2 Vets Bravo

     2 Vets is just what is sounds like -- run by Dean and Amber Brandly, both long-service veterans. (Dean jokes that he married above his pay grade.) They use a lot of proprietary hardware and specialist designs in their rifles, in what they call the B5 package -- handguards, rails, stock, pistol grip, and finish.  The Bravo is not 2 Vets' (or 2VA) first design; it is merely the latest. The Bravo is on the base AR plan, but differs in many ways. Chief of these is the left-side charging handle, attached to a reciprocating nickel-boron bolt. The 16-inch barrel is cold hammer-forged barrel operating by direct impingement. It has not only a birdcage muzzle brake, but a target crown under it. It has perfectly-matched upper and lower receivers. It has an extended bolt release, standard AR controls.  The receiver has a monolithic MIL-STD-1913 rail, and it retains the standard A2 front sight.  The pistol grip is by Umbrella Corp, and it has self-designed handguards and six-position sliding stock.  There is no forward assist; "the charging handle is the forward assist."  The charging handle may be screwed into either side of the bolt, with case ejection on the right.  The Bravo's receiver and handguards are deliberately made wider than normal -- this adds to weight, but increases strength and rigidity.  It's a tough rifle.

2A Armament BLR-16

     Notes: The BLR-16 is an attempt to produce the best possible AR by combining as many off-the-shelf components as possible without getting redundant. The BALIOS-lite upper and lower receivers incorporate titanium alloy, and many of the internals are also of titanium alloy.  Above the receiver, and locking into the rail above the handguard, is a MIL-STD-1913 rail variant called the BL-RAIL by 2A.  This may use 2A’s proprietary tension lock design for attachment, M-LOK, or KeyMod’s locking solution.  The 16-inch barrel is secured by a titanium barrel nut, with a titanium gas block, and titanium takedown pins.  The barrel is made of 416R stainless steel and is tipped by a titanium T3 compact muzzle brake; however, this is on threads and may be replaced by any number of muzzle brakes or suppressors.  The barrel uses the M16s thick/thin “government profile.”  The pistol grip is a MagPul MIAD, while the sliding stock is made by Mission First and is lighter than the standard M4’s stock, and adjusts to six positions.  The magazine well is flared for ease of loading. The bolt and bolt carrier is cryogenically-treated and has a BCM-Mod4 charging handle. In perhaps the only “standard” feature, a normal buffer and buffer spring is used. The trigger group is called an ALG-ACT group and may be adjusted for pull weight. The finish for the receivers is Type-III anodized. All that titanium makes for a light rifle.  And an expensive one – nearly $2200 in real life, and even expensive by game terms.

     I couldn’t resist statting this out for automatic fire, though in fact it is a semiautomatic-only weapon.

556 Tactical Deathpunch

     Notes: Like so many firearms companies, 556 Tactical started out as a company to produce limited runs of custom guns for friends and family.  And the Deathpunch is decked out like a race car, with its fire-engine red receiver and barrel, yellow and black controls and dustcover (it is an AR clone), black charging handle, and a monolithic MIL-STD-1913 rail. The stock and handguards are checkered, and the top and bottom of the handguards also have rails, which are black.  The flash suppressor is black, and the proprietary magazines have pull handles and are black with a yellow logo on the sides.  It is visually very impressive; and based on the Ferrari.  Only seven were produced, and members of the designer's rock band had dibs on them almost immediately.  However, they are willing to produce more on special request.

     The Deathpunch is a fully automatic SBR, with a 14.5-inch heavy fluted floating stainless steel barrel, tipped with a Tactical StrykerHype flash suppressor.  The rifle comes with a telescopic sight and a foregrip along with a finger stop.  The internal parts, including the bolt carrier, is chrome-plated.  The upper and lower receiver is made from billets of 7076 aluminum and the trigger is a CMC 3.5-pound curved profile trigger that is gold-plated. The pistol grip is from Magpul, and the stock is a B5 systems SOPMOD sliding stock. There are folding adjustable Samsom LoPro sights. The receivers are all autographed by Zoltan, the band leader and designer.

     When you have a Deathpunch, you don't just have an assault carbine, you have a work of art.

AAC MPW

     Notes: The aim of the MPW is to produce a carbine with more punch than the 5.56mm NATO in SBRs. Two versions of the MPW have a 9 and 12.5-inch barrel and are legally (in the US) an SBR, while the other is a standard-length carbine.  (Note that the 9” barrel version is no longer produced and is not found on MPW’s site anymore.) The MPW can take any straight or curved 5.56mm magazine, but not fancy ones such as the 75, 90, and 100-rounds ones made by third parties.  The barrels are finished in black nitride inside and out, which for the bore yields better corrosion resistance.  The muzzle is threaded, but sold with a standard A2-type flash suppressor. The barrel is free-floating. The handguards handguards are a full-length KAC URX III handguard with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and there is also a short rail under the handguard near the front.  Iron sights are not sold with the MPW, but BUIS are sold separately and BUIS of any type may be attached to the rail.

     Operation is by direct gas impingement, and the bolt carrier is nickel-boron-coated for additional lubrication, meaning that the MPW requires less lubrication than most AR-15-type weapons.  The interior of the receiver halves have a further high-phosphorus electroless nickel coating.  The Bolt itself is phosphated shot-peened steel Carpenter 158 bolt. The special o-ring on the extractor is designed to fuction up to 150 degrees and down to -40 degrees F.  The extractor spring is of premium material and winding.  The extractor pin is made of S2 tool steel, superior to most AR-15-type rifles.  The gas key is properly staked with Permatex gasket-seal compound. The trigger group is a Geissele single-stage trigger with a low pull weight, and the stock and pistol grip are from MagPul.

Adams Arms COR Ultra Lite

     Notes: The COR (Competition Optics Ready) is a rifle designed for competition, especially 3-Gun Matches, incorporating a lot of input from 3-Gun shooters and other competition shooters.

     It has a Picatinny Rail above the receiver, and a longer length down the top of the handguard (though non-continuous), and one below the handguard.  It has Diamond micrometer-adjustable rear sights and a folding post sight with protective ears.  The COR is well balanced, especially when optics are installed, though it is a bit heavy, but this contributes to its light recoil. The front of the lower handguard  rail comes with a hand stop.

     The 16.5-inch barrel is of medium profile with a slotted VDI Jet muzzle brake. The barrel is perhaps too light for a competition rifle, and in competition you want a nice, stiff barrel, and the skinny barrel has seriously compromised accuracy beyond 100 meters.  (It cannot be simulated in game terms, however.) Most shooters find difficulties beyond 100 meters, but some have been able to score consistent hits at 500 meters with a scope installed. The barrel is finished in Melonite.

     The COR uses a Magpul MOE stock, a fixed stock instead of the sliding stock of most ARs these days.  This does lighten the rifle. It also has a Magpul MOE K2 pistol grip, with a compartment inside to store batteries for optics.  The Hyperfire trigger pulls at the same weight and pull distance whether the top or bottom of the trigger is pulled. The trigger is double-sprung to ease the pull weight, and it is only 3.5 pounds.

     Most internal parts are sprung for positive engagement. (Adams does not recommend dry firing the COR for that reason.)  The bolt carrier has several deep lightening cuts in it, but is mostly an AR bolt group with extra springs in the firing pin and a stronger spring in the extractor (and, as many readers of these pages will know, my biggest problem with the M16 and AR-15 is extraction failure).  The light bolt is also easier for the light piston to move, and allows for a less beefy recoil spring and recoiling mass. Operation is by short-stroke piston rather than direct gas impingement.  This, especially on the COR, keeps the chamber and innards much cleaner.  The action cycles smoothly and felt recoil is light.  The receivers are Type III Class II Hard-Coat Anodized.

Adams Arms Tactical EVO

     Notes: This is another AR-15 clone.  Many gun experts feel that the AR-15 platform has gotten a bit stale, that everything that can be done with an AR-15/M4 has been done, and only minor cosmetic changes differentiate the various AR-15 clones.  Most manufacturers seem to take one part from one manufacturer, another from another manufacturer, have their barrels made by a few expert barrel makers, etc.

     Adams Arms distinguishes itself by it’s gas piston system, designed from the ground up for a mid-length system.  Adams makes its own working parts, from the recoil spring and buffer mass to the precision barrel and low-profile gas block. The EVO is capable of digesting almost all sorts of ammunition, use any lubrication, and feeds from virtually any AR-15-compatible magazine.  In addition, the magazine well is beveled. The EVO comes in a carbine-length and SBR-length rifle, as well as a pistol; the barrels are government contour and free-floating.  The rifle has an upper MIL-STD-1913 rail that extends from the receiver and interlocks with the full-length rail atop the handguard. Below the handguard is another short section of rail, able to take any number of accessories as well as a bipod.  Barrels include a 14.5-inch-barrel SBR and a 16-nch carbine barrel. Other SBR-length barrels include 7.5 inches, 12.5 inches and 11.5 inches. These are also the pistol barrel lengths. The barrel itself is made from 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel. Barrel finish is Black Nitride with a QPQ Melonite coating. Finish for the receiver is a Hard-Coat Anodization. The barrel and working parts have been treated with Adams Arms’ Salt Nitriding Melonite process, with the piston coated with a Nickel-Boron composition. The EVO does not normally come with sights, but BUIS can be added to the upper rail, and the EVO in this entry is treated as such. The stock is a sliding skeletonized 6-position stock.

     The Adams Arms gas piston system has an Achilles Heel – it gets dirty fast, and the piston can lock up in dirt and carbon.  Note that to get that dirty, it takes a while – and the gas piston system is nickel boron coated to help keep the gas piston going, even when it is black with grunge.  The gas system is contained in a small space, limiting the amount of gas and dirt that can go into the piston area.  It can take thousands of rounds before the EVO locks up due to fouling.  The gas piston system is a short stroke system that appears to be a hybrid of the SKS and M1 Carbine.  The result is that more gas exists from the ejection port after each shot.  The gas system is adjustable, allowing for adjustments as fouling increases and for use with a suppressor or a muzzle brake. (For game purposes, the EVO below has a flash suppressor, which is normal for an EVO.)  The trigger is described by one gun writer as a “meh trigger,” meaning it has the same squishy feel as most AR-15 clones and is not conducive to tight groups.  The EVO is a combat rifle and not a competition rifle. Perhaps the most damning comment of the EVO is the one made about all Adams Arms products – absolutely abysmal customer service.

     The EVO seems to lend itself to military/SRT/automatic use.  This has been included in the stats below as a “what-if.”

Adcor A-556

     Notes: The A-556 is based closely on the M16/M4-series of assault rifles and carbines – with good reason.  The A-556 was one of the contenders in the US Army Individual Carbine Competition meant to replace the M4 Carbine. (The competition was cancelled in 2013 without finding a new carbine.)  The Army did say that the A-556 produces tight groups, outstanding accuracy, and outstanding functioning. Part of the competition included combat testing in Afghanistan, where is performed quite well. Also noted was the high rate of production that Adcor was able to produce, one that Adcor said they could maintain for any length of time. After this competition, the A-556 was offered on the civilian market. The A-556 differs from the M16/M4 in using a short-stroke gas piston instead of the Stoner-type direct impingement system.  This drastically reduced fouling, especially on the barrel extension, chamber, and bolt carrier group.  In addition, the A-556 has a proprietary ejection port cover with a wiper to reduce the intake of external crud, an ambidextrous charging handle placed forward on either side of the handguard (this was noted by the Army as limiting the usefulness of the handguard rail on the side the charging handle is mounted on, and breaking the “muscle memory” of troops used to the M16/M4), and a “key-locked, highly rigid” MIL-STD-1913 rail system, with a receiver rail and four-way handguard rails.  Barrel lengths are 10.5, 14.5, 16, 18, and 20 inches; the 10.5-inch and 14.5-inch are not generally sold to civilians, but are sold to police.  The military/police versions also have automatic fire functions, while civilian versions generally do not; simply use an “SA” ROF and the “Single Shot” recoil for civilian versions.  The A-556 uses an M4-type telescoping stock.

     The A-556 was otherwise a plain-vanilla M4/M16 variant.  Current models include the A-556 Elite and A-556 Elite GI (Gas Impingement).  The barrel is free-floating, and like the M16/M4, field stripping is toolless.  A-556 Elites with a 16-inch barrel can be had chambered in .300 Blackout and 7.62mm Kalashnikov.

     The A-556 GI uses direct gas impingement instead of a gas piston.  It is available only in 16-inch and 18-inch barrel versions. It is otherwise the same as the standard A-556 Elite for game purposes.

Adcor DI/GI

     Notes: The DI and GI are almost the same rifles – the DI uses Stoner Direct Gas Impingement, while the GI uses a gas piston.  While this makes the GI a mark more reliable, this is not accounted for in game rules, and for game purposes, they are otherwise the same carbines.  They are essentially AR-15s built to a higher standard, with tight tolerances and carefully shaped parts, including a chromed bolt carrier group and bolt.  The GI version has a gas regulator which can be manually adjusted for things like dirt, fouling, and grenade launching.  The sliding stock is an Adcor design, but is very similar to one of Magpul’s designs. The grip is also custom, including what Adcor calls “aggressive texturing.”  It can be had with a forward charging handle, on the bolt carrier; if it does have this option, it will still retain the rear charging handle as well.  The upper receiver has a key-locked rigid MIL-STD 1913 rail system, and this continues onto the upper handguard; this is in addition to the three other handguard rails.  Unlike an AR-15, opening the halves of the receiver requires only a pinch on the retaining pins, instead of pushing the pin out.  Construction is largely of polymer and 7076-T6 aluminum, though of course the barrel and most of the internal parts are of steel. The barrel has a “GI profile,” which means that the muzzle end is heavy to support the weight of an M-203 grenade launcher (which otherwise, cannot be mounted, as the rifle lacks the mounting hardware).

ADM Universal Improved Carbine Mod II

     Notes: The ADM UIC is designed for trackers -- those who must go ahead of the unit and find the traces of any an enemy's passage, no matter how small.  These persons need a quiet but powerful weapon to fell enemies without giving their position or presence away,  The ADM UIC is therefore lightweight, silenced, and camouflaged to the user's needs, and with a scope to allow long shots if necessary, and angled adjustable iron sights.  These are attached to a flattop MIL-STD-1913 rail. The controls are fully ambidextrous, including the magazine release.  The controls are furthermore oversized.  The pistol grip has a small compartment, as does the stock.  There is a further rail down the handguard, as well as small ones down the sides and the length of the underside of the handguard.  The charging handle has no latches, having a "force to be overcome" feature.  The suppressor is made for the rifle and helps give the rifle a neutral sense of balance. The telescopic sight is included in the cost.

AKU-94

    Notes: This is a bullpup version of the various AK-series weapons, generally sold as a kit to convert existing AKs rather than a full weapon.  It was not a Russian weapon, but instead was sold in the US and Europe, as well as some other parts of the world, by a couple of American companies.  It was one of the few bullpup rifles available to the general public before the war, most bullpup weapon being produced exclusively for military and police forces.  The conversion from standard AK to AKU-94 configuration takes about 2 hours and takes an Easy: Gunsmith or Difficult: Small Arms (Rifle) roll.  The resulting weapon is over 25 centimeters shorter, but has a creepier trigger pull.  In addition, the construction of the AKU-94 is such that left-handed firers tend to have the charging handle hitting their face during firing, so it is definitely a right-handed weapon.  The new weapon is also not as well balanced as a standard AK. 

     Production of this weapon stopped with the Brady Gun Bans, but picked up again in the late 2000s using imported parts under Century International Arms.  These were designated the Century 1975, and built only in 7.62mm Kalashnikov.  For game purposes, this is identical to the AKU-94 in 7.62mm Kalashnikov.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Though there were some reports of Russian and Chinese troops using these weapons, the reports of Russians using them are probably misidentified OTs-14s, and the Chinese weapons were probably locally-manufactured weapons of similar design and characteristics.  Though there were some civilians who had this modification done to their weapons, the AKU-94 was never a widely-used weapon, and most of them were made from AK-47s or AKMs.  There were most likely almost no conversions of AKMRs to this standard, but such a modification will exist only in the Twilight 2000 world.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This is mainly just a novelty type of conversion.

Alexander Arms AR-17

     Notes: Though the AR-17 recognizably uses the AR-15-type as its base, it departs from the AR-15 in many ways, not the least of which is its chambering in .17 HMR.  Like most rimfire rifles, the .17 HMR round does not develop enough gas to reciprocate an operating system that uses gas; instead, the AR-17 uses straight blowback operation.  The AR-17’s barrel has a heavy profile and is free-floating, but the barrel is lightened without losing strength by the cutting of spiral grooves into it.  The barrel is 18 inches long and tipped by a flash suppressor which doubles as a rebar cutter, though the manufacturer admits that the flash suppressor doesn’t really do anything to stop the almost-nonexistent flash, and the .17 HMR round is probably not strong enough to cut rebar; the flash suppressor is for the most part simply there for looks, and protect the target crown.  The handguards are of round composite with lots of cooling holes in either side, underneath the front of the handguard is an attachment point for a bipod.  The rest of the AR-17 is strongly-built, with a bolt-carrier group of ETD-150 high-strength steel; this bolt-carrier group is chromed for reliability.  The bolt-carrier group itself is clearly stamped “.17 HMR” in large letters to avoid accidental placement in a non-rimfire rifle.  The extractor is hardened stainless steel.  The upper and lower receiver are of aircraft aluminum.  Atop the upper receiver is a MIL-STD-1913 rail; there are no iron sights, as the AR-17 is designed to be used with optics.  Though a standard trigger group is normally supplied with the AR-17, Alexander Arms will ship the rifle with a special trigger pack that can be tuned in any way by a knowledgeable individual.  Magazines for the AR-17 are proprietary and made of polymer; the pistol grip is also polymer and is shaped like that of an AR-15A2.  Though current AR-17 magazines hold only ten rounds, Alexander Arms has high-capacity magazines in the works. The AR-17 is equipped with a sliding M4-style stock.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The AR-17 is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Alexander Arms Grendel

     Notes: This is another development of the AR-15 series by Alexander Arms.  Again, the modifications to existing AR-15s basically consist of replacing the upper receiver and barrel unit with a new one of Alexander Arms manufacture.  It was designed to address shortcomings in the 5.56mm NATO round, by replacing the round with a new one which has superior ballistics and stopping power.  As with the Beowulf, the Grendel is rumored to be testing with the US military. They have a collapsible stock, MIL-STD-1913 rail instead of a carrying handle, and a muzzle brake to reduce felt recoil.  Civilian versions do not have the MIL-STD-1913 rail or the muzzle brake, nor do they normally have a bipod.

     Like it’s big brother the Beowulf, the Grendel got a makeover in the mid-2000s.  The Grendel line split into several versions, each with several barrel lengths.  The Advantage or the Tactical may be equipped with up to five MIL-STD-1913 or Weaver rails (four on special handguards, and one above the receiver). Others simply have a rail above the receiver, and some have one on a low-profile gas block at the front (primarily for a BUIS). These rails are monolithic, being machined to be a part of the rifle and from the same billet as the upper receiver. The base version of the Grendel is now the Grendel Tactical, which has either a 10.5, 14.5 or 16-inch barrel. Other than being match-quality, the barrel is standard profile and of standard quality. The barrel for the Tactical is of chrome-molybdenum-steel alloy, with the bore being chromed.  The muzzles are threaded to allow the use of a muzzle brake or a silencer instead of the standard flash suppressor.  (Versions with muzzle brakes and silencers are not included below.) The surface of the bolt has a color-case hardened finish, and has been peened and phosphated; an optional bolt has a triple-tempered surface, which is refined by hand and hardened and peened.  The bolt’s finish is a thin-but-dense chrome plating.  The ejection port, learning from lessons past, is designed specifically for positive ejection of the 6.5mm Grendel round.  Most stocks for the Grendel are M4-type sliding stocks, though some versions have fixed A2-type stocks.

     The Grendel Advantage is essentially equivalent to the original Grendel, using a choice of 19.5-inch of 24-inch barrels.  Roughly equivalent in size, but in most ways, the Advantage is more related to the “made over” Grendels.  Many of the Advantage’s features are the same as those of the Tactical.  Advantage barrels are made from stainless steel, and are chromed inside the bore.  They are of heavy profile and match-quality.  Though essentially designed as a rifle just short of a DMR-type rifle, the Advantage also has handguards with four-point MIL-STD-1913 rails. Another rail is above the receiver, and a low-profile gas block with folding BUIS.  Also standard with the Advantage is a light alloy bipod designed to be adjustable for height, cant, and allowing for 20 degrees on either side of pivoting.  The Advantage does come equipped with a low-power scope (about 3-5x). The Advantage is also known as the AWS (Advantage Weapon System).

     The Grendel GDMR (Grendel Designated Marksman Rifle) is in fact an actual Designated Marksman Rifle.  The core of the rifle is as per its predecessors, but the trigger is a match-quality trigger, and the 16, 20, or 24-inch barrels are match-quality, floating, and of a heavy profile.  The Grendel GDMR has only one MIL-STD-1913 rail above the receiver and another very short rail above the gas block; the GDMR also has rear and front folding BUIS.  The GDMR comes with a bipod as per the Advantage above. Along with a telescopic sight which is normally of 2.5-7x power.  Construction is generally heavier and most parts are hand-fitted.

     The Grendel GSR (Grendel Sniper Rifle) is sort of like the GDMR, but more so.  It was designed from the ground up as a sniper rifle.  The GSR uses a fixed A2-type stock, with a heavier buffer to somewhat reduce recoil.  The chromed-bore barrel features precision-cut rifling, with match-quality, free-floating, heavy-profile barrels; though they are normally tipped with an A2-type flash suppressor, a plain barrel with a target crown can also be had. These barrels can be 20 inches long, 24 inches, or an astounding 28 inches in length. A light alloy bipod (usually one of the Harris makes) is standard; this bipod is normally chosen with adjustments for can, height, and some amount of pivoting in mind.  Though it is a semiautomatic rifle, the GSR has a charging handle attached to the bolt instead of the normal AR-type rear-mounted bolt handle.  The handguards are composite and round but otherwise plain, and are well ventilated.  The upper receiver retains its MIL-STD-1913 rail; BUIS are not normally sold with the GSR.  The trigger pack is a match-quality pack. One of several scopes are sold with the GSR.

     There are also some versions of the Grendel that are meant for, shall we say, the more discriminating buyer.  The Grendel Entry has a 19.5-inch stainless steel barrel that is match-grade and free floating.  The buyer may specify a standard Alexander Arms barrel or a Shilen barrel. The upper receiver has a MIL-STD-1913 rail, but a round composite handguard. Finishes include black and a variety of camouflage patterns.  Though meant primarily for civilian hunters, it also has a barrel length that lends itself to use by a designated marksman or a sniper.

     The Grendel Overwatch (also known as the Grendel OWS) is, as the name indicates, a rifle designed for Designated Marksmen, and uses a longer 24-inch, stainless steel, free floating, match-grade barrel.  The barrel may be tipped with a target crown or a flash suppressor (or at the buyer’s option, a muzzle brake or even a silencer/suppressor). The barrel may be an Alexander Arms barrel or a Shilen barrel. As with the Entry (and indeed, most of these premium Grendels), the finish may be basic black or one of a variety of camouflage patterns.  The handguards are virtually identical to those of the Entry, but is made of composite material; the upper receiver retains its MIL-STD-1913 rail; the Overwatch also has a low-profile gas block topped with a small section of rail (generally for use with a BUIS sight).  In design, it is similar to the Grendel GDMS with a 24-inch barrel, but in details it is very different.

     Alexander Arms also makes gas-piston-driven versions of the Tactical.  For game purposes, these are identical to the Tactical; however, as far upkeep is concerned, the GM may want to keep that in mind.

     Magazines for the new version of the Grendel are standard AR-15/M16 magazines with the proper guts to hold and feed the 6.5mm Grendel round.  This allows for more magazine capacity choices.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The Grendel does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Alexander Arms Genghis

     Notes: This is basically an AR-15 carbine modified to fire 5.45mm Kalashnikov ammunition (which Alexander Arms calls the .21 Genghis round; Alexander Arms’ round does differ in several ways from the 5.45mm Kalashnikov, but not in any way that can be simulated with Twilight 2000 game mechanics).  The Genghis features a 16-inch barrel; it is not typically equipped with a flash suppressor, being designed primarily for the civilian market, but does have a MIL-STD-1913 rail instead of a carrying handle, and is built to otherwise meet or exceed military and police specifications.  (Versions with carrying handles instead of MIL-STD-1913 rails are also available.) Ten-round magazines are normally supplied with the Genghis, but modified AR-15/M16 magazines with larger capacities are also available.

     It should be noted that of the time of this writing (Aug 2012), the Genghis is no longer found on the Alexander Arms web site.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This rifle is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Alex Pro Econo Carbine

     Notes: This carbine is designed to be inexpensive in price, but not cheap in quality.  Though it lacks many of the features of other ARs, it is not a bare-bones carbine, with some nice add-ons and features.

     The 16-inch military-profile barrel is phosphated, and finished in M16 Nitride.  It is tipped with an AR-15A2-type birdcage flash suppressor.  The barrel is of 4140CM steel. The chambering uses a .223 Wilde chamber, which means that it can use military and civilian ammunition interchangeability.  It uses a carbine-length gas system (direct impingement). The trigger is a single-stage Milspec trigger, which is like a standard AR trigger, but has less of a pull weight. The bolt carrier group is finished in slick nickel/boron which is otherwise Milspec.

     It uses a Magpul MOE handguard, with a design similar to an AR-15A2 pistol grip. The handguard is roughly rectangular and has several cooling slots.  It is fairly short, and there is a long length of exposed barrel.  It has a six-position M4-type sliding stock. The Econo is designed specifically for Magpul P-MAG polymer magazines, it can also feed from standard AR-type metal magazines or polymer magazines.

     The Econo comes with a Vortex Strikefire II red dot sight; though it does not come with iron sights, they are available from Alex Pro Firearms, and it can mount almost any sights and optics on its receiver-top Picatinny rail.  Though it has no handguard rails, the front of the handguard has a short length of rail for a BUIS front sight or laser or white light device.

     The Alex Pro 5.56mm Carbine Rifle is similar to the Econo Carbine, but fires only military ammunition, and is even less expensive (RL) than the Econo Carbine. It has a skeletonized Magpul MOE sliding stock, and a 12.5-inch APF T-MOD handguard with a long Picatinny rail on top continuous with the rail atop the receiver. At the front of the handguard at the bottom is a very short length of Picatinny rail, meant to be used with optics such as a laser or flashlight, or accessories like a bipod.  It has BUISs, but no red-dot sight. A version of this rifle is finished in one of several colors, ranging from simple Flat Dark Earth to a camouflage pattern or even an American flag job.

     The Tactical Varmint is designed not only for varmint shooting, but competition.  It used the .223 Wilde chamber of the Econo Carbine, with the nickel/boron treatment of the bolt carrier group, but has an 18-inch medium contour barrel.  It has a 14-inch Quad-Rail handguard, with a top full-length Picatinny rail, continuous with the receiver rail, and further short lengths of rail on each side at the rear end of the handguard and one short length at the front.  This rifle too comes with the red dot sight.  A variant of the Tactical Varmint, the Long Range varmint, has a 24-inch heavy contour tipped with a target crown instead of a flash suppressor., with the bolt carrier based on the AR-10 instead of the AR-15.  The gas system is rifle-length.  The trigger is a CMC 3.5-pound trigger. The Field has a barrel of 20 inches, and is a 4140cm medium contour barrel.  The Long Range Varmint and the Field do not have the red dot sights.

American Tactical Industries AT-47

     Notes: ATI is actually an American company, however,though most of the parts are sourced from Zastava in Serbia through German Sport Guns, the AT-47 is assembled in Summerville, South Carolina, and has a US-made barrel and receiver, so determining what nationality the AT-47 is was a bit difficult.  The receiver is milled and is made of 4140 hardened steel which has a Parkerized finish.  The rear sight is adjustable for elevation, and the front for elevation and windage; oddly enough, the AT-47 also has a grenade sight for rifle grenades, though the barrel has no attachment for launching rifle grenades.  The AT-47 also has bayonet lugs, though it is not sold with a bayonet.  It can use steel, light alloy, or polymer magazines; the one supplied with the rifle from the factory is polymer.  The internals have been appropriately de-miled; the parts were kept together has a parts kit until their assembly in the US.  Furniture is beech except for the polymer pistol grip, with a rubber non-slip cap on the butt.  An underfolding stock is an option.  The barrel is 16.5 inches, and the barrel is not chrome-lined, like an actual AK-type rifle (except the newer ones).  The barrel is tipped by an AK-74-type brake/flash suppressor. Controls are all AK.

     American Tactical also makes a .22 Long Rifle version.  Changes are those appropriate to the new caliber, such as a change to blowback operation and special magazines designed to look like AK magazines.  The .22 version is otherwise the same as the AT-47 in game terms.  Weight is nearly identical, but the buttstock is a bit shorter than an AT-47; the rifle is intended as a trainer for both teenagers and adults for an AK-type platform.

American Tactical Industries Omni Hybrid

     Notes: The Omni Hybrid is an AR-15 clone; however, it is unusual on several counts.  It is a switch upper/barrel weapon, but one of the choices for caliber is unusual -- .410 2.5-inch shells, which can be loaded into an AR-15 magazine (though ATI does not recommend this, asking buyers to use the magazines they designed for this caliber).  The .410 chambering, however, is also available as a purpose-built shotgun (this is how I’m statting it here), an upper, or a barrel kit.  Much of the receivers and the charging handle and trigger guard are actually made of high-strength polymer (and this is getting complaints from shooters who shoot in very cold weather – the polymer can get brittle in very cold weather).The polymer is in fact backed up by aluminum rods in strategic places. The front sight is also made of polymer. The upper receiver is flattopped and has a Picatinny Rail running from above the charging handle housing to the front of the handguard, and there are two short ones on the side. The stock is an M4-type sliding stock, and the handguards are round in profile.

     The 5.56mm version is essentially a stock AR-15, with the differences I noted above.

     However, all is not rosy with the Omni Hybrid, ranging from bad fit and finish to poor accuracy with anything but standard 55-grain bullets. Reports say that that the Omni Hybrid will not always lock back after the last shot.  Some say the controls are loose and sometimes get knocked or vibrated out of position.  The magazines tend to sit a bit loose in the magazine well.

     So is it a good weapon, or a novelty?  It needs more user reports to tell for sure. It will do what it is designed to do – you just may have some problems with it.

 Anderson M4 Carbine

     Notes: The Anderson M4 Carbine, an AR clone, is advertised as a “no-lube” carbine; the reason is that is permanently treated with R585, a process that bonds calcium into the metal at the molecular metal. (I have found through experience that rifles that say they are “no lube” need lubing; pretty much every rifle needs some level of lubing, so I am suspicious of Anderson’s claims.)  The receiver is made of 7075-T6 aluminum (the standard for ARs), as stated, bonded to calcium molecules. The receiver halves have additionally a hard anodized 8625 F finish. The receiver top has a monolithic Picatinny rail, and the Zombie Green handguard has an upper Picatinny rail and a bottom add-on half-length rail (as sold). The handguards are round and polymer, with handguard-length rows of cooling slots and attachment points for Picatinny or Weaver rails on three sides (the top already has a rail).  The rifle has no mounted sights, though AR-15-type BUIS are provided.  The stock is a Magpul MOE telescoping stock, and the pistol grip is a Hogue grip.  The barrel is 16 inches, has a heavy profile, is of 4140 steel, is in a free-float handguard, and is tipped with an Anderson Phantom flash suppressor shaped for blasting rebar.  The gas block is low profile and is under the end of the handguard.  The M4 Carbine is not sold with magazines included, but any sort of 5.56 NATO (or 6.8mm SPC) magazines are usable. The 5.56mm version has a 16-inch barrel, while the .410 gauge version has an 18.5” barrel.  The shotgun version does not have a flash suppressor, and is not made for interchangeable chokes.

AR-57

     Notes: Produced by a company called, appropriately enough, AR57, the AR-57 is an AR-15A2 with a new upper receiver and barrel which allows the weapon to fire the 5.7mm FN cartridge.  Certain parts of the AR-15A2 (or A3) version (with or without a sliding stock) are required to use this modification; it will not work on a stock AR-15 or AR-15A1, as it will not cycle properly, and essentially produces a bolt-action rifle.  The new upper receiver comes in a version with 16.04-inch barrel or (where legal) an 11-inch-barrel SBR configuration.  Both FNH and AR57 produce proper magazines for use with this configuration; though aftermarket magazines are produced by ATI and KCI, these magazines have proven prone to failure in the AR-57 conversion.  The 5.7mm FN round performs quite well in the longer barrels, increasing range, stopping power and penetration (unfortunately, not measurable in Twilight 2000 terms), and the resulting conversion is slightly lighter than the standard AR-15A2 or A3.  The AR-57 conversion is primarily sold as an upper receiver set and magazine well conversion and not as a complete rifle.

Armalite AR-18

     Notes: This weapon was designed in the 1970s with experience gained from the M16 series.  Armalite found that there were a lot of countries that wanted to license-produce the M16, but did not have the modern facilities required to produce the more complicated M16.  The AR-18 was designed to be simple and cheap to produce, as well as being relatively “soldier-proof.”  The US Army tested it, but did not produce it; it was then licensed to Howa Machinery in Japan, NWM in the Netherlands, and Sterling in Great Britain.  They also got virtually no military contracts, and Sterling sold its license to a company in the Philippines (who also got no military sales).  Much more lucrative was a semiautomatic civilian version, the AR-180; tens of thousands of AR-180s were sold to civilians in various countries.  The AR-18S is a shortened AR-18, similar in concept to the CAR15. Bayonets and rifle grenades can be used, if the flash suppressor is removed.

     A later civilian version, the AR-180B, is somewhat different than the standard AR-180 and bears some elaboration.  The AR-180B uses a lower receiver made from polymer strengthened with a steel liner.  The shape of this lower receiver mimics the original lower receiver exactly, so that an upper of an AR-180 may be placed on a lower from an AR-180B and vice versa.  The trigger group of the AR-180B is borrowed from the AR-15 instead of being the original AR-180 design.  The front and rear sights are also borrowed from the AR-15A2, though the protective ears are different from those of the AR-15A2, and there is no elevation adjustment wheel on the AR-180B (elevation adjustments are done on the front sight).  The scope mount is of original AR-180 design.  There is a new design magazine well which allows the use of AR-15, M16, and AR-18 magazines.  The magazine release button is thus the same as on an AR-15, and there is a small protrusion to prevent its being pressed accidentally.  The AR-15 has a sort of “half-pepperpot” muzzle brake instead of the original flash suppressor.  The barrel is slightly longer at 19 inches.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Starting in 1995, production of military AR-18s started again in the Philippines and Great Britain, who managed to sell a large amount of them to African and Southeast Asian countries.  Sterling later produced more for issue to local militia units loyal to the Crown.  NWM in the Netherlands also produced some AR-18s, and they were used by Dutch and Luxembourg resistance fighters against the French.  In the US, many as Russian or Mexican soldier (or sometimes, Milgov, CivGov, or New American soldier) discovered that their enemy was a local militia soldier armed with an AR-180 converted to automatic fire. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: This was surprisingly common in issue to people working for US or British intelligence, due to the problem with tracking down exactly who made the weapon, and the ease with which its parts could be made.

Armalite Defensive Sporting Rifles

     Notes: This is a collection of three rifles primarily designed for home defensive, but can double as hunting rifles.  They are similar in design and philosophy.  The RL price is rather inexpensive (though of course the game price may not concur). The DSR is based on Armalite’s M15 series.

     The DEF-10 is a 5.56mm version with a MIL-STD-1913 rail atop the receiver and another very short one atop the gas block.  It has round M4-length handguards and an M4-type 6-position sliding stock.  The upper and lower receivers are also Milspec.  Though it ships with a Magpul 20-round polymer magazine, the DEF-10 can take other sorts of military, steel, and polymer magazines.  The DEF-10 does not come with BUIS; you must buy them separately.  A variant, the DEF-10F, has a conventional A2 front sight instead of the railed gas block.  Both are identical for game purposes. The barrel is 16 inches and tipped by an A2 flash suppressor.  It is made from 4140 chrome/moly steel, and the barrel is hand-lapped twice. The bore is hard-chromed.  The barrels have been compared in quality to Krieger-made barrels, but are all Armalite.  The barrels are free-floating and Melonite-finished.  The trigger is two-stage, but is very crisp and without a lot of takeup.  However it is stiff: Robert Jordan, a noted gun expert, has measured it at 10.94 pounds primary pull weight, and many shooters trade out the trigger block for a better one. Controls are not ambidextrous, unless you include the charging handle.  Felt recoil is manageable, though muzzle jump is pronounced.  Some have experienced the rounds sticking on what appears to be a burred feed ramp; however, this is easy to fix, if you know what you’re doing.

     The DSR-10 is essentially the same as the DEF-10, but in 7.62mm.  It does not have a lot of extra features, similar to the DEF-10.  Barrels, handguards, Mil-STD-1913 rails, are all similar, if not identical.

     Though it is sort of a secret at Armalite, it is rumored that the DEF-10 and DSR-10 can be fitted with an M-203 grenade launcher.  The DSR-10 is technically a Battle Rifle, but is included here for completeness.

Armalite LEM15A4

     Notes: Unlike most of ArmaLite’s AR-15 clones and models, the LEM15A4 was designed with law enforcement in mind, and its sale to US civilians is restricted.  It is very much like a semiautomatic version of the M16A4, with its flattop receiver and MIL-STD-1913 sight rail; however, the barrel is only 16 inches, and is heavier than that of the M16A4.  The handguards are specially made; they are the same length as an M4’s handguards, and include a mount for a full-sized flashlight on top and offset to the left.  The LEM15A4 comes with an Elcan Optical Sight, but will accept any sort of NATO-compatible sight or scope. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon could sometimes be found as a substitute standard among US troops, particularly among those raised by CivGov forces after the November Nuclear Strikes.  Most of these were modified for automatic fire.

Armalite M15

     Notes: The M15 is essentially a modernized version of the AR-15, and may also be regarded to some extent as a smaller version of Armalite’s New AR-10 Series.  The M15 comes in four basic versions: the M15A2, basically very similar to the AR-15A2, but with a heavy barrel, muzzle brake, carrying handle a la AR-15, and round handguards and a stock similar to those of the AR-15A2.  The standard barrel is 20 inches, but there is also a carbine version with a 16-inch barrel.  The M15A4 is basically the same weapon as the M15A2, but uses a flattop upper receiver with a MIL-STD-1913 rail.  The M15A4 is meant to be used with various optics, but there is a very short MIL-STD-1913 rail in front of the handguards, and iron sights may be attached to the two rails.  The A-15A4 is a little lighter than the M15A2.  The M15A4(T) is a target version of the M15A4; the rifle version uses a 24-inch heavy barrel which is target crowned and designed for accuracy, and it has no muzzle brake or flash suppressor.  The upper receiver is flattop and has a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and the handguards are round and made from aluminum.  There is also a carbine version of this weapon; this has the heavy target barrel, but it does have a muzzle brake and the barrel is only 16 inches.  The trigger of these two versions is a National Match two-stage trigger.  The M15A2 and A-4 Carbines are special models designed for military and police use; they may have automatic fire capability as options, use an M4-style folding stock, and may have a 14.5-inch or 16-inch barrel with a flash suppressor instead of a muzzle brake.  The M15A4 LE Carbine is flattop; the M15A2 LE Carbine has a carrying handle.

     The M15 Light Tactical Carbines (LTCs) are…well…light. They are perhaps the lightest full-sized AR carbines on the market. This is partially due to the skeletonized KeyMod handguards, a low-profile gas block, and to lighter, yet stronger metal.  Their 16-inch barrels are free-floating in their handguards, and have the standard thick-thin government M16 profile. They are made of Chrome/Moly steel, and are tipped by an A2-type flash suppressor that sits on threads and can be replaced.  They have a MIL-STD-1913 rail above the receiver, connected to one above the handguards. The finish is anodized for the upper and lower receivers and a manganese phosphated barrel.

Arms Tech Compak-16

     Notes: The idea behind this weapon was to produce a compact version of the M16 while avoiding the massive muzzle blast and firing signature that such a weapon normally produces.  To this end, Arms Tech used a standard M16 lower receiver and paired it with a modified upper receiver using a specially designed barrel shroud/muzzle brake.  The standard buttstock was replaced with a sliding wire stock, and the carrying handle was replaced with a MIL-STD-1913 rail (the stock Compak-16 comes with an Occluded Eye Sight licensed-produced from a South African design). The cyclic rate has also been reduced to 600 rpm (though this has no effect game-wise).  The rifling allows for the effective use of either SS-109-type or M193-type ammunition, as well as subsonic rounds.  Arms Tech has also designed a silencer for use with the Compak-16, which is easily attached and removed, as well as one which replaces the barrel assembly and becomes an integral part of the Compak-16.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Though it had little success with the military or police, survivalists and militia members in the US liked the Compak-16, especially female members. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: This is mostly a civilian niche weapon, though there has been some experimentation by the US military, the CIA, and various Federal agencies.