Just watched a new review of the Turkish MPT-76 battle rifle on the MAC YouTube channel. The manufacturer debuted it at SHOT a while back. It's kind of a combination of the AR-10/HK-417 with elements of the G3 thrown in. The funky see-through carry handle has QD Arms throw levers, with full length 1913 picatinny rail and a pretty nice set of integral adjustable BUIS. It's mostly ambidextrous, with operating control placement that will be familiar to any AR user. The new battle rifle loads from transparent polymer 20 round mags. I've no idea if they are proprietary or if the MPT-76 will be compatible with Magpul AR-10 mags, etc. I like their take on the short stroke piston and their unique 12 position button stock. Going against the flow, the Turks had developed a 5.56mm version, but ultimately decided to stick with the 7.62mm instead.
Zenith in the USA is looking at importing them. I'd love to get my hands on one to field test. Alas, if we were lucky enough to get them imported into Canada in civilian semi-auto guise they would almost certainly be classified as an AR variant. Nevertheless, I remain enamored. What do you guys think?
MKEK MPT-76 Mehmetçik-2 automatic rifle (Turkey)
MKEK MPT-76 Mehmetçik-2 automatic rifle
MKEK MPT-76 Mehmetçik-2 automatic rifle
Turkish defense manufacturer MKEK (Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu) began development of a new assault rifle for Turkish armed forces in around 2007. By 2008, MKEK produced a 5.56mm rifle called Mehmetçik-1, based on German HK 416 rifle. After several years of tests and development, Turkish army re-evaluated its requirements, and, based on its actual combat experience with various calibers in service (7.62x51 in HK G3, 7.62x39 in Kalashnikov AKM and 5.56x45 in HK 33), decided to stay with 7.62x51 NATO round for its next army rifle.
As a result, in May 2014 MKEK delivered first batch of 7.62x51mm MKEK MPT-76 automatic rifles to Turkish army. “MPT” stands for Milli Piyade Tüfeği, or National Infantry Rifle in English. MKEK MPT-76 rifle appears to be visually and technically similar to German HK 417 rifle. Fate the 5.56mm Mehmetçik-1 rifle is uncertain at this point (May, 2014).MKEK MPT-76 rifle is gas operated, select-fire weapon. It uses short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel, and AR-10/Ar-15 style rotary bolt, bolt carrier and return spring system. Aluminum alloy receiver also is based on AR-10/AR-15 design, with upper and lower halves being connected by two captive cross-pins. Rifle features M16-style charging handle, ambidextrous magazine release, bolt hold-open release and safety / fire selector controls. Ammunition is fed from 20-round box magazines, made from translucent polymer. Rifle is equipped with telescoping, adjustable shoulder stock. Front sight is mounted on the gas block and features folding base. Integral Picatinny rail on top of the receiver can hosts aperture-type rear sight (fully adjustable for range and windage), as well as quick-detachable carrying handle with “see-through” channel for standard iron sights plus its own set of iron sights for short-range applications (with U-shaped notch rear sight), built into the top of the handle. Carrying handle can be easily replaced with any type of red-dot, telescope or night sight with appropriate mountings. Additional Picatinny rails on the forend permit mounting of various accessories. Knife-bayonet may be attached for the barrel, if required.
Zenith in the USA is looking at importing them. I'd love to get my hands on one to field test. Alas, if we were lucky enough to get them imported into Canada in civilian semi-auto guise they would almost certainly be classified as an AR variant. Nevertheless, I remain enamored. What do you guys think?
MKEK MPT-76 Mehmetçik-2 automatic rifle (Turkey)
MKEK MPT-76 Mehmetçik-2 automatic rifle
MKEK MPT-76 Mehmetçik-2 automatic rifle
| Caliber | 7.62x51 NATO |
| Action | Gas operated |
| Length, mm | 920 |
| Barrel length, mm | 410 |
| Weight, kg | 4.1 |
| Rate of fire, rounds/minute | 650 |
| Magazine capacity, rounds | 20 |
As a result, in May 2014 MKEK delivered first batch of 7.62x51mm MKEK MPT-76 automatic rifles to Turkish army. “MPT” stands for Milli Piyade Tüfeği, or National Infantry Rifle in English. MKEK MPT-76 rifle appears to be visually and technically similar to German HK 417 rifle. Fate the 5.56mm Mehmetçik-1 rifle is uncertain at this point (May, 2014).MKEK MPT-76 rifle is gas operated, select-fire weapon. It uses short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel, and AR-10/Ar-15 style rotary bolt, bolt carrier and return spring system. Aluminum alloy receiver also is based on AR-10/AR-15 design, with upper and lower halves being connected by two captive cross-pins. Rifle features M16-style charging handle, ambidextrous magazine release, bolt hold-open release and safety / fire selector controls. Ammunition is fed from 20-round box magazines, made from translucent polymer. Rifle is equipped with telescoping, adjustable shoulder stock. Front sight is mounted on the gas block and features folding base. Integral Picatinny rail on top of the receiver can hosts aperture-type rear sight (fully adjustable for range and windage), as well as quick-detachable carrying handle with “see-through” channel for standard iron sights plus its own set of iron sights for short-range applications (with U-shaped notch rear sight), built into the top of the handle. Carrying handle can be easily replaced with any type of red-dot, telescope or night sight with appropriate mountings. Additional Picatinny rails on the forend permit mounting of various accessories. Knife-bayonet may be attached for the barrel, if required.
