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Vektor CR 21



Overview


Vektor CR21

Right side view of Vektor CR21.
Source: www.military-today.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
South Africa
Type
Assault rifle
Entered service
Never, prototypes only
Status
Prototype
Development
1997
Developer
South Africa - Vektor
Production
Late 1990's
Producer
South Africa - Vektor
Number produced
Production was limited to pre-production batches
Designations
CR 21 / Combat Rifle 21st Century

Description


Introduction

The CR 21 is a modern bullpup assault rifle of South African origin. It was designed to replace the Vektor R4 (Galil) rifle in South African service, but never left the prototype stage. The iconic and futuristic exterior of the CR 21 hides a plain and proven R4 rifle inside. Although being a more modern design, the CR 21 had few advantages over the R4 while introducing some new drawbacks.

Design

The CR 21 is based on the Galil rifle and most internal parts are either exchangable or very similar. The CR 21 is gas operated and uses a long stroke gas piston and a rotating bolt. Externally the CR 21 looks very different since it has a bullpup configuration and uses a large plastic housing. The charging handle is located at the front left side, while the ambidextrous fire selector is located at the rear. A proprietary non-magnifying optical sight with illuminated reticle is fitted as standard. There are no iron sights.

Firepower

The CR 21 fires the 5.56x45mm M193 round from standard 35 round Galil magazines. The CR 21 is a select fire rifle with a rather low cyclic rate of fire of 700 rpm or lower. The maximum effective range is quoted as 400 meters.

Users

The CR 21 was tested but never acquired by South Africa. Small batches of CR 21 were acquired by several South American nations. These may have been acquired for trails only, but press photos indicate that small numbers are (or were) in active use with special units.

Variants


Vektor CR21

Frontal right side view of Vektor CR21.
Source: www.tactical-life.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Variants of the CR 21

The CR 21 was produced only in a single variant. It is easily identified by its distinctive body shape and optical sight.

Planned variants included models fitted with a grenade launcher and a carbine with shorter barrel.

Details


Facts CR 21
General
Origin
South Africa
Type
Assault rifle
Caliber
Caliber
5.56x45mm M193
Feed system
35, 50 round box
Barrel length
460 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
980 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, long stroke gas piston
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
700 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
760 mm
Weight
3.72 kg
Sights
Mechanical
None
Optics
Proprietary 1x optical sight

Media


Related articles


Vektor R4

The CR 21 is based on the internal mechanism of the Vektor R4 assault rifle, which in turn is a license produced version of the Israeli Galil assault rifle.