Taurus CT G2

Calibers	9x19, .40SW, .45ACP
Length, overall	800 mm / 31,5”
Weight	3,8 – 4,2 kg empty
Barrel length	406 mm / 16”
Magazine capacity, rounds	10

Taurus CT G2 semi-automatic carbine is designed for civilian and security use. This line of weapons, which includes three basic versions in three most popular pistol calibers (9mm Luger, .40SW and .45ACP) is based on the new Taurus MT G2 line of submachine guns, with several features changed to better suit firearms laws, especially US ones.

Taurus CT G2 semi-automatic carbine is built using simple blowback action and fires from closed bolt. Upper receiver is an extruded aluminum unit, while lower receiver is made from polymer with steel reinforcements where necessary. Weapon is fitted with ambidextrous safety levers. Bolt catch is provided to hold the bolt open once the magazine is empty. Feed is from proprietary double stack box magazines, holding 10 rounds of ammunition in every caliber. Furniture includes 'thumb-hole' type shoulder stock which is integral with the pistol grip and is made from polymer. Top of upper receiver is provided with integral Picatinny rail, and CT G2 carbines could be fitted with adjustable iron sights. Additional mounting points for more Picatinny rails are provided on the sides and on the bottom of the polymer forend.

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Safir arms T15 rifle and carbine

T15 'Classic' semi-automatic rifle.
Image: Safir Arms

 T16 'Classic' selective-fire rifle.
Image: Safir Arms

 T15 'Classic S' rifle.
Image: Safir Arms

 T15 'Compact' carbine.
Image: Safir Arms

 T15 'Compact S' carbine.
Image: Safir Arms

Data for T15 'Classic' rifle

Type / action	gas operated, direct impingement, rotating bolt
Caliber(s)	5.56x45 mm / .223 Remington
Weight unloaded	3.4 kg
Length	1000 mm
Barrel length	500 mm
Magazine capacity	30 rounds

The T15 rifle, as made in Turkey by Safir arms company, is a copy of the famous American Ar-15 rifle in its semi-automatic version. The T15 is intended for civilian and police use, but Safir arms also makes selective-fire version of the same design, known as T16, which is intended for military use. For countries that prohibit civilian ownership of semi-automatic firearms, a manually-operated version of T15 is also manufactured. Both T15 and T16 rifles are available in different configurations, with fixed or telescoping buttstock, and with fixed "M16A2-style" carrying handle or flat-top "M16A3-style" upper receivers. Carbine versions of both rifles also available with same modifications, and with any reasonable barrel lengths according to customer preferences.
Another interesting feature of the T15 is that it can be easily converted to 36 gauge semi-automatic shotgun with installation of the T14 shotgun upper receiver, made by the same company.

The T15 rifle is gas-operated weapon that uses Stoner direct impingement gas system, in which hot powder gases are fed from the barrel and via steel tube into the bolt carrier body, where they expand to operate the action. The bolt group is also of Stoner design, with 8-lug rotary bolt that engages the barrel extension. Receiver is made from two halves, upper and lower, both manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and connected by two cross-pins. Barrels are manufactured using cold hammer forging process, which ensures long service life and good accuracy, yet maintaining affordable price of the entire gun. Manual safety (which also works as a fire mode selector in T16 rifle) is located on the left side of the receiver. Overall, controls and design of the trigger unit are similar to that of Ar-15 rifle, and include bolt stop release button and T-shaped cocking handle above the buttstock. In standard configuration, T15 and T16 rifles feature M16A2-style adjustable sights, with diopter-type rear sight built into the carrying handle, although 'flat-top' models with Picatinny rail instead of the carrying handle can be produced upon request. Standard furniture is black polymer, with fixed or telescoping buttstock (the latter also features no-slip rubber buttplate). Magazines are same as used in Ar-15 / M16 rifles, and a number of other accessories, compatible with Ar-15 / M16 rifles also can be fitted to T-15 and T-16 rifles.

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TPD AXR rifle

TPD Inc. AXR rifle,left side.

TPD Inc. AXR rifle,right side.

Type / action	gas operated, rotating bolt
Caliber(s)	5.56x45mm / .223 Rem, also 6.8x43 mm Rem SPC
Weightunloaded	3.2 kg
Length	667 mm / 26.25" (with 406mm / 16" barrel)
Barrel length	406 mm/ 16" or 457 mm / 18"
Magazinecapacity	30 rounds standard, any M16/Ar15 compatiblemagazine will fit

The AXR (Advanced eXtensible Rifle) weapon was developed by US-based company Tactical Product Design (TPD) Inc. The AXR is based on the famous Austrian SteyrAUGassault rifle. Manufacture of this clone became possible because original patents for  SteyrAUG have expired, and the demand for civilian version of this weapon in USA was not covered by import of original Austrian-made rifles. TPD designers created a faithful copy of Steyr AUG,so most parts are interchangeable between the AXR and AUG.Prime differences between AXR and its prototype are in materials (TPD claims to use most modern metals and polymers in its design, which are superior to those available 30 years ago in original Steyr rifle) and use of STANAG / M16 type magazines rather than proprietary magazines.Optional caliber conversion kit allows to upgrade the AXR from 5.56mm /.223 to more potent 6.8mm Rem SPC caliber. At the present time AXR is offered only in semi-automatic version, for civilian and police use.

TPDAXR rifle is gas-operated semi-automatic weapon of bullpup configuration. The receiver is made from aluminum alloy, the stock / housing is made from impact-resistant polymer. Barrels are quick-detachable, with barrel lock incorporated into the gas block /forward grip base. Adjustable gas system features short-stroke gaspiston, located to the right of the barrel. Bolt group rides on dual guide rods, and different user-replaceable multi-lug rotary bolts are available for right- or left-hand ejection. It must be noted that current polymer stocks of AXR rifle does not permit easy change of the ejection direction, as ejection port is made only on one side of the stock. AXR is equipped with bolt hold-opendevice; bolt catch can be deactivated by pulling the charging handle.The originalSteyrAUG-type bolt closure device is incorporated into the design,in the form of the button on the charging handle. Normally non-reciprocating charging handle is located also on the left side, in front of the receiver; push on the button locks the handle to the bolt group, allowing to use it for manual bolt closing. AXR rifle accepts any M16 / Ar15-type magazines; magazine release buttons are located below the stock, behind the magazine housing, and on the left side of the stock, above the magazine. Manual safety is of cross-boltbutton style, located above the pistol grip. No sights are installed by default on AXR rifle; instated, each rifle is equipped with Picatinny-type rail on the top of receiver, which permits installation of any type of sighting equipment using appropriate mountings.

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SIG 556 semi-automatic rifle

 SIG 556 semi-automatic rifle,left side; buttstock collapsed.

 SIG 556 semi-automatic rifle,right side.

Type / action	semi-automatic rifle,gas-operated
Caliber(s)	.223Remington (5.56x45)
Weightunloaded	3.54 kg/ 7.8 lbs
Length	940 mm / 37"
Barrel length	406 mm/ 16"
Magazinecapacity	30 rounds

The SIG 556 semi-automatic rifle was announced in 2006 as a rifle for civilian and law-enforcement use.It is produced by international SIGARMS (now SIG Sauer) arms corporation and intended primary for US market. SIG 556 is based on SIG SG 550 assaul trifle, which is in use by Swiss army, and is limited to semi-automatic fire only, thus being legal in most countries that permit civilians to own rifles. SIG Sauer also produces a SIG 556 SWAT semi-automatic rifle which has a different butt stock and a 4-rail forend.

The SIG 556 semi-automatic rifle is gas operated, using short-stroke gaspiston located above the barrel. Gas system has manual gas regulator with two settings for normal and harsh conditions. The barrel is locked using rotary bolt with two massive lugs. Receiver is redesigned from original SIG SG 550 rifle, and features stamped steel upper part matedto aluminum alloy  lower part which houses a trigger unit and a redesigned magazine housing which accepts all M16 / Ar-15 type magazines.A bolt stop device is incorportaed into design. Manual safety is ambidextrous and located above the pistolgrip. As a standard, rifle is shipped with 30-round magazine. In basic configuration SIG 556 has no iron sights (adjustable folding ironsights are optional). Top of receiver is fitted with Picatinny rail foreasy installation of various optical or red-dot sights; additional rails are installed on the forend, at 3-, 6- and 9-o'clock positions.Buttstock is of non-folding, telescoped adjustable type.

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Ruger SR-556 semi-automatic rifle

 Ruger SR-556 semi-automatic rifle.

 Ruger SR-556 semi-automatic rifle.

Type / action	gas operated, semi-automatic
Caliber(s)	.223 Remington / 5.56x45 mm
Weight unloaded	3.6 kg / 7.92 lbs
Length	832 - 914 mm / 32.75" - 36"
Barrel length	410 mm / 16.125"
Magazine capacity	30 rounds

Ruger SR-556 semi-automatic rifle is the most recent product of the famous American arms-making company Sturm, Ruger & Co. Ruger company previously manufactured 5.56mm / .223 caliber semi-automatic Mini-14 rifles, which were known for excellent durability and reliability, but the SR-556 is the first step of this company into the one of most lucrative segments of American rifle market, the "Ar-15 niche". Following the general trend, Ruger, however, developed an improved version of the basic weapon that has many factory-standard features which, otherwise, are considered as expensive aftermarket options. Most important of these features are short-stroke piston-operated gas action (as opposed to original direct impingement gas action of the classic Ar-15 rifles), cold-hammer forged barrel with flash hider, as well as quad-rail forend, folding detachable iron sights and quality 30-round magazines. This rifle is obviously intended for civilian and law enforcement markets.

Ruger SR-556 semi-automatic rifle utilizes gas-operated action with short-stroke gas piston, located in the gas block above the barrel. The piston is linked to the bolt group through the separate push rod that runs inside the handguards and has its own return spring. Gas system features manual gas regulator with 4 positions, from "0" (gas system shut off for manual cycling) through "3" (for firing when rifle is heavily fouled up or when using relatively low-power ammunition). Normal gas regulator position is "2". Gas piston and gas regulator plug are chrome-lined. Bolt group is similar in design to the standard Ar-15 bolt group except that instead of the gas key it has a lug which interacts with the pusher rod. The bolt, bolt carrier ad barrel bore are chrome lined as well. Combined with gas-piston system that keeps powder residue out of the bolt group and receiver, this will result in enhanced reliability over prolonged firing sessions. The upper and lower receivers are made from aluminum alloy and connected via traditional cross-pins. All controls (manual safety, bolt stop release, magazine release, cocking handle, bolt forward assist) are of typical Ar-15 pattern. Feed is from standard M16 / Ar-15 type magazines, and as of now each rifle is shipped from factory with three 30-round polymer PMag magazines. Standard furniture includes quad-rail forend (supplied by Troy Industries), Hogue pistol grip and M4-type collapsible buttstock with 6 positions. Standard sights, as shipped by factory, include Troy industries iron sights on folding bases, with flip-up diopter type rear sight, adjustable for windage, and protected front sight, adjustable for height. Top of receiver features integral Picatinny rail, so any type of red-dot or telescopic sight can be fitted using appropriate mountings.

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Ruger Mini-14 and Mini-30 rifle

 Ruger Mini-14 rifle, original version (1980's production) with aftermarket 30-round magazine.

 Ruger Mini-14 "Ranch" rifle of pre-2005 production. Note receiver with integral scope mounts and folding rear sight.

 Ruger Mini-14 rifle, current version (as made since 2005). Note different front and rear sights and polymer handguard which covers most of the operating rod.

 Ruger Mini-30 "Ranch" rifle of current manufacture, with polymer stock.

 Ruger Mini-14 Target rifle, with no iron sights and laminated wood stock. Heavy barrel is fitted with adjustable harmonic dampener.

 Ruger Mini-14 Tactical rifle with side-folding telescoping buttstock and factory-installed rail interface.

 Ruger Mini-14 Tactical rifle with fixed polymer stock.

Type / action	gas operated, semi-automatic rifle
Caliber(s)	5.56x45 / .223 Remington; also 7,62x39 M43 in Mini-30 and 6,8x43 Remington SPC
Weight unloaded	3,1 kg / 6,8 lbs empty
Length	943 mm / 37,2"
Barrel length	470 mm / 18,5"
Magazine capacity	5 or 10 rounds

Bill Ruger, one of leading US arms designers of post-WW2 period, began development of a new semi-automatic rifle circa 1970. The rifle was intended for civilian, police and para-military use; it was patterned after then-current US issue military rifle, the M14, and was chambered for relatively new 5,56x45mm (.223 Remington) ammunition. Since its commercial introduction in 1973 the Ruger Mini-14 rifle found wide acceptance among both civilian shooters and a variety of police and security forces around the world. For government users, Ruger produced two specialized versions of the basic rifle - the Mini-14GB semi-automatic and AC-556 assault (select-fire) rifles. All weapons in the Mini-14 family share same basic design, although there are differences in certain parts; for example, AC-556 rifles had slightly longer receiver, which hosts the fire mode switch at its rear part.
The first major modification to the Mini-14 family appeared in 1978, when Ruger introduced an all-stainless version of the basic rifle. Until now, all Ruger Mini-14 rifles are available either in carbon or stainless steel versions. In around 1982 Ruger introduced its next civilian modification of the Mini-14, known as the "Ranch" rifle. This version was optimized for use with telescope sight, and thus was produced with integral scope bases on receiver. Ejection mechanism was changed to eject spent cases to the right side, clear of the scope, and rear sight was fitted on the folding base. In 1986, Ruger introduced a Mini-30 rifle, which was same basic weapon but adapted to 7,62x39 M43 ammunition of Russian origin. Next change in the Mini-14 line-up appeared as late as in 2005, when Ruger company introduced a new version of the Mini-14, which incorporated integral scope bases of the earlier "Ranch" rifles with protected front sight and non-folding diopter rear sight, which has smaller mount that of previous rifles. Recent additions to the Mini-14 rifle family are the Mini-14 Target rifle, which is optimized for accuracy and use of optical sights, and the all-stainless Mini-14 in the new 6,8x43 Remington SPC caliber which has less recoil than 7,62x39 but offers better terminal effectiveness than 5,56 / .223. The 'Tactical" line, which was introduced by Ruger in 2009, features factory-standard 20-round magazines, improved stocks and slightly shorthened barrels.
In general, Mini-14 rifles are known for their good reliability and durability. Accuracy is usually quoted as somewhat inferior to AR-15 (M16)-type weapons, which are very popular in USA, but this may change with recent introduction of Mini-14 Target model. Despite some claims, Ruger Mini-14 rifles are accurate enough for most purposes, and quite reliable and durable, being excellent weapons for hunting, home defense, certain police and security applications as well as for general plinking and practice.

Ruger Mini-14 is gas operated, semi-automatic only weapon which uses Garand-type rotary bolt with two lugs. Action is operated by the long-stroke gas piston, which is located below the barrel and is concealed within forend of the stock. The gas piston has cup-shaped head, and is linked to the bolt via Garand-type operating rod which runs at the right side of the weapon. Manual safety also patterned after M1 Garand or M14 rifle, and is located at the front of the triggerguard. Standard stock of the Mini-14 is of single-piece type, with semi-pistol grip and separate heatshiled above the barrel. Early Mini-14 rifles had wooden heatshileds which exposed operating rod; current production civilian guns feature polymer heatshields which cover most of the operating rod. Over the time, Ruger also produced a folding-stock versions with wooden stock, plastic pistol grip and side-folding metallic shoulder stock. Ruger also makes "all-weather" polymer stocks for Mini-14 and Mini-30 rifles. It also must be noted that there are many aftermarket stocks for Mini-14 rifles.
Standard sights consist of a blade-type front and adjustable diopter-type rear sight; "Ranch" type rifles also had integral scope mounts on the receiver, which will accept proprietary Ruger scope rings.
 Original magazine capacities for Mini-14 rifles were 10 or 20 rounds, but since infamous American "Assault weapons ban" of 1994 Ruger offered civilian Mini-14 rifles with magazines containing only 5 rounds; however, some magazine makers produced aftermarket magazines for Mini-14 and Mini-30 in capacities of up to 40 (box) and 90 (snail-drum) rounds.

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