T91 Assault rifle

[Zarvan]

The Taiwanese T91 assault rifle is based on the Armalite AR-18



Country of origin Taiwan
Entered service 2003
Caliber 5.56 x 45 mm
Weight 3.17 kg
Length 880 mm
Length (stock retracted) 800 mm
Barrel length 406 mm
Muzzle velocity 975 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire 800 - 850 rpm
Practical rate of fire 40 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Sighting range ?
Range of effective fire 400 - 600 m


Even though it looks like a US M16, the Taiwanese T91 is not exactly the same weapon. Development was completed in 2002 and the T91 was adopted by the Taiwanese armed forces in 2003. By 2008 it replaced all service rifles, including the older T65 series, in all branches of the Taiwanese military. This assault rifle has been exported to at least 6 other nations, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The T91 proved to be successful. Some sources report that over 300 000 of these assault rifles were produced.

The T91 is a further development of the proven Taiwanese T86, but has some modern features, such as Picatinny-type scope and accessory rails. The T86 was produced only in relatively small numbers between 2000 and 2002, until production switched to the improved T91. Internally the T91 is similar to the Armalite AR-18. It can be seen as a Taiwanese equivalent of the M16A3.

The T91 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. It is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. This weapon has a different gas action than the Armalite AR-15 (M16). Also it lacks forward assist. The gas piston system is modularized and can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance. It reduced the risk of loosing small parts while cleaning the weapon. This assault rifle can be field stripped without using any special tools.

Jordanian Defense Forces had reportedly conducted comparison tests between several of their service rifles in a desert environment. It turned out that in terms of reliability the T91 scored better than the M16 and in these terms it was comparable to the AK-47.

A fire mode selector is located on the right side of the receiver and is operated by a thumb. It has 4 positions for "safe", "semi-auto", "3-round burst", and "full-auto".

This assault rifle is fed from the standard NATO (M16-type) 30-round capacity magazines. Taiwanese magazines have an ammunition capacity indicators. This weapon is compatible with all standard NATO magazines.

The T91 has an adjustable M4-style telescopic 6-position buttstock. It can be adjusted for length. Also the weapon can be shortened when required by retracting the buttstock.

This assault rifle has got a Picatinny-type scope rail. Baseline weapon comes with an M16A3-style detachable carrying handle with built-in rear sight. A variety of scopes or night vision sights can be fitted on the Picatinny-type rail. This assault rifle is also typically seen with a simple rear sight, rather than carrying handle, installed on the scope rail. Range of effective fire is 400 meters using iron sights and 600 meters with optics.

Also there is a single accessory rail on the foregrip for tactical flashlight, laser pointer, or other accessories.

This weapon can mount a knife-bayonet. A Taiwanese T85 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher, similar to the US M203, can be attached. This assault rifle can also launch rifle grenades.

Unit price of this weapon is around $540.



Variants



T91 carbine with a shorter barrel.

T91
Assault Rifle

T91
Assault Rifle

T91
Assault Rifle

T91
Assault Rifle

T91
Assault Rifle

http://www.military-today.com/firearms/t91.htm

 

[Ahmet Safa Topçuoğlu]

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