Huadai Precision Industries H53
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| Huadai Precision Industries H53 | |
|---|---|
| File:Huadai Precision Industries H53.png The Huadai Precision Industries H53 assault rifle | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  DSRA |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1953-Present |
| Used by | DSRA; see Users |
| Wars | Nazali War, Kolenomese War of Liberation, Myrdesia War, Seubyeni Islands Crisis |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Huadai Precision Industries |
| Unit cost | UR$100 (2014, H53R export variant) |
| Produced | 1953-Present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | R: 3.80 kg (8.4 lb) RM: 3.70 kg (8.16 lb) RKS: 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) LSW: 4.8 kg (10.6 lb) |
| Length | R: 880 mm (34.6 in) RKS: 874 mm (34.4 in) stock extended / 654 mm (25.7 in) stock folded. LSW: 590 mm (23.2 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Action | Gas-operated reloading, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 300-400 m sight adjustments |
| Feed system | 10, 30, 40, 75-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Aperture rear sight, hooded forward post front sight |
The Huadai Precision Industries H53 is an assault rifle made in Anikatia. Production started in 1952 after the formations of the DSRA and was produced by a state-owned factory until 2001. Since then it has been produced by Huadai Precision Industries, who continue to produce the rifle primarily for export.
The H53 and derivatives and variants remain one of the most popular and widely used assault rifles in the world because of their substantial reliability under harsh conditions, low production costs, ease of use and wide availability. The basic design has been manufactured in many countries and the design has served as the base for many derivative designs. During the Cold War period, the H53 was exported to many countries and guerilla forces throughout the world. Many of these rifles found their way to battlefields in virtually every geographic region of the world.
History
Design work on the weapon began in the last years of Great Eastern War. However in the chaos of the civil war that followed the design was able to progress beyond a limited prototyping stage. It only entered limited service with the Anikatian military before the Anikatian Civil War began, soon both sides would get access to the weapon. The prototypes had a rotary bolt, a two-part receiver with separate trigger unit housing, dual controls (separate safety and fire selector switches) and a non-reciprocating charging handle located on the left side of the weapon. Later prototypes utilized a Lever-Delayed Blowback for its operation, slightly reducing recoil and making it more controllable. The receiver is made from pressed steel with laminated wood stock, grip and handguards. This design simplified the design and production of the rifle.
In 1951, after the conflict in the new Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia captured H48s and the factories producing the early prototype H48 designs were once again revived to replace the semi-automatic carbine that had been adopted as the new service rifle. A new design competition was initiated to develop a new assault rifle. Surviving prototypes were once again presented for official military trials. During testing in late 1951 the rifle was redesigned to improve reliability. The first army trial series began in late 1951. The new rifle proved to be reliable under a wide range of conditions particularly within the harsh tropical jungles of northern Anikatia while still presenting convenient handling characteristics. However, there were major difficulties adapting the design to the new 7.62x39mm ammunition, the alternative H53 design proved to be just as reliable while far easier to adapt the new caliber. As a result production of the H48 was shut down and shifted towards the new design, when it was officially adopted by the Anikatian People's Army as "7.62mm Huadai, model 1953 automatic rifle (H53)". During this time, production of the interim semi-automatic carbine rifle continued and the existing supply of H48s were used.
It first saw major combat on multiple fronts most notably in the Kolenomese War of Liberation and Nazali War by communist forces. The communist forces won decisive victories and the H53 proved highly reliable and popular weapon. During the Cold War period, the H53 was exported to many countries and guerilla forces throughout the world. Many of these rifles found their way to battlefields in Ashizwe, Southwestern Kasaishima, and the Middle East and were used alongside other similar rifles from both the other Otterup Pact nations.
Design
Originally, the H53 featured stamped receivers. Visually, most versions of the H53 are distinguished by the fully enclosed hooded front sight. Many versions also feature a folding bayonet attached to the barrel just aft of the muzzle. There are three different types of bayonets made for H53 rifles. It's is simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are generally chromium-plated. This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear.
Furniture
Most versions have two-piece wooden furnitures and fixed stock, although some later variants replace this with a new synthetic, high-impact black plastic handguard, folding stock and pistol grip.
Variants
H53R
- Basic variant introduced in 1968 with a fixed wooden stock.
H53RKS
- The carbine version of the H53R, was designed for tank crews and special forces. It featured a shorter gas block and the front sight post is combined with the gas-block to provide an overall short length. The side folder is straight and folds to the left. Usually offered in 7.62×39mm with a 30 round box magazine.
H53RM
- A Modernised lighter version featuring a number of improvements such as a new different muzzle brake differing from the original H53R and the receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal. This is the most ubiquitous variant of the H53. Still manufactured primarily for export.
H53-LSW
- The H53 LSW light machine gun variant it has a heavier and longer barrel. This allows the H53 LSW to fire for extended periods of time without major loss in accuracy due to the barrel heating up, it is additionally equipped with a carrying handle, folding bipod and a more supportive stock. Offered in 7.62×39mm with a 45 round box magazine or a 75 round drum magazine.
Ammunition
The H53 series of rifles is available with variants chambered in the following cartridges 7.62×39mm.
Accessories
The additional equipment the weapons is supplied with include: a secure carry case, 3 spare magazines, a magazine pouch, cleaning brush, muzzle cap, oil bottle, unified sling, front sight adjustment tool and a threaded blank-firing adapter.
Users
- File:NB flag in Pardes.png Belhavia
- Template:Country data Goredemabwa
Arthurista
- Template:Country data Hornatyia
- Used by various Interior Ministry units and Royal Hornatyian Defense Force reserve units.
- Template:Country data Kahemba
Kolenomai
- All branches of the Kolenomese People's Armed Forces
- Template:Country data Saarland
Historical users
Anikatia
- Template:Country data Hornatyia Democratic Republic of Hornatyia
- Standard issue rifle of the Hornatyian People's Army between 1970 and 1980. Replaced by the AÚP vz. 77 and domestic copies of the H68.
- Kolenomai
