AKSZ

The AKSZ, known as Avtomat Kalashnikova for the Midwest (Russian: Avtomat Kalashnikova dlya Srednego Zapada), or under its Midwestern classification the KAR-223 (Kalashnikov Automatic Rifle .223) is a select-fire rifle chambered in .223 employed by the Midwest Union Armed Forces. Adopted in 1981, originally manufactured in the USSR and later homeland steel and milling factories near Chicago.

Design

A digitized drawing of the original AKSZ model.

The AKSZ accepts stripper clips, and has a detachable 30 round magazine, interchangeable with Ruger Mini-14 magazines. Classically equipped with a folding wire stock, some coming with wood. The receiver is notably longer than AK-47, and the trigger is further back to make room for the longer bolt and slot for stripper clips, this also slightly dampened recoil. As rounds are ended via the ejection-clip port, they are redirected down by the dust cover's shape into the inserted magazine. The foregrip is sheet metal with heat ports. The barrel is fitted with an M14 style compensato, compatible with M6 bayonets.

In later models, after complaints of the gun being too top heavy, such as the AKSZ-1 (KAR-223A1) and later, the stripper clip functionality was removed, the trigger moved back further, and bolt shortened. The length of the receiver remained, simply shortening the stock.

In 1984, when homeland manufacturing began, logging from northern states began to be shipped down for usage in stocks and foregrips, making early homebrew models obsolete.

Variants

"Homebrews"

Many soldiers of the Midwest Armed Forces have been recorded modifying their rifles, even encouraged by officers, notable modifications include:

• Wood stocks and foregrips.
• Optic mounts
• (singularly) "Private Anderson's Water Cooled LMG DMR jack-of-all-trades"

KAR-308

The KAR-308 is a Midwest designed rechambering of the original model, built for armor piercing, and self defense in rural areas. It was also adopted by the Department of Civilian Defense's Paranormal Division for the theorized stopping power against cryptids. .

KAR-45

The KAR-45 is a PDW adaption, sporting a shorter barrel, and rechambering into .45 ACP. With a "Tommy Gun" style foregrip.