G3A3: Last Battle Rifle On Earth

[Brother in Arms]

As much as I love a good rack grade M14....or a sloppily camouflaged Rhodesian FAL....It's impossible to ignore the rugged workman like nature of the G3A3 rifle.

While it's considered almost plebeian today found in the hands of 3rd world fighters. In late 1950's when it appeared it was pretty much the pinnacle of battle rifle technology (AR-10 aside perhaps).

Originally produced by both Rheinmetal and H&K (later only H&K) it was based on the CETME rifle. Produced in the powerful 7.62X51mm cartridge. Designed to be highly mass produced from precision sheet metal stampings. And using the unique roller delayed blow back system it was distinctly different from any of it's competitors who used rotating and tilting bolts respectively. It's competitors were made from heavy milled forgings and were typically longer as it sported a modern 18" barrel. Early models sported wood furniture later they were seen with polymer only. It was capable of mounting a quick detachable scope and could also mount a bayonet and fire rifle grenades. Magazines were originally steel later aluminum construction to save weight.

The rifle proved to be almost as unstoppable as the AKM. It's ergonomics are a little weird with the charging handle being very far forward. A hard to operate selector lever. And sights that are large (both aperture and front site) It proved to be highly accurate as well.

I think the G3 will soldier on until the days of fixed center fire cartridges are over.

Brother in Arms