Steyr AUG

The Steyr AUG (Armee-Universal-Gewehr—"universal army rifle") is an Austrian 5.56×45mm NATO bullpup assault rifle, designed in the 1960s by Steyr-Daimler-Puch and now manufactured by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co KG.

Steyr AUG
Steyr AUG A1 with 508 mm (20.0 in) barrel
TypeBullpup assault rifle
Carbine
Light machine gun
Squad automatic weapon
Submachine gun
Place of originAustria
Service history
In service1978–present[1]
Used bySee Users
WarsSee Conflicts
Production history
DesignerHorst Wesp
Karl Wagner
Karl Möser
Designed1977
ManufacturerSteyr Mannlicher
Thales Australia, Lithgow Facility
SME Ordnance
Produced
  • 1978–present (Standard)[1]
  • 1988–present (Para)[1]
  • 2004–present (A3)
  • 2007–present (A3 SF)
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (Standard)
  • 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) (Carbine)
  • 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (Subcarbine)
  • 3.9 kg (8.6 lb) (HBAR)
  • 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) (Para)[1]
Length
  • 790 mm (31.1 in) (Standard)[1]
  • 690 mm (27.2 in) (Carbine)
  • 630 mm (24.8 in) (Subcarbine)
  • 900 mm (35.4 in) (HBAR)
  • 665 mm (26.2 in) (Para)[1]
Barrel length
  • 508 mm (20.0 in) (Standard)[1]
  • 407 mm (16.0 in) (Carbine)
  • 350 mm (13.8 in) (Subcarbine)
  • 621 mm (24.4 in) (HBAR)
  • 420 mm (16.5 in) (Para)[1]
Cartridge
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire680–750 RPM[3]
Muzzle velocityStandard rifle: 970 m/s (3,182 ft/s)
Effective firing range300 metres (980 ft)
Maximum firing range2,700 metres (8,900 ft)
Feed system
SightsSwarovski 1.5× telescopic sight, emergency battle sights, and Picatinny rail for various optics

It was adopted by the Austrian Army as the StG 77 (Sturmgewehr 77) in 1978,[4] where it replaced the 7.62×51mm NATO StG 58 automatic rifle (a licence-built FN FAL).[5] In production since 1978, it is the standard small arm of the Austrian Bundesheer and various national police units. Its variants have also been adopted by the armed forces of dozens of countries.

Steyr AUG importation into the U.S. began in the 1980s as the AUG/SA (SA denoting semiautomatic). President George H.W. Bush banned the AUG via an executive order under the 1989 Assault Weapon Import ban. Six years into the ban, AUG buyers gained a reprieve as cosmetic changes to the carbine’s design allowed importation once again. Changes included the pistol grip being changed into a thumbhole stock, and the barrel left unthreaded to prevent attachment of flash suppressors and silencers. The ban sunsetted in 2004, and in 2008 Steyr Arms worked with Sabre Defense to produce parts legally in the U.S.[6]

Design details

The Steyr AUG is a selective-fire, bullpup weapon with a conventional gas-piston-operated action that fires from a closed bolt.[7] It is designed as a Modular Weapon System that could be quickly configured as a rifle, a carbine, a sniper rifle, a sub-machine gun and even an open-bolt squad automatic weapon. The AUG employs a very high level of advanced firearms technology and is made with the extensive use of polymers and aluminium components. It is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and has the standard 1:9 rifling twist that will stabilise both SS109/M855 and M193 rounds. Some nations including Australia, Ireland and New Zealand use a version with a 1:7 twist optimised for the SS109 NATO round. The submachine gun variants are chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum. The AUG consists of six interchangeable assemblies: the barrel, receiver with integrated telescopic sight or Picatinny rail, bolt carrier assembly, trigger mechanism, stock and magazine.[7]

Operating mechanism

The AUG has a rotating bolt that features 7 radial locking lugs and is unlocked by means of a pin on the bolt body and a recessed camming guide machined into the bolt carrier. The bolt carrier itself is guided by two guide rods brazed to it and these rods run inside steel bearings in the receiver. The guide rods are hollow and contain the return springs. The bolt also contains a claw extractor that forms the eighth locking lug and a spring-loaded "bump"-type casing ejector.

The gas cylinder is offset to the right side of the barrel and works with one of the two guide rods. The AUG uses a short-stroke piston system where the right guide rod serves as the action rod, transmitting the rearward motion of the gas-driven piston to the bolt carrier. The left-hand rod provides retracting handle pressure when connected by the forward assist and can also be utilised as a reamer to remove fouling in the gas cylinder. The firearm uses a 3-position gas valve. The first setting, marked with a small dot, is used for normal operation. The second setting, illustrated with a large dot, indicates fouled conditions. The third, "GR" closed position is used to launch rifle grenades (of the non-bullet trap type).

The AUG is hammer-fired and the firing mechanism is contained in the rear of the stock, near the butt, covered by a synthetic rubber shoulder plate. The hammer group is made entirely of plastics except for the springs and pins and is contained in an open-topped plastic box which lies between the magazine and the buttplate. During firing the recoiling bolt group travels over the top of it, resetting the hammer. Since the trigger is located some distance away, it transmits its energy through a sear lever which passes by the side of the magazine. The firing pin is operated by a plastic hammer under pressure from a coil spring.

Steyr AUG with a German KCB-77 M1 bayonet.
Steyr AUG with a loaded 30-round magazine.
The Steyr AUG's telescopic sight. Note the backup iron sights on top of it.

Features

The AUG comes standard with four magazines, a muzzle cap, spare bolt for left-handed shooters, blank-firing adaptor, cleaning kit, sling and either an American M7 or German KCB-77 M1 bayonet.

Muzzle devices and barrel lengths

A three-pronged, open-type flash suppressors were used on the 350 mm (13.8 in), 407 mm (16.0 in) and 508 mm (20.0 in) length barrels, whereas the 621 mm (24.4 in) light machine gun barrel received a closed-type ported muzzle device (combination flash suppressor and compensator) and an integral, lightweight folding bipod. The flash suppressors are screwed to the muzzle and internally threaded to take a blank-firing attachment.

Trigger

The AUG features an Spz-kr type progressive trigger (pulling the trigger halfway produces semi-automatic fire, pulling the trigger all the way to the rear produces fully automatic fire) and a safety mechanism (cross-bolt, button type), located immediately above the hand grip.[7] In its "safe" position (white dot) the trigger is mechanically disabled; pressing the safety button to the left exposes a red dot and indicates the weapon is ready to fire. Some versions have an ALO or "automatic lockout", a small projection at the base of the trigger. This was first included on the Irish Defence Forces variant of the rifle, and soon after, the Australian Defence Forces variant. In the exposed position the ALO stops the trigger being squeezed past the semi-automatic position. If needed, the ALO can be pushed up to permit automatic fire.[8]

Ammunition feeding

The AUG is fed from a translucent, double-column box magazines (molded from a high-strength polymer) with a 30-round capacity and an empty weight of 130 g (4.6 oz). The light machine gun variant of the AUG uses an extended 42-round magazine. An Argentine variant of the FN FAL chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and known as the FALMP III Type 2 also uses the same magazine.

Sights

The AUG has a 1.5× telescopic sight that is integrated with the receiver casting and is made by Swarovski Optik.[7] It contains a simple black ring reticle with a basic rangefinder that is designed so that at 300 m (984.3 ft) a 180 cm (5 ft 11in) tall man-size target will completely fill it, giving the shooter an accurate method of estimating range. The sight cannot be set to a specific range but can be adjusted for windage and elevation for an initial zero and is designed to be calibrated for 300 m. So when it is set, aiming at the centre of a target will produce a hit at all ranges out to 300 m. It also has a backup iron sight with a rear notch and front blade, cast into the top of the aluminium optical sight housing, used in case of failure or damage to the primary optical sight. The sight is also equipped with a set of three illuminated dots (one on the front blade and two at the rear) for use in low-level lighting conditions. In order to mount a wide range of optics and accessories, a receiver with a NATO-standard Picatinny rail and detachable carrying handle was also developed and introduced in December 1997.

Engineering
Austrian soldiers equipped with the standard-length Steyr AUG.
Austrian soldiers train with the Steyr AUG A3 SF.

The quick-change barrel used in the AUG is cold hammer-forged by GFM-GmbH of Steyr Austria for increased precision and durability, its bore, chamber and certain components of the gas system are chrome-plated. The standard rifle-length barrel features 6 right-hand grooves and a rifling twist rate of 228 mm (1:9 in). An external sleeve is shrunk on to the barrel and carries the gas port and cylinder, gas valve and forward grip hinge jaw. There is a short cylinder which contains a piston and its associated return spring. The barrel locks into a steel insert inside the receiver through a system of eight lugs arranged around the chamber end and is equipped with a folding, vertical grip that helps to pivot and withdraw the barrel during barrel changes. The most compact of the barrels has a fixed vertical grip.

The receiver housing is a steel-reinforced aluminium extrusion finished with a baked enamel coating.[7] It holds the steel bearings for the barrel lugs and the guide rods. The non-reciprocating plastic cocking handle works in a slot on the left side of the receiver and is connected to the bolt carrier's left guide rod. The cocking handle has a forward assist feature—alternatively called a "silent cocking device"—used for pushing the bolt shut without recocking the rifle.[7][9] A bolt hold-open device locks the bolt carrier assembly back after the last round has been fired.[9] The newer AUG A3s possess a bolt release button, prior to this development all AUGs and the USR required the cocking handle being retracted to release the bolt group after a new magazine has been inserted. Older versions of the AUG can be upgraded to use the newer A3 stock and hammer pack.

The rifle's stock is made from fibreglass-reinforced polyamide 66. At the forward end is the pistol grip with an enlarged forward trigger guard completely enclosing the firing hand that allows the rifle to be operated with winter gloves.[7] The trigger is hung permanently on the pistol grip, together with its two operating rods which run in guides past the magazine housing. Behind that is the locking catch for the stock group. Pressing this to the right will separate the receiver and stock. The magazine catch is behind the housing, on the underside of the stock. Above the housing are the two ejector openings, one of which is always covered by a removable strip of plastic. The rear of the stock forms the actual shoulder rest which contains the hammer unit and the end of the bolt path. The butt is closed by an endplate which is held in place by the rear sling swivel. This swivel is attached to a pin which pushes in across the butt and secures the plate. There is a cavity under the buttplate that holds a cleaning kit.

Modularity
Steyr AUGs with green and black stocks, different type of Picatinny rail receivers and different sights.
Steyr AUG A1 with a 40 mm AG36 grenade launcher.

Stock

While the AUG is not fully ambidextrous, it can still be configured to be use for left- or right-handed operators by changing the bolt with one that has the extractor and ejector on the appropriate side, and moving the blanking plate to cover the ejection port not in use. However, there exists also a right-hand-only stock that allows for the use of M16 type STANAG magazines.[10][11]

Receivers

The AUG's receiver may also be changed from the standard model with a carrying handle and built-in 1.5× optical sight,[12] to the "T" model receiver which has a universal scope mount to allow for the use of a variety of scopes and sights.[12] The rifle also has several different types of receivers with Picatinny rails.[13] It has proven to be an effective sniper or designated marksman rifle when configured with the 621 mm (24.4 in) light machine gun barrel, the universal scope mount fitted with a Kahles ZF69 6×42 optical sight and the semi-auto-only trigger group.

Firing mechanism

The AUG's firing mechanism may also be changed at will, into a variety of configurations, including semi-auto and full-auto, semi-auto and three-round-burst, semi-auto-only, or any other combination that the user may desire.[12] It may also be converted into an open-bolt full-auto-only mode of fire, which allows for improved cooling and eliminates cook off problems when the AUG is used as a light machine gun or squad automatic weapon.[12]

Barrels

All AUGs are equipped with quick detachable barrels; including compact 350 mm (13.8 in) barrels, 407 mm (16.0 in) carbine barrels, 508 mm (20.0 in) standard rifle-length barrels and 621 mm (24.4 in) light machine gun barrels.[7] Rifles equipped with 508 mm (20.0 in) pattern barrels produced for military purposes are also equipped with bayonet lugs. The 407 mm (16.0 in) and 508 mm (20.0 in) barrels are capable of launching NATO STANAG type 22 mm rifle grenades from their integral flash hiders without the use of an adapter. AUG barrels can also mount 40 mm M203 or AG36 grenade launchers. Steyr also offers 508 mm (20.0 in) barrel configurations fitted with a fixed, post front-sight used on the standard rifle version with aperture iron sights.

Military adoption

Australian military
An Australian regimental policeman with the F88A1 Austeyr bullpup assault rifle.
An Australian soldier briefs a U.S. Navy (Seventh Fleet) vice admiral (VADM) on the F88 GLA Austeyr. Note: the grenade launcher has been removed and is being held by the VADM.
An Australian soldier firing an EF88 Austeyr

The Australian Army adopted the Steyr AUG A1 and designated it as the F88 Austeyr. It has a cyclic rate of fire of around 680–850 rounds per minute (RPM).[14]

The Australian F88 Austeyr was tested with a new grenade launcher specifically designed for it called the ML40AUS GLA (Grenade Launcher Assembly), one of the lightest underbarrel grenade launchers at less than 1 kg (2.2 lb) due to steel, aluminium, and synthetic parts. The GLA is mounted on the rifle's bottom accessory rail with the trigger moving through a removable plug in the trigger guard that allows for operation of the launcher inside of it, moving it further back than other launchers to maintain centre of balance and improve handling. The ML40AUS differs from the M203 by having a side-opening breech to allow for longer grenade rounds, a cross-bolt safety, and a new quadrant sight that mounts to the top rail alongside the rifle's optics.[15] On 21 January 2014 however, Thales announced they had instead selected the Steyr SL40 grenade launcher due to "significant" engineering concerns with the ML40AUS. The SL40 is a derivative of the Steyr GL40 launcher designed specifically for the EF88. It weighs 1.025 kg (2.26 lb) and has a 180 mm (7.1 in) long barrel. Though marginally heavier than the ML40AUS, it has the same attachment, firing mechanism, and control layout.[16]

DSTO Advanced Individual Combat Weapon was an experimental weapon combining the barrel, action and magazine of an F88 Austeyr with an enlarged receiver and stock/body that also incorporates a multiple-shot 40 mm grenade launcher.

  • The F88 Austeyr is the standard individual weapon of the Australia Defence Force. It is manufactured under licence from Steyr Mannlicher AG at the Thales Lithgow Small Arms Factory, which is now owned by Thales Australia. It is issued and supplied to the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand and incorporate a crosshair doughnut sight, it is also in service in 30 different countries.[14] There are changes and differences between the original Steyr AUG and the F88 Austeyr. The changes includes a bayonet lug, a 1:7 in rifling pitch as found in the M16A2 assault rifle, optimised for the heavier 62-grain NATO-standard SS109/M855 round and an "automatic lockout" trigger that can physically disable the fully automatic position of the two-stage trigger mechanism found on the standard AUG.[17] It won a competition against the prototype of what would become the Bushmaster M17S. Australian Defence Force Cadets also use this firearm for drill and training exercises.
  • The F88C Austeyr is a carbine variant of the F88 Austeyr that features a shorter 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel. It is generally used as a personal defensive weapon where manoeuvrability is an issue, such as in armoured vehicles.
  • The F88SA1 Austeyr is a variant of the F88 Austeyr with an integrated Picatinny rail in place of the standard optical sight that allows the attachment of various other sighting devices (night vision scopes, magnified and non-magnified optics such as the ELCAN C79, Trijicon ACOG or Aimpoint).
  • The F88SA1C Austeyr is a compact variant of the F88 Austeyr fitted with a Picatinny rail. The rifle has a 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel. Typically issued to front-line combat infantry units with room and weight constraints such as cavalry, Military Police, reconnaissance, light horse, paratroopers and airfield defence guards (RAAF).
  • The F88 GLA Austeyr is a variant is for the Australian Army with an M203 grenade launcher. It features an Inter-bar (armourer attached) interface, an RM Equipment M203PI grenade launcher, and a Knight's Armament quadrant sight assembly to which a Firepoint red dot sight is attached. The bayonet lug and forward vertical grip are not present in this model.
  • The F88T is a training rifle that is chambered in .22 Long Rifle cartridge developed by ADI, to be used by the Australian Army, Australian Army Cadets, Australian Air Force Cadets and Australian Navy Cadets. The rifle provides an economical training alternative, with very low ammunition cost, which can be used in environmentally sensitive training areas and ranges where "overshooting" is an issue, and there is a lower risk of injuring instructors and other persons.[18]
  • The F88SA2 Austeyr is an evolutionary upgrade of the current rifle to fulfil an operational capability gap. Deliveries of several thousand were completed in late-2009 to selected units for overseas service. (Afghanistan) Technical improvements in the F88S-A2 include: Modified gas system for increased reliability and increased interoperability with U.S ammo. An enlarged ejection port. A longer Picatinny Rail on top of the weapon, a modified sight housing, a side rail mount for a torch and Night Aiming Device (NAD). The colour of the barrel, sight and barrel assembly has been changed to khaki to reduce the recognition signature.[19]

Lithgow F90

The Lithgow F90 was official adopted the Australian Defence Force and designated it as the Enhanced F88 (EF88) Austeyr. The EF88 is part of the LAND 125 Soldier Combat System project and is a significant upgrade to the F88SA2. It was developed and produced at the Australian Defence Industries factory in Lithgow Small Arms Factory, which is now owned by Thales Australia to fulfil current and near future requirements for the Australian Defence Force. It was first displayed to the public in the middle of 2012 and the initial production was scheduled for 2013, its final design and testing ended later on that year.[20] Internally and externally the EF88 is still similar to the Steyr AUG, although it has received many distinctive upgrades and changes. Upgrades include the following:

1. Length of pull has been shortened by 15 mm. (The distance between the stock backplate and the grip; too long and it becomes difficult to handle on close quarters)
2. Longer top rail and a modular lower forend with side and bottom rails.
3. Floating barrel which increases accuracy.
4. Fluted Barrel which dissipates heat from automatic fire.
5. Folding charging handle.
6. Improved butt design which has increased strength and a recessed ejection port cover to improve reliability.
7. Bolt-together butt for easier disassembly.
8. Provision for electronic architecture to allow centralised control and power management of ancillary devices.
9. Primarily uses the side-loading grenade launcher (Steyr-Mannlicher SL40) which can fire all currently available 40 mm low velocity grenades.
10. Improved grenade launcher mount which improves the balance of the weapon.
11. Improved grenade launcher safety, the new KORD RIC (Rifle Input Control) electronic control system made by Thales will also be integrated into the rifle.[19][21][22]

In June 2012, Thales debuted the F90 at the Eurosatory military exhibition in Paris. Key additions include a bottom rail and a detachable side rail, optional compatibility with STANAG magazines (F90MBR), weight savings over the F88SA2 with a base weight of 3.25 kg (7 lb) and the large trigger guard has been reshaped to serve as a vertical foregrip. Thales in partnership with Steyr-Mannlicher are pursuing small arms procurement programs such as the planned replacement of FAMAS used by the French military.[23] Low Rate Initial Production of the F90 began in September 2014.[24] Dasan Manufacturing will be licensed to manufacture them in an effort to bid them to the South Korean military for future replacements of the Daewoo K2.[25] At the Defexpo 2018 convention, MKU has Indian licensing rights to manufacture the F90 for Indian contracts.[26] In April 2019, the F90CQB variant was planned to be submitted in conjunction with the Kalyani Group for Indian Army requirements on a 5.56 mm NATO carbine.[27] As of April 2020, Bharat Forge is Thales' partner to manufacture the F90.[28]

Lithgow Arms offers the F90 in three different barrel lengths: 360 mm (14 in), 407 mm (16 in), and 508 mm (20 in). The rifle can also be fitted with the SL40 underbarrel grenade launcher.

F90 ATRAX is a planned semi-automatic only variant of the F90 intended for the American civilian market.[29] It was announced by Thales that plans to release the rifle will be discontinued for ethical reasons.[30]

Austrian military
Irish Army peacekeepers in Lebanon armed with the Steyr AUG fitted with bayonets.
The New Zealand Army with the IW Steyr on a military live fire scenario exercise.

The Austrian Army adopted the Steyr AUG in 1978 and designated it as the Sturmgewehr 77 (StG 77).

  • The StG 77 is the Austrian Army's designation for the Steyr AUG.
  • The StG 77 A2 is the Austrian Army's designation for the Steyr AUG A3 SF. It was adopted by the Austrian Special Forces (Jagdkommando) in late 2007.[31]
  • The StG 77 KPE is the Austrian Army's designation for an upgraded StG 77. Where the A1 housing group was replaced with the A3 SF housing and was adopted in 2017.
  • The StG 77 A1 MP is the Austrian Army designation for the StG 77 used by military police. The rifles differ from the standard StG 77 by having a Picatinny rail for an Aimpoint Micro T1 Red Dot Sight and magnifier, a flash hider from Ase-Utra, and Rheinmetall Vario Ray laser and light module mounted on the right side. Adopted in 2018.

Irish military

The Steyr AUG Mod 14 is an AUG A1 upgraded by the Irish Army, which was possible due to the modularity of the rifle. It allowed the Irish Army to make modernisation upgrades. They replaced the original A1 housing/receiver group (with 1.5× optical sight) with an A3 housing/receiver group (with MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail on top and right side) allowing a modern optical sight to be fitted. The Trijicon ACOG 4× sight was selected as the new optical sight of the rifle. The rifle features the ALO "automatic lockout" trigger, which can also be found in the Australian and New Zealand versions. In 2014, they began issuing the rifle to its operational units.

New Zealand military

The New Zealand Army had adopted the F88 Austeyr and designated it as the IW Steyr (Individual Weapon Steyr). However the New Zealand Army has since adopted the Mars-L and phased out the IW Steyr.[32] New Zealand variants of the Steyr were equipped with a single-stage trigger and a two-position safety. The sight added a crosshair to the circle reticule. New Zealand issued both factory and locally-modified carbines alongside the full-length rifle variant.

Variants

AUG
A left-side view of the Steyr AUG A1 with a 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel.
A right-side view of the Steyr AUG A2 with a 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel) and a Picatinny rail attached.
A left-side view of the Steyr AUG A3-CQC prototype with a Leupold CQ/T optic and Surefire M900 weapon light foregrip.

The Steyr AUG is a bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. It was introduced in 1978 and was adopted by the Austrian Army and was designated as the StG 77 in 1978, then it was later adopted by several military agencies around the world.

  • The Steyr AUG A1 is an improved variant of the AUG and was introduced in 1982. It is available with a choice of olive or black furniture.[33]
  • The Steyr AUG M203 is an AUG A1 fitted with the M203 grenade launcher.
  • The Steyr AUG AG-C is an AUG A1 fitted with the AG-C grenade launcher.
  • The Steyr AUG A2 features a redesigned charging handle and a detachable telescopic sight which can be replaced with a MIL-STD-1913 rail.[33] Due to its modularity, a 24-inch barrel can be used and a Picatinny rail section can be fitted instead of the folding grip, where a bipod can be installed.[34] The rifle was introduced in December 1997.
  • The Steyr AUG A3 features a MIL-STD-1913 rail on top of the receiver and an external bolt release.[35]
  • The Steyr AUG A3 SF also known as the AUG A2 Commando, features an MIL-STD-1913 rails mounted on the telescopic sight and on the right side of the receiver, and includes an external bolt release.[36] The integrated telescopic sight is offered in 1.5× or 3× magnification.
  • The Steyr AUG A3-CQC was a prototype development of the AUG A3 and was first displayed by Steyr at the SHOT Show 2006. It differs in having a railed handguard attached ahead of the receiver. Due to the need to remove this extra railed section in order to strip the rifle for cleaning, it featured a quick detach lever mounted on the left side to remove the rail. Due to the concerns over the extra cost and weight, along with potential issues with the reliability and consistency of the detachable handguard, the prototypes received little interest and were last seen promoted by Steyr in 2008 and likely has been cancelled. In total only 5 prototypes were made, four with standard 18-inch barrels, and one with a longer heavy marksman barrel and a 20-round magazine. In 2012 the American company PJA obtained the 5 original prototypes from Steyr and reverse engineered them in order to produce a US-made AUG A3-CQC and conversion kits.

AUG HBAR

The Steyr AUG HBAR (Heavy Barreled Automatic Rifle) is a longer heavier-barreled variant of the standard AUG for use as a light machine gun or squad automatic weapon. Its telescoping sight has a 4× magnification rather than the 1.5× magnification of the standard AUG. It can be modified to fire from an open bolt to allow sustained fire. To accomplish this, a modified bolt carrier, striker and trigger mechanism with sear are used.

  • The Steyr AUG HBAR-T (Heavy Barreled Automatic Rifle-Telescope) is a designated marksman configuration of the HBAR that features a special receiver fitted with a Kahles ZF69 6×42 optical sight.

AUG Para
A left-side view of the Steyr AUG Para.

The Steyr AUG Para also known as the AUG SMG or AUG 9mm, is a submachine gun variant of the AUG chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge and has been produced since 1988.[1] It differs from the rifle variants by having a different barrel, bolt and magazine. It is an automatic, blowback-operated model that fires from a closed bolt, and does not use of the rifle's gas system.[37] Unlike the rifle variants, it has a unique 420 mm (16.5 in) barrel with six right-hand grooves at a 250 mm (1:9.8 in) rifling twist rate, with a recoil compensator, a slightly different charging handle and a magazine well adapter enabling the use of standard 25-round box magazines from the Steyr MPi 69 and TMP submachine guns.[38] A conversion kit used to transform any assault rifle configuration into the submachine gun configuration is also available. The conversion kit consists of a barrel, bolt, adapter insert and magazine.

  • The Steyr AUG A3 Para XS is a 9mm variant of the AUG A3. It features a 325 mm (12.8 in) barrel and a Picatinny rail system.[39]
  • The Steyr AUG 40 is a .40 S&W variant of the AUG Para that uses Glock compatible double stack .40 S&W magazines.

Semi-automatic only variants

A semi-automatic variant of the rifle known as the AUG P is available to the civilian and law enforcement markets. It features a shorter, 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel and a modified bolt, carrier and trigger assembly that will only allow semi-automatic fire. The rifle also has a slightly different optical sight that features a reticule with a fine dot in the centre of the aiming circle, allowing for more precise aiming.

  • The Steyr AUG P is a Police semi-automatic only variant of the AUG A1 with a shorter 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel.
  • The Steyr AUG P Special Receiver is similar to the AUG P but features a MIL-STD-1913 rail on top of the receiver.
  • The Steyr AUG SA is a semi-automatic only variant of the AUG A1; built for civilian use and import to the US before being banned from importation in 1989.
  • The Steyr AUG Z is a semi-automatic only variant, somewhat similar to the AUG A2 and is intended primarily for civilian use.
  • The Steyr AUG Z Sport is a semi-automatic only variant, somewhat similar to the AUG Z for shooting use by the BKA in Germany. This variant has a special handguard without the typical front grip.
  • The Steyr AUG Z A3 is a semi-automatic only variant of the AUG A3, and was introduced in 2010.
  • The Steyr AUG Z A3 9mm is a semi-automatic only 9×19mm Parabellum variant of the AUG Z A3.
  • The Steyr AUG Z A3 SE is a semi-automatic only variant of the AUG A3 SF.
  • The Steyr USR is an AUG A2 modified to meet the former Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) (or Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act) regulations. The primary difference is the omission of the flash hider.
  • The Steyr AUG A3 SA USA is a semi-automatic only variant of the AUG A3 with a 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel, made available for the U.S. civilian market in April 2009.[40][41]
  • The Steyr AUG A3 SA NATO: Similar to the AUG A3 SA USA but uses a right-hand-only, NATO STANAG magazine stock assembly.[10][11]
  • The Steyr AUG A3 is a semi-automatic only variant of the AUG A3 SF but with a detachable optical sight which can be replaced with MIL-STD-1913 rails, manufactured in the US by Steyr Arms since October 2014.[42]

Straight pull only variants
  • The Steyr AUG SPR is a straight pull only configuration, somewhat similar to the AUG A2 and is intended primarily for civilian use.

AUG clones
  • The STG-556 was introduced at the 2007 SHOT Show, the MSAR STG-556 was manufactured by Microtech Small Arms Research Inc. (a subsidiary of Microtech Knives) an AUG A1 clone significantly re-engineered in its working system and principle as it features a bolt hold-open device as seen on the M16 rifle; otherwise the MSAR STG-556 retains the original AUG features, such as feeding from proprietary translucent plastic magazines and having the quick-change barrel option. The STG-556 can be converted from either having a telescopic sight or a MIL-STD-1913 rail. It is available in either civilian (semi-automatic only) configuration, and military and law enforcement (selective fire) configuration.[9][43]
  • The AXR was revealed at the 2007 SHOT Show, the TPD USA AXR was manufactured by Tactical Products Design Inc. as an AUG A2 clone capable of semi-automatic only fire, aimed for both the civilian and law enforcement markets, and fed by STANAG magazines; the manufacturer sells clear plastic magazines which are STANAG 4179 compliant and will readily fit in any rifle with a compatible magazine catch.[44] The rifle does not have the integral scope, allowing users to use any kind of scopes or laser sights on the Picatinny railing.[45]
  • The Type 68[46][47] is a Taiwanese copy of the AUG with notable differences including a smaller trigger guard and the use of iron sights instead of the original's telescopic sight (although optical sights can still be optionally mounted on the carrying handle). Developed as a potential alternative to the T65 assault rifle and (in the form of a heavy-barrel variant) replacement to the Type 57A squad automatic rifle (licence-built selective fire M14A1), it ultimately did not enter service after the ROC military decided to adopt light machineguns (Minimi and T75) as their future squad automatic weapons.[48][49][50][51]

Conflicts

The Steyr AUG has been used in the following conflicts:

Users
Map of Steyr AUG operators.
The Argentinian Army with the Steyr AUG in 1986 in Puerto Deseado.
An officer of the Austrian counter-terrorism unit EKO Cobra handling the Steyr AUG during an airborne operation.
A German SEK policeman with the Steyr AUG in Bavaria.
An Irish soldier armed with the Steyr AUG.

Military

Law-enforcement

Non-state
gollark: Also, you can do the user mode thing *anyway*.
gollark: Simply use `eval`. This is very secure.
gollark: If you just split it into multiple files, that does basically nothing for the important things, the interdependencies between each part.
gollark: Organization is not autonomously attained via file restructuring.
gollark: I disagree.

See also

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Further reading
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