K-48

K-48
Place of origin	Elatia
Service history
In service	1948 - present
Used by	Elatian Army
Production history
Designed	1946
Produced	1947 - present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	3.8kg
Length	1,019mm
Barrel length	520mm
Cartridge	7.62x39mm
Action	Gas operated, rotating bolt
Effective firing range	400m
Feed system	10-rounds detachable magazine, stripper-clips compatible
Sights	adjustable iron sight

The K-48 Carbine is a semi-automatic rifle produced for the Elatian Army. It was the main service weapon of the Elatian Army from 1948 until the mid-1970's, when it was completely replaced by the AK-54 in active units. K-48 carbines remained common amongst reserve and militia formations until the 1990's, and remain to this day in storage in large quantities.

The K-48 is based on the long stroke gas system of the Belfrasian BR-10 Service Rifle, a quantity of which was captured during the Second Belfro-Elatian War. It possesses a ten-round detachable magazine, although it is usually loaded using stripper clips. It is backwards compatible with the bayonet of the old F-95/24 rifle, although it is usually issued with a cut-down version of the former. The K-48G variant is capable of launching rifle grenades.

The Elatian Army's infantry fought the war using a mix of F95/24 bolt-action rifles, AP-42 submachine guns and Mi-21 light machine guns. Over time, the proportion of automatic weapons increased and a late-war Elatian infantry platoons might have two rifle squads and two submachine gun squads, with the number of automatic weapons outnumbering bolt-action rifles. After the war, young infantry officers recommended the introduction of a fully automatic assault rifle, chambered in an intermediate cartridge, which may replace both rifles and submachine guns. Conservative forces were resistant to such a move, citing the need to maintain long range firepower when fighting in defence. The K-48 represented a compromise, being a semi-automatic weapon with a long-barrel, chambered in an intermediate cartridge. The assault rifle was introduced through the back door by being presented as a replacement for submachine guns.

An Elatian infantry platoon of the 50's and 60's would possess three squads of nine, each equipped with one Mi-52 light machine gun, two AK-54 assault rifles, five K-48 carbines and one RPG. One of these carbines would be a -G variant adapted for launching rifle grenades. They were transported in three TTV-49 half-track if they were available, or more likely 2.5-tonne 'potato-wagon' lorries.

After the disastrous Elato-Enyaman Border War of 1971, the K-48 was finally retired from frontline service and entirely replaced by the AK-54. Nevertheless, they remain in storage in great quantities to arm reservists and militia. Large numbers are stored in pristine conditions and are frequently exported as economical surplus weapons for the civilian market.