Tucked away in the quiet corner among G3s and MP5 s is the new Turkish service rifle made by MKE. Lots of people probably do not recognize the name of their US distributor, but those who are familiar with military small arms should recognize the products displayed are Turkish in origin.
The Turkish MPT-76 is chambered in 7.62 NATO and it will be replacing G3 as the main staple in the Turkish military. The rifle weights in at 9.2 lb with a 406mm cold hammer forged barrel that has a projected life of 12,000 rounds. It has a forged aluminum receiver construction with a free floating handguard that is held to the barrel nut by a cross bolt. It is claimed that the rifle has passed testings based on the US Small arms testing protocols in TOP-3-2-045, which include cold test, ice test…etc.
Mechanically, MPT-76 runs on a multi-lug bolt arrangement of the Stoner variety. The cycling is operated by a short stroke push rod system. The push rod is not spring loaded and is pushed back by the bolt carrier in the return stroke. To disassemble the gas system, an allen key is needed to unscrew the gas regulator to release the push rod through the front.
Another interesting feature is the stock. It is not a lever-button arrangement as seen in typical AR15. The extension has a series of teeth like a rail. The user has to rotate the stock to move it out of the toothed lock-out position, and then move and rotate the stock to the next lock-out position.
Compared to the G3, MPT-76 is light years ahead in ergonomic. The build quality appears to be quite well, that makes its predecessor crude in comparison. Finally, MKE is eager to expand their civilian market around the globe. Hopefully a semi automatic version will be made in the near future.
Plastic wedge can be removed, probably something for people who like to hold on near the magazine well
Gas regulator and gas block
The Turkish MPT-76 is chambered in 7.62 NATO and it will be replacing G3 as the main staple in the Turkish military. The rifle weights in at 9.2 lb with a 406mm cold hammer forged barrel that has a projected life of 12,000 rounds. It has a forged aluminum receiver construction with a free floating handguard that is held to the barrel nut by a cross bolt. It is claimed that the rifle has passed testings based on the US Small arms testing protocols in TOP-3-2-045, which include cold test, ice test…etc.
Mechanically, MPT-76 runs on a multi-lug bolt arrangement of the Stoner variety. The cycling is operated by a short stroke push rod system. The push rod is not spring loaded and is pushed back by the bolt carrier in the return stroke. To disassemble the gas system, an allen key is needed to unscrew the gas regulator to release the push rod through the front.
Another interesting feature is the stock. It is not a lever-button arrangement as seen in typical AR15. The extension has a series of teeth like a rail. The user has to rotate the stock to move it out of the toothed lock-out position, and then move and rotate the stock to the next lock-out position.
Compared to the G3, MPT-76 is light years ahead in ergonomic. The build quality appears to be quite well, that makes its predecessor crude in comparison. Finally, MKE is eager to expand their civilian market around the globe. Hopefully a semi automatic version will be made in the near future.
Plastic wedge can be removed, probably something for people who like to hold on near the magazine well
Gas regulator and gas block
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