ID This Rifle, Times 3!

[LaEscopeta]

Ok, the guy on the right has an AK something-or-other

The guy to his left has a Wonder Woman Invisible Rifle (goes with the invisible plane.)

The next guy to the left has a M-16, maybe an AR-15.

But what does the last guy on the left have? Could it be a Stern gun? A Chinese sub-gun?

(Photo from:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5281298.stm

Original caption: “Maoist rebels in Palpa district [Nepal] intersperse military training with public works projects.”)

 

[Justin]

Looks like a Sterling SMG to me.

 

[American By Blood]

Likely a Sten.

And the AK-holder looks to be actually bearing a Galil.

 

[redneckdan]

its not an ak, either a gaili or an FAL

 

[Texas Moon]

Yep, thats a British Sterling

 

[Keith Wheeler]

Left:

Sterling L2A3 SMG, 9mm. England. Possibly an Indian copy. The successor to the STEN, and the best dang non-telescopic bolt subgun in the world. Magazines are a dream.

Middle:

Ubiquitous AR.

Right:

H&K G3

Edit:

Guy three deep behind H&K has an SMLE. Looks to be at least one more beyond invisa-rifle fellow.

 

[Jeff White]

The soldier on the right has a FAL varient. They were license produced in something like 56 countries. They aren't all identical. Note the shape of the buttstock, the location and shape of the selector lever and the barrel mounted front sling swivel.

The soldier on the left has a Sterling submachine gun. The curved magazine and long ventiated handguard are different from the Sten.

The soldier in the middle has an M16. I would guess it's an M16A2. The thickness of the barrel in front of the front sight base is the clue here. You can't tell from the furniture because A1 type furniture was not produced after the introduction of the A2. There are a lot of M16s and M16A1s out there that have A2 furniture. Round handguards, longer buttstocks and A2 pistol grips are not reliable indicators that the rifle is in fact an A2 to A4.

Jeff

 

[Mumbles_45]

left looks like a sterling

middle appears to be an M-16A3, you can see the 2 knobs on the removable carry handle

Right is not a G-3, AK, or FAL. My guess is a Galil

Edit to add: ok I looked closer, maybe it is an FAL

 

[griz]

Don't know about the rest, but I can confirm the Wonder Woman Invisible Rifle. I had one when I worked as a secret agent/superhero/security gaurd. Darn accurate, but the invisible ammo was hard to find.

 

[Keith Wheeler]

I don't think it's a a Galil. I said G3 due to the 1) the shape of the handguard, and 2) the position of the chunky selector on the left side of the weapon. 3) That strange G3 shaped trigger guard. 4) Gap between trigger guard and magazine. 5) Ring type front site. Yep, I'm convinced it is (or was before being "tweaked" by the local armouer) a G3. The furniture is a bit odd though. Galil receiver isn't so boxy and long, the 7.62 variant is rare, and the handguard much shorter.


Left is indeed a Sterling L2A3. Trust me on that one, I've got two.

 

[Jeff White]

Mumbles_45,
What makes you think it's an M16A3? Were you able to enlarge the picture enough to see that the selector read auto instead of burst?

Jeff

 

[Correia]

The mystery rifle on the right is an INSAS. http://world.guns.ru/assault/as67-e.htm

 

[American By Blood]

Good eye.

Makes even more sense given the region.

 

[LaEscopeta]

OK since the rifle on the right is a matter of debate, I think this is another photo of it (guy holding it looks the same, with same camo uniform and red tee shirt):

Original caption: "The rebels proudly display their guns all over Palpa district - in fact the area bristles with AK-47s and other captured weapons which they describe as their "life-partners".

Couple of other photos of firearms from the same BBC news story:

Original caption: "Rebels in western Palpa district have a dual strategy: mingling with villagers while retaining military discipline."


Original caption: "The Maoists have successfully cultivated a family-friendly image but remain combat-ready and alert."

 

[Mumbles_45]

Jeff White, I'll admit I jumped to conclusions when I saw that it had a removable carry handle, but still had A2 handguards. I know there are numerous things that could fit into the category of AR style rifles with removable carry handles and A2 handguards.

 

[Correia]

No debate neccesary LaEscopeta. See the link in my last post. I'm positive that is a INSAS. That isn't a G3 or a FAL. The INSAS is a bastardized Indian mutant crossed between an AK, FAL, and believe it or not, Enfield.

It is also a hunk of crap from all reports.

 

[Fosbery]

Sterling, AR, INSAS

 

[Keith Wheeler]

The mystery rifle on the right is an INSAS.

Well ya learn something new every day (Hopefully).

Nepal -- explains the Enfields and the Sterling.

 

[Fosbery]

You'd be suprised how many Enfields there are out there. There's tons floating around Iraq and Afghanistan, they just rarely get used because of all the AKs.

 

[JEDYONKERS]

How come the guy in the middle has a nice m-16 and everyone else has a beat down chesseburger rifle? What kind of funds do these guy get?

 

[American By Blood]

You'd be suprised how many Enfields there are out there. There's tons floating around Iraq and Afghanistan, they just rarely get used because of all the AKs.

The AK is actually a relatively recent arrival in Afghanistan. I remember reading somewhere that the Enfield was the primary rifle used by the Mujahadeen against the Soviet invaders.

Just goes to show that it's difficult to outgun a guerilla movement that's indigenous, determined, and familiar with the terrain. And has cave networks. And holds the high ground. And is crazy. Totally crazy.

 

[max popenker]

front row, L to R: Sterling SMG, M16, stealth ubergun, INSAS assault rifle (an AK action mated to a mix of FAl and G3 furniture )

 

[LaEscopeta]

You'd be suprised how many Enfields there are out there.

I actually worked in Nepal for about 2 years; the top photo below I took of a guy hunting in the hills in the far west. He is holding a
percussion muzzle loading rifle that at the time I assumed was a British army Enfield from the 1800’s. From what I could understand
(language problem) he said his great-great-great etc grandfather went to India to join the Imperial British Army and brought
this rifle home. His family has kept it working ever since.

How come the guy in the middle has a nice m-16 and everyone else has a beat down chesseburger rifle?

The reason only one guy has a decent rifle is Nepal is stinking poor; it routinely makes the lists of the 5 or 10 poorest counties on earth.
The fact the Maoist rebels in the photos all have decent clothes and flip flops puts them well above the many Nepali people. The
bottom photo below I took in Katmandu the capitol during the LAST revolution they had (1989) of Royal Nepali Army soldiers guarding
a street corner. Notice only 2 out of the eight have guns and the rest have STICKS. Even a “beat down chesseburger rifle” has the
advantage over a stick.

And the fact that several of the rebels don’t have any rifle? I’ve read news stories that say the rebels are using the old tactic of
giving the rifles to the first wave in an attack, and the guys in the following waves pick up the rifles from the guys in the earlier
waves who got shot.

 

[Diomed]

The INSAS is a bastardized Indian mutant crossed between an AK, FAL, and believe it or not, Enfield.

What's the Enfield component? The sling swivels?

 

[Quinch]

That second pic shows concrete builings and roll-up doors, both indicators of a modern society, what happened?