- R4 assault rifle
Infobox Weapon
name=R4
caption=The LM5, a semi-automatic version of the R5 assault rifle.
origin=flag|South Africa
type=Assault rifle
is_ranged=yes
service=1970s–present
used_by=See "Users"
wars=South African Border War , Haitian Civil War
designer=Vektor
design_date=1970s
manufacturer=Vektor (currently Denel Land Systems)
production_date=
number=
variants=R5, R6, LM4, LM5, LM6
weight=kg to lb|4.3|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes (R4) convert|3.7|kg|abbr=on (R5) convert|3.6|kg|abbr=on (R6)
length=mm to in|1005|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes stock extended / convert|740|mm|abbr=on|1 stock folded (R4) convert|877|mm|abbr=on|1 stock extended / convert|615|mm|abbr=on|1 stock folded (R5) convert|805|mm|abbr=on|1 stock extended / convert|565|mm|abbr=on|1 stock folded (R6)
part_length=convert|460|mm|abbr=on|1 (R4) convert|332|mm|abbr=on|1 (R5) convert|280|mm|abbr=on|1 (R6)
crew=
cartridge=5.56x45mm NATO
action=Gas operated,rotating bolt
rate=600-750 rounds/min (R4, R5) 585 rounds/min (R6)
velocity=convert|980|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on (R4) convert|920|m/s|abbr=on|1 (R5) convert|825|m/s|abbr=on|1 (R6)
range=300 to 500 m sight settings
max_range=
feed=35-round detachable box magazine
sights=Flip rear aperture, hooded forward postThe R4 is a 5.56 mm
assault rifle that was introduced into service with theSouth African Defence Force in the early 1980s, replacing the earlier 7.62 mmFN FAL rifle, that was manufactured inSouth Africa under a license agreement from Fabrique Nationale as the R1. The R4 is produced by Vektor (a small arms division ofDenel corporation, currently Denel Land Systems).The weapon is a licensed variant of the
Israel i Galil ARM assault rifleWoźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 4 R-Z. Bellona. 2002. pp9-10.] [cite book|url=http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Eq2Dnj4sDZIC|title=Rifles Of The World|author=John Walter|pages=p141|date=2006|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=0896892417|accessdate=2008-08-27] with several modifications; notably, both the stock and magazine are now made of a high-strengthpolymer and the stock's arms were lengthened, adapting the weapon for the average South African soldier.Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 4 R-Z. Bellona. 2002. pp9-10.]Design details
The R4 is a
selective fire , gas-operated weapon that fires from a closed bolt. It uses ignited powder gases channeled through a vent in the barrel to drive a short stroke piston located above the barrel in a gas cylinder and provide automation to the weapon’s moving assemblies. The weapon features a self-regulating gas system and a rotary bolt breech locking mechanism (equipped with two locking lugs), which is rotated and unlocked by a camming slot machined into the bolt carrier that engages and guides a cam pin on the bolt. Extraction is carried out by means of a spring-loaded extractor in the bolt and a protrusion in the receiver housing acts as the fixed ejector. The R4 is hammer-fired and uses a trigger mechanism with a 3-position fire selector and safety switch. The stamped sheet steel selector bar is present on both sides of the weapon’s receiver and its positions are marked with letters: “S” – safe, “R” – single-fire mode and “A” – fully automatic fire. The “safe” setting immobilizes the trigger and secures the weapon from being reloaded.The R4 is fed from a synthetic box magazine with a 35-round cartridge capacity (designed to use the
5.56x45mm NATO cartridge with the M193 projectile) loaded in a staggered configuration. Theflash suppressor is slotted and doubles as an adapter for launchingrifle grenade s. Bolted to a bracket in the gas block, under the barrel, is a lightweight foldingbipod (folds into the handguard), which can also be used as a wire cutter.Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 4 R-Z. Bellona. 2002. pp9-10.]The rifle has conventional
iron sight s that consist of a front post and a flip-up rear sight with 300 and 500 m apertures. The front sight is adjustable for windage and elevation and is installed in a durable circular shroud. The rear sight is mounted to the end of the receiver’s dust cover. For nighttime use, the R4 is equipped with self-luminoustritium light dots (exposed after placing the rear sight in an intermediate position) installed in a pivoting bar to the front sight base, which folds up in front of the standard post and aligns with two dots in the rear sight notch.The R4 has a side-folding tubular stock, which folds to the right side of the receiver. The rifle’s handguard,
pistol grip , magazine, stock arms and shoulder pad are all made from a synthetic material.For regular field maintenance and cleaning, the firearm is disassembled into the following components: the receiver and barrel group, bolt carrier, bolt, return mechanism, gas tube, receiver dust cover and magazine.
The R4 is issued with spare magazines, a cleaning kit and sling.
Variants
The
South Africa Marine Corps andSouth African Air Force adopted a shortcarbine version of the 5.56 mm Galil SAR, which was license-manufactured as the R5. The R5, when compared to the larger R4, has a barrel that is convert|5|in|cm shorter, together with a shorter gas system and handguard. It also lacks a bipod and the flash hider does not supportrifle grenade s.Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 4 R-Z. Bellona. 2002. pp9-10.]In the 1990s, an even more compact variant of the R5 was developed for South African parachute infantry and armored vehicle crews, designated the R6, which has a further reduced barrel and a shortened gas cylinder and piston assembly.Woźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 4 R-Z. Bellona. 2002. pp9-10.]
Vektor also introduced semi-automatic versions of the R4, R5 and R6 called the LM4, LM5 and LM6 respectively and built for civilian and law-enforcement users. Newly manufactured models include a top Weaver rail for optics.
Users
*flag|Haiti
*flag|South Africaee also
*
RK 62
*Vektor CR-21 Notes
References
*pl icon cite book| last = Woźniak| first = Ryszard| authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2002| chapter = p. 9-10| title = Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 4 R-Z| publisher = Bellona| location = Warsaw, Poland| id = ISBN 83-11-09312-1
External links
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