CIS SAR-80
Overview
CIS SAR-80
Left side view of SAR-80 assault rifle with fixed stock.
Source: Adapted from www.zib-militaria.de -
© Copyright lies with original owner
1984 for Singaporean service
Frank Waters
Singapore - Chartered Industries of Singapore
Description
Introduction
The SAR-80 is a late Cold War era assault rifle of Singaporean origin. The design started out as a development at UK arms producer Sterling as the Light Automatic Rifle (LAR). This was an AR-18 derivative that was shelved as a license to produce the AR-18 was eventually obtained. When the Chartered Industries of Singapore was looking for a design they could produce for domestic use and export in quantity the LAR design was adapted for local manufacture. In 1988 the SAR-80 was replaced on the production line by the improved SR-88 design.
Design
The SAR-80 is very akin to the LAR and the AR-18. It is a gas operating weapon with rotating bolt and short stroke gas piston. A change by CIS was to increase the bolt weight for reduced cyclic rate of fire. The two piece receiver has the iconic Sterling crackle paint finish and the forearm and fixed stock are made of plastics. A folding stock variant was produced in limited numbers. This featured a metal FAL Para style tubular side folding stock.
Firepower
The SAR-80 fires the 5.56x45mm M193 round from a 20 or 30 round magazine. These magazines can be used in the AR-18, but not vice versa since a specific cut is added for the SAR-80. The fire selector allows for semi-automatic and automatic fire. Cyclic rate of fire is rather low at 600 rpm due to the higher bolt weight. A bayonet can be mounted. The muzzle and gas cut-off allow for launching of rifle grenades.
Users
The SAR-80 was developed to replace the M16A1 in Singaporean service and for export sales. A total of 80.000 or more have been produced. About 20.000 were for Singapore. Reportedly many of these have also been sold off for export sales. Especially nations in conflict acquired the SAR-80. These include both Slovenia and Croatia as Yugoslav successor states. Various nations in Africa acquired the SAR-80, such as the Central African Republic and Somalia. These nations have seen large scale civil war, leading to proliferation across the African continent. This could be the reason many of these SAR-80 have been seen in conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or this could be one of several poorly documented sales of the SAR-80.
Details
Media
CIS SAR-80
A 1980's brochure for the SAR-80 assault rifle.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
CIS SAR-80
Factory brochure photo of Singaporean soldier with SAR 80.
Source: Via www.armourersbench.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
CIS SAR-80
Left side view of a deactivated SAR-80 assault rifle on sale in the EU.
Source: www.zib-militaria.de
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
CIS SAR-80
Oblique view of an American dealer sample SAR-80 assault rifle with the uncommon tubular side folding stock.
Source: www.chestercountyarmory.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
CIS SAR-80
Close-up of the distinctive Sterling style of crackle paint seen on an American dealer sample SAR-80 assault rifle with the uncommon tubular side folding stock.
Source: www.chestercountyarmory.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
CIS SAR-80
Right side view of SAR-80 assault rifle with distinctive 1980's style pastel background.
Source: Via Historical Firearms | Matthew Moss
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
CIS SAR-80
Left side view of a SAR-80 assault rifle converted to a semi-automatic sports firearm in Poland in 2018.
Source: www.gunsmaster.pl
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
CIS SAR-80
Right side view of SAR-80 assault rifle turned in for destruction in the Central African Republic in 2014 or earlier. Note that the stock is missing and the forearm is cracked.
Source: www.armamentresearch.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
5.56x45mm NATO
The SAR-80 is chambered for the 5.56x45mm M193 cartridge.
Colt M16A1
When the SAR-80 design was procured Singapore already produced the M16S1 for domestic use. These were found to be more satisfactory, but could not be exported due to American restrictions.