Indian stamped steel weapons quality is ultra shit.Milled ones are better.If any doubt just take a Ghatak and a Tar.Literally speaking the rust and hard edges of Ghatak may give you tetanus infection
time to quote something from my old post on M-19, do read the red highlighted text
ironically, i am in support of this idea, 'specially for INSAS,
i mean if they want to have non-reciprocating charging handle why not going ahead with one of the most sealed design than trying to open up another slot elsewhere...Serbians already successfully did this with their newer 6.5mm Zastava AKs
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^kinda crude one here, transitioning from AK style to AR style, also integrating rail with top cover etc...
from here it went ahead, added removable barrels and new ACR style buttstock and so, became this,
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(these two pics credited to thefirearmsblog)
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so now they have <a> non-reciprocating charging handle integrated with top railed cover, is also a sealed design <b> original charging handle slot covered, and large fire selector doubling as dust cover is replaced with thumb operated ambidextrous fire selectors <c> replacable barrel+gas block sets, also option to change calibres with compatible magazines etc...
^this serbian AK is, and mark my words, THE MOST near thing to what Indian Army intented to get here when INSAS program started, i mean, after evaluating and rejecting Steyr AUG and some other rifles they wanted to have a desi rifle with swappable barrels among other things and even tried for that but eventually we all know how things played out...
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after all these years they at least have a "template design" ready in some other land, should import 10 some pieces here and go full Norinco on them, try to make our own INSAS derivative out of this
but yeah if only wishes were horses...
btw serbs should try to redesign bolt carrier though, i mean that's the only part that seems to be not changed from previous AK design and judging from pics it seems the AK pattern shape of the bolt carrier is kinda ruining sealing of the rifle around borders with upper railed cover, a redesigned boxy cover shaped like this new top cover would resolve that issue easily, but if it's ok for serbian military then what else to say...at least it's not as open as a normal AK would be during fire modes...
Now, some explanation;
do note this is not my original work, as it was conveyed to me by a certain
kwora based defense writer friend
"In the mid 80s the Indian Army had decided to switch over from the 7.62 mm NATO calibre to 5.56 mm NATO. It was also decided to switch over from the L1A1 to a more modern and lighter infantry rifle. In 1985, after the trials, the Aug Styr and the H&Ks G41 were short listed for final selection. Both these rifles are excellent weapons in their respective class and both the manufacturers offered transfer of technology and licenses production
Indian Army had the following observations for Aug Styr and G41:
Aug Styr
Pros:-
- Inter-changeable barrels for rifle, carbine and LMG.
- Common parts reduced logistics and simplified training of troops.
Cons:-
- Not an ideal infantry battle rifle (but suitable for SOF units).
The term “battle rifle” fits a weapon that has suitable stand off distance for bayonet fighting and the Aug Styr does not allow that due to its compact size. The butt end has to be strong enough to withstand punishment in hand-to-hand combat. The Aug Styr lacked these two quality requirements (QR).
G41
Pros:-
- The weapon fitted all the QRs for a battle rifle.
Cons:-
- The G41 did not offer anything new apart for 5.56 mm calibre. This role could be achieved in the L1A1s by conversion of these rifles from 7.62mm to 5.56mm.
- The G41 did not offer the inter-changeable components as offered by the Aug Styr.
Army HQ asked DRDO if the Aug Styrs’ capabilities could be achieved in a battle rifles design like the G41. It was a challenging task, as DRDO had no experience in development of small arms. Till then the organisation had only made copies of the L1A1 and L4, and a modified L1A1 (heavy barrelled auto) called 1C (for Mech units). It was not a matter of national pride but the development of a concept.
Due to lack of prior experience in rifle design and development, DRDO chose the simplest and proven design for the operating system. Hence, the AK-74 operating system was chosen, giving rise to statements that it is an AK74 copy.
The commonality in major components had to be maintained for the rifle, LMG and carbine. The primary feature had be quick change of barrels in all three versions of the weapon system. Features of most successful rifles were incorporated to achieve the desired results. Design features of the M16, G3 and FN were used towards that effect.
The INSAS 1B rifle looks like an FN FNC on observation. Maximum efforts were put to clear all deficiencies of this weapon since it was the most crucial of the 3 weapons. The delay in induction of the 1B rifle forced the army to purchase 100,000 Romanian AKs to equip the COIN units, the non-commando battalions of the Parachute Regiment, and J&K Police during the mid 90s. At the same time captured AKs/ T-56 from militants were recycled (after refurbishment), and issued to police and para-military units as per requirement."
tl;dr;
Indian Army initially wanted a conventional configuration AK derivative rifle with AUG like features i.e. a common receiver design for different, quick-changeable barrels of different lengths (thus a common platform among rifle, carbine, lmg) and translucent polymer magazines so ammo can be monitored.
a big reason entire INSAS program got dragged around for quite a lot of time was because this,and as expected DRDO back then couldn't fulfill most of these design features requested and had to remain limited with copying an AK as best as they could.
Fast forward in 2020s and you see Serbians doing it successfully, something that Indian Army initially wanted on their INSAS program in 90s.
And even if you look forward in that 2010s era Multi-Calibre Tender, this Serbian M-19 even fulfills that criteria (at least beween 7.62x39mm and 6.5x39mm for now) as well as covering what IA wanted in 90s for INSAS...
NOW, we have a proof-of-concept thing with this M-19 that all of things they initially asked were indeed possible - we just lacked means to do so. After all these years if they wish to revive those older things they better at least consult Zastava Arms for getting initial things right for making ;multi calibre-quick detachable barrel; version of INSAS or perhaps better that newer ARDE Carbine platform.