Post by Tim on Jul 16, 2006 12:37:38 GMT -5
Hi folks, here's a few weapons concepts I've been working on. Let me know what you think of them.
United Kingdom
The Sten Mk.IV(S)
This variant of the Sten is produced specifically for SOE operatives and Paratroop/Commando battalions, as it uses MP40 magazines and German 9mm Parabellum rounds instead of the usual British-made Sten magazines. This modification was requested by those involved in covert and long range operations due to the difficulty in being resupplied with conventional Sten ammunition.
The Mk.IVS retains all of the inadequacies of the traditional Sten SMG, including the somewhat embarrassing ability to discharge a round if dropped. The suppressor screwed to the front of the weapon also heats up under sustained fire, and thus it is common practise to fire semi-automatic, or in short bursts, lest the canvas cover heat up too much or the barrel warp under the heat.
The Lee-Enfield Automatic Rifle
A logical progression of the SMLE rifle used in the early 40s, the LEAR takes most of its design cues from the German StG 44, and uses the standard issue .303in round used in the SMLE. It fires from 20 round detachable box magazines, and is usually issued with the capability for semi-automatic fire only.
However, the LEAR-P, the paratrooper and commando variant, has the ability to fire full-automatic, as it is felt in command circles that these troops have sufficient discipline to manage their ammunition effectively. Full automatic fire is controllable, though standard operating procedure dictates that this mode is only used in the prone position for cover fire or in close range engagements (i.e. house-to-house clearance).
Several special operations sections, such as SOE’s X-Ray Company and the SAS have further modified the rifle to accept the mounts for the experimental US XM141 under-barrel grenade launcher, though this is unofficial practise and requires an armourer with sufficient expertise to perform the barrel and front hand guard modifications successfully.
LEAR-P with XM-141 grenade launcher
The LEAR has a 21in barrel, whilst the LEAR-P has a 16in barrel, and uses a muzzle brake to cope with this shorter barrel length. Amongst soldiers, the LEAR has gained the reputation for being heavy, yet ultimately more accurate and easier to clean than the SMLE it replaced, and with fewer problems.
United States
The M1A4 carbine
Paratrooper with M1A4
It is similar (in many respects) to the LEAR rifle, but fires the smaller .30 carbine round used by the M1 carbine, not the .30-06 round of the M1 Garand. The main progression of the M1 from earlier versions is the selective fire capability, which places automatic fire in the hands of the regular infantryman. The main problem is that this is leads many to ‘spray and pray’, thus expending ammunition at a vastly increased rate. In response, the training for US forces emphasises ammunition conservation, though not many conscript battalions (particularly infantry) have adopted this successfully.
The front hand guard can be replaced with a stamped steel version that accepts the mounting lugs for the XM141 grenade launcher. The barrel can also accept the M7 spigot-mounted M1 grenade launcher.
The XM141 Grenade Launcher
A single-shot, break open grenade launcher. It fires 20mm specialist grenades, which are, in essence, ‘super bullets’. It is fired from a separate trigger to the main rifle, and can be used as a weapon in its own right, by attaching a stock to the end of the trigger mechanism.
USSR
The AK-48 Assault Rifle
Conscript with AK-48
This weapon utilises the standard issue 7.62x54mm round used by the Red Army. The weapon fires in both semi and full automatic, using the safety catch as the fire-mode selector. It uses 25-round box magazines, and has a barrel length of 450mm. The idea behind giving the Soviet conscript an automatic weapon was a simple one; allow them to fire as many rounds as possible at the enemy before dying. Though this philosophy is somewhat cruel, it has produced many Soviet victories where infantry equipped with standard rifles failed to achieve the required breakthrough.
The AK-48M Light Machine Gun
Essentially a longer, heavier barrelled version of the standard AK-48, the AKM can use the 25-round box magazine, but is more commonly seen with either a 50-round or 100-round drum magazine. It is issued on a 1-in-5 basis, with the drum magazines shared amongst the squad. It is primarily used as a section-level light machine gun, and many Soviet attacks have succeeded thanks to the timely cover fire provided by such a weapon.
So, what do you think guys? I know I've 'borrowed' heavily from real weapons, but I hope it's all within the spirit of the game and the universe.
Tim
United Kingdom
The Sten Mk.IV(S)
This variant of the Sten is produced specifically for SOE operatives and Paratroop/Commando battalions, as it uses MP40 magazines and German 9mm Parabellum rounds instead of the usual British-made Sten magazines. This modification was requested by those involved in covert and long range operations due to the difficulty in being resupplied with conventional Sten ammunition.
The Mk.IVS retains all of the inadequacies of the traditional Sten SMG, including the somewhat embarrassing ability to discharge a round if dropped. The suppressor screwed to the front of the weapon also heats up under sustained fire, and thus it is common practise to fire semi-automatic, or in short bursts, lest the canvas cover heat up too much or the barrel warp under the heat.
The Lee-Enfield Automatic Rifle
A logical progression of the SMLE rifle used in the early 40s, the LEAR takes most of its design cues from the German StG 44, and uses the standard issue .303in round used in the SMLE. It fires from 20 round detachable box magazines, and is usually issued with the capability for semi-automatic fire only.
However, the LEAR-P, the paratrooper and commando variant, has the ability to fire full-automatic, as it is felt in command circles that these troops have sufficient discipline to manage their ammunition effectively. Full automatic fire is controllable, though standard operating procedure dictates that this mode is only used in the prone position for cover fire or in close range engagements (i.e. house-to-house clearance).
Several special operations sections, such as SOE’s X-Ray Company and the SAS have further modified the rifle to accept the mounts for the experimental US XM141 under-barrel grenade launcher, though this is unofficial practise and requires an armourer with sufficient expertise to perform the barrel and front hand guard modifications successfully.
LEAR-P with XM-141 grenade launcher
The LEAR has a 21in barrel, whilst the LEAR-P has a 16in barrel, and uses a muzzle brake to cope with this shorter barrel length. Amongst soldiers, the LEAR has gained the reputation for being heavy, yet ultimately more accurate and easier to clean than the SMLE it replaced, and with fewer problems.
United States
The M1A4 carbine
Paratrooper with M1A4
It is similar (in many respects) to the LEAR rifle, but fires the smaller .30 carbine round used by the M1 carbine, not the .30-06 round of the M1 Garand. The main progression of the M1 from earlier versions is the selective fire capability, which places automatic fire in the hands of the regular infantryman. The main problem is that this is leads many to ‘spray and pray’, thus expending ammunition at a vastly increased rate. In response, the training for US forces emphasises ammunition conservation, though not many conscript battalions (particularly infantry) have adopted this successfully.
The front hand guard can be replaced with a stamped steel version that accepts the mounting lugs for the XM141 grenade launcher. The barrel can also accept the M7 spigot-mounted M1 grenade launcher.
The XM141 Grenade Launcher
A single-shot, break open grenade launcher. It fires 20mm specialist grenades, which are, in essence, ‘super bullets’. It is fired from a separate trigger to the main rifle, and can be used as a weapon in its own right, by attaching a stock to the end of the trigger mechanism.
USSR
The AK-48 Assault Rifle
Conscript with AK-48
This weapon utilises the standard issue 7.62x54mm round used by the Red Army. The weapon fires in both semi and full automatic, using the safety catch as the fire-mode selector. It uses 25-round box magazines, and has a barrel length of 450mm. The idea behind giving the Soviet conscript an automatic weapon was a simple one; allow them to fire as many rounds as possible at the enemy before dying. Though this philosophy is somewhat cruel, it has produced many Soviet victories where infantry equipped with standard rifles failed to achieve the required breakthrough.
The AK-48M Light Machine Gun
Essentially a longer, heavier barrelled version of the standard AK-48, the AKM can use the 25-round box magazine, but is more commonly seen with either a 50-round or 100-round drum magazine. It is issued on a 1-in-5 basis, with the drum magazines shared amongst the squad. It is primarily used as a section-level light machine gun, and many Soviet attacks have succeeded thanks to the timely cover fire provided by such a weapon.
So, what do you think guys? I know I've 'borrowed' heavily from real weapons, but I hope it's all within the spirit of the game and the universe.
Tim
), which I'll probably call an SVD.
