08 April 2007

Introduction

After deciding to reinstate the Firearms page, I further reasoned out to put the weapons relating to the New Zealand Army on a page of their own. In time I'll expand this to include pistols and support weapons both direct and indirect fire. As noted some weapons are no longer in use, or in very limited use but are here for historical reasons and for a bit of context. Some other pages have entries on the same, or similar versions of given weapons which should give the reader a broader idea on a weapon's given applications, its history and those who use it.

Pistols need to be added but the SIG P226 is currently on issue, replacing the Browning Hi-Power, both of which can be found on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Weapons page under pistols. The SIG Sauer in the game is the compact model.

If you require any additional information or are keen on seeing or finding out about other weapons don't hesitate to e-mail me.

[ Shotguns ][ Submachine guns ] [ Rifles ] [ Machine guns ]

Shotguns

Benelli M3

The last decade or more has given the New Zealand Army more cause than ever to reintroduce the humble scatter gun. There versatility has never been in doubt; from door breaching, riot control, to prisoner handling, much less the direct close quarter combat potential. It wasn't lost on past generations in such instances as Malaya. Due to the massive amount of work our military has been doing in the Peace Keeping type arena it is some wonder as to why it hasn't been on issue since the 50s.

In remedy to this the New Zealand Army has very recently procured the Benelli M3 shotgun. A semi-automatic with the capacity to go pump, in order to fire low power cartridges which are unable to cycle the weapon, shotguns are now officially back in the armoury. Able to fire many less than lethal (LTL) type rounds, such as gas and bean bag rounds, as well as useful purpose specific ammunition such as Hatton rounds, for taken out door hinges (well posing minimal threat to innocents on the other side of said door), and flexible numbers of combat rounds, the shotgun gives the soldier options their issue high velocity assault rifle (Steyr) simply does not facilitate. Also in close country, the likes of dense bush, and the jungle, the shotgun makes a good alternative to the submachine gun for a lead scout in rapid reaction to counter ambush. A single pull of the trigger releases multiple buckshot rounds in comparison to a automatic weapon's burst fire in the traditional combat environment. It is exacted that one or two shotguns will be issued as secondary weapon options for every section deployed.

Ammunition : 12 Gauge, Rate of Fire : SS or Pump

Effective Range : 50 Metres, Capacity : 8 rounds

 

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Submachine guns

Sterling SMG

The Sterling submachine gun (SMG) was used primarily by support weapons crews and those who would be aboard vehicles. Now with the Steyr in service the Sterling is now somewhat redundant. The new service rifle fires an intermediate cartridge and therefore packs a greater punch and is not all that much longer due to the bullpup configuration.

The Sterling is a very simple and robust weapon having seen service in the harshest of climates and still operating soundly. Through simplicity comes the danger in that the Sterling is very easy to fire accidentally, though with the right training and safe handling practices this should be avoided. Due to the short barrel it is so easy to put you hand in front of the muzzle. Also this point also leads to the fact that only a minor movement by the operator creates a whole new arc of fire. You need to be ever careful of your surroundings with the SMG. The Submachinegun is a lethal piece of kit and in the right hands can be put to effective use.

In close quarters the SMG is perhaps the best weapon (though some, including the author prefer the Shotgun). It was designed specifically for the confines of buildings in house to house fighting. After throwing in a hand grenade a burst of automatic fire rapidly follows. This happens in every room you go into.

The SMG, due to its small dimensions, is good for airborne troops who want a lighter and easier weapon to handle over a conventional rifle. But here again the bullpup Assault rifle is replacing the SMG more and more these days. In the area of Counter Terrorism and urban ops were civilians and other innocents might be a consideration the SMG's lower powered ammunition is a bonus where it won't penetrate building material and so forth.

I still believe that the Submachine gun has a place on the modern battle-field for those interested in self-defence of their position or assets such as mortar crews and vehicle crews. Many forget that when a submachinegun like the Sterling is fired on single shot it can be quite accurate, and like this it can be treated as a rather large pistol. The tactical advantage of this is questionable though. Close contact on full auto was the original intent of design.

Even with the advent of the Personal Defence Weapon (PDW) class of weapon with their evolutionary ammunition the SMG will remain world wide doing what it has always done and cheaply and effectively for some time yet.

Ammunition : 9x19mm Para, Rate of Fire : SS, 550 RPM

Effective Range : 150 Metres, Capacity : 34 rounds

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Rifles

Steyr AUG (Austeyr)

The Steyr used in New Zealand is the Australian version of the original Austrian rifle. In Australia it has the designation of F88. The Australian version seems to fall short on reliability. I know of a guy who managed to bend the firing pin of his rifle, stuffed if I know how he did that! They are easy enough to work with as far as modern rifles go but it is essential to have an inherently reliable weapon. The Austrian weapon seems to be one of the most reliable weapons about. Though it becomes less of an issue when you get the kind of training we get here. One thing, if you are coming over from the likes of the M16 and especially a Battle Rifle firing a full power cartridge like the SLR is both the weight and layout of the weapon. All the weight of the Steyr is in the butt end which takes a wee bit to get use to. Also it is really light. Personally I prefer a rifle that I can feel the weight of a bit more. It lets you know you aren't holding onto a stick. Its undeniable though that a lighter weapon has the distinct benefit at the end a of hard route march when your hands arms would otherwise feel like they are down round your ankles.

The Steyr is a highly accurate weapon giving true pin-point accuracy out to 100 metres, and almost a flat trajectory out to 300 metres. I saw one of my instructors take out six plastic spoons at 100 metres during Basic. No one could argue with that! A optical sight is a great bonus when you need to put down accurate fire even though, after firing with open sights it takes a bit to get use to. Those that are not converts - either due to being about during the change over or having done a fair amount of hunting with open sights wouldn't have to contend with this. Also there is the problem of close contact with a scope. Don't know of any cases here but a few in British soldiers with the SA80 have shot walls right in front of themselves during FIBUA (MOUT) because their scopes obscured it. Awareness is one thing but charging in, room to smoke filled room is another. Very difficult indeed.

The Steyr also has the benefit of being modular in that you can change over the barrels to form a Light Sniper rifle, the HBAR (Heavy Barrel) Light Machinegun, or the very short carbine barrel. The LMG can be catered for using a 42 round extended magazine, though nothing can compete with the Minimi and it's 200 round box for this application. Still I have to say that the SLR (Self-Loading Rifle, the British version of the famous FN FAL) is still my favourite rifle. It is not full automatic capable but who wants to fire in automatic with a Battle Rifle - even on a good day. The SLR is a classic and when you strip it there are half a dozen chunky bits that are much harder to loose when doing this essential job in the dark. No one can argue with a 7.62x51mmNround either.

Ammunition : 5.56x45mm NATO, Rate of Fire : SS, 650 RPM

Effective Range : 500 Metres, Capacity : 30 rounds

M16A1

The M16 was the predecessor of the Steyr with regards a dedicated Assault rifle in the New Zealand Army. It was in service along side the SLR Battle rifle. Despite it's uneasy start in the sixties the M16 was and is a good rifle in trained hands. Of course the smaller bore of this weapon makes it more prone to the troubles of the environment but a well-maintained weapon should give few problems. The small number of internal parts made for an easy strip compared to some of the newer rifles about these days. The new version of the M16 family is the M16A2 which is a thoroughly adequate weapon with the 3 round burst option rather than the previous fully automatic fire mode. There have been some complaints about this.

Personally I have only used the older version but would believe that burst fire only be useful for close-combat (as fully automatic is) and helps to conserve ammunition. Trouble can come when you are in really tight spots and need to run your burst onto a very close target, where fully automatic is definately the best option. You can put out a great deal of rounds on single shot semi-automatic anyway and these individual shots are far more accurate than any burst or automatic fire. This would be the call of the day for most encounters except urban CQB and close very close contact in the bush or the j.

I found the M16 to be light and handy compared to the SLR and if you wanted the added firepower there is the M203 grenade launcher. There is certainly no comparison of knockdown power with the SLR where the latter blows the former right out of the water. The M16 is ideal for bush fighting where it is both easy to control on full automatic and also light and easy to use and maintain.

Ammunition : 5.56x45mm NATO, Rate of Fire : SS, 650 RPM

Effective Range : 500 Metres, Capacity : 20 or 30 rounds

 

at the freedom base one of the front gate guards by the big stalker in yellow has a "Special Sniper" its a FN FAL with a scope and good some good stats.

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Machine guns

C9 Minimi

Personally I believe that the C9 Minimi Light Machinegun is one of the best of it's kind in the world. It has become standard with many features which are add on or not even possible with other LMGs'. The Minimi has the ability to use a free belt like the GPMG, a 200 round belt inside a plastic box (which helps to keep an eye on things and makes things easier to handle) or finally in an emergency it can also utilise a M16 magazine. Unfortunately in N.Z. with the adoption of the Steyr this doesn't work in, but there are still plenty of the magazines around from the days when the M16 was standard issue here. Gunners have to carry a great amount of ammunition which can be tiring to say the least, but compare that to the 'Jimpy' and maybe this statement will have some credit.

The GPMG has gone back for more specialist work now such as Suppressive Fire Role (SF) and being mounted on vehicles. There is no way that the Minimi can compete with the range or firepower of the GPMG but then it was not ever meant to. As typical combat ranges have decreased the Light Machinegun has come into a world of it's own were one 7.62mm General Purpose Machinegun is replaced by two Light Machineguns in a Section (or Squad as it is known in the US).

In America the Minimi is referred to as the SAW or Squad Automatic Weapon and has the designation M249. The Canadians give it the designation of C9 and the Australians have their own version called the F87. All have their own native modifications specific to each country in question. In any form few people can fault this weapon and it has been adopted by many countries around the world. It might be the British to do it next considering the general failure of the SA80 / LSW family of weapons. One major drawback of the British Light Support Weapon is it's inability to take belts, which on today's battle-field with the volumes of fire required, it is a hindrance to say the least. Remembering that the Light Machinegun role is essentially that of laying down covering fire to help out other members of the team, to move and advance on enemy positions, this issue does need to be remedied.

Accuracy is important but not at a pin-point level, rather the ability to lay down fire on enemy positions. FN have once again designed another quality weapon that as can be seen as a very popular model around the world having what is required for the job. There is even a cut-down model (which I have only seen an army poster of) for paratroopers. Making the weapon a little handier for this role. The Special Purpose Weapon (SPW) is a severely modified and chopped, lightened version of this weapon intended for US Special Forces personnel.

Ammunition : 5.56x45mm NATO, Rate of Fire : 850 RPM

Effective Range : 600 Metres, Capacity : belt or 30 rounds (see text)

GPMG (Jimpy)

The GPMG or General Purpose Machinegun is otherwise known in the service as the "Jimpy" and is the British version of the Belgium FN MAG. It is probably the most popular weapon of its kind in the world, being used by the Americans in the form of the M240 where primarily acts as a tank machinegun. Even in the US it is slowly taking the place of the M60 which continues to plague its users' even after many many modifications and upgrades.The Israelis use the FN MAG. It has shifted position from the section fire support to more specific roles (as they were also before) in Suppressive Fire (SF) and heavy weapons units. The replacement of the GPMG with two Minimi Light Machineguns in a rifle section does make that section more mobile and flexible but does cut down both hitting power and range considerably. In smaller patrols it may often be that the only advantage the Minimi has over the GPMG is its lack of weight and ammunition compatiability though.

Acting in the Suppressive Fire mode the GPMG can throw rounds out in excess of 3000 metres. Pin-point accuracy is not that great with the GPMG but as a Machinegun it was never meant to be. It's primary function is to lay down covering fire for the rest of the unit it is supporting. Along with the appropriate mount it can also be put into a Anti-Aircraft role. This might not down an aircraft but can surely cause some damage and at least cause some head-aches for the pilot. They are particularly effective against choppers (Helicopters). The General Purpose Machinegun is a effective and reliable weapon which will soldier on for years to come. It is also very favourable to its opposition such as the Russian PK or the U.S. made M60. The latter only just becoming a decent weapon after years of problems.

 

Ammunition : 7.62x51mm NATO, RPM : 750 - 1100 RPM

Effective Range : 1000 Metres, Capacity : belt

 

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