Firearms / Assault rifles / AUG

AUG

General Facts

TYPE
Assault rifle

ORIGIN
Austria

NICKNAMES
Sturmgewehr 77 / StG 77 (Austrian designation)
Austeyr (nickname for Australian production models)
F88 (Australian designation for AUG)

DESIGNED
Early 1970's

DESIGNER
Steyr

PRODUCTION
1978 - present

PRODUCERS
Australia - ADI
Austria - Steyr
Malaysia - SME

QUANTITY
Unknown

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Compact
Rugged and reliable
Changeable barrel configuration

Introduction

The AUG is an assault rifle of Austrian origin. It is the most widely used assault rifle in bullpup configuration in the world. The abbreviation AUG stands for Armee Universel Gewehr, German for universal army rifle. The AUG was developed in the early 1970's to replace the FAL in Austrian services, but later was exported to many nations.

Design

At the time of the development the AUG featured state of the art design choices. The most distinguishing feature is the bullpup configuration. The trigger is placed in front of the magazine and the receiver doubles as the stock, resulting in a very short weapon. The furniture is made of a tough polyamide. The AUG is gas operated and uses a short stroke gas piston and rotating bolt.

Firepower

The AUG is known as an accurate and reliable weapon. It fires the 5.56x45mm round from 30 round translucent magazines. The 42 round magazines of the light support variant can also be used. Due to the rifling both the older M193 and newer SS109 rounds can be fired. The two stage trigger allows for semi-automatic fire with a light pull and automatic fire with a full pull. The effective range depends on the barrel lenght and is given as 400 meter with the standard barrel.

Users

The AUG was first adopted by the Austrian military. It has also been adopted by various nations around the world as the standard issue assault rifle. Additionally many special forces and law enforcement units have adopted the AUG.

Variants

AUG A1

The AUG A1 is the original and standard version of the AUG family. The AUG A1 is fitted with a fixed 1.5x scope and is available with a 508 mm, 406 mm and 350 mm barrel. To distinguish between the barrel lengths the unofficial designations AUG Rifle, AUG Carbine and AUG Commando are used. The 350 mm barrel is very uncommon. In all three barrel lengths the AUG is also available as the AUG A2. The A2 is completely similar to the A1, but the 1.5x scope mount is removeable and a single Picatinny rail can be installed.

Statistics

Name:	AUG A1 (350mm)	AUG A1 (406mm)	AUG A1 (508mm)
Caliber	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO
Magazine	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds
Operation	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt
Rate of fire	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm
Barrel length	350 mm	406 mm	508 mm
Rifling	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity	?	?	?
Weight	3.05 kg empty	3.3 kg empty	3.6 kg empty
Stock	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed
Length	634 mm	690 mm	790 mm
Width	?	?	?
Height	275 mm	275 mm	275 mm
Sights	1.5x scope, optional Picatinny rials on A2 model	1.5x scope, optional Picatinny rials on A2 model	1.5x scope, optional Picatinny rials on A2 model
Remarks	-	-	-

Austeyr

The Austeyr is the Australian version of the AUG. Officially it is known as the F88. It is very similar to the original AUG A1, but differs in some minor details. The rifling is 178mm instead of 229mm. This results in a better stabalization of the 5.56mm NATO round, but the older M193 cannot be used. A bayonet lug is fitted as standard. A lockout selector allows the operator to disable the full auto option of the two stage trigger. Models supplied to New Zealand have a cross hair in the reticle. The F88 has a 508mm barrel and the F88C has a 406mm barrel. The F88S and F88S-A1C are similar models but fitted with a Picatinny rail. The F88 GLA features a bar below the barrel for mounting the M203PI.

Statistics

Name:	F88	F88C	F88S	F88S-A1C
Caliber	5.56x45mm NATO	5.56x45mm NATO	5.56x45mm NATO	5.56x45mm NATO
Magazine	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds
Operation	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt
Rate of fire	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm
Barrel length	508 mm	406 mm	508 mm	406 mm
Rifling	4 grooves, 178mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 178mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 178mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 178mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity	?	?	?	?
Weight	3.6 kg empty	3.3 kg empty	?	?
Stock	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed
Length	790 mm	690 mm	790 mm	690 mm
Width	?	?	?	?
Height	275 mm	275 mm	?	?
Sights	1.5x scope	1.5x scope	Picatinny rails	Picatinny rails
Remarks	-	-	-	-

AUG A3

The AUG A3 is the latest version in the AUG family. It is a highly modified version of the AUG A1. Instead of a fixed 1.5x sight unit a long Picatinny accessory rail is mounted on top. Additional accessory rails are mounted at the forward grip. The A3 also features an external bolt release and an optional 3 round burst ability. The standard model is fitted with a 455mm barrel, but it is also available with a 365mm, 406mm and 508mm barrel.

Statistics

Name:	AUG A3 (365mm)	AUG A3 (406mm)	AUG A3 (455mm)	AUG A3 (508mm)
Caliber	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO
Magazine	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds
Operation	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt
Rate of fire	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm
Barrel length	365 mm	406 mm	455 mm	508 mm
Rifling	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity	?	?	?	?
Weight	?	?	3.9 kg empty	?
Stock	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed
Length	655 mm	696 mm	745 mm	798 mm
Width	?	?	?	?
Height	245 mm	245 mm	245 mm	245 mm
Sights	Picatinny rails	Picatinny rails	Picatinny rails	Picatinny rails
Remarks	-	-	-	-

AUG A3 SF

The AUG A3 SF is a different modification of the AUG A1 than the standard AUG A3. Unlike the AUG A3 it does not feature a long Picatinny rail on top of the receiver. Instead it is fitted with new large optical sight which is fitted with Picatinny rails on all sides. At first it was known as the AUG A2 Commando. Normally it is fitted with a 406mm barrel, but is available with 365mm and 508mm barrels.

Statistics

Name:	AUG A3 SF (406mm)	AUG A3 SF (508mm)
Caliber	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO
Magazine	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds
Operation	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt
Rate of fire	680 - 750 rpm	680 - 750 rpm
Barrel length	406 mm	508 mm
Rifling	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity	?	?
Weight	3.97 kg empty	?
Stock	Fixed	Fixed
Length	715 mm	817 mm
Width	?	?
Height	232 mm	232 mm
Sights	1.5x scope	1.5x scope
Remarks	-	-

AUG Para

The AUG Para is a sub machine gun conversion of the AUG A1 or A2. Unlike the other models it does not fire the 5.56x45mm round. It fires the 9x19mm round from a 25 round magazine. The conversion does not only consist of changing the barrel, but also includes fitting a magazine adapter. A few centimeters from the muzzle the barrel is threaded to accept a silencer.

Statistics

Name:	AUG Para
Caliber	9x19mm Parabellum
Magazine	25 rounds
Operation	Blowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire	650 - 720 rpm
Barrel length	420 mm
Rifling	6 grooves, 250mm twist
Muzzle velocity	?
Weight	3.3 kg empty
Stock	Fixed
Length	665 mm
Width	?
Height	275 mm
Sights	1.5x scope, optional Picatinny rials
Remarks	Optional silencer

AUG A3 XS

The AUG A3 XS is a sub machine gun conversion similar to the AUG Para, but is based on the newer AUG A3 model. It features an abundance of Picatinny rails for mounting iron sights, optics and accessories. The barrel on the AUG A3 XS shorter than the one on the AUG Para and it is not possible to mount a silencer.

Statistics

Name:	AUG A3 XS
Caliber	9x19mm Parabellum
Magazine	25 rounds
Operation	Blowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire	650 - 720 rpm
Barrel length	325 mm
Rifling	6 grooves, 250mm twist
Muzzle velocity	?
Weight	2.97 kg empty
Stock	Fixed
Length	610 mm
Width	?
Height	210 mm
Sights	Picatinny rails
Remarks	-

AUG H-Bar

The AUG H-Bar is the heavy barrel version of the AUG A1. It was designed to act as a light support weapon. For that role it is fitted with a long 621 mm barrel with a fixed foldable bipod. Normally the AUG H-Bar is issued with 42 round magazines, but can also use the standard 30 round magazines. The AUG LMG is a less common version of the AUG H-Bar. It fires from the open bolt position and is fitted with a 4x scope instead of the standard 1.5x scope. The AUG H-Bar-T and LMG-T versions are fitted with Picatinny rail similar as the one on the AUG A2. The AUG-H-Bar-T was marketed with a Kahles 6x42 scope as a designated marksman rifle.

Statistics

Name:	AUG H-Bar	AUG LMG
Caliber	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO	5.56x45mm M193 or NATO
Magazine	30, 42 rounds	30, 42 rounds
Operation	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, closed bolt	Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, open bolt
Rate of fire	680 rpm	680 rpm
Barrel length	621 mm	621 mm
Rifling	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist	4 grooves, 229mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity	945 m/s	945 m/s
Weight	4.9 kg empty	4.9 kg empty
Stock	Fixed	Fixed
Length	900 mm	900 mm
Width	?	?
Height	275 mm	275 mm
Sights	1.5x scope, optional Picatinny rials	1.5x scope, optional Picatinny rials
Remarks	Fixed foldable bipod	Fixed foldable bipod