Quote:
Originally Posted by Draq
I think Enfield would've put some priority to fixing the l85, given the urgency of war, but definitely some mix of l85, SLR(fal), and ar-18. Same with most of the other major players. Germany: hk41, g3, and seldom few g11 and g36. Russia: ak47 & 74, sks, maybe a few svt40 and mosins. Us: m16/m4, m14, and I substitute a majority of the EZs with ar-18. And a proliferation of Robinson m96 for certain marine and special forces purposes.
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Great Britain:
I would see the British falling back to their L1A1s. They still had huge stockpiles of these rifles and ammo and magazines are no problem. I think the British would also re-issue Sterling SMGs for Home Guard and rear echelon troops. The British had thousands of Sterlings which had been replaced by the IW tucked away in their arsenals. I believe they would dust them off and re-issue them as quickly as possible. The Sterling really was a pretty good SMG with a cyclic rate of 550 rpm, a compact size (for tankers and truckers), a weight of about 2.5kg empty and a single shot capability. as long as engagements are limited to around 100 meters, it could "fill in the gaps" between the IW and the L1A1.
Germany:
Germany still had HUGE quantities of both G3s and AKs to draw on. In my variation of the V2.2 timeline, Germany gives most of its "Pact" equipment to the pro-West Polish government in order to combat the Russian-backed rebels who plunged Poland into a civil war (triggering the Twilight War). The Germans provided "elite units" with the G36 and everyone else got a mix of G33s, G41s, and G3s (based on existing stocks in inventory- I roll a 1D10.. on a 1 you get a G36, 2 is a G41A1, 3-4 is a G33/G41 and 5+ is a G3). As hard as it is to believe, it costs 50% MORE to produce a G41A1 than a G36 (mainly due to machining costs v. injection molding costs). This means Germany would produce G36s in preference to other models. Rear echelon troops would use surplus Uzis and either the Walther MPL/MPK or the H&K MP-5 series submachineguns (both VERY expensive to manufacture). On a side note here, the H&K UMP can be produced for about 60% of the cost of an MP-5. The UMP was designed in the 90's but not produced for many years. The Twilight War could trigger the manufacture of the UMP.
The US:
The US was caught in the middle of transitioning to the M4. The elite units (Air Assault, Airborne, and Ranger units) would have the M4. Other frontline units would have the M16A2 and newly formed units would have the M16A1 pulled from "mothballs." The M3 grease gun, MP-5, Colt 9mmP subgun, UZI, and Carl Gustaff M36 subguns were all available for issue to stateside or rear area troops. The Mini-14 could have been pressed into service in large numbers as it was allowed to be manufactured during the '94 Assault Weapons Ban (making semi-auto versions available in larger quantities... at least until Mexico rolls into Arizona). There would be only limited quantities of other weapons available until manufacturers get assembly lines (shuttered due to the ban) up and running.
Designated Marksman's Rifles:
The Marines were pulling M14's out of mothballs in the 90's to make Designated Marksman's rifles using Leupold MK4 Day Scopes (3.5-10 X 40mm) and Harris Bipods. the M39 Designated Marksman's Rifle could make an appearance in the late 90's. This would be supplemented by 5.56mmN DMRs like MK12 SPR. The MK12 went through several "mods" before being standardized. Early MK12's start as an M16A1 lower (early models keep the full auto selector while later models used match-grade semi-auto triggers) with a match grade flat-top upper chambered for M855, not M193 ammo. The MK12 is topped with either a Leupold MK3 or a NightForce NX 2.5-10 X 36mm scope. The Marines even mounted ACOGs (both the 3.5X and 4X models) on the carrying handles of M16A2s.
The Army followed suit in 2003 with the M14 EBR (using the same optic). The Army also "dusted off" M21 Sniper Rifles and issued them as DMRs to elite units. Many of these early issues still had the Redfield Leatherwood ARM 3-9 X 42mm Scopes from the Vietnam War era. Those optics still had issues with losing zero and blurring at magnifications above 6 or 7 power. The Army would replace them with Leupold MK4 3.5-10 X 40mm scopes (just like in real life). the Army also issued a version of the MK12 SPR. It is almost identical to the navy version.
The Warsaw Pact:
Most First-Line Pact units would have the more accurate and easier shooting AK-74 in inventory. Reserve units would also have AK-74s as well. Mobilization Only units would have 7.62mm X 39mm AKMs and some Pact countries (like Bulgaria & Romania) would still be using belt fed RPDs as SAWs. The final waves would most likely be armed with the SKS battle rifle and RPDs. In fact, several Eastern European countries issued the SKS to police units as well.
The SKS gets a bad rap compared to the AK. It is actually EASIER for poorly trained troops to use than an AK. Here's why.
- The SKS has a safety that can be manipulated by the firing hand WITHOUT taking it off the weapon. An SKS shooter will engage an enemy from safe MUCH FASTER than an AK shooter.
- The SKS has a last round bolt hold open and its open top design lets the shooter SEE he is out. The AK user must manipulate the bolt to ensure that he hasn't had a stoppage instead.
-The SKS reload is a bit faster for a novice shooter. The AK shooter must rock in a magazine and then reach under or over the rifle to rack the bolt to chamber a round ALL WITH THE WEAK HAND.
The SKS shooter holds the weapon to his shoulder in a firing position with his weak hand and grabs a stripper clip with his STRONG hand. He then seats the clip in the guide on the bolt face and pushes down on the bullets. He then sweeps his firing hand (with the empty stripper clip between his thumb and trigger finger) back and down (the bolt closes AUTOMATICLY as the clip is swept away) to the trigger (a very short trip) to resume firing. A typical shooter can reload an AK in about 4 seconds. That same shooter can reload an SKS in 3 seconds. The SKS is faster.
These are the most common versions of weapons that would be READILY available in large numbers for the troops.