Rifle 7.62mm 2A1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| RFI Rifle 7.62mm 2A1 (aka Ishapore 2A1) | |
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| Type | Reserve Weapon |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1963-Present |
| Used by | India |
| Wars | Sino-Indian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ishapore Rifle Factory |
| Designed | 1963 |
| Produced | 1963-1975 |
| Number built | approx 500,000 |
| Variants | 2A (2000 m sights) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.7 kg, unloaded |
| Length | 44.5 in (1130 mm) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62x51 mm NATO |
| Calibre | 7.62x51 NATO |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Rate of fire | 20-30 rounds/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 2600 ft/s |
| Effective range | 800 m |
| Maximum range | 2000 m |
| Feed system | 10 or 12- round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clips |
| Sights | Sliding ramp rear sights, Fixed-post front sights |
The Rifle 7.62mm 2A1 (also known as the Ishapore 2A1) is a 7.62x51 NATO calibre bolt-action rifle adopted as a reserve arm by the Indian military in 1963.
Production of the rifle- initially the Rifle 7.62mm 2A- began at the Ishapore Rifle Factory in India some point just after the Sino-Indian War of 1963.
The Ishapore 2A was based upon (and is almost identical to) the .303 British calibre SMLE Mk III* rifle, albeit reworked to use the 7.62x51 NATO round. Externally the rifle is very similar to the classic Mk III*, with the exception of the magazine- which is more "square" and usually carries twelve rounds instead of ten, although a number of 2A1s have been noted with 10 round magazines. Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifles are made with strengthened steel (to handle the increased pressures of the 7.62x51 round), and the extractor is redesigned to cope with the rimless round. From 1965-1975 (when production is believed to have been discontinued), the sights were changed from 2000 m to 800 m, and the rifle re-designated "Rifle 7.62mm 2A1".
There are no other differences between the Ishapore 2A and 2A1 rifles, but they are often incorrectly described as ".308 conversions". The 2A/2A1 rifles are not conversions of .303 calibre SMLE Mk III* rifles- they are new manufacture, and are not chambered for commercial .308 Winchester ammunition. Many 2A/2A1 owners shoot commercial .308 Winchester ammunition in their rifles with no problems, although .308 Winchester does generate higher pressures than 7.62x51 NATO, even though the rounds are otherwise interchangeable. The Ishapore 2A1 has the distinction of being the last military bolt action rifle ever designed and issued to an armed force (other than specialised sniper rifles), and they are becoming increasingly popular with civilian shooters and collectors in the US, UK, and Australia as the supplies of affordable .303 British ammunition fluctuate.
[edit] References
- The Lee-Enfield Story (1993) Skennerton, Ian. Arms & Militaria Press, Gold Coast QLD (Australia) ISBN 1-85367-138-X
