Russian 7.62×39mm Assault Rifl e
The appearance of this new compact bullpup rifl e aroused consider- able interest. The Groza is a not just an assault rifl e, but a complete weapon system. Its designer, Valery Telesh, was originally interested in creating a combined assault-rifl e/grenade-launcher system that would be better balanced and integrated than the existing designs, in which the grenade launcher was simply hung onto the rifl e as an afterthought. The resulting weapon was a compact bullpup, with an action derived from the AK-74 and capable of being chambered in the 5.45mm, 5.56mm NATO, or 7.62mm Soviet calibers.
The only initial customer for the Groza was the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), who had need of a compact weapon for use in urban fi ghting. They bought it chambered in the new 9×39mm cartridge, which is a heavy, low-velocity round optimized for special operations use. Shortly thereafter, the Groza went into action with MVD troops in Chechnya. Its success there led the Russian Army to adopt it in 7.62mm for their special forces.
OTs-14-4A Groza
OTs-14-4A-01 Groza
RIFL
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The Groza comes shipped in a metal carrying case containing the weapon itself and a variety of accessories, including various barrels, grips, a scope, and the 40mm GP-30 grenade launcher. It also includes a suppressor, which is particularly effective when used with the sub- sonic 9×39mm round.
The user can quickly assemble the various components into the confi guration needed for any particular mission. This fl exibility (sim- ilar to that offered in advanced derivatives of the M16) makes the Groza particularly useful for special operations units, who regularly face widely varying mission requirements. As such, it is primarily be- ing issued to these troops, rather than the rank-and-fi le, for whom an ordinary assault rifl e is a more economical solution.
Variants: There are two main variants of the OTs-14. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) version is chambered in 9×39mm, while the military version is chambered in 7.62×39mm. There are different subdesignations for the different confi gurations of the weapon as well. The OTs-14-4A refers to the rifl e with the grenade launcher attached. The OTs-14-4A-01 indicates the rifl e with the grenade launcher removed. The OTs-14-4A-02 refers to the rifl e with the grenade launcher and a shortened barrel, while the OTs-14-4A-03 refers to the rifl e with the grenade launcher and a suppressor fi tted.
Who Uses It: The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has adopted the OTs-14 in 9×39mm for its quick-reaction forces. The Russian Army uses it in 7.62×39mm for its SPETSNAZ units.
d20 Modern Rules: The OTs-14-4A-01 (with no attachments) has
a purchase DC of 20. The OTs-14-4A and OTs-14-4A-02 (with grenade launcher) each have a purchase DC of 21. The OTs-14-4A-03 (with grenade launcher and suppressor) has a purchase DC of 22.
The 40mm GP-30 grenade launcher found on the OTs-14-4A is described in Chapter Eight.
The OTs-14-4A-03 is a supressed weapon. Although the weapon’s fi ring is audible, determining the location of this weapon by its sound alone requires a successful Listen check (DC 15). When fi r- ing cold-loaded ammunition, this weapon operates as if silenced; a successful Listen check (DC 15) is required to notice the sound of the weapon fi ring.
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 30 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 7 lb. Range Increment: 70 ft. Purchase DC: See text Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Mil (+3)
R4
South African 5.56mm Assault Rifl e
The R4 is little more than the Israeli Galil license-produced by Lyttleton of South Africa. It was adopted during the 1970s, when the antiapartheid arms embargo limited South Africa’s ability to purchase weapons internationally. Israel was one of the few states willing to deal with Pretoria. In addition, the reliable AK-derived Galil was well suited to the needs of counterinsurgency warfare in the African bush.
The R4 incorporates numerous minor modifi cations to the basic Galil design. The stock is both stronger and longer, owing to the fact that South African troops tend to be taller than their Israeli counterparts. Over time, the design has been refi ned still
further. The bolt has been improved, and the wooden furniture has been replaced with composites to better withstand the tropi- cal climate.
Variants: There is also a shortened carbine version, similar to the Galil SAR, known as the R5. There is an ultracompact version known as the R6. All versions are available in semiautomatic-only models as well. They are intended mainly for law enforcement use.
Who Uses It: The R4 is the standard service rifl e of the South African armed forces.
d20 Modern Rules: The ultracompact R6 model grants a +2
circumstance bonus on Sleight of Hand checks made to conceal the weapon.
R4 (5.56mm Assault Rifl e)
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 35 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 10 lb. Range Increment: 80 ft. Purchase DC: 19 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
R5 (5.56mm Assault Rifl e)
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 35 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 8 lb. Range Increment: 70 ft. Purchase DC: 19 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
R6 (5.56mm Assault Rifl e)
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 35 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 7 lb. Range Increment: 60 ft. Purchase DC: 20 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
Ruger AC-556
American 5.56mm Assault Rifl e
The AC-556 is a souped-up version of the Mini-14 (see below), optimized for the military or paramilitary role. The select-fi re mechanism incorporates a three-round burst setting. The furniture is reworked to incorporate a pistol grip, folding shoulder stock, and a heat shield over the barrel. Like the Mini-14, the AC-556 is a robust design and will keep working even in poor conditions.
Who Uses It: The AC-556 is popular with SWAT teams, both in the U.S. and abroad. It has been produced under license in several countries.
d20 Modern Rules: This weapon features a three-round burst
setting. When the three-round burst setting is used with the Burst Fire feat, it fi res only three bullets instead of fi ve and can be used with only three bullets in the weapon. This setting does not grant the ability to make burst fi re attacks without the Burst Fire feat; if you use the setting without the feat, you make a normal attack and the extra two bullets are wasted.
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 30 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 8 lb. Range Increment: 80 ft. Purchase DC: 18 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
RIFL
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78
Ruger Mini-14
American 5.56mm Assault Rifl e
The Mini-14 adapts the highly successful gas-actuated action of the old M1 Garand rifl e to the NATO-standard 5.56mm cartridge. Because the new round is so much lighter, the Mini-14 is much more controllable than its famous ancestor, even in automatic mode. The resulting design has proven to be reliable and handy and is popular with sportsmen. It features a detachable box magazine, available in varying sizes, and either wooden or composite furniture.
Variants: The Mini-14/20GB is a militarized version featuring a bayonet lug and rifl e grenade launcher.
Who Uses It: The Mini-14 has been adopted by numerous police agencies throughout the U.S., especially for SWAT team use.
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 30 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 8 lb. Range Increment: 80 ft. Purchase DC: 18 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
Sako M90
Finnish 7.62mm Assault Rifl e
The M90 is a refi nement of the earlier Sako series of assault rifl es that began with the M60. Though still chambered for the traditional Soviet 7.62mm cartridge, it has been reworked to a high standard of quality and incorporates modern materials and production techniques. It is fi tted with a folding stock and new sights. Many experts consider the M90 to be one of the best of the Kalashnikov-derived weapons.
Variants: Like the M95, the M90 is available in either 7.62×39mm or 5.56mm NATO calibers.
Who Uses It: The M90 is the current Finnish military service rifl e, replacing the M76 series in front-line units.
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 30 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 9 lb. Range Increment: 80 ft. Purchase DC: 18 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
Sako M95
Finnish 7.62mm Assault Rifl e
The M95 is the latest in the series Kalashnikov-derived assault rifl es from Sako. It is essentially an improved version of the M90.
Modifi cations focused on making the weapon more reliable in harsh arctic conditions; it is somewhat more rugged overall and features an enlarged trigger guard for use with mittens or gloves. The M95 can be fi tted with the American M203 underbarrel grenade launcher.
Variants: The M95 is available in either the 7.62×39mm Soviet cartridge (standard Finnish issue) or the 5.56×45mm NATO round (for export).
Who Uses It: The M95 serves alongside the M90 in Finnish military service.
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 30 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 10 lb. Range Increment: 80 ft. Purchase DC: 18 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
SAR 21
Singapore 5.56mm Assault Rifl e
The SAR 21 is an advanced assault rifl e design developed for the Singapore armed forces. The action is housed in a plastic shell, which (as with the Steyr AUG) has been shaped with ergonomics in mind. All controls are ambidextrous. The SAR 21 can be easily disassembled into fi ve major parts for cleaning and maintenance. It uses a special transparent plastic magazine, which allows the user to easily check for remaining ammunition.
The SAR 21 features a built-in 1.5× optical sight, housed in the carrying handle. There is also a laser sight housed in the forward handgrip, which can be used to project either an infrared or visible light dot. A 40mm grenade launcher, such as the M203, can be fi tted if desired, though this requires the forward handgrip to be removed and the laser sight reattached.
Variants: Several variants of the SAR 21 have been developed. The SAR 21 Sharp Shooter features a standard scope. The SAR 21 Modular does away with the optical sight entirely, replacing it with a standard accessory-mounting rail, allowing a variety of different devices to be attached. There is also a light machine gun version designed for use as a squad automatic weapon.
Who Uses It: The SAR 21 has been adopted by the Singapore armed forces and is replacing the earlier SAR80 family. It is also available for export sales.
d20 Modern Rules: Attaching or removing a 40mm grenade
launcher takes 1 minute and a successful Repair check (DC 5).
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 30 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 9 lb. Range Increment: 80 ft. Purchase DC: 20 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
RIFL
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79
SAR 80
Singapore 5.56mm Assault Rifl e
After manufacturing the M16 under license for a number of years, the Singaporean manufacturer CIS decided to produce its own rifl e. It contracted with the British fi rm of Sterling Armaments for the design, which went into production in 1980 after extensive trials. The SAR 80 is a reliable and practical weapon. The furniture is made of high-impact plastic. The stock is arranged in line with the barrel to transmit recoil force straight back and reduce muzzle climb during fi ring. The receiver hinges downward, and the whole weapon opens up to ease cleaning and maintenance in the fi eld. It accepts standard M16 magazines. A version with folding stock was also produced.
Who Uses It: The Singapore armed forces adopted the SAR 80 as the standard service rifl e.
Damage: 2d8 Magazine: 30 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 9 lb. Range Increment: 80 ft. Purchase DC: 17 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)
SG510 Series
Swiss 7.62mm Assault Rifl e
The SG510 is a progressive development of the earlier Stgw57. The SG510 is chambered for the 7.62mm NATO cartridge and is an im- provement on the Stgw57 in a number of minor ways to produce a lighter and more reliable weapon. As designed, it was intended for export; however, though of excellent quality, the SG510 is expensive, and by the time it appeared, most nations had already adopted new service rifl es. Thus, it found only limited success.
Variants: The SG510 went through a series of improvements before the fi nal design, called the SG510-4, was developed. Earlier models tended to be somewhat heavier and looked more like the earlier Stgw57. There was also an export model chambered in the Soviet 7.62mm cartridge called the SG510-3; this failed to attract commercial success and was never put into production.
Who Used It: The SG510-4 was adopted by the Swiss armed forces. It was exported to a few African countries, as well as Chile and Bolivia.
Damage: 2d10 Magazine: 20 box Critical: 20 Size: Large Damage Type: Ballistic Weight: 10 lb. Range Increment: 90 ft. Purchase DC: 19 Rate of Fire: S, A Restriction: Res (+2)