South African R series of weapons information thread (lots of pictures)

[lcastillo]

MINI SS 5.56 South Africa's SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon)

ADY & Ruski, I found this article about the Mini SS in a "Fighting Firearms Magazine" published by Soldier of Fortune magazine. The Article is quite long and it fills in some Denel history and some parts carried over from the R-4 Rifle. This issue was printed in Spring of 1995. Cheers Lou

 

[lcastillo]

Page 10 of magazine

 

[lcastillo]

page 11

 

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Page 12

 

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Page 13

 

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Page 14

 

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Page 15

 

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Page 16

 

[lcastillo]

Page 17

 

[TOOL_MAN]

Hey guys does anybody know what the modification on this dustcover would be for?

Maybe it's there to keep empties from getting dinged up.?

 

[Ady]

Brilliant article Lou, thanks for posting and a nice find.

 

[lcastillo]

Lou, bayonets were never issued for the R4/5/6 series rifles. I have seen a picture of a bayonet designed for the R4. It looks exactly like the R1 bayonet, but with a different lockring to fit over the R4 flash hider. I have read that 1000 such bayonets were made by Littleton and are highly collectable.

I may be wrong, but i think the feeling was that a bayonet in bush warfare was a waste because the enemy was engaged at distances where a bayonet would be useless.

Below is another type of bayonet i picked up which i think may have been made for the R4, but again never issued. It does not fit my LM5, but i have seen this bayonet mounted on a LM4 for comparison. The bayonet is German made and has Solingen stamped on it.

Ady, Thanks for the info on the bayonet for the R4. I looked around online to see if I could get a glimpse of one. I found these pictures of the modified R4 bayonet on Old Smithy site. I wonder how much these cost as collector items?

 

[lcastillo]

Here is a top view of the R1 bayonet which should be the same as the converted one for use on the R4.

 

[Ady]

Lou, i have only ever seen pictures of the R4 bayonet, as you posted above. I don't know any collector who owns one. I would imagine they would cost a fair amount. R1 bayonets pop up from time to time. I have one thats exactly like the pic you posted above.

 

[Anders]

Hey guys does anybody know what the modification on this dustcover would be for?

That's the dustcover on my FFV890C........cases eject straight out to the right but a LONG way.

//Anders

 

[lcastillo]

That's the dustcover on my FFV890C........cases eject straight out to the right but a LONG way.

//Anders

Anders is that your actual FFV890C dustcover I ran across?

 

[lcastillo]

Vektor R5 or LM-5 rear handguard retainer

Here are some pictures of a South African R5 rear handguard retainer. This same part is also used on the Vektor LM-5 which is the civilain version (semi-auto only) of the R5. I was not aware that this part was different than the Galil SAR's rear HG retainer ( thanks Adipose). SO maybe I can help the next guy looking to build a R5 clone with the small details that are overlooked or there is not enough information out there.

The main thing to look for on the R5 HG retainer is the four prongs that stick out of retainer. These are machine pressed/punched to form. Unlike the IMI Galil retainers which are cast the SA retainers seem to be machine pressed during production. This gives the R5 retainer a rounded finish all round the section facing the reciever of the rifle. Another thing to look for is the black paint the R Series rifles are finished in. IMI Galil's retainers are parkerized. If there is anything I missed feel free to help me out. Lou

 

[lcastillo]

R5 Rear Handguard Retainer II

Continued

 

[Anders]

Anders is that your actual FFV890C dustcover I ran across?

Yes......

 

[ruski5181]

Hey Lou, Thanks for those posts, thats awesome info, one day when i have the money, that H5 that you posted up, i want a plastic/composite version of that stock on my LM4 sniper version! its looks very nice!