Ishapore 2A1 rifle

RFI Rifle 7.62mm 2A/2A1 (aka Ishapore 2A/2A1)

Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifle
Type Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin  India
Service history
In service 1963–present
Used by Mumbai Police, Delhi Police, Maharashtra Police, Karnataka Police
Wars Indo-Pakistan Wars
Production history
Designer Ishapore Rifle Factory
Designed 1963
Manufacturer Ordnance Factories Board
Produced 1963–1975
Number built ~500,000
Variants

2A (2000 yd sights)

2A1 (800 m sights)
Specifications
Weight 4.7 kg (10.4 lb), unloaded
Length 44.5 in (1130 mm)
Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO
Action Bolt action
Rate of fire 20–30 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity 792 m/s (2,600 ft/s)
Effective firing range 800 m (875 yd)
Maximum firing range 2,000 m (2,187 yd)
Feed system 10- or 12-round magazine, loaded with 5-round charger clips
Sights Sliding ramp rear sights, fixed-post front sights

The Rifle 7.62mm 2A/2A1 (also known as the Ishapore 2A/2A1) is a 7.62×51mm NATO calibre bolt-action rifle adopted as a reserve arm by the Indian Armed Forces in 1963. The design of the rifle - initially the Rifle 7.62mm 2A - began at the Ishapore Rifle Factory of the Ordnance Factories Board in India, soon after the Sino-Indian War of 1962.

The Ishapore 2A/2A1 has the distinction of being the last bolt-action rifle designed to be used by a regular military force other than specialized sniper rifles.

Design

Externally the Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifle is based upon (and is almost identical to) the .303 British calibre SMLE Mk III* rifle, with the exception of the distinctive “square” (10 or 12 round) magazine and the use of the buttplate from the 1A (Indian version of the FN FAL) rifle. The 2A was designed to allow the British Pattern 1907 (P'07) sword bayonet used on the SMLE MkIII to be attached. There were other differences to the Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifles that include the use of improved steel (to handle the increased pressures of the 7.62mm NATO round), and a redesigned extractor to cope with the rimless round. Production of these rifles started in early 1960s and is believed to have been discontinued in 1975. The original (2A) design incorporated the Lee–Enfield rear sight which has graduations out to 2000 yards. The re-designated "Rifle 7.62mm 2A1" incorporated a more realistic 800 meter rear sight. The stock is recycled from the No. 1 Mk. III armory stock, with the addition of a cross screw forward of the magazine well. Some stocks were salvaged from existing surplus and show artificer repairs where rotted or damaged wood has been replaced. This repair is especially evident with the recoil draws that often failed over time due to the rifle being rack-stored butt down / muzzle up, which allowed oils and grease to migrate downwards into this critical area.

Additional Facts

The Ishapore 2A and 2A1 rifles are often incorrectly described as ".308 conversions." In fact, the 2A/2A1 rifles are not conversions of .303 calibre SMLE Mk III* rifles: they were designed and built right from the outset to fire 7.62mm NATO ammunition. Although the 7.62mm NATO and commercial .308 Winchester ammunition are physically interchangeable, these weapons were not designed for use with commercial .308 Winchester ammunition.

References

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