Kel-Tec RFB

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RFB

Type	Battle rifle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Kel-Tec
Variants	Carbine, Sporter, Target
Specifications
Weight	8.1 lb w. 18 inch barrel (Carbine), 8.7 lb w. 24 inch barrel (Sporter), 11.3 lb w. 32 inch barrel (Target)
Length	26 in (660.4 mm) (Carbine) 32 in (812.8 mm) (Sporter) 40 in (1,016.0 mm) (Target)
Barrel length	18 in (457.2 mm) (Carbine) 24 in (609.6 mm) (Sporter) 32 in (812.8 mm) (Target)

Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO
Action	Gas-operating, tilting breechblock
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Muzzle velocity	2,500 ft/s (762 m/s)
Effective range	Greater than 600 m (depending on configuration)
Feed system	10 or 20-round metric FAL detachable box magazine
Sights	None

The RFB (Rifle, Forward-ejection, Bullpup) is a gas-operated semi-automatic rifle with a tilting breechblock locking mechanism, manufactured by Kel-Tec Industries of Florida. As declared by Kel-Tec representatives at the 2008 SHOT Show held from February 2nd to 5th in Las Vegas, Nevada, the RFB rifle should be made available to public by the 4th quarter of 2008.

[edit] Design details

The RFB is a semi-automatic firearm chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) and uses metric FAL magazines. It utilizes a short-stroke gas piston operating system. The rifle uses a patented forward-ejection system via a tube placed over the barrel that ejects the spent case forwards, over the handguard of the rifle. Extraction is accomplished by two extractors, each with 2 axis of rotation. The extractors may move side-to-side to engage the rim of the case, and pivot upwards to extract the spent case after firing. Empty cases remain in the ejection chute until either the weapon is tilted downwards, the charging handle is operated, or they are pushed out by following cases. Cases drop gently from this chute to the right of the barrel. To avoid the sloppy trigger pull typical of bullpup style firearms, the RFB utilizes a floating linkage bar between the sear and the hammer, allowing the sear to remain above the trigger. The weapon is fully ambidextrous, much in the style of the Belgian F2000 assault rifle. The RFB accepts FN FAL-style magazines, and is delivered without iron sights. A mil-spec Picatinny rail is provided for mounting a wide range of optics and tactical accessories.

Interestingly, the barrel of the RFB is not fully free floated, it instead serves as the rigid "spine" of the weapon, to which all other components are attached (either directly or through other components).

Meanwhile, Kel-tec is preparing smaller- versions of the same design, adapted to 'intermediate' calibers such as 7.62x39, 5.56x45mm NATO (.223), 6.5 Grendel and 6.8mm Remington SPC.

[edit] Variants

Kel-Tec plans on manufacturing the RFB in at least 4 versions with differing barrel lengths, weight, overall length, and performance. Planned are: the Carbine with a 18 in (457.2 mm) barrel, a Sporter variant with 24 in (609.6 mm) length barrel and Target version with either a heavy profile 32 in (812.8 mm) barrel or 26 in (660.4 mm) stainless steel barrel. The Target version also features a 5-way adjustable trigger, for a trigger pull from 2 to 6 lbf (9 to 27 N).