Vektor CR-21
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The Vektor CR-21 is a modern South African assault rifle chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition (CR-21 stands for Compact Rifle for 21st century). It has been designed by the Vektor division of Denel as a possible replacement for the South African Army's current R4 assault rifle.
First unveiled in 1997, the rifle utilises the bullpup layout like the Singapore SAR-21, Israeli IMI Tavor TAR-21 and the British SA80. This enables the rifle to be as short as a typical carbine, whilst still retaining the muzzle velocity of longer assault rifles.
Internally, the CR-21 uses a slightly modified version of the action found in the R4 assault rifle, which is known for its reliability and relatively low weight. The rifle also makes significant use of high-impact polymer, with the only exposed metal part on the rifle being the front of the barrel with its integral flash suppressor. Both of these result in the rifle having a low loaded weight, of 3.72 kg (8.2 lbs). The CR-21 comes standard with a 1X magnification optical sight with an illuminated reticle that does not require batteries. This sight is mounted on a sight rail, allowing easy removal and attachment, as well as the use of a range of different sight options. The forward handgrip has been specially designed to be easily removed and replaced with a grenade launcher similar to the M203. Finally, the stock has a built-in compartment which stores a cleaning kit for the rifle, removing the usual need for the soldier to carry this separately.
Basically, they simply stripped the R4 rifles out of all furniture, and the remaining receiver with the barrel and all action inside enclosed into the futuristic-looking bullpup housing, made of modern plastics. This decision saved a lot of time and money, otherwise required to develop and produce a new action, and also allowed to remanufacture existing stocks of the "old" R4 rifles into the "new" CR-21 bullpup rifles. On the other hand, the use of existing action of "traditional" origin imposed some design limitations. For example, CR-21 has no provisions for the left-hand spent cases ejection, since this will require a serious redesign of the original R4 receivers and bolt groups. The fire mode selector also remained on its "original" place and is not comfortable to operate when gun is shouldered. But, in general, this is not an unique decision - for example, Russia developed some Kalashnikov-based bullpup rifles, which also have no left side ejection, and, furthermore, some bullpup rifles, designed from the scratch, also limited to the right-hand use only - for example, British L85A1 or Singaporean SAR-21.
As of 2005, the weapon has found no customers, and its future is in doubt following the corporate restructuring of its manufacturer. This is despite its receiving positive reviews, summed up by the words of one tester as "compact, light, easy to control and accurate".
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| "Vektor CR-21" is part of a series on the AK-47 and its cousins |
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