CornerShot

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CornerShot

A standard CornerShot fitted with a Glock pistol.
Type Rifle (Standard)
Place of origin Flag of Israel Israel
Service history
In service 2005-present
Used by United States, People's Republic of China[1]
Production history
Designer Amos Golan
Designed Early 21st century (took several years)
Manufacturer Corner Shot Holdings, LLC
Produced late 2005-present
Variants 4 (including Standard)
Specifications
Weight 3.86 kilograms (8.5 lb)
Length 820 millimetres (32.7 in)
Crew 1

CornerShot is a special-purpose weapon that can fire around corners. It was designed in the early 2000s for SWAT teams and special forces in hostile situations usually involving terrorists and hostages.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Its designers were two former Israeli Army senior officers Amos Golan, with sponsorship by American investors.[2] It has several variations. The variations developed so far are the Standard, the 40 mm grenade launcher, the APR, and a derived Anti-tank version.[3][4] It works because its many parts are either on the muzzle or the butt end, which are connected by a steel hinge. It is manufactured by Corner Shot Holdings, LLC, a company headed in Miami with offices in Israel. Units have been sold in 15 countries.[5] The CornerShot was recently evaluated by the UK Ministry of Defence.[6]

[edit] Forms and variations

The CornerShot is available in several variations. A standard pistol version is available, along with a 40 mm grenade launcher. Because they are fitted with high-resolution digital cameras, any variant can also be used as a surveillance tool. All the models come with the same stock camera and 2.5 in. color LCD monitor, providing a video observation and sighting system with transmission capability. The flashlight and camera let it operate in either day or night. A variety of optional interchangeable cameras, as well as a folding stock, are available, and a universal accessory rail is standard. [7]

[edit] Standard

The standard CornerShot mounts a normal semi-automatic pistol in the front part of the weapon, with a remote linkage to the trigger mechanism in the rear part, it has a trigger pull of 21 newtons (4.7 lbf). It is 820 millimetres (32.67 in) long, with a weight of 3.86 kilograms (8.5 lb).[citation needed]

[edit] 40 mm grenade launcher

The 40 mm Grenade Launcher is a breech-loading, single shot grenade launcher. Manually operated, it fires all 40 mm grenades, less-lethal and non-lethal ammunition, and tear/irritant gas projectiles; spent cartridges are ejected for easier reloading. The same system is available in 37 mm size for law enforcement agencies.[8] The 40 mm model has a rifling of 1:1.224, is 900 mm long, and weighs 4.4 kg (9.5 lb). The muzzle velocity is 74.7 m/s (M-406 grenade).[3] Its range for precision fire, single target is 150 meters; and for area coverage, with fragmentation munitions, is 350 meters.

[edit] Assault Pistol Rifle (or APR)

The Assault Pistol Rifle mounts a custom assault pistol in the front part of the weapon to allow the use of rifle cartridges. It fires 5.56 mm ammunition.[9] The APR pistol can be removed from the CornerShot frame.[3]

[edit] CornerShot Panzerfaust (or CSP)

Debuted at the Eurosatory 2004 military trade show in Paris, a derivative of the system for use against armored vehicles is designed to fire Panzerfaust anti-tank rockets.[4] It can turn 90 degrees instead of the standard 60 degrees.[10]

[edit] How it works

An animated clip of CornerShot (standard version).
An animated clip of CornerShot (standard version).

In the standard version a pistol is mounted in the front end of the weapon, which bends horizontally at a mid-gun sixty-degree hinge.[5] There is a digital camera and a flashlight attached to the barrel in the bayonet position. On the butt side of the hinge are the trigger, camera screen (which is on a horizontal hinge just like the mid-gun hinge but it is off of the left side of the gun), and controls for the camera and light.


[edit] Similar Weapons

The Krummlauf was a bent barrel designed for the Sturmgewehr 44, which was used by the Germans in World War II. It allowed for looking and firing around corners with its 30 degree barrel and a periscope-style sight.


During one of Iran's latest gun shows, a replica CornerShot gun was observed as one of Iran's modern weaponry that is said to be mass produced in the following years. It is claimed to be domestically made and invented. [1]

[edit] In popular culture

  • It was featured on the first episode of Future Weapons.
  • On the Fox TV show Standoff, a CornerShot is used by the FBI's HRT.
  • An episode of CSI: Miami ("Going Under", season 5) features a CornerShot used by a biker gang. Dialogue near the beginning of the episode referred to it as a "CS".
  • Hasbro's Nerf product line has included a toy gun that functions in the same fashion.
  • The video game Nemesis Strike for the Xbox console includes the CornerShot as a weapon choice.[11]
  • The recently released "G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 Snake Eyes with Night Ops Gear" action figure comes includes a CornerShot which is able to launch a small toy missile.
  • In the "Full Metal Panic!" novel series and "2nd Raid" animated series, MITHRIL has some CornerShot weapons in service.
  • A second season Numb3rs episode features a CornerShot being used by an FBI HRT entry team. The sequence clearly demonstrates the operation to reorientate the handgun from left to right and depicts the view operators receive via the weapons monitor.
  • An automatic-pistol version of the Cornershot is seen, used by Angelina Jolie, in the trailer of the upcoming movie "Wanted" (2008).

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ 北京民警节后将装备以色列12万元高级拐弯枪 Beijing police imports CornerShot from Israel for 120,000 yuan — 北京娱乐信报 Star Daily
  2. ^ CornerShot on AAgunsales-A third-party source
  3. ^ a b c CornerShot.com - manufacturer's website
  4. ^ a b "The CornerShot" on Defense Update — short profile with additional photos
  5. ^ a b CornerShot on New Scientist.com-a brief article on CornerShot
  6. ^ New technology gives clues to the Army's possible future equipment - MOD
  7. ^ "CornerShot" on Military.com — an article
  8. ^ "CornerShot" on GolanGroup.com — a short article
  9. ^ A PDF document about the APR
  10. ^ The Panzerfaust on Eschel.co.il-has a little info about the CornerShot Panzerfaust (and tells the name of the CornerShot Panzerfaust)
  11. ^ Nemesis-Strike.com — referenced under "Strong Points: Weapons: Raptor"