IMBEL MD2
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IMBEL MD-2 | |
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IMBEL MD-2 rifle |
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Type | Assault rifle |
Place of origin | Brazil |
Service history | |
Used by | Brazilian Army |
Production history | |
Designed | 1983 |
Manufacturer | IMBEL |
Produced | 1985— |
Variants | MD-1, MD-2, MD-3 and MD-4 |
Specifications | |
Weight | 4.40 kg (9 lb 10 oz) |
Length | 1,010 mm (39.8 in) (stock extended); 764 mm (30.1 in), stock folded |
Barrel length | 453 mm (17.8 in) |
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Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO (STANAG 4172) |
Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | 700 rounds/min |
Effective range | 300 m (~328 yd) |
Feed system | Various STANAG Magazines. |
Sights | Aperture rear sight, hooded post front sight |
The IMBEL MD series (MD-1, MD-2, MD-3 and the recent MD-4) of assault rifles are the standard-issue rifles of the Brazilian Army.
[edit] History
These rifles are manufactured by IMBEL (Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil) and are variants of the FN FAL. The first prototype, the MD-1, came out around 1983. In 1985, the MD-2 was presented and adopted by the Brazilian armed forces. The MD-2/MD-3 rifles were built by IMBEL based on the FN FAL, with several modifications, including a change in the locking system, which was replaced by an M16-type rotating bolt, and the different chambering, for use with the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge.
[edit] Design
The MD-2 and MD-3 use all M16/AR-15-compatible magazines, and both versions differ from each other by the buttstock — while the MD-2 features a side-folding stock, the MD-3 uses the same fixed polymer stock of the FAL.
The MD-2 is now the Brazilian army's primary assault rifle.
[edit] External links
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