

Mini-14 rifle was developed in early 1970s and introduced near 1974. To speak simply, Mini-14 is M-14 "clone", scaled down to use then-new 5.56mm / .223 Rem cartridge.
Mini-14 is somewhat similar in design to M1 Garand and M-14 rifles, utilizing same gas action with under barrel gas piston, rotating bolt, positive safety with safety switch located at the forward part of the trigger guard. Mini-14s initially were manufactured in both semi-auto only "civilian" versions and in select-fire "military" versions, featuring flash hider and bayonet mounts. However, these "military" rifles weren't adopted by any military, and were used to some extent by some Police departments and Law Enforcement agencies across the USA. Those select-fire versions, known as AC-556 or Mini-14GB, were manufactured with one piece wooden stock or with pistol grip and side-folding metal butt stock.
In 1987, Ruger developed Mini-30 version of the semi-auto Mini-14, chambered in 7.62x39mm Russian cartridge.
All Mini-14s and Mini-30s are known as reliable rifles, but accuracy is inferior, compared to M16/AR-15 series

 

 

SAR-21 (Singapore)

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 805mm
Barrel length: 508mm
Weight: 3.82kg w/o magazine
Magazine capacity: 30 rds
Rate of fire: 450-650 rpm
 

Another 'new-generation' assault rifle. Looks like Tavor's brother - polymer stock, bull-pup configuration, built-in optical 1.5X sight (optional 3X and LAM module). Slightly differs in dimensions and other characteristics, but names are noticeably alike.

 

 

Sig 550 (Switzerland)

Caliber: 5.56 NATO (.223rem)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: Sig550 1000 mm; Sig551 825 mm
Barrel length: Sig550 533mm; Sig551 405 mm
Weight with empty magazine: Sig550 4.08 kg; Sig551 3.5 kg
Magazine capacity: 30 rds
 

Sig 550 was designed by SIG (Sweizerishe Industries Gesellschaft) in early 1980's and was adopted by Swiss military in 1984 under the designation of Stg.90 (Sturmgevehr 90 - Assault Rifle for 1990s).
Technically, Sig550 is gas operated, short stroke, select fire weapon, capable of firing in semi-auto, three round bursts and full auto modes (fire selector is ambidextrous). Barrel locking system is somewhat similar to AK-47 (rotating bolt). Cocking handle is permanently attached to the right side of the bolt carrier. The receiver is stamped from steel, and utilized "break-top" design, like the M16 or FN FNC. The polymer butt stock is folding to the right side and equipped with rubber butt pad.
Stg.90 is issued with bayonet mount, lightweight folding bipods and polymer translucent magazines with built-in clips to connect magazines in packs of three pcs.
Sig551 is "carbine" - shortened version of the Stg.90, and the differences are only shorter barrel and lack of the bipod and bayonet mount. For Law Enforcement applications both Sig550 and Sig551 are offered in semi-auto only configurations. For special police and law enforcement operations SIG also offered "super-short" semi-auto version Sig552 "Commando", with barrel length of 254mm.
As any other general issued Swiss weapon, Stg.90 is extremely accurate (in its class), and reliable as Swiss watches. It is also reported to be wary "user-friendly" and comfortable to handle.