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SAR 21: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Gun]]
The '''SAR 21''' ("'''S'''ingapore '''A'''ssault '''R'''ifle - '''21'''st Century") is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in Singapore by ST Kinetics, formerly known as CIS (Chartered Industries of Singapore). First revealed and subsequently adopted by the Singapore Armed Forces in 1999, to replace the standard issue [[M16A1|M16S1]].
 
==Specifications==
 
(1999 - Present)
 
'''Type:''' Assault Rifle
 
'''Caliber:''' 5.56x45mm NATO
 
'''Capacity:''' 30
 
'''Fire Modes:''' Safe/Semi/Auto
 
----


{{Gun Title}}


The '''SAR-21''' ("'''Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century'''") is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in Singapore. First revealed and subsequently adopted by the Singapore Armed Forces in 1999, it was intended to replace the locally license-built M16A1. Many of its design features are directly intended to counter the weaknesses of the M16 as encountered operationally by some infantrymen.
==SAR 21==


[[Image:Sar21.jpg]]
[[Image:Sar21.jpg|thumb|right|none|501px|CIS SAR 21 - 5.56x45mm NATO]]
==Design==
Made of a rugged, high impact polymer, most of the manufacturing is done utilising CNC machines, with ultrasonic welding for the steel-reinforced receiver halves and the gun barrel being cold hammer forged. It uses a modified AK-47|Kalashnikov/Stoner operating system, boasting higher reliability and lower recoil.  The translucent magazine allows precise assessment of current ammo load.


The SAR-21 is also the first production assault rifle of its class to incorporate a built-in Laser Aiming Device powered by a single "AA" battery as standard. The rifle incorporates various patented safety features, such as a Kevlar cheek plate and overpressure vent that protects the shooter in the unlikely event of a chamber explosion or catastrophic failure.It also has an integral 1.5x optical scope that is built into its carrying handle. The scope aids in target acquisition, particularly under low light conditions. The scope is factory-zeroed, and requires minimal further zeroing to suit different users. This minimizes non-training range time.
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="220"|'''Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="170"|'''Actor'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Character'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="280"|'''Note'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="80"|'''Date'''
|-
| ''[[Austin Powers in Goldmember]]'' || Michael Chaturantabut || Roboto Industries security guard || Other RI guards were seen using it as well || 2002
|-
| ''[[Gamer]]'' ||  || Slayers ||  || 2009
|-
| ''[[Looper]]'' || ||  || Hanging on the wall ||2012
|-
| ''[[Ah Boys to Men]]'' || || Singapore Army soldiers || SAR-21, SAR-21 RCF Module ||2012
|-
| ''[[Ah Boys to Men 2]]'' ||  || Singapore Army soldiers || SAR-21 with blank firing modules ||2013
|-
|}


==Operation==
=== Video Games ===
Like most other weapons, clearing the weapon is accomplished by removing the magazine, pulling the charging handle to the rear, and observing the chamber. After loading a magazine into the well, the weapon is made "ready" by cocking the weapon, and engaging the FN MAG-type safety button. The position of the fire selector button (SEMI or AUTO) may also be adjusted.


The on/off switch for the LAD is on the left handguard; when holding the weapon at ready, the left thumb rests naturally on it.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="300"|'''Game Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="150"|'''As'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Mods'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Notations'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Release Date'''
|-
| ''[[Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory]]'' ||  |||| Used by I-SDF troops || 2005
|-
|''[[Cross Fire (2007 VG)|Cross Fire]]''||"SAR-21" ||||||2007
|-
|}


Like the [[M-16 rifle]], the bolt does lock open on an empty magazine. When the magazine is exhausted, it is removed by depressing the AK-47-style lever. After being replaced, the weapon must be cocked again before the soldier can commence firing. With sluggish operation due to fouling, the gas regulator setting may be increased by turning it with a coin, screwdriver, or any other thin flat object.
=== Anime ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Character'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="400"|'''Note'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="80"|'''Date'''
|-
| ''[[Upotte!!]]'' || Sar || || 2012
|-
|}
<br clear=all>


==History and Development==
==SAR 21 P-Rail==
Since the mid-90s, the Singapore Armed Forces had an outstanding requirement to come up with a replacement for their M16S1. Most of the M16/[[AR-15]]s in service have been in use since the 1970s, and the SAF had to either procure newer weapons (thought was given to purchase the M16A2) or to develop their own indigenous rifle.
[[Image:SAR-21 RAIL.jpg|thumb|right|none|501px|ST Kinetics SAR 21 P-Rail with EOTech 551 holographic sight - 5.56x45mm NATO]]


It was discussed that buying weapons off the shelf would require soldiers to adjust to the weapon, as opposed to a weapon designed specifically to their needs. The rising costs of maintaining the M16s also made it more justifiable to develop a low-maintenance weapon. As a result, the decision was made in 1995 to design and build the new weapon locally.
=== Video Games ===


The Advanced Combat Rifle was thus born. This weapon would be the precursor to the SAR-21.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="300"|'''Game Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="150"|'''As'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Mods'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Notations'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Release Date'''
|-
| ''[[Ghost Recon: Phantoms]]'' || SAR 21 |||| SAR 21 P-Rail variant || 2014
|-
|}
<br clear=all>


==Variants==
==SAR 21 MMS==


===SAR-21 Light Machine Gun (LMG)===
[[File:SAR-21 MMS rifle.jpg|thumb|right|none|501px|ST Kinetics SAR 21 MMS with EOTech 551 holographic sight - 5.56x45mm NATO]]
Fitted with an open bolt, it has a heavy 513 mm barrel with an integral folding bipod.


===SAR-21 Sharpshooter===
=== Film ===
Same as the basic SAR-21, but has 3.0x optical sight instead of standard 1.5x sight. The sight picture is composed of luminous black paint, allowing easier target engagement at night without use of the LAD.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="220"|'''Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="170"|'''Actor'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Character'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="280"|'''Note'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="80"|'''Date'''
|-
| ''[[Ah Boys to Men]]'' ||  || Singapore Army soldiers || TL MARS Reflex sight, foregrip and flashlight. ||2012
|-
|}


===SAR-21 Grenade Launcher (GL)===
===Video Games===
Attached with a CIS 40 mm or M203 grenade launcher. Several sub-variants/prototypes incorporate different targeting modules (or mounted on p-rails) for grenade target acquisition. Known sights to have been used include aiming quadrants, various optical sights and laser fire control systems.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="300"|'''Game Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="150"|'''As'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Mods'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Notations'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Release Date'''
|-
| ''[[Battlefield 4]]'' || "SAR-21" || With various attachments ||  || 2013
|-
| ''[[Battlefield Hardline]]'' || "SAR-21" || With various attachments || Appears in ''Getaway'' DLC || 2016
|-
|}


===SAR-21 P-rail===
<br clear=all>
Has a Picatinny rail in place of its integral optical sight. Charging handle is moved to the left hand side of the weapon (Interchangeable with right side).


===SAR-21 Modular Mounting System (MMS)===
==SAR 21 GL==
Has integral optical sight and LAD removed to allow a wide variety of add-on tactical accessories, such as vertical assault grips, tactical lights and reflex sights. Charging handle is moved to the left hand side of the weapon. Similar to P-rail model with exception of shorter barrel.


===SAR-21 Light Weight Carbine===
[[File:SAR 21 M-203.jpg|thumb|right|500px|ST Kinetics SAR 21 with M203A1 grenade launcher - 5.56x45mm NATO]]
A light weight SAR-21 variant was revealed during the Asian Defence Exhibition held in conjunction with Asian Aerospace 2006. The variant boasts an ultra-short barrel, shorter handguards and an integral holo-dot aiming recticle. A Picatinny rail is used as well.


==Criticisms and other issues==
=== Film ===
Early users of the weapon in the Singapore Armed Forces experienced many problems due to their unfamiliarity with the bullpup design. Their criticisms (usually in comparison with the M16S1 rifles they were already trained with) include:
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
* the awkward position of the magazine well, and the difficulty in changing magazines, requiring multiple hand changes
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
* the awkward position of the fire selector (located at the butt, with the action), as opposed to the thumb selector on the M16
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="220"|'''Title'''
* the sluggish trigger pull compared with the crisp trigger of the M16
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="170"|'''Actor'''
* the weight of the weapon
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Character'''
* the increased muzzle blast, due to the muzzle being nearer to the user's ears
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="280"|'''Note'''
* being told by instructors that it is a "right-handed only" weapon and left-handed soldiers having to (and are still being taught to) fire with their right hand
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="80"|'''Date'''
* iron sights that chipped off easily when weapon was dropped
|-
| ''[[Ah Boys to Men]]'' ||  || Singapore Army soldiers ||  ||2012
|-
|}


Some of these criticisms were addressed with design modifications to the later production models. New weapon handling procedures were also introduced.
=== Video Games ===
* The magazine changing issue was solved with training soldiers to always hold the pistol grip with their master hand. The charging of the weapon and reloading of magazines are to be done by the non-master hand.
* The sluggish trigger pull was improved by using a stiff sliding plate in place of the flexible rod.
* The Steyr AUG styled iron sights were replaced with stockier, hardier ones.


The kevlar plating on the left side of the weapon butt (where a right-handed user's face would typically be) is effective in protecting the user from any internal chamber explosion by directing the resulting force to the right. However, that resultant force would also seriously injure anyone unfortunate enough to be on the right side of the weapon. In the case of a user firing from his left shoulder, this could cause severe injury to his face.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="300"|'''Game Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="150"|'''As'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Mods'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Notations'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Release Date'''
|-
| ''[[Geist]]'' || "Over-Under Assault Rifle" || With M203 Grenade Launcher |||| 2005
|-
|}
<br clear=all>


As a result, all left-handed SAF soldiers are taught to fire from their right shoulder as a safety measure. The SAR-21 was designed with an small in-built brass deflector to eject its bullet casings forward, thus reducing the chances of the spent casings hitting a left-handed user's face. However, the deflector is not always effective in ensuring that casings are ejected forward or in ensuring that casings are not ejected upwards. This means the rifle is not completely ambidextrous but may, at a pinch, be fired from the left shoulder.
==See Also==
* [[ST Kinetics]] - A list of all firearms manufactured by Singapore Technologies Kinetics


==External links==
[[Category:Gun]]
*[http://www.stengg.com/CoyCapPro/detail.aspx?pdid=133 Official SAR-21 page at ST Kinetics]
[[Category:Rifle]]
*[http://world.guns.ru/assault/as31-e.htm Modern Firearms
[[Category:Bullpup]]
[[Category:Assault Rifle]]
[[Category:STANAG]]

Latest revision as of 06:51, 30 November 2022

The SAR 21 ("Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century") is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in Singapore by ST Kinetics, formerly known as CIS (Chartered Industries of Singapore). First revealed and subsequently adopted by the Singapore Armed Forces in 1999, to replace the standard issue M16S1.

Specifications

(1999 - Present)

Type: Assault Rifle

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

Capacity: 30

Fire Modes: Safe/Semi/Auto


The SAR 21 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

SAR 21

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CIS SAR 21 - 5.56x45mm NATO

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Austin Powers in Goldmember Michael Chaturantabut Roboto Industries security guard Other RI guards were seen using it as well 2002
Gamer Slayers 2009
Looper Hanging on the wall 2012
Ah Boys to Men Singapore Army soldiers SAR-21, SAR-21 RCF Module 2012
Ah Boys to Men 2 Singapore Army soldiers SAR-21 with blank firing modules 2013

Video Games

Game Title As Mods Notations Release Date
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Used by I-SDF troops 2005
Cross Fire "SAR-21" 2007

Anime

Title Character Note Date
Upotte!! Sar 2012


SAR 21 P-Rail

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ST Kinetics SAR 21 P-Rail with EOTech 551 holographic sight - 5.56x45mm NATO

Video Games

Game Title As Mods Notations Release Date
Ghost Recon: Phantoms SAR 21 SAR 21 P-Rail variant 2014


SAR 21 MMS

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ST Kinetics SAR 21 MMS with EOTech 551 holographic sight - 5.56x45mm NATO

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Ah Boys to Men Singapore Army soldiers TL MARS Reflex sight, foregrip and flashlight. 2012

Video Games

Game Title As Mods Notations Release Date
Battlefield 4 "SAR-21" With various attachments 2013
Battlefield Hardline "SAR-21" With various attachments Appears in Getaway DLC 2016


SAR 21 GL

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ST Kinetics SAR 21 with M203A1 grenade launcher - 5.56x45mm NATO

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Ah Boys to Men Singapore Army soldiers 2012

Video Games

Game Title As Mods Notations Release Date
Geist "Over-Under Assault Rifle" With M203 Grenade Launcher 2005


See Also

  • ST Kinetics - A list of all firearms manufactured by Singapore Technologies Kinetics