Steyr AUG

History

Like other European countries during the Cold War, the Austrian Armed Forces used the excellent Belgian FN FAL battle rifle, which fired the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. These guns are locally manufactured under license and are called "StG 58" (Assault Rifle 58).

Introduced in 1954, the original FN FAL eventually produced over 2,000,000 examples and has since been used in countless conflicts and is still widely used today. Their design is fairly robust and their full power rifle cartridge is a proven manstopper. By 1975, the weapon system was 20 years old.

Thus, in the mid and late 1970s, design work continued on the Steyr AUG ("Armee Universalgewehr" or "Army Universal Rifle") collection of Austrian origin. After evaluating the system, the Austrian Armed Forces officially adopted the 5.56mm weapon in 1977 as the "StG 77" (Assault Rifle 77) (hence the weapon's name).

Quantitative production began in 1978 until the automatic weapon entered service with the Austrian army in 1979, and has since been used in military, special forces and security units of various global entities.

The AUG is designed around the "bullpup" configuration concept, where all the main inner working parts of the action - and the corresponding magazine feed/magazine system - are concentrated on the rear of the pistol grip. While this style is clearly growing in popularity today, the bullpup configuration was a huge departure at the time when used for front-line service rifles.

The rearward placement of the internal components allowed engineers to have a full-length barrel with a more compact overall shape. The heavier stock, when properly placed on the frame, allows the weapon to have a firmer three-point grip, making it better for use in tight spaces than traditional long guns.

Accuracy at short distances has been improved, and the operator can raise his weapon (in response) faster than a traditional infantryman with a traditionally arranged lance. Considering the distances at which infantry often engages targets - especially in urban environments - this makes the bullfighting method a fairly reasonable one.

The

Steyr AUG had a very futuristic look for its era, with chiseled lines, minimal exterior detailing and proven interior functionality. The receiver is a large plastic component (glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66) covering the various metal parts (aluminum and steel) inside. The receiver also formed a fixed stock and carried the magazine feed and ejection port - both behind the pistol grip.

The pistol grip itself has been cleverly integrated into the design and is ergonomically designed to provide a firm grip. The grip is protected by an elongated handguard, while the large curved trigger is clearly visible. A fuse is within reach of the shooter. The front of the weapon contains the most important barrel, which protrudes forward. Under the barrel at its base is a collapsible vertical foregrip that allows for a "quick change" barrel to be replaced as needed.

Above the gun is a two-point mounting system for standard optics (1.5x Swarovski scope), which also serves as a carrying handle. This mount can be removed and replaced with standard Picatinny mounting rails (via alternate receiver castings) for custom optics and accessories in subsequent production models. The steel barrel locks with a slotted or three-hole flash suppressor. Overall, the AUG can be disassembled on site into six key components. Ambidextrous is achieved by covering the right ejection port and exposing the left port with the left bolt, which also replaces the standard right bolt.

A bayonet-mounted and under-mounted grenade launcher (M203 40mm) is optional, extending the tactical utility of the AUG series in the field. The barrels (both 16 and 20 inch flavors) are also designed to fire rifle grenades.

One of the distinguishing features of the AUG action is its "two-phase" trigger system. There is no traditional fire selector per se - which is common in other automatic firearms other than semi-automatic mode - as the trigger is pressure controlled and can be responded to with single-shot and full-auto fire.

The first stage of pressure features a basic single-shot firing mode, while the extra pressure will put the weapon into a fully automatic fire mode.

The original AUG production model became the 1977 AUG A1. This is followed by the AUG A2, which features a new pull handle and support for MIL-STD-1913 attachment/optical rails. The AUG A3 combines the changes from the A2, but introduces an external bolt release.

The name AUG M203 is nothing more than an AUG system that supports the M203 breech-loaded single-shot 40mm grenade launcher, located under the barrel. The AUG NATO is designed to support the NATO STANAG magazine and is only available in the right hand version.

The AUG A3 SF "Special Forces" (also known as the AUG A2 "Commandos") model is a specially designed compact special forces version. The 1988 AUG Para was a submachine gun form for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge with a redesigned interior to fire smaller cartridges via a recoil system.

The AUG A3 Para XS is similar in form and function, but has a 13-inch barrel and supports Picatinny rail fittings, and is based on the AUG A3 rifle.

The various AUGs classified as "machine guns" are the squad's version of automatic weapons, the AUG LSW (Light Support Weapon). So the AUG HBAR (Heavy Barrel Automatic Rifle) is the heavy barreled version of this weapon, which itself is essentially a modified AUG rifle with a heavy barrel and bipod for continuous fire.

The AUG HBAR spawned the AUG LMG (Light Machine Gun) with a 4x telescopic sight and an open bolt mechanism. Rail support (aka AUG P special receiver) starts with the AUG LMG-T line. The "designated marksman" version became the AUG HBAR-T with standard 6x42 optics.

The AUG Z is a purely civilian semi-automatic model that, like the AUG SA, was designed for the US arms market. USR is an AUG A2 designed to meet the requirements of the US Federal Assault Weapons Ban. The AUG P is a semi-automatic version of the AUG A1, designed to be sold to civilians and police forces, and comes with a 16-inch barrel assembly.

The AUG P "Special Receiver" has a similar sight but carries a rail-supported MIL-STD-1913.

The AUG series has been used worldwide. Argentina chose the AUG to replace their outgoing American M16A2 rifle. Australia has adopted the AUG as the Army's standard assault rifle since 1989 and is produced locally through Thales Australia. Austria is still using the AUG series today.

Other operators are Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Croatia, Djibouti, Ecuador, Falklands, Gambia, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia (licensed production), Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Taiwan, Tunisia, United States (US Immigration and Customs) and Uruguay.

The AUG known as the "F88" in service with the Australian Army comes in a variety of forms - albeit similar in nature - to meet battlefield needs. Several American companies have reproduced AUGs of various designs for the civilian market.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes