Australia's new small arms

[Dawes]

That's quite the list:

 

Australian manufacturer ZU Bladeworx’s Double-Edged Fighting Knife - selected as the basis of the ADF’s new Hand-to-Hand Fighting System. The black, double-edged fighting knife has a 100mm blade, is machined from a solid billet of A2 steel and features a non-slip handle and retention ring.

The SIG Sauer P320 XCarry Pro - selected as the platform for the Sidearm Weapon System, which will replace the venerable Browning Mk3 pistol. It will be complemented with reflex sights, and a white light illuminator.

The Benelli M3A1 - selected as the platform for the Combat Shotgun System. Operable in semi-automatic or pump-action mode, it is complemented with a red dot sight and white light illuminator.

The SIG Sauer MCX, in .300 Blackout calibre - selected as the platform for the Personal Defence Weapon System, to provide dismounted combatants with a light, modular, and compact weapon system that can be rapidly optimised for specialised roles.

The Accuracy International AX-SR - selected as the platform for the Long Range Sniper Capability. It will be introduced into ADF service as a multi-calibre system capable of delivering in .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum and 7.62mm NATO calibres.

The Sniper Surveillance Capability – selected to provide ADF snipers with a day and night capability utilising the Safran JIM Compact multispectral surveillance device and Steiner laser range-finding binoculars.

The M107A1 rifle, manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Incorporated, - selected as the platform for the Anti-Material Sniper Capability. The M107A1 is a lighter, modernised and suppressed derivative of the in-service weapon, and is complemented with precision optics, night vision, and ranger-finding devices.

 

https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/adf-signs-next-generation-weapons

Edited October 4, 2022 by Dawes

[Argus]

Woo noo toyz

[shep854]

Canadians weeping in worn out HP…

[Ivanhoe]

So they've got plans for issue gear to handle all the spiders, snakes, drop bears, crocs, etc. What do they plan to use for enemy soldiers?

Some photos here; https://www.guns.com/news/2022/10/03/australians-go-sig-for-pdw-and-pistol-contracts

[DougRichards]

Just a little question.  The .300 Blackout round seems to emulate the 7.92x33mm Kurz round in projectile size and velocity.  Has someone just reinvented the wheel?

[sunday]

1 hour ago, DougRichards said:

in projectile size and velocity.

But not in case shape and dimensions.

Edited October 5, 2022 by sunday

[DougRichards]

1 hour ago, sunday said:

But not in case shape and dimensions.

Understood.  The .300 appears to have been developed to be able to use most of the hardware, including the magazines etc, of the M14 and similar weapons, but with a new chamber and barrel.  But ballistically, that this cartridge / weapons system was developed, seems to show that Germany got the rest of it right in 1943. 

And no I am not a German fan-boi.  I expect that someone will come up with a round and weapon that will emulate the British .280 

oh! I forgot the .277 Fury....

[sunday]

Yes, albeit an excellent intermediate cartridge, 7.92 Kurz was a bit of a kludge in order to use most of the existing 8x57 manufacturing facilities. Probably the same could be said of the .300 wrt 5.56.

Edited October 5, 2022 by sunday

[Ivanhoe]

2 hours ago, DougRichards said:

Understood.  The .300 appears to have been developed to be able to use most of the hardware, including the magazines etc, of the M14 and similar weapons, but with a new chamber and barrel.  But ballistically, that this cartridge / weapons system was developed, seems to show that Germany got the rest of it right in 1943.

M16, of course, not M14.

Yeah, the .300 only requires barrel swap. Which is an issue. There has been a case where an American AR-15 owner loaded a loose .300 cartridge into a mag full of 5.56. It didn't quite chamber, so he slapped the forward assist and got the hammer to drop, with tragic results.

The .300's ballistics are all about subsonic, for use with a suppressor. Surprisingly, the industry is so wedded to it that several bullet manufacturers make hunting bullets that will expand at the .300's rather low impact speeds.

 

[bojan]

Which is a reason a lot of SF outfits* (never mind regular armies) did not want to touch .300 Rifle-Kaboom, potential of serious fuckup, despite it enabling very compact weapons, ideal for both SF and for for various "survival" rifles.

*French GIGN wanted similar performances to .300 blackout and got... Czech Bren in 7.62x39 as a solution.

Edited October 5, 2022 by bojan

[shep854]

7 minutes ago, bojan said:

Which is a reason a lot of SF outfits* (never mind regular armies) did not want to touch .300 Rifle-Kaboom, potential of serious fuckup, despite it enabling very compact weapons, ideal for both SF and for for various "survival" rifles.

*French GIGN wanted similar performances to .300 blackout and got... Czech Bren in 7.62x39 as a solution.

7.62x39 subsonic has been marketed, but doesn't seem to be catching on.

[shep854]

The pistol looks pretty much identical to the US M18:

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/10/03/australian-army-selects-sig-sauer-p320-xcarry-pro-replace-browning-hipower/

Edited October 5, 2022 by shep854

[Arminius]

On 10/5/2022 at 4:19 PM, shep854 said:

The pistol looks pretty much identical to the US M18:

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/10/03/australian-army-selects-sig-sauer-p320-xcarry-pro-replace-browning-hipower/

Mag in the background is AUG

 

[Dawes]

I remember watching one of Larry Vickers (?) videos comparing the .300 BO to the rather elderly 7.62x39mm cartridge. At 100 meters and beyond the 7.62x39 was superior in penetration. In fact, it may have been superior at all ranges. 

[ZORK]

Penetration is primarily a bullet construction issue............and only factor for similar subsonic velocities   

[bojan]

This. He compared mild-steel cored 7.62x39mm with lead core .300Bo IIRC.

Advantage of .300 BO has better "form factor" than 7.62x39 and that enables much more compact magazines. OTOH, fact that it can be "chambered" in 5.56 rifle making it go "kaboom" means it will never get wide acceptance in the military. Which is a pity, since it is really good choice for various PDWs. Something like this is more compact and lighter than MP-5 with better ballistics.

 

[shep854]

14 hours ago, Arminius said:

Mag in the background is AUG

 

Well, the Oz rifle is an AUG derivative…

[rmgill]

.300 AAC is all about commonality with 5.56 rifles save for barrel. Even case head size so bolts are the same. 
 

There are things I don't like about the AR platform but its a damn good system with profligate accessories and variations. 

Edited October 29, 2022 by rmgill

[rmgill]

Is there not a PDW Shortie AUG? 

[Ivanhoe]

On 10/11/2022 at 6:46 AM, bojan said:

Advantage of .300 BO has better "form factor" than 7.62x39 and that enables much more compact magazines. OTOH, fact that it can be "chambered" in 5.56 rifle making it go "kaboom" means it will never get wide acceptance in the military. Which is a pity, since it is really good choice for various PDWs. Something like this is more compact and lighter than MP-5 with better ballistics.

When the American bullet manufacturers (Hornady, et al) started making .300-specific bullets, I took a long look at what the .300 could do. Big, heavy bullet (relatively), trivial to repurpose a standard AR-15, can be used for deer and hog hunting, works great suppressed, etc.

Then I found out about the kaboom potential, and sadly wrote it off. Americans must own and operate 5.56, the two cannot be trusted around each other. KISS applies.

[Sardaukar]

14 hours ago, rmgill said:

Is there not a PDW Shortie AUG? 

Yea, but...it's not so much shorter than regular AUG, so cannot see much advantage.

[rmgill]

On 10/29/2022 at 11:03 AM, Ivanhoe said:

When the American bullet manufacturers (Hornady, et al) started making .300-specific bullets, I took a long look at what the .300 could do. Big, heavy bullet (relatively), trivial to repurpose a standard AR-15, can be used for deer and hog hunting, works great suppressed, etc.

Then I found out about the kaboom potential, and sadly wrote it off. Americans must own and operate 5.56, the two cannot be trusted around each other. KISS applies.

Go larger/longer/spin it faster? 

I was at a local firearms shop in Alpharetta (Martin's Firearms) and one of the counter dudes reported that Kevin (formerly of AAC, now of Q firearms) has come up with a new cartridge. 8.6 Blackout. Apparently 2 years in the making with some reporting. 1:3 twist!

https://www.arbuildjunkie.com/8-6-blackout-approaches-a-2022-update-with-qs-kevin-brittingham/

https://www.arbuildjunkie.com/8-6-blackout-a-2021-update-with-qs-kevin-brittingham/