K1A Compact assault rifle

[Zarvan]

The K1A is used by South Korean special forces and soldiers, who do not need a full-size assault rifle



Country of origin South Korea
Entered service ?
Caliber 5.56 x 45 mm
Weight (with empty magazine) 2.87 kg
Length 838 mm
Length (stock retracted) 653 mm
Barrel length 263 mm
Muzzle velocity 790 - 820 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire 700 - 900 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire 250 m


The K1A compact assault rifle is an improved version of the previous K1, which is used by the South Korean armed forces since the early 1980s. The improved K1A was developed in South Korea by Daewoo. Improvements include a new foregrip with a full-length Picatinny-type scope rail and accessory rails. This compact assault rifle was adopted by the South Korean armed forces. It is used by special forces and soldiers who do not need a full-size assault rifle. This weapon is proposed for various export customers. A small numbers of these compact assault rifles might be in service with other nations.

Due to its compact dimensions this weapon is even referred as a submachine gun. However in fact it is a compact assault rifle. The K1A is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. Interestingly this weapon is based on AmericanArmalite AR-18 assault rifle, that was superior and less expensive than an M16, but was not adopted by the United States. The K1A has a stamped and welded sheet steel construction rather than machined forging techniques employed in the M16. As a result the K1A is built to looser mechanical tolerances, which improved its reliability and reduced production price. The K1A retains a number of the M16 design features, including a generally similar receiver and bolt group. However this compact assault rifle has a different gas system which is more reliable. Also Daewoo designers made some other improvements to this weapon. Overall it proved to be a very successful combat weapon.

A fire mode selector is located on the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip. It is conveniently operated by a thumb. The selector lever has positions for "safe", "semi-auto", "3-round burst" and "full-auto".

The K1A is normally fed from 30-round capacity magazines. Though sometimes it is used with older 20-round magazines. Both are standard NATO (M16-type) magazines.

The different gas system of this weapon allowed to fit a completely retractable steel wire stock. At the same time the M16 and its versions can not be adapted for a side-folding stock due to its internal design features.

The K1A has simple iron sights. Front sight post is mounted on the gas block. This weapon has also got a new foregrip with a full-length Picatinny-type scope rail, which do not blocks the iron sights. The K1A can mount various sights or night vision scopes. Range of effective fire is 250 meters ammunition.

The K1A has also got accessory rails on the foregrip. It can mount tactical flashlights, laser pointers, vertical grips and other accessories. The original K1 compact assault rifle lacks this feature.

K1A
Compact Assault Rifle

K1A
Compact Assault Rifle

K1A
Compact Assault Rifle

K1A
Compact Assault Rifle

http://www.military-today.com/firearms/k1a.htm