OL Pattern M1718

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OL Pattern M1718
OL Pattern M1718.png
Type: Battle rifle
Place of origin: Shireroth Shireroth
Used by:

Shireroth Imperial Forces


Designed: 1717 AN1718 AN
Manufacturer: Shireroth Royal Ordnance Factory Lichkeep
Produced: 1719 ANpresent
No. built 2,708,124 (1732 AN)

Length: 1,126 mm
Barrel Length: 559 mm
Weight: 4.9 kg (loaded)
Cartridge: 7.62×67mmB
Action: Gas-operated
Rate of Fire: 700–750 rounds/min
Muzzle Velocity 853 m/s
Effective Firing Range 800 m
Feed system 10 to 20-round detachable box magazines
Sights Adjustable iron sights

Optical sights (optional)

The OL Pattern M1718 is a select-fire automatic battle rifle chambered for the powerful 7.62×67mmB cartridge. It was adopted by the Imperial Forces of Shireroth in 1718 AN after a year of design work, and has been the standard-issue infantry rifle since 1719 AN. Produced by the Royal Ordnance Factory Lichkeep, over 2.4 million OL Pattern M1718 rifles had been manufactured by 1731 AN.

Design

The OL Pattern M1718 is a gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle with a 559mm barrel. It has an overall length of 1,126mm and weighs 4.9 kg when loaded. The rifle fires the 7.62×67mmB cartridge from 10 or 20-round detachable box magazines and has an effective range of 800 meters. It features a gas system derived from the M1610 rifle and a rotating bolt similar to the M1591. The OL Pattern M1718 has a selective fire capability, allowing both semi-automatic and full-automatic operation up to 750 rounds per minute.

Iron sights are standard, featuring an aperture rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation. Optional optics can be mounted on the receiver's integral sight base. The rifle has a wooden stock and handguard, with a barrel mounted bayonet lug.

Advantages

  • Powerful Cartridge: The 7.62×67mmB round offers excellent range, penetration and stopping power compared to intermediate cartridges.
  • Accurate Fire: With its precise barrel and sighting, the OL Pattern M1718 is an accurate rifle for midrange engagements.
  • Penetration: The 7.62×67mmB can penetrate light cover and body armor better than smaller calibers.
  • Familiarity: Many Shirerithian soldiers had prior experience with similar bolt-action rifles before adoption of the M1718.

Disadvantages

  • Weight: At nearly 5 kg loaded, the M1718 is heavy for an infantry rifle, causing fatigue on long patrols.
  • Recoil: The powerful 7.62×67mmB cartridge generates substantial recoil, making automatic fire difficult to control.
  • Limited Magazine: The 20-round magazine is relatively small for a battle rifle.
  • Obsolete design: While an excellent design for its type, the M1718 belonged to an an aging Imperial tradition of weapon design, increasingly outclassed by more modern infantry weapons.

Field Issues

Soldiers carrying the OL Pattern M1718 have experienced several issues during field deployment:

  • Weight and Recoil: The rifle's heft and powerful recoil make it tiring to carry and fire over extended periods, limiting its utility in sustained combat.
  • Maintenance: The M1718's gas system is susceptible to fouling from propellant residue and foreign debris, requiring regular cleaning.
  • Ammunition Consumption: The 7.62×67mmB's greater size and weight limit the amount of ammunition an individual soldier can carry compared to smaller caliber rifles.
  • Reliability Issues: As a complex design with many tight tolerances, the M1718 can be prone to malfunctions if not meticulously cleaned and maintained.
  • Limited Accessory Support: The rifle's older design offers limited ability to mount modern accessories like optics and lights compared to newer firearms.


Production history

Production history
Year Output
1719 9,601
1720 28,545
1721 58,952
1722 185,552
1723 111,564
1724 219,679
1725 218,535
1726 208,611
1727 241,359
1728 276,200
1729 289,089
1730 277,650
1731 296,367
1732 286,420
1733 235,771
1734 957,537
Total 3,901,432