*** WEAPONS OF THE NEW ZEALAND ARMY ***
THE STEYR AUG INDIVIDUAL WEAPON
Built by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG of Steyr, Austria, the AUG was designed in conjunction with the Austrian Army in 1977 and has been in use there ever since. It replaced the M16A1 and the SLR in the New Zealand Armed Forces in 1989. Noted for its "bullpup configuration", the AUG delivers all of the advantages of the 5.56mm NATO (.223 cal) round in the smallest packages possible. An extremly tough weapon that can stand harsh punishment handed out by soldiers. It has been proven to fire after a two tonne truck has been driven over it repeatedly. This is due to its simple construction with few parts. The butt piece is completely made of plastic which explains the lightness of the weapon. The magazine is partly transparent so the firer may know how many rounds he has left at a glance. The mag in the above illustration is empty.
| CALIBER | 5.56mm NATO - M193 and M885 (SS109) type ball ammunition |
| OPERATION | Gas - Short stroke piston with gas system mounted to barrel. Two action springs for operating under normal and adverse conditions. Third action setting for firing rifle grenades. |
| BARREL | 6-groove , right hand twist with one turn in 23cm(9in). Hammer-forged construction. Chrome-lined bore and chamber |
| SIGHTS | 1.5 power optical sight made by Sworovski |
| MAGAZINES | 30 and 42-rd translucent plastic staggered box type |
| FIRE SELECTION | Semi automatic, Safe and Full automatic. |
| CYCLIC RATE OF FIRE | 680 rounds per minute. |
| EFFECTIVE RANGE | 300m individual, 500m section fire. |
| WEIGHT, EMPTY | Carbine - 3.3kg(7.3 pd) Assault rifle - 3.6kg(7.9pd) |
| OVERALL LENGTH | Carbine - 69cm(27in) Assault rifle - 79cm(31in) |
| ACCESSORIES | Multi purpose and light bayonets with clamp adaptor, carrying sling, blank firing attachments, and muzzle cap. |
The Americans call it the M249, the manufacturers call it the FN MINIMI and we call it the C9 LSW. It's bloody good stuff - the LSW stands for Light Support Weapon. One of its features is that it can take a 200 round belt/box magazine or it can take a M16 rifle magazine for fast reloads from grunts. Pity we don't have M16's in the NZDF! (I knew a couple of old buggers that had them though) Fires the NATO standard 5.56mm round.
I have only had a go with one of these little beauties once and DAMN did I suck! I hit the target ok from 5m but only just! They are nice and easy to operate, no pesky safety catch, just a 12pound pull on the trigger for the first shot and 7pounds there after. The effect being the second shot takes you somewhat by suprise and is a guaranteed miss. Rather have the Steyr by my side. Fires a standard 9mm round all over the place.
