SR-47

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SR-47
SR-47 assault riffle
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	Never entered into service
Production history
Designer	Knight Armament Co.
Specifications
Weight	3.52 kg
Length	724 mm - 826 mm (telescoping stock)
Cartridge	7.62 × 39 mm
Action	direct impingement gas operated, rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity	710 m/s
Feed system	30-round detachable box; compatible w/ RPK 40-round box

The SR-47 is a modern assault rifle based on the ArmaLite family of rifles created by Knight's Armament Company for the USSOCOM. Unlike the majority of guns based around ArmaLite design, the SR-47 fires the Soviet 7.62 x 39 mm round from AK-47 magazines. The gun was created after soldiers on long missions in Operation Enduring Freedom complained of running out of 5.56 x 45 mm ammo for their M4 Carbines but having plenty of captured AK-47 magazines. The SR-47 is basically an M4 that will accept standard AK-47 magazines rather than NATO STANAG M16/M4 mags, along with other minor modifications common to KAC's designs.

It is speculated that the SR-47 was discontinued because of the glut of AK-47s found in Iraq and Afghanistan and the reliability issue of feeding 'dirty' 7.62x39 ammunition through the direct impingement gas system of the AR-15. Personnel issued the weapon in the field also mentioned that the SR-47's action often had trouble feeding and firing rounds from standard AK-type magazines.

[edit] Development

The SR-47 is an outgrowth of the Colt M4 Carbine's SOPMOD system. Originally it was going to be a drop-in series of parts to convert an M4 or M16 in the field to fire 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition. This requirement was later changed to require the weapon to accept and feed from Kalashnikov magazines. The complexity of this task made the planners rethink this approach and the idea of a complete weapon that could still use standard SOPMOD accessories was born.

After 9/11, SOCOM placed an open call for a 7.62 x 39 mm rifle of basic M16 style design. This was known as the SPR-V. Three companies submitted samples: Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT), Robinson Armament, and KAC. After a series of trials, the pack was narrowed down to the RAV-02 Robinson carbine and the KAC SR-47.

The SR-47 is based on the Knight Stoner Rifle (or SR) series. Many aspects of the rifle resemble an M16, but almost all parts are upsized slightly to handle the larger 7.62 mm cartridge. It uses standard AK magazines and the magazine well is modified to accept standard box magazines.

Only seven rifles are known to exist. Six went to USSOCOM and one was retained in the Knight Co. museum.

The rifle uses a custom barrel manufactured by Obermeyer Barrel Co. of Wisconsin. It is machined to accept a custom Knight manufactured suppressor.

The advantage of these rifles is they can use enemy ammunition and magazines. USSOCOM forces were often tasked with entering enemy caves, and one can assume these rifles would be used in close combat with the enemy where ammunition resupply can be an issue.